Tag Archives: Saugatuck Elementary School

Roundup: Minnesota Vigil Tonight, Flowerfall Closes, Snow Piles Remain …

Posted on January 30, 2026 | 10 comments

Minnesota has been through a lot lately.

Tonight (Friday, 6:30 p.m), a candlelight “solidarity vigil” is planned, by Saugatuck Congregational Church.

Everyone — all towns, all religions — is invited to join, on the front stops. Bring candles, if possible.

The vigil will last half an hour. The church will be open, for attendees who wish to place candles in the windows.

Saugatuck Congregational Church (Photo/Jonathan Prager)

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The Flowerfall — the beloved Post Road East shop that for years has provided Westporters with beautiful floral arrangements for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, and many other occasions (plus countless boutonnieres and wrist corsages for proms) — has closed.

Stacy Bass sends along this announcement, posted on social media: “Cyrus & Julie have retired. Thank you for your patronage, and for choosing us. It has been a pleasure. The shop is closed.”

A dozen years ago, “06880” gave a shout-out to Cyrus. In the Comments section, Kim Crowther Manning described her first encounter with him:

“What a wonderful, kind, generous and talented man Cyrus is! I will never go to any other florist ever again…. He is a true artist.

“He was hard at work, surrounded by bits of stems, leaves and heads of flowers, scissors, hot glue and wire. He told me at first that he wouldn’t have the time to create a corsage for me, but then had his son (I think it’s his son?) show me an extra one he had made that was in a box in the refrigerated room behind is workstation which was stacked with probably 30 other boxes of corsages and boutonnières waiting for pick-up. Even that room was like a museum full of his beautiful work.

“I joked that if I bought this corsage it would be the most expensive corsage ever, considering that I had already spent $30 on another one elsewhere. With that Cyrus said “oh, I can’t let you do that” and took $5 off his price.

“I was ready to buy it as is and leave him to his work, but he took it out of the box and began walking around the shop looking for flowers he could add to match my son’s prom date’s dress. He brought the corsage and the other flowers he chose back to his workstation and began to recreate the corsage, turning what was already a work of art into a masterpiece!

“While he worked we chatted about his shop and his clients. It was very easy to see his passion for his work. He told me he hadn’t slept the night before because he was worrying about how he would get everything done – he puts so much care into each piece he creates that it takes time and he gets overwhelmed sometimes.

“But he wasn’t complaining. He said, ‘this is how I know things are good – when I can’t sleep I know I’m doing well.'”

Cyrus at The Flowerfall, in 2013.

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Whether you’re a Patriots or Seahawks fan — or just want a fun Super Bowl vibe, complete with a 22-foot video wall — The Clubhouse wants you.

The sports bar/restaurant/event space near the Southport line invites all sports fans — and everyone else — for the February 8 game.

Looking for a more private, yet immersive, experience? Simulator bays are available, by reservation.

Prefer to watch at home? Takeout meals and more are available, for game day pickup.

Click here to reserve a dining room table or simulator bay, or order takeout.

Football, at The Clubhouse.

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There’s a new header on our “06880” home page (above — or click here, if you’re on our app). The full, uncropped version is below.

The frozen Saugatuck River photo comes courtesy of William Weiss.

Let’s hope we can swap in a new — and warmer — one soon.

(Photo/William Weiss)

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Speaking of the weather, a reminder: Clear the snow off your car’s roof!

It’s not just better for your car’s gas mileage and handling.

And it’s not just courteous for the drivers behind you.

It’s also the law!

Seen yesterday, on North Avenue. (Photo/Richard Fogel)

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Speaking yet again of the weather: This igloo on Tamarac Road caught several “06880” readers’ eyes:

(Photo/Tom Cook)

At first glance, it looks like a clever, creative use of time and energy.

But we also wonder about its adherence to town regulations.

Is it a legal ADU, or some other type of structure? Does it have the required building permits? Is it within the proper setback? Was a wetlands study conducted? Has the fire marshal checked it for exits? Is it ADA-compliant? Might it be considered a blight property?

