Category Archives: Community
Candlewood Lake Authority Kicks Off 50th Anniversary with Lake Cleanup
BROOKFIELD, CT —The Candlewood Lake Authority has announced that they are kicking off CLA’s 50th Anniversary with an event to benefit Candlewood Lake. A clean up project is being organized at Candlewood Lake on Saturday, May 21, 2022, for the annual “J. Marsicano and F. Cioffi Memorial Candlewood Lake Clean-Up.”
As teams did last year, boat Captains will provide their own cleanup crew. Captains and crews should pick up their materials (bags, gloves, and additional instructions) between 8-10 a.m. at the New Fairfield Town Park boat launch. Crews will return at around 12 noon to unload the trash picked up at the ramp and then will gather at the park for lunch.
To sign up and fill out the waiver, visit the Candlewood Lake Authority’s website.
https://candlewoodlakeauthority.org/Volunteer
About Candlewood Lake Authority:
The Candlewood Lake Authority is wholly dedicated to the safekeeping of Candlewood Lake. We promote responsible recreation, conservation, and stewardship for the largest lake in the state of Connecticut. Candlewood Lake Authority partners with the many stakeholders to advocate for Candlewood Lake including owners FirstLight Power, federal permittee Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) as well as local public officials, businesses, and residents.
Southbury’s Arts Escape to Host Kid’s Egg Painting Workshop & Visit with the Easter Bunny
SOUTHBURY, CT—The Easter Bunny has recently announced that he will be hoppin’ down to Arts Escape in Southbury for a visit with the kids after Arts Escape’s Easter egg painting workshop. Instructor Kothy Hafersat will introduce kids and teens to the art of dot painting which will lead to the creation of beautiful works of art on wooden Easter eggs.
The instructor Kothy (not Kathy) is a national educator for three sewing machine companies—Singer, Viking and Pfaff. She is a certified Zentangle instructor, co-owns and runs a pattern company that produces quilt and sewing patterns, and is a professional digitizer for the 6D embroidery software company which is sold to use with today’s embroidery sewing machines. She has been teaching kids and adults for over 30 years.
The class includes three eggs to paint and take home plus a photo with the Easter Bunny after class. Each child will also receive a goody bag. The workshop takes place on Saturday, April 16, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Arts Escape, 493 Heritage Road, Southbury. The fee for the 2-hour workshop is $25 and the class is limited to 20 students.
Register on Arts Escape’s website by clicking here.
About Arts Escape
Arts Escape is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Arts Escape encourages engagement in the arts through an extensive range of programs and classes. Our community of adult learners explore the arts in a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment. At Arts Escape, our values and goals support the research that participating in creative activities improves adults’ problem-solving skills, self-esteem, and well-being.
“Arts Escape, where creativity and learning promote well-being.”
Give Your Home a Makeover with New Windows from Elite Construction Group
BROOKFIELD, CT—With Spring weather on the way, many homeowners are
beginning to think about improvements to their home’s exterior. Upgrading to vinyl
siding, adding new windows and doors, and a new roof can boost your property value by
tens of thousands of dollars, according to experts in the field. Inflation is now at the highest level since the 1980s, according to experts, supply chain issues due to Covid, and the cost of materials skyrocketing, making home improvements might be the last thing on a person’s mind. However, David Alger, owner of Elite Construction Group in Brookfield, said now is not the time to neglect your biggest investment—your home.
“Leaving an old, worn-out roof for too long can lead to major, expensive problems down
the road,” Alger stated. “A leaky roof can cause water damage with water working its
way down to your windows and siding. This could be very costly to repair and cause
structural damage as well.” Alger said.
His in-house design team works with all budgets in mind to create a cost-effective plan
for homeowners to improve their homes from windows to doors to roofs and more. One
of the best ways to start on home improvements when trying to increase a home’s
energy efficiency, while also adding a fresh new aesthetic and some curb appeal, is by
adding new windows.
According to Charlotte Reach of Hunker Design, trends in windows for 2022 include arched and circular windows and floor-to-ceiling windows with accents that pop in an all-white room.
“More homeowners are using their homes to show off their individuality. It makes sense, as people have gone from having to be home to wanting to be at home in an environment that expresses their personalities and individual tastes. Since no one could travel [during quarantine], homeowners had to bring those experiences into their homes.”
Alger said that adding modern windows offer better insulation, which makes it easier for your heating and cooling system to keep your home energy efficient.
