This week, “06880” turns 6 years old. My blog has already lasted longer than “The Twilight Zone” (5 years). And it will soon surpass “I Love Lucy” (6).
Both of which — as alert readers know — have very strong Westport ties.
That’s the thing about “06880”: You never know what you’re going to get. But whatever it is, there will be some connection to this town.
When I hurled my 1st post into cyberspace in 2009 — click here for that baby — I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
If spring ever comes, you’ll read about it first on “06880.”
I thought I’d offer some moderately interesting stories about the people, places, events and history that make this town our home. My goal was 1 post a day.
I had no idea — even though my tagline was “Where Westport meets the world” — that I would find connections everywhere: from Broadway to the Boston Marathon bombings, from Saugatuck to Syria.
I had no idea either that so many talented, accomplished people could suck so bad at parking. I did not realize that — right here at home — so many amazing people are doing such amazing things. Children, teenagers, busy businesspeople, retirees, merchants, volunteers — this town rocks the universe.
That 1 post a day is now, sometimes, 4 or 5. In 6 years, I’ve posted more than 4,200 stories. You’ve read this far, so I’m guessing you like at least some of them.
For me, “06880” is a labor of love.
But like any love, it takes work.
As “06880” has grown, so have the hours I spend on it.
Will work for food.
There’s writing, sure. But also interviewing, researching, responding to comments (public and private), moderating comments (removing those from people who do not use full, real names), taking and sizing and framing photos, and scouring the web for appropriate (and occasionally inappropriate) graphics.
I spend a few bucks too. I pay to keep “06880” ad-free. I pay for domain mapping. I pay for photo-editing software.
So, once a year — on my anniversary — I put out my tin cup.
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 my 4,200 stories are worth a penny each, that’s $42. If half of them are worth a dime each, that’s $210. I’ll leave other calculations to you.
I hope that if “06880” has ever
- made you laugh, cry, think or wonder
- spurred you to go to an event, read a book, try a restaurant or patronize a store
- kept you up to date in a blizzard, hurricane, windstorm or power outage
- alerted you to a new housing or zoning development in town
- delivered news about a favorite person or store
- galvanized you to support a cause
- helped publicize your event, book, appearance or concert
- published your photo
- paid tribute to someone you loved or admired
- connected you to your hometown from many miles away
- opened a window on Westport’s history, helped you think about its future, introduced you to someone in town you never knew, or helped you look at someone or someplace in a new way
- given you a voice in the “Comments” section
- inspired you
- made you sit up and say “Wow!” (or “holy f—!”)
— you will consider tossing something my way.
Only a suggestion.
Thanks for 6 great years. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing, whether anyone sends an anniversary gift or not.
We’ll still have our now-annual summer “06880” party at the beach. Plus the weekly photo challenge.
But hey. You tip a taxi driver you don’t even know for a 5-minute ride, right?
You can donate by PayPal: click here. It’s easy (and safe)! You don’t even need a PayPal account. If you get an error message, try www.paypal.com; then log in, create an account, or send money from the drop-down menu by entering this email address: dwoog@optonline.net. Or click the “Donate” button on the home page of “06880.”
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.
Is this a great town, or what? (Photo/Lynn U. Miller)
Happy Anniversary to a wonderful man with an amazing blog. You should feel so proud for offering Westport residents access to really informative information. “06880” has not only kept me in the know but has also shown me many different faces of Westport and it’s residents. Thank you, Dan for 6 great years. Here’s to 60+ more!
Btw…the check is in the mail! (No, it really is!)
Love to you,
Robin
Thanks Dan for all you do for Westport! You are a crucial part of the fabric of our community!
Priceless! 06880 has become part of our central nervous system. “Did you see it on Woog?” is a constant refrain. You help knit together the incredible fabric of this very special town. Thank you.
It’s just simply a terriffic and meaningful expierence for all of us.
