Current and former athletes, grateful parents, top-class and recreational runners, and local politicians all jogged (okay, drove) to Staples High School this morning.
The lanes around the football field were officially dedicated as the “Laddie Lawrence Track.” It was a fitting tribute to the man who, more than 50 years ago, began his career as an athlete there.
Best of all, Lawrence was on hand to enjoy the honor. He continues to coach 3 sports at his alma mater.
Laddie Lawrence thanks the crowd at the new “Laddie Lawrence track.” (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
After earning a full scholarship to Southern Arkansas University, the 1964 Staples graduate embarked on a teaching and coaching career in Westport. As head of Staples’ cross country, indoor and outdoor track programs — for decades, girls as well as boys — Lawrence has won (perhaps) more championships than all other coaches at the school combined.
He’s amassed 34 undefeated seasons; 34 FCIAC titles; 42 state class or open championships; 2 New England titles … you get the idea.
Past and current athletes presented Laddie Lawrence with a giant card of appreciation. (Photo/Andrea Moore)
He’s a member of the national, state and Fairfield County Halls of Fame.
Laddie Lawrence (blue striped shirt) with (from left) Andrea Moore, Board of Finance vice chair who ran for Lawrence in the 1980s; 1st Selectman Jim Marpe; Lawrence’s wife Katie; RTM member Andrew Colabella; 2nd Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
Since 1966, Laddie — he’s known by one name, like Pele, Bono or Cher — has headed up the Road Runners Club. That’s about as long as he’s been in charge of the Westport Parks & Recreation summer road race series. And its Thursday evening age group track meets.
Congratulations, Laddie. Here’s to thousands of more wins, dozens of more trophies, and many more years enjoying “your” track.
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
FUN FACT: Two nearby athletic facilities at Staples are named for other coaching legends: Albie Loeffler Field (soccer) and Jinny Parker Field (field hockey). Both were physical education teachers when Lawrence attended the high school — and later became his coaching colleagues.I
Former First Selectman John J. Kemish died April 25 in Boca Raton, Florida. He was 93.
Kemish served three 2-year terms as Westport’s chief executive, from 1967 to 1973. Prior to his election, beginning in 1958 he was the town’s first professional controller (now “finance director”). He improved Westport’s credit rating from A to AAA by establishing the town’s first Capital and Non-Recurring Expenditure fund. As controller he also played a pivotal role in the purchase of Longshore Country Club, under First Selectman Herb Baldwin.
John Kemish
Kemish earned a bachelor’s degree from Hillyer College (now called the University of Hartford), and a master’s degree in public administration and municipal finance from the University of Connecticut.
Woody Klein, in his book Westport Connecticut, The Story of a New England Town’s Rise to Prominence, called Kemish “a personable and highly competent public servant.”
At the time of his election, Westport “was about to face one of the most defining moments in the Town’s history.” United Illuminating Company, a statewide utility, had just announced its intent to build a 14-story nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island, less than one mile offshore from Westport’s Compo Beach…. Kemish would soon become one of the key figures in the Cockenoe campaign.”
UI’s announcement galvanized the town, and sparked a “Save Cockenoe Now” campaign spearheaded by Jo Fox Brosious, editor of the Westport News.
The First Selectman’s Committee began a year-and-a-half environmental battle, with national coverage. The solution involved the purchase of the Island by the Town. MrKemish engineered the financing that made the purchase possible, and recouped 75% of the money from the federal government. Westport now owns Cockenoe Island in perpetuity.
Cockenoe Island. Thanks in part to John Kemish, it remains pristine.
MrKemish also spearheaded construction of the first solid waste transfer station (the current site of the Levitt Pavilion), effectively ending sanitary land filling of garbage in Westport. This was a landmark for Connecticut, and culminated in the formation of the State Resource Recovery Authority.
Among other important contributions to the quality of life in Westport, Kemish created Westport’s Beautification Committee. Chair Claire Ford and her organization gained the support of the Planning & Zoning Commission. Significant changes included plantings and the restriction of signage along the Post Road.
Kemish was also responsible for the acquisition of the 38-acre Wakeman Farm, acquisition of the Nike Site on Bayberry lane, and a similar one on North Avenue (providing additional land adjacent to the Staples High School property, now the location of Bedford Middle School).
