Tag Archives: Juneteenth

Roundup: Juneteenth & Pride; Trump & Blood …

Posted on June 13, 2026 | 14 comments

Westport’s first-ever town-wide Juneteenth celebration will be a great one.

The Westport Museum for History & Culture and TEAM Westport will offer 3 free Black History Walking Tours, on our nation’s newest federal holiday.

In addition, the Westport Rotary Club has funded a day of free admission to the museum’s exhibition “The Real Revolution,” an explanation of the Revolutionary War through untold stories. They include a mother with sons on opposing sides; enslaved men risking their lives for freedom, and a woman posing as a man in the fight for liberty, The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 19 .

The 90-minute tours are based on the museum’s exhibition “Remembered: The History of African Americans in Westport,” which traces the stories of Black Westporters from the colonial era to the present day.

Participants will visit sites connected to Westport’s African American history. Registration is required (click here), and participation is limited to 20 people per tour. Two tours begin at 10 a.m.; the third starts at 4 p.m.

Part of the 2018 exhibit at the Westport Museum of History & Culture.

==================================================

Yesterday, the New York Times published an interesting piece, with 8 prominent American historians.

The subject: President Trump’s new gold plaques in the West Wing, summarizing all 47 US presidencies.

“They are peppered with falsehoods, misrepresentations, insults, praise, self-promotion and erratic capitalizations,” the Times says.

President Trump, with the West Wing plaques. A photo of an autopen stands in for President Biden, in between the 2 Trump presidencies. (Photo/Doug Mills for the New York Times)

Among the historians: Marc Selverstone. The 1980 Staples High School graduate is the University of Virginia Miller Center’s director of presidential studies, and co-chair of its Presidential Recordings Program.

He and the others — including Douglas Brinkley of Rice University, and Sean Wilentz of Princeton — examined and annotated every plaque. Click here for the full story, with annotations. (Hat tip: Dave Harrison)

Marc Selverstone

=============================================

The LGBTQ community — and allies and friends — celebrate Pride tomorrow (Sunday, 12 p.m.), on Jesup Green.

Among the featured guests: Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Staples 2021 graduate/Broadway star Jamie Mann.

The 6th annual always-fun event includes live music, food trucks, local artisan vendors and information booths. It’s family friendly — and Westport at its most inclusive.

Getting creative, at last year’s Pride. (Photo/Dan Woog)

==================================================

We posted a passel of rainbow photos last night.

All over town, folks snapped images of the spectacular scene, and sent them to “06880.”

This one came in a few minutes ago. It’s a bit late — but special enough to slip in here.

One more reason to love Compo Beach, and so much else about our town.

(Photo/Amanda Meltzer)

=================================================

The #1 cause of preventable death after an injury is bleeding.

Would you know what to do, before first responders arrive?

Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service can help. On Thursday (June 18, 7 to 8:45 p.m.), they offer a free “Stop the Bleed” class. Click here for details, and to register.

==================================================

Michael Aitkenhead’s passion for the outdoors is well known.

A former Staples High School environmental science teacher who is now at Weston High, he also spent several years as the Wakeman Town Farm farmer.

This summer, he joins an expedition to a largely unexplored part of the Peruvian Andes: the Boiling River. The group includes teachers, scientists and journalists.

Aitkenhead is a teaching fellow of The Explorers Club. The 122-year-old international organization is dedicated to research, exploration and conservation.

Explorers Club president emeritus Richard Wiese — another Westonite – will be on the trip too. The group will explore 3 sites, where water temperatures surpass 200 degrees F.

Aitkenhead told “Weston Today,” “This has been a bucket list trip since I was in junior high school.” Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)

Michael Aitkenhead, in his Staples days. 

==================================================

Speaking of Weston: It’s not on the water.

But on June 28 (5:30 p.m.), One Bad Oyster comes to town.

The upbeat band brings “ska, surf and happiness” to the Weston History & Culture Center’s outdoor concert series, “Music at the Barn.” It’s a family event; bring a lawn chair and picnic.

Tickets are available at the door or online ($15 members, $20 non-members; under 12 free).

One Bad Oyster

==================================================

June is dog license month.

Coco Christie — and Coco’s friend, 1st Selectman Kevin Christie — remind you it’s time to renew. Click here to do it online — and receive the tag by mail.

==================================================

Congratulations to Kieran Anand and Jonny Greenspan!

