Tiger Tamers: Wreckers Rout Ridgefield
The State Champion Wreckers, who were ranked 7th in last weeks Sports Illustrated CT Coaches rankings and 4th on the MaxPreps list, met the Tigers who are in a rebuilding year with a 13 game win streak and breezed past Ridgefield 35-7 with both a high octane offense and a highly motivated defense. Top left: Junior QB Nick Weil puts the ball in the air to Shane Sandrew (top, right) wide receiver, for one of the senior’s two touchdown receptions. Bottom left: the stifling defense allowed only one Ridgefield score in the first period, and junior wide receiver Justin Halky celebrates one of his two touchdown receptions on the heels of his 102 yard reception performance.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
QB Nick Weil was on fire passing for 279 yards completing 21 of 29 attempts, and kept the defense on their toes by scrambling for another 48 yards with 7 carries, a record for the junior. The defensive wall which held the Tigers to a single score and standout senior Jack Stoler picked off two Ridgefield passes paving the way for Weil to connect with Sandrew who also set a record gaining 143 yards on 12 receptions.
Staples opened the scoring late in the first quarter and the Tigers answered early in the second for their only touchdown of the game. Staples found the end zone two more times including less than a minute before the halftime break, with a TD by senior Kody Goldman.
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Senior running back Jarett Deluca receives medical attention for a leg injury and fortunately was able to walk off the field. Two enthusiastic fans showed some of their own athleticism in the stands, smiling broadly as they watched their team’s spectacular performance on the field.
The Staples Cheerleaders didn't let the sparse Wreckers crowd stop them from bringing the energy to counter the large Ridgefield crowd.
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Wreckers cheerleaders as usual showed they got game as well.
The Staples faithful showed their delight as they watched their team dominate it's opponents.
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Ridgefield Cheer & Dance Dazzles
The Tigers may not have been firing on all cylinders against the Wreckers, however the halftime performance by the Ridgefield Cheerleaders and Varsity Dance Team was something special.
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With excellent athleticism and challenging stunts, the Ridgefield Cheerleaders got the crowd on their feet and cheering. Their training and hard work was readily apparent, with their flyers soaring into the air and even doing flips.
The Dance team showed their high level of skill, executing complex choreography with precision, focus and top-notch showmanship, all with great smiles.
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Westport Police Respond To Wrecker’s Wrestlers Car Wash
After the success of last year’s Car Wash fundraiser the Staples Wrestling Team returned last week to the Shell Gas Station and convenience market at 322 Post Road at the invitation of owner Raja Ali. Many of the team, and some freshmen members-to-be came ready to work.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Parking enforcement agent Angel Colon was on shift and passing by decided it would be a great opportunity to help out the boys and get his vehicle thoroughly cleaned.
Agent Colon watches as the Wreckers and a hard-working Wrecker Dad give his car the VIP treatment and he provided a generous contribution to the team for their efforts. Colon returned to his duties with one of the cleanest cars in town.
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The boys worked as hard attracting “customers” as they did at washing the many vehicles who stopped by. Even a couple of parents tried to drive some traffic into the Shell station, albeit with a hastily created sign which was not quite up to the attention grabbing visuals the boys had created for the event.
The Staples Wrestling teams have had a proud history of community service worthy of their competitive athletic results. Our amazing community responded in kind with generous donations which the team will use for such things as scholarships, equipment and other necessities beyond what the school can provide. The event was by all measures an overwhelming success. The team wished to convey special thanks to all who came by!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Slice Of Saugatuck - Simply Scrumptious!
Saugatuck become the epicenter of Westport’s restaurant scene on Saturday when one of our town’s premier neighborhoods hosted the annual Slice Of Saugatuck after it was postponed from It’s original date, last Saturday due to bad weather.
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In addition to being able to taste some delicious samples from Saugatuck’s finest eateries, there were multiple live bands playing throughout the event, from The Little Pub parking lot on Riverside, to Bridge Square, the center of the festivities, to Railroad St. which was converted into a pedestrian zone.
(Photos, clockwise) Hungry attendees waited patiently for the offering at The Bridge at Saugatuck, newly opened at the site of the famous Mansion Clamhouse and most recently Parker Mansion. Another happy diner enjoyed fine Peruvian fare from Lomito on Saugatuck Ave. Great Italian was offered by Maria Funicello and her staff served up delicious tastes of Italy from Tutti’s, a Saugatuck institution for more than 20 years operated by Maria and her husband Pasquale. One of several bands kept the energy up and the party hopping.
The line for the Bridge at Saugatuck indicated the great samples that awaited diners at the front of the line.
