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
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!)
