Al’s Angels Volunteers Prepare Thanksgiving Meal Bins for Over 1,000 Families
The Al’s Angels annual tradition of preparing meal bins for families in need returned this year to a new venue: a former car dealership in Fairfield on the Post Road. Over one hundreds families assisted in filling the meal bins throughout the repurposed space - each bin destined for a family in need this Thanksgiving after it was carefully filled with different foods and drinks by the volunteers. Al’s Angels, a Westport-based non-profit, supports families suffering from economic hardships and children suffering from bloodborne diseases and cancers through food security and other types of support. For over 20 years, the organization - founded by Westport Al DiGuido - also funds and organizes the Christmas Light Display on the Cribari Bridge in Saugatuck, as well as a local toy drive for the holidays.
Staples Players Prepare for Grease
From the Staples PlayersStaples Players is hard at work preparing to present GREASE to audiences in less than two weeks! Over a hundred Staples High School students are putting final details on all aspects of the production - designing lights, building sets, finalizing costumes and discovering the hair and makeup styles of 1959. Here is a look behind the curtain in the Staples auditorium - take a special backstage look at what it takes to put on a show!
Tickets are available to all six performances at staplesplayers.com. Tickets available are primarily balcony seats, which are a fantastic view of this large dance show! Performances are November 12, 13, 19 , 20 at 7:30 PM and November 14 and 20 at 3:00 PM. All audience members must show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test from the past 72 hours. Unvaccinated children under 12 may be tested prior to the show, with an at home test or proof of test from a lab. Masks must be worn at all times indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Fall Begins along North Avenue
Autumn leaves along North Avenue, in front of Coleytown Middle School, have turned the evening commute into a colorful expedition as local foliage charts predict peak leaf-peeping season to end at the end of next week.
Brilliant Autumn Evening after Rainy Days
The sun set the autumn leaves ablaze this evening for the historic trees at Saugatuck Congregational Church. The warm sight was welcomed by passersby after two days of heavy rains and dark skies.
Westport Celebrates 76th Anniversary of the United Nations
Following the ceremony attendees Jim Naughton and his wife, Sara Sessions Naughton chat with First Selectman Jim Marpe and Bill Hass, President, UN Association of Southwestern CT and member, International Hospitality Committee. Photo by Dave Matlow for WestportLocal.com
Westport resident Aye Aye Thant, daughter of former UN Secretary-General U Thant, addressed attendees at a bipartisan ceremony to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the United Nations. The ceremony was held at the entrance to Westport’s Town Hall. Participating in the ceremony were (l-r) Bill Hass - President, UN Association of Southwestern CT and member, International Hospitality Committee, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Second Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, First Selectman Jim Marpe and Staples High School seniors, Lucas Slater, President of the Staples Model UN and Aidan Rogers, Vice President. Photo & words by Dave Matlow for WestportLocal.com
Halloween Window Painting Contest allows Kids to Decorate Westport this Saturday
Westport Weston Chamber of CommerceThursday October 21st. The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the annual Halloween Window Painting Contest will take place on Saturday October 23rd from 9am – 4pm.
This year has a record number of Children, 105, painting 65 different windows around town. All are vying to win in three different categories; Scariest, Most Original and Best Halloween Themed in three levels; Elementary, Middle School and High School for a total of nine winners. The victors will receive an award and a $25 gift card from Cold Fusion for gelato downtown.
“What a turnout. A major increase from last year’s record,” said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the Chamber. “This event is so much fun, the kids and parents just love it and the store owners really came out to support it.”
Windows of retailers, offices and even town owned at the Library and Senior center answered the call to ensure every child signed up had a window to paint on their own or in teams.
Judging will be done by the Chamber’s Board of Directors and the winners will be announced early next week. The windows will be left painted through Halloween so residents can come and see the artistry.
For more information www.westportwestonchamber.com/halloween
Westport Dog Festival Promotes the Adoption of Local Pups
A boy reaches towards the nose of an adoptable dog this afternoon at the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce’s Dog Festival. The festival included dog shows, local vendors, and community organizations that help connect families to pets up for adoption. Postponed from last week due to rain, thousands of families and their dogs attended the festival, which celebrates its fifth anniversary. WestportLocal.com photo
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kicked Off This Morning
Thousands gathered today at the Sherwood Island State Park to make strides against breast cancer. The event was canceled last year due to pandemic lockdowns, but returned in-force this year. The six mile walk started at 10 this morning; an estimated $225,000 were raised of the $300,000 goal.
Photo and Words by Preston Siroka for WestportLocal.com.
Staples Freshmen Girls Soccer Surfs the Blue Wave after Winning over Darien 3-2
All photos by WestportLocal.comThe Staples High School Girls’ Soccer Team battled Darien this morning on Wakeman’s turf field - with a close game coming to an end with a final winning score of 3-2 for the freshman team and their coach, Jack Tubbs.
Goals were scored by Chloe Barnes (#46), Kaela Cohen (#42) , and Ella Zhu (#40). The back line, featuring Lucy Barney (#3), Julianna Martire (#20), Stella St. Andre (#14 ), and Lucy Fisher (#18) held strong through the second half while Katie Fitzgerald (#32) lead the attack in midfield.