StoryFest — a Westport Library signature event — returns in October, bigger and better than ever.
It’s expanding to a full week of author talks, panel discussions and more.
And it’s just signed its biggest name ever for a closing act.
Shonda Rhimes — the award-winning producer, Westport resident and huge Library fan — takes the stage on Monday, October 20 (7 p.m.).
Closing out the 8th annual StoryFest, she’ll celebrate the 10th anniversary of her best-selling memoir, “Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person.”
With special guests, Rhimes will share the new moments that shaped her life over the past 10 years, plus the fears she conquered and the unexpected joy of embracing life with an open mind.
“This book is the same as before, but it also is not,” said Rhimes. “It is brand new. It has changed. Transformed. Evolved. Grown. Just like me.”
Tickets are $30, and include a signed copy of the 10th-anniversary edition of “Year of Yes.” The price is the same for 1 or 2 seats, and one copy of the book.
StoryFest 2025 runs October 13-20. The largest annual literary festival in Connecticut and one of the biggest in the Northeast, it is a celebration of the story in all its forms and storytellers from across all media. It draws scores of authors and hundreds of readers, writers and fans.
Rhimes knows the Westport Library well. She was the 2022 “Booked for the Evening” honoree. She also held a special screening of her documentary “Black Barbie” last year, and served as the guest of honor for Westport’s 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration this past January.
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“06880” kicked off our selectpersons’ Instagram Live series yesterday, with Don O’Day and Andrea Moore as guests.
Dave Briggs and I asked the Republican-endorsed candidates about a wide range of topics: Saugatuck development, the Cribari Bridge, the Community Gardens, education, traffic, and much more. Viewers added questions too.
We’ll sit down with the other candidates soon. In the meantime, click here or below to see our conversation with O’Day and Moore.
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Speaking of politics:
Democratic selectperson candidates Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich invite all interested residents to a “Coffee and Conversation” event next Thursday (August 21, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Westport Library McCall room, 2nd floor).
Another is scheduled for Thursday, September 18.
Kevin Christie and Amy Wistreich.
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In 1985, Hall & Oates did not play a concert in Westport.
Their “appearance” at the Inn at Longshore — part of our town’s 150th birthday celebration — was a memorable hoax. (Read that fascinating back story here.)
But — a mere 40 years later — John Oates will play in Westport.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has just been added to the Levitt Pavilion’s calendar. He and his Good Road Band are set for next Friday (August 22, 7 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
John Oates
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The Atlantic’s September cover story, “This Is What the End of the Liberal World Order Looks Like” — staff writer Anne Applebaum’s reports from war-torn Sudan — is accompanied by stunning photographs from Pulitzer Prize winner (and 1991 Staples High School graduate) Lynsey Addario.
Applebaum says that Sudan’s suffering offers “a stark preview of what will follow the collapse of the liberal world order and the retreat of U.S. leadership: not a more just world, but a descent into nihilistic violence.” (Hat tip: Rosalie Wolf)
The Atlantic’s September issue features this cover photo by Lynsey Addario.
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Westport has 6 new Local Historic Properties.
And they’re all bridges.
On Tuesday, the Historic District Commission accepted those designations for these bridges, on town-owned land:
- Evergreen Avenue, over Deadman Brook
- Jesup Road, over Deadman Brook
- Myrtle Avenue, over Deadman Brook.
- Greens Farms Road, over Muddy Brook
- Cross Highway, over Muddy Brook
- Long Lots Road, over Muddy Brook.
The proposal now goes to the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), for final approval.
Greens Farms Road bridge, over Muddy Brook (Photo/Wendy Crowther)
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Popcorn … that staple of movie theaters and baseball stadiums — comes to the Westport Country Playhouse on Monday (August 18, 7 p.m.).
The first event is — appropriately — a movie night. And — appropriately too — the film is “The Sting,” starring Paul Newman. He had a decades-long association with the Playhouse.
(He also owned the restaurant next door, The Dressing Room. It did not sell popcorn.)
The Playhouse’s “gourmet popcorn” comes from Prospector Popcorn in Ridgefield. It’s been handmade for 10 years and sold at the Prospector Theater, supportng the company’s mission to create jobs for people with disabilities.
Prepackaged bags will be available at all Playhouse events for $8 each. They may be brought into the theater itself.
Coming soon, to a Playhouse near you. (Photo/Andrea Quiles)
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Speaking of food: Basso opened in January 2021 — an inopportune time, in the winter and the midst of a pandemic.
But it quickly became one of Westport’s favorites.
Now, Basso celebrates its 18th birthday.
That’s right. The restaurant started in Norwalk, and spent 14 popular years there.
The party begins Friday, August 22 (7:30 p.m.), with live music from Manny Montañez & Friends. Chef Renato Donzelli takes a break from the kitchen, to join on congas. Click here for reservations.
Basso will be filled — as it often is — on August 22.
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VFW Post 399 reaches out to veterans in many ways.
Next up: a Veterans Benefits Luncheon on Thursday (August 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
It’s free, and open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.
PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!
All veterans are invited to the VFW’s free August 21 luncheon.
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When I got this photo from ever-alert “06880” reader Jack Backiel, I figured it was a clever AI or Photoshop reference to some residents’ habits of “forgetting” to pick up after their dogs:
Nope. (Noope.)
Turns out to be a business district in Amsterdam.
Damn!
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Dozens of Staples High School football players gathered at Paul Lane Field yesterday for the 6th annual Murph Challenge.
It was a culmination of their summer fundraising, for both the football program and the Catch a Lift Fund (the non-profit that helps post-9/11 combat-injured veterans regain mental and physical health).
The event began with Catch a Lift veteran Andy Smith talking to the players about sacrifice, resilience and commitment.
Then the athletes took on the Murph Challenge. It includesd a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another mile run.
The 2025 season begins next month.
Andy Smith (far right) addresses the Staples football team.
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Longtime Westport resident, entrepreneur and business owner Thomas Roth died on Sunday. He was 80, and had been diagnosed with cancer a month earlier.
The New York native — by then a fabric manufacturer — met his wife Theresa in 1983, at a fabric trade show. His obituary calls their marriage “rich in conversation, travel, and a loving circle of adoring friends and family.”
He loved her children as his own. He doted on his grandchildren, and traveled around the country to watch their sports games, concerts and lays.
His obituary adds, “he had a deep appreciation for beautiful objects and surroundings. His eye for design was unmatched. He skillfully blended new and vintage pieces to elevate any space.”
Tom was an avid boater. He often quoted “Wind in the Willows”: “There is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
Tom is survived by . His wife of 42 years, Theresa; their children Michael Chaney (Christine) and Anne Delorier (Chris); grandchildren Jack, Ryan and Colin Chaney, and Mason, Miles and Ellie Delorier; brothers Edwin (Joan) and Barry (Anneli), and his “chosen brother” Peter Arest, and nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family is holding a private remembrance. Donations in Tom’s name can be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation.
Tom Roth
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Jonathan Rosenoer sends along today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, of Long Island Sound.
He adds, “I’m not sure how to caption this. It may reflect low air quality. But it’s pretty, all the same.”
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And finally … in honor of popcorn coming to the Westport Country Playhouse (story above):
Every day, our Roundup offers news, views — and entertainment options. If “06880” helps you learn more about Westport, and have fun in the process, please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
