Wreckers Football On A Roll, Routing Westhill 47-0
The Staples Wreckers, defending state champions are clearly on a roll. Whether it is passing or running the football or their stifling defense, evidenced by the QB sack by the defense, the Wreckers are fire! They are undefeated, 4-0 in the early season and are fresh off of a resounding defeat of Stamford’s Westhill High, with a 47 point shutout in their last game on October 4th. They had a bye last Friday and will face New Canaan in a day game on Saturday, October 19th.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples receiver Shane Sandrew, (sr.) grabs another pass from quarterback Nick Weil, (jr.) despite what looks like pass interference. Sandrew posted 75 yards on receptions including a 41 yard completion. QB Weil completed 10 of 14 attempts for gains of 163 yards. His scrambling ability continues to keep pressure on the opposing defense with 3 carries for 27 yards.
Weil finds wide receiver Nathan Smith for one of two TD receptions, which were the result of his 88 yards on receptions. Head coach Adam Behrends and his staff are laser focused, constantly directing efforts during the game.
Pink Out!
Staples fans support their annual Pink Out, wearing the color in support of breast Cancer Awareness.Players participated as well with pink wristbands, towels, t-shirts and even some socks. Not to be left out Westport PD officer Batlin work the pink emblem uniform shirt he wore last year as well. Some younger Wrecker fans made sure their support was clear.
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Staples & PAL Cheerleaders Pumped Up The Crowd
The hard-working Staples cheerleaders give it their all, as usual, at the half-time performance.
Westport PAL cheerleaders came to perform with their Staples "big sisters" and received their own cheers from the crowd.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Both the Staples squad and PAL Cheerleaders gathered mid-field for this group photo.
Wreckers Football Tailgate Party - Westport Style
A scene from Friday night's tailgate party before the home game against Westhill High of Stamford.
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Before last Friday’s game against Westhill of Stamford, parents of Wrecker’s team Captain Charley Leahy, Raleigh and Pat took the traditional home game up a notch. The parents of the five team captains are asked to organize the tailgate parties for the home games. This year, it's been a mix of food trucks, parents stepping up and manning the grill and people bringing food to share with others.
This particular party had, as the photos clearly show, a pink theme as part of the Pink Aid night celebrated by the fans and the Wreckers football team to support the cause of breast cancer awareness and research. Many of those at this tailgate party are Staples alums who were happy to contribute to the celebration and the worthy cause.
Chef and restaurateur Matt Storch flanked by Sous chefs Sawyer Nessel and Bowen Redgate.
Charley’s parents Raleigh and Pat Leahy have always been huge fans of Saugatuck Provisions and the Match family of restaurants. They are loyal customers who get all of their meats and other speciality items at the store. Pat told WestportLocalPress, “Matt Storch and his staff are awesome and I always look forward to making a visit because of that.”
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Tailgaters were offered delicious house made sausages, Korean BBQ drums and Big Match Burgers.
Pat reached out to Matt a few weeks ago to see if he'd consider serving the tailgate for the game against Westhill. Pat said, “He gave us a very fair deal and brought his two rock star Sous Chefs, Sawyer Nessel and Bowen Redgate to prepare and serve the food. It was a huge hit and I hope shined a big spotlight on Saugatuck Provisions and how lucky we are to have a place like that in town. Matt grew up in Westport and is a Staples graduate, which made it even cooler.”
After devouring the delicious BBQ and sausages and burgers, the desert table was particularly inviting with lots of gourmet and even some homemade treats.
Staples and Pink Aid were clearly the themes of the evening, after which the Wreckers treated the hometown crowd to an overwhelming victory over Westhill.
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The Wreckers get ready for the night's action.
Pink Aid Night At Staples To Fight Breast Cancer
This Pink Aid Awareness club is a Staples High School club owned by co-presidents Alex Hackett and Riley Sklar. In the photo above are (L-R) Alexa Falik, Riley Appel and Payton Dolnier.
On Friday before the Staples - Westhill football game the club set up at the entrance to the field to raise money for Pink Aid. Staples students Georgia Allen, Cami Barger, Riley Appel, Alexa Falik and Payton Dolnier gave out bracelets, receiving donations to Pink Aid to help support the battle against breast cancer.
