Keith Hagel is a 1963 graduate of Staples High School.
He lived and worked throughout Fairfield County, before retiring as a newspaper editor and moving to Maine. An earlier version of this piece appeared in the Bangor Daily News in 2023.
The morning sky on September 11, 2001 near New York City was spectacularly clear and beautiful, so different from the normal clouds and smog that even jaded, sleepy commuters like me on the train from suburban Connecticut to NYC took notice.
We were near the New York state line when the news broke. I remember one man saying, “Someone has declared war on the United States.” Another, on a cell, started yelling at his mother to turn off “The Price is Right” and watch the news.” Takes all kinds.
The train made an unscheduled stop, and a frantic young man boarded. His girlfriend worked in one of the World Trade Center buildings that had been hit, and of course he could not reach her. I hope I never again have to see such anguish on a person’s face.
I thought about a woman I had chatted with on a subway the day before. I think she had said she was on her way to start a new job at the WTC. As she said goodbye getting off, her hip brushed mine, perhaps accidentally. I noticed, but felt I’d probably never see her again. Now, I wondered if anyone else would, either.
As we neared the 125th Street station, we could see the Twin Towers afire across the river. An hour later, I would have been in the bowels of one of the other WTC buildings, connecting to my editing job at Dow Jones Newswires in Jersey City.
The unthinkable happened, on September 11, 2001.
125th Street was as far as train riders were going on September 11. If the World Trade Center had been targeted, Grand Central Station, in midtown Manhattan, certainly also might be.
To my surprise, I eventually got a dial tone on a pay phone (25 years later, extinct in New York) and called my newsroom office. No answer; the 16-floor building had been evacuated. Not that I could have have gotten there. All subway and bus service in Manhattan had been shut down.
My supervisor did eventually make it in. He had been walking to work from near the WTC when he saw the first plane hit. Any sane and/or terrified person would have run like hell in the opposite direction. He did, but a good newsperson to his core, he first called in the story.
I took a turned-around train back to Fairfield County. Little talk, no tickets collected. As I got off an hour later, grim-faced police were on the platform, probably watching for injured or traumatized people needing medical help. The next day, we would learn of the cars that sat empty in railroad parking lots, their drivers never to return.
(Photo copyright Ted Horowitz)
I drove my clunker car to my wife’s house. We recently had separated but, as parents, remained connected. Her first words to me were, “I never thought I’d be so glad to see that piece of (junk) here again.”
Her phone rang, and I answered. My college daughter in Michigan. She had been hurt by her parents’ split and was quite angry with me, with some justification.
A brief pause, then, “What are you doing here?”
I told her she should have listened to the message I had left her from the train, using a cell I had borrowed from a stranger.
With the passage of time, it’s easy to forget the importance of lunch in the cafeteria to middle school students.
Chloe Robbin is an 8th grader at Bedford Middle School. Today, she speaks out about the lunch situation there. She emailed this to her principal, Dr. Adam Rosen, and school counselors too. Chloe writes:
Lunch is supposed to be a relaxing and fun time of day. You get a break from class to eat your food and socialize with your friends.
But I didn’t know that once I entered middle school, lunch would become so much more complicated. As new friend groups began to form, so did the competition for seats at lunch tables. I often see people sprinting from their class to lunch just to claim a seat.
At Bedford Middle School, lunch tables have 8 seats attached to them. That may sound like enough, but it really isn’t because Bedford has 3 elementary schools combined into 1. Because the goal is to meet new people and expand your circle, having the same amount of seats as the elementary school tables just doesn’t make sense.
Circular lunch tables only sit 8.
What happens when 9 people want to sit at a table? Or what if someone wants to invite a new friend to sit at a table? Now all of a sudden, somebody has to sit somewhere else- and not because nobody wants them there, but simply because there is no room.
For example, so far this year my lunch table has been cramped together with 2 people trying to share the tiny circular seats. Some people are even sitting on the floor or eating standing up, just because they want to be with their friends.
But we can do better.
