Tag Archives: Brian Whelan

Roundup: Arline Gertzoff, Teen Pressures, Shanah Tova …

Longtime jUNe Day hospitality chair, poll worker, RTM member, proud Staples High School graduate and avid “06880” reader and commenter Arline Gertzoff is in the hospital.

Let’s show her some blog love, and flood her with cards. Her address is: Arline Gertzoff, c/o St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Room 915, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606.

Arline Gertzoff

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Westport kids are under a ton of pressure. Everyone knows that.

On October 19th (7 p.m., Westport Library; reception at 6:30), parents can learn about causes, recognize signs of struggle, discover anxiety-reducing strategies, and hear about family resources.

The Library is partnering with Positive Directions and the Westport Weston Family YMCA, to present “The Cost of Success: What Pressure is Doing to Our Kids.”

PD’s executive director Vanessa Wilson moderates. Panelists include Staples High School Teen Awareness Group students, plus Val Babich, coordinator of psychological services for Westport Public Schools; Frank Castorina, clinical supervisor at PD, and pediatric hospitalist Alicia Briggs.

Psressures — academic, social and other — are high on teenagers today. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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The High Holy Days are here.

Jolantha — Weston’s favorite sculpture — wishes her many Jewish friends a Happy New Year.

Sure, she’s a pig. She’s no doubt pleased she’s not on the Rosh Hashana menu.

(Photo/Hans Wilhelm)

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Speaking of animals:

Bob Weingarten offers thanks to Greens Farms drivers. He writes:

“Last week, while adjusting my puppy’s collar at our front door, Misty ‘escaped’ and ran into the street. I ran after her and yelled for her to stop, but she continued running for 20 minutes. She thought that this was a game!

As I ran after her, drivers stopped their cars and waited so she would not get hit.  They were all very considerate. Two other dog walkers tried to capture her but she ran from them when she saw me approaching.  She finally had enough. When she lay down I put her collar on, and took her home.

“This was not the only time drivers were considerate to me and others while walking our dogs. When they see us, they drive on the other side of the road to provide space and safety. Even construction truck drivers do the same. So Misty and I say ‘thanks to all you  driver!'”

Misty, secured at the door (Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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The Levitt Pavilion summer season continues into fall.

The outdoor venue added another ticketed event. DAS Trio, featuring Rob Derhak, Vinnie Amico and Al Schnier of moe, appear on Saturday, October 8 (7 p.m.).

Tickets are $15 for members (on sale now), $18 for non-members (beginning tomorrow, Monday, at noon). They’re available at the box office the day of the show too, beginning at 5 p.m.

The terrace bar will be open that night, sponsored by Rizzuto’s. There will be food trucks too. For tickets and more information, click here.

DAS Trio

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Tickets are on sale for the Staples Lacrosse Association’s great raffle. It’s part of their golf outing, set for October 3 at Longshore.

Prizes include tickets on Avelo Airlines; golf club component fitting from Golftec; one night’s stay at the Inn at Longshore; a personal training session with Drew Accomando, plus much more. There are tons of gift cards too.

Click here for the full list of items, and to purchase tickets. Then scroll down for information on the golf outing.

Staples High School: boys lacrosse state champs — and #1 in the nation!

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Westport artist and frequent “06880” online gallery contributor Brian Whelan has been commissioned by the Episcopal Church of Wyoming to produce 13 paintings about the life of Rev. Dr. John Roberts. The Welsh Anglican missionary-priest ministered among Native Americans on the Wind River Reservation.

The series will premiere at the John Roberts Festival in Ft. Washakie, Wyoming next summer. They then embark on an international exhibition tour, at museums throughout Wyoming, then at Episcopal cathedrals in the US, and finally to Wales in partnership with the Anglican Church. The paintings will then be on permanent display in Wyoming.

Beyond commemorating the life and ministry of Rev. Roberts, the exhibition will draw attention to the importance of learning from the spirituality, culture and worldview of Native Americans.

Brian Whelan begins work, on the first of 13 paintings.

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Fred Cantor provides today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.

He writes: “I have no clue what the red plants at Old Mill Beach are. But they are beautiful!”

(Photo/fred Cantor)

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And finally … in honor of Misty, the dog that almost got away (story above):

(“06880” relies entirely on reader support. Please click here to help.)

 

 

Online Art Gallery — Week 105

We begin our 3rd year of this feature with what may be a first: needlepoint. That’s more proof — not that any was needed — of the versatility and range of our hundreds of contributors.

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 (yes) needlepoint — whatever you’ve got, email it to dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world!

“Rejuvenation” (Brian Whelan)

“Let’s Kiss and Make Up” — needlepoint (Diane Yormark)

“Genders as Seen in the Bible” (Steve Stein)

Untitled (Jo Ann Miller)

“Once More, With Feeling” (Lawrence Weisman)

“New Jersey From the 103rd Floor” (Penny Pearlman)

 

0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 99 Gallery

The real world is not far from the minds of this week’s online gallery artists.

Brian Whelan paints for peace, Kathryn O’Reardon offers a thought-provoking acrylic work, and Eric Bosch provides a timely title to a photo taken in Westport. In a non-political vein, Amy Schneider takes note of several solar eruptions, 93 million miles away.

Whatever your muse, we appreciate your 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!

“May Peace Prevail in Ukraine” (Brian Whelan)

“The Missing Peace?” — acrylic on canvas (Kathryn O’Reardon)

“Solar Eruptions,” Artist Amy Schneider notes, “NASA reported several solar eruptions this month.”

