Tag Archives: News 12 Connecticut

Roundup: Westoberfest, Southern Tide, News 12 …

On Friday, “06880” noted that early bird tickets are on sale for Westoberfest.

Here are more details on the 7th annual craft beer-and-fall festival (September 21, 2 to 5 p.m., downtown Westport), sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association.

Guests enjoy over 45 tastings from innovative craft breweries like Kent Falls, Nod Hill, Obscure Oscillation and Space Cat Brewing to name a few, plus activities like keg rolling and pumpkin chucking contests for adults.

Children’s activities include root beer floats, flower crown-making, pumpkin decorating and face painting.

There’s live music too, from One Bad Oyster.

For a complete list of breweries, kids’ activities, food and vendors, click here.

The price through August 31 is $45. Tickets go up to $50 on September 1, and are $55 at the event. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Westoberfest, in downtown Westport.

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Southern Tide — the men’s, women’s and children’s clothing store — has opened on Elm Street, around the corner from Brooks Corner.

There is still merchandise at their Playhouse Square location. But the large sign above the store there is gone.

Meanwhile, coming August 17 to Westport: Framebridge.

The custom frame shop will open at 123 Post Road East, next to WEST.

(Hat tips and photos/Sal Liccione)

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News 12 Connecticut has been nominated for a number of New York Emmy Awards.

Among them: “My Name is Wynston Browne” — a compelling story about the Staples High School rising senior who, despite non-speaking autism — has learned to communicate using a typing device

The nomination cites reporter Mark Sudol, and photographer/editors Frank Bruce Rosen and Mark Sogofsky. It is in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Category.

News 12 Connecticut’s “Burning Desires” story — about the murder of Westporter Joan Wertkin — was also nominated for an Emmy.

Also nominated: 1974 Staples High School graduate Susan Handman, as a performer/narrator for NYC Life.

The 67th annual Emmy gala takes place October 26, at the New York Marriott Marquis.

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Happy anniversary to Rex Fowler and Dodie Pettit!

The couple — who now perform and tour as Aztec Two-Step 2.0, the new iteration of the much-revered folk-rock duo Fowler formed over 50 years ago — celebrated with a small party yesterday, in the same yard where they were married 6 years ago.

Rain chased the musicians inside. But — happily — the band (with some very talented friends) played on.

Rex Fowler and Dodie Pettit blow out the candles. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Congratulations to the 2024 Longshore Women’s Golf Association club champions: Jennifer Cole, Cynthia Carpenter, Robin Babes, Jean Murdoch, Dorothy Torpie, Cynthia Sher, Chris LoRusso and Elizabeth Harleman.

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Three princesses came to Westport Saturday, in custom gowns and professionally styled wigs.

They were not real royalty. They were from Your Premium Princesses, a “bespoke character company of your dreams, where magic meets sophistication.” They’re hired for birthday parties, corporate events and grand openings

This event was a child’s birthday party, off Hillspoint Road.

Young partygoers did their part too, arriving in costumes.

What? No princes?!

(Hat tip and photo/Barbara Schwarz)

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June Walker Rogers — a Broadway singer, dancer and comedienne who appeared on television and wrote 13 plays and musicals, died last Monday at her Westport home, where she lived for decades. She was 97.

Born in Steubenville, Ohio, and raised in Queens, she started dancing at 5. She later developed a nightclub act, performing with Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Louis Prima, Don Rickles, Rodney Dangerfield and Louis Farrakhan (when he performed under the name “Calypso Louie”).

She left Columbia University early to make her Broadway debut. She performed with Bert Lahr, Dick Van Dyke, Tony Bennett and Orson Bean, and appeared on Steve Allen and Jackie Gleason’s TV shows. Ed Sullivan was so taken with her that he brought her to the White House, to perform for Presidents Truman and Eisenhower.

After starting a family, she turned to playwriting. She then returned to the stage, at the Westport Country Playhouse.

Rogers was a founding member of the Theater Artists Workshop of Westport.

She was married for 50 years to the late Tony-nominated writer/actor David Rogers, who died in 2013. She is survived by her daughters Dulcy Rogers Bader (Diedrich) and Amanda Rogers, and grandchildren Lucy, Sebastian, Dashiell and Ondine. Click here for a full obituary.

June Rogers

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The weather was on-and-off this weekend. Beachgoers cut short their visits, both Saturday and Sunday.

This guy looked right at home, though. He hopped, strutted, then stayed still just long enough to pose for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … on this day in 1962, Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home, from a drug overdose. She was 36.

