Special COVID-covered Halloween 2020 edition. Boo!
(Photo/Patricia McMahon)
(Photo/Ellen Wentworth)
Mike Hibbard and Lynn Wilson (or is it Lynn Wilson and Mike Hibbard?) embrace the spirit (Photo/Carolyn Doan)
Yesterday’s Senior Center pumpkin decorating contest. (Photo/Felicia Smith)
(Photo/Arlene Yolles)
Karen Romano retired yesterday, after more than 30 years at Staples High School. She worked in the library, special education, and as the invaluable, loyal and wonderful secretary to the principal.
In fact, she worked with 7 Staples principals — and made them all look good.
Ah, the stories she could tell!
Karen Romano
COVID and the cold will limit trick-or-treating tonight.
But that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of creative costumes.
For instance, 8-year-old Julian Hinojos is a recycling container. He’s got a solar panel hat, and a costume made out of recycled materials found around the house (and in the recycling container).
Julian’s dad works in solar energy. Julian too is very concerned about the environment. He will make sure none of his candy goes to waste!
Julian Hinojos (Photo/Hilary Nordholm)
Some homes will welcome trick-or-treaters tonight. Others will just keep the lights off.
Here’s one creative way to say “sorry, we’d love to have you — just not this year!”
(Photo/Lee Emery)
The other day, “06880” gave a shout-out to a group of swimmers. For nearly 30 years, they’ve met at Compo Beach — at 6 .m. They swim a mile or so — and they do it from May to November.
Yesterday, before dawn, they celebrated Halloween. I’m surprised no one wore a costume from “Frozen.” (Hat tip: Paula Koffsky)
(Photo/Markus Marty)
And finally … trick or treat! NOTE: This is “Jumpin’ Gene Simmons,” NOT the lead singer of Kiss.
Posted in Beach, Children, People, Staples HS
For the past few months, the world has been turned upside down.
But one thing never changes: Leaves fall in the fall. And we have to do something about them.
The Department of Public Works suggests that homeowners consider backyard leaf composting. Click here or here to learn more. You can also call the Conservation Department (203-341-1170) or Earthplace (203-557-4400) for info.
The DPW says, “The ease and cost savings of backyard composting provides a viable alternative to either carting leaves to the town yard waste site or filling paper bags for the Town’s curbside pickup.”
2nd Selectman Jen Tooker, with her 3-section compost bin.
But if you choose curbside leaf collection: It lasts throughout November. The final townwide pass takes place in early December.
All leaves must be placed safely near the curb of a town street by November 30 to guarantee pick-up.
The DPW will collect leaves placed in biodegradable paper bags on the curb. Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be picked up, as the composting process cannot manage plastic. Residents living on private roadways must place their bagged leaves at an intersecting town roadway.
Only Westport residents with valid proof of residency may bring their leaves directly to the yard waste site (180 Bayberry Lane).
If leaves are transported in plastic bags, residents must empty the leaves from the bags. The yard waste site is open Monday through Saturday (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
(Photo/Jamie Walsh)
Westport residents with valid proof of residency may dump up to 6 30-gallon bags or containers full of leaves without a fee.
Any van, pickup or tag-along trailer exceeding the 6-bag limit will be charged $40 per load. Any vehicle or trailer larger than a conventional pickup with a 4-foot by 8-foot bed will be charged $90 per ton.
Any vehicles with a 9-foot body or vehicles changed to significantly enlarge their factory design size will be charged $90 per ton estimated at 2 ton without weigh slip ($180).
Dump tickets may be purchased by appointment only at Town Hall, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or by mail (Department of Public Works, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880). Requests may also be placed in the drop box at the rear of Town Hall.
Last week it was Halloween. This week it’s Election Day.
But there’s always autumn. At least, for a week or two more.
Our Saturday gallery welcomes submissions from all artists. NOTE: Works should be inspired by, relevant to, or somehow, in some way, connected to our current lives. Student art of all ages is especially welcome.
Email dwoog@optonline.net, to share your work with the world.
“VOTE” (Amy Schneider)
“Someday, Somehow” (Ellin Spadone)
“A Fish Out of Water” — Sherwood Island (Photo/Karen Weingarten)
“They Don’t Build Churches Like This Anymore” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Happy Tuesday” (Mark Yurkiw)
“Fall Colors, Southport” (Eric Cole)
“Where There are Differences, There are Also Similarities” (Lou Rolla)
Elaine Clayton is a longtime Westport. She’s been an “06880” reader from the start, 11 years ago. She’s an artist too, with a passion for sketching her home town.
But despite her many years here, Elaine had no idea how strong her roots are. She writes:
Lately my sister has been exploring our family tree on my maternal side.
She asked if I realized we had ancestors in Westport. I did not.
It turns out my 8th great-grandmother was Abigail Sherwood (whose nephew Daniel was the original owner of Sherwood Island).
Sherwood Island (Elaine Clayton)
In the same family line — which includes Ogdens and Jenningses — my g-grandfather was Joshua Jennings I,; my great-etc. uncles were Joshua Jennings II and III. They married into the Sturges, Bulkley and Burr families. Ogden House on Bronson Road in Fairfield was a many times great uncle’s house.
I had fun too contacting a new-found cousin, Peter Jennings.
This fascinates me, because I have gone around drawing as much of Westport and Southport as I could. My younger son is part of the town too, tending to the beaches and fields with the town crew.
Compo Beach, from Soundview (Elaine Clayton)
How far do your roots go back in Westport? Check them out. They may be deeper than you think! Let us know your links — click “Comments” below.