Bedford Middle School, on the site of a former Nike Missile Site.
During his years as first selectman, Kemish succeeded New York Mayor John Lindsay as president of the Metropolitan Regional Council, which was instrumental in improving services of the Metro-North railroad.
In addition, Kemish worked with Union Carbide and American Can Company on expansion of their municipal resource recovery and solid waste processing systems. In retirement he traveled extensively with his wife Gloria, and enjoyed family time in his homes in Connecticut and Florida.
He is survived by his wife Gloria Kemish, her family, and sons James and Steven.
Yesterday, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice addressed the easing of COVID restrictions in Connecticut. He said:
Both the CDC and state Department of Public Health have maintained their recommendation for masks inside the school building for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff for the remainder of the current school year. However, with our low community transmission rates in both the town and our schools, as well as an increasing number of vaccinated staff and students, masks will no longer be required for students when outdoors for both recess and PE.
The State Department of Education announced that there will be no remote learning requirement for the upcoming school year (2021-2022). The Westport Public Schools will not offe remote learning as a permanent instructional option for next school year, unless otherwise mandated by the CSDE. The remote learning option, like a number of other approaches and investments, has been critical to our remarkable success this year. Although students have experienced success in this pandemic year, if anything else, this year clearly proved that there is no replacement for in-person learning. We look forward to welcoming all students in-person for the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
As the end of year events begin to pick up, I ask that we all do our part to continue to thank our faculty, and all of our support staff across the system, for their extraordinary work this year. There was no playbook. We approached the year in 4-6 week increments. Yet as we look back, we carefully navigated a generational pandemic to serve our students and while earnestly attending to their social, emotional, and academic needs. A great deal will be written about this era. I, for one, will remember the people and the acts of kindness, commitment, and professionalism that carried us towards an increasingly brighter light at the end of this tunnel.
The town of Westport has leased 2 new Chevy Bolts for staff field work. They’ll be used for municipal inspections by the Public Works Engineering Division and the Assessor’s Office.
A cost benefit analysis has proven that these vehicles are both environmentally friendly, and cost effective.
The choice of Chevy Bolts was based on their overall low price, good reputation, and compact size. The cars also have a low maintenance cost and a longer expected service life than competitors. Both vehicles are at the standard option level.
1st Selectman Jim Marpe says, “We are very proud of Westport’s advancement in electric vehicle usage and municipal charging stations. Investments such as the Police Department’s purchase of a Model 3 Tesla are proving to be beneficial, and we expect the same for the municipal fleet. These Bolts help move Westport closer toward meeting sustainability goals.”
From left: Assessor Paul Friia, 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, Dawn Henry of Sustainable Westport, Finance director Gary Conrad, Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich with the new Chevy Bolts.
Several readers have not seen the Fresh Market ospreys for awhile. I asked “06880”‘s resident expert, Carolyn Doan, for an update She says:
“The osprey are incubating right now. so they are very difficult to see in a nest that is high up.
“Usually the female does most of the sitting while the male brings back food. He does take over for her from time to time to give her a much needed stretch or break. She is the one with a more speckled chest. His chest is more white (in case you wanted to try and discern between the two if you notice one in a tree).
“If not fishing, the one taking a break is usually in a nearby tree. In this case there is a big pine tree to the right of the Fresh Market nest. You can usually see one of the pair there. Or look across the street behind Dunkin Donuts. At the top of a bare tree behind the building you will see a large bird. (Usually the male. He loves this spot for some reason.”)
Surprise! Beechwood Arts — the innovative, immersive series — opens its grounds tomorrow (Sunday, May 23, 52 Weston Road), from noon to 5 p.m.
The copper beech and other trees and flowers are blooming. And, founders Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito say, they miss their Sunday afternoons with their friends.
“Stop in to say hello, have a lemonade, walk the grounds, bring your own picnic,” they say.
“The main house will not be open. But it’s likely you’ll hear Frederic practicing for his Classical Smackdown II (Thursday, May 27, 7 p.m.)
“Our 5-star rated carriage house and studio summer retreat will be open, so you can take a peek while you’re here.” Both will be listed for summer rent on AirBnB June 1.
