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Yesterday was November 9. Christmas is December 25. That’s 45 days away.
Which means 45 days of Christmas carols. Because I heard my first one of the season yesterday, at Fresh Market.
Guys … it’s not even Veterans Day yet!
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Speaking of Veterans Day: It’s tomorrow.
Joseph J. Clinton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399 hosts Westport’s Veterans ceremony in their Riverside Avenue parking lot.
The Westport Community Band plays patriotic music at 10:30 a.m., honoring all those who have served in the US military.
The 11 a.m. program includes posting the colors, remarks from State Senator Tony Hwang and 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, an address by Staples High School senior Pierre Briand, and a firing salute by the Westport Police Department.
A special tribute honors World War II and Korean War veterans for their service. The public is invited to the outdoor event.
VFW on Riverside Avenue: site of tomorrow’s Veterans Day ceremony.
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A few spots remain for this Saturday’s free mattress and box spring recycling program (November 13 at Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.). The project is sponsored by Sustainable Westport.
The project is run through the Mattress Recycling Council’s Connecticut Bye Bye Mattress program.
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Staples Players’ “Grease” is a hot ticket. And Cold Fusion is adding to the heat.
Owners (and Players superfans) Kelly and Eric Emmert have created a special “Pints for Players” promotion.
They renamed 3 flavors, to honor the show. Through closing night (November 20), customers can purchase pints of Pink Lady (strawberry stracciatella), Burger Boys (blood orange sorbet) and Ode to Olivia Newton-John (peanut butter Xanadu).
For more information on “Grease,” click here.
Rydell High cheerleaders enjoy some Cold Fusion gelato.
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Speaking of high school: MoCA Westport has put out a call for submissions from artists in grades 9-12. They’ll be part of an exhibition focusing on the theme of identity, to run concurrently with a show featuring works from the Westport Permanent Art Collections in January.
MoCA officials were impressed with the diversity and talent of last year’s submissions. This year, they hope to surpass those nearly 200 entries. Teachers from across Connecticut and New York played a huge role in bringing that exhibition to fruition. They’re engaged again this year.
The submission deadline is December 19. For details, click here.
A student work from last year’s “Hindsight is 2020” show.
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Jillian Elder — the creative force behind the “Finding Westport” information and merchandise site — checks in with more swag.
Her “Westport Love & Life” collection of t-shirts, mugs, blankets, tote bags and more includes our beloved Minute Man, in various forms of the words “Love” and “Life.” Click here to see the wide variety of products.
And Jillian hopes to post a list of Etsy shops based in Westport, for holiday readers. If you’ve got — or know of — one, email jillian@findingfairfieldcounty.com.
The Minute Man on a “Love & Life” hoodie.
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Time to network!
Local business professionals are invited to a “Virtual Visitors Day” on Thursday, November 18 (7:30 to 9 a.m. Zoom). The event is sponsored by Westport’s Business Networking International chapter.
BNI meetings are open to only one business per category.
They’re on the lookout for new members. People working in hospitality — event planners, florists, caterers, bakers, DJs and bands, liquor stores, limousine services and gift novelty shop owners — are particularly welcome
Other open categories include home inspectors, veterinary services, dentists, dermatologists, commercial sign companies, martial artists, trade schools, physical therapists, orthopedists, delicatessen owners and tutors.
Email curtis@health-directions.com or billhall747@gmail.com to sign up for the Virtual Vistors Day.
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The Westport Police Department and TEAM Westport are sponsoring a Thanksgiving food drive this Saturday (November 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). All donations support Homes with Hope’s Gillespie Center and food pantry, and Westports Human Services Department.
Westport Police officers and volunteers will collect non-perishable food items and cash. Suggested items include canned meats, tuna, salmon, Spam, canned cranberries, boxed stuffing, canned yams, canned corn, canned gravy, pasta, and sauces, chili, hot and cold cereal, canned fruit, canned and dry soups, peanut butter, jelly, mac and cheese, rice, granola bars, pancake mix, syrup and mayonnaise.
Earlier this year, after another drive, Westport Police and Homes with Hope volunteers delivered food to the Gillespie Center, across from police headquarters.
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Lauri Weiser calls today’s “Westport … Naturally” image “The Last Rose of Summer.”
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
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And finally … as noted above, yesterday was waaaaaay too early for Christmas music.
Two can plan that game. Take this, Fresh Market!
