06880

Roundup: Downtown Parking, EMS Honors, Holiday Stuff …

Posted on December 12, 2024 | 1 comment

Downtown parking has gotten “lots” of attention lately.

In meetings and online, Westporters have talked discussed the lack of spots, and/or the distance they walk from them.

This holiday season, the Westport Transit District has a solution.

Wheels2U — their on-demand train station service — will operate this weekend and next.

Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on December 14 -15 and 20 -21, Wheels2U will pick you up anywhere in Westport. They’ll take you downtown, then back home again when you’re through.

Stops are at Jesup Green opposite the Westport Book Shop, and Elm Street across from Serena & Lily.

Download the Wheels2U app, and book your ride 20 minutes before you want to leave. Rides are just $2 per passenger, open to all Westport residents and visitors. Children 12 and under must ride with an adult.

For more information about Wheels2U, click here.

Wheels2U.

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Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service is filled with men and women who go above and beyond the call.

Recently, 7 were honored for going waaaaay beyond the call. They are:

Crew Chief of the Year: Chris Moore
EMT of the Year: David Harmston
Volunteer of the Year: Yaashi Jhangiani
Youth Corps EMT of the Year: Justin Sun
Callback Champion: Crew chief Ben Frimmer (most responses to callbacks from home)
Top Responder: Crew chief Larry Kleinman (most on-duty hours)
Guiding Light: Crew chief Yves Cantin (mentorship and teaching excellence).

Congratulations — and thanks — to all!

EMT of the Year David Harmston (left) with Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service president Jaime Bairaktaris.

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Club203 — Westport’s social organization for adults with disaiblities — celebrated the holidays last night at the VFW.

It was another great evening. And — as with all of the club’s events — many people and businesses made it rock.

The VFW donated its popular space. Delicious food was made by Carmine Cenatiempo, of Calise’s Market. Desserts and gingerbread cookies for decorating came courtesy of Chef Avery (@chefaveryw).

Marcello scontributed a holiday-themed photo booth (@Marcello.DEF).

Club203 gives a huge shoutout to the Westport Woman’s Club. Its Ruegg Grant will enable them to offer more social and educational events for Westport’s neurodiverse community.

Holiday party collage.

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Audiences at the Westport Country Playhouse’s production of “A Sherlock Carol” (December 17 through 22) can get in the holiday spirit even before the curtain rises.

Collection boxes for 4 local charities — Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Norwalk Toys for Tots, and Westport Homes with Hope Food Pantry — will be set up in the lobby during performances.

They’re also available during box office hours (Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.). You don’t have to see the show to help!

Click here for details on each charity, and wish lists for all 4.

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Speaking of Christmas wishes: There are 13 days till Christmas.

Which means there is still time for kids to drop off letters to Santa, at the Greens Farms post office.

Where — unlike the always-crammed Playhouse Square location — there is never a line.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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It was a full — but unintended — Westport moment yesterday, on “Today.”

NBC host Craig Melvin discussed the Lifelines Flameless Candle Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser.

He did not realize until later that Lifelines is the company started by Melissa & Doug to “help individuals rediscover wonder and relieve stress through their senses.”

Of course, he knows that “Melissa & Doug” are the Bernsteins.

And that the husband and wife team are — like Craig himself — Westport residents. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)

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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between December 4 and 11.

A 21-year-old Bronx man was charged with 2 counts of larceny, and 2 counts of conspiracy to commit larceny, following an investigation into 2 shoplifting incidents at Ulta Beauty in 2021. His bond was $100,000.

A 51-year-old Bronx man was arrested for identity theft, after a report from TD Bank of a suspect using fraudulent identifaction to obtain a debit card. He was released on $10,000 bond.

Police also issued these citations:

Traveling unreasonably fast: 13 citations
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
Failure to obey stop sign: 2
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
School zone violation: 1
Opoerating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1

Ulta Beauty is a frequent target of shoplifters. Many are arrested.

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Westport continues to raising funds, to ensure that 200 children in our sister city of Lyman, Ukraine enjoy time away from the wartime terrors of the past 3 years.

Our goal of $56,000 will pay for them — scattered now, evacuated from their homes — to get together, with friends, teachers and counselors, at a therapeutic camp in the Carpathian Mountains.

