If it’s August, it must be back-to-school time.
Which means, it’s time to help local youngsters whose parents can’t afford all the bells and whistles — or perhaps even notebooks and pencils — that their kids need.
Not to mention, after-school childcare.
Last year, Westport’s Department of Human Services helped 115 children from 70 families with back-to-school needs. They also provided 15 children with financial assistance to participate in programs while their parents were at work.
Human Services seeks Walmart gift cards to allow families to shop for essentials. Monetary donations provide access to after-school programs. Both are tax-deductibel.
Donations can be made online. Click here; then click on “Family to Family Programs – Seasonal Program – Back to School.” Checks can be made payable to the “Town of Westport/DHS Family Programs,” and sent to Human Services, 110 Myrtle Ave Westport, CT 06880.
If you or someone you know requires assistance, call 203-341-1050 or email humansrv@westportct.gov. All calls are confidential.
Every child deserves access to school supplies.
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First came the excitement of Lily’s Market. There’s new (and convenient) life in Weston Market.
Starting Friday, Lily’s will offer something else: returnable online returns.
“Returnable” is a subscription service. Members drop returns for items bought online in a bin, at Lily’s — skipping the hassle of printing labels, packaging, and hauling them to a shipping location.
To subscribe, scan a QR code on Lily’s returnable bin. To return an item, email rose@returnable.com with purchase/return information. Returnable processes the info, and provides next steps.
It’s all good. Plus: the first month is free!
Lily’s Market, Weton.
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With hate incidents rising in Connecticut, Stacey Sobel’s appearance yesterday at the Westport Rotary Club was timely.
Sobel — the state’s regional director of the Anti-Defamation League noted that while violence has been minimal here, white supremacists have increased their physical and online presence.
She commended Connecticut legislators and media for their vigilance in exposing and combating hate speech. “We are focused on preserving democracy,” said Sobel about the ADL. (Hat tip: Dave Matlow)
Stacey Sobel holds up a “New England Nationalist Social Club” flyer at the Westport Rotary Club’s meeting, at Greens Farms Church. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Yesterday’s “06880” highlighted the volunteer efforts in Ukraine of Westporters Brian Mayer and Ken Bernhard.
They’re hard-working. They’re inspiring.
And on August 15 (7 p.m.), they’re at the Westport Library.
They’ll discuss UkraineAidInternational.org, the not-for-profit Brian co-founded, as well as the triumphs and difficulties of the Ukrainian people as they fight the Russian invasion. Click here for more information, including in-person and Zoom registration.
(From left): Ken Bernhard, and Jeff, Nancy and Brian Mayer, unloading supplies for Ukraine.
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Elizabeth Petrie-Devoll is the August artist exhibitor at the Westport Book Shop.
Eleven works will be on display this month. Elizabeth creates new art from old object, enlivening history and questioning the border between the past and present.
She says, “In a disposable age I reconfigure, repurpose and compose well-worn and often utilitarian relics.
All work is available for purchase. To see more of her work, click here.
Elizabeth Devoll, at the Westport Book Shop.
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Actor Pat Carroll died Saturday. She was 95 years old.
She was well known to Westport Country Playhouse theatergoers. Her 4 stage appearances spanned 4 decades: “Once Upon a Mattress” (1961), “Something’s Afoot” (1975), “Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein” (1982) and “Nunsense II” (1993).
In 1995, she directed the Playhouse production of “The Supporting Cast.”
Longtime WCP PR manager Patricia Blaufuss calls Carroll’s “Nunsense” performance “a master class in comic timing and delivery. She made the show fresh, vibrant, and a sellout. She was a remarkable stage presence and a memorable woman in entertainment history.”
Click here for a full obituary. Click here for an in-depth video interview.
Pat Carroll in “Gertrude Stein.” (Photo/Gerry Goodstein)
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Admit it: Secretly, you’d love to do improv.
This fall, the Westport Community Theatre will once again offer a master class in the art. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced.
Second City-trained actress Heather Delude will teach both short- and long-form scenic improvisation, along with musical improv. This is not her first WCT rodeo; she’s instructed there many times before.
The class meets Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information and registration, email WCTJuniors@gmail.com, or call Cindy Hartog at 203-858-6993.
Heather Delude
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Problems with the Westport Library air conditioning yesterday were nothing to crow about.
But this guy beat the heat, with a special spot outside the café, where manager Heli Stagg captured the image, for “Westport … Naturally.”
(Photo/Heli Stagg)
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And finally … were there other crows at the Library too?
We’re not sure. We were not …
Well done Ken & Brian‼️🙏🇺🇸