Category Archives: Unsung Heroes

Unsung Heroes #419

Posted on January 28, 2026 | 1 comment

The Westport Country Playhouse suggests perhaps the largest group ever, for this week’s Unsung Heroes award: their holiday audiences.

During last month’s run of “A Sherlock Carol,” Playhouse patrons offered significant donations and support for 3 area charities.

More than 12 boxes in the lobby were filled with donations of food for Homes with Hope.

Westport’s homeless shelter and food pantry says, “it means so much when local organizations step up to support our mission, especially during the winter months when the need is high and community support matters most. We’re grateful to be part of a town that continues to show up for its neighbors.”

 

Homes with Hope volunteers, with Westport Country Playhouse audience donations.

Audiences also donated hundreds of new toys and books for Norwalk Toys for Tots.

Meanwhile, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp benefited from audience cash and online contributions. The total — $10,835.53 — will send 4 youngsters there this summer.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp has special meaning for the Playhouse. It was created by Paul Newman, who during his 50 years in Westport — with his wife Joanne Woodward — was also a generous WCP supporter.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Heroes #418

Posted on January 21, 2026 | 4 comments

Staples High School’s many talented actors, musicians and athletes get plenty of press — and well-deserved praise

Plenty of others do equally admirable work, far beyond the spotlight.

Today we salute Natalia Garment, Neha Singh and Jessie Zhang.

The highly motivated, self-starting seniors created SpeakEasy. The student-run organization supports language learners, and increases access to multilingual education.

They promote biliteracy through free tutoring. They’ve hosted a fundraiser at Toquet Hall.

Now they’ve partnered with the Westport Library.

Next month, SpeakEasy offers free beginner Spanish, Mandarin and French classes for students ages 6-9 at the Library.

Group members have earned the Connecticut Seal of Biliteracy, and have experience teaching peers and younger students. Families may sign their child up for individual sessions using this link.

SpeakEasy has also designed a special “Biliteracy Bookshelf,” at the entrnace of the Library’s children’s section. Prior to lessons, families are encouraged to visit the display.

Natalia, Neha and Jessie: You are our Unsung Heroes of the week. Congratulations!

Or — as you already know how to say: Félicitations! ¡Felicidades! Gōngxǐ!

From left: Neha Singh, Jessie Zhang and Natalia Garment, at their Westport Library display.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Heroes #417

Posted on January 14, 2026 | 11 comments

Terry  Brannigan is president of the Mat Men, Staples High School’s wrestling team booster club. He is also a former Wrecker wrestler and coach. Terry writes:

We would like to recognize Staples culinary teacher Chef Cecily Gans as a true Unsung Hero, for the extraordinary work she quietly does in support of the Staples High School community — particularly the wrestling team and Staples Players.

For several years, Cecily has generously opened her kitchen to help prepare the food needed to support our wrestling tournaments. This selfless support has been transformative for our program.

She works closely with the captains’ parents to plan menus, calculate quantities, source ingredients and order supplies, to ensure we have a Michelin-worthy concession stand. (Her hundreds of egg sandwiches are renowned throughout the wrestling community.)

Cecily brings her daughter Leila, a Staples student. They arrive as early as 6 a.m. on weekends, and lead a crew of volunteers worthy of any Top Chef competition.

Cecily makes the entire experience joyful and seamless — often without ever stepping out to see the smiles she creates.

Chef Cecily Gans, in her kitchen …

This year, she also opened her kitchen for a pancake breakfast serving 90 wrestlers and coaches during an early-season scrimmage. Hundreds of pancakes, dozens of eggs, hand-cut home fries (the best anyone has ever had), along with coffee, hot chocolate and bagels — it was extraordinary.

At this past weekend’s John Chacho Dual Meet, Cecily and Leila were back at it, once again arriving early to ensure our concession stand was healthy, delicious, and very successful.

This event is one of our primary fundraisers. It would not have been possible without her.

But that’s not all. Cecily quietly provides the same incredible support to Staples Players. The drama organization’s board echoes my praise. They say:

“We could never thank Cecily enough for what she does for the Players cast and crew.

“Chef Gans puts in countless hours ensuring the kids are fueled during the intense weeks leading up to opening night.

… and her daughter Leila, at the wrestling team’s concession stand. Leila is also dance captain for Staples Players.  

“Cecily even showed up very early on a Sunday morning — her birthday, no less — to cater brunch following Candlelight.

“Her menu choices are always varied and irresistible. The kids rave about her meals. She created a glittery disco ball cake for ‘The Prom,’ and a full French feast for ‘Les Misérables.’

