VFW Post 399 Barbecue Draws Several Hundred To Support Our Vets
The volunteer team that made it all happen- Front row, Left to Right Jake, Christy and Patty, Back Row, Left to Right: Phil, Mike, Kat, Alan, Al, Eduardo and Dennis
Photos and Story by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A small but very dedicated team of volunteers from Westport's VFW Post 399 and from the American Legion worked long and hard to make Saturday's community barbecue a great success.
They were led by Sergeant First Class Eduardo Hernandez who hails from California, is a 17 year U.S. Army veteran on active duty and is currently assigned to the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion in Danbury. Sgt. Hernandez went above and beyond in his mission, by beginning the cooking on Friday at 11:00 AM and starting 2 days earlier with preparation work.
Above: Kat, Christy and SFC Eduardo Hernandez stand by the smoker and grill which help feed more than 300 people Saturday. At right, Dennis brings out another round of Cole slaw. By the end of the barbecue there was nothing left!
In the keeping with his training in the military SFC Hernandez stood his post overnight tending the smokers and fire, getting less than two hours of sleep here and there when he could stretched between two chairs. Hernandez told WestportLocalPress he "was worried about the Friday night forecast of server thunder and rain, but was blessed with good weather all the way through." In speaking abut the event he gave credit to his team, saying about the event, "It was good but without the volunteers and the VFW Auxiliary helping out, it wouldn’t happen."
The event drew more than 300 guests for the day with a few remaining at the 5:00 end of the event. The funds raised will help the Westport VFW to with repairs that are needed said SFC Hernandez adding, "But mostly this event was to bring in the surrounding towns and local residents to enjoy our club and to let them know we are always open to the public."
SFC Hernandez wishes to invite the community to their new Friday night dinners at the Post which are in addition to the famous Jazz Thursday event which has been so successful over the years. As if the entertainment so far isn't enough Post 399 will also be hosting folk music performances the first Sunday of each month. The public is invited and more information is available at https://vfw399ct.org/
Photos and Story by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There's A BBQ At the Westport VFW And Everyone Is Invited
On Saturday, Westport VFW Clinton Post 399 is hosting a community barbecue from 1:00PM to 5:00PM at the Post, 465 Riverside Ave., Westport. Scan the QR code to get more details or visit their website: https://vfw399ct.org/.
Hopalong Andrew Wows Westport Families with a Thrilling Summer Show
On Wednesday July 19th Westport families enjoyed a real treat when New York City’s famous singing cowboy Hopalong Andrew returned to the Levitt Pavilion with a six-piece band.
Singing clever and whimsical cowboy songs about city life performed in the great tradition of the American West, Hopalong Andrew pays homage to the singing cowboys and folk singers of yesteryear. It is high-spirited music meant for the all ages to enjoy, and enjoy they did, on a beautiful summer’s night.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Hopalong Andrew punctuated his performance with dazzling hijinks. He twirled a lasso, while virtuosically playing the “William Tell” Overture on harmonica, and closed the show by lassoing a plush taxi cab.
Best of all, those in attendance were regaled by the best picking east of the Hudson River, as Hopalong Andrew brought some of the best musicians of the genre, including Terrell King, the young pedal steel guitar prodigy; Ray Rizzo, who has played drums with Bob Weir; Hilary Hawke, bass player and renowned banjoist for Oklahoma! On Broadway; Melody Berger, award-winning fiddler who recently played in a production at the Westport Country Playhouse; and Cesar Moreno, up-and-coming mandolinist from The Bronx, NY who recently performed with GRAMMY-winning bluegrass artist Michael Daves.
Hopalong Andrew also performed a few songs off his upcoming album, which honors the incredible-but-true diverse and multicultural heritage of the American West.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Hopalong Andrew performs regularly in his home base of New York City, where he was born and raised. In May 2023, New York Magazine featured Hopalong Andrew in June 2023, declaring him the "The countryfied king of our children’s entertainment circuit."
Mark your calendar for his appearance at this fall’s Brooklyn Folk Festival, where he’ll be appearing in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Smithsonian Folkways records.
Stream his award-winning music online. More information at hopalongandrew.com
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Democrats seek Replacement on Board of Finance
Press Release
The Westport DTC is seeking a candidate to fill a vacancy on the Board of Finance to replace Nancie Dupier, who is stepping down. Nancie has served the town with great distinction, and we very much appreciate her service!
Registered Democrats may apply by submitting a statement of interest and bio/resume to Michael Gordon at mgordon906<at>gmail.com
The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 21, at 5:00pm.
Candidate interviews with the Nominating Committee will likely be held on Monday, July 24th.
Interested candidates should be prepared to serve the remaining few months of Nancie’s current term and campaign this fall for a four-year term on the BoF and stand for election in November.
Contact:
Michael Gordon
203 255 2244