Roundup: VFW’s All-American Honors, MoCA’s Lost Places, Audrey Hepburn’s Sign …

Posted on July 18, 2026 | 2 comments

Congratulations to VFW Post 399!

For the 2nd year in a row, it’s earned All-American Post status.

The recognition, from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Connecticut, honors the 106-year-old post’s commitment to serving veterans and the community.

All-American VFW posts demonstrate outstanding leadership, excellence in advancing the VFW’s core programs, meaningful service and sustained membership growth.

Post 399 quartermaster Phil Delgado calls the honor “a testament to the volunteers, members and partners who support our mission of serving veterans and our community.” To learn more about the Westport VFW, click here.

VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399.

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Ellen Harvey’s powerful, evocative works — dozens of “lost places,” from Ebbets Field and the Sutro Baths to the Remarkable Book Shop, Allen’s Clam House, the Cedar Brook Café and Bloodroot — formed the backdrop for an intriguing evening Thursday at MoCA\CT.

Harvey joined “06880” founder Dan Woog and Westport preservationist Ed Gerber in a wide-ranging discussion of the meaning of lost places, the importance of remembering them, and the meaning of absence.

Audience members participated avidly, recalling many parts of Westport’s past: restaurants like the Arrow, Ships and Big Top; stores like Klein’s, Selective Eye and Sally’s Place; Arnie’s Place, movie theaters and all of downtown, and much more.

From left: Ed Gerber, Dan Woog, Ellen Harvey … (Photo/Dave Matlow)

Each generation remembers the past differently, the panelists said, as they explored the meaning of memory, and the realities of the past and future.

Noting the inclusion of 4 local “lost places,” Harvey said, “I love that when this show travels next, it will bring a little piece of Westport with it.”

The program was sponsored by the CORA Foundation, the private foundation founded by philanthropist, travel business owner and advocate for culture and sustainability Robin Tauck.

CORA will sponsor 4 events in conjunction with the current MoCA exhibit, “Looking for History.” The next is Thursday, July 23 (6 p.m.)A : “Architectural Elegy: A Mourning Ritual for Lost Spaces.” Click here for details, and tickets.

… and Ellen Harvey, in front of her artwork. (Photo/Lewis Derogene)

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Also on Thursday: Nina Bentley was interviewed by fellow Westport artist Mark Yurkiw at the Westport Center for Senior Activities. Her humorously innovative exhibits of “typewriter art sculpture,” “Shoes” and “Marriage” is on display there throughout July.

Bentley, served as a Westport Arts Center board member, helped found the Westport Arts Collective, and is active with the Silvermine Guild Arts Center.

Nina Bentley and Mark Yurkiw. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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On Thursday too, Eleish Van Breems Home hosted the most recent Westport Pride gathering.

Members of the LGBTQ community and allies enjoyed food from Nômade (across the street), and drinks from Black Bear Wine & Spirits.

The next social event is at Yuzu.

Westport Pride member, and friend. (Photo/Bethany Eppner)

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Many great scientists are also passionate musicians. (Far less often, the other way around).

On Tuesday (July 21, 8 p.m., Westport Observatory), Stephon Alexander will discuss “Cosmic Sound: the Emergence of Structure in the Universe.”

The director of the Center for Theoretical Physics and Innovation at Brown University revisits the interconnection between music, the evolution of astrophysics, and the origin of large scale structure in the universe.

He’ll explore new ways that music mirrors modern physics, like quantum mechanics, general relativity, and the physics of the early universe.

The talk will also be live-streamed on YouTube, shown as a Zoom webinar, and posted to the WAS YouTube channel afterward.

Dr. Stephon Alexander

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Yesterday’s Roundup included a photo of a sign from Turkey Hill Road South: Audrey Hepburn, warning drivers to “Slow Down.”

(Photo/Chris Grimm)

Pretty random, we thought. And quickly moved on.

Never underestimate the power — and knowledge — of “06880” readers.

Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate Bonnie Erickson soon sent a link to The New Journal, a Yale University publication.

