Stories

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC BUZZ Weekend February 14 - 16</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/opening-reception" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Opening Reception of "INSIDE OUT</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bruce S. Kershner Gallery, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Thursday Feb 13, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm</p><p>Featuring the art of Sergey Stepanenko and Annette Voreyer, the artists will speak at 6:00pm. This exhibition includes a variety of still life and landscape work by Sergey. He paints his feelings and impressions of places in connection with the culture and history within the stream of time. His painting technique is a consistent free style using primarily a palette knife which he says allows him the freedom of movement and freedom from detail to focus on a whole object.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/film-screening-dela-the-making-of-el-anatsui" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>DELA: The Making of El Anatsui</strong></a></p><p><strong>MoCA CT, Westport</strong></p><p>Thursday Feb 13, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>Presented as part of MoCA CT’s collaboration with WestPAC's ON FIRE: Energy, Climate, Infrastructure and our Black History Month event series. This compelling biographical documentary explores the life and work of El Anatsui, one of Africa’s most celebrated sculptors. DELA offers an intimate look into Anatsui’s groundbreaking contributions to contemporary art, his mentorship of a generation of West African artists, and his transformative role in his local community. The film delves into the profound simplicity and complexity of his monumental creations, highlighting his journey of triumphs and trials. The title, "Dela," meaning "Deliverer" in the Ewe language, encapsulates his impact on art and culture.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/afrika-360-the-journey-back-to-myself-poetry-performance" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>AFRIKA 360: The Journey Back to Myself | Poetry Performance</strong></a></p><p><strong>Housatonic Museum of Art, Bridgeport</strong></p><p>Thursday Feb 13, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm</p><p>Celebrate Black History Month with a live performance that incorporates poetry and drumming inspired by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo's journey through South Africa and Nigeria. You won’t want to miss this unique, immersive experience that connects to the current exhibition, Arwe Journey: Twentieth-Century Afri-Caribbean Migration.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/candi-carpenter-zee-machine-kalie-shorr-with-jenna-devries" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Candi Carpenter, Zee Machine, & Kalie Shorr with Jenna DeVries</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford</strong></p><p>Thursday Feb 13, 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>Candi Carpenter is a 6,665-year-old extraterrestrial vampire space witch AND recording artist. Candi’s viral brand of confessional existentialism has swept across at least a few corners of the internet and gathered a devoted community of like-minded fans who have helped turn Candi’s shows into fun and inclusive spaces.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/let-s-do-history-douglass-day-celebration-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Let’s Do History! Douglass Day Celebration 2025</strong></a></p><p><strong>Greenwich Historical Society, Greenwich</strong></p><p>Friday Feb 14, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Douglass Day is an annual and nationwide event that gathers individuals, schools, and organizations in collectively creating free and available resources for African American History in honor of Frederick Douglass and his lasting legacy.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/billy-the-showmen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Billy & The Showmen</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford</strong></p><p>Friday Feb 14, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>Established more than fifty years ago by band leader Billy Frenz, Billy and the Showmen has earned their reputation as one of Connecticut's most enduring Rhythm & Blues bands. Billy and the Showmen specialize in hard-driving R&B, Soul, and Funk from the '60's and '70's. The band's repertoire includes the best of James Brown, Rick James, Percy Sledge, the Ohio Players, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett, Junior Welles, King Floyd, Average White Band, Tower of Power, Buddy Miles, Kool & the Gang, Otis Redding and classic Motown artists such as the Temptations and Sam & Dave.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/blanche-lazzell-becoming-an-american-modernist-8e1e3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Blanche Lazzell: Becoming an American Modernist</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bruce Museum, Greenwich</strong></p><p>Friday Feb 14, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm</p><p>The first monographic exhibition of her work in nearly two decades, Blanche Lazzell: Becoming an American Modernist traces the artist’s pioneering approaches to abstraction in the United States.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/soulful-expressions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Soulful Expressions</strong></a></p><p><strong>MoCA CT, Westport</strong></p><p>Saturday Feb 15, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>An evening of poetry by Sahmra Sawyer, music by pianist Joe Bush, dance by Jeffline Saint Louis, and food by Jamaican Chef Dré Sawyers of Food by Mustard Seed Inc. Artist Erika McGhee will do live sketching of visitors, followed by a dance floor open for classics like the Electric Slide, Wobble, and more.