Saugatuck Tradition Prevails: Al’s Angels Prepare Saugatuck Bridge Christmas Lights for 2022
Westporters Bob Caporale (left) and Al DiGuido (center) hand a strand of new LED Christmas lights to personnel of AJ Penna & Sons Construction as a team of Al’s Angels volunteers prepared the 138 year old bridge to light up the community. The team worked overnight with the assistance of the Westport Police Department closing the roadway while they looked over the bridge, checking it twice, ahead of the official lighting to be held on November 28th. DiGuido, found of Al’s Angels, and his organization have been lighting the bridge for decades in what has become an annual tradition that draws onlookers from near and far every holiday season. WestportLocal.com photo
Autumn along the River
A home on Manitou Court sat amongst the fiery reds and oranges of fall foliage in a lesser-seen view from the Saugatuck River beneath it. WestportLocal.com photo
Halloween Trick-or-Treaters Hit the Beach Neighborhood
(L-R) Hunter Pallai, Ean Frankle, Trey Calabro, Max Yeater, and Macklin Reilly took a quick break to pose for a picture after hitting up the homes along Soundview Drive tonight as thousands converged on the Compo Beach neighborhood for Halloween. The group was also spotted by our photographers last year sporting similar smiles and poses as a tradition for friends continues. WestportLocal.com photo
Staples Principal Announces October Students of the Month
(L-R) Eleni Braga, Nina Lauterbach, Logan Noorily, Samantha Henske, Jeffrey Pogue, Morgan Tamm. Contributed photoPrincipal Thomas has announced Staples High School's recipient’s for October Student of the Month:
Eleni Braga. Gr. 9
Logan Noorily - Gr. 10
Samantha Henske- Gr. 10
Nina Lauterbach - Gr. 11
Jeffrey Pogue - Gr. 12
Morgan Tamm - Gr.11
The Students of the Month award program recognizes students who help make Staples High School a welcoming place for their peers and teachers alike. They are the “glue” of the Staples community: the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together, making it the special place that it is.
Students of the month are nominated by their teachers, who are asked to think of those students who come to school regularly, are friendly to the staff and to fellow students, and make positive contributions in class as well as the Staples community. In short, these students are all-around good citizens of our school. Students of the Month are not necessarily star athletes, high honor students, or lead performers, and even if they are, this award recognizes the positive attitude they bring to school every day in making Staples High School a genial place in which to learn and teach.
Westporter Organizes Fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization
Press ReleaseThe annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut’s Mentor’s Classic Golf Tournament was held this year at the historic Tamarack Golf Club in Greenwich. Pictured at the daylong event are, from left, Westport resident Joe Massoud, Managing Director at Westport-based Anholt Services (USA) Inc; Andy Fleischmann, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut; and Peter Lovell, who lives in Milford and is a Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Odyssey Re in Stamford. Joe Massoud, a Board Member at Big Brothers Big Sisters and a current Big Brother (volunteer mentor) in the organization’s community-based program, was on the Mentor’s Classic organizing committee. He was also one of the event’s Emerald Sponsors. Peter Lovell also served on the event’s organizing committee. Lovell was a former Big Brothers Big Sisters Board Member, and a onetime Big Brother.
Air Cooled Car Show Brings Color to Veterans Green
Members of local car clubs and local car-lovers alike were able to enjoy a selection of several dozen air cooled car models at today’s show on Veterans Green. The annual show includes prizes for best cars in their respective classes in addition to the assortment of bright colored classics. WestportLocal.com photos.
ARKAI Duo Heads to Staples Orchestra for Two Day Residency Program
(Front) Violinist Jonathan Miron, (Rear) cellist Philip Sheegog. Contributed photoARKAI will conduct a two-day residency program with Staples High School Orchestras in October.
ARKAI is a dynamic duo featuring violinist Jonathan Miron and cellist Philip Sheegog. Winners of the 2021 Astral Artists National Auditions, their diverse genre-bending music forges new possibilities for violin and cello. Miron and Sheegog met at Juilliard where they joined forces to conduct performances at acclaimed concert halls around the world.
