Tag Archives: Longshore Womens Golf Association

Roundup: Westoberfest, Southern Tide, News 12 …

On Friday, “06880” noted that early bird tickets are on sale for Westoberfest.

Here are more details on the 7th annual craft beer-and-fall festival (September 21, 2 to 5 p.m., downtown Westport), sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association.

Guests enjoy over 45 tastings from innovative craft breweries like Kent Falls, Nod Hill, Obscure Oscillation and Space Cat Brewing to name a few, plus activities like keg rolling and pumpkin chucking contests for adults.

Children’s activities include root beer floats, flower crown-making, pumpkin decorating and face painting.

There’s live music too, from One Bad Oyster.

For a complete list of breweries, kids’ activities, food and vendors, click here.

The price through August 31 is $45. Tickets go up to $50 on September 1, and are $55 at the event. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Westoberfest, in downtown Westport.

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Southern Tide — the men’s, women’s and children’s clothing store — has opened on Elm Street, around the corner from Brooks Corner.

There is still merchandise at their Playhouse Square location. But the large sign above the store there is gone.

Meanwhile, coming August 17 to Westport: Framebridge.

The custom frame shop will open at 123 Post Road East, next to WEST.

(Hat tips and photos/Sal Liccione)

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News 12 Connecticut has been nominated for a number of New York Emmy Awards.

Among them: “My Name is Wynston Browne” — a compelling story about the Staples High School rising senior who, despite non-speaking autism — has learned to communicate using a typing device

The nomination cites reporter Mark Sudol, and photographer/editors Frank Bruce Rosen and Mark Sogofsky. It is in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Category.

News 12 Connecticut’s “Burning Desires” story — about the murder of Westporter Joan Wertkin — was also nominated for an Emmy.

Also nominated: 1974 Staples High School graduate Susan Handman, as a performer/narrator for NYC Life.

The 67th annual Emmy gala takes place October 26, at the New York Marriott Marquis.

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Happy anniversary to Rex Fowler and Dodie Pettit!

The couple — who now perform and tour as Aztec Two-Step 2.0, the new iteration of the much-revered folk-rock duo Fowler formed over 50 years ago — celebrated with a small party yesterday, in the same yard where they were married 6 years ago.

Rain chased the musicians inside. But — happily — the band (with some very talented friends) played on.

Rex Fowler and Dodie Pettit blow out the candles. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Congratulations to the 2024 Longshore Women’s Golf Association club champions: Jennifer Cole, Cynthia Carpenter, Robin Babes, Jean Murdoch, Dorothy Torpie, Cynthia Sher, Chris LoRusso and Elizabeth Harleman.

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Three princesses came to Westport Saturday, in custom gowns and professionally styled wigs.

They were not real royalty. They were from Your Premium Princesses, a “bespoke character company of your dreams, where magic meets sophistication.” They’re hired for birthday parties, corporate events and grand openings

This event was a child’s birthday party, off Hillspoint Road.

Young partygoers did their part too, arriving in costumes.

What? No princes?!

(Hat tip and photo/Barbara Schwarz)

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June Walker Rogers — a Broadway singer, dancer and comedienne who appeared on television and wrote 13 plays and musicals, died last Monday at her Westport home, where she lived for decades. She was 97.

Born in Steubenville, Ohio, and raised in Queens, she started dancing at 5. She later developed a nightclub act, performing with Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Louis Prima, Don Rickles, Rodney Dangerfield and Louis Farrakhan (when he performed under the name “Calypso Louie”).

She left Columbia University early to make her Broadway debut. She performed with Bert Lahr, Dick Van Dyke, Tony Bennett and Orson Bean, and appeared on Steve Allen and Jackie Gleason’s TV shows. Ed Sullivan was so taken with her that he brought her to the White House, to perform for Presidents Truman and Eisenhower.

After starting a family, she turned to playwriting. She then returned to the stage, at the Westport Country Playhouse.

Rogers was a founding member of the Theater Artists Workshop of Westport.

