A lot of people spent a lot of time stuck in yesterday’s fireworks traffic, heading to and from Compo Beach.
Even at non-holiday times, the light at the Compo Road South/Greens Farms Road/Bridge Street intersection can be long. There’s plenty of opportunity to look around.
What we see is the I-95 overpass. It seems like it — and Greens Farms Road — have always been there.
But for decades before the “turnpike” construction in the 1950s, the road came in at a different angle.
There, on the southwest corner, sat Ken Montgomery’s grocery store.
When the state of Connecticut planned the new route, his building was in the way.
He tried to relocate to a lot he owned on Bridge Street, across from what was then Saugatuck Elementary School (now The Saugatuck co-op housing), yet was rebuffed.
So one day in the mid-1950s, Ken’s store was demolished.
(Westport Town Crier photo courtesy of Mary Palmieri Gai)
Ken hoped to return with a new store in the same vicinity, once the highway was completed. In the meantime, he went to work at his mother’s (similar) grocery store, not far away by Old Mill Beach.
He never returned.
Instead, he took over from his mother. For many years, he operated “Ken’s” — aka “Grub’s” (IYKYK).
Today, it’s Old Mill Grocery & Deli by Romanacci.
And there is not a trace of Ken’s original store — or the original Greens Farms Road — underneath the I-95 overpass.
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The Clubhouse has been Westport’s go-to spot, for many World Cup matches.
For something different for today’s Argentina-Cape Verde game (Friday, 6 p.m.), consider a watch party in Stamford — hosted by Congressman Jim Himes.
The Round of 32 event is at Third Place by Half Full Brewery. Fans of both teams — and the USA — are welcome. So are all Democrats, Republicans, independents — and everyone else.
What do freedom, faith, hope and responsibility mean, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary?
Weston’s Norfield Congregational Church invites everyone to participate in a 4-week sermon series exploring those questions.
“A New Birth of Freedom: America at 250 — Beautiful. Broken. Beloved. Becoming” begins this Sunday (July 5, 10 a.m.). Through scripture, reflection and honest conversation, the series examines how people of faith can engage the nation’s milestone with gratitude, humility, courage and hope.
Senior minister Rev. Dr. Bernard Wilson says, “This is not a partisan series. It is a Gospel series. We are not gathering around a flag, but around Christ’s table. Our goal is to explore what faithful citizenship and Christian hope look like in a complex and changing world.”
The series will be complemented by special musical offerings from American composers and hymn writers. For more information, click here.
Also in the spirit of our semiquincentennial: The Westport Garden Club invites the community to a free “American Spirit 250” event.
The patriotic exhibition — a gift to the the town — showcases the talents of club members through horticulture and floral design, and educational displays.
The National Garden Club Small Standard Flower Show is set for the Westport Library on July 11 (noon to 5 p.m.) and July 12 (1 to 3 p.m.).
The Westport Garden Club began celebrating America 250 in April, placing floral displays placed town. They’ll continue the effort on patriotic dates through the rest of the year.
Westport Garden Club members Louise Demakis, Janet Wolgast and Joanne Heller.
As always, the Parks & Recreation Department did a spectacular job — not just with last night’s fireworks, but the cleanup that followed too.
Working through the night, after 10,000 guests left, they made sure that Compo Beach was pristine for the holiday weekend.
Meanwhile, the dozens of very important port-a-potties were trucked away. They too will be cleaned, and ready for whatever comes next.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
PS: More props to Parks & Rec, for keeping the bathrooms by the lifeguard shack open. In years past, they were inexplicably closed during the biggest night of the year.
Local artist Tammy Winser is this month’s Westport Book Shop artist exhibitor.
Her whimsical “So They Say” collection combines acrylic and collage, celebrating animals with human expressions and personalities. Winser’s thought-provoking works capture the humor and absurdity of everyday life.
An artist reception is set for July 16 (6 p.m.). The exhibit will be open during business hours throughout July, with all work available for purchase.
Meanwhile, the Book Shop’s Short Story Club meets July 22 (6 p.m.).
