Near & Far Aid Gala Fashion Show At Mitchell’s Wows The Crowd!
The Near & Far Aid Spring Gala Friday night at Mitchell’s (WestportLocalPress Tuesday April 30) was a smashing success and one of the brightest highlights was the fashion show.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Professional models and volunteers showed off the latest in designer fashions from Mitchell’s line of fine clothing and accessories. Photos from the Fashion Show here illustrate great new looks available at Mitchell’s.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
You’re Invited: Westport Moms Invitation For Thursday Night Out
Westport Moms, which is part of the Local Moms Network, was created by two moms and Westport residents – Megan Rutstein and Melissa Post – seeking to go beyond word of mouth and offer an up-to-date, informational, and exciting reference for local families who want to stay in the know about everything within the community. Here, you will learn about schools, restaurants, sporting events, camps, music and dance classes, museums, new store openings and interesting products and so much more!
The WestportMoms blog covers a wide range of topics and experiences having to do with everything Westport (and beyond), and the joyous confusion that comes along with being a parent.
On Thursday night, May 2, they will be holding an event at Birchwood Country Club, 25 Kings Highway South to which you are invited. The event will run from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM will be a combination shopping boutique and panel discussion and will be hosted by numerous leading Westport and area women, including Melissa Bernstein of Melissa & Doug, CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota and several others and will be moderated by style & beauty expert Jenn Falik.
Mark Twain Beckons: Annual Frog Frolic Returns On Saturday
On Saturday, May 4th, the outdoor space in front of the Redding Community Center will be transformed into an all-day festival filled with live music, food trucks, games and crafts, including bounce houses and a bubble garden for the littlest ones. The venue is only 30 minutes north of Westport and is well worth the short ride.
The Annual Frog Frolic Festival, organized by and benefiting the Mark Twain Library, is in its 27th year as a mainstay that welcomes Spring to the community by creating a place where people of all ages can come together.
“I love that families can come and hang out, grab lunch at a variety of food trucks and jam out to music! All while their kids eat too much cotton candy and play games and crafts galore!” said Meghan Huszagh, who is chairing the event this year.
File Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Fan favorites from last year’s music line-up will be back, including the folk band Hitch and the Giddy Up and the Country/Americana group North County, plus original rock from the local high school student trio that make up VooDoo Dream. And, two new additions for this year are Moonrise Cartel and the Joel Barlow Acapella Group.
A variety of food trucks also returning from last year’s festival include sweet treats from All Belgium waffle truck, paella from Redding’s own Salas Foods, polish cuisine from Colossal Kielbasa, pizza from 900 Degrees Pizza Truck and food to please even picky eaters (hotdogs, tacos, burgers, breakfast sandwiches!) from Bethesda Grill Truck. In addition to food for purchase from the trucks, a concession stand and homemade cupcakes from the Redding Neighbors and Newcomers can be purchased as well as caffeinated drinks from Redding-based Quartertone Coffee and beer and hard seltzers at the beer tent.
The spirit behind the Frog Frolic is the much-loved short story by Twain, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, which introduced the world to the witty voice of Mark Twain. The first Frog Frolic was hatched to raise a few dollars for art supplies for children’s story times and eventually grew to an event that adds considerable revenue to the Library’s bottom line.
"The Frog Frolic Family Festival is special to the Mark Twain Library because it lets kids join in on the fundraising fun by doing what they do best - being kids,” added Mark Twain Library Director Erin Dummeyer. “And you may just see some adults getting in on the action as well."
Additional Frolic attractions include a robust Silent Auction open to any and all to bid online plus a demonstration from students taught by local karate master Sensei June, who has been a regular at this event over the years.
The Frolic takes place outside (rain or shine) from 10:00am to 4:00pm and in front of the Redding Community Center @ 37 Lonetown Road. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or a chair and stay all day as the entertainment is FREE and will be ongoing throughout the festival. Tickets are on sale on location to participate in the games and crafts and for food items from the concession stand. Food truck fare will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Mark Twain Library.
File Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Near & Far Aid Spring Gala Fundraiser Returns To Mitchell’s
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
For the 29th year, Near & Far Aid has held their much loved Spring Gala thanks in part to the very generous support of the MItchell family and the various corporate and private contributors, sponsor and donors who help this organization which together has resulted in granting over $1,000,000.00 local Fairfield County agencies. Near & Far Aid funds programs that provide hands on support for struggling households. The impact of these programs lays a strong foundation for the next generation.
This year’s theme was Formula For Aid, and the entire event revolved around race car imaging and decor.
In keeping with the Formula For Aid race car theme, a variety of Ferraris, both now and vintage were on display greeting arriving guests.
The organization’s mission to “target poverty and change lives” is made possible in part from funds raised from this exceptional event. Although the event has passed donations are always greatly appreciated.
To learn more visit: Near & Far Aid, and to make a donation visit: Donate to Near & Far Aid.
Adding to the atmosphere of Forumula racing, Land Rover Of Fairfield provided this Jaguar Formula E race car. Formula E cars look very similar to the legendary Formula 1 racing series which has been around for decades. The key difference: The are EV’s, elctric powered race cars which provide exceptional acceleration with speeds up to 200 MPH from cars with the equivalent of 400 horsepower, and due to the same Regenerative braking on current EVs they can create as much as 50% of their own battery power, charging as they brake.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Craft cocktails, beer and wine accompanied a delectable selection of Hors D’Oeuvres from Selden Catering as guests gathered and mingled at the bars and gaming tables while the violinist from Fiddler’s Dream strolled through the venue providing the perfect musical backdrop.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The waving of the checkered flag signaled guests to come to the runway and await the start of the live auction with MC/Auctioneer David Price and Auctioneer Elyse Luray who presented an amazing array of generously donated items.
The live auction is always an exciting component to the event and guests are excited to place a winning bid on one of the fabulous items generously provided by sponsors and contributors.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
They included “Shoes For A Year” where the winner can go to Mitchell’s each month and select a pair of luxury designer shoes from a selection of designer brands, a prize valued at nearly $10,000. Dream vacations like the Big Sky experience, the VIP Italian Getaway and a VIP wine experience at Lokoya Estate in Napa Valley. Past live auctions have raised as much as $300k and more. When several bidders were close in their generous bids the auctioneers awarded duplicate wins, doubling the funds raised and making the second highest bidder quite happy.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Guests were able to see just how their generosity helps this in need with the presentation video with clients of Near & Far Aid telling their stories.
After their signature Fashion Show (see WesportLocalPress on Thursday May 2nd) where professional models and area volunteers showed the audience some of the finest in this season’s fashions, guests were served more delicious foods including tempting dessert offerings. The crowd then shifted to the bars and the dance floor, where Fiddler’s Dream got the party off with a mix of live music and a high energy D.J. produced dance mix.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.