At BMS, we are told to include others and make sure nobody ever feels left out. These are all very important messages that I completely agree with. However, it can be impossible to follow this when there is not enough room for everyone to join, and then lunchtime becomes the cause for a lot of drama.
When my friends sit at the outdoor tables that have benches instead of individual seats, we fit a significant amount more people than before. Just yesterday, we had 12 people sitting at the table, and I saw boys next to me with 15 people all sitting on the 4 benches around the table.
Students can cram together at outdoor tables.
Keeping all of this in mind, the best solution to this issue is that we should have long rectangular tables with benches instead of individual seats in the cafeteria because these tables are way more inclusive. In fact, I have noticed that Bedford has these tables folded underneath the staircase.
Long lunch tables, unused and stored underneath the BMS stairs. (All photos/Chloe Robbin)
This is not saying that we need to fill the cafeteria with all new lunch tables, but a few new ones would be just enough for students to have a better lunch experience and invite a few more friends to join.
Then lunch can go back to hopefully being a stress free time!
(“Students Speak” is a regular “06880” feature. Any student living or studying in Westport or Weston can submit a piece. Email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this local blog, click here.)
Chloe Robbin
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Very quickly. Dr. Rosen responded. The BMS principal wrote:
Hi Chloe,
Thank you for such a thoughtful email. I especially appreciate that the motivation behind your suggestion is to make lunch more inclusive and to ensure that students have opportunities to be with their friends and welcome new people into their groups. That instinct — to notice when others might be left out and think about how we can make Bedford a more inclusive community — is something I admire and hope you continue to bring to our school.
Interestingly, the history of our cafeteria tables may surprise you. Years ago, Bedford did use the larger rectangular tables with benches that you described. At first glance, they seem like the obvious solution: If a table can hold more students, more friends can sit together. In practice, however, we found almost exactly the opposite.
When we had the larger rectangular tables, the competition to get to those tables was much more pronounced. A group of 10 or 12 students could essentially claim one large table, and inevitably there would be another 2 or 3 students who considered themselves part of that same friend group but could not fit. Those students often felt even more excluded because nearly their entire social group was sitting together without them. We received frequent concerns from students and parents across all 3 grades about exactly this issue.
Dr. Adam Rosen
There was another challenge as well. At a long rectangular table, a smaller group could occupy the middle and become the center of the conversation, while students sitting farther down the benches or at the ends could technically be “at the table” but still feel socially separated from the group.
Our move to round tables was very intentional and came after considerable work involving our School Climate Committee, PTA, students, and staff. The difference was remarkable. The concerns about exclusion decreased substantially once we moved to round tables.
One reason is that a round table puts everyone on equal footing—there is no “center” or “end” of the group. Just as importantly, the 8-seat tables encourage larger friend groups to divide into smaller, more fluid groups rather than having one large clique occupy a single table. Over time, that actually creates more opportunities for students to mix, move among friends, welcome others, and develop new relationships.
I completely understand that this can feel counterintuitive when 9 friends want to sit together and there are only 8 seats. Your observation is a very reasonable one. But after many years of watching both arrangements in action at Bedford, I can tell you that the larger tables unfortunately created substantially more social difficulties and feelings of exclusion than our current round tables do.
That does not mean we should ignore the concerns you raised. Students should never be sitting on the floor, standing to eat, or squeezing two people onto a seat in order to remain connected to their friends. Mrs. Harding and I will continue to pay attention to what is happening during lunch and work with students on ways to make the experience as positive and inclusive as possible.
Most importantly, please don’t lose the spirit behind your suggestion. You saw something affecting your peers, thought carefully about a possible solution, and took the initiative to respectfully advocate for a more inclusive Bedford. I hold that kind of leadership in very high regard. While experience has taught us that the particular solution of larger tables would likely work against the outcome you are hoping for, the outcome itself—helping students feel welcomed, connected, and included—is exactly what we want as well.
Thank you for caring enough about your school community to write to us.
Laurie Gilman, a retired editorial and research director, has lived in Westport for 15 years. An avid reader, she recently helped establish the Winslow Book Club.
