Roundup: Historic Homes Tour, Homes With Hope, Wine & Beer …

Tickets are going fast for the 4th annual “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour.

The Sunday, November 1 event — produced in collaboration with the great KMS Team at Compass crew — is our biggest yet.

There are 5 homes — one more than usual — and we’ve added an extra hour (12 to 4 p.m.).

This year’s homes are spectacular. Each is historic, and retains its original look and feel; all have been adapted thoughtfully and beautifully, for today’s lifestyle.

They include:

  • The 100-year-old stone residence, with renovated gardens, ponds and fountains, at 50 Sylvan Road North (former home of actor Frank Gorshin, The Riddler on “Batman”)
  • “9 Hearths” (actually 11), owned by former 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker nearby, at 56 Sylvan Road North
  • 55 Turkey Hill North, the much-admired former inn and tavern across from St. Luke Church, owned for over a century by the Burr and Banks families
  • 311 Greens Farms Road, one of the oldest homes in Westport; featuring original flooring and beams, with a complementary addition
  • 217 Compo Road South, an 1855 Victorian farmhouse and carriage house that epitomize thoughtful renovation, with history at the forefront.

To order tickets, click here. For more information on each home, click here.

50 Sylvan Road South

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Kevin Nealon headlined Friday night’s Stand Up for Homes with Hope benefit.

Another highlight: a video, shown before the comedian took the stage.

Livio Sanchez captured every aspect of the non-profit’s great work addressing homelessness, food insecurity and more.

It’s well worth watching. Click here or below to see.

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One of the town’s tastiest and most fun fundraisers is set for next month.

Sunrise Rotary’s 35th annual “Westport Uncorked” returns to the newly renovated Inn at Longshore November 5 (6 to 9 p.m.).

The evening — with special wine, great food, and very interesting guests — features 100 sustainable and organic wines, curated by Cory D’Addario of The Fine Wine Company. Distributors are on hand too, to describe the back story of each.

Guests also enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a creative charcuterie and carving station, all complementing the many wines. Knipschildt will also provide samples of their  handmade chocolate.

All wines and chocolate can be ordered in time for the holidays. For tickets and more information, click here. 

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Speaking of spirits: Wakeman Town Farm’s annual Beer Garden is on tap (ho ho) next Sunday (October 18, noon to 4 p.m.).

And — because it’s a family-friendly event — everyone is invited.

Highlights include live music, lawn games, bubbles, animal encounters and seasonal crafts.

There are tons of lunch options and goodies for purchase, including Pizza by Tony Napolitano, the Food Truck Refinery and baked treats.

Greens Farms Spirit Shop is providing the suds, from nearly a dozen local breweries.

Tickets are $15 for adults; kids go free. Food, beverage and craft purchases are a la carte. Proceeds benefit WTF educational programs. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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A host of Boldface Names were on hand Friday at the Natural History Museum in London, for the 5th annual awards ceremony and benefit for the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

The New York Times says, “The Albies, as the black-tie gala is known, focus on ‘brave individuals and groups from around the globe who, at great personal risk, have devoted their lives to fighting for justice.'”

Among the honorees: Lynsey Addario. The 1991 Staples High School graduate is a Pulitzer Prize- and MacArthur Fellow-winning photojournalist and author.

“The need for pointing out people who are justice warriors just never seems to subside,” George Clooney — whose father was a journalist — said.
“We’re under a huge amount of pressure,” Christiane Amanpour added. “There’s a whole scope of dangers.”

Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Susan Iseman)

Lynsey Addario (2nd from left) with George Clooney and other honorees, in London. (Photo courtesy of New York Times)

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Speaking of notable Westporters: At the end of Dennis House’s interview with Governor Ned Lamont, the WTNH host asked, “Who plays Ryan Fazio in your debate prep?”

After first not providing a name, Lamont singled out Will Haskell as offering “youthful energy” while playing the Republican state senator from Greenwich, who hopes to unseat the 2-term incumbent.

House mistakenly identified Haskell as being from Greenwich. As Westporters know, he is the 2014 Staples High School graduate who served 2 terms as a very young state senator (2019-2023).

After writing a book about his experience, Haskell headed to law school. He has now graduated. He remains active in politics — much to Governor Lamont’s debate prep delight. (Hat tip: Neil Brickley)

Governor Ned Lamont and Dennis House, discussing Will Haskell.

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With Halloween near, Westporters are getting in the ghostly spirit.

This house on Bradley Street is a particularly creative example. If you’d like to show off your home — or a neighbor’s, or stranger’s — email 06880blog@gmail. com.

(Photo/Ed Simek)

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After 20 years, Stitch Haven is moving.

The business — originally Knitting Central, then Westport Yarns, now since 2025 under Beth Berkowitz’s ownership — will relocate from 582 Post Road East, to 420 Post Road West. It’s just 2 miles away, across from Whole Foods.

It’s a popular spot, with knowledgeable staff and loyal customers who love to crochet and knit.

Movin day is October 19. Beth says she’ll be up and running October 21. A grand opening is set for October 30. Click here for information on classes, and more.

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A reader writes: “I’m not normally one of ‘those people,’ but I guess for this one I will be.

“This lost dog was found on September 7. Yet the lost dog posters are still everywhere on Post Road near Stop & Shop. Almost every other pole has a sign taped to it — the bus stop too.

“I’m really happy she was found. But come on: Clean up after yourself!”

That’s a great reminder — and not just for lost dogs.

Hey, Westport: If you put up a flyer, poster — or (especially) a yard sign on a traffic island or sidewalk advertising an upcoming tag sale, sports tryout or other event– take it down as soon as it’s over. (NOTE: Election Day is November 3!)

And if your sign is advertising a business: Take it down now. It’s illegal.

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Let’s start the week off with this colorful “Westport … Naturally” image from Compo Beach:

(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)

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And finally … Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day!

(Whether you celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Columbus Day — or both, or neither — we hope you’ll click here to honor “06880” with a tax-deductible contribution. We rely on readers’ support. Thanks!)

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