Tag Archives: Halloween parade

Roundup: Halloween Kids, Common Ground Allyship, MoCA Art Women …

Posted on October 30, 2025 | 14 comments

Main Street was packed yesterday afternoon — with mostly non-shoppers.

But few merchants complained.

Hundreds of costumed kids swarmed the sidewalks and road, for the Westport Downtown Association and Westport PAL’s annual Halloween parade.

There was trick or treating on Main Street, and in Town Hall.

The Parks & Recreation Department offered refreshments, gifts, and entertainment from DJ Kenny Michaels.

It was a photo op fest — for parents and dog-owners alike.

(Photo/Gabriela Hayes)

==================================================

Speaking of Halloween: The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has chosen the winners of this year’s Window Painting Contest.

Over 50 youngsters painted more than 40 store windows all over town.

The prizes were a certificate, and a $25 gift card from Cold Fusion.

Winners are”

Elementary

Most Creative: Kayla Teplitz, Nora Taylor, Willa Seidman, Marley Rebak; Coleytown, 2ndgrade, at A&S Fine Foods.

Scariest: Genevieve Lobikis, Kings Highway, 4th grade, with kindergarten helper Matthew Lobikis, at Squeeze.

Best Halloween Themed: Margaux and Maddy Chang, and Isla Schwartz, Kings Highway 2nd grade, at Chocolatieree

Middle School

Most Creative: Lila Boyd, Bedford, 6th grade, at Kohler

Scariest: Ryder Elgort, Weston, 8th grade, at Cycle Dynamics

Best Halloween Themed: Moksha Iyer, Roger Ludlowe, 7th grade, with helper Dhruv Iyer, at Suzuki Music School.

Congratulations to all! PS: Most windows will still be decorated, for the next few days.

Spooky window winners.

=================================================

Quietly but consistently, the Westport Library’s Common Ground Initiative has been offering programs that enhance positive, respectful and constructive conversations on challenging and/or controversial issues.

Up next: a “Community Conversation on Understanding Jewish Identity, Antisemitism, and Allyship” (November 13 7 to 8:30 p.m.).

Project Shema — a training and support organization — will lead a presentation and Q-and-A that provides historical and modern realities of antisemitism, emphasizing its evolving expression in contemporary culture and politics.

“Allyship” is a key element of the Common Ground event. Everyone is welcome — especially those who are not part of the Jewish community. The event is free. For more information, click here.

==================================================

MoCA\CT’s next exhibit — “Enough Already: Women Artists from the Sara M. + Michelle Vance Waddell Collection” — is big. And bold.

It showcases 80 works by modern and contemporary women artists, from the Waddell’s private collection.

The exhibition reflects the collectors’ commitment to amplifying emergent voices, and presenting powerful artistic statements around issues of gender equality, domesticity, motherhood, personal identity and social transformation.

The show includes painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper and textiles. Themes range from humorous and irreverent to deeply thought-provoking.

In addition, MoCA\CT will host a series of conversations, performances, and film screenings:

On the Art of Collecting with Sara Vance Waddell (November 13, 4:30 p.m.)
Opening Reception (November 13, 6 p.m.)
Planet Female Global Storyfest: Short Films & Spoken Word Performances (November 22, 6 p.m.)
Film Screening: “A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot,” followed by Q+A with Annie Laurie Medonis and Noel Furie, and book signing with Emily Larned (December 2, 6 p.m.)
Adult Art Workshop: Encaustic Collage (December 4, noon)
Community Conversation: Gallery Talk (January 8, 6 p.m.)
Teen Art Workshop: Mixed Media *January 17, 1 to 4 p.m.)
Film screening: Eva Hesse followed by a Q+A (February 6, 6 p.m.).

For details, click here.

Part of the upcoming MoCA\CT exhibit.

==================================================

Speaking of women: They often have unique financial needs. More than men, they worry about things like: Will I outlive my money?

On November 5 (7 p.m., Westport Library), Stacy Thomson and John Nelson of Stifel E3 Wealth Management Group will discuss the financial needs of women during life transitions. Click here for more information.

John Nelson and Stacy Thompson.

