Mary “Tookie” Banning Died; Former Westporter
Mary "Tookie" Banning passed away peacefully on August 26th. A sweet southern girl from Morristown Tennessee, Mary thrived on nurturing her family, friends, and relationships. She paid attention, remembering the details of other's successes and tribulations, and was always asking for updates on the latest events in their lives.
The daughter of George "Buck" James and Ruth White James, she was always "Tookie" to everyone. She met the love of her life, Clarence "Sonny" Banning, at the University of Tennessee. The couple settled in Sonny's hometown, Memphis, and had two lovely children: Mary Katherine and James Winthrop. The family moved to Westport Connecticut where Sonny worked for IBM, and where Tookie stayed after her husband's death until moving back to Memphis in the late 1980s.
Tookie is survived by her daughter and husband, Katherine Banning Lintz and Richard Lintz, two grandchildren, Allison Banning Mangin and James Christopher Lintz, their spouses, and four great-grandchildren. The Banning family has also always stayed close to Sonny's sister's family, the late Mary Ann and Tom Frazier, their five sons, wives, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery at 11:00am, Saturday, September 17th, with a lunch and walk in the Botanical Gardens following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to The Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital: Neurosciences (www.foundationbarnesjewish.org), Equipping Servants International (www.esionline.org), or a charity of your choice.
Judy A. Edmonds (Copp), 78, Died; Former Westport News Typesetter
Judy A. Edmonds (Copp), age 78, of Fairfield, formerly of Westport, beloved wife of the late Robert J. Edmonds, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 4, 2022 at St. Vincent's Medical Center.
Born in Nantucket, MA, and raised in Candia, NH, the daughter of the late Charles and Genefrede Lewis. She had been a Fairfield resident for over 30 years. She was a graduate of Manchester High School and received her nursing degree and worked at Mass General Hospital. Judy later worked as a typesetter for the Westport News, worked for HBO, and later as an assistant account executive at Hub International Northeast.
Judy loved gardening, knitting, cooking and entertaining her wide circle of friends. She belonged to a knitting club as well as a ladies golf league. Above all else, her greatest joy was spending time with her cherished grandchildren. Survivors include her children and their families, Paul Copp and his wife, Anna Cui, and their daughter, Claire, of Chicago, IL; and Lynn Copp and her son, Miles McPherson, of Salt Lake City, UT; and also several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Charles Schlund and Roger Lewis.
Friends may greet Judy's family on Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. A prayer service will conclude the visitation. Interment will be Private in Oak Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a gift to the Fairfield Fire Fighter's Charitable Foundation ( https://fffcf.org ).
As Summer Comes To An End Fairfield County Celebrates Labor Day
In Greenwich, fireworks lit up the skies at Tod's Point and Binney Park on Saturday. Sunday saw a major car and truck show in Danbury, and on Monday, Newtown's annual Labor Day Parade returned for it's 60th year after a two-year absence due to COVID.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
This being political season, Governor Lamont joined local candidates at the Danbury Car Show in viewing exotic, modern and antique cars, monster trucks and exceptional works of art.
A Fairfield County favorite, the Newtown Labor Day Parade saw both Governor Lamont and local Democrat candidates marched as well as Republican candidates including gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski who handed out candy to enthusiastic children along the parade route.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Labor Day Parade in Newtown drew hundreds to enjoy pirates and Polynesian dancers, firefighters and tractors, beauty queens and Shriners driving mini-cars and lots of wide-eyed children taking it all in once again this year after the two year absence due to COVID.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
New Neighbor: Bridgewater Chocolate to Call Main Street “Home”
Contributed photoPress ReleaseBridgewater Chocolate, the beloved Connecticut chocolate brand known for its lineup of familiar American classics made with European techniques, is opening a flagship retail location in Westport on September 15 at 165 Main Street. The opening of the new location follows a successful pop-up experience for Bridgewater Chocolate in the area during the 2021 holiday season.
“Westport had a chance to get a taste of our house-made chocolates with our holiday pop-up last year, and the community welcomed us with open arms. We couldn’t be more excited to be returning this year with a permanent location,” said Jeff Stoeckel, CEO of Bridgewater Chocolate. “We aim to be the iconic chocolate brand in Connecticut and growing our retail presence is a significant part of that.”
The Westport location is the fourth retail location for the chocolate company, which first offered chocolates for sale in Bridgewater, Connecticut in 1995. As the company started to grow, operations were moved to Brookfield, Connecticut in 1999. The 1350-square-foot location in Westport will feature a customer experience designed to be engaging, approachable and delicious.
The flagship Westport location will be the first location of its kind for Bridgewater Chocolate with several unique offerings that will make for a special shopping experience. When customers step into the store, they will be greeted and guided through an in-store sampling experience of Bridgewater Chocolate’s best-sellers. A “By the Piece Bar” will allow chocolate-lovers and chocolate-gifters alike to select a box, choose from a variety of house-made chocolates and customize details for a personalized chocolate selection at every budget.
Known for stunning hinged boxes and hand-tied ribbons, Bridgewater Chocolate is focused on providing an elevated gifting experience. From corporate gifting, weddings and anniversaries, housewarming and host gifts, teacher appreciation and graduation, party favors or just a little thoughtful gesture to brighten someone’s day – or even for yourself - the chocolate shop will offer something for everyone.
Shoppers will have the opportunity to select from items including nostalgic favorites like Chocolate Peanut Butter Patties and the top-selling Bridgewater Assortments, packaged in hinged boxes that range in color from a classic navy blue, holiday red, burgundy or gold complete with a hand-tied bow.
Partners on the project included BA Staging and Interior Design, Brandfuel Co. and Wainscot Solutions.
The store will be open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. In addition to retail and larger volume corporate sales, Bridgewater Chocolate offers online ordering and shipping across the country.
For more information on Bridgewater Chocolate, visit the website.