Tag Archives: Diwali

Roundup: LWV Voters’ Guide, Bike Survey, Hook’d …

Posted on October 16, 2023 | 11 comments

The League of Women Voters’ Guide — a much-anticipated, always- indispensable tool for local elections — is now online.

Click here for the Vote411.org website; then enter your address. You’ll get a ton of information about Westport’s November 7 election, including all the races, plus candidates’ biographies and statements.

The website links automatically to your correct Representative Town Meeting district (there are 9 in Westport; each district elects 4 RTM members).

Through the site, you can also double-check your voter registration.

For information on voter registration, absentee ballots, polling places, voting districts and a sample ballot, click here.

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Bike Westport — the non-profit advocating for bicycle and pedestrian safety — wants in-depth answers to Westporters’ views on biking (and driving) around town.

A new survey takes only 3 minutes. It may be the easiest to navigate, clearest and most well designed online survey I’ve ever seen. Click here to begin.

For more information on Bike Westport, click here.

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Today is Hook’d’s last day.

Last day for the season, I assume, though the sign below is ambiguous:

(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

So hurry on down today, for $1 off all food. That means just $28 for a lobster roll!

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Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights — will be celebrated at Saugatuck Congregational Church on Saturday, November 4 (6 to 10 p.m.).

The evening includes food, dancing, and children and adult performers.

Tickets are $50 for adults, and $35 for children ages 6-18. Those 5 and under are free. RSVP by October 20: Venmo kumuda-kumar; Zelle kumuda.kumar@gmail.com.

Questions? Call 646-852-4921.

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Claudia Sherwood Servidio spotted today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene at the Cross Highway/Hockanum Road corner. Enjoy!

(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

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And finally … happy 46th birthday to Fairfield’s own John Mayer.

Many Westporters enjoyed his performance earlier this month at Bridgeport’s Sound on Sound Festival.

He was introduced by Governor Lamont, and told a story about how his father — the longtime principal at Bridgeport’s Central High — would confiscate students’ prohibited-by-school-rules Walkmans.

At the end of the year, he brought those that were not claimed home to Mayer and his brother. That was the future superstar’s introduction to music from around the world.

(You can keep up with local election coverage on “06880.” And you can keep “06880” going with a contribution. Please click here. Thank you!)

11 Comments

Posted in Beach, Local politics, religion, Transportation, Westport life

Tagged Bike Westport, Diwali, Hook'd, League of Women Voters Westport

Roundup: Change Clocks, Diwali, Veterans Day …

Posted on November 6, 2021 | 1 comment

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Tonight — well, actually tomorrow morning — is our reward for last March.

Set your clocks back before bed. Bingo! You get an extra hour of sleep. It’s the “fall back” part of the “spring forward…” saying.

But here’s the thing: Why are we now on “Standard Time”?

It’s only from tomorrow through early March. That’s 4 months.

The other 8 months are “Daylight Savings Time.” Shouldn’t that be the standard? And maybe call these next 4 months “Nighttime Darkness Time”?

I’m just sayin’…

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Over 100 people — Hindus and others — headed to MoCA yesterday. They celebrated Diwali, the festival honoring the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance. It is an auspicious day, for new beginnings.

And an auspicious start for — we hope — one of Westport’s newest traditions.

For more information, including upcoming events, email aapiwestport@gmail.com. You can follow AAPI Westport — our local Asian American and Pacific Islander organization — on Instagram (@aapiwestport),

One of the many children’s activities at yesterday’s Diwali celebration. (Photo/Sarin Cheung)

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One of our nation’s most meaningful — and too often overlooked — holidays is Veterans Day.

Westport’s observance is always impactful. And seen by too few people.

This year it’s set for Thursday, November 11, outdoors in the parking lot of VFW Joseph Clinton Post 399 (465 Riverside Avenue).

The program begins at 10:30 a.m., with patriotic music by the Westport Community Band. The services begin at the traditional armistice hour: 11 a.m.

The program includes remarks by 1st Selectman Jim Marpe; placing of a memorial wreath by members of VFW Post 399, and “Taps.”

The public is invited. And “06880” encourages the best attendance ever.

Former Bedford Middle School teacher Kerstin Rao always planned extensive Veterans Day celebrations.

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Like many pediatricians, Village Pediatrics has begun vaccinating 5-to-11-year-olds.

One of the first to receive the COVID shot yesterday was Dr. Robin Abramowicz’s son, Gabriel Sergi. He’s shown (happily) below with Drs. Jennifer Gruen and Nikki Gorman.

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As NBC Sports’ contract ends, broadcasters around the world are battling for rights to the Premier League: world soccer’s biggest yearly showcase. The deal may reach $3 billion over 9 years.

That’s a far cry from what Westporters Joe Pierce and Norm Bierman paid a couple of decades ago. As partners in rights to the first season in the USA, they paid $45,000 — and that included all languages.

Matches were shown on Prime Network, and on closed circuit to bars.

So — in a sense — perhaps there would be no US bidding war for the English league, were it not for a couple of Westport fans who only wanted to watch their favorite teams, back in the day.

Joe Pierce

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The Camp Gallery has an opening reception today (Saturday, November 6, 4 to 8 p.m., 190 Main Street), for its new exhibit: “An Autumnal Ode to Seasons Past.”

