The Westport Library is closed today (Tuesday), due to potentially icy conditions. All programming is canceled for the day.
Also closed: the Westport Senior Center.
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It’s official: March is Sandwich Month in Westport.
1st Selectman Kevin Christie made the proclamation yesterday, at Old Mill Grocery & Deli. He kicked off the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s 9th annual contest — this one focused on (duh) sandwiches.
He was joined by 2nd Selectwoman Amy Wistreich, plus Chamber members, attorneys with sponsor Bercham Moses, and representatives of the owner of the OMG property, the Soundview Empowerment Alliance.
The contest runs throughout March. Over 20 restaurants, delis and markets will compete in 10 categories.
Judging is done by residents, online. Each voter is also entered into a drawing to win a free sandwich, from one of the 10 winners.
The 21 competitors are: A & S Fine Foods, Calise’s, Clubhouse, Dunkin, Emmy Squared, Garelick & Herbs, Gold’s, Kabab & Hummus House, Kawa Ni, Lyfe Café, Match Burger Lobster, Nomade, Old Mill Grocery, Organic Market, Outpost Pizza, Pizza Lyfe, Rizzuto’s Lobster Shack, Romanacci, Saugatuck Provisions, Saugatuck Rive Café, The Granola Bar and Zucca Gastrobar.
The 10 categories are: Best Chicken Sandwich, Best Steak Sandwich, Best Vegetarian Sandwich, Best Combo Sandwich, Best Club, Best NY Deli, Best Pressed Sandwich, Best Breakfast Sandwich, Best Wrap Sandwich, and Best Fish/Seafood Sandwich. Each restaurant, deli or market may enter up to 4 categories, but can only win 2 at most.
From now through March 31, everyone is invited to visit the venues, enjoy the offerings, and vote here.
1st Selectman Kevin Christie enjoys a sandwich at Old Mill Grocery & Deli. He looks forward to chowing down at the competition too.
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There are plenty of grandparents — with grandchildren — in Westport.
Soon, they’ll have a chance to play together — without screens — thanks to the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston.
The pilot program, called Grand Play Day, brings together grandparents and their grandkids (ages 5-12). Using simple tools (question cards, paper-and-pencil table games and other easy activities), they’ll laugh and share stories.
Grand Play Day is built on “Connections Thru Play,” created by Playocracy founder Lynn Campanella in partnership with the National Institute for Play — where Y’s Man Joe Miller, serves as a volunteer executive.
The Y’s Men pilot is planned for an afternoon on the weekend of April 24–25, coinciding with Global Intergenerational Week. It will be facilitated by Campanella and Miller, include academic input from professors of Childhood Development and Aging, and serve as a potential model for other community groups.
To participate with one or more grandchildren age 5–12, email josephamiller@yahoo.com.
Y’s Men promote intergenerational — and non-screen — fun.
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Dhilan Patel is the Westport Book Shop’s guest exhibitor for the month of March. He’s exhibiting archival prints of his paintings and drawings. All work is available for purchase.
One of the youngest featured artists ever at the Jesup Road store, Dhilan is currently a Staples High School senior. he began painting in 1st grade.
He says that art teaches important qualities. “Painting, for example, has taught me the importance of forward planning and patience (literally waiting for layers to dry).
“Also, when people see your work they see the end result, but not the uncertainty and mistakes along the way, which art also teaches you to deal with. My first true art instructor, Mr. Jenya, always emphasized that not every stroke has to be perfect and not every action has to have the desired outcome. He encouraged me to work with what’s there and move forward. In hindsight he was instilling qualities such as humility, trust in the process, and openness to possibility.”
In addition to oil painting, Dhilan has explored calligraphy and sumi-e (traditional Japanese ink painting). His work been selected for a national anthology published by CelebratingArt.com, and he has won awards at the Ridgewood Art Institute’s Young People’s Exhibit.
A reception is set for March 19 (6 p.m.).
Dhilan Patel at Westport Book Shop.
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Speaking of Staples, and the arts: Congratulations to Demeil Betfarhad, Josie Caricato and Lyla McEntee!
