It Ain't Easy Staying Green On Days Like This!
Longshore Golf Course has had the benefit of lots of rain to keep the fairways and greens that beautiful "golf course" green, at least until this week.
Club management deployed their irrigation system yesterday afternoon as the grass will quickly dry out under the scorching temps we have had to endure this week. They continually irrigate under the conditions as we have had recently.
Longshore Ranger Bill Gill is charged with patrolling the grounds to keep people off the course who shouldn't be on it, and to watch out for any vandalism. Gill, who has been at the club for seven years told WestportLocalPress the course is frequently dry in part due to the winds blowing off the sound. Gill also said that many clubs have to prohibit golf carts on their courses when they have the kind of rains we have had this spring as the grass could be damaged when soaked due to days of rain, but Longshore drys out quite quickly due to the breezy conditions.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com.
The full sun that required the watering of the grass also provided a beautiful rainbow.
Opening Day At New Compo Playground!
The new Compo Beach Playground was official opened on Memorial Day Weekend with a "ribbon" cutting with volunteers and local officials.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press
After the ribbon was cut, a photo-op was held with volunteers and the first kids (and adults) to enjoy this very special place for Westport children.
The official Town Of Westport Giant Scissors were required to cut the “ribbon” which was actually one of the banners used to promote and request donations for the Playground project.
An Innova rocker, a rope adventure course, a circus swing or a cradle bridge alone is enough to excite any child in town. The new and improved Compo Beach playground has all the features and more! Westport children are now able to explore these new additions to the playground after missing the structure for nearly two months.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The newest version may look different from the playground many Westport citizens are used to. There is now an increase in playing area, including a small designated sandbox, with a squared-off fence line. There is also an installation of seven new features, as well as some of the old features. While building, volunteers ensured that the sight lines were increased to allow parents to better oversee their children while playing.
Westport mother, Diana Dalamagas, says, “playgrounds need clear visibility because parents can get distracted, and it can be stressful to lose sight of their young children.”
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
According to the Westport Journal, many of these new structures were added to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. This includes easily accessible structures, an increase in space around the playground and an increase in visibility for parental figures. The previous playground did not meet these standards, as those who were disabled found themselves unable to access many parts of the older structure.
The original playground in Westport was built in 1988. And 18 years later was redone in 2006. The playground has been kept the same until this Spring when construction took place from March 1 to April 26.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Excited volunteers and visitors show some love to the photographers following the official ribbon cutting.
The newest version of the Compo Beach playground truly encapsulates the heart of the Westport citizens. Volunteers took time out of their days to rebuild and implement new and safer equipment for the children to play on. This includes the Innova rocker, rope venture climber, cirrus swing, orb rocker, brava swing, stem play activity panels, cradle bridge and accessible ice cream truck.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The renovations took a tremendous amount of hard work as well as a lot of money. The project was anchored by $100,000 in gifts from both the Westport Rotary and Westport Police Foundation. The group continues to work hard to reach its goal of $650,000. With this, the playground will be modernized in hopes of lasting for generations.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples LAX Defeats Darien 7-6 For CIAC State Championship
In an epic match-up of two powerhouse programs at Fairfield University's Rafferty Stadium Saturday, the Wreckers fight a fierce battle, holding off a four-straight goal comeback attempt by the Blue Wave to take home the class LL (large school) trophy.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress. Purchasing photos helps support Westport Local’s coverage of Staples Athletics. Contact J.C. Martin at admanjcm@yahoo.com
This is an updated story on the Wreckers big victory posted earlier.
The Wreckers knew what had to be done, having brought home two titles in the last three years, and they did just what they needed to do. The thrilling final quarter saw Darien tie the score at 6-6 but the Wreckers scored their seventh goal and held on to the lead to the final moments. Congrats to head coach Will Koshansky, his superb staff, and the Staples Wreckers on their 3rd state title in four years!
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress.
As time on the game clock expired, the jubilant Wreckers cleared the bench and rushed the team on the filed to join in the celebration.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress. Purchasing photos helps support Westport Local’s coverage of Staples Athletics. Contact J.C. Martin at admanjcm@yahoo.com
Everyone got a chance to get hands on the trophy Which will be added to the others at Staples High School
Top row above show the game winning goal and the reaction of the players who fund themselves back in the league with only minutes left to play.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress.
Wreckers faithful filled the stands despite the threat of rain. There were only brief drizzles which did nothing to dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of the crowd.
Wreckers athletic coaching staff members were present, including basketball Head Coach David Goldshore, standing.
The teams line up to congratulate each other for their efforts.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress. Purchasing photos helps support Westport Local’s coverage of Staples Athletics. Contact J.C. Martin at admanjcm@yahoo.com
Local television captured the awarding of the medals for each team.
