Louisa Schneider founded Rowan* as a different kind of ear piercing company.
Every piercing is done by a licensed nurse. All products are hypoallergenic. The company believes each piercing should be a fun milestone to celebrate.
You can find Rowan at a couple of hundred Targets around the country. But there was only one stand-alone studio, on New York’s Upper East Side. A few more are planned, in cities like Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles.
The second one is here on Main Street, next to La Fenice Gelateria.
Rowan, on Main Street.
Since opening in August, Rowan has become a hit with the Westporters of all ages. Craig Melvin and his wife Lindsay Czarniak both got pierced there (he described his experience on the “Today” show).
Babies have been pierced there (it’s okay once they’ve received their first set of shots). A woman celebrated her 90th birthday with a double piercing.
“People love the experience,” says manager Brenda Melli, citing the welcoming white floors and bright walls. “If it’s a girl’s birthday, we give her a tiara.”
They’ve hosted kids’ parties, and Girls Nights Out with wine and cheese (these are older “girls,” I guess).
Last week, Rowan was certified to perform helix (cartilage) piercing. That procedure must be done by a licensed cosmetologist.
Rowan’s bright interior.
MeanwhileMelli looks forward to getting involved with organizations like the Westport Downtown Association. Rowan is sponsoring next month’s Minute Man Race.
On April 3, 9 and 10, they’ll welcome Girl Scouts to sell cookies in front of the store.
So you can say Rowan really offers ear piercing and “s’more.”
*The name comes from the Rowan tree, which stands for protection, wisdom and guidance. Its vibrant red berries were long thought to be a magical guidepost for adventurers. Some cultures also believed Rowan trees were a portal into other worlds. Rowan is also the name of the place in North Carolina where Schneider’s family (most of them nurses and doctors) grew up. The name captures the mission to empower and build self-confidence through safe experiences, self-expression and community.
There’s a slight time change for today’s Support Ukraine rally on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge in downtown Westport.
The event — created quickly this week, in response to President Zelensky’s call for a global peace rally — begins at 11:30 a.m. this morning (Saturday). The event runs through 1 p.m.
The long-rumored subdivision of one of Westport’s last remaining large residential open spaces is moving forward.
The first agenda item on the Planning & Zoning Commission’s April 4 meeting (7 p.m., Zoom) is an application for 6 building lots at 109 Morningside Drive South. That’s the property owned by the Kowalsky Family, off Clapboard Hill Road.
In the early days of the pandemic — when everyone hungered for human interaction, and Zoom was a novelty — Stan Witkow organized a virtual Bingo game.
Each week, players from Westport — and around the globe — competed. The winner donated his or her winnings to any charity of his or her choice.
In 2 years, players raised more than $20,000 for COVID-related non-profits.
The game continues. Now though, the weekly pool will support Ukrainian relief efforts. Witkow and friends created a list of reliable organizations from which winners can choose. So far, nearly $1,000 has gone to help Ukraine.
Wakeman Town Farm welcomes Easter with its 5th annual “EGGstravaganza.”
On Saturday April 9 (10 to 11;30 a.m.), families can bring egg baskets to WTF. Two hunts (ages 4 and under, and 5 and up) kick off the morning, followed by egg-themed games, story time readings, photos with Big Bunn and visits to the farm’s real animals.
New this year: Families can “adopt” a chicken, and meet and name it there.
Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for tickets, and more information.
With in-person performances back at the Westport Country Playhouse, there’s a great need for … ushers.
They perform important tasks: greeting patrons, scanning tickets, distributing programs, answering questions and more.
Ushers must be at least 18, unless accompanied by a guardian who will usher with them. Ushers are paired to work together as a team. Dress code is white shirts and black skirts/pants.
Last fall, the Westport Woman’s Club put out a call to non-profits needing assistance.
Dozens responded.