So many questions … so few answers …

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Speaking (still!) of the weather: With daytime temperatures far below freezing, last Sunday’s snow ain’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

(Nor will they. Today’s high is predicted to be 20. Tonight’s low will be … are you ready? … 1 degree.)

Readers continue to sent photo of their (least) favorite piles. This one’s at Saugatuck Elementary School:

(Photo/Rindy Higgins)

And here is Burying Hill Beach:

(Photo/Patricia Auber)

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Speaking of (heaping) snow piles: Here’s another.

It qualifies as our “Westport … Naturally” feature, because it includes a dog.

King (or, in  Daisy’s case Queen) of the Mountain, anyone?

(Photo/Lauri Wieser)

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And finally … in honor of The Flowerfall, and to mourn its closure (story above):

(Digging out from all those piles of snow is hard! Much easier: Clicking here, to make a tax-deductible donation to “06880.” Whichever you pick: Thank you!)

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Posted in Beach, Local business, Politics, religion, Sports, Weather

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Unsung Heroes #405

Posted on October 22, 2025 | 5 comments

Earlier this month, on a day off, the 5th graders of Saugatuck Elementary School Bus #2 collaborated on a lemonade stand.

Their goal was to raise funds for their bus driver, Ken. Specifically, they wanted to buy him an (ever popular) Owala water bottle (among other things).

Cups for Ken!

Gina Lewis — who sent along this great story — says: “Ken is patient, kind and fun. He relates to the kids, and keeps them safe at the same time.

“Being a bus driver is not the most glamorous job, or the most appreciated. It can also try your patience. But Ken greets our kids every day with a smile, and they love him.

“Here is to Ken, and all of the other Westport public school bus drivers.”

Thanks, Gina. So today’s Unsung Heroes are both our school bus drivers like Ken — and the 5th graders at Saugatuck who so thoughtfully honored their favorite.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.) 

5 Comments

Posted in Children, Education, Unsung Heroes

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Back To School!

Posted on August 26, 2024 | 9 comments

This story ran 2 years ago, as the new school year began. Several readers asked to see it again. It’s just as timely — and timeless — today. Have a great year!

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Forget January 1. Pshaw, Rosh Hashanah. Tomorrow — at least for Westport parents and students — is the real start of the new year.

It’s the first day of school.

Whether you’re a kindergartner heading off on your own, a Staples senior already counting the days to graduation, or a mom or dad feeling pride, trepidation and the warp-speed passage of time — or anyone else, who has ever gone to school — this story is for you. 

Summer vacation ends with a thud tomorrow. Each year it’s the same: One day a kid’s free as a cat; the next he’s trapped, chained to the rhythm of the school calendar for 10 long months.

Greens Farms Elementary School

Some youngsters love this time of year; they’re eager to greet old friends, and meet new ones. Or they can’t wait for the smell of newly waxed floors, the security of assigned seats, the praise they know will be lavished on them day after day.

Others abhor it. The thought of entering a strange building filled with strange faces, or trying to be part of a group of peers who won’t accept them, or sitting for hours at a time, doing work they can’t stand, is excruciating — even physically sickening.

Around this time each year, I think about the entire school experience. I wonder which kindergartner will hate school for the rest of the year because his teacher makes a face the morning he throws up in front of everyone, and which will love school because an aide congratulates her the afternoon she almost puts on her coat all by herself.

Which 1st grader will invent any excuse not to go to gym because he can’t throw a ball, and which will get through the school day only because he knows gym is coming soon?

Saugatuck Elementary School

Which 4th grader will walk meekly into class each morning with just one ambition — to get through the day without anyone noticing how ugly, or stupid, or poorly dressed she is — and which will look back on 4th grade as a turning point in her life because a guidance counselor took the time to talk to her, to show her how to comb her hair better, to make her feel good about herself?

Which 5th grader will have a teacher who does nothing when she catches him cheating on a test — too much effort to raise such a touchy issue — and which will have a teacher who scares him so much when he’s caught that he vows to never cheat in school again?

Which 6th grader will enter middle school intent on making a name for himself as the best fighter in his class, and which with the aim of never getting a grade lower than an A?  Which 6th grader’s ambition will change, and which will remain the same?