She has a significant other of 40 years, many beloved nieces and nephews, and an 8-year-old pug named Charley who was taken in when he was a year old. Charley walks her around Winslow Park nearly every day. Laurie writes:
We are less than a week away from a vote by the Planning & Zoning Commission on Text Amendment #874. It would alter the zoning laws at Winslow Park in order to build a “dogport” — a fenced area for dogs.
A survey, petition and letters show this is unpopular among dog owners and citizens who want to preserve open space in Westport.
Winslow Park (Photo/Ron Henkin)
The only convincing argument for this project is for dog safety. Gaps remain in the park’s perimeter, where dogs can reach busy roads. Very well thought out, detailed plans have been submitted to the P&Z website that would remove those gaps, and cost Westport less in terms of money and open space.
In addition to ignoring the good ideas to fence the park, a dogport has its own problems with dog safety — for example, dogs being more aggressive in an enclosed area. So we’re pretty sure this isn’t about the issue of dog safety. Far from it.
The amendments explicitly states, “By concentrating off-leash activities into a designated area the proposal helps reduce conflicts between park users, improves predictability for families and walkers, and promotes responsible pet ownership through rules, regulations, and accountability.”
How is it possible to “concentrate” all unleashed dog activity into a dogport when the majority of dog owners at Winslow want to walk with their dogs? Only if rules are changed that force dog owners into the dog port.
Dogs, on and off leash.
A rule requiring dogs to be leashed throughout the park could happen. But that won’t go far enough, because dog owners will still want to walk their dogs on leash. What is more likely is taking the extraordinary step of denying dog owners access to the rest of the park.
“The proposal helps reduce conflicts between park users.” We think the dog owners at Winslow have a very good relationship with all the other users of the park: kids riding bikes or scooters or sleighing during the winter; parents walking their children who stop to pet our dogs, and people of all ages out getting their walk in.
We have never witnessed a conflict between park users without dogs and those with dogs. We have seen conflicts between dog owners. If you were to go to the park today you might find posters of a woman whose dog attacked another dog, and did not take responsibility for the aggressive behavior from her dog.
We are all aware of this incident, and are on the lookout for the owner and her dog if they return. We are a community that acts to keep the park peaceful and protect all its users.
Winslow Park community. (Photo/Cat Malkin)
Finally, a dog port “promotes responsible pet ownership through rules, regulations, and accountability.” There are already rules and regulations posted at Winslow, and the vast majority of owners follow them. Keeping dog owners accountable seems to imply bad behavior of dogs. That can happen in or outside of a dog port.
We all value the beautiful open space and trails at Winslow. By passing this amendment and “concentrating off-leash activity,” dog owners are rightfully concerned that their access to the rest of the park will end.
It’s not a stretch to imagine other uses of the park will replace us. What those may be should concern all of Westport residents who want to protect the unique and cherished open area that is Winslow.
Laurie Gilman
On behalf of the Friends of Winslow Park
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all readers. Email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com. To help support this hyper-local blog, please click here.)
Stacie Curran — co-founder of Club203, Westport’s social organization for adults with disabilities — writes:
As Westport marks its “4 Days of Service and Remembrance” leading up to September 11th, Club203 proudly kicked off its 5th year last night, in the same spirit of volunteerism, kindness and community.
Our incredible volunteers show up each month to create a place where adults with disabilities feel welcomed, included and celebrated.
We are so grateful for the volunteers who make Club203 possible, and remind us that small acts of kindness have a tremendous impact.
At Club203, everyone belongs.
Tremendous thank-yous to Earthplace, for sharing your beautiful space; to 900 Degree Pizza Truck — you way outdid yourselves in delicious generosity; to MoCA\CT for the genius lantern art project, and to Warren Bloom for the tunes – (we could have kept it hot by the fire pit all night long.)
(All photos/Stacie Curran)
“06880” agrees: You are all Unsung Heroes — every month for Club203, and all year long!
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com. “06880” is proud to honor them — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to help us do that, by supporting this hyper-local blog.)
From athletes and environmentalists to dog lovers, deli patrons and anyone interested in Saugatuck, Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting has something for everyone.
