A reminder: the family-friendly, fun Westport Sunrise Rotary Club Duck Race event begins at 10 a.m. today on Jesup Green, and runs until 2 p.m. The ducks themselves cascade down a chute at 1 p.m. Raffle tickets — with a top prize of $5,000, and many others — will be available there.
Also at 10:30 a.m. today on Jesup Green: a brief welcoming ceremony for our 200 United Nations guests. Before heading off for a day of recreation, shopping and (if the sun comes out) beach activities, they will be greeted officially. The public is invited.
And of course all day long, the Westport Downtown Association sidewalk sale rocks Main Street and environs.
jUNe Day flags on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Nancy Lally)
Lulada Club: NYC’s All-Women Salsa Orchestra got the women — and men — dancing last night, at the Levitt Pavilion.
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
The free weekend entertainment continues tonight (Saturday), with blues trio Buffalo Nichols (7:30 p.m.), and tomorrow (Sunday), with the NYC Ska Orchestra (7 p.m.).
The (somewhat) new Ethan Allen Design Center in the Fresh Foods shopping plaza chose 10 members of the Artists Collective of Westport to exhibit their work for a month.
The art will be displayed throughout the separate room settings, on the walls and easels. The intiative originated with EA’s design director, Westporter, Melissa Mack.
A reception is set for July 9 (5 to 7:30 p.m.).
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Several osprey pairs continue to enjoy Westport. Betsy Kravitz spotted 2 in one day.
One was at the Saugatuck train station, where the nest is atop a trestle.
The other was our town’s most visible, with its very large nest between Fresh Market and Terrain. She snapped this photo, for our “Westport … Naturally” series:
And finally … today is the first day of the Tour de France.
The 111th edition begins in Florence, Italy, and ends in Nice, France, on July 21. The race will not finish in Paris for the first time ever, because of preparations for the Olympics.
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In addition to the Sunrise Rotary Club’s Great Duck Race (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jesup Green; the race begins at 1), we’ll play host to the 59th annual jUNe Day.
300 guests — UN staffers and their families, from around the world — will spend the day here.
They’ll get breakfast and a gift at Jesup Green in the morning. There’s a brief welcoming ceremony. Then they’re free to take part in the Great Duck Race; shop downtown; join hosts for tennis, golf or swimming at Longshore; tour Earthplace and Wakeman Town Farm, and of course enjoy Compo Beach.
There’s also a soccer game (UN team vs. Westport Knights) at PJ Romano Field (11:30 a.m.).
FUN FACT: jUNe Day was a special project of Ruth Steinkraus Cohen, founder of the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut. Every year, flags of our UN guests and other countries flew on the Post Road bridge.
Now, the bridge from which those flags will fly is named in her honor.
Jay Schadler is a veteran journalist, photographer and artist. He has traveled the world as a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, “20/20,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America,” National Geographic TV, Bravo, Discovery and more.
Now he’s launching a new podcast at the Westport Library’s Verso Studios.
And he wants us to be a part of it.
“Turning Point with Jay Schadler” debuts later this year. It will focus on the life transitions — big and small, subtle and monumental — of Westporters of all stripes.
Each podcast will focus on a different story. Schadler will interview the guests.
Right now, he’s searching for great personal stories. He wants to hear about life transitions: a career change, new discovery, a challenge faced or a hurdle overcome.
The story can be ongoing — a struggle that continues. He’s looking for soaring triumphs and bitter disappointments. ents, most soaring triumphs, and more.
If interested, click here; scroll down, then fill out the form.
Sunday worship at Compo Beach returns this Sunday (June 30, 8:30 a.m., near the cannons). Saugatuck Congregational Church will lead the service.
It continues every Sunday through August 18. Green’s Farms Congregational Church, the United Methodist Church of Westport-Weston and Norfield Congregational Church will rotate with Saugatuck as hosts each week.
All are welcome. A beach sticker is not necessary; tell the gate attendant that you’re there for the church service.
The dress code is casual; flip flops and nice shorts are fine. Bring your own beach chair!
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between June 19 and 26.
A 49-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal possession of a controlled substance (ecstasy), evading responsibility and following too closely, following a 7 p.m. hit-and-run accident at Greens Farms Road and Compo Road South.