Bedford Middle School

Which 9th grader will temper his fledgling interest in current events with the feeling “it’s not cool; no one else in class cares,” and which will visit the New York Times website every day because her class is working on “this really neat project”?

Which 10th grader will hate English because all she does is read stupid books assigned by the stupid teacher from some stupid list, and which will go to Barnes & Noble on his own for the first time because his teacher suggests there are more books by the same author he might enjoy?

Which 12th grader will have the brains to apply to 3 Ivy League schools, but lack the common courtesy to thank a teacher who wrote glowing recommendation to all of them? And which will slip a note in a teacher’s box the morning of graduation that says, “Thanks.  I’m really glad I had you this year”?

Staples High School

It’s easy to wrap our school years in nostalgic gauze, or try to stuff the bad memories down our mental garbage disposals.

We also tend not to think in concrete terms about what goes on inside school walls every day. Learning, we assume, happens. Kids read, write, use laptops, draw, eat and see their friends.

We seldom realize how much of an impact this institution we call “school” has on our kids.

Or how much it has had on us.

9 Comments

Posted in Children, Education, Teenagers

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Inclusive Schools Week Includes All

Posted on December 8, 2023 | 3 comments

You may not know that this is National Inclusive Schools Week.

But your kids sure do.

All 5 Westport elementary schools — and Stepping Stones Preschool — planned special programming to celebrate the annual event. Begun in 2001, it encourages schools to support cultures of inclusion, and provide quality education to an increasingly diverse student population.

“Many activities open doors to understanding and respecting different ways of thinking, reflecting on themselves as learners, and fostering a sense of belonging in our schools,” says Coleytown Elementary principal Janna Sirowich.

“We are educating students about neurodiversity  — the different ways that people’s brains work — and how disabilities do not define or limit an individual’s potential.”

Every elementary school read a book about a famed disability rights activist.

Each school designed a variety of learning opportunities and experiences, across all areas of the building.

For example, Stepping Stones classes read “It’s Ok to be Different,” by Sharon Purtil, which celebrates diversity and encourages acceptance.

All elementary classes read “All the Way to the Top: How One Girl’s Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything,”  the true story of disability rights advocate Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. Born with cerebral palsy, she joined the “Capitol Crawl” in Washington — which led to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Among other activities:

Stepping Stones Preschool students watched a PBS show featuring Sesame Street character Julia, who has autism. The video promotes awareness and understanding of neurodiversity at a developmentally appropriate level.

Coleytown Elementary students learned about Special Olympics and Paralympics in their physical education classes — including many athletes who achieved great success in a variety of sports.

All kindergarten through 5th grade artists at Greens Farms Elementary studied Henri Matisse. In a wheelchair and despite his physical limitations, he made incredible art. Students creating their own all-school mural, using organic shapes.

Students in Kings Highway Elementary music classes students incorporated sign language in songs they sang. They also learned about a number of musicians who use their abilities and talents in different ways.

Inclusive Schools Week bulletin board.

All Long Lots Elementary 2nd graders visited with a therapy dog. They learned how animals provide emotional comfort and support to people of all ages and circumstances.

The daily TV news show, Saugatuck Seal News, highlighted individuals with disabilities who have adapted and overcome challenges to create new opportunities once seen as impossible.

Inclusive Schools Week began last week, with a special Cultural Arts performance. “Magic Into the Deaf World” was an inspiring show with Matthew “Magic ” Morgan, who enchanted his audience. Westport science coach Phaedra Taft signed and interpreted for “Magic Morgan.”

“Magic” Morgan (far right), his wife Liliana (2nd from left), with Kings Highway principal Tracey Carbone (wearing green), and parents during Inclusive Schools Week.

“National Inclusive Schools Week provides an opportunity for educators, students, families and communities to engage in conversations and activities that foster a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere within our schools,” Coleytown El principal Sirowich says.

“It encourages reflection on current practices, and the exploration of new strategies to ensure that every student feels welcomed, respected and valued.”

(“06880” highlights the often-overlooked achievements of students and teachers. Please click here to support hyper-local stories like these. Thank you!)

