CNN “New Day” co-anchor Alisyn Camerota (l) of Westport was keynote speaker tonight at the Westport Historical Society (WHS) gala. The event was marked by the milestone renaming of the organization to Westport Museum for History and Culture. With her is executive director Ramin Ganeshram. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Popular and prolific children’s author R. L. Stine was keynote speaker today as the Westport Library wound up Saugatuck StoryFest 2019. An overflow crowd heard his remarks in the main hall. It was announced that next year’s StoryFest will be Sept. 24-26 with keynote speaker author Neil Gaiman. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow WestportNow.com

There was an overflow crowd at the Westport Library today for a talk by popular children’s author R. L Stine. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Abel family drove from their home in Barrie, Ontario, to hear children’s author R. L. Stine at the Westport Library today. Oliver Abel (above), 9, said he has read 169 of Stine’s books. Mom Kathryn Abel said, “We’ve never been to Connecticut, but it was worth the trip for all of us to see R.L. Stine in person. We loved visiting Sherwood State Park over our short stay here in this beautiful town.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A number of Westporters today were involved in or attended the unveiling in Bridgeport of the “Aim Higher Together United Against Gun Violence” teen artist murals in Wheeler Park. The project engages Bridgeport youth in creating art addressing the impact of guns in their lives and empowering them to join other youth activists in calling for change. Special guest was Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand where 51 people died in mosque shootings last March. The Westporters included arts educator Darcy Hicks, artist Miggs Burroughs, Rita Appel of Neighborhood Studios, Selectman Melissa Kane, attorney Josh Koskoff, and Helen Klisser During co-founder (with Mary Himes) of #UNLOAD and a WestportNow contributing photographer. The murals will be exhibited around the state. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Children’s book author Bats Langley today signs a bookmark for Bella Zhou, 6, a first grade student at Greens Farms Elementary School, at the third day of Saugatuck StoryFest at the Westport Library. Her mother, Lili (r) said she learned in discussion with Langley that they both graduated from RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) one year apart—Langley, Class of 2006 and Zhou 2005. Among Langley’s publications is his illustrated picture book, “Alice’s Adventures in # Wonderland.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport poet laureate Diane Meyer Loman today welcomes guests to the third and final day of the Westport Library Saugatuck StoryFest.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Library’s second annual StoryFest tonight featured musical theater composer Rob Rokicki and illustrator Dave O’Neill, joined by a cast of New York performers, for “Monstersongs,” a rock musical song cycle celebrating an array of literary monsters. CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Restaurant Week, actually two weeks, kicks off Monday and runs through Sunday, Oct. 13, the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce (WWCC) announced.

The event is part of the WWCC’s continuing “Eat Local” campaign to promote area restaurants, a focus that began two weeks ago with the Slice of Saugatuck.

According to the announcement, this year’s event features 24 eateries offering prix pixe meals “to suit any foodie’s interest and pocketbook,” and venues extend from Westport and its Saugatuck section into Southport.

“I’d match Westport’s restaurant scene up against any town in the county if not the state; this is a chance to check it out,” said Matthew Mandell, WWCC’s executive director.

Sam Weller of Chicago, authorized biographer of legendary science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, welcomes guests tonight to the Westport Library’s Saugatuck Storyfest 2019. Weller talked about Bradbury’s science fiction legacy. This year’s StoryFest theme is “Beyond Earth: The Stories and Science of Space.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com