A 47-year-old Leigh Acres, Florida woman was arrest for assault and criminal mischief, following a complaint of domestic violence. The complainant said that the woman, an ex-spouse was waiting for them on the street, then began assaulting them and throwing their cellphone on the ground.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5 citations
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4
Operating a motor vehicle while under suspension: 3
Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
Driving while texting: 2
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Failure to grant right of way: 1
Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Elizabeth Levitt Hirsch — the daughter of Levitt Pavilion benefactors Mortimer and Mimi Levitt, who spent summers in Westport, and served for a decade as head of the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, died in her Los Angeles home on May 26. She was 72, and suffered from ovarian cancer.
Liz studied music history at Scripps College. Following graduation in 1974 she was hired by Elektra/Asylum, Bearsville and ABC Records, where she worked with artists including Chaka Khan, Stephen Bishop and Tom Petty.
As a philanthropist she supported a wide range of nonprofits dedicated to music, the arts and social justice.
As president of the Levitt Foundation she championed its mission to strengthen the social fabric of communities and foster equity, diversity and inclusion, through free outdoor concerts attended by more than 800,000 people each year, in more than 50 cities across the US.
Liz also served on the boards of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Joffrey Ballet, Center Dance Arts, and My Friend’s Place.
In 2018, the Liberty Hill Foundation honored Liz with a lifetime achievement award alongside Congressman John Lewis. She gave a memorable speech about the power of music and performing arts in community-building. (
And finally … speaking of the US Postal Service (story above):
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The Westport Sunshine Rotary Club’s annual day of family fun begins at Jesup Green at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29.
The Family Fun Fair includes activities like Nerdy Derby, pin making, face painting, bubble machines, duck pond giveaway and more (plus food trucks!).
The duck race event starts at 1 p.m. Thousands of plastic ducks are dropped from a giant front loader, down a 160-foot long sluice course on Jesup Green.
Each duck has a number, matching a $20 raffle ticket. The first 10 ducks across the finish line win money for their ticket holders. First place gets $5,000, second place $1,000, while the next 8 earn $500 awards.
All the fun is for a great cause. Sunrise Rotary donates the proceeds to local and international charities.
Tickets can be purchased online at westportsunriserotary.org, or from any Westport Sunrise Rotarian at any time — uncluding the morning of the event.
A few of the thousands of racing ducks. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Paul Newman’s family was front and center last week, when Aspetuck Land Trust celebrated the 25th acquisition of Trout Brook Valley, at the Pequot Library.
Purchasing the 730 acre preserve in Easton for $11.3 million — and saving it in perpetuity — was an enormous effort, involving hundreds of people.
But, ALT says, during the long saga “there was no moment more pivotal than when 3 (Newman) daughters, Lissy, Clea, and Nell, discovered that the beautiful property they knew so well was going to become a luxury home development with an 18-hole golf course.”
Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward jumped into action. They donated $500,000 towards the purchase, then starred in a benefit performance of “Love Letters” at the Westport Country Playhouse, raising another $175,000.
“There is no doubt that when the Newmans showed that they cared, people followed,” the Land Trust said.
Lissy Newman accepted the award, on behalf of her family.
Lissy Newman, at the Aspetuck Land Trust event.
The ALT event also included the Native Landscape of the Year Award, to Ann and Charles Stebbins.
Among many other activities, the longtime native landscapers have dedicated themselves to a 36-acre site in Westport.
“It took years to eradicate all of the invasives and plant natives,” Aspetuck Land Trust says, “but this property is now the beautiful CT Audubon’s Smith Richardson Preserve, open to the public attracting and supporting a wide array of wildlife. Their dedication is an inspiration to home and landowners everywhere who want to build back the ecosystem upon which all species rely.”
Renovations have begun on 2 Homes with Hope facilities.
Both the Gillespie Center/Hoskins Place men’s and women’s shelters downtown, and Project Return/Susie’s Place for young women on Compo Road North will undergo significant alterations and upgrades.
Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between June 12 and 19.
A 59-year-old Stamford man was charged with driving under the influence, failure to drive right and illegal possession of a controlled substance, following a report of a hit-and-run accident at 1:30 a.m. on June 14 at 515 Post Road East.
The driver stopped on Compo Road North, when his vehicle became disabled. He was unable to provide police with any information on how the crash occurred.
A 44-year-old Westport man was arrested for assault and strangulation, folliwng a domestic violence incident at 6:45 a.m. on June 15.
A 64-year-old Stamford man was arrested for failure appear, after a motor vehicle stop revealed he had an active re-arrest warrant.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 6 citations
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 6
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
Failure to obey state traffic commission signals: 4
Improper use of markers: 3
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
Anne Leskow was one of 3 winners in our recent “Cool Cohl Katz Contest.”
