Home Invasion/Car Jacking On Bayberry Lane On Sunday Under Investigation By Westport Police
The assault and car jacking was captured by homeowner’s video camera.
A Bayberry Lane homeowner got the shock of his life after pulling his Aston Martin into his garage when two individuals entered his garage and began the terrifying assault which was captured on the homeowners video camera. Video of the event was released to the media by Westport Police.
Westport PD Press Release On Sunday 9.17.23:
On Sunday, September 17, 2023 at approximately 3:50 PM Westport Police responded to a residential burglary and carjacking on Bayberry Lane. The complainant reported that as they returned home and pulled into their garage, two (2) suspects entered the garage. The suspects assaulted the complainant while they were seated in the vehicle and subsequently stole their blue Aston Martin after forcibly removing the victim. It is believed that the suspects arrived at the residence in a dark blue BMW, as this vehicle was seen fleeing with the stolen vehicle. The complaint suffered minor injuries as a result of the assault but declined medical attention. Broadcast messages were sent to neighboring towns and Connecticut State Police. Both of these vehicles were reported to be last seen traveling north on Route 8. The Westport Police Detective Bureau is currently investigating and anyone with information is asked to contact us at (203)341-6080.
It is believed that our victim was targeted and followed back to their residence. Therefore, Westport Police are encouraging residents to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to 911.
WPD Update on Monday 9.18.23:
There have been no significant developments in the investigation as of this writing. The Aston Martin has not been recovered and there have been no arrests. The dark blue BMW that was involved was later reported stolen from Norwalk..
Westport police to host public forum on this and Car theft issuesI.
n an additional Press Release on Monday by Westport PD, the department announced it will be hosting a forum on public safety do to the seriousness of this incident and the number of vehicle thefts in town over the last 18 months or even earlier.
WPD Press Release:
In collaboration with First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, the Westport Police Department will host a Public Forum on Public Safety as it relates to car thefts, vehicle break-ins and the recent carjacking incident. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Westport Town Hall Auditorium, 110 Myrtle Avenue.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas will lead a discussion focusing on the safety concerns voiced by members of our community. Chief Koskinas and members of the command staff will present the ongoing work of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force that was formed due to the increased car thefts and vehicle break-ins in the area. Special attention will be given to police practices that are utilized to combat the theft of vehicles. The forum will provide information and instructions to increase situational awareness and help our community avoid being victims of these crimes.
We hope to see everyone Wednesday at this important and informative meeting.
Not The Electric Slide, This Will Be The Lateral Slide
The bridge replacement on I-95 over Saugatuck Avenue is proceeding along on time.
The much needed bridge replacement on I-95 over Saugatuck Avenue is being done using the highly efficient technique of Slide-in bridge construction (SIBC), more commonly known as "lateral slide". This is one of several Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technologies being promoted by the FHWA Every Day Counts program. For those who don’t remember, the Electric Slide was all the rage a few years back. This slide offers a more substantial benefit.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Information on this project is available at www.i95norwalkwestport.com. https://www.i95norwalkwestport.com/
Ironworkers from union local 424 and local 15 work in the blazing sun recently with temperatures in the mid 90ºs and feel-like temps over 100. It wasn't easy for Larry, Bernie, Shai, Willie and John on a day like this, but they did their jobs as they do whatever the weather might be.
Connecticut has received many millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements:
CT has been the recipient of major federal funding for this and other major infrastructure projects. WesportLocalPress spoke with Josh Morgan, CT DOT spokesperson who told us, "Billions of dollars in Federal funds for Connecticut are going towards improving our infrastructure, helping grow the economy, connecting communities, and creating safe and accessible passageways for more people. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our state and make it safer and more accessible for everyone. As a result of this funding, we are doing more projects than ever before and accelerating existing projects so they can be completed sooner. These investments would not be possible without the support of Connecticut’s Congressional Delegation, who championed this bill, and Governor Lamont and the state legislature, who have provided us with the matching state funds to leverage new federal grant opportunities. The Federal infrastructure law is making a difference in Connecticut."
To see what slide-in bridge construction looks like you can go to a similar bridge replacement project ins Southington from several years ago: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAAMx0W-7S8
As you will see quite often on union construction jobs, workers insure the Amercian flag takes a prominent position on the jobsite.
