A few times a year, a few lucky folks get to share a private Saturday morning of movement, breakfast, conversation and community, on a rooftop overlooking the Saugatuck River.
Jennifer Ruspini’s Above Saugatuck offers a chance to “step away from the noise. Say hello to the neighbor you have not had time to meet. Move gently. Enjoy the morning without pressure, a sales pitch, or a crowded room.”
Jennifer’s rooftop event, in Saugatuck.
The most recent one was scheduled for this past Saturday morning. A dozen or so people were ready.
But the weather forecast seemed too cold for the rooftop.
She headed to Dandelion, the popular restaurant in the Delamar Westport hotel.
The manager knows Jennifer. “Your community got a nice writeup in ‘06880!'” she noted.
“That’s what I need to talk to you about,” Jennifer said.
Within minutes, Dandelion had agreed to host the event indoors.
And the room, coffee, pastries — all were complimentary.
From dining room to yoga, at Dandelion.
“They loved the idea of having something like Above Saugatuck in Westport,” Jennifer says — even if it as the opposite end of town.
“This is what a community gathering is all about: People coming together and helping each other,” Jennifer says.
Kudos to her, for creating such an interesting, unique space.
And a big shout-out to Dandelion and the Delamar for helping out, when Jennifer and her guests had to come in from the cold.
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com. “06880” is proud to honor them — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to help us do that, by supporting this hyper-local blog.)
Westporters have long admired the classic New England home-and-attached-barn on Hillandale Road, just down the hill from Green’s Farms Church.
Now House & Garden readers around the world can enjoy it too.
Anne Hardy — who with her husband Jim transformed the home, linking a former blacksmith’s forge to a 19th-century wagon barn — has written about the project for the magazine (which she once served as decorating editor).
Anne — a Staples High School graduate — describes how her years in London influenced the home’s design (with great help from architect Deirdre O’Farrelly). She details the family’s Christmas (and Boxing Day) preparations in the warm, welcoming space.
An “Everything Must Go!” sale is set for today (Tuesday, 4 to 7 p.m.).
Champagnes, spirits, and their carefully curated selection of wines will all be sold — at 30% below Basso’s cost.
Stock up for the holidays! (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
================================================
Speaking of restaurants: Dandelion — the hot new spot in the Delamar Westport — celebrates the season with some big events.
On Christmas Eve, a holiday-inspired à la carte lunch (noon to 2:30 p.m.) is followed by à la carte dinner service (5 to 10 p.m.), highlighting Christmas selections.
Christmas day brings a 3-course prix fixe menu (noon to 6:30 p.m.). Click here for reservations, or call 203-266-3111.
New Year’s Eve features DJ Omary. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., he’ll spin Afro-house, traditional rhythms, and familiar favorites. Click here for tickets.
Among the appropriations up for approval on the Board of Finance January 7 meeting (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium):
$330,000 to address an IT storage replacement initiative.
$815,000 for Town Hall ADA improvements.
$275,000 for an ADA-accessible ramp between the Imperial Avenue parking lot and the Levitt Pavilion lot.
$31,500 for emergency elevator repair at Town Hall.
$65,027.49 for a 2024 Chevrolet work truck to replace a 2008 model; the same amount for a dump truck, to replace one from 1999.
The Board of Finance will meet in Town Hall, to make the building more accessible.
=================================================
That’s a short meeting, compared to what the Board of Education has planned.
They’ll meet at Saugatuck Congregational Church on January 9, starting at 8:30 a.m.
It’s an all-day work session, to review superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s fiscal year 2027 budget.
The public is invited. Bring your lunch!
==============================================
A few weeks ago, superintendent Scarice participated in a podcast focused on the Westport Public Schools’ strategic plan, specifically its work being “AI-powered and human-centered.”
Looking for a kids’ activity over the holiday break?
The Westport Garden Club is partnering with the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, town poet laureate and Westport Library to sponsor a youth poetry contest.
Affiliated with the National Garden Club, it’s open to all in kindergarten through 12th grade: public and private schools, home-schooled, special education and English as a Second Language students.
This is the fourth year the WGC is sponsoring the event. Past winners have advanced to state, regional and national levels.
And finally … speaking of Christmas or New Year’s at Dandelion:
(As you make holiday plans — and plan your year-end giving — please consider “06880.” We’re here for you 24/7/365, but we rely on reader support. Just click here. Thank you!)
A star-studded bunch of Westporters and friends turned out for Saturday’s family-and-friends preview at Massi Co.
The Neapolitan-style pizzeria and Southern Italian restaurant officially opens tonight. It replaces Don Memo, in Westport’s original Town Hall, across the Post Road from Patagonia.