It begins:

New Haveners have noticed, enjoyed, and sometimes stolen signs put up by artist Matthew Feiner. His most recent design is especially eye-catching: “SLOW DOWN,” it reads, over a stencil of Audrey Hepburn. The colors and stencils vary, but each sign features Hepburn in the center with her beehive haircut, staring straight at the viewer.

There are around 240 Audrey Hepburn signs made by Feiner in Connecticut. She glares from street signs near Feiner’s studio in West Haven, near his girlfriend’s place in Hamden, around bike routes, and across downtown New Haven.

“They’re a bright spot on the urban landscape,” Feiner proudly remarked. “They’re a calling card from an artist that says ‘cars slow down, everybody slow down, take an assessment of your life.’”

When asked how long ago he started making the signs, Feiner’s tall scruffy face smirked, and responded in his slightly raspy voice. “I guess the question really is, how long ago did I start admitting that they were mine?”

Click here to read the full story.

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The mother-daughter team of Niki Ketchman and Karen Kallins present their first exhibition together.

It’s on view weekdays (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the Weston Senior Center. A reception is set for Thursday, July 23 (6 to 8 p.m.).

Ketchman is showing “Resinations,” mixed-media works created with resin and found materials. Kallins exhibits her “Submerged” series, combining botanicals, water and flowing inks to blur the line between photography and painting.

Though working in different mediums, both share a love of color, texture, movement and organic forms, creating a cohesive exhibition.

The family’s roots in Westport go back nearly 50 years.

“Resinations” (Niki Ketchman)

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In today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo, a mother leads her little one across the street to Pizza Lyfe … or perhaps the new ice cream spot, Sweet Lyfe.

(Photo/Stacey Henske)

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And finally … Happy National Woodie Wagon Day!

(“06880” is “where Westport meets the world.” Audrey Hepburn, Surf City, lost places, the universe — you’ll find them all here. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support us. Thanks!)

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Posted in Arts, Local business, Totally random

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Online Art Gallery #327

Posted on July 18, 2026 | Leave a comment

Most weeks, our online gallery artists roam far and wide.

This week, many stick close to home.

Compo Beach, the Saugatuck River train bridge, Taylortown Salt Marsh — all are represented this week.

This gallery is like Forrest Gump’s chocolates. You never know what you’ll get. But the surprises are part of the fun.

And we want you to join in. 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.

“Composition” (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)

“Compo Playground” (Amy Schneider)

“Rust Never Sleeps” — Saugatuck River train trestle (Jerry Kuyper)

“Taylortown Salt Marsh” (Michael Tomashefsky — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)

“Happy July 4th!” (Pam Kesselman)

Untitled (Lauri Weiser)

Photographer Mike Hibbard asks, “Who broke which of the Christian 10 Commandments to gather materials and the use them to build this house of God?”

“Xavier” — silverpoint on prepared paper, 11 x 8 (Werner Liepolt)

Untitled (Martin Ripchick)

“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” — watercolor and graphite (Steve Stein)

Untitled (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!)

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Prices High — But Real Estate Market May Be Slowing

Posted on July 18, 2026 | Leave a comment

What’s up with the Westport real estate market?

Our friends at KMS Team at Compass report: 3.6% more homes have traded hands this year than last.

Through June 30, the median sales price ($2.31 million) and average sales price ($2,941,376) are both up — the latter by 14.4% from last year.

And buyers are paying 3.4% higher, on average, than the list price.

But these statistics are dated. Transactions can be negotiated and held under contract for months before closing.

Telling signs that things in Westport are slowing include median days on market creeping higher (26, up 12%), and the number of homes actively listed or closed that have taken price reductions.

Price sensitivity and buyer discernment are particularly evident in the upper range of the Westport market:

While the vast majority of property buyers come from within Connecticut, we still attract a significant number of New Yorkers, natives or those returning to the state after spending some years in the city.

In either case, Connecticut’s outdoors and open spaces continue to be an attractive draw.