The bridge replacement is on schedule to be completed next month over the course of two weekends. This will result in weekend lane closures on both the northbound and southbound sides of I-95. While the roadway will remain open, CT DOT is advising motorists to avoid the area during the weekend work. Details about the date and time of lane closures and alternate routes will be published in advance of the work beginning.
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There are several informative websites to learn about how CT is improving the roads and bridges we drive on day and night.
Morgan further provided additional information and links to see just what is being accomplished to improve the entire state of Connecticut's infrastructure, which has significantly increased use by more and heavier vehicles in recent years.
Morgan's DOT Info:
Here is a link to our end of year Infrastructure Law press release that highlights projects and provides a lot of numbers:https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/CTDOT-Press-Releases/2022/CTDOT-Highlights-Investments-in-First-Year-of-Infrastructure-Law/. Please note, Commissioner Giulietti has since retired and our current Commissioner is Garrett Eucalitto. Also please note, that release came out two weeks before we were alerted that we received a $158 million Federal grant, which was part of a new program created by the Infrastructure Law:https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/CTDOT-Press-Releases/2022/Federal-Infrastructure-Grant-for-Gold-Star-Memorial-Bridge-Rehabilitation.
Here is link to a map we have that shows projects and funding type, including the Infrastructure Law:https://ctdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/52e9ba95ad914e34b149966420e9db08.
On that map, there are multiple projects happening in the same area, so if you click on part of 95 for the Norwalk/Westport job, you may have to click through some arrows to get it. And here is a map that shows all active projects in the state: https://connecticut-ctdot.opendata.arcgis.com/apps/497d9f93de1247378faceff72434b8a6/explore. Same note as before with the arrows to move around projects that overlap.
Blessing All Creatures Great And Small; Buddhist Blessing Of The Animals
Ani Lobsang Tendrol, a nun placed a wrapped object called a a Compassion Sutra on the animal's head and Prayers are placed on the head as a transmission to the animal. Next, monk Lobsang Nyima sprinkles blessed water with a peacock feather. The monks will also bless photos, either print or phone pics.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
On Saturday the monks of the Do Ngak Kunphen Ling Tibetan Buddhist Center for Universal Peace (DNKL) in Redding held their annual Blessing Of The Animals at the Center on Putnam Park Rd., Redding which began more than a decade ago.
There are various Animal Blessings held each year in Fairfield County but none are quite like the Buddhist blessing in Redding which has been held for more than a decade. While you will see many dos and the occasional kitty at the others, the DNKL Blessing it is not unusual to see horses, like the Icelandic ponies pictured here. They are from Farm Jibe-iT nearby, which also brought several of their goats to be blessed, including one of their "Yoga goats" (Google Goat Yoga) which has been know to jump on the back of the farm's ponies. It is not unusual to see a kitty-size carrier and upon looking more closely, seeing a large white rat or other such creature. All are welcome here!
About 70-80 people ore more attend each year to seek the blessing from the monks, waiting patiently in line, passing under the Tibetan prayer flags. Tibetan prayer flags are used to promote peace, wisdom, and compassion. The bright cloth flags are printed with auspicious symbols, invocations, prayers, and mantras. Tibetans believe that the prayers will be spread by the wind, bringing goodwill and auspiciousness to all beings. Buddhist are well known for their love of and compassion for all living things including animals which is a part of what makes this such a special event to many visitors each year.
When they pet parents reached the front of the line Ani Lobsang Tendrol, a nun placed a wrapped object called a a Compassion Sutra is placed on the animal's head and Prayers are placed on the head as a transmission to the animal. Next, monk Lobsang Nyima sprinkles blessed water with a peacock feather. The monks will also bless photos, either print or phone pics.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, left this pet Dad brought his Briard and his GoldenDoodle for their blessings.
The names of the monks & nun above from left to right are: Lobsang Nyima, Geshe Nawang Kalsong, Geshe Lobsang Dhargey (Main Teacher at DNKL). and Ani Lobsang Tendrol (Nun).
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Following this the monks and nun recite a series of prayers in Tibetan and then in English.
One of those prayers says in part:
Please always bestow fortune and blessing to these animals,
and always be their protectors and saviors.
Always conquer their enemies, and always bestow liberation on them-
Liberate them from illness, untimely death, negative karma and the chain of suffering
and liberate them from the miserable circumstances that lack leisure and opportunity.
