Eight years ago today, the Y anchored downtown. Mario’s and Mansion Clam House were popular restaurants; Westport Pizzeria was on Main Street, a few doors down from Oscar’s. Barack Obama was barely a month into his 1st term as president.
How times have changed.
Yet one thing remains the same. Every day — often 2, 3 or more times — I post a story on “06880.”
The controversial Bridge Street Bridge. You read about its possible reconstruction here first. And you got its entire history here too. (Photo/Fred Cantor)
Each day since March 6, 2009, I’ve written about Westport. From Compo to Coleytown, education to entitled drivers, Friday flashbacks to photo challenges, real life and random crap, I’ve covered it all.
The only sure things in life are death and taxes. I write about them too.
For over 2,900 straight days, “06880” has been right here, on your desktop, laptop, iPad, iPhone, iWatch, whatever. In all that time, I haven’t missed a day.
I’ve posted over 6,400 stories. The tagline “Where Westport meets the world” means that I write about organizations, events, politics, real estate, recreation, people who live here, people who once lived here, people who want to live here, even TV shows about people who live here.
You’ve made more than 73,300 comments. I’m proud of our Westport community — and particularly proud of the “06880” community we’ve created together.
“06880” is a living, breathing, organic community. Once a year — on my anniversary — I put out my tin cup, and ask you to help sustain it.
Because — as “06880” has grown — so has my time commitment to it.
Will work for food.
You see the stories I write. What you don’t see is the research I do. The interviews I conduct. The comments I moderate — and the private emails I respond to. (I get 40 to 50 a day. People ask me questions about long-ago restaurants, how I pronounce my name*, and can I please fix typos in their comments. I reply to every one. Even the guy who asked me to please post fewer stories, because his inbox was getting full.)
You don’t see the hours I spend scouring the interwebs for photos, the time I spend taking my own — and the sizing and framing that follows.
I even spend money on “06880.” I pay to keep it ad-free. I pay for domain mapping. I pay for photo-editing software.
If you like what you read, please consider supporting “06880.” Scroll down — details at the bottom!
Am I worth $1 a month? $1 a week? Perhaps (my choice!) $1 a day!
If my 6,400 stories are worth a penny each, that’s $64. If half of them are worth a dime each, that’s $360. 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
- helped you meet a neighbor, or connect with an old friend
- kept you up to date in a blizzard, hurricane, windstorm or power outage
- made you feel connected to your new town (or the place where you grew up)
- alerted you to a new housing or zoning development in town
- provided a forum in the “Comments” section for you to rant about an issue, rave about a place, or complain that I’m a ****ing liberal (you know who you are)
- 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
- saved you time or money
- 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
- inspired you
- made you sit up and say “Wow!” (or “holy f—!”)
— you will consider tossing something my way.
Everyone can contribute: Democrats, Republicans, independents, Libertarians, Socialists. Sure, you know where I stand politically. But I’ve always given you a voice, too.
Only a suggestion.
Thanks for 8 great years. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing, whether anyone sends an anniversary gift or not.
We’ll still have our annual summer “06880” party at the beach. Plus photos of drivers who park wherever they damn well feel like it.
And if you’re one of those readers who hates that feature, no problem. Wait a few minutes, and I’ll have another story.
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 (or create an account), and 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.
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*My last name rhymes with “vogue” — not “Boog” or “bog.” But don’t worry — I often mispronounce it myself!
Is this a great town or what? (Photo/Betsy P. Kahn)
You have done an amazing job with this blog. Thank you. I will send a donation to you. I know what it takes to run a small business venture. It takes your time and your money. Thanks so much for all you do!
Thanks, Janette!
i hope everyone will pony up.
dan is our local treasure and everyone’s favorite local celeb.
thanks, sir; all the rest is mute.
#DanWoogForPresident
#SupportYourLocalBloggers
Thank you so much!
Over 2900 straight days! Holy cow–you are unquestionably the Cal Ripken of bloggers! Seriously, given the cutbacks in local newspapers, you provide a real service to the community. I know that many Westporters and former residents very much appreciate “06880.” (And many thanks for publishing the occasional photos I submit.)
It’s a community effort, Fred — and thanks to you and Debbie for being such an important part of it!
Really? Everyone says Woog as if it rhymes with Boog! I’ll try to remember.
Oh, and I’ll gladly send a donation.
Thank you.
Thanks, Dana! As I said, I often mispronounce my own name. I imagine you get your share of different versions of “Kuyper” too. “Ki-per,” right?
