\u201cI started this years ago to remember loved ones who have passed on, including our fur babies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been well received over the years. Residents, businesses and local community groups participate, and for that I say thank you. So let\u2019s keep the tradition going and plant more!\u201d<\/p>\n
Daffodils have already been planted in many areas, like traffic islands, the Minute Man Monument, Compo Beach, and (of course) Willowbrook Cemetery.<\/p>\n
More can be planted just about anywhere. A great place is the edge of your property, by a road,<\/p>\n
This is a great time of year. And there\u2019s only a few months until spring.<\/p>\n
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Daffodils on Riverside Avenue. (Photo\/Debra Kandrak)<\/p>\n
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Speaking of how good Westport looks: The outdoor sculptures just keep coming.<\/p>\n
\u201cQueen of Hearts\u201d \u2014 the newest addition \u2014 will be dedicated on Wednesday (3 p.m.), at the Senior Center.<\/p>\n
Artist Carole Eisner will share the inspiration behind her work \u2014 one of hundreds of sculptures and paintings showcased in parks, museums and gardens throughout the Northeast.<\/p>\n
Suzanne Sheridan will sing a song she wrote specially for the occasion.<\/p>\n
The Westport Arts Advisory Committee is \u2014 as always \u2014 behind the outdoor art project, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Center for Senior Activities.<\/p>\n
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\u201cQueen of Hearts\u201d by Carole Eisner, at the Senior Center.<\/p>\n
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Quietly but consistently, the Westport Library\u2019s Common Ground Initiative has been offering programs that enhance positive, respectful and constructive conversations on challenging and\/or controversial issues.<\/p>\n
Up next this Thursday: a \u201cCommunity Conversation on Understanding Jewish Identity, Antisemitism, and Allyship\u201d (November 13, 7 to 8:30 p.m.).<\/p>\n
Project Shema \u2014 a training and support organization \u2014 will lead a presentation and Q-and-A that provides historical and modern realities of antisemitism, emphasizing its evolving expression in contemporary culture and politics.<\/p>\n
The evening will provide \u201can accessible but powerful introduction to the historical and modern realities of antisemitism, with an emphasis on its evolving expression in contemporary culture and politics. By creating space for collective reflection and inquiry, the evening aims to foster a shared vocabulary and a common starting point for deeper community dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n
The goal is to promote a better understanding of the effects and impacts of antisemitism, to strengthen allyship for and within the Jewish community, to gain a greater appreciation of different lived experiences, and to increase awareness, promote empathy, and encourage dialogue.<\/p>\n
\u201cAllyship\u201d is a key element of the Common Ground event. Everyone is welcome, including Westport residents of all faiths, families, clergy members, and anyone who wants to learn more about antisemitism in an open and welcoming environment.<\/p>\n
The event is free.\u00a0For more information, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n ==================================================<\/p>\n SNAP benefit reductions during the government shutdown have caused long lines at local food pantries.<\/p>\n Quickly, AWARE (Assisting Women through Action, Resources & Education) high school students took action.<\/p>\n AWARE clubs in Fairfield County \u2014 including\u00a0 Staples and Weston \u2014 organized a food drive.<\/p>\n They collected kid-friendly snacks, pasta, peanut butter and other pantry staples. Volunteers then gathered for a joint packing event to assemble bags for families served by Homes with Hope<\/a>.<\/p>\n Residents can continue to support Homes with Hope, and built on the AWARE students\u2019 efforts. Food donations can be dropped off at the Gillespie Center (Jesup Road, behind Barnes & Noble) any time. Click here to donate cash, enabling Homes with Hope to purchase food.<\/a><\/p>\n AWARE students, with bags for the Homes with Hope food pantry.