===============================================

As the weather cools down, the action heats up at Earthplace.

Ahead for November:

Beaver Moon Hike (November 5, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; members $15, non-members $20): Join a naturalist for a guided supermoon hike along the trails.

Forest Bathing (November 12, 10 to 11 a.m.; $25): Focus on deep breathing during a guided walk. A Japanese tea reception follows.

Craft & Sip: Fall Wreath Making (November 13, 6 to 8 p.m.; members $45, non-members $50): Bring drinks and snacks.

Seed Collecting & Native Plant Propagation (November 15, 1 to 3 p.m.; members $20, non-members $25): Hands-on workshop to explore native plants, including identifying and collecting seeds and winter sowing techniques.

Environmental Learning Series: Deer, Ticks and Forest Health (November 18, 7 to 8 p.m.; Zoom lecture and Q-and-A; free): Learn about connections between deer, mice, Japanese barberry and forest health.

Plein Air Painting on the Trails (November 15, 10 a.m. to noon; free): Create your own artwork on nature trails; paint, sketch or draw. Light refreshments.

Junior Staff (starts November 7; Fridays 4 to 5 p.m.; one Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; members $180, non-members $210): Hands-on science alongside naturalists, identifying wildlife, investigating ecosystems, and caring for the sanctuary.

Tracking Club (starts November 11; grades 3-6; Tuesdays 4 to 5 p.m.; members $90, non-members $105): Become a nature detective using cameras, tracks and more.

Questions? Email v.swain@earthplace.org.

==================================================

It’s called the Norwalk Conservatory for the Arts.

But there are plenty of Westport connections. From gala committee co-chairs Nancy Diamond and Wendy Baskin, to volunteer Robin Berggren, residents support the arts in our neighboring town.

They’re excited by the upcoming 5-run show of “Footloose,” at Bridgeport’s Klein Auditorium (November 13-16). Special events include a night for LGBTQ friends and allies, and a Members’ Night pre-show party. Click here for more information.

================================================

Looking for “06883”-themed cards and gifts?

The Weston History & Culture Center has them. They feature artwork by Kassie Foss, all with scenes of the town: snowfalls, the old Weston signpost, twilight, the Onion Barn, summer and more. Click here to order.

Weston’s old wooden signpost.

==================================================

MyTeam Triumph — the non-profit that pairs able-bodied volunteers with people with disabilities, so that all can participate in road races and triathlons — recently ran their first-ever marathon, in Hartford.

Click here or below to see. And if you’re inspired to learn more about this great organization, click here.

==================================================

Staples High School Class of 2012 graduate, and former football and lacrosse player, Jordan Kranz died Monday. He was 31.

Born and raised in Westport, Jordan earned Staples’ prestigious Scholar-Athlete Award. He went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, with dual degrees in mathematics and economics. He was a proud member of the fraternity Oz (formerly ZBT).

From the age of 14, Jordan faced immense health challenges: Type 1 diabetes, and a recurrent brain tumor that first appeared when he was 15. Despite enduring 3 brain surgeries and multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, he graduated from Penn on schedule. He went on to build a successful career in investment banking, first with Mizuho Bank and later as a vice president in healthcare investment vanking at Bank of America.

He found true love with Lauren Halpert, whom he proposed to in Maui in December 2024 — an unforgettable trip they sealed with skydiving.

His family says, “Jordan’s strength, bravery, and spirit in the face of life’s challenges inspired everyone around him. He lived with courage, loved deeply, and left an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to know him.”

Jordan is survived by his parents, Raechel and Steven; sisters Brooke Sheiner (Jordan) and Colby Kranz; brother Carson Kranz; and his fiancée, Lauren Halpert.

Funeral services will be held today (October 30, 3 p.m., The Gardens of Boca Raton, Florida. Click here for the livestream.

Shiva to be held at the Kranz residence today, following the service until 9 p.m.; Friday (4 to 7 p.m.), Saturday (7 to 9 p.m.) and Sunday (4 to 8 p.m.).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jordan’s memory be made to American Brain Tumor Association or Breakthrough T1D.

