As beautiful as they are, I don’t post a lot of Compo Beach sunset photos. I’ll leave that to other local media.
But this one was too special to resist.
(Photo/David Squires)
Tonight, alert “06880” reader/longtime Westporter/avid beach lover David Squires was enjoying a home-cooked dinner at South Beach, near the kayaks.
The sun went down. He watched it, through the bottom of his jelly jar/wine glass.
After his last sip, he took this lovely, unique shot.
Peter Pastorelli is a longtime, well-known, much-loved Westport character.
He was a movie and TV location and production manager forever. His credits include “American Psycho,” “Fame,” “Midnight Run” and many more.
He’s got countless stories about actors, directors, musicians, and everyone else in Hollywood.
Plus, he hosted some of the most interesting and eclectic parties I’ve ever been to.
Over a year and a half ago, Peter was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. He’s undergone chemo and radiation, but the treatments are no longer effective.
Peter Pastorelli (3rd from left), and his family.
Until a few months ago, he managed his own care. But extreme fatigue and weakness have caught up to him. He stayed at home as long as possible. Now he needs full-time care.
Peter has chosen the Regional Hospice & Home Care Center in Danbury, so he can be close to his family. But to be admitted within a week, he needs financial assistance.
Peter’s family set up a GoFundMe site to help raise money.
“Peter has been a tremendous friend to so many,” the page says. “His wit, humor and intelligence are defining characteristics of this incredibly generous man.
“We would greatly appreciate any donation that is given to assist Peter. With deep gratitude, we thank all those for their kindness and contributions.”
(Click here to contribute to Peter Pastorelli’s GoFundMe page.)
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Posted in Entertainment, People
Tagged GoFundMe, Peter Pastorelli, Regional Hospice & Home Care Center
Elliott Netherton was a tireless Westport Historical Society volunteer.
But the Connecticut plates on his sleek, dark green classic Jaguar always read “KY COL.”
The University of Kentucky graduate and former Kentucky National Guard officer spent 34 years with GE as a financial management executive.
Yet it was his life after retirement that made his death last Thursday at 83 so impactful on Westport.
Elliott Netherton
As CFO of the Historical Society — during the Great Recession — Elliott moved assets into no-load index funds.
Other non-profits staggered, as sponsorships and donations plummeted. But the WHS — which was still paying off a mortgage — thrived.
“Elliott was dealing with very serious heart issues at the time,” then-president Dorothy Curran recalls. “He put his health — perhaps even his life — on the line for us.
“He was not always easy to work with. He knew his parliamentary procedure cold, had no use for wandering conversation, and insisted that board meetings end promptly at 5:30 p.m.”
His chair says it all.
But, Curran says, “he was a quiet, principled, tireless force of nature. There never was any question that his moral compass, financial integrity and heart for service, above and beyond, were in the right place.”
The WHS was hardly Elliott’s only volunteer activity.
He was a longtime Boy Scout leader (during and after GE, at the local, district and national levels). He was an avid Y’s Men participant (recruiting excellent retired executives from that group for the WHS financial advisory committee).
He served Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church with his financial acumen. He also was an officer of Westport’s Republican Town Committee (and spent many Election Days as a poll monitor).
Elliott and Joyce Netherton.
In support of his wife Joyce — a distinguished executive and volunteer in her own right — he worked the “boiler room” of the Westport Woman’s Club during Yankee Doodle Fair crunch time, counting cash late into the night.
Longtime friend and fellow volunteer Pete Wolgast also salutes Elliott’s integrity.
“He could always be counted on to do the right thing,” the fellow church finance committee member says.
“He was highly intelligent. And he used native ability, along with his experience from many years as an internal auditor at GE, to be an extremely valuable member of many non-profits.”
Elliott Netherton, in his military days.
Pete says Elliott “straightened out the church’s accounting and finances, and brought them up to general accounting standards.” When Pete became WHS president in 1995, he did the same for that organization.
Then he did it all over again, for the Y’s Men.
On Sunday, Pete stopped by Elliott’s house.