Untitled. Rowene Weeks took this photo behind the Westport Library.

“Stuck in the Wall” (Karen Weingarten)

“Multi-tasking” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Putin: War is Wrong” (Eric Bosch)

0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 98 Gallery

Spring must be near. Plenty of birds and flowers in this week’s submissions. Let’s hope our artists are on to something.

As always, we appreciate your submissions. This gallery is open to all readers. Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old. In every medium.

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!

“A Rose” (Steve Stein)

“Snowdrift” (Amy Schneider)

Photo and haiku by Westport poet laureate Diane Lowman

“All Hung Up” (Karen Weingarten)

Untitled (Jason Osterhout)

“Savanna Bay, Virgin Gorda” oil on aluminum (Werner Liepolt)

Untitled (Mike Hibbard)

“Snowy Egret” pastel (Roseann Spengler)

“Valentine’s Day” (Brian Whelan)

“Birdhouse” (Eric Bosch)

0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 95 Gallery

This week, nearly half of our featured artists are new to our online gallery.

Here’s a warm “06880” welcome to Staples High School graduate Dennis Jackson; Jason Osterhout, a 1991 Staples grad now living in Burlington, Vermont, whose works were recently shown at Steam by the train station; Loren Rubino, a teacher at One River and an art therapist at Sasco River Center; and Carl Schumann.

This gallery is open to all readers. Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old. In every medium.

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!

“Beaver Dam Road” — acrylic (Carl Schumann)

“What Now” (Mark Yurkiw)

“Caribbean Dreamin'” (Amy Schneider)

“Nature’s Artistic Design” (Larry Untermeyer)

Untitled (Loren Rubino)

“It’s All in the Mind: The Psychiatrist” (Brian Whelan)

“My Wife Maureen, Through a Glass Lightly” (Dennis Jackson)

“Philadelphia Rowhouse Where I Grew Up” (Lawrence Weisman)

Untitled (Jason Osterhout)

0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 90 Gallery

Welcome to our first-ever Christmas Day online art gallery.

Many submissions reflect a holiday theme.

The subjects are always up to you. And by “you,” I mean anyone who creates art. Of any kind, in any style.

Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old — this gallery is open to you. In every medium.

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.

Today, from this gallery to your screen: Merry Christmas!

PS: If you’re looking for a subject for our next edition: It’s New Year’s Day.

“Away in the Manger” (Brian Whelan)

“Star of the Nutcracker” — acrylic on canvas. Weston artist Cindy Wagner says, “happy dancing and happy holiday to all,”

“Happy Holidays” — handmade greeting card (Amy Schneider)

“Holiday Splash” Photographer Larry Untermeyer says, “When blended together, the many colors take on an artistic montage of Christmas lights and spirit.”

“Peruvian Lilies” (Fred Cantor)

0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 87 Gallery

We’re back — this time with a very cool needlepoint.

That’s the whole idea of our Saturday art gallery. Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old — this feature is open to everyone. In every medium.

All genres and styles are encouraged. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage (and now needlepoint) — whatever you’ve got, email it to dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world.

“Happy Chanukkah” (Amy Schneider)

“Window Sill” (Karen Weingarten)

“Passing Seasons” needlepoint (Diane Yormark)

“Holy City Silver Night” (Brian Whelan)

“On the Ball” (Lawrence Weisman)

“A Clear Cold Day” (Larry Untermeyer)

0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 83 Gallery

Who can resist autumn leaves?

Not our online art gallery artists. This week’s submissions were full of fall foliage. There is, as always, a wide variety of interpretations and styles.

And (of course) one Halloween-themed piece.

To each his or her own — that’s art!

Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old — this feature is open to everyone.

All genres and styles are encouraged. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage (and now needlepoint) — whatever you’ve got, email it to dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world!

Untitled (Larry Untermeyer)

“Autumn Leaf Print” (Amy Schneider)

“End of Summer” (Karen Weingarten)

“Community Garden” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Little Irish Dancer (of Death)” (Brian Whelan)

0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 82 Gallery

Happy Halloween!

That’s one ghoulish submission to this week’s art gallery. We also welcome first-time contributor Gail Benson.

Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old — this feature is open to everyone.

All genres and styles are encouraged too. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage (and now needlepoint) — whatever you’ve got, email it to dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world!

“Night Train with Reaper” (Brian Whelan)

“Some Things are Worth Repeating” (Ellin Spadone)

“A Stitch in Time” (Karen Weingarten)

Untitled (Gail Benson)

 

0*6*Art*Art*0 — Week 81 Gallery

Fall themes and colors predominate in this week’s art gallery.

And why not? It’s mid-October.

Soon, it will be turkeys and Santas. But for now: enjoy the foliage and fresh air!

And remember: Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old — this feature is open to everyone.

All genres and styles are encouraged too. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage (and now needlepoint) — whatever you’ve got, email it to dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world!

“Falling Leaf” (Karen Weingarten)

“Boudica, Queen of the Iceni, Fighting the Romans” (Bruce Whelan, who notes that the “good female warrior” might inspire anyone looking for a Halloween costume)

“Always Swim Upstream” (June Rose Whittaker)

“First of Fall” (Laura Overton)

“The Ballet Class” — pastel (Roseann Spengler)

“A Blast from the Past” (Howard Munce — the late illustrator drew this for Judith Marks-White’s Westport News column; it still hangs near her desk)

“Mums” (Amy Schneider)