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October 6, 2023 - One Year of Bring Them Home
More than 300 people gathered at Compo Beach on perfect fall Sunday to mark one year since the brutal Hamas attack on Israel, to rally in support of those who were kidnapped and who remain captive in Gaza.
Photos By J.C. Martin. Story by Lynn Rabinovici Park For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Three local Westport moms came together, for the second time, to organize a meaningful community gathering to support the hostages, Israel, and the Jewish community as they marked the one year anniversary of the barbaric October 7th Hamas terror attack in Israel. 365 days later, 101 hostages, dead and alive, still remain captive in Gaza.
Lynn Rabinovici Park, who had a vision for a concert by the sea, had the goal alongside Inda Sade and Sharon Suchotliff to bring the community together to stand in solidarity with the hostages, call for unity, and to change the year long call from "Bring Them Home Now" to "Release the Hostages Now."
Eleven year old Chloe Robbin of Westport sings with accompaniment by Liang-Fang Chang, the Director of Music Ministry at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
The beach was lined with 101 chairs, gathered by the community, each with a kidnapped poster and a blue or white balloon attached. A strong visual for how much 101 is. Front and center were two orange balloons, 2 tiny chairs and a kid's table with toys and books on it. A batman costume draped on Ariel's chair. A heartbreaking set up for Ariel (5 years old) and Kfir Bibas (1 year old), the beautiful red headed children, who were brutally kidnapped with their parents from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. The family remains in Gaza with no information as to their whereabouts or wellbeing.
Above left photo: The audience listens as Temple Israel's Cantors Julia Cadrain and Becky Mann, with guitar soothed broken hearts with songs such as "Shalom Alecheim," Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", Matisiyahu's "One Day" and an Israeli classic "Yerushalayim shel Zhav." Center photo: Organizers of the event (L. to R.) Sharon Suchotliff, Inda Sade and Lynn Rabinovici Park console each other as they listen to the Cantors from the Westport’s Temple Israel.
Top row: The audience listens intently as co-organizer Inda Sade, fighting back tears, speaks about her cousin, Ronen Daichman who was murdered by Hamas terrorists along with 379 other innocents at the Nova music festival in the Re’im forest of Southern Israel. Ronen was 49 years old, a husband and father of two children. She is comforted by Mrs. Rabinovici Park. Bottom left: Ronnie Mandler, father of one of the organizers stands with Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore (center) and First Selectwoman Jen Tooker. The second photo shows State Representative Jonathan Steinberg of the 136th Assembly District of Westport.
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Rabbi Josh Ratner of Temple Or Hadash of Fairfield offered a prayer for the hostages and Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn of Temple Israel offered a blessing for the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). Idan Chen, cousin to former hostage Sapir Cohen, shared his personal feelings and experience. The town heard a musical performance from 11 year old, Chloe Robbin, accompanied by Liang Fang-Chang, the Director of Music Ministry at Saugatuck Congregational Church on the keyboard. Jennifer Tooker, Westport's First Selectwoman offered words of support and comfort for the Jewish Community. Selectwoman Tooker told WestportLocalPress “we were proud to stand with our community in support of bringing the hostages home safely.” Ms. Chang-Fang added, “Saugatuck Congregational is proud to support our Jewish siblings and hopes the 101 hostages will be home as soon as possible.”
Israeli flag and "Release The Hostages Now" lawn signs were available for all to take with them as well as End Jew Hatred T-shirts. Waters were donated by Fresh market, bagels and coffee from Starbucks, balloons from Party Hardy, and pastries from local favorite Coffee Ann. The event ended with a community singing of Israel's National Anthem, "Ha Tikvah" (The Hope) and "Am Yisrael Chai." At the conclusion of the event, many people remained at the beach enjoying the beautiful weather and discussing the gravity and heartbreak of one year since October 7th.
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There was a visible presence by the Westport Police Department as there are at any of the gatherings or rallies which occur frequently in town.
Staples Girls Soccer Defeats Trumbull in Final Two Minutes
The girls celebrate victory upon successful completing a penalty kick in the final two minutes of the match.
Friday’s Girls Soccer matchup against Trumbull High was about as tight as could be, with neither team being able to find the net for most of the entire contest. The teams were very evenly matched throughout the entire match.
