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As Westport students prepare to return to full-time learning, “06880” reader Erin Loranger writes:
“While there are countless unsung heroes in our schools, I would love to recognize the custodial crews.
“I can’t imagine how hard they have worked with tasks such as reconfiguring classrooms and cafeterias, loading in new desks, and constructing Plexiglas barriers so that students and staff can have a safe environment.
“Without their commitment to excellence in taking care of our buildings and cleaning, our young learners would not have the opportunity to have been in school at all this year, let alone being in the position now to transition to full-time, in-person learning.”
Will Herrera — one of Westport’s many unsung, invaluable custodians and maintenance staff.
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Yesterday’s news that Peter’s Weston Market will close on Sunday evoked many memories of the role the store played in the community.
Ashton Robinson wrote:
“I left Weston in 1967, and Peter’s Weston Market was there. If my memory is correct, I think that ‘Peter; was Peter Robinson. I went through Weston schools with his son Guy in my class.
“The photo below was taken at a political rally in 1956, when Adlai Stevenson ran against Eisenhower. My father was the first Democratic Town Committee chairman. He organized this rally in Weston, representing both Republicans and Democrats. My mother and a friend’s mother are the two women on the left side of the photo.”
The cars, the styles and the politicians have changed since 1956. But Peter’s Weston Market still looks much as it did, 65 years ago.
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The Westport Book Shop — downtown’s new nonprofit used book store — opens today at 3 p.m.
Honoring the year it begins, they’re rolling out a “2021 Welcome Program.” In keeping with COVID restrictions, guests are invited to browse for up to 20 minutes. To allow everyone to enjoy the store, they can purchase up to 21 items per visit.
See you there!
The new home of the Westport Book Shop, across from Jesup Green.
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Seth Schachter is an avid collector of Westport postcards and memorabilia.
He saw this 8×10 image on eBay. It came from a Westport estate. It depicts an old factory here — but there are no other details.
Seth hopes our “06880” readers can crowdsource its background. If you know the name of the factory, or where it was, click “Comments” below. Click on or hover over to enlarge.
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Westport Sunrise Rotary’s Super Bowl raffle is off to a great start. Not many tickets remain.
They’re $50 each. Numbers are randomly assigned. Winners will be determined by the scores at the end of each quarter. Winner of the final score snags a $1,000 Visa card. 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter winners each get a $500 card.
The raffle funds important charities like Mercy Learning Center literacy training, the Susan Fund for students with cancer, Earthplace and Elderhouse.
Click here for tickets.
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Mary Satta Lane — better known as “MaryLane,” a beloved waitress at Mario’s for nearly 40 years — died Monday. She was 89 years old, though she described her age as “36 and holding.”
Her obituary calls her ‘a strong woman with a wicked sense of humor….She leaves behind a legacy of laughs, as well as a lot of people who love her.”
A memorial service — “the celebration she deserves” — will be held when the weather warms. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to United Methodist Homes, 58 Long Hill Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484.
For MaryLane’s full obituary, click here.
Mary Satta Lane
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Kevin Carroll and his wife headed to Compo Beach this morning, to watch the sunrise. Instead they were treated to a great view of the moonset.
PS: Tonight, Kevin notes, is the full wolf moon.
(Photo/Kevin Carroll)
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William “Liam” Bohonnon has received the Connecticut Bar Association’s Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award. The 2008 Staples High School graduate was honored for his pro bono work for the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center.
Liam Bohonnon
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And finally … the Eisenhower-Stevenson presidential election (see Peter’s Market story above) was not the only momentous event in 1956.
On this day — January 28 — that year, Elvis Presley made his national television debut. It was not on the now-legendary, hip-thrusting “Ed Sullivan Show,” but — also on CBS — “Stage Show.”
The program, produced in New York, was hosted on alternate weeks by big band leaders and brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. This appearance came the day after the release of “Heartbreak Hotel.”
I am very sad to see Mary Lane has passed away. She was so much fun to work with at Marios, always had a joke and a fabulous smile. Bye Mary, thanks for making us all laugh.
I believe Peter of Peters Weston Market was in fact Peter Vetromile. His wife Helen had the liquor store as well. Peter also had Peters Bridge Market in Saugatuck.
Hi Diane. That is correct.
Peter’s Market looks EXACTLY the same today. (Aside from the center being in a more rundown state.) The photo looks like it’s from a movie shoot where they brought in a bunch of 60 yr old antique cars. By the way, how many of you know Estes’ last name from the yellow campaign sign?
Peter, I had the exact same reaction you did re it looking like a movie shoot. And I think part of the reason is that our family still photos from that time period—and many of our friends’ still pics from that era—were all in black & white. (It was only home movies that were in color.) So this photo looked more like a still from a film.
And, yes, I did know the candidates’ names from that year.
Kefauver.