About the animal blessing
The objective of the blessing is to imprint seeds of happiness for the animals so they have a successful rebirth. They receive oral transmissions from the mantra's that are recited for health and success in the next life. Mantra's are words that comprise and symbolize a multitude of meanings and prayers that not only help in this life but in future lives. The Compassion Sutra is touched to their head and this transmission of compassion and the blessed water is considered to extend hope for the animal for miracles in a future life.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
About the Do Ngak Kunphen Ling Center
Visitors are welcome at the Center at 30 Putnam Park Rd., Redding, a half hour north of Westport on either Rout 53 or Route 58, both beautiful designated as CT Scenic Roads. DNKL promotes peaceful living through teachings, study, meditation and community service. Its unique program integrates the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism with stewardship of its historic New England landscape. DNKL follows the spiritual tradition and lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama visited CT in 2012 as a joint collaboration between DNKL and Western Ct State University. Due to his Holiness' age he is not traveling outside of India, and we do not expect another in-person visit.
Located in the former home and estate of UNICEF founding director Maurice Pate and former Sweet Briar College president Martha Lucas Pate, the center is dedicated to benefit and serve others. Do Ngak Kunphen Ling (DNKL) is located on 100 acres of meadows and woods, with rock lined stream that feeds two ponds, a prayer wheel, stone bridge and a charming farmhouse all contributing to a stunning landscape. The name Do Ngak Kunphen Ling literally means The Place of Sutra and Tantra for the Benefit of All.
Under the direction of Geshe Lobsang Dhargey and the other resident monks, we provide basic classes on Buddhist philosophy and meditation along with more advanced systematic studies. Most of the classes are non-secular based. The courses and activities encourage a more compassionate daily life, new insights into the reality of our existence and the transformation of negative emotions, thoughts and actions.
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DNKL hosts and contributes to public talks, spiritual festivals, interfaith dialogues, and events with families and community organizations to promote compassion and the wisdom found in Buddhist teachings. DNKL also engages in humanitarian activities, such as assisting Tibetan monks and children with basic education and health needs.
Next Year’s Event:
A Tibetan Cultural Event is being held next year to run in conjunction with the Blessing Of The Animals on September 14, 2024 For this event they will not only have the animal blessing but will also have food, Tibetan dance and crafts.
As Bob Dylan Once Said, "The Times They Are A-Changin'".
Newtown held its 61st annual Labor Day Parade on Labor Day this year with one very noticeable difference. For the first time, before the first group of marchers left the staging area, town workers used heavy equipment to put concrete barriers in place on each road which led to the parade route. The heavy equipment stayed in place along with Newtown PD and Fire Department vehicles. The action was taken to insure the safety of marchers and spectators in light of recent vehicle attacks on parades and public events.
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Newtown’s 61st Labor Day Parade Enjoyed By Thousands
Connecticut’s only Labor Day Parade was a big hit as always with thousands of viewers lining the parade route from the famous flagpole, down Rt. 25 and back to Church Hill Rd.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The annual event lasts nearly two and one half hours as floats, bands, town sports teams passed by eager onlookers. The 2nd Governors Horse Guard, based in Newtown proudly passed by the cheering crowd. The Horse guard is a state militia unit which technically a part of the U.S. Cavalry.
Grand Marshal Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown drove the route in a vintage Stanley Steamer an antique steam powered automobile
This being the unofficial start of the election campaign season, Connecticut’s politicians and political hopefuls made sure they were seen waving to the crowds. In a display of bi-partisanship, Governor Lamont took a moment to pose with Republican State Senator Tony Hwang whose district includes Newtown.
Above, right: One of the pilots who flys for the New Milford Police Department waves to the crowd below. NMPD Deputy Chief Wilcoxson responded to a request from Newtown PD for a flyover by New Milford's police helicopter, which they incorporated into a training session. The pilot was Mr. Tom O'Halloran who is ex-military and currently an airline pilot and instructor for the the NMPD Mr. O'Halloran is currently training an NMPD officer. That officer was also at the controls, co-pilot in training Lt. Earl Wheeler, patrol division commander. The large black object on the nose of the helicopter is a forward looking infrared sensor which can detect people or animals in total darkness.
The street in town were adorned with patriotic decorations and many of the homes were hosting Labor Day Parties to view the parade.
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The local VFW made sure Old Glory waved proudly from their float, decorated with lots of red, white and blue.
A lovely young woman made sure to hand out American flags to those who reached out for one.