To help, please click here. Under “Designation,” choose “Westport-Lyman sister city” from the dropdown menu. You can also choose a monthly or one-time donation. If you use the mail or Venmo option, please make a note: “For Westport-Lyman.”

A bit of normalcy in war-torn Ukraine.

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Westporter Warren Hammer is a chiropractor in Norwalk

For years he has specialized in fascial manipulation. It is taught in 50 countries, and used by many professional teams for chronic pain.

Last weekend, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, he introduced the method to the trainers who treat the New York Mets.

Interesting. Usually, it’s Mets fans who suffer.

Warren Hammer, with New York Mets trainers.

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This time of year, many evergreens are decked out with ornaments, tinsel and angels.

This one, at Sherwood Island, had a different decoration.

InteresJohanna Keyser Rossi captured the image, for our daily “Westport … Naturally feature.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … in honor of Warren Hammer’s recent gig (story above):

(As this Roundup shows, “06880” is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates: You never know what you’ll get. If you like most of what we offer, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

1 Comment

Posted in Downtown, Local business, Police, Westport Country Playhouse

Tagged Club203, Craig Melvin, Green's Farms post office, Lyman Ukraine, Melissa & Doug, New York Mets, Ukraine Aid International, Ulta Beauty, Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service, Wheels2U

OPINION: Reclaim Compo Cove’s Pedestrian Path

Posted on December 12, 2024 | 34 comments

Jennifer Johnson, her husband and 2 daughters moved to Westport in 2006.

She has worked in financial services, and for open space and land preservation organizations.

Jennifer has served on Westport’s Westport Parks & Recreation Commission, Compo Beach Site Improvement Committee, and is an executive committee member for the South Western Regional Planning Agency. She was a director of the Westport Transit District, and is a member of the Representative Town Meeting.

Following a recent vote by the legislative body, she writes:

Last month the RTM and Board of Finance voted to approve an expenditure of $5.58 million to rebuild 2 tidal gates at Sherwood Mill Pond.

The funding also includes rebuilding the pedestrian walkway that connects Sherwood Mill Beach to Compo Cove. There is a locked gate on the eastern end of the walkway. It was installed by Cove residents, and prevents public access to the Compo Mill Cove pathway along the southeastern shore of the Mill Pond.

Locked gate at the entrance to Compo Cove.

During the RTM meeting, questions arose regarding the gate: Why is it locked? Why can’t pedestrians walk along the Compo Mill Cove pathway like they used to? What about access to the mean high water line that belongs to all residents? Can the plan for the new taxpayer-funded walkway include some form of reclaimed access to the Compo Mill Cove pathway and/or tideland that is now blocked by the gate?

Given that the funding approval was time-sensitive, the RTM correctly approved the funding and tabled the pedestrian access issue. With the funding secured and the construction period deferred until spring, now is the time for Westport to find a solution to reclaim pedestrian access to the Compo Mill Cove pathway and tidelands once enjoyed by all, not just the dozen or so homeowners who live there (some part time).

While rebuilding the tide gate and walkway is both expensive and complicated, regaining public access to the Compo Mill Cove pathway and/or tidelands should be fairly straightforward.

Compo Cove residents should simply agree to open the gate between sunrise and sunset (an easy solution that could be programmed into the gate’s lock). Since the public is paying the hefty price tag to fund the walkway’s reconstruction — a walkway that Cove residents rely on to access their property — this seems like a fair and reasonable tradeoff.

Pedestrian path, and Compo Cove. The locked gate is near the bottom of the photo.

This simple solution reflects an increasing trend across the country. Private property owners are granting pedestrian easements to their land, for the express purpose of allowing the public to respectfully walk across a defined pathway during daylight hours.

The public historically had access, until the locked gate appeared about 20 years ago. As the years passed, and one by one the island’s historic bungalows were replaced with sizable rebuilds (like this $12.250 million recent listing), public access vanished.

I anticipate some Cove residents may raise security concerns. But those could readily be addressed by a police camera at the gate and/or residents installing readily-available security systems, if they haven’t already. The timed gate — combined with the general lack of car access — should prevent any opportunities for mischief, beyond the kinds of things beach residents typically contend with currently.

