Fifth Graders Sell Lemonade to Help Save their Beloved Teacher’s Dog
(L-R) Dani Hill, Keira Reilly, Mrs. Gonzalez, Winston the French Bulldog, and Abbott Lynch and the lemonade stand. When local Kings Highway Elementary School fifth graders found out that their teacher’s dog was sick - three students took it upon themselves to set up a lemonade stand in the Kings Highway North neighborhood to help raise money for the pup’s GoFundMe campaign - and pass on the kindness she instilled in them.
Winston, a one year old French Bulldog, was diagnosed with Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). According to his campaign, IVDD is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column either bulge or burst into the spinal cord space - causing great pain to the little dog. Treatment and pain management has proved an expensive journey for the family, which prompted the GoFundMe campaign to be started by friends of the local educator and her family. Winston’s owner, “Mrs. Gonzalez”, is one of the beloved fifth grade teachers at Kings Highway Elementary School.
So loved, in fact, that three of Mrs. Gonzales’ fifth grade students - Keira, Dani, and Abbot - decided they wanted to help the campaign. They designed a sign and began selling lemonade on the corner of Kings Highway North and Wright street last week. This weekend, Mrs. Gonzales brought Winston by the lemonade stand for his few minutes outdoors - the kids being able to meet the small frenchie they were working so hard to help. And today, on the last day of school, they’ll present their teacher with the funds they raised towards Winston’s treatments.
The trio of good kids want to make sure Westport Local Press readers know that donations can still be made to Winston’s GoFundMe campaign. Click here to donate to Winston’s campaign - let them know that the Lemonade Stand kids sent you.
Editor’s Note
Whether it be in the classroom or on Zoom, our schools’ students have learned not only academics from their teachers - but kindness, empathy, strength, and grit during some of the toughest times our education system may ever face. If your family has a teacher, paraeducator, or other school staff member who made a difference in your child’s life - email us with who they are and why they made a difference, and we’ll celebrate them as the school year comes to a close. It’s apparent in this story that Mrs. Gonzales made a difference in these three children’s lives, and through a simple cup of lemonade, they’re passing it forward.
Fog Rising along Woods Grove
The fog rose along the riverbanks on Woods Grove Road this evening as rain storms moved through the community. Photo by Preston Siroka for The Westport Local Press.
Bridge Street Traffic Continues through Evening
With multiple accidents on I-95 in both directions between Norwalk and Fairfield, traffic has remained slow throughout the day and into this evening as many flock to local streets in hopes of avoiding the highway.
First Selectman: “I know we will come together to support those who need to begin the healing process.”
Westport First Selectman Press ReleaseWestport First Selectman Jim Marpe made the following statement today:
The community is dealing with an awful tragedy. Since this terrible event is still under investigation, I cannot comment on the details. My prayers and condolences are with the family.
Police, First Responders, public school personnel and students have been directly impacted by this devastating event. The entire community shares in their grief and sadness. Westport is a caring community and I know we will come together to support those who need to begin the healing process.
Westport Paddle Club: Free Kayaking, Paddle Boarding for Families who Help Clean the River; Dinner, Live Music to Follow
The Westport Paddle Club is offering to rent families kayaks or paddle boards for free on Saturday evening to help clean up trash along the Saugatuck River. All equipment - paddle boards, kayaks, and PFDs - will be given to families who volunteer to paddle with their trash bag to help collect litter found while paddling.
The family-owned marina is working in conjunction with the Westport Police Department and Longshore Sailing School to put on the Paddle for Trash, with dinner from JR’s Deli, live music, and discounted beverages from Ninety 9 Bottles following the event.
The event will take place on Saturday, June 19th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Westport Paddle Club, in the Bridgebrook Marina, 471 Riverside Avenue. Contact the Westport Paddle Club for more information.
The Simple Life with Westport’s Pura Vida
Pura Vida motors into the sunset after an evening of racing on the Long Island Sound.
Gemini II Pulls Ahead
Sailing yacht Gemini II leads this evening’s regatta as warm air and consistent winds gave an exciting start to the weekly tradition.
Hanging Out on Skye of Elizabeth City, North Carolina
The crew of Skye, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina hang out as they await the starting horns of tonight’s weekly regatta off of Compo Beach.
Jonathan Steinberg, State Representative, Joins the First Selectman’s Race this Morning with Running Mate Candi Savin, BOE Chair
According to Westport Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton, Jonathan Steinberg has entered the race for Westport First Selectman, running with current Board of Education Chair Candice as Second Selectwoman, according to their social media. Steinberg is now running against Jennifer Tooker (R) and T.J. Elgin (I/L) after current First Selectman Jim Marpe announced that he would be retiring from the position.
Steinberg, formerly a business executive, has served the Connecticut House of Representatives since 2010, representing the 136th District. He was also a member of the RTM from 2003 until 2010.
Savin, an attorney, has served the Westport Board of Education since 2016, becoming Chair of the Board after a November 2019 election.
Official press release from the candidates has not been released yet.
Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers Rock Levitt’s Opening Night
Bruce Hornsby speaks to the crowd at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. Westport Local Press photo. The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts celebrated its 2021 revival with a sold-out crowd for Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers this evening - the sounds of Hornsby’s Yamaha piano and a cheering crowd filling downtown with a message: the Levitt is back.
Bruce Hornsby & The NoisemakersAs the sun began to set over the Saugatuck, the nearby Levitt’s lawn was packed with hundreds of guests ready for the sounds of Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers.
Hornsby, a Grammy award winning musician, has toured the world with groups like Bruce Hornsby & The Range and The Grateful Dead - now adding the East bank of the Saugatuck to his list of music stops as he entertained the crowd of local fans. He played acoustic and varied sets of music, including his 1989 chart-topping song “The Way It Is” as adults, kids, and nearby neighbors danced in their seats and on the sidewalks. Hornsby took a moment to speak to the crowd, garnering laugher and cheers as he described moments of his life just meters away from the enamoured listeners wide-eyed faces.
Although filled with life and music tonight, the Levitt Pavilion remained shuttered just last year due to the pandemic - a hit for both the community and the charity, themselves. Founded in 1973, the Levitt is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that strives to provide free access to local arts and music for all ages. To prepare for tonight’s opening, health precautions included pod-seating and sanitation stations throughout the outdoor venue, with guests bringing in their own lawn chairs and snack tables to make the space at home. COVID-19 cases remain nearly absent in Westport, with less than 3 cases being reported in the past ten days.
The community has gathered together on the grass along the Saugatuck to listen to bands and concerts for generations. Tonight, as the World continues to reopen - the sounds of piano songs filled the downtown area as the vibrant lights of the Levitt’s tents gave notice that The Levitt is back for Summer 2021.
Upcoming concerts this week include Midnight North, Goza Latin band, The Scott Sharrard Band, and Charles Turner and Uptown Swing. Schedules and donation opportunities can be found on their website, levittpavilion.com.