Earth Day Event Provides One-Stop Environmental Education

Earth Day Event Provides One-Stop Environmental Education:

Over 90 exhibitors serve up facts, 

flyers and fun

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 4/30)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

4/30/11

Fairfield, CT – All it takes is acting on one good tip to start making a positive difference in the world around you. At this event, there were more tips than you could shake a repurposed juice pack at.

Fairfield Warde High School at 755 Melville Avenue was the host site Saturday of Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration, a pro-environmental event chiefly sponsored by Maritime Motors that offered over 90 exhibitors showing everything from energy services to recycled crafts. Tables were set up in front of the school, the main corridor and the main courtyard. Musical entertainment was also featured and town officials were on hand to welcome visitors.

“Mike Zembruski and Ed Bowman of the Public Works Dept. started the event in 2000,” said event co-chair Larry Kaley, speaking about the event’s origins. “It was modest, with a couple of vendors, and held at Town Hall. In 2002, I got involved and brought in schools. Osborne Hill Elementary was the first school site. It was a miserable day that year with rain coming down sideways. Then we were at McKinley a few years before realizing parking was insufficient. Ultimately, we ended up at Warde.”

Kaley said the goal of the event has always been to educate people about opportunities to take actions that would be helpful in an environmental sense, in the areas of energy, gardening, health, food and more. “The public can learn an awful lot in one location,” he said.

Veridian Energy had a corner post in the courtyard area, manned by Mary Saunders, an associate. “With the deregulation of energy, people have a choice to pick a third party supplier like Veridian,” she said. “We are the only true green choice, coming from local wind and solar farms, which also helps the local economy.”

In the middle of the courtyard, Krissy Dorn yipped about her Do-Goodies dog treats. “These are organic vegan treats, inspired by the book ‘Eating Animals’”, she said. “They are made in Fairfield, reducing the dependency on factory farming. A local supply is key, and even our packaging is compostable to minimize environmental impact.”

Down the way from Dorn, Lisa Gnandt, a manager at GreenCycle, was scooping up handfuls of dirt. “GreenCycle supplies high-quality mulch, topsoil and compost,” she said. “We run the town’s yard waste recycling. All the source material brought in is re-used, keeping that debris out of the waste stream and resulting in a highly rich organic product.”

Around the bend was Ahna Johnson, from the Center for Green Building. “The Center sells environmentally friendly homebuilding materials including items like paints with low volatile organic compounds, insulation made from 100% recycled denim jeans and home cleaning supplies made with all-natural ingredients.”

Adults were not the only one in on the green scene. Marina Chrysadakis, 6, offered a variety of Fantastic Earth Crafts. “I’m all about keeping the world clean by re-using stuff,” she said. “I take juice packs and turn them into wallets, egg carton cups into flowers and books into birdhouses.”

Sixteen-year-old Nick Anagnost, with his Boy Scouts Troop 88, was selling Square Foot Gardens, essentially a 4’x4’ grid made from wood slats and a fabric base in which a soil mix is placed. “It allows people to grow their own gardens, in a small space,” he said. “And buying through us allows the Scouts to continue to do good works in the community.”

Late morning, First Selectman Ken Flatto took the mic to express his hope that “in a number of years we’ll be able to say we’ve made a big impact in climate and health. You’re all at the forefront of this movement to help this community.”

Among attendees, Camy Deck, of Fairfield, said, “I’ve been going to Earth Day events since college and have now got the kids involved. I believe in supporting the environment in any way we can. I love my boys to see the ideas out there and how they can affect their own creativity.”

Fire Commissioner Felix Giannini, in an unofficial capacity visiting the event, said, “I’m here to support my friend Larry Kaley and am all about the environment. We all need to work towards making our environment a safer and better place to live for future generations.”

SHU Alumni Roundtable Offers Seniors Job Market Insights

SHU Alumni Roundtable Offers Seniors Job Market Insights

By Mike Lauterborn

4/14/11

Fairfield, CT – Though most were not long out of school, the advice that Sacred Heart University alumni offered seniors who are about to graduate was sound and had been earned through trial and error.

Four Communication and Media Studies graduates took the stage at Schine Auditorium on the university’s 5151 Park Ave. campus Wednesday evening April 13 to speak about their experiences in the current workplace and to offer guidance on landing work in the communications field. About 75 people attended the Alumni Roundtable and Senior Night, as the session was titled, including other past alumni, seniors and campus community members.