Alternatively, the town could initiate a small project to construct access points from the rebuilt walkway to the tidal land along either side of the walkway. This solution would only provide access at low tide. But some access is better than none.

If you are interested in joining this effort, please send contact information to millpondwalkway@gmail.com.

Aerial view of Compo Cove, with Sherwood Mill Pond (top). The arrow shows the gate location.

(“06880” welcomes Opinion pieces. We also welcome — and rely on — reader donations, to support our work. Please click here to contribute. Thank you!)

34 Comments

Posted in Beach, Local politics

Tagged Compo Cove, Jennifer Johnson, Representative Town Meetng, Sherwood Mill Pond

Pic Of The Day #2793

Posted on December 11, 2024 | Comments Off

Westport Weston Family YMCA at daybreak (Robert Mitchell)

Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #2793

Posted in Pic of the Day, YMCA

Tagged Westport Weston Family YMCA

Unsung Heroes #362

Posted on December 11, 2024 | 7 comments

Lynn Untermeyer Miller hasn’t seen every Candlelight Concert.

There have been 84 years of them. The Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate is only 71 years old.

But she’s been to plenty, beginning with her years as a student.

She’ll be there again this week, for the Staples Music Department’s annual gift to the town.

She’ll be joined by hundreds of other grateful Westporters. Parents will proudly watch their teenage singers, and orchestra and band members, as they perform complex pieces with talent, passion and pride.

A small part of the large Candlelight Concert.

Westporters whose own kid have long graduated — or never went to Staples, or are not yet there — will thrill to the concert too, appreciating the mix of tradition and change that has sustained the Candlelight Concert for over 8 decades.

Middle and elementary school boys and girls will dream of the day they can take part in the remarkable event.

And alumni will stride, with excitement and smiles, onto the stage for the finale: a rousing rendition of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” The massed group — a couple of hundred current musicians, and dozens who preceded them — is part of what makes the Candlelight Concert so special.

The “Hallelujah Chorus” ends the Candlelight Concert. The “Sing We Noel” processional begins it. (Photos/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

But none of it would happen without this week’s Unsung Heroes: the Music Department.

The staff — Jeri Brima, Carrie Mascaro, Kevin Mazzarella, Lauren Pine, Caitlin Serpliss and Gregg Winters, plus townwide music coordinator Steve Zimmerman and administrative assistant Liz Shaffer — have been working toward this moment since the summer.

They have great talent to work with. Our superb middle and elementary school music teachers deserve a great hand, for preparing the high schoolers so well.

John Ohanian created the first Candlelight Concert, in 1940.

No list of Unsung Heroes would be complete without the men and women who created, nurtured and grew the Candlelight Concert, from before World War II to today.

John Ohanian, George Weigle, John Hanulik, Bob Genualdi, Jack Adams, Nick Mariconda, Alice Lipson, Luke Rosenberg, and many other music educators, are the reason Candlelight has evolved, flourished — and made the holidays special — for over 80 years.

They, and everyone else associated with the Candlelight Concert, are true Unsung Heroes.

Take a bow!

ENCORE: One of the great Candlelight traditions is the “Sing We Noel” processional. Click here to learn about its unique back story.

(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)

7 Comments

Posted in Arts, Looking back, Staples HS, Unsung Heroes

Tagged Candlelight Concert, George Weigle, John Ohanian, Lynn Untermeyer Miller

Roundup: Club203, Elvis, Shakespeare …

Posted on December 11, 2024 | 6 comments

In just 2 years, Club203 has earned a cherished spot among Westport’s non-profits.

Part of Westport’s Department of Human Services, and the town’s Commission on People with Disabilities, the organization provides monthly social gatherings for adults with disabilities.

Now, Club203 has earned a $10,000 check.

The Westport Woman’s Club presented the Ruegg Grant on Monday. It’s one of the ways the WWC gives back to the community, by funding projects focused on social services, health, safety, arts and education. The grants were established by former club member Lea Ruegg.

Westport Woman’s Club, Club203 and Human Services Department officials (from left): Vera Rhimes, Erin Gensel-Cancro, Nancy Austin, Virginia Ferrari, Sharuna Mahesh, Stacie Curran, Audrey Rabinowitz, Elaine Daignault.

