Tag Archives: Jackie Hornung

Roundup: Soundview Stroll, Levitt Lights, Media Mentions …

The Soundview Summer Stroll has an Instagram page: @SoundviewSummerStroll.

In the weeks leading up to the July 27 event, we’ll post information on the great new tradition. All day long, the Compo Beach exit road will be closed to traffic, and open for live music, kids’ activities and games, food, community gathering and fun.

On our Instagram we’ll offer information on the bands that will play, times for the photo booth and face painting, food vendors, and everything else you need to make the day special.

Please follow the page, check out the reel, and add a comment if you’d like. If you’ve got any photos from last year, add them in!

The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to the town, from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. See you on July 27, at the Stroll!

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Blau House & Gardens — the magnificent property high on a ridge off Bayberry Lane — is one of Westport’s true hidden gems.

The gardens were developed over 50 years by the late advertising entrepreneur, Barry Blau. The intimate series of interlocking garden rooms, incorporating native plants interspersed with a blend of exotics — surround a mid-century modern house designed by celebrated theatrical designer, Ralph Alswang.

Since 2017, Emily Blau and Robert Cohen — the BH&G stewards — have opened their special garden for events like signings by bestselling authors, children’s book readings, scavenger hunts, garden tours, horticultural classes and more.

Next up: “Music in the Garden.” Two concerts this summer — presented in collaboration with the Norwalk Symphony Orchetra — offer a chance to hear beautiful music, in an unparalleled setting.

The first is August 3, with the Quantum Leap String Quartet. The second is August 17, featuring Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet.

Both days begin with a garden tour, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. ($25). The music begins at 6 p.m., through 7:15 ($75). Picnicking in the gardens is encouraged.

Shuttles will run from the parking lot at Coleytown Elementary School. Click here for tickets.

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Saturday’s Levitt Pavilion show — the Disco Biscuits’ 30th anniversary tour stop — included great celestial lighting, for the popular EDM/jam rock band.

For disco biscuits 30th anniversary tour stop!

Click here or below for an intriguing look at the “mother ship.”

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The New York Times gave plenty of coverage in yesterday’s “Vows” section to the marriage of Jackie Hornung and Ben Jacob.

Much of the story involved their dog, Little Bear Lumi. He’s social media famous. In fact, Jackie — who majored in psychology at Tulane University — handles his accounts full time.

The couple met as 11-year-olds at Camp Echo Lake. At 16 — more than a decade ago — they became a couple.

Click here to read the full story. And see more photos of Lumi. (Hat tip: Robin Frank)

Jackie Hornung, Ben Jacob and Lumi. (Photo Brindamour Studios)

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Another newspaper feature, another Westporter: Taking a break from tough topics, this weekend the Wall Street Journal asked: “What Do You Wear Though Your Partner Hates It?”

One answer came from a Westporter:

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After 3.5 miles yesterday, the Y’s Men Sunday walking group was just over half done.

And fully parched.

Fortunately, Lou and Dorothy Rolla were there, with cold lemonade and water.

The men cooled off. They thanked the couple. And then — refreshed — they were off again.

Dorothy Rolla (right), with the Y’s Men. (Photo/Lou Rolla)

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“06880” has recently featured a few very cool, classic cars, parked at Compo’s South Beach.

But that’s not the only spot to spot ’em.

This Can Am drew admiring glances Saturday night, in the Viva Zapata lot.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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On Saturday, Wakeman Town Farm dedicated a garden in honor of ardent environmentalist and civic volunteer Cathy Talmadge.

Representative Town Meeting (RTM) colleague Andrew Colabella was there. He snapped this evocative photo, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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And finally … the wedding story (above) got us thinking about this song. Just swap out Lumi for Boo …

(Happy holiday week! Follow all the fun on “06880.” And if you get a chance to click here to support our work — well, thank you! That’s the spirit!)

Roundup: Lyman Seeds, Launch Party, Lumi …

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its second year, one crucial casualty looms: agriculture.

Continued fighting severely curtailed planting this spring. The fear was felt everywhere, from large commercial farmers to individuals whose home gardens provide increasingly scarce food.

In Lyman, those worries are over.

Thanks to Westporters’ donations, 2,000 residents of our sister city have received seeds. They were delivered by Ukraine Aid International — our partners on the ground, founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — just in time for spring planting.

Onions, tomatoes and much more will soon grow, in back yards throughout the beleaguered town. Click below for a video of the seed distribution; click here to contribute to our continuing drive to help our friends, in as many ways as we can. (Click on the “Designation” drop-down menu; then select “Westport-Lyman.”)

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“Pick of the Pics” — the “06880” book highlighting over 100 of our blog’s best Pics of the Day — was published a couple of months ago.

Now it’s time for the launch party.

The event is Sunday, April 30 (2 to 4 p.m., Savvy + Grace, 146 Main Street). Books will be available for purchase at a special price of $20 (regular Amazon price: $24.95).

I’ll be there signing copies; so will Lyah Muktavaram, my “06880” intern who did 99% of the work on it.

Photographers featured in the book can pick up a free book at the launch party too.

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The newest “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast continues with 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker’s conversation with Human Services director Elaine Daignault.

They talk about juvenile services and program, the Prevention Coalition for Substance Abuse, and Westport Together.

Click below to listen to the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston podcadst:

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Videos of a woman carrying her 52-pound Samoyed dog in her backpack has gone viral.

Over a million viewers have seen one version.

@littlebearlumi

Replying to @mjaucrame Big dawg. Big backpack 🎒 #fyp #dog #puppy #samoyed #nyc #funnydog

♬ Collide (more sped up) – Justine Skye

She does it because “dogs have to be in bags” on New York subways.

A People Magazine story called the woman — Jackie Hornung — a “New York City native.”

Nope.

Jackie grew up in Westport. She graduated from Staples High School in 2016.

In fact, she’s a 3rd-generation Westporter.

Some People! (Hat tip: Johnny Donovan)

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Westport favorite Melissa Newman — one of our own — headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, April 6; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.; $15 cover; reservations strongly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com).

Joining Melissa: guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Bobby Leonard.

Melissa Newman

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Several members of the Diverse Westport Facebook group attended a dance-a-thon on the Anna & Raven Show. Several dance schools performed BollyX.

The event raised funds for the Tiny Miracles Foundation. As a mother who had a premature baby, Westporter Ifeseyi Gayle can relate.

Also at the event: Kumuda Kumar, Rose Mlay Gardner. Kristen McDonald. Carrie Guttman, Patty Mantilla, Qing Huang, Lucy Rivera, Jenny Stork and Wanda Arias.

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A woman who works at the 55 Greens Farms Road office complex watched sadly yesterday, as Westport police recovered the body of 62-year-old Errol Whyte from a pond on the property.

As she left for home that afternoon, she took a picture of the once-again-peaceful pond. She was heartened, she told “06880,” that “maybe Errol can now rest in peace.”

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Jonathan Prager spotted — and snapped — today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo on Owenoke.

It’s one of the first. But many more will join it, in “daffodil days” to come, all over town.

(Photo/Jonathan Prager)

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And finally … there is still plenty of uncertainty and fear in Lyman. Russian forces are near, and continue to bombard our sister city.

But the recent distribution of seeds to 2,000 residents (story above) — thanks to funds provided by Westporters — has brought some light into their lives.

Here’s 3 more minutes of beauty and hope:

(“06880” is indeed where Westport meets the world. Please click here to support your hyper-local, global-minded blog. Thank you!)