Crowds packed Bridge Square and purchased their tickets and Rizzutos offered the kids not one but TWO bounce houses to take a break between bites. Two more bounce houses were on site elsewhere at the Slice.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The historic Saugatuck Firehouse is a must-visit stop for kids who have the chance to climb aboard a working fire truck, get a "fire-helmet", take photos and see the inside of the fire house.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Row one above shows kids dancing to the band playing at the plaza between The Whelk and Momu ice cream. Next, the line at Lomito is always long as attendees await their delicious, generous offering (center). Bill Rizzuto offers their signature Ceviché and the very creative Crab Meat Arancini (rice balls), made with both white and black rice and served with their Cajun Remoulade. The restaurateur estimates they will provide more than 800 samples of their dishes. At far right, a mom and her kids enjoy some treats from Dunkin Donuts.
Bottom row: The popular Kawa Ni had a long line as well as guests sampled their tasty cuisine. Bands all over inspired some to work their dance magic.
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Japan Meets Westport At Jesup Green
The audience watches intently as New York Taiko Aiko Kai drumming shows their skills in this Japanese traditional art form which dates back thousands of years.
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Each year for the last 18 years, with a one year exception for COVID, the Japan Society of Fairfield County, a non-profit membership organization comprised of people who are interested in Japan and Japanese culture has held a Fall Festival on Jesup Green in Westport. Last Sunday the sights and sounds of Japan were on full display to hundreds of visitors who who treated to a variety of Japanese traditions going back in some cases, hundreds of years and beyond.
The first presentation was the spectacular Taiko drumming by New York Taiko Aiko Kai, who’s pounding rhythms and dramatic showmanship captivated the audience. The function of Taiko has varied throughout history, ranging from communication, military action, theatrical accompaniment, religious ceremony and concert performances.
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Mr. Tomoe Sato of the Consulate General of Japan's New York office speaks to the audience at the start of the event.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker (left) speaks to the crowd about Westport’s involvement with this event through the years. JSFC President Jackie Alexander (center) describes the activities of the day and both join Mr. Tomoe Sato for a quick photo.
A traditional Bon Odori Festival is usually held in July or August, however the event was moved to September a few years ago, technically this is too late to hold a traditional Japanese Bon Odori Festival so the event was renamed a Japanese Fall Festival but we still included Bon Odori activities.
Attendees are invited to don the summer yukata kimono and join the Bon odori dances. The women leading the instruction of the dances are from the BondanNYC group.
Five Bon Odori dances were performed, led by BondanNYC. They included Tanko Bushi, coal miner’s song from the Kyushu area. The Hanagasa Ondo, or “hat dance” from Yamagata, Awa Odori, from Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku, A-I-U-E-Ondo and Tokyo Ondo, from Tokyo.
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Sensei Robert Brody owner and chief instructor of Aikido Of Norwalk readies his students to begin a demonstration of the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido.
The crowd enthusiastically enjoyed the students as they demonstrated Aikido, a unique martial art that emphasizes peaceful conflict resolution by harmonizing with an opponent’s energy and redirecting their attack. Unlike Karate, which focuses on strikes, Aikido shares more similarities with Judo, as it involves joint locks and throws to neutralize an attack.
This portion of the event featured several dedicated students, including Brian Lasher, who helped Brody showcase a dynamic bokken (wooden sword) demonstration called Kumitachi. Other students included Dylan Saurawal, who skillfully performed ukemi (falling techniques), Jeff Tang and who practiced in preparation for his Shodan (black belt). Elizabeth Shields and Katherine Gunya also participated, demonstrating techniques as blue and yellow belt students, respectively. Additionally, Kia Starn led a seated meditation, or seiza, a regular practice at the dojo to cultivate focus and inner peace.
The large crowd was kept busy with several performances to enjoy and several vendors to visit.
Dancers formed a circle to join instructors in performing several of the Bon Odori dances. They also enjoyed the opportunity for selfies with famous Japanese cultural icons like Hello Kitty and Pikachu, the electric-type mouse and the mascot of the Pokémon franchise.
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The audience was treated to “Balloon Plays” by Noriko “Emma” Oshiro. Ms. Oshiro translated a Japanese folktale into English to create her balloon play. She narrates the story and creates the costuming/balloon characters. Her “actors” move about or use the balloon characters according to the narrator’s story. This year there were two plays; The Story of Obon and the Water Lanterns, and The Story of the Signs of the Zodiac.
There was a Japanese Marketplace with several booths and tables where vendors offered a variety of Japanese products, art and crafts including handmade hats, pottery, Tengui Art, Origami and crystal and stone Jewelry and so much more.
Taiko drumming by New York Taiko Aiko Kai gave several performances, bringing their high energy show again as the afternoon progressed.