<\/p>\n ==================================================<\/p>\n Congratulations to Dylan Mogelof!<\/p>\n The Staples High School swim and dive team sophomore made waves last week, breaking a 26-year-old diving record at the CIAC Class \u201cLL\u201d (extra large schools) state championship.<\/p>\n She scored 456.50 points on the 1-meter, 11-dive event, surpassing the previous record of 452.75 set in 1999 by Corey Pagnotta. Her performance earned All-LL State and All-America honors.<\/p>\n Teammates Mikaela Snow and Avery Nissenson also qualified for the LL meet.<\/p>\n Mogelof\u2019s record came under new Staples swim and dive coach Grace Slama. Next up for her: This week\u2019s state open championship.<\/p>\n To learn more about Staples\u2019 girls (fall) and boys (winter) swim and dive teams, email head coach Mike Anderson: swimmike@usa.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dylan Mogelof<\/p>\n ==================================================<\/p>\n Congratulations too to Staples cross country runner Sarah Bogdan. The Wreckers\u2019 first runner since 2016 to qualify for the New England Championship, she ran a great race and finished 6th, at Vermont\u2019s Thetford Academy. Click here, then scroll down for a video.<\/a><\/p>\n Sarah Bogdan, at the New England Championships. (Photo courtesy of MySportsResults.com)<\/p>\n ==================================================<\/p>\n Speaking still of sports: It\u2019s a big week for 2 Staples teams.<\/p>\n Both field hockey and boys soccer compete in the state tournament semifinals tomorrow.<\/p>\n Coach Ian Tapsall\u2019s field hockey girls \u2014 seeded #1 in the state \u201cL\u201d tourney \u2014 take on #4 Fairfield Ludlowe Tuesday, 4 p.m. at Brien McMahon High School.<\/p>\n Coach Liam Witham\u2019s soccer boys \u2014 #4 in the \u201cLL\u201d competition \u2014 meet #9 Hall-West Hartford at Newtown on Tuesday at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n Good luck to both teams!<\/p>\n ==================================================<\/p>\n This afternoon at the Fairfield Library (Monday, 4 p.m.), Ukraine Aid International founders and team members offer \u201cStories of Connection: Connecticut the Donetsk Region, Building Bridges of Hope Together.\u201d<\/p>\n Our state, and the Donetsk oblast in Ukraine, have built powerful partnerships. Behind it is UAI \u2014 created by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer, backed by many local residents.<\/p>\n ==================================================<\/p>\n Despite the existence of a fence, it can be confusing to know where dogs are allowed on leash, or off leash, at Compo Beach \u2014 and where they are not allowed at all.<\/p>\n Fortunately, the Parks & Recreation Department has posted a clear, aerial map showing the 3 different areas:<\/p>\n Unfortunately, it hangs too high for dogs to see it.<\/p>\n But at least they can read the sign.<\/p>\n (Photos\/DinkinESH Fotografix)<\/p>\n =================================================<\/p>\n Speaking of Compo: A few yards away, this was the scene on a basketball court:<\/p>\n (Photo\/Tammy Barry)<\/p>\n Some people must have time on their hands.<\/p>\n Way too much time.<\/p>\n As anyone who has ever tried to move one of those benches knows: They\u2019re heavy!<\/p>\n ===============================================<\/p>\n Today\u2019s \u201cWestport \u2026 Naturally\u201d image shows a Cooper\u2019s hawk, on Diane Lowman\u2019s deck.<\/p>\n She did not have to snap her photo quickly. The bird sat on the railing \u2014 posing \u2014 for nearly 30 minutes. \u201cWhat a treat!\u201d Diane says.<\/p>\n (Photo\/Diane Lowman)<\/p>\n ==================================================<\/p>\n And finally \u2026 when you saw the name of the sculpture being dedicated at the Senior Center this week (item near the top of this Roundup), you had to know this song was coming:<\/p>\n \u00a0(Arts, sports, the beach \u2026 it\u2019s your usual mix of Westport stories, in the Roundup. If you enjoy this daily feature \u2014 and who doesn\u2019t? \u2014 please click here to support our work<\/a>. Thank you!)<\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Common-Ground-Initiative-1.jpg\")
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