Staples Tennis Continues To Dominate
Staples tennis is fire this year! The girls team brought their record to 10-1 after defeating Danbury on May 8th (WestportLocal - Staples Defeats Danbury) and the Wreckers boys advanced their record to 14-1 by defeating the Tigers in Ridgefield on Thursday, May 15th.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples won 3 of 4 singles matches including a grueling 3rd set tie-breaker by Senior Captain Noah Wolf over his opponent Ridgefield's Nathanael Campos, 6-1, 5-7 and 10-7 in the longest match of the day.
Ridgefield's Aakarsh Patel needed a third set tie-breaker to defeat Staples' Junior Aleko Vergakis who was loudly cheered by his team as the played and after finishing their match in a strong showing of team support.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In other singles action, talented Freshman Sebastian Elizondo dominated his match against Eujah Yurkovsky in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. Junior Robert Jacob was unstoppable as well in his 6-0, 6-0 defeat of Wyatt Kehlmann.
Senior Captain Noah Wolff stretches to return a shot in his match against Nathanael Campos in his 3 set, tie-breaker victory.
In doubles play, Senior Captains Brett Lampert and Lucas Cegallos-Cala also triumphed in straight sets over Ridgefield's Pajak & Kleinman, 6-0, 6-2. Also with straight set 6-0, 6-3 victories were Senior Henry Grossberg and Sophomore Kiernan Anand who prevailed over Basker & Resnick.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In the thrid doubles match, Senior Matthew Darien joined Sophomore Jonny Greenspan to defeat the team of Reiner & Utomo, 6-1, 6-1
Staples talent is quite evident with only one lass this day. Standout players having a great year include undeeateds Mattie Guadarrama and Shreyas Gorre with 9-0 and 10-0 doubles play victories this season other team members.
Please note, these and other photos are available for purchase and will help support Westport Local Press in continuing to cover Staples High School athletics. Please contact the photographer at admanjcm@yahoo.com
Great Start For Westport Farmers’ Market 2025 Season
The Westport Farmers' Market opened their 19th season to crowds of 1,500+ people who returned again this year to find delicious and healthy offerings from their favorite vendors.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
WIth 52 vendors, longtime FM favorites Fort Hill Farm, Riverbank Farm and Beaver Brook Farm celebrated the ongoing stream of new faces while welcoming back longtime shoppers. This year, the Westport Farmers' Market welcomes new vendors and more enticing lunch items with expanded seating options for in-market dining.
To enhance the opening day's experience, a DJ named Doey Joey joined guitarist Gianni Leito, providing a delightful musical backdrop. Many filled their freshly launched Friend of the Market bags, which can be purchased for a donation of $40 at the WFM tent. All proceeds from the Friend Of Market donations offsets the vendors' fees. The atmosphere was vibrant, highlighting the sense of community that this farmers' market hosts each season.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
She Worms Composting is a local “soil-ution” business serving Fairfield County, transforming food waste into nutrient-rich compost through vermicomposting—a method known for producing high-quality worm castings. In addition to composting services, the business offers educational workshops, a composting curriculum for children, and sells premium worm castings. Find @shewormscomposting on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to learn more and stay connected.
A tribute was held for Jon Jaeger honoring his contributions and impact within the Westport Farmers Market community. Market organizers have described him as “a special member of the WFM family,” highlighting his dedication and warmth. Jaeger, who worked at the Fort Hill Farm booth, was also the longtime operator of the Greens Farms Cut Flower Exchange. Sadly, he passed in March.
Sustainable Westport has a presence at the WFM (above, photo #2) and this day were offering raffle tickets to win an EGO battery powered leaf blower. Westport's ban on gas powered leaf blowers goes into effect this month. Starting on May 15, 2024, the use of handheld and backpack gas-powered leaf blowers are prohibited in town. Sustainable Westport has teamed up with a coalition of local partners to bring you “Your Yard, Our Climate” — a community-wide initiative focused on transforming our personal outdoor spaces into thriving, climate-resilient habitats.
Young visitors enjoy the WFM experience getting high-fives from vendors and enjoying some tasty WFM treats.
There is something for every discriminating foodie at the WFM, from pizza baked in a mobile brick oven, to scrumptious bagels, kombucha and excellent Thai food.
