Bookworms Hot for Library’s Summer Sale

Bookworms Hot for Library’s Summer Sale

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

7/16/11

Westport, CT – White tents, large fans, herds of people and over 100,000 individual books and CDs.

That was the scene Saturday morning as the four-day 18th Annual Friends of the Westport Library Book Sale got under way. The number of individual book and music items was not the only staggering number. Consider that up to 20,000 people were expected to visit throughout the sale run, 300 volunteers help work the event and it takes a week to get everything set up and organized.

“In 1993, we started off with a little table inside the library and maybe 5,000 books,” said Mimi Greenlee, co-chairman of the event. “Today, we had 650 people in line before we even opened.”

Greenlee explained that all books are donated by area residents and that revenue goes to supplement library programming, help add to its collection and support general library needs. The sale is one of three the library hosts annually – the others are in March and December. Combined, these events raise an estimated $160,000 per year.

“This sale is considered to be one of the top three in Connecticut, the other two being Newington and Southport,” added Greenlee. “Dealers and large volume book buyers hit all three on consecutive weekends.”

New this year is the dedication of separate tents for children’s books fiction/mysteries and audio visual. In the main, over 50 categories of books are featured. Inside the library, special volumes for photography, art and architecture are housed.

The Slowik family of Westport had made their purchases and was sitting in a circle on the lawn near the main tent. “We’ve been coming here for seven years,” said Maria Slowik. “We all look forward to it, and always buy too many books. We like the children’s books and nutrition/wellness oriented manuals. This is a great way to spend a sunny Saturday.”

Browsing the children’s books area with her three daughters, Fatima Barroso of Fairfield thought the sale was a great way to get her kids to be enthusiastic about reading. “They pick out their own books,” she said. Her eldest daughter Ysabela, 9, added brightly, “Books expand your imagination.”

Also squatting on the grass, beside the fiction tent, with her young son and daughter, Kim Ruhnke of Norwalk said she focuses on buying children’s books. “You save a lot of money and there’s a lot of variety,” she said. “Ryan (4) likes books on cars and dinosaurs while Emily (7) likes books on Barbie and Amelia Bedelia.”

Rena Moy, of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, was busy leafing through titles in the main tent. “I’m here visiting a friend in town, who comes to the sale annually,” she said. “It seemed like a good idea to attend. There’s an amazing selection here – I’m overwhelmed. My kids are busy in the children’s section, my husband is in the sci-fi section and my friends are in the literature area. There’s really something for everyone.”

Book dealer Bill Nadolny, from New Hartford, CT, was in the a/v area amassing a stack of CDs. “I made the 60-mile ride down especially for this sale,” he said. “This is one of the top 10 shows in New England. The quality and quantity of items is both excellent.”

Standing nearby, Diane Lowman had removed a record from its sleeve and was holding it up to check for warping. “I was here to find ‘In Cold Blood’ by Truman Capote for my 18-year-old son, but got mesmerized by everything else that’s here,” she said. “I brought one bag and now I’m on bag number two.”

Book Sale Days, Hours and Prices are as follows: Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., as marked; Mon. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., half price; Tue. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., free. 

Naval Academy Trainees Drop Anchor at Cedar Point Yacht Club

Naval Academy Trainees Drop Anchor at Cedar Point Yacht Club

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

7/15/11

Westport, CT – As they washed and polished the railings, decks and trim on the majestic sailing craft in the late afternoon sun, you could see the spirit of camaraderie, responsibility and duty developing among them. These young, clean-cut boys were learning the ways of the sea while being groomed to be future leaders of our great naval forces.

Early afternoon Friday saw the arrival at Cedar Point Yacht Club at One Bluff Point of the Valiant, Courage, Intrepid and Commitment – identical, virtually brand-new 44-foot long sailing vessels built by Pearson Composites specifically for the use of the United States Naval Academy for its training purposes.