“06880” readers are not shy about telling us when someone is up to no good.
Illegal tree cutting, inconsiderate e-bike riders, ill-mannered dogs in supermarkets — we hear it all.
But somehow we missed what seems to be the biggest story of the summer.
At least, according to the Connecticut Centinal.
The oddly spelled site — which Media Bias/Fact Check calls “an extreme right-biased imposter website (rated) Questionable based on the promotion of propaganda, conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, poor sourcing, and false claims” — recently published a “BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: Illegals Raping Natural Resources In Westport, Cops Don’t Care, Town Doesn’t Care, State Doesn’t Care.”
The story (by “Staff Writer”) says, “There are a lot of people in Westport, CT who profess to care for the environment, or is that just a control mechanism to gain political power?
“Because, no one cares in Westport when their environment is being destroyed as long as its [sic] being done by illegal aliens. By the hundreds. Every Night. Till there is nothing left.”
After noting state and town shellfishing regulations — including permits, size and sunrise to sunset limits — the site claims: “illegal night harvesting is happening at a massive scale in Westport, and across the state.
“‘Unbelievable, isn’t it? Take a ride by old Mill and look at the Spanish guys with Minor’s [sic] hats on, responded one resident we asked who lives in the Compo Beach area when asked if what was going on nightly is legal.
“There’s no blue crabs left. No steamers. No Clams. No mussels.
“Another resident of Old Mill told us, ‘There’s nothing left, they stripped the place clean.'”
The story concludes, “It would be nice if all those environmentalists in Westport actually cared. Mother nature is screaming for help.”
The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters — founded by Westporters Julie Belaga and Russ Brenneman 26 years ago — has chosen another local for a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jonathan Steinberg, Westport’s outgoing state representative — will be honored October 9 (6 p.m., Elm City Club, New Haven).
CTLCV calls him “a leading voice in the Connecticut General Assembly on clean energy, environmental protection, and public health for more than 15 years. He has played a key role in major environmental efforts, including the plastic bag ban, fracking waste moratorium, GMO labeling, and microplastics legislation, while consistently advancing renewable energy, solar power, and utility accountability.
“As House chair of both the Public Health Committee and the Energy & Technology Committee, Jonathan helped shape modern energy policy and led the charge on the State Water Plan to ensure Connecticut’s waters remain protected.”
He is one of 4 awardees. The other are State Senator Tony Hwang, State Representative Mary Mushinsky and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.
The latest reports from Lyman, Ukraine are somewhat encouraging.
Russian forces have not succeeded in capturing Westport’s sister city. In fact, Ukrainian troops have pushed Russians back in some areas north of Lyman.
But Russian forces continue offensive operations. Fighting could intensify this fall. (Hat tip: Robert Gerrity)
Recent damage in Lyman. (Photo/Tyler Hicks for New York Times)
Jerry Garcia can’t be at VFW Post 399 this Saturday, September 12. (He died in 1995.)
But the next best thing — The Mystery Train Band — will pay tribute to the Grateful Dead icon. They also play Bob Dylan, The Band, The Beatles, Van Morrison and other classic artists.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the music starts at 7:30. Tickets are $10, at the door or online. Pizza, hot dogs and drink specials are available too.
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Kawa Ni’s very popular “Paint + Sip” events continue this month.
Artists — of any and all levels — are invited to the restaurant’s rooftop garden. There, Lauren Smith leads them in a special event, overlooking the Saugatuck River.
For $56 you get painting supplies, an 8″x10″ canvas, and Kawa Ni fare. Wine, sake and cocktails are available for purchase.
The Service League of Boys (SLOBs) is Staples High School’s largest club.
As the school year begins, they’re looking for new members. Students and parents are welcome.
The organization promotes leadership through community service. You’ve probably seen them helping out at many events, all over town.
Students and parents are invited to a meeting next Tuesday (September 15, 7:30 p.m., Staples cafeteria). For more information, click here, follow them on Instagram @shsslobs, or email president@shsslobs.com.
