Spotted lanternflies are back!
And the only thing there’s more of than the swarming, gross but — admit it — very cool-looking bugs, are the number of photos sent in by “06880” readers.
Here are 2 of the most compelling:
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
To learn more about spotted lanternflies, click here.
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Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service’s next Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course begins on August 26.
Students will learn everything from Band-Aids to multi-system trauma care. Successful completion leads to state certification, allowing EMTs to volunteer on Westport ambulances.
Teenagers who are 14 or 15 are eligible for the organization’s EMR class, also this fall.
The training program for new EMTs has been revamped. New members will be placed in service faster, to begin on-duty training with a crew chief.
No prior experience or knowledge is necessary. To apply, or for more information, click here.
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This weekend marks the 55th anniversary of Woodstock.
And the best celebration anywhere is taking place on WPKN-FM 89.5.
The Bridgeport station is airing the complete original recording of the 1969 Woodstock festival. It runs all weekend long.
This is not the double album released as the “Woodstock” movie soundtrack.
And it’s not some outtakes, added later.
This is the entire concert. Complete musical performances by every band — all 32 sets, from Richie Havens, Joan Baez, the Who, Sly & the Family Stone, Johnny Winter, Ten Years After, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Santana, Joe Cocker, Canned Heat, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jimi Hendrix and more.
Every stage announcement. The entire affair (on air from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
The “06880” connection — besides the proximity to the studio — is that Jim Motavalli, WPKN’s publicity director — and a 1970 Staples High School graduate — was at Woodstock.
As were, presumably, dozens of other “06880” readers.
And thousands of others, who wish they were.
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Speaking of outdoor concerts: The Levitt Pavilion has a special offer for “06880” readers.
Special “member pricing” tickets are available for tonight’s show, featuring Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird. The opening set is Malian duo Amadou & Marian.
Tickets start at $39.25 — 10% off face value. Click here for tickets; enter promo code 50THSeason.
Get ready for another fun night at the Levitt. (Photo/JC Martin)
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Yesterday’s Friday Flashback featured a 1973 New York magazine cover depicting Compo Beach, by Westport artist Albert Hubbell.
I noted that between 1925 and 1989, 16 local illustrators designed 761 covers. An amazing 44 of those show Westport scenes.
So of course at least one other was of Compo Beach.
Dorrie Barlow Thomas quickly responded: “My grandfather, Perry Barlow, was also a cartoonist and cover artist at The New Yorker. His cover of September 13, 1952, was clearly inspired by Compo Beach.”
Indeed it was. That was the 2-story pavilion on the left, before it was damaged by a hurricane.
“06880” welcomes other Westport-inspired New Yorker covers — beach scenes or otherwise. Email 06880blog@gmail.com.
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Tomorrow’s Family Day (Sunday) at MoCA CT promises — well, fun for the whole family.
The noon to 2 p.m. schedule includes art, music, gallery exhibitions, handcrafted items for sale, and ice cream treats will be in abundance—no matter the weather.
Among the highlights: interactive African drumming, storytelling with Timbalooloo, and “create your own masterpiece” with a MoCA art instructor.
The “ColleCTomania” exhibit, featuring an assortment of poster art, is open too.
It’s free for MoCA members, $20 for non-members ($5 for children under 5). Click here for more information.
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Catching up with Ben Casparius: The 2017 Staples High School graduate is ranked #23 of all Los Angeles Dodger prospects, by MLB.com.
The 6-2, 215-pound pitcher plays for their AAA affiliate, in Oklahoma City. He spent 2 yeas at the University of North Carolina, then transferred to the University of Connecticut, where he led the Big East in strieouts.
He had a 5.18 ERA in his first 3 pro seasons, before finding more success in AA and AAA this year.
MLB says, “Los Angeles continues to develop Casparius as a starter, but he looks like more of a multi-inning reliever for the long run. He almost never uses a changeup, has battled walks throughout his pro career and lacks fastball command. His slider is a legitimate weapon that could be useful in high-leverage situations.”
At Staples, Casparius led the Wreckers to the 2017 state championship. He was Connecticut’s Gatorade Player of the Year, among other honors, and graduated as the state’s all-time hits leader.
