And the venerable 95-year-old theater starred in last week’s Photo Challenge.
Pam Docters’ image showed the back of the former barn, juxtaposed with Gabriele’s, the adjacent steakhouse that has been around a long time too, though in different forms (Players Tavern, The Dressing Room, Positano). (Click here to see.)
A full cast of readers answered correctly: Susan Iseman, Diane Silfen, Andrew Colabella, Robert Mitchell, Seth Braunstein, Ed Simek, John McKinney, Elizabeth Marks, Judy Stirling, Michael Szeto, Sal Liccione, Paul Cahill, Ronald Slater, Ivy Gosseen, Lynn Wilson, Mark McGrath and Duane Cohen.
What can they do for an encore? Here’s this week’s Photo Challenge.
If they — or you — know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Karen Como)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
You did switch your clocks back last night, right?!
Just checkin’ …
who stole my telephone line?!
Yesterday morning, a reader wrote:
“Apparently there is a new scam in town. Our landline has been switched to another carrier — without our permission. We have no landline service!
“On Friday, our landline had no dial tone. After checking the connection we called Optimum, our carrier. They told us the number was switched to another carrier — and that we had authorized it. That is totally untrue!
“They said they need to ‘investigate’ where our number is. It may take several days. I already filed a complaint with the FCC and Better Business Bureau.”
A few hours later, she offered this update: “I just got a call from the executive of customer relations corporate compliance at Optimum, after my complaint with the BBB.
“He is on the case, and said I can contact him directly. He said it was taken without Optimum’s permission. They are looking for the source — they think it was taken by MagicJack.” (That’s a VoIP phone service and hardware device that enables unlimited local and long distance calls across the US and Canada using a high-speed internet connection instead of a landline.)
She continues: “He has been at Optimum many years. This is only the second time he’s seen this.”
SCRIPT IN HAND, HOLIDAY SHOW SET FOR PLAYHOUSE
“Old Man Trouble” — the final Script in Hand reading at the Westport Country Playhouse — is set for November 30 (7 p.m.). Mark Shanahan directs the comedy.
It’s New Year’s Eve. Wealthy real estate mogul Robert Teitel has had enough of his marriage, his grown children, and the 100 party guests downstairs. He wants peace and quiet. But as midnight approaches his private study fills with unexpected visitors, family crises, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Three days later (December 3, 8 p.m.), Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole — known for “Grey Gardens,” “42nd Street” and more — offers a “Home for the Holidays” concert.
She’s joined at the piano by Billy Stritch. The Grammy-winning composer spent 25 years as musical director and pianist for Liza Minnelli.
Coming soon to the Playhouse … (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
DREW ANGUS DOES CHRISTMAS
Speaking of the holidays: Drew Angus’ new album drops November 13. Called “A Very Drew Angus Christmas,” it includes 4 classics and 4 originals.
But the singer/songwriter — and 2007 Staples High School graduate — has already released one single from it: “Coming Home for Christmas.” Click here to listen.
Meanwhile; Click here to pre-save the album to your streaming service. Click here to pre-order the vinyl. Click here to pre-order the CD.
“torn & tethered”: art returns to closed gallery
The former Quidley Gallery — near OKO and Bartaco — has sat empty for 4 years.
Next month, it roars back to life.
Westport artist Kelly Rossetti joins Linda Colletta in a 2-person show. “Torn & Tethered” brings together 2 distinct artistic approaches, connected by a shared interest in material, landscape, and the tension between control and spontaneity.
An opening reception is set for November 14 (4 to 7 p.m.). The exhibit runs through December 4.
“WESTPORT … NATURALLY” & SONG OF THE DAY
Sure, the fall foliage is beautiful.
But let’s not forget the flowers!
Wendy Levy hopes we won’t, with today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo.
And finally … here’s one song for today. And another for yesterday.
(If you remembered to turn back your clocks because of “06880” — or learned anything else, ever, from this hyper-local blog — please click here to thank us with a donation. And we thank you too!)