This month’s discussion focuses on stories by American writers, about conversations:
“Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut,” by J.D. Salinger
“What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,” by Raymond Carver
“What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank,” by Nathan Englander
Space is limited. To register, call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
Tammy Winser
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The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) is seeking candidates to fill the District 7 vacancy created by the death of Jack Klinge.
No political party affiliation is required. as Westport’s RTM is a nonpartisan legislative body. Interested District 7 representatives can submit a resume and brief statement of intent to town clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton (jdunkerton@westportct.gov) by July 20.
The fireworks are always Westport’s hottest show of the year.
Yesterday, that was literally — not just figuratively — true.
But 100 degree temperatures didn’t stop over 10,000 folks from having a bang-up time.
The annual affair — sponsored by Melissa and Doug Bernstein, coordinated by the Parks & Recreation Department, with help from Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and a fundraiser for Westport PAL — was a chance to eat, drink, strut, stroll, socialize, swim, sparkle, twirl sparklers, and celebrate our country’s birth with family, friends, neighbors and strangers.
Hey: We only turn 250 once.
Bam!
Andrew Colabella and Samantha. (Photo/Susan Garment)
A tiny section of the huge crowd.
Most folks set up their tent and chairs, then leave until late afternoon. Not this crew. They’re there all day — and love it.
A hectic day — but the lifeguards keep smiling.
The Parks & Rec Department outfitted employees in special shirts.
Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri is everywhere, on his busiest day of the year.
The barge! (Photo/Jamie Walsh)
The red-white-and-blue theme extends to the US soccer team. Go get ’em, Christian Pulisic!
Police Department motorcycle crew, heading to Compo. (Photo/Connor Kilbourn)
Celebrating America, with (of course) guacamole. (Photo/Cathy Walker)
Popsicles for $1, on Compo Road South at Vani Court. Venmo accepted! (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
1st Selectman Kevin Christie, with Emergency Medical Service members. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
At 10 weeks old, perhaps the youngest fireworks-goer.
Stars, stripes and shovels. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Showing the flag offshore (Photo/Jamie Walsh)
Classic kids’ shot. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Compo Road South at Gault Avenue, 7 pm. That’s 2 miles away from Compo Beach. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
Even the tent is red white and blue.
Nothing better than hanging with friends.
Westport PAL president Corporal Craig Bergamo.
Some beach parties are indoors. But the patriotism is the same.
From right: fireworks sponsors Doug and Melissa Bernstein; Miggs Burroughs, who designed the Westport 250 logo.
Officers Ned Batlin and David Perez — 2 of the many keeping the beach safe. (All photos Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)
(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
(Photo/Jay Babina)
(Photo/Jennifer Shields)
(Photo/Susan Garment)
(Photo/Eric Bosch)
(Photo/Susan Garment)
The money shot — from the water. (Photo/Linda Mezzullo)
Yesterday’s story on Tom Lowrie — Westport’s “Mr. Pickleball,” former YMCA trustee, Y’s Man and Rotarian (and much more) who died Tuesday at 97 — noted that there will be a gathering at 6 p.m. this Friday (July 3, his birthday), at the Compo Beach Lowrie Pickleball Courts.
His daughter Anne says that this is an informal toast. A celebration of Tom’s long life is set for Greens Farms Church on July 31. More details will be available soon.
Tom Lowrie, at his 97th birthday. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
Attention, sports fans! The Tuesday night Parks & Recreation adult hoops league is in full swing. Eight teams play weekly, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Players include just-graduated Staples High heroes Sam Clachko, Matty Corrigan and Mason Tobias, and recent graduates Adam Udell, Cody Sale, Caleb Tobias, Derek Sale, Justin Honig and Griffin Kass.
This week’s ringer was a Big Name: former NBA star (and Rookie of the Year) Michael Carter-Williams (now a Westport resident), and former overseas pro and current Westport PAL coach Jamill Powell.
Spectators are always welcome. The Staples coaching staff enjoyed the games last week.
Long Lots Elementary School — built in 1953, and renovated 20 years later — is slated for demolition. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
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The String Queens are the newest addition to the free Levitt Pavilion calendar.
