Jen Tooker’s 16 years of service to Westport — as 1st selectwoman, 2nd selectwoman, and a member of the Boards of Finance and Education, and Conservation Commission — were celebrated last night, at Romanacci.
Organized by former 2nd selectwoman Andrea Moore, it brought together people from every chapter of Tooker’s public life.
In the room were former Westport Select Board members Jim Marpe, Avi Kaner and Tammy Pincavage, plus many other elected town officials and longtime friends who worked with her, and admired her dedication.
Tooker was surprised when she walked in, and touched by the outpouring of appreciation. Kaner notes, “there were heartfelt stories, laughter, and genuine gratitude for her steady leadership, warmth and unwavering commitment to Westport and its residents.”
Jen Tookekr (2nd row, 2nd from right, with former 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore and 1st Selectman Jim Marpe), at Romanacci.
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The Westport community has come through — big time.
Yesterday, Deputy Fire Chief Matt Cohen and Lieutenant Rob Lenois — president of the Westport Firefighters Charitable Foundation — joined volunteers with the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
Thanks to the generosity of the Westport community, they donated 1,000 turkeys — and sides — to support a 3-day Great ThankGiving Project event.
Well done, Westport Fire Department — and Westport neighbors!
From left: Tatyana Rozetta, Bridgeport Rescue Mission volunteer manager; Westport Deputy Chief Matt Cohen; Laurie Molner, BRM director of development; Lieutenant Rob Lenois, Westport Firefighter Charitable Foundation president.
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But wait! There’s more! On Wednesday, “06880” posted a story on a partnership between A&S Westport Fine Foods and the Conlon Amendola law firm.
They were donating 50 full Thanksgiving dinners — fresh turkeys, hams and sides — to families at Capital Prep Harbor School in Bridgeport.
They hoped a few readers could provide funds for dessert (pies).
The phones did not stop ringing. Within 24 hours all 50 pies were sponsored, by residents and former Westporters across the country.
Dr. John Corino of Norwalk Dental Arts, and an anonymous loyal A&S customer, added generous donations, allowing the meals to be increased even more.
The meals were prepared by A&S. They were delivered yesterday, then unloaded and distributed by the school’s National Honor Society students.
The drive was so successful, A&S and Conlon Amendola are planning another for Christmas, also for Capital Prep Harbor School.
Come on, “06880” readers! Email chefalpiz@gmail.com to learn how you can help.
From left: Patricia Pizzirusso (A&S), Jacquelyn Conlon and Bonnie Amendola (Conlon Amendola), Chenelle James and Dr. Joan Miller (Capital Prep Harbor School), with a few of the 50 dinners.
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And now, turning to the next big holiday:
The town’s annual tree lighting is set for the Town Hall lawn on Monday, December 1 (5 p.m.).
The Staples High School Orphenians will sing. The Westport Museum for History & Culture provides hot chocolate.
And — as always — little kids will count down to the big reveal.
Let there be (holiday) light! Here’s a look back at 2024. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Westport was one of hundreds of participants yesterday, in the first of 2 “Fall of Freedom” days.
The event — “an urgent call to the arts community to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation” — involved galleries, museums, comedy clubs, theaters and concert venues across the country, with exhibitions, performances and pubic events.
Locally, the Westport Library hosted a showing of “The Librarians.” The award-winning 2025 documentary shows an unlikely group standing up as “first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment rights.”
With just 2 weeks notice, a full house filled the Trefz Forum, for the screening and a discussion. Panelists included (below from left, in photo): Westport screen and stage writer and Columbia University professor Trey Ellis; director/producer Kim A. Snyder; producer Maria Cuomo Cole; Connecticut state librarian Deborah Schander, and author Oliver Radclyffe.
By now, you must have heard of Staples Players’ stupendous production of “Les Misérables.”
The whole town is talking about it.
With a Players record-setting 10-show run, there are 3 more opportunities: today (Saturday, November 22, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, November 23, 2:30 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
We’ve hailed the 70-plus actors often. They deserve all their kudos, and more.
But let’s not overlook the spectacular 30-piece pit orchestra, or the dozens of students (and adults) who constructed the jaw-dropping set.
We can’t show the musicians. They’re off stage (though hopefully they’ll get a bow tonight or tomorrow).
Speaking of Staples accomplishments: 1991 graduate Lynsey Addario is one of the most acclaimed photojournalists in the world.
The Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Fellow winner has covered famines, civil wars, maternal mortality and more for National Geographic (among many others).
As part of the “Ask a Nat Geo Expert Anything” series, Addario speaks answered questions about the perils of her work, the personal price she pays, and how to get into photography.
Staples High School Class of 2008 graduate Leo Stagg is listed as “Head Automation” for the production.
We’re not not sure what that means. But it comes right after “Head Carpenter,” and just before “Head and Deck Electrician.” So Leo — who learned his tech chops with Staples Players — is one of the many unheralded crew members, without whom the curtain could not rise. (Hat tip: Lisa Marriott)
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Bob Weingarten spotted — and sends along — today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
He writes: “I just saw these trees changing from summer into winter, at Hillandale Road and Morningside Drive South. Amazing how uniform the change is.”
Posted onOctober 6, 2025|Comments Off on Roundup: Selectmen & Sustainability, Halloween Window Painting, Beach Scenes …
A reminder: tonight (Monday), Westport’s 1st selectman candidates will discuss sustainability and the environment. The 6:30 p.m. event, at Christ & Holy Trinity Church’s Branson Hall, is co-sponsored by Sustainable Westport and Earthplace.
