They’re fit, but friendly. They’re competitive, but close. They run for various reasons — to win a race, do their personal best, or simply finish — and at various paces, but they all love to run.
And they don’t get a lot of publicity.
For an activity that’s been around for over 60 years, the Westport Road Runners races get very little attention.
Unless you’re near Compo, Burying Hill Beach or Longshore on a Saturday morning, you don’t know the long-running (ho ho) series even exists.
The series of 10 races — each longer than the week before — culminates in a 10-miler the Saturday before Labor Day.
Road Runners was one of the only such events when it began in the 1960s. The Labor Day race was particularly popular, attracting some of the top athletes in the Northeast.
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department has sponsored Road Runners since its inception. Co-sponsors now include Pequot Runners and Fleet Feet. The selectwoman’s office and Police Department offer important assistance.
And they’re off! The start of a Westport Road Runner race.
But the man making it work for nearly all that time — all but 3 of its 62 years — is Laddie Lawrence.
A star runner in Staples High School’s Class of 1964 — and now, for well over 50 years — the Wreckers’ cross country, indoor and outdoor track coach — he does it all.
He sets up the course, oversees every aspect of each race, then cleans up. There would be no Road Runners without Laddie Lawrence.
He just finished his 59th year as Road Runners director. If that sounds like a long time: It is.
Regulars who have served for years include Jim Gerweck, Charlie Wolgast, Ray Prezkop, Dave Parise, Anne Parise and Mary Parise.
This year’s group of recent alumni or current Staples athletes includes Morgan Samuel, Will Boberski, Oliver Samuel, Jonas Varnas, Michael Bernier, Ben Buchalter, Alex Price, Luke Rabacs, Daisy Seaborne, Preston Siroka, Nate Hordon, Mikhail Mikhalchuk, Oliver Galin, Connor O’Neill and Samuel Zwick Lavinsky.
All are today’s Unsung Heroes.
But Laddie Lawrence wins this week’s gold.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
For decades, Klein’s Department Store was a fixture at 44 Main Street.
Banana Republic lasted a couple of decades.
OKA didn’t even make their 2nd anniversary.
The British furniture and home accessories retailer moved in right before Christmas in 2022. It was their 3rd US store. And, they proudly proclaimed, “our flagship.”
Now they’re gone.
“Greenoaks42” posted on Reddit yesterday:
They charged me of +$700USD months ago for a lamp they never sent. Now they filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Their website is gone. Phones disconnected. But they have the audacity to continue posting on social media.
They told me to wait for their bankruptcy rep to contact me about a refund “in due course.” Good riddance to unethical companies. I’m glad they’re gone from Westport.
“06880” could not contact anyone at OKA for information. Instead, we’ll offer this look back at their opening in Westport, less than 2 short years ago:
The Westport Farmers’ Market’s Young Shoots Photography Contest, for students ages 5 to 18, begins Thursday.
The 8th annual event runs through August 3. Children and teenagers can demonstrate their love for local food — and their creative photo talents — to win cash prizes in 3 age categories, plus a chance to attend an art class at MoCA CT.
All photos must be taken at the Westport Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot). It’s an amazing place, filled with food, plants, food trucks, entertainers, the farmers themselves, shoppers — everything a young photographer could hope to shoot.
Local artists will judge. Age groups are 5-9, 10-14 and 15-18. An exhibit at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center will showcase the winners.
The contest is sponsored by the Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.
Click here for rules, registration and more information.
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Calling all runners!
Fleet Feet will once again sponsor the Westport Summer Series Races.
The weekly events — now in their 62nd year — are held Saturday mornings, at various locations. The first race (June 29) is 2.3 miles. They get longer each week. The final is 10 miles, on Labor Day weekend.
Speaking of sports: Steve Haberstroh teed off at 5 a.m. yesterday, at Great River Golf Club in Milford.
The former member of Staples’ 1997 state champion golf team played 100 holes — an astonishing 5 1/2 rounds — to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.
He was honoring his mother, Patty Haberstroh, Westport’s beloved Human Services Department social worker who died of the disease last year.