The August 16 show features the trio, known for blending classical music with jazz, hip-hop, R&B and popular styles. Click here to reserve free tickets.
Meanwhile, this holiday weekend’s schedule includes:
Friday, July 3 (7:30 p.m.): Clay Street Unit (bluegrass, folk, Americana, country)
Saturday, July 4 (7:30 p.m.): Early Clover (former Coasters’ lead singer; tribute to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding and more)
Sunday, July 5 (7 p.m.): Back to the Garden 1969: Woodstock Experience (featuring Staples graduate Michelle Pauker)
Speaking of music: Lachat Town Farm’s next “Music in the Meadow” (July 11, 6 p.m.) features singer/guitarist/ songwriter Quinn Sullivan.
He’s appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and with Conan O’Brien. Sullivan has also performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, and toured and recorded with Buddy Guy for nearly a decade.
Sharing the stage with B.B. King, Sullivan became one of the few artists ever to play his iconic guitar, “Lucille.”
But the celebration continues July 16 (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.).
Eleish Van Breems Home opens it doors for a free celebration. Nômade will provide the food; Black Bear Wines & Spirits, the beverages. Everyone — the LGBTQ community, friends, allies — and fans of fun (and the furniture store) — is invited. Please RSVP: events@evbhem.com.
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The Whitney Street improvement project is nearly done.
Resident Molly Alger could not be happier. And not just because the noise and inconvenience will end.
The new curb is a masterpiece,” she reports.
“The old curb, next to the black paved sidewalk, was just a raised bit of asphalt.
“Now they’re constructing a legitimate cement curb — perfectly formed and absolutely beautiful. Of course it will also be much safer!”
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between June 24 and 30.
A 38-year-old Shelton man was charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating under suspension and failure to appear, following a stop on Post Road East.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Distracted driving: 6 citations
Evading responsibility: 1
School zone violation (2nd offense): 1
Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Disorderly conduct: 1
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As the weather heats up, residents slow down … and seek shade.
These folks found it yesterday, at Sherwood Island State Park. It’s a nice “Westport … Naturally” reminder of how good we have it — despite the temperature.
And finally … Victor Willis, the lead singer of the Village People who also co-wrote their smash hits “YMCA” and “Macho Man,” died Monday, after a short illness. He was 74.
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How does he or she react? And what about you, as a parent?
“It’s okay to feel upset,” you could say. “Let’s talk about it.”
Or, “When that tower fell, how did that feel?”
Handling emotions is one of 6 skills that support children’s mental health through everyday play, Brian and Lauren Bernstein note.
Another one is problem-solving. “It won’t work!” your frustrated child says, when things don’t go as planned.
“Hmmm … what else could we try?” you suggest.
Or “What do you think went wrong?”
The Bernsteins are not child psychologists.
But they do know kids.
Brian — a 1984 Staples High School graduate — spent 21 years in the toy industry. He headed up sales for his brother Doug’s Melissa & Doug company, helping grow the department from 14 people (and the firm was called Lights, Camera, Interaction!) to its enormous e-commerce presence.
Lauren knows children too. She’s been a piano teacher for 40 years.
Brian and Lauren Bernstein
Bernstein, and other family members, left Melissa & Doug in 2021. After a couple of years away, he wanted to get back into the business.
“Developmental pre-school toys are not screens. They’re wholesome,” he notes. “They’re so important at a young age.”
Though wooden toys have become more expensive, he wanted to make them accessible and affordable: $29.99 or less.
But he and Lauren had another reason for starting a new company: a way to honor their late son Jason.
Nicknamed Jasey, he was “an amazing, beautiful child,” Brian says.
“He was a great pianist — he could improvise for hours. He composed music. He taught himself oil painting, and made movies.”
But Jasey struggled with mental health challenges for most of his life. They became more prominent in his teens.
The Bernsteins tried everything: therapists, psychiatrists, programs, medications.
Nothing helped. “He didn’t want to be here anymore.” He lost his battle in 2019, age 25.
Jason Bernstein
Behind the company — called Jasey’s Toy Chest — is a mission: to help families struggling with mental health issues.