“My grandmother was a friend of the engine builder/designer Charlie Lawrence (2nd autograph from left in photo below).
The day before the flight, Mr. Lawrence asked my grandmother, ‘Do you want to see this fellow take off at 5 a.m. to fly solo across the Atlantic?’
“She replied, ‘Charlie, you’re drunk.’ She did not go. But because she was fluent in French, he asked her to write Lindergh’s letter of introduction for when he landed. As a thank you, she received this picture of Lindbergh and Lawrence and their signatures, taken just before he took off.”
Yesterday’s “06880” also brought mention of Margot Liotta. The 2019 Staples High School graduate was one of 4 recipients of a Drew Friedman Community Arts Center Foundation scholarship.
Turns out she’s as artist in more ways than one.
In addition to the photograph that helped win her a grant, she’s a bass guitarist, singer and songwriter. She’s transferrin to Berklee College of Music — and has just released her first song, “Aries.”
Her boyfriend and former Staples classmate, Zach Rogers, produced it, and plays guitar. He’s transferring to Brown University.
Margot and Zach have played together for several years. They’ve done gigs at Wakeman Town Farm — and will play there again this summer.
A third ’19 grad, Kevin Ludy, did the artwork and promotion. He’s studying music management at Syracuse University.
Click here for various ways to hear (and purchase) “Aries.”
Margot Liotta and Zach Rogers, at Wakeman Town Farm. (Photo/Jarret Liotta)
Only 2 this week’s art submissions refer specifically to the pandemic.
This feature began as a way for reader/artists to express their feelings — about COVID, the quarantine, the political climate, you name — through their favorite medium.
Now it’s evolved. The works we feature are more wide ranging. They’re a bit more nuanced. Just one more sign that the world is moving on.
As always: This is your gallery. Some of you are professionals; most are amateurs. Experience does not matter. We want all your art!
Student submissions are especially welcome. So are artists who have not submitted previously. Email dwoog@optonline.net, to share your work with the world.
“Mask Quilt” (Amy Schneider)
“Garden Gate” (Lucy Johnson)
“Happy Gatsby Day: The Fitzgeralds” (Brian Whelan)
Many Westport non-profits have big public profiles. We know about their great work, and we know which of our neighbors work so hard for them.
Plenty of other organizations are lower-key. We don’t hear about them, and we don’t know who’s involved.
Child Advocates of SW Connecticut is in that second category. Most of us have no clue about their work as volunteer advocates for vulnerable children in schools, communities and courtrooms.
Advocates get to know a child one-on-one. They speak with people who touch his or her life: families, foster families, teachers, doctors, social workers, therapists and attorneys.
Quietly ad effectively, they impact countless lives.
CAC operates throughout the area — with a heavy Westport presence. Recently, they honored 20 local residents for outstanding advocacy:
Nancy Anderson
April Book
Tanya Clemmons
Catherine Davis
Lindsay DelCampo
Amanda Doyle
Allison Feuer
Lisa Friedland
Laura Hallet
Heidi Hammer
Elliott Landon
Amy Levantin
Lauri Levitt
Wendy Melnick
Suzan Murphy
Donna Steinberg
Ricki Stern
Michelle Titlebaum
Sheri Warshaw
Cindy Zuckerbrod
What the volunteers do is astonishing. The video below — featuring Allison Feuer and Garth, who she has advocated for over the past 6 years — provides a look at their deep relationship. If you watch nothing else this week, click below!
The 20 honorees are grateful. But they say they get as much as they give.
April Book became a volunteer because she wanted to make a difference in the life of a child. She worked with a teenage girl for the past 3 years, during the youngster’s many ups and downs.
April Book
“She came from a turbulent home, and experienced trauma and neglect,” Book says.
“She has been in several foster and group homes during the time I have worked with her. She reaches out to me for support, assistance or advice, and we enjoy spending time together. I have been a consistent presence, and she knows I will always be there for her.”
Amanda Doyle advocates for a teen, “to ensure her educational needs are being met, and help her navigate some of the social challenges that have been difficult for all children during the pandemic. We are working on developing a trusting relationship, which has been challenging given all the trauma she has been through. My goal is to provide a stable, positive influence on her life.”