….like pronouncing ‘Moog’, as in synthesizer! Good job Dan!
I only use that line with musicians!
“BOB MOOG DIED FOR YOUR SYNTHS”
Oy.
Your blog is definitely the first place I check every morning before reviewing the “fake news” and deleting all the junk emails at my optonline account.
Oh yes- “the check is in the mail”- (ooops I meant at paypal!)
Thanks, Steve. The great thing about Westport is that even things that sound fake are often true!
Dan, you are “Westport’s Most Interesting Man‼”👍🏼🇺🇸💰💵
Thanks, Tom. I’ve been called many things — good and bad — but never that!
Amazing ! I returned to Westport only one year after the birth of 06880 . I assumed it had been around for decades . What an amazing resource for Westporters . I know I start and end each day with it. So Westporters let’s show our support . My check is written ! Thanks Dan .
Ed Gerber
Thanks, Ed. And it seems like you’ve been here forever too 🙂
Dan – Great work, congrats. I didnt know it was only 8 years, thought it was double that! Missed opportunity – go online and change the blog – make the dollar bill link to PAYPAL!!! I clicked on it – and got the dollar bill. Someone else might give up. Meantime, I’m kicking in a little something with a smile. Thanks for all the hard work.
Best, Jeff Seaver
Seaver Interactive LLC 518 Riverside Avenue Westport CT 06880 ph 203-454-2220 jeff@seaver.com http://www.seaver.com
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Thanks, Jeff — and by dollar bill, do you mean $10,000?!
Rhymes with vogue, eh? After all these years I just now learn how to pronounce your name properly . . . and as for the support of your efforts, I absolutely encourage everyone who reads, enjoys and relies on Dan’s blog as a source of local Westport info to contribute something; notice how there are no ads clogging up the screen? How else is Dan supposed to keep this valuable Westport resource going? Hit that paypal button, it’s easy, it feels good! (I found I had to use the “Donate” button along the top menu bar to make it happen)
Thanks, Jack! I couldn’t have asked for a great endorsement from an even greater guy!
Congrats Dan for all your good work and great Westport related stories. I’ve known forever that your last name rhymed with Vogue, the day I met your mom Jo back on the 70s!
Love it!
How many times a week do I start a sentence with “so I just read on 06880….”? Lots.
Thanks, Dan, for making Westport a better community.
And thanks for telling me that I’ve been pronouncing your name wrong since the beginning of time. True 06880 fans will now be instantly recognizable by their correct pronunciation!
#woogrhymeswithvogue
THANKS, Susan. But if past practice is any indication, I’ll be “Wooooog” forever!
I’m in
Glad to have you, Stephanie!
Happy Anniversary Dan!!! Not only are you “Westport’s Most Interesting Man,” you are surely the NICEST! What a relief it is to engage with someone (a man – at that…. just saying ☺️) who has room & respect for the ideas & opinions of others, without having a hissy fit if you may disagree; just another reason why we all love you! Here’s to another 8, and another, and another…. 💞 [My check is in the mail 💸.]
Bonnie, one of the great joys of the past year has been meeting you! THANKS for being part of the “06880,” from your home in the north. Your comments, your input and your support is greatly appreciated! – Dan
DAN – I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE COMMENTS SO FAR. YOU ARE ONE OF WESTPORT’S FINEST . . .TRIED DONATING ON PAYPAL. IT DOESN’T WORK. WILL SEND CHECK BY MAIL. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO. FONDLY . . .
Thanks, Caryl. Always a pleasure to hear from folks who grew up here!
DAN – I DIDN’T GROW UP HERE . . .BUT I DID COME TO WESTPORT IN 1956 WHEN I WAS 28 YEARS OLD. NOW YOU KNOW HOW OLD I AM, AND PROUD OF IT!
I never knew! You are very young at heart!
Thanks for the pieces of home I read here, Dan!
Westport is like the Hotel California. You can check out any time you like. But you can never leave.
So true.
Congratulations on this anniversary, Dan, wishing you many more.
p.s. Keep up the political posts, please… illuminating and entertaining! (“Chloe” and I promise not to comment … ever).
Adieu (again), and best wishes.
Correction! It’s Nancy, not Chloe (using my dog’s name as a joke after we wrote privately, comparing Trump’s behavior to MacKenzie King’s).
Anyway, the cheque is in the mail!
Thanks, Nancy! Go Canada!
