Month: February 2016 - Page 10

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Dana Raphael, 90

Dana Raphael of Fairfield, who together with Margaret Mead established the Human Lactation Center in her home on the Westport-Fairfield border in the 1970s, died Feb 2 at home of complications from congestive heart failure. She ws 90.

Dana Raphael: medical anthropologist. Contributed photo

A well-known medical anthropologist, writer and lecturer, she was best known for her work in supportive behavior and breastfeeding,

She is credited with launching the Doula movement. The term doula was first used by Raphael in a 1969 anthropological study to describe a female caregiver during labor and childbirth whose function was often associated with successful breastfeeding (in Raphael’s words, ‘mothering the mother).

A longtime resident of Fairfield, she was also a generous supporter of Connecticut Ballet and the Connecticut Audubon Society over several decades.

David Christison, 95

David Christison of Charlotte, N.C., a former Westport resident, died at home on Feb. 15. He was 95.

David Christison: former Westporter. Contributed photo

Born in Methuen, Mass., on July 29, 1920, he was the son of Hugh and Grace. He grew up in Methuen, attended Methuen High School and went to Hebron Academy, graduating in 1937 and MIT graduating with a BS (1942) and MS (1943).

Before graduating from MIT, he was offered a couple of positions which he turned down to continue research in the chemical warfare department at MIT. After graduating he was employed with and retired from Socony (Mobil Oil) in the International Division and lived a short time in Woodbury, N.J.

He was a graduate of MIT’s Sloan program (1958). In 1960 he and his young family were relocated to England for two years. Upon their return, they settled in Westport for 23 years before retiring to Skidaway Island in Savannah, Ga., where he pursued his avid love of golf.

Competing in Robotics Competition

UPDATE Four Westport robotics teams, three from Staples High School and one from Greens Farms Academy (GFA), were among 24 Connecticut teams competing today in the annual FIRST Robotics Challenge (FTC). Held at GFA’s Coyle Gymnasium, three teams will advance to the super-regional competition at the University of Scranton in March where the finalist will advance to the World Championship in St. Louis on April 26-30. In 2015, Staples i2r Robotics team reached the World Championship semi-finals in St. Louis. (See WestportNow, March 21, 2015) Competition results announced at the end of the day saw i2r and the GFA Dragonoids teams from Westport and RoboEpic, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, each advance to the eastern super-regionals. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

‘Aether’ and Friends

Staples Hight School’s i2r Robotics team poses today with their robot, “Aether” at the annual FIRST Robotics Challenge held at Greens Farms Academy’s Coyle Gymnasium Standing (l-r) Annie Gao, Sr, Phoebe Spear, Jr, Julia Schorr, Sr. Joe Mantuoro, Jr, Ben Davis, Jr, Theo Davis, Freshman and Greg Preiser, Jr. Front (l-r) Peter Sauer, Sr, and Luke Sauer, Soph. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Robotics Fans

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe is pictured today with Ridgefield residents Pamela and Evan Barnet, mentors of Greens Farms Academy’s Dragonoids Robotics team, whose robot is called Vandal IV, at the annual FIRST Robotics Challenge held at Greens Farms Academy’s Coyle Gymnasium. The GFA Dragonoids team robotic, “Vandal IV,” is named after the Barnets’ son, Van, GFA class of 2013, who founded the GFA Robotics team seven years ago when he was a sophomore. Currently Van is a junior at Georgia Tech majoring in aerospace engineering. Van’s brother Scott, 17, a GFA junior is a member of the current Dragonoids Robotics team. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Chef Offers ‘Soupscriptions’

A popular attraction today at the Westport Farmers Market was the All Souped Up stand. Fairfield-based Marissa Latshaw, who founded All Souped Up in July 2015, offered tastings of her variety of organic, plant-based soups. She said she prepares the soups at 2126 Post Road, Fairfield and offers them fresh or frozen as well as through “soupscriptions,” which allows soup lovers to subscribe to four soups each month. Customers can either pick them up at one of five locations or opt to have them delivered. “I started All Souped Up because I love soup and I wanted to make it easy for everyone to eat well every day…especially those busy, stressful days,” she said. For more information visit www.allsoupedupct.com. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Lilly Wasn’t Chilly

Lilly wasn’t chilly. Completely undaunted by the blustery cold, Lilly, this exuberant black lab, kept its owner moving as the two engaged in a game of throw and fetch Friday at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Saturday, February 20, 2016

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Gilbertie’s Herb Gardens – Westport Farmers Market
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “Enid Munroe: Artist & Alchemist”
Noon – 4 p.m. – Westport Historical Society – “Window to Westport’s Past & Present”
2 p.m. – Westport Library – Psychology of Retirement: Screening & Discussion of “About Schmidt”
2 p.m. – Westport Library – Open Meeting: Fairfield County Writers Group
8 p.m. – Town Hall – Westport Community Theatre: “Light Up the Sky”

See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar

Friday, February 19th, 2016

Icy Saugatuck

A view of the icy Saugatuck River in Westport against the backdrop of a house on Imperial Avenue a day before forecasted temperatures rise into the 50s. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Only a Couple More Weeks of Skating

Westport resident Dianna Walsh and daughter Reagan, 3, were among a sparse crowd of skaters today at the P.A.L. Ice Rink at Westport’s Longshore Club Park in temperatures in the upper 30s. Tony Lantier, whose company manages the rink, reminds residents it remains open through Sunday, March 6 and then will close until Thanksgiving weekend. During this final weekend of the school vacation, the rink remains open today until 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. except for a private party from 5-7:30 p.m,. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com