Jazz at the Post kicks off its fall season tomorrow (Thursday, VFW Post 399; dinner service from 6:45 p.m.; shows at 7:30 and 8:45).
Pianist Janice Friedman presents a new program, including creative touches on music by Paul Simon, Billie Eilish and Amy Winehouse, as well as her own originals.
Friedman has played with saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall since the late 1980s. They’ll be joined by bassist Dave Kingsnorth and drummer Mike Campenni. Click here for tickets, and more information.
And finally … in honor of Jerry Garcia’s (tribute) appearance at the VFW (item above):
(It’s no mystery: “06880” relies on support from readers like you. If you appreciate these daily Roundups — or anything else on our hyper-local blog — please click here to donate. Thank you all!)
In August of 2001, life was good for Tyler Ugolyn.
The former Ridgefield High School basketball star (and McDonald’s All-American) graduated from Columbia University that May. He had just turned 23. And he started working for Fred Alger.
Tyler Ugolyn at his Columbia University gradaation.
He was there at his desk one month later — September 11 — when a hijacker flew a plane into the World Trade Center’s North Tower.
Tyler was one of 35 members of his investment firm — and 2,942 others — who died that horrific morning, 25 years ago this Friday.
Trevor was Tyler Ugolyn’s older brother — his charismatic, selfless and only brother.
Tyler Ugolyn
Trevor moved to Westport 13 years ago. He and his wife Caroline are raising 2 sons here.
Trevor has seldom spoken publicly about his connection with 9/11. But as his boys grow up, Trevor wants to make sure they, and the many other Americans born after that world-changing day hear the stories behind the statistics.
Every man and woman lost that morning left behind loved ones. Tyler’s death inspired Trevor to “live my life as he did — to be the best human being I can be, and try to fulfill his legacy.”
Which is why today (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.), Trevor will speak at Connecticut’s official ceremony. It will be held, as always, at Sherwood Island State Park. The state’s 9/11 Living Memorial is there, on a peninsula where on a clear day the Manhattan skyline can be viewed across Long Island Sound.
The memorial features stones engraved with the names of the 161 people with ties to Connecticut who were killed in the attacks.
The 9/11 memorial, at Sherwood island State Park.
This will not be Trevor’s first time at the ceremony. In the past though, he has stood off to the side.
Now, he will be a “story teller.” He will talk about Trevor’s impact on him.
He will recall the innocent men and women lost, the sacrifices of first responders, the thousands of volunteers in search and rescue, and the brave men and women of our armed forces who risked their lives in years to come.
He will talk too about the good things that came out of 9/11: “bravery, sacrifice, a feeling of community.”
And the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation. Created by Trevor and his parents, the non-profit supports youth basketball through court refurbishment, financial support for character-building educational programs, and skills clinics for children in urban areas.
All nationwide courts are named “Tyler’s Court.” A plaque installed at each says “I just love playing the game,” a quote from his high school days.
Tyler left quite a legacy. At Columbia, he enlisted players from the men’s and women’s teams to run clinics for Harlem youths. He served as a soup kitchen volunteer too.
At Ridgefield High he was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Safe Rides, Future Business Leaders of America, and Big Brothes/Big Sisters.
Every year, Ridgefield’s basketball program selects a special player — one with great character and spirit, a humble leader and true team athlete — to wear Tyler’s #34 jersey.
Tyler’s jersey, in the Ridgefield High School gym.
Speaking at today’s ceremony will not be easy for Trevor. He’s a private person, but he has so much to say about his brother.
“I’ve written probably 4 books,” Trevor says. “And now I have to condense it down into 4 minutes.
After a quarter century, the grief and loss Trevor feels is still palpable.
He will never forget his brother. But — first by working with the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation, now adding his conversations with his sons and his remarks today — Trevor ensures that many others who never knew Tyler will never forget him either.
(A few days after 9/11, Jeff Pearlman wrote a very moving story about Tyler for Sports Illustrated; click here to read. In 2009, he revisited that piece; click here to read. For more on Tyler Ugolyn, click here.)
