Veteran’s Day is Tuesday, November 11.
Many veterans live quietly in “06880”-land. And we’d like to give them their due.
If you’ve got a photo and/or story about a man or woman who served their country — recently or long ago; still living, or no longer with us — send it along (dwoog@optonline.net). We’ll post this special tribute on our veterans’ special day.
Plaques, memorials and a statue fill Westport’s Veterans Green.
This morning’s post warned that some beloved trees may soon disappear from downtown.
To everything there is a season, and all that. In a nearby location, 9 new trees will soon provide beauty and shade.
The Westport Tree Board has announced a “Memorial Tree Program” for Veterans Green. Trees may be purchased to honor — here’s the tie-in — veterans, for their service to our country.
New trees will join old on Veterans Green.
A donation of $2,000 includes the cost and planting of the tree, 5 years of maintenance, and a 4 inch-by-8 inch commemorative plaque.
Nine spots have been chosen, on a first-come, first-served basis. The size and species of each tree will be determined by the tree warden.
Applications are available in the Town Clerk’s and Public Works department offices, up the hill from the green in Town Hall. They’re also at the Parks & Rec office at Longshore. For more information, call 203-341-1134, or email treewarden@westportct.gov.
Deadline for full payment is October 20. Just in time for Veteran’s Day.
Beer, yoga and breast cancer awareness.
They don’t always go together. But the Westport Downtown Merchants Association has found a way to make a weekend out of all 3.
The beer flows at Westport’s Biergarten on the Green.
The group is gearing up for tomorrow’s 2nd annual Biergarten on the Green (Saturday, October 19). Last year’s event was a great one, though it drew about 100 out-of- towners for every 1 beer-drinker (and sausage-eater) from Westport.
Abbey has donated an enormous tent, covering most of Veterans Green across from Town Hall. Cathy Colgan — the WDMA’s event-planning genius — realized it would sit empty on Sunday, before being dismantled and picked up on Monday.
A cancer survivor, Cathy was already figuring out how to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Coincidentally, Norwalk Hospital’s Smilow Family Breast Health Center was searching for a way to raise awareness in Westport.
So — with help from Lululemon, coordinating local yoga studios — Yoga on the Green was born.
From 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Sunday (October 20), instructors from M3 Yoga, Saugatuck Studios, the Westport Weston Family Y, Oxygen Fitness, Yoga for Everybody, Venture Yoga and Yogapata will conduct yoga and meditation sessions.
They’re suitable for every age and level of experience. Just bring your own mats or towels.
The idea is to raise awareness that both yoga and traditional medical treatment can promote healing, relaxation and well-being.
Yoga on the Green is free, but a suggested $25 donation will help pay for holistic therapies that can ease pain and anxiety for Smilow Center patients.
Of course, the day before, Biergarten-goers can ease pain and anxiety their own way. In the same tent as yoga practitioners.
It’s a big one.
The newest memorial on Veterans Green honors Lance Cpl. Roger Muchnick.
The display — across from Town Hall, in front of a plaque dedicated to Westporters killed in World War II — includes flowers, flags, candles, photos from Muchnick’s football career, and Staples Wreckers memorabilia.
The memorial was created by Alison and Greg Fisher. Monica and Bill Vaughn, Caroline Kelly and Amie Waiter added to it.
The Fishers also planted flowers for Roger by the Staples lacrosse field flagpole, and at Compo Beach.
Muchnick — a Marine who served 2 tours in Afghanistan, and died last Monday in a mortar accident in Nevada — will be honored this Friday (March 29) with a funeral service at St. Ann’s Church in Lenox, Massachusetts.
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