Westport Celebrates Halloween!
A home in this downtown neighborhood shows it's halloween spirit.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.ei downtown neighborhood
Whether it is the annual Halloween Parade on Main Street, a family favorite in town for years, or the wonderful elaborately decorated Halloween homes all over town, Westport celebrates their love for this fall holiday in a big way. Here are just a few of the spookiest and scariest best!
These Compo Beach neighborhood animatronic cats flexing their muscles certainly gave pause to any canine passers-by who might think of taking them on.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The folks at this Bradley Street home certainly spared no expense or effort in creating an attention grabbing display with this beautiful presentation to show their Halloween spirit.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
C H A M P I O N S ! ! !
The Staples Wreckers defeated the Blue Wave of Darien Tuesday night in Wilton to bring home the FCIAC Championship trophy and medals in a thrilling overtime victory in the rain. Led by Tourney MVP Sofia Hidalgo Schioppa who scored both the tying goal with seconds left on the clock, and then reached down deep to score the winning goal with just over a minute left in the overtime period. The Wreckers broke a 6 game FCIAC title streak by Darien and the Wreckers team was absolutely joyful!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.comClick on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The field was dry until about 7:00 when the rain began to fall, first lightly, then harder creating a challenging situation in the intense play. Coach Ian Tapsall told WestportLocalPress, "Staples had their hardest game of the season so far against, as usual, their biggest rival Darien. After surrendering their 1-0 lead in the second half, Darien went ahead with 1:30 left in the game. Taking the ball straight from the half way line Staples managed to earn a penalty corner with 18 seconds left. Sofia Fidalgo scored to tie it up!"
"With 1 minute left in the first OT Sofia then took the ball 45 yards unopposed to slot home a reverse stick shot to win the game ! Stunning turn around and the most exciting game witnessed."
Photos above show Fidalgo’s winning goal pass between the legs of Darien’s goalie and the joyful Staples players mobbing her!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, left, Staples Principal Stafford Thomas braved the rain, watching the entire game with visible concern as Darien refused to yield. Players on the bench hold hands and cross their fingers for a Staples corner attempt. The dramatic last minute goal by Fidalgo began a frenzied celebration as the team ran to their bench to join Coach Tapsell.
There were hugs all around as the team met mid-field to receive their championship medals, and hoisted the plaque posing for cameras. At right, Principal Thomas took a moment for a pic with MVP Sofia Fidalgo Schioppa and he Mom Lorena making the point that The Wreckers were #1!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the moments the Staples Wreckers had been working for all season. Next stop, CIAC State Tournament.
Staples Sports Saturday Shut-Outs!
Saturday was a great day for the Wreckers, with both football and field hockey teams holding their opponents scoreless.
Left: Wreckers celebrate their third goal in their FCIAC semi-final against Greenwich. Right: Running back Patricio Garcia drives through multiple Stamford defenders.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Wreckers Football Back On Track Defeating Stamford 27-0
The Wreckers rebounded from their loss in New Canaan last week with a convincing win over Stamford High School on Saturday in Stamford. QB Nick Weil (jr.) was dominant in the air, completing 15 of 24 passing attempts for an exceptional 232 yards, adding 36 more on 5 carries.
His favorite target was once again Shane Sandrew (sr.) who's nine receptions gained him 165 yards in a very strong performance on offense. As usual, Anthony Armentano's (sr.) number was called ten times in his role as running back gained 59 yards rushing.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Wreckers return to the field after the half to warm up after the break.
Coach Adam Behrends watches every move his team makes like a hawk, communication constantly with his coaching staff.
As usual, the Staples Cheerleaders kept the crowd’s energy up, and began training for an adorable future cheerleader in her custom made sweatshirt.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Wreckers Field Hockey On To The Finals With 3-0 Victory Over Greenwich!
Below Left: Junior Mary Stevens’ quick reflexes save her from getting the rock hard ball fired by a Cardinal from slamming into her leg. The next photo shows a Cardinal player who’s hand was not so lucky, as evidenced by the grimace on her face. Far right photo shows a Wrecker girl trying to avoid stepping on an opponent as she gains control of the ball. With nothing other than shin guards to protect them, other than the occasional face mask, field hockey players often go home battered and bruised after a hard fought game.
Stevens would score twice in the match and was joined by junior Alex Hackett for the third goal.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples returns to the pitch on Tuesday night at 6:30 PM facing rival Darien, once again at Wilton High School. The two teams faced each other for the FCIAC crown in 2023, where Darien defeated Staples for their sixth straight FCIAC championship. The team is hoping for Staple’s fans to show up in force, as Darien fans always do.
Wreckers Coach Ian Tapsall told WestportLocalPress to expect "a seriously competitive game against the team we always view as our most intense rival for many years".
Chili Cook-Off For A Cause
Manning the slow cookers serving up some delicious chili are RTM member Sal Liccione, VFW Post 399 Auxiliary Senior Vice-President, former RTM member Harris Falk, two-time Chili Cook-off winner Westport Police Officer Greg Gunter and two young assistants, Blake Schluter and Finn Williams.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Funds are needed to replace flags removed from the grave of veterans at Assumption Cemetery in Westport.
Below left: The VFW hall starts to fill up as the Cook-Off lines open. Second , Virginia Ferrari, 06880's omnipresent Dan Woog and First Selectwoman Jen Tooker stop for a quick photo. Third photo, Steve Jenkins, Post 399 member (right) with his son enjoying the day’s fare, and far right, the chili champion Officer Greg Gunter ready to serve the next guest.
Last Saturday the VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 hosted it's 2nd annual Chili Cook-Off, a fundraiser for a very important cause dear to the hearts of Westport area veterans, and veterans everywhere. Each year for more than a century the Post has a tradition, "to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans". Volunteers from the veteran's community each year respectfully place flags of over 450 veterans at Assumption Cemetery in Westport "as a tribute to their service"
This year something very discouraging occurred. The flags placed at the graves of those veterans "were removed without prior notification or consultation with the veteran community" (quotations are from a VFW Letter to the Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic Cemeteries, LLC, dated July 31, 2024 provided to WestportLocalPress). That letter stated the understanding by the Post that the removal of the flags was related to maintenance and seemed to indicate that the explanation from the Diocese Cemetery office "equates the removal of flags with the removal of Christmas decorations".
The concern by the veteran community is clearly stated at the end of page 1 of the letter, which states, "The removal of the flags without dialogue or alternative arrangements is a concern to veteran community throughout Fairfield County, the third largest veteran population (29,396) in Connecticut".
Post 399 in their letter suggested possible solutions to the issue going forward. VFW Post 399 quartermaster Phil Delgado told WestportLocalPress that the flags were not returned to the post and the Diocese office provided no information as to what happened to them. The proceeds from the Cook-Off will be used toward the purchase of metal flag holders required by the cemetery which are projected to cost $6,000.
Anyone interested in helping Post 399 in their goal of raising the required funds in order to purchase the flag holders can contact Quartermaster Phil Delgado or Auxiliary Sr Vice President Patty Kondub at: vfw399ct@gmail.com. Securing the holders will allow the flag of The United States Of America to once again decorate in tribute, the graves of the veterans who sacrificed to defend that flag and our nation.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.