Sunrise Rotary's 14th Annual Great Duck Race Another Huge Success
Photos and story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Although the skies were a little threatening at the commencement of the jUNe Day ceremony and the Great Duck Race, the rain held off bringing hundreds to the annual Westport Sunrise Rotary Club's largest annual fundraiser. Such was not the case at 6:00 AM when three dozen hard working volunteers arrived amid a torrential downpour to begin the complicated setup.
Mr. Paul proudly told WestportLocalPress, "We sold just over 3,000 ducks and raised more than $70,000 that we will give away to charities. There were people as far away as Australia and Japan purchasing tickets and supporting 35 local Westport area charities. This year’s Great Duck Race had 25 sponsors who helped make this event possible and support the works of the Rotary Club."
Donny Corona of sponsor A.J. Penna carefully drove his front loader from the Jesup Green parking area where duckies were still being loaded until the very last minute. Corona then slowly "poured" the 3,000 ducks into the sluice for their journey to the finish line.”
The finish line found Sunrise Rotarian Steve Violette who selected each of the first ten ducks to enter the chamber of the sluice. They were then carefully placed in plastic bags numbered one through ten. Violette actually created the Duck Race 14 years ago and devised the giant sluice last year. Ducks are dropped from the bucket of the front loader into the sluice, then it is unsealed allowing the water to form a current directed to the finish line and emptying into the storm drain. Westport Fire Department was on site with a fire hose to hep direct the flow toward the end point.
Photos and story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Winners of the $10,000. cash prize money were:
First place duck belonging to Theresa House brought her $5,000.
In second place was Elyse Oleksak whose duck brought home $1,000.
The rest of the prize money, $500 each went to Rady Johnson, Lily Ayers, Andrew Dinitz, Janet Beers, Steven Benardete, Neil Santos, David Press and Helen McAlinden.
Photos and story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Sunrise Rotary President Bruce Paul told WestportLocal, "Each year several winners have donated their prize money back to Westport Sunrise Rotary and this year was no exception. We are thrilled with their generosity and support." The prize monies donated back will pass on to the 35 charities supported by The Great Duck Race event. Said Paul of the contributions, "People can be really thoughtful."
Photos and story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
jUNe Day: When The World Comes To Westport
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
On Saturday June 24th Westport held it's 58th annual welcome to the people of the world in conjunction with The United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut and the International Hospitality Committee. Delegates to the UN as well as staff members were given a warm welcome once again and were offered the opportunity to visit some of Westport's exceptional amenities such as Wakeman Town Farm, Compo Beach, Earthplace and the Longshore Golf Course among others. They also got to witness first-hand a Westport Institution, The Sunrise Rotary's Great Duck Race. The fierce rivalry on the Soccer pitch is also an annual event where The Westport Football Club took on the United Nations team, comprised of soccer players from all over the world at the Saugatuck school. (story and photos to follow)
The jUNe Day program began with a greeting from Mr. Willard Hass, President, NA-USA Southwestern CT Chapter. Mr. Hass was followed by First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker who welcomed the international contingent to Westport. A message from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was delivered by the Guest of Honor, Mr. Christian Saunders. Mr. Saunders is the Under-Secretary-General, Special Coordinator on Improving the UN Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The important highlights from the message of UN Secretary-General Guterres which which were delivered by Under-Secretary-General Saunders were:
For over five decades, on the last Saturday of June, the Town of Westport has welcomed UN staff members, delegates and friends to mark a special occasion: the anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter.
The UN Charter is rooted in a simple idea: what happens to one member of the human family affects us all. Groups like yours understand that overcoming complex global challenges like conflicts, climate change, hunger, poverty and inequality requires all countries working together, as one.
We need globally minded citizens to stand together and lend their voices to call for action in support of the world’s most vulnerable people, and to build a better, fairer, more peaceful and sustainable future for all.
Mr. Sherif Mohamed United Nations Staff Union, Member of the Executive Board followed with closing remarks given by Mrs. Michaela MacColi, jUNe Day Chairperson.
