Tag Archives: Paul Lane Football Field

Roundup: UN, Paul Lane Field, Mushrooms …

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The UN is 76 years young.

To mark the occasion, Westport’s International Hospitality Committee and the UN Association of Southwestern Connecticut are hosting a ceremony on the Town Hall front steps. It’s set for next Monday (October 25, 3:30 p.m.).

UNASWCT president and International Hospitality Committee member Bill Hass will read a message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Aye Aye Thant — a Westport resident, and daughter of former UN Secretary-General U Thant — is the guest speaker.

Flags of UN countries will fly on the Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Memorial Bridge.

For more information, call Bill Hass (203-454-7685).

Happy UN Day! (Photo/Jeff Simon)

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Paul Lane Field — the new name for Staples High School’s football stadium — will be dedicated officially on Friday, November 12.

A host of former players will be on hand, including Matt MacVane, Bill During, John Bolger, Buzz Leavitt and Lance Lonergan, as well as relatives of the longtime Wrecker coach. Festivities include a tailgate in the north parking lot before the 7 p.m. kickoff against Ridgefield High, and a halftime ceremony.

The original date for the dedication was this Friday (October 22). Instead, that’s Homecoming.

There’s plenty of action in what’s known — now and forever — as Paul Lane Field.

Paul Lane (center) flanked by his sons Peter (left) and Skip. Both played for him.

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It was a tough call. But MoCA Westport canceled this fall’s in-person fundraiser due to COVID concerns.

Of course, like any museum they still need support. They’ve pivoted to an online auction., to help with exhibitions and music, community events and outreach to the underserved.

The auction features over 50 items, including original artwork (like art by Devon Troy Strother and a Joel Sternfeld photo from the 1980s), one-of-a kind experiences (an NBA VIP draft experience), and curated products from local businesses (Stephen Kempson London, Stacy Bass Photography, JL Rocks, Pure Barre and Imperial Dental Associates, among others).

The auction begins November 1, and ends November 15. To pre-register, click here. For more information, click here.

MoCA Westport’s Newtown Avenue building is unique. Its online auction is special too.

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Speaking of artistry: The Flower Basket is more than just fantastic floral arrangements.

This Sunday (October 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 995 Post Road East), the wonderful shop near Stiles Market hosts an exhibit of abstract and contemporary art by Romeo. Flower and art lovers are invited.

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TAP is dedicated toward fitness and preventive care in all forms.

Including mushrooms.

On Tuesday (October 26, 7 p.m., 180 Post Road East) they host author Adam Piore. He’s the author of a recent Newsweek cover story on clinical trials using psilocybin, the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms,” to treat depression. He’ll talk about neuroscience, research and stories shared by patients.

To register and for more information, email Nancy@tapstrength.com.

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Wasps — or at least, a paper wasp nest — makes an initial appearance in our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

Patricia Carey spotted it. She writes: “I think it’s really pretty (especially since there was no wasp activity!).”

(Photo/Patricia Carey)

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And finally … in honor of TAP Strength Lab’s upcoming event (see above):

 

 

Winning Move: RTM Names Football Field For Paul Lane

The Representative Town Meeting dealt with 2 non-controversial items last night. Both passed unanimously.

One — naming the Staples High School football field in honor of Paul Lane — is sure to bring a smile to the faces of countless Westporters, present and past.

Here is Peter Gold’s report on the July RTM meeting. He is an RTM member writing for himself, and not in an official capacity.

Paul Lane,

“Coach Paul Lane Field” is a posthumous honor. Paul Lane died last month, at 93. But he knew that town bodies were considering the action. A petition favoring the name was signed by over 1,000 Westporters.

Lane spent nearly 30 years as a Staples coach and physical education instructor. Though best known for his football teams — including a powerhouse 1967 FCIAC champion squad, and 1975 state champs — he was also a noted track coach.

In fact, he coached a young Laddie Lawrence. The dedication of the Laddie Lawrence Track last month spurred a drive to name Staples’ football stadium for Paul Lane. Lawrence spoke in favor of the move at last night’s RTM meeting.

Paul Lane Field is the 3rd at Staples honoring a beloved coach. The others are  named for Albie Loeffler (soccer) and Virginia Parker (field hockey). All 3 taught physical education together at Staples, from the 1950s through the ’70s.

The fieldhouse is named for Lou Nistico, former owner of the Arrow restaurant, and an avid Staples athletics supporter.

Paul Lane Football Field

Earlier in the evening, the RTM approved $232,000 to replace 3 of the 12 non-fire truck vehicles used by the Fire Department.

Two of the vehicles are used by command staff and the fire marshal. The third is a dive rescue unit used by the Police and Fire Departments. It was purchased in 1996. The other 2 vehicles were purchased in  2007 and 2009. All 3 are beyond their useful life, no longer cost effective to maintain and operate.

Approximately $90,000 of the cost is for fitting the vehicles up for use by the Fire Department, including installing warning lights, radios, cabinetry for necessary storage, and tool racks.  The existing vehicles will be sold, but will likely have little salvage value.

Due to the current shortage of semiconductor chips, the vehicles must be ordered by October, in order to be received by June 2022.

The Fire Department expects to replace 2 or 3 non-fire truck vehicles every year, to help keep operating and fuel costs down. Fire trucks are not expected to be replaced until the 2022-23 fiscal year, starting with 2 engine trucks and the ladder truck replacement in 2024-25.