The founders partnered with the Kids Mental Health Foundation and the Jed Foundation (serving teens and young adults). The non-profits provide expert guidance and advocacy.
Together, the partners — and Jasey’s Toy Chest — are helping destigmatize mental health. They provide prompts, tips, suggestions, resources and solutions for parents and caregivers to talk about it.
And, Brian Bernstein says, “We’ve kept it simple. This is not a big homework project. Fifteen minutes of play a day can make a difference. It’s all about ‘intentional play.'”
The Bernsteins began shipping their toys in March. Already, they’re on Amazon, and in Awesome Toys. In September, they’ll be featured in 600 Barnes & Noble stores.
(“06880” regularly covers interesting Westporters, local businesses, health and wellness — and, like today, their intersection. If you like these stories, please click here to support us. Thank you!)
Jasey’s Toy Chest display, in Awesome Toys’ Westport store.
I would like to nominate the Staples High School library team as Unsung Heroes.
They’re heroes not for any one big act (though they are certainly heroes who stand up to book banning), but for their everyday acts creating a space that inspires learning, connection, and creativity for our kids.
Four years ago my son started as a freshman at Staples, and I signed up to volunteer in the library. If you’ve volunteered there, you know how much the librarians and paraprofessionals do for our kids.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit our high school library, here are just a few things that I learned about the staff’s responsibilities, beyond managing the organization and circulation of books:
They are gracious hosts. All smiles, librarians Jenn Cirino and Nicole Moeller, and paraprofessionals Chris Harris and Jen Dayton immediately set the vibe as they greet students and assist them with any requests. There is a quiet section in the back for those who want it. They have designed sections for socializing, study groups and computer use too. There are also rooms for classes, and a large Maker station. The library also hosts special events like author visits, and talks with town officials.
Staples librarians Jenn Cirino (left) and Nicole Moeller. Cirino was the Westport Public Schools’ 2024 Teacher of the Year.
They are tech-savvy. If students need help connecting to WiFi, charging their laptops, printing out their classwork or troubleshooting a broken computer, the library staff is there. Equipment like cameras, video recorders and a 3D printer are available for use. Fun fact: In Staples Players’ production of “Lord of the Flies,” the big conch shell thrown around on stage was printed in the library!
Paraprofessionals Jen Dayton (left) and Chris Harris.
They have our teachers’ backs.The library staff supports Staples’ educators by providing them with necessary resources for their job. This includes space for special class activities, carts of books for their curriculums, equipment for projects, tech training and more. And because teachers are just like us, I often heard them thanking the staff for recommending their last great read.
During Teacher Appreciation Week, librarians encourage students to thank their instructors.
They are creative curators. The book displays at the library rival those of any bookstore’s. Great thought and creativity go into each one, whether for serious subjects like honoring our veterans or fun event tie-ins like March Madness Book Brackets. All aim to catch students’ attention and direct it to the books. And they even sneak reading into bathrooms, by posting snappy little book blurbs inside the stalls.
The Staples Library celebrates March Madness with a “Tournament of Books” bracket (top), and an eye-catching display (below).
They are crafty. Friday Fun Days are when students can de-stress in the library by playing games or doing arts and crafts. I was skeptical, but it turns out that teens really will use their lunch breaks to create a pop-up birthday card, a “May the 4th Be With You” button, or a bouquet of paper flowers — all with the help of the library’s beloved Cricut machine. I was floored by how much the kids love to make and collect the winter gnomes each year (IYKYK). And, in library lore: Once upon a time, one of the sports teams did not receive part of their uniforms in time for a game. The library staff came to the rescue, creating them in the Maker Space!
Staples principal Stafford Thomas, with gnomes he made in the library.
Now that my son has graduated, my time as a volunteer is over. This fall, new students and parent volunteers will enter Staples Library and experience firsthand why we are so lucky to have Jenn, Nicole, Chris and Jen working in our school system. Until then, I hope these unsung heroes have a relaxing summer break (with plenty of time to get lost in a big pile of great books).
Congressman Jim Himes addresses students in the Staples library.
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