It’s mid-winter. But golfers will swing their clubs next month, right here in Westport.
Nearby, batters will swing, hoopsters will shoot, and dart players will toss.
It’s all simulated, of course. But 5 state-of-the-art golf and multi-sport simulators are ready to go at The Clubhouse — Westport’s new, intriguing event space.
The long-awaited facility opens February 5 at 1620 Post Road East, site of the former Pane e Bene restaurant. Permitting and construction has been underway since mid-2023.
The Clubhouse opens February 5.
It will be worth the wait. In addition to the simulators — featuring some of the world’s greatest golf courses, and other sports ranging from football to Zombie dodgeball — The Clubhouse includes 2 private karaoke rooms, plus a bar serving a full range of pub bites and classics (smash burgers, wedge salad, rigatoni, Farmers’ Market crudité, homemade chips and dip), with signature cocktails, local beers and premium bourbon.
A “good ol’ root beer float” is on the menu too.
The simulator bays are versatile. They’re also available to watch sports — football, March Madness, the US Tennis Open, the Masters — for small groups.
One of the 5 simulators.
Larger groups can book part or all of The Clubhouse too, for birthdays, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs, corporate outings, reunions, even fantasy football draft parties.
If you’re a University of Michigan fan, you’re in special luck. Emily and Tim Zobl — the Westport couple who conceived of and developed The Clubhouse — are alums. They call their place “an official University of Michigan alumni bar.” (Emily — a 2012 Staples High School graduate — played varsity field hockey for the Wolverines.)
Tim and Emily Zobl.
For the Zobls, there is no limit to what The Clubhouse can do or be. They envision Trivia Nights, sports leagues — whatever type of entertainment Westporters want, they’ll provide.
It’s taken a while to fulfill their elevated activity space dream. With backgrounds in hospitality, food service, technology, events planning and real estate — they understood the opportunities, challenges and risks.
Karaoke …
Westport has never had a facility like The Clubhouse.
However, decades ago — on the property next door, now Lansdowne Condominiums — there was a driving range, miniature golf course, trampoline center and skating rink. (The rink — which briefly became a discotheque — is now the Westport Tennis Club.)
… and darts. All scoring is done electronically.
Come to think of it, our town golf course does not even have a clubhouse.
It’s in the long-range Longshore renovation plans.
Whenever — actually, if — it ever gets built, it won’t be nearly as versatile and cool, or enjoyed by as many people, as The Clubhouse.
(To learn more, and to book an activity space at The Clubhouse, click here. Their Instagram is @theclubhousewestport).
(“06880” regularly covers sports, local businesses and real estate — and, like today, sometimes they all intersect. If you enjoy our hyper-local coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
NOTE: This story was published erroneously Sunday, 2 days earlier than scheduled. It is reposted now.
Staples Players made a life-changing impact on Gina Rattan.
After performing in shows like “Guys and Dolls,” “The Music Man” and “City of Angels,” the 2004 graduate studied directing at the University of Michigan.
She’s worked at the Royal Albert Hall and Guthrie Theater; assisted the lead producer at Disney Theatrical, and served as associate director for 7 Broadway shows, and the national tour of “Cinderella.”
Gina now coaches actors for theater, film and TV, plus corporate executives. She focuses on helping people communicate, in any area of life.
Gina Rattan
For the past 10 years, Gina has mentored directors in Staples’ One-Act Festival. She helps teenagers bring their vision to the Black Box stage.
But — realizing the impact of her Staples experience 2 decades ago — she wanted to do more.
“Players is an environment where excellence was expected of me. People believed I could do something challenging and great — and that when I screwed up, we could solve problems together,” Gina says.
“I wanted to pass that along to the next generation of kids.”
She talked with David Roth — her Players’ director in the early 2000s, and still in that role — about another project that could empower teenagers.
The result — “A Wrinkle in Time” — can be seen February 7 (sold out) and February 8 (5 and 7 p.m.) at Toquet Hall.
The adaptation of the beloved science fantasy novel, in a non-traditional performing space, excites Gina.
“It’s very different for the actors than being in the light, with the audience in the dark,” says Gina. “It adds excitement. No one can hide.”
The set is minimal, but the spectacle is great, she notes.
