As Westport’s dining scene explodes, we enjoy more options than ever.
Of course, prices are rising too.
Comparisons with days past is a bit like apples and oranges (though they were not on the menu). Much has changed since the time when appetizers at one of Westport’s favorite dining spots included a half grapefruit, tomato juice and chopped chicken livers, steaks were $3.50, and a side salad set you back a whopping 25 cents.
Still, it’s fun to see not only what we paid, but also what we could choose from. This menu below is from Manero’s, the long-lived, much loved Saugatuck ancestor of what is now Rizzuto’s.
The date is uncertain. But the “CA” phone number offers a clue. CApital 7 became 227 in the mid 1960s.
Click on or hover over to enlarge.
Here are the drinks. A bottle of beer was 50 cents. Nothing cost more than $1, except wine.
(Menus courtesy of Seth Van Beever)
Speaking of Saugatuck restaurants: A bit later, across Riverside Avenue and a few yards south, De Rosa’s had great run.
It was razed to make way for what is now Momu and Sea Kayak Connecticut.
We don’t have their menu. But prices were higher than Manero’s.
And lower than Rizzuto’s. And The Whelk.
(Photo/Rose Colletti)
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Westport’s “4 Days of Service” — a townwide initiative to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 through volunteerism, generosity, and acts of kindness — begin Tuesday (September 8).
There are countless ways to get involved (click here for a full story). Homes with Hope — one of the many organization participating — offers 4 specific ideas.
Volunteer: Opportunities includes the community kitchen, food pantry, After-School Academic Program, Carol Randel Mentoring Program, and more. Click here for details.
Donate to the food pantry: An Amazon Wish List (click here) makes it easy to support the pantry at the Gillespie Center, without leaving home. Browse most-needed items; donations ship directly to Homes with Hope.
Speaking of 9/11: MoCA\CT has designated next Friday a “Day for Reflection.”
From noon to 5 p.m., community members are invited to spend time in a setting for art, contemplation and remembrance.
Visitors are invited to explore, at no charge, “Looking for History.” The museum’s current exhibition examines the people, places and stories that shape our understanding of the past.
On this solemn anniversary, MoCA says, “take time to pause, reflect and remember through our 6-acre grounds, surrounded by sculpture, mature trees, gardens and open space.” The museum is located at 19 Newtown Turnpike.
After news reports of up to 100 ICE detentions in Danbury, Stamford and Bridgeport, Don Bergmann emailed 1st Selectman Kevin Christie, Police Chief Dave Farrell and superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
He asked, “Has ICE come to Westport, or do you expect ICE to show up? Please address the issue of ICE at school bus stops or any other locations. … Groups in town should be ready to mobilize.”
Scarice replied, Here is the spot on our website with some basic info for parents. Additionally, we have an internal protocol for principals to guide them in the unlikely event ICE shows up at a school.”
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News of Gloria Steinem’s death yesterday caused many Westporters to reflect on the life of the pioneering women’s rights activist, and her impact on the world.
For Natalie Caine — who moved here last year after the deadly California wildfires – that impact was very personal.
Caine says, “Throughout my life I have created and facilitated women’s support groups, brought women together, and advocated for women’s voices to be heard in the room. Gloria was one of the women who showed me that this work mattered.
“I was fortunate to have had 4 meaningful one-on-one conversations with Gloria over the years. What I remember most is how present she was. She listened deeply. She was curious, warm, and completely congruent with who she is.
“One conversation has stayed with me. I told Gloria that my daughter was having difficulty finding a job. Gloria responded, ‘If your daughter can’t find the job she really wants, tell her to start the job.’
“Such a simple sentence. Such a powerful way of thinking.
“Don’t wait for permission. Begin. Create. Use your voice.
“That idea has stayed with me — not just as advice for my daughter, but as a way of moving through the world.”
Natalie sent a photo of herself with Gloria. It represents “one of the moments when I was lucky enough to sit across from a woman whose work has influenced generations.”
Gloria Steinem and Natalie Caine.
