The 10 properties honored last week by Westport’s Historic District Commission — and 29 North Avenue, featured recently on “06880” and which should win a national award — are wonderful reminders that “new” construction need not always begin with a demolition.
Here’s another.
Cottages & Gardens recently featured Holly Jaffe and David Stephen Johnson’s 1927 Dutch Colonial on Bradley Street, at the Norwalk Avenue corner.
Holly — principal of the boutique design firm Wowhaus — was drawn to “the Norman Rockwell-esque charm, the ‘utterly delightful neighborhood,’ and its proximity to the beach.”
The family lived in the 2,000-square foot home for more than a year before starting the interior renovation in 2021.
That allowed them time to figure out “the smartest way to move forward,” Holly says. “The entire renovation was driven by what we could do to make this the magical place we knew it could be.”
She, architect Jon Halper and Westport builder Alan Dreher maximized the space without changing the footprint.
Click here for the full story, and photos.
15 Bradley Street (Photo courtesy of CT Cottages & Gardens)
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More than 90 years after founding the Westport Country Playhouse, Lawrence Langner will be celebrated.
The Theatre Guild and Langner family will dedicate Westport’s first Literary Landmark, in his honor. The event is May 27 (1 p.m.) at — of course — the Playhouse.
He and his wife, Armina Marshall, founded the theater in 1931, on the site of a former apple orchard and tannery. It became an American cultural institution, presenting dozens of pre-Broadway plays and showcasing the top stars of the day.
In addition to the Playhouse, Langner founded the Theatre Guild. It produced “Porgy and Bess,” “Oklahoma!” and hundreds of other plays and musicals.
He also established the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre, “US Steel Hour” on radio and television, and the American Repertory Company, which toured the world.
The dedication and unveiling of the Literary Landmark are free, and open to the public. The event includes a panel on “Memories of the American Theater.” Richard Somerset Ward, author of the definitive book on the history of the Westport Country Playhouse, will be interviewed by film historian Foster Hirsch. Actors and artists who worked at the Playhouse or other Langner ventures will participate too.
The Literary Landmark’s program, which celebrates important writers and “encourages the dedication of historic literary sites,” is affiliated with United For Libraries and the American Library Association.
Seating in the reception barn is limited. To reserve a seat, email evelangner@att.net.
Lawrence Langner
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Congratulations to Westport’s newest Eagle Scouts!
Xavier Rodrigo, Matthew Fleming, Henry Nowak and Oliver Saitz of Troop 36 received their sashes and pins yesterday, at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
All did their Eagle projects at Sherwood Island State Park. Xavier — now a student at Fordham University — earned his honor 2 years ago; his ceremony was delayed by COVID. The other 3 will graduate this June from Staples High School.
Eagle Scouts (from left): Xavier Rodrigo, Matthew Fleming, Henry Nowak, Oliver Saits.
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Tickets went on sale today for the Westport Library’s “Booked for the Evening” fundraiser.
Laura Linney will be honored on July 13 (8 p.m.), for her work that embraces a love of learning, and enhances our understanding of the world.
Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Laura Linney
The weather was perfect for yesterday’s 18th annual STAR Walk & Roll fundraiser at Sherwood Island State Park.
Ariel Levy led the event. Her Westport family has supported STAR — the 70-year-old not-for-profit that serves over 700 people with disabilities, from birth to their senior years, and their families – since she began attending its day program.
Walkers of all ages and abilities enjoyed breakfast, music, arts and crafts, dancing, a photo booth, face painting and food trucks. The event raised over $60,000, with the Levy team out front.
Westporter Laura Blair’s team raised the second highest amount.
Ariel (yellow shirt) and her “Team Levy” at yesterday’s STAR Walk.
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A mama goose and her babies paddled happily at Compo Beach yesterday. Johanna Keyser Rossi was there to record it, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … in honor of Westport’s 4 new Eagle Scouts (story above):