We’ve made it to February! The turning of the year rocked us with many major transitions, and we are now in Saint Valentine’s month, a reminder to renew our commitment to love ourselves, one another, our unspeakably beautiful planet and the beauty we are so fortunate to be surrounded by every day. Of course, partaking of a little chocolate always helps!

January offered us so many enriching and fun activities, and this month is no different! The Library is a real center of congregation, with writing groups, yarn craft groups, lectures, concerts, the Monday night movie series, and the 6 week Aging Wisely series by the Prevention Team of Ticonderoga. The Mill continues to add movies, an endless variety of cutting edge music, fine art, cocktails, culinary delights, ‘Knocktail’ classes and even Tarot readings. Snowfort has new books coming down the pipeline, as well as Date Night on Feb 14, so you can drop off the kids and enjoy a night at the Mill, and everyone is happy! Champlain Area Trails is constantly adding new hikes, book clubs and bird watching opportunities, too many to mention here: stay tuned on their website and our online Town Calendar.

Do YOU have an event to submit? We now have an interactive online calendar, and we’d love to hear from you! Visit our Website and tell us what’s happening. Thank you! Read on for all the February details!

COMMUNITY EVENTS QUICK LIST

WESTPORT LIBRARY

The Library has another full schedule this month, with a movie every Monday night (!), Writer’s Group meetings, a live violin concert featuring Kento Hong, the recipient of the 2024 Gurrena Fellowship on Tues Feb 11, a fascinating lecture by Tim Brookes on ‘How the Guitar Conquered America’ on Tues Feb 25, and a six-week Aging Wisely series on Thursdays from Feb 24-April 3.

WESTPORT FEDERATED CHURCH

Saturdays, 7pm: Contemporary Church Service, Sundays, 10am: Traditional Church Service, Mondays, 7:30pm: AA meets in Fellowship Hall, Sat Feb 1, 8-10:30 am: Valentine’s Breakfast, Sunday Feb 9: Sub Sunday, pickup 12-2pm, Thurs Feb 6: Ladies Luncheon Meeting, 11:30am. Office Hours: Tues, Weds 11am-1pm, Thurs 5-7pm.

Want all the up to date news from the Federated Church? Subscribe to the weekly newsletter HERE.

TOWN MEETINGS

TUES FEB 11: Town Board Meeting, 7pm

TUES FEB 25: Town Board Meeting, 3pm

WEDS FEB 26: Town Planning Board Meeting, 7pm. (If items to discuss)

All meetings subject to change. Have questions? Call 518-962-8360.

THE WHALLONSBURG GRANGE/WHITCOMB’S

FRI FEB 7, 10am-12pm: Seed Sowing Workshop by the ADK Garden Club

SAT FEB 8, 7-8:30PM: MOVIE: ‘A Real Pain’

SUN FEB 9, 3-5pm, Madeleine Roger in Concert

SUN FEB 16, 1-4pm: the Essex Chili Cook-Off

TUES FEB 25, 7-8:30pm: Lecture by Pamela Walker: ‘Help from People up North: Civil Rights Activism from Vermont to Mississippi’

SNOWFORT BOOKS

SAT FEB 8, 11am-4pm: Open for Valentine’s Day pop-up.

FRI FEB 14, 5-9pm: Date Night! Drop off your kids.

WEDS FEB 19th, Silent Book Club # 1

THE MILL

Image courtesy of the Mill

February at the Mill has a little bit of everything to delight you through the month!

SAT FEB 1, 4-5pm: Rule Breakers Knocktail Class, MOVIE: Goldfinger 6-8pm

FRI FEB 7, 6-8pm: Music: William Lee Ellis

FRI FEB 14, 6-8pm: Music: Adriana Chabot. TAROT CARD READINGS with Druid Star, 5-8pm

FRI FEB 28, 6-8pm: Music: Willverine

Want more information about activities here and in the surrounding areas? Check out these excellent sources: Westport Town Calendar, Champlain Area Trails, Elizabethtown Social Center (LOTS GOING ON!) Also: Jay Community News, Adirondack Almanack, Adirondack Arts & Entertainment, and for contemporary theater, movies, visual art and music jams, UJAC in Upper Jay.