But only once a year do we enjoy scenes like this:
(Photo/Jay Petrow)
That was before the sun set yesteray.
A few hours later, the neighborhood — one of the densest in Westport — was overrun by hundreds (thousands?) more costumed kids (and parents).
How about a nice hand for all the residents who cheerfully handed out treats to the invaders?
(Including a drink or two for the harried chaperones.)
One more, from Compo Beach. (Jay Petrow)
In another neighborhood, near Long Lots Elementary School, Kerstin and Vijay Rao continued their Halloween tradition of putting on a fun science event for kids. (Kerstin no longer teaches at Bedford Middle School, but old habits die hard.)
This year, Madame Curie joined the fun.
PS: Yes, Kerstin created her. Like her subject, he’s a multi-talented woman.
(Hat tip and photo/Dayle Brownstein)
Over on Juniper Road, this was a more traditional Halloween scene:
(Photo/Pamela Long)
Meanwhile: Yesterday was another work day at Superior Seafood.
But it was also Halloween.
Fernando got in the spirit. Nothing fishy there …
(Photo/John Karrel)
(Halloween is over. But you can still treat us to a tax-deductible donation. Please click here. Sweeeeet!)
A reminder: Tonight is the night you turn back your clocks — and get back that hour you lost in March. Enjoy!
“DAY IN THE LIFE OF WESTPORT” debuts at y
On Sunday, September 6, 241 photographers submitted 510 photos for the “Day in the Life of Westport” project.
They showed — vividly, colorfully, artistically, prosaically — the enormous variety of things that happened, large and small, that typical day.
Donuts at Coffee An’. A rainbow over Old Mill Beach. A Staples soccer team car wash. Volunteers at Homes with Hope. Kids jumping off a bridge (next to a “No Jumping” sign).
Yesterday, 80 of those images were unveiled at the Westport Weston Family YMCA. They hang handsomely on a wall, just inside the entrance.
A crowd of photographers, residents, Y officials, volunteers from the Artists’ Collective of Westport and League of Women Voters (the project’s sponsors), and 1st Selectman Kevin Christie admired the photos, and the 430 others that played on a screen nearby.
Miggs Burroughs — the Collective’s co-founder — hung the exhibit. The Collective and LWV paid for the printing and framing.
The exhibit is open to the public. Visitors must check in at the front desk.
Of course, this is not the end. Future possibilities include a book and mosaic.
From left: Christina Scherwin, Westport Y COO; committee members Joan Gillman, James Delorey, Miggs Burroughs; 1st Selectman Kevin Christie; committee member Velma Heller. Missing: member Andrea Moore. (Photo/Dan Woog)
CRIBARI BRIDGE HOLIDAY LIGHTS: SPONSORS SOUGHT
Today is Halloween. So of course our thoughts turn to … the Cribari Bridge holiday lights.
Three years ago, Westport PAL took over the beloved tradition. They ensure the lights are strung and maintained.
They do it thanks to sponsors. During this drive, additional proceeds support the PAL Scholarship Fund.
There are 4 levels:
Presenting Sponsor — $2,500+
Community Sponsor — $1,000
Holiday Sponsor — $500
Friends of the Bridge — Contributions of any amount are welcome.
Businesses contributing $500 or more have their name or logo displayed on a sign next to the bridge, throughout the holidays.
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. To sponsor, or learn more, email emmarenglehart@gmail.com.
That’s a big deal for the organizers: the NY Road Runners.
Their CEO, Westport resident Rob Simmelkjaer, will be in the spotlight (until the winners cross the finish line).
On Friday, he was center stage too, at the pre-race gala next to Tavern on the Green. He had the honor of announcing the organization has raised $100,000,000 — that’s $100 million — for charity this year.
He was joined in the photo below by (left) fellow Westporters Jonathan Alloy and marathoner/running coach Jody Bell.
RTM TRANSIT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON BRIDGE
The Representative Town Committee (RTM) Transit Committee meets Monday (November 2, 6 p.m., Zoom).
