Tag Archives: Westport PAL

Unsung Hero #55

Posted on July 4, 2018 | 9 comments

Today is July 4.

Westport jumps the gun a bit on our fireworks celebration. We held ours Monday night. It’s the town’s biggest and best party of the year.

The cost is just $35 — and that’s only if you want to park at Compo. (Plus, you can pack as many people as you want into your vehicle.)

Otherwise you can park at Longshore, the office complex on Greens Farms Road or a friend’s house, and walk to the beach.

Still, people complain.

The $35 — a price that has remained the same for years — helps fund Westport PAL. They’ve sponsored the event for years. Recently, Melissa & Doug have helped out, ensuring that more of the money goes back to PAL programs.

Under the direction of Westport Police officer Ned Batlin — and a small group of volunteers — PAL does plenty. For example, they provide:

  • Youth sports teams and clinics. Each year, over 2,000 youngsters participate in 20 or so programs, including football, wrestling, cheerleading and much more.
  • The ice rink at Longshore (one of Westport’s favorite winter activities, for people of all ages and abilities).

The PAL Longshore Ice Rink.

  • Equipment and other needs for a variety of Staples High School teams.
  • College scholarships (more than 300 graduates so far, and counting).
  • Support for Toys for Tots, DARE and other programs.

That’s just the tangible stuff. By partnering with so many efforts, Westport PAL shows kids that the police really are their pals.

Westport PAL is our July 4th Unsung Heroes.

And every other day too.

Officer Ned Batlin, Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Deputy Chief Sam Arciola all help Westport PAL go.

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Posted in Children, Organizations, People, Police, Sports

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Enjoy The Fireworks! But Read This First.

Posted on June 30, 2018 | 1 comment

Every year, folks are surprised by Westport’s July 4th fireworks rules.

For one thing, they’re surprised they’re not on July 4th. (This year they’re set for Monday, July 2.)

For another, they’re surprised that:

  • They need a ticket to get into Compo Beach
  • They’re not permitted in until 5 p.m. — unless they’re already there before 4 p.m.
  • There’s a lot of traffic.

The fireworks are Westport’s best party of the year. The $35 ticket — which allows you to cram as many people into your vehicle as you want — helps the PAL run programs that benefit thousands of youngsters.

So be ready! Whether you have a ticket or not, if you plan to be at the beach, read the rules. And have a great 4th 2nd!

Daily Passes will not be sold after 12 p.m. on Monday.

Compo Beach will close at 4 p.m. All vehicles without a PAL Fireworks ticket must vacate Compo Beach and the Soundview lot at 4.

FOR TICKET HOLDERS:

  • Access to the PAL Fireworks display is through Compo Road South only. Hillspoint Road south of Greens Farms Road will be open only to residents with homes south of that intersection.
  • Firework attendees should display the fireworks ticket prominently on the dashboard.

FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE TICKETS:

  • Vehicles without a ticket can go no further toward Compo Beach than the Minute Man monument. Shuttle buses will run from the Longshore marina to Compo Beach.
  • Those utilizing Uber, Lyft, or taxi services will be directed straight past the Minute Man monument on Compo Road South. From there, they can walk from the area of Compo Road South and Soundview Drive to the beach. NOTE: If you choose to use this method of transportation, return service will not be available until after 11 p.m., due to 1-way traffic exiting the beach area.

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Posted in Beach, Organizations, Transportation, Westport life

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Fireworks Tickets On Sale Now!

Posted on June 1, 2018 | 2 comments

No one snoozes during Westport’s Independence Day fireworks.

But if you snooze too long now, you’ll have a tough time seeing them at Compo Beach.

Parking at Compo for the 62nd annual fireworks — which, in true Westport tradition, are blasted off a barge not on July 4th but, this year, on Monday July 2 — is by ticket only.

Sales — which began today — are limited, and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once they sell out, shuttle passes from Longshore are available for purchase.

Tickets are available at Westport Police Department headquarters (50 Jesup Road), and the Parks and Recreation office (in Longshore, near the first tee).

The price is $35 per car (pack ’em in!). Before you bitch and moan: Proceeds go to Westport PAL, to support many programs — and thousands of kids.

And before you complain that the fireworks are sponsored by Melissa & Doug — the international (and locally owned) toy company — remember that because of them, PAL does not have to shell out money for all those firework shells.

Absolutely worth $35!

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Posted in Local business, Organizations, Westport life

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Pics Of The Day #218

Posted on November 21, 2017 | 10 comments

Don’t mess with these girls.

Police and teenagers threw balls at each other’s heads — and cheered for each other — at tonight’s annual Dodge-a-Cop tournament in the Staples High School fieldhouse.

Sponsored by the Westport Youth Commission, Staples’ Teen Awareness Group, the Westport Police Youth Collaborative and PAL, it’s a chance for a couple of hundred kids and a couple of dozen cops to play dodgeball, eat pizza, win trophies, raise money, and hang out.

Teams came in costume. Police took off their holsters and cuffs. It was a great night for all.

Whether it’s Staples Wrecker blue, or the men (and women) in blue, the message was clear: Blue lives matter.

