There is a local angle to the 1,500 pardons granted Monday night by President Trump.
One of the convicted defendants who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 was Benjamin Cohen. The Westport resident — 21 years old at the time of the siege — was arrested in 2023, at his home off Bayberry Lane.
Last summer he pled guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers.
Earlier this month he was sentenced to 5 years probation and 6 months of home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution of $2,000.
Benjamin Cohen, in photos released at the time of his arrest.
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Lynda Bluestein’s final legacy were wind phones.
Two devices — disconnected rotary telephones, used to stay connected to loved ones who have died — were installed last year at the Westport Library. They honor the longtime Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member, and medical aid in dying advocate.
A new wind phone was installed in the Memorial Garden of the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in late November. A private dedication ceremony was held January 4 — the first anniversary of Lynda’s death.
Bluestein’s son Jacob built the structure to house the phone, which was donated Vanessa and Dave Bradford.
Lynda sometimes sat in with her husband Paul and Dave Bradford when they played music at the Black Rock Farmer’s Market and PorchFest.
Greenfield Hill Church wind phone. (Photo/Kristyn Miller Photography)
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The Westport Farmers’ Market reminds residents that “self-care and connection” is available every Thursday through March (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), at the winter location: Gilbertie’s Herbs & Gardens Center (7 Sylvan Lane).
In addition to farm-fresh produce and other goods, there are workshops focusing on wellnes (meditations, sound baths, Dharma massages and strength.
“Get Growing” children’s activities spark curiosity and foster connections with nature. Through hands-on experiences, younsters learn about the importance of sustainable living, and the joy of growing and eating local food.
Whether indoor or outdoor, Fatto a Mano always draws a crowd at the Westport Farmers’ Market. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
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Nearly 30 years after the Hartford Whalers fled to North Carolina, pro hockey comes to the Westport Library.
“Isles in Aisles” is a new partnership between the Library and the Bridgeport Islanders, the New York Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate.
Players will be at the Children’s Library on February 4 (5:30 p.m.), February 18 (4:30 p.m.) and March 3 (4:30 p.m.) to read aloud from their favorite children’s and hockey-themed books. Players will sign autographs afterward..
This is a drop-in event for youngsters, but adults are welcome.
Potential books for Isles in Aisles include “Z is for Zamboni,” “Hero’s Ho Ho Ho Hockey Dream,” “Hockey Morning, Noon, and Night,” “The Magic Hockey Stick” and “The Hockey Sweater.”
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An incorrect time was posted yesterday for “Alice in Webland,” the Triple Threat Academy show set for this weekend at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
The correct times are Saturday, January 25 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, January 26 at 3 p.m.
Children growing up in the digital age can relate to the show’s characters, and learn valuable lessons about balancing social media and living in the moment..
Tickets are $5 (free for senior citizens). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
2nd through 8th graders rehearse for the world premiere of “Alice in Webland.”
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Mollie Klaff Passero — longtime owner of Klaff’s, the store that for many years had a Westport location — died Tuesday, surrounded by her family. She was 101.
From the early 1950s through 2015, she held court in her signature suits and silk scarves, in the Klaff’s of South Norwalk site.
Mollie Klaff was born in Norwalk. She began singing professionally at age 8. By 13 she had her own radio program on WICC. As a young woman she had a successful singing career, touring with Louis Prima.
While performing in Stamford she met her husband, Maury Passero. They married in 1948.
In 1921 her parents started Klaff’s, a plumbing supply company. They added electrical supplies and hardware in the 1930’s. After WWII, they added lumber, building supplies, and complete homes.
They added lighting and kitchen departments in the 1950’s. When they died in the 1950’s Mollie, her sister Debbie and Maury took over the business.
Klaff’s became a destination home design center with locations in South Norwalk, Westport, Danbury and Scarsdale, New York. Their daughter Felicia managed the Westport store.
Here family says, “Mollie treated every employee at Klaff’s as family, with most spending their entire careers working with her.”
Mollie passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, surrounded by family. In addition to her children Joe and Felicia, she is survived by her son Jeffery, daughter Lisa, daughters-in-law Amy and Allison, and granddaughters Sasha, Lilli, Eve, and Izabella.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mollie’s name can be made to Temple Shalom of Norwalk, where services will be held tomorrow (Thursday, January 23, 1 p.m.).
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The mourning (not “morning”) dove that stars in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature doesn’t mind the cold. It just plumps up its feathers, and watches the world go by.
Lou Weinberg offers this superb photo — and a link to learn more about mourning doves.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
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And finally … Garth Hudson died yesterday, in a nursing home in Woodstock, New York. He was 87.
Described by the New York Times as a musician “whose intricate swirls of Lowrey organ helped elevate The Band from rollicking juke-joint refugees into one of the most resonant and influential rock groups of the 1960s and ’70s,” he was the last surviving member of The Band.
Click here for a full obituary.
(Politics, spirituality,, sports and more are all part of today’s Roundup. If you enjoy this daily feature, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