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Posted in Children, Education

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Saugatuck Slices: A School Staff Connects

Posted on April 5, 2023 | 1 comment

“We ask our children to be vulnerable, and try new things,” says Saugatuck Elementary School principal Beth Messler. “Why wouldn’t we as adults ask that of ourselves?”

It’s a great question.

And — throughout all of March — that’s exactly what the women and men who make up the SES community did.

For several years, literacy coach Jessica Carey and literary specialist Dawn Sherriff had written “slice of life” posts on a teachers’ blog, sharing their thoughts with a worldwide group of educators.

This year, they issued a challenge to everyone in their own school to join them.

Join they did. All month long, staff members — teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, custodians, the nurse — wrote “Saugatuck Slice” stories.

“Saugatuck Slice” contributors included (from left) special education teacher Alexandra Coclin, 1st grade teacher Jessica Marino, library specialist Ashley Quiricone, librarian RaeAnne Locke, math specialist Erin Scholz and custodian Prentice Ellis.

Every day, a different one appeared on the school’s private blog.

Each one provided a different look into an adult in the building. Topics ranged from professional (why someone became a teacher) to personal (growing up with siblings, trying snowboarding for the first time).

One staff member wrote about finding joy. Principal Messler’s story appeared on March 6, the 30th anniversary of her first date with her now-husband.

Even superintendent of schools Tom Scarice joined in. He shared his hopes and dreams about education.

“It was an amazing community effort,” Messler says. “People kept signing up.”

The effort helped create community too. People learned new things about their colleagues, and gained insights into their lives.

A sheet in the hallway made it easy to sign up for a “Slice” spot.

Toward the end of the month, Sherriff wrote a “slice” about the “Slice.” She said:

Day after day, slice after slice, the hallway conversations were growing. I overheard conversations about about feathered hair, parenting 5-year-olds, the love of trees and getting reacquainted with a snowboard.

This was the evidence that our blog was alive and well. The energy it created could be felt and heard (even though, technically, you can’t hear energy). The hallway comments and smiles day after day celebrated the writing and the writers. The invitation to write had created more than writers, it created a knowing, it strengthened a community.

(Our) collective effort over time connected us in so many ways. The structures of our school days often do not allow for the time or space to know each other, really know each other. Our blog became a space for not only sharing, but knowing.

The start of Dawn Sherriff’s Slice.

This was a project for the Saugatuck El adults. But one teacher shared her “slice” with her students. It was her way of modeling writing — and being vulnerable.

March is over. Daily “Saugatuck Slices” have ended (though they may continue infrequently).

But the conversations they sparked have just begun.

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Posted in Education

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Roundup: Linxweiler Trees, Races & Champions, Ukrainian Eggs …

Posted on March 24, 2023 | 9 comments

The Post Road East improvement project has begun.

The first step — long before installing turn lanes, crosswalks, shoulders and sidewalks on the stretch between Volvo of Westport and New Country Toyota — was the removal of a dozen or so trees.

They stood for decades in front of Linxweiler House — the former blacksmith shop between Fresh Market and McDonald’s, now owned and operate by Homes with Hope.

That property looks a lot different today, than it did last weekend:

Linxweiler House, as seen from Crescent Road …

… and looking east, from near Fresh Market. (Photos/Molly Alger)

The good news: The 2 cherry blossom trees in front of Sakura still stand.

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On your mark … get set … and get ready for the 44th annual Minute Man Races

The popular Westport Young Woman’s League — set for Sunday, April 30 at Compo Beach — includes a 10K run, 5K run/walk, and kids’ fun runs (from 50 yards to 1 mile).

For professionals, it’s a USA Track and Field-certified event. For kids, family-friendly activities will take place during and after the races.

As always, there will be music, food trucks and more.

Student and first responder discounts are offered for the adult races. Contact minuteman@wywl.com for a discount code. Click here to register, and for more information. Proceeds benefit local non-profits.

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Registration is open for the 5th annual Day of Champions.

The event — family-friendly fun (and fierce competition) that raises funds for Experience Camps, the Westport-based network of activities for children who have lost parents or siblings — is May 21 (8:30 to 11:30 a.m., PJ Romano Field).

