Three 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 “Risky Behaviors” panel, drew 5 comments. “06880″ was off to the races.
Time flies when you’re having fun. Exactly 3 years later, my blog and I celebrate our 3rd anniversary.
Thinking of a gift? That’s sweet. The traditional 3rd-year gift is leather. (Ahem.)
I’d prefer money.
Donate as much as you'd like to "06880"
For the past 3 years, “06880″ has published over 1,900 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, years later.
Others are intensely local: the departure and return of Mike Aitkenhead to Wakeman Town Farm. Drivers who leave the Robeks parking lot by going directly over the curb onto the Post Road. Tributes to remarkable people like Esta Burroughs, Rich Rollins and Manny Margolis.
When snow -- and trees -- fell in October, "06880" was there.
I cover all our crazy weather: windstorms, hurricanes, a freak October snowstorm. When the power goes out — yeah, it happens — “06880” keeps publishing. With photos, updates on what’s open (the library and Y, usually), and we’ll-all-get-through-this-together tales.
I’ve given shout-outs to Westport kids — international science fair winners, an 8-year-old future hotel owner, even a beloved kids’ librarian.
I’ve looked back at the history of the Mill Pond, chronicled the changes on Church Street, and peered into the Twilight Zone of Westport’s own Rod Serling.
"06880" has gone Down Under for stories -- well, to the Down Under kayak shop in Saugatuck, anyway.
I’ve covered the ABC House, the Tea Party, the environment, education, restaurants, artists, oystermen, fires, the movement for a new movie theater, the movement of the Y, the demise of downtown and the rise of Saugatuck.
I’ve provided a forum for wide-open discussions of anything and everything — on-topic, a bit tangential, and way, waaaaay 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.
You can turn the page -- or you can help this man eat for a day.
If you think “06880″ deserves 10 cents a day, that’s only $36.60 (2012 is a leap year 🙂 ). 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 2 hours every day interviewing, researching, writing, responding to comments (public and private), taking and sizing and framing photos, and scouring the web for appropriate (and occasionally inappropriate) graphics.
Thanks for 3 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.