Jen Tooker’s 16 years of service to Westport — as 1st selectwoman, 2nd selectwoman, and a member of the Boards of Finance and Education, and Conservation Commission — were celebrated last night, at Romanacci.
Organized by former 2nd selectwoman Andrea Moore, it brought together people from every chapter of Tooker’s public life.
In the room were former Westport Select Board members Jim Marpe, Avi Kaner and Tammy Pincavage, plus many other elected town officials and longtime friends who worked with her, and admired her dedication.
Tooker was surprised when she walked in, and touched by the outpouring of appreciation. Kaner notes, “there were heartfelt stories, laughter, and genuine gratitude for her steady leadership, warmth and unwavering commitment to Westport and its residents.”
Jen Tookekr (2nd row, 2nd from right, with former 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore and 1st Selectman Jim Marpe), at Romanacci.
================================================
The Westport community has come through — big time.
Yesterday, Deputy Fire Chief Matt Cohen and Lieutenant Rob Lenois — president of the Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation — joined volunteers with the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
Thanks to the generosity of the Westport community, they donated 1,000 turkeys — and sides — to support a 3-day Great ThankGiving Project event.
Well done, Westport Fire Department — and Westport neighbors!
From left: Tatyana Rozetta, Bridgeport Rescue Mission volunteer manager; Westport Deputy Chief Matt Cohen; Laurie Molner, BRM director of development; Lieutenant Rob Lenois, Westport Firefighter Charitable Foundation president.
=================================================
But wait! There’s more! On Wednesday, “06880” posted a story on a partnership between A&S Westport Fine Foods and the Conlon Amendola law firm.
They were donating 50 full Thanksgiving dinners — fresh turkeys, hams and sides — to families at Capital Prep Harbor School in Bridgeport.
They hoped a few readers could provide funds for dessert (pies).
The phones did not stop ringing. Within 24 hours all 50 pies were sponsored, by residents and former Westporters across the country.
Dr. John Corino of Norwalk Dental Arts, and an anonymous loyal A&S customer, added generous donations, allowing the meals to be increased even more.
The meals were prepared by A&S. They were delivered yesterday, then unloaded and distributed by the school’s National Honor Society students.
The drive was so successful, A&S and Conlon Amendola are planning another for Christmas, also for Capital Prep Harbor School.
Come on, “06880” readers! Email chefalpiz@gmail.com to learn how you can help.
From left: Patricia Pizzirusso (A&S), Jacquelyn Conlon and Bonnie Amendola (Conlon Amendola), Chenelle James and Dr. Joan Miller (Capital Prep Harbor School), with a few of the 50 dinners.
=================================================
And now, turning to the next big holiday:
The town’s annual tree lighting is set for the Town Hall lawn on Monday, December 1 (5 p.m.).
The Staples High School Orphenians will sing. The Westport Museum for History & Culture provides hot chocolate.
And — as always — little kids will count down to the big reveal.
Let there be (holiday) light! Here’s a look back at 2024. (Photo/Dan Woog)
=================================================
Westport was one of hundreds of participants yesterday, in the first of 2 “Fall of Freedom” days.
The event — “an urgent call to the arts community to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation” — involved galleries, museums, comedy clubs, theaters and concert venues across the country, with exhibitions, performances and pubic events.
Locally, the Westport Library hosted a showing of “The Librarians.” The award-winning 2025 documentary shows an unlikely group standing up as “first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment rights.”
With just 2 weeks notice, a full house filled the Trefz Forum, for the screening and a discussion. Panelists included (below from left, in photo): Westport screen and stage writer and Columbia University professor Trey Ellis; director/producer Kim A. Snyder; producer Maria Cuomo Cole; Connecticut state librarian Deborah Schander, and author Oliver Radclyffe.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
==================================================
The Board of Finance has some big-ticket items on the agenda, for their December 3 meeting (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
Among them:
- $3,574,260 for Board of Education building projects.
- $330,000 to address a “critical technology initiative.”
