Month: October 2016 - Page 16

Saturday, December 02, 2023

Library Hosts Trans-Atlantic Romance Author

Former Westporter Roni Beth Tower (l) was at the Westport Library tonight where she was in discussion with friend Sybil Steinberg about her memoir “Miracle at Midlife.” She and now husband David met and fell in love in Paris in the spring of 1996, both in their 50s, established professionals, and parents. He was a divorced American attorney living on a converted barge moored in the center of Paris. She was a clinical and research psychologist working from her Westport home. “Both of us had signed off on loving again,” she said. She delighted the packed audience with her tale of a trans-Atlantic romance. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Historic District Commission Honors Preservationists

Westport developer David Waldman tonight addresses the annual Westport Historic District Commission Preservation Awards ceremony at Town Hall. Waldman and members of his team as well as public officials and private citizens behind him were honored for saving the 1890s-built Kemper-Gunn House on Church Lane and moving it to 35 Elm St. where it is now home to Serena & Lily, the national home furnishings, bedding and decor outlet. In all, nine awards were handed out. (See WestportNow Oct. 5, 2016) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

A Thank You to Historic District Commission

WestportNow associate editor and photographer Dave Matlow thanks the Westport Historic District Commission tonight for honoring him at its annual Preservation Awards ceremony at Westport Town Hall. The HDC cited Matlow for his work in helping chronicle Westport homes preserved over the years as well as documenting those lost through his popular WestportNow Teardown of the Day feature. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Honor for Playhouse’s Mark Lamos

Westport Country Playhouse Artistic Director Mark Lamos accepts The Acting Company’s John Houseman Award at the group’s annual gala tonight at New York’s Metropolitan Club. The award honors Lamos’s commitment to the development of actors and arts education in the United States, including numerous alumni of The Acting Company. The Acting Company was founded in 1972 by Oscar winner John Houseman and producer Margot Harley. Bruce Miller for WestportNow.com

Lewis J. Burke, Jr., 85

Lewis Joseph Burke, Jr. of Trumbull, a former member of the Westport Community Band, died Oct. 13. He was 85.

The husband of Elizabeth Jean Wargo Burke was born and raised in Bridgeport, son of the late Lewis Burke Sr. and Ella Kovacs Burke, He had lived in Fairfield for 48 years before moving to Trumbull two years ago.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and later worked at the Bullard Company, Nash Engineering, and finally for Stop & Shop of Westport after his retirement.

He was a longtime member of the First United Church of Christ of Bridgeport and was the bass soloist in the church choir. He also played the trumpet and played with the Westport Community Band for 12 years.

Gary Singer, 86

Gary Singer of Bradenton Fla, a former Weston resident who was co-founder of the Westport Community Theatre, died Oct. 15. He was 86.

Gary Singer: co-founder Westport Community Theatre. Contributed photo

He was born Nov. 27, 1929 in Norwalk. He was the son of Benn Singer and the former Sylvia Shilepsky, who, with her brother Maurice, opened Shilepsky’s clothing store on Westport’s Main Street.

A graduate of Norwalk High School and the University of Bridgeport, he was a proud veteran of the Korean Conflict.

His career in advertising – both with major New York agencies, as well as leading his own company – was augmented by his dedication to volunteer community and civic service.

Flu Shot Clinics Underway

Monica Wheeler of the Westport Weston Health District today gives a flu shot to Westporter Iris Frey. There was a large turnout for flu shots at the district office on Bayberry Lane. The next flu shot clinic will be on Monday, Oct. 24 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by one Tuesday, Nov.1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday, Nov. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There will also be a clinic on Thursday. Nov 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Westport Center for Senior Activities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Trump Casts Shadow on Himes-Shaban Race

By Ana Radelat

www.ctmirror.org

Washington – Democrats across the country are trying to tie their Republican opponents to Donald Trump and the race for the 4th District congressional seat is no different.

Incumbent Democrat Jim Himes (l) and Republican challenger John Shaban. Contributed photos

Rep. Jim Himes, 50, seeking a fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, has been challenged by John Shaban, a Republican who represents Easton, Redding and Weston in the state House.

For Shaban, the race is about Himes’ effectiveness and Shaban’s wish to bring more federal dollars to Connecticut and loosen federal reins on how the state can spend those dollars.

“Right now we are sending (taxpayer) money to D.C. and begging for some of it back from people who are not from Connecticut,” Shaban said.

Click here for more of story

Temple Israel Declares Itself ‘Gun Safe Congregation’

By Gordon Joseloff

Westport’s Temple Israel, no stranger to gun violence, has declared itself a “Gun Safe Congregation.”

Rabbi Michael Friedman: time do do something. Temple Israel photo

In a note to congregation members in the temple’s latest Chronicle news bulletin, Michael S. Friedman, senior rabbi, said, “Senseless gun violence has claimed far too many lives.

“As your rabbi, I can no longer stand in front of our congregation in good conscience and bemoan these tragedies as I have so many times.”

Friedman said it is time to “do something about it” and thus he was launching an initiative to make Temple Israel a “Gun Safe Congregation.”

Just Like Summertime

With afternoon temperatures breaking 80 and sunny skies, many people took to outdoors today to enjoy the summer-like weather, including these fishermen at Westport’s Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com