A true piece of American history came to Westport yesterday.
The Bible George Washington used when he was sworn in as our nation’s first president — on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City — was on display, at Temple Masonic Lodge #65. That’s the building on the Post Road East/Imperial Avenue corner, shared with Harding Funeral Home.
The occasion was the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Westport Masons’ chapter.
White-gloved Masons guard the famous Bible, as Westporters watch at a respectful distance.
The Bible — which was also used at the inaugurations of 4 other presidents, and at Washington’s funeral — is owned by St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 1 in New York.
They display it occasionally around the country, but this is its first visit to Connecticut.
Washington was a Mason. So were other famous Americans, including Ben Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Connecticut native Nathan Hale.
(Photos/Frank Rosen)
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A quick “pup-up” reminder: Westport’s annual Dog Festival takes place today (Sunday) at Winslow Park, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contests, vendors, food trucks — and plenty of room for dogs to meet and greet — are part of the day. Arf!
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Yesterday’s Roundup noted that the Westport Rotary Club awarded $200,000 in grants to 41 area non-profits.
Who got all that largesse?
After School and Summer School Programs
- Connect Us – Bridgeport
- Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders – Bridgeport
- Earthplace – Westport
- Builders Beyond Borders – Westport
- Westport Department of Human Services – Westport
- Horizons at Notre Dame – Bridgeport
- Horizons at Greens Farms Academy – Bridgeport
- Horizons at Norwalk Community College – Norwalk
- The Carver – Norwalk
- Urban Impact of Black Rock – Bridgeport
- Westport Country Playhouse – Westport
- First Serve Bridgeport – Bridgeport
Services for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities
- Westport Book Sales Ventures – Westport
- CLASP Homes – Westport
- My Team Triumph – Westport
- St. Catherine Center for Special Needs – Fairfield
- Club 203 – Westport
- Team Woofgang & Co. – Bridgeport
Services to Address Homelessness and Food Insecurity
- Homes with Hope – Westport
- Homes for the Brave – Bridgeport
- Off The Streets – Bridgeport
- Open Doors CT – Norwalk
- Food Rescue US – Stamford
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Primarily for Children
- Positive Directions – Westport
- Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center – Norwalk
- Kids in Crisis – Greenwich
K-12 Formal Education for Children from Low Income Families
- Park City Prep Charter School – Bridgeport
- Adam J. Lewis Academy – Bridgeport
- A Better Chance – Westport
Services for Low Income Adults, Primarily Immigrants
- Mercy Learning Center – Bridgeport
- Caroline House – Bridgeport
- Burroughs Community Center – Bridgeport
- CT Institute for Refugees and Immigrants – Bridgeport
College Scholarships for Students in Need
- Staples Tuition Grants – Westport
- Norwalk Housing Foundation – Norwalk
- The Susan Fund – Westport
Services for Domestic Violence Victims
- Domestic Violence Crisis Center – Stamford
Emergency Medical Services
- Westport VEMS – Westport
Legal; Services for Children from Low Income Families
- Center for Children’s Advocacy – Bridgeport
Services to Address Recidivism
- HomeBridge Ventures – Bridgeport
Activities for Seniors
- Friends of the Westport Senior Center – Westport
The next time you see info on a Rotary Club fundraiser: Keep this list in mind.
And buy a ticket!
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For nearly a decade, Alan Sterling’s “Gloria” oyster boat was moored in Gray’s Creek.
After spending its final months disintegrating on shore — washed up on a bank during a storm — it was demolished and removed last week.
Here’s a view of Gray’s Creek today:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
It looks serene and lovely.
But without Gloria, it’s just not the same.
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“The Outsider” is coming to the Westport Country Playhouse.
No, not the Broadway musical based on the coming-of-age novel of the same name.
“The Outsider” — written by Paul Slade Smith and directed by Mark Shanahan — is the next “Script in Hand” offering.
It’s set for Monday, June 10 (7 p.m.).
This “Outsider” is “a timely and hilarious comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy.
“Ned Newley doesn’t even want to be governor. He’s terrified of public speaking; his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive chief of staff, Ned seems destined to fail.
“But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for … the worst candidate to ever run for office.”
