Roundup: Library Reading Challenge, Challenging Children’s Behaviors … And Sammy Davis Jr.

This holiday, kids are surrounded by AI-enabled toys, high-tech devices, and the newest fads and trends.

Reading can seem like an old-fashioned, outdated activity.

The Westport Library thinks others.

They’ve just rolled out a Children’s Winter Reading Program (and a companion Adult Winter Reading Challenge). But are designed to showcase the joys of the written word.

Now through February 23, the Children’s Winter Reading Program invites readers and non-readers alike to warm up with a good book. Open to all children and families, the program is wide-ranging: reading independently, being read to, even deciphering the cereal box at breakfast. Any child can participate, in any way.

Reading is tracked by minutes. Youngsters can log time spent reading novels, picture books, comics, newspapers, magazines and more.

They can also include time spent listening to stories read aloud by caregivers, librarians, or teachers. Creativity counts!

After signing up online, participants can visit the Library to receive an activity sheet and 9 color-coded stickers. Completing 10 activities earns a book from the Library’s prize cart. Every additional 50 minutes of reading unlocks more stickers that will contribute to a community artwork display at the Library.

Children who read 500 minutes can take home another book of their choice.

Meanwhile, the Library’s Adult Winter Reading Challenge runs from tomorrow (December 22) through February 2.

The Library’s reference team has put together 10 categories designed to spark curiosity, and encourage exploration across genres. The categories will be revealed tomorrow.

There are only 2 rules: Each category can only be used once, and each book counts toward a single category. Readers can log their completed books online and track their progress on the challenge leaderboard.

Last winter’s challenge brought 44 readers who read 272 books. Nearly 1/3 completed all 10 challenges.

For more information click here, or check out the Westport Reading Challenge Facebook Group.

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For young children and their families, the holidays can be a challenging and difficult time of year.

Madison Friedman can help.

After graduating from Staples High School 2019, and then college, she earned a master’s degree in special education and human development.

Now she’s back in Westport. She recently opened a business: Elevated Minds Growth Center.

She works with children ages 3 to 10 and their families, helping them understand the root of challenging behaviors, build confidence, strengthen executive functioning skills, and support social-emotional development — all in a practical, play-based way. The goal is to help family life feel a bit more connected and harmonious.

This winter break she’s offering workshops for children ages 5 to 9. With routines disrupted and energy running high, the workshops focus on social-emotional learning and executive functioning. She helps kids stay regulated, and gives parents a little extra support.

Each workshop blends movement, games, imagination and teamwork.

For workshop details, dates and registration, click here.

Madison Friedman

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The recent death of May Britt — the former wife of Sammy Davis, Jr. — at 91 got Adam Stolpen thinking about our “06880” tagline: “Where Westport meets the world.”

The couple married in November 1960. The Guardian says, “At the time, interracial marriage was banned in the majority of US states. The couple received negative press, harassment and death threats.”

So where did they honeymoon?

Westport. Stolpen writes, “For years the Westport Country Playhouse had rented the Frazier Peters house at 1 Spring Hill Road over the summer as a perk for celebrities staring in their productions.

“I was told by someone whose family rented the guest cottage on the grounds that one night neighbors called the Westport Police to complain about noise coming from a party at the house.

“His parents went to the place to see what the trouble was. They found someone playing a piano, as Davis and other celebrities were dancing and singing for each other.

“Needless to say, when Westport’s finest saw the gathering they just said ‘party on.” Davis and Britt did so, for days more.”

Sammy Davis Jr. and May Britt.

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Longtime Westport and Weston resident Dr. Stephen Eliot died Thursday.

He practiced psychotherapy locally for 50 years, and was a supervisor with the Psychoanalytic Association of Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.

He enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, tennis and ping pong, and was a noted youth coach with the Westport Soccer Association. He was also an avid fisherman, who knew every part of Long Island Sound.

Steve is survived by his wife Suzanne; sons Peter (Lana) and Andrew (Sammantha), and daughter Megan (Alex), and grandchildren Clara, Paulina, Hazel, Zoey, Clay, April and Alec.

Funeral services are set for noon today (Sunday) at Temple Israel. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Anti-Defamation League, Temple Israel, or Save the Sound.

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Today’s frothy “Westport … Naturally” image comes from John Maloney.

We may not get to the beach as much in December as we do in July, but Long Island Sound looks the same.

Except for everything else framing the scene.

(Photo/John Maloney)

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And finally … speaking of Sammy Davis Jr., there’s “Candy Man.”

FULL DISCLOSURE: I hate this song. It is on my list of Top 10 Worst Songs of All Time — right down there with “Honey,” and the Christmas kid with his shoes.

(Sure, you can give “06880” candy. Or wine. But we really prefer a tax-deductible contribution, to support our work. Just click here. Thank you — and happy holidays!)