Main Street was packed yesterday afternoon — with mostly non-shoppers.
But few merchants complained.
Hundreds of costumed kids swarmed the sidewalks and road, for the Westport Downtown Association and Westport PAL’s annual Halloween parade.
There was trick or treating on Main Street, and in Town Hall.
The Parks & Recreation Department offered refreshments, gifts, and entertainment from DJ Kenny Michaels.
It was a photo op fest — for parents and dog-owners alike.
(Photo/Gabriela Hayes)
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Speaking of Halloween: The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has chosen the winners of this year’s Window Painting Contest.
Over 50 youngsters painted more than 40 store windows all over town.
The prizes were a certificate, and a $25 gift card from Cold Fusion.
Winners are”
Elementary
Most Creative: Kayla Teplitz, Nora Taylor, Willa Seidman, Marley Rebak; Coleytown, 2nd grade, at A&S Fine Foods.
Scariest: Genevieve Lobikis, Kings Highway, 4th grade, with kindergarten helper Matthew Lobikis, at Squeeze.
Best Halloween Themed: Margaux and Maddy Chang, and Isla Schwartz, Kings Highway 2nd grade, at Chocolatieree
Middle School
Most Creative: Lila Boyd, Bedford, 6th grade, at Kohler
Scariest: Ryder Elgort, Weston, 8th grade, at Cycle Dynamics
Best Halloween Themed: Moksha Iyer, Roger Ludlowe, 7th grade, with helper Dhruv Iyer, at Suzuki Music School.
Congratulations to all! PS: Most windows will still be decorated, for the next few days.
Spooky window winners.
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Quietly but consistently, the Westport Library’s Common Ground Initiative has been offering programs that enhance positive, respectful and constructive conversations on challenging and/or controversial issues.
Up next: a “Community Conversation on Understanding Jewish Identity, Antisemitism, and Allyship” (November 13 7 to 8:30 p.m.).
Project Shema — a training and support organization — will lead a presentation and Q-and-A that provides historical and modern realities of antisemitism, emphasizing its evolving expression in contemporary culture and politics.
“Allyship” is a key element of the Common Ground event. Everyone is welcome — especially those who are not part of the Jewish community. The event is free. For more information, click here.
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MoCA\CT’s next exhibit — “Enough Already: Women Artists from the Sara M. + Michelle Vance Waddell Collection” — is big. And bold.
It showcases 80 works by modern and contemporary women artists, from the Waddell’s private collection.
The exhibition reflects the collectors’ commitment to amplifying emergent voices, and presenting powerful artistic statements around issues of gender equality, domesticity, motherhood, personal identity and social transformation.
The show includes painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper and textiles. Themes range from humorous and irreverent to deeply thought-provoking.
In addition, MoCA\CT will host a series of conversations, performances, and film screenings:
- On the Art of Collecting with Sara Vance Waddell (November 13, 4:30 p.m.)
- Opening Reception (November 13, 6 p.m.)
- Planet Female Global Storyfest: Short Films & Spoken Word Performances (November 22, 6 p.m.)
- Film Screening: “A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot,” followed by Q+A with Annie Laurie Medonis and Noel Furie, and book signing with Emily Larned (December 2, 6 p.m.)
- Adult Art Workshop: Encaustic Collage (December 4, noon)
- Community Conversation: Gallery Talk (January 8, 6 p.m.)
- Teen Art Workshop: Mixed Media *January 17, 1 to 4 p.m.)
- Film screening: Eva Hesse followed by a Q+A (February 6, 6 p.m.).
Part of the upcoming MoCA\CT exhibit.
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Speaking of women: They often have unique financial needs. More than men, they worry about things like: Will I outlive my money?
On November 5 (7 p.m., Westport Library), Stacy Thomson and John Nelson of Stifel E3 Wealth Management Group will discuss the financial needs of women during life transitions. Click here for more information.
John Nelson and Stacy Thompson.
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As the weather cools down, the action heats up at Earthplace.
Ahead for November:
Beaver Moon Hike (November 5, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; members $15, non-members $20): Join a naturalist for a guided supermoon hike along the trails.
Forest Bathing (November 12, 10 to 11 a.m.; $25): Focus on deep breathing during a guided walk. A Japanese tea reception follows.
Craft & Sip: Fall Wreath Making (November 13, 6 to 8 p.m.; members $45, non-members $50): Bring drinks and snacks.
Seed Collecting & Native Plant Propagation (November 15, 1 to 3 p.m.; members $20, non-members $25): Hands-on workshop to explore native plants, including identifying and collecting seeds and winter sowing techniques.
Environmental Learning Series: Deer, Ticks and Forest Health (November 18, 7 to 8 p.m.; Zoom lecture and Q-and-A; free): Learn about connections between deer, mice, Japanese barberry and forest health.
Plein Air Painting on the Trails (November 15, 10 a.m. to noon; free): Create your own artwork on nature trails; paint, sketch or draw. Light refreshments.
Junior Staff (starts November 7; Fridays 4 to 5 p.m.; one Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; members $180, non-members $210): Hands-on science alongside naturalists, identifying wildlife, investigating ecosystems, and caring for the sanctuary.