JIM FORCIER RETIRES AT CHAZY/WESTPORT COMMUNICATIONS,STEVE MACNERLAND NAMED NEW CEO

Chazy & Westport Communications announces the retirement of Jim Forcier after over five decades of dedicated service.

As CEO, Jim played a pivotal role in shaping the company into a cornerstone of the local telecommunications industry, leaving a lasting impact on both the organization and the community.

“Jim’s leadership and vision have set the foundation for our continued success,” said Joe Forcier, Vice President. “We are deeply grateful for his service and wish him the best in retirement.” Read the full SUN Community News Story HERE.

2nd ANNUAL GRATITUDE GATHERING SWEET AND BITTERSWEET

WWCA Gratitude Gathering, Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

The second annual WWCA Gratitude Gathering was a huge success, as everyone congregated to appreciate one another’s efforts to build a thriving community, and partake in good food, drink and casual conversation! WWCA President-Elect Jen Williams read the detailed nominations to the crowd, to much applause. President Alyssa Carroll presented a special and heartfelt farewell to outgoing President Clay Reaser, who’s unbelievably generous spirit of volunteerism has so greatly built the Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance, and contributed to the present flourishing of our town and area in so many ways. Thank you, Clay! And thank you to everyone who gives of themselves for the benefit of all.

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WORKSHOP SAT FEB 22 IN ETOWN!

Photo: Alyssa Carroll, by Catherine Seidenberg

Alyssa Carroll is an experienced television editor and small business owner, with a decade of expertise in the entertainment industry. Drawing from her extensive background working on shows for major networks like ABC, NBC, AMC, and The CW, Alyssa understands the challenges of navigating a fast-paced and ever-evolving industry. When Alyssa moved back to the Adirondacks in 2021, she immediately began investing in her local community and is now a co-owner of Portside Restaurant and the President of the Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance.

As a small business owner and advocate, and an expert in strategic storytelling, Alyssa created the Small Business Social Media Workshop to help small businesses confidently define their brand, connect with their audiences, and build a powerful online presence. With practical insights and proven frameworks, she equips business owners with the tools they need to thrive in the digital landscape. Sign up HERE and take your business to the next level!

WORK FOR THE ESSEX COUNTY DPW!

CATCH ROSE CHANCLER AND JANE BOXALL IN CONCERT FEB 15 AND 16!

Photo by Laura Sells Doyle

Don’t miss this dynamic concert from these powerfully talented local musicians: Rose Chancler and Jane Boxall, the Ricochet Duo, performing their ‘Best Hits’, presented by Piano by Nature on Feb 15 at 7pm, and Feb 16th at 3pm, at the Historic Hand House in Elizabethtown.

FLOWERS PLUS! SEEKS BENCH NOMINATIONS!

AARP OFFERS FREE TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS!

Need help preparing your taxes? Call the Clinton County Senior Center and make an appointment today. You don’t need to be an AARP member, and you don’t need to be a senior citizen. For more information visit the NYConnects Website.

FREE HEART HEALTH EVENT OFFERED THURSDAY FEB 13TH, 2-5PM AT ETOWN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Don’t miss this opportunity to get a FREE heart health screening at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital! Free A1c & lipid screening, free EKG and educational material. No appointment necessary. For more info, visit HERE.

FIND SOMETHING SWEET AT THE WESTPORT FEDERATED CHURCH!

❤️ In honor of Clay Reaser: “ Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy: you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in” —Unknown ❤️

We are YOUR Alliance! Follow our Website, Facebook Page and Instagram. Follow all the happenings on the Calendar, and What’s Happening in Westport Facebook Page. Have a friend or neighbor who would like to know what’s going on in town? Don’t forget to forward this email!

-Newsletter Editor: Catherine Seidenberg