The world’s largest hedge fund came to Westport’s largest beach yesterday.
Preparations began early for Bridgewater Associates’ private party. Portions of Compo Beach’s South Beach were blocked off. Tents were erected. Signs noted a variety of “contest” stations: “Chopped,” “Rube Goldberg Machine Build,” “Obstacle Course.”
Then there was this contraption:
(Photo/Karen Como)
Hope they all had a great time!
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Tomorrow, safety advocates from around the state come to town to raise awareness about important precautions parents and caregivers should take to keep children safe during July 4th celebrations, and throughout the summer.
The event (Thursday, June 29, 11 a.m., Connecticut Children’s Westport Specialty Care Center, 191 Post Road West) includes Kim Leonard and her daughter, mom of 3, Blake, from the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation’s Stewie the Duck Swim School; Westport Fire Department; Connecticut Children’s physicians and injury prevention experts; Connecticut State Police; Amy Watkins, Watch for Me CT, and others.
They’ll offer guidance to keep children safe while playing in water and yards, attending summer camps, and more.
Hey, kids — be safe! (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Chris Coogan brings his special jazz-and-more to the Weston History & Culture Center’s Music at the Barn.
The outdoor summer concert series — now in its 8th year — welcomes Westonite Coogan on Sunday, July 9,
Doors open at 5 p.m. for food, history, crafts and fun. The music follows at 5:30.
Coogan has played pop with Phoebe Snow, Donna Summers, Bette Midler and Darlene Love; Broadway with Paul Newman, Jim Naughton and Kelli O’Hara, and jazz with Randy Brecker, Sal Salvador and his own Chris Coogan Quartet.
He music directs at churches, synagogues and theaters, and leads the Good News Gospel Choir. He teaches the art of jazz improvisation privately and at the University of Bridgeport.
Tony Pizza Napolitano Food Truck will be there; bring a lawn chair, blanket and BYOB. Tickets ($15 for members, $20 for non-members; children 12 and under, free) are available at the door or online.
Chris Coogan
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Westport Country Playhouse’s 2023 Joanne Woodward Internship class includes 4 aspiring theater professionals. Selected from nearly 250 applicants, hey’ll work with senior staff through mid-August.
Mandi Benjamin is the Camerota-Lewis education intern. She is from Trinidad and Tobago and has a BA in theater and dance from Trinity College, where she was assistant director of “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Christopher Conte is the R and B Siegel marketing intern. From Darien, he is a rising senior at Sacred Heart University with a double major in strategic communications, PR & advertising, and musical theater.
Giovanni Orozco is the Adam G. Clemens equity, diversity and inclusion intern. From Dallas, he is a student at Southern Methodist University pursuing a BFA in theater studies.
Erin Reynolds, development intern from Croton-on-Hudson, New York, is a student at Norwich University, pursuing a BA in political science with a minor in communications.
Westport Country Playhouse interns (from left): Chris Conte, Mandi Benjamin, Erin Reynolds, Giovanni Orozco, Ian Patton (Staples High School senior intern). (Photo/Ashley Sweet)
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Buggy is working through lymphoma (again).
But after her first treatment at Cornell Veterinary last week, owner Jo Shields Sherman says, she still had time and enthusiasm to celebrate a Pride gathering at Townhouse For Dogs.
And to pose for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
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And finally … I never heard of Jesse McReynolds.
But he spent 55 years as lead singer and mandolin player with the bluegrass duo Jim & Jesse. He died last week in Tennessee, at 93.
He rated a nice obituary in the New York Times, including this tribute:
“The longest-running brother act in bluegrass, Jim & Jesse — Mr. Reynolds and his older brother, Jim — developed a smooth blend of harmony singing that contrasted with the more piercing, down-home vocal arrangements of Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers.” Click here for the full obituary.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — and a non-profit. Please click here to make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you!)
Bridgewater’s Compo beach bash is interesting, but it plays second fiddle to the real Compo Beach bash that all 06880 readers thirst for!
Thanks, Jack. July 20 — save the date. Details soon!