She correctly identified the former Westporter who started their career as a stockbroker, before moving on to fame in other areas: Martha Stewart. Her name was pulled randomly, out of all 47 correct answers.
Yesterday she got her prize: a haircut and makeup application, from Cohl.
Lookin’ good!
Anne Leskow, before (left) and after her session with Cohl Katz.
Former Westporters Peter Garcia and Gloria Garcia died this year in Broomfield, Colorado, within months of each other.
Peter, 80, passed away peacefully on January 18, from complications of pneumonia.
Born in San Francisco, he grew up in the US, Vietnam, Cambodia, Peru and other countries.
His loving wife of 45 years, Gloria, also died peacefully on May 29, following a head injury and a long struggle with dementia.
She was born in the Canary Islands. She lived in Spain, Panama, Germany, Venezuela, Guatemala and the US (mostly in Westport, as well as Atlanta and Colorado).
Before meeting Peter, Gloria was married to Bernd Planton. He died in 1977, leaving children Klaus and Christian.
Peter and Gloria are survived by their four children (all graduates of Staples High School) and 7 grandchildren: Klaus, son Sebastian and daughter Marissa; Christian (Marit) and daughter Isabella; Jen Garcia Allen (Jefferson Allen) and daughters Flynn and Liv, and David (Ashley), daughter Arianna and son Jaxon.
Peter was a graduate of Oakland University. He spent his entire career with Xerox, retiring as a marketing and customer service executive.
Peter loved politics, travel, bridge, and reading the New York Times cover to cover.
Gloria attended college in Panama City. She worked for Procter & Gamble and Xerox in South America, before devoting her life to caring for her family.
Gloria enjoyed reading, the arts, painting, bridge, tennis and gardening.
Peter and Gloria lived in Westport for over 35 years. Both participated in New Neighbors and Graduates. Peter was a member of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston. Gloria was a member of both the Spanish Group and International Group of Westport.
Donations in the couple’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s of America and Tobacco Free Kids. Their interment will be private, on July 5 in Willowbrook Cemetery.
Gloria and Peter Garcia
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Lou Weinberg describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” image: “This baby chickadee is waiting for mom and dad to bring back more food before it fledges.
“They bring an estimated 6,000 to 9,000 baby caterpillars to raise a successful brood.
“The Long Lots Preserve, with its green open space and hundreds of newly planted trees, shrubs and wildflowers provides the habitat to produce this much-needed starter food.”
And finally … Willie Mays — “the spirited center fielder whose brilliance at the plate, in the field and on the basepaths for the Giants led many to call him the greatest all-around player in baseball history,” and the oldest living Baseball Hall of Fame member, died on Tuesday in Palo Alto. He was 93.
Click here for a full obituary on the legendary, beloved athlete and pioneer.
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Posted onJune 16, 2024|Comments Off on Roundup: Yankee Doodle, Ham Operators, Compo Crowds …
After a rained-out Friday, the Yankee Doodle Fair was packed all day and night yesterday.
Ava Bierman enjoys the Yankee Doodle Fair. (Photo/Bryan Bierman)
The unofficial kickoff to summer ends today. Hours are 1-5 p.m. at the Westport Woman’s Club on Imperial Avenue. As always, proceeds help fund dozens of grants to local non-profits, and scholarships.
It takes many volunteers to keep Yankee Doodle Fair-goers happy and safe — and not just from the WWC.
The Community Emergency Response Team — which supports first responders in Westport and Weston, and helps out with events like this — has been out in full force.
You may think they were manning (and womanning) a booth. In fact, they were keeping an all on all of us.
As they always do.
Karen Kleine, Westport Woman’s Club Yankee Doodle Fair chair, checks in with CERT president Mike Vincelli and vice president David Kinyon. (Photo/Jo Shields Sherman)
The Westport Astronomical Society’s ham radio club K1WAS hosts ARRL Field Day — an in-person amateur radio event — at their observatory on 182 Bayberry Lane site next weekend. It runs from 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22 until 8 p.m. Sunday, June 23.
Field Day is an annual amateur radio activity with over 40,000 ham radio operators across America. They participate by establishing temporary radio stations in public locations, demonstrating their skills and service.
But you don’t need a radio license to participate. Everyone can get on the air, using radios provided by local radio clubs hosted by the observatory.
