While many Westporters relaxed in yesterday’s still-spectacular fall weather, plenty of others volunteered in a variety of ways — all for Homes with Hope.
A well-supported food drive at Stop & Shop helped restock the food pantry, now located at Sasco Creek Village while the Gillespie Center is being renovated.
(From left) Clodagh McAlinden, Pete Wolgast, Katharine Murray, Paris Looney — Homes with Hope and Sunrise Rotary Club volunteers at Stop & Shop.
With the Sunrise Rotary Club, Westport Police Department and Builders Beyond Borders taking the lead, over 350 bags of food and personal hygiene items were donated by shoppers.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas, with Police Department and other volunteers, help restock the Homes with Hope food pantry.
Over at 122 Wilton Road — Homes with Hope’s newest affordable housing site — volunteers from Green’s Farms Church planted tulips and daffodils.
Green’s Farms Church volunteers, at 122 Wilton Road.
Teenagers from Staples Service League of Boys (SLOBs) showed up in force at the Linxweiler House. They did a massive fall clean-up at the HWH property on Post Road East.
SLOBs clean up at Linxweiler House.
Finally, members of American Institute for Foreign Study’s au pair division in Stamford spent the morning cleaning up leaves at the Bacharach Community — Homes with Hope’s emergency housing for women and children, on Wassell Lane.
AIFS Au Pair in America volunteers, at the Bacharach Community.
“Every team was amazing!” says HWH president and CEO Helen McAlinden. “What an incredible help, on this beautiful fall day.”
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The Westport Library’s Holiday Shop is open.
The annual event — located on the main level, and now spilling into the Writing Center — includes scarves, hats and gloves (many handmade); humorous socks; unique dish towels; notebooks, journals and planners; handmade desert bells and other decorative items like paper lanterns, felt baskets, planters and birdhouses; snow globes; jewelry; festive candles; games; puzzles; toys; art supplies, and novelty items for kids.
Library Store purchases are tax-free. Proceeds support Library services and programs.
Manager Heli Stagg shows off a small part of the Library’s Holiday Shop, in the Writing Center off the main floor. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Shonda Rhimes is bicoastal.
But the TV producer/screenwriter/Shondaland founder won’t have far to go for her November 22 gig (8 p.m).
The Westport resident will be at the Palace Theater in Stamford, for a chat with Bill Clinton. They’ll chat about his new memoir “Citizen”; his post-presidency life; the 2024 election, and his reflections on the world today.
(The former president has an equally short commute that night. He’ll be coming from nearby Chappaqua, New York.)
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Bill Clinton and Shonda Rhimes
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On Thursday, the Rockin’ Alts Women of Westport — aka RAWW — hosted a happy hour at Romanacci’s.
Thirty professional women in alternative investments — hedge funds, private markets, venture capital and more – attended. The event was sponsored by Westport-based FoundHer, a recruiting firm specializing in placing return-to-work women in the workplace.
Founder Rachel Markus invites women in alternative finance to join RAWW. For more information, email RachelMarkus10@gmail.com.
Local women interested in returning to work in the financial industry can email jsilver@foundherllc.com and rknapp@foundherllc.com.
RAWW and FoundHer members, at Romanacci’s.
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Next up for Club203: bowling!
Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities heads to Nutmeg Bowling in Fairfield on November 21 (6:30 to 8 p.m.).
The social evening includes pizza (and shoes at no extra cost). As always with Club203, MoCA CT provides an art table.
Parents and guardians are welcome to stay at Nutmeg, and enjoy the cash bar.
A year-long Club203 membership is $100, and includes 10 monthly events. Individual events are $20 each. Click here to join — and let the good times “roll.”
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Want to learn more about your old books? Head to Tail Books will be at the Westport Museum for History & Culture November 16 to evaluate vintage books.
Registration is open for 30-minute appointments with Michele Wan, proprietor of the Westport-based specialists in rare and collectible books. She’ll offer informal analyses of hand press-era texts, modern first editions and more (up to 5 items). The fee is $75. To register, click here.
Michele Wan
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Most days, the Westport Library’s youngest patrons hang out in the second floor children’s room.
It’s warm, welcoming, and always fun.
Yesterday morning, kids took over the Trefz Forum. “Miss Sara’s Music Room” filled the big space, with instruments, rhythm — and (of course) fun.
(Photo/Rob Feakins)
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Staples High School Class of 1958 graduate Alan Dolge died on October 25. He was 84.
The Westport native graduated from Franklin & Marshall College. He was a naval aviator for 22 years. After moving from active duty to reserves, he flew for Trans World Airlines. He retired at age 60, after 33 years, in 2000.
After retirement, he served his community as a conservationist, working alongside the Delaware Highlands Conservancy to protect the Poconos. He was also president of his homeowners’ association for 10 years. He helped found the United Way of Pike County, which he served as president.
Alan is survived by his wife of 34 years, Pamela Dolge, his daughters with Carole Dolge, Kelly (James) Smith and Ginger (Paul) Wolford; grandchildren Shannon, Kendall (Connor Mahaffey), Jonathan, Hailey and Joshua; great-granddaughter Juniper; and brothers Chuck and Tracy.
A funeral is set
He will be buried with military honors at 12:30 p.m. on November 18 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Alan’s memory may be made to VALOR Clinic Foundation, which serves veterans.
Alan Dolge
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Jo Ann Miller reminds “06880” readers that today is the 249th birthday of the US Marine Corps.
Her father served proudly for 37 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant general (3 Stars). He was one of only two pilots to fly combat missions in World War II (Midway), Korea and Vietnam. His wing men included astronaut and Senator John Glenn, and Ted Williams. He was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010, with Neil Armstrong.
Semper Fi!
(From Bill Clinton and the US Marine Corps to Shonda Rhimes and our amazing library, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
FYI This is the 249th Birthday of the Marine Corps. The only branch of the service that was founded in a bar! Tunn’s Tavern 1775. Semper Fi!
C.B.Dolge lived next to us for a while on South Morningside Dr. in a very modest house on the corner of Clapboard & South Morningside. On the back acre of the property, he allowed my father to plant an acre of corn. (You couldn’t get the farmer out of my father.) He’s got the bowling alley, golf range and pool room, and he’s still farming on the side.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MARINES!!!! I grew up as a Marine “BRAT” which meant I went to four (4) different high schools while my father, as a pilot, went back-forth between coasts. For those who served, today and tomorrow, VETERAN’S DAY, SEMPER FI TO YOU. Don’t thank them for their service, they were honored to do so. Just tell them I AM GLAD YOU MADE IT HOME!!!!
Thanks for sharing Jo Ann…your Dad was an ICONIC Marine!