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Elvis is in the building!

Well, he will be on December 20 (7:15 p.m.). The building is VFW Post 399 (465 Riverside Avenue).

As for Elvis, who has been dead for nearly 50 years: The evening is called “Blue Christmas with ‘The King.'”

It’s a tribute to the rock ‘n’ roll icon, including his Top 40 hits, along with his Christmas songs.

Tickets are $35 ($30 for VFW members), and include a buffet. Click here, or call 302-312-3774.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

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An even more dead legend — William Shakespeare — is in the news too.

Diane Lowman has joined Shakespeare Birthplace America’s board of directors.

An essayist, memoirist, poet and Shakespeare scholar, she served as Westport’s first poet laureate (2019-22).

Lowman’s first memoir, “Nothing But Blue,” chronicled her experiences aboard a German container ship during college. Her latest, “The Undiscovered Country: Seeing Myself Through Shakespeare’s Eyes,” narrates her journey of self-discovery through the lens of Shakespeare’s works.

Lowman earned an MA in Shakespeare studies from the University of Birmingham’s Shakespeare Institute (2017), an MBA from Pepperdine University, and a BA in economics from Middlebury College. She teaches writing, Shakespeare, and yoga/mediation, and divides her time between Westport and Stratford-Upon-Avon, England.

Diane Lowman with her favorite author, at Stratford-Upon-Avon.

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Having a high school All-American athlete is a feather in any program’s cap.

Staples High School has not one, but two, this year.

Senior Annabel Edwards and junior Natalie Chudowsky were named to the 63-person United Soccer Coaches All-America squad. Both play midfield.

Chudowsky is one of only 4 girls — and the only 11th grader — to be named to the team for the third time. She has been an All-American since freshman year. She is also a regular call-up for US national youth team camps.

Edwards will play soccer at the University of Chicago next fall. Chudowsky has already committed to Duke University, beginning in 2026.

Edwards and Chudowsky will be honored next month, at the United Soccer Coaches convention in Chicago.

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Speaking of sports: Rugby and football are very popular. But many parents have safety concerns.

This winter, Westport PAL will offer tackle and fitness winter clinics. The goal is to prepare 5th through 8th graders in Fairfield County to feel safe, confident and effective in tackle situations.

The focus is on development of core fitness, stamina, strength and skill.

Coaches include an international jiu-jitsu professor, a former US national team rugby player, and college football athletes.

PAL officials say, “Although no contact sport is entirely without risk, substantial evidence demonstrates that removing the head from direct contact significantly reduces the potential for harm.

“In recent years, both collegiate and NFL teams have increasingly adopted ‘rugby tackle’ techniques to protect athletes. We believe youth athletes deserve the same skill level of protection.

Click here for information on dates, location, fees, registration and more.

Proper technique minimizes injuries.

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Just in time for the 12 Days of Christmas: 11 Artist of Connecticut, at Picture This/Nylen Gallery (772 Post Road East).

And instead of 5 golden rings: 5 are from Westport: Nina Bentley (assemblage and prints), Linn Cassetta (mixed media on wood), Gali Katz (etchings), Judy Katz (porcelain vessels) and Tom Kretsch (photography).

Another — Marjorie Sopkin — grew up here.

An opening reception is set for this Friday (December 13, 5 to 7 p.m.). The show runs through January 11. The show is curated by John Bygott.

“Over Yonder” (John Bygott)

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The Westport Astronomical Society free lecture series continues December 17 (8 p.m.), with a special free classroom lecture.

Dr. Debra Wallace — deputy branch chief for astrophysics at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center — will join remotely. Her topic is pretty big: “Exploring the Vast Cosmic Structures of the Universe.” Click here for more information.

It’s also the WAS Pre-Winter Solstice Holiday Party.

Santa has his eye on the universe.

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A pair of speakers from the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants addressed yesterday’s Westport Rotary Club lunch meeting.

They described the work of the 105-year-old non-profit. Through offices in Bridgeport, Stamford, Hartford and Waterbury, they provide legal aid, educational programs and social services for refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking and torture. They also teach job placement skills and financial literacy.

