Tag Archives: Sherwood Diner

Roundup: Tree Lighting, Sherwood Diner, Wreaths Across America …

Posted on November 28, 2023 | 2 comments

Light ’em up!

Westport’s annual tree lighting is set for next Monday (December 4, 5 p.m., Town Hall).

The Staples High School Orphenians will perform. Then the tree on the lawn in front will be lit.

It’s a quick, fun ceremony. And everyone is welcome.

The Town Hall tree, 2022. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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More joyful news:

The Sherwood Diner reopened at 8 a.m. this morning!

It’s been closed for 4 weeks, as the kitchen was updated.

Now, the world is back to normal.

Whew!

Sherwood Diner (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

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Each Christmas season, the Wreaths Across America program honors fallen servicemembers, and all who serve. Over 2 million volunteers take part, in all 50 states and overseas.

Last year, for the first time, Westport joined in.

We’ll do it again this year.

The date is December 16. The time is noon. The cemetery is Assumption, on Greens Farms Road.

It wouldn’t have happened without Patty Kondub. The popular Westport Family YMCA and Senior Center fitness instructor (and Staples High School girls golf coach) is the local coordinator.

As part of her many other Westport activities, she’s also vice president of the VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 Auxiliary.

Click here to sponsor a wreath. To designate a wreath for a specific veteran at the Assumption cemetery, email Patty: nortonpk@aol.com. You can also email her to volunteer to mark graves before December 17, and place them on that date.

SPECIAL NOTE: On today — Giving Tuesday — $5 of every $17 wreath this year is donated back to the Westport VFW.

For Patty, the project is personal. Her father — John Kondub — was a World War II Marine, and VFW Post 399 member. He earned a Purple Heart, for hand-to-hand combat in the Marianas Islands (Saipan).

He is buried at Assumption Greens Farms Cemetery — almost across from the farm where he was born, before I-95 was built.

“There are over 350 veterans buried in this cemetery,” Patty says. “I hope they all get wreaths.”

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The Westport Department of Human Services’ Warm-Up Fund helps households with home heating expenses through the cold winter months.

It’s especially welcome as the cost of food, housing — and heating bills — all rise.

Tax-deductible donations to the Westport Warm-Up Fund can be made online (click here, then scroll down), or by mail to Department of Human Services, Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport CT 06880

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Back in 2020, the Hackett family wanted to do something meaningful to give back to those in need.

All avid athletes, they chose a project that connects with them, and their Westport community. (It also helps clear out clutter.)

Working with Leveling the Playing Field — a non-profit organization helps underprivileged youngsters who need sports equipment — they’ll collect new and gently used sports and playground equipment.

They’ll be at the Granola Bar this Saturday and Sunday (December 2 and 3), from 8 a.m. to noon.

(From left): Alex, Chloe and Daisy Hackett, with a few of their many donations.

You must have stuff lying around: cleats, field hockey sticks, lacrosse equipment, bats, ice hockey skates, footballs, softball gloves, soccer shin guards, etc. Click here for a full list of items — you’ll be amazed at what you forgot you have.

So clean out your garages, sheds and basements. It’s time to level the playing field for everyone!

For more information about this amazing organization, click below:

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Chabad of Westport launches its new speaker series, “Critical Conversations,” with a big name.

Former Israeli Minister of Justice and Interior Ayelet Shaked comes to the Newtown Turnpike center this Thursday (November 30, 7:30 p.m.).

Shaked is a prominent political figure, known for her dedication to Israel. Her insights and perspectives on the complexities of the region are especially meaningful in the wake of last month’s terror attack by Hamas on the nation.

A Q-and-A session will follow Shaked’s presentation. For more information and reservations, click here.

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MoCA Westport’s first-ever Artisan Market (Holiday Edition) promises “a delightful day of luxury holiday shopping and art exploration.” It’s December 9 (noon to 4 p.m.), at MoCA’s Newtown Turnpike campus.

Attendees can also enjoy the current Purvis Young exhibition (and treats from the Cowabunga Food Truck).

Admission to the Artisan Marketplace is included in the $10 gallery admission fee. Admission is free for MoCA members.

Artisans include:

Mediterranean Botanicals
Hudson & King Jewelry
Bedford Embroidery
Camille & Co.
COG (Jen Cogliantry Design)
Shawls by Sonika
Jennifer Hoertz Millinery
Tocco Studio
hipV Modern Vintage Jewelry
Lucy Curran Party
Runo Store
Ellis Sant’Andrea Fine Art
Le Rouge Aartisan Chocolates
ARRA
SantM
KVO Collections

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Westport’s PTA Cultural Arts group is bringing Matthew “Magic Morgan” to all the elementary schools this week.