The vessels and their respective crews of approximately 10 men per boat actually arrived from Annapolis, Maryland, Thursday evening but had to spend the overnight anchored near Cockenoe Island until they could be led in by a guide boat piloted by retired Marine Mike Lindberg. The skippers of each boat include Bill Erikson (Intrepid), Donna Sengelaub (Commitment), Matt Barnes (Valiant) and Lt. Commander Joe Slaughter (Courage). Their crews were mostly midshipmen, with varying levels of experience, and all in the 18 to 21 age range.

The visit was coordinated by Lindberg, fellow former Naval officer Ron Silverman, Westport Chamber of Commerce’s Heather Cavanagh and Cedar Point Yacht Club Manager Trey Lang, and served as a reward and break for the sailors for guiding their watercraft up the coast.

“Crew members are training to be commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps,” explained Navy Commander (RET.) Sengelaub. “Their paths begin as midshipmen 4^th class and they can be officers in as little as four years, after graduating with a Bachelors in Science degree. Each May through August, Academy enrollees have one cruise, one month of training and one month of leave.”

Sengelaub said the on-board experience is designed to teach teamwork. “This is seamanship in its purest form,” she said. “Crew members may not know each other as they start with the basics of sailing and navigation. We teach them leadership, how to take action and plan ahead, and how to respond to equipment failure and emergencies. They may never have worked on an engine or sewn a sail before.”

Sengelaub said Valiant skipper Barnes, a Midshipman First Class who is just 21, is a prime example of the caliber of sailor the Academy can produce. “He entered the program three years ago with no sailing experience and is now responsible for 10 men at sea, most of whom are novices,” she said. “It’s a remarkable achievement.”

Another fine sailor is Courage’s captain Slaughter. The 35-year-old was a C-2 cargo plane pilot and aircraft carrier shooter. Now he skippers one of the four training boats and is a professor in the history department at the Academy.

These two men are not alone as shining examples. Midshipman 2nd Class Scott Rowe, 20, and Midshipman 1st Class Phoenix Geimer, 21, are hard at their heels proving their merit.

“My dad was air force enlisted for a while but our family really wasn’t a traditional military family,” Rowe said. “I found out about the Academy, its traditions and its sense of service. It appealed to me and I learned to sail during what they call ‘Plebe Summer’, an indoctrination for freshman. This is really my first time to lead. We’ve been through some storms and rough sailing. This is a great group – we really learn to rely on each other, especially on this type of vessel. You gain a sense of ownership of the boat, and confidence level.”

For Geiner’s part, he said, “This is the original Navy experience, dating back to the Navy’s formation in 1775. My grandfather went to the Academy. Every year when I was kid we would go to his class reunion. His classmates were a bunch of great people and inspired me.”

Geiner continued, “Our sail here was very fast – fifty percent faster than we expected. Every job on the boat is mirrored in the real Navy, from supply officer to skipper, so it’s real training in that sense.”

For organizer Lindberg, the boys’ visit recalled memories of his own Academy experiences before going on to fly fighter jets as a captain in the Marine Corps. “This is a chance for these guys to experience a large sailboat and get out in the ocean,” he said. “It’s a wonderful development and learning experience. I graduated from the Academy 40 years ago and wanted to make sure this experience remained part of Academy training.”

The group’s agenda for the weekend included a Friday evening barbecue with a racing group called the Flying Scots, an overnight with area host families, a free day Saturday, a Club dinner Sunday and a breakfast Monday hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, Touch of Salt catering and Aitoro Appliances. They will then catch the current at Hell’s Gate, the confluence of the Harlem River and East River in New York, and make the return to Annapolis.

“Cedar Point and local Westporters have given us a very warm welcome,” exclaimed Lindberg.   

Sun Tavern Entertains Again 231 Years After Rebuild

Sun Tavern Entertains Again 231 Years After Rebuild

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

7/10/11

Fairfield, CT – The old tavern hadn’t seen this much action since the days when horse drawn coaches deposited their weary travelers at its doorstep, perchance to enjoy some grog, take a meal and bed down for an overnight.

