Meanwhile — unknown to Charlotte — Dan is helping raise funds for her retirement gift. The store will close in February.
Click here to contribute, and say “thank you” for 50 years of service to customers, who quickly became friends.
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As noted in Monday’s Roundup, “Today Show” co-anchor Craig Melvin chatted the other day with his minister, Rev. Jeff Rider of Green’s Farms Church — and an NBC crew.
The segment has aired a couple of times this week. Now the entire country can hear Rev. Rider’s holiday message.
Imagine looking at a social media post with a portrait painted decades ago, and the comment: “This is Muffet Shayon. Does anyone know her?” …
… and realizing she’s your sister.
And that for decades, your family had no idea where the painting was.
The other day Diana Shayon was stunned to see that image, and question, on Facebook’s “Westport Front Porch” page.
Local artist Peter Barlow had painted Diana when she was a 5-year-old Westport child, as well as her 3-year-old sister Muffet.
The Shayons had Diana’s portrait. But they never knew what happened to Muffet’s.
Muffet’s portrait.
It ended up in an attic in the Pawcatuck home of Peter Barlow. The longtime Westport artist and photographer moved to the eastern Connecticut town a couple of decades ago. He died in August, at 95.
But Peter did not paint Muffet’s portrait.
It was the work of his mother, Dorothy Hope Smith. A portraitist specializing in children, she had a studio on Sylvan Road North.
Peter’s father, Perry Barlow, was an artist too: a prolific cover illustrator and cartoonist for The New Yorker.
Peter’s daughter, Dorrie Barlow Thomas, found Muffet’s painting while cleaning out her father’s home. Figuring it was a long shot, she posted a photo of the painting, and her query, on Facebook.
Peter Barlow
A friend saw it, and contacted Diana. The friend was right: It was Diana’s sister.
Diana went online. Eventually, she discovered Peter Barlow — and his grandmother, and daughter — through a story.
An “06880” story.
Diana contacted Dorrie. A few days later, they headed to her Stonington home, to pick up the painting.
Sadly, Muffet will never see it. She died 3 years ago.
But Diana is giving it to her niece — Muffet’s daughter.
Decades later, Muffet’s portrait has found a home.
Dorothy Hope Smith’s “Gerber baby” sketch.
(“06880” covers Westport’s arts scene, history, and intriguing people. Sometimes — like today — they all intersect. If you enjoy stories like these, please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
When Lou Kitchner — the beloved Bedford Middle School band director — lost his son in an automobile accident 7 years ago, the community rallied around.
Once again, others are trying to help him.
His 3-year-old granddaughter has been diagnosed with strabismus in both eyes. Her condition is progressing quickly. Without corrective surgery, she risks losing her vision.
On the day before Christmas — as kids everywhere were thinking of reindeer — 2 Westport deer got entangled together, with soccer netting, around Burr Farms Road.
It could have been tragic. But Wildlife in Crisis intake director Peter Reid arrived, and assessed the situation in his typical calm, knowledgeable way.
As he planned his strategy, the bucks did a thrust away from each other, freeing one deer.
However, netting was still wrapped around the leg and antlers of the other. Hopefully, he will free his leg, and that his antlers will soon fall off.
Julie Loparo, president of Westport Animal Shelter Advocates, urges Westporters to be aware of the hazards to wildlife presented by soccer and other outdoor nets.
Meanwhile, Reid — in his other role, as Westport’s animal control officer — is pursuing a tranquilizing program, for use in situations like this.
Susan O’Brien is a social worker, with a private practice in Westport. She writes:
“I regularly observe the heightened level of stress parents experience during this busy time of year. Calendars quickly fill with school events, social obligations and holiday preparations, often leaving parents feeling stretched thin. While these activities can be meaningful, it is important to remember that children value undivided attention far more than any gift or perfectly planned experience.
“I often encourage parents to focus on fostering meaningful connections with their children. One simple yet powerful recommendation is to spend just ten minutes a day in uninterrupted time together—free from phones, distractions, and schedules. During this time, allow your child to lead the play or activity. This creates a space for genuine interaction, emotional attunement, and connection.
“Quality, not quantity, is what matters most. Choosing one intentional activity—such as taking a quiet walk, reading together, or visiting the library—can have a profound impact. These moments communicate to children that they are seen, heard, and valued. Ultimately, what children need most is not more doing, but more presence.
“By prioritizing quality time and meaningful interactions, parents can strengthen their bond with their children and create lasting memories, even amid the holiday hustle.”
Susan O’Brien
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Among the Christmas Eve traditions observed last night in some Westport homes: the Feast of the 7 Fishes.
But those fishes don’t magically appear on plates. The meal takes plenty of preparation … including this, captured by Molly Alger yesterday at Superior Seafood:
It’s become an “06880” tradition to greet readers on Christmas Day with a video of our friend and neighbor — Weston’s own José Feliciano — singing the world’s most favorite bilingual holiday song.
And this is the greatest live version of the jingly, jangly, jaunty tune.
So to everyone in our 06880 community — and 06883, and everywhere else “where Westport meets the world”:
Posted onDecember 24, 2025|Comments Off on Ana Gasteyer’s “Sugar & Booze”
“06880” culture correspondent Robin Moyer Chung reports:
Ana Gasteyer rocked the Westport Country Playhouse Monday night.
Her show “Sugar & Booze” — based on her holiday album of the same name — is touted as “an uproarious homage to Christmas albums of old” by Billboard.
The comedian, musician and actor — best known for her iconic send-ups of Martha Steward and Celine Dion on “Saturday Night Live” — interspersed comedy (“Hello Westport! … Did I pronounce that correctly?”) and songs she pointedly assures the audience are “seasonal secular songs with Santa.”
