When the Westport Weston Family YMCA received permits for its new facility off Wilton Road, town officials insisted on certain restrictions.
One was a Planning & Zoning Commission limit of 12,500 members.
The Y has now reached that limit. They’ll institute a waitlist.
“Given that the mission of our Y is to welcome and serve all who walk through our doors, we are sorry to disappoint potential new members who want to belong to our vibrant community,” says CEO Anjali McCormick.
She assures current and future members, “we remain committed to providing you with the best experience possible.”
Members head to the Y all day, every day. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of the Y: Their 45th annual Point to Point Open Water Swim Race begins at 8 a.m. on July 28.
The 1-mile charity event draws swimmers to Compo Beach from across the Northeast.
All proceeds support the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s aquatics programs, including swim lessons and water safety training for children and adults.
Pre-registration is $60; the day-of-race fee is $75. The kids’ race is $15. Registration includes a swim cap, t-shirt and timing chip.
The top finishers earn prizes. To register and learn more, click here.
The start of the 2022 Point-to-Point swim.
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For many years, Judith Marks-White’s “The Light Touch” and “In Other Words” columns were required reading in the Westport News. Both won writing awards — as did many other stories by the talented local writer.
She died peacefully yesterday at Norwalk Hospital, surrounded by her family. The wife of the late artist/illustrator Morton Rosenfeld was 84.
Born on March 21, 1940 in Passaic, New Jersey, she attended Prospect Hill Country Day School in Newark, and Vassar College.
She then began her professional life in New York, at Time-Life Books.
In 1972 Judith moved to Westport. She soon became the humor columnist of the local paper. She also wrote for national magazines and newspapers.
She contributed to many children’s publications and “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” and wrote 2 novels. She received awards for both fiction and nonfiction.
Judith spent many years as an adjunct professor of English at Norwalk Community College, where she was named Teacher of the Year. In addition, she led writing workshops.
She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Andrew), and grandchildren Andrew and Caroline.
Funeral services will be held Monday (June 17, 1 p.m., Temple Shalom, Norwalk). Burial will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport.
Shiva will be held Monday (June 17, 4-8 p.m.) and Tuesday (June 18, 1-4 and 5-8 p.m.) at the home of Debbie Richman and Jeffrey Selden in Weston.
In lieu of flowers contributions in Judith’s memory may be made to the Westport Library.
Judith Marks-White
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Longshore Sailing School cares about the water — and the coast.
On Saturday, June 29 (9:30 to 11 a.m.), they’re sponsoring a coastal cleanup.
Kayaks are free — provided kayakers remove garbage and debris from the shoreline and Saugatuck River.
Even in an eco-conscious town like ours, there’s plenty of trash.
Longshore Sailing School has run similar events in the fast, with great success.
Click here to register; use the code “cleanup” at checkout. Bring your own gloves!
Longshore Sailing School kayaks, waiting to clean the coast. (Photo/Anne Bernier
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Three Westporters were honored at the 19th annual “40 Under 40 of Fairfield County” awards ceremony, presented by Westfair Business Journal.
Congratulations to Maxx Crowley of SCA Crowley Real Estate (and president of the Westport Downtown Association); Susannah Crowley of Bumble (now with TikTok — and not related to Maxx), and Mathias Sportini, a partner at FLB Law.
Over 100 nominees, all under the age of 40, were submitted by Chambers of Commerce and businesses in Fairfield County. The 3 local winners were nominated by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
From left: Maxx Crowley, Mathias Sportini, Susannah Crowley and Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell.
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Karlin Gray is not a soccer player. But like Mia Hamm, she grew up as a shy “military brat,” moving every year or two, and found great friends along the way. Coincidentally, she graduated from the same high school as Mia.
Now Karlin — a Westport resident — has written a graphic novel about the soccer star.
“Mia and Friends” follows a group of young women who made history at the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Aimed at readers ages 7-10, it will be published August 27. Click here for more information, including a sneak peek.