Ham operators play a crucial role in emergencies. They may be needed soon, during an active hurricane season.
“Hams have a long history of service when critical communication infrastructure like cell towers are damaged,” says Dan Wright, Westport Astronomical Society board member and amateur radio operator N3DAW.
“Field Day exemplifies the resilience and ingenuity of amateur radio operators, who connect the world, no matter the circumstances.”
For more information on the Field Day event, click here.
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Yesterday was the first legit weekend beach day of the year (school’s out, 80 degrees, summer vibe).
Right on cue, Compo Beach was packed.
The photo below is just a taste of what’s to come. Enjoy!
One other sign of summer: the hot dog grill outside Mitchells of Westport.
They’re known far and wide for their coffee (always) and bagels (weekend). But on select days, you can grab a dog with your suits, shirts, slacks and jewelry.
What started as a mom-and-pop shop has come a long way since 1958. The 4th generation of Mitchells has just joined the ranks.
But they never forget their down-home roots.
Hot dogs al fresco, at Mitchells. (Photo/Ed Simek)
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You’ve probably seen Little Ralphie — the inflatable yellow duck — at various spots around town.
While he’s promoting the Sunrise Rotary Club’s Great Duck Race, human Rotarians are busy sorting Ralphie’s plastic brethren.
They’re getting ready for the family-friendly event on Saturday, June 29 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jesup Green).
Attendance — and fun — is free. Click here to purchase tickets for the raffle.
PS: The top prize is $5,000. And all proceeds go to Sunrise Rotary’s charity efforts.
Sunrise Rotarians, sorting ducks. From left: Joe Scordato, Pete Wolgast, president Liz Wong, president-elect Katie Augustyn, Bruce Fritz, Mazie Zdanowicz.
But there’s no limit to the amount of non-humans that can enjoy the facility. This was the “Westport … Naturally” scene recently, at the Mahackeno Outdoor Center.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … Tupac Shakur was born on this day in 1971. The rapper and producer was killed in 1996, age 25.
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Comments Off on Roundup: Yankee Doodle, Ham Operators, Compo Crowds …
Club 203 “spared” nothing for their monthly party on Tuesday, at Nutmeg Bowl.
And they “struck” a perfect chord for all attendees.
Bowling, prizes, pizza — it was right down everyone’s alley.
Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities gets ready now for their final event before their summer break: a Compo Beach bash on June 5. Click here for details.
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between May 8 and 15.
A 47-year-old Westport woman was arrested for disorderly conduct, violation of a protective order and assault, after a report of a domestic violence incident.
A 36-year old Tracy, California man was arrested for identity theft and forgery, after he deposited fraudulent checks, then attempted to withdraw money from a credit card account.
Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 10 citations
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 6
MoCA Westport’s “Gallery of Games” begins at 7 p.m.
The arts center will be filled with poker, blackjack and craps tables. Staples High School graduate Michelle Pauker provides entertainment; there’s tarot card reading too, and a silent auction.
Staples High School juniors Jack Schwartz, Ryan Sunjka, Jackson Tracey and Lucy Barney, plus freshman Sienna Schwartz, serve on the Friends of Yale New Haven Children Hospital’s Junior Board.
They volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house, participate in toy drives, and have special guest speakers at monthly meetings.
They also fundraise.
A lot.
This year’s goal is $30,000.
The money will support sick children and under-resourced families as they struggle through unimaginable medical complications.
The 2nd annual “Heartbeat for Hope” is set for Orange Theory in Westport this Saturday (May 18, noon) and June 1 (1 p.m.). Teams of 3 compete in running and rowing workouts.
There is no entry fee. But to win big prizes, participants are asked to raise at least $450 per team ($150 per person) from families, friends, neighbors and others.
Prizes to the teams with the top times and most amount of money raised include high value tickets (University of Connecticut basketball, Yankees Legends behind home plate, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets), gift baskets and gift cards. Participants also receive t-shirts. Click here to join the fundraiser; then click “Support Me.”
The Junior Board members hope “06880” readers will donate, even if they can’t participate. Click here for the donation page.
Staples high School members of the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Junior Board.
And finally … on this date in 1888, Nikola Tesla described the equipment that allows alternating currents to transmit electric power over long distances.
(Casino nights, jazz, police reports, duck races — as usual, it’s all here in the “06880” Roundup. If you enjoy this daily feature, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Tickets are going fast for the greatest party in town: the Independence Day fireworks.