Their workshops will include performances interspersed with inspirational talks exploring concepts of life as 21st-century performing artists, finding one’s creative voice through curiosity, listening as an art, and sharing tips on using music technology within a diverse and rapidly-evolving world. Additional workshops will be interactive, including playing one of ARKAI's original tunes with the orchestras and introducing aural learning and improvisation.
This program, coordinated by Music for Youth, is brought to Staples High School by the Town of Westport through an allocation of a portion of its American Rescue Plan Act funding to local non-profits arts organizations. The Westport Art Advisory Committee organized the application process.
Susan Lloyd Debuts Art in Drew Friedman Art Space for October
The Westport Book Shop is pleased to welcome artist Susan Lloyd as guest exhibitor for the month of October at the Book Shop’s Drew Friedman Art Place.
Susan is exhibiting an assortment of her two-dimensional shell art works, including mirrors and mosaics. “I’ve been making shell art for about 15 years now. My work started out more traditional, but has evolved to include skulls (plastic reproductions), old dolls, and Saints (because of their stories, and not for religious reasons). The color, shape and texture of the shells are all very important in the design of my work, as is the variety of shells used,” said Susan. Traditional shell art dates back to the Victorian era, with souvenir shell-covered boxes from Europe, and sailors’ Valentines from Barbados.
Susan is an exhibitor at the Annual Sanibel Shell Show, the oldest of its kind in the country, every March. She holds degrees in sculpture, studying jewelry and metalsmithing. “I am pretty handy with glue and a pair of tweezers,” said Susan.
Susan Lloyd’s artwork will be on exhibit at the Book Shop through October 31, 2022. All artwork on display is available for purchase (unless specified otherwise).
To see more of Susan’s work, visit her website: www.slloydshellart.com
Westport Book Shop, a nonprofit used book store, is downtown Westport’s only source for gently used and antiquarian books, vintage vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and audio books. It is located at 23 Jesup Road, right across Jesup Green from the Westport Library.
The Book Shop’s “Drew Friedman Art Place” is an area of the store dedicated to exhibiting the work of community artists year-round, on a rotating basis. Miggs Burroughs, a Trustee of the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center, and a founding member of The Artists Collective of Westport, is curating these exhibits, which change monthly.
The art exhibit is open to the public during the Book Shop’s business hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from Noon to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays).
Dog Days are Back: Dogs Allowed Back on Town Beaches Today
Parks & Recreation Director Jennifer A. Fava reminds residents and visitors that from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 the following regulations will be in effect for Compo Beach:
Animal Control Enforcement and Leash Restriction
Dogs are prohibited from the Pavilion, playground and walkways.
All dogs must be leashed in all areas of the park except in the designated off leash area of the beach south of the Pavilion, including South Beach. Off leash regulations are posted at the entrance to the off leash area.
You are required by law to pick up your dog’s feces.
Violation of the above regulations subject to a fine of $77.00
Fava also reminds residents of regulations related to animals on Town athletic fields and playgrounds. Per the Westport Parks and Recreation Department Rules and Regulations, animals are prohibited from all athletic fields and playgrounds at any time.
Ms. Fava stated, “With the fall sports programs underway, we want to remind everyone that for the safety and well-being of the public and athletes, and to help keep ball fields in good playing condition, animals are not allowed on playing fields at any time of year. Animals are also prohibited from any Town playground. While animals are allowed in the surrounding areas, it is recommended that they remain on leash while on the perimeter of these town facilities. Additionally, as Luciano Park is a small area consisting of a playground and athletic field, per department rules and regulations, animals are prohibited from the entire park.”
Ms. Fava continued, “Signage is being installed at these facilities to remind our users of these regulations. We understand how much our residents love their furry family members and appreciate everyone’s cooperation in providing a safe and clean environment for all.”
The complete Westport Parks and Recreation Department 2022 Rules and Regulations can be found at www.westportrecreation.com.
Ms. Fava said, “We hope everyone will follow these regulations and be respectful of other dogs and facility users. We appreciate your cooperation.”
Interstate Sunset
Tonight’s deep orange sunset took hold of those heading south tonight underneath the Hills Point I-95 overpass. WestportLocal.com photo