Dan Orlovsky — a Westport resident, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback — played a few holes too. Today he’s in the Travelers ProAm. Not too shabby!
The ALS event included a reception, and live and silent auctions.
Patty Habestroh
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The town may soon put the “play” in playground.
On June 24 (6 p.m., Zoom), the Planning & Zoning Commission will review a request to expand 2 existing play areas at Coleytown Elementary School.
It includes a 665 square foot expansion of the existing southern area with a new carousel, and a 1,050 square foot expansion of the western area with a swing.
Funds will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Coleytown Elementary School, with existing play areas. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Congressman Jim Himes is a regular guest at Westport Rotary Club meetings.
Yesterday, he spoke mostly about the domestic environment. He said the main issue in the US today is the impact of social media, and the anger and rage between Americans with opposing views.
Himes said, “I don’t want my grandkids living as if we’re a third world country, where people are always fighting or verbally attacking one another.” In the long term, he said, we “risk losing our self-confidence.”
He is deeply skeptical about how Americans seek their news sources. “With 500 channels anyone can tailor their own instincts about what news sources they select….If you elect someone bombastic, for instance, that’s the kind of government you’re really asking for.”
As for the Supreme Court, Himes favors 18-year term limits for justices.
Rep. Jim Himes (left) and Rotarian/RTM moderator Jeff Wieser, at yesterday’s Rotary Club meeting. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
Five years ago this month, Governor Lamont signed Ethan’s Law. It requires gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms — is named for a Guilford teenager killed by an unsecured weapon.
Staples High School students Aidan Lapatine and Logan Noorily mark the anniversary by bringing it to Westport’s attention.
In a letter last week to parents, signed by Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice and Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Aidan Lapatine and Logan Noorily — co-presidents of Staples Students Demand Action — highlighted the safe-gun legislation. awareness about local and national gun storage laws.
The students’ next steps include sharing the message with nearby towns.
“Members of SDA are committed to preventing gun violence,” Aidan says.
“Our safe storage campaign aims to educate parents and students on the risks associated with unsecured firearms. Over 75% of firearms used in youth suicide attempts and unintentional injuries originate from the residences of the victim, a relative or friend.”
Logan adds, “As students deeply concerned about school safety, we believe that impactful change can begin on a local level. Promoting safe storage is simply common sense.”
In addition, the Staples SDA is distributing gun locks, and engaging in grassroots lobbying to encourage lawmakers to support legislation to expand secure storage or child-access prevention laws beyond the 26 states that currently have laws or practices in place. Social studies teacher Cathy Schager is the club advisor.
For more information on firearm safety, click here.
This flag flies outside Riverside Barber Shop, where Treadwell/Riverside/ Saugatuck Avenue intersection.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
It’s clever.
And also probably very illegal.
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The Saugatuck Rowing Club junior rowing program had a very successful showing at the recent USRowing Youth Nationals regatta in Sarasota, Florida.
SRC sent a club record 96 athletes to the event. Eight boats made the final.
The women’s U17 4+ A boat, including Westporters Luka Kuokalas, Annie Bowman, Ashlyn Frey and Olivia Saw won gold. This was the 4th national title in a row for that race.
The men’s U17 8+ boat, with Westporter’s Elena Nasar, Daniel Arava, Jack Mello, Liam Wiegand and Alex Proctor (Westport), placed third, just one second behind historic rival RowAmerica Rye.
Next up for Saugatuck Rowing Club: the Henley Royal Regatta in London next month.
Women’s U17 4+ A boat (from left): left to right: Luka Kuokalas, Olivia Saw, Ashlyn Frey, Annie Bowman, Mackenzie Fosdick. All but Mackenzie are from Westport.
Men’s U-17 8+ boat (from left): Coach Alex Vogt, Samuel Turok, Alex Proctor, Liam Wiegand, Jack Mello, Elena Nasar, Henry Basham, Gavin Remley, Will Firmender, Daniel Arava.
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For an activity that’s been around for over 60 years, the Westport Road Runners races get very little attention.
