Tag Archives: Staples High School wrestling

Roundup: Long Lots Meeting, John Chacho, Play With Your Food …

Posted on January 9, 2024 | 3 comments

A new agenda has been posted for tonight’s Long Lots School Building Committee meeting (Tuesday, January 9, 6 p.m., Town Hall Room 307/309).

It includes a discussion and update of the elementary school renovation project:

  • Review of Colliers Project Leaders USA NE, LLC proposal regarding costs of other schools
  • Brief update on benchmarking progress
  • Discussion and potential action regarding Long Lots property plan modifications for new 8-24 plan submittal by 1st Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker.

Public comment (30 minutes) will follow, as time allows.

The latest Long Lots Elementary School plan.

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Congratulations to Staples High School Class of 2020 graduate Jake Thaw, and his University of Michigan Wolverines: national championships, after last night’s big win over Washington!

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Staples High School wrestling parent, booster club founder and former Wrecker wrestler and coach Terry Brannigan writes: “’It’s not what you gather, it is what you scatter.'”

“That was John Chacho’s message to a packed house at Foxwood Casino in 2013. Former wrestlers came from around the country to celebrate the legendary Staples coach’s induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

“For Coach Chacho, his message is not merely a punchline delivered from a podium. It is a lesson he attributes to his mother, and the drumbeat for his life.

“John has touched the lives of generations of Westporters through his work in the Westport school system, and his favorite tool: wrestling.

“This Saturday, Staples hosts the annual John Chacho Dual Meet Tournament. It begins at 9 a.m. in the fieldhouse, and runs through mid-afternoon. We invite everyone to stop by and say hello to Coach Chacho.”

Terry nailed it. John is a Westport treasure. Seeing him on Saturday will make your day — and his.

Coach Johnn Chacho

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There were a couple of errors in yesterday’s mention of the League of Women Voters’ “Pie & Politics” event. Here is the correct information:

Three local politicians will discuss Hartford’s impact on Westport, at a League of Women Voters “Pie & Politics” pizza event.

The January 23rd (7 p.m., Pizza Lyfe) evening features State Senator Ceci Maher, and State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Dominique Johnson.

The pizza is free for League members and guests, and there’s a suggested donation of $10 for the public.  RSVP by January 18th: lwvwestportct@yahoo.com.

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Play With Your Food — the popular play-reading and talkback series — returns to MoCA next Tuesday (January 16, noon to 1:30 p.m.), with 3 very different shows.

Plus: boxed lunches from The Porch at Christies and Meli Melo Crêperie.

Plays include:

  • “I Just Sneezed with a Big Mouthful of Coffee and I Do Not Recommend It!”: 2 hypochondriacs connect in a hospital waiting room. The competition begins.
  • “Closing Time”: Will Sophie and her mom get to the store in time to buy the boots she so desperately wants? Spoiler alert: It’s not about the boots.
  • “The Jewish Wife”: Judith was a beloved wife, friend and bridge player, but now she is only Jewish. A quiet masterpiece written by Berthold Brecht in 1938.

Can’t make MoCA on the 16th? Play With Your Food heads to the Pequot Library in Southport January 17, and the Greenwich Arts Council the 18th.

Click here for details, tickets, and the full 2024 schedule.

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Verso University — the Westport Library’s lifelong learning program– offers a diverse array of January/February courses. They include:

  • Introduction to Video Editing (click here)
  • Exploring ChatGPT for Beginners to AI (click here)
  • Podcast Creation and Design Thinking (click here)
  • Yale University Art Gallery: Munck/Kirchner: Anxiety and Expression (click here)
  • Yale University Art Gallery: Sheila Levrant de Bretteville: Community, Activism and Design (click here)
  • French Wine Theory (click here)
  • The Films of Alfred Hitchcock (click here)
  • Make Your Video Sound Great: Audio Post-Production for Everyone (click here)

Alfred Hitchcock comes to the Westport Library. Well, at least a course about him does.

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Westport’s Business Network International chapter — the 2nd largest in the state — invites interested business networkers to a Visitors Day on Thursday, January 18 (7 to 9 a.m., United Methodist Church).

The group consists of only business per profession — for example, one financial advisor, one realtor, one chiropractor.

Categories open for this neeeting include estate attorney, landscaper, interior designer, printer, salon, personal trainer, restaurant, hotel, home inspector, home security, photographer, caterer or bakery, commercial/residential cleaner, commercial real estate, florist, event/wedding planner, travel/tour operator, automotive repair, physical therapy, promotional projects, and professional writer.

During the latest calendar year, the group passed over $1.6 million in closed business.

Pre-registration is required. Email debralommascout@gmail.com. For more information, click here.

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One of Jazz at the Post’s most popular performers — Westport’s own Melissa Newman — returns this Thursday (January 11; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner begins at 7; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; $15 cover).

The Westporter will be joined by guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Bobby Leonard.

Her shows are sure to sell out. Reservations: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.