Izzy Dines Out
Puppies as we all know are usually the very epitome of adorable. Samoyed puppies have to be on the list of MOST adorable puppies. Izzy, the 14 week old Samoyed here proves that point. On this night he accompanied his humans to The Whelk, well-known restaurateur Bill Taibe's upscale Saugatuck dining hot spot for an al fresco fine dining experience. He became a magnet for dinner guests passing by and for people enjoying an ice cream treat at Saugatuck Sweets, just across the plaza. Izzy, who was dapperly attired in his red harness and matching leash, reveled in the attention and enjoyed feeling the love from his new admirers.
The Samoyed dates back to 1000 BCE, and he hasn't changed much in appearance or temperament in all that time. The breed is named for the Samoyede people, a nomadic tribe that lived on the tundra of northern Russia and Siberia, near the Arctic Circle. The tribe used the dogs they called bjelkiers to herd reindeer, pull sledges, and occasionally hunt bears.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Osprey Update: It's Triplets!
One of the Osprey returns to the nest at the Terrain/Fresh Market platform on the Post Rd. in Westport.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The two Osprey chicks in the photos above are two of the apparently three which successfully hatched recently at Westport's famous Terrain/Fresh Market platform, located between the two stores on the Post Rd. Osprey fans have reported seeing a third but we could not catch a glimpse of baby number three, perhaps because he hatched later than these two and is not big enough to see over the edge of the nest as his siblings are able to do.
The mouths of the the chicks are open wide as they yell relentlessly, “feed me, feed me” which many Moms can relate to. Terrain’s customers can hear them calling out loudly as they go to and from their vehicles. Staff often tell their customers about the birds with a distinct sense of pride that they are here.
Above, right and left, the male Osprey hangs out in his favorite perch, a tree behind Terrain before fortuning to the nest to help deal with “babies”
The first chick may hatch as many as five days before the last one, and the oldest chick often dominates over the younger nestlings. The chicks will fledge about 55 days after hatching but will use the nest as home base until they migrate in September. Young ospreys will stay dependent on their parents until the young are able to fish for themselves.
While most baby animals are adorable, these little ones have been compared to baby Velociraptors from Jurrasic Park films. Some of us do actually think they are cute however we may be in the minority.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Drama in The Skies
Mama Osprey returns to her chicks after dispatching an intruder.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
An intruder entered the nest area of the Terrain Osprey recently and Mama Osprey "flew" into action. The unwanted visitor perched on the antenna array at the Westport FD headquarters nearby which was to close for comfort for her. She went on the attack and what ensued was a dramatic dogfight of sorts with multiple close calls or outright contact. The intruder appeared to be uninjured despite the aggressive Mama bird having a set of razor-like claws which could have caused some real damage. Papa Osprey was nowhere to be seen, which was probably a stoke of luck for the intruder. Perhaps he went for take out at the Saugatuck.
Jazz Society Will Award Inaugural Memorial Scholarship On Thursday At Westport VFW Post 399
PRESS RELEASE JUNE 18, 2023
The Jazz Society of Fairfield County (JazzFC), CT's premier Jazz presenting and service non- profit, is proud to announce the first recipient of JazzFC's Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship is Ciara Bustillo-Rodriguez of Bridgeport. The award will be given at JazzFC's June 22 presentation of Jazz at the Post, at VFW Post 399, 465 Riverside Ave. Westport at 7:30 PM.
The concert, the finale of the 2022-23 season, will feature world renowned NYC based pianist Janice Friedman and her quartet. Ciara will perform a few pieces with Janice and her group, which features bassist Leon “Boots” Maleson, drummer Brian Floody and saxophonist Greg Wall. Dinner by Latina Cantina will be available; for reservations email JazzAtThePost@gmail.com.
The Micky Golomb Memorial fund was established in memory of Myron “Micky” Golomb (1931-2019), a Jazz saxophonist (Art Mooney and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestras) and educator (Regency Music Studios, Rye Arts Center) who moved to Westport in 1978 with his wife Kathy and their family.
