For the first time in over a year, the Westport Country Playhouse is staging a play.
The iconic 93-year-old American theater survived a near-bankruptcy last year. Since then, it has presented a wide variety of entertainment, including concerts by the likes of Bernadette Peters and Judy Collins, revues, and shows for Taylor Swift and “Pinkalicious” fans.
As part of a new strategy to recapture play audiences, the Playhouse has shifted that schedule from summer to fall/winter/spring.
The first of 4 comedic series — because we all need to laugh — is now on stage.
Despite competing with Game 2 of the World Series (involving the hometown New York Yankees), most Playhouse seats were filled last evening. It was opening night for the hilarious production of Alfred Hitchcock’s “39 Steps”.
The fast-paced show of espionage and mayhem — based on Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1935 film, with a dash of Monty Python — runs through November 9.
It is directed by Mark Shanahan, WCP artistic director. Click here for more information, and tickets.
“39 Steps” cast takes their Westport Country Playhouse bows. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
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The Brooks Corner parking lot is looking a bit emptier these days.
It’s still filled to capacity. But that capacity is now slightly less.
A half dozen spots were removed during recent re-striping.
Yes, there’s someone in that gray car. It’s not parked. (Photo/Dan Woog)
That may mean inconvenience a few shoppers.
But it makes the once-crowded lot exponentially less difficult to navigate.
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Windows throughout Westport were transformed this weekend.
The annual Halloween window painting contest returned yesterday.
Elementary and middle schools painters worked their magic at stores and other buildings, in 3 categories: Scariest Art Work, Best Halloween Theme and Most Original. The prizes are gift certificates, courtesy of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Hard at work, at the Senior Center.
That’s just the start. On Tuesday (October 29), the Parks & Recreation Department’s annual Halloween Parade begins at 3:30 p.m., at the Post Road East/Main Street intersection.
Costumed kids will walk to Avery Place, then enjoy festivities on Veterans Green across from Town Hall.
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Westport Sunrise Rotary Club joined Rotarians from Fairfield and Bridgeport to celebrate Read Aloud Day on Friday, at Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School in Bridgeport.
Books were selected by the school, and purchased by the Rotary Clubs. The volunteers were assigned a book and a class from pre-K to 5th grade to read to. After the reading, the books were donated to the class.
From left: Rotarians Dennis Wong, Bruce Fritz, Bruce Paul, Marin principal Judy Swenton, Katie Augustyn, Rob Hauck and Aimee Monroy Smith.
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The Y’s Men’s Thursday meetings often feature intriguing speakers.
This past week, an SRO crowd heard a talk — and a concert.
Professor/musical interpreter/performer Orin Grossman gave a history of George Gershwin and Duke Ellington, then played selections from their music.
he Y’s Men heard — among others — “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Looking for a Boy,” “Swampy River” and “Single Petal of a Rose.”
Now you can hear it all too. Click the link below:
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As the Staples field hockey team roars through the post-season, they’re feeling confident.
And comfortable.
New shelters and benches have just been delivered to Jinny Parker Field. They’re courtesy of 6 organizations, all of which use the turf: Staples Field Hockey and Girls Lacrosse, Westport PAL girls lacrosse, Westport Youth Field Hockey, the Gridiron Club, and Westport Parks & Recreation.
The Wrecker field hockey team did not use them yesterday — but they continued to roll. The girls — top-seeded in the FCIAC (league) tournament — shut out Greenwich 3-0, in the semifinals.
Staples is in the finals — again. The game is set for Tuesday (October 29, 6:30 p.m., Wilton High School).
The state tournament follows. The Wreckers will begin at home.
The benches will be ready.
The Staples field hockey team, with their new bench and canopy.
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The Westport Library continues its Wednesday 11 a.m. “Anyone Can Use …” educational series. Sessions include:
Genealogy Resources (November 6)
Pronunciator (November 20)
LinkedIn Learning (December 4)
Google Slides (December 18).
Classes are free, but registration is required. Click here for more information.
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Westport-based Christmas Lake Press has published “Voices of Our Children” — and there is a strong local connection.
The illustrated poetry anthology features the work of children in the HEAL Community Service Program — part of Homes with Hope
The small, moving volume include youngsters’ heartfelt work. The official launch is set for the Westport Book Shop on November 14 (4:30 p.m.).
Organized by different forms of poetry, like haiku, odes, colors and Renga, the book showcases poets ranging from kindergarteners to high school seniors, along with HEAL volunteers.
The back of the book includes blank lined pages where readers — from children to adults— are encouraged to write their own poems.
The program that generated the poems in the book was created and run by Westport resident Sylvie Middleton, with Jennifer Lyn Amon, HEAL program director.