Helping support the final stretch of work needed to complete renovations, a “Tales and Ales” fundraiser was held at the rear of the historic Sun Tavern Saturday evening, on the grounds of the Fairfield Museum & History Center. About 150 people – a mix of town officials, friends of the museum and general public – enjoyed live bluegrass music, a selection of wine, light hors d’oeuvres and a custom Sun Tavern brown ale, the latter courtesy of Southport Brewing Company. Several staff members and a number of attendees appeared in Colonial period costume, adding an authentic air to the gathering.

The “open house” was actually the second time the museum has opened the tavern for such a night. “The last time was two years ago,” said Tim Russell, co-chair, along with Caroline Crawford, of the event. “The occasion then was the 230th anniversary of the Burning of Fairfield,” said Russell.

The original structure was destroyed during the American Revolution and rebuilt in 1780. It may have hosted George Washington in late 1789, as the general passed through on his way from Norwalk to New Haven. It was operated as a tavern by Fairfielder Samuel Penfield until approximately 1815, then sold three years later to Reverend Nathaniel Hewitt and his wife.

With regard to the evening mixer, Russell added, “This is an opportunity to socialize in a really neat spot. A lot of people don’t know about the tavern and should take advantage of it.”

In lieu of providing food samples, nine area restaurants, including Avellinos, Bonda and Fairfield Café, offered event attendees 15% off meals that evening.

Among the guests was First Selectman Michael Tetreau, who offered, “Our history and heritage make Fairfield special. As you walk through this property, you are walking in the footsteps of our ancestors, and rooms in which General Washington may have slept. This is an important local resource.”

Standing nearby, another town official, Probate Judge Dan Caruso, said simply, “The Sun Tavern is a beautiful place to spend a July afternoon.”

Speaking on behalf of the museum, Executive Director Michael Jehle commented on the status of the structure’s upgrade. “Over the last five years, we’ve restored the rooms to their original colors and finish,” he said. “Our hope is to have the tavern open to the public by the summer of 2012.”

As an added highlight of the event, Peter and Carleen Kunkel were recognized for their support of the tavern work and many contributions to the community. “They have never met a fundraiser they didn’t like,” said Jehle, who sparked cheers of “hip hip hooray” from the crowd. Museum Coordinator Walt Matis was also honored for his tireless commitment to facility programming and given a certificate for a weekend stay at Essex Inn.

An 11th generation Jennings in Fairfield, Kevin Jennings, a contractor and descendant of Joshua Jennings, who died in 1675, had a particularly strong connection to the tavern.

Referencing a list of his ancestors, he contemplated, “Joshua Jennings the fourth and his son Aaron probably frequented the tavern,” then, looking at the modest building, added, “They’re here somewhere.”

Big Bad VooDoo Daddy Casts a Spell on Westport Crowd

Big Bad VooDoo Daddy Casts a Spell on Westport Crowd

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

7/11/11

Westport, CT – Spontaneous dancing, bold and brassy notes and a sophisticated vibe characterized the evening Sunday as Big Bad VooDoo Daddy laid down some hot jive for a cool crowd at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion.

Sponsored by RBC Wealth Management, the event, which helps fund the entire season of 57 installments of free entertainment at the facility, attracted over 300 people who came to relax in sports chairs, sip a little wine and beer and just unwind for a little while.

As a thank-you to RBC and other significant program donors, the evening featured a pre-concert reception under a white tent near the front entry of the pavilion grounds. There, In Good Taste Catering and Matsusushi offered V.I.P.s wine and finger foods.

“We have a long-term relationship with the Levitt Pavilion,” said Paul Teoh, owner of Matsusushi at 33 Jesup Road. “This is a great opportunity for the community, and for our business as we are walking distance from the pavilion. It’s a mutually satisfying collaboration.”

Christina Negrin, owner of In Good Taste, said her business had been helping the Levitt out for over 10 years. “This is a wonderful resource for families and the surrounding community,” she said, echoing Teoh.