This 8-bedroom, 8 1/2-bathroom, 12,946-square foot home, on 2.6 acres on Beachside Common, is listed for $22.825 million.

(“06880” often covers the local real estate scene. If you enjoy stories like this — and can afford a few bucks after buying a home — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Pic Of The Day #3376

Posted on July 17, 2026 | Leave a comment

Saugatuck River (Photo/Susan Eaton)

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Friday Flashback #512

Posted on July 17, 2026 | 9 comments

Printed high school yearbooks are forever.

Video yearbooks are not.

Briefly the rage in the 1980s and ’90s, the concept faded quickly once the cutting-edge technology became yesterday’s news.

And then unusable.

But whether your video yearbook is gathering dust somewhere (and you long ago tossed your VCR machine to play it), or whether you never bought one — or if you were not in Westport (or even alive) when these relics were made, but would love to see what Staples was like, back in the day: You’re in luck!

Staples grad Nick Wiener found 5 video yearbooks on YouTube.  They’re from 1987, 1988, 1991, 1995 and 1997.

The picture and sound quality isn’t great. But that’s not the point.

Three and 4 decades after they were filmed, edited and distributed — and soon thereafter, forgotten — they live on.

Click below, and relive the glory days: of Staples High School, and video yearbooks.

The 1997 video yearbook cannot be linked directly. But you can click here to see.

Go Wreckers!

(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!)

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Roundup: World Cup, Cribari Bridge, Polling Places …

Posted on July 17, 2026 | 18 comments

“06880” is “where Westport meets the world.”

On Sunday, the Westport Library is “where Westport meets the World Cup.”

After 102 matches, there’s one left: European champion Spain vs. South American champ Argentina.

It will be a game for the ages. And all ages — from those watching their first World Cup, to those who remember Pele, Beckenbauer (and Maradona) — are invited to share the excitement on Sunday.

The Library opens at 1 p.m., for Panini card trading.

From 1:30 to 2:30, Westport soccer folks — including Dan Woog, Chris O’Dell, Paddy Donovan, Joe Pierce and Clemson coach Mike Noonan (video) — will tell stories about their experiences with The Beautiful Game.

At 3 p.m., the match will be shown on the Trefz Forum’s giant screen. The audience here will join billions of others around the globe.

Oh, yeah: There’s Riko’s pizza too (courtesy of “06880”).

Wear your jersey. Bring your friends. See you Sunday at the Library — where Westport meets the World Cup.

(Graphic courtesy of Isabelle Sareen)

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In early April, 1st Selectman Kevin Christie responded to a flurry of Cribari Bridge meetings and activity by announcing the formation of a Cribari Bridge Advisory Committee.

It would “support the town’s ongoing engagement with the DOT as the state-led process moves forward.”

Christie did not announce names of committee members, or indicate when and how they would be appointed.

Several readers have asked about the committee.

Last week — 3 months later — “06880” emailed the first selectman, asking about the status of the committee: Has it been formed? What’s its status?

And, we wondered, what is happening in terms of conversations between the town and state Department of Transportation?

We did not receive a response. We followed up again Tuesday morning, with the same questions.

We have not yet received a reply.  When we do, we will let readers know.

Part of the large Town Hall crowd, at a March Cribari Bridge meeting with state Department of Transportation officials. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Speaking of politics: Both the Democratic and Republic Town Committees have issued statements about the decision by the registrars of voters to consolidate polling places — and the quick reversal, to return to traditional Representative Town Meeting (RTM) sites.

The RTC says: The Republican Party commends Registrar of Voters Maria Signore and Deborah Greenberg, her Democratic counterpart, along with their dedicated staff and deputies, for their tireless efforts in ensuring smooth, secure and equitable elections in our town. These public servants consistently go above and beyond — working long hours, managing complex logistics, and adapting to expanded voting options like early in-person voting an no-excuse absentee ballots — to protect every voter’s rights and deliver reliable results. Their professionalism and commitment deserve our deep appreciation and gratitude.