The Staples tennis players defeated several tough opponents — including 2 Greenwich teams — to become CIAC (state) doubles champions.

They’re the 19th state doubles champs in Staples history, and the 6th under coach Kris Hrisovulos.

Kieran Anand and Jonny Greenspan

==================================================

High school performers are the focus of the Westport Country Playhouse’s next masterclass.

“Acting the Song” (June 28, 2 to 4 p.m.) focuses on bringing songs to life through acting. It’s led by Broadway actor and teaching artist Shereen Ahmed.

The fee is $100, and is limited to 15 participants. Scholarships are available. For details and registration, click here. Questons? Emai  mmeath@westportplayhouse.org.

Shereen Ahmed

==================================================

Jane Yolen — the very prolific children’s author of 450 books — died Thursday in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She was 87.

She was also a 1956 graduate of Staples High School.

She was as accomplished as a teenager as she was in her professional career. At Staples she was news editor of the school paper Inklings, captain of the girls basketball team, and vice president of the Spanish and Latin Clubs.

She also sang in the choir, served on the yearbook and Soundings literary magazine staffs, won 2 “Voice of Democracy” contests, and worked as a Westport Library page and Sunday school teacher.

Yolen went on to Smith College, and published her 1st book at 22. She also raised 3 children.

Click here for an obituary published by People magazine. Click here for a 2015 “06880” story. 

Jane Yolen, Staples 1955-56 basketball captain.

==============================================

A bird this beautiful would stand out anywhere.

Photographed against a gorgeous background by Tammy Barry, it’s perfect for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Tammy Barry)

==================================================

And finally … for some reason, the item about the new presidential plaques in the West Wing (story above) reminded us of this song:

(Our daily Roundup is like Forrest Gump’s chocolates: You never know what you’re gonna get. If you like being surprised — and informed — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

14 Comments

Posted in Beach, Environment, Obituaries, Weston, Westport Country Playhouse

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Saugatuck Church, Westport Museum Honor Juneteenth

Posted on June 21, 2024 | 6 comments

During the Civil War, over 80% of eligible Black men in Connecticut enlisted in 2 “Colored” infantry units.

On Wednesday — Juneteenth, honoring the final end of slavery in the US, when emancipation finally came for 250,000 people in Texas — the Saugatuck Congregational Church and Westport Museum for History & Culture honored those Black Connecticut soldiers.

There was a Westport connection. Their commander, Lt. Louis McDonough, is buried at the church’s Evergreen Cemetery.

McDonough and his men in the 29th Regiment were part of efforts to enforce the freedom of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. That event led to the enactment of the national holiday, nearly 160 years later.

The men from Westport who were part of the 29th were Samuel Benson, Thomas Benson, James Burns, John Frye, Thomas Gregory, Frank Jackson, Joseph H. Jackson, William H. Jackson, William H. Johnson (1st), William H. Johnson (2nd), John Thompson, Charles C. Williams and Charles Yan Tross.

All were privates, except Lt. McDonough and musician Frank Jackson.

The Evergreen Cemetery memorial was unveiled by local veteran Sgt. First Class Buyile Rani, Connecticut Army National Guard (Retired). His participation was organized by Westport’s VFW Post 399/American Legion Post 63.

 

A young boy (front) added a light touch to Wednesday’s ceremony honoring Westport’s Black Civil War soldiers, at Evergreen Cemetery. From left: Sgt. 1st Class Buyile Rani; Saugatuck Church pastor Kari Nicewander;  Dr. Vera Rhimes, Saugatuck Church council member; Westport Museum director Ramin Ganeshram; VFW quartermaster Lt. Cmdr. Phil Delgado. (Photo/Mark Mathias)

left-to-right IDs – SGT 1st Class Buyile Rani CT Army National Guard (Retired), Saugatuck Congregational Church Pastor Kari Nicewander, Vera P. Rhimes, Westport Museum Executive Director Ramin Ganeshram, LCDR Phil Delgado U.S. Navy (Retired)

VFW quartermaster Phil Delgado, Lt. Commander, US Navy (Retired) said, “The veteran community is honored to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifices of the 29th Infantry on Juneteenth. Dedicating a plaque serves as a reminder of the progress made in pursuit of justice and equality for all.”

