You’ve probably never seen a movie of Harry Houdini.
You’ve also probably never seen a movie of Longshore, back in the day when it was Frederick E. Lewis’ private estate.
But now — thanks to Facebook — you can see both.
At once.
On the “Westport, Connecticut: Old Photos from the Westport of Our Youth” page, Colabella — the young Representative Town Meeting member who was not even alive when the Longshore bathhouses were torn down — posted what is said to be the only surviving film of Houdini doing his “overboard box escape.”
For nearly a century, the date and location of the film — edited by the magician/ stunt performer’s brother Hardeen — has been a mystery.
Now — thanks to a letter at David Copperfield’s International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts — the back story is known.
The escape took pace on June 30, 1917, during a Red Cross And Allied War charities drive at Lewis’s home.
The film shows Houdini being lowered into Long Island Sound, at what is now Longshore.
It purports to show his escape too (though according to a YouTube commenter, that footage was spliced in from Houdini’s film “The Master Mystery”).
But there is no mystery about the gala affair in Westport.
A Bridgeport Times story previewed it 3 days earlier:
Nearly every woman of prominence in the shore colony is busily engaged in the arrangements, which will continue throughout the week. Workmen and architects are transforming the Lewis estate into a veritable fairly land; tents are being put in place for the society circus, side shows, concessions and charity booths, while the boat house will be utilized as a petite theatre … and for moving pictures.
Frederick Lewis’ palatial home. Parts of it are recognizable today, as the Inn at Longshore. (Photo/courtesy of Alden Bryan)
There would be elephants, stage stars — and “one of the really sensational engagements … the wizard Houdini.”
He was expected to “make a new experiment which is filled with excitement and daring. The fearless magician will perform what he calls the ‘submarine submerged box mystery.'”
He would be:
shackeled hand and foot, placed in a packing case which is securely nailed and sealed by a committee and after the box is weighted a huge crane which is being placed on the landing pier of Mr. Lewis’ boathouse will carry the box out over the water and drop it into the Sound.
Houdini wagers that he will appear on the surface two minutes after the case has been submerged. This will be Houdini’s first appearance in the state of Connecticut and his last public appearance in America for some time.
As the film shows, that’s exactly what happened. The “wizard” was shackled, nailed in a packing case, dumped in the water … and then he re-appeared.
How he did it was one mystery.
Where he did it was another one.
Now — thanks, the Facebook post says, to “David Copperfield and the Westport Museum for History & Culture” — that mystery has finally been solved.
(Click here, then scroll down to see the Facebook post.)
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The longtime (since 1958!) Westporter had kept a low profile. Hardly anyone here knew that he was a World War II paratrooper — let alone that he earned a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge.
He’d never even participated in a Memorial Day parade.
This year, he will.
And he’ll have a special seat of honor. “Private Benjamin” is Westport’s 2023 Memorial Day parade grand marshal.
Ben Pepper: in the Army.
Pepper was born in the Bronx in 1923. He was drafted into the Army on New Year’s Day 1943, and trained as a paratrooper. He would have participated in D-Day, but a broken back suffered in an earlier jump put him in a near-full body cast.
He participated in the Battle of the Bulge though, in that frigid winter of 1945.
Ben Pepper’s Purple Heart, dog tag and other mementoes. (Photo/Dan Woog)
After discharge, he answered an ad to be a photographer. In 1953 he opened his own studio in Stamford. In 1958 he bought property in Westport. Nearly 70 years later, he lives in the same house off Cross Highway.
In 1960 Pepper and his wife Frances helped build Temple Israel on Coleytown Road. They spent the rest of their married life raising David (a Staples Class of 1966 graduate), traveling (including China before it opened to the West, the USSR, Africa and Asia), and working.
He still has his medals, his dog tag, his photos — and his Army jacket — but he has always been low-key about them.
Ben Pepper (Photo/Dan Woog)
This Memorial Day, Westport honors one of our last living World War II heroes.
The parade — with Ben Pepper as special honoree — begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 29. A special ceremony follows immediately, at Veterans Green across from Town Hall.
The 3-time Tony Award winner brings her “Don’t Monkey with Broadway” show to the Westport Country Playhouse. The special event is June 15 (8 p.m.).
It’s an appropriate concert for the 91-year-old stage. LuPone explores classic Broadway tunes by Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Jule Styne, Stephen Schwartz, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.
In between, she describes her life-long love affair with Broadway, and the unpredictability of the Great White Way.
Tickets are $250, $150 and $75. All audience members are invited to a post-performance party. Click here to purchase.
