Saugatuck Rowing Club Wins Nationals, Continuing a Tradition of Championships
Hannah Clemens, Maia Freeman, Claudia Chadwick, Janna Moore, Mia Kirkorsky, Isabella Furman, Jane Leahy, Elisabeth Chadwick, Lauren Schramm. Photo by Andrea Moore for The Westport Local Press. Saugatuck Rowing Club’s U17-8 and U17-4 girls boats won big at the US Rowing’s National Regatta this morning in Sarasota, Florida - taking home the #1 spots in the A-Finals championship races.
Victoria Bazarko, Rosie Lundberg, Ella Casano, Kelly Kennedy, and Alexandra CowanThe two teams are coached by Saugatuck Rowing Club’s Gordon Getsinger, Anna Yamamoto, and Mike O’’Hara. The U17-8 boat won the regatta against Greenwich Crew by nearly seven seconds, and the U17-4 boat won against the St. Louis Rowing Club by nearly three seconds.
The boys also experienced a fast morning, with their U17-4 boat in the B Finals coming in sixth place behind the Milwaukees Rowing Club.
The Saugatuck tradition of returning to Westport with a trophy in-hand was continued by the girls today, as the girls teams also took home the championships for five consecutive years from 2015 to 2019.
But for now, they’re on the beach - “soaking up the victory” as one parent describe it.
Westport PAL Youth Lacrosse Celebrates End to Season, Future Staples Freshmen
The Westport PAL Youth Lacrosse program celebrated the end to the season light night with games against each other, and in the case of the 8th graders, against their coaches. “We are sending a solid group of 8th graders to Staples High School Lacrosse next year” the team said.
Westport’s Craig Melvin, NBC News’ Today Anchor, Announced as Father of the Year Honoree
National Father’s Day Council Press ReleaseNBC NEWS’ CRAIG MELVIN TO BE HONORED AT 2021 FATHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
National Father’s Day Council and Esquire Select Michael J. White, MD, Medical Director of the Adult Team of HCA Houston Healthcare Airlife, as 2021 “All-Star” Dad
The National Father’s Day Council announced today that NBC News’ TODAY Craig Melvin has been named a 2021 “Father of the Year” Honoree. Melvin will receive the award alongside Pfizer Chairman & CEO Dr. Albert Bourla, who will accept the award on behalf of all Pfizer employees, Wolverine World Wide’s Chairman, CEO & Director Blake Krueger, and country music superstar Brad Paisley.
The National Father’s Day Committee, along with Esquire and the Sani Family Foundation, will also honor 2021’s “All Star” Dad winner, Michael J. White, MD. This award recognizes a special father who continuously goes above and beyond in not only his commitment to his own children, but to his community and those children needing positive role models to guide and support their growth and development. Dr. White is the Medical Director of the Adult Team of HCA Houston Healthcare Airlife and was nominated by his daughter Corinne for his heroic efforts this year as an Emergency Room doctor throughout COVID-19.
The 79th Annual Father of the Year Awards will be presented virtually on Thursday, June 17, 2021 and hosted by Master of Ceremonies Dave Price, Weather Anchor for NBC 4 New York. As part of the Council’s commitment to supporting meaningful philanthropies aiding mothers, fathers and children, the awards event will benefit Save the Children’s U.S. Programs and Advocacy.
2021 Father of the Year honoree Craig Melvin is an award-winning news anchor on NBC News’ “TODAY,” a co-host of 3rd Hour TODAY, an anchor on MSNBC Reports and a host of “Dateline.” His breaking news coverage and reporting appears across all NBC News and MSNBC platforms. Melvin has covered a wide range of news events, including several Republican and Democratic National Conventions and Presidential Inaugurations. Prior to joining NBC News and MSNBC in July 2011, Melvin was a weekend anchor for WRC, NBC’s owned-and-operated station in Washington, DC. Prior, Melvin earned acclaim as an evening news anchor at WIS in Columbia, South Carolina, which is also his hometown.
Melvin is a graduate of Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he serves on the board of trustees. He is an active member in several charities, including the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Melvin lives in Connecticut with his wife, award-winning Fox Sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak, who is also the host of the podcast “The Artist and The Athlete.” They have a son and daughter.
“Both Craig and Michael are prime images of what it means to be an inspiring and caring father—from touching the lives of Americans across the country every morning to standing on the front lines during a global pandemic,” said Dan Orwig, President & CEO of The Father’s Day/Mother's Day Council. “Tirelessly devoted to their families, profound careers and philanthropic efforts, both of these fathers embody the true honor of this award.”
The National Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, Inc. has donated more than $30 million to date to meaningful charities nationwide. For tickets and sponsorship, please contact the Council office at 212-594-5977 or www.fathersdaycouncil.org.
About The National Father’s Day Committee
The National Father’s Day Committee is part of the Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, Inc., a non-profit association that has as its mission the recognition and awarding of honors to role model contemporary fathers and mothers, while at the same time contributing to issues affecting the life and well-being of men, women and families. Past honorees have included Presidents Joseph Biden, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, Generals Douglas MacArthur, Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, retail veteran Terry Lundgren, sports notables Arthur Ashe, Jim Kelly and Michael “Coach K” Krzyzewski, and communications leaders Tim Russert and Harry Smith. To learn more about The National Father’s Day Council, visit our website at www.fathersdaycouncil.org.
About Save the Children’s U.S. Programs
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Here at home, we’re focused on ensuring kids are ready for kindergarten and reaching key reading and math milestones at the end of third grade and that kids are continuing to learn and receive the nutrition they need during the coronavirus pandemic.
