Two years ago today — March 6, 2009 — “06880″ was born.
The first post described what this blog would be: open-ended conversations with a Westport angle, no matter how tenuous. I invited comments, feedback, tips — anything.
No one responded.
Things picked up soon — my 2nd post, on a Staples PTA’s “Risky Behaviors” panel, drew 5 comments. “06880″ was off to the races.
Time flies when you’re having fun. Exactly 2 years later, my blog and I celebrate our 2nd anniversary.
Thinking of a gift? That’s sweet. The traditional 2nd-year gift is cotton.
But I’d prefer money.
Feel free to donate as much as you wish to “06880.”
For the past 2 years, “06880” has published 1,280 posts — nearly 2 a day. Some have been international in scope — the ones on porn star Marilyn Chambers, “Paranormal Activity” star Micah Sloat and supermodel twins and “Amazing Race” stars Derek and Drew Riker still draw viewers, months later.
Others are intensely local: drivers who leave the Robeks parking lot by going directly over the curb onto the Post Road. Septic tanks. Lou Santella‘s incredible service to Saugatuck, and the town.
I’ve posted stories and photos of windstorms and blizzards, and called out clueless Westport drivers. (Amazingly, not one of those spectacularly rude people is an “06880” reader.)
It's not what you think. "WTF" referred to Wakeman Town Farm. You'd know that if you read "06880."
I’ve given shout-outs to Westport kids — international science fair winners, Justin Bieber movie contest winners, winners who overcame incredible challenges you’d otherwise never know about.
I’ve covered Al’s Angels, the Tea Party, the environment, education, restaurants, artists, oystermen, the movement for a new movie theater, and the movement of the Y.
I’ve provided a forum for wide-open discussions of anything and everything — on-topic, a bit tangential, and way, way off.
And it’s all been free. A public service, if you will.
Of course, even servants like to eat. So in honor of my anniversary, I’m making an NPR-style plea. If you like what you read, please consider supporting “06880.”
Am I worth $1 a month? $1 a week? Perhaps (my choice!) $1 a day.
If you think “06880” deserves 10 cents a day, that’s only $36.50. If you think it’s worth more — and you can afford more — well, who am I to argue?
Unlike Channel 13, you won’t get a Peter, Paul and Mary DVD. Or a tote bag. Donations are not even tax-deductible.
What you will get is the chance to help me recover a bit of the cost of registering domains, keeping “06880″ ad-free, and spending 1 or 2 hours every day interviewing, researching, writing, responding to comments (public and private), taking photos, and scouring the web for appropriate (and occasionally inappropriate) graphics.
Thanks for 2 great years. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing, whether anyone sends an anniversary gift or not.
But it would be nice.
You can donate by PayPal: click here, then go to “Send Money” and enter this email address: dwoog@optonline.net. You don’t even need a PayPal account!
Or checks may be mailed to: Dan Woog, 301 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880. Put “06880″ on the memo line. It won’t do anything for the IRS, but it may help you remember at tax time why you sent me something.