David Rosenwaks, Don O’Day and Kevin Christie will share their perspectives, priorities, and proposed solutions and action plans for Westport on issues like clean energy, waste reduction, climate resiliency and Westport’s long-term sustainability goals.
The annual Halloween window painting contest is now older than many participants.
The 10th annual Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce event — in which children paint retail and business windows — takes place Saturday, October 25 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
There are (as always) (and of course) prizes for the winners — ice cream gift cards — in both the elementary and middle school categories. Children can paint individually, or in teams. Painters and businesses: click here to sign up.
The actual “harvest moon” is tonight. That’s the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. It’s also the first “supermoon” of 2025 (meaning it appears larger than other full moons).
This was the view over Long Island Sound, off Schlaet’s Point on Hillspoint Road:
The Mid-Fairfield Youth Cannabis Prevention Project hosts a 5-part speaker series, via Zoom. Positive Directions and Westport Together are co-sponsors.
Jude Siegel grew up in Westport. Her father owned Westport Pharmacy downtown, across from the Library on Post Road East. Jude is a 1964 Staples High School graduate.
Since 1973, she has lived in Oregon — first on farms in the Willamette Valley, now in Portland.
She has long taught nature and bird journaling — a combination of drawing, watercolor and writing — to children and adults.
“This time of year,” she says, “I get homesick for the land, beaches and beauty of Connecticut.”
Of course, it is beautiful in Oregon too. Jude captures that beauty every year, in a watercolor and pen bird calendar she draws and produces.
The cover of Jude Siegel’s 2026 calendar …
“Birds bring such joy to our daily lives,” she notes. “It gives me peace to draw and paint them. I like the idea that they then go out on the calendar pages to people all over, and grace their lives as well.
This year’s calendar is now available for purchase. They’re $30 each, plus $5 per calendar for shipping. Email colorfuljude@gmail.com. (Originals are available for purchase. Just ask!)
… and one of the months.
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Sure, we’ve run a couple of bee photos recently, in our “Westport … Naturally” series.
But one of nature’s most remarkable creatures deserves another highlight.
Especially when the image is as remarkable as this one, captured in Mark Yurkiw and Wendy Van Wie’s garden by the incomparable Miggs Burroughs:
(You don’t have to be a Wisconsin Badger to celebrate today. And you don’t have to be anything — other than a grateful reader — to click here and support “06880.” On we go. And thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Selectmen & Sustainability, Halloween Window Painting, Beach Scenes …
“06880” continues our Instagram Live conversations with the first selectman candidates tomorrow (Monday, August 25, 4 p.m.). Dave Briggs and I will chat with independent David Rosenwaks.
You can find us on Instagram @06880danwoog. We welcome your questions!
The Fairfield National Little team’s storied run in the Little League World Series ended yesterday.
They lost 8-2 to Las Vegas, in the US championship game. Fairfield had come from behind to beat the same team 3 days earlier, sending the Nevadans to a must-win contest in the losers’ bracket.
Fairfield boasts 4 players with direct Westport connections: Ben Herbst, Colin Curley, Boden Dunlap and Tommy D’Amura.
The defeat in the American title game matches the achievement of a Westport team 12 years ago. They fell to a California squad in the championship.
Congratulations, Fairfield, on a great run. You represented yourselves, your town and our state wonderfully!
Three Fairfield players with Westport ties (from 2nd left to far right).
John Kantor — the highly regarded former Longshore Sailing School owner, who knows an enormous about about the sport — calls that result “very impressive. There were a lot of pros in the top 10.”
First place was won by David Peck of Niantic.
At Cedar Point Yacht Club, standing, from left: Bill Whidden, Vance Harrison, John Rhodes, Tom Atkinson. Front: John Yingling. (Photo/Bonnie Housner Erickson)
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Speaking (still) of sports: Today’s (Sunday) Staples High School boys basketball 2nd annual Summer Slam Jam 3-v-3 Tournament for 3rd-8th grade boys of all skill levels runs all day at Bedford Middle School.
There is also a 3-point shooting competition for everyone. Trophies will go to kids (high school and younger), as well as adults.
There are 3 45-minute slots: 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Anyone can enter any of them.
Meanwhile, the boys basketball program seeks contributions, to help imrpove the facilities at Staples. Click here to donate.
Meet and hang out with the FCIAC champs!
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Five new recruits joined the Westport Fire Department on Friday.
William O’Rourke, Stephen Marsan, Drew Haig, Joseph McKay and Patricia Quinn were sworn in, at the Post Road headquarters.
Congratulations. Thank you for your service. And welcome to Westport!
After decades of teaching at Staples High School — and now, a decade or two later — a group gets together regularly.
They call themselves ROMEO: Retired Old Men Eating Out.
On Friday — as their still-working colleagues were setting up classrooms, attending meetings and planning lessons — these guys enjoyed their annual “We’re Not Going Back to School” breakfast.
How many can you identify? Their names are in the caption below.
Clockwise from far left: Jim Wheeler, Al Jolley, Jim Honeycutt, Stan Rhodes, John Pepe, Ed Bludnicki, Drew Strauss, Fred Choromanski, Brian Kelley, Bruce McFadden, Pete Van Hagen, Bob Selverstone, Werner Liepolt.
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