Staples Players welcomed (and willkommened and bienvenued) enthusiastic audiences to their 2014 summer production of “Cabaret.”
The Kander and Ebb musical is complex and nuanced. Not many high school troupes tackle it.
Directors David Roth and Kerry Long did. As with every show they stage, it was a smash.
Former media instructor Jim Honeycutt filmed it. Now he’s edited it, into a highlight reel.
What good is sitting alone in your room? Come click on this link, or below. Hear the music play. And watch some truly impressive performances!
Many cast members have gone on to great things, on and off the stage. Among them:
Jack Bowman (Emcee) earned a BFA in musical theatre from Pennsylvania State University. He worked on stage and screen in New York. Because of COVID, his focus shifted to digital art. Jack is now an animator with a focus in 2D and 3D design, illustration and animation.
Jack Baylis (Clifford Bradshaw) graduated from Point Park University’s musical theater program. He has performed in “Legally Blonde,” “Jersey Boys,” “Children of Eden,” “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
Remy Laifer (Ernst Ludwig) is a New York-based actor and musician. A graduate of Northwestern University’s theatre program, he has appeared on television in NBC’s “New Amsterdam.” His film work includes “Escape from Myrtle Broadway” and “3 Worlds, 1 Modern Romance.”
Joe Badion (Ernst Ludwig) is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. He teaches upper school music at the Town School in New York.
Cara McNiff(Fraulein Schneider) graduated from Elon University with a BFA in Musical Theater. After performing for a few years, she is currently working as a regional booking manager in the music industry.
Jacob Leaf (Herr Schultz) is a professional actor. He has appeared in “Mamma Mia!,” “Gypsy,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Eurydice” and more.
Jack Seigenthaler (Herr Schultz), from Weston, entered Harvard Law School in 2024. He previously spent several years at the ACLU of Tennessee. In Nashville, Jack managed advocacy campaigns and lobbying efforts at the state legislature, before moving to Brooklyn to serve as policy and budget director for a New York City council member.
Zoe Samuels (Fraulein Zost) is an associate strategy director at Edelman. She graduated with a degree in theater and Chinese from Middlebury College.
Mackenzie Lavoie (Fraulein Zost) earned a bachelor of science in arts administration, combined arts and a minor in film and media studies at Wagner College. She is a communications and PR professional specializing in strategic storytelling, media relations and brand positioning.
Sylvie Lexow (Helga, Kit Kat Girl) is a senior marketing operations and program manager.
Bella Gollomp (Betty, Kit Kat Girl) is an operations and sales manager in the apparel and fashion industry. She earned a BA in mass communication/media studies from the University of Delaware.
Caroline Didelot (Lulu, Kit Kat Girl) appeared in “Kinky Boots” at Baldwin Wallace University, “42nd Street” at New London Barn Playhouse, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” for Prime Video.
Dustyn Levinson (Mousie, Kit Kat Girl) is studying to be a full-spectrum doula. Her specialties include antepartum and high risk pregnancies, labor and birth care, postpartum care, abortion care, and miscarriage care.
Colin McKechnie (Victor) is part of the premiere of Dance With Us with DGDC. He graduated from Ithaca College g with a BFA in acting, and a minor in dance. A stage and screen actor, he is playing Tony in the film adaption of Stephen King’s “I Know What You Need.”
Christian Melhuish (Hans) is a singer, actor and dancer in New York. After graduating from Temple University with a BFA in musical theater, Christian has performed regionally around the country. Credits include Jesus (“Godspell”), Romeo (“Romeo & Juliet”) and Bob Gaudio (“Jersey Boys”). He has also performed Off-Broadway and in cabarets and staged readings.
Keanan Pucci (Fritz, Quartet Singer) graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, contributing to virtual production pipelines and visual development for projects like Netflix’s “Escape from Hat.” His film credits include “An Inconsistent Story in Stealing. Click here for a showcase of his interactive and 3D work.
Daniel Pauker (Sailor Rudy, Otto, Kissing Couple) is a technical animator. He has a passion for 3D software and systems.
