Final Fun Day At The Fair!
The much loved and eagerly anticipated Yankee Doodle Fair had a great run again this year. The final day was Sunday and there were smiles and laughter for both the young and the young at heart as they enjoyed the rides and challenged themselves at the various games. Here is our collection of photos showing all the fun!
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The big winners were spotted carrying the giant prizes and trying to balance them while eating treats purchased at the various concessions.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
At 5:00 PM the rides were stopped and the trailers were closed up as Stewart Amusements got ready to bring the smiles, laughter and great family memories to the next town.
Westport Volunteer EMS Announces Jaime Bairaktaris As Next President
Crew Chief Jaime Bairaktaris teaching children, one of his passions, about the functions of EMS Ambulance life-saving equipment at this year’s Westport Touch-A-Truck.
Photo by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress.com
17 June 2024 [Westport, Connecticut]. Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service, Inc. (“WVEMS”) announces the election of Westporter Jaime Bairaktaris as the non-profit’s next president. At 26 years old, Bairaktaris - a Board member and Westport EMS Crew Chief - will be the youngest person to have held the position when he succeeds current president and EMT Michael Burns on July 01. [click here for press release photos]
Bairaktaris began volunteering in 2013 as a Staples High School freshman and has served nearly 3,000 hours since. He was named Volunteer of the Year in 2016 and Crew Chief of the Year in 2022. Outside of volunteering, Bairaktaris is proud to work as a support staff member at Redding’s John Read Middle School and recently finished a term on the Westport Representative Town Meeting for District 4.
Current president Mike Burns will transition to serve as Vice President to continue his work on the organization's new endowment goals that will allow long term financial sustainability. Burns’ dedication and leadership have significantly contributed to WVEMS's growth and stability during an unprecedented time in history following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nonprofit's mission is to save lives by supporting Westport Emergency Medical Service, which operates and manages the Town's 911-response ambulance service. Bairaktaris' goals will include initiatives for current volunteers while finding ways to attract and grow the next generation of EMTs. He also looks forward to strengthening public education, alongside the organization’s team of volunteer instructors, with new classes focused on mental health.
“Westport EMS is a second home to me - and its members, a second family. I’m excited for this opportunity to foster our organization’s mission to save lives in our community,” says Bairaktaris.
WVEMS has a “bright future”, Bairaktaris added as he described incoming volunteers and big updates - including the purchase of new, custom-built ambulances funded by the Daniel E. Offutt, III Charitable Trust, Westport Woman's Club, and Walter and Marilyn Joy Samuels Charitable Foundation Trust. “I’m excited for the growth we’ll see in the next few years.”
Westport Volunteer EMS looks forward to growing and continuing its mission to help save lives while it celebrates 45 years of “volunteers answering the call.”
For more info on Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, visit WestportEMS.org.
Greenwich Polo Season Opened Sunday With Double-Header
High Goal Polo returned to the Greenwich Polo Club which opened the 2024 season on Sunday, June 9th with the first round of the American Cup series. The season promises lots of exciting polo action as teams compete in the only high goal tournaments on the east coast of the U.S. in the summer season.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In the first match Steel Polo/Jeffries defeated Amara Quench 11-10 in a thrilling sudden death overtime victory.
The second match saw the legendary Round Hill Polo squeak by the challengers Maccabi Polo by the score of 6-5.
Greenwich Polo Club will host three more matches in June with gates opening at 1:00 PM and three more in July, each Sunday with play beginning at 3:00 PM. There is a break after the July 21st match and play returns on August 25th continuing through September 15th.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Greenwich Polo tickets start at $50. per car for open lawn seating with premium options available. Gates open at 1:00 PM. Guests picnic on the grounds bringing their favorite foods and beverages and several gourmet food trucks offer a great menu with craft cocktails offered at the Pony Bar. Leashed dogs are welcome.
The teams all were on stage to complete the celebration.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
After the match the fun continues as guests gather at the Pony Bar and Dj's start the dancing. Delicious Argentinian barbecue is also available.