“If your energy bills are skyrocketing, replacing the windows in your home might be the solution to more savings down the road,” said Alger.
For more information on how you can turn your home living space work better for you and your family, contact David Alger at Elite Construction Group”: (203) 648-9995 or David@eliteegroup.com.
*This is a sponsored post. To learn more about your business being featured on CT Buzz News, please email CTBuzzNews@gmail.com.
Danbury’s Irish-Americans Kick Off 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations with Parades & More
DANBURY, CT—After two years of cancellations due to the global pandemic, Danbury’s Irish-Americans are glad to celebrate their Silver Anniversary at the 25th Annual Danbury St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The month-long celebrations kicked off on Sunday, Feb. 20th with their St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser at Molly Darcy’s, followed by the St. Patrick’s Day Ball on Saturday, March 5th. Not even a “bomb cyclone” could stop Danbury and New Fairfield area Irish-Americans from celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Fairfield (Danbury’s parade will be held on 3/20/22). New Fairfield resident Peter Hearty was presented with a proclamation from State Senator Julie Kushner for his contributions to the town by organizing the 52nd annual New Fairfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Danbury’s Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians hold the St. Patrick’s Day Ball annually the first Saturday in March at the Amber Room where they honor the man and woman of the year. This year, Richard Hawley, of Danbury, and Wendy Mitchell, of Brookfield, were named the Hibernians of the Year. Hawley was recognized for his years of fundraising at the annual golf classic and for starting the setback league. Mitchell was recognized for her efforts to raise funds for the club at last year’s “SHAMROCKAPALOOZA” benefit concert, serving as co-chair of the parade for the last five years, and serving as state recording secretary and webmaster, division Catholic Action and publicity officer.
The Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation and the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center kicked off their month-long St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with the annual Irish Ball on March 5, 2016. Danbury’s new Mayor Dean Esposito presented Mitchell and Hawley with a proclamation from the City of Danbury for their dedication the mission and helping to preserve Irish culture in the greater Danbury area. Senator Julie Kushner presented a proclamation to both from the State of Connecticut.
The duo will have the distinct honor of leading the City of Danbury’s parade on Sunday, March 20th at 2:00 p.m., along with their fellow Hibernians, Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums Corps, Newtown Horse Guard, Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops, local politicians and officials, Danbury and surrounding town’s fire departments, Danbury police, and other marching units. The Danbury St. Patrick’s Day Parade is co-chaired this year by Kevin Hearty and Catherine Bach.
The following events are planned for St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, March 17, 2022:
- 9 a.m. Bethel flag raising, 1 P.T. Barnum Square, Bethel
- 11 a.m. – Mass at St Peter Church, Main St. Danbury with prayers in English and Gaelic
- 12 p.m. – Irish flag raising at Danbury City Hall, Deer Hill Ave. followed by refreshments
- 12:30 p.m. on – Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center (GDICC), 6 Lake Ave., Danbury, corned beef, cabbage, Shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread, and refreshments. The GDICC has Guinness and Harp on tap as well as a wide variety of other libations. Local Irish dance schools will perform and live bands Fiddlesuice and Steve O’Tree & Friends will play traditional Irish favorites.
On Saturday, March 19th, Two Roads Brewery is sponsoring a “Tap Takeover” with Tipperary Knights, $5 Two Roads specials, raffles, and more!
The 25th Annual Danbury St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held this year on Sunday, March 20, 2022. It is being sponsored by Title Sponsor, Townsquare Media Danbury, Platinum Sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Danbury, Gold Sponsor UK Gourmet and Dream Home Realty of CT. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. at Center and Main Street, Danbury in front of St. Peter Church.
Parade Day is Sunday, March 20, 2022:
- 2 p.m. Greater Danbury St. Patrick’s Day parade begins in front of St. Peter Church, Main and Center Streets
- Shuttle buses will begin at 12 p.m. at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Center, 6 Lake Ave., Danbury
- Corned beef & cabbage, Shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread, and refreshments will be sold at the Danbury Irish Club, 6 Lake Ave., Danbury. Local Irish dance schools and live bands will perform traditional Irish favorites.
Questions? Call the club at (203) 739-0010 or email DanburyIrish@gmail.com.
Photo: Wendy Mitchell, 2022 Danbury Lady Hibernian of the Year, Richard Hawley, 2022 Danbury Mens Hibernian of the Year
Photo Credit: Marion Lynott, Irish Flare Photography
Brookfield Arts Commission Announces Addition to ‘Shorts & to the Point’ Film Festival
BROOKFIELD, CT—Brookfield has a long history in the film community and has held the “Shorts & to the Point” short film festival for 14 years running. This year, the Brookfield Arts Commission (BAC) is expanding their offerings with the addition of a regional screening of shorts by local, indie filmmakers.
