The recent news that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent 50 Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard had a Westport connection — and not just because Westporters know the island well.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown helped lead the Vineyard response. The church provided shelter for 2 nights, and many meals.
That’s not unusual. St. Andrew’s already runs a winter shelter at the parish house, with cots, a large kitchen, showers and laundry.
The church’s minister is Rev. Vincent Seadale — though everyone on Martha’s Vineyard calls him Father Chip.
He was Chip at Staples High School too, where he was part of the Class of 1978. He was called to St. Andrew’s in 2009, after serving at the Church of the Redeemer in Jacksonville, Florida.
After Staples, Father Chip graduated from Colgate University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. He spent 16 years as an attorney, before graduating from Yale University Divinity School in 2004.
Father Chip Seadale
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Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services says:
“We, and every person who Crew Chief Mark Blake inspired, are heartbroken.
“After 61 years blessing our earth with his kindness, and over 30 years of compassionate, dedicate, and excellent service to our community, Mark passed away yesterday morning.
“An incredibly dedicated public servant and a widely respected EMT who always put the needs of others above his own, Mark leaves behind a legacy of not only thousands of lives saved on the ambulance, but countless more (for decades to come) as he educated and helped raise the future generations of EMS personnel through educational classes, state and regional programs, and as a mentor to many of our community’s emergency medical technicians.
“Always looking for a bright spot in the day, the background of this photo — a brilliant Compo Beach sunrise — was taken by Mark during one of the many sunrises he witnessed while serving the community on duty.”
Visitation is set for Monday (September 26, 4 to 8 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday (September 27, 2 p.m., St. Matthew Church, Norwalk, followed by a graveside service at 3:30 p.m. at Willowbrook Cemetery.
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As plans for “Reconnecting the Riverfront” — the project to redesign parking and pedestrian areas downtown — move forward (a bit more quickly than Parker Harding traffic), the public is invited to participate.
A public survey is now open, Click here to begin.
A “visioning charrette and open house” is set for September 29 (7 to 9 p.m., Westport Library). Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee is coordinating the project. with Langan Engineering and Environmental Services. The DPIC includes town department heads and residents. They hold public meetings on the 2nd Thursday of each month, at 8:30 a.m. Click here for details.
Screenshot from the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee.
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Compo’s South Beach at sunset was the setting yesterday evening, for a renewal of vows.
After 25 years of marriage, Dr. Lynn Wilson held his bride Nancy’s bouquet, as she read their words to each other. Justice of the Peace Rhona Lieberson was the officiant.
(Photo/Stacie Curran)
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Staples High Class of 2015 graduate Rachel Treisman has covered human interest stories around the royal funeral for NPR. She gained journalism experience while working for Inklings, the school newspaper — and then served as editor-in-chief of the Yale Daily News.
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Registration for Westport Parks & Recreation Department winter programs begins online at 9 a.m. on October 3.
Click here to view the offerings. Click here to begin registration.
If you are unable to log into your online account, email recreation@westportct.gov or call 203-341-5152.
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On February 29, 2020, the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and Westport Library sponsored another successful Supper & Soul dinner/concert.
A few days later, COVID clobbered the town.
The event was set to resume this past May. But the band got the virus, and had to cancel. The Chamber refunded all tickets.
Now, it’s full speed ahead.
The next Supper & Soul — the first in over 2 1/2 years — is set for Saturday, October 22. Cris Jacobs — who rocked the 2018 Blues Views & BBQ — brings his high energy to the Library Forum, following dinner at a variety of downtown restaurants.
One ticket entitles attendees to a 3-course meal at any of 11 eateries, plus the show, then a stop at any of the restaurants for happy hour-priced post-concert drinks.
Participating restaurants are 190 Main, Amis, Arezzo, Basso, Capuli, Da Tapas, Don Memo, Manna Toast, Spotted Horse, Goji (Wafu) and Walrus Alley. Dinner is 6 p.m.; the concert is at 8.
Tickets are $90 each for the dinner and concert. Concert-only tickets are $40. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Cris Jacobs and his band.
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Westport Country Playhouse is launching a new mobile unit. It will travel to audiences, grades 6 to 10, for live theatrical performances.
Designed to be adaptable for any kind of space, including cafeterias, libraries and classrooms, the Playhouse Mobile Unit brings to schools a 45-minute, fully staged production with professional actors, sets, costumes and special effects.
The performance is followed by a Q&A with the actors. A study guide and curriculum are provided, with classroom activities and games.
Funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Town of Westport’s American Rescue Plan Act funding for the arts.
The inaugural play — “Scaredy Kat Presents” — captures the joys and struggles of adolescence, while attempting to destigmatize anxiety and panic disorder. Bookings are underway, for performances beginning in January.
The Playhouse offers financial aid and payment plans, along with group sales and discounts for multiple performances in one day.
For more information, email education@westportplayhouse.org or call Kendall Driffin, education and community engagement associate: 203-571-1133.
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Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is gearing up for a full season of musical events.
On Sunday October 9 (5 p.m.), noted English vocal ensemble VOCES8 stops by on their international tour. The program includes Renaissance, jazz and the American song book.
Tickets include a post-performance reception. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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An opening reception for the new show at the George Billis Gallery is set for tomorrow (Thursday, September 22, 4 to 6:30 p.m., 180 Post Road East).
Featured artists include Glen Hacker, Chad Holliday, Karen O’Neil and Stephanie Reiter.
“Fervent Zeal” (Chad Holliday)
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Today’s interesting “Westport … Naturally” photo — of a woodpecker, at the Westport Community Gardens — comes courtesy of Peter Swift:
(Photo/Peter Swift)
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And finally … if you haven’t heard of Cris Jacobs — the star of next month’s Supper & Soul dinner/concert — click below.
Actually, click on if you have heard of Cris Jacobs, too!
(There is a lot going on in Westport — and “06880” covers it all. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
Present or not, I wonder what he thinks of the whole mess.
I think it’s great that these Migrants are given other states to call home. Thousands cross each day into our border states illegally.
I actually can’t wait for some to call Westport home. I put an email to the governor of Texas that Westport Connecticut liberals support Biden/Harris and the border Czar’s policy.
With the big mansions and mega money they can house many of them and give them a future.
Keep looking for that bus. It will be at your doorstep soon.
So very sad to hear the news of the passing of Mark Blake. Worked along side Mark for many years as a fellow Westport EMT, and as a Westport Police officer.
Mark was a devoted dedicated professional and an always caring guy who was ready to help everyone he met, whether it was through being an EMT or if he had just met you.
He was a cornerstone of Westport EMS.
Thank you Mark Blake for your service to Westport, thank you for being a friend, for caring for so many!!