Susan Schnitzer, president and CEO of the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, and Deo Byakisaka, assistant director of refugee services, at yesterday’s Rotary Club meeting. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)

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Amy Swanson sent this image yesterday, with a seasonally appropriate note: ”

(Photo/Siobhan Crise)

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Staples High School Class of 1988 graduate William Westcott died suddenly on December 2.

The youngest of 6 children, he studied fine art at Washington University in St. Louis, followed by an apprenticeship under his mentor, the artist Mike Skop.

Bill then became a marketing and business strategist, for over 30 years.

After moving to New York City he met his wife, Jill. They raised their family in Tribeca.

His family says, “He was generous to a fault and for anyone who needed help, never a question asked. He was a fixer in every sense of the word. He had a creative superpower, a natural knack for building and a work ethic bar none.”

Bill loved road trips, vacation adventures, cookouts with family and friends, sailing, history and movies.

His desire to share with his children the values of small-town life led to their first summer place in Old Saybrook. Bill transformed a little bungalow into a comfortable weekend cottage, with room for kids and guests.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jill Cunniffe; children Greta, Finn and Luke Westcott of New York, and Old Saybrook, and siblings Mitch of Fort Myers, Florida, Wendy of Litchfield, Annie MacPhail of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Mary Thomajan of Belmont, Massachusetts; many nieces and nephews, and his terrier Norman. He was predeceased by his brother Mike.

A memorial is planned for January 4 in New York City. Details will be announced on SwanFuneralHomeOldSaybrook.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the ALS Association in memory of Bill’s father and brother Michael.

Bill Westcott

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Tree branches, clouds and sky comine in this compelling mid-December “Westport … Naturally” feature:

(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)

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And finally … in honor of Elvis’ December 20 concert at the VFW (story above):

(We’ll have a blue Christmas, if you take “06880” for granted. We rely on the generous support of readers. Please click here to make an end-of-year, tax deductible contribution. Thank you!)

6 Comments

Posted in Arts, Obituaries, Sports

Tagged Annabel Edwards, Diane Lowman, Elvis Presley, Natalie Chudowsky, Picture This Gallery, Staples High School girls soccer, VFW Post 399, Westport Astronomical Society, Westport PAL football, Westport PAL rugby, Westport Rotary Club

Henry Lehr: Famous Name Returns To Famed Spot

Posted on December 11, 2024 | 5 comments

For decades, Henry Lehr was a legendary Main Street women’s store.

Nearby, on the Post Road, Schaefer’s Sporting Goods was equally beloved.

Years later, they’re back — 2024 style.

Alex Lehr — Henry’s son — has opened a new shop, with the old name (and menswear too). It fills the space formerly occupied by Fig, just down from Barnes & Noble.

Before that — when the bookstore was a movie theater — the store was Schaefer’s. Generations of Westporters bought baseball gloves, soccer cleats and skis there.

Alex Lehr’s road back to Westport winds through Southampton and Indiana.

He grew up here, and attended Kings Highway Elementary, Bedford Middle School and Greens Farms Academy.

It was off to Indiana University, New York, then back to the Hoosier State. From college on he worked for American Colors, the brand started by his father. Alex made his way up from the factory to head of sales.

Alex Lehr, with the belt collection in his new store.

In 2004, Henry retired. Alex took over. His wife Shannon also joined the business.

American Colors was a wholesaler, selling at trade shows to 200 specialty stores around the world. Westport customers include Great Stuff and Katherine H.

When COVID closed trade shows, Alex pivoted to retail. It was a world he knew well.

Henry Lehr and his wife had moved to Westport in 1977. They owned a New York store, and soon added one on Main Street. (Today, it’s the site of Shoe-Inn.)

Through its closing in 2014, after the death of their daughter Camilla who ran it, it was one of the town’s most popular women’s shops.

Henry Lehr on Main Street, soon after it closed. (Photo/Dave Matlow for WestportNow)

In 2021, Alex Lehr opened a pop-up American Colors by Henry Lehr store in Southampton. It was an instant hit.

A surprising number of customers were Westporters. Many urged him to come back to their (and his) hometown.

The Hamptons location was great, but it was seasonal, with transient customers, Alex says. As he considered a permanent shop, he realized this was the place to do it.

