Westporters have long admired the classic New England home-and-attached-barn on Hillandale Road, just down the hill from Green’s Farms Church.
Now House & Garden readers around the world can enjoy it too.
Anne Hardy — who with her husband Jim transformed the home, linking a former blacksmith’s forge to a 19th-century wagon barn — has written about the project for the magazine (which she once served as decorating editor).
Anne — a Staples High School graduate — describes how her years in London influenced the home’s design (with great help from architect Deirdre O’Farrelly). She details the family’s Christmas (and Boxing Day) preparations in the warm, welcoming space.
Of course, there are plenty of pictures to show every aspect of the property. Click here to read, and take your own tour. (Hat tip: Suzanne Sherman Propp)
Anne Hardy’s living room — with roaring fire — decorated for Christmas. (Photo/Christopher Horwood for House & Garden)
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Basso is closed.
But you can keep a bit of their bar.
You’ll have to act fast, though.
An “Everything Must Go!” sale is set for today (Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m.).
Champagnes, spirits, and their carefully curated selection of wines will all be sold — at 30% below Basso’s cost.
Stock up for the holidays! (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
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Speaking of restaurants: Dandelion — the hot new spot in the Delamar Westport — celebrates the season with some big events.
On Christmas Eve, a holiday-inspired à la carte lunch (noon to 2:30 p.m.) is followed by à la carte dinner service (5 to 10 p.m.), highlighting Christmas selections.
Christmas day brings a 3-course prix fixe menu (noon to 6:30 p.m.). Click here for reservations, or call 203-266-3111.
New Year’s Eve features DJ Omary. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., he’ll spin Afro-house, traditional rhythms, and familiar favorites. Click here for tickets.
Dandelion restaurant.
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Among the appropriations up for approval on the Board of Finance January 7 meeting (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium):
- $330,000 to address an IT storage replacement initiative.
- $815,000 for Town Hall ADA improvements.
- $275,000 for an ADA-accessible ramp between the Imperial Avenue parking lot and the Levitt Pavilion lot.
- $31,500 for emergency elevator repair at Town Hall.
- $65,027.49 for a 2024 Chevrolet work truck to replace a 2008 model; the same amount for a dump truck, to replace one from 1999.
The Board of Finance will meet in Town Hall, to make the building more accessible.
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That’s a short meeting, compared to what the Board of Education has planned.
They’ll meet at Saugatuck Congregational Church on January 9, starting at 8:30 a.m.
It’s an all-day work session, to review superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
The public is invited. Bring your lunch!
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A few weeks ago, superintendent Scarice participated in a podcast focused on the Westport Public Schools’ strategic plan, specifically its work being “AI-powered and human-centered.”
The podcast is available on Spotify (click here) and YouTube (click here).
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Looking for a kids’ activity over the holiday break?
The Westport Garden Club is partnering with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, town poet laureate and Westport Library to sponsor a youth poetry contest.
Affiliated with the National Garden Club, it’s open to all in kindergarten through 12th grade: public and private schools, home-schooled, special education and English as a Second Language students.
This is the fourth year the WGC is sponsoring the event. Past winners have advanced to state, regional and national levels.
The theme for the competition is: “Plant America for the next 100 years.” The deadline is January 12. For more information, click here and scroll down.
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Starting yesterday, days will once again get longer. We made it!
On Saturday — the eve of the longest night — Patricia Auber captured this “Westport … Naturally” sunset at Burying Hill Beach:
(Photo/Patricia Auber)
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And finally … speaking of Christmas or New Year’s at Dandelion:
(As you make holiday plans — and plan your year-end giving — please consider “06880.” We’re here for you 24/7/365, but we rely on reader support. Just click here. Thank you!)
Dan! How lovely of you to write about Hillandale! 06880 readers might be interested to learn that we bought the original house from Dave and Marianne Harrison, whom many will know and admire. They visited once we had finished the project and made us feel that it still felt like home to them. The best compliment!