Greens Farms Academy’s commencement ceremony yesterday had many traditional elements.
The 90 members of the Class of 2022 marched in, to “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Valedictorian Shealeigh Crombie and salutatorian Alicja Farber addressed the crowd. Head of school Bob Whelan spoke movingly of the class as a whole, and described each individual graduate with personal adjectives.
But the commencement speaker was not your usual honoree. Darryl McDaniels — co-founder of Run-DMC (the first rap group on the cover of Rolling Stone, and first inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame); an author, philanthropist and mental health advocate — took the mic, and owned the crowd.
Parents, grandparents — and of course the graduates — sat rapt, as “DMC” spoke (and rapped) about the soon-to-be-alums’ possibilities, potential and purpose.
He talked about the importance of imagination, and assured them they were well prepared for whatever lies ahead.
The recessional was as traditional as ever. But this was a GFA graduation for the record.
Darryl McDaniels delivers the commencement address.
Proud graduates’ processional.
Head of school Bob Whelan. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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Peggy Lehn had quite a day yesterday.
Doing just one errand, she saw:
- 3 stop sign runners without a tap on the brakes
- 2 separate cars pulling out dangerously in front of her
- 1 U-turn on the blind corner at Greens Farms Road and Center Street.
But this one — at Maple Avenue North, near the Post Road — took the cake. (And almost the donuts and falafels.)
(Photo/Peggy Lehn)
Neither Peggy nor I know what happened. But heed her words: “Be careful out there!”
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Once again it’s graduation season. For the third year in a row, Le Rouge is distributing “Give a Little Love” chocolate hearts. The goal is to give one to every graduating student in Bridgeport, when they get their diplomas.
It’s a community-wide effort, for our neighbors a few miles away. Each heart is $8. To buy one (or more!), click here.
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“Double Indemnity” — an exhibit of work by artists Miggs Burroughs and Ann Chernow, based on the film noir classic — is on display at the Westport Library through September 6. An opening reception is set for June 23 (6:30 p.m.).
The show also includes 3 special movie nights, all on the 19-foot screen in the Trefz Forum.
“Double Indemnity” will be shown on June 23, immediately following the reception.
“Detour” will be screened on July 7 (7 p.m.); Susan Granger hosts.
On July 14 (7 p.m.), it’s the original “Nightmare Alley.” Miggs and Ann will host.
Click here for more information.
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The long Cavalry Road reconstruction project — and its long delays — are finally over.
The bridge in Westport’s northwest corner opened yesterday, to the surprise (and delight) of the neighborhood.
It’s been closed since April 2021. If you live nearby, tell us: Was it worth the wait?
Cavalry Road bridge (Photo/Screenshot from Kristy Theisinger video)
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Speaking of reconstruction: Chris Swan has been watching the Burying Hill jetty replacement project with great interest.
He reports that all but about 12 of the second row of pilings has been set, and cut down to finished height at the top of jetty. The end is in sight!
Progress! (Photo/Chris Swan)
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Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup noted that dog licenses must be renewed by July 1. I included several links, from a Town Hall press release.
Town clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton sends along this all-in-one link (click here). It should cover every question — and every dog. Arf!
Cute! But register him (or her).
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Ever since COVID, Westporters have enjoyed outdoor dining — and music — on Church Lane. It’s a great experience — but the musicians don’t play for free.
The Westport Downtown Association has started a GoFundMe campaign to help. The goal is $4,000, to offset the cost of 30 evenings of music by local performers. Click here for more information, and to help.
Music on Church Lane.
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Around the corner from Church Lane, one of Westport’s most iconic buildings has been sold.
177 Main Street — the restored house at the entrance to Parker Harding Plaza, most recently home to Local to Market, and before that Talbots and (of course) the Remarkable Book Shop — was purchased by Eleish Van Breems Home Westport.
Headquartered on Franklin Street, and with stores on Railroad Place and Nantucket, Eleish Van Breems offers “a clean, elegant and fresh approach to interiors, all with a Scandinavian essence.”
The new home of Eleish Van Breems Home.
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A small local book has just won a big book award.
“In Death, the Gift of Life” earned top honors in the “Death & Dying” category, for the 16th annual National Indie Excellence Awards.
The anthology — inspired by Dan Levinson’s experience with his father’s end-of-life passage — includes 10 Westport stories about those choices, and the challenges faced by people with terminal illnesses.
Each narrative explores men and women who faced the medical establishment head-on, then deliberately embraced grace and courage in the aftermath.
Click here to order the book. All proceeds benefit the Westport Library, Senior Center and Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County.
Mark your calendar for October 13 (7 p.m.), too. That’s the date of the official, twice-COVID-delayed launch party for the book, at the Westport Library. Click here for details.
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There’s a new resident at Willowbrook Cemetery.
This one is very much alive.
Danny Amoruccio, manager/sexton of Willowbrook Cemetery Association, says: “This little one is hanging around Section 11. We remind everyone not to approach or bother the new fawn. We seeing so many people pestering this little guy.”
New life at Willowbrook Cemetery.
So be a dear — leave it alone!
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They’re not around for long. But while they’re here, these Saugatuck Shores flowers make for a gorgeous “Westport … Naturally” scene.
(Photo/Diane Yormark)
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And finally … Greens Farms Academy’s choice of Darryl McDaniels as commencement speaker was inspired.
Not tricky at all.
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Best part of the Cavalry Rd bridge opening – besides gaining hours back in our lives – was celebrating last night with all the neighbors new and old!
Hey Dan can you send me Peggy Lehn’s email address? I know we’re related as my mom is a Lehn so wanted to contact her and figure out the family tree!
Re the fawn in Willowbrook Cemetery, ,Longmeadow,Mass. the same story ,some years ago: ‘A tiny fawn then abandoned by its mother, on the steps of White Church ,on the Town Green.Its mother had previously sensed some danger when leaving the fawn.Alll ok, later that same night when the mother then came back to get the fawn.:-)
Does anyone know if Local to Market has been able to find a new home? I absolutely loved that place and really miss it.
Saw you in the audience, Dan. Thanks for coming!