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Westport Police announced yesterday that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging Neil Lott, 50, of Westport, with wire fraud related to a misappropriation scheme.

“As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, from 2017 until August 2021, Lott was a 51 percent owner of Pacific Atlantic Handling Services, a baggage handling company based at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

In August 2021, Lott was terminated from PAH for cause. However, in November 2021, he opened a business bank account in the name of PAH without PAH’s knowledge or authorization.

On November 30, 2021, Lott deposited into this account a US Treasury check in the amount of $477,167, paid to the order of PAH, for an Employee Retention Tax Credit.

Lott was released on a $350,000 bond. If convicted of wire fraud, he faces a maximum prison term of 20 years.

“An indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The investigation is being conducted the US Postal Inspection Service, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Westport Police Department, with assistance from the Port Authority Police Department.”

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Margaret Carey Coley — the wife of William Booth Coley, of the Coley family of Westport and Weston — died Friday, surrounded by her family. She was 75.

Her family says: “Margaret loved spending time with her family, especially her beloved granddaughters. She also enjoyed visiting with and giving treats to her grand-dogs. She was an avid reader, and loved to research and discuss family genealogy. She also loved to keep up with her favorite sports teams (Mets and Red Sox), and current events.

In addition to her husband of 45 years, she is survived by her daughter Michelle (Richard) Corcoran of North Haven; granddaughters Madelyn and Molly Corcoran; her brother Robert (Carolyn) Carey of Jamesville, New York, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother John J. Carey Jr.

Margaret’s family thanks the Stratford VNA and Assisted Living Services for their care, with a special thank you to the ICU doctors, nurses and other staff at Yale New Haven Hospital for their care and compassion during her final week

A parlor service is set for Thursday (January 11, 10:30 a.m.; Porto Funeral Home, 830 Jones Hill Road, West Haven. Family and friends may call Thursday morning at 8:30. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ALS United Connecticut, 4 Oxford Rd. Unit E4, Milford, CT 06460.

Margaret Coley

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And finally … yay, us!

On this date in 1788, Connecticut ratified the US Constitution. We became the 5th state of the original 13 colonies to join the Union.

(Celebrate Connecticut’s birthday with a donation to our state’s — well, at least our town’s — favorite hyper-local blog. Just click here. Thank you!)

 

 

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Posted in Education, Library, Local business, Obituaries, Police, Staples HS

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Remembering Win Headley

Posted on January 23, 2023 | 10 comments

Win Headley — one of the most storied athletes in Staples High School history — died last Wednesday in Naples, Florida. He was 73 years old. His family says:

Born on the Fourth of July 1949, Winthrop (Win) Sargent Headley was a real-life Yankee Doodle Dandy.

He became an All-American football player, a lifelong football coach, a successful Wall Streeter, a loving family man, a passionate volunteer, an avid golfer, a loyal friend and a man of faith.

Win was born in California and raised in Westport. He starred as a Staples football player, and state champion heavyweight wrestler.

Win attended Wake Forest University, where he was a football All-American, captain and MVP on its ACC championship team. He received WFU’s first annual prestigious Arnold Palmer and Brian Piccolo Awards as an outstanding athlete, and is in the university’s Hall of Fame.

Win Headley at Wake Forest University.

He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, and played for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. His career was shortened by injury.

He found a true calling as a coach. Over the years, Win coached at 3 universities (Winston-Salem State, Wake Forest and Princeton) and several high schools.

While in Princeton, New Jersey Win married Patty Cashill. They raised a family, and he had a long, successful career as a financial advisor for institutional investments.

In retirement in Naples Win continued to coach. He also volunteered in libraries, animal shelters and with the Knights of Columbus.

As Arnold Palmer would say, Win “played on through” when he peacefully passed away in his sleep on January 18.

Win Headley

Win is survived by his wife Patty; children Summer and Jonathan; sister Lynn Kelly (Michael); 2 nieces, 1 nephew; stepdaughter-in-law Rachel Y. Watlington, and step-grandson Christopher T. Watlington. He was predeceased by his stepson, Thomas Watlington III.

As Win would say, “The long and short of it”: Winthrop Sargent Headley was a man of passion and faith. He was a loving father and husband, and a devoted friend.

There will be a celebration of his life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Win would have appreciated your support for the Deacon Club (499 Deacon Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27105) and the Humane Society of Naples (370 Airport-Pulling Road, North Naples, FL 34104).

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Posted in Obituaries, Sports, Staples HS

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Remembering Saul Pollack

Posted on May 6, 2022 | 4 comments

Saul Pollack — remembered by many Staples High School graduates as a very successful wrestling and football coach, and popular physical education teacher, and many other residents as the longtime owner of Harry’s Wine & Liquor Store in Fairfield — died last week, at Regional Hospice in Danbury. He was 85 years old.

The Bridgeport native was the only son of Harry and Betty Pollack. He grew up in Fairfield, graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School, and worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Springfield College in 1960, and a master’s from the University of Bridgeport a year later.