Commission member Jeremy Farrell said, “We could not be more excited to take this opportunity to highlight up and coming filmmakers from our corner of the world! The entire Arts Commission is looking forward to seeing all of the amazing submissions and showing the best to the wonderful folks of Brookfield and beyond.”
On April 2, 2022 the Commission will host a lovely Saturday afternoon viewing of short films by independent filmmakers. Filmmakers residing in Connecticut and its bordering states of Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island, or films having been shot in these states, are invited to submit to the screening.
The “Regional Indie Afternoon” will be a wonderful addition to the “Shorts & to the Point” Brookfield Film Festival which is scheduled to run in the Brookfield Theatre, April 1-3, 2022. The BAC looks forward to highlighting the works of independent filmmakers alongside more established filmmakers. Filmmakers accepted to the festival are also invited to be part of a Q&A panel discussion immediately following the screening. If you are an independent filmmaker who makes short films, they want to hear from you!
Submissions were opened on December 1st, and the submission deadline is March 1, 2022. To learn more, visit https://filmfreeway.com/ShortsandtothePoint and feel free to reach out to brookfieldartscommissionct@gmail.com with any questions.
For more information regarding Regional Indie Afternoon, please contact Jeremy Farrell at jeremykf60@gmail.com.
Give the Gift of Creativity with Muse Squad
What do you get the child who has everything? How about the gift of creativity? A Ridgefield mom and business owner’s unique writing program helps youth in the community to build skills and polish their craft.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” ~Albert Einstein
RIDGEFIELD, CT — For a child who is into gaming, the digital world, and other online activities, giving the gift of writing might not sound too appealing. However, when you present it in such a way as Ridgefield Mompreneur Brittney Richardson does, kids will learn through fun which makes it a win-win.
Richardson, the founder of Muse Squad, is launching her youth writing program this January. She designed the creative online course for aspiring young writers to hone their craft in a way that is fun, engaging, and unique. By the end of completing the program, students will have the start of a novel, a short story, or several standalone pieces to put in their writing portfolio.
With Brittney Richardson’s Muse Squad, kids and teens can enjoy the benefits of writing while working with like-minded individuals. Her writing-club based approach enables students to form lasting relationships and help initiate ideas they might not have come up with had they been working alone.
According to kids writing advocate Andrea Bergstein “Statistics show that reading helps develop your writing skills, but writing helps develop your cognitive growth, organizational abilities, and the power to influence others through persuasion. In short, writing powers the brain.”
She continues, “Studies show that children who practice creative writing more often are generally better in other subjects too like math, science, and languages. Challenging themselves to come up with creative thoughts and problem solve, builds the confidence and discipline students need to succeed in all areas of life.”
In the winter program Richardson said that she intends to “pass on the literary techniques and wisdom of outstanding teachers while demonstrating several of my own unique strategies for generating inspiration. I can say firsthand, that the people I met in workshops during grad school, were some of the most gifted individuals I’ve ever come across, and I found mentors in my instructors.”
Miss Brittney’s interactive teaching method and imaginative writing prompts will foster creativity and help tweens and teens find their literary voice. Each class has an original theme and allows time for students to read their work aloud.
To sign up for the program, visit the Muse Squad website by clicking here.
Westport Writers Workshop Offers Zoom & In-Person Classes for Writers of All Skill Levels
WESTPORT, CT—The Westport Writers Workshop (WWW) is offering a combination of online and in person classes this winter at their brand new space, located at 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, CT just down the road from their former location. Executive Director Liz Matthews stated that their new location features a gallery-like space with a large workshop/community space that enables them to collaborate with other local arts organizations.
Their Winter Workshops begin the week of January 10th and open registration is being held now through January 10th. Classes are limited to even participants to allow for helpful critiques from instructors and fellow writers. With over 100 workshops a year to choose from, WWW welcomes writers of all skill levels and genres with classes and workshops that are designed to suit any schedule, with options in the morning, afternoons, and evenings. Saturday-only workshops and one-week writing-intensive programs are also held at various times throughout the year.
