Westport Sunrise Rotary Uncorks Wines And Generosity For Local Charities
The 35th annual Westport Uncorked Wine Tasting hosted by Westport Sunrise Rotary and held at the Longshore raised over $20,000 for 30+ local charities. Over 300 local movers and shakers enjoyed some unique wines and wonderful food pairings. There was even a surprise appearance by the beloved Sunny the Duck mascot to announce next year’s Great Duck Race on June 28.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Wine: The Fine Wine Company of Westport, led by Cory D’Addario, again provided the extraordinary wines for Westport Uncorked. It is their portfolio and their wine point of view. Cory offered over 100 wines for our tasting. The wines were chosen for specific reasons, never chosen for price or just to have more wines available.
Cory is committed to offering wines with sustainable, organic or bio-dynamic practices in the respective vineyard. She is very selective, tasting every wine and looking for qualities beyond price. The Fine Wine Company of Westport believes in integrity from the vineyard to the supplier and in the store. The Fine Wine Company (as Fine Wine and Liquor Locker) has been our wine host for over 30 years, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to this event.
The Exceptional Venue: The Inn at Longshore was once a private estate built in 1890 and is one of the premier locations in Fairfield County to host an event. A wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, holiday party, corporate seminar, company picnic, or yearly charity event all make sense in this incredible, well-loved space. A world class chef and the engaging inn staff provide welcoming service, and unique opportunities for enjoying an event in a historic and vibrant venue.
The Inn at Longshore is still considered a "Jewel" of Westport, CT and is nestled between an 18-hole golf course and Long Island Sound. Year round views of the water and surrounding landscape are breathtaking, and truly unexpected.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Field Of Flags Tributes Honor Those Who Served For Veterans Day
500 American Flags wave proudly at Veterans Park in Norwalk
In Fairfield County, tributes to our military veterans have been created for Veterans Day each year in area cities and towns.
One of the most prominent displays of patriotism and appreciation for their service can be seen at Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Ave., East Norwalk just before the drawbridge to SoNo. It is a truly inspirational sight. 500 large flags wave in the breeze which is nearly constant from neighboring Long Island Sound.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The 2024 Norwalk tribute (photos above and below) began ten years ago by the Norwalk Exchange Club and consisted of 100 flags and has expanded each year to its current total of 500. This event has been recognized as a regional site by the Veterans Day National Committee and is one of only 56 sites in the U.S. and the only one in Connecticut that honor those who have served with this awe inspiring display.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The line of flags lead past a monument to recipients of the purple heart which is flanked by benches for visitors to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of America’s heroes.
The town of Fairfield creates their Field Of Valor each year in Jennings Park, near the Bob's shopping center on the Post Road.with more than 300 American Flags The Kiwanis Club of Fairfield organizes the event and the cost is offset by contributors who may sponsor a flag for $25.00 which they can keep or donate back for use next year. A dedication ceremony was held on Sunday, November 3rd and the inspiring display will be on view through November 17th.
The Town of Westport and VFW Post 399 will host Veterans Day services on Monday, November 11 at 11:00 AM in the Town Hall auditorium, 110 Myrtle Avenue. The public is invited.
At 10:30 AM, the Westport Community Band will present a “Patriotic Salute to All Veterans” program which will include marches and patriotic tunes.
To the north in Danbury, the Student Veterans Organization at Western Connecticut State University has placed more than 2,000 flags at the university's downtown campus on White Street with the assistance of Danbury Police and Danbury Fire Department personnel. Those flags will can be viewed until Tuesday, November 12th.
Another view of the 500 American flags at Veterans Park in Norwalk.
Halloween Parade Turns Main Street Into Treat Street
We know that the presidential election is probably stressing out one side or the other, or perhaps both today, so we thought a look at the smiles and joy and unity everyone felt at one of Westport's favorite family events might be a wonderful diversion.