The newly refreshed space features Naples wood-fired pies, fresh pastas, craft cocktails, and a curated all-Italian wine list.
Guests included actors Marika Domińczyk and Scott Foley, private equity manager Marc Lasry, sports journalist (and Staples High School graduate) Andrew Marchand, ESPN chair Jimmy Pitaro, and New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer.
Owners of the new, highly anticipated restaurant are Massimo Tullio; Mark Shapiro; president and COO TKO Group Holdings, parent company of UFC and WWE; Charlie Collier, president of Roku Media; hospitality entrepreneur Ron Tarsy, and Newmark executive Matt Leon.
The fresh new interior at Massi Co. (Photo/Jenae Weinbrenner)
Also opening tonight: Dandelion. The Mediterranean restaurant in the new Delamar Westport hotel hosted its own high-energy party Saturday night.
Staples High School sophomore Chloe Mitchell, and home-schooled 5th grader Hunter Carleton, are more than just interns at local educational toy company Domino & Juliette. The firm focuses on screen- and sensory-friendly learning tools for young children.
They’re helping the brand — and youngsters in need.
For every order D&J receives, they’ll donate a 24-pack of Crayola crayons to schools in need.
They just conducted their fourth crayon drop: 2,700 packs of crayons, to 7 Bridgeport schools.
Later this month, they’ll deliver their 4,000th pack.
Secret feelings, thoughts and dreams are the centerpiece of the Artists Collective of Westport’s pop-up show September 17, 19, 20 and 21 (noon to 4 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse barn). There is an artists’ talk at 4 p.m. on September 21.
A special wine and hors d’oeuvres reception on September 18 (6 to 8 p.m.) offers a chance to meet the 8 artists in the show: Hernan Garcia, Mary Harold, Holly Hawthorne, Gail Ingis-Cluas, Elisa Keogh, Jean Krasno, Lucy Krupenye, Nancy Lindauer, Jay Petrow, Barbara Ringer and Karen Schlansky.
=================================================
Sunday’s running of the myTeam Triumph Triathlon continued a 20+ year tradition, uniting 7 myTeam Triumph’s “captains” (athletes with disabilities) and over “angels” (volunteer helpers).
Despite rain, athletes of all kinds showed up with heart and determination. Triathletes from across the region swam 1/2 mile, biked 5 miles, and ran the 2 1/2-mile super sprint course (½ mile swim, 5-mile bike, 2.5-mile run) as individuals or on relay teams.
Westporters making the highlights reel included captains Jacquie Marumoto (completing her first myTeam Triumph event) and Rohan Stokvis (finishing his first-ever triathlon).
In the overall competition, Westporter Sophie Chevrier placed 2nd among female finishers.
Volunteers made the day possible: individuals, and groups from the National Charity League, Staples Service League of Boys, and Staples High School girls swim and dive team, and boys track and field squad.
myTeam Triumph is part of a nationwide nonprofit, led locally by Westporter Todd Ehrlich. They welcomes donations and volunteers, and encourage individuals with all types of disabilities to participate. Their next event is a 5-Mile race in Darien on September 21.
Hard to believe, but Club203 is about to begin its 4th season!
Westport’s social organization for adults with disabilities welcomes old friends and newcomers at a “Barnyard Bash” (September 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Lachat Town Farm, Weston).
Guests are encourage to wear flannel shirts and cowboy hats. Entertainment includes line dancing, games, treats, and (as always) art by MoCA CT.
Also yesterday: Walt Mattison of the Fairfield Museum reminded the Y’s Women about the beginnings of Fairfield and Westport.
Just 19 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Fairfield was formed.
Westport was not incorporated until 1835, breaking away from Norwalk, Weston and Fairfield. Greens Farms — part of Fairfield — joined Westport in 1845.
Internationally acclaimed pianist/composer/author Jeb Patton headlines this Thursday’s “Jazz at the Post” (September 11, VFW Post 399; 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. shows; buffet dinner at 7 p.m.).
He’ll be joined by trumpeter/flugelhorn player Michael Mossman, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, drummer David Alvarez, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Tickets are $20 for the early show ($15 for veterans and students); $10 for the late show. A buffet dinner, including vegetarian options, is $25. Click here for tickets.
Ifeseyi Gayle spotted this handsome bird enjoying itself in Deadman Brook, near the Westport Library. He (or she) was happy to pose for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … Tom Shipley, half of the Brewer & Shipley duo whose song about weed became a generational anthem in the 1970s, died recently in Missouri. He was 84.
Click below for 2 great songs. One is their best known. The other is less noted, but brilliant and beautiful.
(From the Playhouse to the VFW — and from young kids to Lawrence Welk — “06880”‘ is your 24/7/365 source of information, news, and random stuff. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: danwoog@gmail.com. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
