Hey, Westport: Show your patriotic spirit! The Patriotic Home Décor Contest — a community celebration in honor of America’s 250th anniversary — is here.
Decorate your home with red, white and blue — flags, bunting, lights, flowers, window displays, lawn décor, or any other creative expression of patriotic pride.
The contest is open to all Westport residents. Displays should be completed before the Independence Day holiday.
Winners will be announced July 8, during the “Sharing the Spirit of America: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence” event at the Westport Library.
The winner receives a parking pass for the 2027 Westport PAL Fireworks — our 251st anniversary — including reserved VIP parking.
For more information and to submit an entry, click here.
Years ago, Walter and Naiad Einsel had the right idea.
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An annual rite of early summer — Westport’s jUNe Day celebration — is set for Saturday, June 27.
For the 61st year in a row, the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut and the town will host up to 300 UN guests.
They’ll be greeted by flags of many of the 193 UN member countries, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
The public is invited to meet our guests at the 10:30 a.m. opening ceremony on Jesup Green.
A special message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be delivered, and several dignitaries will speak briefly. Then the fun begins.
Once again, jUNe Day is partnering with the Sunrise Rotary Club’s Duck Race fundraising event, taking place on Jesup Green at 1 p.m.
Other events for guests include a soccer match, tennis and golf at Longshore; nature walk and visit to Earthplace; tour of Wakeman Town Farm, and free access to Compo Beach and Longshore.
They’re also invited to visit the Westport Museum of History & Culture’s exhibit on the 250th anniversary of the U.S., and restaurants and shops.
jUNe Day was established in 1965 by Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen, founder of the UN Association of Southwestern Connecticut, in observance of the signing of the UN Charter on June 26th, 1945. Her goal was to honor the work of the United Nations, and promote world peace and international friendship through educational programs and hospitality.
To volunteer, contact MsAndrea Dostal (203-526-3275; Andreasusa@yahoo.com). For more information on the event, call Bill Hass: (203-454-7685.
jUNe Day flags (Photo/Jeff Simon)
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The summer’s nerdiest evening gala — hey that’s what the sponsors, Earthplace, say! — is set for next Friday (June 26, 8 to 11 p.m.).
Moth Ball — their 4th annual celebration of nature at night — includes crafts, drinks, trivia, vendors, an expert-led moth observation, and more.
Nature picture book author John Himmelman will be there too, for a book signing and special giveaway.
Every Moth Ball ticket purchased before noon on June 25th is eligible to win a signed copy of Himmelman’s new adult book, “Discovering Moths.” Click here for tickets, and more information.
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To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” — which is the Westport Country Playhouse’s upcoming show — the Westport Library and Playhouse invite readers on “a one-of-a-kind journey from page to stage.”
You can pick up artistic director Mark Shanahan’s adaptation of the classic murder mystery, then discuss the script with fellow theater lovers (and Shanahan himself) at the Library on July 1 (7 p.m., Room 210).
Next: Watch it live at the Playhouse, from July 14 through August 1.
Click here for more information on the Library website. For the Playhouse website, including tickets and more, click here.
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“06880” does not promote tag sales — unless they’re big.
This one is.
Tomorrow (Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), residents of Pine Tree Drive and Diamond Hill Lane (off Roseville Road, near Cross Highway) are combining on a giant one.
A number of families are offering the usual tag sale stuff — and unusual items too.
Plus lemonade and cookies.
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The Westport Library has elected 5 new members to its board of trustees.
Brett Adams brings more than 2 decades of leadership in fintech and AI strategy, with senior roles at Mastercard and Accenture and head-of-product experience at 3 fintech startups. A Westport resident and Staples High School parent, he has been active in educational and AI advisory initiatives across Fairfield County.
Galen Blumenthal is Managing Principal at SEI – New York, a management and technology consulting firm, where he guides organizations through complex transformations and leads practice expansion and talent development. A Staples High School and University of Texas at Austin graduate, he previously served on the board of Staples Tuition Grants. His first library card came from a Kings Highway Elementary School field trip.
Tanya Kaur Guleria is a strategy and operations leader, with more than 15 years of experience across corporate and nonprofit sectors. Her nonprofit work with Read Ahead and the Make a Difference Leadership Foundation has focused on educational access and mentorship. She is a commissioner on the Westport Fair Rent Commission.
Stacey Babson Kaplan is a retired C-suite executive, board director and attorney with deep experience in governance, risk oversight, and organizational strategy. She served as senior vice president, chief sustainability and compliance officer at Terex Corporation. .
Paul Quinsee is a managing director at JPMorgan Asset Management, with more than 40 years in finance. Born in the UK and a Connecticut resident for 3 decades, he serves on the boards of the Financial Accounting Foundation, the Egmont Foundation USA, and The Southport School, where he chairs the Finance Committee.
Westport Library
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It’s been a big month for Jack McFarland.
First, his Staples High baseball team won the state championship.
Then last night, he was inducted into the FCIAC (Fairfield County League) Hall of Fame.
The all-time winningest baseball coach in school history was joined by fellow Staples coaches and administrators, some of his players, and longtime friend and baseball supporter Dylan Curran.
Jack McFarland (right) with Staples athletic director VJ Sarullo. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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We’ve featured some gorgeous creatures, in our daily “Westport … Naturally” series.
But this glossy ibis — spotted at Burying Hill Beach — is particularly stunning.
At least, photographer Ed Simek thinks that what it is. He’d never seen one, so he went searching online.
Whatever its name, it’s beautiful.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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And finally … in honor of the upcoming Westport Country Playhouse show (and its related event at the Library) — item above:
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