He and his wife Liliana — deaf magicians from Wisconsin — perform around the world. In addition to magic, students learn some American Sign Language.

Matt and Liliana will also perform for the public at Westport Town Hall tomorrow evening (Wednesday, November 29, 6 p.m.). Admission is $10.

Magic Morgan and Liliana

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Natural beauty can be found just steps from downtown.

Claudia Sherwood Servidio spotted today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene by the Kings Highway North bridge, near Canal Street.

(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

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And finally … happy 94th birthday to Berry Gordy.

He’s best known as the founder of Motown Records. But he’s also a songwriter (“Lonely Teardrops,” “Shop Around,” “Do You Love Me,” “I Want You Back,” “ABC.”)

He was the mastermind behind groups like the Miracles, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Stevie Wonder.

For several decades, Motown was was the highest-earning Black-owned business.

(“06880” is here for you this holiday season — and 24/7/365. Please click here to help support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

2 Comments

Posted in Arts, Politics, religion, Restaurants, Sports

Tagged Assumption Cemetery, Chabad of Westport, Department of Human Services, MoCA Westport, Patty Kondub, Sherwood Diner, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, Westport Warm-Up Fund, Wreaths Across America

Roundup: Bridge Slide, Smoke Shops, PAL Gala …

Posted on November 3, 2023 | 4 comments

A reminder (and we can’t remind readers often enough): From tonight through early Monday morning, the second “bridge slide” takes place.

The new I-95 Saugatuck Avenue bridge will be slid over, replacing the old one. Traffic will be diverted onto local roads.

Drivers using Waze and other apps will find their own ways around the miss, as they did 2 weeks ago. Areas far from 95, like Hermit Lane and Gorham Avenue, were affected.

If you’re going to weekend happenings — like Saturday’s Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services banquet at the VFW, or the next day’s “First Folk Sunday” (also at the VFW), or Sunday’s “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour — plan accordingly.

To keep up to date, bookmark this website.

And don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Preparing for the 2nd I-95 “bridge slide.” (Photo/JD Dworkow)

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If it seems like there are a lot of vape and smoke shops popping up around town: You’re not high. It’s true.

The Planning & Zoning Commission has taken notice too.

The first agenda item at its November 13 meeting (7 p.m., Zoom; click here to see) includes a text amendment that would “protect the public health and welfare by adding language to define and prohibit Smoke Shops and add stricter standards applicable to other establishments that sell smoking related products, but do not qualify as a Smoke Shop as described in the definition.”

New language is also proposed to “prohibit light emitting diode or LED signs so as to reduce potential distractions to motorists” — one of the complaints about Savvy Smoker, the new shop next to Christian Siriano at the corner of Post Road East and West Parish Road.

Click here for the full text amendment.

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Nearly 400 fans packed the Inn at Longshore last night, for Westport PAL’s 2nd annual gala.

The Romano family (Pete, his parents PJ and Joan, sister Pam Romano-Gorman, and daughters), and former PAL president Ned Batlin, were honored for their longtime contributions to the non-profit that serves thousands of Westport youth every year.

There was an auction too, including special items like VIP parking — and beach sitting — areas for the PAL-sponsored 4th of July fireworks.

And there were heartfelt testimonials to the importance of Westport PAL (and the influence of so many volunteer coaches) by former lacrosse player Henry Dodge, current Staples High School quarterback Caleb Smith, and 6th grade athlete Tristen Rycenga.

It was a great, Westport-centric evening. Funds raised will go to the new, 2-story clubhouse planned for (of course) PJ Romano Field.

6th grader Tristen Rycenga (at microphone) and teammates thank Westport PAL for all they do. PAL president Craig Bergamo is at left. (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)

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Also yesterday: 90-year-0ld Win Allen provided a snapshot of his life story to the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston.

The 48-year resident of Westport grew up in Harlem, attended law school, earned a Fulbright Scholarship, then created the first Black-owned Wall Street firm.

He has written 3 books, most recently“How I Pried Open Wall Street in 1962.”

Win Allen speaks to the Y’s Men. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)

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Ukraine Aid International –– the non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — continues to deliver crucial aid.

