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.
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