Roundup: Betty Lou Cummings, Bridgewater, Wakeman Town Farm …

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker issued this statement, following the death of Betty Lou Cummings:

It was with great sadness that I learned of Betty Lou Cummings’ passing. Westport has lost an exceptional member of our community, and she will always hold a place alongside the great contributors to our town. Her cheer, her infectious happiness, and her love of life and community were unmatched. She will be remembered and appreciated forever.

Betty Lou’s involvement and generous commitment to Westport was unquestioned and steadfast, beginning with her participation in the resistance to having a nuclear power plant built on Cockenoe Island. She was one of the leaders of that movement. Today we have Betty Lou, among others, to thank for helping to maintain the natural beauty of that town asset.

She was a pioneer in female representation in Westport. After she served roles as second selectwoman and as an RTM member, she continued to actively and passionately champion for programs and civic issues that affected the entire community.

This included, but certainly was not limited to, volunteering and fundraising for the Westport Library and the Westport Center for Senior Activities, and organizing events for CLASP Homes. For decades, and with an enthusiasm that was unrivaled, Betty Lou proudly judged the Memorial Day parade floats and organized Super Bowl parties at the Senior Center.

I have so many personal fond memories of Betty Lou at many of these special events. With her pom-poms and pigtails, she unabashedly exuded joy. I so enjoyed her laughter and her company, but mostly, I respected her ability to engage everyone and make an entire room a bit brighter with her presence.

The town of Westport has been fortunate to have had Betty Lou as one of its leading citizens. I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the many residents whose lives she enhanced and touched.

Betty Lou Cummings and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, at the Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)

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Bridgewater is cutting 7% of its workforce.

That’s about 90 employees, out of the 1,200 or so at the company’s Nyala Farm headquarters adjacent to I-95 Exit 18.

The firm — one of the largest hedge funds in the world — once had 2 sites in Westport. The other was in the Glendinning building on Weston Road.

An office on Fifth Avenue, to “complement” the one here, will open this winter.

Bridgewater’s Westport headquarters.

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How you gonna keep ’em down on the farm, after they’ve seen the alpacas?

Or bought an alpaca mug?

That’s just one of the many offerings from Wakeman Town Farm this winter. They include:

Alpaca mugs: $14.95; proceeds help fund the WTF barn renovation.

Winter seed sowing class (January 7, 7 p.m.), with advanced master gardener Alice Ely.

Learn to cook family-friendly weeknight meals (January 23 and 25, 6:30 p.m.; $100, BYOB), with chef Laura Weinman.

Valentine’s cake decorating class (February 10, 7 p.m.; $85), with Jessica Leventhal.

Valentine’s dinner with wine pairings (February 13, 6:30 p.m.; $135 per person), with chef Alison Milwe Grace.

Kids’ Valentine’s cooking class (February 14, 4:15 p.m., ages 6-12; $60).

Click here for details, and for more Wakeman Town Farm activities.

Wakeman Town Farm alpaca mug.

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Earthplace Summer Camp registration is now open.

Youngsters of all abilities ages 2-15 are welcome to enjoy nature-based activities, and experience over 50 “animal ambassadors.” There are weekly sessions, from mid-June through mid-August.

Click here for more information. Questions? Email summercamp@earthplace.org.

Having fun at Earthplace summer camp. (Photo/Jaime Bairaktaris)

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Many times, the Westport Astronomical Society’s lecture series guests appear via Zoom, from around the galaxy (or at least the planet)

On January 21 (8 p.m.), the WAS welcomes their own board member Dr. Kevin Green, to the observatory classroom.

The University of New Haven Physics Department member will discuss the ongoing work of observing asteroids at WAS, and surrounding telescopes. The talk includes short presentations from his team of young, talented observers.

Dr. Green spearheads observations of asteroid occultations at the Westport Astronomical Society and University of New Haven, among others.

For those who can’t be there live, the talk will be livestreamed on YouTube and Zoom.

Dr. Kevin Green

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As the nation focuses its attention on Washington — in the aftermath of the January 6 insurrection, and the inauguration on January 20 of Donald Trump — the National Mall plays a prominent role.

Who knew there are stables there?

And if you did know, it’s unlikely you realized they were designed by a Westport architect.

In early 1976, in preparation for the Bicentennial, a small group of simple wooden stalls were erected for horses of the US Park Police. Though designed to be temporary, they have been used ever since.

A few years ago, a new building was constructed with stables and support spaces, administrative facilities, and a public information and education gallery. The public can now see the police horses in their stalls, and in paddocks in front.

It was designed by Tasos Kokoris. For many years, he has lived and worked in town.

Add that to your list of “must-sees,” the next time you’re in our nation’s capital. (Hat tip: Morgan Mermagen)

Tasos Kokoris’ horse stables, on the National Mall.

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Judith Voss — a Westport resident for 50 years — died December 16. She was 83.

The Wisconsin native was valedictorian of her high school class in 1959. After earning a BA in education from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, Judy taught middle school English in suburban Milwaukee.

Six years later, on a blind date, she met her future husband Ted, who had just finished law school and would soon be drafted into the Army.

After their wedding in 1968 Ted returned to Heidelberg, Germany where he was stationed. After finishing teaching for the school year, Judy joined. She saved love letters from their time apart.

After returning to the US in 1970, the couple lived in Milwaukee and Indianapolis. They settled in Westport in 1974.

Judy was an avid tennis player, and became a bridge bronze lifetime master. She also took great joy from cooking, baking, gardening, and looking after her home.

Other pastimes included running, yoga and The New York Times crossword puzzles. A voracious reader, Judy was an enthusiastic supporter of the Westport Public Library.

Judy is survived by her daughter, Trista Soh (Edward), and granddaughters Evelyn and Madeline. Her husband Ted died in 2020.

Gifts in Judy’s memory can be made to the Westport Library, Westport Senior Center or Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service.

Judy Voss

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo features this freezing creature. He (or she) tried to warm up yesterday, near the Library.

(Photo/Elisabeth Levey)

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And finally … Peter Yarrow — one-third of the legendary Peter, Paul & Mary trio — died yesterday in New York. He was 86, and suffered from bladder cancer.

Mary Travers — the golden-voiced contralto, with several ties to Westport — died in 2009, in Danbury.

Click here for a full obituary of Peter Yarrow.

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