There were a number of BBVD fans on hand and they bubbled with excitement. “This is my third time seeing them,” said Drew Gleeman, of Fairfield. “The last time was last summer in Stamford. They put on a great live show and are always fun to see… and this is an ideal setting.”

A Levitt Pavilion veteran, Westporter Michael Ferry said, “I have a couple Big Bad VooDoo Daddy CDs. I like the genre. The swing, jump, blues. It’s gonna get people moving,” he predicted.

Westporter Bill Heery was particularly enthusiastic. “I first heard one of their live albums, about five years ago, and became a fan. “They’re a bunch of young guys doing big band swing,” he said. “Their sound is hard to explain. It gets you jumpin.’”

Mark Mantione, attending with his wife Anne Marie, of Greenwich, said he had seen the band three or four times before. “They play a very unique type of funk jazz,” he said. “They’re inserting some culture into suburbia. I’m always crying the blues when there’s no live music, having come from New York like we have.”

The band’s merchandising manager, Mike McGowan, had an inside perspective to share. “They’ve been together for 18 years, and still have all the original players – nine total in the band,” he said. “They do 125 to 150 shows per year. This is our third stop in Connecticut in the past week. Connecticut audiences are great. This is our first time at the Levitt Pavilion.”

On a background note, McGowan added, “Back when swing came back big in the late 90s -- the band’s hey day – they played the half time show at the Super Bowl. I’ve been in this business for 27 years. They’re the best to work with. Everybody clicks and we have a great time on the road.”

Levitt’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Carly Walsh, had the honor of unleashing BBVD on the gathering, encouraging, “Let out your inner swinger for America’s favorite little big band, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy!”

There followed classic swing beats like Cab Calloway’s “Minnie the Moocher” as well as selections like “Let It Roll” and “The Devil’s Dance” from a new album, the band’s ninth. The notes curled around the crowd and, as forecast, brought revelers young and old to their feet to boogie the evening away.

Annual Picnic Offers Old-Fashioned Fun

Annual Picnic Offers 
Old-Fashioned Fun:

St. Anthony of Padua event has something for everyone

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com)

7/11/11

Fairfield, CT – Their prayers for good weather were answered – maybe a little too well as parishioners sought out shelter from the hot sun early Sunday afternoon.

The St. Anthony of Padua Annual Picnic, at 149 South Pine Creek Road, had returned, offering live music, dancing, children’s games, a bake sale, tag sale and food. A portion of the proceeds is donated to purchase back-to-school clothes and backpacks for children of Merton House, a soup kitchen in Bridgeport.

Providing some background about the popular event, co-chairperson Sue Cart explained, “The church was a Franciscan parish initially and the event began with them over 40 years ago. It has grown each year. Today, we have over 200 volunteers and draw about 3,000 visitors… and we offer some of the best strawberry shortcake in Fairfield County.”

Besides the shortcake, food onsite included hot dogs, hamburgers, clams, homemade pierogies, stuffed cabbage, lobster dinners, beer and wine.

A new feature this year, The Patrick Project: Books for Babies, gives visitors the opportunity to purchase and donate a book to Yale’s Newborn I.C.U. to make a difference in the lives of hospitalized children and their families.

Cart’s fellow co-chair, Jeremy Redgate, developer Leo Redgate’s brother, described the event as “a community builder, very family oriented, an old-fashioned picnic.”

One of the families taking it all in was the McCarthy’s of Fairfield. “We’ve been coming to the picnic since 2002,” said Kyle McCarthy. The mom of three added, “We love Father John (Paran) and, no matter what, this always seems to be the hottest, sunniest day – someone joked that it’s because of all the prayers. The shortcake and games are the highlights for us.”

Parishioner Gene Scoran’s favorite part of the picnic was the lobster. “This is the only place that serves a good lobster dinner for a very cheap price ($12, with corn, cole slaw and potato salad),” he said.