The featured artist if Franck de las Mercedes. A portion of sales proceeds will benefit Fashion Fights Cancer. Chris Coogan and Linda Couturas play jazz, from 5 to 7 p.m.

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Regina Pape died last month in Paoli, Pennsylvania, surrounded by her family. She was 79.

The Philadelphia native graduated from Manor College. She worked as a medical secretary at Pennsylvania Hospital. Reggie lived in Westport from 1976 to 2006.

While raising her children here, Reggie volunteered with their schools and other activities. She also worked as a freelance typist and editor. She had a close-knit circle of friends here, and loved to entertain and spend time at the beach. Reggie was an avid reader and traveler.

Reggie is survived by her husband of 57 years, Morgan Pape Sr.; sons Morgan Jr. (Christine) and Timothy; daughter Regina Carron (Thomas); 5 grandchildren; sisters Judith Riley and Mary Clare Hogan, and brothers Charles Jr. and Daniel. She was predeceased by siblings John T. Sweeney and Jean Cummins.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution in Reggie’s memory to The Paoli Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Reggie Pape

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is as autumn-y as it gets.

You’ve gotta love fall leaves. Now go rake them!

(Photo/Linda Stern)

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And finally … on this day in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected our 16th President. He got only 40% of the popular vote though, defeating John Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen A. Douglas in a 4-way race.

1 Comment

Posted in Arts, Environment, Local business, Media, Obituaries, Sports

Tagged AAPI Westport, Diwali, Joe Pierce, Premier League, Reggie Pape, Veterans Day, VFW Joseph Clinton Post 399

Roundup: Burglary, Diwali, Dermaplaning …

Posted on October 27, 2021 | 4 comments

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The Westport Police Department press release was straightforward:

70-year-old Robert Milton of Bridgeport was arrested for burglary and larceny. He’s charged with stealing a bicycle and jewelry from a Westport home. Bond was set at $10,000.

Why would an elderly man do that? As usual, there is a story behind the story.

“06880” reader John Kelly sent a link to a Connecticut Post story from 2012, about help for homeless people in Bridgeport. The first photo shows Robert Milton staying warm with a cup of coffee.

There must have been many factors that sent Robert Milton to the streets. Much no doubt happened to him in the past 9 years too.

I don’t know the full story. None of us do. But whenever we read the police report of an arrest — any arrest — we should realize that there is probably a human story behind it.

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Diwali is a major Hindu festival. It represents the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and wisdom over ignorance. It is a festival of new beginnings, an auspicious day.

Like Christmas, it includes brightly lit homes, great food and many presents.

The Hindu community invites all Westporters to join the Diwali festivities on November 5 at MoCA Westport (19 Newtown Turnpike, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.).

All activities will be held outside (weather permitting). For questions or more information, email aapiwestport@gmail.com.

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Speaking of holidays: Bridgewater Chocolate is leasing a seasonal pop-up retail space in Bedford Square. The Bridgewater Chocolate Box Shop will feature high-end assortments, with hinged boxes and bows. The store opens the day after Thanksgiving, and will be open weekends only through the holiday season.

PS: I asked the obvious question. There is no connection between Westport’s 2 Bridgewaters: the chocolatier, and the world’s largest hedge fund.

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Glowbar is a skin care service on Elm Street (and Tribeca and the Upper East Side). Treatments include chemical peels and extractions.

In Connecticut, however, Connecticut legislation prohibits estheticians from performing dermaplaning (“exfoliation using a 10-gauge scalpel to gently scrape off the top layer of dulling dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, brighter complexion” — nice!) The practice is allowed in New York.

Glowbar asks for an addendum to the Connecticut Esthetician Scope of Practice, to allow licensed estheticians — who required over 600 hours of training — to dermaplane. Click here for the full petition.

Dermaplaning

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What is fire cider? Why is everyone drinking it?

Wakeman Town Farm knows. In a hands-on workshop (Wednesday, November 3, 6:30 p.m.), they’ll share the health benefits of this immune-boosting tonic. Then everyone can chop together — and leave with a quart of their own homemade fire cider.

The cost is $75. Click here for tickets.

Fire cider

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On Sunday, members of the Saugatuck Rowing Club junior program headed to the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Nearly every boat finished in the top third.

The women’s U17 4+ boat (Mia Kirkorsky, Alexandra Cowan, Kelly Kennedy, Rosie Lundberg and Victoria Bazarko snagged first. Both the men’s and women’s eights placed 4th in their events, with over 80 entries in each.

The men were George Bentley, Victor DiPasquale, Gabriel Marous, Felipe Artia, George Karacsonyi, Adam Pushner, Jack Kiely, Gavin Marshall and Finn Kiely. The women’s eight included Kira Obsitnik, Janna Moore, Hannah Clemens, Jane Leahy, Lecia Sun, Olivia Hankey, Lauren Eve Schramm, Claudia Chadwick and Mia Seibert.

Next up: the final race of the season, in Philadelphia.

Women’s U17 4+ champions (from left): Alexandra Cowan, Kelly Kennedy, Mia Kirkorsky, Rosie Lundberg, Victoria Bazarko. (Photo/Leslie Eisen)

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Speaking of youth: Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from our youngest photographer ever.

Bedford Middle School 6th grader Caitlin Hand snapped this photo the other day, after dinner by the Saugatuck River at Arezzo. Keep the great photos coming, Caitlin!