It's Official: 'Tis The Season As Westport Lights The Tree
The vaunted Staples High Orphenians choral ensemble gather before Westport Town Hall's Christmas Tree Thursday night.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker ushered in another holiday season at this year's Town Hall tree lighting. Ms. Tooker introduced the Orphenians, led for the second year by Staples Choral Activities Director Lauren Pine, and they began the program by performing Joy Shall Be Yours, followed by Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and the requisite Jingle Bells.
Tooker then introduced Westport's new Poet Laureate Donna Disch (above, right) who read her poem "LIGHTS UP" composed for the occasion and which included the line, "We affirm the ever of living and green and spatter our spruce with stars."
The Orphenians concluded with Deck The Halls as setting the stage for the lighting of the tree.
A crowd of about 100, bundled up against the cold listen to the Orphenians selections of holiday favorites.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A crowd of about 100, bundled up against the cold listen to the Orphenians selections of holiday favorites.
As is done every year, the First Selectwoman invites some of the children in the crowd to help with the countdown to the big moment, and cheers by all accompany the flash of light as the tree is lit.
As part of her remarks, Jen also noted the efforts of Westport DPW in getting the tree ready for the event as they do each year, which takes the entire day to accomplish. The nearly 50 foot tree is out of reach for the town bucket truck so the town has contracted with The Davey Tree Expert Company for the last several years which brings a pair of very tall bucket trucks enabling them to wrap the approximately 3500 LED lights around the tree, in the day-long project.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
ABOUT THE ORPHENIANS: Founded by Dr. George Weigle in 1960, the Orphenians have been the premiere vocal ensemble in Westport for more than six decades. Over those many years, the Orphenians have performed across the globe; including nearly every country in Europe, the United State's West Coast, Australia, Hawaii and will be performing in Spain (summer of 2025). Under the direction of Staples' new high school choral director, Lauren Pine, this year's ensemble consists of 40 auditioned students ranging from 9th to 12th grade. Known for their many holiday performances and seasonal concerts throughout the town of Westport, they have become an integral part of the local community during the holiday season and year round.
They can be seen several times throughout the holiday season including Saturday night for the Downtown Holiday Shop ‘ Stroll, the Winter Concert at Saugatuck Congregational on Sunday at 7:00 PM for their annual free concert where they will be joined again by the Dartmouth Brovertones: SaugatuckChurch.org
The group is currently trying to raise funds for a planned June, 2025 trip to Spain for an international choral festival under the direction of Dr. Rollo Dilworth.
The Orphenians want to ensure that every student can participate regardless of financial circumstance and will be "caroling for a cause" as well as hosting a mid-winter gala which will be held in March. (follow WestportLocalPress to learn more)
In addition to our own fundraising goals, we will be contributing all additional proceeds to the Voces8Foundation, who are working to establish a music education hub right here in Westport! The group is asking anyone who can help to donate at: www.orphenians.com
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The lobby of Town Hall decorated with a Menorah and a Christmas tree, compete with presents.
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble! Happy Thanksgiving From Westport Local Press!
Scenes from last year’s Stamford Balloon Spectacular. Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocaPress.com.
We know that many folks in town will be watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as they prepare today's feast. Stamford presents it's Balloon Spectacular each year to celebrate the holiday. We were unable to cover this year's parade but we would like to share our coverage from last year with our readers.
Click here: to view last year’s article: Stamford Balloon Spectacular Happy Thanksgiving everyone from Westport Local Press.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com.
Westport Sunrise Rotary Uncorks Wines And Generosity For Local Charities
The 35th annual Westport Uncorked Wine Tasting hosted by Westport Sunrise Rotary and held at the Longshore raised over $20,000 for 30+ local charities. Over 300 local movers and shakers enjoyed some unique wines and wonderful food pairings. There was even a surprise appearance by the beloved Sunny the Duck mascot to announce next year’s Great Duck Race on June 28.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Wine: The Fine Wine Company of Westport, led by Cory D’Addario, again provided the extraordinary wines for Westport Uncorked. It is their portfolio and their wine point of view. Cory offered over 100 wines for our tasting. The wines were chosen for specific reasons, never chosen for price or just to have more wines available.
Cory is committed to offering wines with sustainable, organic or bio-dynamic practices in the respective vineyard. She is very selective, tasting every wine and looking for qualities beyond price. The Fine Wine Company of Westport believes in integrity from the vineyard to the supplier and in the store. The Fine Wine Company (as Fine Wine and Liquor Locker) has been our wine host for over 30 years, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to this event.
The Exceptional Venue: The Inn at Longshore was once a private estate built in 1890 and is one of the premier locations in Fairfield County to host an event. A wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, holiday party, corporate seminar, company picnic, or yearly charity event all make sense in this incredible, well-loved space. A world class chef and the engaging inn staff provide welcoming service, and unique opportunities for enjoying an event in a historic and vibrant venue.
The Inn at Longshore is still considered a "Jewel" of Westport, CT and is nestled between an 18-hole golf course and Long Island Sound. Year round views of the water and surrounding landscape are breathtaking, and truly unexpected.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Field Of Flags Tributes Honor Those Who Served For Veterans Day
500 American Flags wave proudly at Veterans Park in Norwalk
In Fairfield County, tributes to our military veterans have been created for Veterans Day each year in area cities and towns.
One of the most prominent displays of patriotism and appreciation for their service can be seen at Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Ave., East Norwalk just before the drawbridge to SoNo. It is a truly inspirational sight. 500 large flags wave in the breeze which is nearly constant from neighboring Long Island Sound.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The 2024 Norwalk tribute (photos above and below) began ten years ago by the Norwalk Exchange Club and consisted of 100 flags and has expanded each year to its current total of 500. This event has been recognized as a regional site by the Veterans Day National Committee and is one of only 56 sites in the U.S. and the only one in Connecticut that honor those who have served with this awe inspiring display.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The line of flags lead past a monument to recipients of the purple heart which is flanked by benches for visitors to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of America’s heroes.
The town of Fairfield creates their Field Of Valor each year in Jennings Park, near the Bob's shopping center on the Post Road.with more than 300 American Flags The Kiwanis Club of Fairfield organizes the event and the cost is offset by contributors who may sponsor a flag for $25.00 which they can keep or donate back for use next year. A dedication ceremony was held on Sunday, November 3rd and the inspiring display will be on view through November 17th.
The Town of Westport and VFW Post 399 will host Veterans Day services on Monday, November 11 at 11:00 AM in the Town Hall auditorium, 110 Myrtle Avenue. The public is invited.
At 10:30 AM, the Westport Community Band will present a “Patriotic Salute to All Veterans” program which will include marches and patriotic tunes.
To the north in Danbury, the Student Veterans Organization at Western Connecticut State University has placed more than 2,000 flags at the university's downtown campus on White Street with the assistance of Danbury Police and Danbury Fire Department personnel. Those flags will can be viewed until Tuesday, November 12th.
Another view of the 500 American flags at Veterans Park in Norwalk.