She and her actors use the rehearsal process as a “creative laboratory.” Gina, the actors, stage managers and production assistants are all co-creators in the final product.
Together, they “create the mood, and structure the world, in a very exciting way.”
“I could do it all on my own,” Gina notes. “But it’s much more empowering this way. There is a lot of experimentation, collaboration, and opportunities to try, fail, and build resilience.”
Her teenage students realize that there is not just one answer to how to stage a scene, or interpret a character. They do not follow Gina’s commands. Instead, they create a work together.
Gina Rattan (seated on floor) with her young actors. (Photo/Kerry Long)
That’s not easy, the director says. “Self-empowerment is grueling. It takes a lot of energy.
“But the process of discovery is just as important as the result. That’s a hard sell in our culture today. In an educational context, it’s so important.”
Gina enjoys working with the young cast and crew — and not just for their talent, eagerness and willingness to collaborate.
“I didn’t want to direcct kids pretending to be adults, which is what most high school shows have to be. It’s nice to have a show where they can just been teenagers, and relate to their own experiences.”
“At the same time, there’s a fantasy/science fiction element to it. They’re interpreting it all at a sophisticated level.”
Rehearsing at Staples High School, before moving to Toquet Hall. (Photo/Kerry Long)
The audience for “A Wrinkle in Time” is broad, Gina says.
“If you loved the book, you’ll love the show. If you’re a teenager, or a teenager’s parent, you’ll connect with it. And for anyone who’s a fan of science fiction and fantasy, it’s a home run.”
Gina loves this project because the cast and crew “never stop learning.” That’s one of the most important lessons she learned in Players, and throughout her years in the Westport schools: “Learning is fun. Learning is great.”
The teenagers are “developing skills at a formative time in their lives. They’ll have the benefit of those skills for the rest of their lives. I feel very honored to be a part of that.”
(Click here to purchase tickets for “A Wrinkle in Time,” and for more information.
(Staples Players’ spring season continues with “The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The mainstage show runs one weekend only: March 7-9.)
(From Staples Players to the Westport Country Playhouse — and to local stars on Broadway, TV and the movies — “06880” covers our town’s vibrant arts scene. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)
The good news: The Westport Library reopens today at its normal Sunday time: 1 p.m. It was closed Friday and Saturday, due to a burst pipe.
The equally good news: The cold weather has ended. Today’s high is predicted to be 41 degrees. On Wednesday, they could climb to near 50.
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Brava for Liana Sonenclar!
The 2014 Staples High School graduate is a New York playwright. Her latest work, “Before This New Year” begins previews at the Duke on 42nd Street off-Broadway theater on March 19. Opening night is April 4.
The play follows a high school track star, who is forced to confront old feelings and life-changing decisions when she reconnects with a former teammate after her first semester of college.
Press materials say, “sharp, funny, and poignant, ‘Before This New Year’ is a powerful exploration of love, loss, identity, and coming-of-age in today’s relentlessly high-pressured world.”
It’s also the name of an initiative that inspires people to commit to supporting each other through small acts that have big impacts. Put simply: “‘being there’ is as simple as a hand on a shoulder.”
It’s as simple as reaching out, checking in and making contact.
On February 1 (6 p.m., Milford Ice Pavilion), Staples High School’s Stormac co-op boys hockey team will play Wilton in a “Shoulder Check Game.”
The goal is to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Former Staples High School athlete Jason Stever died peacefully earlier this month in Seneca, South Carolina, with his wife and daughter by his side. He was 50 years old.
A member of the Class of 1993, Jason captained both the soccer and lacrosse teams. He won the soccer Alumni Award for his dedication to the program, and was noted for his intelligence, athleticism and leadership. As a senior, the Wrecker lacrosse team qualified for its first state tournament ever.
At Clemson University Jason was president of the Pi Kappa Psi fraternity, and became passionate about the Tigers football team.
A skilled handyman, he often helped friends and family. His smile and generous spirit lifted all those around him.
Jason is survived by his parents, Jacqueline and Jay Stever; his wife, Tracy Stever; daughter Addison Stever and stepson, TJ Barranger; sister Jennifer Vaughn (Craig Vaughn); brother-in-lawMarty Duncan (Diana), and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
A celebration of Jason’s life will be held in Hilton Head, South Carolina at a date to be determined.