Scoran recalled past picnics. “I was born in this parish and have attended the event almost every year,” he said. “Where the current church is there was a hall that used to be the original church, and there they had plays and activities. Today, from this event, the church makes more money in one day than many other churches over two to three days. The picnic is very popular and a good family experience.”

Point to Point Swim a Compo Community Anchor

Point to Point Swim a Compo Community Anchor

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

7/11/11

Westport, CT – You might say the competitors lapped up the challenge: to swim a mile-long course beginning and returning to the shoreline of Compo Beach.

That was the aim early Sunday morning when approximately 175 people registered for the 33rd Annual Point to Point Compo Beach Swim. Conducted as it has been since inception near the landmark cannons, the Westport / Weston Family Y-sponsored event attracted participants ranging from age 10 to 73 and offered imprinted glass mugs as prizes for the top three finishers in 14 different age classifications. The fastest finishers by gender -- Trevor Healy, 22, with a time of 15:15 and Molly Loftus, 16, at 17:09 – were also called out.

The current iteration of the race was created in 1979 by Bob Knoeble, the former Senior Director of Aquatics at the Y. “It was just for fun initially,” said Jackie Tumminia, the current Senior Director of Aquatics, “but then turned into a fundraiser just last year, benefiting the whole community.”

The race features three heats, with roughly 60 swimmers per heat. Swim caps – light blue, white and yellow – identify the heats. Participants are required to circle two buoys placed about a half mile offshore. There are no eligibility requirements with regard to time or ability. “If you’ve got the gumption, you’re in,” said VP of Y Operations David Cohen.

Rob Reeves, the Y’s CEO, said the swim was one of the few fundraising events the non-profit produces that allows the organization to reach out to the public. “It puts a face to the Y and attracts many people from the community as both swimmers and spectators,” he said.

Reeves added that the Y’s program has produced an incredible crop of swimmers over the years, including current star Nathaniel Boley, 16. “He’s an example of one of our most dedicated swimmers,” Reeves said. “He’s a true water rat who has participated in our programming since he was six months old.”

Boley swam in the Point to Point for the first time last year. “It’s a good chance for kids in the Y swim program to have some fun and do something different,” Boley said.

Fellow “rat” and female race winner Loftus, said, “We rats have a close connection because we understand what everybody goes through. We spend up to five hours together every day. We work really hard in the program. This event allows us to have a little more fun. That’s not to say we won’t try to beat each other. But it’s not an obligation.”

On the opposite end of the age spectrum, 72-year-old Westporter Larry Weisman, said, “My wife Mary-Lou, who’s 73, and I, have been doing this for 17 years. We look forward to, well, really, just finishing. By the time I come in, the winner is already in, showered and dressed! The usual winning time is about 18 minutes, I think – I finish in about 45 minutes. This is a big community thing and grows every year. When I first swam it, there was just one heat, now there are three. It’s great fun with a lot of camaraderie. Ten to 15 swimmers here are competitive; the rest of us are just trying to survive.”

Another “old-timer” was Mike Laux, 69. His recollections of the race harkened back to 1970, when the event began as the Cross Harbor Swim. “It ran like that for three to four years. You went to Longshore, got on a boat to Cokenoe Island and you swam back, about a mile. The event dropped for a while due to risks and boat traffic, then Bob Knoeble reinstated it. I’ve been swimming this event the whole time. It’s a Westport tradition and people come from all over to participate.”

Falling right in the middle-age range, P.J. Clyne, 45, of Fairfield, said the race is a great warm-up to the Swim Across the Sound. He has participated in both races for the past seven years. “I first got involved in competitive swimming when a Fairfield Y friend couldn’t compete due to a shoulder injury and I became a stand-in. Swimming is a good, low-impact sport to keep you in shape all year.”

The only concern Westporter Sam Leaf had about competing was a Man o’ War seen floating near the finish area. “In years past, there’s been a lot of jellyfish. Hopefully not this year,” he said.