A typical team — with actual cops on the far left and far right.

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Posted in Pic of the Day, Police, Sports, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Pic Of The Day #168

Posted on October 2, 2017 | 4 comments

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — and to raise awareness, the entire Westport PAL 8th grade football team is wearing pink socks, (Photo/Miki Scarfo)

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Posted in Pic of the Day, Sports

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July 3!

Posted on May 31, 2017 | 14 comments

Last year, some hard-to-please Westporters bitched and moaned because the 4th of July fireworks were held on June 30th.

Folks have complained about July 1 and 2 dates too.

There are several reasons why we can’t do fireworks on July 4. But this year we’ve got the next best thing.

The 2017 show — produced by Westport PAL, sponsored by Melissa & Doug, with fireworks from the great Gruccis — are scheduled for Monday, July 3.

Tickets for the 61st annual event go on sale tomorrow (Thursday, June 1). They’re available — first-come, first-serve — at the Police Department (50 Jesup Road) and the Parks and Rec  office (Longshore, across from the 1st tee).

Westporters also sometimes bitch and moan that the cost is $35 per car. Well, proceeds fund a ton of PAL programs. And the entire evening is unrivaled for fun, and a community feeling.

Oh, yeah: The rain date is Wednesday, July 5.

We’ve got the 4th surrounded.

Westport’s fireworks, as seen from Hillspoint Road.

 

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Posted in Beach, Local business, Organizations, Sports, Westport life

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Graduation Ceremony, Summer Camp Help For Kids In Need

Posted on May 20, 2017 | Comments Off on Graduation Ceremony, Summer Camp Help For Kids In Need

Westport is a town with plenty.

And a town that never hesitates to help those who don’t have as much.

Right now, our wonderful Department of Human Services is running two programs that touch lives we may not always see.

One is “Ceremonies and Celebrations.” For the 14th year, the fund helps students purchase special event clothing for graduations from middle and high school.

It doesn’t sound like much. But to a teenager, looking like everyone else on a big day means the world.

Last year, 34 youngsters smiled with pride, alongside all their friends.

Everyone wants to look as good as these girls did, after Staples’ 2013 graduation. The Department of Human Services helps those who need it.

Human Services director Elaine Daignault suggests that (tax-deductible) donations can be made in honor of a special teacher or person in a student’s life. A letter of acknowledgment will be sent to the honored individual.

Checks payable to “DHS Family Programs” (memo line: “Ceremonies”) can be sent to Department of Human Services, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport, CT 06880.

Gift cards of any amount (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Trumbull Mall/Westfield Shopping Center) to purchase clothes are also welcome.

For further information on this program, contact Patty Haberstroh (hsyouth@westportct.gov; 203-341-1069).

The 2nd program is a fund to send children to summer camp. Like new clothes for a special occasion, this project is not frivolous. It’s a godsend for working parents — and a life-changer for kids.

Summer Camp has been part of growing up for decades. In 1953, Westport artist Stevan Dohanos used Camp Mahackeno for this Saturday Evening Post cover.

Every year, thanks pour in. One woman noted the importance of swim lessons for her autistic daughter. Another said that her child “came home with a new story, friend or art project every day — and a huge smile.”

In addition to covering costs for ever-popular Camp Compo, the fund has helped a boy play American Legion baseball, and a girl participate in Staples Players’ summer program.

The other day, Westport PAL donated $1,200 to the Campership Fund. If you’d like to join them, checks payable to “DHS Family Programs” (memo line: “Campership”) can be sent to Department of Human Services, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport, CT 06880.

To apply for campership help, click here.

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Posted in Children, Economy, Education, Organizations, Sports, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Fireworks Over Fireworks

Posted on May 26, 2016 | 23 comments

Westport PAL is taking heat for something it’s done well for decades: organizing one of our town’s hottest shows of the year, the 4th of July fireworks.

Of course, they’ve never been on July 4th. We celebrate Independence Day on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 5th, with Westport’s biggest party of the year. Besides fireworks, we enjoy picnics, barbecues, bands, and tons of fun.

This year — for a variety of reasons — the big day is June 30. When they heard that, a few Westporters exploded.

Westport's 2014 fireworks, as seen from Hillspoint Road.

Westport’s 2014 fireworks, as seen from Hillspoint Road.

The main complaints are that the event is scheduled on a workday — June 30 is a Thursday — and that folks have to work the next day (Friday, July 1). A secondary issue is that June 30 is several days before the 4th, lessening the holiday’s importance.

The date was picked almost a year ago, says Westport PAL president Ned Batlin. With a limited number of barges, barge crews, and fireworks companies available, not every town can schedule its fireworks on the same date.

For as long as they can remember, Batlin and Police Chief Foti Koskinas say, the fireworks have been held on a weekday (including Friday). At 4 p.m. the beach is cleared; then, people who have purchased tickets ($35 per car — a price that has remained constant for years) are allowed in.

It would be very difficult to clear the beach on a holiday weekend — both because of sheer numbers, and because some of those visitors would have paid for an expensive weekend day pass.

Scoring a prime spot in front of the barge -- and relaxing with an iPad.