Parents and friends gathered at the gate as the team exited to take photos and selfies.
Westport Area Demonstrators Joins Millions Nationwide In “No Kings” Protest
In more than 2,000 cities and towns all across America, people flocked to the "No Kings" protest rallies on Saturday to express their displeasure with the current administration's policies. According to multiple news outlets, more than five million attended sites nationwide, most of which had registered with NoKings.org. In CT, local reporting stated that there were at least 30 protests which were very well attended, as evidence by our coverage of the Westport event held as almost all protests are, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial bridge in downtown Westport.
Viewer Advisory Notice: Some of the signs shown in the photos posted as part of this article contain strong language and obscenities some viewers may find objectionable.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Estimates of the crowd size in Westport's event vary from 1,500 to 2,000, and similarly, estimates in CT's other cities such as Hartford ranged from 7,000 to between 8,000 and 10,000 according to CT Capitol police. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz spoke at the Hartford rally as did Congressman John Larson (District 1, Democrat) and U.S Senator Richard Blumenthal who has appeared multiple times in Westport for protests such as this.
No matter whether you agree with the positions expressed by the protestors it is impossible not to take note of the creativity and cleverness required to come up with hundreds of different signs, banners and slogans and the time it took many to create fairly complex artwork with some being two-sided to make more than one point. Montages with artwork found on the internet combined with hand written slogans and hand drawn illustrations were reflective of much consideration and quite a bit of time.
Some were quite humorous in fact as the biblical reference in the row above (top, left) carefully superimposed over a scene from a Groucho Marx (boomer reference) movie demonstrates. The warning from the menopausal suburban women who are clearly riled up was proudly raised high for all to see. There were a few signs with a similar message, however what was striking was there was not very much duplication. Not everyone was able to walk to demonstrate and relied on mobility assistance.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Estimates of the crowd size in Westport's event vary from 1,500 to 2,000, and similarly, estimates in CT's other cities such as Hartford ranged from 7,000 to between 8,000 and 10,000 according to CT Capitol police. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz spoke at the Hartford rally as did Congressman John Larson (District 1, Democrat) and U.S Senator Richard Blumenthal who has appeared multiple times in Westport for protests such as this.
The one dominating image from the crowd was the American flag. They were ubiquitous and while most were displayed normally, a few were postponed upside-down which the U.S. Flag Code describes as " ...a signal of dire distress in instance of extreme danger to life or property.” It has since become a common symbol of the groups opposing the current administration's actions across a broad spectrum of issues.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In addition to the crowds lining the Post Rd. from the west end of the bridge to the corner of Main St., many cars which passed by the demonstrators were showing their support, by holding signs similar to those created by those on the street, waving flags, and giving "thumbs-up" or raised fist signs of approval. The constant blaring of car horns in response to the "Honk if you love Democracy" signs and the like, was deafening, with some cars turning around and passing the crowds a second time.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport PD, in anticipation of the very large crowd provided barriers to insure the safety of those lining the Post road as well as others separating the lines of traffic. Police patrol vehicles were positioned in multiple locations, both in clear view as well as less so, but still nearby. Westport PD command staff including the new chief of Police, David Farrell (above, top row left) kept a watchful eye on the proceedings.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The protests in CT were peaceful, however in Utah an innocent bystander, a father of two was shot and killed by a man claiming to be a peacekeeper who had aimed at a different man holding a rifle (ABC 7 Chicago).
Also four Minnesota state officials and their spouses were shot, two fatally by a man posing as a police officer was was arrested two days later after a massive manhunt.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
While many of the vehicles passing through the demonstration were pretty standard, one enthusiastic moped operator was a few car lengths in front of one of the world’s finest automobiles, a Bentley convertible. While new Bentleys start at over $220,000, they can run as high as nearly $400,000. A 2008 Bentley is actually somewhat affordable at $45,000. Not germaine to this post, however an interesting bit of trivia.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Some protestors looked o change their position, perhaps to speak the those on the southern side of the bridge. At one point a person with a bullhorn began a chant which was then joined in by those across he street led by their own bullhorn leader.
There were a couple of pro-Trump appearances at the event. The boat which passed under the Ruth Steinkraus Memorial Bridge (above, right) proudly flew two Trump flags along with the American flag. We have no idea if the pass-by was related to the protest, or just a leisurely Saturday afternoon boat ride. We asked protestors if they had gotten any comments in support of the administration. One group we queried said that occupants of a passing car hurled some F-bombs at the crowd, but for some reason, they covered their faces.
As we were leaving we spotted a black pick-up truck flying a large American flag which many of the protestors had also flown. When attempting to photograph the truck, the operator covered his face, demanding we not photograph him, and provided several F-bombs and asserted that we were faggots. First amendment protections apply to their speech as well as that of the protestors. The difference was the content of the speech from the two sides.