Seeing Elliott’s Jag with the “KY COL” plates in the driveway, Pete says, “I realized our community had lost an outstanding citizen.”
(A memorial service for Elliott Netherton is set for Tuesday, June 7, 1 p.m. at Christ & Holy Trinity Church. Hat tip: Rick Towers and Bob Mitchell)
Thomas Wolfe famously said, “You can’t go home again.”
What a crock!
Eve Potts is back. And it’s a tossup who’s happier: she, or the entire town.
Eve Potts, in a recent photo.
The Hamden native first arrived in 1956. She was working as an ad director in New Haven; her new husband, Bob, was an ad salesman for a New York publisher. Westport was a perfect, in-between choice.
The couple rented the top floor of a plumbing shop on Riverside Avenue. For $76 a month they got a great view of the river (and a nearby ping pong ball factory).
That building is long gone. Today’s it’s the Westport Arts Center. That’s fitting, because so much of Eve’s life has been centered on the arts.
Bob was promoted, and the Pottses moved to Chicago for 4 years. But they wanted their kids — they soon had 4 — to go to Westport schools.
They bought a house on Acorn Lane. Several years later, they moved to the corner of Compo and Bradley.
Eve was one of Westport’s most dedicated volunteers. She served the Westport Historical Society, the Westport Schools Permanent Art Committee, and PTA Council. She chaired the Historic District Commission, and helped convert Bedford Elementary School into the current Town Hall.
But in 1991, Eve and Bob moved to Essex. Their kids were grown; he’s a big boater, and the Connecticut River community promised a wonderful, slower-paced lifestyle.
Eve Potts (left) and her sister Marion Morra, at the Henry Ford Museum exhibit of an old Merritt Parkway tollbooth. The women collaborated on several books, including “Choices,” for cancer patients.
Eve’s sister — the late Mollie Donovan, who moved here a few years after Eve — kept her up to date on all things Westport. Eve remained on the WHS board, and often visited relatives in the area.
In addition to many nieces and nephews, her son Matt is in Norwalk; Amy and her 2 children are in Milford, and Abby and her 5 kids are in Greenwich. (Mark is the outlier: He lives in Lawrence, Kansas.)
The pull of Westport remained strong. For several years, she and Bob talked about coming back. It did not happen. He died several years ago.
A few days ago, Eve moved into a sunny, spacious Regents Park condo.
“I can’t believe we didn’t do this 10 years ago!” Eve says.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here. The energy in Westport is so invigorating!”
She’s jumped right back into the arts scene. Although many older artists moved away or died, Eve has found new friends in families like the Bentleys.
The cover of Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley’s book.
Nina is a noted artist. From Essex, Eve had collaborated with Nina’s son Andrew on the Historical Society’s book depicting 50 New Yorker covers. (He moved to Westport in 1991 — the same year she left.)
“Andy’s been so welcoming,” Eve says. “He introduced me to all his friends. It’s nice to know a whole new group of people.”
The other day, Eve went to the Westport Country Playhouse. After the performance of “Art,” Andy’s wife — art historian Fiona Garland — spoke.
“It was fantastic!” Eve says. “She’s so bright, and everyone was so engaged.”
After nearly 4 decades here — and then 25 years away — Eve Potts sees Westport through both old and new eyes.
Serena & Lily — the former Kemper-Gunn House — now open on Elm Street.
She is excited at the changes Bedford Square will bring downtown. She looks at Serena & Lily and sees both a beautiful new store, and the old Victorian house before it was moved across Elm Street. It was called the Kemper-Gunn house — because, Eve says, “my lawyer, Ben Gunn, was there!”
Certain things never change, of course. There’s the natural beauty of the beach, and the ineffable charm of the people and our heritage.
It’s easy to knock the 2016 version of Westport. The behavior of some folks, and the destruction of old homes and trees, is a frequent theme on “06880.”
But, Eve Potts reminds us, “Westport has so much going for it. So much of our history still remains.”
Thanks, Eve, for helping us see our hometown from a wonderful, old/new perspective.