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George Barrett — the 1973 Staples High School graduate who in his long life has sung with the Orphenians, played varsity soccer at Brown University, taught at Horace Mann, served as CEO of Cardinal Health, and last year returned to his longtime love of singing with the release of his first record — is now working on his second.
Meanwhile, the video for his newest song — “You’re Not Alone” — went live yesterday.
Recorded with the very talented Harmony Project, it’s a heartfelt ballad with a powerful message.
The video is equally stunning. And the beginning and end were filmed at Compo Beach — an important place in George’s life.
PS: George continues to work on his music with Brian Keane, the Grammy-winning and multi-talented 1971 Staples grad.
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MoCA CT’s next exhibition — “ColleCTomania” — includes over 140 Swiss posters from collector Tom Strong.
The New Haven-based graphic designer, photographer and collector has spent 60 years amassing, displaying and sharing his archive.
The exhibit runs June 27 through September 13. Click here for more information, and to RSVP for the opening reception (June 27, 6 p.m.).
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Yesterday’s rain knocked out an important day of the Yankee Doodle Fair.
Sunny skies are predicted today. The fair — a major fundraiser for the Westport Woman’s Club — continues at their Imperial Avenue site this afternoon and evening (Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.), and tomorrow (Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.).
The rain also produced this gorgeous rainbow, looking southeast from Owenoke:
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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In recent days, “06880” has been inundated with deer photos, for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Lovely as they are (there are no images of them eating plants, trees and shrubs), we can’t run them all.
But we can’t resist this one:
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
After checking out the Terrain greenery — and seeing that venison is not on the café menu — this fawn managed to safely cross the Post Road.
Oh, dear!
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And finally … on this day in 1752, Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is electricity.
(The Y has reached its max — but not “06880.” You can still support our work! Just click here. Thanks for your help.)
If I remember correctly, the Y now owns what was the Red Barn Restaurant. It’s a shame that it now stands empty, over grown with vegetation. I can only image the condition of the interior. Shouldn’t they be accountable for its upkeep? Does anyone know the status?
I met Judy (sic) at Oscar’s Deli [where she’s pictured on the wall] and she was a great lady with a keen sense of humor and a very sharp wit…in contrast to her proper appearance.
RIP Judy TAPS TAPS 🙁
RIP Judith Marks, from your Evergreen Parkway neighbors. Condolences to the family.
— Toni and Jeff
Judith did something wonderful for my family. It lifted us all up. About 30 years ago, she bought a sculpture my then 7 (or 8) year old daughter, Melissa did that was featured in a Coleytown art show. It thrilled all of us that anyone would do that. She said she genuinely loved it. She encouraged my daughter, who is highly creative. Melissa did graduate with bachelor’s degree in Art and Photography from SUNY New Paltz in 2003. RIP Sweet Judith, Westport will never be the same.
Wow, wow, wow! Almost too much to process here. Judith was a wonderful human being and a talented teacher. (We were colleagues at NCC.) She will be deeply missed. And congratulations, George! What a heartfelt song. You made me cry.
Oh no, I’m so sad to hear of Judith’s passing. I loved Judith and especially her humor and caring. I knew her for decades.
I also echo the wonderful things said about Judith, a legend! Saddened by her passing and grateful for having had the pleasure of experiencing her talents.
Such a nice story about George Barrett. I remember when you wrote about him awhile back and I had commented on remembering him through referring soccer.Such a talented person. Enjoyed listening to his recording and hope he does come back home and play in Westport. How about the Westport Playhouse or Levitt??
Judith was a wonderful and witty neighbor who will be missed by many.
I am sad to report that that fawn did not make it across the Post Road again…it was deceased on the side of the road by Terrain.
I’m so sad to learn that Judith is gone. We were contemporaries and shared the slings and arrows of aging. On her birthday she wrote “Would you believe I am in Norwalk Hospital with double pneumonia? Ugh. Back to you soon.” I never got back and am in mourning. I loved her a lot.
Update on the baby deer. As I was pulling in to Fresh Market this afternoon, the baby deer was lying dead on the grass by the sidewalk at Terrain. So sad! RIP little one:(