When Westport Country Playhouse raises its curtain each December on “A Sherlock Carol,” homecoming fills the air.
The family-friendly holiday mash-up, blending Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, was born in the uncertain days of the pandemic. The Playhouse performed an online reading.
The play has gone on to successful runs in New York, and sold-out houses in London. This season alone, “A Sherlock Carol” will be performed at nearly 30 theaters worldwide. Productions stretch from Boston, Virginia and Philadelphia to Dallas, Ottawa, the UK and Australia.
James Taylor Odom as Sherlock Holmes.
Yet Westport remains the show’s creative home.
Now in its third holiday season at the Playhouse, the production is once again guided by its writer and original director, Mark Shanahan, in his role as Westport’s artistic director.
He is joined by members of the original New York company. James Taylor Odom steps into the title role of Sherlock Holmes.
“It is so gratifying to do it again at Westport with this company of artists, many of whom have been with it from the start,” says Shanahan.
“A Sherlock Carol” imagines a grown-up Tiny Tim seeking help from the world’s greatest detective, unfolding as a Christmas Eve mystery set in the years after “A Christmas Carol.”
Shanahan describes a feeling of “inviting friends from different social circles to the same dinner party, and hoping like heck they’d get along.”
From left: Alexandra Kopko, Joe Delafield, James Taylor Odom, Byron St. Cyr, Anissa Felix, Dan Domingues. (Photos/Carol Rosegg)
When the play reached the stage in 2021, its themes of resurrection, renewal and second chances resonated deeply with audiences emerging from a period of uncertainty.
Off-Broadway, “A Sherlock Carol” quickly found its footing. It was a New York Times Critic’s Pick, and was nominated for Best New Play by the Off Broadway Alliance.
Its creative team and cast of Broadway veterans included several Tony nominees and winners. Many helped shape the Westport production. When London followed, British critics echoed their New York counterparts’ enthusiasm.
Despite its global reach, the show continues to feel rooted in Westport. Each holiday season many of the original cast and designers return to the Playhouse. The production feels like a reunion.
Writer/director Mark Shanahan chats with Westport Country Playhouse theater-goers, after opening night. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
Joe Delafield (Dr. Watson and Mrs. Dilber), says that while the company loved performing the play in New York, “it seems like a perfect fit at Westport. We all love coming back together and refining it each year.”
For James Taylor Odom as Sherlock, joining the Westport production this year brings the journey full circle.
“When I first saw ‘A Sherlock Carol’ in New York, I knew somehow I’d be part of it one day,” he says.
“Now here I am, working with Mark and this phenomenal cast at the Westport Country Playhouse. Getting to play one of my favorite characters on this stage with so many people I love is a dream.”
From an online pandemic reading to stages across North America, the UK and Australia, “A Sherlock Carol” has become a new holiday tradition.
And each December, as Holmes and Scrooge once again find themselves side by side, they return home — to Westport Country Playhouse, where it all began.
(If it’s happening in Westport, you’ll read about it on “06880.” And if you read about it on our hyper-local blog, we hope you’ll click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Posted onDecember 16, 2025|Comments Off on Jelani Cobb Headlines Westport’s MLK Day Celebration
With speakers like Ibram X. Kendi, Dr. Clarence B. Jones and Shonda Rhimes, Westport’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become one of the most inspiring and thought-provoking events of the year.
Next month’s will be another don’t-miss afternoon.
Jelani Cobb — renowned journalist, scholar, and dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism — is the guest of honor at the 20th annual celebration.
It’s set for the Westport Library on Saturday, January 17, 2026 (1 p.m.). Cobb will be in conversation with novelist, playwright, filmmaker — and Westport resident — Trey Ellis.
Jelani Cobb
Cobb is a Peabody Award winner, Pulitzer Prize finalist, MSNow political analyst, and New Yorker staff writer. He has written books on Barack Obama and the hip hop aesthetic, in addition to editing other volumes and producing numerous documentaries.
He was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2023, and is a recipient of fellowships from the Ford Foundation, Fulbright Foundation, and the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
The annual MLK celebration is a partnership between the Library, TEAM Westport, Westport Country Playhouse, Westport Museum for History & Culture, and the Westport/Weston Clergy Association.
“Dr. King reminded us that ‘the day we see truth and cease to speak is the day we begin to die,’ says Harold Bailey, TEAM Westport chair.