The children are always amazed by the sights and sounds of the marchers and bands. Above, right, Monsignor Robert Weiss, pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, the parade Grand Marshal.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Local martial artist students shared the route with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
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Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Scorching Temperatures On Thursday Deterred Some Westport Farmer's Market Shoppers
Temperatures in the mid 90's with high humidity on Thursday kept traffic at the Westport Farmer's Market down from its usual robust numbers, but vendors were still selling their amazing produce, bread, food products, flowers and a variety of gourmet items.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Since 2006 when Paul Newman and Michel Nischan first floated the idea which resulted with the market opening their “doors“ in the parking lot of the Westport Country Playhouse, this highly acclaimed venture which started with only 14 vendors and and about 500 shoppers that opening day, has grown by leaps and bounds.
Paris (from Westport) carefully searches for the perfect bouquets of flowers from one of the flower vendors at Thursday’s Farmers Market
The Westport Farmer's Market is an institution cherished by the late Gordon Joseloff, who served two terms as Westport‘s First Selectman. In fact, Joseloff, along with his Second Selectman Shelly Kassen, were instrumental in moving the market to it's current home at 50 Imperial Ave. next to The Westport Women’s Club. Joseloff and Kassen in fact secured the property for the WFM and arranged to pave the lot on which the market now stands along with ample parking alongside the vendor booths and overflow parking available in the lower lot.
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Seacoast Mushrooms brings beautiful and hard-to-find mushrooms from their farm in Mystic.
According to Executive Director Lori L. Cochchran-Dougall, "Gordon and Shelly Kassen were instrumental in the success of WFM. They secured the Imperial Lot for the market by paving the lot for the market, helping WFM become a 501c-3, finding me to run the market and assisting in identifying the address of 50 imperial Ave as WFM's physical address. These actions are what helped make WFM an institution in Westport."
Photographs of the Market were a staple of Gordon‘s ubiquitous online publication, “WestportNow.com“ which he founded and ran for many years until his passing in 2020.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One of the other reasons for the growth and success of the market can be attributed to an exceptional array of fresh farm produce and unique gourmet items which bring visitors returning every week. The market satisfies Westport’s increasing demand for high quality, fresh, healthy food which finds its way to our tables each week.
Adding to all that, Cochchran-Dougall said, is that they maintain "the strictest guidelines in the state." She told WestportLocalPress, "We are producer only. Not a craft market. All prepared foods must have one locally farmed and approved item in them. The market is blooming with 45 vendors! Food trucks, GMO free vendors, organic farmers, pizza, yoga, chef demos, tamales, and an eager, hungry lunch crowd. We now welcome thousands of eager shoppers every week."
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The WFM summer season runs from May through November. The Winter Market then opens at Gilbertie's Herbs and Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Lane, Westport, just off Riverside Ave.
Find out for yourself all that the WFM vendors have to offer. The full list of vendors with links for more info can be found here:
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Artist Collective Of Westport Pop-Up Exhibit To Run Through Sunday
After a huge opening reception on Wednesday evening with Chris Coogan at the piano, The Artists Collective of Westport’s latest Popup art exhibit will be open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 6pm in the barn at the Westport Playhouse.
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Artists talks are from 5 to 6pm on Sunday, which are free and open to the public. The 14 participating artists who work in a variety of creative media are Ann Brecher-Bogart, Janine Brown, Randijane Davis, Susan Fehlinger, Susanne Keany, Emily Laux, Mary Jo McGonagle, Toby Michaels, Jay Petrow, Diane Pollack, Kim Porio, Mark Schiff, Kris Toohey and Cynthia Whalen.
Their work and the work of all 150 Collective members can be seen at www.ArtistsCollectiveofWestport.org
Labor Day Weekend Car Show Draws 2,000 Spectators
Yes, believe it or not this IS a Mercedes-Benz. Just one of many unique vehicles at the Danbury War Memorial Car show.
While many Westporters were spending the last big weekend of summer at Compo, Sherwood Island or cruising on Long Island Sound, our neighbors to the north spent part of their Labor Day weekend at one of Fairfield County's larger car shows, the annual Danbury War Memorial car show.
