Westport Library & Y's Men Presented Actor And Health Care Activist James Naughton
Monday, August 21st evening was very special as the Y's Men of Westport/Weston and The Westport Library presented noted actors and Broadway performers James Naughton and Carole Schweid to a capacity crowd.
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he audience thoroughly enjoyed a relaxed, friendly and incisive conversation between these two theatre and film veterans. Together, they discussed Naughtons acting and directing history, his long relationship with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward and told stories of his many successful years in the entertainment business.
In addition, Naughton recognized a number of attendees who have worked with him and joined to enjoy this evening with him.
On a more serious note, Mr. Naughton made a strong case for supporting the Medical Aid in Dying legislation which has yet to be passed in Connecticut and provided history and information on how to help.
Guests were then treated to a 16-minute fictional drama film, "Not the Same Clarence”, featuring Jim and his son Greg Naughton depicting the true realities of caring for a parent with dementia, and its impact on their lives.
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Above: Clips from the film.The trailer for the film can be seen here: ”Not The Same Clarence”
Mr. Naughton told WestportLocalPress, "We know that 75% of CT residents want Medical Aid In Dying passed by the CT Legislature. I've been advocating for its passage since my wife, Pam, passed away after battling Pancreatic Cancer for 4 years. On Oct. 16th, I will moderate a discussion on the subject at the Westport Library, with a panel of involved citizens and Legislators. Be there!"
Also in attendance were the filmmakers, Brian Russell and his wife Lisa DeTullio Russell, (above, left) who serves as a producer on all Brian's films. The couple are from Fairfield. Brian told us, "I was a business, business, business guy, and made a career change in 2010, when I accidentally started making videos. I have worked on corporate video, non-profit fundraising and host of other subjects in video production for the past 13 years. I began working with James Naughton about a year ago, and this fall will be collaborating on our 3rd and 4th films together."
The couple's next project will be a documentary about Medical Aid in Dying, profiling Tim Appleton, the head of the CT chapter of Compassion and Choices, as he walks across the state to raise awareness for the Medical Aid inn Dying legislative initiative. We will begin following him in South Windsor.
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Billy & The Showmen Give The Levitt Dance Floor A Workout
On Saturday night one of the Levitt Pavilion's crowd favorites, Billy & The Showmen brought their own brand of hard-driving R&B, Soul, and Funk from the '60's and '70's to the Levitt stage and brought the audience to the new astroturf "dance floor", giving it quite a workout.
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Shelly Kahan, president of Interstate+Lakeland lumber introduced the band, with whom he has been friends for part of their more than 50 year career as a band. Mr. Kahan and Interstate+Lakeland Lumber, which recently opened their new Design Center at 800 Post Rd. East, Westport has been a major sponsor of the Levitt summer music series for several years. Interstate+Lakeland was hosting their customer appreciation event at the Levitt's terrace prior to the show.
There was a capacity crowd on Saturday night with many of the audience finding their way to the "dance floor" in front of the stage.
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The 9 piece band, includes a 4 piece brass section which gives them the ability to play tunes by such greats as Tower Of Power including TOP's best-selling "What Is Hip?" one of their many crowd-pleasers.
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Frank Mastrone Brings the Sounds Of Broadway to the Levitt Pavilion Stage
On Sunday, Frank Mastrone, a long-time Levitt favorite performed with his friends, Singers Terry Eldh and Dodie Pettit. His band included Musical Director Frank Spitznagel, Violinist Darwin Shen, on bass Nick Macri and on drums, Gabe Nappi.
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Above, left Sunday Series sponsor Roger Leifer welcomes the crowd, center. Right, Frank Mastrone reaches for a big note.
This memorable evening was sponsored by long-time major Levitt supporter who has funded their Sunday series for some time, Leifer Properties of Westport. Mastrone, who has appeared on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Cats, Big: The Musical, Jekyll and Hyde and Saturday Night Fever brought his signature cabaret show giving fabulous renditions of Broadway hits everyone knows.
Together with his exceptional band and the vocal talents of his special friends they delighted the capacity audience again this year with their high energy performances across multiple genres of music
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They Grow Up So Fast!
It's hard to believe that just two months ago the Terrain Osprey juveniles in these photos were little chicks, small enough to hold in the palm of your hand (below, left pic, see: https://westportlocal.com/news/osprey-update-its-triplets).
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Within 30 days of hatching, the young birds will be 70-75% of their adult weight. The chicks will fledge about 55 days after hatching but will use the nest as home base until they migrate in September. Young ospreys will stay dependent on their parents until the young are able to fish for themselves, which these two seemed to in no big hurry to learn.
These "teenagers" were anxiously awaiting their next meal, and were quit vocal about their need for dinner. They were squeaking for nearly an hour, hoping Mom and Dad would be bringing fresh fish. After not getting their food delivery they flew effortlessly to the nearby pine trees at the back of the Terrain parking lot. Upon landing in the pine trees, they continued demanding to be feed (above left) and after another 15 minutes of squawking, they gave up and chose instead to give their feathers a good preening (above, right).
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