(“06880” is Westport’s hyper-local blog. We rely on support from readers like you. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

 

Roundup: Westport Pride, Susan Granger, Tobacco …

Westport Pride is back!

The LGBTQ organization of the same name invites everyone to Jesup Green this Sunday (June 2, 12 to 3 p.m.) for the annual celebration.

Girl Scout Troop 51003 will raise the pride flag. Then comes an array of local talent, featuring performances by Bridget Reddy, The Corduroys, Imogen Medoff, Next Day Delivery, Alyssa Lee, Josie Pines, Echo Bodell, and Jonathan Ridel of The Rubber Skulls.

The family-friendly day includes’ children’s arts and crafts, face painting and yard games.

Food trucks and local vendors will be on on site. Local author Nikkya Hargrove will sign copies of her new novel, “Mama: a Queer Black Woman’s Story of a Family Lost and Found.”

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker will declare June as Pride Month in Westport, underscoring the town’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The afternoon includes local drag queens The Latin Doll and Bleach.

Cantor Julia Cadrain of Temple Israel and Rev. Kari Nicewander of Saugatuck Congregational Church will offer prayers and blessings at the start and conclusion of the event.

 

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“It’s A Hollywood Life!” — the documentary that captures the story of longtime Westport resident Susan Granger’s 80+ years in and around the movie industry — continues its successful rollout.

Yesterday, News 12 Connecticut ran a story. It included interviews with Granger and the film’s producer, 1971 Staples High School graduate Fred Cantor. Click here for Mark Sudol’s report.

The piece followed word that the Chain NYC Film Festival — the long-running indie film event — selected “It’s A Hollywood Life!” as one of 18 documentary shorts for 2024. A screening date will be announced soon.

Earlier this month, the video generated the second highest ticket sales at the Ridgefield Independent Film Festival.

But wait! There’s more!

The film recently received a 2-thumbs-up review. From Beneath The Hollywood Sign — a blog devoted to movie history — called the documentary “a fascinating film that any classic cinema fan should see.”

Susan Granger, on News 12 Connecticut.

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It’s been a great year for Club 203.

Westport’s social organization for adults with disabilities ends it with a bang next Wednesday (June 5).

The Beach Bash begins at 6:30 p.m., at Ned Dimes Marina.

Highlights include the Super Duper Weenie food truck, cookies donated by Big G,  outdoor games, and art by MOCA. Click here for details, and registration.

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Tobacco has a long history in the US — including Connecticut.

It’s been an important crop upstate. The gold standard for cigar wrappers comes from tobacco grown here.

In the 1940s, teenaged Martin Luther King Jr. spent 2 summers harvesting the crop in the Farmington Valley. It was his first look at the world outside the Deep South.

Stepping Into the Shade” — a documentary series — debuts this Saturday (June 1, Westport Library).

It tells the story of tobacco from this state’s perspective, illuminating its integral role in agricultural history and highlighting the workers who came from around the world to “toil in the soil.”

The free event begins with a 5 p.m. reception. A screening of scenes from the series begins at 6, followed by a panel discussion and Q-and-A.

The evening closes with a VIP reception, featuring food representing the cultures and ethnicities in the series. Click here for more details, and to register.

Click here to watch the trailer for “Stepping Into the Shade.” The series was produced by the Eastern Connecticut State University Department of Communication, Film and Theatre.

There is no smoking in the Westport Library.

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Express Edit is closing.

The fashion retailer’s parent company, Express Inc., has filed for bankruptcy. The 125 Main Street store is one of 4 locations in Connecticut that will be shut, out of 95 to close nationwide.

Signs advertise 40 to 60% off all merchandise.

Express Edit. (Hat tip and photo/Sal Liccione)

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Westport Police made no custodial arrests between May 22 and 29.

They issued these citations:

  • Failure to obey state traffic control regulations: 7 citations
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
  • Speeding: 1
  • Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
  • Distracted driving: 1
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
  • Failure to renew registration: 1
  • Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
  • Criminal mischief: 1

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The next United Methodist Church Jazz Vespers service is this Sunday (June 2, 4 p.m.).

Featured musicians include Mae Czuba (vocals and saxophone), John Hoddinott (guitar), Tyler Sherman (bass) and Dan Jantson (drums).

The public is invited. There is a free will offering. The church also collects non-perishable food donations, for local pantries. Refreshments and conversation follow the service.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

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Willie Salmond sends along an NSFW “Westport … Naturally” photo of a pair of horseshoe crabs mating.

He writes: “It’s spring, when as Alfred Lord Tennyson reminds us, ‘a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.'”