“At a moment when the very idea of truth is under unprecedented pressure, there could be no more fitting focus than journalism. And there is no more powerful champion of its purpose and integrity than Jelani Cobb. We are truly fortunate to welcome him as we mark the 20th anniversary of the MLK celebration in Westport.”
“We are thrilled to honor and welcome both Dr. Cobb and Trey Ellis at the Library for this 20th anniversary celebration,” adds Library executive director Bill Harmer.
“Dr. Cobb is a groundbreaking figure in his field. Westport is incredibly fortunate to have him here to help us celebrate the life and memory of Dr. King.”
If you dine in Saugatuck this Saturday, don’t be surprised if carolers come to your table.
You can even book a reservation, to make sure your evening is merry and bright.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s annual Saugatuck Caroling Crawl is set for December 20 (6 to 8 p.m.).
Staples High School’s elite Orphenians will sing a medley of songs, at 14 venues.
They begin at the Boathouse (Saugatuck Rowing Club), before heading to The Bridge, Kawa Ni, The Whelk, Tutti’s and the Black Duck.
Then it’s off to the train station, and Tarantino, Blu Olive and Romanacci. The final destinations are Riko’s Pizza, Zucca Gastrobar, Rizzuto’s, Viva Zapata and Little Pub @Dunville’s.
Joyeux Noël. And bon appétit!
Staples Orphenians: stars of the Saugatuck Caroling Crawl.
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Meanwhile, what will you do after Christmas?
Specifically, how will you get rid of that beautiful (but dried-out) tree — in an environmentally responsible way?
Scout Troops 39 and 139 will do it for you. It’s a win-win-win: convenient and affordable pick-up for residents; free mulch and conservation material for the town — and the only fundraiser of the year for the Scouts.
The event is all day, on January 10. Troops will pick up over 800 trees, in every neighborhood.
The suggested donation of $25 per tree — less than most services — helps fund a full year of Scout meetings, experiences and gear.
At Staples High School, the 1976 graduate was very involved with Players. He then co-founded a theater company in Massachusetts, and produced, directed and acted in an Equity troupe before retiring a year ago.
Mark Shanahan — now the Westport Country Playhouse artistic director — was a good friend of Kopko’s company; he directed, wrote and acted in many productions.
Kopko worked at the Playhouse while growing up. He always dreamed of performing on the legendary stage, but never got the chance.
His daughter is now an actor. She lives in Los Angeles, and over the years has worked with Shanahan.
Kopko was in the audience Sunday — proud of his daughter Alexandra, his friend Mark Shanahan, and the Playhouse where it all began.
Michael and Alexandra Kopko, at her Playhouse dressing room.
But that’s not all.
Kopko’s nostalgic weekend began the night before. He attended a caroling party — an annual tradition for over 40 years — hosted by Staples grads and musicians Brad Peterson (SHS ’75) and his wife Abby Anderson Peterson (’76).
A number of former Players and Orphenians were there — including the Petersons’ children Katie, Sarah and Scott. All are Staples grads too (2000, ’04 and ’12, respectively).
“Old” Orphenians. Brad Peterson is front right; Abby Peterson holds the candle.
Also this past weekend: the first snowfall of the season.
Did you notice how quickly and well the streets were plowed?
Maybe not. But Wendy Kleros and Claudia Coplen — co-chairs of the Westport Commission for Senior Services — did. They write:
“We extend our gratitude and appreciation to the entire Department of Public Works eam for their outstanding work clearing the roads and public parking lots.
“Their diligence and responsiveness make a meaningful difference for our community each and every day, particularly at the Senior Center, where safe and timely access is essential.
“Because of their efforts, older adults, staff, and visitors arrived safely and continued their daily routines without disruption. That kind of reliability brings real peace of mind, and reflects a deep commitment to public service.
“Their behind-the-scenes work often goes unnoticed. But its impact is felt by everyone, especially our senior residents who depend on clear, accessible pathways.
“We thank them for their professionalism, teamwork, and dedication to keeping Westport safe and moving forward, no matter the conditions.”
The next Veterans Benefits Luncheon is Thursday (December 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), VFW Post 399).
It’s open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.
PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!
Also at the VFW (as it is every Thursday): Jazz at the Post.
