Congratulations to the Staples High School boys and girls basketball teams!
Both pulled away in the second half from solid opponents in last night’s state tournament quarterfinals, before raucous crowds in a home doubleheader.
Both now move on to the state semis — a first in school history.
Staples’ boys — ranked #1 in Division I — downed #8 New London 56-35. That vaults coach Dave Goldshore’s squad into a matchup against #5 Notre Dame Prep-Fairfield.
The girls of coach Tommy Sparks — seeded 3rd in Division II — topped South Windsor 42-35.
The neutral sites and times of the semifinals will be announced soon. Up next: #10 Bristol Central.
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If you want to learn more about overdoses — and who doesn’t? — check out “CT Save a Life Day.”
The April 8 event (6 p.m., Westport Library) is organized through the Westport Prevention Coalition.
You’ll get liquor stickers and lock bags to prevent access to abusable substances, parent handbooks, and brief training to recognize and respond to an overdose (with a free Narcan kit). Click here to RSVP.
Narcan nasal spray.
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Speaking of Positive Directions: They’ve partnered with Westport Together, to sponsor a “Night Out” for high school students who live in Westport, or attend school here.
The March 27 event (7 to 9 p.m., Westport Weston Family YMCA) includes an open gym, games, music and food.
The cost is just $5. Click here to register.
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Speaking of the YMCA: Professional ballroom dancer Karina Smirnoff (“Dancing With the Stars”) offers a special ballroom master class on Tuesday (March 17, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.).
Open to all ages and experience levels, it includes a performance, Q-and-A and photo opportunity. The cost is $40 for Y members, $50 for non-members.
Click here for more information, and to register. To learn more about the Y’s ballroom program, click here.
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New restaurants are opening at a fast clip downtown.
But one just left: Gogi.
The Korean barbecue spot — located in an out-of-the-way spot, inside Bedford Square behind Emmy Squared — is not completely closed.
They’ve relocated to Shelton.
(Hat tip and photo/Sal Liccione)
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The United Methodist Church is located on Rabbit Hill. The previous owner was Robert Lawson — author/illustrator of the beloved children’s series.
So it’s the perfect site for an Easter egg hunt on March 28 (2 p.m.). All kids are welcome. Click here to register.
There’s a suggested donation of non-perishable food, for local pantries.
Easter egg hunt, at the United Methodist Church.
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Speaking of kids: 2 new family-friendly shows come this spring to the Westport Country Playhouse.
“Click Clack Moo” — based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, aimed at pre-K through 4th graders — is set for 2 shows May 16 (1 and 4 p.m.).
“Pete the Cat” follows on June 7. It’s recommended for pre-K through grade 3.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Speaking of entertainment: Westport and Weston will have a strong presence at next weekend’s 6th annual Norwalk Film Festival.
Board member (and Staples High graduate) Jennifer Bangser notes some of the connections:
Friday, March 20: The opening night Sundance-premiered film “Little Richard: I Am Everything” takes a deep dive into the life and career of the charismatic, complicated musician. Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker/novelist/playwright/essayist/producer/professor Trey Ellis will be in conversation after the film with director/producer Lisa Cortes. Email [email protected] for ticket information.
Saturday, March 21: Staples graduate Cynthia Gibb’s short film “Straight Laced” will be shown during the Connecticut Shorts Block (12 to 2 p.m.). It’s the story of a conscientious honors student who buckles under academic pressure in her town of overachievers and overearnest parents.
In the 2 to 4 p.m. Narrative Shorts Block, “Sit with Me While I Die” stars award-winning actor James Naughton of Weston. He plays a priest who must reconcile his lifelong dogmatic views on suffering with real-life pain.
The Norwalk Film Festival includes many more films, plus workshops and an audience-voted awards ceremony.
More information plus individual tickets, day passes, weekend passes and student discounts are available at www.norwalkfilmfestival.org. Questions? Email [email protected].
James Naughton in “Sit With Me While I Die.”
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Chris Delorier writes: “Help, before someone gets seriously hurt!
“I live on High Point Road. At least once a week a near accident occurs from people blowing through the stop sign down the hill on Long Lots Road.
“There are many new drivers every year, many kids walking to school or on bikes. My fear is nothing will be done until it’s too late.
“Half, I bet, are innocent mistakes. It’s a tough sign to see. On Cross Highway at Bayberry Lane they put in flashing solar stop signs. At a minimum that should be done at Long Lots and High Point.
“Let’s not wait for a life to be taken. This seems like a no-brainer.”
Drivers coming down the Long Lots Road hill often ignore the stop sign (right) at High Point Road.
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Congratulations to Staples’ 8 Students of the Month: seniors Isabel Jo and Henry Wood, juniors Samantha Armentano and Catalina Zapata, juniors Olivia Flinn and Nickolas Glekas, and freshmen Maya Luo and Sophia Muriel.
The honor recognizes “students who help make Staples a welcoming place for peers and teachers alike. They are the ‘glue’ of the community: the type of creative, thoughtful, conscientious students that keep the high school together, enabling it to grow and thrive.”
Recipients are nominated by teachers, in recognition of hard work, friendliness to staff and students, and positive contributions inside and outside the classroom.
Students of the Month (from left): Catalina Zapata, Samantha Armentano, Olivia Flinn, Isabel Jo, Maya Luo, Sophia Muriel, Henry Wood.
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Journalist/author/former “Good Morning America” host Joan Lunden spoke about her new memoir — “Joan: Life Beyond the Script” — on Thursday, at the Westport Library.
With sports reporter and Westport resident Lindsay Czarniak, Lunden talked about life transitions, and the importance of embracing change.
Joan Lunden and Lindsay Czarniak on the Westport Library stage; “Good Morning America” stage is behind. (Photo/Susan Garment)
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The Sally was a Fairfield County merchant sloop that was converted into a Revolutionary War vessel.
It played an important role in espionage, raids against the British, and privateering in Long Island Sound during the The Sally – and was involved in Nathan Hale’s ill-fated spy mission.
On April 11 (2 p.m., Weston History & Culture Center), historian Edward Eckert discusses The Sally. The event is free, but registration is required. Click here.
At 3:15 p.m the same day, Laura Clark Murray speaks on for “Genetic Genealogy in Action: From Researching Patriots to Solving Cold Cases.”
It too is free, but registration is required. Click here.
Merchant ship, back in the day.
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State Representative Lucy Dathan of New Canaan hopes to add Westport to her list of constituents.
She has joined the race to succeed Ceci Maher, for the 26th State Senate seat.
Dathan now chairs the Government Oversight Committee, and sits on both the Appropriations and Human Services Committees. Beyond her legislative work, she has been a CPA and CFO for start-ups.
The 26th district includes Westport, Weston, and all or part of 6 other towns. Weston First Selectwoman Sam Nestor is also running for the seat.
State Representative Lucy Dathan
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo is a reflective shot of Sherwood Mill Pond.
Much more wildlife will return soon, to the tranquil 84-acre tidal pond and estuary.
(Photo/Nikki Gorman)
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And finally … Happy Pi Day!
(The music will never die. And — thanks to continued reader support — let’s hope “06880” won’t either. To help keep us alive, please make a tax-deductible contribution by clicking here. Thank you all!)
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source 06880danwoog.com ’