To create or join a team — or donate — click here.

To get psyched for the event, click the video below.

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Ukrainian Easter Sunday is not until April 16.

But Westport artist Mark Yurkiw — who has Ukrainian heritage, and is a member of the group that raised $252,000 for our sister city, Lyman — is celebrating early.

Throughout his career, he’s been decorating Ukrainian Easter eggs. He sent “06880” a sample of his work:

The red egg in front celebrates the birth of Mark Yurkiw’s son Cooper, in 1994.

In 2001, he created this 5-foot “egg” for the White House.

It was signed by 256 members of Congress.

Slava Ukraini!

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More progress on the house at 233 Hillspoint Road. Town officials halted construction there in 2019, after finding violations of the building permit.

Workers yesterday removed several feet from the top of the chimney. It had been built higher than its legal height.

Workers removing the top of the chimney at 233 Hillspoint. Road. (Photo/Matt Murray)

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In 2020, COVID forced Saugatuck Elementary School to cancel “The Little Mermaid” at the final dress rehearsal —  before the opening curtain.

She’s back!

A new cast of 125 students in grades 3-5 act, sing and dance — and run the lights and sound, help construct and decorate sets and props, and operate special effects.

Saugatuck alums from 2020 (and even some of their parents) have helped with the show! Set designer Julie Colotti, costume designer Miriam Young, and prop managers Alexandra Dodwell and Amy Kopisz incorporated many original pieces, along with new additions.

After his daughter Phoebe returned as a student acting coach, John Nunziato jumped in as artistic designer and special effects consultant.

Shows are Friday, March 31 (7 p.m.) and Saturday, April 1 (1 and 6:30 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.

“The Little Mermaid,” at Saugatuck Elementary School. (Photo/Kerry Long)

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You can’t autograph an Mp3 download.

But you sure can sign a vinyl album.

VersoFest’s headliners and guests, including producer Steve Lillywhite, Psychedelic Furs front man Richard Butler, and Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tina Weymouth, will autograph copies of their records, for giveaways and auction items during next weekend’s VersoFest.

Festivalgoers can submit their entries for the giveaway starting with the March 30 kickoff concert featuring rising American rock band Sunflower Bean.

Submissions are open through Sunday, April 2. That final day features a record fair (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and a vinyl record panel brunch with WPKN DJ Alec Cumming, producer Dooley-O, Kraftjerkz Records’ Kid Ginseng, WFUV DJ and House of Wax host Eric Holland, New Haven Independent arts reporter Karen Ponzio, and moderated by the Zambonis’ Dave Schneider.

The silent auction (April 1-2) offers a chance to bid on a variety of signed albums associated with the festival’s speakers and guests. All proceeds support future VersoFests.

For more information, including concert tickets and workshops registration, click here.

VersoFest vinyl.

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Speaking of music: The Grammy for Best Children’s Album went to Kaitlin McGaw, and her group Alphabet Rockers. (Sure, it was in February. But I just found out. It’s still worth sharing!)

And it’s “06880”-worthy because she’s the granddaughter of longtime Westporters Ed and Kay See.

Ed — an attorney — was longtime town counsel. He played a key role in Westport’s purchase of Longshore, in 1959.

Kay supported many local causes. She was on the Westport Library board, when the new building was built.

The See family’s stained glass window hangs over the altar of Assumption Church, near the Josê Feliciano window.

Eloise See — Ed and Kay’s daughter — is Kaitlin’s proud mother. Sandy is her equally proud uncle.

The award was even more special, because the presenter was presidential inaugural poet — and Kaitlin’s fellow Harvard graduate — Amanda Gorman.

Alphabet Rockers produces and performs music and dance that promotes racial and gender awareness.

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The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport is a beautiful building.

On April 1 (8 p.m.), its the site too of Damn Tall Buildings.

That’s the hot bluegrass/indie/roots/old-time/vintage swing/Americana band from Brooklyn. The trio will headline the UU’s Voices Café.