This week, guitarist Kenny Wessel — for years a key member of Ornette Coleman’s band, and now a Westport favorite and frequent collaborator with saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall — headlines the 2 shows (7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; click here for tickets and more information).
Also sitting in: bassist Boots Maleson and drummer Mike Campenni.
Longtime Westport resident Margery Silk died peacefully on Friday, at home. She turned 101 just 3 days earlier.
A third generation Californian — her great-grandparents founded the railroad and lumber town of Truckee in 1863 — she was valedictorian of her 1941 class at South Pasadena/San Marino High School.
Margery began her studies at Stanford University, then earned an undergraduate degree from UCLA and a master’s in art history from NYU.
She met her future husband — New Zealander and Life magazine photographer George Silk — while skiing at Stowe, Vermont.
Margery traveled the world pursuing her interests in art, architecture, birds and other animals, music and culinary pursuits.
Margery was a member of the Westport Garden Club, Bronx Botanical Gardens, the Bronx Zoo, and local tennis and bridge groups. At Cedar Point Yacht Club she crewed for her husband.
She was also active in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Aspetuck Land Trust (founding member), Friends of Sherwood Island, and Connecticut Audubon Society.
Her family calls Margery “that lady in tennis shoes and tennis skirt who came of age in the 1960s and ’70s, and who championed the ‘good fights’ by writing letters in many directions.” She helped lead the charge to defeat a plan to build a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island, in the 1960s.
Margery is survived by her children Stuart Silk, Georgiana Silk, and Shelley Silk
Wehrly and their spouses; grandchildren: Michael and Alexis Silk; Bryan, Kate
and Alexander Liggett, and Stuart Wehrly, Liza Wehrly Andrews and Christopher Wehrly and their spouses, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Almost exactly 9 years ago — on December 14, 2016 — “06880” published a story by “historic-minded” Wendy Crowther. The subject was the William F. Cribari Bridge.
I called it a “perfect holiday/Westport piece.” It still is.
And — with a Connecticut Department of Transportation “consulting meeting” set for this Thursday (December 18, 6 p.m., Town Hall) — this is a perfect time to re-post her thoughts.
The span over the Saugatuck River is now 141 years old. But little has changed in the near-decade since Wendy first wrote:
A few days ago, my TV remote dropped me into the last half of the 1946 holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I entered the story just as George Bailey ran onto the Bedford Falls Bridge and contemplated suicide. Luckily George’s guardian angel, Clarence, showed up just in time to help George see the value of his life, and its impact on his town and loved ones.
Though I’ve seen the movie a bazillion times, this time I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. George Bailey’s bridge was very similar to our own Saugatuck swing bridge (the William F. Cribari Bridge).
George Bailey on the Bedford Falls bridge (1946).
Due to my involvement over the last year and a half in efforts to not only document the history of our 132-year old span, but also save it from the impending doom of the state Department of Transportation’s scrap heap, I’ve become sensitized to old bridges in general — particularly truss bridges like ours (and George’s).
Seeing the movie from this new perspective, I became intrigued by the film’s use of the bridge as a symbol. Sixty years ago, when “It’s a Wonderful Life” was first released, plenty of small truss bridges still existed. Clearly, it was one of many elements used by the filmmakers to convey the quaint, homey feel of a small, American town — towns like Westport, and thousands of others across the country.
George Bailey’s bridge, set in fictional Bedford Falls, plays a pivotal role in the story. The 2 most transformative moments occur as George stands upon it: the first as he prepares to jump from it, the second when he returns to the bridge and desperately pleads, “I want to live.”
It’s believed that the town of Seneca Falls, New York was director Frank Capra’s inspiration for “It’s a Wonderful Life.” He supposedly visited Seneca Falls during the time the screenplay was being developed. Seneca Falls has a real bridge that looks much like the one depicted in the movie.
It also looks a lot like our Saugatuck swing bridge.
George Bailey on the Bedford Falls bridge (left); the actual Seneca Falls bridge (right). (Photos/Ottawarewind.com)
Though the Seneca Falls bridge and Westport’s are similar in many ways, Seneca’s can’t hold a candle to our own.
Our bridge, built in 1884, is 132 years old — the oldest active bridge of its type in the nation. Seneca’s, built in 1915, is a mere 101. Both are truss bridges, though ours is longer and made of iron; theirs is made of steel. Our bridge swings open for boat traffic; theirs doesn’t. The roads over both bridges are known as Bridge Street — but ours has the additional honor of being designated a State Scenic Road.