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It wasn’t until the final two minutes when the Wreckers caught a break. Natalie Chudowsky created a chance with a shot on goal. It was blocked with a Trumbull hand and Staples was awarded a Penalty Kick. Natalie was able to get her shot past the Trumbull goalkeeper and convert the PK into the bottom corner, securing a 1-0 victory for the Wreckers.
The celebration after the winning goal was scored was joyful. Coach Barry Beattie gives an interview and then does the post-game summary with the excited but very attentive team.
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Wreckers Field Hockey Celebrates Senior Day With 10-0 Shut-Out Over Brien McMahon
Staples field hockey girls are all smiles after completely overpowering Brien McMahon High School of Norwalk. All five seniors each scored a goal in Friday's victory at home.
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Combining a high powered offense with a suffocating defense that prevented an serious shots on goal, keeping McMahon scoreless, the Wreckers had a lot to celebrate, especially the senior girls. Goals by Storey Ahl, Emma Larit, Tyla Ozgen, Sofia Fidalgo and eventually Alex Hackett. combined to score half of Staples 10 goals.
The remaining five goals were scored by Leah Larit, who found the back of the net twice, Daisy Hackett, Lucy Hill and Mary Stevens. Sofia Fidalgo contributed to the scoring with three assists, with another by Emma Larit.
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The girls not only stepped up their game, they stepped up their celebrating.
Dustin Nickerson Stands Up For Home With Hope At Fairfield University
Homes with Hope’s signature stand up comedy event was held Saturday September 28th, was their 17th annual event and was attended by over 650 people at the University’s QuickCenter For The Arts.
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Following their pre-show gala (photos below) Dustin Nickerson, an in demand comic on the rise gave the packed house laugh after laugh with one great story after another. Nickerson, who in 2020 released his debut comedy special “Overwhelmed” which is currently one of the highest rated specials on Amazon Prime Video.
In addition, he’s been featured on Comedy Central and Netflix by Kevin Hart, the Late Late Show with James Corden, is a regular on After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson, Fox, Hulu and can regularly be heard on Sirius Radio XM. Online, his stand-up clips and jokes have received tens of millions of views and his podcast, Don’t Make Me Come Back There, has over 3 million downloads.
To learn more visit: DustinNickerson.com
Homes With Hope, who’s mission to stop help people dealing with housing insecurity and loss honored the commissioner of the Department housing Seila Mosquera-Bruno at the event for all her support. HWH CEO Helen McAlinden (above, left) spoke about the organization’s efforts to deal with the housing crises in our area. Helen was followed by event Co-Chairs Becky Martin and Allyson Gottlieb. McAlinde , and was then joined by Commisioner Mosquera-Bruno who spoke about the state of CT’s cooperation with Homes With Hope (above, right).
Katherine Murray, (above, left) Marketing and Development Director talked about the needed renovations and services to Home’s properties. One of the fortunate clients helped by the organization spoke passionately about how their housing program changed his life significantly.
Commissioner Mosquera-Bruno has assisted Homes With Hope with 3 major projects. First, the renovations of The Gillespie Center Homeless Emergency Shelter and Haskins Place Shelter which shelter 19 homeless individuals nightly in Westport right behind Tiffany’s jewelery store.
Second, Susie’s Houses/project Return is also getting renovated and will be a home for 6 homeless young women with a priority for 18 to 24 year olds. Third, with the support of the Commissioner and the Department of Housing and Garden Home Fund, Richard Freedman, Homes with Hope acquired 19 apartments at 122 Wilton Road which will be 100 percent affordable and will prioritize the working poor who can’t afford to live in the town of Westport where many live and work locally in jobs like the service industry, landscaping, restaurants, grocery stores, babysitting, cleaning homes, social service workers, and other local agencies.
All are exciting and happy to join the wonderful community of Westport where they can become productive members of the community and raise their families. It is a very exciting time for Homes With Hope’s President and CEO Helen McAlinden.
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Before Nickerson's performance a live auction was held and thanks to the generosity of Westport area residents, more than $150,000 was raised and will help support Homes With Hope programs.
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The huge tent erected for the annual Homes With Hope Gala which preceded the stand up comedy event was filled to capacity. Guests were treated to a variety of tasty dishes and hors d'oeuvres.
