Roundup: Rev. Dr. Edward Thompson, High Tide, CMS Voices

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport celebrates the retirement of minister of music Rev. Dr. Edward Thompson this Saturday, with — appropriately — concert of his works.

The November 16 (7 p.m.) event features the New York-based Choral Chameleon ensemble. A reception follows the free concert.

Thompson is stepping down, after more than 46 years with the UU church. What began as a part-time position conducting a single choir blossomed into a full-time role, conducting 8 choirs across 2 weekly services.

He holds a master’s degree from the Juilliard School, and a doctorate from the University of Hartford.

For nearly 5 decades Thompson has guided hundreds of children and adults through choir, offering both musical training and spiritual mentorship.

During his tenure Thompson has composed numerous works for youth, adult and bell choirs. “Celtic Noel” was written for choir, Uilleann pipes, harp and tin whistle. “Seeking Home” is a 12-movement piece for choir, guitars and native flutes, dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women.

A livestream is also available; click here.

Rev. Dr. Edward Thompson, last Christmas.

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Full moon is not till this afternoon.

But the tide was plenty high yesterday morning, at Compo Beach.

(Photo/Matt Murray)

Good thing the weather is nice!

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A few seats remain for Coleytown Middle School’s fall musical review.

“Raise Your Voice” features 15 songs from “Into the Woods,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” and “Oliver!,” to “Mary Poppins,” “Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Legally Blonde” and more.

Performances are Thursday, November 21 (6 p.m.) and Friday, November 22 (7 p.m). Click here; then search for “Coleytown.”

Coleytown Middle School students raise their voices. (Photo/Clair Benmosche)

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Westport Country Playhouse has named new members to its Theatre Council. The advocacy group supports the artistic and community-building mission of the historic theatre, now in its 93^rd year.

The volunteer group is guided by Playhouse trustee Ben Frimmer. Members include Ari Benmosche, Carin Freidag, Ivy Kramer-Gosseen, Jeff Gurner, Kerri Joller, Diana Mashia, Carolina Mata, Rachel Rosado Murray, Rabbi Zachary A. Plesent, Sara Robbin, Elizabeth Salem, Meredith Walker and Claire Wilkes.

Ben Frimmer leads the Westport Country Playhouse Theatre Council.

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Long time Westport realtor-artist — and now writer — Jo Ann Miller, is out with her third book.

“Echo Bunker” follows protagonist Abbey Lane, who deals with corruption and collusion at the World Bank with kickbacks to bureaucrats and politicians.

BookList says: “Fast paced plot with spicy dialogue. While an ‘airplane book,’ a reader cannot wait until lift off.” It’s available on Amazon by Thanksgiving.

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This handsome guy posed for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature in Eric Roth’s Dogwood Lane front yard.

“Didn’t even flinch,” Eric reports.

Why should he? They were here first.

(Photo/Eric Roth)

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And finally … on this day in 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman begins his famous “March to the Sea.”

Operating without supply lines, and lasting through December 21, his troops moved from Atlanta to Savannah. They destroyed military targets, along with industry, infrastructure and civilian property. The Confederacy’s economy and transportation networks were disrupted, helping lead to surrender in April 1865.

(As the photo above shows, the buck stops here — in Westport. Specifically, at “06880.” If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, and have a buck or two to help support us, please click here. Thank you!)