Our bridge crosses the Saugatuck River; theirs crosses the Seneca. Both bridges are still in use and open to traffic. Neither is tall enough to allow semi-tractor trailers to cross.
But here’s where Seneca’s bridge has it over ours. It was rehabilitated in 1997. Ours may meet the wrecking ball within the next few years — if the state has its druthers. DOT wants to make room for big rigs.
Original plans for the 1884 Saugatuck River bridge. (Image courtesy of Westport Historical Society)
In the fictional town of Bedford Falls, and in the real-life towns of Seneca Falls and Westport, bridges are iconic symbols that tell a story, provide a sense of place, and teach us about our history. They span rivers and time. They connect what separates us, and they can deter what we prefer to fend off.
In “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the critical moment occurs as George stands for the 2nd time on the Bedford Falls Bridge and begs to have his old life back again. Suddenly, snow begins to fall. He is transported from his alternate reality and returned to the present. His gratitude sends him jubilantly running through the streets of Bedford Falls, shouting greetings to all the buildings and friends he cherishes.
As the film ends, all is well in Bedford Falls. Goodness triumphs over selfishness and greed, bells ring and the angel Clarence gets his wings.
The William Cribari (Saugatuck River) Bridge, Christmas Eve 2015. (Photo/Wendy Crowther)
Having newly seen “It’s a Wonderful Life” from the bridge’s perspective, I realize that it offers Westporters valuable insights and inspiration.
Will we fight hard to keep what many of us cherish — our Saugatuck swing bridge? What powerful forces will try to overcome valiant efforts to keep it just the way it is? What changes to the bridge could transform (or devastate) portions of our community forever? If we lose it, will we wish we had better understood the wisdom of its ways?
The film ends with 4 important words. The entire cast sings “Auld Lang Syne.” Loosely translated from Scottish, the phrase means “for the sake of old times.” Let’s remember those words.
(Wendy is a founding member of the Westport Preservation Alliance. For more information about the history of the Saugatuck Swing Bridge and the efforts to save it, click here.)
(“06880” was founded in 2009. We’re not as old as the Cribari Bridge, but we humbly think we play a nice role in this town too. If you enjoy our work, please click here to help. Thank you!)
Mike Hayes spent 20 years as a Navy SEAL. He served in South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia — including the conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He received 2 Bronze Stars.
Mike was also a White House fellow, in the Bush and Obama administrations.
After 2 decades of military service, Mike worked for Bridgewater Associates here in Westport, as chief of staff to the CEO and COO. He is currently managing director of Insight Partners, a global software investment firm.
Mike is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a founding board member of the National Medal of Honor Museum. He is fluent in German and Spanish — and is the author of 2 books about leadership. All profits go to the 1162 Foundation, a non-profit he started that pays off mortgages for Gold Star widows and children.
There is much more — and you’ll hear all about it in the podcast below. The time I spent last week with Mike at the Westport Library was educational, inspirational, and impactful.
I don’t guarantee many things. But I am certain you will also be inspired and motivated by his insights, passion and positivity.
Tom Lowrie stepped down this year as Westport’s pickleball ambassador.
He earned his retirement. He’s 97 years old.
But as the new year ends, he looks back on the history of the sport here. Among the key dates:
2014: Kevin Cunningham and friends played pickleball in the Longshore tennis courts’ practice area.
2016: With Dan De Vito’s help, the Parks & Recreation Department constructed 2 courts at Compo Beach. 1st Selectman Jim Marpe cut the ribbon.
2019-2024: Parks & Rec lined 4 tennis courts at the Town Farm and Doubleday, creating 8 dual-use pickleball court; Parks & Rec offered a winter program in the Bedford Middle School gym, but the Board of Education refused to paint new lines and the program failed; the Y’s Men created a popular pickleball activity; painting lines on private driveways became popular.
2025: Under new director Erik Barbieri, Parks & Rec reconditioned the Compo Beach courts; Andrew Colabella organized a rededication ceremony, after the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) named them the Lowrie Courts.
Moving forward, Lowrie offers this wish list for 2026:
Enclosed pickleball courts and pavilion at Longshore’s parking Lot F, next to the ER Strait Marina.
