The owners of the house at 15 Birch St, near Park Lane, are the newest recipients of a Westport Historical Society (WHS) historical plaque. Bob Weingarten (l), WHS plaque historian, presented the plaque, signifying the Gault House c. 1916, to owners Travis and Jen Canavan and their daughter, Lilla, 4, accompanied in the photo by Murray, the family’s 12-year-old Yorkshire.  According to Weingarten, the house was built in 1916 by Leonard Gault who, in 1934, transferred ownership of the property to Julia M. W Gault who continued to own it until 1962.  A spokesman for the Gault family confirmed Julia never resided in the house but used it as a rental property.  The Canavans acquired the house in December 2017, relocating from New York.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Arts Center (WAC) today officially announced what had been known for some time — it plans to expand and relocate this fall from 51 Riverside Ave. in Westport’s center to 19 Newtown Turnpike on the Westport-Norwalk line in a facility that once served as Martha Stewart’s television studio.

The Westport Arts Center released these photos of its new home at 19 Newtown Turnpike. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photos by Johnny Fogg

The first phase of the new location and expansion of 10,000 square feet, is scheduled for the fall, WAC officials said.

According to Heather Lawless, WAC spokeswoman, the opening coincides with WAC’s 50th anniversary, “marrying our rich heritage with an exciting new chapter as a leading contemporary arts destination.”

Lawless said the new location, the original 1926 stone building, attached warehouse and free-standing cottages “altogether offer the potential of 33,000 square feet for museum exhibitions, state-of-the-art classrooms, concerts and events, as well as offices.”

Chef’s Table Christie’s Country Store opened today at the former Christie’s Kitchen Country Store, 161 Cross Highway. Owner Richard Herzfeld and son Dave greeted customers. The Chefs Table began as a small gourmet take out operation in 1995 and currently has one outlet in Fairfield. It had earlier Westport offerings on Church Lane and Post Road East. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Liza Schmeiser for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

“Dumbo” (1941) was the fourth animated feature created by Walt Disney — following “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Pinocchio” and “Fantasia.” Now, Tim Burton has re-imagined the Disney classic as a live-action film, enhanced with animatronic and digital effects.

Dumbo’s story begins in 1919, when he’s born into a struggling barnstorming circus, owned by Max Medici (Danny DeVito), and soon separated from his protective mother.

Dumbo’s care is turned over to former equestrian star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell), a World War I veteran who lost an arm in battle and his wife to an influenza epidemic. Farrier’s two kids — Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) — quickly realize that the baby pachyderm’s oversized ears, which make him look deformed, actually enable him to fly.

Dumbo’s talent soon attracts the attention of nefarious entrepreneur V.A. Vandervere (Michael Keaton), who buys Medici’s entire circus just to acquire Dumbo, pairing him with his French aerialist girlfriend, Colette Marchant (Eva Green) in an ill-fated trapeze act.

A large crowd tonight attended the opening reception of a fine arts photography exhibit of the works of Westporters MaryEllen Hendricks (l)  and Sue Benton at Bistro du Soleil, 615 Riverside Ave. Two of Hendricks’ works, “Sue’s Thin Place 1” and “Sue’s Thin Place 2” are displayed on wall to her right and  Benton’s “Blue Marsh” is on wall to her left. Click HERE for more information. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Scenes from today’s Westport Country Playhouse season preview kickoff event. It featured food trucks and beer tastings and a free admission preview of the 2019 season’s five productions, hosted by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director. Guest appearances included director and choreographer Marcos Santana who appeared with “In the Heights” cast members who sang selections from the Tony Award-winning musical, conceived by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Center for Senior Activities today hosted an exhibit opening reception for Bimi Narang, 75, its featured artist for March. A Westport resident for 48 years, Narang said her exhibit, “Enchanted Wildlife,” is comprised of 11 richly colored animals.  “In the past my art was primarily traditional Indian folk art but since my husband, Rajinder, died more than two years ago, I spend much more time on my art and my interest in animal art has been an escape for me,” she said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com