She was married for 50 years to the late Tony-nominated writer/actor David Rogers, who died in 2013. She is survived by her daughters Dulcy Rogers Bader (Diedrich) and Amanda Rogers, and grandchildren Lucy, Sebastian, Dashiell and Ondine. Click here for a full obituary.

June Rogers

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The weather was on-and-off this weekend. Beachgoers cut short their visits, both Saturday and Sunday.

This guy looked right at home, though. He hopped, strutted, then stayed still just long enough to pose for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … on this day in 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home, from a drug overdose. She was 36.

(“06880” is Westport’s hyper-local blog. We rely on support from readers like you. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

 

Roundup: Farmers’ Market, TEAM Westport, Striped Bass …

It’s a sure sign of spring. Next Thursday, the Westport Farmers’ Market opens its 2024 season.

The Imperial Avenue parking lot is once again the spot for fresh produce, meats, herbs and more — including organic pet food, and lunch from Mexican and pizza food trucks — every Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year’s Farmers’ Market runs through November 7.

New this season: stricter guidelines on plastic usage. The goal is to reach a waste-free model.

The Farmers’ Market also plans to include only Connecticut farmers, and products from state-based businesses.

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Three Staples High School students are finalists for TEAM Westport’s annual Teen Diversity Essay contest.

Sophia Lopez, Olivia Morgeson and Teya Ozgen will read their essays on Monday (May 6, 6 p.m., Westport Library) — and learn who has won the $1,000, $750 and $500 prizes.

This year’s essay prompt is about hate speech, and the balance between offensive, threatening or hurtful language, and the constitutional right of free expression.

The public is invited to Monday’s ceremony.

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In the aftermath of yesterday’s gas tanker fire on I-95 in Norwalk — the cause of enormous Westport traffic jams — superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice praised the district’s bus service, First Student.

“They were on top of the travel issues long before buses started rolling and did incredible work navigating the clogged streets,” he said. “I am sure they will handle (the) afternoon commute in a similar fashion.”

Scarice also urged parents to not drive their children to school or pick them up. The buses will take a while longer than usual — but more cars on the road will make the trip even longer.

Parents can use the First View bus tracking app to see actual bus pickup and drop-off times.

Roll ’em! (Photo/Amy Schneider)

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Speaking of school buses: I’m not sure how this story escaped notice on “06880” — or any other local media.

But it’s been at least a couple of weeks, and this is the first we’ve heard of a car crash that took out Westport’s nicest (and perhaps only) school bus shelter.

It happened on Saugatuck Island, right before the schools’ spring break.

Here’s a photo from that night …

,.. and one during daylight:

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A Staples High School student writes: “I often fly fish in Westport for striped bass, in the Saugatuck River. Lately, I have seen a huge amount of poaching.

“There are maybe 3 or 4 respectful, honest guys where I fish, at 5 a.m. But I also see, for example, a guy dropping nets, with a rope. He had at least 8 fish on the bank, all undersize.

“I was very upset. This is a fishery I try to protect, but because of people like him, the species has suffered badly.

“I did not speak to any of the people there. They could be dangerous, and being out alone as a kid is dangerous enough to begin with.

“I hope some action can be taken, either by local law enforcement or DEEP (state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection). If anyone sees any poaching, they should report it please.”

Striped bass, left by a poacher.

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Speaking of Staples: Non-Profit Promoters — the podcast created and hosted by juniors Zach Gorin, Cormac Mulvey, Jack Schwartz and Aaron Varsov, which tells the stories of local organizations — has just dropped a fascinating interview with Helen McAlinden.

The CEO of Homes with Hope goes into depth about their work fighting homelessness and hunger. She also talks about her career path, challenges such as COVID, and the importance of community involvement.

Click here to listen.

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Speaking of podcasts: Alec Baldwin just did a great interview with James Naughton.

The actor and longtime resident talks about the Westport Country Playhouse, his friendship with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, his advocacy work for death with dignity legislation, and much more.