If the wooden skate park at Compo is removed, it would free up 12,000 square feet. This area could accommodate more pickleball courts, a concrete skate park, a mini-golf course, exercise equipment, or whatever else the town decides.
“Friends of Westport Parks and Recreation” was conceived in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to “enhance, preserve, protect and promote Westport’s Parks & Rec facilities and programs.” Let them know your thoughts on pickleball.
Lowrie adds, “Brandon Osterhout is the new USA Pickleball ambassador for Westport.
“I know you will give him your support and creativity in promoting pickleball for Westport. His email is brandon.osterhout@gmail.com. He would love to hear from you all.”
Tom Lowrie posed for the Westport Library’s “I geek…” campaign with appropriate gear. (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
Last night — barely 24 hours after a mass shooting at an Australian Hanukkah celebration — Westporters gathered for the first night of the Festival of Lights.
Rabbi Yehuda Kantor told the crowd: “We must not be pulled down — only up. Light your candles to bring warmth to your home, and light to the world.”
Rabbi Yehuda Kantor, with Chabad’s ice menorah. (Hat tip and photo/Matthew Mandell)
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If you hoped for a resolution of the “Blue House” — aka 233 Hillspoint Road — saga by the end of the year: You’ll have to wait (quite a bit) longer.
This is one wish not even Santa can grant.
Any closing or progress on the completion of the years-long eyesore diagonally opposite Old Mill Deli has been postponed again.
The reason: new litigation.
Unknown to either the seller or buyer at the October auction, the underlying borrower filed 4 liens less than 24 hours before the auction.
Two were against Summit Westport LLC, who owned the property. Two were mechanic’s liens against the property.
The lender — GLP 2206 LLC — initiated foreclosure action on December 2, to clear title. Any Stamford-Norwalk court action will happen in 2026.
The primary defendants are Summit Westport, LLC and James Pendry personally.
233 Hillspoint Road, in July. Not much has changed since then — except the weather.
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation hosts a “consulting meeting” on how its plan for the William F. Cribari Bridge will affect the landmark properties of the National Historic Bridge Street District.
The session is this Thursday (December 18, 6 p.m., Town Hall).
The Cribari Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places. (Photo/Ferdinand Jahnel)
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Westporters were out in droves yesterday, photographing the very New England holiday season-ish snow.
“06880” posted more than a dozen great photos. This one from downtown came in later — and it’s a bit more whimsical than all those shots of back yards, fences and (of course) the Minute Man:
Friday’s first-ever Holiday Craft & Gift Sale at the Westport Senior Center was a hit!. A large crowd enjoyed — and bought — items from local artisans.
Senior Center director Wendy Petty, and her staff and volunteers, organized every detail. It was one more special offering, from a center that continually delivers them, to seniors — and many others too. (Hat tip: Linda Doyle)
The Senior Center welcomes the holidays. (Photo/Ed Simek)
A gentle reminder: As you plan year-end giving, please keep “06880” in mind.
We’re a non-profit dedicating to educating the public and creating community, so all contributions are tax-deductible. Corporate matching grants are welcome too!
You can donate online, or by Venmo, Zelle or old-school check. Click here for details. And thank you!
And finally … on this date in 1893, Antonín Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 9” — the “New World Symphony” — premiered at Carnegie Hall.
(From the blue house to the Cribari Bridge — and everywhere in between — “06880” brings you all the Westport news. And we do it 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Posted onDecember 15, 2025|Comments Off on MoCA’s New Director: A Familiar Name
The Museum of Contemporary Art\Connecticut (MoCA\CT) searched far and wide for a new executive director.
They found her right in their back yard.
Dr. Robin Jaffee Frank — a “cultural visionary,” with decades of museum, academic and public engagement experience, and a longtime Westport resident — takes over on January 1.
MoCA\CT says, “Dr. Frank’s appointment ushers in a new chapter of strategic focus, creative momentum and bold artistic ambition. She will guide the museum into its next phase with a focus on curatorial excellence, operational strength, greater visibility, and deeper community engagement.
MoCA board of directors president Jodi Felton calls Frank “an innovative leader whose strategic expertise will position the museum for long-term success. Her arrival marks the start of a dynamic new era for the institution and the communities we serve.”