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Labor Day weekend at the Levitt Pavilion includes 2 groups with local musicians, making their Levitt debuts supporting Mihali.
Tonight (Friday, 5:30 p.m.; click here for tickets) Eliot Thompson helps kick off Mihali’s 11th throwdown by the Saugatuck.
The 19 year old singer-songwriter grew up in Weston. He spent this summer as part of the Levitt’s stellar season associate team.
Thompson goes to Berklee College of Music. Over the years he has pursued classical piano, musical theater, film composition and jazz drumming.
His most recent of 7 singles is “Blue-gray Eyes.” His first album is “To Want Something.” Thompson has 24,500 followers on Instagram.
Reggae rock band Mr. Mota will also make their inaugural appearance on the Levitt stage. Guitarist Will Rosen attended Staples High School, while drummer Jake Young is from Weston. Mr. Mota formed at the University of Colorado.
Tomorrow (Saturday, 7 p.m.), Hollywood Nights brings their acclaimed Bob Seger Experience to Westport. Click here for tickets.
Summer vibes continue next week with 3 free shows: ever-popular DNR (the almost all-doctor rock band; Thursday, September 10, 7:30 p.m.); the equally popular Sweet Remains (Saturday, September 12, 7:30 p.m.) and the Brian López Electric Trio (Sunday, September 13, 7 p.m.).
Circle of Friends — the community organization dedicated to empowering high school students — is launching a new way to do just that.
The Solomon Leadership Program welcomes high school juniors and seniors. In addition to learning important life lessons, participants will earn 3 college credits.
The Solomon Program offers leadership training, community engagement and mentorship to teens. Skills include decision-making, values-driven leadership and public speaking.
To learn more and apply to the Westport chapter, click here or contact Faige Chein: westport@solomonprogram.org; 203-293-8837.
And finally … of course, following up on the item above:
(“06880” is “where Westport meets the world.” Today’s Roundup features several examples. If you appreciate our 24/7/365 work making connections, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
The free version offers scoring, shot tracking and statistics (plus a weather forecast).
For a fee, users get 3D greens maps, club recommendations, advanced stats and more.
It’s handy, on the course. But what about the courses themselves? How can golfers share photos? Insights into which bunkers are not in good shape, or where the wind whips off nearby water? Or get recommendations from friends, while traveling somewhere new?
That’s the territory — before and after rounds — that Linx has staked out.
The app is in a soft launch phase. It teed off right here, at courses like Longshore and Rolling Hills Country Club.
Linx is the brainchild of Daniel Rosenkranz. The Staples High School Class of 2021 member was not on the golf team — he swam, volunteered with the Westport YMCA special education swim program, and founded the Aerial Photography Club.
After studying philosophy, politics and economics at the University of Michigan, Rosenkranz landed a consulting job. But the starting date was a few months off. So he trained for a half-Ironman, and headed to Peru where he worked at a hostel, surfed, and improved his Spanish.
From left: Daniel Rosenkranz, father Jeff, brothers Eli and Jeremy.
As he began his consulting gig, Rosenkranz realized that he could use AI tools to build an app. Golf seemed a perfect target.
“Golfers like to share opinions,” he notes.
Nearly everyone else does too. Runners, cyclists and fitness enthusiasts have Strava. There are many ways to rate and talk about movies, music and restaurants.
“But there was no way to hear about how your friends were playing, except texting,” Rosenkranz says.
Linx fills that gap. From comments (“everyone plays at a super slow pace”) to recommendations (“my favorite course in South Florida!”), and with the ability to upload photos while on the course, or after, the app works exactly as he envisioned.
Linx users can find (left) and rate (right) golf courses.
Getting on the App Store is not easy. Apple’s strict requirements meant that Rosenkranz was constantly fixing one issue, then forced to work on another.
It was frustrating — but ultimately helpful. “They found serious stuff,” Rosenkranz says.
Since the rollout, marketing has been primarily through social media and word of mouth. Golfers pass Linx on to their foursomes, colleagues, college friends — anyone they know who spends time on the links.
The app is free. Rosenkranz is growing the user base, before transitioning to a revenue model. He hopes to charge courses for promotion, and/or allow users to book tee times through the app for a fee.