Scoring a prime spot in front of the barge — and relaxing with an iPad.

In addition, Batlin explains, for financial reasons it’s best for the rain date to be the day after the originally scheduled fireworks. A few years ago rain pushed the fireworks to July 5. Many people complained that it came after the holiday.

For the past few years, Batlin notes, July 4 came close to a weekend, so many people did not have to work the day after the fireworks. This year, July 4 is a Monday.

“We know not everyone can take this Friday off, but some people can,” says Koskinas. “Knowing that some people will have a 4-day weekend, we opted for Thursday so we could have Friday as a rain date.”

Everyone has a favorite spot to watch the fireworks. This was the scene last year at the Schlaet's Point jetty, where Soundview intersects with Hillspoint Road.

Everyone has a favorite spot to watch the fireworks. This was the scene at Schlaet’s Point jetty, where Soundview intersects with Hillspoint Road.

The fireworks are PAL’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds help fund programs that serve thousands of youngsters, and 30 college scholarships.

The fireworks draw 12,000 people to Compo Beach. “We’re well aware we can’t please everyone,” Koskinas says. “Whether it’s the date, the weather, the traffic going to the beach or leaving, someone will be unhappy.

“We strive to please everyone. But we realize that’s not possible.”

Koskinas concludes, “Every year we hope the weather cooperates, that everyone has a good time, and is patient. And every year we hope the fireworks are better than the year before.”

Soundview Drive is one place to be for the fireworks. The woman on the balcony is conducting a fife and drum corps, which entertained along the closed-to-traffic road.

Soundview Drive is one place to be for the fireworks. The woman on the balcony is conducting a fife and drum corps, which entertained along the closed-to-traffic road.

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Posted in Beach, Organizations, People, Police, Westport life

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AEDs Are Already Ready

Posted on January 12, 2016 | 7 comments

Less than 3 months ago, a Staples High School student suffered cardiac arrest while watching a soccer game.

Quick action by trainers and bystanders — including CPR, and the use of an AED by the father of a player — saved the teenager’s life.

An equally speedy response has brought dozens of AEDs — portable defibrillators —  to every school in Westport.

The Adam Greenlee Foundation — named for another student brought back to life a year earlier — partnered with the school district and Westport PAL. Within weeks, they’d raised over $85,000.

Last week, 26 AEDs were installed in school gyms and other important locations. The one below was mounted near the Staples cafeteria.

AED

Another 22 AEDs, with travel cases, were given to schools for use on field trips and sports events outside of Westport.

This spring, 17 more will be installed in outdoor cases, for athletic fields and recess areas. Ten others have been given to PAL, for use at sports events outside town.

It was an amazingly rapid — and crucial life-saving — community effort.

Just imagine: If the state Department of Transportation worked at this pace, the Merritt Parkway North Avenue bridge would already be repaired. The North Compo/Main Street/Clinton Avenue realignment would be finished. And the Bridge Street bridge renovation would be over and done, somehow pleasing every single Westporter.

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Posted in Children, Education, Sports, Staples HS, Teenagers

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75 AEDs Will Save Countless Lives

Posted on December 17, 2015 | 3 comments

Last month — in the wake of 2 near-tragedies, when Westport youths suffered cardiac arrests but were saved by Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) — “06880” reported on a fundraising initiative.

The Adam Greenlee Foundation — named for a Bedford Middle School student brought back to life — partnered with the Westport School District and Westport PAL. The goal was to install AEDs at all Westport public school athletic fields and gyms. Their goal was $50,000.

They did not raise it.

Instead, they blew past that mark. The total amount donated was $87,837.

Adam Greenlee's life was saved at Bedford Middle School, by an AED and the quick actions of staff members. He displays a very important message.

Adam Greenlee’s life was saved at Bedford Middle School, by an AED, CPR and the quick actions of staff members. He displays a very important message.

Thanks to the generosity of so many Westporters, the Greenlee Foundation will donate 75 AEDs to the schools and PAL.

  • 17 AEDs for athletic fields and recess areas will be mounted in outdoor cases.
  • 26 AEDs for indoor use will be installed in school gyms and other important locations.
  • 22 portable AEDs, with travel cases, will be given to schools for use on field trips and sporting events outside Westport.
  • 10 portable AEDs, with travel cases, will be given to PAL for use at athletic events outside Westport.

All indoor and portable AEDs will be distributed to the schools in the next 2 weeks. They’ll be installed in cabinets, and ready when staff and students return from the holidays. The outdoor units will be installed before the fields reopen this spring.

David Ingber, and Judy and Alan Panzer, helped immensely with the campaign.

René and Adam Greenlee give great thanks to the Westport community. “Your donations will save lives!” they say.

You can’t ask for a better holiday gift than that.

(Donations are always welcome to the Adam Greenlee Foundation. To help — and learn more — click on DreamOnAGF.org. The Adam Greenlee Foundation is partnered with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, allowing all donations to be tax-deductible and ensuring that 100% of all donations go directly toward the purchase AED’s and training.)

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Posted in Children, Organizations, People, Sports, Teenagers

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