The Staples High School students performed last weekend with the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Region Honor Choirs. Selection for the ensembles is one of the highest honors for choral singers in the region, following a rigorous audition process in 11 states.
The 4-day event in Providence featured an intensive schedule of rehearsals and masterclasses, culminating in performances at legendary venues.
Lauren Pine, Staples’ choral director, attended the conference, and supported the young singers throughout the rehearsal and performance process.
From left: Josie Caricato, Lyla McEntee, Demeil Betfarhad.
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Speaking (still) of Staples: Congratulations to the boys soccer team.
The 2025 class “LL” (extra large schools) state champions were named Team of the Year for the entire state, by the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association.
The award was announced on Sunday, at the All-State banquet at the Aqua Turf Club. Individual honors were also presented to Josh Whitaker (All-New England), Gabe Duque (All-State) and Dylan Shackelford (Most Valuable Player, state final).
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And even more Staples news: The wrestling team placed 3rd overall — out of 121 teams — at this past weekend’s state open meet.
Four grapplers earned medals. sophomore Julian Rousseau placed 2nd, at 215 pounds, while 3 others finished 5th: junior Gavin Donaldson (120), and seniors Seamus Brannigan (126) and Damian Rousseau (190). Congrats to all!
From left: Gavin Donaldson, Seamus Brannigan, Julian Rousseau, Damian Rousseau.
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Westport Pride invites all members of the LGBTQ+ community — and all allies — to the second Happy Hour of 2026.
It’s this Thursday (March 5, 6 p.m., The Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club). The restaurant is providing light bites. Everyone there will provide the vibe.
And more: there’s a “Pride Night” cocktail party this Saturday (March 7, 7 p.m.) at the Westport Country Playhouse, before Isaac Mizrahi’s 8 p.m. show.
LGBTQ+ community members and friends with tickets to the performance are invited to the event, in the Lucille Lortel White Barn Center. Appetizers are catered by Nômade, and there is a limited open bar.
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This Thursday at “Jazz at the Post,” an ensemble of master improvisers performs every track from “The Soothsayer,” the visionary Wayne masterpiece.
Greg Wall, David DeJesus, Andy Gravish, Jen Allen, Boots Maleson and Steve Johns bring decades of experience and deep jazz insight to Shorter’s richly textured writing, honoring the album’s lyrical mysticism, harmonic daring, and rhythmic subtlety while infusing it with their own vibrant interplay.
The March 5 shows are at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service begins at 7. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Longtime Westport resident Lester Becker died passed peacefully at home on February 16. He was 96.
The Brooklyn native met his wife Mary at a resort hotel in the Catskills. They were married for nearly 73 years. In 1963 they moved to Westport, where they raised their Ann and Michael. In the early 2000’s they moved to California for 5 years to be near their grandson Ellis, while he was growing up.
After graduating from Columbia University, Lester worked for Dynamic Films in New York. He then formed his own company, Custom Films. A major client was ABC’s “Wide World of Sports.” Focusing on auto racing, he and his team filmed and edited numerous events, including at aytona, Darlington, Indianapolis and the Monaco Grand Prix.
After airing, he often re-edited the footage for companies like Goodyear Tire.
Lester loved to ski, sail, play tennis, take solo motorcycle trips, and travel the world with Mary. Until the very end of his life, he remained intellectually curious. He was an avid reader, stock market enthusiast, lifelong Democrat, and generous man.
He is survived by his daughter Ann Moore of New York City; son Michael (Christine Dunford) of Los Angeles; grandson Ellis Becker of Madison, Wisconsin, and beloved cat Archie. The family expresses nduring gratitude to his kind and wonderful caregiver, Keneilwe.
A celebration of Lester’s and Mary’s lives will be held at a date to be announced. Donations can be made in Lester’s honor to the Westport Library or the Pet Animal Welfare Society (Paws of Norwalk).
Lester Becker
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A waxing moon, perched atop a tall tree, is a perfect look for today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo feature.
(Photo/John Richers)
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And finally … in honor of Grand Play Day (story above):
(Hey grandma! And grandpa! And grandkids — and everyone else in between: If you enjoy these daily Roundups — or anything else on “06880” — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