Dr. Robin Jaffee Frank
Dr. Frank is no stranger to the Newtown Turnpike institution. She served on its Visual Arts Advisory Committee.
She previously served as chief curator and curator of American art at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, and as a curator at the Yale University Art Gallery. She led exhibitions, managed large curatorial teams, and collaborated with educators, designers, conservators and librarians.
Her award-winning book “Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861–2008” led to an exhibition that traveled nationally, increased attendance and membership at the Wadsworth Atheneum, and garnered strong grant support, including special designations from the National Endowment for the Humanities for its commitment to inclusion, diversity and public engagement.
Dr. Frank has also taught at the Cooper Union, curated exhibitions and guided programs for the New York Historical Society and Silvermine Arts Center, organized exhibitions at museums throughout the US, lectured extensively, and published widely on American visual culture and its intersections with contemporary issues.
MoCA\CT’s striking building, on Newtown Turnpike.
“MoCA\CT is at a pivotal transitional moment, and I am honored to help shape its future,” says Dr. Frank.
“The Museum has extraordinary potential — to spark dialogue, expand access to the arts, and bring people together. I look forward to collaborating with the board, advisory committees, my new colleagues, and especially the community to build a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable future for this remarkable institution.”
Acting executive director Pamela Hovland will continue to serve on the board, chair the Visual Arts Advisory Committee, and direct the museum’s visual brand identity.
Tom Kretsch is a longtime Westport, a retired teacher — and a noted photographer. He writes:
The warmth of the holiday spirit was alive and well in Branson Hall at Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church last Wednesday evening.
Festive decorated tables, a tasty dinner, a large assortment of home-baked desserts, holiday music drifting through the air, and of course the arrival of Santa Claus for young ones.
The occasion was Homes with Hope‘s annual holiday party for the many people blessed to have the help and services of this fabulous organization.
In addition to Gillespie Shelter for men and Hoskins Place for women, they offer affordable housing for those in need, meals, a food pantry, counseling, tutoring and so much more.
It was a joy to be there as a guest and a member of the Artists Collective of Westport, which had organized a special “Art from the Heart” project. Through donations by members, every family at the party could choose a piece through a free raffle.
As dinner wound down, it was time for folks to choose their favorites. Everyone had time to view the art beforehand.
Admiring art, before the raffle.
Watching all this evolve was heartwarming. A mother and daughter chose a piece of gorgeous mystical flowers.
A man dressed in holiday clothing chose a stunning portrait of a horse. He held it, then raised it over his head as if he had just won the Super Bowl, singing out in glee.
I walked up to a woman who had chosen one of my photographs, a huge Ferris wheel taken in Wildwood, New Jersey. I introduced myself and told her a little about the image. She was so pleased, and asked to have a picture taken of us.
Tom Kretsch’s Ferris wheel photo.
Ken Runkel, an artist who donated a piece, also spoke with the people who had chosen his. He too was touched by the warmth and gratitude of the recipients.
And so, it went on until the last piece was taken.
As many were gathered by the piano singing holiday songs, I chatted with Helen McAlinden, president and CEO of Homes with Hope. With her sweet Irish accent and always positive spirit, she is a dynamic and charismatic leader.
As we talked, she told me in a whisper that one of the people who had gotten a photograph said to her, “I wish I had a wall to put it on.”
I almost couldn’t comprehend what I had just heard. Is this possible? Here in Westport, someone does not have a wall of their own to put a picture up. He has no personal space.
That touched the core of my being.
Art can do so much for a person — whether making it or looking at it. It can help comfort, soothe, inspire, create, think, imagine, hope, change, care, heal and smile.
The Artists Collective of Westport made a nice step toward bringing art into people’s lives who might not have the means to purchase it through its holiday “Art from the Heart” project.
The next morning Helen took me on a tour of the Gillespie Center. She showed me the fantastic food pantry, and all the facilities of the recently renovated center. I had not been there in a while.
As we walked through the men’s shelter, I passed several of the beds. Lying on them were the pieces of art they received the night before.
I am sure the wish for a “wall of their own” was also in their thoughts.
Phil Ochs wrote a song some years ago, called “There but for Fortune.” It speaks to the fragility of life:
I’ll show you a young man with so many reasons why
And there but for fortune go you or I, you and I.
As we look at our walls, may we all remember our own good fortune.
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