“Chef Gans is incredibly creative and inclusive. Her gluten-free and vegan options are as amazing as everything else she makes. We are so lucky to have her feeding and fueling our kids through tech week.”

Cecily and Leila embody the very definition of “Unsung Heroes.” Their generosity, creativity, and quiet leadership have made a lasting impact on many students and families at Staples. We are incredibly grateful to see them recognized for all that they give.

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Unsung Heroes #416

Posted on January 7, 2026 | 5 comments

Alert “06880” reader — and satisfied shopper — Matt Murray writes:

Two lovely people work at Stop & Shop almost every day: Shavon and Taneisha.

They take care of customer service, cashiers, filling orders, and anything else that comes up at this very busy store.

They do it with a smile and a laugh. I’m not sure how they do but they do. They definitely are unsung heroes.

They work hard. They are the face of Stop & Shop.

We are very lucky to have them.

Congratulations, Shavon and Taneisha. You are this week’s well-deserved Unsung Heroes!

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Unsung Heroes #415

Posted on December 31, 2025 | 2 comments

In the aftermath of last weekend’s snowfall, Meghan Sullivan-Boustainy raises a grateful shovel to Tara Marie.

The Westport mom posted an offer on social media: Her children wanted to aid older people who needed help clearing after the storm.

Meghan’s elderly father was staying in Westport, at the home of a friend who is blind. With Meghan in New York, the two were stuck.

They were short on food, and needed to get out. But there was a steep staircase — and the car and driveway were covered with snow.

Tara responded quickly to Meghan, and her father. Her children — already working for others — would be there in a few hours.

It turns out that Meghan’s sister and her children drove from Stamford to shovel the pair out.

But, Meghan says, “I thank Tara and her family for reaching out to help a family they’ve never met” — along with many others.

“Such kindness is special,” Meghan says. “Happy New Year!”

Not Tara Marie’s child — but you get the idea.

(To nominate an Unsung Hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. “06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

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Unsung Heroes #414

Posted on December 24, 2025 | 2 comments

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.)

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Unsung Heroes #413

Posted on December 17, 2025 | 3 comments

Among Westport’s many holiday traditions, none is more beloved than the Candlelight Concert.

For 85 years — ever since 1941, a few days after Pearl Harbor — the Staples High School music department’s gift to the town has thrilled and inspired audiences.

Musicians — singers, and orchestra and band memories — cherish it as one of the highlights of their school lives. Many return as alumni, to bask in its magic.

Two women — now in their 80s — traveled from Oklahoma for last weekend’s Candlelight. Decades after graduating, in 1961 and ’63, they smiled with joy through the traditional “Sing We Noel” processional, the “Hallelujah Chorus” finale with dozens of alumni joining the stage, and so much in between: the beautiful Jewish tune “Al Shlosha”; the percussive Nigerian song “Ogo ni fun Oluwa”; a haunting rendition of “Stille Nacht”; complex works by Prokofiev, Rutter and Tchaikovsky; creative student ensembles, and more.

It was one of the best Candlelight Concerts ever — a high bar, indeed.

But few members of the appreciative audiences knew what it took to produce this year’s show.

Though they worked since school began, Candlelight preparations never really begin until Staples Players’ fall show ends.

This year’s production — “Les Misérables” — was an especially enormous undertaking. Many of the actors are also singers; all the music teachers played in the pit orchestra.

The final curtain fell just 19 days before the first concert.

Exhilarated but exhausted, they pivoted immediately to Candlelight.

And — because of the way the calendar fell this year — they had one less week than usual to do it.

Meanwhile, Orphenians — one of the concert’s centerpieces — entered their busiest time of the year. They sing at the Town Hall tree lighting, Holiday Stroll, and for organizations all over Westport.

Every adult and young person involved in Candlelight was pulled a thousand different ways, these past few weeks.

But they — along with others who handled sound and lighting, plus tremendous volunteers from the Staples Music Parents Association — pulled together.

I can’t imagine the effort it took. I do know that for all who were fortunate enough to be there, the results were well worth it.

So to townwide arts coordinator Steve Zimmerman; directors Jeri Brima, Carrie Mascaro, Kevin Mazzarella, Lauren Pine, Caitlin Serpliss and Mary Gardner; every young musician, and everyone else who had a hand in the 2025 Candlelight Concert: Bravo! 

You are this week’s Unsung Heroes.

Although this week, “unsung” is definitely not the right world to use!