Catching the Eclipse
This morning’s solar eclipse got many out of their homes early this morning, all heading to the waterfront to catch a glimpse of the sunrise spectacular. This view comes from the Sherwood Mill Pond. Photo by Westport’s Sunrise Man, Jimmy Izzo, for The Westport Local Press.
Despite Race Cancellation, Nereid’s Crew is All Smiles
Although this evening’s sailing races were cancelled, the crew aboard the Nereid of Norfolk, Virginia were all smiles while awaiting the Cedar Point Yacht Club committee boat orders. Boats made their way towards the course off of Compo Beach around 6:00 this evening, with the races being called off just before 7:00 tonight as storm clouds surrounded the waterfront and winds remained light.
Westporter Jack Mathews Awarded Baseball All-NESCAC Honors as Trinity College Freshman
Bantam Sports photoRelease from the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Trinity College first-year Sean Meth (Sands Point, N.Y.) was named to the 2021 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Baseball All-Conference First Team, while Bantam senior co-captain Alex Rodriguez (South Windsor, Conn.), senior Alex Shafer (Baltimore, Md.) and first-year Jack Matthews (Westport, Conn.) were each named to the All-NESCAC Second Team. The Bantams, coached by Bryan Adamski (8th season), finished the 2021 season with an 11-6 overall record and finished second in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) East with a 4-3 division mark.
Meth played in every game with 16 starts at 1B as a rookie for the Bantams in 2021. Meth led the Bantams in doubles with seven (2nd in NESCAC), home runs with two, and RBIs (3rd in NESCAC) with 19 to go with 22 hits (7th in NESCAC) in 58 at-bats for a .379 batting average (8th in NESCAC), 12 runs, five walks, a .603 slugging percentage (8th in NESCAC), and a .446 on-base percentage (1.049 OPS). He is a graduate of Paul D. Schreiber High School and is the son of Donna and Richard Meth.
Rodriguez, an All-NESCAC Second Team selection in both 2017 and 2019 and the NESCAC Co-Rookie of the Year in 2017, started 16 games behind the plate and at DH in his fifth season as a starter on the Bantam squad. A captain since 2019, Rodriguez batted .314 this spring with 16 hits in 51 at-bats to go with 12 runs, three doubles, a home run, 11 RBIs, eight walks, five steals in five attempts, a .431 slugging percentage, and a .403 on-base percentage (.834 OPS). He registered just two errors and one passed ball while throwing out four of nine potential basestealers this spring. An alum of South Windsor High School, Rodriguez competed for the Bantams as a graduate student in public policy this season after receiving his bachelor's degree in sociology in 2020. He is the son of Junior Rodriguez and Theresa Walker.
Shafer, also an All-NESCAC Second Teamer in 2018, was 2-0 on the mound this spring with a 2.04 ERA (2nd in NESCAC) in four appearances and three starts. The right-hander struck out a team-high 19 batters and walked just four in 17.2 innings pitched and notched a shutout and a save. An alum of the Gilman School, Shafer competed for the Bantams as a graduate student in public policy this season after receiving his bachelor's degree in political science in 2020.
Mathews started every game in the infield, predominantly at shortstop, as a rookie for the Bantams in 2021. Mathews led the Bantams in hits with 24 (3rd in NESCAC) in 66 at-bats for a .364 batting average, runs with 13, and stolen bases with 11 (led NESCAC) in 12 attempts. He also had three doubles, a triple, three RBIs, three walks, a .439 slugging percentage, and a .391 on-base percentage (.830 OPS) while committing just a single error in 51 chances in the field. Mathews is a graduate of the Brunswick School and is the son of Cara Lyn and Sean Mathews.
New Neighbors: Romanacci Transforms the former Commuter Coffee on Railroad Place
Romanacci Italian Restaurant has moved - and grown - next door, celebrating a larger space with more options at the historic 46 Railroad Place storefront.
Romanacci Manager Maciej RoginskiThe train station neighborhood was alive late last night as the last customers of the evening left, and manager Maciej Roginski and his crew began to prepare for today’s crowds. The restaurant - owned by Graziano and Maurizio Ricci - opened on Thursday, adding a large italian eatery to the area with a full service dining room, bar, and outdoor seating.
The Ricci’s made the decision to move to the larger space next door to expand their italian menu and create a permanent option for local diners. The space was transformed from the former Commuter Coffee eatery, which closed in June of 2018 after over four decades of service. The Commuter’s former windowside pink booths and large corner counter have been replaced with natural woods, exposed lighting, and natural accents - with a full bar overlooking the kitchen, and outdoor seating available on the deck over Railroad Place.
The restaurant is known for their italian specialties and pizzas, and now adds a larger food locale in the heart of the ever-changing Railroad Place community. They’re open Sunday - Thursday from 11AM until 10PM, and Fridays-Sundays from 11AM until 11PM. Roginski described the new opportunities the larger space gives them, with a future of live music and continued success in the area all within view.
More information can be found on their website, romanacci.com
Community Together
Teona Johnson and her children, Luke and Alex, sit with Van Goldberg while enjoying the musical performances and sweets under the shade of the Jesup Green trees.
Rainbow Hues Cover the Westport Community
A Westport Pride volunteer makeup artist adds rainbow hues to Lucy Roth, 11, as she sits down at one of the makeup, face painting, and other activity tables enjoyed by attendees today.
Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge Adorned with Rainbow Lights for Pride Month
The Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge over the Saugatuck River brings more color to Route 1 as volunteers with Westport Pride changed the bridge’s light bulbs for rainbow colored bulbs in honor of Pride Month throughout June.