A true piece of American history came to Westport yesterday.
The Bible George Washington used when he was sworn in as our nation’s first president — on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City — was on display, at Temple Masonic Lodge #65. That’s the building on the Post Road East/Imperial Avenue corner, shared with Harding Funeral Home.
The occasion was the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Westport Masons’ chapter.
White-gloved Masons guard the famous Bible, as Westporters watch at a respectful distance.
The Bible — which was also used at the inaugurations of 4 other presidents, and at Washington’s funeral — is owned by St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 1 in New York.
They display it occasionally around the country, but this is its first visit to Connecticut.
Washington was a Mason. So were other famous Americans, including Ben Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Connecticut native Nathan Hale.
Yesterday’s Roundup noted that the Westport Rotary Club awarded $200,000 in grants to 41 area non-profits.
Who got all that largesse?
After School and Summer School Programs
Connect Us – Bridgeport
Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders – Bridgeport
Earthplace – Westport
Builders Beyond Borders – Westport
Westport Department of Human Services – Westport
Horizons at Notre Dame – Bridgeport
Horizons at Greens Farms Academy – Bridgeport
Horizons at Norwalk Community College – Norwalk
The Carver – Norwalk
Urban Impact of Black Rock – Bridgeport
Westport Country Playhouse – Westport
First Serve Bridgeport – Bridgeport
Services for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Westport Book Sales Ventures – Westport
CLASP Homes – Westport
My Team Triumph – Westport
St. Catherine Center for Special Needs – Fairfield
Club 203 – Westport
Team Woofgang & Co. – Bridgeport
Services to Address Homelessness and Food Insecurity
Homes with Hope – Westport
Homes for the Brave – Bridgeport
Off The Streets – Bridgeport
Open Doors CT – Norwalk
Food Rescue US – Stamford
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Primarily for Children
Positive Directions – Westport
Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center – Norwalk
Kids in Crisis – Greenwich
K-12 Formal Education for Children from Low Income Families
Park City Prep Charter School – Bridgeport
Adam J. Lewis Academy – Bridgeport
A Better Chance – Westport
Services for Low Income Adults, Primarily Immigrants
Mercy Learning Center – Bridgeport
Caroline House – Bridgeport
Burroughs Community Center – Bridgeport
CT Institute for Refugees and Immigrants – Bridgeport
College Scholarships for Students in Need
Staples Tuition Grants – Westport
Norwalk Housing Foundation – Norwalk
The Susan Fund – Westport
Services for Domestic Violence Victims
Domestic Violence Crisis Center – Stamford
Emergency Medical Services
Westport VEMS – Westport
Legal; Services for Children from Low Income Families
Center for Children’s Advocacy – Bridgeport
Services to Address Recidivism
HomeBridge Ventures – Bridgeport
Activities for Seniors
Friends of the Westport Senior Center – Westport
The next time you see info on a Rotary Club fundraiser: Keep this list in mind.
And buy a ticket!
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For nearly a decade, Alan Sterling’s “Gloria” oyster boat was moored in Gray’s Creek.
After spending its final months disintegrating on shore — washed up on a bank during a storm — it was demolished and removed last week.
Here’s a view of Gray’s Creek today:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
It looks serene and lovely.
But without Gloria, it’s just not the same.
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“The Outsider” is coming to the Westport Country Playhouse.
No, not the Broadway musical based on the coming-of-age novel of the same name.
“The Outsider” — written by Paul Slade Smith and directed by Mark Shanahan — is the next “Script in Hand” offering.
It’s set for Monday, June 10 (7 p.m.).
This “Outsider” is “a timely and hilarious comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy.
“Ned Newley doesn’t even want to be governor. He’s terrified of public speaking; his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive chief of staff, Ned seems destined to fail.
“But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for … the worst candidate to ever run for office.”
All seats are $30. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Michael Friedman’s great Church Lane pop-up shop — featuring his very cool, very close-up and personal photos of rock stars like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, The Band, Paul Butterfield, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Winter — after next weekend.
They’re open noon to 6 Friday through Sunday, and by appointment (203-247-6869).
Now is the time to put in special orders. There’s 20% off any image, of any size (with still time to frame before Father’s Day).
And there’s 25% off framed prints currently on display.
Friedman’s shop was a perfect place where rock met pop(up). Be sure to check it out, before it checks out.
Weston High School’s valedictorian and salutatorian are not just the top 2 students in the Class of 2024.
They’re also close, longtime friends.
Valedictorian Sophie Rutkowski has dedicated herself to science research. She presented her work to the North American Black Fly Association, and studied endometrial cancer.
She also did independent study on Eastern European literature,
Musically, Sophie finds joy playing the flute and piccolo. Her groups include Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz and Pit Orchestra. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Music Mentors.
Other volunteer efforts include National Honor Society, Lachat Town Farm, and Weston High swim team community service.
Sophie is also an AP Scholar with Distinction, and has won the University of Michigan Book Award, rhe Marie Curie Award, and is part of the National Junior Classical League Latin Honor Society.
This fall, she will attend Columbia University.
Salutatorian Natasha Jain has lived in Weston since 1st grade. She is a member of the WHS Green Team and Fighting Against Climate Injustice. She has competed in mock trial competitions since middle school, and helps coach the junior mock trial team at Weston Middle School.
Natasha plays the clarinet in the Wind Ensemble, and piano outside of school.
She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.