All proceeds will help further HEAL members’ creative and artistic aspirations, through Homes with Hope’s programming. Christmas Lake published the book pro bono, as a contribution to the community.
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Former Westport educator Karley Meltzer died peacefully on October 14 in the presence of her daughter, Killian Higgins, in San Mateo, California, where she moved 8 years ago to be closer to her family. She was 84.
Daughter of US Congressman Thor Tollefson of Washington, Karley earned a BA in music from Sarah Lawrence College, a master’s degree in education from Wesleyan University, and a doctorate in education from Columbia University.
At Staples High School she served as dean of the Class of 1986 — the first class to enter as freshmen, during Westport’s transition from junior highs to middle schools.
She helped develop the Alternatives interdisciplinary program for high school students at Staples High, initiated the Ropes course, served as vice president of the Westport Education Association, and was a board member of Project Return.
Former student (and WEA board member) Karen DeFelice was a student in Karley’s Psychology class at Staples. Karen calls her “an amazing teacher. She had so much energy and passion. She also had a deep appreciation for diverse learners.”
She had taught social studies before moving on to administration, first as vice principal in New Fairfield and then as principal of a magnet middle school in Stamford.
In addition to her daughter Killian, she is survived by 3 step-children and 6 grandchildren.
A celebration of Karley’s life is set for November 16 (2 p.m., the Peninsula Regent, San Mateo). To contact her daughter , email killianhiggins@gmail.com.
Karley Meltzer
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Cary Peterson sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — and these words:
“This is only one of the animals we’ve seen at our small pond in central Westport.
(Photo/Cary Peterson)
“They are all thirsty. Fresh water is hard to find. People might want to put out water.
“Even though temperatures have been warm, the raccoon’s coat seems very thick. It may bode for a colder winter.”
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And finally … Jack Jones — described by the New York Times as “a crooner who beguiled concert fans and stage, screen and television audiences for decades with romantic ballads and gentle jazz tunes that even in large venues often achieved the intimacy of his celebrated nightclub performances” — died Wednesday in California. He was 86, and suffered from leukemia.
Click here for a full obituary.
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Karley (I knew her as Mrs. Higgins at BJHS ‘64-‘67) was my favorite Social Studies teacher and there were many great ones to choose from. She nicknamed Todd Shepherd, Mitch Finkelstein and me “The Terrible Trio” because we never gave her any rest. She was my first teacher crush. Inspired me to major in secondary education social studies in college although I never got to teach it in school. So counting backwards, she was 24 when I first had her as a teacher. Probably her first job but it wasn’t mentioned in her obit. Her daughter Kilian Higgins’ father must have been Bill Higgins who was a Staples English teacher back in the day. Also very well thought of.
Eric, I too had crush on her.She was young and beautiful. I can remember me, Heidi Bernier and Priscillia Brawley sitting together and trying to figure out what she had been up to the night before! RIP KHM you made that class fun..
Wow. You, Karley, Heidi and Priscilla Dave I remember all of them and I can’t believe you were able to concentrate on social studies in the midst of all that eye candy.
We are losing some greats lately. Makes one feel old sometimes. Bass player of Grateful Dead. I must have seen them 7 or 8 times in the late 70s. And Jack Jones. My parents listened to him especially in the car driving around Westport and during our Westport dinner parties. He was a great that didn’t have the notoriety of Andy Williams or Frank Sinatra although he deserved it. Love Lady..a great old school 60s crooner song that brings back some good memories.
Love the field hockey shelter..I played jv and then varsity field hockey in my school in Pa. I wish we had those shelters when we played in the rain! In those days, we only had shin guards and slipped around mud with no sympathy from the coaches lol. No mouth guards or anything else. And the sticks violation was supposed to keep balls from flying high in the air to hit heads. Not sure that worked. But we did get orange slices at the end of each game.
Wasn’t the first class of freshmen at Staples the Class of ’87? So was Ms. Meltzer the dean or is the year wrong?
Correct. I am guessing the obituary got the date wrong.
Re The 39 Steps…if you need a laugh, don’t we all, go see this one! I liken it to the Marks Brothers meet Alfred Hitchcock. It is hilariously funny, clever and performed by very talented actor/comedians. I just purchased tickets to see it again, I don’t want my husband to miss it!
Brooks Corner Parking Lot …
Unnecessary removal of spots especially in light of the parking situation downtown. How ridiculous .. plain and simple.
Cary, your photo sets the standard for all animal photos going forward..what a gem.
Thank you.
Don’t miss The 39 Steps at the Playhouse! It is very funny and the cast is excellent! We can all use a good laugh these days.