She did it hot on the heels of the “SNL: The Anniversary Special” (in which she revisited her famous characters), and the 20th anniversary of “Wicked” (in which she played Elphaba on Broadway).
As a treat, she threw into the song mix her restrained and passionate rendition of “Defying Gravity.”
Ana Gasteyer (Photo/Shervin Lainez)
It was an exuberant performance tempered by deadpan comic delivery, her red sequin shirt sparkling in the footlights like a holiday ornament, accompanied by 8 band members and her violin.
A fun bit: Halfway through the show the bandleader wandered into the audience with a bag of “white elephant” gifts (things Ana had ostensibly dragged out of her closet and couldn’t wait to get rid of).
To 3 excited winners — judged by the ridiculousness of their holiday attire — he gifted useless things like a green sparkly fringe sweater.
Like chocolate chips in the larger cookie of the Westport Country Playhouse season (Martha Stewart reference — get it?), these one-night shows mixed into larger ones offer glimpses of stunning, sometimes legendary talent. They include Mandy Patinkin who performed earlier this month
The show was, as her bare-breasted kitchen vixen once said, “a good thing.”
If you’ve driven past the VFW or Wakeman Town Farm, or stopped in at the Parks & Recreation office, Senior Center or Aspetuck Health District, you have admired their festive doors.
They’re not from the wreath fairy.
The decorations were crafted — creatively, colorfully and lovingly — by the Westport Garden Club.
Every year, a dedicated and green-thumbed crew gathers for their annual tradition. They transform fresh balsam into unique 26-inch wreaths.
This year WGC members made 23 wreaths, for 16 locations all over town. Each is decorated with signature bows, natural accents and tailored ornaments, plus a holiday message from the Garden Club.
Members met recently for their annual workshop at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center. When they finished their labor of love, our public spaces — Adams Academy, Earthplace, A Better Chance, Homes with Hope and over a dozen more — looked even more cheerful.
The Westport Garden Club’s mission has always been about more than just an annual plant sale and gardening tips. For over 100 years, they have conserved and beautified Westport.
In a world filled with excess and plastic, their work stands out as fragrant. Genuine.
And gorgeous.
Thank you, Westport Garden Club. You are our Unsung Heroes of the week — and of every holiday season.
(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
Revaluation assessment reviews for Westport properties can be made today or Friday.
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Two Staples High School graduates — both Pulitzer Prize winners — have 4 photos, in the New York Times‘ annual “Year in Photos” section.
Tyler Hicks (SHS ’88) contributed 3 images, all from Ukraine (February 9, May 18, October 8).
He describes this one (below): “A volunteer with the Platsdarm group collecting the remains of soldiers and civilians killed in the Ukraine war. The recovery of the dead was not always possible as fighting raged along the front, sometimes for weeks or months.”
(Photo/Tyler Hicks for the New York Times)
Lynsey Addario (SHS ’91) took this haunting image in Syria (February 15):
(Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)
It shows a mother tending to her 15-year-old son, who had stepped on a landmine while herding sheep.
Lynsey says: “Many people think of war as the dangers during active combat, but there are so many casualties after a war finishes. These are the quiet stories that speak volumes about how war has tentacles everywhere.”
And while you’re at it, consider a donation to WVEMS. Many residents don’t realize they pay for everything — from ambulances to Band-Aids — themselves.
There are many worthy causes and organizations in Westport. Few are as life-changing — and life-saving — as this.
“Building Bridges Through Storytelling” — a quilting exhibition — is on display in 3 Westport Library galleries, through March 17.
Like a patchwork quilt itself, the show weaves together 3 distinct yet interconnected exhibits. Each explores how art, memory and narrative bind communities across generations and geographies.
Receptions and talks are set for January 15 (6 p.m.) and January 31 (1 p.m.).
“Covid Quilt” by Maybeth Wirz (left); “Green and Orange” by the Southern Connecticut Modern Quilt Guild.
For more information, including details on each exhibition, click here and here.
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between December 17 and 22.
A 34-year-old Stamford man was charged with larceny, payment card theft, 6 counts of stolen card theft, 12 counts of identity theft, and criminal impersonation, following investigation into a July 2923 report that credit cards and identity documents had been stolen from a wallet in an unlocked vehicle at Birchwood Country Club. He was unable to post $10,000 bond.
Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3 citations
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
Failure to renew registration: 2
Texting while driving: 1
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
Falsification of markers: 1
Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Illegal display of a handicap plate: 1
Failure to comply with handicap parking regulations: 1
Tinted glass infraction: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
And finally … Jerry Kasenetz, a record producer who was one of the kings of bubblegum music, died this month in Florida, from complications of a fall. He was 82. Click here for a full obituary.
The doors to its many departments don’t have to be.
Thanks to a challenge from the Personnel Department, a spirit of decoration — and friendly competition — can be seen on all 3 floors of the municipal building.
We’re not picking favorites. (We don’t want any of our sources to clam up.)
But here’s a sampling of what you’ll see at Town Hall this week.
Except for Thursday. Our hard-working town employees get that one day off.
The “Human Services Express” included a train — and music.
Shellfish Commission
The Tax Assessors’ office went with a Hanukkah theme.
Selectman’s office.
The Finance Department asks a simple question.
Planning & Zoning: colorful and proud.
Registrar of Voters.
Town Clerk: Here comes Santa Claus. Or someone.
Tax Collector
Historic District Commission has 3 more properties to consider.
Personnel
Bonus decoration: 1st Selectman Kevin Christie’s official portrait.
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