Dancing to New York, New YorkӔ today at the Westport Center for Senior Activities was Glenna Rohan, 76, of Bronx, N.Y., a member of The SteppersӔ dance group from New York City. The act was one of many New Years Eve activities sponsored by Westport/Weston First Night 2005. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo
High Steppin’ at the Senior Center
Telling Tales
Save the Children: Response is “Breathtaking”
Funds pouring into Westport’s Save the Children for its Asian earthquake relief fund total about $6 million so far and, with donations from other countries, might eventually top $50 million, a spokeswoman said today.
“The response has been breathtaking,” said spokeswoman Dianne Sherman. She also praised the response to an appeal issued Thursday for volunteers to help man the phones. (See WestportNow Dec. 29, 2004)
“We are very appreciative, especially to people locally,” she said, adding that those interested in helping should call (203) 221-4000.
She said donations are coming in from the charity’s Web site, over the phone, and through corporate and private donors and amount to about $6 million so far. “The total might even reach $50 million, counting funds coming through other countries,” she said.
First Night Westport/Weston 2005 Film Festival Schedule
The First Night Film Festival is a new addition to tonight’s First Night Westport//Weston 2005.
The First Night Film Committee—Will Berk, Alix Bregman, Dan Lance and Brian Mayer—caution that some of the films, to be screened at Westport’s Town Hall, may contain content considered inappropriate for young children.
Screenings begin at 7:30 p.m. and run until 11 p.m.
Title: Melchinger: Impossible
Filmmaker(s): Brian Mayer*
Description: A teacher, Mr. Melchinger, falls victim to the clever antics of his students as they try to steal the next day’s test from…but will they succeed?
Title: Danes World
Filmmaker(s): Michael Bloom, Dane Foster, Andrew Knopp
Description: This film is a parody of the comedy WayneҒs World.
Beachcombers
Almost Spring-Like
Rell Leaves Hospital
Saying she was tired but feeling well, Gov. M. Jodi Rell left Danbury Hospital today, three days after undergoing breast cancer surgery.
“I feel great. I feel fine,” the 58-year-old Republican governor told reporters.
Rell left the hospital shortly after 5 p.m. with her daughter. She was wearing a light green sweat suit. She underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery Monday.
Rell’s recovery is on track and final tests results received just before she left the hospital were clean, the governor’s office said.
Inn at Longshore Reopens in Time to Host Wedding Reception
Westport’s Inn at Longshore, damaged in a Christmas Day fire, reopened today in time to host an evening wedding reception.
Bride Deborah Lacy of Fairfield was ecstatic to have the reception go off on time despite the fire. “My initial reaction was shock,” she said. “It left me speechless.”
“It was a lot of hard work, but everyone pulled together to get it done,” said Fire Marshall Fred Baker, who did a final inspection today. “The Health Department has cleared it and the banquet kitchen is ready to go.”
The Saturday fire, which began when an old basement steam pipe overheated and ignited adjoining wood, spread upwards through voids and hidden ducts.