Several of their winter workshops include playwriting, screenwriting, fiction, memoir, poetry, and the classes listed below:
Veteran writer Christine Pakkala will teach Writing About Your Life: Memoir for beginner to intermediate writers which focuses on the craft of writing about our own lives in either the personal essay or memoir form. They’ll explore the elements of storytelling that apply to fiction and memoir, as well as memoir’s unique role in making sense of life experience through reflection. Writers will receive feedback in an encouraging atmosphere.
“Our aim is to create a community of writers who support one another by practicing deep listening, compassionate responses, and thoughtful feedback. We recognize that writing is a risky endeavor and that sharing what we write in a workshop setting requires courage. As a community, we support one another in that endeavor by offering rigorous support and a gentle critique,” Pakkala said.
Intro to Screenwriting with Kate Montgomery introduces aspiring writers to the unique craft of screenwriting. Attendees will learn formatting, story structure, character development,dialogue, pacing, and the three secret ingredients to every successful screenplay. Each class is a fun, fast-paced mix of short lectures, group and individual writing exercises, and table reads with course materials you cna keep to reference later.
For those who are into poetry, Charles Rafferty offers students the opportunity to learn about the genre from a poet whose work was published in The New Yorker, Ploughshares, The Southern Review, and O — Oprah Magazine. Each week, participants will share a poem, and the instructor will lead a discussion of the manuscript, highlighting what is working well and suggesting ways to improve it.
For more course offerings this winter and to register, visit the Westport Writers Workshop website. The Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public in Connecticut. Their organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. To learn more, visit the WWW SCHOLARSHIPS and SUPPORT US pages.
About Westport Writers Workshop:
Since 2003, the Westport Writers’ Workshop has been offering workshops for every level of writer, from novice to published! Our instructors offer friendly, supportive writing workshops designed to encourage, inspire, and spark your imagination.
With over 100 workshops a year to choose from, we welcome writers of all skill levels and genres. Our workshops are designed to suit your schedule, with options in the morning, afternoons, and evenings. We also host several Saturday-only workshops and one-week writing-intensive programs throughout the year. You can learn more about our workshops by visiting our WORKSHOP page. Let Westport Writers’ Workshop help you discover and develop your own unique writing talent and voice.
Our Philosophy: You can expect a supportive group led by an experienced instructor. You’ll write, read, and learn from each other. Focus is always on the quality of the writing – not on the subject matter. Writing begets writing. The more you commit to your writing, to showing up for your writing group, the more you will write. By joining a community of writers, you will become a stronger writer and influence others to refine their craft. Our philosophy and practices are inspired by Amherst Writers & Artists and Pat Schneider’s book, Writing Alone and With Others.
Our Mission: The Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public. Our organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities.
Our History: In 2003, Jessica Bram founded Westport Writers’ Workshop. In 2010, Jessica moved the workshops into the second floor of the historic building on 3 Sylvan Rd. South in Westport. In 2013, Valerie Leff bought WWW and became the Director. In 2014, Valerie created a Board of Directors and transformed the business into a nonprofit with a mission to offer enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public, and free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. In 2018, Michelle Bradley came on board as the Executive Director, and in summer 2019 when Michelle’s family was transferred to Chicago, Liz Matthews took over as the Director. In March of 2020 with the onset of COVID-19, the workshops transitioned to the Zoom platform and were offered remotely. The organization grew to include writers and instructors outside of our immediate community.
‘Muse Squad’ on the Rise in Ridgefield
A Ridgefield mom and business owner tells the story of how her unique writing program helps youth in the community to hone their craft.
RIDGEFIELD, CT — Our Small Business Spotlight shines a light on local businesses that we may not know that well. This feature highlights Ridgefield Mompreneur Brittney Richardson who is the founder of the newly launched Muse Squad, a youth writing program.
To a beginning writer, finding a time and place to channel creativity is key. With that in mind, Brittney Richardson designed the online course for aspiring young writers. By the end of completing her unique program, Richardson said, students should have the start of a novel, a short story, or several standalone pieces to put in their writing portfolio.
- Business: Muse Squad
- Owner: Brittney Richardson
- Website: https://musesquad.godaddysites.com
- Address: Virtual/Ridgefield
How did you come up with the name?
Coming up with a name was a bit of a process. I wanted it to appeal to kids without being childish, and it was very important to draw in all genders. My incredibly talented husband did the logo.
Why start a business in this town?
We moved to Ridgefield five years ago, and obviously, fell in love with the town. I was researching creative writing for kids and couldn’t find much in our area. That’s when I got the idea for the program. I’ve always loved kids, and I’ve always loved writing. I knew that if something like this was offered when I was a teen, I definitely would’ve been a part of it!