Every user has their own customizable page.
As for the founder: He has posted already about Longshore and Rolling Hills (his home course).
Plus The Bridge in the Hamptons, which he played this summer with UM friends.
He described that course’s ocean view. And added, “it’s in as good shape as advertised.”
Fore!
(Linx is available through the App Store — search for “Linx golf app.” Rosenkranz welcomes feedback from users; email danielrosenkranz7@gmail.com.)
(“06880” regularly covers recreation, technology, Staples graduates — and, like today, their intersection. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Two big, traditional fall events were announced this week.
The 14th annual Slice of Saugatuck returns Saturday, September 26 (2 to 5 p.m.).
The food tasting/retail experience includes over 40 businesses and restaurants, spread from Riverside Avenue and Railroad Place to Saugatuck Avenue.
Over 2,000 people eat and drink their way through the neighborhood, listening to live music at 7 venues while kids enjoy bouncy houses, balloon artists and face painters.
A local non-profits will highlight their work. (Like the restaurants, they’ll offer tasty samples too.)
Two beer gardens (with wine) are located outdoors. Many restaurants offer specialty drinks inside (and/or continue the fun with happy hour specials after the Slice ends).
Tickets ($15 adults, $5 kids under 13; children under 5 are free) are available on site only (credit or electronic payment only).
The Slice of Saugatuck is sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. Since its inception, they’ve donated $60,000 to the Homes with Hope food pantry, from the proceeds.
For more information, and to see participants and a map, click here.
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Meanwhile: Craft beer, live music, food and fun return to downtown October 3.
The 9th annual Westoberfest takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. — and this year’s event is bigger than ever.
Over 50 local and regional beers, from 20+ breweries are on tap (ho ho), from crisp lagers and bold IPAs to rich stouts. There are plenty of non-alcoholic options too. The event is sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association.
Beyond the beer: food from local favorites, music from One Bad Oyster, other entertainment for all ages, and vendors offering a variety of products and services.
A competitive stein-holding contest is hosted by CBS News weather anchor (and Westport resident Lonnie Quinn.
A dozen talented and varied artists star in the next Artists Collective of Westport pop-up show.
Lynne Arovas, Nina Bentley, Jeanine Esposito, Kat Evans, Herm Freeman, MaryEllen Hendricks, Julie Leff, Kerstin Rao, Dolores R. Santoliquido, Gay Schempp, Gregg Ziebell and Virginia Zimmerman show their work September 10 through 13 (12 to 4 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse barn).
An opening reception September 9 (6 to 8 p.m.). features Rock & Roll Hall of famer Mark Naftalin on piano. The show ends with an artists’ talk at 4 p.m. on September 13. Click here or below to learn more about the Artists Collective.
Fresh off his role in “Masquerade” — the innovative, immersive staging of “Phantom of the Opera” — Staples High School graduate Clay Singer is immersed in 2 intriguing projects.
“Late Fame” was released last month, to strong reviews. The indie film stars Willem Dafoe as a legendary New York poet, whose forgotten works captivate the minds of an eccentric group of young artists (including Singer), who attempt to reignite his passion for writing.
The New York Times says the “group of aspirationally literary young men” are portrayed with “charming authenticity.”
Other critics say they “effectively capture the pretentious yet earnest vibe of modern trust fund creatives, striking the perfect balance between sneering at media influencers and earnestly fangirling over an old poet.”
Clay Singer
The Staples Players alum is also in “Rhinoceros.” The Eugene Ionesco play is being performed at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Starring Paul Giamatti, its theme of herd mentality is particularly timely today.
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Speaking of performing: High school sports teams around the country play the national anthem before games.
Some use live singers. Few have as talented a corps as Staples.
Football and basketball fans have been awed at some of the renditions by high school (and middle school!) singers.
Serena Diamond is one of those performers. Now the Staples junior is giving back in another way.
She has created a directory of a dozen Westport student singers available for games. And not just athletics — what about Eagle Scout ceremonies, town Veterans Day ceremonies, etc.?
