Tag Archives: Westport Community Theater

Roundup: Parks & Rec Programs, 1st Day Of School, Westport Community Theatre …

A technical glitch prevented yesterday’s Instagram Live conversation with Independent Party 1st selectman candidate David Rosenwaks. “06880” apologizes to those who tuned in.

A new date will be announced soon.

==================================================

It’s the first day of school. Which means: Parks & Recreation Department fall (and winter!) program signups are around the corner.

They begin at 9 a.m. next Wednesday, September 3. Don’t snooze — some go fast.

Programs include fall tennis, youth soccer, baseball clinics, multi-sport clinics, youth basketball, ice skating and swimming.

Click here to see the full program lineup.

==================================================

For a couple of decades now on the first day of school, Pamela Long has taken a photo of elementary school children waiting at the Juniper Road/Caccamo Lane bus stop.

The faces may change, but the anticipation is always the same. Here is this year’s shot:

(Photo/Pamela Long)

Have a great year, kids.

And parents: Savor the moment. In a week or two, you’ll be dropping them off at college.

==================================================

For 68 years, the Westport Community Theatre — a black box-style space in the lower level of Town Hall — has entertained local audiences.

Whether you’re a longtime audience member, or have never heard of it — read on for details for the 2025-26 season. It includes comedy and drama, and new plays and modern classics.

“Dooley at the Bar” (September 12-28): At the height of the Gilded Age, America’s favorite news analyst was Mr. Dooley — a fictitious bartender created by humorist Finley Peter Dunne. At his hole-in-the-wall tavern Mr. Dooley takes on robber barons, newspapers, political corruption, and a new century, in a hilarious one-man show.

“Conscience” (November 14-30): Connecticut premiere. In the 1950s, as Senator Joseph McCarthy rose to power through fear and intimidation, one Republican senator – Margaret Chase Smith of Maine – stood against him. This is the story of a remarkable woman who refused to back down.

“Happy Days,” by Samuel Beckett (January 30-February 15): Winnie is a middle-aged married woman determined to make the best of an absurd situation, by finding joy in little things, and hoping to catch the attention of her oblivious husband.

“The Savannah Sipping Society” (April 10-26): Four Southern women – an unemployed workaholic, a lonely widow, a boisterous good ol’ gal, and a life coach – are drawn together by fate (and an impromptu happy hour).

“The Matchmaker,” by Thornton Wilder (June 12-28). In 19th-century New York, wealthy widower and merchant Horace Vandergelder hopes to marry the milliner Irene Molloy. He turns to Dolly Levi for help, but she wants Horace for herself.

A 5-play subscription is $130 – that’s 5 plays for the price of 4 if purchased individually. Subscriptions include priority seating, and 2 bonus tickets to introduce friends to the theatre. Click here for details, or call 203-226-1983.

=================================================

La Plage — the Longshore restaurant — will close after Labor Day for the season.

They’ll reopen in early summer next year. The adjacent Inn at Longshore begins its remodeling project November 1.

The Inn and La Plage are part of the Delamar hospitality group. Dandelion — the new Westport hotel’s restaurant — holds a job fair today (Tuesday, noon to 4 p.m.0 for many positions.

A pre-opening cocktail party is set there for September 6. Organized by realtor Judy Michaelis, it’s a fundraiser for Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service. Click here for tickets.

==================================================

The Planning & Zoning Commission meets tomorrow (Wednesday, 7 a.m. — yes, that time is correct — in Town Hall Room 201).

They are expected to immediately vote to go into an executive session to discuss pending litigation: ROAN Development Ventures vs. the P&Z, regarding the Hamlet at Saugatuck project.

=================================================

Tom Kretsch is one of Westport’s most talented, and favorite, photographers.

His exhibit “A Symphony of Color” is on display in the Westport Library’s South Gallery now through October 5.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the opening reception. The 6 p.m. event will be followed by a 7 p.m. conversation between him and Artists Collective of Westport co-founder Miggs Burroughs.

The Library says, “Kretsch’s background as an educator and lifelong traveler informs his ability to see beauty in the simple and the small. Whether he’s photographing New England, further afield or right here in Westport, his work speaks to his genre of peaceful places.” Click here for more details.

(Photos/Tom Kretsch)

==================================================

Congratulations to Team Schur — champions of this year’s resurrected Monday night men’s basketball league at Compo Beach.

A crowd of 50 people — including Staples head coach Dave Goldshore and associate head coach Chris Pickens — watched the title game. The scoe was 66-43.

The champions’ roster includes Jordan Schur, Travis Test, Noah Hammond, Zach But, Don Snyder, Connor Whelan, Kevin Cline, Brandon Barton and Michael Smith.

The champs: Team Schur.

Action from the finals. (Photo/Eric Bosch)

==================================================

The fall Jazz at the Post season begins Thursday (September 4, VFW Post 399) — a few days before fall, but who’s counting?

It’s “Piano Madness,” with Janice Friedman, Mike Campenni, Dave Kingsnorth and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.

Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service begins at 7. Click here for tickets, and more information.

