United Nations Day At The Westport Library Features Congressman Jim Himes
On Thursday night Congressman Jim Himes was the featured speaker for the annual United Nations Day's Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Memorial Lecture event. Himes serves Connecticut's 4th district which includes Westport and is currently the ranking member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in addition to the House Financial Services Committee.
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United Nations Day celebrates the organization's founding on October 24, 1945. This event is organized by the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut (UNASWC.org) in honor of its founder Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen an important figure in the history and operations of the United Nations who was a Westport resident and for whom the the landmark bridge over the Saugatuck River which bisects Westport is named.
President of the United Nations Organization Of Western Connecticut Bill Haas recognized Daw Aye Aye Thant, daughter of U Thant, former Secretary General of the United Nations during the Kennedy administration. Ms. Thant, a board member of the organization had been a Westport Resident for many years but has recently relocated to Boston. UN Secretary General U Thant played a significant but unappreciated role in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis. As Soviet ships challenged the US-imposed blockade (quarantine) in October 1962, Thant made several important proposals directly to the protagonists, US President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
Mr. Haas began the event with a moment of silence, as is the custom of the opening of sessions of the UN General Assembly, then spoke of the challenges facing the world including the disaster of the recent storms in the U.S. southeast states. Hass next presented a video message from Secretary General Antonio Guterres who related details of the global mission of the United Nations and spoke about several important solutions upon which they have worked, recently enacting compacts to deal with climate change, digital tech, AI and outer space.
Maggie Mudd, also a member of the organization introduced the congressman, speaking upon his bio, including not only his achievements in office to which he was elected in 2009, defeating Chris Shays, the last republican congressman to serve in New England after serving ten terms in Congress, but his early years living in Peru and Columbia as his father worked for the Ford foundation and UNICEF. HImes currently lives in Greenwich with his wife and two children. Himes was received his undergrad degree at Harvard and received a Rhodes scholarship, gong on to work in the financial sector including Goldman Sachs before jumping into politics in Greenwich.
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Photos above, (L to R) UNASWCT President Bill Haas, Maggie Mudd, Video by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and former UN Secretary General U Thant’s daughter, Daw Aye Aye Thant.
Himes spoke at length, prefacing his remarks by noting the unusual appearance at an event on the Untied Nations 12 days before a and extremely consequential election, adding his multiple years of global experience made for a great fit for this annual event. Himes discussed work the UN has done over the years and his involvement with the organization including his recent work with the IAEA and their efforts to address the threat of nuclear proliferation. He discussed world affairs in the news including the "unprovoked invasion" of a European country by "a member of the security council", "in clear violation of pretty much every tenet of the UN charter", as well as the situations in Israel /Gaza and tensions currently with China and in the South China Sea, as well as other global issues like Hati, stating "the world is a mess".
The Congressman addressed a myriad of other issues including AI, cyber security, especially as it relates to Russia and genetic research, engineering and bio synthesis. Himes spoke about genetic code creation, mentioning Ginkobioworks of Boston which uses the most advanced technology on the planet to grow better products.
The library hosted a lengthy Q & Q session after Himes' address, and questions were only selected if they were relevant to issues of concern to the United Nations.
Questions on topics including Iraq the Middle East and ISIS, Russian and Chinese aims and geopolitical goals and included the very recent events regarding North Korean troop's involvement in the war with Ukraine to which Himes' response included his views on the Biden administration's policy. He opined upon the decades long challenging China/Taiwan situation and the concerns about possible conflict. One question regarding the actions of Israel was posed by a person who claims that 108 members of their family have lost their lives in the conflict. HImes partially responded with a balanced approach stating his support of Israel while clearly expressing concern with the well documented, extensive lost of life in the conflict.
The full event is available on the Westport Library's YouTube channel and can be viewed here: Westport Library UN Day - Jim Himes.
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Wreckers Football Falls To New Canaan For First Loss This Season
Wreckers QB Nick Weil outrunning half the New Canaan team on his 66 yard touchdown run.
The 4-0 Staples football team traveled to New Canaan on Saturday and found the Rams were ready to play. New Canaan handed the Wreckers their first loss of the season prevailing 23-10, in a hard fought game, bringing Staples record to 4-1.
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The Wreckers put the first points on the board with a field goal by senior Aidan Stubbs in the first quarter but the Rams responded with a pair of touchdowns in the 2nd quarter.
Staples quarterback Nick Weil, a junior did not match his previous games’ stellar passing, gaining 87 yards in the air. He did however, scramble as is often how he rolls and he scored the Wreckers only touchdown with a 66 yard TD run in the third quarter bringing the Rams lead to only three.
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The Rams pass coverage held senior Shane Sandrew to only 38 yards on three receptions. Seniors Kody Goldman and Davis Crandall were ferocious on defense, with 13 and 16 total tackles, respectively. Standout Anthony Armentano was held to no receptions but was able to gain 25 yards rushing and ran back a kick-off for an additional 21 yards.
The Wreckers are away next game, traveling to Stamford on Saturday afternoon for a 1:00 PM game.
Super Beautiful Super Moon
Photo and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Tonight and last night we were once again treated to an extraordinary sight in the sky, known as the Super Moon. This happens 3 or 4 times each year, always in consecutive months. This phenomenon is caused when the full moon appears when closest in it's orbit around the Earth. This year, Super Moons occurred last on Monday, August 19th, with a second on Tuesday, September 17th.
We can expect the final one occurring on Friday, November 15th, which will be known as the Beaver Moon and will be at it's brightest around 4:30 PM. When occurring in October it is known as the Hunter's Moon. This sight can continue to be enjoyed through Friday morning.
Wreckers Field Hockey Coasts To Win Over Danbury
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The greatest challenge for Staples Field Hockey on Monday in Danbury was trying to stay warm! Temperature on the filed was 55º degree, with an intense wind making feel more like 45º or colder, which had no effect on this teams performance. The outcome was clear and the girls took a moment before the 4th quarter to show their enthusiasm.
The Hatters were no match for the Wreckers and only avoided handing Staples their 11th shut-out of this stellar season by scoring their only goal with mounts to go in the fourth period. The Wreckers 11-1 victory brings their record to 12-0 and they are first in the FCIAC east division, ahead of 2nd place Ludlowe of Fairfield.
Coach Ian Tapsall described the game this way, "Staples coasted to an 11-1 victory over Danbury managing to rest senior players and try a team structure that should mimic the team for next season." That line-up bodes well for next season, given the lop-sided victory.
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Wrecker's scoring was pretty balanced with Oakley Wilson leading with 3 goals, followed by Leah Larit with 2 goals.
Six more Wreckers scored one goal each including Emma Larit, Tyla Ozgen, Catherine Cirasuolo , Lucy Hill, Mary Stevens, Ella Ledenko.
The 11 goal victory was facilitated with assists by Emma Larit, Leah Larit and Daisy Hackett
Watching the game from the sidelines, players were bundled up, including one player who wrapped herself in a blanket to fight the wind chill.
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The Danbury Hatter goalie had a rough day, but still manged multiple saves. At right, the JV squad ran a few laps prior to their match-up. They did in fact achieve a shut-out and also scoring 11 goals.
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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.
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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.