Jason Stever, in the 1993 Staples yearbook.
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As ice melts at the Sherwood Island State Park beach, it looks almost like mid-summer foam.
Pamela Docters captured the scene, for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … on this date in 1863, Massachusetts Governor John Andrew received permission from the Secretary of War to raise a militia for men of African descent.
The 1989 film “Glory” depicts the soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Infanatry Regiment, from their formation to their heroism at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner.
(From the Library and Old Mill Grocery, to off-Broadway and beyond, “06880” brings you hyper-local news and information, 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The new Westport Public Safety Complex is still in the conceptual and feasibility stage.
The public is invited to learn more about the $90 million project, and offer feedback, at an open house charette. The event is February 6 (7 p.m., Senior Center).
An architectural presentation will be followed by interactive discussions.
The aim of the project, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker says, is to “ensure that our first responders have the resources and infrastructure they need to serve Westport effectively for generations to come.”
Fire Chief Nicholas Marsan, who also serves as the town’s emergency management director, adds, “This would be more than just a building; it’s a commitment to the people of Westport. Modernizing our facilities will enhance our ability to respond quickly and efficiently in times of emergency. A new complex will also allow for better coordination of resources and planning, ensuring that our community is well-prepared for any situation. We look forward to hearing from our community and working together to bring this vision to life.”
Police Chief Foti Koskinas notes, “This is a much-needed facility that will greatly benefit our community. Housing police, fire, and EMS under one roof fosters better collaboration, faster response times, and more efficient operations. A project of this nature will strengthen public safety and ensure that we are well-equipped to serve Westport now and into the future.”
For more details on the charette, call Marsan (203-341-5000) or email nmarsan@westportct.gov.
Meanwhile, while you were warming up with hot cocoa yesterday — or at least staying inside — the Westport Fire Department was outdoors.
Very much outdoors.
They used the cold weather to train on cold water rescue.
And they offer this advice:
If a pet falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Call 911 or Westport Fire immediately. First responders are trained and equipped with cold-weather rescue suits tho handle those situations safely.
When in doubt, stay off the ice! Err on the side of caution. Avoid risk!
Westport Fire Department’s cold weather training, yesterday.
Henry Rollins will headline the Saturday evening (April 5) event, at the Westport Library.
The harcore punk legend will be in conversation with author and Beggars Grou president Nabil Ayers.
Rollins has held many titles in the past 45 years: singer, writer, spoken word artist, actor, producer, radio host, and outspoken frontman for Black Flag and the Rollins Band.
VersoFest is The Library’s 4-day music and media festival and conference (April 3 through 6). It’s a forum for media creators, artists and fans, with panels, workshops and performances.
Tickets are $35. Click here to purchase. Click here for more details on VersoFest.
MoCA CT celebrates Black History Month with a series of events focusing on the rich cultural contributions and creativity of the African diaspora.
They include:
Film Screening & Q&A (February 13, 7 p.m.): “DELA” is a documentary about Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui. Filmmaker Oyiza Adaba will host a post-screening Q&A, tying the film into MoCA CT’s exhibitions on the role of recycled materials in art and climate issues. Click here to register.
Soulful Expressions (February 15, 7 p.m.): An evening of poetry by Sahmra Sawyer, music by pianist Joe Bush, dance by Jeffline Saint Louis, and food by Jamaican chef Dré Sawyers. Artist Erika McGhee will do live sketches of visitors, followed by a dance floor open for classics like the Electric Slide, Wobble, and more. Click here to register.
Upcycling Sculpture Workshop & Exhibition Tour (February 22, 1 p.m.). Local artist Remy Sosa will lead this. He’ll start with a guided tour of the current exhibit “On Fire: Energy, Climate, Infrastructure and Human and Nature: A Changing Relationship,” focusing on the environmental impact of recycled materials. Click here to register.
Yo learn more about MoCA CT’s Black History month offerings, click here.
Remy Sosa
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February also includes Valentine’s Day.
And at the Westport Country Playhouse’s intimate Lucille Lortel White Barn Center.
