SWEET P
As the holidays near — yep, that’s right — there are many ways to give.
With Sweet P Bakery, you can give gifts. And give back.
The non-profit — founded in Westport by Bill and Andrea Pecoriello, and the recipient of StartUp Westport’s Community Impact Innovator Award — trains and employs people with autism and other developmental disabilities.
They bake great cookies, as anyone who has had them at the Westport Country Playhouse, Longshore or Yankee Stadium knows. They’re on sale too at Bridgewater and Goldman Sachs.
And — of course — online. Sweet P ships nationwide.
The kitchen now employs 19 men and women with disabilities. They hope to expand that, as sales grow.
So: Consider cookies as a special gift. The more orders Sweet P has, the more hours they can provide for their very special bakers. Click here to order, and for more information.
OMG! Sweet P!
uncle sam and miss liberty: trashed?
Last week, “06880” reported on the plight of a local woman who had donated historic family heirloom kewpie dolls to the Westport Museum for History & Culture. She wants them back, but has not been able to reach anyone at the institution.
Her plea echoes that of other residents, who wondered about the status of their gifts. For several years, they believe, the Westport Museum has “de-accessioned” — sold or otherwise gotten rid of — donated uniforms, furniture and other memorabilia.
On Saturday, Paul Delano spotted 2 of the most iconic items. For years, “Uncle Sam” and “Miss Liberty” — kinetic sculptures created by Greens Farms artists Walter and Naiad Einsel — graced the front porch of the former Westport Historical Society.
Now, Paul found, they sit broken and neglected, in the back.
(Photo/Paul Delano)
SIGNS OF COMPASSION: WESTPORT TO TAIWAN
“Signs of Compassion” — the work by local artist Miggs Burroughs with 30 lenticular photos showing local residents using sign language to recite Emily Dickinson’s poem of the same name, and fellow Westporter Mark Yurkiw’s accompanying Braille “prayer wheel” mantra — was first shown at the Westport Library, in 2017.
Four years later it went big time. It was displayed at the United Nations, on a 102-foot curved wall — the first time any work had been shown without sponsorship by a member nation.
“Signs of Compassion”
Now it’s really going international. From November 13 through January 26, “Signs of Compassion” will be shown at the Hsinchu City Art Museum in Taiwan.
The 30 Westporters (including yours truly) who signed words to the poem won’t be at the opening reception.
But Miggs and Mark will be. Just one more example of how 06880 — the town, not the blog — truly meets the world.
WTF! BEER GARDEN DRAWS FAMILIES
It was called a “Beer Garden.”
But yesterday’s Wakeman Town Farm event was actually a family friendly fall festival.
A crowd of 400 — plenty of them way too young to drink — enjoyed live music, lawn games, bubbles, animal encounters and crafts. Plus plenty of food.
Of course, there were frosty local beers and adult beverages too, sponsored by Greens Farms Spirit Shop.
Beer Garden fun at Wakeman Town Farm.
But that was just half of the WTF day.
At night, they hosted a smaller version of the original Harvest Fest (rained out earlier this fall). Another crowd of about 250 enjoyed food, drinks, music, and a chance to support one of our town’s true jewels.
Putting on a delayed Harvest Fest was a great gesture — one the Farm did not have to do. But that’s the way they roll: serving, educating, entertaining and feeding the community.
Several Wakeman family members were at last night’s WTF event, including Louise Wakeman Remlin (right). She was joined by Susan Perrotta.
Fire pits and friends warmed the chilly night. (Photos/Susan Garment)
CATCH A LIFT RETURNS TO WESTPORT
For more than a decade, Westport has had a special relationship with Catch A Lift Fund. The national non-profit provides gym memberships and home gym equipment to help wounded post-9/11 service members heal physically and mentally, through physical fitness.
Westporters have donated funds, welcomed veterans, and joined in workouts at venues like the police station, VFW, beach and Birchwood Country Club. The vets give plenty back in return — as inspiration, and serving as “angels” for children, teens and adults with disabilities through myTeamTriumph.
Recently — honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and 250th birthday of the United States — Catch a Lift returned to Westport.
The major fundraiser included a stirring talk by US Army combat medic Amanda Dove. Click here or below, for her inspiring speech.
FILE THIS!
Is your desktop a digital junk drawer? Is “Untitled Document” a file on your computer?
On Wednesday (October 21, 11 a.m.), the Westport Library offers an “Anyone Can Use: Smart and Simple Computer File Management” class.
Topics covered include setting up main folders so files stop floating around; sorting and viewing your files by name, date or type; filtering search by file type instead of scrolling forever, and building a monthly habit of clearing out the trash bin and old files.
WOMAN’S CLUB MAKES STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER
Yesterday, for the 17th year, the Westport Woman’s Club joined thousands of others in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Sherwood State State Park.
WWC members, family and friends showed support — and raised funds — for breast cancer research.
As thanks for their contribution, the club received a great banner, with their name.
ZOMBIE JAMBOREE
All over town, Westporters are getting ready for Halloween.
One of the coolest displays is on Partrick Road:
(Photo/Susan Garment)
If you see some great decorations, send a photo: 06880blog@gmail.com
Boo!
burying hill’s header
Our new header — visible on every page of “06880” — is an interesting view of the Burying Hill Beach pier. The photographer was William Weiss.
We change our header every few weeks. If you’ve got a great (very) horizontal shot, please email 06880blog@gmail.com.
“westport … naturally,” & song of the day
Our fine fall foliage “Westport … Naturally” series continues. Today we feature Whitney Street.
(Photo/Molly Alger)
==================================================
And finally: The Partrick Road Halloween zombie photo (above) made us think of:
(Don’t be a zombie! Please click here to support “06880” — your hyper-local source for news, events, photos, history, education, inspiration, and much, much more. Thank you!)