Tag Archives: Patty Haberstroh

Roundup: “06880” App Update, Patty Haberstroh, LobsterFest …

Posted on September 19, 2023 | 1 comment

The “06880” app continues to improve.

A couple of readers thought the type size on the new app was difficult to read.

So developer Joshua Jordan went to work. He added the ability to increase type size — and/or the spacing between lines — in the easiest possible way.

There’s now an “eyeball” icon on the top right of any story you read (see image below). Just click it, and adjust the type size and spacing. It stays there automatically, every time you visit.

The eyeball icon.

If you’ve got the app, it should have automatically updated to include the new feature. If it did not, click “Updates” in your app store. The “06880” app is available for both iOS and Android phones.

Thanks again to Joshua, for taking time out of his busy schedule as a Staples High School senior to add this feature.

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It was standing room only yesterday afternoon, for Patty Haberstroh‘s memorial service at The Inn at Longshore.

The longtime Department of Human Services social worker/former PTA Council president/Staples Building Committee member/beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, confidante was remember warmly, personally, insightfully and laughingly by her husband Charlie, 3 sons, daughter, grandchildren, neurologist and minister.

Videos of Patty accepting an award from a national ALS organization — midway through the disease that ultimately took her life this summer — and of the Haberstroh family’s “ALS Pepper Challenge” that raised over $1 million for research added extra spice to the afternoon.

People of all ages came from near and far to honor Patty. She got a sendoff worthy of her wonderfulness.

Patty Haberstroh’s children address the SRO crowd at yesterday’s Inn at Longshore memorial service. (Photo/Mark Mathias)

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The Westport Rotary Club’s LobsterFest is always a highlight of late summer/early fall.

This year’s event — set for Saturday (September 23, 3 to 7 p.m.) — is even more highlight-y than most.

It’s also the kickoff for Rotary’s Centennial Project: a rehab of the Compo Beach playground, in partnership with the Westport Young Woman’s League and town of Westport.

The ginormous fundraiser — the biggest 1-day Rotary event in New England — sold out just 4 days after tickets went on sale, in July.

It’s an enormous effort. Volunteers — Westport Rotary members, and others — feed 2,000 people, in 4 hours.

This year’s LobsterFest includes many new activities for the 400-plus youngsters who will attend. For the first time, a “kids’ meal” food truck will be on site.

Over the last 12 years, the event has raised $1.5 million. Over $1 million has been reinvested in local and regional program, while $350,000 has supported international humanitarian projects, mostly in Central America and Africa.

This year, $100,000 will go toward the playground project.

Planning has already begun. The organizing committee is looking for volunteers (click here to help).

LobsterFest also kicks off 2 weeks in which the public can provide input on features they love and want to keep, those that are not great and could be replaced, and new elements they’d like to see.

The data will then be analyzed and sent to Play By Design. They’ll generate a preliminary design, which will be revealed to Westport at the end of October. Click here to provide input on the redesign.

 Everyone loves the Westport Rotary Club’s LobsterFest.

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This is fall gala season.

One of the best — and most underrated — is Saturday, September 30  (7 to 10 p.m.). Earthplace’s “Woodside Bash” includes an open bar, harvest dinner, fire pit, music by Pimpinella, and a mechanical bull (with a prize for the longest time on it). It’s all under the stars (with, of course, a tent).

This year’s signature cocktail is a spiced apple cider margarita.

Click here for tickets.

A small part of the large crowd at the Earthplace Harvest Fest.

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Tickets are going fast for Westoberfest.

They include beer tasting from dozens of craft breweries; live music; food by Walrus Alley, Kneads Bakery, Lobstercraft and Little Pub; a children’s area run by the Artists’ Collective of Westport and MoCA; a street magician, bubbles and face painting; pumpkin and apple giveaways; food trucks, and vendors like Savvy + Grace.

Take-home tasting glasses with koozies are courtesy of Lux Bond & Green.

It all takes place October 14 (2 to 5 p.m.), off Elm Street. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Westport is chockablock with organizations that change lives. “06880” reports often on them.