Jordan Kranz

=================================================

Most photos (and paintings) of Compo Cove focus on the southern side — particularly the 1915 home on the point nearest Old Mill Beach.

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows the only house on the northern side of the pedestrian way (and the beauty of surrounding Sherwood Mill Pond).

Interestingly, that home was not always at that location. It was moved many years ago to the current site.

From across the path.

(Photo/John Maloney)

==================================================

And finally … in honor of the Norwalk Conservatory for the Arts’ upcoming performance (story above):

(Cut loose … enjoy “06880” … and then click here, to help support this hyper-local blog that informs, educates, entertains, and — we hope — connects you to our hometown, every day. Thank you!)

14 Comments

Posted in Arts, Children, Environment, Library, Obituaries, Politics, religion

Tagged Earthplace, Halloween parade, MoCA\CT, myTeam Triumph, Westport Downtown Association, Westport Library Common Ground Initiative, Westport PAL

Roundup: Brush Fire Threat, Imperial Avenue Parking, Compo Entitlement …

Posted on October 24, 2024 | 11 comments

The weather this month has been spectacular: blue skies, warm temperatures, no rain. What’s not to like?

Well, the risk of brush fires.

A strict ban on open burning includes all recreational fire pits, chimineas and campfires.

Be careful out there!

Chimineas are included in the open burning ban.

==================================================

A local website reported yesterday on a letter sent to the town by the Westport Woman’s Club attorney. At issue was the Imperial Avenue parking lot, which — the attorney noted — belongs to the WWC “in perpetuity,” according to 1956 and 1968 agreements.

The Imperial Avenue lot has been mentioned as a possible site for renovation, as part of a new downtown parking plan.

The website story was illustrated with a photo of the large, paved lot — the site of the Farmer’s Market every Thursday, the former Remarkable Theater drive-in, where savvy Levitt Pavilion-goers park to make quick post-show exits, and school bus drivers hang out between runs — along with the smaller dirt lot, where the Yankee Doodle Fair is held every June.

However, that lower dirt parking area is the only one that the 2 agreements cover.

The Imperial Avenue parking lot (red balloon) is owned by the town. The smaller lot to its right belongs to the Westport Woman’s Club; their building is directly to its north. (Hat tip: Gloria Gouveia)

“06880” reached out to Department of Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich for clarification.

He said, “When we speak of redesign, and reconnecting the riverfront, we are specifically referring to the upper lot and its perimeter. We are not contemplating doing anything with the lower lot other than to maintain the status quo.”

The Yankee Doodle Fair takes place on the lower Westport Woman’s Club parking lot.

================================================

Sure, it’s the off-season. Compo Beach is less crowded than in mid-summer.

But that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want there.

Check out this entitled driver.

Is he harming anyone?

Not really. There are enough parking spaces to go around.

But why does he (and you know it’s a guy) have to send a message to everyone else that the rules don’t apply to him.

And the photo below answers a reader who read yesterday’s Roundup item about dogs on on the boardwalk — where they’re not allowed — and commented, “I cannot imagine why dogs harmlessly walking on a boardwalk would be a priority.”

(Photos/Linda Stein)

We await his reply.

==================================================

Yesterday’s Unsung Heroes feature gave a shout-out to the Department of Public Works crews who every year install the nearly 200 international flags for UN Day (today!) and jUNe Day, as well as the American flags that fly proudly on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge all summer long.

A couple of hours later, Bill Hass — president of the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut — sent a long this great photo, of the guys who did the work this year.

Thanks again, for connecting our town — colorfully and symbolically — with the rest of the world. Happy UN Day!

==================================================

Every year, Westport kids get a jump on Halloween, at the downtown parade.

This year’s event is on Tuesday (October 29). Children (and parents) meet at the Post Road East/Main Street intersection at 3:30 p.m.

The event — geared toward youngsters 8 and under — is sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department, Westport Downtown Association, and Westport PAL.

The parade includes trick-or-treating along Main Street, then on to Avery Place and Myrtle Avenue. It ends at Veterans Green at 4 p.m., with entertainment, refreshments and a small gift.

Seen at a previous Halloween parade.

