“Tête-à-Tête: Reinventing the Conversation Bench” is based on the old Victorian “courting bench.” Its S-shape allows couples to hold intimate conversations without touching. Twenty-eight reimagined contemporary designs and prototypes are on display through May 25.
One of the many tete-a-tete benches at the Westport Arts Center exhibition.
In April, TEAM Westport announced the winners of its annual student essay contest. The topic was micro-aggressions.
Those 2 seemingly unrelated events come together next Wednesday (May 1, 6 to 7:30 p.m.).
The WAC gallery’s tête-à-tête benches are the perfect setting for dialogues on micro-aggressions.
Staples High School students Chet Ellis, Angela Ji, Daniel Boccardo and Olivia Sarno — the 4 TEAM Westport contest winners — will read short pieces from their essays.
(From left): TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey, with essay contest winners Chet Ellis, Angela Ji, Daniel Boccardo and Olivia Sarno.
Former Staples principal and Westport Arts Advisory Council member John Dodig, and Westport’s Human Services director Elaine Daignault, will moderate the tête-à-tête discussions that follow.
It’s doubtful attendees will find solutions to this contemporary problem.
But as they sit facing each other on the WAC benches, they’ll have a unique way of looking at it — both metaphorically, and for real.
(Space is limited. Please RSVP by calling 203-222-7070.)
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The Westport Weston Family Y moved from downtown a few years ago.
Actually, it’s been gone so long it’s ready for an expansion at its “new” Mahackeno digs.
The iconic original building (at the corner of Post Road and Main Street) and the gruesome 1970s addition (on Church Lane) have been transformed into handsome Bedford Square.
We’ve all adjusted to the changes. But every year around this time, longtime Westporters remember the very best part of having the Y downtown:
The weather was great in 1989, when during one glorious late April weekend hundreds of volunteers — including many from the Westport Young Woman’s League — constructed the Compo Beach playground.
The weather will not be great this evening, when veterans of that wonderful project (and anyone else who worked on subsequent maintenance days, plus their kids, and all other Westporters who enjoy a good party) planned to celebrate the playground’s 30th anniversary.
So the event is postponed to tomorrow (Saturday, April 27). All are invited to South Beach (the area nearest the cannons).
It’s BYO food and drinks.
And don’t forget that old souvenir t-shirt you’ve held on to for all these years.
On Monday, “06880” posted a story about Baron’s South. Reader Morley Boyd had written — and sent photos — describing construction material from the recent Senior Center modernization project that had been dumped in the southwest meadow. He said that demolition debris was mixed with the fill; that there was evidence of soil erosion, and that mature trees had been removed from the site.
Yesterday, another concerned reader sent an update. This reader noted that the Baron — Walter Langer von Langendorff of Austria, who founded Evyan Perfumes in the 1930s, bought the estate in 1967, and lived there until his death in 1983 — had planted and nurtured diverse species of trees on his 32-acre wooded, hilly property, between Compo Road South and Imperial Avenue.
Among the “legacy trees’ was a Hinoki False Cypress. It grew robustly and beautifully in a protected valley.
It was judged the state’s #1 Golden Hinoki False Cypress, on a list of Notable Trees compiled by the Connecticut College Arboretum. It was not located where the construction occurred.
Tree warden Bruce Lindsay and Planning & Zoning Commission member Al Gratrix went to great lengths to ensure that the tree — which had been designated for relocation — would be given special attention by the contractor, so it could thrive.
The Hinoki was replanted at the crest of a hill, bordering the Fairfield County Bank parking lot. The “06880” reader who visited yesterday reports that the tree is brown, dry and dead.
After replanting, the Golden Hinoki False Cyprus appears dead. This photo was taken yesterday.
Not far away, the reader says, there is plenty of construction debris in the fill.
The runoff appears headed toward Deadman’s Brook, and the Saugatuck River.
