One of the first compelling events of the new year is set for next Wednesday (January 10, 7:30 p.m.).
Chabad of Westport sponsors an evening of hope and inspiration. Esther Basch — the Honey Girl of Auschwitz — will tell her gripping story of survival and resilience. At 95, she is one of the world’s few remaining Auschwitz survivors.
Esther was transported to the death camp on her 16th birthday in a cattle car. she later faced a death march to the Salzwedel concentration Camp, where she was liberated by American soldiers in April 1945.
Despite the horrors she experienced, Esther’s unshakable faith and universal love for humankind helped her survive, then motivated her to share her story globally.
The event is part of Chabad’s new “Critical Conversation Series,” addressing contemporary Jewish and timely issues.
To reserve a seat, click here. For more information, email mendel@chabadofwestport.com.
Esther Basch
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The RTM Long Range Planning Committee takes its charge seriously.
On the agenda for its next meeting (January 11, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 201): “Overview of climate change and how it will affect Westport.”
In the past few years we’ve seen heavier rains and stronger winds than usual. That leads to greater flooding.
Still to come: rising sea levels. And who knows what else.
Hopefully, the RTM — and other town bodies — will help us be ready.
Parker Harding Plaza, in October. (Photo/Eliza Barr)
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Speaking of climate: Whatever snow we get this weekend probably won’t be enough to snowshoe in. The 3 sets that Earthplace rents ($10 an hour) will have to wait.
But the non-profit science, conservation and education center offers plenty more too, for children, teenagers, adults and families.
Their seasonal program guide includes information on their naturalist programs and events, plus camp offerings. Click here to view and register. Some sessions start next week.
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A muffed punt with less than a minute to go almost cost Michigan its College Football Playoff semifinal game against Alabama on New Year’s Day.
But the play — involving Wolverine punt returner Jake Thaw, the 2020 Staples High School graduate who made the most of his walk-on success at UM — was described this way in yesterday’s Detroit Free Press: “Those on the outside saw a senior making a near-catastrophic play.
“Those on the inside saw a game-saving play that propelled U-M to the national championship game.”
In a conference call previewing next Monday’s title clash with Washington (January 8, 7:30 p.m., ESPN), quarterback J.J. McCarthy said: “I think it was tremendous the way (Thaw) handled the situation.
“The way he handled it and not freaking out once the ball was going towards the end zone and accidentally kicking it or muffing it again and making sure he didn’t fumble it when he got hit by those three guys.
“There’s a lot of good that he did in that scary situation that I feel like needs to be appreciated, and that’s just a testament to our training and the mindset that we’ve forged over the last year.” (Click here for the full Free Press story. Hat tip: Pete Wolgast)
Jake Thaw, just before fielding Alabama’s punt on Monday.
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Lifelong Westporter Mary Ann Andronaco died December 31 at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was 76.
A graduate of Central Catholic High School in Norwalk, she worked at Morehouse Barlow in Norwalk, where she met her husband Joseph of 46 years.
She also enjoyed teaching religious education for many years at Assumption parish.
Mary Ann was a breast cancer survivor for over 30 years, and supported the Sherwood Island walk.
She is survived by her husband; daughters Toni-Ann, Tracey, Meghan Terwilliger (Christopher), and beloved dogs Molly and Cammie.
She was preceded by aunts, uncles, and pets Tabby, Rory and Maggie.
A funeral will be held Monday, January 8 (Assumption Church, 11 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery on Greens Farms Road.
Condolences may be left online. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary Ann’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Mary Ann Andronaco
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Gray skies, a gull, greenery — and a Riverwalk lamppost — make up today’s intriguing “Westport … Naturally” scene:
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And finally … on this day in 1933, construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge.
When it was completed 4 years later, it was both the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world,
Local connection: Richie Havens gave several concerts here, in venues like the Westport Country Playhouse and Westport Arts Center. Memorably, he filled in for the Blues Project at Staples High School, when the band was tied up for several extra hours in a New York recording studio.
(Every day, “06880” offers an intriguing mix of stories of our town’s past, present and future. Please click here to support our efforts. Thank you!)
