It’s a busy time of year for everyone.
Including — especially — town officials. A major project is scheduled for a hearing shortly before Christmas.
Last night, the Board of Finance spent 5 1/2 hours on its second hearing about funding for the Long Lots Elementary School building project.
No decisions were made. A funding request is expected at the board’s next meeting.
Meanwhile, the town has filed its 8-24 municipal improvement application, for the Long Lots School. It — with “the relocation of a multipurpose field” — is on the Planning & Zoning Commission agenda for Monday, December 18 (7 p.m.; Zoom, plus Optimum channel 79 and Frontier
channel 6020).
By statute, the P&Z must make a decision by January 12.
Written comments can be sent to the P&Z before the meeting: pandz@westportct.gov.
The Planning & Zoning Commission will discuss an 8-24 application for Long Lots Elementary School next Monday.
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But one agenda item is off the table — at least temporarily.
Yesterday, the Board of Selectwomen scratched a request by Parks & Recreation Department director Jen Fava to approve a license agreement between the town and Longshore Sailing School from tomorrow’s meeting agenda (Wednesday, December 13, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium).
Questions were raised over the weekend about the process by which the recommendation was made.
Longshore Sailing School. (Photo copyright/Stefen Turner)
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The Compo Acres Shopping Center community menorah was lit last night. It was the 5th day of Hanukkah.
Jo Shields Sherman reports that the Schneerson Center for Jewish Life-sponsored event included “festive, frenzied music; treats and toys, dancing, and of course dreidels for the kids.”
She was reassured by the police presence: half a dozen police cars. “I think all the blue lights added something special,” Jo says.
Menorah lighting, at Compo Acres Shopping Center. (Photo/Jo Shields Sherman)
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There’s a holiday twist to the old saying “sing for your supper.”
This Saturday (December 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.), the Weston High School Chamber Singers entertains diners at 14 venues. They’ll sing a few songs at each.
The carolers begin their rounds at the Boathouse, then stop off at Kawa Ni, the Whelk, Tutti’s and the Black Duck. They then make their way around the train station to sing at Tarantino, Harvest, Romanacci, and Allium, before heading north to entertain guests at Zucca, Match Burger Lobster, Rizzuto’s and Viva Zapata, before ending at Dunville’s.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event.
Caroling in Saugatuck restaurants.
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Speaking of Christmas music:
This Sunday (December 17, 5 p.m.), Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church hosts its annual service, following the English tradition of “9 Lessons & Carols.”
The popular event — from the first notes of “Once in Royal David’s City” to the soaring descants of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” — fills attendees with the spirit of Christmas.
The Parish Choir and Choristers are accompanied by Grammy-nominated harpist Kristi Shade.
Afterward, there is a reception with light, festive refreshments in Branson Hall. The public is invited.
“9 Lessons & Carols,” at Christ & Holy Trinity Church.
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Mike Noonan is a national champion.
Again.
The star of Staples High School’s 1978 state championship team coached Clemson University to the NCAA Division I national title last night.
The 2-1 victory over Notre Dame was Noonan’s 2nd NCAA crown in 3 years. Only 2 other teams in college soccer history have accomplished that feat.
The Tigers — who finish the year 15-3-5, and also won the ACC title — allowed only 1 goal throughout the entire 5-game NCAA tournament. That was last night, by the Irish. It came late in the match on a penalty kick, when Clemson already had the game in hand.
Noonan was cheered on by family and friends, including former teammates Stuart McCarthy, Andy Meyers and Steve Hollingsworth; Dan Donovan (SHS ’82), who won a state title with Staples in 1981, and whose son Paddy (SHS ’22) is a goalkeeper on Clemson’s national champion squad; and Michael McCarthy, Stuart’s son who won his own state championship at Staples in 2009.
Congratulations, “Noons”! Well done, Tigers! Click here for last night’s highlight reel.
Celebrating with the NCAA College Cup trophy (from left): Stuart McCarthy, Andy Meyers, Mike Noonan, Paddy Donovan, Dan Donovan, Michael McCarthy.
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Speaking of soccer:
A fascinating story in the Daily Tar Heel tells the story of the University of North Carolina’s first Black athlete.
In 1963, Edwin Okoroma left Nigeria to play varsity soccer at UNC. Life was not easy, but he persevered. After earning a medical degree at the Mayo Clinic, he returned to his native country. He practiced medicine and taught there for decades — and, now 83 years old, continues to do so.
The story caught the eye of Westporter Bud Siegel. He was Okoroma’s teammate — one of the “New England prep school kids” who, according to the Daily Tar Heel, made up most of the Carolina soccer team.
He says that the newspaper story is quite accurate — right down to its description of an incident at a Howard Johnson’s in Charlottesville, Virginia.