“This is part of our ongoing effort to stay connected to our alumni and build a strong and loyal SHU network for our graduates in an industry in which networking is vital to success,” said Sara Ross, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Dept. of Communication and Media Studies, the event coordinator.

Student Erica Lucca, 21, who will graduate in May, hoped to gain insights that would confirm she was on the right path. “I sat through four years of media studies and four internships,” she said, “and I feel like I’ve done everything right up to now, but I just want to see what it’s like on the other side of the fence. My major gives me some lateral flexibility to explore a few directions.”

Steve Armato, 22, another May ’11 graduate, concurred. “I want to see what people have done after college, how hard it may be to get a job and what it’s like in the real world. I plan to pursue filmmaking or screenwriting,” he said.

Panelist Dan Nevanpara (’10), an associate producer and editor for PDH Creative in Malibu, CA, offered, “Everyone says do internships, but you have to stand out. Don’t kiss up, but do more.”

Genevieve Manna (’10), another panelist, related her experience of landing a job as an assistant at W magazine, but then getting let go. She was able to move over to Vogue then Allure, after being persistent and patient. “Surprises come,” she said. “You have to keep going, don’t ever lose hope applying to a job.”

Panelist Alex Bente (’06), now a producer for Showtime Sports in New York, said making connections was key for him. “Send your resume to anyone and everyone,” he said, “and keep in touch with people. Mostly, keep your dreams big.”

Lacey Gilleran (’10), who rounded out the foursome, has gone back to school to pursue a masters in journalism, but has worked at World Wrestling Entertainment as a production assistant then commercial associate director, traveling all over the country for live tapings. She said her classes had prepared her well for the workplace and advised, “Pay your dues, but don’t get taken advantage of.”

Featured panelists were not the only alums with a good word or two. Theresa Campbell (’10), a digital advertising coordinator at Reed Exhibition suggested, “Teach yourself whatever you can, and be persistent.”

Tom Herles (’10), a movie reviewer, said, “If there’s something you want to do, go for it.”

Veteran alumnus Carol Aucella (’78), who said she had made a successful living in the film history field, recommended, “Don’t ever say you don’t know what you’re doing. Reach out to someone, figure it out.”

Paul Pabst, the producer for the Dan Patrick Show on ESPN and an SHU adjunct professor who will teach a sports media class next semester, gave advice on interviewing. “Look around the room and find something to comment on. Engage the person in conversation. People like to hire people they like. Be very cocky. It’s your job on the other side of the desk… you have to take it.”

Another veteran, Arlene Greene (’77), had an overall hope to share, which applied to any path in communications that graduates elected to follow. “You kids are our future,” she said. “Media holds a powerful voice. If you have that voice, practice honest journalism and media. Hold onto your ethics and morals.”

Coleytown Book Fair Funds PTA, Offers Local Entertainment

Coleytown Book Fair Funds PTA, Offers Local Entertainment

(for Westport News)

By Mike Lauterborn

4/29/11

Westport, CT – Support for a school’s PTA, focus on literacy and a showcasing of local talent were the driving elements of a weekend book fair.

The event, known as the Coleytown Middle School Book Fair, opened Friday April 29 at Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 1076 Post Road, and was scheduled to run through Saturday, April 30. In addition to raising funds for the school’s PTA, to go toward its scholarship fund, trips, events and other miscellaneous needs, the fair offered book signings by local authors and live music performances.

“We have done this for years with Barnes and Noble,” said Robyn Levy, co-chair of the Fair, along with Corri Neckritz, both parents at Coleytown. “The way the process works is that people go to the cashier with a book selection and mention they are shopping for Coleytown Middle School. The cashier notes it and attributes a percentage of that sale to the school. The target is to sell over $10,000 worth of books over the two days to reach our fundraising goal.”

Levy added that, if people were not able to get to the Westport Barnes and Noble, they could go online or to another location, using a special code. “People can go online to www.bn.com and use the CMS code 10420206,” she said. “They can also use the code at any other Barnes and Noble physical location across the country.”

Levy said that each year they try to organize entertainment to drive some fun and attendance at the Fair. “Today at 4 p.m., we have local author Michael MacColl signing her book ‘Prisoners in the Palace,’” she said. “Tonight at 7, the Fairfield School of Rock’s House Band will perform live in the store’s café. Tomorrow at 11 a.m., local author Cameron Stracher will sign his book ‘The Water Wars’ and Coleytown students will showcase their musical talents.”