They’re early this year: this Thursday (June 29). As always, Compo Beach is the place to be.
The event is sponsored — once again — by longtime Westport residents Melissa and Doug Bernstein. Their generosity allows Westport PAL to benefit from ticket sales — and run programs and offer scholarships impacting thousands of kids.
Tickets ($50 per car) can be bought at the Westport Police station (50 Jesup Road) and Parks & Recreation office (in Longshore Park), during business hours.
They’re first-come, first-served. And no one gets into Compo without one.
Yesterday’s s Great Duck Race was a huge success. Attendees — win or lose — had tons of fun. The Westport Sunrise Rotary Club put on another successful event. And the many non-profits that will benefit from the fundraiser will be thrilled.
But there were smaller moments to celebrate too. Here’s one.
Jo Luciano grew up in Westport. She now lives in Florida, but had a special reason to donate to the Duck fundraiser: Her father — Police Chief Sam Luciano — died suddenly in 1970. The Westport Rotary Club generously paid for her, and her sister Carol’s, college educations.
Jo had trouble making the online donation. She found the address for the Rotary Club — but it was “Westport Rotary,” not the “Sunrise Rotary” that puts on the event.
No problem. Leslie Roberts of Westport Rotary forwarded Jo’s email to the Sunrise club.
Problem solved! Jo bought 3 ducks.
But there’s also this Westport-is-really-just-a-small-town postscript: Sunrise Rotary past president Rick Jaffe told Jo: “I live on the other side of the train station from Luciano Park. I take my grandchildren there whenever they visit.”
That’s right: the small park in Saugatuck is named for Jo’s father, the late police chief.
It’s great that Jo still feels connected to Westport. And that Rick now feels a bit more connected to Luciano Park.
Here’sPolice another Great Duck Race story: At the end of a very busy day, Dave Hoffman of the Makin’ Waves food truck had one coconut shrimp left.
He knew Sunrise Rotarian Sheila Keenan loves it. So he walked it across the street, and presented it to an equally exhausted — but very grateful — Sheila.
Dave Hoffman, Sheila Keenan and the coconut shrimp. (Photo and hat tip/Richard Jaffe)
Meanwhile, this morning — at the ungodly hour of 4 a.m. — 21 teenagers and 6 adult leaders left Saugatuck Congregational Church, for their annual youth mission trip.
This year’s destination: Washington state. They’ll help with flood recovery, and work with families in need.
Previous mission trips have included Colorado, Arizona, Maine, Alabama, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.
Saugatuck Church youth group. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
Green’s Farms Congregational Church’s youth group left this weekend too, on their mission.
And finally … on this date in 1876, the 2-day Battle of the Little Bighorn began. It was an overwhelming victory for the combined Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, and a humiliating defeat for the US Army’s 7th Cavalry. Five of their 12 companies were wiped out; General George Armstrong Custer was killed, along with 2 brothers, a nephew and a brother-in-law.
There is only 1 discussion item on Monday’s Board of Education agenda (June 26, 5 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria): redistricting.
Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice will present the topic. No materials are yet available on the town website.
The meeting can be viewed on Optimum Channel 78, and by livestream here.
Population shifts have made Long Lots the largest elementary school in town. As work moves forward on renovations or a new school on the site, redistricting may also be on the table.
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Every June, more than 40,000 ham radio operators across the continent set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate science, skill and service.
“Field Day” — an annual event since 1933 — combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach and technical skills.
The Westport Astronomical Society’s Amateur Radio Club K1WAS celebrates Field Day this weekend. They’ll contact as many stations as possible on the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meter HF bands today (Saturday, June 24, 2 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, June 25, 5 p.m.) at their ham shack (classroom) at the Observatory on Bayberry Lane.
The Staples High School Class of 1973 is ready for their 50th reunion.
They’ll celebrate Friday, October 6 at 2 familiar spots: the Black Duck and Viva Zapata. Saturday, October 7 includes a golf outing and 1 p.m. party at Compo Beach. On Sunday, October 8 they’ll enjoy a 4 p.m. cocktail party at Bridgeport’s Fayerweather Yacht Club.
Email alisonhealy@yahoo.com, or click here for the Facebook page, for more details,
Staples High School looked like this, back in 1973. (Photo/Fred Cantor)
And finally …. Sheldon Harnick, the lyricist of Broadway smash hits like “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Fiorello!,” died yesterday in Manhattan. He was 99. Click here for a full obituary.