What business are you in?
I think of Muse Squad as more of a writing club than a business. That being said, I intend to pass on and make accessible, the literary techniques and wisdom of outstanding teachers. I also plan to demonstrate several of my own unique strategies for generating inspiration. I can say firsthand, that the people I met in workshops during grad school, were some of the most gifted individuals I’ve ever come across, and I found mentors in my instructors. So why not offer this experience sooner than college?
What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?
Writing is kind of a niche hobby for middle schoolers, because it doesn’t really become mainstream until they get older. But that doesn’t mean kids this age aren’t just as talented or creative as students in MFA programs. The most difficult challenge is having to do this online, rather than in person like I was intending. There is a certain energy when a group of creative people are in a room together, and I will do my best to achieve this same experience in a virtual world.
Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?
I consider myself more of a tireless writer, and an advocate of kids. So no, I never second guessed it. Once I came up with the idea, I had to follow through.
What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?
The overwhelmingly positive feedback I have received, and the anticipation of our winter launch, which begins January 27th, 2022.
How does your business give back or get involved in the community?
I hope Muse Squad can be the start of a local community for young writers. This innovative class is not about graded assignments; it’s about honing your craft. My goal is to run meetings where kids can tune into their creativity and bounce ideas off their peers. This program will give
anyone who joins a chance to showcase their ability and express their point of view, and supply them with the space, tools, and confidence to explore their artistry.
Photo: Brittney Richardson.
Muse Squad business logo by Brian Richardson.
CT Veteran Owned Company Carries on in Marine Father’s Mission
“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem.” ― Ronald Reagan
BROOKFIELD, CT—A local Marine who served in Afghanistan is following in his late father’s footsteps and honoring him not only in serving the country but also keeping the “mission-first mentality” that he learned while on active duty. Brookfield resident and business owner David Alger said that today and every Veterans Day is special to him because it gives him time to reflect on what his father’s service meant to him and how he is working diligently to keep his spirit alive.
“My father Jack Alger was in the Marines and passed away when I was just 17-years-old,” Alger said. “I wanted to follow in his footsteps and always thought of the Marines as the ‘elite’ branch of the military who would be pushed the hardest. “
The late Mr. Alger was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam era. He retired after 35 years as a licensed plumber and was an active member of his community. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church Men’s Society; the Knights of Columbus, Housatonic Council 40; the Catholic War Veterans Giuseppe Leto Post 61; the Brookfield Lions Club and the Concordia of Danbury. Like his father, David Alger values giving back to his community and supports many local charities through his business, including Brookfield Football & Cheer, the Greater Danbury Irish Cultural Foundation, and more.
“Ultimately it’s all about being mission minded, going above and beyond, and being honest. I want to set a good example for my children just like my father did for me,” said Alger.
For more information, visit eliteegroup.com.
Westport Writers Workshop to Host In-Person Fall Classes in Brand New Space as Well as Online
WESTPORT, CT—Westport Writers Workshop (WWW) is pleased to offer an interesting range of both in-person and online classes this fall for aspiring to established writers. After operating online-only classes and workshops since COVID-19 halted operations, the organization is glad to have a safe, welcoming, place for writers to learn, grow, and network in a brand new, gallery-like space located at 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, CT just down the road from their former location. Westport Writers Workshop welcomes the community to an open house reception on Thursday, September 9th 6 from 6 to 8 pm. The reception is free and open to the public.
Executive Director Liz Matthews said, “After 17 months of offering our creative writing workshops remotely, we are reopening in a new space that we’re really excited about. This new location features a gallery-like space with a large workshop/community space where we hope to collaborate with other local arts organizations in this new space. Along with our workshops, we’ll be offering free readings and publishing events.in our new space.”
Board Chairman Anne Lonergan said, “We are thrilled to be honoring our roots as an in-person workshop that thrives on the energy created by writers around a table.”
Ellyn Gelman is excited to offer the first in-person class at Westport Writers Workshop’s new location, 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, CT. Inventing The Truth – The Craft of Memoir and Personal Essay will explore theme, dialogue, action, structure, scene, character, voice, style and timeline. The instructor will provide prompts based on-topic discussions. Once per term each writer will have the opportunity to submit ten pages for written feedback. This workshop is for all levels. The class will be held on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. beginning on September 10 and running through October 22, 2021.