After an eggs-ceptional first year, Westport Moms’ 2nd annual Easter egg hunt is back. The magic is set for this Sunday (March 26), at the Long Lots Elementary School playground.
They learned a couple of lessons. They pre-stuffed eggs with toys — not candy — and will offer 2 different hunts. Ages 2-5 begin at 11:30 a.m.; kids 6 and up begin at 12:15 p.m.
Also on hand: food trucks, sweet treats, entertainment (dance party, sports games, art projects, make your own cookie, balloon twisting, face painting) — and of course the Easter Bunny.
Eggs-tra special: 40 gold eggs with gift cards to the Toy Post.
Westport Moms know that Easter is not until April 9. But with spring sports and the upcoming school break, they’re getting a (bunny-hop) jump on things.
The cost is $20 per family. Click here for tickets.
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Westport Police report 7 custodial arrests between March 15-22
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, illegal carry of a firearm while under the influence, operating a motor vehicle without a license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, misuse of registration marker plate, insufficient motor vehicle insurance (following a traffic stop on Post Road East for registration credentials that did not match the vehicle
Forgery (creating and selling fraudulent Texas license plates and paperwork)
Larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny (after shoplifting from Ulta Beauty in February, of merchandise with a GPS tracking device)
Disorderly conduct (2 people, both for domestic violence incidents)
Violation of parole, 2 counts (following a traffic stop)
Failure to appear (after a traffic stop).
The police reporting system still does not include citations.
The only legitimate Texas license plates are those issued by the Lone Star State.
The Westport Library is hosting “United Against Hate: Identifying, Reporting and Preventing Hate Crimes.” The interactive learning program focuses on the difference between a hate incident and a hate crime. Participants will learn who to contact when an incident occurs, and why reporting is important.
The event is set for next Tuesday (March 28; 6 p.m. reception, 6:30 program). Registration is required; click here.
“United Against Hate” is held in collaboration with the US Attorney’s Office, Westport PRIDE, Westport and Norwalk chiefs of police, and the Connecticut State Police’s Hate Crimes Unit.
Four years after being halted due to permit violations, construction has begun again at 233 Hillspoint Road.
Scaffolding surrounds the chimney, at the site of what was once Positano restaurant. Since 2019, it’s been a blue-swaddled eyesore near Old Mill Beach.
As the Staples High School boys basketball team continues to bask in the glow of the Wreckers’ best season since 1937 — they reached the finals of both the state and FCIAC tournaments — former player Chuck Haberstroh sends along a reminder that the crew was destined for stardom from a young age.
Seven years ago, 6 members of this year’s squad were part of the undefeated Westport PAL Blue team. They were champions of both the Fairfield County Basketball League regular season, and postseason tourney.
The 2016 Westport PAL basketball team (top row, from left): Coach Drew Carothers, Henry Levin. Jack Watkins, Will Holleman, Cameron Lyons, Chris Zajac, Gavin Rothenberg. Bottom: Noah Ambrifi. Cody Sale, Gavin Murphy, Charlie Honig. Ty Levine. Holleman, Zajac, Rothenberg, Sale, Honig and Levine went on to play for Staples.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport hosts 2 great activities this weekend.
Hone your Jeopardy skills at Trivia Night tomorrow (Friday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.). Everyone is welcome (adult-supervised childcare available).
The annual Spring Choral Concert presents “Sondheim” at the church’s Sunday service (March 26, 10 a.m.). The choir will sing several works, offering attendees a look at their own lives and relationships. Chris Beaurline, Mike Costantino and Marcella Calabi are guest singers. The public is invited.
Stephen Sondheim will be at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation on Sunday — well, his songs will be, anyway.
Y’s Men of Westport and Weston and guests enjoyed a tour of the Housatonic Art Museum this week.
There were a couple of local connections, on the Housatonic Community College campus. The museum’s Burt Chernow Galleries are named for the longtime artist, teacher and founding member of the Westport Arts Center. Chernow also played a key role in establishing the Housatonic collection of modern art.
And included in the permanent collection: 2 pieces by Westport artist, Staples High School graduate and Artists Collective of Westport co-founder Miggs Burroughs.
Y’s Men member and event organizer Jay Dirnberger welcomes the group at the Housatonic Art Museum. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)
MoCA Westport invites anyone interested in learning more about art collecting to a discussion that demystifies buying and collecting.
Panelists include Takako Nagasawa (Phillips Auction House), Diana Mashia (Founder and CEO, Invest In Her Art) and Elizabeth Gorayeb (executive Director, Wildenstein Plattner Institute).
The event is March 30 (6 to 7 p.m.). Participants can explore MoCA’s current exhibition, and buy drinks or cocktails. It’s free for members, $10 for non-members.