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/an-evening-to-celebrate-love" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>An Evening to Celebrate Love</strong></a></p><p><strong>Westport Country Playhouse, Westport</strong></p><p>Saturday Feb 15, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>Take a night to be reminded that love drives this world forward every single day. Playhouse alum Rudolfo Soto (In the Heights, New Works: Bad Accents, Script in Hand: Theatre People), Carrie Lyn Brandon (National Tour of Once) and Michael Wilkins create an evening highlighting music from Once the musical, original songs, and more. Be reminded that love isn’t something we do, it is who we are and what we allow others to be. Bring someone you love or just bring your love of music for this great night kicking off our Barnstormer series in 2025!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/manny-papaleta" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Manny Papaleta</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford</strong></p><p>Saturday Feb 15, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>Manny Cabral a.k.a. “Manny Papeleta” is a Dominican singer, songwriter, and Showman. He is a well known Stand up comedy artist from the Dominican Republic. He is currently performing his latest sold out comedy special show among others.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/a-tribute-to-the-eagles-by-desert-highway-3b589" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>A Tribute to The Eagles: By Desert Highway</strong></a></p><p><strong>Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Bridgeport</strong></p><p>Saturday Feb 15, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>Since its formation, Desert Highway Band “A Tribute to the Eagles” continues to captivate & entertain major audiences. They attribute this achievement to performing a non-stop journey via numerous radio hits, top ten singles, and album favorites. Both musically and visually, they present the excitement of a live Eagles concert.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/connecticut-ballet-presents-be-my-valentine" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Connecticut Ballet presents BE MY VALENTINE</strong></a></p><p><strong>Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Stamford</strong></p><p>Sunday Feb 16, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm</p><p>Connecticut Ballet’s annual BE MY VALENTINE returns to Stamford on February 16th just in time for Valentine's Day! “We want to invite audiences make a day of it to come out, enjoy a variety of dances around the theme of love, have some wine and nibbles, and make a day of it.”</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a> page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a> Sign up for the <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a> to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inb</p>

<p>Voices Cafe is thrilled to present the dynamic, creative force of Rick Reyes & Santos de Palo on Saturday March 1st at 8pm. </p><p>This concert promises to be a unique, expansive musical exploration. The Latin Americana music genre simply does not capture this innovative fusing of Caribbean Mountain folk music with North American folk traditions such as bluegrass, country, and gospel. </p><p>M<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">arch 1st’s </span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">concert features Rick Reyes on the guitar and vocals, Asher Delerme on percussion, Kris Jensen on saxophone and Rich Zurkowski on bass and cuartro. </span></p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ciQovrZKRIc?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><br></p><p><a href="https://voicescafe.org/show/live-in-person-damn-tall-buildings/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tickets and Information: </a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This concert is on Saturday, March 1st, doors open at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm. Tickets and information are available at </span><a href="https://voicescafe.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://voicescafe.org/</a> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">General admission is $25 per ticket. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Voices Cafe offers a BYO setting with a choice of coffee-house style seating at tables or individual seating. Coffee and sweet treats are available for purchase, and guests are welcome to bring their own beverages and snacks. Groups of four or more can reserve table space.</span></p><p>Voices Cafe concerts are presented at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport at 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport CT, and the concerts support social justice programs in our local community.</p><p><strong>About Rick Reyes & Santos de Palo:</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Rick Reyes is a multifaceted musician, artist, and cultural advocate whose work reflects his roots in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Puerto Rico. As a songwriter, producer, and performer, he leads innovative musical projects, including Santos de Palo, at its core Latin Americana music that explores the connections between Latin American music and traditional American folk genres, demonstrating how music transcends cultural boundaries. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Rick’s other creative music projects include The Cosmic Jibaros, a Latin rock band that blends Puerto Rican rhythms with socially conscious lyrics, and The Pasofino Social Club, which pays homage to classic Latin bands. Rick has also released </span><em style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Novela sin Tiempo</em><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">, an acoustic record that blends Latin and world music influences, further highlighting his talents as a storyteller and musician.