Tricia Tierney, Community Relations Manager at Barnes and Noble, said the store and Coleytown have been partnering for close to 10 years. “It’s a great fundraiser, a no-brainer,” she said. “It’s around books, a chance for the school to shine and we’re hosting local authors. It’s a real celebration.”

An added way for shoppers to perform a good deed was to purchase a new book and donate it to the Westport Dept. of Human Services for families in need. To this regard, a bin had been set up for collection by the Book Fair table. “It can be an inexpensive bargain book, but it is much appreciated.”

Kate Andrews, of Westport, was one of many people from the community that came down to show support. “I needed to buy a book anyhow and waited until today to purchase it,” she said. “The Fair is a great effort, providing some much needed funding to the school.”

Tierney pointed out that e-Book purchases would not count as a Book Fair credit. “However, if you buy a Nook e-reader, which is a new device introduced by Barnes and Noble, that would be credited,” she said.

“The original black and white Nook and its accessories were introduced well over a year ago,” explained Tierney, “but now there’s a new color version, which has lots of features, applications and functions. It’s an award-winning reader’s tablet.”

Tierney added that the trend is that people are reading more books – not necessarily physical copies, but e-Books. “Reading is not going away and books are not going away,” she said. “Devices like the Nook just enhance the experience, providing another vehicle for reading that allows instantaneous access. For Barnes and Noble, it’s still about reading, in any format. The Book Fair reinforces that.”

Man About Town: Fairfield Museum a Town Treasure

Man About Town: Fairfield Museum a Town Treasure

(column for April 29 Fairfield Citizen news)

By Mike Lauterborn

4/25/11

With a new mission of focusing my Man About Town adventures on some of Fairfield’s institutional anchors, it struck me that Fairfield Museum and History Center was an ideal candidate to profile.

The organization started life in 1903 as the Fairfield Historical Society, begun by Reverend Frank S. Child, the minister at First Congregational Church and a history buff. The first meeting was held at his home, which is now referred to as the Sherman Parsonage, on Old Post Road.

For the first half of the century, the group housed historical materials at Fairfield Memorial Library. Artifacts at that time were mainly manuscripts and letters donated by early noted families.

In 1955, a dedicated building was constructed at 636 Old Post Road, across from Old Town Hall and the Town Green. Honoring Oliver Gould Jennings, the two-level structure held offices, a library and exhibit space that allowed the Society to increase its collection to include textiles, furniture, agricultural items, paintings and more.

By the turn of the century, the Society realized it was outgrowing its space and decided to build a new facility at 370 Beach Road, essentially 300 yards south of the old property, behind the Sun Tavern.

The new 13,000-square-foot building opened in Sept. 2007 and today maintains an educational classroom, offices, lobby, timber-framed meeting hall, three gallery spaces, a library and a gift shop.

“This is a unique place to not only see and learn about the town but the people that lived here,” said Walter Matis, a Program and Volunteer Coordinator. “It also allows us to gain perspective on where we’ve been as a town and where we’re headed, which is important when certain town issues arise, and just to appreciate the town.”

From a programming perspective, there’s boundless opportunity, from vacation week camps, summer camps, author talks, a book club, walking tours and, of course, exhibits, which are continually rotating. May brings the “IMAGES” exhibit, which features the photographic work of Bill Eppridge, as well as juried entries from amateur and professional photographers.

Besides museum-led activities, the space is often rented to outside groups including charities, private clubs and wedding parties.

Matis said the facility is much more than a traditional museum. “We’re not just celebrating the past, but exploring issues across the board that are controversial or hot topics,” said Matis.

A patron, Aksenia Mace, of Fairfield, said, “The museum is a wonderful contribution to the town, especially for children. It gives them a sense of roots and makes them feel like they belong to a place with a past, but with a perspective on the present and future, too.”

Visiting from Montreal, Boris Terziev, said, “There’s an interesting landscape of homes in the area and it’s fun to learn about the history behind them and some of the indigenous peoples. This is a very New England experience for anyone not from the area.”

Browsers often make a gift shop stop to purchase a memento, though the shop offers much more. The shop’s new manager, Bobbie Sue Russell, who is in the process of reworking the space to be more open and accessible, said, “You can find a wide array of Fairfield souvenirs, but also works by local artisans, one-of-a-kind jewelry, home décor, wedding gifts and children’s books.”

But it’s the educational focus that has helped the museum gain prominence. “A lot of our activities are inspired by and reinforce themes of our exhibits, exploring deeper connections. For instance, a recent maritime exhibit inspired map making, orienteering and sharing into how sailors lived.”