“An Evening to Celebrate Love” (Saturday, February 15, 8 p.m.), features Playhouse alum Rodolfo Soto and Carrie Lyn Brandon. They’ll highlight music from “Once,” original songs and more.
Alll tickets are just $20. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
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Pamela Docters spotted this yesterday, at the Senior Center:
“Let’s ‘hope’ that spring is on its way!” she says.
From her (and the Senior Center’s) lips, to …
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Longtime Westport resident James Masiello Jr. died unexpectedly on Tuesday, surrounded by his family. He was 65.
His obituary says, “A man of many passions, Jimmy had a special place in his heart for old mob movies, homemade Italian meals (especially when he was cooking), the beach and golf. He loved spending time with friends on the course, often boasting about his handicap, and he had a talent for making every round feel like a good time. A fantastic cook, he always enjoyed preparing a delicious meal for family and friends to enjoy, but also loved visiting his favorite restaurants to spend time with special people.”
Jimmy had a 28-year career in sales and marketing, where he formed long-lasting business relationships worldwide. Most recently he was self-employed as a retail liquidator, renowned for his salesmanship.
Jimmy was predeceased by his brother Mark, and his beloved chocolate labs Winston and Duke. He is survived by his children Michele, Alexandra and James (Buddy); his sister Marnie; many cousins, extended family and friends.
A wake will be held at Harding Funeral Home on February 7 (4 to 7 p.m.). The funeral is set for St. Luke Church on February 8 (11 a.m.), followed by a celebration of life at BJ Ryan’s East, 1 Cove Avenue, Norwalk at 12:30 p.m.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is suitably wintry. Mark Laclair took this shot not long after a boat drove down the channel, cutting through the ice.
And finally … on this day in 1964, The Beatles reached the top of the US Cashbox chart for the first time. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” became the group’s best-selling single worldwide. Two weeks later, they performed the song on the Ed Sullivan Show.
The world was never the same.
(Whether you remember Beatlemania, are a Swiftie or anything else, we hope you like our daily music videos. It’s one more feature of our hyper-local blog. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Staples High School Class of 2021 graduate Jamie Mann makes his Great White Way debut this spring in the new show “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”
The prequel to the popular Netflix show is set 24 years before the TV show’s first season. Jamie plays the teenage version of Ted Wheeler, Mike Wheeler’s jock dad, and understudies James Hopper, Jr.
Alison Jay plays Joyce Maldonado (the Winona Ryder character). She and Jamie became friends in 2022, while working on the workshop for the play at Netflix in Los Angeles.
Jamie had been on the Netflix set before. He starred as Brody in “Country Comfort,”during part of his junior and senior year at Staples High School.
Westporters know Jamie from his roles with Staples Players, and as a longtime student of Cynthia Gibb’s Triple Threat Academy. (Jamie now teaches dance classes and offers private dance and acting coaching).
During Bedford Middle School, Jamie played Billy Elliot in theaters throughout the East Coast. He will graduate remotely, with a BFA from the University of Michigan’s musical theater program this spring.
“Stranger Things” opens on April 22. Previews begin March 28. For tickets and more information, click here.
Jamie Mann (Photo/Michael Kushner)
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Speaking of theater: “Broadway’s Bad Boys” opened at the Westport Country Playhouse last night. The 4-night run ends Sunday.
Performed by 3 Broadway actors — Sam Gravitte (“Wicked”), Kevin Massey (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) and Julius Thomas III (“Hamilton”) — who played villains in musicals, the production includes “Phantom of the Opera,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and Professor Harold Hill of “Music Man.”
Curtain call at the Westport Country Playhouse last night. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
Speaking still of entertainment: It’s only January, but the Levitt Pavilion has announced its first acts of the season.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and The Infamous Stringdusters — those are bands — will be joined by New York’s Melt, on June 1.
The funk/bluegrass/indie soul tour will play just 5 venues across the Northeast. Ours is one of them.
It won’t be the Levitt’s opener, though. The 2025 season runs from may through October, with a combination of paid-ticket shows and 50 free dates. More shows will be announced soon.
Tickets go on sale today (Friday), at 10 a.m. Click here to purchase, and for informatio on the “enchanced concert experience” package.