We support the registrars’ proposal to consolidate polling for the August 11 primary to a single, central location at Bedford Middle School. This move was thoughtfully designed to enhance voter experience by offering better security, ample parking and lighting, easier navigation for all districts, shorter lines, and more efficient staffing, particularly important given the lower turnout typical of primaries and the growing preference for early and absentee voting.

While we respect the final decision to maintain the traditional polling locations for this election, we believe the consolidation concept reflects sound planning for future elections. Centralized operations can reduce burdens on poll workers, improve resource allocation, and provide a more consistent, high-quality  experience for Westporters.

We remain fully committed to working collaboratively with the Registrars of Votes, town officials and stakeholders to support secure, efficient and accessible elections that reflect the best of our town’s civic spirit. We encourage all registered Republicans, Democrats, Unaffiliated and independent votes to take advantage of the multiple option available, and exercise their fundamental right to vote.

The Democratic Town Committee says:

The officers of the Westport Democratic Town Committee would like to take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for our Registrar of Voters, Deborah Greenberg, and the tremendous work she does in collaboration with Westport Town Clerk Jeff Dunkerton and her Republican counterpart, Maria Signiore. Deb works seamlessly with her office and the many members of the public whom she assists and greets daily. She is profoundly respected by Westport’s poll workers, and deeply valued by the DTC Officers and fellow members.

Deb has worked tirelessly through the implementation of new procedures like early voting and no-excuse absentee ballots without a hiccup, and we celebrated her for taking on these changes. Recently, a proposal for a new change was not received well by all members of the public and was subsequently overturned. DTC leadership finds it essential to note that any change proposed by our registrar was done with nothing but the best intentions for our community and respect for democracy.

Serving as a registrar of voters is an incredibly difficult public service role involving a heavy workload that should not be overlooked. Deb — we see you. We see how hard you work for our town and our party. We are blessed to have you as our registrar, and we are proud to have you as a member of the DTC family.

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Last week, Carolyn Doan reported on activity in the Fresh Market osprey nest.

This week, the word is not good.

“06880”‘s intrepid osprey watcher writes: “Unfortunately, I think the nest has been abandoned. Since last week, I haven’t seen them.

“Up and down the east coast, osprey are struggling with a shortage of menhaden (bunker fish) due to over-fishing. Parents can’t feed their chicks, and many nests are failing.

“I’m not sure what happened with this nest. It felt a bit off from the beginning. The pair arrived late, and then weren’t seen that often around the nest as they usually are.

“It’s possible it is a different pair altogether. The nest sits quiet at the moment. I’m checking it daily, hoping for some activity.

Click here for a Hartford Courant story on ospreys across Connecticut. 

Instead of the osprey pair, this red shouldered hawk sat in the tree on Sunday. (Photo/Carolyn Doan)

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Speaking of the environment: Smoke from Canadian wildfires continued over Westport yesterday, producing this eerie scene at Compo Beach …

(Photo/Cat Malkin) 

… and this equally grotty sunset, over downtown …

(Photo/Miggs Burroughs)

… along with this one, over Longshore:

(Photo/Phil Schaefer)

The haze and acrid smoke are expected to persist today.

The (only) good news: If the smoke thickens, temperatures may not climb as high as expected (mid-80s today). The reason: Smoke could filter out some of the sun’s rays,

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Speaking of the beach: This is the scene at the Old Mill guardhouse:

(Photo/Karen Como)

We’re not sure what’s going on here.

Is this lost footwear, waiting to be claimed?

If so, we understand forgetting both shoes. But only one …?!

Or perhaps this is just a bit of artwork, greeting beach-goers. Who, hopefully, will leave with everyting they brought.

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Another mystery, this one on Turkey Hill Road South:

(Photo/Chris Grimm)

We understand the frustration of residents with speeders, and the urge to plea for safety with a homemade sign.

But why Audrey? Why now?

If you know the back story — or want to guess — click “Comments” below.

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MoCA\CT’s 2026-27 concert series promises an exciting combination: international artists in the contemporary art galleries.

