The other day, Jill Johnson Mann was listening to Alison Stewart’s “All Of It” on WNYC.
A request went out for callers to share unique 60-second New York stories,for a “Moth” segment.
Jill — the multi-talented writer/Triple Threat Academy co-director — quickly rehearsed a story.
She timed it, pulled into a parking lot, and called in. She told the screener her story — it took “59.9 seconds,” Jill said — and soon was on the air.
“With no pen or paper, I prayed for speed-talking and memory skills, while my heart raced,” she says.
She nailed it.
Click here to listen (it starts at 14:20).
(Jill says, “Thank you Mahfuz, the star of the story. His name and phone number are still in our scrapbook from that era.” After hearing her tale, you’ll know why.)
Jill Johnson Mann
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The Westport Orchestra Chamber Festival — where the Staples High School, and Bedford and Coleytown Middle School chamber orchestras all come together — was always special.
But COVID canceled the event. It had not happened again — until Tuesday night.
That made it extra special — particularly for the seniors, the only “veterans.”
The last time they performed in the Chamber Festival, they were in 6th grade.
A small partion of Tuesday night’s Chamber Orchestra Festival. (Hat tip and photo/Kit Tingley)
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Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport will pack the short month of February with plenty of activities.
Couples Night (February 7, 6:30 p.m., Harvest restaurant)
Galentine’s Lunch (February 14, 12 noon, Via Sforza)
Book Group (February 27; “Pineapple Street”)
Cooking Group (date and theme TBA).
For more information, email eventsnnwestport@gmail.com. Click here for the website.
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Every child has a beloved stuffed animal.
And every child inevitably loses one.
In her latest children’s book, “Losing Lambie,” Westport author Diana Blau takes readers on the journey of a boy and his best friend (Lambie), who often goes missing in unexpected places.
Children will have fun seeing all the silly places Lambie gets lost, and parents will appreciate the book’s tips about teaching kids to keep track of their things.
Click here for more information, and to puchase. Diana’s Instagram is @Diana_Blau_Author.
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Over 30,000 teenagers have learned to drive at Fresh Green Light.
But why should kids have all the fun?
The Fairfield County driving school has just added a “Road Test Concierge Program” for adults.
The “one-stop solution” for is aimed at new adult drivers — for example expatriates, au pairs, nannies, and adults who never had the chance to obtain their licenses as teens.
Fresh Green Light’s new service includes:
DMV-required 8-hour class: Fulfill the mandatory classroom instruction required by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.
In-car driving lessons: Personalized instruction in late-model vehicles.
DMV road tests at Fresh Green Light locations: Westport, Fairfield, Wilton, Darien, Greenwich.
For more information about Fresh Green Light’s adult driver’s education programs, click here, or call 203-861-1188.
Fresh Green Light owner Steve Mochel.
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Club203’s February gathering is a special “Valentine Birdie mini-golf” event.
On February 4 (6:30 to 8 p.m., MoCA CT), members of Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities will show off their putting skills, enjoy cookies from Sweet P Bakery, and spend a “par-fect” evening with friends.
Click here for more information.
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Felicia Catale — a longtime Westport hair stylist, most recently owner of Salon Nash — is now providing services at clients’ homes.
She cuts women’s, men’s and children’s hair, and offers glow and express hair color for women and men (plus blowouts). Felicia is also available for weddings, parties and special occasions, with on-site services.
Call 203-349-5814 for more information.
Felicia Catale
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It’s 4 months away. But a celebrity golf event co-chaired by Westport’s Lindsay Czarniak and her former ESPN colleague Kenny Mayne will sell out quickly.
The May 19 event at Fairfield’s Brooklawn Country Club benefit both the Jake Panus Walk On Scholarship, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
In addition to the hosts, others expected to play include: NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, former MLB pitcher Carl Pavano, University of Buffalo head football coach Pete Lembo, CBS News meteorologist Rob Marciano; ESPN NY’s Anita Marks; ESPN Sportscenter anchors John Buccigross and Michael Eaves, former ESPNer’s Trey Wingo and John Anderson, and others.
The Jake Panus Scholarships were founded by the parents of the Fairfield teen, a passenger killed in a 2020 car crash. Since then, 7 grants have been awarded to students from Red Cloud Indian School in South Dakota, and student-athletes attending the University of South Carolina. To learn more, visit: click here.
To register for a foursome or become a sponsor, click here or email bob.garguilo@madd.org.
Lindsay Czarniak and Kenny Mayne.
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Yesterday’s 50-degree temperature brought relief from the cold — and plenty of melting.
As today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature shows, these guys were definitely on thin Saugatuck River ice.
(Photo/Pat Saunders)
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And finally … in honor of Fresh Green Light’s new adult driver ed program (story above):
(“06880” is “driven” to by Westport’s hyper-local blog, with news, events, photos and more — 24/7/365. We hope you’ll click here, to keep us on the road to financial solvency. Thank you!)
The film was inspired by Wynston Browne. The story of the non-speaking autistic Staples junior — for years believed to be developmentally disabled, now using a keyboard to stun everyone with his remarkable intelligence — has inspired people all over town.