As young students arrived for an afternoon program, I checked my compass and pushed off to explore other Fairfield mainstays.

Whiz Kid: Erin Rigney

Whiz Kid: Erin Rigney

SipSavers water bottle tag inventor

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 4/29)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

4/28/11

Fairfield, CT – A school project inspired her clever, eco-friendly product idea. Now the middle schooler has begun rolling it out to the masses.

When Erin Rigney, now 13 and a seventh grade student at Tomlinson Middle School, was a fifth grader at Dwight School, she was challenged with devising an invention for the school’s Invention Convention competition.

“I was on soccer and basketball teams and team members would toss their water bottles on the sidelines,” she said. “Often, they would get mixed up and then thrown out because no one wanted to drink from someone else’s bottle. I thought an i.d. tag would be a good idea, and came up with Tag-It.”

Designed to attach to the neck of a bottle, the unique tags were initially made of laminated card stock and secured with twine. They were also created in an array of distinct pastel colors and different shapes like triangles, hearts, circles, stars, etc.

“It was a family project to help make the tags,” said Rigney’s mom, Laura. “We used stencils and made about 100.”

Five best inventions, including Erin’s tags, were picked at the school competition and entered into a state contest at the University of Connecticut. “I won a ‘Recognized Inventor’ award, a $100 U.S. Savings Bond and some Microsoft software,” said Erin.

Equally exciting for her was the feedback Erin got about her invention. As Laura recalled, “Everyone loved them, especially parents, who encouraged Erin to develop the tags as a product.”

“I decided to stop laminating the tags and find a material that was more environmentally friendly,” Erin said. “We researched and found seed-infused paper. When you’re done with your drink, you rip the tag off, soak it in water and plant it, and wildflowers will grow.”

Erin also changed the name to SipSavers and replaced the twine with cotton string. The string has since evolved to latex-free photodegradable bands.

To introduce them to the marketplace, Erin and her mom came up with eco-friendly packaging that didn’t require plastic, created a fold-over tag to hang them at store displays and, through a Japanese company, obtained two logo options. Erin’s 5^th grade class chose the winning logo.

“We introduced SipSavers at Fairfield’s Earth Day celebration last year,” said Laura. “Chef’s Table on the Post Road had embraced them just two days earlier and began selling them there.”

“Since the introduction, I won a Fairfield County Green Coast Award for student initiative and environmental responsibility, and SipSavers have been picked up by a number of stores and nature centers throughout Fairfield County,” said Erin.

Looking back on her path to success, whiz kid Erin said, “I never thought a school project would turn into something bigger like this and land me in the news. And people have been so supportive, especially because it’s an eco-friendly product.”

SipSavers are sold 10 to a pack for $2 per pack. For more information, visit: www.sipsavers.com

Mood Positive Despite Shift in Fairfield Business Mix

Mood Positive Despite Shift 
in Fairfield Business Mix:

Business leaders share their 

unique perspectives

(Appeared on front page of 

Fairfield Sun 4/28)

By Mike Lauterborn

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

4/20/11

Fairfield, CT – A challenging economy has had its effect on Fairfield, but local business owners remain steadfast and say the climate is becoming more positive. Fairfield Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Patricia Ritchie shares their hopeful outlook though expressed concern about the shift in the business mix over the last few years. The Sun captured their respective viewpoints in recent meetings in the downtown center.

The helicopter view

It was August 2001 when Ritchie started with the Chamber. “It was an extremely challenging time to take the reins of an association that focuses on business, given the events of 9/11 that would occur just four weeks later,” she said. “No one’s mind was on business. I remember we had a big town-wide event planned, called Celebrate Fairfield, and had to cancel it. People were coming out of the city on the Metro North train covered with ash, looking zombie-like and trying to make their way home. My daughter, who lived in the East Village, called me that day saying, ‘The city is on fire’. She had small children in the schools there. It was a horrible day.”

Though 9/11 was certainly a troubling event, Fairfield, at the time of Ritchie’s hire, was at the outset of a downtown renaissance. “The Fairfield Dept. Store had sat idle, then was razed, and the Borders complex was being established,” she said. “It helped buoy the local economy and made people forget what was going on in the world around them. Other businesses were attracted, which continued to spur an upswing.”

