Sunday, October 18, 2026

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Arts and Leisure

Artist Herm Freeman’s Landscapes at Library

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There was an opening reception tonight at the Westport Library’s Great Hall for “Landscapes/Cityscapes: 20 Years of Vistas by Herm Freeman.” The exhibit, which runs until Oct. 6, explores the Westport artist’s “meandering, spirited path” of his varied landscape painting styles over the last two decades. It includes his early work with an attention to detail to later exuberant, playful pieces flooded with color and bold shapes. With him is the library’s Chris Timmons, the exhibit curator. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Library Abandons Costly Expansion Plan

The Westport Library has abandoned a costly, futuristic-looking expansion plan in favor of a relatively modest renovation that would include a new main level, centered entrance facing Jesup Green, the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission was told tonight.

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Attorney Larry Weisman tonight tells the P&Z about the library’s revised expansion plan. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

No price tag was mentioned for the scaled back plan, presented by attorney Lawrence Weisman. Expansion of the library has been in works for years, with various costs mentioned at various times of $65 million, $40 million, and then $25 million.

Tonight’s application, known as an 8-24 report, asked for approval to use the town-owned Jesup Green to create two new walkways to the new entrance, stairs, a new patio, and an expanded patio as part of the revised renovation plan.

The P&Z voted unanimously to issue a positive report on the new application, just as it did more than two years ago (see WestportNow Feb. 28, 2014) on a previous, more ambitious plan.

Levitt Presents Salute to Kevin Gray

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Westporter Dodie Pettit, wife of the late Broadway performer Kevin Gray, tonight led a Westport Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts tribute to her husband. In addition to Pettit, the program included performances by a number of Broadway performers as well as students of Pettit and Gray. Gray, a 1976 Staples High School graduate who became the youngest actor to play the title role in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway, died Feb. 11, 2013 after suffering a heart attack at home. He was 54. A number of his Staples classmates attended, in Westport for the 40th class reunion. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Honoring Our Heritage: 59 Center St.

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The owner of the house at 59 Center St. is the newest recipient of a Westport Historical Society (WHS) historical plaque. Bob Weingarten, WHS plaque historian, presented the plaque to Susan Lloyd who, with her husband John Karrel, purchased the house 30 years ago. The 1852-built house, known as the Silas B. Sherwood, Jr House, was built as a barn and then became known as the carriage house for 61 Center St., according to Weingarten.  Lloyd, a member of the board of Westport Farmers’ Market, said, “I never in my life lived in a new building. I grew up in a 1910-built house in Southport and another old house on Imperial Avenue before buying this house.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com