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The Yankee Doodle Fair — the way we know that’s true — is almost all set up.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
The annual fundraiser for (and at) the Westport Woman’s Club on Imperial Avenue opens Thursday, at 6 p.m. It continues Friday night, and throughout the weekend.
Neil Gaiman, author of “American Gods,” “Coraline” and “The Sandman,” is coming to Westport.
He’s the keynote speaker at StoryFest 2023. The 6th edition of StoryFest, the Westport Library’s annual celebration of reading, writing, ideas and community, will be held October 20-22.
Gaiman headlines opening night. The weekend includes panel discussions and other events, with authors Angie Kim, Gabino Iglesias, Stephen Graham Jones, Caroline Kepnes, Eric LaRocca, Josh Malerman and more.
Free registration for the keynote address begins June 20. The complete lineup and schedule for StoryFest 2023 will be announced this summer.
The largest literary festival in Connecticut and one of the biggest in New England, StoryFest drew more than 800 participants and 40 authors to the Library last year,
This year’s StoryFest keynote doubles as the Fall 2023 Malloy Lecture in the Arts,. The spring edition featured artist and former Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler.
The Malloy Lecture in the Arts, delivered free to the public since 2002 thanks to the generosity of Westport artist Susan Malloy, highlight individuals who have had significant cultural influence and whose work has enhanced the understanding and appreciation of the arts.
Neil Gaiman
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The Saugatuck Rowing Club Junior Rowing program showed well last Sunday, at the USRowing Youth Nationals in Sarasota, Florida.
The largest Youth Nationals ever drew over 4,000 athletes from 225 clubs and schools. Saugatuck Rowing Club sent 12 boats.
The women’s U17 4+ A boat, including Clementine Kirt, Carolina Proctor and Alice Frascella of Wesptort, and Hannah Makmale of Weston), helped SRC defend its championships for the third year in a row.
In a thrilling finish, the Saugatuck 4+ B boat including Rylie Cordella and Olivia Saw of Westport, and Anne Studnicky of Weston, took silver, giving the club the top 2 spots.
Earning bronze: the men’s U17 4+ boat, with Westley Dick and Tommy Wright of Westport, and Daniel Lee and Davis Evans of Weston), along with the men’s U16 8+ boat, with Westporters Elena Nasar, Daniel Arava, Jack Mello, Liam Wiegand and Alex Proctor (Westport).
Saugatuck Rowing Club’s U-17 4+A boat national champions (from left): Coach Cody Silvester, Alice Frascella, Carolina Proctor, Madeline Casano, Clementine Kirt, Hannah Makmale.
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Congratulations too to Derek Amlicke.
The Staples High School pole vaulter won the New England championship, clearing 14′ 3″ in Bangor, Maine.
Earlier this year, he set a new Staples record: 15′ 2″.
On July 2, State Representative Dominique Johnson will fiddle while while Westport celebrates.
The legislator — whose 143rd district includes part of our town — brings her bluegrass instrument to First Folk Sunday (VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, 12:30 p.m.).
Johnson began playing violin at 2 years old in a Suzuki program. She discovered bluegrass through her grandfather’s family in Kentucky.
First Folk Sunday is a popular new folk series featuring Suzanne Sheridan (vocals and guitar), Bob Cooper (keyboards). and guest artists.
There is a $10 music charge. Brunch, plus a make-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar and Mimosas are extra.
Last week, members of the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force and the student-led Staples High School Sexual Assault Awareness and Self Defense Club attended a private female self-defense training session at Fit Club Jiu-Jitsu in Fairfield.
The group practiced defensive tactics and learned practical skills, including situational awareness and how to avid potentially risky situations.
Instruction came from Fit Club owner/coach Joe Oppedisano, Staff Corporal Michael Ruttenber (Westport Police Department) Rob Curcio (Weston Police Department) and Detective Beth Leetch (Fairfield Police).
Trainers and trainees.
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Westport Sunrise Rotary and Westport Country Playhouse Staff teamed up to help visitors at the SCP’s recent open house have fun playing”Toss the
Duck into the Bucket.”
It was a great promotion for Sunrise Rotary’s Great Duck Race (June 24, Jesup Green). Click here for details.
Promoting the Great Duck Race, at the Playhouse. From left: Mike Hibbard (duck), Giovanni Orozlo, Joe Watson, Chris Conte, Erin Reynolds. (Photo/Ashley Sweet)
Cedar waxwings are today’s “Westport .. Naturally” feature.