- $220,000 for “analysis, design, permitting and preparation of constructive documents for the replacement of the Longshore Water Supply System.”
- $440,000 for “an analysis, design, permitting and preparation of constructive documents for the replacement of the Easton Road Sidewalk.
- $124,000 to replace the Levitt Pavilion stage.
Up for replacement: the Levitt Pavilion stage. (Photo/JC Martin)
==================================================
By now, you must have heard of Staples Players’ stupendous production of “Les Misérables.”
The whole town is talking about it.
With a Players record-setting 10-show run, there are 3 more opportunities: today (Saturday, November 22, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, November 23, 2:30 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
We’ve hailed the 70-plus actors often. They deserve all their kudos, and more.
But let’s not overlook the spectacular 30-piece pit orchestra, or the dozens of students (and adults) who constructed the jaw-dropping set.
We can’t show the musicians. They’re off stage (though hopefully they’ll get a bow tonight or tomorrow).
But here’s a look at the scenery (and lighting).
Enjoy! It will be up for — well, one day more.
(Photo/Peter McCrea)
==================================================
Speaking of Staples accomplishments: 1991 graduate Lynsey Addario is one of the most acclaimed photojournalists in the world.
The Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Fellow winner has covered famines, civil wars, maternal mortality and more for National Geographic (among many others).
As part of the “Ask a Nat Geo Expert Anything” series, Addario speaks answered questions about the perils of her work, the personal price she pays, and how to get into photography.
Click here for her fascinating 10-minute video responses. (Hat tip: Johanna Rossi)
Lynsey Addario screenshot, from NatGeo.
==================================================
A reminder: This week’s Westport Farmers’ Market is Tuesday — not Thursday. Let the farmers and vendors enjoy Thanksgiving!
The site and time is the usual, for the winter event: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center.
==============================================
Work is underway at the Ned Dimes Marina dock.
One resident believes this is the first renovation in 30 years.
(Photo/Eric Bosch)
==================================================
Yesterday’s Roundup noted that Westport’s own Kelli O’Hara is starring in Tom Hanks’ Off-Broadway show, “This World of Tomorrow.”
She’s not the only Westporter involved.
Staples High School Class of 2008 graduate Leo Stagg is listed as “Head Automation” for the production.
We’re not not sure what that means. But it comes right after “Head Carpenter,” and just before “Head and Deck Electrician.” So Leo — who learned his tech chops with Staples Players — is one of the many unheralded crew members, without whom the curtain could not rise. (Hat tip: Lisa Marriott)
===============================================
Bob Weingarten spotted — and sends along — today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
He writes: “I just saw these trees changing from summer into winter, at Hillandale Road and Morningside Drive South. Amazing how uniform the change is.”
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
==================================================
And finally … in honor of the changes of the season (above):
(We’ll “leave” you with this: “06880” relies on reader support. If you enjoy our daily Roundup — or anything else we do — please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
One of my favorite S and G songs- and to think that the brilliant Paul Simon wrote this at 21!
I think the color difference on the trees in Bob’s photo, it is due to spray on lower portion of the trees.
Yes, that’s an anti-foraging application aimed at deer.
They are usually tinted blue green – the spray, not the deer, that is.
Yes, its Thiram which is actually a fungicide but also used as a Deer repellent. It has a long residual so is put on late Fall and should last most of the Winter….the color will fade by Spring and new growth will hide whatever color if left.
Other products, without the color, and with a shorter residual, can be sprayed multiple times in warmer months…..it would be difficult to spray in the winter if its 10 degrees out…so a product like Thiram is used.
deer don’t like green giants!
i attended Saturday night’s performance of Les Mis and WOW! My daughter and granddaughter have heard me herald the Staples Players performances for the eleven years i was privileged to be the Principal of Staples but never saw a show. Tonight i brought both of them AND my sister who just moved back to Connecticut after a 60 year absence. They could not stop smiling, crying, and saying things like “wow” throughout the performance. Now they understand how extraordinary Staples Players really is. i was a proud papa only because i can say that i was part of this extraordinary high school for the last eleven years of my professional life.