Click here for more details. (Hat tip: John McCarthy)
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Speaking of sports: Rebecca Schachter — a rising junior at Staples — is the captain of the varsity girls squash team.
It’s well deserved: She is a very competitive squash player on the national stage, reaching a rank of #30 nationally.
Rebecca loves the sport, and wants other girls to love it too.
She has partnered with Intensity Squash to create Girls Power Squash: a program for elementary school girls
Staples athletes will work with an Intensity pro squash member in weekly clinics to introduce elementary girls to the sport — and mentor them.
Sunday sessions run from 3:15 to 4 p.m., September 15 through November 24. The cost is $330.
Click here to sign up. Questions? Email Rebecca: esinfo@westportsquash.org.
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Speaking still of sports: Though the Staples field hockey team is coming off their 5th state championship in 8 years, freshman numbers are low. So far, only 9 players have registered.
The 9th grade squad is developmental; no experience is necessary, and there are no cuts. Tryouts begin August 22. septemberstevens@yahoo.com for more information.
2023 state champion Staples field hockey team.
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Longtime Westport resident Nina Streitfeld died Thursday, at home.
A celebration of her life will be held in the Westport Library’s Brooks Room tomorrow (Sunday, August 18, 1:30 p.m.), with a gathering an minyan to follow at 4 p.m. at her house. She was 92.
The New York native grew up with a love for the outdoors.
She edited the literary magazine, and graduated second in her class, at James Madison High School. She performed in plays at Swarthmore College, and thrived in the school’s intellectual rigor and down-to-earth culture.
After earning a master’s degree in literature from Columbia University, she held communications and public relations jobs with ABC News, Visiting Nurses of Brooklyn, and the Traveler’s Aid Society. She covered the 1956 rescue of passengers from the Andrea Doria liner when it sank off the coast of Nantucket.
In 1957, Nina married Frank Streitfeld, an internist, and moved to Westport. With physician friends including Al and Jean Beasley, and Danny and Judy Doctor, the couple co-founded the medical center at the corner of King’s Highway North and Wilton Road.
Nina raised a daughter and son in Westport until she divorced and moved with her children to Neponsit, New York in 1968. She was vice president of Adams Oil Company in Brooklyn, PR director of Leisure Tech in New Jersey, and led press relations for New York Congressman James Scheuer.
In 1974, Nina appeared as an impostor on the TV game show To Tell the Truth, cramming for hours before the taping to learn about speedboat racing.She persuaded the celebrity panel that she was the world’s only woman offshore speedboat racer.
After more than a decade in New York and New Jersey, Nina returned with her kids to Westport in 1978. She worked for William Pitt Realty and Kerr Kelly before founding her own PR firm, Nina Streitfeld Inc. The Public Relations Society of America recognized Nina with the Silver Anvil award and inducted her as a fellow.
In Westport, Nina volunteered with Friends of Music planning classical concerts, welcomed visitors on United Nations Day, and served on the board of Save Westport Now. She played a leading role in a community theater production of “Steel Magnolias.” She traveled frequently too.
In the 1990s she learned Japanese. For her work as president of the Japan Society of Fairfield County, the Japanese consul in New York honored Nina with a ceremony and reception.
Her family says, “Nina was a strong feminist and role model. She was generous with family and friends and inspired many in her circle to care well for loved ones. Nina valued higher education, working hard and setting ambitious goals.”
Survivors include her sister Martha (Karl), of Berkeley, California; daughter Laura of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; son David (Deb) of Berkeley; grandchildren Thea and Kai; nephew Aaron, and numerous cousins.
Contributions in Nina’s memory may be made to Swarthmore College and the 92nd Street Y.
Nina Streitfeld
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You never know what you’ll find in your garden watering container.
Chuck Greenlee spotted this tree frog.
He was only 2 1/2 inches — about the size of this “Westport … Naturally” photo.
But he sure covered a lot of territory.
(Photo/Chuck Greenlee)
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And finally … Maurice Williams, the singer and songwriter whose 1960 single “Stay” was hit for his group the Zodiacs, then was covered by many others include the Four Seasons and Jackson Browne, died earlier this month in Charlotte. He was 86.
Click here for a full obituary.
(Stay! Just for a few seconds — long enough to click here, and make a tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” Thank you!)
