One of Westport’s best-loved holiday traditions — the Wakeman Town Farm tree lighting — is set for Friday, December 5 (4 p.m.).
Families enjoy treats and hot chocolate; musicians from Greens Farms and Saugatuck Elementary schools, plus a few Staples High School band members and a student jazz duo.
In the spirit of the season, WTF offers 3 ways to give back to neighbors in need.
- Bring new or unused diapers of all sizes. Help for Kids will stock the Stamford Health and the Diaper Bank of Connecticut.
- Bring canned goods for Hall Neighborhood House in Bridgeport.
- Bring unwrapped toys for children of all ages, for the annual Al’s Angels drive.
The Wakeman Town Farm tree. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Another great holiday tradition — Staples High School’s 85th annual Candlelight Concert — returns December 12 (8 p.m.) and December 13 (3 and 8 p.m.). Free ticket information will be available soon.
Meanwhile, advertising space in the concert program is available now. Ads will be seen by 3,000 people — and will support the spectacular Staples music department. The deadline is December 1.
Click here for advertising details.
The tradition continues. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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Speaking still of the holidays: 3 special “Nordic Market” events makem special at Eleish Van Breems.
Everyone of all ages is invited to:
Glögg vs. Cider (December 12 and 14, 2:30 p.m.). A talk on American cider and Swedish glögg. Taste both holiday drink. Limited to 20; RSVP: events@evbhem.com.
Scandinavian Fairy Tales (December 13, 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.): Reading of “The Tomten.” He helps with the farm and animals — though no one has ever seen him.
Swedish Stars Workshop (December 13, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.): A demonstration for the whole family on making Swedish hanging stars. Limit 12 per session; RSVP: events@evbhem.com.
Nordic Market comes to Eleish Van Breems.
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A fundraiser hosted by the Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation helped raise funds to replace outdated Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
Now, the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service has purchased 50 state-of-the-art Philips units for Westport’s first responders.
The total project cost is $62,020.
$25,000 raised by the Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation will be transferred to Westport EMS to fund the Fire Department’s portion.
Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service covered the remaining balance.
Fire Chief Nick Marsan says, “These new AEDs significantly strengthen our emergency response capabilities. When someone is in cardiac arrest, every second counts. Ensuring our first responders have the most reliable tools available is a commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.”
Of course, donations to WVEMS — who are responsible for raising funds for everything from ambulances to Band-Aids — are always welcome. Click here to help.
First responders, with one of 50 AEDs.
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Michael Diggin writes: “For the first time, I (plus another dozen cars) was driving around Saugatuck this morning just before 8 a.m., futilely seeking permit parking between the north railroad station platform and Riko’s Pizza.
“I never had reason to know about permit parking lot #7, located north of I-95. It’s off the one-way Franklin Street, just before Ketchum Street.
“You have likely previously let folks know about it. But perhaps this map may help other people know where park when unexpectedly pressed. Clearly folks are now back in their offices.”
Thanks, Michael! And here it is.
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Just in time for cold weather — and Hanukkah — The Blondiniit has enclosed their outdoor pergola.
Church Lane may no longer be closed to traffic. But outside dining is still available.
And fun.
The Blondinit’s “Hannukah Holiday Winter Wonderland.”
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There was an interesting juxtaposition yesterday, between the notification on a Coastal Link bus, and the advertisement below it.
(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between November 12 and 18.
A 38-year-old Stratford man was charged with burglary, larceny and criminal mischief, after an investigation into a burglary in January. He posted a $150,000 bond.
A 20-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with operating under the influence (under 21 years old), operating a motor vehicle without a license, and traveling too fast for conditions, after an officer observed him traveling at a high rate of speed on Post Road East, in rainy conditions.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 10 citations
- Texting while driving: 7
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 7
- Speeding: 4
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
- Failure to obey stop sign: 3
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Failure to halt possession of alcohol by a minor: 1
- Improper passing: 1
- Improper turns: 1
- Following too closely: 1
- Failure to grant right of way: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to carry insurance card: 1
Texting while driving is illegal — even at a red light.
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Staples High School Class of 2022 graduate Hector Emmanuelli died last Friday. He was 25.
His obituary says, “Since birth, Hector was a guerrero, a fighter. He defied the odds after being born, weighing just 413 grams at 24 weeks, alongside his quadruplet siblings: Jimena, Chantal and Michelle. Fearless and resilient, he lived every day to the fullest.
“Hector loved to travel to see family in Mexico and Costa Rica. He was quite a comelón, loving all kinds of food, especially plátano, corn bread, and ice cream. He filled the house with music (like Ricky Martin and Baby Einstein), as he carried his iPad around to be wherever we gathered.”
His funeral was yesterday. Online condolences can be left here.
Hector Emmanuelli
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Former Westporter Hal Fass died Saturday, from a rare form of multiple myeloma. He was 68.
He graduated from Harpur College with a political science degree. He was active in the school’s radio station, and formed band (the Killer Tomatores). He met his wife Carole in college, when both were covering a Talking Heads show.
The family lived in Westport for nearly 25 years, before moving to the water in South Norwalk.
After earning an MBA at Baruch College, Hal worked in advertising and marketing. He traveled the globe for business, but spent every winter weekend in Vermont. He taught snowboarding at Okemo Mountain for almost 20 years.
Despite living for 5 years with cancer, Hal continued to travel, rode his Vespa and Triumph, wrote a screenplay, and formed a new band (The Clams).
Hal Fass
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Bob Weingarten sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — and an explanation.
He writes: “You posted my article years ago on how to prevent deer on your property.
“This morning I saw a deer on my lawn next to an owl figure. In my piece I said they would not stay near an owl, even a statue.
“But this deer stayed for hours near it. So my prior statement was incorrect!”
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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And finally … Dr. John was born on this date, in 1941.
The blues/jazz/R&B/soul/funk singer/songwriter/pianist died in 2019, at 77.
(The holidays are coming — as noted above. And what better gift for “06880” than to click here, and support the work of your favorite hyper-local blog. All the elves here thank you!)
One of the highlights of my career as a recording engineer was recording and mixing Dr. John’s album “Television “ in 1994.
I learned more from him about the history of Jazz, R&B, country and music in general. Working with him was a master class in American Music history. IMHO he is a national treasure, and (due to his influence)I will never listen to music again in the same way. We lost a giant of American music that day.
Lot 7 is open to daily parkers, as well.
Michael Diggin and anyone else looking for daily parking at either the Saugatuck or Greens Farms train stations should consider using Wheels2U to get there instead of driving. Not only is the $2 Wheels2U fare less expensive than the daily parking rate, Wheels2U will pick you up right at your house or place of business and drop you off right at the train station platform. That means no more long walk from Lots 4, 7 and 8 at Saugatuck and the daily parking lot at Greens Farms; something that is especially attractive on cold, dark, rainy and snowy nights. Just download the Wheels2U app and book your ride about 20 minutes before you would normally leave for the train. For more information on Wheels2U, including links to the Wheels2U app, go to https://www.wheels2u.org/westport
There is a secret town owned lot across from a certain business with free parking if u remember correctly 😉