Above, Mae Farrell offers kids visiting the WFM a chance for some interactive, artistic fun with her Get Growing Program. Mae told Westport Local Press, “Our main goal with the Get Growing Program is to engage children and families, providing them with enriching activities at the market while emphasizing the importance of shopping and supporting locally each week.”
The Westport Farmers Market is indeed recognized as one of the best in the state, and even nationally, according to CT Insider. Specifically, it's been named the third favorite farmers market in Connecticut by American Farmland Trust (AFT), and has also been recognized as the 10th best in the country and the sixth top in the Northeast.
There is always a line at Bubble & Brew, a WFM shopper favorite, offering fine teas, coffee and baked goods.
Upon leaving the WFM the tagline Who Grows Your Food resonates deeply. The market is held every Thursday, from 10 AM -2 PM, rain or shine, through November 13th, at 50 Imperial Avenue, Westport and provides plenty of parking at the Imperial lot and also at the Westport Library parking lot.
The Westport Farmers Market is recognized as one of the best in the state, and even nationally, according to CT Insider. Specifically, it's been named the third favorite farmers market in Connecticut by American Farmland Trust (AFT), and has also been recognized as the 10th best in the country and the sixth top in the Northeast.
To learn more abut all the WFM has to offer visit: Westport Farmers’ Market.
Westport Garden Club Offers Plants For Mother's Day
Two Garden Club volunteers were ready to assist shoppers in bringing home a living gift which will last for years for the Mom's their life.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
On Saturday, May 10 at 9:30 am, eager shoppers lined up for the Westport Garden Club’s annual plant sale featuring over 1,200 homegrown perennial plants from members’ gardens. A special feature is the section of CT Native Plants that brings shoppers from around the state. Also popular: tomatoes, and new this year: a collection of unique Clematis.
Earthplace offered a children’s table with nature-inspired activities, The Westport Library Book Store displayed garden-related books and Edgewise provided tool sharpening services. Sustainable Westport joined the club for the first time and shared sustainable garden tips.
Proceeds from the sale support the club’s civic projects including the maintenance of local public gardens, educational programming, and grants to environmental non-profit organizations, among other projects. For more information, visit: WestportGardenClub.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Above, Edgewise Kitchen was on site to offer knife sharpening. One shpper made sure her Mother’s Day Card was ready for delivery along with plants for Mom.
Photos J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples Girls Tennis Continues Their Winning Ways
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples Girls Tennis is enjoying an impressive season, currently holding a record of 10-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Greenwich Cardinals. In their most recent match on Thursday, May 8th where they hosted Danbury High School, the team had to pause mid-match due to a mandatory delay due to the threat of lightning.
PIctured above, freshman Olivia Lazar (L) readies to fire a backhand, junior Isabel Alfageme (next and last) was a force at the net scoring multiple points on volleys, and senior Maddie Hendley returns a serve with a backhand shot.
The break did nothing to slow the Staples momentum and they left the courts with a decisive 6-1 victory. Their multiple strong performances continue to showcase the team's dedication and skill on the court as they strive for success in the upcoming FCIAC tournament.
Above, solid forehands by Lazar (L), junior Rachel Guzman, sophomore Dylan Leher and an overhead by Alfageme.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Match Results, Singles:
Olivia Lazar (Freshman) lost to Sydney Radachowsky 3-6, 1-6 (Danbury), Amelia Berkowitz (Sophomore) beat Emilia Schweitzer 6-1, 6-0 (Staples)
Sadie Yanks (Senior) beat Stephany Reyes 6-3, 6-4 (Staples), Azita Vazhayil (freshman) beat Aitana Perez 6-4, 6-0 (Staples)
Doubles Match Results:
Isabel Alfageme (junior) and Rachel Guzman (Junior) beat Leisha Sutadher/Gabrielle Judnarine 6-3, 6-2 (Staples)
Emma Kantor/Maddie Hendley (seniors) beat Janavieve Hannon/Shiela Andrade 6-0, 6-1 (Staples)
Dylan Lehrer(soph)/Devyn Peffer (junior)beat Rosy Siguenza/Gabriela Zhunid 6-0, 6-2 (Staples)
Photos are available, contact the photographer J.C. Martin at: admanjcm@yahoo.com