When a waitress told Okoroma that the restaurant did not serve Blacks, he got up to leave. The entire team followed him out the door.
“Edwin was a teammate. We supported one of our own,” Siegel says.
He adds another detail: For their 50th reunion, Siegel was tasked with trying to find former team members.
He tracked Okoroma through Saudi Arabia and to his last posting in Nigeria, but never got a response from the hospital.
“Such a shame,” Siegel says. “We would have loved to have heard Edwin’s story after UNC.”
Click here for the full Daily Tar Heel story.
The 1963 University of North Carolina soccer team. Edwin Okoromo is in the middle of the 2nd row. Bud Siegel is in the front row, 4th from right. Others in the photo include future Yale coach Bill Killen, and future Dartmouth coaches George Beim and Tom Griffith.
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Sir Ian McKellen was at the Westport Library Sunday.
Okay, the famed English actor appeared on the large Trefz Forum screen.
But he addressed the large crowd, before the showing of “The One Note Man” — the compelling story of a musician caught between staying in his comfort zone, or stepping out and changing his life forever.
Westporter Rita Marcocci was an executive producer for the film.
Sir Ian McKellen, on the Westport Library screen. Westporter Dave Briggs, who moderated a panel discussion, is at far right.
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Speaking of the Library: There are just 13 days till Christmas.
And just 108 until VersoFest2024.
The 4th annual Westport Library music concerts/panels/workshops event kicks off April 4, with the indie rock/pop band the Lemon Twigs, and DJ Hysterica spinning all-vinyl power pop, punk, greasy soul and yé-yé.
The Lemon Twigs “dart from twee chamber pop balladry to full-on glam punk, mixing plaintive singer-songwriter confessionals with an almost Syd Barrett sense of outré pop. Their sound has said to harken back to the vocal melody of Art Garfunkel and chamber pop of Brian Wilson, and they cite among their influences Moondog and Arthur Russell.”
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Westport Country Playhouse just announced 2 new program for this spring.
They’ll appeal to very diverse audiences.
“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!” (April 27, 1 and 4 p.m.) is aimed at children in pre-K through 2nd grade. Click here for tickets, and more information.
On June 6 (8 p.m.), Tony Kushner sits for an on-stage interview, and Q-and-A. The author/playwright/ screenwriter is known for works like the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning “Angels in America,” and film collaborations with Steven Spielberg on “Munich,” “Lincoln,” “The Fabelmans” and the 2021 remake of “West Side Story.” Click here for tickets, and more information.
Tony Kushner
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Last week, an “06880” Roundup included a photo of the Westport post office, at noon on a weekday. It was completely empty.
What a difference a few days makes. Yesterday, also at noon, the line was almost out the door:
Hopefully no one was in line to buy Christmas stamps. A sign on the wall on the left — easily missed — notes that the post office has run out of this year’s supply.
Timing is everything.
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This week’s “Jazz at the Post,” featuring Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Greg Wall, Michael Cochrane, Yuriy Galkin and Tim Horner, is a tribute to the 1980 record “Street Singer,” a recording of a legendary 1960 performance by Jackie MacLean and Tina Brooks.
There are 2 sets this Thursday (December 14) at VFW Post 399: 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service starts at 7. The music cover is $15. Reservations are strongly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
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Bernadine Ann Ripka (Bernie) died peacefully at home Friday, surrounded by her family. She was 87.
The Chicago native lived in Westport since 1973.
A cherished mother and grandmother, Bernie was a member of St. Luke Church, where she prepared and served meals to the underprivileged. She was an avid fitness walker, and appreciated fashion and interior decorating.
Her family says, “She will be remembered for her generous spirit, quick wit, high emotional intelligence, and love of people.”
Bernie is survived by her husband of 57 years, John; sons Mark (Kate), Brett (Kristen) and their children, Emma and Josephine; daughter-in-law Kim, and Kim and Greg’s daughter Abigail.
She was predeceased by her son Greg, her brother John Shuta and his wife Dorothy, and her sister Martha Neumann and her husband Frank.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following charities: Alzheimer’s Association and Parkinson’s Foundation.
Calling hours are Thursday ( December 14, 4-7 p.m., Lesko Funeral Home, Fairfield). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday (December 15, 11 a.m., Saint Luke Church), To sign Bernie’s online guestbook, click here.
Bernie Ripka
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Our town gets all kinds of weather, and it’s filled with all kinds of creatures, as “Westport … Naturally” followers know well.
This was the scene yesterday, at Sherwood Island State Park:
(Photo/Pamela Docters)
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And finally … in honor of this Saturday’s Saugatuck caroling, at 14 different restaurants:
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