They’ll continue their discussion of the establishment of a working group or subcommittee to review the proposed Cribari Bridge project; identify key areas of concern, including traffic, public safety, and community impacts, and discuss the RTM’s potential role, organizational structure and next steps.
A GREAT BET: ROWAN CENTER FUNDRAISER
Many Westporters volunteer for, and serve, the Rowan Center. The nonprofit protects children, helps prevent sexual abuse and supports survivors throughout Fairfield County.
On December 3 (6:30 p.m., The Inn at Longshore), the Center’s “Casino and Cocktails for a Cause” will raise both funds and awareness.
183 Wilton Road. The 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom house was built in 1946.
STAPLES HONORS 7 STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Staples High School’s October Students of the Month are seniors Jace Darby and Shea Root, juniors Grant Theisinger and Elle Worobec, and sophomores Sid Kumar, Chase Landgraf and Anna Setten.
The program recognizes students who “help make Staples a welcoming place for their peers and teachers. They are the ‘glue’ of the Staples community: the type of creative, thoughtful, conscientious students who enable the school to grow and thrive.”
Honorees are nominated by their teachers as students who always work
hard, are friendly to the staff and fellow students, and make positive contributions in class and the Staples community.
From left: Grant Theisinger, Sid Kumar, Jace Darby, Anna Setten, Shea Root, Elle Worobec, Sofia Mutescu.
FOLLOW-UP: REAL ESTATE AND THE ARTS
Yesterday’s “06880” story on the November 17 (8 a.m., SoNo Collection, Norwalk) panel on “Second Acts: Real Estate and the Arts in Fairfield County noted that it was co-sponsored by the Westport and Norwalk Chambers of Commerce.
The link for tickets that was provided to us was to the Norwalk Chamber. But both organizations are registering participants — and each gets proceeds for its registrants.
The Saugatuck Church’s concert season kicks off Friday (November 6, 7 p.m.).
Singer/songwriter Spencer LaJoye offers music and stories. A classically trained violinist, their music blends indie folk, Americana, and deeply personal storytelling. Admission is free.
Spencer LaJoye
obituary: david burgess
David Burgess — a well-respected Westport handyman and caretaker — died September 15, after a 2-year struggle with health problems. He was 72.
David’s family moved to Westport when he was 12. He traveled widely, but always returned here.
David was born in Dobbs Ferry, NY, on March 21, 1954, to Julian Ayres Burgess and Virginia McIntyre Burgess. In 1966, the family moved to Westport; and although as a young man David would travel widely, it was always Westport he returned to, eventually making it his permanent home.
An avid fiction reader, he especially enjoyed science fiction and mysteries. When in his 60s he converted a delivery van into a motor home, he installed a small library.
David’s first workshop was in the basement of the family house on Burritts Landing North, where he learned the basics of repairing and tuning outboard motors. As he grew older he graduated to motorcycles and cars.
David traveled widely, and enjoyed being on the water. In 2008 he inherited the last boat his father ever made.
David’s greatest pleasure was working with his hands. As a young man he did tree work and plowed snow. Later he settled into being a caretaker and handyman for homeowners in Westport and surrounding towns, as well as VFW Post 399.
He had a large clientele, many of whom were elderly. He served as an unofficial health care aide, helping persons with mobility issues get around the house.
In 2024 he fell from a high ladder. This past April he developed trouble walking. Tests found a broken sacrum and severe spinal stenosis. Spinal surgery seemed to help, but while in rehab two more vertebrae fractured.
David is survived by his mother Virginia, brother Randy, aunt and uncle Marie and John McIntyre, step-uncle Ernie Cotrill, and cousins Jennifer Cole, David McIntyre, Anne-Marie McIntyre, Richard Waggoner, Mary Waggoner Moritz, Julie Waggoner, and William Waggoner.
A memorial service will be held on a date and place to be announced later.
David Burgess
“westport … naturally” & song of the day
John Kantor contributes today’s “Westport … Naturally” image.
He writes: “Maybe this is something only tide geeks like me would appreciate. But the king tides this time of year are always impressive. Big highs and big lows.