You are the town crier and we need you to make us feel like a village again. Thank you many times. mmm
check is in the mail, where 06831 meets 06880 🙂
Sent from my iPad
>
Since Dan has provided us with so much Westport history and factoids, I thought I would provide the same re Dan: among the things listed in his Staples yearbook write-up was that he “likes ‘Reach Out,’ good practices, cold 7-Up, the coaches, Kell’s office.” Dan was also a “Proctor” in 10th grade and he won the Yale Book Award in 11th grade. I guess there’s no question Dan was destined to become a writer and a coach.
The check will be in the mail once the snow melts a little.
Hi Dan, You continue to make me laugh, crack me up, keep me posted, etc etc!!! This may be one of your best emails yet!!! Am at my volunteer job doing whatever needs to be done which sometimes is just filling the copy machine with paper – whatever!!!Anyway, as the saying goes “the check’s in the mail” – not sure what mail or what day but it will be there and will definitely note on the memo line 06880, and then later wonder what the heck does that mean – oh well!!!Sandy
Dan, we’re delighted to send a donation each year BUT here’s a hint for everyone to save you the PayPal fees! If one chooses the icon that says “Send money to friends and family” from their checking account on PayPal, it’s very clear that NO FEE is charged. You are definitely a “friend” of us all, so why not save you $1-2 or more? Ken and I just sent a gift via PayPal a couple of minutes ago. 😉
LOL, if someone is generous enough to send you a dollar/day, they would save you paying $11 in PayPal fees, but we didn’t give that much.
Since I’ve been on the receiving end of poor security and fraud protection from Paypal, I would highly recommend AGAINST hooking up paypal directly to a bank or checking account, and just adding a couple of extra bucks to pay for the extra fee associated with the fee. I’ve got all kinds of secondary authentication and other security features in place, but once someone gets a hook in your bank account, it’s as good as drained.
Happy anniversary Dan! All the best to come.
Hey Nick…your payment will clearly be the most delicious!!
I just sent a PayPal payment, too, but didn’t use the Friends and Family as I’d already “clicked” send when I saw it. No biggie, it was less than $2.00 so well worth it…..Keep on keeping on!
I was thinking about Stapelites who live around the world. I know one who lives in Italy, another who lives in Sweden. I wonder if you could ever do a column on “Where do they live now” to see how far our classmates have spread their wings from Westport….
Thank you for a fun, fascinating, and well-written column!
THANKS, Marcy – great idea! I’m on it…
I love your blog. I live in Northern California now and your blog reminds me of the Westport I knew growing up and the Westport of today. It’s been many years since I lived in Westport and your blog brings new home.
THANKS — happy to help!
Happy anniversary Dan, and thanks for keeping me connected to Westport even though I live in the Mojave desert now 🙂
Thanks, Dan, for bringing Westport-Weston to our current faraway homes.
“But hey. You tip a taxi driver you don’t even know for a 5-minute ride, right?”
Good one, Dan! It got me.
Happy Anniversary!!!
Shout Out From Your Fan Across The Border. (06851-Norwalk)
“Check” Is In Your PayPal Account
P.S.
There Are A Couple Of 06851-ers Who Are Westport Business Owners.
Wendy Cusick
Thank you! It’s a very porous border.
Congratulations on your 6th year anniversary, Dan! It really is quite amazing all of the work you have done on this blog. If I can ever get out of my driveway and make my way to the post office, I’ll get a check in the mail. Please let us know about spring as soon as possible. At least it was fairly warm today, but we need a lot more warm days and sun to dispense with this darn snow. Wishes for many more years of keeping this blog going. I think Marcy’s idea is a good one.
I have it from very reliable sources that spring will arrive “when hell freezes over.” Uh oh — wait —
Very funny!
Can I just put in a shout-out that George Weigle’s 87th birthday is on March 13th? As far as I know, he is doing okay. I have not spoken to him lately. His address is 10 Robin Hill Road, Westport 06880. I can’t remember now if I requested this also when he was 85 or 86, but he really appreciated all the cards and phone calls. Thanks.
Just 2 words—-THANK YOU!!!!
And my two: No problem!
Happy anniversary.
March 2nd will be declared Dan Woog day in the town of Westport!