When it comes to musical performances, the Westport Library always sets the bar (ho ho) high.
Yesterday afternoon they even surpassed their own outstanding standards.
Roger Kaufman’s “Speaking of Music” series focused on the “five M’s” – Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals, Motown and Miami – that have influenced so much of music history.
The captivated, clapping (and occasionally dancing) crowd was thrilled by the vocal talent of Dennis Collins (Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway), supported by Sharon Collins, Billy Genuario, Stephanie Harrison and T’Zelle Wilson.
Also on stage: the Old School All-Stars Band (Bob Cooper, Tim DeHuff, Dave Edwards and Tyger MacNeal) and the Saugatuck Horns (Bob Carlson, Fred Scerbo and former Rolling Stones sideman Crispin Cioe).
Special guest – author, bassist and musicologist Brian Torff – provided important background stories on the five historic cities.
We often say that our library is amazing. Yesterday it bared its soul.
The Old School All Stars. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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Who says kids today can’t have their own fun?
These two took advantage of yesterday’s torrential rain. They taped themselves (or someone else did) into garbage bags and then rolled down the hill at Staples High School’s Loeffler Field.
Looks even better than Fortnite!
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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Also providing fun: Westport’s Wiffleball team.
Last week, Grant Theisinger was a guest on “06880.” The rising freshman from Staples and his friends have started a competitive league that plays on a full field in Grant’s backyard.
It’s a great concept that the guys have implemented excellently.
Last weekend they were on the road. Three players – Grant, Kyle Marcucio and Finn Edwards – represented Westport in the Major League Wiffle Ball Tournament at Lasorda Legacy Park in Yaphank.
In the age group 13-15 – with 29 teams from 7 states – “High Heat
won both group matches against teams from New York City and Pennsylvania on Saturday and secured 6th place.
They won their first playoff game yesterday in an exciting manner with 11:10, but then lost to the eventual tournament winners.
Most importantly, the guys had a lot of fun and met Kyle Schultz, the founder of MLW.
Congratulations, guys. You’ll get it next year!
From left: Kyle Marcucio, Finn Edwards, Kyle Schultz, Grant Theisinger. (Photo/Marc Theisinger)
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Jeff Laska writes:
“I hope your readers can help solve a mystery.
“I live on Quentin Road down by the beach. I’m lucky enough to be able to work from home many days of the week. I often work on my laptop on my back deck.
“Since we moved into this house in 2021 (at least from May to October, weather permitting), a small plane flies over Compo Beach every day, making loops at least 10-15 times a day. It’s crazy!
“This happens so often and I know the engine noise so well now that I can tell from the sound alone if it is another aircraft, even from a long distance!
“I tried to find out where it came from, if it was a tour guide or a flight school, if it was from Sikorsky or Danbury, etc., but to no avail!
“Any info? Any insights?”
I really don’t know (although I would certainly like to find out what the deal is with the helicopter that flies over my apartment at 10:30 p.m. many nights).
If you can solve Jeff’s Compo Beach small plane mystery, click the comments button below.
This is not the airplane that Jeff Laska often hears from his deck. In fact, it was probably “photoshopped in” (or whatever technology was used over 100 years ago). If it were a real airplane, at least some of the (very formally dressed) beachgoers would be looking up.
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In the eight years of its existence, the Cello Camp has become an integral part of the musical summer in Westport.
Nearly three dozen campers – mostly cellists and a few bassists – spend a week learning new repertoire and warming up their fingers for the upcoming school year. Danielle Merlis and Lucas DeValdivia – Staples School graduates who have played together since Long Lots Elementary School – lead the sessions.
The camp will conclude with a free concert, and the public is invited to attend this Saturday (August 24, 5 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church).
The program ranges from Bizet, Dvorák and Vivaldi to “The Greatest Showman”, “Eye of the Tiger” from Survivor and “Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter”.
Happy (cello) campers.
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Thanks to William Weiss for our new header: a wide angle view of the Saugatuck River and its west bank and the Levitt Pavilion.
For all those who do not receive a “06880” with a link to our homepage (and for all those who do receive it), here it is:
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Last week the Staples football team did “Murph” practice.
It was a fundraiser for the Catch A Lift Fund and the football program. Retired Army Sergeant Jason Smith – who lost both legs and suffered severe injuries to his right hand when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, but then recovered to win 8 medals at the Invictus Games – addressed the players and spectators. (Hats off to Adam Vengrow)
Staples football staff, Gridiron Club members, city and police officials, and Catch a Lift representatives with the “Murph” participants.
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Each day, our Westport…Natural section highlights an aspect of nature somewhere in town.
Usually it is an animal. Sometimes it is a flower, a bush or a tree.
But weather is also part of Westport’s nature. Today’s image of Compo Beach is another example of the power – and surprising beauty – of Mother Nature.
(Photo/Rashmi Vyas)
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And finally … a shout out to Grant Theisinger and Westport’s Wiffleball miracle:
(Whether you had a great weekend or not, 06880 is here to tell you about it. We support Westport in many ways. But we can’t do it without the support of our readers. Click here to help. Thanks!)