There’s table or individual seating. Bring your own beverages and snacks, or buy at the sweet treats table. General admission: $25 per person. A portion of the proceeds support the congregation’s Social Justice Council. Click here for tickets (live and livestream), and more information.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo proves: There’s nothing like a nice early spring day to put the top down, and enjoy the sun.

(Photo/Matt Murray)

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And finally … on this date in 1721, – Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated 6 concertos to Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg-Schwedt. Today we know them as the Brandenburg Concertos.

(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We’re a non-profit, dedicated to bringing the community together. We rely on your (tax-deductible) contributions. Please click here to help. Thank you!)

9 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Library, Real estate, Transportation

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Unsung Hero #244

Posted on June 29, 2022 | 5 comments

“06880” reader and grateful mom Alia Afshar writes:

I would like to nominate Saugatuck Elementary School 5h grade teacher Valentina Tran for the Unsung Hero award.

Though she is relatively new to teaching, Ms. Tran is extraordinary. She has gone above and beyond for my daughter, and I am sure many other SES students too.

Like many COVID refugees, my daughters and I landed in Westport a year ago. It’s hard being the new kid, especially a girl in 5th grade. Everything was different from her school in Brooklyn.

From Day 1, Ms. Tran took my daughter under her wing. She made sure she always had someone to sit with, eat lunch with, and even ride the bus with on field trips.

During the early spring, Ms. Tran organized a playdate after school for my daughter and a former student (now in 6th grade) who she thought my daughter would click with. This was her first school playdate, so you can imagine what that meant.

Toward the end of this school year, we realized my daughter would miss her moving up ceremony due to a planned trip. She was disappointed, but once again Ms. Tran went the extra mile for her.

She organized a surprise graduation last week with her entire class. She had her own graduation program printed. Classmates sang to her, gave speeches, gave her an award and flowers, even a homemade bracelet.

Valentina Tran, at the special moving up ceremony.

Needless to say, I was in tears. It meant the world to my daughter to feel accepted, part of her 5th grade community, and frankly, special.

Ms. Tran orchestrated all of this brilliantly, on top of all of her end of school year duties and taking great care of 20+ children. I am in awe of her dedication, kindness, thoughtfulness, and willingness to go the extra mile for her students.

We are so lucky to have Ms. Tran in the Westport school system. She is a true hero to my family and I’m sure many others too.

So many Westport educators go the extra mile for their students. Ms. Tran is one of many. But we’re honored to honor her today, as “06880”‘s Unsung Hero.

If you know an Unsung Hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com.

(“06880”  relies on support from readers, to keep our blog — and features like this — going. Please click here to help.)

5 Comments

Posted in Children, Education, Unsung Heroes

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Roundup: Gun Violence March, Scholar-Athletes, Girls On The Run …

Posted on June 6, 2022 | 9 comments

Westport Moms send word of a “Stand up Against Gun Violence” march this Wednesday (June 8). It begins at 10:30 a.m. on the Anthropologie steps, and continues through town.

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas will join the crowd. Marchers are urged to wear orange, and bring signs.

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You can’t say the town is not responsive.

At 10 a.m. yesterday morning, the “06880” Roundup included 2 photos of Grace Salmon Park. They showed benches at the popular Imperial Avenue park, covered in weeds and brush.

This was the scene at 9 a.m. today — less than 24 hours later:

(Photo/Werner Liepolt)

What an improvement! Thanks for the quick action!

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Staples High School held its 21st annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner last night — but the first since COVID struck.

It was a fascinating evening. Each varsity sport selects one senior. Each coach asks each scholar-athlete a question about his or her passions, achievements, hobbies, extracurricular activities or sports.

The answers — a minute or so each — are insightful, poised, poignant, and often funny. Taken together, they paint a remarkable picture of the student-athletes at Staples.

Last night’s questions ranged from volunteer efforts (Food Rescue US, helping a Holocaust survivor, transcribing Library of Congress records) to lessons learned from coaching little kids, building models to predict the spread of COVID, working on political campaigns and against gun violence, and selling South African snacks.

Even more remarkably, the scholar-athletes were on top of their game despite having attended the senior prom the night before (and post-prom parties after that).

