Ms. Raffle’s many contributions to the club include serving on the WWC Board multiple times as Program Chairman  and Secretary.  Barbara has also served several times on the Nominating Committee and Ruegg Grant  Committee.  She has been Chairman of the Book Club for 4 years, and will assume the responsibility of Community Service Chairman in the near future.

Sponsored by The Westport Woman’s Club

44 Imperial Avenue Westport, CT

(click here for details)

Cost of Admission is Free

Enjoy one of Westport’s oldest and best loved family events, Yankee Doodle Fair, June 13-16.  Fair includes: Carnival Rides, International Food Court, Curio Cottage Thrift Shop, Face Painting, Sand Art, Raffle, Lucky Prize Drawing and Bake Sale and vendors in air conditioned auditorium. Contact the WWC at 203-227-4240

Mary Lee Clayton, Westport Woman’s Club President welcomed everyone.  “Since its doors opened 14 years ago, the Curio Cottage has been one of the Club’s best fundraising activities.  Today we are celebrating the Cottages “facelift” as we look forward to many more years of offering wonderful bargains to the community.  We also have to thank the many dedicated volunteers who have made the shop so successful.”  First Selectman Joseloff snipped the ribbon and led onlookers inside to take a tour of the newly renovated shop.  The group then explored the offerings at the Annual Plant Sale on the grounds of the Westport Woman’s Club.

Gordon Joseloff and Mary Lee Clayton tour the newly renovated Curio Cottage

Celebrating the ribbon cutting: (L-R) Karen Eickhoff, Curio Cottage Chairperson; Toni Boucher, State Senator; Jonathan Steinberg, State Representative; Mary Lee Clayton, WWC President; Gordon Joseloff, Westport First Selectman; Gail LaVielle, State Representative

Everyone is invited to come and browse the selection of good quality tabletop trappings, must-have collectibles, artwork, linens and more. With new merchandise arriving weekly, there are always new finds to be had. Visit the Cottage during regular shopping hours:

Monday:  1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday – Friday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday:  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Curio Cottage at the Westport Woman’s Club

44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT

 The Curio Cottage is always ready to accept tax-deductible donations so as you are freshening your home for Spring and clearing your closets and cabinets, look for items that may be ready for a new home and drop them off when you come to shop. Donations have helped the shop raise more than a quarter of a million dollars to support the WWC’s philanthropic efforts, including scholarships and grants to organizations throughout Fairfield County.

Wakeman Town Farm is a local non-profit educational center whose mission is to provide Westport families with a link to the land.  It has become a community hub where people of all ages in Westport and surrounding towns come to learn about organic farming, sustainability and homesteading, as well as to attend events designed to bring families to the farm.  The farm has partnered with the Westport Parks & Recreation Department to promote various children’s programs, including summer camps, a Farm Apprentice Program, a Middle School Farm Club and internships for high school and college students.

Ms. Jordan stated that The Westport Woman’s Club has long been involved with protecting and preserving the environment.  “The club was established in 1907 by a small group of women whose sole purpose was the cleaning of town streets, caring for and planting trees, and laying sidewalks.  Since that time, the programs of the Westport Woman’s Club have continued along this vein,” she said.  And, it is therefore, appropriate that the Ruegg Grant should go to the Wakeman Town Farm for the work they are doing to educate children and adults alike to respect and protect the environment and for the lasting benefits of gardening for children.

The Ruegg Grant was established in 1995 by an endowment bequeathed to the Westport Woman’s Club by member Lea Ruegg. .  To date, approximately $160,000 has been awarded to organizations including: Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection, Connecticut Theater Foundation, Westport Public Library, Staples Players, Westport Rotary Club, Theater Artists Workshop, Touquet Hall, Mercy Learning Center, Interfaith Housing, Westport Senior Center, Nursing & Home Care, Hall-Brooke Hospital, Susan G. Komen for the Cure CT, Westport Police Department, CLASP Homes, and Westport/Weston Family Y.

