Westport in Brief
EverythingWestport.com
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Quick Article Index . . .
ROMEOs
throw in some cash and throw down a challenge.
Westport Point Church throws a clambake!
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EverythingWestport.com Friday, July 24, 2009 View
the high resolution photos of this event 54 photos | Dial-up speed |
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Remember the days when you could identify a car by its taillights,
were stopped in your tracks by a ground-pounding, mother-thumping ‘55 Chevy,
and cruised the Main lookin’ good in a raked Fairlane. Man, the ‘60s were the
best. Diners, drive-in movies, cokes and fries, fast cars, rock & roll,
and teeny boppers. Hey, if you’re not a product of the 50s and 60s then you
just don’t want to know. But if you do, then you were at the Classic Car Hop at White’s of
Westport! Hundreds came from all over the area to relive the good times, and to
show off their treasures or just view the classics. It's good clean fun! Three Area Car
Club's participating included: And there were more than just a few antiques, classics, street rods
and customs to ogle over. You have to love these walks down Nostalgia Lane. Or
just to bear in mind that American muscle once ruled the roads. Remember how
we lived from paycheck to paycheck to support our cars? Street rod and classic car owners gathered en masse at Whites as an
opening act for New England’s #1 oldies band - the King’s Row. Or the King’s
Row opened for the Car Hop – your choice.
The lady of my
dreams! Bad boy Chevys and Fords powered by big block brawn always excite me.
But my heart fluttered when Tiverton resident Ronnie Pedro’s ’41 Willys
rumbled in late. My dream car always knew how to make an entrance. Always wanted a Willys. I’ve owned a canary yellow ‘56 Chevy 2-door
sedan, big block ‘77 Nova and small block ’64 Chevy II and ’67 Camaro. But I
always wanted a souped-up, mean-to-the-bone Willys. Thank you Ronnie! Chopped and channeled street rods. GMC 6-71 blowers, flatheads, and shackles. Gnarly, 12-second monsters off the show room floor. Flip top convertibles, hatchback ‘vets and girls, girls, girls. Remember American Graffiti’s Harrison Ford in his wound-up, black ’55 Chevy? And then there’s John Travolta’s "sin wagon" in Grease? Who didn’t want to be “the Fonz” in high school? Remember “Life is a 59 Cadillac” by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Chuck Berry’s “Maybeline.” If you didn’t own a car that idled like four plugs were fouled, well
you just weren’t with it. 6 miles per gallon and never met a gas station you
didn’t like. Whatever, gas was cheap. Image was not.
From the left: (1) Ronnie Pedro of Tiverton adjusting the throttle on
his immaculate 41 Willys; (2) pretty Sharyn Clermont car hops her ’64 T-Bird
in style; (3) early Plymouth owners Rick Vaillencourt (‘37 Plymouth) and Kate
Caramos (‘38 Plymouth) share war stories; and (4) back seat aficionado Prince
Charles. How can you dispute the fact that the Beach Boys sang more songs about
GTOs than girls? White’s parking lot had it all, and for once our kids didn’t know what
we were talking about. Us old guys and gals, we know the score. The American
love affair with the automobile was never better than in the 60s, and never
will be. Wolfman Jack, we love you man! View You Tube video of 540HP ‘41 Willys idling! ROMEOs
throw in some cash and throw down a challenge. EverythingWestport.com Thursday,
July 19, 2009 “Double it,” ROMEOs tell Ben Brayton.
He could have used a life
preserver of his own. Local
politicians who sometimes find themselves on the other side of the political
fence with the ROMEOs won’t appear before this august group. Candidates
running for town office think twice before accepting an invitation to face
them. “Hey, we’re
a bunch of nice guys,” said Gary Mauk, Westport Selectmen and fellow ROMEO. Project
Lifesaver is a public safety program designed to protect and locate missing
persons due to wandering. Project lifesaver was established in April of 1999
as an initiative of the 43rd Search and Rescue Company of the Chesapeake
Sheriff’s Office. The program places personalized radio transmitters on
identified persons with ARMD (Related Mental Dysfunction Disorders) who may
wander away from the safety of their homes. The program is specifically
designed to help those with Alzheimer’s, dementia and children with autism,
Down syndrome or developmental disorders. Brayton has
already approached other service organizations like the Lion’s Club and
Mason’s to appear before them and speak about his project. The ROMEOs hearing
about his efforts invited him to speak at one of their recent luncheons. “The
program has been very successful, cutting the time for locating a person down
from 3 days to 30 minutes,” Brayton told the ROMEOs. “The Westport Police
have already deployed several transmitters and currently have just one
hand-held, land-to-land receiver at the Central Village police station. I
would like to add a second mobile receiver at a different location to help
with faster first response and in using triangulation to locate a lost person
more efficiently,” Brayton said. The range of the receivers is about 1000
feet – multiple receivers could quickly narrow down a search area.
