In 2010 — when “06880” was less than a year old — we published a story on Max Orland.
The Staples High School graduate had just started working for the Boston Red Sox, as an operations and equipment intern during spring training.
Max prepared well for that job. A 4-year student manager for the University of Delaware baseball team, and valued member of the athletic department, he’d overcome a substantial speech and language disability. The story celebrated his success.
That was just the start. On Monday, Delaware’s UDaily did their own story on Max. “Opening Doors Through Inclusion” covered his 16 years since graduation.
These days, Max works in golf operations at La Gorce Country Club in Miami Beach, and is a team attendant for the Miami Heat. Over the years he has worked for premier golf clubs, and held operational roles with the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and U.S. Open. Soon, he’ll return to the tennis Open as a court attendant.
He speaks on disability issues at national conferences and industry events. And he volunteers with Special Olympics.
Oh yeah: UD’s former baseball team called Max “the best team manager we ever had.” The program’s Rookie of the Year Award in named in his honor.
Max says, “I am still grateful for my 4 years at Staples that launched me to greater heights. I always catch a Wreckers game or two when I’m back home.”
Click here for the full UDaily story.
Max Orland
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The Pan-Mass Challenge is a near-200-mile 2-day bike ride, from Worcester to Provincetown.
But despite its Massachusetts roots — and its fundraising efforts for Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — the annual event has a strong Westport presence.
A number of residents have participated in the challenging-yet-satisfying ride. Among them: Adam Drake. (Click here for all previous “06880” stories.)
This weekend, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member participates in his 6th Pan-Mass Challenge.
“The Pan-Mass Challenge is an amazing reminder of what people can accomplish when they decide to do something difficult together,” Drake says. “It also reminds me for weeks afterward that no amount of training makes a bicycle seat comfortable.”
For Drake — who is part of local team Velominati — the ride is about supporting the patients, families, doctors and researchers confronting cancer every day.
Many riders participate in honor or memory of someone affected by cancer. More than 1,100 riders and volunteers this year are cancer survivors or current patients, .
“Nearly all of us have watched cancer affect someone we love,” he says. “The miles can be brutal, but they are nothing compared with what patients and their families endure. Riding, raising awareness and raising funds are simply small ways I can help.”
To donate via Adam’s page, click here.
Adam Drake, at the Pan-Mass Challenge.
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Tomorrow is the last date for boys and girls ages 5-18 to take images for the Young Shoots photo contest.
There are prizes in 3 age groups, and an exhibit and reception for all the young entrants.
The Farmers’ Market takes place at the Imperial Avenue parking lot (Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
The contest deadline is July 31, Click here for details, and submission guidelines.
2024 winner: ages 5-9: Koa DeCastro.
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Yesterday’s Roundup featured a very cool photo of a baby shark, washed up on Burying Hill Beach.
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
What we did not know — or we definitely would have mentioned it — is that we’re smack dab in the middle of Shark Week. (For those of you who prefer to be outdoors — cautiously — in the summer, rather than watching TV, that’s an annual Discovery Channel promotion.)
And how did we find out about Shark Week?
From Scott Sharkey — owner of the national Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids salon company.
Of course.
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Speaking of nature: The Earthplace “Feed the Animals” campaign has run throughout July.
Their goal is to raise $25,000, to cover the rising costs of care for over 50 “animal friends.”
Many Earthplace resident animals cannot survive in the wild due to permanent injuries. They now serve as “ambassadors.”
Every donation received through Friday (July 31) will be matched Click here to contribute — and have your gift support “double” the animals.
Please support us!
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On Monday, “06880” reported on plans for a 2-story indoor sports facility, on the present site of Bar Lupa restaurant, Izzo & Son Country Gardens, and Furniture on Consignment II.
That night, the Planning & Zoning Commission looked favorably on the pre-application presented by the Redniss & Mead land use firm.
Westport native Andrew Bangser looked up the location — 1431 Post Road East — on Google Maps.
A nearby building was labeled “Arnie’s Place.”
(Screenshot courtesy of Andrew Bangser)
Most Westporters know it as “the former site of Balducci’s.” It’s been closed for nearly half a year.
And, as Andrew points out, Arnie’s Place — the once-controversial, now long-lamented video arcade — met its end a decade before Larry Page and Sergey Brin began building a rudimentary search engine in their Stanford University dorm room.
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A 2-vehicle accident at noon yesterday, on Post Road East in front of Redi-Cut Carpet, snapped a utility pole and forced the extrication of the occupant of a truck.
Two people were taken to the hospital, with injuries.
(Photo/Westport Fire Department)
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Since 2002, the Malloy Lecture in the Arts — supported by the last Westport artist Susan Malloy — has brought creative artists like Salman Rushdie, Roz Chast and Kelli O’Hara to the Westport Library stage.
This year’s guest is Amor Towles. The best-selling author will speak with writer and editor Stephanie Klose about his career, and novels like “A Gentleman in Moscow,” “The Lincoln Highway” and “Table for Two” that have captivated millions of readers around the world. Click here for more information.
Amor Towles
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The serious business of school kicks in sooner than anyone realizes.
A few days before, the Westport Country Playhouse offers a “Silly Dilly Concert,” fun for the whole family.
The Saturday, August 22 show (4 p.m.) features over 20 songs, right out of Alan Katz’s parody books. Click here for tickets; click here or below for a sneak peek.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows this magnificent raptor at Longshore the Town Farm tennis courts.
Watching the tennis courts — like a hawk, of course.
(Photo/Michael Chait)
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And finally … Freddy Cannon — the singer of classic pop/rock songs like “Palisades Park, “Tallahassee Lassie” and “Action” — died Friday in California. He was 89, and had been diagnosed with bladder cancer.
Click here for a full obituary.
(“06880” is where the action is — 24/7/365. If you come here for news, features, photos, random stuff — or anything else — please click this link, to support our work. Oh baby, come on!)
