Standing with his 1934 Ford Model A at the Westport PAL Car Show
Mark Weinberger of Rowayton stands with his 1934 Ford Model A classic car at this morning’s PAL Car Show on Franklin Street. WestportLocal.com photo
Darlene Love Rocks and Rolls through Westport
Popular artist Darlene Love rocked Westport on Friday night from the Levitt Pavilion stage, a concert that went on sale in June and was quickly sold out. At 79 years old, Love and her band had guests on their feet dancing and singing to the songs and beats she’s been renowned for throughout the decades. Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com
Michele Biro Deitch, 50; “an incredibly special person who always gave so much more than she received.”
Obituary
Michele Suzanne "Mich" (Biro) Age 50, of Westport, CT passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 8, 2021 after a long battle with breast cancer. Michele was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in 1970 to the late Laszlo Biro and Dolores (Macchiaroli) Biro, currently residing in Sarasota, FL. Michele is survived by her loving husband of 18 years, David Deitch, formerly from Rye Brook, NY, and her adoring boys Joshua (16) and Jonathan (13), along with her constant companion, Vinci, the family's endearing Goldendoodle. She is also survived by her older brother Dr. David Biro (and wife Daniella Vitale) and sisters Lisa Biro Finn (and husband Michael Finn) and Debbie Biro Guarna (and husband Anthony Guarna), along with sisters-in-law Donna Rempell (and husband David Rempell) and Deborah Mansi (and husband Bob Mansi). Michele also leaves behind her adored nieces and nephews Emma and Kaila Finn, Benjamin and Xander Guarna, Daniel and Luca Biro, and Dr. Joshua and Ben Rempell.
Michele was a graduate of Music and Arts in Manhattan (now known as LaGuardia HS) where she studied flute and became an accomplished classical performer. Michele went on to graduate from University of Wisconsin with a degree in Philosophy and completed her Masters in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University before setting up successful OT practices in Manhattan and Westport, CT. She was an expert in working with younger children, developing customized programs to support their unique needs and assist them in overcoming life's obstacles. Michele's empathy, creativity, and incredible competence changed the lives of countless children.
Michele cherished the carefree times growing up at the family's summer home in Seaview on Fire Island, where the only modes of transportation were passenger ferries and old, rusty wagons. Michele and David recreated that magical setting with their own idyllic escape on Chebeague Island off the coast of Portland, Maine with a small bungalow that the family enjoyed among great friends in nature's beautiful garden.
To think of Michele is to think of her intensely caring and empathetic nature, always willing to do anything to support everyone from her closest friends to the receptionist she met one time at her doctor's office. She also loved to travel and explore, whether to distant foreign destinations, across the United States, or in little nooks close to home in Connecticut. Michele was filled with the wonders of nature and the simple joys of being surrounded by people she loved. Everyone who got to know Michele knew she was an incredibly special person who always gave so much more than she received. Michele will live on through us all in the countless memories that we hold so dear.
Services to celebrate and remember Michele's life will be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at Temple Israel on 14 Coleytown Road in Westport, CT. The family will receive friends
after the services for a light reception at the temple. The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Michele's exceptional medical team at The Wittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, including a second-to-none support staff and her primary in home care aide, Yolette Jean Francois. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions in honor of Michele to National Public Radio (NPR) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). You can also plant a tree(s) in Israel in Michele's memory at https://www.nationaljewishmemorialwall.com/plant-a-tree. Condolences and your memories of Michele are welcomed and encouraged to be sent to the family at https://memories.net/timeline/michele-birodeitch-44864.
UConn: Westporter Ben Casparius Selected in Fifth Round of MLB Draft by Los Angeles Dodgers
Photo by Ian BethuneFrom SB Nation: The UConn BlogUConn pitcher Ben Casparius selected in fifth round of MLB Draft by Los Angeles Dodgers
The Westport, Connecticut native will likely begin his professional career with Los Angeles.
by Shawn McGrath
UConn baseball right-handed pitcher Ben Casparius has been selected in the fifth round of the MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, No. 162 overall. The recommended signing bonus value for this pick is $318,200.
He will join Wills Montgomerie, who was selected in the sixth round in 2017, in the Dodgers organization.
Casparius, originally from Westport, Connecticut, only had one season in Storrs but made it count. He made a team-leading 15 starts, earning an 8-5 record with a 4.03 ERA. His best outing of the season was March 5 against Miami (OH), scattering three hits in a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts. He also exited three additional starts without surrendering a run, including against UMass, Georgetown and Creighton. Casparius struck out 15 hitters in seven innings against the Hoyas, his career-high.
He led the Huskies in innings (91 2/3), as well as strikeouts (127), which translates to 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings. His strikeout mark is also second in UConn history, behind only Colin McLaughlin, who notched 138 punch-outs in nearly 20 more innings (111). This was enough to earn Casparius ABCA First-Team honors for the Northeast region, as well as second-team all-conference honors and a spot on the Big East all-tournament team.
Casparius’ best pitch is his change-up, which MLBPipeline graded a 55 on the 20-80 scouting scale, which translates to above-average. His fastball, slider and control were each given 50 grades, which is average. His fastball sits around 91 mph but he has been recorded as high as 95 mph. He projects as a strike-thrower with a solid three-pitch mix. This, despite his slight 6-foot, 208-pound build, leaves him a chance to start through his professional career.
Casparius spent his first two years at North Carolina, where he played sporadically as both a hitter and pitcher, before missing the 2020 season due to transfer rules. As a result, he has some eligibility remaining, should he decide to return to UConn.
Patiently Waiting for a Good Humor Ice Cream on Soundview Drive
A group of kids wait patiently as the local Good Humor truck stopped along Compo Beach this afternoon. Photo by Preston Siroka for WestportLocal.com.
Mensa Foundation Awards Two Westporters Scholarships
Olivia Consoli and Whitney O’Reardon, both of Westport, were awarded scholarships by the Mensa Foundation. Contributed photo .Olivia Consoli is the only recipient of the 4 Paws and a Tail Scholarship in 2021. This is a national level scholarship. Olivia is currently enrolled at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. After working in Oncology at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, she is now focusing on general practice.
Whitney O’Reardon is the recipient of the Diana Mossip Memorial Scholarship. Whitney is currently enrolled at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. Her interests are architecture, visual arts and historical preservation. She plans to be a historic bui private sector as well as with nonprofit organizations worldwide.
The Foundation’s scholarship program bases its awards totally on a 500-word essay written by the applicants. There are no requirements for Mensa membership, grades, or financial need. To learn more about the Foundation and the scholarship program, contact local scholarship chair Darcy Sledge at darcy.sledge@icloud.com, or visit www.mensafoundation.org
Saturday Sail
Compo Beach gave a great view for this afternoon’s sailing on the Long Island Sound as the tide came in.