Westport Parks & Recreation Department seasonal employees do it all.
Lifeguards keep everyone safe at our beaches and pools, handle first aid and medical concerns, and answer countless questions (over and over again).
Guest Services staffers collect daily fees, organize parking, keep the beaches and lots clean, and answer countless questions (over and over again).
Tennis clerks greet customers, schedule reservations, collect fees, and maintain the courts and surroundings.
Dock attendants assist boaters n docking, sell gasoline and ice, and oversee the marinas at Compo and Longshore.
Those are thankless jobs. So of course, most of us never say “thanks.”
On August 8, Parks & Rec operations manager Carmen Roda and waterfront foreman Michael Giunta will.
They (and guest services supervisor Donny Christopher, and tennis supervisors Jamie Boone and Matthew Schwartz) are treating those employees — well, the ones who won’t be working, anyway — to a “thank you” picnic.
It’s a welcome gesture. These (mostly) young men and women help make our summers rock.
Meanwhile, the next time you see a lifeguard, beach or dock attendant, or tennis employee, say “thank you” too.
Westport Parks & Rec staff help the summer run smoothly.
Over the past few years, the dingy pedestrian tunnel underneath the Westport railroad station tracks has been transformed into a much more welcoming space.
A partnership between the Westport Police Department — they’re in charge of railroad parking — and the Westport Arts Center, with gifts from Bill Scheffler and his wife Ann Sheffer, Robin Tauck, the late Gordon Joseloff and others, turned the sometimes-scary passageway into a stunning art gallery.
Westport native and noted artist Miggs Burroughs created 16 LED-lit lightboxes. Each continued a lenticular image that combined one from a 100-year-old postcard of Westport’s past, with a current shot of the same scene. Compo Beach, Longshore, the station itself — all are represented.
This spring, a new lightbox was added, on the station wall itself. You don’t have to descend into the tunnel to see another handsome lenticular, with scenes of the cannons and downtown. This one actually says “Welcome to Westport!”
Now there’s a new one, with a modern twist. It honors Olympic snowboarding silver medalist (and Westport native) Julia Marino.
It’s another great lenticular image by Miggs. Unveiled yesterday morning, it will be displayed for the next year.
One view of MIggs Burroughs’ lenticular image …
… and the other.
At the unveiling yesterday (from left): 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Julia Marino, Deputy Chief Sam Arciola, Julia’s father John (hidden), Miggs Burroughs.
Twiddle fans are all a-flutter for this Friday and Saturday’s special Levitt Pavilion shows (click here for details, and tickets).
An added bonus (besides the Vermont-based jam band, plus Mihail and The Nth Power):
The White Light Foundation supports causes and organizations important to Twiddle and its fans. They receive $1 from every ticket sold, then donate it back into each community where the band plays.
Speaking of the Levitt Pavilion: Sunday’s Sweet Remains concert was a smash. A full house loved the sweet-sounding group, an annual Levitt Pavilion favorite.
But you didn’t have to haul a lawn chair to the grass to enjoy the show.
Dylan Germishuys has a different idea. He writes:
“I line up Sunday concerts with higher tides, then get some people on our boat to go up the Saugatuck River and listen from the best seats ‘in’ the house.
“There was a perfect incoming tide for the Sweet Remains. We took a slow trip, found our spot, and had a picnic during the concert. The sound was great.
“At lower tides you have fewer options as to where you anchor, and have to be a little more cautious coming up this far. If the river was dredged, that might create more space.
“At higher tides , the Cribari (Bridge Street) bridge is a challenge for bigger boats. We only had a foot or two clearance on the way out.
“There’s enough room for quite a few more boats to do the same. You have to test your Bridge Street clearance at high tide before venturing up at low though, and being stuck for a tide cycle!”
Halloween is a lot closer than Christmas: only 97 days away.
So hurry on down to HomeGoods, which has already stocked all your costume needs.
(Photo/Sandy Rothenberg)
That area of town is quickly cornering the Halloween market. Just moments after Sandy Rothenberg sent her (aaaaargh!) HomeGoods report, Jack Krayson noted that Spooky Town — across from Stop & Shop, by Bulkley Avenue North — is open for business too.