Intermediate Fiction instructor Jessie McEntee, who will be teaching in-person workshops on Monday mornings shares, “It’s an exciting opportunity for rebuilding community in a new space.”
For those who wish to stick with online classes this fall, author Libby Waterford will teach Intro to Fiction in a nurturing, positive environment.
“Each week we’ll talk about an aspect of fiction and then workshop our writing,” Waterford said.
Writers are asked to bring a story idea to the first class, or work on their in-progress fiction manuscript. Topics explored will include plot, character arcs, conflict, point of view, beginnings, and endings. This class is ideal for writers just dipping their toe into fiction, coming from the world of memoir, or who are having trouble finishing their manuscript.
The class will be online via ZOOM on Monday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m. beginning on August 30 and running through October 18, 2021.
For those who love words in the form of poetry, instructor Shanna Melton is offering a safe haven to gather online in her class, Poetry: Writing from the Inside Out.
“We will surface and honor the internal thoughts and perspectives that we have about life through the powerful medium that is poetry. The mission is to use prompts and other creative tools to motivate the creative process. It also creates a space to share and get a reaction from other writers who can advise us on how to enhance our work. This is a place to develop our writing,” Melton stated.
This class is held online on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 12 noon beginning on September 1 and running through October 13, 2021.
Adele Annesi’s class, Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Find and Write the Story Under the Surface, teaches writers how to provide readers with their own satisfying emotional journey.
“We also look at how to craft the story’s emotional landscape, its emotional arc and meaning, the plot, and the reader and writer’s emotional journey. Each writer can email up to five pages weekly to the instructor and the group for detailed feedback. Discover the deeper connection with your story, your characters, your audience, and yourself. The workshop is suitable for writers who took the first Emotional Craft of Fiction workshop and those new to the concept,” Annesi shared.
This class is being held online in ZOOM on Thursdays, from 1 – 3 p.m. beginning on September 2 and running through October 21, 2021.
To register for any of these classes, visit Westportwriters.org.
Westport Writers Workshop will be hosting an open house at their new location, 25 Sylvan Lane, Unit J, Westport, CT, on Thursday, September 9th from 6 – 8 p.m. Executive Director Liz Matthews said, “We hope you’ll stop by to check out our new space, meet our instructors & other writers, and have a drink to toast the re-emergence of our in-person workshops and events! This event is free and open to our community. Come around back to our entrance – there’s plenty of parking. Bring a friend who is interested in learning more about Westport Writers! Music by Dustin Lowman and photography by Jim Waterbury.”
For more information, visit Westporwriters.org.
About Westport Writers Workshop:
Since 2003, the Westport Writers’ Workshop has been offering workshops for every level of writer, from novice to published! Our instructors offer friendly, supportive writing workshops designed to encourage, inspire, and spark your imagination.
With over 100 workshops a year to choose from, we welcome writers of all skill levels and genres. Our workshops are designed to suit your schedule, with options in the morning, afternoons, and evenings. We also host several Saturday-only workshops and one-week writing-intensive programs throughout the year. You can learn more about our workshops by visiting our WORKSHOP page. Let Westport Writers’ Workshop help you discover and develop your own unique writing talent and voice.
Our Philosophy: You can expect a supportive group led by an experienced instructor. You’ll write, read, and learn from each other. Focus is always on the quality of the writing – not on the subject matter. Writing begets writing. The more you commit to your writing, to showing up for your writing group, the more you will write. By joining a community of writers, you will become a stronger writer and influence others to refine their craft. Our philosophy and practices are inspired by Amherst Writers & Artists and Pat Schneider’s book, Writing Alone and With Others.
Our Mission: The Westport Writers’ Workshop is an independent literary arts center offering enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public. Our organization also provides free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities.
Our History: In 2003, Jessica Bram founded Westport Writers’ Workshop. In 2010, Jessica moved the workshops into the second floor of the historic building on 3 Sylvan Rd. South in Westport. In 2013, Valerie Leff bought WWW and became the Director. In 2014, Valerie created a Board of Directors and transformed the business into a nonprofit with a mission to offer enriching, supportive creative writing classes, as well as literary readings to the local public, and free writing workshops to underserved populations in their own communities. In 2018, Michelle Bradley came on board as the Executive Director, and in summer 2019 when Michelle’s family was transferred to Chicago, Liz Matthews took over as the Director. In March of 2020 with the onset of COVID-19, the workshops transitioned to the Zoom platform and were offered remotely. The organization grew to include writers and instructors outside of our immediate community.
westportwriters.org
CT Buzz News 