On Tuesday morning at low tide I saw dozens of pairs of horseshoe crabs mating and laying eggs on a pebble-strewn spit.”

Get a room!

(Photo/Willie Salmond)

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And finally … after reading about the Library’s upcoming film premiere (story above), you knew this was coming, right?

(“06880” covers Westport like tobacco covers a field. That’s not blowing smoke. If you appreciate our work, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!) 

 

Roundup: Staples Lacrosse & Pops, Wynston Browne, RTM Agenda …

The Staples High School boys lacrosse team is 2-time defending state champions.

But until Thursday night, they’d never won an FCIAC (league) championship.

They did it dramatically, in Wilton. Adam Udell scored 3 goals in just 4 minutes, 20 seconds, rallying his 5th-seeded squad from a 6-3 deficit late in the 4th quarter, to a 6-6 draw.

Just 8 seconds into sudden-death overtime, Udell fired a shot. His 4th — and most dramatic goal — gave the Wreckers the win, over #2 Darien.

This was not the first clutch score for Udell. A year ago, as a sophomore, he stole an inbounds pass in the basketball state semifinal, then calmly scored a layup, to lead Staples past Fairfield Warde, and into the finals.

The lacrosse title — keyed also by goalie Josh Marcus — capped a very satisfying 5 days for Staples. During the FCIAC tournament they thrashed Wilton (9-1) and New Canaan (11-5), avenging regular season losses.

Darien also beat the Westporters, in the regular season.

The goal now is to be the first Staples boys lax team to win both an FCIAC and state title.

The road to the Connecticut crown is not easy. It begins Wednesday at home (5:30 p.m.) vs. Trumbull. Tough teams like Ridgefield, Fairfield Prep and New Canaan lie ahead.

But — with Udell, Marcus, coach Will Koshansky and a host of talented players — the Wreckers are ready.

Click here to see the full FCIAC final. Click below for Udell’s 4 goals (including his game winner), and the wild celebration that followed, courtesy of The Ruden Report.

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Speaking of Staples, a reminder: Free tickets are available at 9 a.m. this Wednesday (May 29), for the annual Pops Concert at the Levitt Pavilion.

This year’s show is Friday, June 7 (lawn opens at 6 p.m.; concert at 7; BYO chair; food trucks on site). The always sold-out event features the Staples Symphonic Orchestra and Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orphenians, Choralaires and other small group ensembles.

Once again, media personality David Pogue will serve as the warm, welcoming emcee.

Click this link — staplesmusic.org — beginning Wednesday at 9 a.m. Tickets are free, but a $15 contribution is suggested to help offset production costs.

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Speaking of the Levitt Pavilion: They’re part of today’s big Westport day.

In addition to the Fine Arts Festival downtown, and the Parks & Recreation Department Summer Kick-off at Compo, there’s a 3-band festival at our favorite outdoor entertainment venue.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & The UN and Dogs in a Pile — those are all band names — take the stage, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The gate opens at 4.

Food trucks on site include the Blind Rhino, Melt Mobile, Little Pub Lobster Roll and the Dough Girls Wood-Fired Pizza.

Limited tickets ($55; $125 premium) remain. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

More Levitt news: Super Sonic Shorties has just been signed. They’ll be there June 14, en route to the Northlands Festival.

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Among the items on the agenda for the next Representative Town Meeting (Tuesday, June 4, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium):

A $265,000 appropriation from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, to develop a Parks Master Plan.

A $990,000 appropriation for Phase I of the Cross Highway School Zone Corridor Improvements.

A petition from Westporters “to review, discuss and reject the new Parks & Recreation regulation, or modify it in order to preserve the gardening hours at the Westport Community Garden to their prior hours during school days (i.e. no gardening between 8-9 a.m. and 3-4 p.m.).”

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Congratulations to News 12 Connecticut — and to Wynston Browne.

Our local cable station was named an Edward R. Murrow Award New England regional winner, in the annual Radio Television Digital News competition.

News 12 won in the “Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” category, in the Television/Large Market division, for their broadcast of “My Name is Wynston Browne.”

The segment featured Wynston, a Staples High School junior who — despite being a non-speaking autistic young man — has learned to communicate using a typing device. In 2 years, he has shared his remarkable mind and keen insights with the world.

It’s a very inspiring story, told with care and compassion by News 12.

Regional winners advance to the national competition. Winners will be announced in August. Click here for a list of all New England awards.

Wynston Browne (Photo/Dan Woog)

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As Memorial Day nears, American flags are sprouting around town.

