Last night’s Board of Education meeting began with a toast to retiring teachers and other professionals. Administrators and Board members praised nearly 2 dozen men and women, for their decades of service.
Then came comments about a coach who will not return.
With several teammates standing in support, 3 Staples High School boys soccer players spoke passionately, powerfully and clearly — yet respectfully — about their confusion, anger and disappointment in the way the BOE, superintendent of schools and administrators handled the non-renewal of coach Russell Oost-Lievense’s contract.
Incoming captains Drew Hill and Dylan Shackelford, plus fellow junior Zach Gillman, called for their coach’s reinstatement.
They described sitting in last month’s 14-hour hearing, yet not having ever been interviewed as witnesses. They were surprised at the silence of BOE members — some of whom never asked one question during the long day — as well as with the application of the “arbitrary and capricious” threshold upon which the decision was supposed to be made.
The players also noted that they were speaking for “any coach or teacher” who could be targeted next by administrators.
Board member Robert Harrington then proposed an agenda item to reopen the case, based on witnesses who were not allowed, evidence withheld, and the “impartiality” of the BOE’s mediator at the hearing.
Like the students who spoke, Harrington pleaded for the superintendent and administrators to sit down with Oost-Lievense and try to find a resuloution.
There was no second for his motion.
Harrington’s second agenda request — to allow discussion of a “privileged” letter from the BOE’s attorney — also failed, without a second.
From left: Dylan Shackelford, Drew Hill, Zach Gillman. (Photos/Dan Woog)
==================================================
Hook’d is gone.
Sort of.
The much-maligned concessionaire still has the Compo Beach and Longshore contracts (for one more year).
But they seem to have rebranded themselves as Bluestone
Their graphics (and offerings) look much the same as before. But if you’ve tried the new brand at either location, please click “Comments” to leave a review.
Bluestone at Compo Beach … (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
… and Longshore. (Photo/Brandon Malin)
=================================================
The Longshore parking lot overflowed last night, with 2 of Westport’s most popular events.
CLASP Homes‘ annual “Taste of Westport” event highlighted many of the area’s most popular restaurants (and assorted other food purveyors).
It was a huge fundraiser for the non-profit that has done such good work, for so long, providing care, support and inspiration to men and women with autism and developmental disabilities.
Among those providing (much more than) a taste of Westport, to hundreds of hungry attendees: Anan, Artisan, Bar Bushido, Barcelona, Black Bear Wines & Spirits, The Blondinit, Boathouse, The Bridge at Saugatuck, Bridgewater, Chopin Vodka, Código 1530, Don Memo, Eder Bros., Freixenet Monetto, Grumpy Dumpling Co., Gabriele’s, Gruel Brittania, La Plage, Little pub, Magic Pie Co., Nômade, Moët & Chandon, Nordic Fish, Oggi Gelato, Blue Bistro, Rizzuto’s, Romanacci Pizza Bar, Saugatuck Oyster Company, Schloss Johannisberg, Tarantino, The Whelk, Woodford Reserve and Zucca Gastrobar.
Robin Tauck and Miggs Burroughs take in the scene …
… which included plenty of serving stations, and a few hundred folks enjoying them.
Meanwhile, a few steps away on the La Plage patio, another couple of hundred folks socialized, networked and noshed at Startup Westport‘s monthly get-together.
In just 2 years, the public/private partnership for tech and entrepreneurship has established itself as a force for creativity, innovation and economic activity.
Plus, everyone involved knows how to have fun.
Dan Bikel, Tucker Peters and Jay Norris share startup tips …
… and the networking continues. (All photos/Dan Woog)
================================================
Club203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — closes out another very successful year, with a big beach jam.
The June 10 event (6:30 to 8 p.m., Compo Beach Ned Dimes Marina) includes the Super Duper Weenie Truck, art by MoCA, and “music and movement” led by Susan Wright from Digital Zen Studios.
Click here to learn more about the beach bash, and Club203.
============================================
VFW Post 399 reaches out to veterans in many ways.
Next up: a Veterans Benefits Luncheon on June 12 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
It’s free, and open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.
PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!
All veterans are invited to the VFW’s free June 12 luncheon.
==================================================
Congratulations to Adam Udell!
The senior lacrosse player set a school record for career points on Wednesday, when Staples High dismantled Norwich Free Academy 23-0 in the state LL tournament round of 16.
Udell — a University of Michigan commit — now has 230 points (goals and assists). That’s one more than the previous record holder, Michael Reale, who graduated in 2016.
Udell — who also holds the school records for goals and assists in a season — has a chance to add to that total tomorrow. The #3 Wreckers host #6 Greenwich (1 p.m., Paul Lane Field) in the state quarterfinals. The Cardinals beat Staples earlier in the year.
Adam Udell
==================================================
Seen yesterday at the Westport Farmers’ Market: free seeds and seedlings …
… and fresh strawberries:
The Farmers’ Market is open every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
===============================================
The Westport Rotary Club’s annual Community Service and Public Protection Awards lunch on Tuesday featured awards to 11 local activists and volunteers, plus Public Protection awards to Westport Police, Westport EMS, and Westport Fire Department personnel.
Honorees included Harold Bailey, Jr. and Bernicestine McLeod Bailey of TEAM Westport, Compo Playground Committee co-chairs Bridget Flynn and Samantha Owades, and site manager R.B. Benson.
First responders honored by the Westport Rotary Club …
… along with (from left) Harold and Bernicestine McLeod Bailey, with Rotary Club officials Eileen Lavigne Flug and Jim Marpe …
… and Samantha Owades, Rotary’s Alex Cohen, Bridget Flynn RB Benson. (Photos/Adriana Bleloch-DeLucia)
==================================================
Fran Mande turns 103 years old tomorrow!
A brief illness kept the longtime Westport resident from her usual visits to the Senior Center and Compo Beach. But she’s doing better, and hopes to return soon.
Fran still lives off Clinton Avenue — her home for the past 70 years.
And she’s got email (which certainly did not exist when she moved in, during the Eisenhower administration). “06880” readers can wish Fran a happy 103rd birthday at franmande@gmail.com.
Happy birthday, Fran Mande!
=================================================
Little Beet — the “vegetarian-friendly” restaurant a few doors up from Fresh Market — closed on April 24.
Perhaps the reason we’ve just heard about it is related to the reason they’re no longer here.
Eight locations in New York and Westchester, and 2 others in New Jersey and Washington, remain open.
(Hat tip and photo/John Karrel)
==================================================
Sorelle Gallery welcomes Beth Munro, and her abstract paintings, as its next “On View” show.
An opening reception next Friday (June 13, 4 to 6 p.m.) includes a meet-and-greet, wine and light refreshments. More details are available here.
=================================================
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo highlights a mushroom patch on Hillandale Road.
And something that blends in, but doesn’t quite belong there.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
==================================================
And finally … in honor of those mushrooms (above):
(Feed your head! And also, “06880.” Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