Presenting the award, which is a $5000 scholarship, will be Kathy Golomb and her daughter Becky.
Ciara Bustillo-Rodriguez - Contributed photo
JazzFC has been producing weekly Jazz performances in Westport featuring internationally known performers since 2015. They started their partnership with the VFW in April of 2022, and it has become a premier destination for discerning Fairfield County music fans.
JazzFC also conducts outreach and educational activities. In April, May and June, JazzFC artists conducted workshops for Jazz students from Westport's Staples High School, and Bridgeport's KEYES MUSIC Jazz program. These featured such noted artists as Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Tim Horner, Greg Wall, Vinnie Sperrazza and Tony Lombardozzi.
JazzFC's weekly Thursday night presentations will resume on September 7, with a performance by guitar master Paul Bollenback. For complete schedule and info visit www.JazzFC.org
Presenting The Staples High School Class Of 2023
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples High School's Paul Lane field may not have been the happiest place in America on Tuesday but it had to be about the happiest place in Connecticut. There were hundreds and hundreds of beaming, smiling faces and more than a few happy tears. The bleachers on both sides of the field were standing room only, filled with proud parents experiencing the joy of the day.
The 136 Commencement exercises at Staples was held on a beautiful, sunny day with a perfect temperature as more than 400 graduates passed through a blue and white balloon arch as they proceeded onto the field to take their seats on one of the biggest days of their young lives. The graduating class of 2023 had reached a major milestone in life, receiving their high school diplomas after four years of hard work.overcoming obstacles and dealing with challenges like Covid.
Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
After the processional to "Pomp and Circumstance", Luke Rosenberg led the famous Orphenians for the last time at graduation, followed by the welcome address by school principal Stafford Thomas Jr., his first at Staples, and next the Staples Choralaires and Senior Choral Members performed "The Road Home".
Principal Thomas spoke about the achievements of the Class of 2023 and how proud he was of what they had accomplished. He made special mention of four grads who had ben accepted to and will attend U.S. Military academies including Zach Rosemy and Grant Zeigler who will become cadets at West Point (see WestportLocalPress, Next Stop: West Point)
Next came the address by Valedictorian Lucia Julianne Kang-Yu Wang who is not only an academic high achiever but was also a leader in Staples Girls Varsity Tennis' exceptional season. Lucia spoke of her hopes for a more equitable and inclusive society going forward as well as a desire for us to address the challenge that climate change presents to her generation. Lucia was followed by Salutatorian Rebecca Hope Schussheim who touched on her passion in the science of astrophysics and urging here classmates to embrace change and new challenges.
A moment of silence was observed to honor Staples technology education teacher Michael Sansur was was tragically lost in an automobile accident in 2022.
A group of Staples educators watched the ceremony. Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open
Superintendent of the Westport School System Thomas Scarice then certified the class of 2023 at which point the issuing of the more than 400 diplomas began.
As the ceremony was concluding Marley Brown and Grant Zeigler gave the students the instruction for "Turning of the Tassel" from the right side of the mortarboard to the left side symbolizing the crossing over from high school to their next stage in life. Many of those mortarboards were painstakingly decorated, some with the names of the colleges and universities those grads will be attending in the fall.
Next, Principal Thomas then gave his closing remarks.
After the tassels had been turned it was then that Marley lead the grads in the traditional of tossing the caps into the air!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
And Now…On To The After Party
As the ceremony came to an end students were joined by family and friends on the field to exchange hugs and kisses and take photos which be be cherished for years and ears to come.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Clams & Cocktails Achieves Harborwatch Goal At Annual Gala Fundraiser
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
On Saturday evening, Harborwatch, which is a water quality research and education program based out of Earthplace in Westport held it's annual fundraising extravaganza, "Cocktails & Clams" The event was held at Copps Island Oysters waterside location on Long Island Sound just over the Westport line in East Norwalk where Norm Bloom and his family have operated their clam and oyster farm since 1994.
The goal of the annual fundraising event which is very well attended by Westporters including current and former public officials was to raise funds to provide Harbor Watch with a new research boat.