Click here to listen. (Hat tip: Tommy Greenwald)

Local residents James Naughton, Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, at the Westport Country Playhouse in 2002.

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Westport’s Representative Town Meeting has a new member.

Alma Sarelli replaces Jessica Bram in District 6. Sarelli — who previously ran unsuccessfully for the Board of Education — is president of Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport.

Bram resigned, after moving from the district.

Alma Sarelli

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After reading Tuesday’s “06880” story on Westport’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds — and the possible issues of using them to fund a study for the redesign of Jesup Green — a reader writes:

“Since the funds can be utilized for sewer, maybe the town could upgrade the existing sewage treatment, and help residents connect.

“At the moment the town basically double charges residents to connect, unless they petition and can wait 5-6 years. If a connection point is a few houses away, the person looking to connect must pay for all the work involved, plus give a connection point to every house they pass by at the full expense of the person looking to connect.

“On top of that, the town levies the full assessment of the sewer line they are connecting to, even though that line has been fully paid for by all the residents it services. I’m told the extra money charged goes into a sewer Kitty.

“It definitely doesn’t make the idea of upgrading one’s sewage disposal very attractive. But it sounds like we might have potential funds available so residents don’t have to pay for it twice, and question whether connecting makes sense due to exorbitant cost.”

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This winter, the Longshore Women’s Golf Association asked the town to upgrade the women’s locker facility.

Within 4 days, the request was approved.

Work started quickly. It’s already been done — in time for the new golf season.

The LWGA says, “We are thrilled at the positive attitude of the town officials and their willingness to go above and beyond.”

The LWGA did their part, donating time and money to upgrade the locker room’s furnishings.

Last week, Westport Parks & Recreation director Jen Fava joined Mike Frawley of the Department of Public Works’ building maintenance staff, for a ribbon cutting.

Celebrating the new women’s locker room.

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Neil Roper, an active member of Staples High School’s Class of 1965, died recently in Memphis, after a short illness. He was 77.

After Staples, Neil attended the University of Virginia, and graduated from Michigan State University.

He worked in Overton Square in the 1970s, moving on to be part owner of the East End Grill, and part-owner and general manager of the Belmont Grill. He retired in 2015.

Neil enjoyed gardening, working around the house, and going on road trips. He was heavily involved Staples’ class reunions.

His obituary says, “His wonderful sense of humor consisted of practical jokes, puns and pranks. He was very well-read, and carried on lively discussions about politics, current affairs and music, which he was extremely passionate about. Those who knew him saw past his gruff exterior and loved him for his idiosyncrasies.”

He was predeceased by his wife Denise and brother Timothy. He is survived by his sisters Anne Roper of Dublin, Ireland; Margaret Trainor (John) and Erin Roper; brothers Brian and Kevin Roper of Memphis, nieces and nephews, and his loyal cat, Buscher.

Angelo Dorta and Chris Chaille were thanked for their care and friendship over the years.

A gathering honoring Neil is set for Alex’s Tavern in Memphis on May 9 (3 p.m.).

In lieu of cards or flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice.

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Like all animals, ospreys act on instinct.

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows this one, trying to intimidate an owl near Police headquarters.

The only problem: It’s a fake owl.

Nice try, though!

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … Duane Eddy — the groundbreaking 1950s guitarist, who influenced artists like George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen — died Tuesday in Tennessee. He was 86, and had been ill with cancer. Click here for a full obituary.

(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We rely on support from readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)

Mimi Levitt: As Season Begins, Remembering A Golf Legend

Alert “06880” reader and avid golfer Dee Andrian writes:

The other day, I was among the throng of people at the University Club in New York to celebrate the life of Mimi Levitt. [The longtime Westporter — an arts and historic preservation benefactor, and namesake with her husband of the pavilion that has provided free summer entertainment here for over 40 years — — died in January. She was 97.]

What a celebration it was!

The main dining room was filled with love, laughter and tears as we listened to Mimi’s family and friends recall their memories of this remarkable woman. The sound of music in the room was a special part of the scene.