A capacity crowd filled the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum last on Sunday, for our town’s 19th annual Martin Luther King Day celebration.
The event included a wide-ranging discussion with noted producer Shonda Rhimes, and novelist/playwright/professor Trey Ellis. Both are Westport residents.
If you missed it — or if you were there, and want to see it again (along with a pair of great performances by gospel singer Christian Servance) — click below:
We followed up by noting that a third wind phone — a disconnected rotary telephone, through which users can stay connected with loved ones who have died — was just installed at Greenfield Congregational Church.
Now there’s more news about Lynda, a longtime Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member and staunch advocate for medical aid in dying legislation.
This is a story about choice, not death.
Lynda Bluestein would not take ‘no’ for an answer. Because Medical Aid in Dying is not legal in Connecticut, Lynda is forced to find another way to die peacefully.
This is an intimate and gripping look into what it takes to legally die on one’s own terms in the United States. Other Side delves into the systemic, familial and emotional complexities of navigating an untrodden medical landscape while terminally ill.
A 90-minute documentary about her life and death — “Other Side” — has just been accepted by South by Southwest.
Its world premiere is scheduled for the prestigious film festival in March.
Yesterday, Westport Police received a report from a friend that William Hill has not been seen since Monday.
He is homeless, avoiding shelters, but visits friends at Sasco Creek Village daily. Given the extreme cold this past week, friends and the Police are extremely concerned for his welfare.
Hill is 62, between 5-7 and 5-11 tall, medium build, with salt and pepper hair, and a moustache. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and pushing a gray Trek bicycle with a rack, carrying bags and a knapsack on his back.
Anyone with information that can help locate William Hill should call the Police Department: 203-341-6000.
Her third novella in the “Abbey Lane” fiction series, “Deadly Donations,” has just been published.
Here, the former investigative reporter turned private detective encounters the effect of huge donations by foreign countries to American universities.
The Network Contagion Research Institute reports that over $47 billion has been donated, much of it not reported, and coming from authoritarian Middle East countries.
Meanwhile, hate crimes and antisemitic acts increased over 200% on campuses. When Abbey’s activist client is murdered, she delves into those corrupt donations. Click here to purchase on Amazon.
And finally … Never heard of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong — the band that will headline the June 1 Levitt Pavilion concert (story above)?
Click below!
(Every day, the Roundup highlights future events, recaps past ones, and covers everything else in between. If you enjoy our hyper-local coverage, please click here to support our work. Thannk you!)
The renowned explorer and science communicator (and Weston resident) has been elected the 46th president of The Explorers Club.
Wiese was executive producer and host of the mult-Emmy Award-winning ABC and PBS program “Born to Explore.”
In 2002 — after a previous election — he was the youngest Explorers Club president in history.
During his tenure he negotiated partnerships with Rolex, Eddie Bauer and later Discovery Networks.
Headquartered in New York, with chapters around the world, the Explorers Club supports scientific expeditions of all disciplines.
Notable club members include Jane Goodall, Walter Cronkite, Theodore Roosevelt, the Apollo 11 crew, and the Mount Everest summit team of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.
This weekend (January 25 at 7 p.m., January 26 at 3 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church), Triple Threat Academy presents “Alice in Webland.”
The new play “takes a timely, kid-friendly tumble into a whimsical but risky world of web temptations.”
Children growing up in the digital age can relate to the show’s characters, and learn valuable lessons about balancing social media and living in the moment.
The show is written and directed by Georgia Wright. The cast of young actors is overseen by Triple Threat founders Cynthia Gibb and Jill Mann.
Tickets are $5 (free for senior citizens). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Writer-director Georgia Wright (right), and Triple Threat actors.
Melissa Newman — Westport’s own, and one of the most popular Jazz at the Post regulars — returns to the VFW this Thursday (January 23; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.).
She’s joined by guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Bobby Leonard. Click here for tickets.
Melissa Newman
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Yesterday’s snow is today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Claudia Sherwood Servidio captured the seren scene, on Cross Highway.
Shonda Rhimes was raised to see obstacles not as roadblocks, but as hills to climb.
That was Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s mentality too.
