Mystery Fly Fisherman Tries His Luck
He probably is not a famous celebrity masked up to conceal his identity in order to enjoy some quiet time fly fishing on Gray’s Creek. More than likely he is trying to keep the bugs out of his mouth, the opposite of what he is hoping for from the creek’s inhabitants. He may be hoping to be one of the lucky anglers who can catch a largemouth or striped bass, or possibly a bluefish, species which have been reported to Fishbrain.com as having been caught.
Photo and caption by J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Make Music Day 2024 Returns Tomorrow, June 21st
To learn more visit any of the links below:
Make Music Day is tomorrow, Friday June 21st and is worldwide one-day event bringing musicians and audiences together in cities and towns the world over. The event began in France in 1982 and has since spread to 120 countries this year with a total of 5,000 concerts and music events taking place one that one day alone.
Connecticut’s sixth annual Make Music Day in 2023 featured more than 400 free musical performances across fourteen regional chapters, brought together by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, to coordinate a diverse day of music-making statewide, open to all.
Story by J.C. Martin
Billboard Magazine’s website says” The celebrations seek to bring out the musician in all of us, regardless of skill level, with outdoor concerts, jam sessions, lessons and music-making of all kinds”.
Visit Billboard.com for more general info on Make Music Day. Local info can be found below.
Although Westport, surprisingly is yet to join in this celebration of music, there are Make Music Day events in several surrounding towns. Neighboring towns include Fairfield, Southport, Norwalk, Ridgefield, New Canaan, Bethel and many others The event provides performances in multiple locations and times in each city and town. Events begin at 9:00AM and continue throughout the day. To find info on the towns and cities in CT which are participating visit MakeMusicDay/Fairfield.org or visit CTvisit.com for complete local listings.
FTC Fairfield has a full slate of performers beginning at 4:30PM
Notably, FTC, the Fairfield Theatre Company which has brought both national and local recording artists to their two venues located in downtown Fairfield for many years will host their concert beginning at 4:30PM and will run until 10:00PM, a welcome time slot considering the current “heat dome” over Fairfield County.
Their website says “Make Music Fairfield is a town-wide music festival with over 110 performances. Click the 'Learn More' button to view the full schedule.” This free event will take place outdoors in The Parking Lot outside The Warehouse. You can bring your own chair if you'd like, We will also have games/activities for adults and kids. Concessions and restrooms will be open inside The Warehouse. In the event of bad weather, the show will be moved inside The Warehouse. Steakinit food truck will be on site and tastings are provided by our sponsors Downeast Cider and Mezcalum
The FTC website offers complete details on their performances at FairfieldTheatre.com including performer schedules and videos.
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
Homes With Hope Airs 40th Anniversary Documentary At Branson Hall Sunday
The crowd of more than 80 people applauds CEO Helen McAlinden as she thanks board members.
On Sunday, Homes With Hope honored Dr. James Gillespie who was instrumental in developing the Interfaith Housing Association which is now the well-known Homes With Hope organization. As part of the event the organization screened for a second time their 40th Anniversary documentary film created by Livio Sanchez, formerly of Westport.
The documentary includes over 50 testimonials, each with a unique message in creating Homes with Hope's legacy. From the humble beginnings to the monumental milestones, the storytellers have narrated tales of resilience and the collective spirit that had shaped the organization.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above left and right, CEO Helen McAlinden adressed the crowd, including giving a shout-out to VP and Chief Operating Officer Paris Looney, center.
The Gillespie Center, operated by Homes With Hope is an emergency shelter for single men, and home to the Community Kitchen and Food Pantry was dedicated to Dr. Gillespie in 1989. The screening was attended by more than 80 people, many of James’s family members including sons Bryan and Craig, volunteers, and local supporters. Homes’ former CEO Jeff Wieser who led the organization for several years was also in attendance.
Homes with Hope, formerly the Interfaith Housing Association opened in 1984 as a homeless shelter for single men, and occupied a retired firehouse owned by the Town of Westport. Local religious organizations worked together to create the Interfaith Housing Association in response to an increased number of homeless individuals, primarily men, who were turning to them for aid. The documentary includes reporting on the growing housing crises which has touched Westport and has only grown substantially in CT in recent years.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A collection of memorabilia from years past was available for viewing.
Homes with Hope has grown significantly since 1984. As the need began to increase, they realized that food and shelter alone were not enough to help people move from homelessness to self-reliance.
In response, Homes with Hope expanded the support services and housing options currently available to our clients by providing the resources needed for them to be successful in their journey out of homelessness. The organization also operates Hoskins Place, located in the same building, is a 4-bed emergency shelter for single women.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Fairfield County’s Biggest Animal Adoption Event & Family Festival Returns Tomorrow & You’re Invited!
Tomorrow is the largest animal event in Fairfield County, if not the entire state. It is a huge family festival and pet adoption event in addition to the celebration of the life of and the 18th birthday of Catherine Violet Hubbard, one of the little angels at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012.
It is called Catherine’s Butterfly Party and it held each year at the massive Fairfield Hills complex, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470. 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.
