Fall Foliage: Last Look?
Every year we look forward to the splendor that is fall foliage season in New England. A truly spectacular show by nature of brilliant colors that each season draws untold thousands of "Leaf Peepers" to and through Fairfield county on their journey north to take it all in before the leaves fall. By now, a great many of the trees in the Westport area are bare so we are taking what might be a last look at this amazing show courtesy of Mother Nature. In addition to Westport, photos heer also include some from Fairfield & Redding. We will keep our eyes on the trees to see if we can add to this collection, but as this may be our "last look", then please enjoy!
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples Girls Soccer Ends Season as Co-Champions with Wilton during Overtime Championship Match
The Staples Girls Soccer Team ended their impressive season as co-champions as their championship game against Wilton resulted in a 0-0 final score after overtime.
Staples Swimmers Continue to Break Records ahead of Sunday’s Championships in Hartford
Contributed by Susana De PinhoStaples girls swimming broke four state records Wednesday night at the class LL state finals at SCSU. Freshman Annam Olasewere rewrote the state and class LL record books in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle. The Staples freshman wowed the crowd with a time of 22.67 in the 50 yd freestyle breaking the 2016 record of 23.02. Olasewere also took the 100 yd freestyle in record time with a blistering 50.14.
Staples, which placed fourth, also saw two of its relays finish first in record times. The 200 freestyle relay team of Jessica Qi, Ella Alpert, Ayaan Olasewere and Annam Oleseree broke the 25 year state record with a time of 1:35.75. Qi, Alpert, Ayaan and Annam Olasewere came back to win the 400 freestyle relay in yet another state record time of 3:28.54.
Other top finishers included freshman Ayaan Olasewere placing 6th in the 50 yd free (24:66) and 7th in the 100 yd free with a time of 54.18. Senior captain Jessica Qi swam to a third place finish in the 100 free (52.75) and 4th in the 200 yd free(1:55.85). Senior captain Ella Alpert scored 8th in the 100 yd backstroke (1:00.76) and placed fifth with a 57.87 in the 100 yd fly.
Staples will defend its state records this coming Sunday at the State Open Championships in West Hartford.
Season of Lights Begins on Hills Point Road
This home on Hills Point Road began the Season of Lights with a bright display of Christmas lights that brightens their neighborhood as days darken quicker and temperatures begin their seasonal decline. WestportLocal.com photo
The One that Westport Wants: Standing Ovation for Staples Players - GREASE Performances Continue
(click to enlarge) As the Staples Players took to their final number, members of the audience took to their feet in a standing ovation for the Players show. All photos by WestportLocal.com(click to enlarge) WestportLocal.com photoThe music of Grease filled the Staples High School corridors Sunday afternoon as the Staples Players continued their on-stage performance of the seventies classic.
Last Spring the Staples Players celebrated their return to the stage - after over two years - during their opening night of Words, Words, Words… and Music; the socially-distant audience was capped at 1/3 capacity.
With 100% capacity approved for Grease, the Players’ opening night on Thursday celebrated a full audience for the first time since 2019.
The anticipated magic that the Players are known for brought a tangible feeling of excitement before Sunday afternoon’s performance; some of the younger audience members couldn’t even remember their last Staples show without social distancing separating them from their neighbors.
(click to enlarge) WestportLocal.com photoHowever when the house lights dimmed, the packed house greeted the performers as they took to the stage. The energy was electrifying (no, not hydromatic) as the dozens of Westport teens danced, sang, and coiffed their hair to the toe-tapping families below. Through special effects, lighting, and pure talent - the hundreds in attendance were unknowingly transformed back to the 1950s for the remainder of their Sunday.
With Grease, the Staples Players continue to add another layer of “getting back to normal” for Westport; the community converged on the local high school auditorium while taking time to catch up with friends and neighbors seated near them or during the show’s intermission.
Another local tradition revived.
Due to popular demand, the Players added an additional feature of the show for this Thursday night. Tickets are still available, with all funding going to support the widely renowned acting group and the work that they do. All audience members must be masked while indoors, and must present proof of COVID-10 vaccination or testing.
For more information, visits staplesplayers.com.
Haiku Moment with Westport’s Poet Laureate
A Haiku Moment with Westport’s Poet Laureate: Diane Lowman
What’s your mood today
Much calmer than yesterday
Capricious shoreline
In the Dark of Night - Al’s Angels Volunteers Prepare Christmas Light Tradition on the Cribari Bridge
Starting just after 1:00 this morning, a half-dozen Al’s Angels volunteers and AJ Penna Construction workers flipped the switch to the Cribari Memorial Bridge - illuminating thousands of LED Christmas lights as part of the annual check and repairs. The bridge was closed for several hours while the volunteers inspected each light strand, assuring that bulbs were lit and without damage. Due to the lights being affixed to the 137 year old bridge year-round, strands and bulbs are routinely cut or damaged by vehicle mirrors and bumpers and the routine opening of the swing bridge.
After just a few hours, the bridge was confirmed as ready for it’s official lighting on November 26th at the Bridge Lighting Festival at the Saugatuck Rowing and Fitness Club. The Christmas light display over the river has become an annual Saugatuck tradition - something both locals and visitors travel to see, and drive through, each holiday season. Al’s Angels volunteers have donated and put up the lights for decades with the goal of bringing light into the lives of local children and families. Click here for more information about the Bridge Lighting Festival .
Coleytown Company Kids, Broadway Stars, and a Live Audience Celebrate the Return to the Stage; Tickets Still Available
Members of the Coleytown Company and a live audience will return to the middle school’s auditorium for the first time in over three years with their production of All Together Now.
All Together Now is a worldwide celebration organized by Music Theater International - who is allowing participating theater groups to use their musical revue songs free of charge. As the world continues to climb out of the pandemic era lockdowns, the licensing agency decided the donation of the popular musical hits for one weekend only is a way for organizations to fundraise and promote their performing arts centers’ re-openings.
Broadway Star Aimee Turner and Coleytown Company Director Ben FrimmerSo with the usually expensive licensing fees waived and rehearsals complete, Coleytown Company will join over 2,500 other theaters and over one million audience members across the globe Saturday as the kids sing and dance their way back into the spotlight. However they won’t do this alone, as ten Broadway stars have signed on to perform with the local middle schoolers for the one-night-only audience.
The curtain’s opening will be extra special for the Coleytown community. Although lockdowns affected the word in early 2020, Coleytown Company was shuttered even earlier after their building was closed for emergency renovations in September of 2018. After over three years, the students returned to a new school and new way of learning - something Coleytown Company Director and Theater Arts Educator Ben Frimmer had to compete with as he directed kids who had never experienced the Coleytown stage before. Through intensive rehearsals and with a minimal budget, the crew is ready to welcome audiences tomorrow both in person and through a virtual stream.
Click here to purchase tickets for tomorrow night’s performance and to support the Coleytown Company and their dedication to the musical theater tradition in Westport.
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