=================================================

If you missed Tuesday’s forum, featuring candidates for Westport’s 3 General Assembly races: No problem.

The sponsoring Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce taped the Westport Library event.

Click below to see Kami Evans and Ceci Maher (State Senate, 26th District), Jonathan Steinberg and John Bolton State Representative, 136th District 136), and Peter Bang and Dominique Johnson (State Representative, 143rd District).

=================================================

Got drugs?

This Saturday (October 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Senior Center), the Westport Police Department partners with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, for the 26th annual Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Residents are asked to look in medicine cabinets and drawers for medications that are no longer needed, or out of date. This includes tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Take Back Day has removed 9,285 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.

Collection sites cannot accept illicit drugs, needles or sharps; only pills or patches.

Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container, with caps tightly sealed.

Vape pens with removable batteries can be disposed of at the take-back site. Vape pens without removable batteries are not accepted.

A year-round collection bin is available in the lobby of Westport police headquarters. Prescription drugs can be disposed of any time there. Click here for more information.

=================================================

Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between October 16 and 23.

A 19-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with burglary and larceny of a motor vehicle; conspiracy to commit those crimes, illegal transfer/purchase of a pistol or revolver; carrying a pistol without a permit; illegal possession of a firearm with an illegible serial number, and illegal possession of a large capacity magazine, following the May theft of an unlocked 2024 Audi from a driveway.

The keys were left in the vehicle, but it was equipped with tracking software. It was located parked at a Bridgeport residence that day. A ghost gun and large capacity magazine were found in the suspect’s home. He was held on a $75,000 bond.

A 30-year-old Bridgeport woman was arrested for breach of peace, following a domestic violence altercation at the Westport train station parking lot. She was held on a $10,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5 citations
Failure to obey stop sign: 3
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Failure to renew registration: 2
Larceny: 1
Conspiracy to commit larceny: 1
Breach of peace: 1
Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
Failure to grant right of way 1
Failure to drive right: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Failure to carry driver’s license: 1

Large capacity gun magazines.

==================================================

One of Mary Sikorski’s last dahlias of the season earns notice, as today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured image.

(Photo/Mary Sikorski)

==================================================

And finally … Happy UN Day!

(How will you spend UN Day? Please take a moment or two to click here, and support “06880.” We accept dollars, pounds, euros, and all other currency. Thank you!)

11 Comments

Posted in Beach, Downtown, Local politics, Police

Tagged Department of Public Works, dog poop, entitled drivers, Halloween parade, Imperial Avenue parking lot, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, UN Day, Westport Downtown Association, Westport Fire Department, Westport Woman's Club

Roundup: Halloween Parade, Mike Sansur, Paul Newman …

Posted on October 20, 2022 | 2 comments

Halloween comes early!

The annual downtown Children’s Halloween Parade is set for next Wednesday (October 26). Kids and parents meet at the Post Road East/Main Street intersection at 3:30 p.m.

They’ll march up Main Street, turn right to Avery Place, then turn left on Myrtle Avenue to Town Hall and Veterans Green. Children may trick-or-treat along Main Street and outside Town Hall.

Entertainment, refreshments and a small gift will be provided on Veterans Green across from Town Hall at 4 p.m.

The Parks and Recreation Department, Westport Downtown Association and Westport P.A.L. are sponsoring the event. It’s for all children — “especially those 8 and under.”

NOTE: There is no parkin on Main Street between 2 and 4 p.m. during the parade.

Seen at a previous Halloween parade.

=======================================================

The Westport Education Association is raising funds to honor one of its own.

Beloved Staples High School technology education teacher Mike Sansur was killed Saturday, when his vehicle was rear-ended on I-95. His 21-year-old son — who is studying to be a teacher too — is hospitalized with serious injuries.

A GoFundMe page will help defray medical costs for Mike’s son, and help with future college costs for his 2 high school daughters.

The WEA says, “Mike touched the hearts of all students who walked through his door. A former student said was the “the only class where I felt like I belonged. He opened up a world of possibilities, and a desire to learn more. He taught the importance of attention to detail, design, and craftsmanship, which influenced me to pursue architecture. As I write this, the lamp he helped me build is still on my desk. Its light will not go out.”