Join in the festivities on the grounds of the Westport Woman’s Club as the WWC Annual Plant Sale provides a brilliantly colored background for The Curio Cottage Thrift Shop Grand Re-opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

“The WWC Annual Plant Sale fills a unique niche in the plant and garden ornamentation arena for local residents and it has become one of our signature fundraisers,” says Janette Duchnicki, event chairperson. “We’ll have a large selection of tried and true classics and trendy new varieties and colors along with plant stands, containers and other garden accessories, all offered prices you will appreciate.” Look for a wide array of annuals for sun and shade, hanging baskets in several sizes, brightly colored tropicals, unusual foliage, herbs, sedums and non-stop bloomers like the fibrous begonia. Experts will be on hand to share tips, answer your garden questions and suggest ways to add color and flair to your outdoor space.

The Plant Sale is the backdrop for the Grand Re-opening of The Curio Cottage.  The thrift shop has been a regular haunt for home goods aficionados since it first opened in June 1999.  Always a venue for well-heeled donations, the Curio Cottage has just undergone a renovation and a merchandise refresh.  “It’s a facelift we’re all proud to talk about,” quips Karen Eickhoff, Curio Cottage Chairperson.  Be the first to check out the selection of good quality tabletop trappings, must-have collectibles, artwork, linens and more.

Both events will be held at the WWC Clubhouse, 44 Imperial Avenue in Westport, Sunday May 5 from 12 pm – 3 pm and Monday, May 6 from 10 am – 3 pm.

Gordon Joseloff, First Selectman; Shelley Kassen, Board of Selectmen; State Senators John McKinney and Toni Boucher along with State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Gail LaVielle have been invited to attend the Curio Cottage Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Sunday, May 5^th at 1:00pm.Refreshments will be provided.

Whatever your style, it’s a great opportunity to find some new treasures for your home and garden, score unique and fresh gifts for Mother’s Day, and enjoy celebrating with one of the town’s oldest community service organizations.  All sale proceeds go to support the WWC’s philanthropic efforts, including scholarships and grants to organizations throughout Fairfield County.

Tax-deductible donations of salable used goods for the Curio Cottage are always welcome and tax receipts will be provided.  Donations for the grand opening can be dropped off during normal cottage hours Monday, 1pm – 4pm, Wednesday – Friday 10am – 3pm and Saturday 11am – 2pm.  Call the WWC to discuss any special arrangements at 203-227-4240.

Janette Duchnicki and Linda Amos getting bright annuals ready for the Plant Sale

The Curio Cottage doors ready for the grand re-opening

SATURDAY, APRIL 20TH:   “LUCKY GUY”, the matinee. Purchase your own ticket. Most of those who have gotten tickets have seats In the Mezzanine. We will meet at the Westport train station that morning – probably around 10:00 a.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 16th: Westport Playhouse for “THE DINING ROOM” – Cocktails beforehand and a talk back after. Tickets are $48; make your reservations in the Office.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1: “THE NANCE” with Nathan Lane, Saturday matinee. As with “Lucky Guy: purchase your own tickets. We will also meet at the Westport station.

If you purchase tickets to either of the New York plays, call or email me; I will send you train times and lunch plans.

I am putting together a list of people who are interested in going to plays or just taking a “field trip”. Let me know if you want to be on the list. It turns out there are a lot of us who want to go to museums or flower shows or plays but need to have the motivation of going with someone else ( much more fun that way!)

Finally, there has been Cultural Affairs meeting almost every month. Please come if you can. All ideas and suggestions are welcome. We will try to put together some sort of monthly or bi-monthly trip. Places being considered include: Hillstead Museum in Farmington for their May market, the Beardsley Zoo, the Yale museums, the Botanical Garden in the Bronx, the Cloisters, and the Rubin Museum, among others.

Mary Lee Clayton
President

Applicants for the adult scholarship must have successfully completed two or more years in an accredited institution of higher learning with a 3.0 average or better and be matriculating for a Bachelor’s or post-graduate degree.  The award will be made on the basis of financial need and scholastic ability.

Wendy McKeon, Scholarship Chairperson, has advised that the deadline for application submission for the adult scholarship award is April 30 2013.  To obtain additional information and an application, please call the Westport Woman’s Club Office – 203-227-4240 or click on the following link:  Adult Scholarship Application