==================================================

One Bad Oyster brings ska, surf and happiness to the Weston History & Culture Center’s outdoor summer concert series “Music at the Barn” on Sunday, September 7 (5:30 to 7 p.m.).

Guests should bring a lawn chair, and their own beverages. Tony Pizza Napolitano will be selling thin crust pizzas. Members of the Weston History & Culture Center receive a complimentary glass of beer or wine.

Tickets are available at the door or in advance online.

Music at the Barn: Weston History & Culture Center.

==================================================

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is truly “red, white and blue”:

(Photo/Bob Mitchell)

==================================================

And finally … in honor of 2 of the plays in the upcoming Westport Community Theatre seeason (story above):

(Happy days are here again … when you click here to support “06880.” Oy!)

Roundup: Arts Funds, Big Buck, Turtle Update, More


Five Westport nonprofit arts groups have received a total of $536,100 in COVID relief funds. The money — part of a $9 million Connecticut COVID Relief for the Arts package — is administered by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

Recipients include

  • Friends of the Levitt Pavilion: $55,200
  • JIB Productions (Play With Your Food): $11,900
  • MoCA Westport: $97,700
  • Westport Community Theatre: $5,500
  • Westport Country Playhouse: $365,80

(Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)

The Westport Country Playhouse received a grant for COVID relief.


Speaking of art: Mysterious monoliths appeared recently in Utah, California and Romania.

Also: Burying Hill Beach.

Nothing concrete is known about any of them.

(Photo/Chris Grimm)


Remember the loggerhead turtle rescued by Mystic Aquarium on Monday?

David Loffredo sends this update:

Our turtle is a male, 5 to 10 years old. [Uh-oh. “06880” first called him a her — who knew?]

The aquarium warmed him up from 53 degrees to 70. He did suffer quite a blow to his head. They think he was hit by a propeller earlier in the fall, so they are watching him to make sure he recovers.

That’s most likely why he wound up in Long Island Sound this late in the season, and on our beach. His buddies are already way further south. He would not have survived for much longer.

So now we wait.  It’s like having a child.  We try not to call daily….

My wife asked if they’ve named him. The rescue people said they don’t name rescue animals until they’re sure they’ll survive, so right now our guy is #2. We are praying he gets a name!

If and when he does, we’ve been invited for a visit and a behind-the-scenes tour. You know it will be thoroughly documented.

(Photo/David Loffredo)


Speaking of animals: A nearby resident spotted this guy in the Greens Farms Church cemetery. He and his girlfriend then wandered over to her side door. They seem to have settled in for the winter.


As of yesterday, Westport had 699 cases of COVID-19 since March (642 confirmed, 57 probable). There have been 24 deaths (16 confirmed, 18 probable). Click here for full statistics.


And finally … happy 69th birthday to Gary Rossington. The guitarist is a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd — and the last surviving original member.

Remembering Bill Meyer

Bill Meyer — the consummate Westport volunteer, a man who knew everyone in town, and one of the most genuinely friendly human beings on the planet — died today. He battled multiple myeloma for over a year.

In his 85 years, Bill did more than 85 normal people could in 85 lifetimes.

Bill Meyer

Bill Meyer

Professionally, he had a fulfilling career as national sales manager for several companies. “We manufactured and sold pens and pencils,” he said of one business.

That’s like saying Bruce Springsteen “plays music.” In fact, Bill managed 800 workers on a Blackfoot Indian reservation in Montana. He was so motivational and inspirational, the tribe adopted him — and gave him an honorary Indian name.

But as much as he traveled, Bill always found time for Westport.

Plenty of time.

Here is a teeny-tiny, way-too-partial list. Bill…

  • was elected 9 times to the RTM. He chaired the Parks and Recreation Committee, and served on its  Education, and Health and Human Services Committees
  • founded the Westport Little League softball program; was a member of the Little League board of directors; umpired — and had a softball field named for him
  • served as Y’s Men president and membership chairman
  • was a director of Sunrise Rotary, Senior  Center, First Night, Westport’s AARP chapter, Westport Community Theatre, and 2 intercity Bridgeport agencies
  • served on the Saugatuck Congregational Church council
  • mentored a boy from age 5 through adolescence
  • helped with Meals on Wheels
  • volunteered on many Republican campaigns
  • was a board member of Isaiah House in Bridgeport, which helps parolees transition from prison to life outside
  • won the 2004 Service to Older Adults award
  • earned a Westport First award
  • received the YMCA’s Faces of Achievement honor.

Bill loved Staples. He loved Westport, sports, the theater, church, the Republican party, volunteering, old people, young people, and his wife Carolyn.

Or — to put it another way: Bill loved life.

We owe Bill Meyer an enormous debt. He touched each of us, and all of us.

He made Westport a better place to live.

You can’t ask for a better life than that.

This photo epitomizes Bill Meyer. He's volunteering at the Great Duck Race, sponsored by Sunrise Rotary, while hugging Republican State Senator Toni Boucher.

This photo epitomizes Bill Meyer. He was volunteering at the Great Duck Race, sponsored by Sunrise Rotary, while hugging Republican State Senator Toni Boucher.