150 people met at the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot yesterday, for a special RunForTheirLives walk.
The “Orange Balloon Memorial March” honored the Bibas family, along with Oded Lifshitz, a founder of Kibbutz Nir Oz. All lived there, before being kidnapped on October 7, 2023.
RunForTheirLives-Westport founder Melinda Wasserman opened the march with moving words about how the Bibas boys had come to feel like “our own children,” followed by similarly grief-imbued comments by Jennifer Wolff.
Gathering in the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot …
Temple Israel’s Rabbi Elena Nemitoff-Bressler led the crowd in the Mourner’s Kaddish.
The group then carried orange balloons, most of them donated by Party Hardy owner Jackie Marshal.
… beginning the march downtown …
The balloons were tied onto both sides of the Ruth Steinkraus Bridge. They blew in the winter wind the rest of the day, a reminder of the flame-haired children Hamas had executed.
Event organizers called it “a stunningly moving event. Our grief-stricken community united in both mourning for those we have lost, and celebration of those who have been returned to their families and loved ones, and, of course, to Israel.”
… and leaving balloons on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
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Today marks the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
For 3 years, Tyler Hicks has covered that war.
The 1988 Staples High School graduate is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for the New York Times.
Today, in a video on the newspaper’s website, Tyler explains some of the images he’s shot.
Tyler Hicks, in a screenshot from the New York Times video.
From demolished buildings to dead soldiers and civilians, he describes what each one meant then — and what it all means today.
Click here for Tyler’s riveting photos, and stories. (Hat tip: Amy Unikewicz)
Captioning, as Tyler Hicks explains one of his images. (Photo/Tylelr Hicks for the New York Times)
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There’s nothing like theatre people.
And on March 10 (6 to 8 p.m.), 2 weeks before the curtain rises on the Westport Country Playhouse production of the backstage comedy “Theatre People,” the 94-year-old institution salutes itself, its legacy, and the people who bring its shows to life.
“Get Ready for Theatre People! An Evening of Cocktails, Fun Tales and Backstage Tours” features an “alumni panel,” with actors Mia Dillon, Keir Dullea, Joe Delafield and Michael McCormick, former co-artistic director Anne Keefe, and more. Playhouse artistic director Mark Shanahan is the moderator.
The pre-show evening also includes behind-the-scenes tours led by WCP archivist and historian Bruce Miller, and a cocktail party.
Discount ticket offers will be available at the event for performances of “Theatre People.” The comedy is set in 1948 in a Newport mansion populated with characters in love with theater. They try to write a Broadway hit, but create as much drama among themselves as on paper.
Tickets for “Get Ready for Theatre People!” are $25; $15 for Encore Club members; click here to order. Click here for more details on “Theatre People” (March 25 through April 12).
Westport Country Playhouse historian Bruce Miller, with some of the 500 head shots near the dressing rooms underneath the stage. They’ll be part of the “Theatre People” tour.
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The countdown is on for Fashionably Westport.
And only a few tickets remain.
This year’s 5th annual event is set for this Friday (February 28, 7 p.m., Westport Library). Sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association, it’s a benefit for Homes with Hope.
The show features the latest styles, from the town’s mot sophisticated and fashion-forward retailers.
Models are all local friends and celebrities. The emcee and runway director are neighbors too: Dave Briggs and Carey Price, respectively.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
There’s a silent auction too, with categories like art, beauty, business, entertainment, food and wine, health and wellness, sports and travel.
Plus (of course!) fashion.
Bidding begins this Thursday (February 27, 6 p.m.). Click here to see all items.
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We’re 3 weeks away from the 5th anniversary of the week COVID rolled into Westport.
Within 24 hours, downtown was deserted. It took months for life to return.
But even in 2025, Main Street is still quiet early on Sunday mornings. William Weiss captured this “Last Picture Show” (Westport-style) image yesterday:
(Photo/William Weiss)
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Mary Brewster comes from an artistic family.
Her father, Howard Munce, was one of Westport’s most noted and beloved artists. He died in 2016, at 100.
She’s been knitting baby hats for quite a while. Now she has created a business: Hat Cakes. (The design looks like a little cake.)
She staged one on a plate, with miniature animals and fake snow. Images posted on social media have received positive feedback. Mothers (and grandmotherss) especially love them.
Contact marybrewste@gmail.com for more information. We hope Hat Cakes sell like hot cakes.
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As winter slowly — v-e-r-y slowly — prepares for its transition to spring, the days are growing longer.
Jerry Kuyper captured this hopeful sunset, in the woods off Rayfield Road, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
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And finally … Jerry Butler — “The Iceman,” who as the first leader of the Impressions, as a duet with Betty Everett and as a solo artist had a long and successful career — died Thursday in Chicago.
He was 85, and suffered from Parkinson’s.
Among his many hits:
(Welcome to another week — and, each day, another Roundup bringing you news of events, people and sights all around Westport. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
That picture of Main Street is so sad. Downtown used to be teaming with life and now? Nothing. Are they repaving the road or just going for a “raw” look? It looks awful.
The Sunday morning crowd has moved on… find them in Saugatuck… lined up at Kneads and along the Post Road… lined up at Gold’s, PopUp Bagels, Village Bagels, and Fatto a Mano
I don’t suppose the town has considered planting some trees there? That might help hide the for rent signs and vacant store fronts. Good thing the landlords have jacked up the rents and are fine with empty store fronts. Why not just take a tax loss instead? So much easier than dealing with merchants and their pesky needs like “parking”.
So glad to know about the balloons on the bridge, Am worried about the animals in the water and the balloons. Hopefully all strings etc, will be cleaned up if not already.