Kids, Good News Only, Community James Bairaktaris Kids, Good News Only, Community James Bairaktaris

Maritime Aquarium Offers “Sensory-Friendly Evening” for Differently-abled Kids and Adults

Aquar.sensory seal and boy.jpg

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is planning a special evening on Mon., July 26 to give guests with sensory-processing differences a fun, comfortable and accepting environment.

And, thanks to the statewide “CT Summer at the Museum - Free Admission for Kids” initiative, admission will be free for most Connecticut residents.

During this "Sensory-Friendly Evening," from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., all Aquarium exhibits will be open, including the enormous new seal habitat called “Pinniped Cove.” But lights in galleries will be lower, and music and other sounds will be turned down or off. Plus, tickets will be discounted for guests not eligible for free admission.

Click here to expand press release.


While The Maritime Aquarium offers “Sensory-Friendly Evenings” several times a year, the date for this upcoming event – July 26 – was chosen to celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA is one of America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life -- to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in state and local government programs and services.

Tom Naiman, the Aquarium’s director of Education, said the advantages in offering this event after the Aquarium’s normal opening hours are two-fold: Aquarium staff can focus on the guests with special needs, and guests averse to crowds won’t encounter them. 

As during daily Aquarium hours, admission during the July 26 “Sensory-Friendly Evening” is free for Connecticut residents age 18 & younger, along with one accompanying adult, through the “CT Summer at the Museum” program. For additional adults and non-residents, discounted admission is $19 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), and $14 for children (3-12). 

For those wanting to include a movie in the new 4D theater, guests can enjoy the films wearing 3D glasses but with sounds lower and theater lights brighter, and without any of the sensory effects. (Guests aren’t required to wear the 3D glasses but, without them, images onscreen will appear blurry.) Pick from BBC Earth’s “Shark: A 4D Experience” (12 minutes long) at 7:15 p.m., or “Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4D” (10 minutes) at 6:45 and 7:45 p.m. Tickets for a 4D movie, which are optional, are $7. 

Based on recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the state of Connecticut, unvaccinated guests and all children age 2-11 – except for those with a medical note from their doctor – must wear masks in The Maritime Aquarium. Vaccinated guests are strongly encouraged to continue to wear their masks too.

Reserve tickets for the July 26 “Sensory-Friendly Evening” in advance online by going to www.maritimeaquarium.org and clicking on “Visit,” and then “Aquarium Happenings.”

Learn more about the free admission summer initiative for Connecticut residents at https://www.ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-summer-museum-free-admission-kids

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Good News Only, Kids, Community James Bairaktaris Good News Only, Kids, Community James Bairaktaris

Fifth Graders Sell Lemonade to Help Save their Beloved Teacher’s Dog

(L-R) Dani Hill, Keira Reilly, Mrs. Gonzalez, Winston the French Bulldog, and Abbott Lynch and the lemonade stand. 
(L-R) Dani Hill, Keira Reilly, Mrs. Gonzalez, Winston the French Bulldog, and Abbott Lynch and the lemonade stand.

When local Kings Highway Elementary School fifth graders found out that their teacher’s dog was sick - three students took it upon themselves to set up a lemonade stand in the Kings Highway North neighborhood to help raise money for the pup’s GoFundMe campaign - and pass on the kindness she instilled in them.

Winston, a one year old French Bulldog, was diagnosed with Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). According to his campaign, IVDD is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column either bulge or burst into the spinal cord space - causing great pain to the little dog. Treatment and pain management has proved an expensive journey for the family, which prompted the GoFundMe campaign to be started by friends of the local educator and her family. Winston’s owner, “Mrs. Gonzalez”, is one of the beloved fifth grade teachers at Kings Highway Elementary School.

So loved, in fact, that three of Mrs. Gonzales’ fifth grade students - Keira, Dani, and Abbot - decided they wanted to help the campaign. They designed a sign and began selling lemonade on the corner of Kings Highway North and Wright street last week. This weekend, Mrs. Gonzales brought Winston by the lemonade stand for his few minutes outdoors - the kids being able to meet the small frenchie they were working so hard to help. And today, on the last day of school, they’ll present their teacher with the funds they raised towards Winston’s treatments.