We heard tributes to Mimi’s love of family, art, love music and people as well.

But one love was not mentioned: her love for the game of golf.

I met Mimi when I joined the Longshore Women’s Golf Association in 1980.  When my husband dear husband Jim retired, he suggested I learn to play golf, because he didn’t want to play only with the guys.

At the age of 50, I was introduced to golf. I loved it.

The LWGA holds tournaments every Tuesday, April through October. One fateful Tuesday I was in a foursome with Mimi Levitt — a former LWGA club champion.  It was a team effort, and I had fun.

When she called and asked me to join her foursome, I was surprised. I was just learning to play.

But I recall vividly that after I teed off on the 3rd hole, Mimi said in her Viennese accent, “Dee darling, we have decided: You have potential. As long as you don’t slow us up, you can play with anybody.”

And play we did. Mimi was my first of several special mentors. She taught me the art of golf, the rules, the etiquette.

This Westport News photo from July 1985 shows Mimi Levitt (4th from left) and Dee Andrian (7th from left). The caption says the knee socks were an LWGA tradition.

She was a keen competitor as well, so our rounds were fun but seriously played. My beginner’s handicap was 44. But it quickly dropped way down.

The LWGA was founded in 1960, and Mimi was one of the pioneers. Her love of the game was contagious, and she passed it on to others. Our days on the golf course will remain with me always.

I especially remember after a round of 18 holes on a hot summer day, walking into the Inn for lunch. I kept my visor on over my sweaty hair, and my golf togs were wrinkled.

Then Mimi walked in, looking like she just arrived from the beauty salon.

She was so cool, so elegant — just like her golf swing.

Elegant is the way I will remember Mimi “fore-ever.”

Our LWGA tournaments began this month. As I teed off for my first drive, I thought of her.

Shooting In The 80s

Every Tuesday morning, from April through October, members of the Longshore Women’s Golf Association play some very competitive rounds.

What makes this “06880”-worthy is this number: 80.

That’s not the average score. It’s the low end of the age range of several of the most ardent golfers.

Caryl Beatus shows up rain or shine. A founder of the LWGA in 1960, she’s been a stalwart player for the past 54 years.

She’s not the only octogenarian. At 89, Anne Krygier still pushes her cart nearly every Tuesday.

Anne Krygier (left) and Caryl Beatus, enjoying another day on the links.

Anne Krygier (left) and Caryl Beatus, enjoying another day on the links.

Dee Andrian — like Anne a lefty and push-cart devotee — is there too. So is Joan Moen, the 1st to volunteer for any task; Barbara Rose, the founder of the Sea Squirts summer program, and Dottie Myers.

They don’t shoot their age — but then again, who does?

The women enjoy the competition and camaraderie of the LWGA, They join younger members in weekly tournaments, and 4 major championships. They have particularly enjoyed this year, when the Longshore course has been rejuvenated under ValleyCrest Landscape and superintendent Ryan Segrue.

The LWGA ends its season with a banquet this month at the Red Barn. After which the 80-something golfers will immediately begin planning for next year.

(Hat tip to Topsy Siderowf, LWGA vice president.)

Beryl Buck Comes Back

The Longshore Womens Golf Association celebrates its 50th anniversary Tuesday (July 20) with a member-guest tournament.  Breakfast is at 7:15 a.m.; a shotgun start follows at 8, with lunch after play.

But that’s not the big news.

Beryl Buck will be there.

Buck — these days she’s called Beryl Buck Miller — divides her time between South Carolina and Maine.  She’s a retired LPGA master professional.

Back in the day, she formed the LWGA.  As an amateur golfer she won more than 20 state and regional titles  in Connecticut and Florida.

Her former husband, George Buck, was the Longshore pro for many years.

Golfers remember countless stories about the Bucks

Many will be retold on Tuesday.

Yet as long as the golf tournament itself lasts, odds are the tale-telling will go on far, far longer.