It was fitting that Rhimes — CEO of Shondaland; creator, head writer and executive producer of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” and “Scandal”; the producer of “Bridgerton” (and a Westport resident) — delivered that message, powerfully and eloquently, at yesterday’s 19th annual Martin Luther King Day celebration at the Library.
Despite inclement weather, the Trefz Forum was completely filled. Hundreds of others watched via livestream.
She described her route to superstardom — and explained the responsibility she feels for telling true stories, while being true to herself — in a conversation with Trey Ellis.
He’s an award-winning novelist, playwright and filmmaker; a professor at Columbia University — and also a Westporter.
When she began her career, Rhimes said, she was driven to succeed. “If I was getting coffee for someone, I tried to make it the best coffee they ever had. I wanted them to remember me.” She did not want to “take over the world” — but she wanted to be noticed.
She paused, then added, “Nobody thinks it’s remarkable when a white man says he’s going to take over the world.”
Tying together the economic impact of her work, the importance of showing diverse (and three-dimensional) characters, and staying true to her own principles, Rhimes said, “I only make shows that I want to watch.”
Doing that, however, has attracted viewers around the globe — and influenced how they see Black, LGBTQ and other minority people.
She wants her shows to be both mirrors (“for viewers to see themselves”), and windows (“to look out on a world they may not know”).
Shonda Rhimes
Noting the significance of today — it’s both Martin Luther King Day, and Inauguration Day — Rhimes said, “The struggle is not over. It’s beautiful to see how far we’ve come. But we take 2 steps forward, and 1 back. We will get through this all, if we stay vigilant.”
Looking ahead, she feels “even more of a responsibility to tell the stories I want to tell. It feels like we may be in for more suppression. Well, I’m not interested in being suppressed — or suppressing anyone else.”
A group of Bridgeport students — guests of the Walter Luckett Foundation — asked intriguing questions.
One youngsters wondered why Rhimes left California for Connecticut.
During the pandemic, Rhimes replied, she realized Los Angeles was not a great place to raise her daughters.
She wanted to move to a town that was focused on families. She found Westport almost by accident. But, she said, “this is a place where I’ll stay.”
Trey Ellis asked his own questions, and those submitted by Bridgeport youngsters.
Rsponding to another question, Rhimes said, “I tell my kids, ‘Who you are is up to you.'”
When a fan says “I want to be just like you,” she replies, “No. Be just like you.”
Rhimes concluded her Martin Luther King Day conversation with a reference to last year’s event, which featured King’s advisor and speechwriter, Clarence Jones.
“He wrote half of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” Rhimes noted. “That’s a lot to live up to.
“But one thing I learned last year is that there is always a moment when you can make the world a better place, make someone feel included, or reach out.
“You can reach out in a million ways. And always ask yourself,’ “What did I do to make the world a better place?’
“If you don’t do that — what are you doing here?”
(Westport’s 19th annual Martin Luther King Day celebration was co-sponsored by the Westport Library, TEAM Westport, the Westport/Weston Clergy Association, the Westport Country Playhouse, and the Walter Luckett Foundation.
(The Martin Luther King Day celebration continues tonight [Monday, January 20, 7 p.m.], with a free screening of “King in the Wilderness at the Westport Country Playhouse. Trey Ellis is a co-producer.
(The Emmy Award-winning 2018 film follows Dr. King from the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 to his assassination in April 1968. It includes never–seen interviews with people closest to King, interspersed with historical archives.
(Interviewees include Andrew Young, Harry Belafonte, John Lewis, Joan Baez, Jesse Jackson and C. T. Vivian. Click here for more information.)
TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey welcomed guests to the MLK Day celebration.
Making his second Westport Library appearance in a week, Senator Richard Blumenthal called Westport “a beacon of activism and hope.” He thanked attendees for “being foot soldiers for justice.”
Stamford singer Christian Servance opened and closed the event, with a rousing pair of gospel-inflected songs.
Christian Servance, singing to the full Trefz Forum. (This and all photos above/Dan Woog)
From left: 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Westport 10 founder Jay Norris, Shonda Rhimes, Trey Ellis.
(If it happens in Westport, you’ll read about it on “06880.” Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
But residents attending a meeting of the Sherwood Mill Pond Advisory Committee last week raised another issue: the condition of the seawall along Old Mill Beach.