Lisa Friedland’s cases involve families needing legal help to address family issues. “I try to be a resource for the court,” she says. “I gather information and insights that will help a judge make a fair and fully informed decision in the best interest of the child.”
Sheri Warshaw notes, “My role as a CAC volunteer afforded me the most meaningful way to make a difference in a child’s life. I’m so proud to be a part of this phenomenal organization.”
Cindy Zuckerbrod
Cindy Zuckerbrod has spent nearly 2 years with a 17-year-old, who is still just a freshman in high school. She says, “through my advocacy, her hard work and her trust in me, she will be promoted to the next grade.
“She recently got an 87 on a test, something she thought would never happen. She was reunified with her biological parents 3 months ago.” The girl and her parents asked Zuckerbrod to continue working with her even after the case is closed by the court.
Executive director Stacey Sobel — another Westporter — says, “CAC is thrilled to honor our incredible volunteers. Vulnerable children have suffered disproportionately during the COVID pandemic. Our volunteers have done a tremendous job ensuring needs are being met.”
(Child Advocates’ annual fundraising luncheon was canceled, due to COVID. Click here to contribute to their “The Gift That Gives” online campaign, and to learn how to volunteer.)
One of longtime Westporters’ favorite activities is trying to remember the names of all the restaurants that preceded a current one.
Take Hudson Malone. Most people knew the spot at the corner of Main and Canal Streets as 323; before that, Bogey’s, Oliver’s, Stone’s Throw, and a few others.
But it takes a special resident to recall Maud Chez Elle.
Even then, who remembers that the French-named restaurant looked like something straight out of the French Alps?
(Photo courtesy of Dick Stein)
Which, come to think of it, was a bit like another French restaurant: Le Chambord.
Popular a decade or so later, it is no longer a restaurant of any type.
Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton has certified a petition requesting that the Representative Town Meeting review the Planning & Zoning Commission’s settlement of a lawsuit, permitting Summit Saugatuck to build 157 units of housing on Hiawatha Lane.
There’s a new interim president at the University of Connecticut.
And he’s a Westport resident.
Dr. Andrew Agwunobi and his wife Elizabeth (also a physician) moved here 2 years. He has served as CEO of UConn Health — a position he will continue in. He is the first person of color to be named president in the university’s history.
Westport firefighters joined their brothers and sisters from across the state yesterday. Over 130 Connecticut fire departments, many first responder agencies, and fire departments from as far as Detroit gathered to pay respects to Firefighter Ricardo “Rico” Torres. He died last week battling a blaze in New Haven.
He leaves behind his wife Erica Martinez, and sons, due to be born in August. Click here for a fundraiser to support his family and unborn sons.
Firefighters at the funeral for Ricardo Torres. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
All week long, a 185-foot yacht moored off Compo Beach has drawn attention.
(Photo/Fred Cantor)
The craft is named Rosehearty. The previous owner was Rupert Murdoch. Now it’s owned by a private businessman and his wife. They’ve sailed it — with friends, and crew — through the Northwest Passage, and to Antarctica.
(Photo/Jeff Manchester)
It’s here because the owner — a Staples High School graduate — is building a house near Saugatuck Shores. He’s lived all over the world, but wants one of his homes now to be in his old home town.
(Photo/Lawrence Zlatkin)
It’s not finished yet. So on his way up from the South, he and his wife are spending a few days here. They’re looking over the construction, shopping and enjoying the town. Rosehearty heads next to Gibraltar and Italy.
I was fortunate enough to be invited aboard for drinks and dinner last night. There were jokes about the “houseboat,” and a few smaller vessels circled nearby, asking what we were up to.
(Photo/ Dan Woog)
But — with a few other guests, including Staples grads and Irish ex-pats — it was just like any other dinner with friends.
(Photo/ Dan Woog)
Any other dinner with friends, that is, on one of the first real “non-COVID” nights in 14 months.
The galley is larger than some New York City kitchens. (Photo/Dan Woog)
And on a super-yacht a mile off the Westport shore previously owned by Rupert Murdoch, served by a crew of 6, and now the talk of the town.
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Child Advocates of SW Connecticut is in that second category. Most of us have no clue about their work as volunteer advocates for vulnerable children in schools, communities and courtrooms.