Attending the glamorous Gala were many notable Westport area guests including (top, left to right) actor James Naughton and wife Sara with Home’s CEO Helen McAlinden, former State Senator from Westport Will Haskel and his new bride Katie Cion, state representative for Westport Jonathan Steinberg and wife Nancy, RTM moderator Jeff Weiser. Also, (bottom, l. to r) Police Chief Foti Koskinas, wife Christina and friends, artist Miggs Burroughs, Clasp Development Director Robin Hammond and former WestportNow photographer Dave Matlow. Others included former First Selectman Jim Marpe and Westport Fire Department Chief Nick Marsan, RTM member Sal Liccione (photos below).
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Westport Events To Commemorate The October 2023 Attack On Israel
Clergy and political leaders will join peaceful protestors at two events. All are welcome.
On Sunday, October 6th @ 11 AM the Westport chapter of RunForTheirLives will commemorate the tragic anniversary of the October 7th massacre with a massive, peaceful and apolitical march through town – carrying signs to remind passersby of the 101 hostages that remain in captivity, both living and dead. We will be joined by local clergy of multiple denominations as well as local community leaders. The Westport chapter joins 230 RunForTheirLives chapters worldwide in keeping hope and awareness alive for both the hostages and their loved ones.
Westport Garden Club Celebrates 100 Years Of The Beauty Of Flowers
Westport Garden Club's Show on Saturday, "Westport's Town Treasure" was certainly just exactly that. A TREASURE!
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The Westport Garden Club’s 100th Anniversary Flower Show: “Westport’s Town Treasures” filled Hoskins Hall at Saugatuck Congregational Church with color on Saturday. Close to 300 visitors reveled in the beauty that filled the hall during the day. The show was the club’s first official NGC (National Garden Clubs) sanctioned show in nineteen years. Members attended the NGC Flower Show School for two years to prepare for Chairing the show, featuring exhibits in horticulture, floral design, photography and education. The Club had traditionally held a flower show every two years and had long hoped to revive the program.
Photos above, clockwise from top left: Some of the beautiful Dahlias on the main table greet visitors. Top Right photo: (L. to R.) Westport Garden Club members Nathalie Fonteyne, Joanne Heller, Kelle Ruden and President Megan Lott with the original artwork designed for the show’s program by Westporter Kerstin Rao. Bottom left: Jane Howard of Fairfield with her prize winning Giant Dahlia. Bottom right, an arrangement alongside two of the books published on Westport including one by the New Yorker.
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A special award, created by the Westport Garden Club as a “People’s Choice Award,” was determined by attendee ballot at the show and went to Peggy Townsend of the Garden Club of Newtown for her design incorporating a vegetable.
Above photo: (L. to R.) Westport Garden Club President Megan Lott, WGC People’s Choice Award winner Peggy Townsend, Kara McKenna Wong and Kelle Ruden, Show co-chairs.
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The Club chose the show’s theme “Westport Town Treasures” to celebrate and honor the community. Four of Westport’s notable environmental groups provided the educational exhibits, highlighting how each has enhanced Westport’s Pollinator Pathway, established in April 2019: Aspetuck Land Trust, Earthplace, Friends of Sherwood Island and the Town of Westport Conservation Department.
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In the photography exhibits, provided by amateur photographers from around the state, each class honored a treasured local resource in its title and highlighted gardens, nature settings and pollinators. The show’s Botanical Arts Photography Award went to Kelle Ruden of the Westport Garden Club for her photograph of a monarch on milkweed at Sherwood Island State Park. This section was judged by Westport professional photographers Stacy Bass and John Videler along with Master Flower Show Judge Mary Ann Tyma.
The show’s program cover was designed to commemorate the event and honor the club’s history by former Westport Public School teacher and artist Kerstin Rao, (above, 4th photo from left) who offered limited edition tea towels and notecards at the show, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the garden club. The design features a garden at Compo Beach that the club has maintained since 2007.
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More about the Westport Garden Club-
The club is among the nation’s oldest, and its founding member roster includes many names familiar to Westporters: Wakeman, Coley, Bradley, and Staples. Sara Crawford, Connecticut’s first female Secretary of State was an early member as was noted garden writer Helen Van Pelt Wilson. The club’s first project was the installation of a memory garden at Christ & Holy Trinity Church. In subsequent years, the club developed Grace K. Salmon Park, which had once been a dump site and organized residents to save Cockenoe Island from becoming a nuclear powerplant.