Saul was hired to teach in Westport. At the same time, he joined the Army Reserves.

Saul Pollack

As head of the Staples wrestling team, he built a program that won several FCIAC and state championships. He was also an assistant football coach.

While teaching in Westport, Saul met 1st grade teacher Anne Gardner. They married in 1965. The couple moved to Wilton and had 3 children.

In 1978 Saul left teaching and took over the package store his father had opened in 1941. Over the next 33 years he expanded the business enormously.

After retiring in 2011 Saul enjoyed playing golf, vacationing on Cape Cod and Sanibel Island, and visiting with his children and grandchildren.

Saul is survived by his wife Anne; his sons, Scott (Millie) of Fairfield and David (Alex) of Fishers Island, New York; daughter Kira (Douglas) Friedman of New York City, and grandchildren Mia, Anthony, Arlo and Izzy Pollack, and Edie Friedman.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Kane Funeral Home of Ridgefield. Memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospice or The Wilton Singers.

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Posted in Local business, Obituaries, Sports, Staples HS

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Going To The Mat For Mikell Washington

Posted on March 16, 2012 | 17 comments

“06880” doesn’t often profile athletes. They get their props in the Westport News and other media.

Besides, if I do one, I’ll be inundated by every well-meaning parent of every kid who ever hit a ball, shot a basket or swam a lap.

But Mikell Washington deserves an exception — because he’s an exception.

His story is not a typical Westport one. And he does not compete in a typical sport.

Mikell Washington. In addition to wrestling, he’s a talented singer and sax player.

Mikell is a wrestler. Though he wears the Staples “S,” he lives in Bridgeport. Yet he wore that “S” proudly, all the way through the New England tournament earlier this month.

Mikell’s older brothers, Andrew and Adam, won places in Westport’s Open Choice program, the lottery that brings Bridgeport youngsters here beginning in 1st grade.

As a sibling Mikell was offered a spot too. He’s been a Westport student through Green’s Farms Elementary School, Bedford Middle, and now as a Staples senior.

It isn’t easy. He gets up at 5 a.m. to take a long bus ride. He doesn’t get home until 6:30 or 7 p.m.

In middle school, he sometimes wanted to quit. But his mother — Gardenia — kept him going. Now, Mikell says, “I’m very happy for it. Even through the worst times, I appreciate being here.”

After his freshman football season at Staples, Mikell saw the Giunta brothers running sprints. They were getting ready for wrestling, and said the team needed a heavyweight. The next day, Mikell and his brothers showed up.

At first, rolling around the mat was just fun. Soon, however, he realized how much he wanted to win.

He didn’t. During his entire 9th grade year, Mikell won once: a junior varsity bout. He was 0-for-that-entire-varsity-season.

“I hated losing,” Mikell says. One reason he lost so much was his weight. Just 5-5, he wrestled in the 285-pound class.

He cut out junk food. That — combined with rigorous training — helped him shed pounds by the bucket. As a sophomore he was a 189-pounder. He stayed that weight as a junior. This year he moved up to 195.

More than nearly any sport, wrestling rewards determination and perseverance. By this year — thanks to year-long work with assistant coach Jeff Lauzon, the off-season Monstarz Wrestling Club, summer camp at Oklahoma State, and his own experience combining moves with strength and stamina and an understanding of leverage — Mikell placed 3rd in the FCIAC (league) tournament, 3rd in the LL (extra large schools) state tourney and 3rd in the state open.

He capped the season with a win at the New England tournament in Providence — the 1st for a Staples wrestler in 18 years.

But there’s more to Mikell than just grappling. As a defensive lineman, he’s been part of 2 FCIAC championship and 2 state runnerup football teams. He’s an all-state rugby player too.

Mikell Washington, performing with the choir at last winter’s Staples Candlelight Conert. (Photo/Lynn U. Miller)

Mikell sings in the choir, and plays sax in the Staples band. He’d love to do jazz band, but there’s no time.

As a part of the St. Baldrick’s club, he’s shaved his head to raise money for childhood cancer research. “When I see kids who are so much less fortunate than I am, that’s not a big sacrifice,” he says.

Next year, Mikell hopes to attend either Penn State or UConn. He plans to study criminal justice.

Being part of Open Choice — and making the choice to wrestle — has helped make Mikell Washington who he is. Staples “has given me a new view on the world,” he says. “The skills I’ve learned have been amazing.”

He singles out a freshman biology teacher, Heather Morley, for simple words of advice he never forgot: “You can be whoever or whatever you want.”

But he saves his biggest praise for his mother.

“She’s my biggest critic, and my number one fan,” Mikell says.

“I remember when I was younger, I was breaking down to my mom. I wanted to quit, but she said if I thought like a loser I’d be a loser.

“Then I won my first match ever. I felt like I’d won a national title. It was the happiest moment of my life.”

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Posted in People, Sports, Staples HS

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