All seats are $30. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Michael Friedman’s great Church Lane pop-up shop — featuring his very cool, very close-up and personal photos of rock stars like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, The Band, Paul Butterfield, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Winter — after next weekend.
They’re open noon to 6 Friday through Sunday, and by appointment (203-247-6869).
Now is the time to put in special orders. There’s 20% off any image, of any size (with still time to frame before Father’s Day).
And there’s 25% off framed prints currently on display.
Friedman’s shop was a perfect place where rock met pop(up). Be sure to check it out, before it checks out.
Mick Jagger (Photo copyright Michael Friedman)
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Weston High School’s valedictorian and salutatorian are not just the top 2 students in the Class of 2024.
They’re also close, longtime friends.
Valedictorian Sophie Rutkowski has dedicated herself to science research. She presented her work to the North American Black Fly Association, and studied endometrial cancer.
She also did independent study on Eastern European literature,
Musically, Sophie finds joy playing the flute and piccolo. Her groups include Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz and Pit Orchestra. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Music Mentors.
Other volunteer efforts include National Honor Society, Lachat Town Farm, and Weston High swim team community service.
Sophie is also an AP Scholar with Distinction, and has won the University of Michigan Book Award, rhe Marie Curie Award, and is part of the National Junior Classical League Latin Honor Society.
This fall, she will attend Columbia University.
Salutatorian Natasha Jain has lived in Weston since 1st grade. She is a member of the WHS Green Team and Fighting Against Climate Injustice. She has competed in mock trial competitions since middle school, and helps coach the junior mock trial team at Weston Middle School.
Natasha plays the clarinet in the Wind Ensemble, and piano outside of school.
She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.
Natasha is also an accomplished dancer in the Indian classical form of Bharatanatyam. She recently performed a 3-hour on-stage solo dance in front of a large audience.
Natasha will attend Tufts University, and plans to major in neuroscience.
Natasha Jain and Sophie Rutkowski
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Homeowners may not know that cash discounts are available not only at gas stations, but also (in a somewhat bigger transaction) real estate.
Our friends at KMS Team at Compass say: “A study of over 2 million sales from across the country during 1980 – 2017 revealed that, on average, mortgage buyers paid 11% more than cash buyers. A more recent study of data through 2021 pegged the premium at 8%.
Locally, over the past 12 months, more than half (50.4%) of Westport real estate transactions were recorded as cash sales.
Mortgages and closing costs can mount up. In fact, New York has a graduated mortgage tax, tacking on an additional 2% or so to record mortgages on city purchases.
Click here to read more about borrowing and closing fees, including a comparison between Connecticut and New York.
The asking price for this 5-bedroom, 9-bathroom, 7,435-square foot house on 2.51 acres at oddly named Pan Handle Lane is $5,499 million. The mortgage is estimated at $38,730 a month. There may be a cash discount.
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If you’re headed to today’s Dog Festival at Winslow Park, take a detour before or after to the Shell station across from the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot entrance.
The Staples High School wrestling team is running a fundraising car wash, from noon to 3 p.m.
Who knows? They might even rinse off your pooch.
They can wrestle — and wash your car!
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We are surrounded by so much greenery, we don’t always appreciate it.
Claudia Sherwood Servidio does. Her shot of Vista Terrace, inside Longshore — today’s “Westport … Naturally” image — reminds us that all around town, we are surrounded by beauty.
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
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And finally … in honor of “The Outsider,” coming soon to the Westport Country Playhouse (story above):
(If it’s happening in Westport, “06880” will tell you about it. Please tell us you appreciate our work, with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
Marry the house, date the rate. You can always refinance when rates eventually decline.
your assumption that everyone can afford to might be presumptuous.
Gloria – such a brave little boat.
Unless Westport is really, really expensive, you probably don’t mean the house sold for $5,499 million, which would be $$5 1/2 billion, but rather 5.499 million. In 1955, my parents paid $42,000 for the new ranch at 69 High Point Rd. When we put it up for sale in 1961, my father refused to take a loss on it so it took a year to sell; today, though drastically remodeled, it is valued at well over a million dollars.
Great catch!
Who can actually afford to pay cash for a house? Not many people, I imagine.