But between hosting town-wide events at its Bedford Hall auditorium, and the wildly popular 1o7-year-old Yankee Doodle Fair, plenty of guys are familiar with the Imperial Avenue property.
Still, I was a bit surprised that about half of the correct responses to last week’s Photo Challenge — a shot of the Woman’s Club’s moderately hidden patio entrance — came from males.
In fact, I was surprised that 8 readers nailed what I thought was an obscure image. (Click here to see.)
Congratulations to Diane Bosch, S. Jonas, Sal Liccione, Seth Schachter, Kim Reichert, John Hartwell, Rachel Sara Halperin and Samuel Pollack.
If we gave out prizes for this contest, you’d win the stuffed animal of your choice. Just like the Yankee Doodle Fair.
Here is today’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
(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!)
is there a statewide competition to see which bureaucracy can spend the longest time on a project?
The Connecticut Department of Transportation took the lead, with its Post Road renovation.
But the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is not sitting back. (Well, actually, they are.)
The popular Sherwood Island State Park pavilion has been closed since January 16 for “assessments for repairs.”
The other day, the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston — which is one of many groups that uses the pavilion — asked for an update.
Parks supervisor Caitlin Munson told Allan Siegert: “We unfortunately do not have any estimated timeframe for the repairs to the pavilion as the project is in the planning phase with the Engineering division, however, it is my best guess that it will remain closed for the remainder of 2026 and the majority, if not all of 2027.
“At this time, I don’t have any details to give, but you’re welcome to check back periodically to see if there are any updates. However- I would say for now while you plan for your events next year, it is safe to assume that the pavilion will remain closed next year.”
Ruben — the popular, ever-helpful Westport Post Office clerk — has seen a steady stream of customers requesting passports.
They’ve filled out forms online. But because they googled “Passport application,” and clicked on a “service,” they paid an additional fee that they did not need to.
Ruben urges “06880” readers to avoid the excess fee. The least expensive way to get a passport is through the official State Department website: https://travel.state.gov/en/passports.html.
You can also get passport forms at the Westport Library.
Remember: A “service” that you find online is anything but. Go to the official State Department page website!
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Frank Mastrone is always a Levitt Pavilion favorite.
His 10th annual appearance last night was extra special. The Connecticut-born Broadway star brought 2 friends: Westporters Dodie Pettit and Rex Fowler.
Dodie met Mastrone when both were in “Phantom of the Opera.” Rex — Dodie’s husband — is the co-founder of Aztec Two-Step. The duo now perform as Aztec Two-Step 2.0.
From “Send in the Clowns” and “Bring Him Home” to “Like a Rolling Stone” and “The Boxer,” it was a great evening.
And the rain held off until 10 minutes after the show ended.
Rex Fowler, Frank Mastrone and Dodie Pettit. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Just hours after she was born 9 weeks early, in June of 2022, Shea Greenfield’s heart stopped beating.
Doctors saved her life. But she was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. Her heart’s electrical system takes longer than usual to recharge between beats. She is at risk of fainting, seizures, cardiac arrest and sudden death.
There is no cure for the condition. And Shea’s condition is one of the most severe her doctors have ever seen.
Shea’s parents, Mark and Kira, had moved to Westport a year earlier. In addition to educating themselves about LQTS, they began raising funds for the Mayo Clinic, where Dr. Michael Ackerman’s team does cutting-edge research.
In 2023, the Greenfields organized a fundraiser. Others followed. Since then, they’ve raised over $1.4 million.
The next event — “Shank It & Serve It” is September 14, at Birchwood Country Club. The day includes an 18-hole morning golf scramble, 9-hole afternoon scramble, ladies’ point-play tennis tournament and canasta tournament — all capped by a cocktail reception (and pop-up market).
Werner Liepolt is a longtime Westporter. His family has done extensive research into an intriguing family story. Werner writes:
William Bell was a noted fashion photographer. His career began in the 1950s. It extended through the 1970s, when he began designing furniture, silk screening fabric and putting color onto everything he touched.
His daughter Bobbi Liepolt and I — both retired Westport teachers — inherited masses of photographs, slides and transparencies when Bill passed away. Organizing and archiving seemed desirable, but low on the list of priorities as our kids moved away and we began our retirement.
However, one thin box shifted our priorities. Bobbi and our son James found it in a closet. He noted that Bill had scrawled with a thick marker “IMPORTANT,” and opened it.
The photos.
In it we found a tranche of about 40 8×10 color transparencies. Bill had mentioned some of the subjects we found, but no one in our family had seen them.
The subjects range from super models (Suzy Parker, Dolores Hawkins, Sunny Harnett, Evelyn Tripp) to celebrities (Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, David Niven.)