Saugatuck Church Pastor Kari Nicewander offered a prayer. Saugatuck Church was a meeting place when the town of Westport was incorporated in 1835. The church is partnering with the Westport Museum to shine a light on local history, like Westport’s connection to Juneteenth.

The Museum also sponsored Black history walking tours, and screened the film “The 29th Connecticut Regiment and the Fight for Freedom.” Click below to see the video.

6 Comments

Posted in History

Tagged , , , ,

Roundup: Reopening; Juneteenth; Renters’ Rebates; More

Posted on June 18, 2020 | 4 comments

Phase 2 of Connecticut’s reopening plan began yesterday with indoor restaurant dining, fitness facilities, all personal services and many other business sectors allowed to welcome customers again.

2nd Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker says that business owners are “empowered to make the decision to open their doors. If they do, the ReOpen Westport team is working diligently to support them through this complicated process.  We are taking this seriously. It is our goal to build confidence throughout the entire community during this reopen period.”

For a complete list of Connecticut’s Phase 1 and Phase 2 business sectors and rules, click here. For ReOpen Westport Advisory Team information and FAQs, click here. To contact the ReOpen Westport Advisory Team, email reopenteam@westportct.gov.

While local COVID-19 transmission rates continue to be low, Westport Weston Health District director Mark Cooper says, “following safety protocols like wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and good hygiene practices are all critical. I urge residents to use common sense and to take advantage of testing, especially if experiencing symptoms.”

St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health Center on Long Lots Road is a local testing site option with open time slots. Call 860-972-8100 for an appointment.

2nd selectman Jennifer Tooker

The Westport Museum for History & Culture and TEAM Westport are partnering for a special Juneteenth Zoom program.

Tomorrow (Friday, June 19, 5 p.m.), theater professor and playwright Kyle Bass discusses his play Possessing Harriet. It’s the story of enslaved woman traveling with her captors from the South to upstate New York, who finds refuge in the home of an abolitionist where he meets his young cousin Elizabeth Cady (later Stanton).

Bass will also discuss his play in progress about his ancestors Tim & Lill Bennett. They were slaves in Westport, in a home on Compo Road South.

The event is free, but registration is required. Click here to join.

Kyle Bass (Photo/Brenna Merritt)

Elderly and disabled Westport residents can apply for the Connecticut Renters’ Rebate Program. Qualifications for the program include:

  • Age 65 as of December 31, 2019, or totally disabled and collecting Social Security disability income.
  • The maximum gross income for the program is $37,000 for a single person, $45,100 for a married couple.
  • One year of residency in Connecticut is required. People renting an apartment, room or mobile home, or living in cooperative housing, may be eligible for this program.

The application deadline for the Renters’ Rebate Program is September 28.

Qualifying Westport residents should call the Human Services Department for an appointment: 203-341-1050.

Carol Alexander took this photo at Old Mill. She writes:

As more people come to enjoy this beautiful neighborhood beach, we need to treat it with respect. Please clean up before you leave!

Playwright/director Tazewell Thompson is familiar to area residents. In 2006 and ’07, he was artistic director at the Westport Country Playhouse.

When his opera “Blue” premiered last summer at the Glimmerglass Festival, New York Times critic Anthony Tommasini called it “one of the most elegant librettos I’ve heard in a long time.”

Thompson wrote about a black family — the father of a police officer — that is torn apart when the son is killed at a protest by another officer.

“Blue” has now been named Best New Opera by the Music Critics Association of North America. The Times calls the honor “sadly timely as the nation is roiled by unrest over police brutality and race relations.” (Click here for Thompson’s story on how he wrote the opera. Hat tip: Nina Sankovitch.)

As an Ivy Film Festival screenplay staff member, Brown University senior Elena Levin reads scripts from undergrad and grad students across the country. Each spring, the staff holds a screenwriting workshop for high schoolers.

Now the Westport resident is bringing the experience to her home town.

Elena offers an “Intro to Screenwriting Workshop” for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors (no experience required). It meets outdoors at 4 p.m. every Wednesday in July for 2 hours. By the end of the 5th session, everyone will have written — and workshopped — a script.

Click here for more information. Questions? Email elena_l_levin@brown.edu.

Elana Levin

And finally … Patti Smith has power. She knows that people have it too.

4 Comments

Posted in Arts, Beach, Economy, Education, History, Organizations, Politics, Teenagers

Tagged , , , , ,