<p><strong>Westport, CT -&nbsp;</strong>Westport Country Playhouse Family Festivities Series will bring a popular children’s book character to its stage with “Pete the Cat, The Musical,” on Saturday, May 3, at 1 and 4 p.m. Produced by TheaterWorks USA, the show is based on the “Pete the Cat” series of books by Kimberly and James Dean.</p><p>For Pete the Cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up. So the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Together, they set out on a mission to help Jimmy conquer second grade art, and along the way, they both learn a little something new about inspiration. Join Jimmy and Pete on an adventure of friendship, all the way to Paris and back in a VW Bus!</p><p>For over 50 years, TheaterWorks USA has captured the imaginations of 100 million new and veteran theatergoers with an award-winning repertoire of over 140 original plays and musicals.&nbsp;<a href="https://twusa.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://twusa.org/</a></p><p>Barbara Pasternack, TheaterWorks USA artistic director, said, “’Pete the Cat’ has a groovy, optimistic, go-with-the-flow philosophy that I find utterly charming. I told composer Will Aronson that I wanted the music to also have a ‘60s pop sound. Will had not yet been born in the ‘60s, but the first song he and lyricist Sarah Hammond wrote was ‘VW Bus.’ Kimberly and James Dean collect VW bugs and buses!&nbsp;</p><p>“One of the other things I love about the show is the lesson Pete’s friend Jimmy learns—don’t worry about creating something perfect. Just create something you love, and something that is uniquely yours,” Pasternack added.&nbsp;</p><p>“Pete the Cat, The Musical” book and lyrics are by Sarah Hammond, music by Will Aronson, original direction and choreography by Dan Knechtges, scenic design by Rob Odorisio, costume design by Jen Caprio, and orchestrations by Frank Galgano and Matt Castle.Tickets are $30. Recommended Ages: Pre-K through 3. Running time is approximately 50 minutes.</p><p>For full details, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/pete-the-cat-the-musical/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/pete-the-cat-the-musical/</a></p><p>Video preview:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L2fb8_6ix0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L2fb8_6ix0</a></p><p>The 2025 Family Festivities series is generously supported by Westport Young Woman’s League. 2025 Programming and Season Sponsor is Barbara Streicker. Media sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. Westport Country Playhouse is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.</p><p>A complete schedule of Playhouse events is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://westportplayhouse.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">westportplayhouse.org</a>. All play titles, artists, song selections, dates, and times are subject to change.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz Weekend April 18-20</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(19, 19, 20);">HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/music-in-the-woods-presents-daffodil-daydream" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Daffodil Daydream</strong></a></p><p><strong>Music in the Woods, Stamford</strong></p><p>Friday Apr 18, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Step into three million blooming daffodils and let inspiration find you! Whether you want to paint, write poetry, enjoy a picnic, or simply relax, this afternoon is yours to unwind while listening to the peaceful sound of the harp.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/egg-straordinary-egg-stravaganza" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Egg-straordinary Egg-stravaganza</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 19, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm</p><p>A little birdie told us some egg-citing news...our Egg-straordinary Egg-stravaganza is hopping back to Stepping Stones on April 19! Get ready for a crackin’ good time with egg hunts, egg-quisite activities and nonstop fun for the whole flock. With a day this egg-stra special, everything’s looking sunny-side up!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/music-in-the-woods-presents-daffodil-dreams-hunt-paint-play-for-children-of-all-ages" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Daffodil Dreams: Hunt, Paint, &amp; Play! For Children of all ages!</strong></a></p><p><strong>Music in the Woods, Stamford</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 19, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Hop into Spring with an Easter Egg Hunt &amp; Painting in the Daffodils! (Children's Event)</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/bethe-pride-s-book-club-ebd99" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bethel Pride's Book Club</strong></a></p><p><strong>Rainy Day Paperback, Bethel</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 19, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm</p><p>Come discuss a book on the 3rd Saturday of each month. We alternate between fiction and nonfiction books. There will be a catch up session at end of the year to review everything from the year!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/1964-the-beatles-tribute" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>1964 The Beatles Tribute</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 19, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>They are hailed by critics and fans alike as THE most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute….which has earned them the distinction from Rolling Stone magazine as the “Best Beatles Tribute on Earth”.