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">In recognition of his creative endeavors, Rick earned the 2021 Artists Respond Grant and the 2023 Fellowship Grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts for his significant contributions to the arts.</span><span style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42);"> Reyes attended Sacred Heart University and graduated with a degree in Business Administration but spent all his free time writing songs and playing music.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Rick continues to celebrate cultural unity by highlighting the shared stories and emotions across diverse musical traditions. His work continues to serve as a bridge between cultures, fostering appreciation, understanding, and dialogue through creative expression.</span></p><p><br></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p><strong style="color: var(--geeks-body-color);">Westport, CT - </strong><span style="color: var(--geeks-body-color);">Three new art exhibits are currently on display at The Westport Library now through March 25: </span><em style="color: var(--geeks-body-color);">Good Bones: 60 Years of Multi-Dimensional Commentary </em><span style="color: var(--geeks-body-color);">by Nina Bentley in the Sheffer Gallery, </span><em style="color: var(--geeks-body-color);">City Sights</em><span style="color: var(--geeks-body-color);"> by Susan Fehlinger in the South Gallery, and </span><em style="color: var(--geeks-body-color);">Art and Jazz</em><span style="color: var(--geeks-body-color);"> by Jean Krasno in the Jesup Gallery.</span>A reception for the artists will take place tonight (Wednesday, February 12) from 6 to 7 pm, followed by a conversation of artistic influences, inspiration, backgrounds, and creative processes between the three and Miggs Burroughs from 7 to 8 pm.</p><p>Bentley's work is often conceptual in nature, offering poignant commentary on a wide array of social issues.<em>Good Bones: 60 Years of Multi-Dimensional Social Commentary </em>is a retrospective of decades of her work, composed of sculpture, prints, pen and ink, and multimedia assemblages.</p><p>“I got more and more involved in found objects as time went on,” Bentley said. “I’m a big collector. Sometimes, I will get an idea and then I’ll find the materials to make that idea work visually. Other times I will bump into something, like a whole mass of cake choppers — I once got a carton of old knives — or multiples of an interesting material. That sometimes is what starts the project. ... Part of me is crazy wild, part of me is very controlled.”</p><p>Born in Brooklyn in 1939, and raised in Great Neck, New York, Bentley attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she studied fine art and graduated in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in history. Over her 60 years as an artist, she has lived in Bologna, Frankfurt, London, Zurich, Santiago, and Caracas, and staged one-person shows in both Europe and the U.S. She has won a number of awards in regional juried shows and had her works featured in both galleries and private collections.</p><p>Bentley said she is moved by aesthetics and the complexities of the human condition, creating art that speaks to significant matters felt both personally as well as societally.</p><p>"I create art in order to gain some perspective on the world around me, while also trying to retain a sense of humor," said Bentley. "In short, my work can be seen as multi-dimensional social commentary."</p><p>Fehlinger worked for 35 years as a television producer in New York City. Yearning to paint, she left her job in 2003 and embarked on a career as an artist.</p><p>Represented by a number of galleries and solo shows, from Cape Cod to upstate New York, to Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, Fehlinger and her art have traversed many different landscapes. After relocating to Bridgeport in 2014, she found inspiration in the change of scenery, translating it into her art. She works in her studio at Metro Arts in Black Rock, where she paints or teaches on a daily basis.</p><p>Fehlinger’s painting style emphasizes an interest in texture, color, and light. Her tool of choice is a palette knife, which she uses to highlight structure, form, and shadow. Her compositions play with scale, placement, and negative and positive spaces, creating visual interest and an individual style.</p><p>“I discovered the palette knife … and found that I could apply paint on a canvas quickly, thickly, and spontaneously,” Fehlinger said. “I loved the textures I could produce with the knife, and I loved no brushes to wash. I am a self-taught artist. I wanted to create a strong sense of place — a familiar but somewhat abstracted place — and then capture it when the light is just right.”</p><p>As an artist, Krasno said she is deeply inspired by the magic of jazz music, conveyed through the rich voices, poetic lyrics, and rhythmic performances of artists like Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington. </p><p><em>Art and Jazz</em> is a testament to that. The exhibit creates a sensory experience that combines her art with the music that sparked its creation, incorporating a listening component with accompanying QR codes that link to jazz songs and inviting the viewer to listen and take part in Krasno’s inspiration.</p><p>"I work to absorb this magic and tell these stories visually by combining torn paper with oil pastels, pencil, and ripped lithograph proofs from my own previous works," Krasno said. "I play with color, shapes, texture, tone, and storytelling to complement the sounds and lyrics of jazz greats in visual expression.”