Tracking Club (starts November 11; grades 3-6; Tuesdays 4 to 5 p.m.; members $90, non-members $105): Become a nature detective using cameras, tracks and more.
Questions? Email v.swain@earthplace.org.
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It’s called the Norwalk Conservatory for the Arts.
But there are plenty of Westport connections. From gala committee co-chairs Nancy Diamond and Wendy Baskin, to volunteer Robin Berggren, residents support the arts in our neighboring town.
They’re excited by the upcoming 5-run show of “Footloose,” at Bridgeport’s Klein Auditorium (November 13-16). Special events include a night for LGBTQ friends and allies, and a Members’ Night pre-show party. Click here for more information.
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Looking for “06883”-themed cards and gifts?
The Weston History & Culture Center has them. They feature artwork by Kassie Foss, all with scenes of the town: snowfalls, the old Weston signpost, twilight, the Onion Barn, summer and more. Click here to order.
Weston’s old wooden signpost.
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MyTeam Triumph — the non-profit that pairs able-bodied volunteers with people with disabilities, so that all can participate in road races and triathlons — recently ran their first-ever marathon, in Hartford.
Click here or below to see. And if you’re inspired to learn more about this great organization, click here.
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Staples High School Class of 2012 graduate, and former football and lacrosse player, Jordan Kranz died Monday. He was 31.
Born and raised in Westport, Jordan earned Staples’ prestigious Scholar-Athlete Award. He went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, with dual degrees in mathematics and economics. He was a proud member of the fraternity Oz (formerly ZBT).
From the age of 14, Jordan faced immense health challenges: Type 1 diabetes, and a recurrent brain tumor that first appeared when he was 15. Despite enduring 3 brain surgeries and multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, he graduated from Penn on schedule. He went on to build a successful career in investment banking, first with Mizuho Bank and later as a vice president in healthcare investment vanking at Bank of America.
He found true love with Lauren Halpert, whom he proposed to in Maui in December 2024 — an unforgettable trip they sealed with skydiving.
His family says, “Jordan’s strength, bravery, and spirit in the face of life’s challenges inspired everyone around him. He lived with courage, loved deeply, and left an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to know him.”
Jordan is survived by his parents, Raechel and Steven; sisters Brooke Sheiner (Jordan) and Colby Kranz; brother Carson Kranz; and his fiancée, Lauren Halpert.
Funeral services will be held today (October 30, 3 p.m., The Gardens of Boca Raton, Florida. Click here for the livestream.
Shiva to be held at the Kranz residence today, following the service until 9 p.m.; Friday (4 to 7 p.m.), Saturday (7 to 9 p.m.) and Sunday (4 to 8 p.m.).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jordan’s memory be made to American Brain Tumor Association or Breakthrough T1D.
Jordan Kranz
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Most photos (and paintings) of Compo Cove focus on the southern side — particularly the 1915 home on the point nearest Old Mill Beach.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows the only house on the northern side of the pedestrian way (and the beauty of surrounding Sherwood Mill Pond).
Interestingly, that home was not always at that location. It was moved many years ago to the current site.
From across the path.
(Photo/John Maloney)
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And finally … in honor of the Norwalk Conservatory for the Arts’ upcoming performance (story above):
(Cut loose … enjoy “06880” … and then click here, to help support this hyper-local blog that informs, educates, entertains, and — we hope — connects you to our hometown, every day. Thank you!)
I asked about Common Ground at the last TEAM meeting and got a response from the library that they don’t invite people who “deny others’ right to exist”? I asked what that meant, and got no response. I have suggested to the library and some Common Ground advisers that the town would benefit from inviting more conservative speakers on topics such as identity, economics, world affairs, and pretty much got the cold shoulder. I’ve made similar comments about the TEAM book club which I find reads books with a grievance narrative and then gets 4 or 5 people in a room to say the same things. So I personally don’t see all that much common ground coming out of this initiative, but there’s always hope! Maybe this one is worthwhile…
It’s sad to hear about anyone dying at age 31. My condolences to the family. But I’m curious that the article said he was born in Westport. Was he literally born in Westport? That’d be unusual.
Jack please stop. This is a horrible event for the family and fiends of Jordan..
* friends
Dave, Re-read my first sentence.Then read my second sentence.
Then read your third sentence. WTF would that matter? To anyone? Even you.
* third and fourth sentences.
Impossible to sneak anything by you, Jack.
I wanted to highlight the work being done by the Norwalk Conservatory. In an area with a ton of great theatre (including Staples Les Mis and Annie at Bedford in the next 6 weeks!) we saw the Conservatory show last year and it was breathtakingly good. And at least one of the stars of that show is now starring on Broadway. Definitely worth showing support for!
Sorry Clark. Norwalk is off scope of 06880. We only use them when we’re pregnant.
Downtown is so totally wrecked now. It’s beyond sad. What the hell happened.
excessive greed ?
Probably. With all the empty storefronts and generally depressed vibe I’m wondering when ladies of the night will come around.
I’m not sure what you are referring to? Wrecked? It sure is a lot different than when my family moved here 51 years ago. But wrecked? Not sure that is how I would describe it.