The organization has purchased a water filtration truck, for deliveries to frontline locations to places — like our sister city of Lyman — without permanent installations.

Lyman’s police also just received a generous donation from the Westport Police Department. The shipment includes gear that was scheduled to be replaced here, including bulletproof vests, shoulder radios, winter hats and gloves, car radios, police belts and ballistic helmets.

Donations to Lyman are always welcome. Click here; then click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.)

Ukraine Aid International’s water filtration truck.

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No, the Sherwood Diner’s “closed for improvements” isn’t a euphemism.

The popular, decades-old Post Road restaurant is updating its kitchen. It closed Monday. Construction may take another week or so.

Then it’s back to normal — well, even better — for one of our town’s most favorite hangouts. (Hat tip: Arthur Hayes)

(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

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There can’t be enough Halloween candy for kids.

For adults — well, you may have way too many Kit Kats, M&Ms and apples (just kidding) left over from Monday night.

Al’s Angels are happy to take it off your hands.

From now through Wednesday (November 8), bring extra Halloween candy to Saugatuck Sweets’ Westport or Fairfield locations.

It will be placed in nearly 1,500 Al’s Angels Thanksgiving holiday meal bins, for children battling cancer, rare blood diseases and several financial hardship.

Sweeeeeet! (Hat tip: Francis Fiolek)

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For a while, the Highway Department has been working on Cross Highway, between Punch Bowl Drive and Roseville Road.

They removed the embankment and adding new catch basin tops, prepping the area for contractors to pave.

The result: a more accessible, safer stretch for pedestrians. It will also be easier for the Department of Public Works to maintain, all year long.

Roseville Road (Photo courtesy of Department of Public Works)

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Kevin McCaffrey writes:

“On September 13, the Conservation Board approved a plan to build a luxury townhouse next to Eloise A. Ray Park, on Riverside Avenue.

“This approval occurred over the objections of a number of residents, including a ‘Friends of the Park’ group which has been lobbying against the project for some time.

“Opponents of the project argue that it will be unusable while construction is ongoing; that it will be used in part as a staging area, and damaged by equipment; that the park will be ‘forever altered by having a multi-level house, driveway, patio and walls’ encroaching on it; that trees will be cut, wildlife displaced, and that traffic on Riverside will be affected for lengthy periods of time.

“While the project still requires approval by Planning & Zoning (no hearing date has yet been set), Friends of Eloise A. Ray Park urges residents to find out where P&Z candidates stand on this issue. They also invite interested residents to email saveeloise@gmail.com.”

Eloise A. Ray Park

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People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, who are drivers or passengers in cars, are invited to a “Traffic Stop Practice” tomorrow (Saturday, November 4, 8 a.m. to noon), Sacred Heart University).

Sponsored in part by the Westport Police Department, the goal is to provide those with ASD with information about interactions during a routine traffic stop. They’ll also learn how to use the Department of Motor Vehicles’ “Blue Envelope,” which helps enhance communication with officers.

To register, email asd-center@southernct.edu; include “Traffic Stop Practice” in the subject line, and include name, phone, email and physical address.

The state DMV “blue envelope” program, for people with autism.

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Though 180 families applied to the Salvation Army for Thanksgiving turkeys and other food, the organization expects their CT Food Share allotment will not cover the need.

The seek additional support from are residents.

The Salvation Army also hopes to purchase new coats, sneakers and toys for hundreds of youngsters.

To help, and for more information, contact Major Persi Sanclemente: Persida.Sanclemente@USE.SalvationArmy.org; 401-439-3480.

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Yesterday’s frost was the first of this fall.

Jacqui O’Brien captured it in Greens Farms, for “Westport … Naturally”:

(Photo/Jacqui O’Brien)

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And finally … this weekend’s “bridge slide” is not electric.

But this video will get you in a happier mood than you otherwise might be:

(Staying home to avoid all the traffic? Slide over to this link, and help support “06880.” Thank you!)

4 Comments

Posted in Environment, Police

Tagged Al's Angels, autism spectrum disorder, Cross Highway, Eloise A. Ray Park, I-95 Saugatuck Avenue bridge, Lyman Ukraine, Planning & Zoning Commission, Saugatuck Sweets, Savvy Smoker, Sherwood Diner, Westport PAL, Y's Men of Westport and Weston

Pic Of The Day #2178

Posted on April 4, 2023 | 7 comments

Two pay phones remain in Westport. One is at the Merritt Parkway Exit 42 parking lot. This is near the Sherwood Diner. Photographer Mark Mathias says: “Hiding in plain sight. No dial tone, but there’s a wire going to a utility pole, so it might work if I put a quarter in it.”