</p><p>Krasno’s paper collages been exhibited throughout the country and installed in many permanent collections. She also has published a number of books, including political texts such as <em>The United Nations: Policy and Practice </em>and<em> Banning the Bomb: The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons</em>; the recently published <em>Secrets and the Disappeared: A Tale of Brazil</em>; and the mystery novel <em>The Train to Skeleton Coast: A Tale of Murder and the Struggle for Freedom</em>, featuring her own artwork on the cover.</p><p>With a BFA from the University of Illinois, an MFA from Stanford University in Art with an emphasis on painting and printmaking, and a PhD in international politics from the City University of New York Graduate Center, Krasno uses her political insights to inform her creative perspectives. As a full-time, tenured lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the City College of New York, as well as a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Columbia University, Krasno’s separate avenues of work speak to the power of one’s perspective when translated through a lens of both analytic processes and creative pursuits.</p><p><strong>Artist Reception and Conversation: With Artists Nina Bentley, Susan Fehlinger, and Jean Krasno</strong></p><p>Wednesday, February 12 from 6-8 pm.</p>

<p>Westport Country Playhouse will offer 25% off two-play subscriptions in recognition of Presidents Day, with the discount available online only from Saturday, February 15 through Monday, February 17. The special rate is for the final two shows in the Playhouse’s 2024-25 Season of Laughter: “Native Gardens,” running from February 18 through March 8, and “Theatre People,” from March 25 through April 12. To access the 25% two-play subscription discount, visit: <a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/seasontix/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/seasontix/</a> A code will be provided beginning Saturday, February 15, via the Playhouse website (westportplayhouse.org) and social media: Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse) and Instagram (wcplayhouse).</p><p>Westport Country Playhouse’s “Season of Laughter” runs from fall to spring with a slate of five comedies ranging from family friendly plays to old-fashioned romps, each offering biting and topical humor. “Native Gardens,” a comedy about good neighbors and bad behavior, is written by Karen Zacarías, who was recently hailed by <em>American Theatre </em>magazine as one of the 10 most-produced playwrights in the U.S. Director is JoAnn M. Hunter. “Theatre People,” a throwback to the classic comedies of yesteryear, is written by West Hartford playwright Paul Slade Smith and directed by Mark Shanahan, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. </p><p>“This winter, there's a lot of warm laughter filling the air at the Playhouse!,” said Shanahan. “As we continue our season of comedies, we’re overjoyed by the response we’ve received from our audience. With the hilarious and sharp-witted ‘Native Gardens’ up next, followed by the wildly funny antics of ‘Theatre People,’ we’re excited to share more joy, more surprises, and plenty of reasons to make you smile. We look forward to welcoming you at the Playhouse for a night of unforgettable performances that will send you home with laughter still ringing in your ears!”</p><p>In addition to the Presidents Weekend special promotion, the Playhouse regularly offers discounts on single tickets for students, senior citizens, educators, military and first responders, Indigenous peoples, professional playwrights, and groups, as well as options for pay-what-you-will and library passes. Details at: <a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/box-office" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/box-office/</a></p><p>Playwright Karen Zacarías will visit the Playhouse to view her play, “Native Gardens,” during its run. She said, “I know that director JoAnn Hunter has assembled a remarkably accomplished cast, and I can't wait to experience their take on the play. It’s always a joy to see how different artists bring new life to the story—I know this one will be something special.” </p><p>Paul Slade Smith, author of “Theatre People,” will join the Playhouse audience for a performance of his play in March. "As a West Hartford native, having a production of my play at Westport Country Playhouse with our amazing cast is a dream come true! I am excited to watch the audience fall in love with these hilarious characters!”</p><p>For full details on each play, visit: <a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/native-gardens/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/native-gardens/</a> </p><p><br></p>

<p>Westport Country Playhouse announces that applications are now being accepted through Friday, March 7 for the 2025 Joanne Woodward Internship Program for theater career aspirants. Interns enhance their professional skills and gain on-the-job experience working directly with Playhouse senior staff during summer months.</p><p>Named in honor of actress, director, and the Playhouse’s former artistic director, the Joanne Woodward Internship program is one of the nation’s preeminent theater training opportunities for emerging professionals. Internships have formed a vital part of the Playhouse’s mission since the 1940s. Among the alumni of the Playhouse’s program is the late composer Stephen Sondheim.</p><p>The 2025 Woodward Internship Program will run from May 27 through August 1. Applicants must be age 20 or older and have a high school degree (or equivalent). Stipend is $655 per week (equivalent to minimum wage for the State of Connecticut). Housing will be provided with interns assigned to their own rooms. Transportation is the responsibility of the intern.</p><p>In-person internship opportunities are available in marketing, development/fundraising, general production, and artistic and education. In addition to working in their respective departments at the Playhouse, interns will attend weekly seminars featuring a variety of guest speakers, including Playhouse staff members, visiting designers and artists, commercial producers, and more.