But we’ve never mentioned PEO. That’s because until yesterday, we’d never heard of it.

That’s amazing. It’s been around for over 150 years.

Philanthropic Educational Organization was created in 1869 in Iowa to offer more educational opportunities to women. There are now 225,000 members in 6,000 chapters in the US and Canada.

Over the years, PEO has provided over $398 million in financial assistance through direct scholarships and special projects to more than 110,00 women worldwide.

The local chapter – Chapter B CT — created its own scholarship fund last year in honor of the chapter’s 80th anniversary. They’ll award a scholarship to a female high school senior beginning next spring.

Young women with a successful academic record and financial need can apply here. Click here for the Chapter B CT website — designed by Miggs Burroughs — which includes donation information and details on other scholarships.

For more information, email chapter president Angela Wormser at aworm@aol.com, or scholarship chair Priscilla Long at pal9948@aol.com.

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Her Time is a Bridgeport-based social justice program that serves women and children impacted by incarceration.

The women were either formerly incarcerated, or work multiple jobs and carry the loads their spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends and children left behind during incarceration.

On September 30, 2 powerful contemporary folk artists — Abbie Gardner and Tracy Grammer — will bring their energy and positive vibes to Voices Café (Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport, 8 p.m.). All proceeds benefit Her Time.

Voices Café offers tables and individual seats. Bring your own beverages and snacks, or buy a snack from their sweet treats table. Groups of 4 or more can reserve table space. General admission: $25 per person.

Click here for tickets and information.

Abbie Gardner (Photo/Jeff Fasano)

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Drummer Joe Farnsworth wowed the crowd at his first Westport appearance.

He returns this Thursday to Jazz at the Post (VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; shows at 7:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.). He’ll be joined by bassist Brandi Disterheft, pianist Caelan Cardello, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.

Reservations are strongly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.

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Goldfinches and woodpeckers love sunflowers.

They find plenty at the Westport Community Gardens — more even than at an MLB dugout.

It’s all part of a great ecosystem — and just right for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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And finally … happy birthday to Westport’s own Nile Rodgers.

The Chic front man/3-time Grammy Award-winning/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee/ “We Are Family” songwriter-producer has played at the Levitt Pavilion, helped out the Library, and contributed to the Saugatuck Shores vibe.

He’s 71 today. Here’s to many, many more!

(Nile Rodgers is a local guy. And “06880” is Westport’s favorite source for local news. Thanks for clicking here, and supporting your hyper-local blog.)

 

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Roundup: Harvest Fest, Justin Paul, Patty Haberstroh …

Posted on September 10, 2023 | Comments Off on Roundup: Harvest Fest, Justin Paul, Patty Haberstroh …

Two major events last night drew hundreds of people each — and showed Westport at its best.

Wakeman Town Farm’s annual Harvest Fest featured fantastic food and music, a great raffle, and the very cool ambiance of one of the town’s true jewels. (And added treat: Drinks were served, and hors d’oeuvres passed, by some of our top officials and celebrities.)

Under the Wakeman Town Farm tent, before the dancing. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

Two hours later, “Justin Paul & Friends” — including Kelli O’Hara, James and Greg Naughton, Staples Players, and a host of top Broadway talent — rocked the Westport Country Playhouse.

It was a roof-raising celebration of a successful drive to save the 93-year-old institution. Grammy-, Oscar- and Tony-winner/2002 Staples High School graduate Justin was effusive in his praise for what the Playhouse — and Westport’s embrace of the arts generally –has meant to his career, and his life.

He and his fellow performers bought their “A” game. It was a perfect kickoff to the Playhouse’s next 93 years.

Justin Paul (center) and fellow performers acknowledge the band and audience, at last night’s Westport Country Playhouse curtain call.

PS: It would have been 3 huge events yesterday. But Slice of Saugatuck was postponed to September 30, due to weather concerns.

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Patty Haberstroh’s many friends and admirers are invited to a celebration of her life, on Monday, September 18 (1:30 p.m., The Inn at Longshore).