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/sleeping-beauty-a8db2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Sleeping Beauty</strong></a></p><p><strong>Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Bridgeport</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 19, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm</p><p>Get ready for a magical journey into the land of fairy tales at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre, where dreams come true and adventure awaits around every corner! In our final enchanting TYA production of 2025, witness the timeless tale of a beautiful princess cursed into a deep slumber, awaiting the kiss of true love to awaken her. But fear not, because a brave prince is ready to rise to the challenge! With his trusty sword in hand, he sets off to rescue the princess from the clutches of an evil witch and face the fiery breath of a fierce dragon.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the&nbsp;<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a>&nbsp;page at&nbsp;<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a>&nbsp;Sign up for the&nbsp;<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a>&nbsp;to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p>

<p>WESTPORT, Conn. — Peggy Bud and Tamara Jacobson have more than 60 years of combined experience in education. They have served as educators, administrators, and consultants. Together they wrote the books,&nbsp;<a href="https://navigatingspecialeducation.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><em>Navigating Special Education, The Power of Building Positive Parent Educator Partnerships</em></a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Lead-Consensus-Performing-Conversation/dp/B0DJ5Y58QG/ref=sr_1_1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><em>Conversations Lead to Consensus</em></a>, with the goal of connecting parents and educators to create positive learning scenarios.</p><p>Now, the pair is teaming with Verso Studios at The Westport Library for a new community contributed podcast, <em>Ask the Educators</em>.&nbsp;</p><p><em>Ask the Educators</em>&nbsp;debuts today with three 15-minute episodes. New episodes will drop bi-weekly (episode #4 will arrive April 30).</p><p>The podcast will be available on&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/community-partner-podcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">the Verso Studios podcast page</a>, through regular podcast distributors such as Apple and Spotify, and also through the&nbsp;<a href="https://asktheeducators.substack.com/publish/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><em>Ask the Educators</em>&nbsp;Substack</a>&nbsp;and on the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.navigatingspecialeducation.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Navigating Special Education</a>&nbsp;website.</p><p>“We are proud to announce the release of the&nbsp;<em>Ask the Educators&nbsp;</em>podcast<em>,&nbsp;</em>which supports our mission of empowering parents and educators to build lasting partnerships,” Bud and Jacobson said. “Through the collaboration with Verso Studios,&nbsp;<em>Ask the Educators</em>&nbsp;provides parents, teachers, and administrators with insights on placing the child at the center of the conversation.”</p><p>The purpose of the&nbsp;<em>Ask the Educators</em>&nbsp;podcast is to build a common language between parents and educators, with each episode taking a deep dive into relevant 21st&nbsp;century topics, including effective communication and the IEP, building partnerships, empathy and grief, and the 5-C Model of Communication.</p><p>Through animated conversations, Bud and Jacobson provide listeners with tools to foster conversations, collaboration, cooperation, and compromise as the path to consensus.</p><p>Verso Studios is the media arm of The Westport Library. The Library created the&nbsp;Verso Studios Community Producer Partnership&nbsp;initiative in keeping with the studio’s mission to produce content with the community.</p><p>To learn more about Verso Studios’ mission and offerings, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/services/verso-studios/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Verso Studios page</a>&nbsp;on The Westport Library website.</p><p><strong>Ask the Educators with Peggy Bud and Tamara Jacobson</strong></p><p>Verso Studios Contributed Partnership Podcast</p><p><strong>Story</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/verso-studios-at-the-westport-library-launches-new-podcast-ask-the-educators-with-peggy-bud-and-tamara-jacobson-focused-on-building-positive-parent-educator-partnerships/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.org/verso-studios-at-the-westport-library-launches-new-podcast-ask-the-educators-with-peggy-bud-and-tamara-jacobson-focused-on-building-positive-parent-educator-partnerships/</a></p><p><strong>Verso Studios Podcasts</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/community-partner-podcasts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.org/community-partner-podcasts/</a></p><p><strong>Listen on Spotify:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5kD09zp5xVgElFuBgM6AiP?si=5ec9a7ed58864efa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://open.spotify.com/show/5kD09zp5xVgElFuBgM6AiP?si=5ec9a7ed58864efa</a><strong>Listen on Apple:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-the-educators/id1808749722" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-the-educators/id1808749722</a></p><p><strong>For more on Peggy Bud:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.peggybud.com/about-peggy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.peggybud.com/about-peggy/</a></p><p>LinkedIn:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-bud-8404b524/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-bud-8404b524/</a></p><p><strong>For more on Tamara Jacobson:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://tamaraljacobson.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://tamaraljacobson.com/</a></p><p>LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-l-jacobson/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-l-jacobson/</a></p><p><strong>Navigating Special Education:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.navigatingspecialeducation.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.navigatingspecialeducation.com/</a></p>

