Alert “06880” reader Wendy Crowther was driving down the Post Road a couple of days ago. Suddenly, across from Green’s Farms Elementary School, she spotted a decidedly un-Westport scene: Kowalsky’s creche. Here’s her story:
The manger scene is now set up on the front lawn of Kowalsky’s headquarters, complete with live sheep. I’ve always especially loved the addition of the dyed-in-the-wool livestock.
In these days, when everyone is careful about how to acknowledge the holidays in ways that don’t offend any one else’s beliefs, I think it’s kinda cool that the Kowalskys are unabashed about what Christmas is really about — its religious roots, rather than its Santa heritage.
I also have to admit that I worry about the sheep – do they sleep there overnight, or do they go home to their own “crib.” Also, even though they’ve got wool coats on, are they okay on a day like this with gale force winds, and temperatures below freezing?
I’m sure the Kowalskys are well-informed on the topic of animal husbandry — their little farm on Morningside was a favorite petting place for local kids (I think someone else leases that farm now and cares for the animals). Anyway, I’m sure the sheep in the manger scene are just fine.
Though I wonder if one has ever escaped by mistake?
I also wonder if anyone has ever stolen the Kowalsky’s baby Jesus from themanger scene? (It happens in other towns.)
It would be fun to know how the Kowalkys started this tradition, and how Westporters have reacted to it over the years.
There you have it: The Nativity scene, in Westport blog form. A far nicer story than Tina Dragone and her anti-Goodwill screed, that’s for sure.
I am not sure the Kowalsky Brothers have captured the “true spirit” of Christmas with their manger. Looks a little decrepit to me. Give me Santa and his reindeer any day.
From what I’ve read and studied the Lord was NOT born in a Marriott Courtyard !!! ( Santa as a wonderfully loving spirit came later) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all…
The Kowalsky’s contribute so much to the town of Westport and this is just another example of their generous spirit ( you know those big Red trucks that often # 3 to 4 in the MemorialDay parade-Kowalsky trucks) It’s a beautiful thing they do. I would say the reason they do it is because they believe in the true spirit of Christmas- the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ! and the animals, they are just fine Sheep given the option to go inside a barn in the thick of a storm often opt to stay outside- they are animals built by God to live without cozy homes and roaring fires. Merry Christmas 06880!!!
Don’t worry so much. (The Kowalskys do things right). Merry Christmas!
Marriott Courtyard? Priceless.
Jocund.
This creche has been in this spot for many Christmas’s in the past, and many Christmas’s to come. Enjoy it all!
The Kowalsky creche is fantastic! Thank you, & Merry Christmas!
(it more than makes up for ‘The Heritage Tree’/what will they think of next ‘The Heritage Candelabra’?)
Love this! Don’t live in Westport anymore but I rode in those Kowalsky Bros. red trucks as a little kid — say four or five years old. It was a big deal to go with my dad to empty a load of gravel in his truck. My dad was a science teacher at Long Lots and he worked with Kowalsky Bros. during the summers for a few years. Too bad they didn’t pay teachers more in those days. That company was very good to my family for those summers. So glad to see they’re still around and doing good things.