This is one of the greatest sports items I’ve ever run:
On Saturday in Staten Island, Westport’s own remarkable athlete (and artist) Norma Minkowitz broke the 400 meter world — yes, world — indoor record,
For the women’s 85-90 year-old age group.
Norma’s record time was 1:50.99. That smashes the previous record of 1:51.89 — held by Emma Mazzenga of Italy, since 2019 almost a full second.
Here she goes:
And here’s what happened next:
But wait! There’s more — much more!
Norma had just 30 minutes to prepare for her next race: a grueling 800 meters.
Typically they’re run on separate days — certainly not just half an hour apart.
Yet Norma smashed/demolished/obliterated the American record. She ran a 4:33.38. The old record was — are you sitting down? — 6:14.93, set by Florence Meiler last year.
With a bit of rest, Norma might have made it 2 world marks in less than an hour.
Norma Minkowitz, with her medals. (Photo/Jeff Mitchell)
Congratulations, Norma. You’re amazing.
And to the rest of Westport: What did you do this past weekend? (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
BONUS LAP: Click here for an in-depth “06880” story on Norma Minkowitz.
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Amis restaurant closed yesterday.
The restaurant — one of the anchors of Bedford Square when it opened 6 years ago — posted this sign:
(Photo and hat tip/Larry Bartimer)
In response to a request for information, a restaurant representative said: “Simply put, just not enough sales.”
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Earlier this winter, Wendy Van Wie was the winning bidder on a work of art. It showed Marigny, France — our first sister city, since just after World War II — and was donated by residents there to help raise funds for the new sister city our two towns share: Lyman, Ukraine. (Click here for the back story.)
The artwork recently arrived in Westport. Wendy’s husband Mark Yurkiw, his fellow Westport Artists Collective member Miggs Burroughs, and Katya Wauchope of Ukraine Aid International created a short film. It honors and thanks our friends from Marigny, and celebrates our connection with Lyman.
Click below to see:
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Longtime Westporter Martin (Marty) Albert died on Thursday, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 77 years old, and had been diagnosed nearly 30 years ago.
The Brooklyn native graduated from Jamaica High School in 1962. He earned degrees from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, Boston University Law School, and a master’s in taxation from NYU. He worked as an attorney at Cohen & Wolf for 35 years.
He enjoyed golf, skiing and walking. He served as vice president of United Way (Bridgeport), vice president of the United Jewish Appeal, board member of the Jewish Home for the Elderly Foundation, president of Birchwood Country Club and vice president of Temple Israel.
Martin is survived by his wife Janet, children Elizabeth Heyer (Joseph) and Andrew (Rachel), sister Naomi Gardner, and grandchildren Samson, Austin and Presley Heyer, and Madison and Aaron Albert.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Tuesday, February 28, 10:30 a.m., Temple Israel). Burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery, 225 Richards Avenue, Norwalk. Shiva will be observed at the home of Janet Albert on Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday, March 1 from 2 to 8 p,m. To share a condolence message, click here.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation.
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I’m not sure if a rock has ever been the centerpiece of our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
But it doesn’t get more natural than this view, from Compo’s South Beach:
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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And finally … in honor of Norma Minkowitz (story above):
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