As several speakers noted after hearing the 36 students speak: The future is in great hands.

Scholar-athletes honored, and their sports:

Fall: Emily Epstein (cheer), Zach Taubman (boys cross country), Josie Dolan (girls cross country), Ava Ekholdt (field hockey), Andrew O’Loughlin (football), Ben Epes (boys golf), Aidan Mermagen (boys soccer), Madison Sansone (girls soccer), Raina Mandayam (girls swimming), Ally Schwartz (girls volleyball), Jasper Cahn (boys water polo).

Winter: Michael Brody (boys basketball), Sydelle Bernstein (girls basketball), Mimi Schindler (gymnastics), Johnny Raho (ice hockey), Rory Tarsy (boys indoor track), Emma Nordberg (girls indoor track), Will Heisler (boys skiing), Kate Smith (girls skiing), Brian Fullenbaum (boys squash), Romy Nusbaum (girls  squash), Jacob Lee (boys swimming), Reese Watkins (wrestling).

Spring: Finn Popken (baseball), Lizzie Kuehndorf (girls golf), Derek Sale (boys lacrosse), Sara DiGiovanni (girls lacrosse), Alex Harrington (boys indoor track), Tessa Moore (girls outdoor track), Nick Prior (rugby), Erin Durkin (sailing), Caroline Coffey (softball), Matthew Chiang (boys tennis), Jordana Latzman, Ethan Moskowitz (boys volleyball), Rachel Offir (girls water polo).

The evening also included the awarding of several scholar-athlete scholarships. The Coleman Brothers Foundation presented Brewster Galley with a $40,000 award. Jalen St. Fort and George Kocadag each received a $6,500 Laddie Lawrence grant. Jaden Mueller got the $2,000 Albie Loeffler Scholarship.

Two other honors were handed out. Rory Tarsy was named the Thomas DeHuff Award winner, while Molly Liles earned the Jinny Parker Award.

After dinner, the scholar-athletes posed with their plaques. Here’s boys skiing honoree Will Heisler, and his parents.

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Speaking of sports: The Staples boys tennis team has repeated as state champions.

For the 5th time.

The Wreckers won their 6th straight title Saturday. They beat Greenwich 4-1 at Wesleyan University.

Winners included singles players Robbie Daus and Noah Wolff, and the doubles teams of Luke Brodsky and Alex Guadarrama, and Brett Lampert and Lucas Ceballas-Cala.

The individual invitation tourney begins today, also at Wesleyan. Tighe Brunetti and Daus will play singles, Brodsky and Guadarrama doubles.

Congratulations and good luck to all — including coach Kris Hrisovulos!

The state champion Staples boys tennis team (from left): coach Kris Hrisovulos, Holden Dalzell, Clint Graham, Hayden Frey, Noah Wolff, Tighe Brunetti, Luke Brodsky, Robbie Daus, Matthew Chiang, Jared Evans, Brett Lampert, Alex Guadarrama, Lucas Ceballos-Cala. (Photo/Bob Daus)

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Speaking once again of sports: Good luck to Staples’ boys lacrosse team. Ranked #2 in the state tournament, they face #3 Ridgefield on Wednesday (5 p.m., Fairfield University), in the semifinal round.

Go Wreckers!

Staples’ boys lacrosse team takes the field.

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This past weekend, 5 girls from Saugatuck Elementary School participated in the Fairfeld 5K along Jennings Beach.

But they didn’t run alone. The youngsters took part in Girls on the Run. The after-school program is part of a national positive youth development project for grades 3 to 7.

The season runs for 10 weeks. Twice a week, girls learn about and practice skills and positive mindsets, including positive self-talk, friendship, and the importance of individuality.

Each session includes running. Girls build endurance, culminating in that celebratory 5K.

Westport’s Girls on the Run has partnered with Westport Continuing Education. Three parent volunteers lead the local program. They hope to bring the program to other schools in town. Parents interested in helping can email mary.bentley@girlsontherun.org. All abilities are welcome.

Girls on the Run participants.

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Tower of Power rocked the Levitt Pavilion this weekend.

Which means another great season has begun.

Click here for upcoming concerts and special events. There’s something for everyone!

