Heading to the fireworks tomorrow?
“06880” wants your photos!
Picnics and barbecues; kids with sparklers; parties; red-white-and-blue outfits — share your patriotic spirit.
The only thing we don’t want is photos of the actual fireworks, bursting in air. Anyone can see those images anywhere
Send anything else via email: 06880blog@gmail.com. Deadline is 11 p.m. tomorrow.
Here’s looking at you, America!
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If local farmers grow it, you can buy it at the Westport Farmers’ Market.
And if you grow it — and have too much of it — the Market wants it.
Extra lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, whatever — donate it, through the WFM and Grow-a-Row.
Grow-A-Row is a volunteer effort to grow and donate fresh local seasonal produce to food-insecure populations in Fairfield County. Based at the Westport Community Gardens, Grow-A-Row plants, tends, harvests and collects nutritious donations of fresh produce and herbs, then delivers it directly to agencies in need.
You don’t even need to grow it yourself, though. If you bought too much fresh produce, bring it too.
Deliveries are at the Farmers’ Market (Imperial Avenue parking lot), any Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Produce will be delivered by Food Rescue US – Fairfield County volunteers. The Bridgeport FEED Center, Fridgport, Career Resources CT, and Westport Housing Authority will receive the donations.
If your cup (and table) runneth over, donate produce to Grow-a-Row, at the Westport Farmers’ Market.
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Music Theater of Connecticut’s stirring production of “Falsettoland” — starring a Westport father-and-son acting duo — took top honors at Monday’s Connecticut Critics Circle Awards. The event, which celebrates work from the state’s professional theaters during the 2021–22 season, was held at Long Wharf Theatre.
Westport’s Dan Sklar won Outstanding Actor in a Musical. His son Ari was honored for Outstanding Debut.
Kevin Connors was named Top Director for “Falsettolands.” He also earned the Tom Killen Award, for lifetime service to the theater.
The Westport Country Playhouse was cited too. Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical went to Daniel J. Maldonado for “Next to Normal”; Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play was won by Sharina Martin, for “Doubt.”
Congratulations to all!
From left: Dan Sklar and Ari Sklar.
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Speaking of awards: “The Lisa Wexler Show,” hosted by Westport’s own, won 1st place for Best Radio Interview at the National Federation of Press Women’s awards ceremony on Saturday in Fargo, North Dakota.
The honor was for Wexler’s live interview with Congressman Jim Himes on January 7, 2021, just hours after he had spent the night at the Capitol following the January 6 riot. Click here to hear the show.
“The Lisa Wexler Show” is broadcast weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on AM WICC, AM 600 and 107.3 FM.
Lisa Wexler
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The cell tower saga continues.
An application by Tarpon Towers to build a 124-foot structure on private property at 92 Greens Farms Road was filed with the state on May 26. The town of Westport received notice of this filing and is coordinating logistics with the applicant.
Town officials notified Tarpon of a desire to explore an alternative site along the railroad right of way, and is trying to get the state Department of Transportation to approve that site. Information is available on the Connecticut Siting Council’s website.
A public hearing is scheduled for August 9. A final decision is expected a month or two later. (Hat tip: Stephen Goldstein)
A cell tower been proposed for the property on the left: 92 Greens Farms Road. (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)
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If the fireworks are not for you, but you don’t want to stay home tomorrow (Thursday, June 30), consider Jazz at the Post.
Guitar master Paul Bollenback headlines this week’s 2 shows at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 (465 Riverside Avenue, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; $10 cover). He’s joined by Mark Lewandowski (bass), Jason Tiemann (drums) and the Jazz Rabbi himself, saxophonist Greg Wall.
In addition to cool jazz, there’s a hot new menu from chef Derek Furino (from 6:30 p.m. on). Reservations are strongly suggested: jazzatthepost@gmail.com.
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The Westport PBA Scholarship Fund helps college-bound children of our Police Department. Two scholarships are also awarded to Staples High School seniors who will pursue degrees in law enforcement.
Major funding comes from an annual golf tournament. This year’s is set for July 18, at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull.
It’s a scramble tournament, shotgun start. The day includes breakfast, the tourney itself (9 a.m.), and a cocktail reception with open bar (1 to 3 p.m.).
There’s a 50/50 raffle, other raffle prizes, and prizes for longest drive, closest to pin, closest to line, and the winning foursome.
The cost is $250 per golfer. Sponsorships are available at the $1,000, $3,000, $5,000 and $10,000 levels. Checks should be sent to the Westport PBA Scholarship Fund, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. Questions? Email jlauria@westportct.gov, or call 203-803-0215.