A few days ago, 29 organizations got their wish. The WWC handed out $39,000 in grants, to:
Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders; Bridgeport Rescue Mission; Burroughs Community Center; Caroline House; Center for Family Justice; Child Advocates of Southwestern Connecticut; Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer; Circle of Friends; CLASP Homes; Domestic Violence Crisis Center; ElderHouse; Family & Children’s Agency; Food Rescue US; Help for Kids; Homes with Hope; Human Services Council/Children’s Connection; Malta House; Person-to-Person; Positive Directions; REACH Youth Program at Bridgeport Hospital; Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut; St. Catherine Center for Special Needs; Sweet P Bakery; The Rowan Center; VFW; Westport Department of Human Services Family and Elderly Programs; Westport Community Theatre; Women’s Mentoring Network.
The Westport Woman’s Club has been helping others since 1907. Here’s to the next 115 years!
Today’s colorful “Westport … Naturally” photo comes courtesy of Jeanine Esposito. She writes:
“A cardinal couple (who mate for life) joined lots of other newcomers in searching for a place to make a nest for their family in Westport. This is from our Beechwood window, on Weston Road.”
On we go — we’re one week away from our 2nd anniversary!
As always, we appreciate everyone’s submissions. This gallery is open to all readers. Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old. In every medium. On every topic.
All genres are encouraged. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage and needlepoint — whatever you’ve got, email it to dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world!
“Sending Love to Ukraine” (Amy Schneider)
Untitled (Martin Ripchick)
“Happy Feet” (Karen Weingarten)
“Whatever Happened to Those 10 Commandments?” (Steve Stein)
“Somewhere in Space” (Ken Runkel)
Untitled — graphic for a painting in progress (Norm Siegel)
Untitled (Suzanne Goldstein)
“On the Sound at Compo” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Sunflower Collection: The Flower of Ukraine on Canvas” (June Rose Whittaker)
Less than 2 weeks ago, “06880” reported on the drive to save “Elvira’s” — the Old Mill deli/market that camethisclose to being sold to a developer.
Since then, the team working feverishly to preserve the community institution has made great progress.
The end is in sight. But they still need help.
Last week, the group needed an additional $325,000 to acquire the property. They quickly raised $125,000.
Three days ago at a fundraiser, several donors offered $100,000 — as a matching grant. If others contribute that amount, the $325,000 goal will be reached.
But the deadline is soon: March 31. As in, this coming Thursday.
Committee members (from left) Ian Warburg, Jim Hood and Emily Ashken Zobl, outside the property they hope the community will help buy.
The group is creating a non-profit foundation. It will administer the Old Mill Grocery and Deli — and, as part of its mission, offer training and employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
One of the leaders behind the challenge grant is Bill Loftus, and his Coastal Bridge Advisors investment firm.
He says, “We are proud to be the first corporate donor in the effort to save Elvira Mae’s. It’s such an important part of Westport’s history and beach culture. We simply must save this neighborhood gem. I hope other Westport businesses will join us.”
Bill Loftus (4th from left) hosted a fundraiser at his Coastal Bridge Advisors office on Wilton Road — and then pledged funding to help save the Old Mill Grocery.
Committee member Emily Ashken Zobl says, “We are so grateful to Billy and his team for promoting this challenge grant. I grew up with Elvira’s, and have so many wonderful memories. I want my kids and their kids to be able to do the same.”
Member Ian Warburg notes, “This is such an innovative way to help us reach our goal. It means every $250 someone from the community donates becomes $500.”
Everyone donating $250 or more will be included in a digital history, on permanent display inside the market.
Chris Tait adds, “People always wonder what happened to great places once they’re gone and it’s too late. That’s why we’re shouting from the rooftops Once people hear about the opportunity to save something special, they’re in.”
Whether called Old Mill Grocery, Kenny’s, Elvira’s or Joey’s by the Shore, the Hillspoint Road market/deli has served the neighborhood — and town — since the 1920s.