Click here to contribute, and for more information.

Mike Sansur

=======================================================

In the wake of “The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man” — Paul Newman’s new memoir — it’s hard to keep up with media mentions.

But a story in the current issue of The New Yorker caught my eye.

Twice, writer Louis Menand references the book’s genesis: over 100 interviews with and about the actor, conducted by his screenwriter friend Stewart Stern.

But in 1991, Newman asked Stern to stop. In 1998, Newman “took the cassettes to the dump and burned them all.”

Later, Menand mentions the incident again: “the auto-da-fé at the town dump seems a pretty clear indication that Newman did not want a memoir.”

The New Yorker is well known for its rigorous fact-checking.

It seems pretty clear that “the town dump” is our town dump. After all, this is where Newman lived. It’s where he kept the tapes.

But wait! We don’t have a “town dump.” It’s a “transfer station.”

And there’s no place there to burn anything.

So … maybe Paul Newman did not burn those hundreds of tapes here, but somewhere else?

Or maybe they were never burned at all?!

=======================================================

One of the major themes of “From the Mississippi Delta” — the current Westport Country Playhouse production — is civil rights.

That’s inextricably tied in with voting rights. So — with an election looming next month — Westport’s League of Women Voters is offering political information in the Playhouse lobby through the show’s run. It ends on October 30.

For over 70 years, the LWV has been a non-partisan Westport institution. They do not support individual candidates; instead they advocate for voter education and enfranchisement. They actively register voters, and organize candidate debates.

Before each performance of “From the Mississippi Delta,” LWV volunteers will offer information on times, locations and requirements for voting in the November 8 mid-term election, including how to get an absentee ballot and online registration.

They will conduct in-person voter registration for people with valid identification (driver’s license, passport, or Social Security card).

The LWV will also explain the ballot referendum about adding days to voting in Connecticut. Right now, we are one of only one 4 states that limits voting to one day.

=======================================================

Before Halloween and Election Day, there’s another holiday.

United Nations Day is not a big one. Except for the people who believe in things like, um, world peace.

To celebrate, the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut is sponsoring a talk and Q-and-A at the Westport Library (October 24, 7 p.m.).

Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-founder of the Yale Forum on Religion & Ecology, will speak on “Reimagining Our Environmental Future Together.” Her goal is to inspire people to “preserve, protect and restore the earth community.”

After nearly 3 COVID years away from cabaret, Leslie Orofino is back. And “Laughing at Life.”

This Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Lecture honors the founder of the UNASC. She was a longtime Westporter, and advocate for all things UN-related.

====================================================

Speaking of world peace: World-famous photojournalist (and 1991 Staples High School graduate) Lynsey Addario has spent more than 2 decades reporting in the face of conflict, corruption and censorship. She’s done it in the Middle East and Africa; now she capturing the horrors of war in Ukraine.

On November 9, she’ll receive a “Courage in Journalism” award from the International Women’s Media Foundation.

The virtual ceremony is set for November 9 (5:30 p.m.). CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell will host. Click here for free registration, and more information. (Hat tip: Naree Viner)

Lynsey Addario

=====================================================

Westport’s prized vocalist joins director (and fellow townie) Louis Pietig in 2 performances at New York City’s Don’t Tell Mama.

“Laughing at Life” — that’s the show’s name — is a “foot-stomping, life-affirming journey of love.” It includes songs by Alberta Hunter, Fats Waller, Cole Porter, Bob Dylan and many others.

The first show is this Saturday (October 22); the next is Sunday, October 30. Both are at 4 p.m. There’s a $20 cover, with a 2-drink minimum. Click here for reservations.

Leslie Orofino

=================================================

Not much gets by Bob Weingarten.

He spotted frost yesterday morning on a Morningside Drive South roof.

“It’s the first of the season,” he reports.

Spring arrives in 152 days.

Frosty roof. (Photo/Bob Weingarten)

=======================================================

Autumn continues to awe. Jonathan Alloy sends along today’s spectacular “Westport … Naturally” foliage. It’s at Long Lots Elementary School. Similar scenes can be found all over town.

But not for long.