Hi Dan – Greetings from the Connecticut half of Westerly-Pawcatuck, our two-state town at the farthest border. I really enjoy this daily connection to the town where I spent most of my life. It’s fun re-visiting some of the history and hearing about new developments, good and ….maybe. More in the mail.
Thank you, Peter. I LOVE your comments AND your photos. You are a great link to the past, with a sharp eye in the present and a wonderful vision for the future!
Woog pron. as in “vouge?” Who knew!? Know we know! You are my first “ping” at 5 a.m. – when I forget to put my phone on silent 😉 Thanks for all you do! p.s. Tried Paypal, too, before — no luck so will try again now!
UDREY, IF YOU THE MOST TECHIE SAVY PERSON I KNOW COULDN’T DO PAYPAL THEN I DON’T FEEL SO BADLY !!!!
Thanks, Audrey — you rock! See you at the “06880” party in July!
Hi Caryl! The link didn’t work when I tried it earlier, but it does now!
Hi Caryl! The link didn’t work earlier when I tried, but it does now! 🙂
THANKS, BUT I’M SENDING A CHECK . . .
“There’s no Place like Home!!! ” ….. Hello from Morocco and Istanbul tomorrow – how lucky are we to live in Westport and read news from home, and laugh — with a click! Always happy to support — the best 06880 blogger and a great guy. Your news exceptionally interesting, varied, touching, humorous, serious and always inspirational. 🤑 you can count on us!
“06880: Where Westport meets Morocco!” I love your life — and life vicariously through you. THANKS for all you and all the Taucks do for all of us. You rock the universe!
I am among all the other people who said they have been mispronouncing your name for a long time. Now I know that correct pronunciation. I don’t know exactly how long I have been receiving your blog daily in my Inbox, often several times a day, but I am always impressed with your vast knowledge of so many different things. I can’t believe how many personal emails you get every day that you respond to. It’s unbelievable how much work you put into this blog. Congratulations to you on your eight years running this site. 2,900 straight days is a huge accomplishment. I have personally said for over 30 years that people who are self-employed tend to stay healthy because we have to. Your blog is basically a self-employed venture. I know you do lots of other things, but I’m just saying. The PayPal did not work for me, so I’ll send a check in the mail. I do hope a lot more people will send donations than the people who commented here. Wallingford is my second home, but Westport was my first. Thank you for all you do every single day!
Thanks, Barbara – much appreciated! I love what I do — and love that you love it. Thanks for all your insightful comments too — you know as much as I do, for sure. 🙂
Dan, I am sad to say that I too, have been pronouncing your name incorrectly. I am truly sorry. I am so thankful for you and the “06880” blog. I read it every day whether in CT, AZ or wherever I am in the world. The service you provide is invaluable to those who live in Westport, have lived in Westport in the past, or just visited Westport and fell in love with it! Please keep up the fantastic work. My check is in the mail. P.S. I blame my father for mispronouncing your last name:( And, I hope to make the summer 06880 Beach party one of these years.
Not a problem — as I said, I mispronounce it myself often! You can call me whatever you want (and some “06880” readers do…!). THANKS, Nancy — see you at the beach!
thanks Dan for connecting me to where i did a lot of growing up and to where i learned most of what i still am some eighty years later. being able to connect with Westport almost every day has given this old man a hell of a thrill !
a slight recompense for your invaluable work is travelling 2999 miles by snail.
Buell, I’m so glad you have great memories of this place — and found us here, online. Can we convince you to take a road trip? It would be great to have you back!
Hi Dan- As a newbie to Westport, I love reading your blog everyday! I will certainly be sending a donation. Thank you for all that you do!
Thanks, Taylor — and welcome to Westport!
Dan-PRICELESS!! Your willingness to make sure Westport is informed–past, present and future–is a blessing to all that call or have called Westport ‘HOME’.
Thank you.
Thanks, Bart — and thanks for being such an important part of our very large-tent “06880” community!
How many people DO say your name correctly? I’ve never heard anyone rhyme it with Vogue – that was a shock! Also amazing is the fact that you have been doing this for 8 years – how lucky we are. Frederic and I know the kind of dedication that takes and all the myriad of details no one knows it requires. That is part of what makes you a local treasure. No source makes the news about our town so human and that is, of course, what makes a community. Thank you – the check is (really) in the “mail” – hope it helps a little to encourage you to keep doing this labor of love for the next 8 years and beyond.
Wow — THANKS, Jeanine. What a beautiful tribute — from two of our town’s true icons! I promise to keep doing this, if you promise to keep Beechwood going!
Big promises, both ways – ok!