Marilyn Monroe, circa 1952 (Photo/William Bell, copyright Roberta Bell Liepolt 2025)
Bill’s extensive list of editorial and covers for Vogue and other Condé Nast publications have been featured in online archives and library publications.
Dodie Kazanjian chose 2 of his Vogue covers for her Met Gallery coffee table book, “Vogue: The Covers.”
Vogue cover, December 1, 1958 (Copyright Conde Nast photo by William Bell)
He was entrusted with several successful national advertising campaigns. Bill chose Westport for photographs in the witty, award-winning Dunbar furniture series.
Dunbar Furniture shoot at Kathleen Laycock School (now Greens Farms Academy) …
… and at Nyala Farm. (Photos/William Bell)
However, what Bobbi uncovered was work that had neither been printed nor published. Digitizing a few of the dozen reels of 16mm film that she always thought were shot during family reunions revealed Bill’s record of photo shoots and encounters with prominent figures from the New York fashion world — including her introduction to the teen aged Suzy Parker.
Still from 16mm film: Bobbie Bell, age 7, with Suzy Parker (Copyright WBELLC)
From the moment we began to review and digitize not only the film and large format transparencies (eventually about 150), but also the medium format and 35mm slides numbering close to a thousand, Bobbi realized that her father’s legacy deserved to be freed from the boxes where it had lain hidden.
Though much archival work remains, Bobbi, I and Bill’s grandchildren have formed the William Bell Estate LLC. We created a website where a portion of the archive can now be seen, along with Bill’s biography, and material placing his work in the world of mid-century New York fashion photography.
For Bobbi, the project has become more than an effort to preserve her father’s photographs. It is a way of bringing back into view the warmth, wit, technical skill and sense of beauty that he brought to his work — and of sharing a part of photographic history that in some cases has not been seen for more than 70 years.
The archive is still revealing itself. Boxes remain to be opened; films to be digitized, viewed and stored; photos to be identified, and stories to be connected.
Bobbi and I hope that people who knew Bill, and remember the fashion world he photographed, recognize a face or place, or simply enjoy discovering the work of a gifted photographer, will visit the William Bell Studio website, look around, and perhaps help add another piece to the story.
The Westport Farmers’ Market is 20 years old this year.
Beyond providing hundreds of shoppers with fresh produce and herbs, meats, seafood, breads, ice cream, lunch, Thai food, pet food and knife sharpening each week, they feed over 50,000 people a year through partnerships with the Gillespie Center, Homes for the Brave, Norwalk Arts Space and Cardinal Shehan Center.
To celebrate — and raise funds — they’ve planned a special, intimate event. “Fork It Over” (September 17, 6 p.m., Terrain) features several Big Names (and friends of the Market): Jen Bengtson (Terrain Café), Dan Kardos (Café Melba), Hoodoo Brown Team, John Nealon and Christian Wiki (Crust Issues) and Piereluigi Mazzella (Fatto a Mano).
They visited Tirop’s Angels, a non-profit created after elite runner Agnes Tirop was murdered by her domestic partner. The Simmelkjaers spoke with many victims of gender-based violence, an importand issue in the country.
This week Julia — a rising Staples High School senior — announced a “Back to School 5K.” The virtual race will benefit Tirop’s Angels.
Julia is getting many Staples cross country teammates to run, and invites anyone else interested — anywhere in the world — to join them, for a $25 donation.
The race is open through September 13. Runners can race individually, or as part of a team.
Need more incentive than helping a great cause? Runners with the fastest men’s and women’s times get complimentary entry into New York Road Runners’ United Airlines NYC Half Marathon in March.
In Kenya, Tirop’s Angels is building a safe house for abused women. Above (left to right): Annika, Rob and Julia Simmelkjaer, with Viola Cheptoo. She founded the Angels, and is an elite runner who will compete in the New York Marathon this November.
Last December, “06880” reported that the building next to Five Guys — which old-timers still think of as IHOP, and newer-comers know as the Westport Pancake Shop and/or one of many nail salons — would have a new tenant.
JetSet Pilates — the Miami-based “market leader in Reformer Pilates.” with 100 locations open, or in development — would open there.
“In mid-summer,” we said.
Well, that’s come and gone. And here was the scene yesterday:
(Photo/Colin Livingston)
We have no clue whether it’s still the future site of JetSet Pilates.
The Westport Country Playhouse has just added 2 new — and very different — shows.
Coming up next in their Barnstormer Series: “The History of a Brief Time” (September 8, 7 p.m.).
Written and performed by Bill Williams, it tells the very personal story of the loss of his son to opioid addiction. Called a “vividly, beautifully and painfully described experience,” it’s one family’s journey through struggle, grief and, ultimately, healing.
On September 19 (1 and 4 p.m.), the big red dog Clifford–bounds onto the stage. The new musical comedy adventure (named for him) celebrates friendship, imagination, and the magic of unconditional love.
