The topic was deadly serious.
Literally.
But the energy was sky high yesterday, at Connecticut Against Gun Violence‘s “Be the Hope” luncheon at The Inn at Longshore.
The non-profit — which has helped make Connecticut #3 of all 50 states in the Giffords Law Center safety index, and #45 nationally in gun deaths per capita — has a strong Westport connection.
Melissa Kane is board chair, and interim director. Lisa Newman serves as treasurer; Jennifer Epstein is secretary. Kane and Epstein both spoke movingly of the importance of CAGV’s work.
Other speakers included Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and state Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani.
The keynote was delivered by Fred Guttenberg. His daughter Jaime — a talented dancer and vivacious 14-year-old — was killed in the Margery Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day, 2018.
Guttenberg recalled his last words as she left for school that morning — “Hurry up, you’ll be late” — and stunned the large audience into silence as he recreated the sudden sound of a gun.
Guttenberg was on a cellphone with his son, who was worried he could not find his sister, when both heard the shot that killed her.
“No matter what happens in life, what matters most is what you do next,” Guttenberg said.
That is why he dedicates every day to reducing gun violence.
And that is why over 200 people were at The Inn at Longshore: to help him, and each other, do exactly that.
Gun safety advocate Fred Guttenberg, at The Inn at Longshore.
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The Gillespie Center is closed for renovations.
But no one in Westport will go hungry.
Homes with Hope has relocated its food pantry to 1655 Post Road East, near Stop & Shop).
It’s in the Sasco Creek Community Room. It’s open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The pantry has been expanded too. Offerings now include fresh items like milk, eggs, butter, fruits and vegetables.
Homes with Hope thanks Adrian Monpaldo and the team at Trader Joe’s, for their donations of perishables.
They also thank the many donors; 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker; Carol Martin and her staff at the Westport Housing Authority, and local legislators.
Non-perishable food items and toiletries can be dropped off at the food pantry, during operating hours.
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Here’s a great scoop: The ice cream hut at The Porch @ Christie’s opens this weekend.
Serving starts at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day.
Just one more sign that summer is (almost) here.
The Porch ice cream stand.
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One business opens, another closes:
Oddz is going out of business.
A sign on the Post Road East women’s clothing store across from Bank of America says: “Retirement blowout. 30% of entire store except jeans, all Levi stock, tube tops. 50% off solid brights.”
(Hat tip and photo/Sal Liccione)
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The brick pizza oven at Wakeman Town Farms — manned by Tony Napolitano every Tuesday — is a popular spot for families.
June 19 is special, though. That “Pizza on the Patio” event is adults-only.
Each order (for 2 guests) includes 2 personal pizzas, and 1 bottle of wine. A limited number of single tickets (and additional bottles of wine or pizzas) are also available.
There are 2 start times to reduce wait times for the hand-made pizzas: 6:30 and 7 p.m. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Tony Napolitano, at the Wakeman Town Farm pizza oven.
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Girls rock. And rise.
Next up at the Westport Country Playhouse: “Girl Rising.” It’s a celebration of the untapped potential of girls to address the world’s urgent challenges, like climate change
The May 29 (7 p.m.) event features screenings of portions of the documentary “Girl Rising,” which helped spark a global movement for girls’ education. Girl Rising’s co-founder and CEO Christina Lowery will be on hand with young advocates for girls’ rights, education equity, and climate justice, to tell powerful stories and engage in empowering conversation.
Emcee Erika K. Wesley the former Playhouse director equity, diversity and inclusion — is passionate about providing opportunities for women and girls to participate in literary arts.
Click here for tickets and more information).
“Girl Rising,” at the Westport Country Playhouse.
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For 20 years, Circle of Care has helped families of children with cancer. It provides financial assistance, peer counseling, care packages, dream room makeovers, and activities for adolescents and young adults.
On June 13 (The Loading Dock, Stamford) the non-profit will celebrate those 2 decades.
The event will also honor longtime Westporters April and Michael Book.
April has been an integral program volunteer since 2019, and serves on the board of directors.
Michael is managing partner at Lenox Advisors, a Circle of Care sponsor.
Both have been closely involved as supporters, donors and volunteers, ensuring that no family will face their child’s cancer diagnosis alone.
The gala includes a cocktail reception, dinner, auction, and entertainment. Click here for tickets, and more information.
April and Michael Book
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We’re not sure, but this may be only the second appearance of turtles in our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
We’re also not sure why there are 6 of them on one Saugatuck River rock, and only 1 on another.
(Photo/Jeff Neville)
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And finally … on this date in 1762, the Trevi Fountain was officially inaugurated in Rome.
(Speaking of coins … they’ll do a lot more good in the “06880” bank account than in an Italian fountain. I’m just sayin’. Please click here to toss them our way. Thank you!)