College students are invited to apply for a very cool local internship.
Vanish Media Systems — the Post Road showroom for huge TV screens, which innovatively disappear into custom-built cabinets and other furniture — is looking for 2 talented and energetic interns.
Skills needed are product design and engineering, digital marketing and social media, creativity, website design, e-commerce and easy relationships with people.
To apply, send a resume, plus 5 sentences explaining Vanish Media Systems products, and how you’d market them, to hello@vanishmediasystems.com. To learn more about Mark Motyl’s Westport-based company, click here.
A room with water views on Beachside Avenue becomes a screening center, with a Vanish Media system.
La Plage — the popular Longshore restaurant — offers a special 3-course prix fixe Easter menu on Sunday, April 9 (noon to 7 p.m.). Click here to see how chef Frederic Kieffer showcases the flavors of spring.
The cost is $85 per person; $45 for children under 12. For reservations, click here for reservations, email laplagewestport.com, or call 203-684-6232.
PS: For information on a variety of Westport restaurants, click on our “Restaurants” at the top of the page (or click here).
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Green’s Farms Church will livestream this Sunday’s 4 p.m. Duruflé Requiem Memorial Concert, honoring the life of longtime organist Rick Tripodi.
Click here to see. The concert will also be recorded, and available at that link.
And finally … Bobbi Kelly Ercoline — the 20-year-old woman whose photo, wrapped in a blanket with her boyfriend of 2 months (and then, for 54 years, her husband) became a symbol of Woodstock when it became the cover for the album that was the movie soundtrack of the same name — died Sunday.
She was 73 years old. (Click here for a full obituary. Hat tip: Matt Murray)
Bobbi and Nick Ercoline, well more than 10 Years After Woodstock.
(From Westport to Woodstock, “06880” has got you covered. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
An overflow crowd filled a small Town Hall meeting room yesterday afternoon.
They were there for a public session of superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice’s ad hoc committee to review a parent’s challenge to 3 books in the Staples High library.
Tara McLaughlin — the mother of 2 Staples students and a kindergartener — sought the removal of “Gender Queer,” “This Book is Gay” and “Flamer.” Her initial complaint included other books, but she is focusing now on those 3.
The 3 challenged books.
McLaughlin — a 15-year Westport resident who moved here in large part, she said, because of the town’s excellent schools — had an hour to present her case before the special committee. It includes assistant superintendent Dr. Anthony Buono; representatives of the teachers’ and administrators’ unions; 3 Staples faculty members; a library media specialist, and 3 community members. The meeting was led by former Board of Education chair Elaine Whitney.
The Westport Public Schools’ Superintendent’s Review Committee begins work.
Referencing her own middle and high school days, when she sat in homeroom behind 2 boys who repeatedly passed explicit material back and forth, McLaughlin said her goal was to prevent other students from undergoing a similar experience.
She said, “I can control what my children see. I’m their guide, to launch them into society to the best of my ability. My job is to protect them. I expect the school system to do the same, to the same standards. I’m here for every child.”
McLaughlin — who said “It sucks to be here, but I really believe in this” — spent much of her time reading from the 3 books. She cited “vulgarity” and “pornography”; questioned the books’ educational value, and asked how the books fit with the school district’s “acceptable use” policy for written materials and electronic devices.
Tara McLaughlin
“I 100 percent support the LGBTQ+ community,” McLaughlin said. “But there are a lot of conservative Christians, conservative Jewish people and Muslims here (in Westport) who have expectations for what kids will see in the Staples library.”
McLaughlin noted that she did not object to the books being part of the Westport Library collection.
Calling one of the books “a road map to meet a pedophile,” she said that it “perpetuates stereotypes of all gay men as promiscuous.”
Each member of the committee had copies of the 3 books. They followed along, as McLaughlin read aloud a number of “vulgar” and “pornographic” passages.
Staples principal Stafford Thomas then described the school’s book selection process. He noted regional differences: In Florida and Texas, 1,400 titles are banned from school libraries. In California and New York, the numbers are 12 and 22 respectively. No books have been banned from school libraries in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Staples High School principal Stafford Thomas.
Referencing a Supreme Court decision, Thomas said, “Students don’t shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse door.”
He added that the display that triggered McLaughlin’s complaint was a 17-year tradition at Staples. No one in the building, he said, objected to this year’s books.
(“Banned books” is a misnomer. The display actually shows the previous year’s “most challenged” books, as compiled by the American Library Association.)
Staples library media specialists Jen Cirino and Nicole Moeller provided background on how books are selected for inclusion on the shelves, and in the display.