The event reached its fundraising goal to fund a new boat. Norm bloom, who founded Copps Island Oysters has generously supported the organization by hosting this event at his Norwalk location for several years.
Guests who attended were served a variety of delicious foods including oysters fresh off the boat and hors d’oeuvres from Seaside Sliders. Great music by the Shapiro Jazz Trio added to the festive atmosphere as did the beautiful sunny day.
About Harborwatch
The mission of Harborwatch, a 501 (c) (3) non profit corporation is to monitor rivers, streams, and harbors throughout Fairfield County for bacteria that indicate sewage pollution is present. We use our data to work with a network of dedicated municipal partners to ensure pollution sources are quickly remediated.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Harbor Watch was founded in 1986 to improve water quality and ecosystem health in Connecticut. They are scientists who provide the data, knowledge, and field expertise needed to safeguard Connecticut waterways, educate our community about watershed issues, and train volunteers and student interns through hands-on research.
Harbor Watch runs several hands-on programs where high school- and college-age students learn local biology and conservation science, including field research, laboratory techniques, and analysis and presentation of environmental data.
If you would like to make a contribution Harbor Watch is seeking additional funding to properly outfit their new vesse and support their student programs. Please go to https://earthplace.org/harbor-watch/ for more information. To make a donation click HERE and select Harbor Watch.
2023 High School Graduates. Next Stop: West Point, Annapolis, Air Force & Merchant Marine Academies
These 2023 graduates of area high schools are among those men and women will soon be on their way to the nations military service academies to begin their military careers.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
On Saturday, June 10th, Congressman Jim Himes hosted members of the military service academy class of 2027, their families, and selection committee members for a sendoff celebration at VFW Post 399, on Riverside Avenue in Westport. All of the members of the class are from the CT 4th Congressional District which Congressman Himes has represented since 2009.
Pictured above, left is Jim Maxfield U.S. Naval Academy graduate with Congressman HImes. At far right photo are Sean and Jonathan Dalrymple of Westport. Jonathan on the right will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. He is the younger brother of Sean who was selected and nominated for his second preferred choice Service Academy back in 2016. He decided however to enlist in the U.S Navy which was his first choice and where he served for six years training in Cyber Security. Their father Brian Dalrymple Murray is exceptionally proud to have two great sons eager to serve their country.
Four of the students ate the VFW event are from Westport. Zach Rosemy and Grant Zeigler, both Staples grads will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, Sam Cherry who graduated the Hopkins School, and Jonathan Dalrymple who is graduating from Weston HS and headed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.
Following remarks by Congressman Himes was Jim Maxfield, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD in 1989. He spoke about his experience at the Naval Academy and the tremendous opportunity before them in their military careers, their paths to becoming a community leader afterwards and the success they will likely find in any career they chose as a result of the education and training they will receive at the some of the world's premier military service academies.
Upon graduation, the newly commissioned officers commit to serving in the military for a minimum of five years after graduation. The number of years can increase if the students become pilots.
The VFW space was filled with proud parents and family members listening intently to Himes and Maxfield and after the remarks the students and family got an opportunity to meet and talk with each other and further speak with the Congressman and Mr. Maxfield.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Both Himes and Maxfield touched upon the fact that so many of the members of the U.S. armed forces are young men and women who are performing their duties at some of the highest levels of service, whether it be upon the flight deck or other specialty aboard a 13 billion dollar aircraft carrier, or flying or maintaining 70 or 80 million dollar 5th generation fighter aircraft, or in the increasingly more vital role of cyber security. Both speakers noted the significance of an 18 year old individual being willing to make such at commitment.
Pictured above, left is Jim Maxfield U.S. Naval Academy graduate with Congressman HImes. At far right photo are Sean and Jonathan Dalrymple of Westport. Jonathan on the right will be attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. He is the younger brother of Sean who was selected and nominated for his second preferred choice Service Academy back in 2016. He decided however to enlist in the U.S Navy which was his first choice and where he served for six years training in Cyber Security. Their father Brian Dalrymple Murray is exceptionally proud to have two great sons eager to serve their country.