Jim Hood says, “We are incredibly grateful for the community’s generous support. Now we’re asking for one last push to make sure our effort succeeds.”
Hood and other team members will be at the market today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to meet potential donors and answer questions.
They’ll have coffee and donuts — but they’ll have to buy them elsewhere, and bring them in.
For the great stuff, we have to wait for Old Mill Grocery & Deli to open.
Fingers crossed.
(For the Old Mill Grocery website, click here. To donate online, click here or use the QR code below. To request a wire transfer form or donate by check, click here. Questions about donating? Email savelvirasmarket@gmail.com.)
QR code for donations to save the Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
Does someone really love this year? Or do they just want other people to know they were here, before — soon — their message gets washed away. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
The other night, our Pic of the Day showed the Staples High School foyer. A large tile representation of the school seal greets everyone who walks through the front door. It’s pretty cool (and special).
(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
It’s an intricate seal. Where does something like this come from? (The design, not the tiles.)
Scott Brodie — a 1970 graduate, now an ophthalmologist practicing in Manhattan — knows. He writes:
“As I remember it, the seal was created by Dieges & Clust, the jewelry firm that manufactured Staples class rings back in the 1960s. The rings featured a standing Minute Man on one side, reminiscent of the kneeling statue that had long been a Westport icon.
“This seal was on the other side.
“At one point, I think during the 1969-70 school year, Dieges & Clust provided principal Jim Calkins with a framed copy of the seal, and an explanation of the iconography.
“The grapevine (upper left) is taken from the Connecticut state seal and flag; the bridge over water (upper right) recalls the Saugatuck River. Together, these features localize the school in Westport.
“The chipped stone arrowhead (lower left) recalls the original Native American inhabitants of the region; the cannon and pile of cannonballs recall the town’s Revolutionary War heritage (as do the cannons at Compo Beach, which recall the the British landing preparatory to a march and raid that destroyed a Continental ammunition store in Danbury).
“The stylized letter ‘S’ in the center signifies the name of the school. The burning torch bears the flame of knowledge. The year 1885 was thought to represent the founding of the school.
“The motto ‘Respect for Life’ was conjured out of thin air by the jeweler’s designers. (At the time, with the Vietnam war raging, it conveyed a hint of anti-war sentiment.)
The 1969 Vietnam Moratorium protest on the Post Road downtown — during Scott Brodie’s senior year — included hundreds of Staples High School students. Photo/Adrian Hlynka)
“The design was never discussed or debated at the time, but was quickly adopted by the school and has been in use ever since.”
I have no idea how Scott knows the Dieges & Clust back story. But I do know this: The 1885 date is wrong.
Staples High School was founded in 1884. The cornerstone for the original building on Riverside Avenue was laid in April that year; classes began that fall in nearby National Hall, until the school was ready.
The first graduating class was 1886. It consisted of 6 girls. (The boys were off working on farms or in factories.)
So “1885” means nothing. Who will tell Diegs & Clust?
More importantly: Whatever happened to school rings? I haven’t seen one since 1885 1970.
A rally in support of the Ukrainian people, and against Russian aggression, is set for tomorrow (Saturday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown.
A rally earlier this month drew hundreds of attendees. This will be smaller, but no doubt just as heartfelt.
Georgians have suffered under Russian rule. Earlier this month, these natives of that nation showed solidarity with Ukrainians on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Susan Woog Wagner)
Speaking of Ukraine: The world owes Lynsey Addario a huge debt of thanks.
The Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Fellow-winning New York Times photojournalist — and, not for nothing, a 1991 Staples High School graduate — has taken some of the most riveting photos in the month since Russia invaded Ukraine. Her images have opened billions of eyes to the horrors of this war.
Yesterday, Lynsey returned home — to her home in London, anyway. Her family there — and her parents, Westporters Phillip and Camille, and her 3 sisters spread across the US — are grateful for her safe return.