Here are the photos of all the clever, inventive and very cute trick-or-treaters who stormed the Main St. merchants in waves to fill their buckets and bags with Halloween goodies.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.comClick on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
This adorable row of future trick-or-treaters were getting their first glimpse of their futures on Halloweens to come.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In row two above, the photo on the right shows Staples Players who are promoting their upcoming show, ELF The Musical, a hilarious show based upon the contemporary classic film starring Will Ferrell. Santa is being played by Yusef Abdallah and Chloe Carson is playing Jovie.
Seamus Brannigan is playing the lead, Buddy The Elf and he told WestportLocalPress, “it’s one of the most fun roles I have ever played. Seeing the show come together in the rehearsals is getting me more exited than ever for opening night. This family friendly friendly show is great for all ages.”
Tickets are available at www.staplesplayers.com
After storming Main St., the crowd gathered at Veteran's Green for more treats and give-a-ways courtesy of Westport Parks & Recreation, the Police Athletic League and the Westport Downtown Merchant's Association.
The DJ got the crowd dancing in between enjoying the treats everyone received on the way.
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.
Letter from the Editor: Follow the Leader
Birds following their leader high above Main Street on Sunday evening.
From the Editor:
On Halloween night I was able to hand out candy in the Compo Beach neighborhood with one of my fellow EMTs. Though I thought I bought enough candy, we ran out at around 7:30 - just as a group of teenagers walked towards us and our EMS vehicle.
“We’re all out” I shouted, anticipating them turning around or pelting me with eggs.
One of the boys kept walking towards me; I braced for impact as he opened his pillowcase and said “Here! Take what you want for other kids.” As he did this, another boy rushed over and offered his candy, too. If I could have given them every piece of candy that we handed out that night, it still wouldn’t have been enough to show how impacted I was by their act of kindness.
A while later, a toddler ran up to us holding out two Reese’s Cups - his grandfather explaining to me that the child wouldn’t go back to the house without us taking his Reese’s. We ate them immediately as he ran back to his stoop to wave to us as we drove away; peanut butter stuck to the roofs of our mouths.
—I knew I wanted to write an email ahead of the election tomorrow, but knowing that people will be upset regardless of who “wins” challenged me. So I wrote down “candy” in my Notes app as a story for this email, because regardless of any election and who are leaders are: we will be in charge of our own kindness, and we always have been.
Yesterday I sat at Gold’s and, after botching the Wordle, noticed a table of three teenagers. They sat amongst Dunkin Donuts bags and other garbage all over the table. I got annoyed thinking that they would be leaving it to be cleaned up by the staff.
And then, again, I was proved wrong. One stood up, wiped his crumbs into his plate, and took his trash to the bin. The other two followed. They all went back to push in their chairs, and checked to make sure it was clean before they paid and left. I added the phrase “cleaning table” to my Notes app before I walked out, too; making sure my spot was clean, too.
Those two good moments sit amongst an unknown amount of good in our community - some of it noticed, some unnoticed. I’d like to think there’s more good than bad, but that’s just me. I’d also like to think that they have nothing to do with who’s elected because in that moment: they were the leaders; they can’t even vote.
Those two good moments also sit against a stark backdrop of tension and division that unfolds ahead of any political season. I see it in the news, in social media, in conversation. You may see it, too. They aren’t just political comments - they’re personal and designed to hurt. I’d also like to think that they, too, have nothing to do with who’s elected because in those moments: we are the leaders. We are responsible for the hatred or anger that we foster or push.
—I am not confident in what tomorrow’s election will bring.
I am confident that whatever happens tomorrow - however you vote/d - our community will still have good in it come Wednesday morning because our kindness is not reliant on who’s elected, or who isn’t elected.
We always have a choice to follow “the leader” - to fall in line behind them. Who is a “leader”?
I hope as we go through this week, that we all follow the leaders who guide us to be better humans - not just political leaders - but our own local leaders, right down to our local teenagers and toddlers who lead us to remember that we are in control of our own kindness.
Go vote if you haven’t already, and regardless of who our next elected officials are: we are in charge of our kindness, not them.
I’ll remember that every time I have a peanut butter cup stuck to the roof of my mouth.
In partnership,
Jaime Bairaktaris
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.
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.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
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.