</p><p>The 2025 Woodward Internship program is supported by the White Barn program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation.</p><p>For more information on Woodward Internships and application, visit <a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/education/internships/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/education/internships/</a> or contact <span style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">education@westportplayhouse.org.</span></p><p>Westport Country Playhouse’s 2025 schedule is available at: <a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/whats-on/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/whats-on/</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>The Westport delegation, including <strong>State Senator Ceci Maher</strong>, <strong>State Representative Jonathan Steinberg </strong>and <strong>State Representative Dominique Johnson</strong>, today denounced an anti-Semitic snowman discovered this week in the Newman Poses Preserve. The snowman had a swastika on its body, while its face appeared designed to resemble Adolf Hitler and one of its arms was raised in a Nazi salute.</p><p>The Anti-Defamation League of Connecticut issued a statement expressing “deep concern” about the snowman, which was discovered in a local park by a hiker, decrying use of a swastika and citing the offensive nature of the snowman’s design.</p><p>“This pathetic display is an example of the fear anti-Semitism tries to derive from the public, and that it was left anonymously in a local park is evidence that its creator knows they should be ashamed of themselves,” said <strong>Sen. Maher</strong>. “Our community cannot and will not condone anything like this, especially in already heightened tensions and times. I’m proud that the Westport community is coming together to denounce all forms of hate.”</p><p>“This is a disgusting display of hatred, not to mention failure; the Nazis lost World War II and their ideology has been pushed to the margins for nearly a century since. I’m heartened that the Westport community is immediately coming together to reinforce that this is completely unacceptable and has no place here or anywhere,” said <strong>Rep. Steinberg</strong>.</p><p>"This depiction of Hitler, swastikas and antisemitism is an act of malice meant to strike fear in the hearts of residents, and I’m proud of the Westport community for its universal disgust regarding this snowman,” said <strong>Rep. Johnson</strong>. “Fear and hate thrive in darkness, not in the woods of Westport. We are always stronger when we look out for one another and recommit ourselves every day to keep building an inclusive community representing all of us. This intimidation will not deter us in that goal.”</p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Today marks the exciting launch of the USA Junior Golf Federation (Federation), a 501 (C)3 non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and educating the next generation of aspiring junior golf athletes. The Federation is committed to providing junior golfers at The Golf Performance Academy with the financial assistance and support they may need to enable them to excel on their way to playing collegiate golf and beyond.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">“We are honored and humbled to introduce the USA Junior Golf Federation,” said Founder Roger Knick. “We understand that true human development occurs before, during and after rigorous academic tests and golf tournaments. The mission of The Golf Performance Academy in Ridgefield, CT and Port St. Lucie, FL, is to prepare aspiring junior golf athletes to play collegiate golf by providing unencumbered educational and athletic opportunities, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic background, while developing core values of hardwork, integrity, honesty, discipline, and resilience that will support their journey to become the best version of themselves on the course, in the classroom, and in life.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The Federation is built on nearly 30 years of experience that Roger and his team have developing aspiring junior golfers. The Golf Performance Academy has become a premier destination for aspiring junior golfers from around the world to play at the collegiate level, refine their skills and reach new heights in their careers. The Academy provides a unique high-performance environment for aspiring collegiate golfers with equal focus on academic and educational enrichment.</span></p><ol><li><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The Golf Performance Academy’s world class golf program is focused on the 5 Elements of Success:</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">A person’s desire to learn and want to improve.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Being able to do physically what is needed, “Function Dictates Form”.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Having quality coaches, mentors and being coachable.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Mentally having a growth mindset, understanding success is not a straight line but requires resilience, passion and discipline.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Having the right equipment for the job or task at hand.</span></li></ol><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Through this philosophy, The Golf Performance Academy has fostered a culture of success. This integrated approach has produced numerous tournament champions and collegiate scholarship recipients.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">For more information on the USA Junior Golf Federation or The Golf Performance Academy including upcoming events, how you can become involved and give your support please visit: </span><a href="https://usajuniorgolffederation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">https://usajuniorgolffederation.org</a></p>