7 Comments

Posted in Pic of the Day, Totally random

Tagged pay phone, Sherwood Diner

“06880” Podcast: Vasili Tziolis

Posted on November 28, 2022 | 4 comments

“06880: The Podcast” has featured plenty of powerful Westporters.

Sure, the 1st selectwoman, superintendent of schools and police chief are important. But without Vasili Tziolis, Westport might grind to a halt.

He’s the general manager of the Sherwood Diner. Actually, just say “the diner” — everyone knows what you mean.

And everyone — town workers, lawyers, Staples students, families with young kids, retirees — goes there. Often.

(You can even go during hurricanes and blizzards. No matter what, they’re open.)

What makes the diner go? What’s its back story? How did it survive COVID? What’s ahead? And does the menu ever change?

The other day, Vasili sat down with me at the Westport Library, for an “06880” podcast. He served up quite an interview. Click below to listen.

(“06880: The Podcast” is one more feature from your hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work.)

4 Comments

Posted in Media, Restaurants

Tagged "06880: The Podcast", Sherwood Diner, Vasili Tziolis

Photo Challenge #407

Posted on October 16, 2022 | 6 comments

For a very popular place, not many people recognized the Sherwood Diner as the location for last week’s Photo Challenge.

In fact, only one did.

It took awhile, but Lynn Untermeyer Miller eventually identified the bushes in planters in Ellen Wentworth’s image as the ones outside the Post Road East institution. (Click here to see.)

Incorrect guesses ranged all over town: the Senior Center, La Plage, Burying Hill and Old Mill Beach, The Porch @ Christie’s and Terrain.

Will this week’s Photo Challenge be easier? Click “Comments” below if you know where in Westport you would see this:

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

6 Comments

Posted in Photo Challenge, Restaurants

Tagged Sherwood Diner

Pics Of The Day #1652

Posted on October 26, 2021 | 1 comment

Scenes from today’s nor’easter:

Old Mill Beach …

… and the water rises near Compo Cove (Photos/Matt Murray)

Kite surfer off Compo Beach (Photo/Meredith Holod)

Post Road flooding, near Sherwood Diner (Photo/Meredith Holod)

Not even a police car was immune from flooding. It was safely towed, from Pumpkin Hill and Colony Road.. (Photo/Maria Fusco)

At 5:10 p.m. today, rainfall measured nearly 7 inches, according to this homemade gauge.on Greens Farms Road. (Photo/Dick Lowenstein)

1 Comment

Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day, Police, Weather

Tagged Compo Cove, nor'esater, Old Mill Beach, Sherwood Diner

Restaurant Owners Feast On Outdoor Dining

Posted on March 27, 2021 | 7 comments

The Planning & Zoning Commission seldom hears “thank you.”

Their decisions are often controversial — or humdrum.

But this month’s unanimous vote to extend outdoor dining until further notice was met with effusive praise from restaurant owners throughout town.

From Tutti’s to downtown (where the other day all the well-spaced tables outside Basso were filled) — and even spots like Sherwood Diner — outdoor dining has been an important lifeline during a difficult time.

Basso. on Jesup Green (Photo/Dan Woog)

If neighboring property owners give consent, restaurants can use otherwise unusable setbacks, as Rizzuto’s has done with their popular igloos.

Rizzuto’s popular igloos. (Photo/Joel Treisman)

They can use adjacent property too, as Rive Bistro does.

Restaurants can even request Board of Selectmen permission to put tables in street parking and on sidewalks. Railroad Place (Romanacci, Tarantino, Harvest) and Church Lane (Spotted Horse, Manna Toast) are prime examples of town-restaurant cooperation.

Romanacci’s Xpress.

The application process is simple. It’s managed by P&Z director Mary Young, with support from fire marshal Nate Gibbons, to ensure the safety of patrons and staff.

As the weather gets better, more outdoor dining options are sure to appear.

And who knows? They’re so popular, the P&Z may decide to keep them, long after the pandemic ends.

7 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Local politics, Restaurants, Saugatuck

Tagged Basso, outdoor dining, Rizzuto's, Sherwood Diner, Tutti's, Westport Planning & Zoning Commission

COVID Roundup: ASF Helps Merchants; Half-Marathon; Sherwood Diner; Co-op Nursery School; More

Posted on June 5, 2020 | 6 comments

The Westport Downtown Merchants Association and ASF are partnering to raise $10,000 for local businesses hit by COVID. They’re offering a unique Westport design, for hoodies, long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts and tank tops.