Among the featured performers in the coming year, ranging from jazz and R&B to classical and cross-genre music: Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Charlap, Morgan James and Time for Three.

Click here and below for the full schedule of 7 concerts, and more information.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is not poorly exposed by photographer Richard Fogel.

It’s an all-too-accurate image of the scene on Whitney Street, during yesterday’s wildfire-induced haze.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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And finally … of course today’s song is:

(So long as you’re staying safe indoors … why not spend a few seconds clicking here? You’ll be supporting your hyper-local blog — ensuring we’ll keep reporting news, events, and (of course) weather.

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Environment, Library, Local politics, Transportation

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E-Bikes And Motorbikes: What Drives The Difference?

Posted on July 17, 2026 | 2 comments

Walk Bike Westport advocates for a town “where children pedal to school without a parent behind the wheel, where a downtown errand doesn’t need a parking space, where the hill that once made cycling to the train station unthinkable simply isn’t a barrier anymore.”

That’s why they support pedal-assist electric bicycles.

A Class 1 e-bike is “a great way to get around,” the organization says. “It’s quiet, it tops out around 20 miles per hour, and it only helps when you pedal. It helps more people ride farther,  and tackle hills with confidence — making cycling accessible to riders of all ages and abilities.”

Class 1 pedal-assist e-bike. 

But, Walk Bike Westport says, there is a threat: “a different machine wearing the same name … overpowered bikes that tear through traffic at 30 or 40 miles an hour aren’t e-bikes.”

Instead, they’re “motor-driven cycles.” And they generate a backlash that could hurt pro-biking efforts.

Walk Bike Westport wants residents to not get taken for a ride.

According to Connecticut law, a Class 1 e-bike has working pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less. It tops out around 20 miles per hour, and adds power only when you pedal. Like a bicycle, it requires no license, plate or insurance.

But as of last October, a bike with no working pedals, or with a motor strong enough to push past 30, is a “motor-driven cycle or a motorcycle.” You need a license. The most powerful versions need registration and insurance too.

However, Walk Bike Westport notes, the classification is not obvious, and both look similar.

A parent sees an “e-bike,” and assumes it’s a bicycle. The seller has little reason to correct them. “By the time anyone sorts out what category the thing actually falls into, it’s usually because something has gone wrong.”

It’s not the fault of “the kid doing 35 down Hillspoint Road,” the Westport organization says. “The machine (is) mislabeled.”

More and more of these motorbikes are sold with motors several times over the 750-watt limit, and often without pedals.

The best-known is the Sur-Ron, says Walk Bike Westport, which its manufacturer calls an electric dirt bike. Others, like the Talaria, are built and sold the same way.

“The confusion creeps in later, once they hit resellers and online marketplaces, where the same bike gets listed as an ‘e-bike’ and a buyer has no reason to doubt it.”

E-bike? Motorbike? It’s confusing. 

Connecticut requires sellers to label a bike with its class, wattage and top speed. But that only works if a buyer knows how to read it, and if someone checks.

“An officer watching a bike go by can’t read its wattage at a glance, and the gap between a fast e-bike and a slow motorcycle is exactly the kind of line that’s sharp in a statute and invisible on a road,” Walk Bike Westport notes.

Our town’s approach leans toward education. Westport Police issued a guide for parents, and held a forum at Town Hall.

“That instinct is the right one,” Walk Bike Westport says. “Most families with a misclassified bike have no idea they have one, and a summons doesn’t fix a problem that started with a misleading listing.

Southington, meanwhile, has a zero-tolerance policy. They issue citations, seize bikes, and even make arrests. But there’s danger, the Westport bike group says, in “treating every bike as a suspect.”

Walk Bike Westport wants to avoid that outcome. The answer to the e-bike problem “isn’t more fear. It’s clarity, and a town built so that the right bikes have somewhere safe to go.”

Walk Bike Westport advocates for safety.

The town and Police “can publish a plain guide that tells a resident, in 1 page, whether the bike in their garage is a bicycle or a motorcycle under Connecticut law,” Walk Bike Westport says.