The longtime Department of Human Services social worker died in July, following a long and inspiring battle with ALS.

Patty Haberstroh

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A year ago, a group of interested Westporters founded Club 203. The non-profit fills an important need: social opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Another new non-profit — Club SpEd — has just formed. Its goal is to create a welcoming community for parents of neuro-diverse children.

Founders say: “In a town where friendships often blossom at school bus stops, on soccer fields and during birthday parties, the question arises: What happens when your child’s journey takes a different path? When they aren’t on the same bus, aren’t traversing the neighborhood on their bike, or aren’t receiving as many party invitations? For many families with children who have special needs, forging these essential connections becomes a more arduous task.

“Club SpEd aims provide a much-needed social outlet for parents who share similar experiences. Founders David Herling, Bia Hittman, Becky Martin and Abby Gordon-Tolan discovered their own enduring friendship through their roles as PTA Special Education representatives in local schools.”

The first event — SpEDTEMBER — is set for Thursday, September 21 at Compo Beach’s Ned Dimes Marina. There will be a taco truck and selection of adult beverages, all included for $70 per person.

For more information or to RSVP, email clubsped06880@gmail.com. The Facebook page is Club SpEd Westport; Instagram and Venmo: @ClubSpEd.

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So how did Annam Olasewere do?

“06880” reported yesterday that the Staples High School junior was in Israel, representing the US at the World Aquatics Junior Championships. 

She was in the finals of the 50-meter freestyle yesterday — a race shown just after noon on the Westport Library’s big screen.

Annam placed second! Her silver medalist 25.95 seconds was just .36 off the winning time.

Congratulations, Annam! An amazing performance.

And one that will strike fear in the hearts of other teams throughout the state, when she returns soon to the Staples swim and dive team.

PS: Couldn’t watch yesterday? Click here for the replay!

Annam Olasewere (left), on the Westport Library’s big screen at yesterday’s World Aquatics Junior Championship medal ceremony. (Photo and hat tip/Allison Ziering Walmark)

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Speaking of sports: Westport history was made yesterday. Two girls — Ariel Gayle and Isabella Jokl — played for the PAL Westport Wreckers modified flag football travel team.

Go, Wreckers!

Isabella Jokl and Ariel Gayle.

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Speaking still of sports:

Avery Mueller scored the first goal of the season for Staples’ boys soccer team Friday, on a penalty kick against Ridgefield. Here’s his celebration:

(Photo/Mark Sikorski)

Unfortunately, neither that goal nor the one Mueller scored a minute later counted.

Lightning halted the match with 17 minutes remaining in the first half, and the Wreckers up 2-0. According to league rules, any game stopped before halftime must be replayed.

From the 0-0 beginning. A makeup date has not yet been set.

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If you missed last month’s pop-up art gallery in a Compo Beach back yard: You’re in luck.

David Johnson and his wife Holly Jaffe Johnson invite everyone to “Works on Paper.” The collection — never before seen in its entirety, many on public view for the first time — will be displayed at 15 Bradley Street, off Compo Road South near Compo Beach, next Sunday (September 17, 3 p.m. until dusk).

It’s a great end-of-summer art sale, well below their gallery prices.

And if you missed the “06880” story about Johnson’s first show, click here.

David Johnson’s outdoor art on Bradley Street, last month.

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This just in: the Japanese fall festival scheduled for today at Jesup Green has been canceled.

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Connie Converse is redefining the narrative of singer-songwriter history, bridging the gap between traditional Americana (country, blues, folk, jazz and gospel), the Great American Songbook, classical art song, and the singer-songwriter movement sparked by Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.

But she did it a decade earlier.

Converse is the focus of the inaugural Westport Library Verso Book Club event. Howard Fishman, author of the New York Times feature “Before Dylan, There Was Connie Converse. Then She Vanished,” and the book To Anyone Who Ever Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse,” will speak on October 5 (7 p.m.).Registration is required; click here. For more information, click here.

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Lucy Zeko captured — on camera only — this magnificent creature, at Burying Hill Beach.