<p><strong>Westport Country Playhouse Presents “Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance” on Thursday, May 1</strong></p><p>Westport Country Playhouse will present “Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance,”&nbsp;on Thursday, May 1, at 7 p.m. For over 50 years, Ailey II has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. The company’s 2024-2025 season celebrates the life and legacy of beloved Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison.</p><p>The program on May 1 will feature Houston Thomas’ premiere&nbsp;<em>Down the Rabbit Hole</em>, a work inspired by&nbsp;<em>The Matrix</em>&nbsp;film series exploring the relationship between humans and technology; Alvin Ailey’s&nbsp;<em>Streams</em>, an abstract exploration of bodies in space, danced to a percussion score by Miloslav Kabelac; and Baye &amp; Asa’s&nbsp;<em>John 4:20</em>, an&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(25, 27, 16);">explosive adrenaline rush,</span></p><p>This season, eight new dancers—Carley Brooks, Meredith Brown, Jennifer M. Gerken, Xavier Logan, Xhosa Scott, Darion Tuner, Eric J. Vidaña, and Jordyn White—join the four returning members Alfred L. Jordan II, Kiri Moore, Corinth Moulterie, and Kayla Mei-Wan Thomas.</p><p>Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the leadership of Sylvia Waters, who served as artistic director for 38 seasons, Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. Today, with Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, she brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.</p><p>Tickets are $75, $80.&nbsp;For full details, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/ailey-ii" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(234, 56, 15);"><u>&nbsp;https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/ailey-ii/</u></a></p><p>Event Sponsors are Judy and Scott Phares. 2025 Programming and Season Sponsor is Barbara Streicker. Media sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. Westport Country Playhouse is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization.</p><p><br></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Westport, CT - Once again, Westport Library's Big Spring Book Sale will offer thousands of gently used books in over 50 categories, plus vintage vinyl, CDs, DVDs, audio books and ephemera, plus a large selection of framed artworks and photographs, from small desktop pieces to large wall pictures. There's something for everyone, from infants to seniors!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">DETAILS:&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Book Sale Hours</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Free Admission:&nbsp;</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Friday, May 16th – 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (please note Noon start time)&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, May 17th – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, May 18th – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Half Price Day! Nearly everything offered at half price ($1 Fiction and $1 Children's books remain at $1)&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Monday, May 19th – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – This is "Bag Day" – Fill our Logo bag for $10, or your equivalent-sized bag for $8, or buy individual items for half-price (your choice)&nbsp;</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Early Access Hours, Paid Ticket Holders Only:</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Friday May 16th from 8:45 a.m. to Noon</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Be among the first to shop the Book Sale! Tickets for Early Access Hours go on sale online starting Wednesday, April 15, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at: </span><a href="https://westportbooksaleventures.org/so/2dPOfrcpD/c?w=IaEPGuLco9PSfLGWFy6IKP06HtXalZHNh1SSpRxl5SE.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9TcHJpbmcyMDI1Qm9va1NhbGUuZXZlbnRicml0ZS5jb20iLCJyIjoiOTVlNWRiYjYtMDhiZC00ZDVmLWIxYzQtY2M3ZjI5MWU1NGU5IiwibSI6Im1haWwiLCJjIjoiMzQ0N2FhMjEtYmI5NS00OTY4LTgzMjItYjUwZTQyMTkyNGY0In0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://Spring2025BookSale.eventbrite.com</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Priority for entry during early access hours is given to ticket holders who purchase tickets online in advance.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tickets are $35 each plus the ticketing platform's processing fees.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A maximum of 125 tickets will be sold.&nbsp;</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Of special interest for this sale:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">An Anglophile's paradise: a large collection of books about Princess Diana, her children, and other members of the British monarchy. And check out our Featured Specials for a porcelain Princess Diana Bride Doll by the Danbury Mint!&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Surplus copies of the Staples High School Yearbook from various years between 2000 and 2024</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Novels by NY Times best selling author Jane Green, translated into 17 languages, in new condition&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">A large assortment of framed art and photographs, from small desktop pieces to large wall pieces, and including framed photographs by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Spencer Platt&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Another huge assortment of jigsaw puzzles, at bargain prices&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Fiction for just $1 – a conference room filled with hardcover fiction, mystery, science fiction and fantasy books, and young adult fiction, plus paperback novels, all offered at just $1 each. [Note: books in this room will remain priced at $1 each on Sunday's half-price day.]