Some of that work is already underway, they note — “and it’s coming from the people with the most at stake.”

This spring the teenagers on the Westport Youth Commission’s E-bike Safety and Awareness group developed a poster campaign to teach young riders how to ride safely, and teach parents which e-bikes their kids are allowed to ride.

They worked with the Police Department and Walk Bike Westport; put their posters in doctors’ offices, schools and bike shops, and are planning events for this fall.

Youth Commission posters.

“When the kids most associated with the problem are the ones standing up to solve it, the rest of the town should pay attention,” says Walk Bike Westport.

However, the group notes, “most of what makes cycling feel unsafe in Westport has nothing to do with e-bikes, and everything to do with roads built only for cars.”

The town is working on a safety plan with federal funding, including protected lanes and calmer streets.

Walk Bike Westport has one final message: “A pedal-assist e-bike is one of the best things to happen to local transportation.

“(But) a throttle-driven motorbike wearing a bicycle’s name is a different thing entirely. It should be ridden, licensed, and treated for what it is.

“Defend the first. Be straight about the second. And the Westport we pictured (in the first paragraph of this story) gets a little closer.”

Walk Bike Westport and the Westport Youth Commission spread awareness at last month’s “Kickoff to Summer” at Compo Beach.

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Posted in Transportation, Westport life

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Pic Of The Day #3375

Posted on July 16, 2026 | 14 comments

Canal Street — headed to the Post Road at Roseville Road? (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

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“06880” Blog Party: 1 Week Away!

Posted on July 16, 2026 | 7 comments

The 12th annual “06880″ party is just a week away.

And if you’re reading this: You’re invited.

Next Thursday (July 23, 6 p.m.) is the day and time. The far end of Compo’s South Beach — away from the cannons, near the boat and kayak launch — is the place. (Still confused? See the aerial view below.)

The blue arrow marks the "06880" party spot.

The blue arrow marks the “06880” party spot.

Every member of the “06880″ (as in, this website) community is invited.

We welcome frequent commenters and lurkers. Folks who have lived here all their lives, and those who moved here yesterday. People who want the Cribari bridge to stay the same, those who want a new one, and everyone in between. (Don’t worry: We keep the party a politics-free zone.)

The tagline for “06880″ is “Where Westport meets the world.” Next Thursday, that world comes to Compo.

Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. (If you bring extras to share with others, we won’t say no). Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.

There’s no charge. It’s a “fun-raiser,” not a fundraiser.

A “blog party” — the “06880” version of a block party.

See you next Thursday!

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Posted in Beach, Westport life

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Roundup: WPD, AQI, DST, AI, WCP …

Posted on July 16, 2026 | Leave a comment

National Night Out is coming to Westport.

The event — part of a US-wide community-building campaign to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, in all 50 states — is set for Tuesday, August 4. It’s sponsored by the Westport Police Department, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Jesup Green.

There’s plenty of action: live bands, food, K-9 demonstrations, a Dunk-a-Cop tank, smoke trailer, bounce houses, and many other family-friendly activities.

Emergency Medical Services personnel will provide demonstrations on CPR, the LUCAS device, splinting, and other techniques.

Local businesses and organizations are invited to participate. Contact Lt. Sereniti Dobson for more information: sdobson@westportct.gov.

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As smoke from Canadian wildfires settled over Westport yesterday — and state officials issued an air quality alert — some residents said, “Whatever.”

This was the late-afternoon scene at Compo Beach:

(Photo/Pam Kesselman)
Photographer Pam Kesselman reports it was “misty, dusky and dusty. Quiet with soft breeze. Surprisingly pleasant.”
Your description may differ.
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This week, Congress is debating a law that would require states to observe year-round Daylight Savings Time (unless they exempt themselves before it takes effect).

Congressman Jim Himes wants to know what his constituents think. Click here, for his 1-question survey.

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The 3 finalists for the Westport Prize for Literature are “Transcription” by Ben Lerner, “The Children” by Melissa Albert, and “Good People” by Patmeena Sabit.
The award honors original, timeless works of long-form fiction published in the US. The winner is selected by a jury, and administered by Westport volunteers.