Further afield, the club supported the establishment of the Connecticut College Arboretum, the founding of the Connecticut State Federation of Garden Clubs (which now includes 113 clubs and over 6,000 members), the development of tree and shrub plantings along the Merritt Parkway. Today the club has 53 members, and their passion and mission remain the same: to further interest in and knowledge of gardening, horticulture, landscaping, and floral design; participate in civic beautification and promote conservation and environmental education. These days you may find members at work at the entrance to Compo Beach or visit the Nevada Hitchcock Garden at the corner of Cross Highway and Weston Road, Grace K. Salmon Park on Imperial Avenue, or Cam’s Garden in Old Hill on Winding Lane.
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For more information about the Westport Garden Club, visit: WestportGardenClub.org
Westoberfest - Food, Fun and Lots & Lots Of Great Beers
Westoberfest Craft Beer and Fall Festival made its return on Saturday, September 21st, marking its seventh year of celebration in downtown Westport. The event ran from 2 to 5 PM, attracting beer enthusiasts with a wide array of over 50 local and regional beers. Attendees had the opportunity to sample a variety of styles including crisp lagers, bold IPAs, rich stouts, and refreshing non-alcoholic options, catering to diverse tastes. In addition to the beer offerings, live music contributed to the festive atmosphere, fostering community camaraderie among participants.
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WestoberFest offered an array of attractions beyond its remarkable selection of craft brews. Attendees indulged in a variety of culinary delights from local favorites, ensuring that there was something to please every palate. The atmosphere was further enlivened by live performances from One Bad Oyster, encouraging guests to dance and enjoy the vibrant sounds.
The beer tasting tables had lots of visitors getting an education as well as quenching their thirst. Attendees included many families including journalist and anchor at NBC News and MSNBC, and Today Show co-anchor Craig Melvin and wife Lindsay Czarniak, an EMMY-Award winning sportscaster along with their two children and their handsome family dog.
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Two separate areas adjacent to the beer festival were designated for family activities and on-site shopping. Families to to participate in a variety of activities, including face painting, hair tinsel application, pumpkin decorating, and flower crown making, ensuring an enjoyable experience for children of all ages. In addition to the family-friendly options, a selection of vendors were on-site, offering unique products and gifts for attendees to browse and purchase. Westoberfest had lots to offer everyone, making it a perfect destination for a fun-filled day. And not festival would be complete without some very nice looking dogs.
Westport’s Best Pumpkin Chunkers Rose To The Challenge
Pumpkin Chunkin' also took place on Saturday, attracting a diverse group of competitors eager to showcase their skills in pumpkin launching. Contestants included men, women and a few of eager children in hopes of achieving maximum distance with their pumpkins.
Above, Lonnie Quinn, CBS News Weather Anchor and a proud Westport resident, emceed the event, energizing the crowd with his lively commentary. He gathered the contestants before the competition began, outlining the rules and sharing words of encouragement to help them get in the zone. Pumpkins flew through the air prompting cheers from spectators who applauded the contestant’s competitive spirit.
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Contestants started off by being assigned a numbered pumpkin which was determined by young assistants pulling numbers from a jar. Then the competitors demonstrated their skill with a variety of styles of “chunkin”. The contestant above commited a “foot fault”, crossing the limiting line.
Despite a mighty heave, pumpkin number 13 was quite lucky and was not shattered upon hitting the target zone.
This competitor lost the “handle” on her toss, and although the rules allowed just one attempt, she was given a Mulligan and did much better.
Pumpkins were at the ready before the start of the big event.
The kids had a chance to fling their pumpkins as well, giving it an enthusiastic try. Lonnie Quinn gave it a shot as well after the competition had finished.
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Above left, Don Sheldon puts his back in to it so to speak. Center, Lonnie raises the hand of the runner-up, Alex Westwood, then the winner Don Sheldon who is holding his basket of goodies.
Above, the excited spectators found a great viewing spot to watch the big contest.
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One Bad Oyster got the crowd fired up with their high energy performance.
A couple of festival attendees took up the challenge of a game of Jenga, which for some reason, did not last too long.
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