Janine Scotti has lived in Westport since 1998. The former owner of S.C.R.U.B.S Cleaning, and Da Pietro’s Restaurant and Zest Café and Restaurant with her husband, chef Pietro Scotti, she is now a special education paraprofessional in Darien. Her children, Tomaso and Lucia, are Staples High School graduates, and University of Connecticut Huskies.
On Thursday night Janine was very moved by “Tuesdays with Morrie,” the Westport Country Playhouse production kicking off the 2025-26 season. She writes:
Janine Scotti
My heart broke open, deeply touched and moved by this play. Deeply touched and moved by the 2 men on the naked stage. I don’t think I can use the word actors, because to me it was just Mitch and Morrie — a student and a professor.
As the final moment arrived and Mitch played the piano, I thought about my own piano — the one I just played again after many, many months.
On top of my piano in the entrance of my home are photos of people who have been very special and dear to me. They are people from my community here in Westport, who have died this past year or so.
Also on the piano are my mother’s and aunt’s ashes, and a photo of the gravestone my mother had made in the last years of her life for a grave where her 5-day old baby Paul, my brother, was laid to rest years before I was born.
Janine Scotti’s piano.
Those people have taught me many things, but a common thread ties them all together.
They were selfless when it came to giving to their community.These photos stay in the center of my home, because their faces bring me joy and inspire me daily. I will share who they are with you.
Bill Vornkahl: my dear friend from my church. Bill could tease me at the drop of a hat, but we shared a passion: parades and marching bands. Bill shared his talents with us all. For decades he organized our Memorial Day parade — a year-long task he loved.
Bill Vornkahl (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Betty Lou Cummings: the first person I volunteered with in Westport. She filled my heart with joy every time I had the pleasure to be by her side. Her list of service to Westport is endless. I am grateful to see her smiling face every day as I pass my piano.
Betty Lou Cummings (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)
Carolyn Kramer: my quiet friend, my mentor on the altar guild at my church. I watched her ramp up her service to others every year of her life. Her presence in my life, watching her serve with kindness and gentleness, lives in my heart.
Carolyn Kramer
Tim Lewis: From the first moment I met him at Kings Highway School, I saw his generosity towards others. When he died I went back to look at texts from him. He showed me how to see other people. He let me use his back yard to throw a surprise party for a 9-year-old missing her mom; he asked me to lead a commission, which blew me away, and he texted me when we closed Da Pietro’s, with kind words of acknowledgement and wishing us good luck in the future. He showed me how to see others in my community.
Tim Lewis
The piano top is flanked by my parents and grandparents, who also dedicated their lives to their communities.
What are we without community? I feel blessed to be here in Westport, meeting people like you.
Mitch was lucky to meet Morrie. I was blessed that this play came to the Playhouse. It made me think about all of you: my community.
The 2 final performances of “Tuesdays with Morrie” are today (Saturday) at 3 and 8 p.m. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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