From the left: (1) Boy Scout Ben Brayton leading the ROMEOs in the
Scout Oath; (2) ROMEO Ted Rich presenting a donation and a challenge to Ben
Brayton; and (3) pamphlet containing great information about the equipment
used in Project Lifesaver (click on image to enlarge). Brayton
reported that there are about 50 Westport residents that could benefit from
Project Lifesaver, and that the police department has already used the system
several times. Brayton chose this community education effort as his project to obtain Eagle Scout ranking. “The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project is the opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community,” said Brayton’s mentor Deputy Chief John Gifford. “The project is not an easy task, but successful completion will outlive his time as a Boy Scout.” But community awareness through education is only part of Brayton’s mission. He has committed himself to raising as much money as possible, setting a goal of $3000 to be used in the purchase of additional Project Lifesaver equipment. With the matching funds donation by the ROMEOs Brayton is about halfway there. The Westport High School sophomore has already offered a car wash, and plans several more fundraisers throughout the course of the year when his project timeframe will end. Jack Baughan, Westport resident and fellow ROMEO just attended his own grandson’s Eagle Scout award ceremony. “I’m quite proud of him,” Baughn said. Brayton
picked this project because of the importance to the community and his own
personal experience with his grandmother who has Alzheimer’s.
ROMEO Joe
Crowley in a magnanimous gesture donated his own boy scout pin obtained more
than 50 years ago to be auctioned off at a future date. The ROMEOs
toned down and anted up $300 from their Benevolent Fund with the provision
that Brayton match the donation by seeking additional contributions. In
response to a ROMEO question, Brayton said that scouting has given him
life-long skills and great personal achievement. “I have really enjoyed it. I
will accept the ROMEOs challenge.” Boy Scout Brayton
left the luncheon with a large cash donation and a sense of pride and
maturity belying his 15 years of age. “Ben is on his way to becoming a great
asset to his community,” Deputy Chief Gifford said. He
certainly impressed the ROMEOs. EverythingWestport.com Sunday, July 26, 2009 $24,000 raised. Michael Mulrooney of Pocasset was the
event’s top fundraiser with $1,732. Sam Adams brought on as a major sponsor. Boland's Tree Farm, 97 South
Lake Road in Tiverton was the jump off point for the 4th Annual Friends of
Saint Anne’s Hospital Bike Challenge. Left: these two 2009 Bike
Challenge participants glide silently by Elephant Rock Beach Club on Acoaxet
Road in scenic Westport Harbor on their 50-mile loop to raise money for Saint
Anne’s Hospital Regional Cancer care. Once again Citizens-Union Savings Bank, the title sponsor of the event, and Westport’s Village Bicycle proudly supported the Bike Challenge, and thanks to their generous contributions, 100% of participant donations directly benefited the Hudner Oncology Center and area cancer care. Mulrooney received a $250 gift certificate to the cycle shop of his choice for his outstanding fund-raising effort. Participants who raised more than $100 in donations received a “cool and dry” commemorative event T-shirt. “To date, this annual event has raised over $75,000 to benefit the lives of local cancer patients who depend upon Saint Anne’s Hospital,” reported Susan Medeiros, Citizens-Union Savings bank Vice President and Bike Challenge Co-Chair. “All funds raised will help to continue to provide the best technological advances and quality cancer care for patients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.”