They’re also, as Westport Community Gardens director/photographer extraordinaire Lou Weinberg explains, “the bandits of the bird world. With their black masks and paintbrush tails, these beauties travel in flocks and love the serviceberry tree.”
He adds: “If you love birds, plant serviceberry and other native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. Nature wins!”
The Super Duper Weenie Truck) fed over 100 attendees, at Longshore’s Evan Harding Point picnic area.
The group — part of Westport’s social organizations for adults with disabilities — enjoying dancing, dining, dessert, yard games, art with MOCA, and relaxing, all with great views of Long Island Sound.
Organizers give a shoutout too to their “super-duper volunteers.”
Club 203’s next event is June 15 (6:30 to 8 p.m.), at the Westport Library. Click here for details.
Club 203 fun at Longshore. (Photo/Jacqueline Lobdell)
Wakeman Town Farm is a fantastic resource for people of all ages and interests.
Now, it’s accessible to those with mobility issues.
The Westport Garden Club recently donated funds for a Fold & Go all-terrain electric wheelchair. It’s been delivered, just in time for the spring/summer season.
People with limited mobility, or their friends or relatives, should email education@wakemantownfarm.org before a visit. The Farm’s dducation coordinator will have the wheelchair waiting.
From left: Kelle Ruden, Joan Andrews and Ginger Donaher, with the all-terrain wheelchair at Wakeman Town Farm.
Visitors to yesterday’s Westport Farmers’ Market enjoyed great weather; the usual wide variety of food, herbs and more — and a “Ducks in Buckets” game.
The Westport Sunrise Rotary Club was there, promoting their annual Great Duck Race.
$10,000.00 in prize money will be given away; the grand prize winner gets $5,000 of it. All proceeds go to charities.
The annual fundraiser is Saturday, June 24 at Jesup Green. Attendance is free. Tickets to compete are available online; at the Farmers’ Market next Thursday (July 1); from any club member, and the day of the race.
Pitching in for the Great Duck Race, at the Farmers’ Market.
And they’re related. Environmental impacts cross borders. They affect every group of citizens.
On June 1 (7 p.m., Westport Library), Roosevelt Institute director of climate policy Rhiana Gunn-Wright will explore the connections between environmental justice and racial justice. Her talk is called “Just Transitions to Regional Sustainability.”
The event is part of a Saugatuck Congregational Church initiative to “embrace our coastal community” and is a partnership with the Library, TEAM Westport, and Sustainable Westport. Click here for more information.
Rhiana Gunn-Wright
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“06880” usually bird dogs new businesses.
But we missed the arrival recently of Birddogs.
The mens’ shorts/pants/polo shirts shop is open in Brooks Corner. It’s their 3rd brick-and-mortar store. The others are in New York City and Short Hills, New Jersey.
Click here for their minimalist website. Or check them out for yourself.
A reading of the comedy “Quick Service” as part of the New Works series (June 5, 7 p.m.; meet the playwright and director afterward). All tickets are $25. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
A “Script in Hand” play reading of Agatha Christie’s “The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd” (June 12, 7 p.m.). All tickets are $25. Click here to purchase, and for more information. ==================================================
A longtime tradition continued this morning.
A group of dads gathered at 5:30 a.m. to install a water slide for Kings Highway Elementary School’s field day.
At 100 feet long and 50 feet wide, that’s no easy task.
Even harder, no doubt, will be wrestling it — big and wet — back into its original packaging.
Sorelle Gallery on Church Lane showcases Daniel Pollera and Michele Poirier-Mozzone, from June 2 through 24.
He focuses on land and seascapes, while she paints soft, fragmented figures from underwater vantage points. Both explore themes of water and light, and the relationship between them.
Speaking of art: Around the corner from Sorelle, in Sconset Square, Vanessa Lewis’ recently relocated her Penfield Collective “retail concept” (I’m assuming that means “store”) from Fairfield.
Now there’s a new addition, right outside.
Donna Forma’s sculpture has been installed at the door. Made of laminated walnut, it has been treated to become weather resistant.
The new artwork is all in the family. Lewis is Forma’s daughter.
And finally … Rolf Harris, the Australian singer whose “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport” was a huge novelty hit, but whose long career on British television ended when he was convicted of sexually abusing teenage girls — died earlier this month in England. He was 93.
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