All 3 earned very positive reviews in educational and library journals, they said, including a Nutmeg Award from the Connecticut Library Association and Connecticut Association of School Librarians.
Staples High School library media specialists Nicole Moeller (left) and Jen Cirino. (All photos/Dan Woog)
The final 20 minutes of the nearly 2-hour meeting included questions from committee members.
Staples English teacher Ann Neary asked McLaughlin how she defined “safe space.”
“I was harassed from 7th to 12th grade,” she responded. “I still carry that. Harassment would not be allowed in the workplace, and it should not be allowed in a school.”
Community member Sivan Hong wondered why McLaughlin had taken other books off her list of those she wants removed.
“I was looking for low-hanging fruit,” she said. “These 3 have to go. They’re horrendous. But the rest should go too.
“I’m doing this out of service to the children in our schools. I wish someone had done that for me.”
Buono asked why McLaughlin would not object to the 3 books being in the Westport Library.
“They’re different standards,” she replied. “There are kids as young as 13 at Staples. Any book there is an explicit endorsement of it.”
McLaughlin concluded with an analogy she’d used earlier. “Even if the rest of ‘Finding Nemo’ is great, but there’s a sex scene in the middle, we don’t show it to 1st graders. If the whole book isn’t good, don’t use it.”
The ad hoc committee will continue its work. Two more meetings will be scheduled, at which the public can speak,
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. Reader contributions help us deliver news each day. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
In October 2015, the Staples High School boys soccer team I was coaching played Stamford.
At halftime — as usual — Wrecker fans came down off the hill, and kicked around in front of the goal.
Suddenly there was a commotion. Andrew Ingber — a Staples student — had suffered cardiac arrest.
Mark Gudis — father of a player — saw what happened. He raced to his car; an AED was always in the trunk.
Someone alerted Staples’ athletic trainer, who was at a field hockey game on the adjacent field.
AEDs — with clear instructions on how to use them — save lives.
She raced over, and used the AED. The “automated external defibrillator” is an easy-to-use device that analyzes a heart’s rhythm and, if needed, delivers an electric shock that jump starts it.
It worked. Andrew — who had no pulse — came back to life. Today he is fine, and thriving.
But it was one of the scariest events I’ve ever seen.
In the aftermath of that near-tragedy, Gudis and his wife MaryGrace donated 100 AED boxes. Working with Norwalk Hospital, they’re now installed at athletic fields, gyms and other facilities throughout the area the hospital serves. There are 20 in Westport.
In addition, the Adam Greenlee Foundation provided another 75 AEDs for Westport. Adam’s life was saved at Bedford Middle School by an AED, and the quick action of staff members.
Over time, those AED boxes have shown wear and tear. The other day, “06880” posted a photo of one at Winslow Park.
The AED was removed from its box during the cold winter months. It had become an unofficial lost-and-found items.
Lost and found at Winslow Park … (Photo/Dick Truitt)
Now they look great.
Judy Panzer spent the past few weeks working her way around town, cleaning up all the boxes.
It’s a labor of love.
Her son is Andrew Ingber — the teenagers who, had it not been for the quick thinking of Mark Gudis, and the AED in his car might not be here today.
So to Judy Panzer, Mark and MaryGrace Gudis, and the Adam Greenlee Foundation: Thank you! You’re all our Unsung Heroes.
PS: Extra thanks go to Norwalk Hospital Emergency Medical Services. They’re exploring a phone app that will alert users to the location of the nearest AED – and enable them to provide feedback on the condition of the devices they see.
Clean AED at Winslow Park. Sometimes, when they are locked, the code is actually 911 — try that before the time-consuming step of calling 911 to find the code.
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email nominations to 06880blog@gmail.com).
The Longshore golf course opens next Tuesday (March 28) — weather permitting.
Head pro Jon Janik and course superintendent Brad Brown have worked hard to make sure everything is ready.
For golf course information, including advanced and same day tee time bookings, click here. Contact the Pro Shop at 203-221-0900 or 203-226-9785.
Westport residents can purchase or renew handpasses by clicking here, or in person weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Parks & Recreation office, near the first tee.
Photos with Farm Animals (April 16 and 24): WTF has teamed up with photographer Ilona Musial for 2 days of outdoor photo shoots with chicks and bunnies. A portion of the proceeds go toward farm educational initiatives and scholarships for underserved populations. For more information and prices, email imusialphotography@gmail.com.
Designing a Native Landscape in Deer Country (April 17, 7 p.m.; $10): Everyone welcome nature. But deer can go overboard in our gardens. Veteran landscape designer Brid Craddock discusses deer-proof plants, and techniques she uses to keep Bambi away from native plants. Click here to register.