At the same time, the success of the retail environment precluded the mom-and-pop stores, which could not afford the new rental costs and gradually began to disappear. “This was an expected, though unfortunate, result of the trend,” said Ritchie. “There was a sudden arrival of national stores like Chico’s, The Gap, Victoria’s Secret and more, which found the local demographic attractive. And not only retailers arrived, but restaurants, too. Why? Because now you had a complete environment where one could shop, dine, stroll, sit in a park, look at art, sip coffee. It was becoming what a downtown area should be to be sustainable.”

Over the last couple of years, that balance has begun to shift according to Ritchie. “Former retail space may now house a real estate agent, dentist, insurance company or investment firm,” she said. “Rental costs have become prohibitive for many. Wall Street’s tumble also had a significant effect on the spending habits of Fairfield residents, many of whom are employed in the financial industry.”

Ritchie said the Chamber can’t fix Wall Street but it can advocate for small business people. “They need our representation not only on the local level but state and federal level, too,” she said. “On the local level, we are most effective of course. We’re all about small business, and can offer people the opportunity to network, advertise, and participate in expos and leads groups. We also feature a long-standing banner campaign drilling home the mantra ‘Shop Local’ and support businesses who support local causes with their donations.”

Chamber-sponsored events like the recent Spring Fling also help spur business, said Ritchie. “That’s our premiere networking event, open to the public,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to eat, drink, be merry and do your five-minute elevator speech. It gets you in touch with business people and the community at large.”

Ritchie said the Chamber’s product is opportunity. “If you’re going to join, and don’t participate, you’re wasting your membership money,” she said. “I encourage members to pick one thing to get behind – business after hours with wine and hors d’oeuvres, for instance. Putting your face out there so people remember you and interact with you is important. People want to do business with people they know and like.”

Ritchie has a positive view about Fairfield’s business future. “What goes down, must come back up, especially in a town like Fairfield,” she said. “We’ve got the best schools, beautiful beaches, good shopping, accessible transportation. It’s just a fabulous location. Border’s closing was certainly a shock. I thought Fairfield was safe. It will leave a huge void unless Ken Kleban, the landlord, has something up his sleeve that he hasn’t divulged yet. It will be interesting to see what emerges. I hope it’s retail.”

A newcomer’s outlook

Some of the resources that Ritchie mentioned were influential in Colony Grill’s decision to land in town. Ken Martin, a partner at the 1520 Post Road restaurant, which opened in May 2010, said, “We were attracted to Fairfield’s dynamic demographic, its ideal location to the train and beach, a college campus under a mile away, great traffic flow on the Post Road and a nice mix of families, commuters and students.”

He said business has been good, the community has been supportive and that there had been good guidance from town government. At the same time, he said, “I think the economy is still very difficult for a lot of people out there, including restaurants, though we’ve been insulated from some of the hardship due to our menu of pizza and drinks. And despite a difficult economy, people still want to enjoy themselves and see their friends. They just need to decide what’s affordable.”

“We want other businesses – restaurants and retail included – to do well, as it helps everyone,” he said. “If we hear about a restaurant going out of business, it’s not good news. We feel we’re part of an extended community.” Martin said it’s important for the community to support local businesses, though businesses have a responsibility to deliver a quality experience, too.

Martin said the Chamber has been doing a good job trying to get people together, providing businesses exposure opportunities and giving good feedback to owners about trends. “But a business owner can’t depend on people or the Chamber,” he said. “The business has to do the right thing and not cut corners, staff or quality. Consumers will respond.”

Martin was disappointed to see Border’s leave but said that was the situation the business was in. “We’re confident Fairfield will attract another viable business to downtown,” he said.

The historical perspective

Fairfield Center Jewelers, which has been located at 1498 Post Road since 1954, is a testament to the resilience of Fairfield business. Owner Bob Sussman said Fairfield was a growth route at that time and up and coming.

“There have definitely been ups and downs here over the 55-plus years we’ve been in town,” said Sussman, “but that’s just how business is. I don’t think anyone’s exempt, but how we’ve weathered the bad times is attributable to our family’s business experience. My grandfather was particularly resilient and survived the Great Depression, and passed down certain survival skills.”

With regard to the local business community, Sussman said, “I think Fairfield itself is somewhat insulated from the woes of the economy, though we’ve certainly felt it. Customers have been more discretionary in spending their money. You have to deliver a good product at a fair value. I feel the climate is happier. People are genuinely a little less stressed about money.”

Sussman said the Chamber is very supportive and the town does its best, “though we’d all like to see a mix of mom-and-pop stores, but that’s a function of the landlords not of the town. It’s not right for people to complain to the town about who comes in. It’s entirely up to the person that owns the property.”

