There are many attractions at today’s Dog Festival (Winslow Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.): competitions, Police K-9 presentations, an obstacle course, kids’ activities, food trucks and more.
Among the “more”: Cat Malkin offers a live animal communication demo (11 to 11:45 a.m.). The first 12 dogs get one live question answered on the spot.
Not sure what you can ask you dog? Check out her free guide: Top 10 Questions Your Dog Wants You To Ask.
A reminder: This year the entrance fee is cashless: credit card and Apple Pay only ($10 per person, $30 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children).
Yogi Bear says, “C’mon down to the Dog Festival!”
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Westport’s 2 Rotary Clubs joined others throughout the world yesterday, in their annual “Epic Day of Service.”
Here in town, Westport Rotary installed a peace pole at the Compo Playground along with 53 new donor-engraved pickets.
Rotarians at Compo Beach playground.
Meanwhile, Sunrise Rotarians collected 282 bags of food and personal hygiene items — and $692 in cash and checks — at Stop & Shop for the Homes with Hope pantry. Other members added plantings and mulch at the Gillespie Center homeless shelter, also run by HwH.
Sunrise Rotary Club, at the Gillespie Center.
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Speaking of Homes with Hope: They were surprised — and gratified — last week, when the Bedford Middle School Art Collective stopped by.
The youngsters dropped off a check for $452.88, for the food pantry. They raised the funds with artwork, including tote bags, t-shirts, pins and mini-prints.
Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden gives thanks to the BMS art Collective for “leading by example, and showing what it looks like to give back.”
Bedford Middle School Art Collective, at the food pantry.
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There’s always something going on downtown.
But a free lunchtime concert may be a first.
Christ & Holy Trinity Church invites everyone to their grass courtyard at noon on Friday, May 29.
The band called Picnic on the Fourth of July will play a mix of folk, rock, bluegrass, gospel and jazz.
Bring a lunch, or pick something up from a nearby café or restaurant. See you there — indoors if rain!
Picnic on the Fourth of July band.
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Six Staples High School seniors received Westport PAL scholarships, in a ceremony last week.
The awardees, their intended colleges and majors, are:
- Rory Benton (McGill University, physical and health education)
- Tristan Benton (University of Colorado, undetermined)
- Michael Brennan (Syracuse University, sports media/journalism/communications)
- Matty Corrigan (James Madison University, finance)
- Chaz Darby (Boston College, business)
- Blanka Solowinska (undecided, nursing)
Congratulations to all!
Corporal Craig Bergamo, Westport PAL president (3rd from left) with (from left): Matty Corrigan, Rory Benton, Michael Brennan, Tristan Benton, Blanka Solowinska, Chaz Darby.
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This morning’s “06880” provided an update on the dire conditions in Lyman, Ukraine.
Since 2022, local residents have provided over $300,000 in aid — along with vital communications equipment, vehicles and more, to Westport’s sister city, via Ukraine Aid International.
Meanwhile, there’s another help effort underway here too.
Ever since the Russian invasion, Mark Yurkiw — a Westport artist with Ukrainian heritage — has collected medical equipment for the beleaguered nation.
This week, he shipped another 40-foot container overseas.
To help, or for more information, email mark.think3d@gmail.com.
Loading medical supplies for Ukraine.
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Longtime Westport resident and civic volunteer Elaine Arnow died peacefully at home on Friday. She was 96.
Born to parents who emigrated from Hungary and Russia, she graduated as salutatorian from Norwalk High School.
Music was a lifelong passion. She began playing violin with the Norwalk Symphony while a teenager, and continued performing with them into her 90s.
After Danbury Teachers College, Elaine earned a master’s degree from Columbia University. She was a music teacher in the Westport and Weston public schools, as well as Temple Israel religious school. For many years, she performed in the templ’s High Holiday services ensembles.
Elaine began a second career in real estate, spending more than 40 years with William Raveis.
She was an elected member of Westport’s Board of Assessment Appeals for many terms. She also worked for over 10 years as office administrator in Ernie’s dental practice in Norwalk.
Elaine was active in the Democratic Women of Westport, and earned its 2014 Silver Donkey award. Participating in the Memorial Day parade was another tradition she cherished.
She cherished Westport, Compo Beach, tennis, ping pong, and paddling friends and family around the pond in the canoe.
In her later years Elaine found great joy in her biweekly duets and music appreciation sessions with Jane Jessup, who accompanied her on piano. She remained active at the Westport Senior Center, and at home online in musical memory classes.
Her family thanks the loving care, kindness and wonderful meals provided by her devoted caregivers, Manana and Lela, and their husbands. The family is also deeply grateful to Norma and Arquimedes for years of involvement.
Elaine is survived by her 5 children Sherry (Jeff) of Shavertown, Pennsylvania; Hilary (Mark) of Westport; Jonathan (Linda) of Lexington, Massachusetts; David (Debbie) of Austin, Texas, and Meredith (John) of Asheville, North Carolina; grandchildren Adam, Stefanie, Sam, Jesse, Haley, Alexander, Samantha, Hannah, Thomas, Ansley, Beck, Crawford, Quinn and Wilson; 7 great- grandchildren, and brother Charles Walkoff (Tammy) of Port St. Lucie, Florida. She was predeceased by her husband Ernie, and brother Richard Walkoff.
Elaine’s funeral will be held at 1 p.m. today (Sunday) at Temple Israel. Click here for the livestream.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Musical Memory Care or the Westport Center for Senior Activities.
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Michelle Pommier — a 1966 Staples High School graduate and former model who opened the first modeling agency in Miami Beach’s South Beach, then built an agency with over 800 models and clients around the world — died last month. She was 78, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
A Westport native, she attended Bay Path College with plans to become a teacher. But as a freshman, Glamour magazine featured her as a “best-dressed college student.” She began modeling full time.
She signed with Ford Models, and quickly made her mark. She traveled the globe in her 20s and 30s. She appeared on the cover of Town & Country and Harper’s Bazaar, and was featured in Virginia Slims’ “You’ve come a long way, baby” ad campaign.
Michele Pommier, featured in a 1970s ad.
Living in Miami in the late 1970s, Pommier quit modeling to open her own agency. She encouraged art directors from around the world to use Miami Beach — beautiful and cost-effective — as a shooting location. Her models included Christy Turlington, Charlize Theron and Catherin Zeta-Jones.
She is survived by her husband, Peter Diel, son David Diel, daughter Jacqueline Pommier Diel, and sisters Monica Kravitt and Denise Johnson.
Donations in her memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, South Beach Cats and the Miami Beach Community Cat Program.
Michele Pommier
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Most Westporters hope that construction at Ned Dimes Marina ends soon, so we can enjoy another relaxing summer.
These 2 don’t mind at all.
Lou Weinberg is one of our favorite “Westport … Naturally” photographers. This shot is different than usual. But, as he is fond of saying: “Nature wins!”
(Photo/Lou Weinnberg)
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And finally … in honor of today’s Dog Festival (story above):
(Don’t dog us! “06880” is here for you — 24/7/365. But we can’t do it without reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution, and be our best doggone friend. Thank you!)
