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A forecast of severe weather has forced organizers to cancel Sunday’s CT United Ride.
It’s the first cancelation ever for the event, which draws up to 1,000 motorcyclists honoring 9/11 victims and first responders.
Bikers assemble at Sherwood Island State Park, then ride down I-95 to Exit 17, where they follow Riverside Avenue and Wilton Road into Wilton, and 8 towns beyond.
Police shut down all roads, to let the motorcyclists pass. So although the tribute to 9/11 victims is off, Westporters will not be impacted by traffic detours. (Hat tip: Stacie Curran)
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Staples High School junior Annam Olasewere has missed the start of the Wreckers’ swim and dive season.
There’s a good reason: She’s representing the US at the World Aquatics Junior Championships in Netanya, Israel. Over 600 young swimmers from more than 100 nationals are participating. Annam is the only one from Connecticut.
She’s in the finals today, the finale of the 6-day event.
Annam’s 50-meter fredstyle final heat will be shown on the big screen in the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum today (Saturday), at 12:06 p.m. She is 3rd currently, with a time of 24.95.
Annam has already swum in 2 Olympic trial cuts, in the 50- and 100-meter free. This June, she’ll attend the US Olympic Trials.
Annam Olasewere
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Speaking of sports at the Library: With insight, humor and plenty of stories, Geno Auriemma kicked off the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston’s 2023-2024 speaker program on Thursday.
The hugely successful University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach did not disappoint the capacity crowd of 200 Y’s Men and their spouses.
Interviewer Jeremy Schaap — a Westporter, and Emmy Award-winning ESPN journalist — drew revealing answers from the coach.
Auriemma called the keys to his success “knowing what you’re good at, and getting the right people.” He noted, “trying to build a team from nothing and seeing it develop was a lot of fun. Every day was an opportunity to do better.”
The discussion also covered the new challenges contemporary college athletes face today.
The Y’s Men thank Pete Wolgast for helping arrange Geno’s appearance.
Geno Auriemma (with mic) answers questions from Jeremy Schaap.
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Looking for help, information and support around behavioral, mental health and parenting issues?
Several interesting events are on tap this month, sponsored by Westport Together:
September 12 (3 p.m.): Join the Westport Prevention Coalition’s monthly meetings. The community-based group of parents, students and local stakeholders offer prevention education and programs to combat substance misuse and related behavioral health problems. For more information, email Kgodburn@westportct.gov.
September 26 (6:30 p.m.): “The Most Vital School Supply for Parents: Learn the Signs of Adolescent Mental Health Issues and How to get Help.” An expert panel discusses mental health resources available to area students and families. Register at wtestani@turnbridge.com
September 27 (noon): “Body Positivity in the Digital Age.” Social media has profoundly impacted teenagers, particularly concerning their body image and susceptibility to eating disorders. This virtual program covers warning signs and strategies to promote healthy habits. Click here to register.
September 30 (8 a.m.): “Fathers’ Forum.” An informal opportunity for fathers to talk about parenting challenges and strategies. Click here for more information, and to register.
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No resuscitation was needed for fans of DNR Friday night at the Levitt Pavilion.
The rock band of (mostly) retired doctors performs annually there. Last night’s event was — appropriately — a fundraiser for Westport Emergency Medical Services.
(Photo/Jo Shields Sherman)
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The Westport Country Playhouse presents “I’ll Drink to That! A Broadway Cocktail Hour” — with a chaser.
Tickets to the September 22 (6 p.m.; Playhouse courtyard and Lucille Lortel White Barn Center, adjacent to the theater) event — featuring Laurence Maslon, author of “I’ll Drink to That!,” recounting magic moments on stage, and a guide to making cocktails inspired by legendary stars and classic shows, and actors incorporating his stories with songs and scenes from Broadway productions — include 2 specialty cocktails.
Attendees will enjoy the first as Maslon details the history of cocktails on Broadway. The 70-minute program concludes with a second drink, and book signing.
Click here for more information, and tickets.
Laurence Maslon
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What’s it like when a town goes to war?
Tony Pavia answers that question on September 30 (3 p.m.). It’s part of the Weston History & Culture Center’s World War II lecture series.
“An American Town Goes to War” focuses on a group of men from one town — Stamford — but their stories are universal.
Pavia — a former US history teacher, and principal of New Canaan, Stamford and Trinity Catholic High Schools — will discuss their experiences, and tell stories of them and their loved ones.
Guided tours of the Coley House, which shows life on the home front during World War II, will begiven after the lecture.
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Congratulations to Lila Manimala Doromal earned honorable mention in NPR’s recent Student Podcast Challenge.
The Pierrepont School 8th grader and Paul Taylor Ensemble dancer wrote and narrated “I Am American.” She spoke about her Indian, Filipino and Caucasian backgrounds — and what they mean to hear.
Click here to listen.
Lila Manimala Doromal
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Mary Gardner Stephenson of Westport, and Estero, Florida, died on August 16. She was 96.
Born in London, she was among the first graduates of the Royal Cancer Hospital’s program for X-ray technology.
Five years after marrying her late husband, John Mitchell Stephenson in 1948, they emigrated with their eldest daughter to Providence. They settled in Westport in 1963.
She was a nuclear medicine technologist at Bridgeport’s Park City Hospital.
Mary was as a member of the Daughters of the British Empire, League of Women Voters, Sierra Club and Audubon Society. She was also involved in the Westport-Weston Community Theatre and Wilton Playshop.
In retirement Mary dedicated herself to her lush garden, birding, listening to opera and traveling internationally. She was a devoted grandmother, sharing her love of the arts, animals and history.
She is survived by her daughters Wendy Winkler of Beaver Creek, Ohio; Jennifer Stephenson of Bonita Springs, Forida and Julia Thompson of Naples, Florida, 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Mary Stephenson
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This egret made quite a splash the other day, at Grace Salmon Park.
Dan Johnson captured it nicely, for our “Westport … Naturally” daily feature.
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And finally … today is September 9. Whether you use the American or European way of writing dates, it still comes out as 9/9. So …
(Sure, the weather may be iffy this weekend. But you’ll always have “06880.” Please click here to make a contribution. Thank you!)