Click here for the list, or email serenabelladiamond@gmail.com.
And if you’re a singer, and want your name on the list: let her know!
Demeil Betfarhad took his act on the road last winter. The Staples student sang the national anthem before the state boys basketball championship game, at Mohegan Sun. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
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There has been no news lately — from the state or the town — about the status of plans for replacement or renovation of the Cribari Bridge.
Meanwhile, routine maintenance continues. This was the scene yesterday:
(Photo/Ben Meyer)
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Other work was going on, elsewhere in Westport.
This was the scene on Evergreen Parkway. A new water main will be installed soon.
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between August 26 and September 1.
A 19-year-old Westport man was charged with assault and disorderly conduct, following a verbal and physical argument at a local residence. The man became angry when the victim spilled a glass of water.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 11 citations
Texting while driving: 8
Failure to obey stop sign: 8
Distracted driving: 5
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 4
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
Improper use of markers: 2
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 2
Evading responsibility: 1
Passing a standing school bus: 1
School zone violation: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Following too closely: 1
Negligent pedestrian: 1
Failure to carry license: 1
Failure to carry insurance card: 1
Failure to stop on the right side of the road: 1
Unsafe movement of a stopped vehicle: 1
Disobeying the signal of an officer: 1
Possession of a controlled substance: 1
Truancy: 1
Drivers are not the only ones who get tickets. Police can cite a “negligent pedestrian” too.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is a scene we never get tired of: Cockenoe Island, from Compo Beach.
And finally … in honor of Serena Diamond’s national anthem singers’ registry (story above), here’s one of the most famous renditions in history.
José Feliciano’s slow, Latin-influenced version — performed before game 5 of the 1968 World Series — was hugely controversial. It was non-traditional; and called
“disrespectful,” “disgraceful” and “unpatriotic.”
It came at a time of deep social and political divisions in the US. The criticism stalled the Puerto-Rico born singer’s career, for several years.
But it also paved the way for many more imitators. Today, a “traditional” performance of the difficult-to-sing song is seen as “different.”
And Feliciano — a longtime Weston resident — went on to earn 9 Grammy Awards, sing for presidents and popes, and enjoy international acclaim.
O say, can you sing …?
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Founded in 1886 — 140 years ago — as the “Westport Reading Room and Library Association,” it occupied one rented 2nd-floor room in the Hurlbutt block on State Street (now the Post Road), on the block now anchored by South Moon Under.
In 1908 — thanks to Morris Ketchum Jesup, who donated both the land and $5,000 for construction — the Morris K. Jesup Memorial Library moved across the street. Sadly, he died 4 months before its dedication.
Morris Jesup’s original library.
The renamed Westport Public Library grew rapidly during Westport’s postwar boom, expanding next door (into what is now Starbucks). It had, among other features, a robust art collection (used frequently by the town’s many illustrators), and an active children’s section on the second floor.
Expanded Westport Library, early 1960s. Today, it’s Starbucks.
By 1986, the library had outgrown its home of nearly 80 years. After an extensive search, trustees found a site for a new building.
It was a dump — literally. Built on landfill on the banks of the Saugatuck River, the former town dump had once hosted a “tea party” by etiquette expert Amy Vanderbilt. (The reasons are lost to history.)
Longtime residents remember flocks of gulls circling the piles of garbage next to the Taylor parking lot by Jesup Green. They remember too a Little League field nearby, within home run (and smelling) distance.
The town dump was just south of Rogers Little League field (off to the right of this photo). From lower left: the old Westport Library; the block across the Post Road (burned to the ground in the 1970s); Taylor parking lot; above it, Jesup Green. (Photo/Phil Lentini)
The choice was controversial. Extensive engineering tests took place. It took a town-wide referendum for the location to be approved.
Finally, on September 3, 1986 — exactly 40 years ago today — the new, modern Westport Public Library opened for tours.