And thanks too for coming home.
The threatened heavy rain never materialized. But the forecast moved today’s Memorial Day ceremony into Town Hall.
An overflow crowd jammed Town Hall, for the Memorial Day celebration. It was powerful, impactful — and for everyone there, from World War II veterans to youngsters born in the 21st century — very, very important.
(All photos by Dan Woog unless otherwise noted.)
92-year-old Leonard Everett Fisher — a former grand marshal — wears his World War Ii uniform proudly.
Troop 39 Boy Scouts lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Grand marshal Joe Schachter — a 90-year-old World War II vet — poses with a patriotic fan. (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)
Grand marshal Joe Schachter asked all the veterans in the auditorium to stand. Bob Satter and Sam Brody delightedly shook hands.
The color guard stands at attention.
An Army veteran takes in the ceremony.
Bill Vornkahl has organized Westport’s Memorial Day parade for 46 years. That’s several decades longer than these fife and drum corps members have been alive.
Navy veteran John Brandt stands as the Staples High School band plays “Anchors Aweigh”…
…and Army veteran Sam Brody does the same for “The Caisson Song.”
A Vietnam veteran stands silently. (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)
Many organizations worked for days on their floats. The parade cancellation was disappointing — but here’s a chance for “06880” readers to see what they missed:
The Westport Woman’s Club float included Miggs Burroughs as George Washington (or is it Yankee Doodle?). (Photo/courtesy of Dorothy Curran)
Westport’s state champion 10-and-under softball team, and the 12-and-under runnersup, were all set to march (well, ride). (Photo/courtesy of Steve Axthelm)
The Y’s Men usually win the float competition. This year’s theme was “Tomb of the Unknowns.” (Photo/courtesy of John Brandt)
Finally, if you really missed this year’s parade — take a look at this one video. It’s from 2005, courtesy of Doug Harrison.
Posted in History, People, Westport life
Tagged Bill Vornkahl, Joe Schachter, John Brandt, Leonard Everett Fisher, Memorial Day 2016
The unofficial kickoff to summer was sunny, hot, beautiful — in other words, summery. (Today — not so much.)
You and I and nearly everyone else in Westport went to the beach, opened the pool, grilled burgers and/or drank beer/wine/margaritas.
Dozens of other much more motivated and noble folks raised money for a great cause.
A great Memorial Day-related cause, in fact.
CrossFit Westport hosted a “Hero” Workshop. Honoring Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy — immortalized in the movie “Lone Survivor,” about a Navy SEALs mission to take out a Taliban leader — it involves a 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another 1-mile run.
There were 4 heats yesterday morning — and all were packed. Veterans, community members and local fitness businesses participated.
All funds raised go to the Catch a Lift Fund. The organization provides gym memberships and home gym equipment to help wounded post-9/11 service members heal mentally and physically, through physical fitness.
Westport photographer Irene Penny captured all the action.
If her photos make you feel like a slacker — don’t worry. You can join the “Hero” Workshop next year.
Or make a contribution to the Catch a Lift Fund here.
Local trainer Andrew Berman of Mental Grit Fitness gives it his all. (Photo/Irene Penny)
This team rocked the “Hero” Workshop. Top (from left): Jeff Queiroga, Timmy Palko, Kali Stamos. Wearing the bandanna: Chris Bronski. (Photo/Irene Penny)
Rhodie Lorenz — owner of JoyRide Cycling — was one of many local fitness business owners at CrossFit yesterday.
Posted in Local business, Organizations, Sports
Tagged Andy Berman, Catch a Lift Fund, CrossFit Westport, JoyRide Cycling
The threat of heavy rain has canceled today’s Memorial Day parade. It’s the 1st such cancellation since 2011.
However, a ceremony — including the keynote speech by grand marshal Joe Schachter — will take place at 10 a.m. in the Town Hall auditorium. The public is encouraged to attend.
The weather this weekend was a lot nicer than today’s.