It’s one more reason to love “Westport … Naturally.”

(Photo/Lucy Zeko)

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And finally … if you’ve never heard of Connie Converse (see story above) — or even if you have — here’s what she was all about:

(Art, sports, music, books, people — “06880” covers it all. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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Remembering Patty Haberstroh

Posted on July 27, 2023 | 23 comments

Patty Haberstroh — a longtime beloved Westporter, who in decades of service touched the lives of countless residents, and whose courageous 6-year battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) inspired many more — died peacefully on Monday, at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was 73.

Patricia Clark Haberstroh’s 20 years as a social worker in Westport’s Department of Human Services were dedicated to helping others in need.

Patty Haberstroh

As family program coordinator, Patty ran and supported countless important initiatives: the annual Back-To-School program that offers backpacks, school supplies and shoe store gift cards to hundreds of children from low-income families; the Family Holiday Giving program, which provides Westport children in need with holiday gifts; the Westport Mentor program; summer camperships; after-school scholarships; Thanksgiving dinner donations; MLK Day basketball clinics; Minds in Motion, and Prom and Graduation Gowns programs.

Patty also took immense pride in volunteer work for Westport’s public schools, serving as PTA president of Coleytown Elementary and Staples High Schools, and on the PTA Council.

One of her proudest achievements was as a member of an ad hoc committee to reject a referendum attempt to cut town education expenses by $1 million in the mid-1990s.

Around that time, Patty also was a key member of the “new” Staples High School planning committee.

She was a masterful storyteller and, most importantly, a trusted colleague and friend. In Westport, she cultivated a vibrant community of true friendships built and tended to over a myriad of Friday Pizza Nights.

Her dogged commitment to helping others was only bolstered in October 2017, when she was diagnosed with her terminal illness.

Faced with a degenerative disease with no cures or effective treatments, Patty sought to reverse that fate for current and future generations of people living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Shortly after her devastating diagnosis, Patty became an influential leader in the ALS community through her relentless advocacy and fundraising efforts. She and her family launched the viral #ALSPepperChallenge campaign on social media, raising over $1 million for ALS research, largely benefiting the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI).

Thousands of supporters from around the world posted videos of themselves eating hot peppers in honor of Patty, and to raise awareness for ALS. Celebrities like Kelly Clarkson, Jimmy Kimmel, Andy Cohen, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley participated in the challenge, chomping on jalapeños and habaneros on national television.

Patty never liked spicy food, but happily devoured it for the cause.

Patty Haberstroh and others suffering from ALS were honored by NASDAQ in New York City, in 2018.

Patty was deeply honored to receive ALS TDI’s 2018 Stephen Milne Adventurous Spirit Award for her selfless advocacy, and MDA’s Wings Over Wall Street Spirit Award in 2020.

Her unwavering tenacity inspired her sons to help launch a grassroots Lou Gehrig Day committee. Beginning in 2021, they established an annual awareness day every June 2, in honor of Lou Gehrig and across all of Major and Minor League Baseball.

There are only 3 such days in MLB, where a league-wide athlete and associated cause is celebrated by all teams.

Born November 23, 1949 in New York City, Patty was the daughter of the late William Lee Clark and Patricia Braden Clark, who nicknamed young her “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and “Pollyanna.”

The oldest of 4 children, Patty attended Darien High School, then graduated from Smith College with a BA in government.

An avowed feminist, Patty started her career in finance at Bank of Boston. Upon hearing that her male trainee counterparts earned more than female trainees, she marched into Human Resources.

After hearing traditional arguments of why the pay imbalances were justified, Patty successfully secured equal pay for all.

In Boston she met her husband Charlie Wesley Kelakos Haberstroh, who was also a banker.

When Patty and Charlie married in September, 1974, she relocated to Chemical Bank in New York — appropriately enough in Human Resources, to manage the Performance Evaluation Function.

After the birth of her second child, she requested a part-time job.  When her employer asked her to reconsider, pointing out she would have to give up her management job, she said she would accept only a part-time job in order to tend to family. When informed there was no part-time job, Patty requested the bank to create one.