I was a couple of weeks into my gig as “Woog’s World” columnist for the Westport News. I wrote the first week about 23-year-old Staples graduate Dan Kennedy, who was Sgt. Slaughter’s driver. (The Weston resident was an early WWF star. Those were the days …)
This time, I turned my attention to the library. Specifically, it was how the staff moved more than 154,000 books, a few thousand magazines and pamphlets, several hundred films, scores of microfilm rolls, some computer terminals, the contents of a couple dozen desks — and more — across the Post Road, through the Taylor parking lot, and into the completely new building.
Moving a library is not like moving your home, or even your business. The average mover, I wrote, “isn’t exactly on speaking terms with the Dewey Decimal System.” (Kids: Ask your grandparents!)
Another view of the Post Road library. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
So Joan Turner “did what any good library director would do: She called American Library Consultants of Melville, New York.” They were the only company in the US fully dedicated to moving libraries.
They moved all kinds of libraries: public, university, hospital, museum and private. They moved the 100,000-volume General Motors library too.
Many of their movers had librarian’s master degrees. I watched the process. “Several strong, young, unbookish-looking men and women moved methodically along the shelves of the old building, tagging volumes, hauling cartons and tossing boxes all around,” I reported.
The Westport move was straightforward. ALC charged $21,000. That sum would have been “considerably less had been a simple shelf-by-shelf (‘reintegrating’) move. With new shelving, this was tougher.”
But the cost included vacuuming the entire collection. That had not been done for years — if ever.
“There was little wasted motion,” I wrote. “Workers passed books from the balcony level down to the main floor, were colleagues boxed them, labeled them and moved them out the door.
“A couple of trucks clogged Parker Harding Plaza — no rarity — waiting for fresh loads before shuttling over to the new building.
“There, as Bach and the Beatles battled on competing tape decks” — Kids: Ask your parents! — “another crew worked just as industriously to shelve the incoming books.”
A few days later — 40 years ago today — the library officially opened. Hundreds of residents listened to speeches and music, nibbled refreshments, and “wandered through the recently integrated stacks.”
Westport Library in 2010, before the Transformation Project.
The movers were not there to enjoy it. They’d already moved on, to their next job.
That was not the last ceremony for the new library. There was a renovation 12 years later. Then in 2019, the Westport Library completed its ambitious “Transformation Project.”
The flexible community Trefz Forum opened up the main floor, near the innovative Verso Studios. A new children’s library graced the second floor. The 100,000-plus book collection moved into a new space, downstairs.
That move was less dramatic. I did not report on it specifically, in my post-Westport News career as a blogger.
But I do look forward to celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Westport Library’s Transformation Project, in 2059.
(“06880” regularly covers the Westport Library — and just about everything else here. If you enjoy stories about our town’s past, present and future, please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
If you spend any time at Compo Beach, you know how great the maintenance staff is.
All day long — and into the night — they empty trash, move benches, and do whatever else is needed to keep the place clean. They are hard-working, polite, and eager to please.
Most faces change over time. But one is constant. Scott Smith writes:
I visit the beach to swim or walk most every day during summer (all year-round, really). For as long as I can recall, I’ve noticed the remarkable work of a Parks & Rec staffer making the rounds to empty the garbage/recycling receptables up and down the roadways and sidewalks.
Michael Johnson is. hands down, the most hard-working employee of any organization, company or place I’ve seen. Driving his golf cart utility vehicle from bin to bin, he’s the reason Compo’s notorious seagulls (basically racoons with wings) haven’t completely taken over the beach.
I’m in awe of his energy.
Today I happened to park alongside a garbage cans he was pulling up to. I asked to take his picture.
He took a moment to oblige. He said he has worked at Compo for 18 years, and was on duty until the end of the season.
Michael Johnson (Photo/Scott Smith)
He’s a cheery guy. But soon he was on his way. Duty calls.
If Michael isn’t an Unsung Hero of 06880, I don’t know who is.
He is! Thanks, Scott, for recognizing Michael Johnson. As all of us who go to Compo do — our Unsung Hero of the Week.
(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.)
This year’s official Connecticut 9/11 ceremony — held annually at Sherwood Island State Park’s memorial to the victims of that horrific day — is Wednesday, September 9. It starts at 5:30 p.m.