The area — about 35 feet south of the parking lot — shows deterioration and damage, the committee was told.
After discussion, the Sherwood Mill Pond Advisory Committee recommended that the Public Works and Parks & Recretion Departments inspect the area, and develop a plan to address the damage.
Members said that a failure of the wall would cause erosion of the beach, and lead to more sand near the Mill Pond’s western tidal gate — leading in turn to an impact on the entire pond.
Yesterday’s Roundup reported on the efforts by Corri Neckritz — owner of the Groove clothing shop on Post Road West — to collect and ship clothing, shoes and more to victims of the Los Angeles fires.
Right on time yesterday morning, a 26-foot truck — donated to the cause — appeared at her home.
Dozens of bags were loaded. The truck was soon on its way west.
Today, another truck — this one twice as large — will come, and haul even more bags away.
A huge Westport thank you to Corri, and everyone else who made everything possible.
Ready to roll! Corri Neckritz is on the right; her husband Seth is at far left.
This weekend, Westporters will reflect on Martin Luther King’s life. They’ll remember his commitment to action.
On Sunday evening, teenagers have a chance to make a small difference in other people’s lives.
The Westport/Weston Interfaith Clergy Association invites all high school students to a packing party for Dignity Grows.
The goal is to pack 200 tote bags with menstrual hygiene products, for distribution to local food pantries, shelters and organizations.
Interested volunteers should meet on Sunday, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston (49 Weston Road). Pizza and snacks are provided!
The Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand season contnues next month with “BackTalk.”
The romantic comedy “dives into the hilariously complicated world of first impressions, second chances, and the voices in our heads that just won’t let us be.”
All tickets are $30. Click here for more information about the February 3 event.
Westporter Margie Gillis is a nationally recognized literacy expert.
On February 8, she’ll speak locally. She will deliver the keynote address at Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities’ parent conference. She is a co-founder and former president of the non-profit organization.
The event, at Sacred Heart University, also includes interactive breakout sessions with strategies for parents, resources from sponsors and exhibitors, an “Ask the Experts” panel, and more.
Several sessions are aimed at parents of newly diagnosed children.
Tuesday’s Westport Rotary Club speaker addressed a difficult, but very important, topic.
In 2020, Stephen Panus‘ son Jake died in a terrible accident. Panus turned his “pain into purpose.” His book “Walk On” describes his family’s choice of hopefulness. All proceeds benefit scholarships in Jake’s name, at the University of South Carolina and the for the Lakota Native American community.
Stephen Panus, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
Westport connections to the Los Angeles fires keep coming.
And this one comes with an important reminder.
Dr. Edward Paul writes: “My two kids are in the LA area. Lexi Paul (Staples Class of 2012) lives in Pasadena; Rachel Paul (SHS ’14) lives in West Hollywood.
“Both were evacuated pretty quickly. Thankfully, each lives in an apartment building in a ‘downtown’ area with limited trees and brush, so they have been spared thus far.
“One lesson I’ve learned from this is that while we try to teach our kids how to navigate life, we (I) haven’t done anything to prepare them for handling disasters.
“How to get public service information, how to sign up for local alerts, what valuables or documents to pack if you need to leave in a hurry, what photos to take of your residence before leaving for possible insurance claims.
“These are important life lessons I’ve now given to them — after the fact, but hopefully before any future needs arise.
“One may think these lessons are common sense. They are for a grown 60-year- old. But maybe not for a 20+ year old.”
Do you — or your children — know what to do when danger suddenly approaches? (Photo/Mike Pryor)
And — after a 7-month hiatus — volunteers are back serving meals.
Now they can cook too, in the new full-service kitchen.
The Westport Rotary Club had the honor of producing the first meal.
The joyful dinner was made even better, with the music of Antonia Nedder.
Families, individuals and organizations wishing to prepare and serve meals can click here for more information.
Serving the first meal at the newly renovated Gillespie Center. Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden (rear) is joined by (from left) Rotarians Mark Wilhelm, Jim Birchfield and Jeff Wieser (former HwH CEO). Helping out (front) are Jeff’s grandchildren.
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Want to get married quickly? Need someone to take a deposition? Have any other official oath-taking (or giving) task in mind?
Westport’s justices of the peace can help.