Natasha is also an accomplished dancer in the Indian classical form of Bharatanatyam. She recently performed a 3-hour on-stage solo dance in front of a large audience.
Natasha will attend Tufts University, and plans to major in neuroscience.
Homeowners may not know that cash discounts are available not only at gas stations, but also (in a somewhat bigger transaction) real estate.
Our friends at KMS Team at Compass say: “A study of over 2 million sales from across the country during 1980 – 2017 revealed that, on average, mortgage buyers paid 11% more than cash buyers. A more recent study of data through 2021 pegged the premium at 8%.
Locally, over the past 12 months, more than half (50.4%) of Westport real estate transactions were recorded as cash sales.
Mortgages and closing costs can mount up. In fact, New York has a graduated mortgage tax, tacking on an additional 2% or so to record mortgages on city purchases.
Click here to read more about borrowing and closing fees, including a comparison between Connecticut and New York.
The asking price for this 5-bedroom, 9-bathroom, 7,435-square foot house on 2.51 acres at oddly named Pan Handle Lane is $5,499 million. The mortgage is estimated at $38,730 a month. There may be a cash discount.
If you’re headed to today’s Dog Festival at Winslow Park, take a detour before or after to the Shell station across from the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot entrance.
The Staples High School wrestling team is running a fundraising car wash, from noon to 3 p.m.
Who knows? They might even rinse off your pooch.
They can wrestle — and wash your car!
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We are surrounded by so much greenery, we don’t always appreciate it.
Claudia Sherwood Servidio does. Her shot of Vista Terrace, inside Longshore — today’s “Westport … Naturally” image — reminds us that all around town, we are surrounded by beauty.
And finally … in honor of “The Outsider,” coming soon to the Westport Country Playhouse (story above):
(If it’s happening in Westport, “06880” will tell you about it. Please tell us you appreciate our work, with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker reacted yesterday to charges of racial incidents in Westport schools, leveled at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting.
She said: “Every time I speak publicly, even as recently as last week at the State of the Town address, I state that one of my top priorities is to ensure Westport is a place where everyone feels like they belong – where people feel safe and seen and heard. I regularly acknowledge that we have more work to do as a community.
“It is with shock and disappointment that I listen to the devastating comments made by parents at the Board of Education meeting this week. I want the residents and business owners to know there is no place for any form of hate in Westport. There is no place for racism in Westport. Our community strongly rejects hate in all forms.
“We must all stand together and speak clearly and unequivocally on this issue. We should demand accountability. Westport has my unwavering commitment to continue to work with local leaders, including TEAM Westport and the school administration, to create a supportive environment where we, as Superintendent Tom Scarice said, treat each other with dignity and respect. We all want to feel like we belong. Every one of us deserves to feel valued. When one of us is harmed, we are all harmed.”
Connecticut’s presidential primary begins this month.
Early voting is set for Tuesday through Thursday, March 26-28 (Town Hall Room 201) and Saturday, March 30 (Town Hall auditorium); polls are open fro 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on those days.
Election Day is Tuesday, April 2 (6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
Republican candidates are Donald Trump, Ryan Binkley, Nikki Haley and “Uncommitted.” Ron DeSantis is listed, but may not be on the final ballot.
Democratic candidates are Joseph Biden, Dean Phillips and “Uncommitted.” Cenk Uyuger and Marianne Williamson are listed, but may not be on the final ballot.
Workers are needed at the polls (for pay). Contact registrars Maria Signore (Republican) or Deborah Greenberg (Democrat) at 203-341-1117 for more information.
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A fed-up reader wants help or advice from “06880” readers. She writes:
“Can anyone tell me how to stop Westport News home delivery, which we never asked for and never pay for?
“When we are away, it is impossible to stop delivery. There is no phone number to call, no email to send to, and lots of newspapers cluttering up our driveway indicating we are away. Since we live on a major thoroughfare, this is particularly concerning.
“Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this problem – who to call or write to so we can stop delivery forever?
“My husband is apoplectic. I am mad. Your suggestions and any info are most welcome.”
If you get voicemail from someone claiming to be Captain David Wolf from the Westport Police Department, requesting a call back — and then hear there’s a bench warrant for your arrest, or a $5,000 fine — don’t worry.
It’s a scam.
The WPD will never request that a fine be paid over the phone — or solicit payment of any kind.
And of course, do not ever give personal banking information like an account number to someone who calls, unless you are absolutely sure who you are speaking with.
Weston author Lisa Grunwald’s 7th novel, “The Evolution of Annabel Craig,” will be published this spring.
It is set in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee during the infamous Scopes “monkey trial.” In the midst of a town and marriage divided by issues of faith and science, Annabel Craig must learn to question her own beliefs.
Mingling fictional characters with famous figures and events, the novel is both a portrait of a marriage and a harbinger of many of today’s deepest controversies.
Much of it was written in her Weston house (and discussed with her husband, a journalism professor and former head of Reuters) during walks on Compo Beach.
Click here for more information, and to pre-order.
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the East Coast Contemporary Ballet celebrates its 5th anniversary with a gala at MoCA Westport (March 2, 7 p.m.).
The evening includes a dance performance, open bar, auction and live music.
Many of the dancers teach in the area. Every summer, they offer a dozen free outdoor performances at the Fairfield County Dance Festival.
For more information on East Coast Contemporary Ballet, click here. For tickets to the gala, click here.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image highlights Winslow Park, in serene winter stillness:
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