Lauri Weiser was heartened to see these, lining the Lansdowne condominium driveway:

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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An inspiring photo of a different kind is Andrew Colabella’s image of Long Island Sound.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

It’s a nice reminder too that — though the sign says otherwise — lifeguard coverage starts Monday, at Compo and Burying Hill Beaches, and the Longshore pool.

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But Westporters got an early start yesterday on the holiday weekend. This was the Friday late-afternoon scene at Compo Beach:

(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

Unfortunately, another tradition continues: Hook’d’s closed doors.

Despite the crowds — and their supposed closing time of 7:30 p.m. — the doors were locked before then.

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The sold-out crowd at Thursday’s Westport Library conversation with James Comey was surprised.

Most attendees figured the former FBI director, former Bridgewater Associates counsel and former Westporter would talk about his new book “Westport” — the plot involves the fictional world’s biggest hedge fund, Saugatuck Associates — and avoid or deflect questions about the most controversial aspect of his career: his decision in late October 2016 to announce that the FBI had reopened an investigation into presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s emails.

But under pointed and persistent questioning from Westport’s Dave Briggs — a well-established TV personality — Comey was honest, self-reflective, forthcoming, and quite opinionated.

If you missed the event, no problem. The Library’s recorded it. Click below, for an insightful, insider’s view of Washington and the world:

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This sign was just posted near the “blue house” at 233 Hillspoint Road, diagonally across from Old Mill Grocery & Deli.

(Photo/Michael Friedland)

It’s big.

There are substantial cement footings.

And since when has Westport been a “city”?!

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Brian Lewis — chef ad owner of The Cottage and OKO — adds a new dining twist this summer.

BANA is a “seasonal and elevated pop-up dining experience. Each menu draws inspiration from global gastronomic traditions and cultural richness, promising an exhilarating exploration of flavors” in Fairfield and Westchester Counties.

That first BANA is Saturday, July 20 (7 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm). The event celebrates “the treasures and techniques of both the New England and Japanese coastlines.” Lewis’ tasting menu will showcase fish, shellfish, and vegetables sourced from the New England coastline and local farms.

Tickets are $200 per person, or $275 per person with a special sake and wine pairing (including sales tax and a 22% service fee).

25% of all proceeds support Brian Lewis’ Family Meal Foundation. It provides comfort and support through delicious meals, brought to the homes of people in need when they are healing from the loss of a loved one, or face medical and emotional challenges.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Chef Brian Lewis

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Westport is looking particularly beautiful these days.

Among the spots to admire: Lynda Ialeggio’s patio, on Old Mill Beach. It’s a perfect “Westport … Naturally” scene this Memorial Day weekend.

(Photo/Lynda Ialeggio)

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And finally … on this date in 1878, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore” opened in London.

(It’s a holiday weekend. But “06880” never takes a break. We’re here for you 24/7/365 — 366, this leap year. If you enjoy our work, please click here to support us. Thank you!

 

[UPDATE] Bus Strike Appears Off

Superintendent of Schools Colleen Palmer just sent this message to Westport families:

  • At midnight tonight the current contract extension of Dattco with its drivers expires, and the drivers have the option of striking without penalty tomorrow.
  • With urging from the District and Dattco, the federal mediator working with this labor issue reached out to the drivers’ union to ask the union leadership to encourage its members to come to work tomorrow.  We have been informed that this did occur and that the union leadership is not promoting a strike.
  • Negotiations are set to continue next Monday, May 1.
  • We will not know the status of the drivers who plan to work tomorrow until shortly after 6 a.m. when they begin to report for work.
  • All schools will be open, no matter how many drivers come to work.  Schools have sent out specific information to their respective families today and will be ready to receive students upon arrival starting 15 minutes earlier than usual.
  • CHANGE OF PLAN FOR BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS – the District will operate all before and after school programs tomorrow as normally scheduled.

Thank you to all of our families for your creativity and resourcefulness in making contingency plans for tomorrow.  I will remain optimistic that the message from the federal mediator has a positive impact on continuity of service, but we have all of our plans in place in the event that we do not have a significant percentage of the driver workforce show up for work tomorrow.

Since there are no negotiations now set for this evening, my next communication to you will be approximately 6:30 a.m. tomorrow morning to update you on the status of our transportation plan for the day.

Colleen Palmer
Superintendent of Schools

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Meanwhile, Post Road drivers were surprised to see more than the usual number of buses turning into Dattco’s parking lot opposite Playhouse Square this afternoon.

Stay tuned.

(Photo/Joyce Joiner)