Veterans of Foreign War Post 399 is one of the most active spots in town.
With Thursday night jazz, “Elvis” shows, blood drives, meeting space for non-profits, wedding showers and post-memorial service lunches, a lively bar — and of course, resources for veterans of all ages — the VFW is many things, to many people.
Now it’s gained national recognition.
The 105-year-old Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post 399 was chosen as an “All-American Post” by the VFW Department of Connecticut.
The award recognizes exceptional achievement in advancing core VFW programs, and attaining significant membership growth.
Congratulations on the well-deserved honor, to quartermaster Phil Delgado and the entire VFW crew!
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But wait! There’s more VFW news.
Post 399 and American Legion Post 63 are joining forces for a fundraising golf tournament (June 16, 9 a.m., Longshore).
The shotgun scramble event ($150 per person) includes 18 holes, a putting contest, goody bag, prizes, and BBQ lunch at the VFW.
Register, volunteer or become a sponsor here.
Tee off for the VFW/American Legion golf tournament.
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The Westport Library Big Spring Book Sale begins on Friday.
There is something for everyone, of all ages: thousands of gently used books in over 50 categories of non-fiction and fiction, plus DVDs, CDs, vinyl, ephemera, and framed art. Here is a link to specials, hours of the sale and more.
The sale begins on May 16 with early access (8:45 a.m. to noon) for special ticket holders. Read about book sale hours and details here.
To volunteer, email volunteers@westportbooksales.org.
Westport Library book sale.
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Speaking of the Library: A timely topic — advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment — is the subject of the next Andrew Wilk Presents: Medical Series.
Moderated by longtime Westport internist Dr. Robert Altbaum, and featuring Dr. Lisa Phuong and Dr. Jeanne Capasse of Nuvance Health — the event is set for June 3 (7 p.m., Westport Library).
Dr. Robert Altbaum
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Theater kids have a great chance this summer to create — and perform — an original play.
And to do it on the historic Westport Country Playhouse stage.
A 2-week Playhouse Playmakers program runs weekdays, August 4-15 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) for middle schoolers.
Students will write, rehearse, and stage the show. They’ll be directed by actor/ playwright/educator Evette Marie White, and actor/songwriter/educator Stacie Morgain Lewis.
The fee of $995 includes technical rehearsal, materials, and 4 tickets to the performance. Need-based scholarships are available. Read more about the program here.
Stacie Morgain Lewis co-leads the program.
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Speaking of entertainment: 1988 Staples High School graduate Kerri Kenney-Silver plays Anne, an unsuspecting divorcée, in “The Four Seasons,” a current Netflix hit.
The “Reno 911!” and “The State” star spoke recently about her current show.
Anne “thought she was set ’til the day she died. When she finds out that is not the case, she becomes completely untethered. You see her go through the 4 seasons of emotion and grief.”
Netflix says: Kenney-Silver portrays a kaleidoscopic range of emotions and pathos as Anne navigates the ups and downs of divorce, and its rippling effects on their close-knit friend group. Take co-star Colman Domingo’s word for it: ‘She’s just incredible. I feel like she can do anything.'”
Read the Netflix story on Kerry Kenney-Silver here. (Hat tip: Ed Friedland)
Kerri Kenney-Silver in “The Four Seasons.” (Photo/Jon Pack for Netflix)
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Speaking (still) of entertainment: What do Meghan Markle and Kadi Lee have in common?
The other day, Kadi — a 1996 Staples graduate — was a guest on the Duchess of Sussex’s podcast.
They chatted about how Kadi co-founded Highbrow Hippie, then became a favored Hollywood colorist, with a very popular product line.
The women discussed “what it means to grow something from the ground up, how to lead with your values, and why staying connected to your community is the ultimate marker of success.”
Meghan Markle and Kadi Lee’s podcast is here. (Hat tip: Kate Tarrant)
Kadi Lee (Photo/Liza Voloshin, courtesy Highbrow Hippie)
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Speaking (yet again) of entertainment: Wetport singer/songwriter/guitarist Tom Belknap’s band, Small Craft Warning, just released a new album, “Firefly.”
The band — with Westport singer Elise Gabriel — plays original acoustic music, influenced by the Grateful Dead and the Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter songbook.
Belknap did much of the mixing, using skills learned from Travis Bell in the Westport Library’s Verso Studios. Listen to Firefly on Spotify here.
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TV news is sort of entertainment too, right?
Lonnie Quinn — the Westporter who is chief meteorologist at WCBS-TV, and appears regularly on the “CBS Evening News” — returned to the newsroom on Monday, following a 2-month recovery from a traumatic brain injury.
The CBS New York newsroom celebrated his return. An Instagram reel has received nearly 2,000 likes. And People magazine gave it full coverage too. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)
Lonnie Quinn, back in the newsroom. (Photo/CBS New York)
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Shoppers were out in force Thursday, for the 19th opening of the Westport Farmers’ Market.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker was there too, cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
Fire Chief Nick Marsan showed up also. Firefighters are known to be great cooks. And what better place to buy fresh, organic ingredients than the WFM?
It runs every Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Imperial Avenue parking lot. We’ll see you — and the firefighters — there often.
Fire Chief Nick Marsan and Westport Farmers’ Market director Lori Cochran-Dougall.
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Greg Jaffe played PAL football and lacrosse, then headed to Hopkins School, the University of Michigan and UM Medical School.
Now an assistant professor of Family Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, he specializes in addiction medicine — notably, opioid use disorder.
This week, CBS News in Philadelphia profiled his Harm Reduction Sticker Project.
It’s a simple approach to increase awareness, and educate medical students and residents. about harm and stigma reduction for people who use drugs. Watch Greg’s interview, and learn more about his project here.
Dr. Gregory Jaffe
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Speaking of science: Dark matter is one of the greatest mysteries in modern physics. It makes up 84% of the mass of the universe. But more than half a century after its discovery, no one can figure out just what it is.
The General AntiParticle Spectrometer is a new experiment that’s trying.
On May 20 (8 p.m.), the Westport Astronomical Society hosts a talk about it, with Gabriel Lewis Bridges of Columbia University. It will also be livestreamed on YouTube and as a webinar on Zoom.
Gabriel Lewis Bridges
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A reminder: Mother’s Day is tomorrow. If you haven’t gotten Mom a gift yet, stop reading NOW and get to work.
If you have, then sit back and enjoy greetings from Jolantha, Weston’s favorite holiday pig:
(Photo/Hans Wilhelm)
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One of the most visible corners in Westport — North Avenue at Long Lots Road — is also one of the prettiest.
Especially in spring, as today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows.
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And finally … as we await the Westport Astronomical Society’s upcoming lecture on dark matter:
(If you can’t find something interesting to do in Westport, you’re just not trying. Or you’re not reading “06880.” If you rely on us to keep you entertained, please support us by clicking here. Thanks!)
Jack Backiel personally wishes a HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all Westport mothers.
As a Mother’s Day message to all mothers and daughters, attending the next in an excellent series about cancer featuring advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment at the library on June 3 is a must-see event.
Thanks to Dr. Capasse’s state-of-the-art early intervention
just 8 months ago, I am now cancer-free.
FYI – If the name Capasse sounds familiar, it’s because she is married to the son of longtime Westporters Esther and the late Edward Capasse, Esquire.