Westport Rotary's Lobsterfest a “Smashing Success” Once Again
The 2021 Rotary Lobsterfest, arguably Westport's biggest party of the year, was held Saturday at Compo Beach on a beautiful September afternoon under sunny blue skies.
The event, which sold out completely once again for it's 10th year and was limited only by it's attendance permit and how many lobsters could be cooked per hour. They served 2,400 lobsters, 330 steaks and 325 children's dinners. Fresh clams and oysters on the half shell were offered by Norwalk's Copp's Island Oysters.
A small army of volunteers, including town officials and those aspiring to become town officials, kept the beer and wine flowing and tables cleared. Families enjoyed great entertainment for their children, and craft spirits for the adults. Live music kept dancers on their feet. All and all, another lively and successful event for the community by the the Westport Rotary - which raised more that $100,000 (final figures not yet available) for their programs and charities.
Click on any photo to enlarge. Photos by J.C. Martin for the WestportLocalPress.com
Local Runners Pick up the Baton for The Great American Relay from Boston to California
Volunteer runners began their journey to Westport at Bridgeport Fire Department. Pictured are: J Lucas, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Konstanty, Lisa Goldstein, Karla Cohen, Lauren Leppla, Kenji Ogawa, and Lead Runner Ken Gallagher. (contributed photo/no order)Beginning on September 11th to honor those lost to the World Trade Center attacks, the Great American Relay is making its way from Boston to Santa Monica, California to raise money for first responders and members of the military.
Volunteer runners make their way towards Westport with The Great American Relay batons. Monday’s schedule brought the relay from Branford, Connecticut to the World Trade Center Memorial in Lower Manhattan in ten separate stages - with stages 26 and 27 connecting at Westport Fire Department Headquarters at around 10:30 yesterday morning.
Local runners who volunteered to carry the baton from Bridgeport Fire Department Headquarters to its handoff in Westport were: J Lucas, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Konstanty, Lisa Goldstein, Karla Cohen, Lauren Leppla, Kenji Ogawa, and Lead Runner Ken Gallagher. The group handed the baton off to Barbara Campbell, Elizabeth Hofmann, and Lead Runner Jeffrey Wollman who carried it to Darien’s hand-off point.
In total, 58 runners helped get the baton from Branford to the World Trade Center Memorial by Monday night.
This morning the red baton will continue its journey West - with an expected arrival at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s City Hall late tonight with the help of several dozen more volunteers. By the time the baton reaches that West Coast - it will have traveled through 415 stages totaling 3,500 miles for nearly 40 days with the help of hundreds of volunteer runners.
To learn more about The Great American Relay or to find a stage to run with, click here: greatamericanrelay.com
CT United Ride Rumbles across Post Road as 9/11 Tribute Tours Connecticut
Members of the CT United Ride head over Post Road on Route 33 as they headed for Wilton this afternoon. The annual ride featured thousands of motorcycles from across the region and was nearly 45 minutes long as it motored through local communities. Starting at Sherwood Island, the ride continued through Fairfield County until it ended at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. The bikers were escorted by dozens of law enforcement and first response motorcycles, including Westport Police, Fire, and EMS personnel. Community members lined the routes throughout the State to wave flags and pay respect to the motorcade on the 20th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.
The first ride was held on September 30th, 2001 and has continued and grown since then - with all funding collected going towards family emergency relief funds for CT Police Officers, CT Fire Fighters and two local United Ways. WestportLocal.com photo
Paulie Pushes through Westport on His Way to Honor Fallen Flight Crew on 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Paulie Veneto pushes his car through Westport today - starting in Bridgeport and ending in Norwalk with the help of a first responder escort - and support from the community.
Veneto, a former United Airlines flight attendant, completed the Boston - Los Angeles flight route September 10th, 2001 and went home. The next morning his coworkers were lost as their plane on the same route struck the south tower at 9:03. Following the attacks, he battled drug addiction until becoming clean in 2015. "I can now finally give tribute to my fallen crew members."
Paulie has been pushing a airline beverage cart from Boston's Logan International Airport - the origin for Flight 175 - until he arrives at Ground Zero in time for the 20th anniversary of the 09.11.01 terrorist attacks. His walk is raising money for survivors' families and the Power Forward foundation for sober living.
To learn more, donate, or to track Paulie’s progress, visit his website here.
