Saugatuck Congregational Church is bringing back its greeting card.
So what, you say?
But this is not any greeting card, sent by mail (or, ugh, email).
It a short video message, projected (weather permitting) on the front of the church, now through Tuesday.
There’s audio too. Just tune your car radio to 89.3 FM as you drive past.
The public is invited to 2 more traditional church events too. Both are Christmas Eve: a pageant at 5 p.m., and a candlelight service at 9 p.m.
Saugatuck Church, and its “greeting card.” (Hat tip and photo/Mark Mathias)
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The Westport Woman’s Club Ruegg Grants are generous gifts, to non-profits that (like the WWC itself) provide important community services.
On Thursday, they honored VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, with a $10,000 check.
The VFW will use the funds for its monthly free Veteran Benefits and Welfare Check luncheon program.
It reaches veterans facing challenges like PTSD, aging concerns or financial hardship. Many veterans are unaware of the benefits and support services available to them.
In addition to this outreach, Post 399 recently hosted its 66th consecutive monthly American Red Cross Blood Drive, and the Wreaths Across America program that placed American flags on the graves of over 1,200 local veterans.
Other VFW projects include Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. The post is also helping plan 250th birthday events for the USA.
VFW quartermaster Phil Delgado (2nd from left), and VFW and Westport Woman’s Club representatives, with the $10,000 “check.”
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Building on its Thanksgiving meals for students at Capital Prep Harbor School, A&S Westport and Conlon Amendola did the same for Christmas.
Twenty families received a full meal, each serving 6 people: ham with glaze, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, chocolate and red velvet bûches de Noë
Many Westporters helped with donations. Once again, Dr. John Corino of Norwalk Dental Arts gave a significant gift.
Dr. Joan Miller of Capital Prep Harbor School (center), with honor students who helped distribute the meals.
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Sunrise Rotary Club’s Friday morning speakers are always interesting.
But Rachel Precious — well, aw, shucks.
The 2006 Staples High School graduate, and conservation biology major at the University of Massachusetts, now owns Precious Oysters (I know, right?).
She told the Rotarians (nearly) everything there is to know about oysters.
Then she gave a shucking demonstration. And — at a time when most Westporters are drinking coffee and eating breakfast — the members sampled some.
Rachel spent 5 years farming oysters in the area, including Sherwood Mill Pond.
Today she runs her own oyster catering business, and is building her own oyster restaurant. She also serves as chair of the Connecticut chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, sits on Senator Murphy’s Long Island Sound Advisory Council, and leads an adaptive climbing club at a rock climbing gym.
Rachel Precious, and an oyster. (Photo/Katie Augustyn)
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The other day, I posted an item about the new trend of bringing large dogs into stores. (Barnes & Noble, to be specific.)
They’re in other places too. Charles Rosoff says, “I would love it if I had a nickel for every time I saw a dog in a grocery store, ice cream store and restaurant. What is wrong with people?”
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Last summer, “06880” gave a shout-out to a unique new business. Kiin Sauna is mobile — it comes to you.
That story showed owner Ginger Richardson, with her portable sauna at the beach.
It’s no longer beach weather. But Kiin Sauna is still a hot ticket. Check out Dave Briggs’ sizzle reel, here or below:
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The water is very shallow — or these guys are walking on it.
Either way, it’s an interesting Saugatuck River photo, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
(Photo/JD Dworkow)
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And finally … on this date in 1915, he last Australian troops were evacuated from Gallipoli. It was one of the most significant — and consequential — battles of World War I.
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Earth needs an automated oyster shucking gizmo. Perhaps Precious can invent one 🦪