Like Martin and Ritchie, Sussman was sad to see Border’s go but said that local business must be supported by the people that live here. “You can’t be upset if you don’t support them. I have such faith in the Klebans that I have no worries about the space. It will be appropriate and work for the town.”

SIDEBAR

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce the backbone of local business

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, located above Quattro Pazzi restaurant at 1597 Post Road, is the champion of small business in Fairfield. Initially known as the Fairfield Board of Trade, the Chamber was founded in 1946 by a handful of business owners. Today, 350-400 businesses and sole proprietors are members.

The Chamber helps promote local business, forge community relationships and spur networking through several large annual events. On June 25-26, the Chamber hosts a juried Arts & Crafts show, which attracts about 100 artisans from around New England. A Trick or Treat on Safety event at Halloween draws people from all over the region. Santa’s Arrival, which will be marked on Nov. 26 this year, features such highlights as buggy rides and an animal zoo. Non-profits typically sponsor these activities as an opportunity to showcase themselves.

To steer consumer attention to local business, the Chamber offers “Chamber Bucks”, essentially gift certificates to member restaurants and retailers. The Chamber also produces an area map widely used by the town, universities and relocation services. In early summer, the organization will release a new town-specific shopping, dining and entertainment guide.

For more information about the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, visit www.FairfieldCTChamber.com

“Taste of Tuesday” Opens Playhouse Season

“Taste of Tuesday” Opens Playhouse Season

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

4/26/11

Westport, CT – A delightful mix-and-mingle, that has become a new and fond tradition, kicked off a season that already shows great promise.

Held early evening Tuesday April 26 in and about the Lucille Lortel White Barn Center at Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, “Taste of Tuesday” treated 400 subscribers to wine, sushi and live music, preceding the opening of “Beyond Therapy”, the first performance of the facility’s 2011 season.

Jen Bond Huisking, Community Relations Liaison, recalled how the “Taste of Tuesday” tradition got started. “The first event of the series was in 2007, designed as an audience cultivation event,” she said. “It was a way for us to build energetic audiences for the first preview play. It offered a very attractive price point for the package, allowing someone to experience the Playhouse at a reasonable cost for the first time or to allow a regular subscriber to bring friends.”

Huisking added, “We definitely wanted a pre-show party but also to partner with local businesses that support our programming. We always have live local music, and wines from Castle Wines & Spirits, which samples six different wines each Tuesday event.”

Playhouse Director of Marketing David Byrd contributed some additional background. “There are five plays that debut through the season, which runs April through the first week of November, and the ‘Taste’ is held before each first performance,” he said. “Besides Castle Wines, we are featuring this evening food from Matsu Sushi and Westport guitarist Gene Pino.”

Byrd further explained, “Originally the event was just value added, but then, due to its popularity, it became a subscription-only opportunity. Lucky for us and our partners, we have sold out all the ‘Taste of Tuesday’ events for the year, capping attendance at 400 which allows us to accommodate the group easily and ensures a positive experience.”

Byrd said “Beyond Therapy” is a fun season starter. “By Christopher Durang, the play is a wickedly funny look at the lives of the single and those in search of relationships,” he said. “Our program for the year is very eclectic and each play complements the next, hand picked by our artistic director, Mark Lamos, with our audience in mind.”

“Taste” is one of a series of ancillary events the Playhouse hosts. Others include nights out for realtors, the gay community, ladies only, couples and young professionals. “We’ll work with any group that wants to engage with us,” said Byrd.

Paul Teoh, co-owner of Matsu Sushi, was glad to support. “We have been in Westport for eight years and gained a lot from the town,” he said. “We like to support the local community and give back through events like this. We’ve been supporting the Playhouse for the past two years.”

Thoroughly enjoying the soiree, Jeanne Bodnar, with Dave Walker, both from Ridgefield, said, “I’ve been a subscriber for 20 years. It’s great. This is our second year doing the ‘Taste of Tuesday.’”

“It’s a great addition,” said Walker. “Jeanne won a nice piece of jewelry at one last year.”

“We like the mingling, you get to see a great play and the price is right,” Bodnar added.

Jinah Yun, from Stamford, another attendee, agreed with Bodnar’s assessment. “I’ve been a season ticket holder for two years and have been to every ‘Taste of Tuesday’ in that time,” she said. “We always get these tickets. The music and wine tasting is nice and many friends are here. And it’s great to be one of the first to see a new show.”

Playhouse staffer Huisking best summed up the experience. “This is a great way to come together and celebrate live theater.”