Anjali Rao McCormick Named YMCA’s New CEO
Press ReleaseAnjali Rao McCormick, the YMCA's new CEO. The Westport Weston Family YMCA has announced Anjali Rao McCormick as its new CEO. McCormick, a seasoned corporate professional with over a decade of experience as a YMCA executive, will begin her new job on May 1, 2021.
“After an exhaustive search, we are incredibly fortunate to have identified and hired a true transformational leader whose community focus, talent, and vision will ensure our viability for the next hundred years,” said Westport Weston Family YMCA’s Board President Jonathan Manela.
McCormick is passionate about the Y’s mission to bring meaningful growth and transformation to individuals and the communities it serves regardless of an individual’s needs, challenges, or goals. “I’m looking forward to working with the Board, staff team, and the extended Y community to strengthen the Y’s focus to be a vibrant, intergenerational community,” she said. McCormick’s first experience with the Y community was after her family moved to Summit, New Jersey, from New York City. Anjali joined the Summit Area YMCA as a Director of Marketing in 2011; in 2015, she became the COO of the 4-branch, 550-employee institution. Her key priorities were revenue growth (membership, camp, childcare, programs), new business growth through partnerships and collaborations, ongoing digital transformation, and developing staff. Together with her team, McCormick led the opening of a $17 million facility in February 2020.
McCormick has three children and has lived in Summit for 20 years. Prior to working for the Y, she worked at American Express and at Citibank. She is a graduate of Harvard and has an MBA in Marketing from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
“It is with great enthusiasm we welcome Ms. McCormick as we seek to reengage our community post-pandemic, with an organization my great, great grandfather, E. T. Bedford founded in 1923,” said John McKinney, Chairman of the Y Board of Trustees.
The Westport Weston Family Y is ready to begin an exciting new chapter in its nearly century- old history. After the successful completion of a $28 million expansion and renovation project, which yielded a state-of-the-art gymnastics facility, additional wellness center space, and a revitalized Camp Mahackeno, the organization has emerged with fresh energy and functionality and is ready to welcome its community. For more information on membership or to schedule a tour of the 32-acre campus, please contact Danielle LeBrando at 203-226-8984 or dlebrando@westporty.org.
Westport Library: No Entry Restrictions for Those 2 and Younger Begins May 3rd
Press ReleaseThe Westport Library announced today that effective Monday, May 3rd, we will no longer have entry restrictions for children under 2. We gladly welcome them to borrow books, audiobooks, CDs, and magazines.
The Library requires all patrons to abide by the following safety practices:
Do not visit the Library if showing any signs of illness.
If you are sick, or if you or a member of your family have been asked to quarantine, please stay home.
Adults and children over 2 are required to wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth while in the Library.
Maintain six feet social distancing when interacting with other patrons and staff.
Parents are encouraged to keep their child close to maintain social distancing. Bringing a stroller, carrying your child, or holding their hand during your visit will help keep everyone safe.
More information can be found on our website https://westportlibrary.org/ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
We are grateful for the community’s support as we navigate through these challenging times.
Monday Photographer Take Over: Uzi Greenman, 7th Grader
While the Editor is away this week, local photographers have volunteered to take over the photography for The Westport Local Press - giving the community a new perspective on the town day-by-day, photo-by-photo, through the lens of our community's photographers. Monday: Uzi Greenman, Bedford Middle School 7th Grader
Today’s take-over photographer is seventh grader Uzi Greenman. Uzi may be new to the photography world, but he and his Canon catch the community as he sees it. Uzi will have the day to seek out the photos he wants to share with the viewers, and then he’ll send them to the editor for publishing later today. Good thing there’s no school this week!
Thank you, Uzi, for volunteering to take over today.
Drive-In Concert Tickets Go On Sale Monday at 10:00 AM
The Dark Desert Eagles BandThe Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and Westport Library are pleased to announce the next weekend of Drive-in Concerts. Dark Desert Eagles, will perform the music of America's greatest rock act, the Eagles, on Friday and Saturday night May 14 and 15.
The nationally touring act is staying close to home during the pandemic and will play Westport for two nights bringing a phenomenal recreation of the Eagles, including Joe Walsh music to the drive-in. These are not to be missed concerts.
"If you love the Eagles, you will truly enjoy this show," said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director and president of the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce. "There are cover bands, and then there are truly tributes and this band will meet every expectation.
“It will be ‘One of These Nights" remarked Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. “Time to ‘Take it Easy’ at a Supper & Soul concert at the drive-in! I can’t wait!”
Tickets for each show are $150 per car (5 person max). Tickets for both shows will go on sale on Monday April 12th at 10am. www.westportwestonchamber.com/supper
The rain date for either show is Sunday May 16th.
The sponsor of the event is Franny's of Westport.
Please support local businesses by getting takeout and bringing it to the show.
It is unknown where things will be in terms of the pandemic come the fall. The Chamber, Library and Town will assess the situation as it relates to outdoor concerts. Hopefully things will have returned to normal and Supper & Soul will once again be held in the Library’s Trefz Forum