Alert “06880” reader and avid golfer Dee Andrian writes:
The other day, I was among the throng of people at the University Club in New York to celebrate the life of Mimi Levitt. [The longtime Westporter — an arts and historic preservation benefactor, and namesake with her husband of the pavilion that has provided free summer entertainment here for over 40 years — — died in January. She was 97.]
What a celebration it was!
The main dining room was filled with love, laughter and tears as we listened to Mimi’s family and friends recall their memories of this remarkable woman. The sound of music in the room was a special part of the scene.
We heard tributes to Mimi’s love of family, art, love music and people as well.
But one love was not mentioned: her love for the game of golf.
I met Mimi when I joined the Longshore Women’s Golf Association in 1980. When my husband dear husband Jim retired, he suggested I learn to play golf, because he didn’t want to play only with the guys.
At the age of 50, I was introduced to golf. I loved it.
The LWGA holds tournaments every Tuesday, April through October. One fateful Tuesday I was in a foursome with Mimi Levitt — a former LWGA club champion. It was a team effort, and I had fun.
When she called and asked me to join her foursome, I was surprised. I was just learning to play.
But I recall vividly that after I teed off on the 3rd hole, Mimi said in her Viennese accent, “Dee darling, we have decided: You have potential. As long as you don’t slow us up, you can play with anybody.”
And play we did. Mimi was my first of several special mentors. She taught me the art of golf, the rules, the etiquette.
This Westport News photo from July 1985 shows Mimi Levitt (4th from left) and Dee Andrian (7th from left). The caption says the knee socks were an LWGA tradition.
She was a keen competitor as well, so our rounds were fun but seriously played. My beginner’s handicap was 44. But it quickly dropped way down.
The LWGA was founded in 1960, and Mimi was one of the pioneers. Her love of the game was contagious, and she passed it on to others. Our days on the golf course will remain with me always.
I especially remember after a round of 18 holes on a hot summer day, walking into the Inn for lunch. I kept my visor on over my sweaty hair, and my golf togs were wrinkled.
Then Mimi walked in, looking like she just arrived from the beauty salon.
She was so cool, so elegant — just like her golf swing.
Elegant is the way I will remember Mimi “fore-ever.”
Our LWGA tournaments began this month. As I teed off for my first drive, I thought of her.
As high school and middle school graduations approach, many Westport students worry about what’s ahead.
Some have more immediate concerns: having the right clothes for the ceremony, and the festivities that surround it.
For 16 years, Westport’s Human Services Department has eased those fears. Its “Ceremonies and Celebrations” program helps purchase new clothing for graduates who cannot afford them.
Last year, 29 Westport students were able to purchase “special event” wear.
Human Services director Elaine Daignault says she always receives “numerous heartfelt notes of thanks and photos of the proud young people, as they walk across the stage or stand with relatives on their special day.”
In the grand scheme of things, the right clothes for graduation might not seem like much. To a teenager, it can be the biggest thing in the world.
“Small investments can enhance a young person’s self-esteem, mark new beginnings and celebrate their hard work despite financial challenges,” Daignault notes.
“Helping a young person feel good about their appearance is a momentous gift that can impact them for a lifetime.”
Tax-deductible checks (payable to “DHS Families Program”; memo line: “Ceremonies”) may be sent to the Department of Human Services, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport CT 06880, or dropped off in Room 200 of Town Hall daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Gift cards of any amount (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Trumbull Mall/Westfield Shopping Center) are also gratefully accepted.
Human Services notes that donations honoring a teacher or special person in a student’s life will be acknowledged with a letter to the honoree.
If you know people who could benefit from this program, email familyprograms@westportct.gov or call 203-341-1050.
But this Sunday (April 28, noon to 2 p.m.), every living thing will be welcome at the sweeping front lawn, on the Post Road just a dogleg from Myrtle Avenue.
The Great Lawn of Saugatuck Congregational Church is well suited to a Blessing of the Animals.
All are welcome to bring a pet leashed, or safely contained (recommended for pythons). You can also bring a photo, for an individual prayer of blessing (probably even better for that python).
