Members of Westport’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399 know the importance of displaying the American flag.
And disposing of it properly.
That got a bit easier yesterday. Will Bernard donated a handcrafted US flag retirement drop box to the Riverside Avenue post. It’s part of his Scout Troop 39 Eagle Scout project.
The custom-built box offers a respectful way for anyone to retire worn and weathered US flags.
VFW Post 399 conducts ceremonial flag retirements throughout the year. Each flag is respectfully and properly disposed of, in accordance with the American Flag Code.
Will Bernard and VFW quartermaster Phil Delgado, with Will’s US flag retirement drop box.
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Over 250 people honored 2 non-profits last week: Circle of Care and Project Morry.
The event was held by !mpaCT – a group of mostly Westport residents who raise money and awareness for local charities primarily focused on helping children.
!mpaCT was formed in 2017 by parents of children at TCS Preschool. They wanted their youngsters to learn empathy and the importance of volunteering,” says co-founder Eric Ritter.
Each year they select 1 or 2 charities, which receives 100% of the funds raised at a gala. That’s $100,000 to $200,000 each time.
Also raised: awareness. Attendees learn about each organization’s impact — and needs.
Circle of Care provides financial, emotional and practical support to children with cancer and their families. They have helped over 3,800 area families with programs like day-of-diagnosis care bags, dream room makeovers and non-medical financial assistance.
Project Morry empowers young children from under-resourced communities in the tri-state area through comprehensive academic enrichment and educational programs, summer learning, life-changing camp experiences, and one-on-one mentoring. Over 255 children have graduated from their programs.
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Congratulations to the Rangers — Westport Little League Majors champions. They beat the Mets in the big title game.
From left: Kneeling: Blake Stuart, Cole Stanger, Christian Jo. Middle row: Akash Mattoo, John Conry, Jack Kingsley, Ashton Rubin, Justin Mastrocciolo, Cameron Gregory. Coaches: Kelly Stuart, Ken Stanger, James Kingsley, Scott Mastrocciolo.
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The 101st annual meeting of the Westport Weston Family YMCA is set for June 16 (6 p.m., Mahackeno Outdoor Center).
In addition to the business meeting, staff members and volunteers will be honored.
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Spotted at Sherwood Mill Pond, on the way to Compo Cove:
(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
There must be a back story. If you know it, please click “Comments” below.
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Longtime Westporter Patricia Lewis died last Sunday at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport. She was 88.
The Bridgeport native was married to Raymond H. Lewis for 50 years, before his death in 2008.
She had a long career in marketing, and enjoyed her time as a technical writer.
While raising her children and working, she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University.
Patricia loved traveling, and cooking for her family.
Survivors include her son Vernon (Lynn) of Trumbull; daughter Lisa Setian (Steve) of Harwichport, Massachusetts; grandchildren Christopher, Cassidy, Taylor, Jeremy and Melany; great-grandchild Tyson, and daughter-in-law Leslie Fairbaugh. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son Stephen and sister Barbara Money.
The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home on Tuesday (June 10, 10 a.m.). A funeral service will take place in the funeral home at 11 a.m.. Burial will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.hardingfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society.
Patricia Lewis
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image is one of our best — and coolest — ever.
Photographer Lou Weinberg writes: “Pollination is awesome…and essential.
“This photo is of one of Connecticut’s native bees, taking time to clean its antenna while gathering pollen from, and pollinating, a Lupine flower.
“Bee antenna perform the critical sensory functions of touch, smell, taste, and even hearing. They also help with navigation, orientation, communication, detecting carbon dioxide, and building honeycomb. There are over 300 different species of native bees in Connecticut.
“The sharp spike on the flower, called the ‘keel,’ is exposed when the bee lands on the bottom petal of the flower. The keel houses both the male and female parts of the flower.
“You can tell this bee has been gathering for a while, because of the large yellow/gold pollen sacks on its back legs.”
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And finally … today is National Best Friends Day. To celebrate…
(Want to be a BFF with “06880”? Just click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution that supports our work. Thank you!)