The next match open to the public takes place on June 12th. Tickets and schedule information is available at GreenwichPolo.com.
Polo fashions are always a big part of the fun and energy of the day.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A view of the east lawn seating, a great place to bring your party.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A group of friends from Westport came to enjoy the match and the excitement. From left to right are: Pamela Onorato, Nicole Lenino, Alexis Maida and Kristen Onorato.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A group of friends show off their athleticism for camara and phone pics.
After the awards presentation the beautiful stage background creates an opportunity for guests to capture the special day.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
And when the match ends, the Pony Bar Party begins!
Catherine Violet Hubbard Lives On At Catherine’s Annual Butterfly Party
This very special event is in honor of Catherine, one of the Angels who were lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012.
The idea of Catherine’s “Butterfly Party” was inspired by a true story, where a Monarch Butterfly landed on Catherine and she whispered to it “tell your friends that I am kind.”
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Catherine’s Butterfly Party is held each year at the massive Fairfield Hills complex in Newtown. Over the course of the day up to 12,000 (not a typo) people come to celebrate Catherine and the other beautiful children from Sandy Hook Elementary. This year would have been Catherine’s 18th birthday and she and some other children would have graduated high school.
Adding to the special day, in honor of Catherine's 18th birthday, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary is partnering with the North American Butterfly Association to symbolically rename the Monarch Butterfly the ‘Catherine Butterfly.' Catherine’s whispering to the Monarch Butterfly which landed on her hand, “tell your friends that I am kind.” was the inspiration behind the renaming and the sanctuary's commitment to creating, conserving and protecting Monarch habitats.
Animals was one of Catherine’s passions and this event brings 25 animal adoption organizations together to offer more than two hundred beautiful dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs & more who are searching for their furever homes!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Beautiful adult cats and a couple of very frisky kittens were also on hand to find the perfect humans to give lots of love and kisses.
Pictured above are State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, Catherine’s Mom Jennifer Hubbard, State Senator Tony Hwang, Earl Wheway, and First Selectman Jeff Capeci who were on hand to speak about the work of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and to read the Official Statement of Governor Ned Lamont and to present a Certificate Of Special Recognition from U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
In honor of the symbolic monarch renaming, Senator Richard Blumenthal sent an official Senate Citation for today’s dedication. The Senator was unable to attend as he was part of a contingent in Normandy honoring the anniversary of D-Day. In addition, the sanctuary is so grateful for the official proclamation received from the Governor of Connecticut.
Several hundred attendees came to the stage for the presentation and there was a large media presence to document the comments of Jenny, State Senator Hwang and the other speakers.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Children and their parents delighted in meeting and getting up close and personal with some of the many beautiful animals the rescue organizations brought to the event. Ther were many pet related vendors, local artisans, food trucks, live music, entertainment & endless activities for kids!
SGT. Daniel Gebhardt and SGT. Kathrie Platt of the 928th Military Police Detachment puts military working dog Unit through his paces to the appreciation of the large audience.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In addition to the many rescue organizations there was a great live music performance and photo ops in front of a special background with Catherine’s beautiful words blended into the wings of one of her beloved butterflies.
Several great food trucks were on hand to feed the hungry festival-goers. There were also horses including mini horses, a few reptiles and a couple of llamas to add to the special atmosphere of love for all creatures.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Dozens of hard-working volunteers helped make the epic event a tremendous success. The CVH Animal Sanctuary is committed to helping animals in need find the loving homes they deserve. Thanks to their sponsors, Catherine’s Butterfly Party always remains FREE to participating rescues AND the public. This allows hard working animal welfare groups to focus on their animals while we take care of everything else.
It was clearly a love-fest for humans and their new animal friends, and there was even a chance to see some spectacular raptors.
To help the mission of the CVH Foundation and to learn more including updates on the construction of their beautiful new Sanctuary located at 8 Commerce Rd. in Newtown contact: info@cvhfoundation.org, tel: (866) 620-8640 and visit the CVH Foundation