From left: Carrie Mascaro, Caitlin Serpliss, Kevin Mazzarella, Jeri Brima, Lauren Pine. (Photos/Dan Woog)

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Unsung Heroes #412

Posted on December 10, 2025 | 1 comment

Longtime Westporter and former town operations director Dewey Loselle nominates this week’s Unsung Heroes. It’s especially timely,  during this holiday shopping season. He writes:

Three women have run the Westport Woman’s Club Curio Cottage thrift shop  tirelessly for years: Susan Murphy, Carol Brezovec and Susan Loselle.

They are publicity-shy — they only care about the shop and its wares. But they (and it) deserve a wide audience.

The Curio Cottage trio (from left): Susan Murphy, Carol Brezovec and Susan Loselle, with Susan Loselle’s grandson Owen.

The Curio Cottage has been around for 25 years, next to the Woman’s Club at 44 Imperial Avenue. It’s a major fundraising source for the Woman’s Club (after the Yankee Doodle Fair, held on its grounds).

All funds raised by the Cottage support the Westport Woman’s Club‘s many philanthropic  endeavors.

(Each year, the non-profit WWC gives grants to various organizations in the area. It also runs a food pantry, and provides the Department of Human Services with grocery store gift cards for people in need. It also provides annual college scholarships to Westport students in financial need.)

The Curio Cottage looks small. But wait till you see what’s inside.

The Curio Cottage is the oldest and best-kept “secret store” in Westport. It is not a typical thrift shop (don’t think Salvation Army/Goodwill-type store, or a profit-making consignment shop).

All goods are donated, from some of Westport’s finest homes. The 2 Susans and Carol are very discerning in what they accept for sale.

Everything must be high quality, and in good condition and interesting. There is no room for junk.

Curio Cottage shoppers never know what they will find, among the jewelry, antiques, art, crystal, collectibles and one-of-a-kind items.

Items galore, at the Curio Cottage store.

Inventory constantly changes. The Curio Cottage wants to move merchandise quickly, so all items are at bargain prices.

Dealers, resellers, collectors and those in the know come every week. Some are lined up when it opens, buying for their businesses, collections and homes.

This is a busy time for the Curio Cottage. It’s packed with decorations, tree ornaments and Hanukkah items. And everything Christmas-oriented is half price.

NOTE: The shop is only open on Thursdays and Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for more information. It’s worth a visit!

Yes! Stop in to shop — and to congratulate Susan Murphy, Carol Brezovec and Susan Loselle: our Unsung Heroes of the week.

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)

 

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Unsung Hero #411

Posted on December 4, 2025 | 10 comments

There are many Unsung Heroes at Homes with Hope. Today, they nominate one of their own:

Nancy Lewis first came to Homes with Hope as a volunteer through the National Charity League.

When Homes with Hope clients without cars needed help with rides, NCL could not provide them. However, Nancy said that she personally would be able to assist.

That was the beginning of over a dozen years of Nancy doing whatever is needed to help Homes with Hope clients, and the agency as a whole.

Nancy Lewis

For over 13 years, Nancy has been a mentor to a Homes with Hope parent. She supports the family in many ways. When they need Nancy, Nancy is there.

This summer, she helped one of the kids in the family get a scholarship to attend theater camp at the Westport County Playhouse.  As always, Nancy found a way to make it happen.

Nancy was also a key part of Homes with Hope’s monthly Women’s Empowerment group. She offered support to women of all ages, who came to share stories and find encouragement. Nancy always had a positive outlook, and offered kind and caring advice.

During the school year, Nancy is a regular volunteer at ASAP — Homes with Hope’s after school program — helping kids with homework and guidance, all with a spirit of joy.

As if this was not enough to keep Nancy busy, she is also a regular volunteer in the food pantry and the Gillespie Center.

Nancy has touched so many clients and staff members over such a long time.  We are all grateful for her amazing contribution of time, energy and loving support.

Congratulations, Nancy! You epitomize what “06880” admires in an unsung hero!

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.) 

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Unsung Heroes #410

Posted on November 26, 2025 | 4 comments

Longtime Westport resident Amy Schafrann writes:

I was walking with a friend on Clapboard Hill Road. Two boys —  George and Ford Nanos — on the corner of Taylor Lane were offering hot cider.

We had no cash with us. They very kindly offered it for free.

I asked the boys which charity they were collecting for. The older one, George, said, “Boston Children’s Hospital. That’s where I was treated for a brain tumor.”

He said he’s done this with his brother, and friends Jake and Tyler, for a few weeks. They’ve raised several hundred dollars.

Ford and George Nanos (Photo/Amy Schafrann)

This truly touched my heart.

Of course, I went back to donate money. What amazing boys!

(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.) 

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