“This is New Creek, between Sherwood Island and Burying Hill.”
And finally … today’s song — based on the photo above — is of course:
(Through high tide and low — and Daylight Saving and Standard Time — “06880” is here for you. But we can’t do it without your support. Please click here — and thank you!)
Today is Halloween. Surprisingly, there is not one jack o’lantern, ghost or witch in our online art gallery. Boo!
There are however several compelling autumn scenes. One is from a first-time artist — her initial appearance here, at any rate.
Welcome! And remember: No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we want your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in.
Untitled — New Hartford, Connecticut (Scott Brodie)
“The Radiant Path at Fall Equinox” — acrylic, 16 x 20 (Angelina Wu — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
“Four Crabs, One Direction, One Colorful Adventure!” — polyurethaned, mounted onto wood, with painted wood frame (Eric Bosch; Available for purchase; click here)
“She Sells Seashells” (June Rose Whittaker; Available for purchase; click here)
“Q Ball” — abstract collage (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)
“Espresso Marble” — acrylic pour (Amy Schneider — Available for purchase; click here)
“I’ll Be a Monkey’s Uncle” (Martin Ripchick)
“Point St. Michel Looking East Toward Notre Dame” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Hope Everyone Will Still Be Talking” — watercolor (Steve Stein)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery –as it has been for 6 years. But please consider an anniversary donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Clarence Hayes is a former Representative Town Meeting member, and an ardent environmentalist. He says:
At school pickup and shopping center parking lots, oversized SUVs are hard to miss.
Many owners buy them to protect their families. But what if they offer little extra protection to the people inside, while endangering everyone outside?
And what if their emissions overwhelm the reductions from the more than 1,000 Westport households who have switched to electric cars?
My third annual analysis of Westport’s motor vehicles has the answers.
SUVs are not safer for your family. But they are much deadlier for your neighbor.
When a vehicle is heavy, extra bulk adds little protection. The latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety data show that moving from a midsize SUV to a very large one lowers its driver’s death rate by just 4 per million registered vehicle years.
But it raises the death rate of drivers it hits by 18 to 24.
The 4ppm decrease is not statistically significant. But the 18-24ppm increase is. That means real danger to others, for no personal safety benefit.
IIHS President David Harkey says, “The conventional wisdom is that if bigger
is safer, even bigger must be safer still. These results show that isn’t true today. Not for people in other cars. And … not for the occupants of the large vehicles themselves.”
An Audi Q5 — one of Westport’s most common midsize luxury SUVs — weighs about 4,000 pounds; an Escalade, Suburban or Yukon, well over 5,500. The benefit of increased weight largely disappears above 4,000 lbs.
Their towering front ends also endanger pedestrians. Vehicles with hood edges above 40 inches are 44% more likely to kill a pedestrian than those with low, sloped fronts.
A 2-ton SUV is a net-negative safety choice, significantly raising the risk to everyone else on the road – driving, walking or cycling.
The average EV in Westport emits 82 grams per mile – the power plant emissions to charge it. The average large SUV emits nearly 700.
Westport has 917 of these behemoths. At 12,500 miles a year, each emits nearly 9 tons of CO₂ — almost 2 tons more than the annual footprint of the average European from all sources.
Just 162 of these SUVs emit as much as all 1,665 EVs in Westport combined. A small number of drivers can undo the efforts of many.
On a per-person basis, Westport is among the worst climate polluters on the planet.
Westport’s footprint reflects everyday choices, including the vehicles we drive.
EV and plug-in hybrid registrations grew by an average of only 450 a year over the past two years – a mere 2% of the town’s 22,000-plus vehicles.
Last year, only 1 in 9 people acquiring a car in Westport chose an EV, even though there are comparably priced options for every common type of car driven here.
Meanwhile, our vehicles keep getting bigger. Average emissions of our gas, diesel and non-plug-in hybrid fleet fell only 4.5% in seven years, even as hybrids grew from 4% to 14% of all vehicles.
