When it comes to musical performances, the Westport Library consistently sets the bar (ho ho) high.
Yesterday afternoon, they exceeded even their own stellar standards.
Roger Kaufman’s “Speaking of Music” series focused on the 5 M’s — Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals, Motown and Miami — that influenced so much musical history.
The mesmerized, hand-clapping (and occasionally dancing) crowd was wowed by the vocal talents of Dennis Collins (Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway), backed by Sharon Collins, Billy Genuario, Stephanie Harrison and T’Zelle Wilson.
Also on stage: the Old School All-Stars band (Bob Cooper, Tim DeHuff, Dave Edwards and Tyger MacNeal), and the Saugatuck Horns (Bob Carlson, Fred Scerbo, and former Rolling Stones sideman Crispin Cioe).
Special guest — author, bassist and musicologist Brian Torff — provided important back stories to the 5 historic towns.
We often say our Library rocks. Yesterday, it showed its soul.
The Old School All-Stars. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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Who says kids today can’t make their own fun?
These 2 took advantage of yesterday’s torrential rain. They taped themselves (well, someone else did) into garbage bags, then rolled down the hill at Staples High School’s Loeffler Field.
Looks even better than Fortnite!
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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Also making their own fun: Westport’s Wiffle ball team.
Last week, “06880” featured Grant Theisinger. The rising Staples freshman and friends have created a competitive league, which plays on a full field in Grant’s back yard.
It’s a great concept, executed brilliantly by the boys.
This past weekend, they went on a road trip. Three players — Grant, Kyle Marcucio and Finn Edwards — represented Westport at the Major League Wiffle Ball Tournament at Lasorda Legacy Park in Yaphank.
Competing in the 13-15 age division — with 29 teams from 7 states — “High Heat
won both pool play games Saturday against teams from New York City and Pennsylvania, gaining the #6 seed.
They won their first playoff game yesterday in exciting fashion 11-10, but then lost to the eventual tournament champs.
Most importantly, the boys had a blast. They also met Kyle Schultz, the founder of MLW.
Congratulations, guys. You’ll get ’em next year!
From left: Kyle Marcucio, Finn Edwards, Kyle Schultz, Grant Theisinger. (Photo/Marc Theisinger)
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Jeff Laska writes:
“I hope your readers can help solve a mystery.
“I live on Quentin Road down by the beach. I have the good fortune of being able to work from home many days of the week. Often, I work on my laptop on my back deck.
“Ever day since we moved into this house in 2021 (at least from May through October, when the weather cooperates), a small airplane flies over Compo Beach making loop after loop, at least 10-15 times a day. It’s crazy!
“It happens so often, and I’ve gotten to know the sound of the engine so well, that I’m able to tell if it’s a different plane just by the sound, even when off in the distance!
“I’ve tried to figure out where it comes from, whether it’s a tour guide or a flight training school, if it’s from Sikorsky or Danbury, etc., but to no avail!
“Any info? Any knowledge?”
I sure don’t know (though I’d sure like to figure out the deal with the helicopter that often flies over my condo at 10:30 many nights.)
If you can solve Jeff’s Compo Beach small plane mystery, click “Comments” below.
This is not the plane Jeff Laska often hears from his deck. In fact, it’s probably been “Photoshopped” in (or whatever technology was used over 100 years ago). If it was a real plane, at least some of the (very formally dressed) beachgoers would be looking up.
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In its 8 years, the Cello Camp has become an established part of Westport’s musical summer.
Nearly 3 dozen campers — mainly cellists, with a few bass players — spend a week learning new repertoire, and warming up their fingers for the school year ahead. Danielle Merlis and Lucas DeValdivia — Staples graduates, who played together since Long Lots Elementary School — lead the sessions.
The camp culminates in a free concert. The public is invited this Saturday (August 24, 5 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church).
The program ranges from Bizet, Dvorák and Vivaldi to “The Greatest Showman,” “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, and “Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter.”
Happy (cello) campers.
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Thanks to William Weiss for our new header: a wide-angle view of the Saugatuck River, and its west and Levitt Pavilion banks.
For those who don’t receive “06880” with a link to our home page (and for those who do, actually), here it is:
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Last week, the Staples football team did the “Murph” workout.
It was a fundraiser for both the Catch A Lift Fund, and the football program. Retired Army sergeant Jason Smith — who lost both legs, and suffered extensive damage to his right hand, when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, then recovered to win 8 medals at the Invictus Games — addressed the players and spectators. (Hat tip: Adam Vengrow)
Staples football staff, Gridiron Club members, town and police officials and Catch a Lift representatives, with the “Murph” participants. (Photo/JC Martin)
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Every day, our “Westport … Naturally” feature highlights some aspect of nature, somewhere in town.
Usually it’s an animal. Occasionally it’s a flower, bush or tree.
But weather is also part of Westport’s nature. Today’s Compo Beach image is one more example of the power — and surprising beauty — of Mother Nature.
(Photo/Rashmi Vyas)
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And finally … one more salute to Grant Theisinger, and Westport’s Wiffle Ball wonders:
(Weather or not you had a great weekend, “06880” is here to chronicle it. We serve Westport in many ways. But we can’t do it without reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