The Tauck family is known for many things. Their eponymous company — now in its 4th generation — pioneered high-end group travel, heli-skiing and small-boat river cruises. In Westport — where many family members live — they’ve been quite generous, from renovating National Hall to helping preserve Long Island Sound. A foundation is deeply involved in aiding Bridgeport.
Robin Tauck is a travel industry leader. Her interests range from eco-tourism to helping nations and regions use travel as an economic engine.
She’s nearing the end of a 50-day odyssey in Italy and Greece. With her proximity to Turkey, Syria and the Middle East, she got a first-hand look at the mass migration of refugees seeking asylum in Europe.
Two of the many children in a Lesbos Island refugee camp.
On Lesbos Island, Robin — an outgoing woman who loves to learn — talked to as many people as she could: refugees, Save the Children workers, and the Lesbos mayor who, she says, “deserves a peace prize.”
Greece has already moved almost a million people from that tiny island just 6 miles off Turkey, through Athens, and on into Europe. Only 4,000 refugees remain.
Little cafes did their best to feed and warm the new arrivals. The island is lovely, Robin says, “but the people are even more beautiful. You cannot imagine how much they did.”
At the height of the smuggling operation, nearly 10,000 people a day arrived in crammed Zodiacs. (By contrast, Ellis Island — set up as an immigration center — handled 11,000 a day at its peak.) Save the Children — which moved its headquarters recently from Westport to Fairfield — now has 10 small offices in the area.
A hand-made sign thanks the many volunteers.
Hundreds of unaccompanied minor children were separated from parents. The kids are traumatized — and not allowed to leave the island yet.
Save the Children is focusing on them. Robin’s new friend Vasili Sofiadellis is teaching computer and coding skills. Youngsters learn English and Greek too.
“It’s not bad. But it’s not pretty,” Robin says.
A pregnant mother survived the trip to Greece. Robin Tauck holds her 7-month-old — who weighs only as much as a normal 2-month-old.
The island is in the midst of cleanup. Broken boats, and enormous piles of hundreds and thousands of life jackets — “each one a life story,” she notes — are being moved from the beaches.
Robin Tauck (right) surveys some of the hundreds of thousands of abandoned life jackets.
Robin also reports that Westporter Barbara Innamorati brought toys from Westport to Italy. They were delivered to a refugee camp on Lesbos, housing 880 people from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Robin explains that Lesbos is ready to move from the “R” word (refugees) to the “T” word (tourism). Hotels are vacant; charter aircraft have stopped arriving. Holland America docked one cruise line during the crisis.
Robin told the mayor the Tauck story — including how her family emigrated to the US through Ellis Island. He said, “maybe one day some of our 800,000 refugees that made it to Europe will start a new family and new story, like yours did.”
“God bless the Greeks,” Robin says. Lesbos, and the entire country — one of the world’s top 10 tourist destinations, with dozens of World Heritage Sites, beautiful island and warm hospitality — is “waiting for us to return.”
(Yesterday’s New York Times Travel section also covered the tourist scene on Lesbos, and the rest of Greece. Click here to read that story.)
Earth-movers and concrete-spreaders were quiet this weekend.
But they’ll be back in action Tuesday, putting the final touches on Compo Beach’s new sidewalk.
There’s still a ways to go. Yet hundreds of beachgoers were out in today’s summer-like weather. The completed portion is getting plenty of use — making the parking lot (which itself has not been completed) much safer.
Meanwhile, a newly planted tree near the bathhouses signals what’s ahead.
The renovation work is a far cry from the original proposal.
Here’s the key: It works.
Westport’s public safety and Parks & Rec personnel are following the weather patterns closely. A final decision on whether or not to hold the Memorial Day parade will be announced by 7 a.m. tomorrow (Monday) morning.
If the parade is cancelled, the public is encouraged to attend the Memorial Day ceremony at Town Hall at 10 a.m. Monday.
It’s a yearly tradition: The Y’s Men win the “Best Float” competition. They did it again last year, for their depiction of the Japanese surrender to Gen. MacArthur. They’ve worked long and hard on this year’s float — but bad weather may wash out all their hard work.
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