If school is out, the Yankee Doodle Fair is in.
The annual rite of early summer (and century-old tradition) comes to the Westport Woman’s Club Imperial Avenue grounds and parking lot tomorrow (Thursday). It kicks off from 6 to 10 p.m.
The 4-day show — a huge fundraiser for the WWC’s many charitable programs and scholarships continues Friday (6 to 10 p.m.), Saturday (1 p.m. to 10 p.m.) , and end Sunday (1 to 5 p.m.).
New this year: A Sensory Hour (Sunday, noon to 1 p.m.), for people in the neurodiverse and special education communities. It’s an opportunity for reduced crowds, lower noise levels and a more comfortable atmosphere, with their families, caregivers and support networks.
Before all the rides and games begin though, a ton of set-up work takes place. Lauri Weiser stopped by yesterday, and caught some of the action (below).
For more information on the Yankee Doodle Fair, click here.
(Photos/Lauri Weiser)
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Saturday is Bruce Lagerfeldt Day at Mitchells.
The style advisor — who filled countless other roles — retired last week, after 37 years on the floor of the legendary Post Road store.
On June 20, customers and friends are invited to stop by, and hug and shake the hand of the man who co-CEO emeritus Bill Mitchell calls “the nicest, most loyal and caring” employee of all.
Tom Maleri, who worked with him for 30 years — 13 fewer than the 43 years Bruce spent at Mitchells — adds, “He was unbelievable. He’s dedicated, loyal, always willing to help out.
“He made a lot of friends. And he was the most well-liked person in the entire store — upstairs and downstairs. There were never any conflicts. He always took the high road.”
Bruce was also the “bow tie aficionado.” He taught everyone in the store how to tie one. He was on call too — “24 hours a day” for weddings, special events and “emergencies.”
“He’d go anywhere, any time to tie a bow tie for anyone,” Tom marvels.
Screenshot of a video of Bruce Lagerfeldt tying a bow tie — in 15 seconds.
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The Westport Public Schools will soon have a new supervisor of health services.
Jill Grego as the district’s new Supervisor of Health Services, effective July 1. She currently serves as supervisor of school health services in West Haven, overseeing health services in 11 schools serving 6,500 students.
She earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Georgetown University, and a BS in business administration and accounting from Fordham University.
Grego replaces Suzanne Levasseur. She retired last year, but stayed on in a consulting role this year. She will help with the transition as well.
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The Westport Farmers’ Market garden donation program is back for a third season. And it’s bigger and “fresher” than ever.
In partnership with Food Rescue US – Fairfield County and Homes with Hope, the endeavor has a new name and identity: Sprout & Share.
Launching tomorrow (Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), it builds on the success of the former Grow-a-Row program, which inspired gardeners to turn their backyards into community impact.
The refreshed name reflects the heart of the initiative: encouraging residents to grow a little extra. and share the harvest with neighbors facing food insecurity.
Each Thursday, gardeners can bring freshly harvested fruits, vegetables and herbs to the Sprout & Share collection station at the Farmers Market on Imperial Avenue.
Donations will be delivered by Food Rescue US – Fairfield County volunteers to the Gillespie Center of Homes with Hope, ensuring fresh, locally grown produce reaches people across Fairfield County.
Haley Schulman, market manager, says, “Whether you have one tomato plant or a thriving vegetable garden, everyone can play a role in helping provide fresh, nutritious food to our community.”
The Westport Farmers’ Market Grow a Row program has a new name.
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Westport’s bus shelters are a recent important addition to the town.
But when officials approved them, they were clear: No advertisements.
To make them look a little less bus shelter-y, the Westport Arts Advisory Committee and Artists Collective of Westport are installing artwork in 10 newly built structures.
They’ve just completed the first.
Funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act, which supported arts groups during COVID.
The Collective solicited submissions from members. Carmela Kaufman’s “Chip and Dale” was chosen to beautify the shelter in front of Schulhof Animal Hospital on Post Road West.
