The Westport Library hosted its first-ever World Cup watch party yesterday.
Over 150 soccer fans of all ages — nearly all of them rooting for Spain, it seemed — watched “La Roja” beat Argentina in extra time, for their 2nd-ever championship.
Westport Library watch party. (Photo/Isabelle Sareen)
Earlier in the afternoon at the Library, several dozen youngsters traded Panini soccer cards. Meanwhile, 4 residents with strong soccer ties — Dan Woog, Chris O’Dell, Paddy Donovan and Joe Pierce — discussed Westport’s history and role in The Beautiful Game.
There were many other watch parties too. Large crowds packed The Clubhouse, Riko’s Pizza and other places.
Westporters like Rob Simmelkjaer — CEO of the New York Road Runners, but also an avid soccer fan — had their own gatherings.
It’s hard to tell from the photo below who Rob favored. The dessert includes both teams — and his jersey is the one worn by Argentina’s Lionel Messi, when he played for Spain’s Barcelona.
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
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Elsewhere in the world: Claudia Sherwood Servidio is a Westport resident. But she has spent the past 25 summers on the Greek island of Lemnos. In both places, she is an avid marine conservationist.
She recently helped bring a group of Lemnos high school students to a research vessel, to explore one of the Eastern Mediterranean’s most important marine ecosystems.
The expedition was part of the Imagine Lemnos Plastic Free Festival, an event she co-founded with scientists, environmental groups and local partners.
A short-term goal is to raise funds to buy thermoses for every student on Lemnos, to sharply reduce one-time plastic use. Click here for a full story.
Claudia Sherwood Servidio is also an accomplished photographer. This is an underwater image. (Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
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An almost sold-out crowd enjoyed Saturday’s opening night performance of “Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” at the Westport Country Playhouse. The production runs through August 1.
Click here for more information, and tickets. They start at $50, with discounts for students, senior citizens, educators, military, first responders, Indigenous people, professional playwrights and groups.
Opening night bows. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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The Fresh Market osprey nest appears abandoned.
But the raptors seem to be thriving nearer their main food source of fish: at Longshore.
John Maloney snapped this hopeful photo the other day:
(Photo/John Maloney)
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As reported earlier, Thomas Lowrie died peacefully at his Westport home on June 30. He was 3 days shy of his 98th birthday.
The Pittsburgh native was a standout 3-season athlete at Titusville High School. After completing his senior year at the Hill School, he joined the class of 1950 at Princeton University. He and roommates Walker McKinney, Sam Howell and Bill Apgar became lifelong friends.
Tom was a Navy air navigator during the Korean conflict, monitoring the 7th Fleet from over the Pacific Ocean with no parachutes. (He later jumped out of planes at ages 90 and 95.)
Tom Lowrie
He met his wife of 58 years, Jean, while he was stationed in Hawaii. She was a TWA airline hostess.
Tom completed his advanced degree in architecture from Columbia University while working as a draftsman for renowned firms like McKim Mead & White, and Johnson-Burgee. He became a staff architect to the Museum of Modern Art during their 1980s expansion.
Tom was an excellent athlete, playing golf, tennis, squash, badminton, pickleball, and in his last year, ping pong. His love of sports and architecture led him to design the Beck Lodge at Camp Mahackeno, and the conversion of the downtown firehouse to the YMCA’s health center.
His long-service to the Y community was highlighted by his badminton camaraderie with pals Paul Newman and James Naughton.
Tom was the last-living founding member of Westport’s Sunrise Rotary club. He traveled the world promoting projects that supported education and peace, while fighting disease and global inequities.
Tom was also an active member of the Y’s Men.
He was predeceased by his wife Jean in 2018. Tom is survived by his children Anne of Westport and Dave of Hartford, and granddaughter Luna Lowrie of Long Island.
A family memorial service is scheduled for July 31 (11 a.m., Green’s Farms Church), where Tom was an active congregant for nearly 60 years. A public celebration of his life will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the Church’s fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to the Sunrise Rotary Club.
Tom Lowrie, at his 97th birthday celebration. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Longtime Westport resident Richard Atkins died on June 22 in Norwalk, after a long stay at the Notre Dame Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was 92.
The Rutgers University graduate moved to Westport in 1974.
Atkins’ career began as an editor and drama critic at Women’s Wear Daily. He then joined Playboy magazine as its men’s fashion advertising manager. He later became publisher of National Lampoon as its publisher, and president of General Media Services, in Westport.
A fine wine collector, he visited vineyards and wineries in France, Italy and California in search of additions to his cellar. He passed his love of wine and his discriminating palate on to his children and grandchildren.
Atkins survived by Susanne, his wife of 68 years; sons Richard, Tom and James, and grandchildren Micaiah, Rebecca, Heide, and Liam.
Richard Atkins
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Here’s a first for our “Westport … Naturally” series: a European mole cricket.
Jay Ludy spotted it on his driveway yesterday — the first time he’s seen one in his 24 years in Westport.
“Apparently they have established themselves in Fairfield County, and are rarely seen above ground,” Jay says. “This one was at least 2 inches in size.”
(Photo/Jay Ludy)
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And finally … ¡Felicidades España!
(Spain are worthy champions. You can be a winner too! Just click here, to support “06880”: Where Westport meets the world. Thank you!)
Of course, Simmelkjaer says, with any form of gaming there is a potential for a small percentage of people to become addicted. Any expansion — such as online lottery sales, online casino games or sports betting — must provide help for anyone in trouble.