Today is the day: the 4th annual “06880”/Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll.
It’s 5 to 7 p.m., on Main Street, plus the parking lots at Elm Street, and all around downtown.
There is something for everyone. For kids, there’s a candy wagon, photos with Santa and the Grinch, face painting, crafts, Buddy the Elf and other Staples Players costumed characters, piglet reindeer, a mailbox for Santa letters … you get the idea.
Plus smores at Nômade, a DJ dance party, kettle corn, hot chocolate, a human snow globe, and a holiday market with artisans, non-profit booths, plus goodies from non-downtowners like Alina’s Cakes, and The Clubhouse.
Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy too, for the Westport PAL and Police Department collection.
Plus, nearly 100 stores, restaurants and other businesses offer deals, discounts and giveaways.
Here’s a small sampling: Complimentary nibbles and hot chocolate at stores. Cocktails and Champagne at restaurants. Raffles. Gifts with purchases. 15, 25, 50% off. Free classes.
To see the entire list, click here, then scroll down. See you tonight at the Stroll!
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Westport’s second tree lighting ceremony of the week — the Wakeman Town Farm one — “lit up” a large crowd yesterday.
The Wakeman Town Farm tree …
What started as a Wakeman family tradition has continued for all Westporters.
The Porch and Sweet P Bakery supplied cookies, treats and hot chocolate. The Westport Fire Department kept eye on a bonfire. Greens Farms and Saugatuck Elementary, and Staples High School, musicians played. Awesome Toys handed out gifts.
And 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker — accompanied by Wakeman family member Bill Constantino — did the switch-throwing honors.
… and tree lighters Bill Constantino and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
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The annual Westport Police Department toy drive kicks off today. The joint effot, with the Police Athletic League and Police Benevolent Association, continues tomorrow, and next weekend too.
New, unopened and unwrapped toys for all ages and genders — along with cash, to buy toys — will be collected at Athletic Shoe Factory (1560 Post Road East) Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also drop off unwrapped toys at Police headquarters on Jesup Road (any time), or Awesome Toys & Gifts and The Toy Post, during business hours.
There will be a collection box on Elm Street too, during tonight’s “06880”/ Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll (5 to 7 p.m.).
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Some people call next weekend’s Staples High School concert “Candlelight.”
Generous audience members will also make it “Can-Delight.”
On Friday and Saturday, the Tri-M National Music Honor Society is sponsoring a canned food drive. Collection boxes will be set up in the main lobby.
Concert-goers are invited to bring boxed or bagged stuffing; canned sweet potatoes, vegetables, fruit, tuna, chicken, meat, soup, beef stew and chili; instant mashed potatoes; boxed macaroni and cheese; brownie, cake and pie mix; cranberry sauce; shelf-stable milk and almond milk; hot and cold cereal.
Come on, Candlelight guests. You “can” help our neighbors in need!
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The Romanacci team followed up last month’s great “Evening in Rome” 5-course dinner at Old Mill Grocery & Deli with a second, Thursday night.
It was another night for beach neighbors to come together. Old friendships were rekindled and new ones were made, over excellent food and very good wines.
Based on raves for the first 2 dinners, Romanacci’s plans more after the holidays.
Old Mill Grocery’s “Night in Rome” dinner. (Photo/Carol Alexander)
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Among its many treasures, the Westport Senior Center has a room devoted to painters.
The other day, Ed Simek saw Jerry Meli putting final touches on a pretty flower.
Ed took this photo — which is just as compelling as Jerry’s oil painting.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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Yesterday’s Roundup item about Staples High School’s Italian Club fundraiser for Centra La Tenda, a community organization serving needy children in Naples, omitted a link.
Click here to donate. Click here, then scroll down to read more about the project.
Children at Centro La Tenda, in Naples.
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Several dozen people filled Rizzuto’s last night, for Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport’s annual holiday party.
In keeping with the organization’s mission of helping new and longtime residents connect through common interests and social events, guests ranged from born-and-bred Westporters, to those who moved here this summer.
For more informaiton on Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport, click here.
Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport president Alma Sarelli (2nd from left), and members at last night’s party. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of parties: Non-members are welcome at the upcoming Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party.
It’s this Wednesday (December 11, 5 to 7 p.m., Harvest restaurant). Tickets ($35 for members, $40 for non-members, $5 extra for walk-ins) include one drink. Click here for reservations. 
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Joyce Thompson — longtime president of the Westport Arts Center — died peacefully at her Weston home, surrounded by her family. She was 90, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
She graduated from Wheaton College, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport.
During her tenure as WAC president, the organization restored, improved and maintained Greens Farms Elementary School as a gallery and home for artists. When the town needed the school again, the Arts Center moved to Riverside Avenue, where her participation continued. The WAC was the forerunner of what is now MoCA CT.
Joyce continued her interest in painting while also pursuing sailing and boating. She and her husband David were a familiar sight on Long Island Sound in the sloop Bluejacket and trawler Rambler.
An active member of Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club, she was also in the Power Squadron. She won a citation for the high number of boats she inspected on their behalf.
She was an avid gardener, and took pride in the restoration and maintenance of her pre-war International style house. Her paintings, especially cloudscapes, are hung with pride by family and friends, there and in other homes.
Married for 66 years, she is survived by her husband; children John of Stratford, Jennifer Van de Graaf (Stephen) of New Canaan (Stephen) and Sarah Marcotte (James) of Los Angeles, and grandchildren Gwen, Owen, Sarah and Rowan.
The family is deeply grateful to her caregivers Jackie Brown and Judith Bryan, who showed empathy and love.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held on Saturday, December 14 (10:30 a.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westport). The service will be livestreamed.
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Former Westport Emergency Medical Technician Toni Cribari died peacefully on November 26 in Hartford. She was 80.
The Hartford native worked in many roles throughout her life, from waitress and Norwalk Hospital pharmaceutical technician, to EMT.
But, family says, “perhaps her most cherished role was nanny, caring for and nurturing countless children whom she loved as if they were her own.”
An avid music fan, she was known for her “independent spirit, sense of humor, and beauty both inside and out.”
Toni is survived by her husband Ed; son Justin (Morgan), and granddaughter Ophelia. She was predeceased by her sister Denise, and daughters Chitra and Tara.
A graveside service will be held Monday (December 9, 11:00 a.m., Assumption Cemetery). Click here to leave online condolences.
Toni Cribari
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No, these are not birds flying south for the winter.
But their silhouette is interesting, and the sky is a perfect background for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
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And finally … in honor of today’s very fun community event, downtown from 5 to 7 p.m.:
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. If it happens in town, you’ll read about it online. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Billy Constantino, good guy, good softball player