Roundup: Rink Ring, Hillspoint Homes, Newman’s Own …

Longshore is Amy Feder’s happy place.

So it was a natural place for John Recine to propose to her.

What he didn’t expect was that — as he popped the question, on the PAL Ice Rink — a skating stranger would capture the moment on camera.

Amy was there with Ali, her 22-year-old daughter, and Johnny’s daughter Angela and boyfriend Zach (visiting from Austin).

The happy couple have not set a date or place yet. No one asked me, but I can think of a great spot very close to that rink …

From left: Zach Springer, Angela Recine, Amy Feder, Johnny Recine, Ali Feder. (Photo/A random but great stranger)

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As a large new house rises near Schlaet’s Point, anoather big house will not be built a few yards away.

The Zoning Board of Appeals has denied an application for a 36-foot tall house at 238 Hillspoint Road. The proposed 2,200-square foot structure would have replaced a one-story cottage, built in 1920.

The current home at 238 Hillspoint Road.

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On January 26, Paul Newman would have been 100 years old.

In his honor, Newman’s Own — the philanthropy started in Westport, where the actor/race car driver/humanitarian lived for over 50 years — will launch “Paul Newman Generosity Day.”

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, local officials and celebrities will gather at the Newman’s Own office on the Post Road at Morningside Road North for an afternoon of “celebration and generosity.”

Newman’s Own will unveil the “100 Acts of Generosity Challenge.” Participants will perform acts of kindness, share stories, and inspire others to do the same on social media.

Nearly 100, and still looking good.

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Richard Huntley is an internist/primary care doctor in Norwalk, and a Westport resident since 1988.

In 2023 he got a chance to do charitable medical work. He traveled to Kenya to screen for high blood pressure (Africa has the highest rate of hypertension globally.

80% of hypertension cases in Kenya are unrecognized, and only 10% is treated. Only 2% of the population has health insurance, so most people focus on illness rather than preventive care.

Dr. Huntley first worked in rural areas of Kenya. In 2024 he volunteered in Kibera — Africa’s largest slum, with over a million people.

He has partnered with Crossing Thresholds, a New Canaan-based nonprofit, to start a clinic to screen and treat high blood pressure. He organized a fundraiser to provide hypertension medications. For more information on the project, and donate, click here.

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After leading Williams College to a 3-0 record, and averaging 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game, senior captain (and 2021 Staples High School graduate) Arianna Gerig was named New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors.

She was also selected for the First Team of the Week, the New England Women’s Basketball Association. (Hat tip: Don Kubie)

Arianna Gerig

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David Kaplan started his movie-making career the way you always hear it should be done: in the mailroom of a Los Angeles talent agency.

In 2013, “06880” profiled the 2003 Staples High School graduate. His film “Short Term 12” had just won the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature.

Now he’s got a Golden Globe

“The Brutalist” — backed by Kaplan Morrison, Kaplan’s New York-based production company — won 3 awards Sunday night, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. (Hat tip: Adam Friedland)

David Kaplan

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Andrew Wilk is a Big Name in entertainment.

The Westporter is a 5-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and director of network television. He has worked with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Audra McDonald and Kelli O’Hara.

He is also a noted stage director and writer. But symphony conducting remains his first love. He is a frequent musical director and conductor at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and been involved with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

On May 17, Wilk will be at Waterbury’s Palace Theater. He will conduct the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra for a night of music and memories, celebrating 20 years of Broadway musicals.

The show will include musical numbers from “The Phantom of the Opera,”
“Ragtime,” “Evita” and “Dreamgirls,” plus “Over the Rainbow,” “Memory” and “Tomorrow.”

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Andrew Wilk with one of his Emmys, at his Lincoln Center office.

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And finally … today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, from the Balducci’s parking lot, gives new meaning to the “Rover” in Range Rover.

(Photo/Neal Radding)

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And finally … in honor of Andrew Wilk’s upcoming show at the Waterbury Palace Theater (story above):

(Do you hear the people contributing to “06880”? Just click here to join in. Merci!)