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James Bairaktaris 6/26/22 James Bairaktaris 6/26/22

Beach Days

Compo Beach was busy Sunday as hot temperatures and summer vacation brought Westporters and neighbors to the waterfront. WestportLocal.com photo

James Bairaktaris 6/22/22 James Bairaktaris 6/22/22

Westporter Named to Make-a-Wish Board of Directors

Make a Wish Connecticut:

Make-A-Wish Connecticut is proud to announce that it has recently appointed Niall Byrne of Westport to its Board of Directors.

Byrne currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Global Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Byrne’s career spans nearly 30 years with the company, having worked internationally in both London and Brussels, and, for the last 21 years, in New York. In addition to Asset Management, Byrne has also held audit roles at J.P. Morgan Chase covering their Investment Management, Private Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Private Equity businesses. He is a CFA Charterholder, a Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist, and holds several FINRA registrations.

“We are thrilled to have Niall join our team,” said Make-A-Wish® Connecticut President and CEO Pam Keough. “He has a real passion for our mission and his strong finance background, leadership knowledge and expertise will be an incredible asset to our chapter.”

Byrne’s previous board service includes serving as Chair for an internet-based youth mentoring organization called iCouldBe. In addition to being a board member, he was also a volunteer and a mentor. Niall commented, “What I love about Make-A-Wish is that it is all about individual kids and their stories. Whether you are involved as a donor, a volunteer or a board member, there is a tangible and direct link to how you are helping a child achieve a dream.”

James Bairaktaris 6/19/22 James Bairaktaris 6/19/22

Michael Franti + Spearhead Bring Positive Energy to Levitt Pavilion

Michael Franti + Spearhead rocked the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts tonight as hundreds jumped to their feet with every song and story the musician belted out under the setting sun. The show was opened by Tropidelic, a band from Cleveland who shook the Saugatuck with “an interesting mix of reggae, hip-hop, and high energy funk.” “The most exciting concert we’ve seen here yet!” one exclaimed as they alighted the stairs after the final song had finished. WestportLocal.com photo

James Bairaktaris 6/18/22 James Bairaktaris 6/18/22

Supporting Small

Shoppers support Savvy + Grace, one of Main Street’s locally owned businesses, during the Westport Downtown Association’s Sidewalk Sales. WestportLocal.com photo

James Bairaktaris 6/18/22 James Bairaktaris 6/18/22

Wheels2U Brings Westporters to Sherwood Island for Free this Summer

Press Release:

Wheels2UWestport has a new service this summer. Its new Park Connect service provides free rides to and from anywhere in the Wheels2U service area and Sherwood Island State Park. Rides are available between 9 am and 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and summer holidays such as July 4th. Rides must begin or end at Sherwood Island State Park.

To get a ride just use the same Wheels2U app you use to book a Wheels2U ride to or from one of Westport’s train stations. Request a ride using Sherwood Island as the destination and the shuttle will pick you up from anywhere in the Wheels2U Westport service area and take you to Sherwood Island State Park and back.

Peter Gold, Director of the Westport Transit District, said “Summer in Westport is all about going to the beach and Sherwood Island has one of the best beaches around. Now, with this new service, both Westporters and visitors to Westport will have easy, free access to Sherwood Island and its beautiful beach.”

For more information about Wheels2U and Park Connect go to www.wheels2uwestport.com and https://www.wheels2uwestport.com/parkconnect#FAQ. For more information about the Westport Transit District’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities go to www.WestportTransit.org

ParkConnect to Sherwoood Island is operated by Norwalk Transit District through a partnership with Westport Transit District. This free service is made possible by funding from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. For Governor Lamont’s press release announcing Park ConneCT go to https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2022/05-2022/Governor-Lamont-Announces-ParkConneCT-Program-Will-Resume-This-Summer

James Bairaktaris 6/18/22 James Bairaktaris 6/18/22

Saugatuck Rowers Take Home National Awards at Youth National Championship

Press Release:

`(L-R): Coach Greg Harvie, Rosie Lundberg, Victoria Bazarko, Claudia Chadwick, Alexandra Cowan, Maia Freeman, Leighton Davis, Mia Kirkorsky, Phoebe Bryan and Charlotte Seymour.`

This past week in Sarasota, Florida, Westport’s own Saugatuck Rowing Club competed at the USRowing annual Youth National Championship. Continuing a long tradition of gold medals on the women’s team, the U17 4+, comprised of (Above: L-R) Maddie Speller, Anna Cuesta, Hannah Makmale, Ella Hecker, and Madeline Casano, defended their national title. The category was also won by the Saugatuck women last year.

Additionally, the U17 8+: (L to R) Coach Greg Harvie, Rosie Lundberg, Victoria Bazarko, Claudia Chadwick, Alexandra Cowan, Maia Freeman, Leighton Davis, Mia Kirkorsky, Phoebe Bryan and Charlotte Seymour took bronze in their category. Also on the women’s team, the first and second varsity eights took seventh and eighth in the nation respectively.

The women's U16 8+ came twelfth. The girls are coached by Mike O’Hara and his staff: Greg Harvie, Amra Sabovic, and Casey Fuller. Head Coach O’Hara said of the team, “We're extremely proud of how our teams battled all season. They performed so well in Sarasota and really solidified a foundation on the type of team we will be in the near future. It's an exciting time at Saugatuck for sure. Our Junior Team are outstanding kids. It's a privilege to know and coach them all.”

`(L-R): Felipe Artia, Jesse Herman, Jack Kiely, George Bentley, Adam Pushner, Victor DiPasquale, Finn Kiely, George Karasconyi, and Gavin Marshall`

The SRC men’s team also had a historically exceptional season. Coached by Dave Grossman and Alex Vogt, the first varsity eight, (pictured L to R) Felipe Artia, Jesse Herman, Jack Kiely, George Bentley, Adam Pushner, Victor DiPasquale, Finn Kiely, George Karasconyi, and Gavin Marshall, took sixth in the country; the best they have done in recent years. The men’s 2V8+ got seventh in the country.

Other boats that competed on the men’s team include the U16 8+ (Pictured L to R: Campbell Cohen, Tommy Wright, Davis Evans, Finn Nestor, Ryan Seeliger, Tristan Andreski, Westley Dick, Dexter Chadwick, and Owen Bernheim) which took sixth, the U17 4+, seventh, and the U17 4x, seventeenth.

`U16 8+ (L-R): Campbell Cohen, Tommy Wright, Davis Evans, Finn Nestor, Ryan Seeliger, Tristan Andreski, Westley Dick, Dexter Chadwick, and Owen Bernheim.`

Overall, this has been a great season for these hardworking young athletes, and Westport is excited to see what great things they will accomplish in the future.