Learn About Canning from a Preserving Pro (June 4, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; $125): Can you can? Whether you need a refresher or want to experiment with new flavor trends and foods safely, join master preserver Pam Lillis. Just before summer, she’ll share tips. Take home a berry jam and a stone fruit jam too. Click here to register.
Kids’ Cooking Camp (Ages 7-10; July 10-13, 9 a.m. to noon): The day begins picking organic ingredients. Students explore simple Italian cooking, Asian street food, tapas and more. Class size is limited for best experience. Click here for more information, and to register.
At Wakeman Town Farm, learn to avoid this scene. Photo/Dick Truitt)
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Amy Simon Fine Art’s new show debuts at 123 March 25.
Featured artists include Angela Lane, David Skillicorn and Laura Gurton.
It runs through April 29.
“Curves Too” — acrylic on poplar (Angela Lane)
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It’s still early spring. But it won’t be long until the trees are in bloom, the benches are filled, and this “Westport … Naturally” scene looks quite different.
Deb Howland-Murray read the recent “06880” story about Lynda Bluestein — the local woman who will be the first non-resident to take advantage of Vermont’s law that allows people with terminal illnesses to end their own lives — with interest.
Deb is a longtime Westporter (and current Black Rock resident) who has a personal interest in the issue. She writes:
For all of us who read the moving post about Lynda Bluestein, there’s much more to her story — and the stories of many other folks in her situation.
My husband was one of them. He died a painful death in an institution, rather than peacefully in his beloved home on Cross Highway as he had wished. He died waiting for Connecticut to offer the same option Ms. Bluestein will take advantage of in Vermont at the end of her life.
Deb Howland-Murray drew this portrait of herself and her husband Dave from a photo, about a month into his illness.
A Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member, Lynda, who is terminally ill, has received special dispensation to avail herself of Vermont’s Aid in Dying law.
Connecticut has not yet added ourselves to the 11 jurisdictions that have passed Aid in Dying legislation, but that may soon change.
As someone who grew up in Westport since the age of 15 months and lived there most of my life, I think it’s important that Westporters know about our state’s Senate Bill 1076: An Act Concerning Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill (SB 1076).
Two weeks ago, SB 1076 was successfully moved forward, from the Legislature’s Public Health Committee to the Judiciary Committee. Over the course of the 15 years that Aid in Dying has been proposed in Connecticut, the bill has been honed to address concerns posed by our legislators.
According to a 2021 GQR poll Aid in Dying is now supported by 77% of CT voters across demographics of race, ability, age, gender, religion, educational attainment and political affiliation.
Westport’s State Representative Jonathan Steinberg and Senator Cece Maher belong to that 77%. I do too.
Lynda Bluestein and her husband Paul. She will be the first out-of-state resident to take advantage of Vermont’s Aid in Dying law. (Photo courtesy of NBC Connecticut)
My aim here is not to convince, but to ensure that Westporters know the basic facts of a bill that ultimately affects every Westporter.
No one is ever required to choose Aid in Dying. But if it is an individual’s choice to obtain relief under SB 1076, these requirements must be met:
Be a Connecticut resident of at least 1, year aged 21 or older
Be terminally ill, with a prognosis of 6 months or less to live
Be mentally capable, and making an informed healthcare decision
2 written requests are required, with a 15-day waiting period between the first and second. Two people must witness each written request.
Prescribing physicians must comply with medical record documentation requirements, and make records available to the state Department of Jealth.
Key provisions include:
The individual must be able to self-administer the medication.
Two physicians must confirm that the person is terminally ill with a prognosis of 6 months or less to live, mentally capable and not being coerced.
A terminally ill person can withdraw their request for medication, not take the medication once they have it, or otherwise change their mind at any point.
The attending physician must inform the requesting individual about all end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care.
Medication cannot be prescribed until mental capacity to make a healthcare decision is confirmed by a licensed mental health specialist.
Physicians who participate and comply with all aspects of the law are given civil and criminal immunity.
Life insurance payments cannot be denied to the families of those who use the law.
No physician, health provider or pharmacist is required to participate.
Unused medication must be disposed of according to specified state and federal guidelines.
Knowledge is power. The Judiciary Committee will vote on SB 1076 soon, the outcome of which will determine whether or not it reaches the General Assembly.
I urge you to think about this bill. Whatever you feel about it, let Westport’s legislators hear from you.
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On the “Westport, Connecticut: Old Photos from the Westport of Our Youth” page, Colabella — the young Representative Town Meeting member who was not even alive when the Longshore bathhouses were torn down — posted what is said to be the only surviving film of Houdini doing his “overboard box escape.”
