Longshore is Amy Feder’s happy place.
So it was a natural place for John Recine to propose to her.
What he didn’t expect was that — as he popped the question, on the PAL Ice Rink — a skating stranger would capture the moment on camera.
Amy was there with Ali, her 22-year-old daughter, and Johnny’s daughter Angela and boyfriend Zach (visiting from Austin).
The happy couple have not set a date or place yet. No one asked me, but I can think of a great spot very close to that rink …
From left: Zach Springer, Angela Recine, Amy Feder, Johnny Recine, Ali Feder. (Photo/A random but great stranger)
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As a large new house rises near Schlaet’s Point, anoather big house will not be built a few yards away.
The Zoning Board of Appeals has denied an application for a 36-foot tall house at 238 Hillspoint Road. The proposed 2,200-square foot structure would have replaced a one-story cottage, built in 1920.
The current home at 238 Hillspoint Road.
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On January 26, Paul Newman would have been 100 years old.
In his honor, Newman’s Own — the philanthropy started in Westport, where the actor/race car driver/humanitarian lived for over 50 years — will launch “Paul Newman Generosity Day.”
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, local officials and celebrities will gather at the Newman’s Own office on the Post Road at Morningside Road North for an afternoon of “celebration and generosity.”
Newman’s Own will unveil the “100 Acts of Generosity Challenge.” Participants will perform acts of kindness, share stories, and inspire others to do the same on social media.
Nearly 100, and still looking good.
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Richard Huntley is an internist/primary care doctor in Norwalk, and a Westport resident since 1988.
In 2023 he got a chance to do charitable medical work. He traveled to Kenya to screen for high blood pressure (Africa has the highest rate of hypertension globally.
80% of hypertension cases in Kenya are unrecognized, and only 10% is treated. Only 2% of the population has health insurance, so most people focus on illness rather than preventive care.
Dr. Huntley first worked in rural areas of Kenya. In 2024 he volunteered in Kibera — Africa’s largest slum, with over a million people.
He has partnered with Crossing Thresholds, a New Canaan-based nonprofit, to start a clinic to screen and treat high blood pressure. He organized a fundraiser to provide hypertension medications. For more information on the project, and donate, click here.
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After leading Williams College to a 3-0 record, and averaging 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game, senior captain (and 2021 Staples High School graduate) Arianna Gerig was named New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors.
She was also selected for the First Team of the Week, the New England Women’s Basketball Association. (Hat tip: Don Kubie)
Arianna Gerig
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David Kaplan started his movie-making career the way you always hear it should be done: in the mailroom of a Los Angeles talent agency.
In 2013, “06880” profiled the 2003 Staples High School graduate. His film “Short Term 12” had just won the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature.
Now he’s got a Golden Globe
“The Brutalist” — backed by Kaplan Morrison, Kaplan’s New York-based production company — won 3 awards Sunday night, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. (Hat tip: Adam Friedland)
David Kaplan
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Andrew Wilk is a Big Name in entertainment.
The Westporter is a 5-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and director of network television. He has worked with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Audra McDonald and Kelli O’Hara.
He is also a noted stage director and writer. But symphony conducting remains his first love. He is a frequent musical director and conductor at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and been involved with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
On May 17, Wilk will be at Waterbury’s Palace Theater. He will conduct the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra for a night of music and memories, celebrating 20 years of Broadway musicals.
The show will include musical numbers from “The Phantom of the Opera,”
“Ragtime,” “Evita” and “Dreamgirls,” plus “Over the Rainbow,” “Memory” and “Tomorrow.”
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Andrew Wilk with one of his Emmys, at his Lincoln Center office.
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And finally … today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, from the Balducci’s parking lot, gives new meaning to the “Rover” in Range Rover.
(Photo/Neal Radding)
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And finally … in honor of Andrew Wilk’s upcoming show at the Waterbury Palace Theater (story above):
(Do you hear the people contributing to “06880”? Just click here to join in. Merci!)
The Golden Globe is only the most recent award garnered by The Brutalist since it premiered to a standing ovation at The Venice Film festival last summer. Unfortunately, it is still only in limited release in the USA. But the Oscars are still to come!
Love seeing the Longshore rink proposal story! I was actually the “skating stranger!” 🙂 it was a beautiful moment- I had to take pictures to share with them! Congratulations, Amy and John!
Oh wow, we found you! Thank you Negin for capturing our happiest, memorable moment and sharing it with us. Your sweet gesture truly defines community and what makes 06880 so special. My friend framed the photo you took and gifted it to us. We will treasure it always. Thank you!!
Paul Newman was such a generous person. When I think of him and the number 100, it reminds me of an incident in front of the golf range on the Post Rd. Someone went speeding by in a car that seemed to be driving 100 miles an hour and I made a comment. Someone also made a comment, “That’s just Paul Newman speeding by.”
I applaude Dr. Richard Huntley for the humanitarian work he’s done and continues to support in Kenya. As my primary care physician for many years I am not surprised and glad to know that his caring, thoughtful work prevails both on and off the job.
Paul Newman was really an anti-snob snob. He used to sail his yellow houseboat into Southport Marina with horns blasting away to irritate those in the area. For those of us who were around when Newman drove his motorcycle through the local streets, often shirtless, he was just a good guy and neighbor. And let us not forget his mate, Jo Ann Woodward, who gave away much of her stardom to raise six kids and let him be the star. She was the wind beneath his wings. Westport at its best.