“06880” reported an incorrect date earlier. The event is held every year prior to September 11, to give families and friends a chance to attend the ceremony at Ground Zero on that date.
The 9/11 Living Memorial at Sherwood Island State Park.
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The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee continues its hiatus.
The September meeting has been canceled, for the 9th consecutive month. The DPIC last met on December 11, 2025.
In January, 1st Selectman Kevin Christie removed Randy Herbertson as chair. A replacement has not been named.
In early July, Christie told “06880,” “we’re aware of the issue and are looking into it.”
Part of the DPIC Master Plan, when it was live on the town website.
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Just 4 days remain before “A Day in the Life of Westport.”
This Sunday (September 6), every Westporter can help create a unique portrait of the town. We’ll do it by taking a photograph that captures one real moment from our day.
Whether it’s a sunrise at Compo Beach, breakfast with family, volunteering at a community event, walking the dog, cheering from the sidelines or enjoying a quiet moment at home, every image will become part of a collective portrait of our town.
“A Day in the Life of Westport” is a collaboration between the Artists Collective of Westport, the League of Women Voters Westport, the David T. Langrock Foundation, and “06880.”
Inspired by the classic Life magazine photo essays documenting “A Day in the Life of America,” the project invites residents of every age to photograph one moment on Sunday, then submit it online with a brief caption describing what the image means to them.
Each participant may submit up to 3 shots, each accompanied by a brief caption describing the moment. For more information and submission details, click here or email Westportphoto2026@gmail.com.
Prospect Gardens — the spectacular 9-acre arboretum-style Greens Farms space featuring flowers, plants — is open to public twice a year. The next date is Saturday, September 19 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The Staples high School Jazz Ensemble plays at 10:30 a.m.
New this season: “en plein air” artists, sitting in the gardens with paints and easels.
Among other treats, visitors can enjoy tall yellow helenium sunflowers, white Queen Anne’s lace, purple asters and evergreens; the very full vegetable garden; apples, quince and grapes in the orchards; water lilies and lotus ponds in the frog ponds.
Like any good town gathering place, Jesup Green hosts a variety of events. Some are political. Some are social.
On September 19, it’s cultural. The Japan Society of Fairfield County sponsors its annual Aki Matsuri fall festival (1 to 4 p.m.; marketplace opens at 12:30).
The family-friendly fest features taiko drum performances, a Japanese folktale dramatization, martial arts, ikebana flower arranging, calligraphy, J-pop dance, traditional Obon dancing, and Japanese-related activities.
New this year: group calligraphy, and a food truck selling matcha, other specialty teas and baked goods.
Speaking of Jesup Green: Since it opened 5 years ago, the Westport Book Shop across the road has featured artists of the month. They exhibit their work, and greet fans at a reception.
This month’s guest artist won’t do that.
George Hand Wright has been dead for 75 years.
But he’s perhaps the most famous Westport Book Shop artist ever. The longtime Westport resident was acclaimed nationally during his life (1872-1951).
Wright was a painter, illustrator and printmaker, and one of the early founders of Westport’s artistic community. His work appeared regularly in Scribner’s, Harper’s, Collier’s and The Saturday Evening Post. The Library of Congress holds over 100 of his illustrations.
The selected work is on loan from Ed Gerber. The Wright expert lives in (and has preserved) the artist’s former Westport home, on Cross Highway. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Wright’s nephew Frank Boylan was Gerber’s godfather.
A reception for Gerber, and Wright’s exhibit, is set for September 16 (6 p.m.). Copies of “George Hand Wright: An Artist’s Life Examined” — written by Kirsten M. Jensen, and underwritten by Gerber – will be available for putchase.
Ed Gerber, at the Westport Book Shop’s George Hand Wright exhibit.
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Westporters are an active bunch. Which means our bodies sometimes break down.
Westport Regenerative Orthopedics & Longevity is a new care facility in Westport.
Drs. Michael Cantor and Ilana Etelzon offer non-surgical options and advanced recovery technology for joint, tendon, muscle, back, neck and sciatic pain; sports and overuse injuries, and chronic and lingering issues.