The truth of the matter is that faith-based charities and community volunteer groups account for a sizable chunk of donated capital to support important causes like the Hudner Oncology Center. This liaison between recipient organizations and community initiatives allows grassroots organizations to address the critical needs in their communities, and make a unique impact in the lives of society’s most vulnerable citizens. “We’re very proud to announce that Sam Adams was brought on board this year as a major sponsor,” Sue Medeiros of Citizens Union Bank told EverythingWestport.com. “And 90% of our items given to the riders came from the community.” Citizens-Union committed a $5000 title sponsor contribution in addition to employee volunteers for the bike challenge. “Last year's Bike Challenge had over 80 riders participate under less than perfect weather conditions, with more than $13,000 eventually presented to the Hudner Oncology Center,” reported Medeiros. “This year we had 130 riders, and with a final tally of $23,000. Sue Medeiros and Jim Lebelle of Village Bicycle wish to thank their many sponsors and Bike Challenge participants for their generous support. The day did start
out in less than perfect conditions, but the light rain quickly gave way to a
light mist that provided a surreal feel to the countryside’s river and ocean
front scenery that opened up to riders at every turn. The 8-, 25- and 50-mile bike routes encompassed the beautiful farming communities of South Dartmouth, Westport, Tiverton and Little Compton, and there were vistas and views aplenty despite the best efforts of the misty morning. It didn’t rain much and the ride was quite pleasant. Riders were treated with a panorama of coastal landscapes, farms, stone walls and ocean views to keep them company on their ride. It wasn’t smooth sailing for all riders (photo below center), but spirits were high and the smiles never left their faces.
From the left: (1) riders head out on
Narrow Avenue; (2) a quick pit stop in Adamsville to fix a flat didn’t affect
the cheery disposition of these riders; and (3) Currier and Ives scenes like
Adamsville Pond kept spirits bright. View
high resolution photos of this event 15 photos | Broadband/DSL
speed | Click here to get all the details and route layouts of this
year’s Bike Challenge. Click here to read about and view photos of last year’s challenge.
Left - Westport River’s West Branch
off River Road. Right - Riders stopped for a quick break at historic Simons
Store in Adamsville. Westport Point Church throws a clambake! EverythingWestport.com Saturday, July 25,
2009 In a
town becoming known for its artisanal cheeses and sparkling wines, an
old-fashioned clambake is just what the doctor ordered.
The 28th
annual Westport Point United Methodist Church Clambake went off without a
hitch. “It wasn’t a bad crowd, a little off from last year. The price on
lobster was lower than normal so it made up the difference in our proceeds,”
said the bakemaster. “It’s a great day, even though we sold a few less
tickets than normal.” View
the photo album now 44 photos | Dial-up speed | Broadband/DSL
speed | It was
a little warm as it always seems to be on this day. Bakemaster LaValley felt
the heat earlier as he briefly sat down and took a quick respite from the
heat. He was satisfied, however, with
how the bake was progressing. Last
year things came to an early head with the clambake as mounting steam
ballooned the canvas covering the bake, startling LaValley. “It looked like
the bake would explode. I had to relieve the pressure pretty quickly.” Visitors to the
clambake come from near and far, not wanting to miss this perennial church
event. Marcia Goulding came in from New Bedford. “I like clambakes,” was all
she needed to say.
Above, from the left: (1) from the left, Dorothy Hopkinson, daughter
Susan with husband Kenny; (2) Alvin Tripp with wife Arline and friend Carolyn
Cody; and (3) pastor Katherine welcomes the guests and gives the blessing.
Clockwise from the upper left: (1) Lisa Madara once again gets chowder
duty; (2) Marcia Goulding from New Bedford: (3) bakemaster Jeff LaValley
takes a much deserved break from the bake’s heat; (4) mother/daughter bake
servers Kat Cordeiro and Pat Morse (mom); and (5) visitors dig into the 28th
Point Church clambake. Grandma Carol’s clam chowder had them lined up. “We cooked up the chowder in a 15 gallon kettle,” exclaimed Madara. “The lobsters came in fresh from a local boat, the Lobster Hunter,” said LaValley. “You can’t get any fresher!” For more information on this or
other church events, call (508) 636-2036. - - -
- End - - - - © 2009
Community Events of Westport All
rights reserved. |
Kings Row's
elaborate musical arrangements and powerful four-lead-vocals made their
performances exciting and memorable. They consistently produced a
sophisticated, emotional and romantic sound. Music and cars; it doesn’t get
any better than that – if you’re an oldie.
