An SRO crowd got an up-close, personal and emotional view of Westport’s sister city relationship yesterday.
CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota moderated a discussion with 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Police Chief Foti Koskinas about their recent trip to Lyman, Ukraine.
As she’s done with world leaders and A-list celebrities, she asked incisive questions, and helped them describe the welter of emotions they felt before, during and after their journey, including the danger, war-torn conditions and dire circumstances of its people.
Tooker and Koskinas emphasized the great appreciation expressed by Lyman residents for Wstport’s support.
Audience members added their own questions too. Brian Mayer — co-founder of Ukraine Aid International — noted the many ways in which people can continue to help.
The event was sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston. (Hat tip: Dick Kalt)
Alisyn Camerota.
From left: Police Chief Foti Koskinas, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, CNN’s Alisyn Camerota. On the left is the Lyman flag; on the right, its Westport counterpart. (Photos/Ted Horowitz)
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Speaking of Lyman: All Westporters are invited to Sunday’s free party in celebration of Lyman.
The event (July 9, 1 p.m. to dusk) is at the Ukrainian-American Club on the Post Road in Southport (just past the I-95 Exit 19 northbound entrance ramp).
The event includes a giant raffle; food, beer, wine and soft drinks; music from the Mike McGovern Band; a treasure sale, Yankee auction, coffee table book pull, plant sale, “LymanADE” stand and more. Lyman Mayor Alexander Zhuravlov will speak on a big screen. Senator Richard Blumenthal will be there, in person.
To RSVP, purchase VIP tickets and for more information, click here.
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Yesterday, the Tree Board announced that today’s special meeting, to observe the condition of trees at Parker Harding Plaza, has been canceled.
Earlier this week, the Flood & Erosion Control Board canceled its Parker Harding agenda item.
Both came in the wake of 1st Selectman Jen Tooker’s announcement that for now, discussion by town boards, committees and commissions regarding the current proposal to reconfigure the downtown parking lot will be postponed.
Discussion of the Parker Harding Plaza reconfiguration plan has been postponed. (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)
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In the midst of its $2 million, dire straits fundraising drive, the Westport Country Playhouse offers free guided tours of the historic theater.
Time slots are 10:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Saturdays: July 17, 22 and 24, and August 5 and 7. Click here to reserve a spot.
Tours are led by Bruce Miller. The Playhouse archivist is filled with astonishing stories and amazing facts. One example: how the Playhouse inspired the creation of “Oklahoma!” and “My Fair Lady.”
Participants will explore backstage, the green room, dressing rooms, the scene shop and wardrobe room, and see posters, photos, costumes and set models.
They’ll stand on the same stage that hosted Gene Wilder, James Earl Jones, Jane Fonda, Eartha Kitt, Paul Newman, Kelli O’Hara and Patti LuPone.
Private group tours are also available. Email Kelly Richards Mikolasy, house and events manager: krichards@westportplayhouse.org.
Westport Country Playhouse archivist Bruce Miller, with some of the 500 head shots near the dressing rooms underneath the stage.
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It’s hard to come up with a new event. It’s harder still to pick out a clever name.
Earthplace has done both.
Their “Moth Ball” is set for July 14 (8 to 11 p.m.).
The public is invited to the free event. Adults and children will gave in the picnic grove for moth-themed cocktails (“mothtails”) and mocktails, plus a costume contest.
Prizes will be awarded for Best Caterpillar, Most Realistic, Best Couple/Group, Best Makeup, Funniest and Best Overall.
Everyone then heads to outdoor viewing areas for “lightsheeting.” Also called “mothing,” it involves setting up a light and providing a surface for moths and other flying insects to land on.
Earthplace naturalists Victor DeMasi and Lukas Kerasus will describe the moth species found at Earthplace. Click here to register, and for more information.
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The last time we checked in with Aiden Schachter, the rising Staples High School senior and wrestler had a thriving business, creating and selling LED lightclouds.
He’s always had his head in the clouds. Long before Aiden got involved in LED lights, he wanted to fly.
From a flight simulator in 7th grade, he advanced to lessons. On his 16th birthday in March 2022, he soloed.
Now — after studying hard for the oral, written and check ride tests — Aiden is officially a pilot.
He got his license yesterday. The test — oral, written and in the air performing landings, takeoffs, maneuvers, emergency prep for landing at unplanned locations and more — lasted nearly 5 hours.
Congratulations, Aiden. The sky’s the limit for you!
Aiden Schachter: Westport’s newest pilot.
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On Wednesday, Westport-based Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. announced the closing of its upsized initial public offering of 3,900,000 shares of common stock. The price was $5 per share.
Intensity — headquartered on Wilton Road, across from Bartaco — is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of proprietary, novel immune-based intratumoral cancer therapies designed to kill tumors and increase immune system recognition of cancers.
In connection with the offering, its common stock began trading on Nasdaq on June 30, under the symbol “INTS.” (Hat tip: Allan Siegert)
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Lauri Weiser was disappointed to see this Compo Beach tree marred this way:
“Either I’m too sensitive, or this is shameful,” she says, describing today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
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And finally … speaking of Earthplace’s upcoming event:
(Every day, the “06880” Roundup rounds up all kinds of stuff — info you didn’t even know you needed to know. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Congrats to my classmates Lew Bender and Dan Donovan and the rest of the Intensity Therapeutics team. They are doing important work.
A list celebrities describe’s the state of our “ journalists “ and the damn country. Such a vapid word but it’s perfect in this discourse.