Treatments include Regenexx procedures, PRP injections, bone marrow concentrate, MLS laser therapy, TenJet tendonitis treatment, hormones and peptide therapy, and IV vitamin drips.
Positive Directions — The Center for Prevention and Counseling — has a new executive director.
Kim DiBella-Farber, who has spent over 20 years leading nonprofit organizations in Connecticut and nationally, returns to the state where she began her career.
For 55 years, Positive Directions has offered mental health, substance prevention and peer support services. For more information, click here.
Kim DiBella-Farber
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Long Island Sound sparkles, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
And — thanks to the Mobi-mat — people with mobility issues can make it all the way down the sand, to the shore.
And finally … speaking of the Prospect Gardens open house (story above):
(Mamas, papas, grandparents, children, people without kids — everyone! If you’re reading this, you’re part of our “06880” community. We welcome your support; please click here. Thanks!)
Like many Westporters, Oona Robinson’s life was filled with travel and adventure.
The South Africa native’s management consulting career took her to Toronto, then New York. She met her future husband on a Roosevelt Island tennis court.
They married, had kids, and migrated from the Upper East Side to Westchester, then Westport. Robinson was deputy CFO of Webster Bank, then joined Capital One as CFO of their commercial bank division just before COVID.
Oona Robinson
In 2022 their oldest son graduated from Staples High School. On a trip to South Africa shortly thereafter, her husband had a seizure. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma — an aggressive brain tumor.
She left her job, to care for him. Two years later, he died. She was an empty nester, a widow, and exhausted.
During her husband’s illness, Robinson had reflected on her many roles — including trip planner.
She told her husband about a business idea: an app that takes some of the burden off of the people (usually women) who plan family journeys.
He loved it.
After his funeral, she mentioned the concept to a friend. Encouraged, Robinson began developing it.
She spent much of 2025 creating a prototype, getting feedback and tweaking it. Eric Shapiro — CEO of app developer ArcTouch, paired with Robinson through StartUp Westport‘s mentorship program — helped immensely.
“He gave me courage to lean in, and trust my own voice,” she says.
Pivoting from Wall Street to the web has been eye-opening — and exhilarating.
“My whole career had been spent in aggressive competition,” Robinson says. “There’s a wariness there about who you bring into any conversation.
“This is the exact opposite. Very successful people have been available for always, for nothing in return. They just want me to succeed.”
In July, Robinson launched FliFlo. It’s “a private space for friends and family to plan, experience and remember” every vacation.
Or any other event — a family reunion, baby’s christening, etc. — that requires planning, coordination and communication.
Robinson had not thought of other group activities, like a youth sports tournament. But that’s another opportunity.
People will continually discover their own uses for FliFlo, she says.
(And those who are not going on a trip — someone who is busy or ill, say — can also use the app. They’ll see what they’re missing, and afterward what they missed, hopefully without too much envy.)
Sharing photos and comments.
Despite little promotion, it’s growing organically. Word of mouth has been good. “People try it, they like it, and they tell people,” Robinson says.
That’s the whole idea. If you’re going on, say, a family vacation, one person sends a link to the others. Together, everyone helps plan activities, adding suggestions and comments far beyond a text-based group chat.
As an itinerary is built, details — including confirmation emails and PDFs — can be manually or automatically added in.
Creating a shared itinerary.
“It takes the burden off the uber-planner,” Robinson notes. “It makes the process simpler for everyone, and captures the essence of the experience.”
During the event, everyone can upload comments.
Afterward, the site is a great way to relive the experience.
Right now, the site has no ads. There are no subscriptions either, though that may happen down the line.
But for now, it’s free. (Unlike probably any other part, of any trip.)
Sounds like a plan!
(For more information, and to download FliFlo for an iPhone or Android, click here.)
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The app is in a soft launch phase. It teed off right here, at courses like Longshore and Rolling Hills Country Club.
She spent much of 2025 creating a prototype, getting feedback and tweaking it. Eric Shapiro — CEO of app developer 