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They can’t believe it’s time. But Staples High School’s Class of 1972 holds its 50th reunion September 9-11. Events include a Saturday night dinner at the Gaelic-American Club in Fairfield. with music by the Reunion Band. There’s an informal gathering Friday night at the Black Duck, and a get-together Sunday at Compo Beach. For more information and reservations, click here.
1972 Staples High School yearbook
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Osprey alert!
Carolyn Doan writes:
“I just returned from Block Island for a few days. Even in that short time, these guys grew so much. The chicks are exercising their wings and getting ready to fledge (if they haven’t already.) I didn’t see them lift up from the nest today, but they are ready!”
(Photo/Carolyn Doan)
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Westport has one less nail salon.
Luxe Nail Spa — in the shopping plaza opposite Fresh Market — has closed, reportedly due to high rent. The owners are seeking a new location, perhaps in Stamford.
Luxe nail opened in 2015. It is now closed.
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Staples High School Class of 2019 graduate and former Saugatuck Rowing Club member Justin Schmidt is part of a team that beat the defending men’s lightweight quadruple sculls 2 weeks ago in Florida. They’ll represent the US at the U23 World Rowing Championships next month in Varese, Italy.
Schmidt now rows at the University of Delaware. He and his Conshohocken Rowing Center teammates have set up a GoFundMe page, to help offset costs of the trip. Click here to help.
Justin Schmidt (3rd from left), with teammates and coaches.
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Carol Fisher died in her Westport home on Sunday. She was 94, and had fought Parkinson’s disease for a decade.
The New York City native graduated from Queens College at age 19. She worked at Little Golden Books and for a movie magazine before taking a job as acquisitions editor at Pyramid Books. There she developed and edited a book by Peter Max, plus health-focused cookbooks and short biographies of movie stars. Pyramid Books became, as a result of her efforts, the US publisher of bestselling author Barbara Cartland. Carol also worked as an editor at Harcourt Brace.
Her life changed in 1978, when she married longtime Westport resident Milton Fisher, an attorney, investment banker, author, and teacher of the popular Applied Creativity adult education class.
Together they founded Wildcat Publishing Company. Carol brought her editorial skills and experience to the publication of books including the Holocaust memoir Dry Tears, by Nechama Tec, a resistance classic, and The Fall of Japan by Westporter William Craig.
Carol Fisher was a devoted participant in and organizer of stimulating programs at the Westport Senior Center, Westport-Weston Arts Council, and Westport Library. The Senior Center recognized her efforts to enliven and improves the lives of seniors with a Service to Seniors Award in 2013.
As executive director of the Renée B. Fisher Foundation, she was instrumental in creating and sustaining initiatives including Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity, the annual Renée B. Fisher Piano Competition, and the Books for Teachers program that has built thousands of classroom libraries in under-resourced schools across the country. The Pequot Library in Southport, where the program began, remains its flagship program.
Carol Fisher was an enthusiastic member of several book clubs and a movie discussion club, and was also an avid bridge player. She was a member of the Westport Rotary Club, and a longtime member of Temple Israel.
She loved hosting multi-generational gatherings on Thanksgiving and Passover every year, as well as month-long family reunions during summers. The last gathering she hosted coincided with her 94th birthday this year.
She was predeceased by her husband Milton and brother Leonard Plaine. Carol Fisher is survived by her stepdaughter Shelley (James Fishkin) Fisher Fishkin, grandchildren Joseph and Robert Fishkin, and great-grandchildren Anna Ardith Fishkin Franklin and Simon Asher Fishkin Franklin, all of California.
A private virtual memorial service is planned for late summer. Friends interested in attending should email sfishkin@stanford.edu. Contributions in Carol’s memory may be sent to the Anti-Defamation League.
Carol Fisher
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Eileen Lavigne Flug spotted these “Westport … Naturally” birds early the other morning, along Soundview Drive.
Wonder if they got the worms …
(Photo/Eileen Lavigne Flug)
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And finally … in honor of “Falsettoland”‘s honors from the Connecticut Critics Circle (story above), enjoy this bit of that memorable musical:
What a great town we live in! What an uplifting post. Thanks Dan.. Congratulations to everyone for their community service and I wanted to personally congratulate Dan and Ari Sklar who are near and dear to my heart on their theater awards! The nomination “would have been enough”, but to win both awards is quite extraordinary, which they both are. Also thanks for alerting us about the food drop offs at the farmers market for people in need!
The Patriotic Three!!! I watched these three grow up and they all have turned out to be role models in their career and make Westport proud!