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David Ader writes:

“I admit this photo has the quality of some yahoo’s version of a sasquatch. I have sympathy for that yahoo.

“On Saturday night as I sat at my dinner table a very large and muscular bobcat sauntered across my backyard. I was both shocked and anxious as I dropped some pizza to distract my dog, and scrambled to get this photo.

“In its confident walk, the bobcat stopped for a moment to look at me while I feebly attempted to get my phone open for the photo. Imagine if it was a sasquatch!”

(Photo/David Ader)

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The sold-out audience at Saturday’s Westport Pride drag show at MoCA included a numberof families with children. In addition to dancing the performers offered a bit of LGBTQ history.

Yesterday, the mother of one youngster wrote to “06880”: “I feel very strongly that exposing children to all sorts of personal expressions and pathways is essential in order for them to know that there is not one cookie-cutter way to be in this world.

“To have our children witness a person living life, full of joy, as their 100% authentic and beautiful selves is a powerful gift I intend on exposing them to always.”

15-year-old Desmond is Amazing — a New York City drag artist — posed with young fans.

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Diane Bosch spotted this new object, bobbing in the channel at the mouth of the Saugatuck River.

She suspects it has something to do with the dredging plan. Is she right?

If any “06880” readers know for sure what this is, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Diane Bosch)

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It’s strawberry season at the Westport Community Garden.

Lou Weinberg shared this luscious one — unfortunately, only photographically — for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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And finally … you knew this was coming, right?

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“Shrek” On Stage At Saugatuck

Posted on April 2, 2022 | 1 comment

“The show must go on” is a cliché. But Saugatuck Elementary School has managed to make lemonade out of lemons.

When COVID struck, they kept their upcoming show — “The Little Mermaid” — afloat. They turned clips into a video, and showed it on the big Remarkable Theater screen.

That was such a hit, they did a fully recorded show — “Charlie Brown” — over Zoom last year. Again, it delighted many Remarkable movie-goers.

After two years, the youngsters are back on the SES stage.

Saugatuck Theater Club is producing “Shrek The Musical JR.” The theme — “what makes us special makes us strong” — is timely, considering recent events like the sudden focus on Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia.

Fiona (Ayla Ciano-Buckley, 5th grade, and understudies (from left) Sofia Amron (3rd grade) and Ella O’Brien (4th).

This being Westport, the Saugatuck El kids have a special coach/mentor: Broadway star Kelli O’Hara. She’s helping director Katie Bloom — along with the usual staff members and parent volunteers, who have waited 2 years for the chance.

The curtain rises Friday, April 8 (7 p.m). Performances follow the next day (Saturday, April 9) at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Click here for tickets.

Mila Carbino (3rd grade), one of the 3 pigs protesting Lord Farquad’s discrimination against the nonconformists of Duloc.

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Unsung Heroes #222

Posted on January 12, 2022 | 14 comments

As a Westport principal, Beth Messler appreciates the work of all school nurses.

“All the nurses here, and supervisor Sue Levasseur, are amazing,” she says.

But after dealing with the pandemic for nearly 2 years, she really appreciates the work Jane Sandri has done at their school: Saugatuck Elementary.

“Jane has been my absolute partner here She is always incredible, and during COVID she’s gone above and beyond.

Jane Sandri

“She is a leader, a trusted resource, and a confidante helping shepherd staff, students and families through this challenging time.”

In normal times, an elementary school nurse deals with youngsters who don’t feel well, the bumps and bruises of recess, and lice.

These are not normal times.

Jane is on duty 24/7. “She goes above and beyond to make sure every child, staff member and family feels comfortable,” Beth says.

“She reaches out personally. She wants to have conversations so she can answer questions live, not by email.

“And she always makes herself available to me outside of school hours, so I know what’s going on. Her personal touch alleviates stress for everyone.”

Jane Sandri — and all the school nurses in Westport — are on the front lines of COVID. It’s a tough, thankless, ever-changing task.

But there’s no one better to do it than these professionals. A grateful town salutes them, as our Unsung Heroes of the Week.

(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email dwoog@optonline.net)

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