&nbsp;</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To see a list of our Featured Specials, please visit our website's </span><a href="https://westportbooksaleventures.org/so/2dPOfrcpD/c?w=akCvqd-AZhPbs0SkfG6TqWEIx5DM3TvT3x0lDLgbNtc.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2VzdHBvcnRib29rc2FsZXZlbnR1cmVzLm9yZy9vdXItZXZlbnRzIiwiciI6Ijk1ZTVkYmI2LTA4YmQtNGQ1Zi1iMWM0LWNjN2YyOTFlNTRlOSIsIm0iOiJtYWlsIiwiYyI6IjM0NDdhYTIxLWJiOTUtNDk2OC04MzIyLWI1MGU0MjE5MjRmNCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">"Events" page</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Items will be added to the Featured Specials list periodically until the date of the sale.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For more book sale details and procedures, including procedures to be followed by high volume purchasers, please visit our website's "</span><a href="https://westportbooksaleventures.org/so/2dPOfrcpD/c?w=akCvqd-AZhPbs0SkfG6TqWEIx5DM3TvT3x0lDLgbNtc.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2VzdHBvcnRib29rc2FsZXZlbnR1cmVzLm9yZy9vdXItZXZlbnRzIiwiciI6Ijk1ZTVkYmI2LTA4YmQtNGQ1Zi1iMWM0LWNjN2YyOTFlNTRlOSIsIm0iOiJtYWlsIiwiYyI6IjM0NDdhYTIxLWJiOTUtNDk2OC04MzIyLWI1MGU0MjE5MjRmNCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Events</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">" page at </span><a href="https://westportbooksaleventures.org/so/2dPOfrcpD/c?w=akCvqd-AZhPbs0SkfG6TqWEIx5DM3TvT3x0lDLgbNtc.eyJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2VzdHBvcnRib29rc2FsZXZlbnR1cmVzLm9yZy9vdXItZXZlbnRzIiwiciI6Ijk1ZTVkYmI2LTA4YmQtNGQ1Zi1iMWM0LWNjN2YyOTFlNTRlOSIsIm0iOiJtYWlsIiwiYyI6IjM0NDdhYTIxLWJiOTUtNDk2OC04MzIyLWI1MGU0MjE5MjRmNCJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.westportbooksaleventures.org/our-events</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Support your community:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">become a Book Sale Volunteer !</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It takes the collaboration of scores of Volunteers to make a book sale event successful. Volunteers help set up at the Library before the sale starts, unpacking and merchandising the thousands of books and other media to be sold; during the sale Volunteers keep displays tidy, greet customers, assist with way-finding, help add-up (tally) customers' purchases, and cashier. Many hands make light work!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Send an email to: </span><a href="https://mailto:volunteers@westportbooksaleventures.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">volunteers@westportbooksaleventures.org</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span></p>

<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion:</span><a href="https://www.rural-fuels.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> Rural Fuels</a></h2><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Nick Piliero, owner of </strong><a href="https://www.rural-fuels.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Rural Fuels</strong></a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tell me about the history of Rural Fuels</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Rural Fuels has actually been around since 1947. We started off providing propane to the community after World War II as there was a high need but few people delivering in our area. Since then, we’ve added heating oil delivery and HVAC installation and services to communities across Western Connecticut.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What are your best selling products or services?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We’re pretty well known for our propane delivery and tank installations. Many of our propane customers have been with us for decades, so we must be doing something right!</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do you use any local businesses to support your operations?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We support local businesses daily – from printing and mail services to equipment supplies and fuel deliveries – Rural Fuels couldn’t run without great local partners.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Have you reimagined Rural Fuels?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In the last year especially we’ve really grown our HVAC installation practice. We get a lot of calls about old equipment that doesn’t perform like it should; much of it is 20-30 years older than its expected lifespan! Our Equipment Expert and Lead Installer Brian does a great job putting customers at ease for what can be an unexpected and large purchase for their homes. This testimonial says it all: </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We recently switched to Rural Fuels for all of our heating and boiler needs. They were very honest about the limitations and remaining life of our 30+ year old boiler upon initial tune-up. Eventually, the boiler did start to fail to a point where we decided to pull the trigger on a new one and Brian at Rural Fuels could not have been more transparent with our options and what his recommendation would be considering our situation. We had our new boiler system installed today and the team was incredibly professional and customer-friendly.</em></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Questions? Email </span><a href="mailto:info@rural-fuels.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">info@rural-fuels.com</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> or go online </span><a href="https://www.rural-fuels.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.rural-fuels.com/</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow along on Facebook</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/RuralFuels/?ref=embed_page#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> here</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p>