Cancer takes an emotional as well as physical toll. Livestrong is a national program that helps cancer patients rebuild cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength, increase flexibility, and improve confidence and self-esteem, in a supportive, small group setting.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA is launching a new 12-week Livestrong session. It begins February 5, is available to all members of the community — and it’s free.
Program facilitators are trained in cancer survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise and supportive cancer care. They focus on personalized recovery plans, to meet each participant’s needs.
Judy Samuels, healthy living manager at the Westport Weston Family, says that Livestrong “holds a special place in my heart as an instructor. There is nothing more meaningful to me than to guide survivors towards an active lifestyle.
“I get to witness not only the physical strength of our participants but also the transformative power of coming together as a community. Although they are all on individual journeys, they thrive as a collective group of friends to overcome the challenges they face.”
Livestrong classes meet twice a week, for 75 minutes each.
Participants also receive a free Y membership for the duration of the program, which includes fitness and aquatics classes. Livestrong is made possible through the support of donors, sponsors and foundation grants.
To register or learn more about Livestrong, click here or email llsamuels@westporty.org. Pre-registration and medical clearance are required to participate.
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The Israeli hostages have faded from headlines.
But Westporters have not forgotten them.
Tomorrow (Sunday, January 28) at 11 a.m. — and every Sunday at that time until they return — residents are invited to walk, and call for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The event is part of Run for Their Lives, a movement in more than 180 cities worldwide.
“The goal is to bring continued awareness to the hostages representing multiple nationalities still in captivity in Gaza,” organizers say.
“This is not a religious or political event. It’s about innocent civilians being held by terrorists, and not about the war.
“This is a peaceful walk. Children and dogs are welcome.”
For more details and the location of the walk, click here.
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Enrollment is open for Connecticut’s biggest kids’ running program.
Kindergarteners through 8th graders are welcome. It meets Sundays (4 to 5:30 p.m. Staples High School Laddie Lawrence Track), from April 21 to June 2. The cost is $75 for Joggers Club members, $125 for non-members (Venmo@CPRCandTJC).
The Joggers Club’s 7-week series includes track, cross country and strength coaching; a parent/kid track meet; an end-of-year party with fun events, an ice cream truck and more, and a free shirt for the first 100 to enroll.
Click here to register, and for more information. Questions? Email TheJoggersClub@gmail.com.
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Club 203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — celebrates Valentine’s Day with a dance (February 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse Lucille Lortel White Barn).
Guests are invited to wear pink or red. They’ll dance to Club 203’s own DJ Joe, and enjoy crafts by MoCA Westport, heart-shaped pizza from Planet Pizza, and desserts from the very talented Avery Horne (a Club 203 member’s mom).
For more details and registration, click here.
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Staples High School Class of 1970 graduate Todd Shepherd died earlier this month in Austin, Texas, where he lived. He was 71.
At Staples he was an accomplished drummer and guitar player. He competed on the swim team, and enjoyed swimming his whole life.
A graduate of Valparaiso University, he had a voracious appetite for the printed word.
His work in sales for General Foods took him to Austin. He continued in sales with the EZ Pawn Corporation and Covert Ford. He moved on to finance, working with the Internal Revenue Service and then as a day trader.
Todd and his late wife Sandy were advocates for animal welfare, and provided homes to animals in need.
Todd is survived by his sister Kathy (Tom) Strang, nephew Matthew Strang, aunt and cousins
Todd’s family thanks the University of Maryland Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute, St. David’s Rehabilitation Hospital, Circle House (Live Oak Estates), and many physical therapists for the care and compassion they showed Todd during his recovery from a spinal cord injury.
The family also sends “heartfelt, unending love and gratitude to Todd’s friends from childhood, college, Austin and St. Christopher’s for their steadfast love and support through Todd’s final challenge.”
A memorial service is set for St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Austin on February 3 (noon).
In lieu of flowers, donation in Todd’s name can be made to Austin Pets Alive! or St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church capital campaign.
Todd Shepherd
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It was a serendipitous meeting of “06880” photographers.
Michele Sorensen writes: “I met Patricia for the first time on Thursday. It was her birthday. She was walking Levon around Grace Salmon Park, when I stopped to comment on the snoring sound coming from the pond. I’m fairly sure it was a pickerel frog confused by the unseasonably warm weather.
“We started talking about photography, and the wealth of subject matter with the fog and cattails. She told me ‘06880’ often posts her photos.
“She has agreed to help March 10 for our Friends of Sherwood Island Nature Photography Walk.”
Here is the woman behind some of our favorite Pics of the Day, and other shots, at one of both their favorite spots:
Patricia McMahon and Levon (Photo/Michele Sorensen)
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Speaking of dogs: Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo could be captioned “Nobody here on Bayberry Lane but Kona the border collie … and us chickens.”
(Photo/Carl McNair)
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And finally … Bill Hayes died this month in California, at 98.
He may be best known for appearing in 2,141 episodes of “Days of Our Lives.” But in 1955 his song “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” spent 5 weeks at the top of the charts. It remains seared into the memories of millions of baby boomers. Click here for a full obituary.
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