Had our Priuses not grown into Lexus RX450Hs, the drop would have been closer to 7%.
The planet keeps heating. 2023, 2024 and 2025 were the three hottest years ever recorded, and atmospheric CO2 hit an all-time high of 432 parts per million in May.
We cannot solve climate change in one town, but we can stop making it unnecessarily worse.
If you drive an Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Range Rover or similar, consider a different choice next time. These vehicles combine enormous weight, high front ends and very high emissions.
And let’s be honest: these vehicles are big, conspicuous and expensive. I doubt safety research is why most Westporters choose them. I
f safety and family practicality are your priorities, there are cleaner alternatives that don’t endanger your neighbors.
Nor should we simply swap gas status symbols for electric ones. The Rivian R1S cuts emissions, but it is heavier than an Escalade and has a blunt high hood.
Electrification is not a free pass on size, weight or pedestrian safety.
Choose the lightest vehicle that genuinely meets your family’s needs – and go electric where practical. You can have space, comfort and lower emissions without buying the biggest vehicle you can afford.
Need 7 seats for long road trips? Consider the Mercedes EQS SUV, Tesla Model X, Volkswagen ID Buzz, Volvo EX90 or Lucid Gravity.
Can live with 5 seats? There are many lighter SUV EVs: Hyundai Ioniq 5, VW ID 4, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya.
Westport’s choices add up. Our neighbors, and their children, share the roads with us. They deserve to be part of the calculation, too.
(Questions, or interested in the data? Email emissions@westportct.town)
(“06880” regularly covers environmental issues, transportation topics, and everything else related to Westport life. If you enjoy our coverage, please support us by clicking here. Thanks!)
1st Selectman Kevin Christie’s administration will seek “upwards of $5 million” in federal tax credits for the geothermal energy system being installed at the new Long Lots Elementary School.
On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved hiring a consulting firm to help obtain “the geothermal investment tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act.” The credit would be requested through the town’s tax filings “to offset the cost of geothermal and ancillary energy related construction,” according to the request submitted by Westport finance director Gary Conrad. The request was presented at the meeting by LLS project manager Susan Chipouras.
The town is currently building a new elementary school at the site of the existing school. The total appropriation as approved in June 2025 is $110 million, plus interest costs. The new consulting contract with CliftonAllenLarson LLP would be paid under the original appropriation; no new funds were requested.
Construction is underway on the new Long Lots Elementary School. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
A state grant totaling about $12 million has been approved, and is included in the current state budget. The town says more state funding may also be on its way because the state legislature approved a space standards waiver, allowing for a greater proportion of the total cost to be reimbursed.
The total cost of the consulting contract was not known, and is dependent on the firm’s hours spent to research and develop the tax credit application. The multi-tiered agreement includes a $65,000 base fee, plus $10,000 in other fees for memo preparation and the like, and “ongoing project services” to be billed at variable professional hourly rates.
1st Selectman Kevin Christie questioned how the firm’s billed hours will be managed. Chipouras said she and the construction management firm would monitor the hours billed.
Chipouras said “all costs” related to the geothermal system would be included in the calculation, and that “30 percent of all these costs … could be substantial.” She declined to provide a more specific estimate.
The total amount of eligible costs was not provided to the Board of Selectmen and will be calculated by the consultants. Costs are eligible if they meet various wage, domestic content, function and timing criteria, among others.
In the publicly available cost documents for the Long Lots project, the HVAC systems total cost estimate is $12.74 million. A 30 percent tax credit would be $3.7 million if all those costs are eligible. In order to reach a $5 million or more credit, about $16.7 million in eligible costs, all at a 30 percent credit rate, would have to be submitted.
Third Selectman Don O’Day, who is also a member of the Long Lots Building Committee, stated that hiring the consultant at $75,000-plus “was an easy decision.”
“These substantial reimbursements … will go back into taxpayers’ pockets,” he said.
A response to a question regarding use of the tax credit funds is pending regarding whether proceeds received would go to the general fund or be used for an earmarked purpose.
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