Last year, Walk Bike Westport sponsored a fall “Bridge to Bridge” walk.
Dozens of residents and politicians — hey, it was the height of campaign season — strolled from Jesup Green, over the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge, to Saugatuck.
They passed the Cribari Bridge, and had breakfast at Kneads.
The “Bridge to Bridge” event returns Sunday, October 18 — this time on wheels.
It begins at 3:30 p.m. with a bike safety talk. Then comes a 3-mile ride to Saugatuck, and back. Everyone ages 8 and up is welcome. Helmets are required.
To learn more and register, click here. To volunteer, click here.
The 2001 Staples High School graduate has just been named to Variety’s 2026 edition of its annual “10 Broadway Stars to Watch.”
Variety says: “Years ago, Duchan was warned not to expect success as a librettist until he was in his 40s: ‘I’ve always understood this career as something of an endurance test.’
“At 43, he’s making his Broadway debut with ‘Purple Rain,’ the stage version of the classic Prince album and film, about the rise of a tormented young musician known as the Kid. Duchan’s big break comes more than a decade after he emerged on the New York theater scene with 2012’s Off Broadway musical “Dogfight,” based on the 1991 movie starring River Phoenix. [Co-written by former Staples Player and friend Justin Paul.]
“’We’re trying to honor what’s singular about Prince while crafting a fictional character separate from him,’” Duchan says.
“An adept multitasker (and an expert at translating from screen to stage), Duchan is working on another major musical adaptation, ‘Practical Magic,’ based on the 1998 fantasy comedy starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as witchy sisters.
“’These are just the two you know about!’ Duchan teases. ‘I spend all day, every day, thinking about musical-theater storytelling. If I haven’t clocked my 10,000 hours yet, I’ve gotta be pretty close.’”
Click here for the full Variety story.
Peter Duchan
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After yesterday’s very active afternoon — including the Slice of Saugatuck, Westoberfest and Earthplace’s Fall Festival — the action continued at night.
The Westport Country Playhouse celebrated 95 years of entertainment with a high-energy gala.
From “Hamilton,” “Shrinking” and “The Wonder Years” to our own Kelli O’Hara and James Naughton, the stars were out in force.
The pre- and post-parties were off the charts too.
Gala performers (from left): Santino Fontana, Kelli O’Hara, James Naughton, Wendie Malick, NaTasha Yvetter Williams, Tamar Greene, Javier Muñoz, Patty McCormack, Dan Lauria. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of last night’s performers: Wendie Malick is having a Westport moment.
The “Shrinking” star — among many other credits — night only joined a star-studded cast last night, at the Playhouse gala.
Tomorrow night, she’s featured in the Script in Hand reading of “Portrait of a Woman in Repose.”
Amid all that, she chatted with Westport journalist Dave Briggs, for an Instagram reel.
“Storytelling is more important than ever,” Wendie says. “It heals our souls.”
For the full conversation — including more on the importance of the Playhouse — click here.
Wendie Malick
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The menu includes We’ll Halloween bites and candy, pumpkin clementines, purple witches’ brew, and cookies made by Avery Horne.
Club 203’s friends from MoCA\CT will help Avery lead a festive bag decorating activity. Master bingo caller Doug Brill will lead the games.
For more information and to register, click here.
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Westport Pride — the town’s non-profit dedicated to creating an affirming, supportive LGBTQ+ community — “proudly” announces a leadership transition.
Liz Falk takes over as president; Kate Grodd is vice president. Brian McGunagle moves into the role of president emeritus.
McGunagle founded Westport Pride in 2020. Under his leadership the organization established the annual Westport Pride celebration, built partnerships with Westport’s public schools, and helped bring the town’s rainbow crosswalk to life.
He is stepping back from day-to-day leadership to focus on his family and new business ventures. He will also take a more active role in his sons’ PTA.
Falk has served on the Westport Pride board as treasurer. She has a background in non-profit and for-profit management and consulting, and has started and run small businesses.
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The Staples boys soccer silent auction is halfway to its fundraising goal. Plenty of items are still available.
Among the highlights: Stowe and Okemo stays, Yankees tickets and memorabilia, performance training sessions, college consulting, wellness packages, and private soccer clinics with varsity players. (Who, by the way, are 9-0-0 so far this season.)
Proceeds help fund coaches, fields, equipment and other resources that keep the program running.
Click here to bid. The auction closes Tuesday, at 6 p.m.
A Staples celebration. They’ll celebrate again if you bid on an auction item. (Photo/Paolo Caniato)
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With October 1 past, we’ve posted a couple of cute photos of dogs back on Compo Beach.
Here’s one more. This one has an important message.
As Spider-Man wisely says: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
(Photo/Rick Carpenter)
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Yesterday’s “Westport … Naturally” photo showed fungus.
Today we turn to lichen (“or some such stuff,” photographer Mark Mathias notes).
He spotted this in the woods behind Saugatuck Congregational Church:
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
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And finally … congratulations again to Peter Duchan (story above).
(Prince’s video has nearly 300 million views. We can’t match that at “06880.” Then again, we are a hyper-local blog. We’re here for you. If you enjoy our niche work, please click here to support it. Thanks!)