They did.

In 1986, with 4 children under the age of 6 in tow — including twin newborns — Patty and Charlie moved the family to São Paulo, Brazil, to support Charlie’s career.

After 4 1/2 years there, and becoming fluent in Portuguese, the Haberstrohs moved to Westport, where she committed her life to public service and education.

Patty is survived by Charlie, her husband of 49 years and caregiver for 6; her children Chuck (Jacqueline Horelik) of Westport; Steve (Erin Graves) of New Canaan; Kim O’Sullivan (Philip) of Norwalk; Tom (Allison Hall) of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandchildren Charlie, Lane, Eve and Grace of Westport; McIntyre (Mac) and Walker of New Canaan; Jonathan O’Sullivan of Norwalk; Madelyn and Molly of Charlotte, NC; her younger brothers William (Susan), Hayes (Clare) and Robert Clark; nieces Katie, Debbie and Joanie, and nephews Braden, Lee and Christopher.

A celebration of Patty’s life will be held in early Fall in Westport. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation toALS Therapy Development Institute, Compassionate Care ALS and Human Services of the Town of Westport.

(“06880” covered the explosive growth of the #ALSPepperChallenge, in Westport and around the world. Click here for some of the stories about the global event.)

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CMS Giving Assembly: Important Tradition Continues

Posted on November 17, 2021 | 8 comments

If it’s November, it must be time for the Giving Assembly.

For several decades, Coleytown Middle School celebrated Thanksgiving with a month-long, school-wide project. Each grade selected one or two organizations or non-profits. Students and parents collected goods or raise money.

Then — on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving — the school gathered together for a Giving Assembly. Recipients described how they’ll use the donations. There was music too, and plenty of good vibes.

The closure of CMS for renovation, and then the pandemic’s prohibition of visitors, put the great tradition on hold.

Thankfully, it’s back.

Newly renovated, Coleytown Middle School returns to an old tradition.

As the school rebuilds a sense of community after a few tumultuous years, enthusiasm for the program is high.

Eighth graders overwhelmingly chose Al’s Angels — the Westport-based charity helping children with serious illnesses — as this year’s recipients. The 2 pods have a “coin war,” to see which collects the most.

Patty Haberstroh

Seventh and 6th graders are raising funds for Westport’s Department of Human Services, and the ALS Therapy Development Institute. They selected both groups to honor Patty Haberstroh, Westport Human Services’ longtime youth director who is battling ALS. For 20 years, she was an instrumental part of Coleytown’s Giving Assembly.

Sixth graders are also collecting donations for Homes with Hope. Executive director Helen McAlinden kicked off the campaign by visiting all 8 classrooms. She described her organization’s efforts to combat homelessness and food insecurity, and inspired the young fundraisers.

PTA volunteers have already delivered some items to the Gillespie Center.

“All year long, we talk about the importance of giving back,” says 6th grade language arts teacher Emily Diggs. “We do a lot of lessons about ‘being your best self.’ This is one more way to do that.”

A large “thermometer” in the hall between the 2 6th grade pods — the Orcas and the Dolphins — is updated every day. Students watch the two groups fight for the top spot.

Last week, the Dolphins held a slim lead.

But, as several wise children told Diggs, “It doesn’t matter who wins. It’s all about giving back.”

Students love to hear stories about their impact at the annual Giving Assembly. COVID means that this year’s version will be virtual — streamed live on Coleytown TV.

That’s a small price to pay, for the return of an important tradition.

CMS — and the Giving Assembly — are both back!

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MLB’s Lou Gehrig Day: The Local Connection

Posted on March 7, 2021 | 1 comment

June 4 marks the 80th anniversary of the death of Lou Gehrig. The legendary New York Yankees’ 1st baseman — “The Iron Horse” — died 17 days before his 38th birthday, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The disease now bears his name.

This June 2, all 30 Major League Baseball teams will inaugurate an annual tribute to Gehrig, and recognize the fatal illness. All players and managers will wear a patch with his #4. “4-ALS” logos will be displayed around stadiums.