Rev. Alison Buttrick Patton will lead the service. She’ll include all wildlife in her prayers.
She’ll give special blessing to Westport’s ospreys, for their continued protection and a successful nesting season. A banner will feature photos of the raptors, all originally posted on “06880.”
Representatives from Wildlife in Crisis will be there too. They’ll answer questions about local wildlife, and discuss their rehabilitative and release efforts.
Also on site: Susie Collins of Sitting Pretty Dog Training.
Our pets and wildlife are true blessings.
On Sunday, Rev. Patton is honored to bless them.
(For more information, call 203-557-0361 or email wasa1@optonline.net. The rain date is Sunday, May 5.)
Like many young Westporters, Jackson Ruscitti loves playing soccer.
Unlike many, he has cerebral palsy.
That’s a challenge. As the physical gap with his peers grows, it’s hard for the 12-year-old to keep up with his able-bodied friends. (He does play in the Westport Soccer Association recreation league.) But programs for youngsters with developmental delays are not appropriate either.
Fortunately, there is also CP Soccer.
Jackson Ruscitti
In the fall of 2017 Jackson’s mom Elizabeth heard of a non-profit. Its mission was to build a nationwide league for kids with cerebral palsy.
There are already 5 US teams, in New York, New Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic, South Florida and Houston. Another 4 to 6 teams are planned.
Jackson travels a couple of hours, to Clifton, New Jersey. But he’s learning new skills weekly. His teammates include a boy who plays for his high school freshman team, and another on the US Paralympic soccer squad.
Jackson also attended his first-ever sleepaway camp, at Clemson University. (Coincidentally, the head coach of the Tigers’ national Top 10 team is Staples High School 1979 graduate Mike Noonan).
Elizabeth calls that experience “life-changing.” Many of the youngsters had never spent time away from home — or met another child with the same disability. The environment was safe, fun and totally accepting. No one had to hide his arm, or try to disguise a limp.
But that was just the start. In March Jackson helped represent the US in the first-ever international tournament for kids with CP: the Friendship Cup in Dublin, Ireland.
A U-14 team of 17 kids was formed. They came from around the country, and played squads from Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. They were accompanied by Kevin Hensley, a US Paralympic soccer team captain.
It was an amazing experience — and not just because the former strangers came together to ring up 3 wins, 3 ties and 3 losses.
Coach Ash Hammond, wrote down his thoughts after the trip. He tried to put into words what the tournament meant to him. He wondered:
Was it the training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday where everyone met for the first time and we all realized that we had a TEAM?
Was it the USA Flags everywhere, and realizing that you were representing your country, not just playing soccer?
Was it seeing one of the coolest signs EVER on the side of the field- “Soccer For ALL”
Was it the new friends we have made all over Ireland, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Was it that the national team players back in the US kept posting “support messages” recognizing our young charges as the future of US CP Soccer?
Was it our crazy (GREAT) sibling cheering section?
Was it that we made history becoming the first US U-14 CP team ever to play a game, let alone an international game?
Jackson Ruscitti is in the back row, 2 to the right of the goalkeeper.
Then the coach offered a personal shout-out to the young Westporter:
Was it Jackson, who offered to go in goal when his team needed it and pulled off a magnificent save, along with his incredible effort in the field in the other games, or his crazy good split passing that we covet yet see so rarely in the youth game?
Then the coach revealed what really was his favorite part of the week.
It was all of those things and much more, but mostly it was the knowledge that we non-CP players, coaches and families were in the minority this weekend.
That the minority got to watch the majority, unabashed; perform, enjoy, revel, laugh, make friends, play, score, pass, tackle, dance, be recognized for their greatness, win, lose, tie, be happy, be upset, be exhausted and most of all seeing so many be among others like themselves for the first time.
Finally it was seeing our amazing children have a week like none other that they richly deserve, and giving US much joy along the way.
Jackson is already looking forward to his next camp at Clemson.
And 2 of his new mates from Ireland have signed up to go too.
(For more information, or to make a donation to support CP Soccer, click here.)
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