Attorney and real estate investor Jim Randel found him the Fig/Schaefer’s space.

Schaefer’s Sporting Goods is the 3rd store from the left, next to the Fine Arts Theaters and an art supply store. Fred Cantor took this photo in 1976 — around the time Henry Lehr opened on Main Street.

It was perfect. It reminds Alex of the Henry Lehr shop on Main Street. It looks out on the Post Road, with plenty of visibility. The tin ceiling gives off the perfect vibe.

A pop-up shop there in July, with just a few racks of clothes, was very successful. Renovations began when it closed.

Two weeks ago, American Colors by Henry Lehr opened officially.

During the pop-up, customers told Alex that Westport lacked the kind of casual, comfortable, contemporary clothing men wanted. The new store now includes menswear, and a collection of vintage belts.

Alex Lehr, inside American Colors by Henry Lehr.

There’s more to come. After the holidays Alex will add a home store, with antiques, vintage clothing, gifts, and a made-to-measure area for men and women.

“I’ve come full circle. It’s fun to be back,” Alex says. Women bring Henry Lehr clothing they bought 30 or 40 yeas ago. He repairs some of those well-worn pieces for them.

The Westport store may be a prototype for satellite locations. Still, he envisions this as always the flagship.

Casual, contemporary clothing.

As Alex finished giving a tour of the new store, a customer walked in.

Unprompted, she said, “This is the talk of the town!”

(American Colors by Henry Lehr is open 7 days a week, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

(“06880” often reports on the Westport business scene — old, new, and old ones that are new again. If you enjoy our coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

5 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Local business, Looking back

Tagged Alex Lehr, Henry Lehr, Schaefer's Sporting Goods

Pic Of The Day #2792

Posted on December 10, 2024 | 2 comments

Crescent moon, from Church Lane (Photo/Peter Chelico)

2 Comments

Posted in Pic of the Day

Tagged Church Lane, moon

Roundup: CNN’s Alisyn Camerota, WFD’s Santa Run, UNC’s Marisa Shorrock …

Posted on December 10, 2024 | 11 comments

Alison Camerota surprised her many fans Sunday — first on Instagram, then on the air — by announcing it was her last day with CNN.

After 10 years with the network, the Westport resident signed off with a smile.

Alisyn Camerota’s Instagram post.

She recalled interviewing “presidents and heroes and extraordinary people (in) peak career experiences that I had dreamed of since I was a teenager.”

She thanked her colleagues and her viewers, and encouraged them to follow her on Instagram (@alisyncamerota) for updates on what’s ahead.

In a social media post minutes later, she said: “I’m on to new horizons. I’ll just share this bit of wisdom. New horizons are great when you’re ready for them. There have been times in my life when I was not ready to leave a place that I loved and that was really sad and really hard. But I think am ready to leave this place that I’ve loved.”

Before joining CNN in 2014 — where she was a co-anchor on “New Day,” “CNN Newsroom,” “CNN Tonight” and, most recently, “CNN Newsroom” — Camerota worked at Fox News.

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The Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation “Santa Run” is one of Westport’s most cherished traditions.

(Spots are limited. IYKYK).

For a donation to the Firefighters Foundation, Santa arrives by fire truck to drop off a present at a (limited number of) children’s houses.

Kids, stop reading here! The gift is dropped off at the firehouse previously, by the parents.

This weekend, for the third year in a row, Staples High School’s Service League of Boys (SLOBs) joined the firefighters.

They helped the little ones spread joy, fend off the Grinch, and make the holidays special.

Pausing for a photo opp, at the annual Santa Run.

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Westport has another NCAA Division I national champion.

Marissa Shorrock is a goalkeeper on the University of North Carolina women’s soccer squad. The Tar Heels won their 23rd championship last night in Cary, North Carolina. They defeated Wake Forest University 1-0.

The 2020 Staples graduate was not in the nets (teammate Clare Gagne was named the tournaments Most Outstanding Defensive Player). But she’s got her championship ring.

At Staples, her 14 shutouts as a senior helped her team to a 19-1-2 season. She also played 4 years of varsity lacrosse and basketball, helping the hoopsters to the state semifinal.