Matthew Mandell reports: “The crowd was Comfortably Numb as The Machine — the internationally touring Pink Floyd tribute band — returned to Westport for an exceptional show at the Levitt Pavilion last night.
“They first played here during COVID at the drive-in concerts hosted by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and the Westport Library on the Imperial Avenue parking lot.”
This weekend at the Levitt:
Tonight (Saturday): Frank Mastrone & Friends (7:30 p.m.; free)
Sunday, August 22: Andy Frasco & the UN, and Kitchen Dwellers with special guests Magoo (5 p.m.; tickets).
Recently, while visiting the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum in Boston, Staples High School Class of 1967 graduate Ron Berler bought a copy of a book he had last read in high school: “Profiles in Courage.”
He was struck, he said, by its currency. “The same issues that tempered brave acts in some members of Congress when Kennedy published his book in 1956 apply today: The fear of losing their next election. Of being tarred as traitors by their party. Of submitting to power. Of forfeiting pride and honor.”
It made him appreciate all the more “those few in Congress who have demonstrated true courage – even if just once.”
As he thought about the type of person he’d like to see in municipal, state and national offices, he wrote an essay. It was just published in Washington Monthly, under the headline “What is Political Courage?” Click here to read Berler’s piece.
Ron Berler
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Congratulations to winners of the Longshore Women’s Golf Association’s Invitational: Sarah Kim, Sally Rogol, Debbie Thron and MarthaLee Taylor.
Lnnch followed the competition, in the newly (and beautifully renovated) Inn at Longshore ballroom.
Members and guests donated food and money to Homes with Hope, this year’s designated charity.
The LWGA — going strong since 1960 — is open to all women golfers from Westport and surrounding towns.
From left: Sarah Kim, Sally Rogol, Debbie Thron, MarthaLee Taylor, and Longshore head professional Jon Janik.
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Next Saturday’s “Movie Under the Stars” — a Weston tradition — is a double feature.
Local band Good Godfrey open the show (August 29, 6 p.m.; free) at the Weston Middle School Field.
The 8 p.m. film is “National Treasure,” starring Nicholas Cage. It is an apt choice, as the country celebrates its semiquincentennial.
Tony’s Pizza Truck will be on hand, at the Weston Commission for the Arts and 250th Advisory Committee event.
And finally … on this date in 1902, the Cadillac Motor Company was founded.
(“06880” is the Cadillac of local blogs. But you don’t have to support us at that level. A Ford, or even Yugo level is fine. Please click here to donate what you can. Thank you!)
Every week is different, here in our online art gallery. Nature — and nature-ish — works highlight this one.
Remember: This is your feature. 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.
“Gracious Grace Salmon” (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
“Under the Sea” — encaustic wax small series (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)
“Below the Surface” (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; click here)
“Early Morning on the Grand Jette” — oil on linen, 24×30 (Joanne Leaman — Available for purchase; click here)
“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” — analog collage (Amy Schneider)
Photographer Mike Hibbard asks, “Does this country believe in strength, freedom, and independence for everyone? Is this land for all of you and me?”
“Clownin’ Around” (Martin Ripchick)
“Help — Is it a Flower or a Weed?” (Steve Stein)
“Beating the Heat” (Lawrence Weisman)
(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!)
Westport schools reopen on Tuesday. (No, you’re not imagining things. Yeah, it’s pretty early.)
So even though the fireworks were, like, 3 days ago, students may have forgotten some basic rules of the road.
And (ahem) parents too.
The Westport Police Department has already begun targeting traffic violators in school zones, with their annual “Back to School” enforcement and education campaign.
They’ll keep doing it. Officers will watch for distracted drivers and speeding in school zones. They’ll also monitor bus stops and routes, citing people who disregard school bus signals.
This bus driver makes sure no one passes illegally. (Photo/Bob Weingarten)
Police suggest commuters allow extra time. School buses will be on the roads, making (very) frequent stops. There will be children walking and on bikes too (including those powered by more than feet).
The WPD offers these specific tips:
Drivers
Watch out for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
Be alert! Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Slow down, and prepare to stop.
Red flashing lights and extended stop arms mean that children are getting on or Motorists on both sides of the roadway muststop, and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before starting to drive. (“06880: adds: Violators face big fines. Deservedly so.)
No matter who — or what — is crossing, STOP when you see the school bus’ flashing lights! (Photo/Paul Delano)
Children
Get to the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
Stand at least 6 feet from the curb, and line up away from the street.
If you must cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to at least 10 feet ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
Getting off the bus, be sure that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps are not caught in the handrails or doors.
Never walk behind the bus.
Walk at least 6 feet away from the side of the bus.