This year’s winner will be honored — and awarded a $10,000 prize — at The Westport Library on November 12.

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AI, we are told relentlessly, is the future.

Young people today must master the technical and cognitive skills necessary to live in a world no one can yet predict.

Patrick McCullough takes a different tack.

Next month, the 1981 Staples High School graduate — an award-winning filmmaker who for 22 years has offered film and arts summer education programs — will run a different type of camp experience: “Futures Prep.”

The hands-on week teaches youngsters “the human skills they need to stay ahead of technology, and thrive in a world where AI will do much of the heavy lifting.”

McCullough’s emphasis is on “creativity, presence, collaboration, focus and flow.” There are no computers at all.

Besides McCullough’s filmmaking, he has coached actors, entrepreneurs and executives, from startups to multinational companies.

He knows how to help individuals and teams make creative decisions and communicate clearly, in uncertain, high-pressure situations.

“Futures Prep” will include games, challenges and teamwork missions — “developing skills kids can actually use,” McCullough says.

Run through Westport Continuing Education at Staples August 3-7, there are sessions for ages 8-10 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and 11-14 (12:30 to 3:30 p.m.). The fee is $395.

For more information and to register, click here. Questions? Email  Patrick@Filmmakers-Ink.com.

Patrick McCullough

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Speaking of AI: consultant Peter Farnsworth demystifies the vast topic, for client companies and classes for the general public.

On Tuesday, he did it for the Westport Rotary Club.

Farnsworth warned that even savvy individuals can easily be fooled by AI. It can be used by scammers to clone a loved one’s voice on a phone call, manufacturing a fake crisis and asking for money.

His recommendation is simple: “Slow it down. Don’t ever act quickly.”

Peter Farnsworth, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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100 years after publication, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” is having a moment.

Dame Agatha Christie’s novel was just included in the New York Times’ list of the best mysteries ever.

It’s also the current production at the Westport Country Playhouse. The show runs through August 1.

The Times says:

Our narrator, a country doctor named James Sheppard, is called to the scene when a wealthy widow apparently dies by suicide. Her fiancé, Roger Ackroyd, says she was being blackmailed by someone who knew she had poisoned her first husband. When Ackroyd himself turns up dead, enter Poirot and a vast cast of suspects, including an entitled stepson, a fanciful spinster, a resentful illegitimate son, a by-the-book retired military officer, a secretive personal secretary and a housekeeper who knows far more than she’s saying. It’s a master class in red herrings, misdirection and unreliable narration, and it ends with perhaps the greatest twist of all time.

As our critic wrote in 1926, “There are doubtless many detective stories more exciting and bloodcurdling than ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,’ but this reviewer has recently read very few which provide greater analytical stimulation.”

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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between July 8 and 14.

A 67-year-old Weston woman was charged with evading responsibility, following an investigation into a driver who let the scene of an April accident in the HomeGoods parking lot. She was reportedly not cooperative during multiple attempts to follow up on the matter. She was released on a $1,000 bond.

Police also issued these citations:

  • Texting while driving: 18 citations
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 17
  • Distracted driving: 11
  • Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 8
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 6
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 3
  • Speeding: 2
  • Failure to carry driver’s license: 2
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
  • School zone violation: 1
  • Disobeying the signal of an officer: 1
  • Improper passing: 1
  • Following too closely: 1
  • Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 1
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a tint inspection: 1
  • Failure to renew registration: 1

Disobeying the signal of an officer can result in a citation.

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This guy gives off a strong “don’t mess with me” vibe. But June Rose Whittaker got close enough to snap today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo.

(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)

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And finally … Joe Melson, the songwriter who collaborated with Roy Orbison to help create some of the singer’s most operatic ballads, died this month at 91.

You may not know his name. But you sure know some of the hits he co-wrote:

(We can’t sing like Roy Orbison. No one can. But we do publish a pretty good hyper-local blog. If you enjoy a decent amount of it, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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