As the photo below shows, it is a very appropriate work.
Christian Benyei, Schulhof Animal Hospital partner (2nd from left) thanks artist Carmela Kaufman. Artists Collective founding member Miggs Burroughs (kneeling), and Arts Advisory Committee and Schulhof team members look on.
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MoCA\CT invites residents to celebrate summer — and Dad — through music, community and creativity.
This Sunday (June 21) is both the 1st day of summer, and Father’s Day. It’s also “Make Music Day” — a global, free celebration, for everyone from rappers to orchestras, on stages and sidewalks around the world.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MoCA\CT presents On the Count of Two (with more than 2 members). It’s outdoors, so bring a blanket or chairs.
On the Count of Two.
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Anyone for tennis?
The Parks & Recreation Department is offering several camps this summer.
There are 7 sessions for ages 6-12, each 4 days long (Monday through Thursday), from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Longshore courts. Players are divided by age and skill level.
There are other camps, for ages 3-5, and grades 1-3, 2-4, and 3-6, at various times (starting at 11 a.m., ending t 5 p.m.) weekdays.
Click here for details, and registration. Questions? Call tennis director Dave Kardis: 203-520-9815.]
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Speaking of sports: Congratulations to the Staples High School boys lacrosse program.
Charlie Clark, Max Hill, Nate Maurillo and Eric Skolnick are 4 of the 17 Connecticut players named All-Americans this spring.
Hill joins Henry Dodge, Charlie Howard, Josh Marcus and Adam Udell as the only players in Wrecker history to earn All America status twice.
And captain Justin Halky earned Academic All America honors. He’s one of 17 seniors in the state cited for his play on the field, his achievements in the classroom, and his impact on his community.
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The Residence at Westport hosts their annual Alzheimer’s fundraiser tomorrow (Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m.). The community is invited.
There is no charge; food and drinks are free. There’s live entertainment (hula dancers), along with raffles and a wine pull.
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Well-known Westporter Joseph Floto died peacefully on Saturday. He was 55, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
The Washington, D.C. native and lacrosse player earned an undergraduate degree from Colorado State University, and an MBA from Fordham University.
Joe owned Floto Imports. He turned his passion for design and quality into a thriving brand. He was seen frequently on QVC.
He was a fixture in the Memorial Day parade, driving his Jeep packed with children, laughing and waving to the community. His obituary says Joe was “fun-loving, generous, and always creating beautiful memories for others.”
He was particularly proud of his role as a husband and father. He was a constant fixture on the sports sidelines.
Yet of all the roles he held throughout his life, none mattered more to him than being a doting husband to Jeannette and a proud father to Alexandra (16), Andrew (14), and Theodore (11). His greatest happiness came from spending time with his wife and kids, creating a life filled with adventure, laughter, and love. Joe was a constant fixture on the sports sidelines, attending countless games to cheer on his children.
Joe is survived by his wife, Jeannette; children Alexandra, Andrew and Theodore; father Peter and brother Matthew. He was preceded by his mother Mary Ann.
A visitation is set for tomorrow (Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m., Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Roa, Fairfield). A funeral service will be held Friday (June 19, 11 a.m., Assumption Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an education trust for Joe’s children. Checks, with “Education Trust for the Floto Children” in the memo line, may be sent to Koether Legal Services, Trustee, 10 Saugatuck Ave, Suite 102, Westport, CT 06880.
Joe Floto
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It’s been a while since we’ve featured a turtle in our “Westport … Naturally” series.
Michelle Vitulich spotted this fellow swimming contentedly in Sherwood Mill Pond.
Knowing the age of turtles, he could have been there when the Sherwood triplets lived nearby.
(Photo/Michelle Vitulich)
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And finally … in honor of the new art gracing Westport’s bus shelters:
(Another day, another Roundup filled with news you can use. If you appreciate this regular feature — or anything else on our hyper-local blog — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
