Hank the Tank: Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Story Told by Myrtle Avenue’s Parked Car
For several months locals have wondered why a Mercedes R350 has been parked on Myrtle Avenue - in front of Town Hall - without movement. Storm surges flowed beneath the German behemoth. Pedestrians walked by it. The wheels never moved. Through a mix of commentary on Dan Woog’s 06880 blog and several posts on local Facebook groups - the family who owns the car spoke out about their beloved car through a tear-jerking story taped to the car’s window.
Most importantly noted, the car has a name: Hank the Tank, and Hank the Tank is more “family member” than “vehicle” to one Westport mom who drove the car, then passed it to her daughter as her first car. The family is now faced with donating the aging car to the Westport Fire Department to be used for training - and faced with the growing up of their daughter. “If anything from water bottles to school assignments to beach towels were lost - it could be found in Hank the Tank - if you look through the windows there are probably some of these items still inside right now. Hank the Tank has been driven on every road in Westport during moments of frustration and sadness when it was essential to get away from everything and everybody. Hank the Tank loved to drive around for hours with friends doing nothing - just talking about stuff.” “Hank the Tank has also been to a lot of places we will never know - which is the way it should be - memories and teenage secrets created, shared and hopefully remembered by Hank the Tank's driver and her childhood friends.” the family wrote in the story.
Congratulations, you are standing next to Hank the Tank.
As made famous by a question written into Dan Woog's 06880 and a comment on Westport Front Porch.
As you can probably tell by the curation of stickers on the back, Hank the Tank was the first car of a girl who recently grew up in town. Hank the Tank was originally the car this girl's mom used to take her to school, playdates, soccer, basketball, gymnastics and everywhere else with her little brother before Hank the Tank became officially her first car.
Hank the Tank was driven to school, picked up friends, and was a safe ride for drop offs late into the night.
Hank the Tank didn't love going to the dump, but occasionally did.
Hank the Tank loved making surprise visits to the driver's grandparents on Punch Bowl Drive.
Hank the Tank liked getting coffee at Dunkin Donuts.
Hank the Tank's preferred gas station was the Exxon on the Post Road. The people that work there are always nice, it is open 24 hours, offers
fountain sodas, and has a fake bear in front.
Hank the Tank liked going to the beach, concerts, Giants games, movies, going to a first job, finding late night food in the surrounding towns and
driving to CVS at all hours of the day and night.
Hank the Tank loved driving around the reservoir and going to Devil's Glen.
Hank the tank once got a speeding ticket on North Avenue taking a right out of Staples headed toward Cross Highway soon after the Bedford entrance.
Hank the Tank liked to pack as many friends inside of it as possible.
Hank the Tank liked it when everyone would sing-a-long to music blasting from portable speakers because the radio no longer worked.
If anything from water bottles to school assignments to beach towels were lost - it could be found in Hank the Tank - if you look through the windows there are probably some of these items still inside right now.
Hank the Tank has been driven on every road in Westport during moments of frustration and sadness when it was essential to get away from everything and everybody.
Hank the Tank loved to drive around for hours with friends doing nothing - just talking about stuff.
Hank the Tank loved to get lost listening to music, thinking about life, and dreaming.
Hank the Tank was often parked right here - where you are standing - talking on the phone, texting and promising to be home in two minutes.
Hank the Tank has also been to a lot of places we will never know - which is the way it should be - memories and teenage secrets created, shared and hopefully remembered by Hank the Tank's driver and her childhood friends.
Recognizing not everyone is as sentimental as the girl - now young woman - who drove hank the tank and her family - please understand it has been challenging to let go of Hank the Tank because of all Hank the Tank represents.
Saying goodbye to Hank the Tank will be a sort of final acceptance that the girl who drove and still loves hank the tank has moved on from the time of her life when you have your first car and is already making new memories in college without Hank the Tank.
Some people have an easier time letting go of things than others. We try and hold on to the positive and let go of the negative. Which is obviously easier said than done. These sort of changes in life possess a little of both which is what has made it so hard to say goodbye to Hank the Tank. Hank the Tank's family apologizes for any inconvenience Hank the Tank being here has caused.
Taking up a spot for a meeting in Town Hall.
Slowing down a shortcut on Myrtle Avenue to take a convenient right on red - back to Main Street.
And if Hank the Tank's appearance has ruined someone's walk in our beautiful downtown: we again sincerely apologize.
Hank the Tank will soon be leaving for the next and final chapter in it's life - we hope as a donation to the Westport Fire Department to be used in
their drills and education.
So this might be your last chance to take pictures with Hank the Tank, get annoyed by Hank the Tank, or maybe for a sentimental few - be inspired to unlock memories of you and your own first car.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Hank the Tank’s Family.
Staples Girls Swimming Continues to Set Records at FCIAC Championships
Contributed photo. Winning 400 meter free relay: From left to right Annam Olasewere, Ayaan Olasewere , Ella Alpert and Jessica QiContributed it Susan De PinhoStaples freshman Annam Olasewere takes home Most Outstanding Swimmer award at FCIAC championships.
Staples girls swimming had a record breaking FCIAC Championships. Staples High School completed the FCIAC championships with three record breaking performances. Freshman Annam Olasewere set the State and FCIAC record in the 50 yard free with a time of 22.77. Olasewere's time of 50.18 in the 100 yd free also set a new FCIAC record. Senior Jessica Qi finished second in that event with a season best of 52.21. Qi also took second in the 200 free with a time of 1:56.05
The relay team of freshman Annam Olasewere, Ayaan Olasewere and seniors Ella Alpert and Jessica Qi set a new FCIAC record in the 200 free relay (1:36.27) and also won the 400 free relay (3:31.87)
Alpert was fifth in the 100 yd fly (57.78) and 7th in the 100yd back (1:00.51) while freshman Libby Turner (1:01.79) took the eighth spot.
Juniors Mia Guster and Kate Whittaker finished 8th and 11th respectively in the diving competition.
Staples moves on to compete in the Class LL and State Open championships
Al’s Angels Volunteers Prepare Thanksgiving Meal Bins for Over 1,000 Families
The Al’s Angels annual tradition of preparing meal bins for families in need returned this year to a new venue: a former car dealership in Fairfield on the Post Road. Over one hundreds families assisted in filling the meal bins throughout the repurposed space - each bin destined for a family in need this Thanksgiving after it was carefully filled with different foods and drinks by the volunteers. Al’s Angels, a Westport-based non-profit, supports families suffering from economic hardships and children suffering from bloodborne diseases and cancers through food security and other types of support. For over 20 years, the organization - founded by Westport Al DiGuido - also funds and organizes the Christmas Light Display on the Cribari Bridge in Saugatuck, as well as a local toy drive for the holidays.
Staples Players Prepare for Grease
From the Staples PlayersStaples Players is hard at work preparing to present GREASE to audiences in less than two weeks! Over a hundred Staples High School students are putting final details on all aspects of the production - designing lights, building sets, finalizing costumes and discovering the hair and makeup styles of 1959. Here is a look behind the curtain in the Staples auditorium - take a special backstage look at what it takes to put on a show!
Tickets are available to all six performances at staplesplayers.com. Tickets available are primarily balcony seats, which are a fantastic view of this large dance show! Performances are November 12, 13, 19 , 20 at 7:30 PM and November 14 and 20 at 3:00 PM. All audience members must show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test from the past 72 hours. Unvaccinated children under 12 may be tested prior to the show, with an at home test or proof of test from a lab. Masks must be worn at all times indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