The town recently added a few new names to its roster of about 60. Many are familiar, as town officials, civic volunteers or other long-time residents.
Click here for a full list. They’re ready to serve.
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At 3 a.m. today, Westport firefighters responded to a motor vehicle crash at the southbound exit of I-95 Exit 18.
The vehicle sustained heavy damage, with one person inside.
Crews used battery-operated rescue tools to remove the roof. The occupant was extricated from the vehicle in under 10 minutes. Patient care and transport to the hospital were provided by Westport Emergency Medical Service.
State and Westport Police were on the scene. The last Westport Fire Department unit left at 5:13 a.m.
And finally … on this date in 1967, Dr. James Bedford became the first person to be cryonically preserved, after dying of cancer. He hoped to be resuscitated in the future. That has not yet happened.
(Don’t be cold! “06880” relies on the support of readers like you. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank y’all!)
So it was a natural place for John Recine to propose to her.
What he didn’t expect was that — as he popped the question, on the PAL Ice Rink — a skating stranger would capture the moment on camera.
Amy was there with Ali, her 22-year-old daughter, and Johnny’s daughter Angela and boyfriend Zach (visiting from Austin).
The happy couple have not set a date or place yet. No one asked me, but I can think of a great spot very close to that rink …
From left: Zach Springer, Angela Recine, Amy Feder, Johnny Recine, Ali Feder. (Photo/A random but great stranger)
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As a large new house rises near Schlaet’s Point, anoather big house will not be built a few yards away.
The Zoning Board of Appeals has denied an application for a 36-foot tall house at 238 Hillspoint Road. The proposed 2,200-square foot structure would have replaced a one-story cottage, built in 1920.
The current home at 238 Hillspoint Road.
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On January 26, Paul Newman would have been 100 years old.
In his honor, Newman’s Own — the philanthropy started in Westport, where the actor/race car driver/humanitarian lived for over 50 years — will launch “Paul Newman Generosity Day.”
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, local officials and celebrities will gather at the Newman’s Own office on the Post Road at Morningside Road North for an afternoon of “celebration and generosity.”
Newman’s Own will unveil the “100 Acts of Generosity Challenge.” Participants will perform acts of kindness, share stories, and inspire others to do the same on social media.
Richard Huntley is an internist/primary care doctor in Norwalk, and a Westport resident since 1988.
In 2023 he got a chance to do charitable medical work. He traveled to Kenya to screen for high blood pressure (Africa has the highest rate of hypertension globally.
80% of hypertension cases in Kenya are unrecognized, and only 10% is treated. Only 2% of the population has health insurance, so most people focus on illness rather than preventive care.
Dr. Huntley first worked in rural areas of Kenya. In 2024 he volunteered in Kibera — Africa’s largest slum, with over a million people.
He has partnered with Crossing Thresholds, a New Canaan-based nonprofit, to start a clinic to screen and treat high blood pressure. He organized a fundraiser to provide hypertension medications. For more information on the project, and donate, click here.
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After leading Williams College to a 3-0 record, and averaging 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game, senior captain (and 2021 Staples High School graduate) Arianna Gerig was named New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors.
She was also selected for the First Team of the Week, the New England Women’s Basketball Association. (Hat tip: Don Kubie)
Arianna Gerig
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David Kaplan started his movie-making career the way you always hear it should be done: in the mailroom of a Los Angeles talent agency.
“The Brutalist” — backed by Kaplan Morrison, Kaplan’s New York-based production company — won 3 awards Sunday night, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. (Hat tip: Adam Friedland)
David Kaplan
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Andrew Wilk is a Big Name in entertainment.
The Westporter is a 5-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and director of network television. He has worked with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Audra McDonald and Kelli O’Hara.
He is also a noted stage director and writer. But symphony conducting remains his first love. He is a frequent musical director and conductor at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and been involved with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
On May 17, Wilk will be at Waterbury’s Palace Theater. He will conduct the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra for a night of music and memories, celebrating 20 years of Broadway musicals.
The show will include musical numbers from “The Phantom of the Opera,”
“Ragtime,” “Evita” and “Dreamgirls,” plus “Over the Rainbow,” “Memory” and “Tomorrow.”
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