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Located in the heart of Danbury at Rogers Park, the Danbury War Memorial which is a non-profit recreational and educational facility providing organized sports, personal fitness, as well as community events. All profits gained will be used for continuous improvements to the building. The grounds are also the site of Memorials built to honor the fallen lost in World War Two, The Korean and Viet Nam conflicts and will soon be home for a Memorial for those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Half-Million Dollar Traffic Jam! - The classic, vintage and unique vehicles in this line are easily worth $500,000 or probably more. This beauty in green a modified Charger muscle car and only about 500 were ever built. After its initial year in NASCAR, they banned the Daytona for being too fast to safely race. This makes it one of the most important cars in motorsport history for the changes it forced in the racing series. With its huge, 23-inch tall-rear airfoil and deeply slanted nose, it was obvious that the Charger Daytona existed only to win races at fast NASCAR tracks.
The competition debut for the Dodge Charger Daytona came at Alabama International Motor Speedway (now Talladega Superspeedway) on September 14, 1969. In fact, partly as a result of it's highly banked turns at 32º Buddy Baker (NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2020) was the first NASCAR driver to break 200 MPH turning a lap of 200.447 mph in Dodge Daytona. This legendary automotive icon was also the first car to win at the new Alabama Motor Speedway. Most NASCAR legends like Richard Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and 34 other drivers boycotted the race after multiple tire failures occurred in practice which the drivers attributed to the track being too fast causing premature tire wear.
This year's record attendance was due in part to the two hundred or so exceptional vehicles, everything from perfectly restored vintage antiques, to legendary American Muscle Cars of the 60's and 70's, to a few trucks like few have seen. There were a few European high end cars as well as a couple of exotics like the Lamborghini with the intake covers specifying "remove before flight" evoking those used on Amercia's military jet aircraft. Several active duty Army soldiers attached to the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Danbury were on hand to pose for photos with one of their vehicles.
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Edsel was a make of car and a new car making division introduced by the Ford Motor Company on September 4, 1957. The company called that day, "E-Day." The car was named after Henry Ford's son, Edsel Ford. The Edsel was also considered one of the biggest failures in history although some say it was simply ahead of it's time. It was sold for only three years, ending in 1960.
The ROUSH 2010 427R™ Mustang was the first in the lineup of new ROUSH® 2010 Mustangs to have a ROUSHcharger® supercharger installed which boosts the horsepower to 435 and offers 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Roush Racing, the original name of the company started by Jack Rousch was one of the most successful teams in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing history.
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Another legend in SCCA racing was this Boss 302 Mustang, introduced in 1969 and driven in the Trans-Am series at Lime Rock, CT by a legendary driver, Parnelli Jones. Jones battled another legend, Mark Donohue driving the Roger Penske Z-28 Camaros. Donohue tragically was killed after crashing during a warm-up run for the Austrian Grand Prix.
This Boss was painted red, but the original 1969 Boss 302, of which only 1628 were built to qualify for Trans-Am series racing, was only available in Bright Yellow, Calypso Coral, Wimbledon White, and Acapulco Blue. The Boss was rated at 290 horsepower (probably more) and was one of only a few cars on the market at the time that had a nearly one-to-one cubic inch-to-horsepower ratio. The car cost about $3600. (almost 36K in today's dollars) and the current average selling price according to Classics.com is over $88,000. with a top selling price of nearly $260,000.
One of the cars taking home a trophy was The Mercury Cyclone Spoiler (above, right) which was launched Into the NASCAR Battle When Cale Yarborough Won The Daytona 500 In 1968 in a Woods Brothers Cyclone. The Cale Yarborough Edition Was Red And White Like His Woods Brothers Car With A Signature. Only 41 Cale Yarborough Spoilers were built with the largest engine available, the legendary 428 Cobra Jet Ram Air! These cars were only built one model year, 1969. Cyclones have sold for an average of $65,000 and as much as $100,000. Yarborough, former NASCAR Winston cup series driver, owner, Businessman, and farmer, not all that an unusual occupation for the mostly southern based stock car divers. He is only one of two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive Championships, winning in 1976, 1977, And 1978.
Above left, Rayanne of Danbury pauses next to the trophy-winning Cale Yarborough Cyclone Spoiler.
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This truck certainly raised a few eyebrows.
This 1926 Mack Model AC "Bulldog" 600 GPM pumper, (above, right) purchased new by New Brunswick, New Jersey,made an appearance. This four-speed chain-drive vehicle is powered by a four-cylinder dual ignition engine. It is owned by Henry Sanford of Redding, Connecticut.
Several active duty Army soldiers attached to the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Danbury were on hand to pose for photos with one of their vehicles.
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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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