Posted in Arts, Beach, History, People
Tagged Compo Beach, Elaine clayton, Sherwood Island State Park
High waves and … (Photo/Amy Schneider)
… dark skies (Photo/Judith Katz)
Last week, town officials reassigned the Inn at Longshore lease.
Rory Tagert — who operated the facility in the heart of the park for 35 years — is retiring. Longshore Hospitality LLC — which operates boutique hotels in many states, including Delamars in Southport, Greenwich and West Hartford — is the new operator.
Since the town bought the property and took over in 1960, it’s been the scene of countless banquets and other celebrations. Here it was during the ’60s:
Besides the ballroom and several hotel rooms, the Inn’s expansive lawn — sloping down toward Long Island Sound — is one of Fairfield County’s favorite wedding sites.
The front of the building has not changed much over the years. But here’s a view of the rear, from 1949:
(Photo courtesy of Don Willmott)
Unsure if your absentee ballot has been received?
It’s fast and easy. Check it out, and check at least one worry off your list.
And speaking of Election Day:
If you’re not yet registered, but eligible: You can register on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) in the Town Hall auditorium.
Get there early — it takes a bit of time. Bring proof of identity (driver’s license, learner’s permit, Social Security card) and proof of residence in Westport (lease, paycheck, bank statement, property tax bill, naturalization documents, college registration, passport, utility bill, etc.).
Questions? Click here, or call 203-341-1115.
There may be no (or not much of) Halloween this year.
But the time and energy that used to go into costumes has in many cases been turned to making lawns, yards and porches look spooky.
Yesterday was the deadline to register for Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department House Decoration Contest.
All around town you’ll see scenes like this. Whitney D’Angelo’s 10-year-old son Michael designed this, and many other scenes at their Westfair Drive home.
Good luck, Michael — and everyone else who entered the contest! Winners will be announced soon.
(Photo/Whitney D’Angelo)
Russ Mitchell, co-CEO of Mitchells, will be run his 4th New York City marathon this Sunday — well, his own COVID-friendly version, anyway.
Russ will run from Westport to Darien. He’ll raise funds for Shatterproof, a national nonprofit aimed at reversing America’s addiction crisis.
Russ — a Shatterproof board member — has raised nearly $60,000 over the past 4 years. Click here for his fundraising page.
Russ Mitchell
And finally … are you ready for Halloween?
Comments Off on Roundup: Election Day, Halloween, NYC Marathon, More
Posted in Local business, Politics, Sports, Westport life
Tagged Election Day 2020, Halloween 2020, Russ Mitchell, Shatterproof
The Westport Library produces 2 signature events each year.
“Booked for the Evening” has brought Big Names like Alan Alda, Patti Smith, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Tom Brokaw to the library stage.
The Malloy Lecture in the Arts is just as impressive. Salman Rushdie, Christopher Plummer, Joyce Carol Oates, Arthur Miller and Christo have all inspired audiences with their insights.
COVID knocked out last spring “Booked” event. But the 2020 Malloy Lecture is on the books — virtually, of course.
Anna Deavere Smith is this year’s speaker. The event is Tuesday, November 10 (7 p.m.).
Anna Deavere Smith
Smith — a playwright, actor and educator — explores issues of community, character and diversity in America. The MacArthur Foundation gave her a “genius” grant, citing her creation of “a new form of theatre — a blend of theatrical art, social commentary, journalism, and intimate reverie.”
In 2012, President Obama awarded her a National Humanities Medal.
Smith travels the country, “absorbing America.” She performs portrayals of people she’s met, recreating a diversity of emotions and points of view on controversial issues. She has crafted more than 15 one-woman shows, transforming herself into an astonishing number of characters.
Her most recent play, “Notes from the Field,” examines the school-top-prison pipeline, and inequality in low-income communities. It won an Obie Award, and Time called it one of the Top 10 plays of the year.
Currently, Smith appears on “Black-ish” and “For the People.” She may be most recognizable as the hospital administrator on “Nurse Jackie,” and the national security advisor on “The West Wing.”
“Booked for the Evening” is a fundraiser; tickets are priced accordingly. Malloy Lectures, on the other hand, are free. They were established by longtime Westporter, arts patron and philanthropist Susan Malloy in 2002. She died in 2015, at 91.
For more information about Anna Deavere Smith’s appearance, and a link to free registration, click here.
But that’s not all that’s happening downtown by the river.
Couldn’t get to the Tribeca or South by Southwest Film Festival? Looking for entertainment while cooped up during COVID?
As it so often does, the Westport Library rides to the rescue.
“Short Cuts” — a short film festival — screens virtually on Thursday, November 12 (7 p.m.).
The event is a collaboration with Westport’s JIB Productions. Thanks to the library’s state-of-the-art technology, viewers will enjoy a professional experience.
The films will be followed by a discussion among 3 directors, and “Short Cuts” producer Nancy Diamond. The talkback has been a key to “Short Cuts”‘ success as a live event for the past 10 years.
The virtual format means that filmmakers will appear live from where they live. That includes New Zealand and Texas.
The “Short Cuts” films:
Tickets for the films and talkback are $25. Click here to purchase.
Comments Off on Check It Out: Anna Deavere Smith, International Film Festival At The Library
Posted in Arts, Library, People, Politics
Tagged Anna Deavere Smith, JIB Productions, Short Cuts Film Festival, Susan Malloy Lecture in the Arts, Westport Library
Sherwood Mill Pond morning (Photo/Michelle Garvey)
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