For each sale, $10 will be given to a WDMA-backed fund, and distributed ASAP.

But hurry — they’re only available through June 14!

Click here to order. (PS: They’ll ship anywhere!)

Ready for some exercise? Want to help frontline healthcare workers?

Thanks to Colby Kranz, you can do both.

The 2015 Staples High School graduate has designed a “Half Marathon from Home.” She posts a schedule that everyone follows, with playlists, daily tips and weekly motivational podcasts — but you choose the training routes (and final run, on July 25) that works best for you and your schedule.

Training has already begun, but anyone can jump in. When you do (click here), you’ve got the option to donate to NYC Health + Hospitals COVID-19 Relief efforts. The goal is $1,310 (because of the 13.1-mile final distance).

Colby — who has 6,000 Instagram followers, for her @livingpurely healthy recipe and lifestyle tips — says that dozens of people have already signed up for the half-marathon. They come from many different backgrounds. Some were training for a race that got canceled. Others have never run before.

All are welcome!

Colby Kranz is in national sales with iHeartMedia. During COVID, she’s working — and training — in Westport.

The latest restaurant to reopen — with new, socially distant outdoor tables — is the Sherwood Diner.

The menu is not as extensive as before. But the most popular items are all there. And 2 more umbrellas are coming soon.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

It’s not their biggest graduation of their lives. But every June, the Westport-Weston Co-op Nursery School celebrates its pre-K classes moving on to kindergarten next year with a a picnic on the Unitarian Church lawn, and an end-of-year video. Parents, grandparents and siblings join in.

For the first time in the school’s 65-year history, graduation was upended by a pandemic.

The videos were made by the Co-op’s Staples High School interns, and emailed to families. And instead of a picnic, there was a “car parade.”

But each youngster got a goody bag. There were “Co-op Class of 2020” t-shirts. And there were enough smiles all around to (almost) forget that there was a somber reason behind the new-style ceremony.

(Photo/Stacey Konowitz)

On April 8, Governor Lamont ordered all flags in Connecticut to fly at half-staff, mourning all the lives lost to COVID-19.

On May 19, he directed them all to return to full-staff.

The Westport Post Office has not yet gotten the message. The American and POW flags continue at half-staff.

Someone should write them a letter …

And finally … sing it, Sly!

6 Comments

Posted in Children, Education, Environment, Local business, Restaurants, Sports

Tagged ASF, Colby Kranz, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Sherwood Diner, Westport Downtown Merchants Association, Westport Post Office, Westport-Weston Co-op Nursery School

Staples Sports Teams Feed Front Line Personnel

Posted on April 27, 2020 | 2 comments

As former president of Staples High School’s Gridiron Club and current treasurer of the Staples Boys Basketball Association, Amanda Thaw knows that whenever a Wrecker team needs help for a fundraiser, it turns to local restaurants and businesses.

They always come through.

Now, she thought, there must be a way to help support those owners in their time of need. And at the same time, to help front line personnel when they’re working so hard.

She made a few calls. Quickly, nearly a dozen Staples sports teams said “sign us up!”

#FeedItForward works this way: Teams pair up with a restaurant they choose. They provide a meal for a front line group of their choice. The restaurant delivers. The hungry personnel eat well. Everyone wins!

So far the girls soccer team fed Norwalk Hospital staffers, from Sherwood Diner. Boys soccer provided Tutti’s dinner to the Westport Police Department. The football team took care of the Westport Police Department, thanks to Viva Zapata. And boys lacrosse donated dinner to Westport EMS, through Colony Grill.

Girls soccer calls Norwalk Hospital staff “our heroes.”

Also committed: boys basketball, rugby, wrestling, boys track, boys volleyball, baseball and boys tennis.

Future food providers include Calise’s Market, Jr’s Deli & Grille, and Four Brothers Pizza. All are grateful for the business, and eager to help.

Boys soccer co-captain Jack Douglas, flanked by Tutti’s owner Maria Funicello and Officer Jimmy Sullivan.

ASF — the always-helpful sports store — is involved too. Norwalk Hospital staffers are on their feet all day. So they’ve been provided new socks — and chewing gum. (Their mouths get stale wearing masks).