Word on the street — Main Street, that is — is that PopUp bagels will move into the space recently vacated by Cold Fusion. An early 2027 opening is planned.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for the business Adam Goldberg began on a whim during COVID.
PopUp Bagels has exploded, with locations nationwide and awards from — it doesn’t get better than this — Brooklyn BagelFest.
We were sorry to see a great gelato place melt away. But when this bagel shop pops up — permanently — it will be the toast of the town.
Adam Goldberg, with his Brooklyn Bagelfest award.
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Organizers rolled the dice for Sunday’s “A Day in the Life of Westport” project.
Would people want to participate? Would they actually upload photos? Would there be a good range and variety of images?
They needn’t have worried. 545 photos were submitted, from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (Actually, the first one came in at 6:13 a.m. — so that’s an average of about 1 every 2 minutes.)
They showed everything: Westport people, places, pets, kids, activities, sports — you name it. Photographers were out there morning, afternoon, and late at night. Thanks to all who participated.
“A Day in the Life” was a collaboration between the Artists Collective of Westport, the League of Women Voters Westport, the David T. Langrock Foundation, and “06880.” We’ll share the photos soon, in a variety of ways.
Meanwhile, here’s one that wasn’t submitted. But it epitomizes the day.
James Delorey says, “My family and many friends spent much of Sunday at Old Mill Beach.
“We went to the sandbar party at low tide, walking to some of the far out ‘islands,’ making sand castles, exploring the jetty, finding clams and crabs, and devouring pizza from Old Mill Grocery. What a day!
“A recurring conversation was how lucky and grateful we are to live in this beautiful town. Then, just before 5 p.m., people started calling out to alert everyone on the beach: a rainbow!
“In this photo, a dad quickly gathers 3 boys for a quick photo. You never know how long a miracle like that will last!”
Looking for some way to participate in “4 Days of Service” — the town-wide initiative from today through Friday that recognizes the courage and sacrifices of so many after 9/11, through service, compassion and generosity?
Paint the town yellow!
Seven years ago, Debra Kandrak had an idea: Every autumn, Westporters should plant daffodils.
Every spring, they bloom.
And — thanks to Debra, and so many volunteer gardeners — every year our town looks more and more beautiful.
This year, Debra is adding a twist: black-eyed Susans. That will keep the yellow theme going from spring to late fall.
“Like daffodils, once you plant black eyed Susans they continue to grow forever with very little effort,” Debra says. “They’ll be here for decades to come.”
Westporters have planted daffodils everywhere: in front yards, on the sides of streets, traffic islands … you name it. Anywhere you can think of: Paint the town even more yellow!
The Schneerson Center for Jewish Life says: “We’ve been blowing the Shofar, a simple hollowed out ram’s horn, for thousands of years in celebration of Rosh Hashana.
“The Shofar is not just a sound. It is a cry. A prayer. A soul-awakening, personal, meditative and rousing experience. Hearing the sound of the Shofar is the main commandment associated with celebrating the Holiday.”
They blow the Shofar this Sunday (September 13, 5 p.m., Riverside Park). The public is invited.
After nearly 4 years, Hummingbird Healing Center is closing.
Lisa Pak — owner of the 2nd floor Main Street “transformation through sound” spot — writes: “As we approach our final days at the Hummingbird Healing Center, I wanted to express how serving this incredible community over the past four years has truly been the privilege and honor of a lifetime.
While this chapter is coming to a close, my healing work as a sound practitioner is gratefully expanding. I will be offering private and corporate sound healing sessions in the area and will keep you all posted.”
They’re open through Sunday (September 13). Lisa hopes to clear out all tables, chairs, shelving, sound healing instruments, meditation cushions, decorations — even plants. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
Lisa Pak, with her great river view.
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Hard to believe that the Class of 2006 — the first to graduate from the “new building” — is gearing up for their 20th reunion.
The time-sure-flies event is October 3 (8 to 11 p.m.), at Little Barn. Or, as they remember it, Swanky Frank’s and Woody’s.
And finally … on this date in 1966, “Star Trek” debuted on NBC.
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