Shorrock walked onto the Bowdoin College soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams, before seasons were canceled due to COVID. She transferred to Yale University, appearing in 22 games over 3 years at Yale after walking-on midseason in 2021. She started 20 matches. Shorrock helped the Bulldogs break the program’s consecutive shutout record, and tie the record for shutouts in a season in 2022.

After graduating with a degree in economics from Yale last spring, Shorrock transfered to UNC with one more year of eligibility. (Hat tip: Don Kubie)

Marisa Shorrock, with the national championship trophy, and her new cap. (Photo courtesy of David Shorrock)

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WEST boutique hosts a special “Sip & Shop” event this Thursday (December 12, 6 to 8 p.m., 117 Post Road East).

20% of all purchases, and 20% of the proceeds, go to Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, the great arts non-profit for underserved youngsters.

One Hope Winery and The Granola Bar will be on hand too.

WEST boutique. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

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Yogi Bear stopped by the Westport Police Department/Westport PAL toy drive this past weekend.

He donated to the great cause, and thanked the officers for all they do.

The toy drive continues this coming weekend. New, unopened and unwrapped toys for all ages and genders — along with cash to buy toys — will be collected at Athletic Shoe Factory (1560 Post Road East) Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You can also drop off unwrapped toys at Police headquarters on Jesup Road (any time), or Awesome Toys & Gifts and The Toy Post, during business hours.

Yogi Bear and friends, at the Police Department’s toy drive collection spot: Athletic Shoe Factory. (Photo/Cathy Malkin)

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Birchwood County Club is usually about golf, tennis, swimming and dining.

This weekend, they added gingerbread house decorating to the list.

150 youngsters, along with parents and grandparents, gathered for the annual holiday brunch, and creative fun.

Gingerbread house decorators, hard at work. (Photo/John Schmidlin)

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The Y’s Women had 2 special guests yesterday.

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker talked about issues on many residents’ minds. She reported that while Post Road traffic remains a big problem, many stop signs and sidewalks have been added all around town.

Parking is still a work in progress.

The 1st selectwoman also discussed Longshore improvements (more pickleball courts, an 18-hole golf clubhouse, a pool upgrade), and Long Lots Elementary School construction (expected to begin this spring, with completion in 2027).

After Tooker’s talk, Y’s Women enjoyed a holiday concert by Staples’ elite Orphenians a cappella group, in the acoustically wonderful Green’s Farms Church.

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker (center), with Y’s Women president Vera DeStefano and vice president Catherin Albin.

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Congratulations to Staples’ December Students of the Month.

Seniors Olivia Berg and William Vanamee, junior Madeline Leventhal, sophomore Nathaniel Maurillo and freshmen Gabriella Juliano and Kai Massicott were nominated by their teachers.

They make Staples a welcoming place for peers and teachers, and are, principal Stafford Thomas says, “the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together.”

From left: Kai Massicott, Gabriella Juliano, Olivia Berg, Madeline Leventhal, Nathaniel Maurillo, William Vanamee.

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Michael Mossman has done it all.

After apprenticing as a youngster with jazz legends Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and others, the trumpeter forged a brilliant career as a soloist, arranger, music director and educator.

This Thursday he brings his talents to Jazz at the Post (December 12, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service from 7; $20 tickets, $15 for veterans and students).

Mossman willk be joined by pianist Jeb Patton, bassist Phil Bowler, drummer Ryan Sands and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature shows what Michele Sorensen says was left untouched after bulldozers renovated Riverside Park:

(Photo/Michele Sorensen)

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And finally … on this date in 1817, Mississippi became the 20th US state.

(“06880” is your hyper-local source of news you can use. If you appreciate our work, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Posted in Entertainment, Local business, Media, Police, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged Alisyn Camerota, Birchwood Country Club, Jazz at the Post, WEST boutique, Westport Fire Department, Y's Women

All They Want For Christmas …

Posted on December 10, 2024 | 2 comments

One of the many popular attractions at Saturday’s “06880”/ Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll was our “Letters to Santa” mailbox.

Outside Savvy + Grace, kids were invited to fill out a wish list. (First, they had to check a box: Were they good all of the time, some of the time, or naughty but nice?)