The trio of good kids want to make sure Westport Local Press readers know that donations can still be made to Winston’s GoFundMe campaign. Click here to donate to Winston’s campaign - let them know that the Lemonade Stand kids sent you.

Editor’s Note

Whether it be in the classroom or on Zoom, our schools’ students have learned not only academics from their teachers - but kindness, empathy, strength, and grit during some of the toughest times our education system may ever face. If your family has a teacher, paraeducator, or other school staff member who made a difference in your child’s life - email us with who they are and why they made a difference, and we’ll celebrate them as the school year comes to a close. It’s apparent in this story that Mrs. Gonzales made a difference in these three children’s lives, and through a simple cup of lemonade, they’re passing it forward.

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Kids James Bairaktaris Kids James Bairaktaris

Staples Seniors Savor last Moments as High Schoolers on Compo

Staples seniors met on Compo Beach this afternoon for pre-graduation photos with their caps and gowns. The annual Staples tradition of senior photos along the shoreline allow the teens to enjoy their last few hours as classmates, with graduation beginning tonight at 6:00 PM on the Staples athletic field.

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Arts, Kids, Good News Only James Bairaktaris Arts, Kids, Good News Only James Bairaktaris

GFS 5th Graders Present “Annie JR.” this Week in Bedford Square; Tickets Still Available

Learning their steps from co-choreographer Kristine Nielsen. 
Learning their steps from co-choreographer Kristine Nielsen.

After months of outdoor rehearsals, Greens Farms Elementary School fifth graders are excited to present their show “Annie Jr.” this week in Bedford Square.

Laura Curley Pendergast, owner of Theater Camp 4 Kids Broadway Academy, directs the show Annie Jr. 
Laura Curley Pendergast, owner of Theater Camp 4 Kids Broadway Academy, directs the show Annie Jr.

Musical theater wasn’t on the amenities list for tenants of Bedford Square, but residents and passersby have gladly noticed the small acting school practicing outdoors - in all weather - throughout the pandemic in yet another example of the theatrical arts thriving in Westport. The Westport Local Press was able to visit the group at the rotary parking lot at 12 Elm Street - watching as the sidewalk became a stage, and apartment owners leaned from their balconies to enjoy the show below.

The acting school is run by Westporter Laura Curley Pendergast, who is directing the sidewalk show with the help of volunteers and interns. The sets are mobile, with a makeshift indoor studio space and the use of the sidewalks being lent to the group of singing, dancing kids by Bedford Square’s David Waldman. Waldman has allowed them the space, as other indoor venues were shuttered this past year - such as the auditoriums of many local schoolhouses. 

Holden LaForce fills Bedford Square with his voice as he practices one of Annie Jr’s musical numbers. 
Capri DiVincenzo, playing Grace Farrell, and Charlotte Pendergast, Co-leading as Annie.

The tiny dancers captured the attention of many who walk past the group as they sing, dance, flip, “sleep”, and laugh through their rehearsals - with Pendergast leading them as they glide through their lines and moves. The fifth graders make the work seem effortless, with scene changes and dance routines moving along without missing a beat during rehearsals, even while pedestrians crossed and twisted around the kids with bright sun beating down on their faces.

However warm now, the school had continued through this past winter - with students hopping onto the sidewalk stage in thick coats, hats, gloves during the cold New England days to prepare for their next show. 

Co-lead Jasmita Mani-Lorenzato as Annie.

After months of hard work and pandemic-era adaptations, the Greens Farms School fifth graders welcome the community to attend their shows this week - right on the sidewalk where they’ve been singing and dancing all along. A sweet rendition of Annie, Annie Jr. will gives Westporters a chance to enjoy a live performance under the bright skies and street lamps of Downtown Westport.

Annie JR. Performance Schedule:

  • Friday, June 4th: 6:30 PM

  • Saturday, June 5th: 2:00 PM

  • Saturday, June 5th: 4:30 PM

  • Sunday, June 6th: 4:30 PM*

To attend the outdoor performances, contact Director Laura Curley Pendergast by texting her at 917-734-8462 or by emailing anniejr2021westport@gmail.com to purchase the $18 tickets. For information on camps and lessons, visit their website.

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