MLB will use the occasion to raise money and awareness to battle the disease, and pay homage to advocacy groups like the LG4Day committee.

That group was responsible for the league-wide initiative. Co-chair of the committee was Chuck Haberstroh, the former Staples High School basketball star whose mother Patty is afflicted with ALS.

Well-known to Westporters through many activities, including her work with the Department of Human Services, Patty was diagnosed in 2017. She has inspired her family — and many others throughout town — since then.

Haberstroh, songwriter Bryan Wayne Galentine — who was also diagnosed with ALS in 2017 — and Adam Wilson spent 2 years persuading MLB to honor Gehrig with a day, as it does Black pioneer Jackie Robinson and Puerto Rican humanitarian Roberto Clemente.

Hall of Fame statues (from left): Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente.

Various teams held their own ALS Awareness Days, but Haberstroh and his group wanted more. They had to convince all 30 clubs to sign on. The breakthrough came in October, when the presidents of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins agreed to email the presidents of nearly 2 dozen teams that had not yet pledged support.

Within minutes, it was done. Sadly, Galentine died 2 days later.

Patty Haberstroh

That galvanized Haberstroh to work even harder to raise ALS awareness — along with funds to find cures and treatments. The family has already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the #ALSPepperChallenge.

“Lou Gehrig Day will increase awareness of ALS year after year,” Haberstroh says.

“And it will give hope to those with little today — somethin Mom has always cared about as a social worker in town.

“Someone diagnosed today receives the same prognosis — 100% fatal — as Lou got over 80 years ago. That’s unacceptable.”

Word has just gotten out about the June 2 4-ALS Day. The nation will hear more about it in the months ahead.

For Chuck Haberstroh and his family, that makes every team a winner.

Click below for an ESPN SportsCenter highlight, featuring brothers Chuck and Steve Haberstroh:

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Haberstrohs Help ALS Take Over Times Square

Posted on December 17, 2019 | 4 comments

Two years ago, Patty Haberstroh was diagnosed with ALS.

She did not take the news lying down.

Neither did her family.

Together they embarked on the #ALSPepperChallenge. Across the country, people — from national celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Dan Le Batard to local ones like the Staples High School principal and first selectman — ate habaneros and jalapeños, raising nearly a million dollars to fight what is also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

In addition, 2 of Patty’s sons — Chuck and Steve — joined the IAmALS advisory board.

This morning, they rose early. With their friends — current and former Westporters Chris Aitkin, Matt Cook, Ben Erwin, Chris Kenyon, Steve O’Dell, Stacy Rosenthal and Raffi Tokatlian — they joined 150 others as IAmALS “took over” nearly a dozen billboards in Times Square.

Steve and Chuck Haberstroh, helping change the world for their mom.

Their messages brought attention to the fight — and spread the message that ALS research can also unlock critical breakthroughs for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.

Some of the messages were hopeful. Some were educational. Some were defiant.

All are crucial.

Bad weather kept Patty Haberstroh from attending the Times Square event this morning. Her husband — Parks & Recreation Commission chair Charlie Haberstroh — and daughter Kim watched the livestream at home. So did their son Tom, in Charlotte, North Carolina with his family.

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Dylan Gleicher Was Always Prepared For Success

Posted on May 9, 2019 | 4 comments

When Patty Haberstroh heard that Staples High School graduates Dylan Gleicher and Neil Soni teamed up with 2 Yale University classmates to create Prepared, an app that lets educators respond instantly to an active shooting incident — for example, quickly sending a lockdown notification to an entire school, plus local law enforcement — she was impressed.

But the program specialist in Westport’s Human Services Department was not surprised.

She remembered that a while ago Positive Youth Development — another organization she worked with — needed a website designer. They were low on funds. Member Ellen Gleicher said her son could do it, gratis.

Soon, Dylan created and launched PYD’s great site.

He was in 4th grade at the time.