If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver, since he or she may not clearly see you.
Listen to crossing guards!
To students and drivers alike: Slow down!
A few extra seconds of patience can make the difference between a safe arrival and a tragedy.
Kings Highway scene will be repeated at every Westport school. (Photo/Nicola Sharian)
We’ve posted this image of Main Street before. It’s from the 1962 Staples High School yearbook.
But never with this color, or computer-enhanced graphics.
Eric Bosch — who moved here with his family in the fall of 1963 — sent it along.
To orient yourself: Klein’s department store (far right) became Banana Republic, then (briefly) Oka furniture. Brooks Brothers will soon move in, from its current location a few yards north.
The Townly Restaurant featured a Jazz Age-era mural. It was lost when Klein’s expanded into that space, then rediscovered and hung by Banana Republic. No word yet on whether Brooks Brothers will keep it.
The Mobil gas station — once the site of an annual Christmas party, where food was served on the lowered hydraulic lifts — is now Vineyard Vines.
The hardware store was one of 3 on Main Street.
And of course, traffic flowed in both directions, all the way to the Post Road (aka State Street).
What else do you remember from that era? Click “Comments” to share.
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
On Wednesday, our Roundup reported that a couple of days earlier, a Westporter had found a large, heavy sign at Schlaet’s Point. It honored a dog, and had apparently been placed on Cockenoe Island. The man who found it figured it floated away during last weekend’s storm.
He hauled it to the benches near where Soundview Drive meets Hillspoint and South Compo Roads. He hoped someone connected to the sign would see the “06880” item.
Someone did!
Yesterday, the Bell family wrote, “To the reader who found Ollie’s sign: From the bottom of our hearts, our utmost gratitude for spotting and then dragging our memorial to the top of the beach.
“Oliver enjoyed all things Westport and for the sign to float from Cockenoe to Compo Beach, another favorite Ollie place, is nothing short of a miracle. If it wasn’t for ‘06880,’ we would have never known!
“When we picked our memorial up last evening, we stood in awe at the stones – even a purple gemstone – that were perfectly placed on top in his honor.
So to those who read Ollie’s’ memorial and placed stones – purple and plain – on top, and to the ‘06880’ reader who gave it a second home, Oliver’s story of life in Westport truly has a perfect epilogue. He couldn’t have lived in a better place.”
That’s the whole idea of this blog: to bring our community together, in ways both planned and serendipitous.
To our readers and neighbors: Keep doing good things, no matter how small.
Your deeds can ripple far and wide. Even beyond Cockenoe Island.
Westport’s newest outdoor artwork is already drawing attention — and praise.
“The Couple” was installed this week at Riverside Park. It was donated to the town by longtime Westporter, arts patron and philanthropistSusan Malloy, who died in 2015, at 91. Sculptor William King died the same year, at 90.
For 10 years, “The Couple” lived at Earthplace. Malloy’s family, and the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, felt it would be more visible and accessible on Riverside Avenue.
Malloy’s granddaughter Meredith, son Timon, and niece Ann Sheffer and her husband Bill Scheffler made the conservation and relocation of the sculpture possible. The Parks & Recreation Department helped with the installation.
Sheffer said, “I love the idea of weddings in front of ‘The Couple.'” A public dedication of the sculpture will take place in October.
If you have an inefficient — but still working — dehumidifier, Eversource will recycle it, at no cost. Plus, you’ll get $30 bck.
The date is tomorrow (Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Home Depot, 90 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull). Click here to register.(Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)
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Last night’s free Levitt Pavilion concert, featuring Borboletta’s tribute to Santana, has been rescheduled to September 17. Click here for details.
The rest of the weekend lineup remains the same (and sounds like fun):
Tonight (Friday, August 21): The Machine Performs Pink Floyd (7 p.m.; tickets)
Saturday, August 22: Frank Mastrone & Friends (7:30 p.m.; free)
Sunday, August 22: Andy Frasco & the UN, and Kitchen Dwellers with special guests Magoo (5 p.m.; tickets).
Speaking of music: Sure, the Heida Hermanns International Music Competition is 3 months away.
But — as the name says — it’s an international event. So the Museum of Contemporary Art\Connecticut wants you to know about it now.
Plus, this year marks the 50th annual showcase of virtuosity, artistry and musical expression.
Three exceptional pianists from across the globe have been chosen to compete. The winner receives $20,000, and a solo recital engagement. Second and third prizes are $10,000 and $5,00o respectively.
This year’s finalists are Matthew Figel, Juhee Lim, Daria Podorozhnova. They hail from the US, South Korea and Russia, respectively.
And finally … on this date in 1959, President Eisenhower signed an executive order proclaiming Hawaii the 50th state.
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world. Wherever you are — here, Hawaii, or any other spot — if you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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