Continuing a family tradition but this year swimming for a much more sobering purpose was Simsbury resident Paul Epstein, 62, a former Westporter who was a lifeguard at Compo back in 1963. “I’m swimming in honor of my daughter Serena, who took her life last Friday after leaving the Institute of Living treatment program. She was only 27. She used to come here with me to the meets.”

Post-race, as all the swimmers milled about, dried off and chattered about the challenge, race winner Healy, a New Canaan resident, said, “I saw a bunch of good swimmers out there. I thought I’d need to try hard. I worked hard to beat them. I was right with the guy who finished in second (Boley) until the last buoy. I usually wait until that time to put in the kick and sprint to the finish.”

Vintage Garden… A Mom’s Lifelong Dream

Vintage Garden… A Mom’s Lifelong Dream:

Brick Walk retailer a one-stop for gift giving

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 7/14)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/8/11

Fairfield, CT – An entrepreneurial spirit and interest in gift items and cut flowers has entrenched a busy Fairfield mother of three boys in one of the hottest retail complexes in town.

Kathy Lee, owner of Vintage Garden at 1189 Post Road in the Brick Walk Promenade, grew up in Westport and worked in retail bakeries in high school. Senior year found her at Greens Farms Bookstore, which incorporated a bakery.

“It was a wonderful environment, with books, gifts, baked goods and catering – a great business recipe,” Lee said. “I kept the scenario in the back of my mind.”

Lee went off to the University of Southern California to pursue business and entrepreneurship, ultimately landing in Boston in 1989. There, she started in accounting, then managed the flower/gift shop. “I had a great mentor there – the director of the gift shop – who took me to trade shows and showed me the ropes.”

In 1994, she returned to Westport to work in floral management at Hay Day / Bertucci’s. “I didn’t know a lot about flowers, but two women on staff – Fairfielders Maureen Ringel and Phyllis Hartkopf – guided me along,” she said. “The place was like a farmstand. We sold individual flowers and custom created floral arrangements. I really gained a passion for cut flowers and gardening.”

She remained at Hay Day until 1999, when her first child was born. “I stayed home to raise my children, but always knew I would fulfill my dream of opening my own shop.”

Lee kept track of retail space openings as child two and child three arrived, until she became aware of the creation of the Brick Walk center, and inquired about availability in January 2009. “Three weeks later, I was signing a 10-year lease,” she said, adding, “Kudos have to go to the Kleban family (the developer / property owner) for making it very easy for me to open up during an unstable economy.”

Lee worked with Ken Kleban’s architect and construction managers to build out the space. “I was very happy with the result,” she said. “We opened May 1, 2009. The reception from the community was tremendous. We heard from shoppers, ‘Fairfield needed a store like this, we’re happy with the mix of stores and I feel like I can get a beautiful gift for any occasion at affordable prices.’”

Regarding her inventory, Lee said, “I pick all the things I love – fresh-cut flowers, plants, decorative containers, jewelry, personal accessories, picture frames, candles and seasonal items. Beach-themed items are very popular all year round. We carry baby items, like blankets, too. Much of our inventory can be personalized.”

As to the demographic the store attracts, Lee said, “We’re definitely geared to women shoppers, and we seem to be the go-to place for hostess gifts. Generally women are buying for other women. In fact, females of all ages enjoy the shop. A favorite moment for me is when a little girl comes in and says, ‘This is my favorite store.’ I see myself in them, at the same age.”

Lee said Vintage Garden is a community friend. “We try to give back and collaborate with other small businesses, especially within this complex as we can draw shoppers as a whole and provide a wide spectrum of products and services to meet their needs,” she said. “It’s worth noting that the majority of businesses in Brick Walk are women. There’s a unique sisterhood here, and together we participate in annual concerts, a farmer’s market and Christmas stroll, all within the complex.”

Reflecting on her achievements, Lee said, “It’s not easy trying to juggle a family and business, but I think it’s important to show my boys I can fulfill my dream and still be the mom they want me to be.”