Dylan Gleicher (2nd from left) created the Prepared app with (from left) Michael Chime, Neal Soni and Daniel James. They won the Miller Prize, a $25,000 in Yale University’s entrepreneurship competition. (Photo/Kerry Long)

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Patty And Paul Ring The NASDAQ Bell

Posted on December 21, 2018 | 2 comments

It’s been a year since Patty Haberstroh’s family started the Hot Pepper Challenge, to raise funds for ALS. Three months earlier, she’d been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease.

It’s been 3 years since the Frates family first did the Ice Bucket Challenge, for the same important cause.

This morning, Patty — the energetic, creative program specialist in Westport’s Human Services Department — her family, and the Frateses, were in New York. They rang the opening NASDAQ bell, in their continuing efforts to raise both funds and awareness of ALS.

They were joined by Westporter Paul LaHiff and his family. He too has ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Also on hand: ALS Foundation members, and representatives of the company that produces the Radicava drug.

Paul LaHiff (front, left) and Patty Haberstroh (front, right), with families and friends, this morning on the NASDAQ floor.

The ceremony was televised live on CNBC. And in case anyone missed Patty with her pepper shirt — well, look here:

Patty continues to advocate for ALS causes — and treatments. Yesterday, she was interviewed by WSHU. Click here for that inspiring story.

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Hot Times At Viva’s

Posted on October 18, 2018 | 2 comments

Hot peppers and spicy margaritas are on the menu this Sunday (October 21, 1 to 5 p.m.) at Viva Zapata’s.

That’s not unusual. But the popular Mexican restaurant has added another attraction: 30% of total sales will be donated to the ALS Therapy Development Institute.

It’s Viva’s 2nd annual ALS Pepper Challenge Day. In addition to the drinks (and very hot peppers), participants can buy ALS Pepper Challenge t-shirts, hats and other gear.

Patty Haberstroh

You’ll get a chance to greet the Haberstroh family too. They started Pepper Challenge last Christmas on behalf of Patty, the well-known Westporter who is battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

In less than a year the movement has spread around the globe. Kelly Clarkson, Charles Barkley, Garth Brooks and Jimmy Kimmel are among the thousands of people taking the challenge. They’ve raised over $625,000 toward finding a cure.

Now you can help the ALS Pepper Challenge too. It’s no wonder Viva’s is known as one of Westport’s “hottest” restaurants.

(For more information, click here. For sponsorship and donation opportunities, email chuckhaberstroh@gmail.com.) 

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Posted in Organizations, People, Restaurants, Saugatuck

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How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down On The Farm? ALS Pepper Challenge Spreads To WTF

Posted on February 12, 2018 | 2 comments

The Haberstroh family’s #ALSPepperChallenge has spread all over the country.

But right here in Westport, it’s bearing particular fruit.

The latest group to raise money for research into the devastating disease — in honor of Department of Human Services program specialist Patty Haberstroh — is Wakeman Town Farm.

Challenged by Parks & Rec — whose commission chairman is Patty’s husband, Charlie — Liz Milwe and Christy Colasurdo decided to be creative.

Taking her cue from “Rapper’s Delight,” Christy wrote lyrics. Corey Thomas — WTF’s talented steward — showed his versatility as the rapper.

The video was filmed yesterday at the farm, after their annual team retreat. It’s already been viewed over 450 times on Instagram, and 400 times on Facebook.

Wakeman Town Farm was not the only organization in town taking the hot pepper challenge yesterday. Staples High School’s boys basketball team did the same — and were inspired by a visit from both Patty and Steve Haberstroh, a former Wrecker hoops star (and Patty and Charlie’s son).

Haberstroh noted that Jon Walker — a 1988 Staples grad, and another famed Wrecker basketball player — died last year of ALS.

Coach Colin Devine (far left) and members of the Staples High School boys basketball team take the #ALSPepperChallenge yesterday.

The Haberstrohs’ challenge has raised nearly $220,000 so far. That includes a $100,000 anonymous donation. Another $250,000 anonymous pledge is expected this week.

(Click here for the Haberstrohs’ hot pepper challenge donation page.)

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Posted in Environment, Organizations, People, Sports, Staples HS

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