Lauren, Lynsey, Lisa and Lesley Addario — the 4 sisters.
So far, we’ve heard — from various Jersey Mike’s communications — that they are “closed permanently” (front door) and “temporarily closed for renovation” (social media).
“06880” reader Jason Stiber used the company’s “Support” function to ask if they were closing the Westport location.
The response, from “Kristin” of the Customer Relations Team at Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. in Manasquan (New Jersey, of course) was: “The store is relocating. That is all the information we have at this time. Please feel free to check back for updated information.”
So that’s a third option. Almost as difficult as deciding what to order there …
“06880” reader James Grogan asks: “What are the best places — coffee shops, areas of the Library, etc. — in Westport (and surrounding areas) with Wi-Fi to get work done? I have a fully remote job, and want to change my routine.”
I’m sure he’s not the only one. If you’ve got a favorite spot — and don’t mind sharing it — click “Comments” below.
When the power went out during Tropical Storm Isais in 2020, Westporters took advantage of the library’s WiFi al fresco — masked and socially distanced, of course. (Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
That’s the name of the peer-to-peer social support group for LGBTQ youth (and their allies), ages 12 to 19. It’s part of Kids in Crisis, the Greenwich-based social service organization.
Meetings take place every Monday from 5 to 7 p.m., at Toquet Hall. Two adults are always present, And there is food!
Questions? Email program coordinator Joe Belisle: lighthouse@kidsincrisis.org.
The Westport Police Department earned national recognition for its work in helping donate more than 200 previously used ballistic vests and helmets to Ukrainian fighters.
They — along with departments in Brookfield, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull and Wilton, plus Western Connecticut State University — joined the effort.
Police1 — a national website — highlighted the donations as its Photo of the Week:
Donated vests and helmets: Police1’s Photo of the Week.
Connectalent — the Westport-based recruiting company that places female talent and increases diversity within companies, –has just received B-Corp certification from B Lab.
Connectalent qualifies as a full-service recruiting agency that aims to solve a social issue through its work serving an underserved population of candidates — a group that faces chronic discrimination in a particular market, which includes job discrimination based on gender.
Years ago Jeff Manchester met Mehmet Sezgin, a potential banking partner, in Istanbul.
They discovered a connection: Jeff graduated from Staples High School in 1985, Five years earlier, Mehmet was a Turkish exchange student there.
Jeff Manchester
Jeff moved back to Westport several years ago. Mehmet is now in Miami. But they’re collaborating on a project with global implications. It’s a way for American credit card users to raise money to help Ukraine, through purchases at 20,000 retailers and restaurants — including several here in town. It aids Ukrainian merchants too.
Jeff has over 25 years experience in the “payments space,” as an executive vice president and the leader of card programs at GE Money. He’s now in charge of business development at myGini. The company that helps banks and financial institutions provide loyalty programs and personalized promotions to customers.
When a consumer downloads the Worthy app on their phone, and enrolls their Mastercard or Visa credit or debit cards, whenever they dine or shop at a participating merchant, they get cash back — and cash will be sent to UNICEF for Ukrainian children too.
For example, one Westport merchant — Iganzio’s — offers 4% cash back: 2% to the purchaser, 2% to the charity.
Ignazio’s Pizza helps customers earn cash back — and help Ukrainian children.
Other Westport participants include
Capuli
Finalmente
Julian’s
Mexica
Pane e Bene
Romanacci
Rye Ridge Deli
Shake Shack
Via Sforza
Village Bagels
Vineyard Vines
In addition, for any Ukrainian-owned small business in the US that joins myGini’s network to offer cash back to American cardholders, myGini will waive set-up and marketing fees. myGini will also match that merchant’s total amount given as cash back to consumers, and donate it to UNICEF USA.
It’s a win-win-win: for consumers, merchants, and (especially) Ukrainian children.
Thanks to Jeff Manchester and fellow Staples alum Mehmet Sezgin, myGini is pure genius.
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