Westport Playhouse Celebrates Community With Open House
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In conjunction with Connecticut’s Open House Day, opened the doors of the theater Saturday to celebrate the community for a free event. The Playhouse offered self-guided backstage tours and set model and costume displays.
Above, right is Ivy, 6 years old in blue and her sister Piper, 4 years old, in pink playing the Sunrise Rotary “Duck in a Bucket” game.
In the Playhouse courtyard there were beer tastings, kids' activities, and more.
There was delicious food from Beyond the Salt food truck, cool brews from Athletic Brewing (non-alcoholic) and Rhythm Brewing, and ice cream from Jim’s Ice Cream Truck, all available for purchase.
Westport Sunrise Rotary was also on hand with their "duck in a bucket" game for kids and were offering tickets for the Great Duck Race. (see WestportLocalPress, "Ralphie Comes To Riverside Park")
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The Playhouse offered a 20% discount on single tickets to their next production Dial M for Murder! In addition a raffle was held for two tickets to their sold out Patti LuPone concert, "Don't Monkey With Broadway"
Connecticut Open House Day, now in its 19th year, is an annual event held on the second Saturday of June, provided by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The purpose of this event is to inspire Connecticut residents to learn about all the experiences in their own backyard, anticipating that this will convert them into ambassadors who will recommend these experiences to other visitors.
Following an April production of the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” the Playhouse’s three-production, 2023 season continues with a new adaptation of “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” the suspenseful thriller of blackmail and revenge, running from July 11 through July 29; and “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play,” a buoyant and biting comedy exploring the universal similarities and glaring differences facing teenage girls across the globe, playing from October 24 through November 11. The complete schedule is available at westportplayhouse.org. All play titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.
For ticket information, visit www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/box-office/ or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse) and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
"Little Ralphie" Comes To Saugatuck's Riverside Park
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Most people in town are familiar with the annual Great Duck Race hosted by Westport Sunrise Rotary which returns on Saturday June 24th for it's 14th year. Many people are also familiar with the giant, 30 foot inflatable yellow duck named Sunny, named after the Sunrise Rotary which appears in various places in town to promote the event. The Sunrise Rotary has provided Sunny with a little brother "Little Ralphie" only 12 feet high named after the late Ralph Kreuger. Ralph, a noted Sunrise Rotarian who came up with the idea it was to purchase Sunny to aid the organization in drawing attention to The Great Duck Race, one of the Sunrise Rotary's big fund raising event.
"Little Ralphie" this weekend was stationed at Riverside Park, inviting people to join in the fun, help local charities and hopefully win some great prizes including a $5,000 first and $1,000 second prize, with the next eight winners each receiving $500.
As many know, thousands of yellow ducks will be released on a specially constructed sluice, with each duck being assigned a number. Each ticket purchaser has a corresponding number and the first 10 duckies to cross the finish line win the cash prizes. To join the fun tickets can be purchased online at: Sunrise Rotary Duck Race Tickets . tickets may also be purchased at the Westport Farmers Market held Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 50 Imperial Avenue, Westport, Webster Bank, 244 Post Road East, Westport or from your friendly Westport Sunrise Rotarians who can be found around town at various sites and events.
Also At Riverside Park
The newly renovated Riverside Park which now is now nicely landscaped and has multiple picnic tables and several benches facing the Saugatuck river is being visited frequently.
A couple enjoying one of the river view benches watches as kayakers paddle upriver and a pair of youngsters lead their mom to one for a post-game pizza.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples Boys Lacrosse Repeats State Championship Defeating Fairfield Prep
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Sacred Heart University seems to be the Staples boys lacrosse’s happy place. This is where they won the CIAC State title last year and this is where they repeated that championship victory by defeating top seed Fairfield Prep Jesuits. The Wreckers turned an early lead by Prep into a 13-6 Staples victory.
The usual Wreckers scoring machine came to play with senior Tyler Clark, who is also a stand-out football player led with four goals, with the other usual offensive powerhouse players Leo Sequenzia, Ben Burmeister, Gavin Rothenberg and Sam Eigen each firing past the Prep goalie twice. Finding the net once each were Michael Nealon and Tristan Schaefer.
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Chamber Of Commerce Honors Westport "First Citizens"
Award recipients Charlie Haberstroh, Founder and CEO of CastleKeep Investment Advisors (L) and Bill Harmer, Executive Director of the Westport Library
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The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce honored Charlie Haberstroh, Founder and CEO of CastleKeep Investment Advisors, and Bill Harmer, Executive Director of the Westport Library who were this year’s First Citizen Award recipients. This was the return of the First Citizen Award gala dinner since the pandemic.
The event was attended by many notables including Senator Bluementhal, Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, former First Selectman Jim Marpe, former Second Selectman Avi Kaner, State Senator Cici Maher, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Weston First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor and other leading citizens.
Above: Bill Harmer with his family, and Charlie Haberstroh with his family
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“We have selected a fine and admirable mix of awardees this year,” said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the Chamber. “Each year the board looks for one nonprofit and one traditional businessperson and these dedicated individuals stood out and represent what is best in our town for their work ethic, generosity and how they approach business.”
“It is a distinct honor to be recognized by a community that has given my family so much since we moved here in 1990. Whether it's long nights on the baseball fields, picturesque sunsets at Compo Beach or digging out of the sand hazards at the Longshore golf course, I cherish the many memories and experiences in Westport,” said Charlie Haberstroh. Since I founded my investment advisory firm, 2000, I've also had the privilege of giving back to the community through public service. I was inspired to do so by my wife and by Bill Meyer who also inspired many who continue to serve Westport.”
“I am deeply humbled and moved by this recognition by my friends at the Chamber of Commerce for frankly doing work that I absolutely love and am extremely passionate about,” said Bill Harmer. “Thanks also to my staff and our Board of Trustees who consistently support our vision and allow me to be a part of this magnificent place we call Westport and the Westport Library.”
The keynote speaker this year will be Richard Blumenthal, Senior U.S. Senator from the State of Connecticut, having previously served as the State’s Attorney General.
Also receiving awards will be four “Young Entrepreneurs,” Marley Brown, Akhila Kooma, Addison Moore and Jamie Semaya seniors from Weston and Staples High Schools, for their efforts in creating new and intriguing business ventures.
“What a wonderful group of innovative kids, they truly embody the entrepreneurial spirit,” said Barbara Reynolds Chairman of the Board of the Chamber. “They have executed at a higher level and deserve these accolades. Congratulations to all.”
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.