From the CVH Foundation website:
You’re cordially invited to the 8th annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party – the renowned FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL WITH SUPER ADOPTION EVENT!! Every year, the sanctuary honors Catherine’s birthday and her love of animals with Catherine’s Butterfly Party, Newtown’s largest single day FREE event welcoming over 12,000 people! This year, the celebration falls on a very special day – June 8th – what would have been her 18th birthday. We’re so excited to see Catherine’s Butterfly Party growing up right along with her. 2024 promises to be our best event yet, bringing smiles, purrs and tail wags to all!
12,000 guests annually 31+ animal rescue organizations featuring over 200 adoptable animals 151+ animals adopted last year including dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs & more! Live “ambassador” wildlife, police k-9 & educational presentations Pet related vendors, local artisans, food trucks, live music, entertainment & endless activities for kids!
The CVH Animal Sanctuary is committed to helping animals in need find the loving homes they deserve. Thanks to our 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.
Westport Shows Our Pride For All To See
Two of the more glamorous participants in Sunday’s Westport Pride event, Angelina Fierce Doll (L) and Bleach (R) flank one of the many performers who entertained the crowd.
Pride In Our Town, Pride In Each Other
Westport Pride's annual Pride Celebration took place on Sunday, June 2, at Jesup Green in Westport, Connecticut. This joyous event was filled with vibrant local performances, engaging activities, and heartfelt community spirit.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The celebration included Girl Scout Troop 51003 raising the pride flag, setting the tone for a day of inclusivity and love. Attendees were treated to an array of local talent, featuring performances by Westport students including Bridget Reddy, The Corduroys, Imogen Medoff, Next Day Delivery, Alyssa Lee, Josie Pines, Echo Bodell, and Jonathan Ridel of The Rubber Skulls. All performers were from Westport except for Ridel.
Highlighting the event, State Treasurer Erick Russell spoke, and Senator Ceci Maher presented a State General Assembly citation in recognition of Westport Pride’s significant contributions to the community with Represetative Jonathan Steinberg. Additionally, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker offered a Proclamation to officially declare June as Pride Month in Westport, underscoring the town's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above are some of the day’s performers on stage entertaining the crowd. Several performed original songs which passionately told their story and their truth.
The celebration included a Drag Story Time with local drag queens Angelina Fierce Doll and Bleach, who added their unique flair and energy to the festivities. There were a variety of family friendly activities including arts and crafts, face painting, and yard games. With food trucks and local vendors on site, there were plenty of delicious options and unique items to explore.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Cantor Julia Cadrain of Temple Israel and the Right Rev. Kari Nicewander of Saugatuck Congregational Church offered song, prayers and blessings at the start and conclusion of the event, fostering a sense of unity and peace.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Out-Of-Town Entitlement At Parker Harding
A group of passers-by look in amazement a a truck illegally parked on the Parker Harding access road which prevented another truck from passing safely.
We are all too familiar with the sense of entitlement that leads to “bad parking” as our favorite Westport blog has regularly posted about. WestportLocalPress posted on a doozy last year on September 24th (What WAS She Thinking) and earlier on March 26th (Poor Parking Job causes Parker Harding Gridlock).
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Now it seems we are importing bad parking from out of state. An interesting situation developed on Tuesday afternoon on the Parker Harding access road from Main St. to the Post Road. A panel truck with the USDOT registration number 3998939 which show the owner to be Generational Legacy Transportation, LLC out of Stroudsburg, PA decided to simply park on the road in the apparent belief that a single lane was wide enough for passing cars. It in fact was. What is was not however was wide enough of a lane for other truck traffic.
As the photos show, one of the several NO PARKING signs on the road was in fact about 8 or 9 feet from the driver’s windshield, which he seemed to believe did not apply to him as he is somehow entitled to park where less important folks cannot. Sound familiar? When an Ace Endico truck drove in, as all traffic does on the way to the Post Rd. he saw that he was unable to pass the parked Legacy truck. Frustrated and upset, the Ace drive waited patiently for the other truck’s operator to come from one of the Main Street stores. This went on for more than 15 minutes. The Ace truck, unable to safely pass then caused all access road traffic to come to a standstill. Drivers, seeing the mess began trying to back up in reverse so that they could turn around in the section of Parker Harding which is two-way and where that is permitted. That became an even bigger mess.
After more than 15 minutes the Ace driver, who had deliveries to make, couldn’t take it anymore and he exited his truck to see if there was enough room for him to jump the curb and pass the thoughtless offender without hitting the No Parking sign on the left side of the road. He knew it would be close and risked his truck scraping the side of the Legacy truck. He skillfully managed to do just that, somehow, with only 2 inches or so to spare.
Once he had cleared the obstacle traffic again began to flow. Eventually the Legacy driver emerged from one of the Main St. and by that time a Westport PD unit had arrived and the officer had a conversation with the Legacy driver, the result of which is unknown. As many Westporters are well aware, there is a loading zone next to the Washing Well laundry which is a frequent stop for delivery trucks. Not, however, for the Generational Legacy Transportation, LLC truck!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.