Connecticut’s Democratic and Republican parties have primaries on Tuesday, August 9.
Unaffiliated voters cannot vote in primary elections — unless they change their registration to either party. Unaffiliated voters have until noon on August 8 to change, and register with either party. Click here for the link, to make the change online.
In other August 9 primary news: The town needs poll workers.
Poll workers must be registered voters in Connecticut. They must take part in a training session, for which they are paid $25.
Pay for the August 9 election day: A full day is $200, with a $40 food allowance; a half=day shift is $100, with a $20 for food allowance.
Election Day work starts at 5:45 a.m. (polls open at 6 a.m. sharp) and concludes at 8:15 p.m. (polls close at 8 p.m. sharp).
For more information, email dgreenberg@westportct.gov.
Voting machines and poll workers, at the Westport Library.
From time to time, “auction” signs pop up around Westport. Recently, we’ve been overridden with these:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
Alert reader Matt Murray writes:
“I called this number. Just for laughs. I wanted to see where they were located. It had been disconnected. Gee, do you think you could have been a scam?”
I’m not a betting man, Matt. But I’d bet my Patek Philippe, Rolex or Lamborghini on it.
Shelley Burger grew up on the football sidelines. Her grandfather was a coach. She loved being outdoors.
She loved photography too. She turned those passions into a career, spending years as a sports photographer for high schools and colleges.
Shelley Burger
When COVID blew a whistle on competition, the Westporter turned to wildlife. She was still outdoors, still shooting action and movement. Freezing a moment in time — an eagle catching a fish, a horse bucking in the air, an athlete catching a pass or throwing a baseball — is what Shelley does well.
She began riding horses at 5 years old. She has fond memories of riding with her mom.
As she transitioned into wildlife photography, Shelley wondered how to realize a childhood dream: sitting among wild horses, in their home on the range.
This past spring she headed to Onaqui Mountains, 2 hours outside of Salt Lake City. She spent an “amazing” several days in a herd of wild mustangs. Nestled in the tall grass, she watched them frolic and spar. She felt humbled to be among so many “powerful, graceful and compassionate” animals.
While she spent much of her time appreciating the beauty of the land and horses, she learned quite a bit too.
Though she — like many Americans — imagined that mustangs roam freely in the West, in reality, their lives are in danger. The Bureau of Land Management rounds up and removes hundreds of horses each year. Some are relocated; many are slaughtered.
The land is then leased back to cattle ranchers, Shelley says.]
Shelley vowed to help. Back home in Westport, she opened a pop-up gallery on Church Lane, in the former Savannah Bee store.
Her mustang photography exhibit debuted with a special show. Proceeds from sales went to Red Birds Trust, a non-profit that helps wild horses of the Onaqui.
Shelley’s gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays (noon to 8 p.m.), through August 15.
Signed prints are available on her website too. Email Shelley_Burger@mac.com for sizing, framing and customization.
(All wildlife photos copyright/Shelley Burger)
(“06880” relies on reader support. Please click here to donate.)
It’s been 8 months since Jen Tooker took over the 1st Selectwoman’s office at Town Hall.
She’s spent that time settling in, setting priorities, and putting them in motion.
Now it’s time to reflect on it all.
The other day, 1st Selectwoman Tooker and I sat on the Westport Library Trefz Forum stage. We chatted about those first months: what she’s done, what she’s learned, what’s her style, and what compels her to serve.
It was a fascinating, draw-back-the-curtain half hour. It’s an instructive podcast too, for every Westporter — and those who once called this place home. Click herefor the link to view.
Fifth grader Alex Johnson eulogized his dog. It had run through a break in the Winslow Park stone wall, and been struck and killed by a car on Compo Road North.
Thanks to the efforts of the Johnsons — and many others — tragedies like those may soon be diminished.
Last week, Westport’s Parks & Recreation Commission voted unanimously to fill in 3 breaks, in the park’s off-leash area.
The plan includes split-rail fencing, backed by “nearly invisible” mesh fencing, plus a 3 1/2-foot gate at each of those 3 areas. (Hat tip: Tricia Freeman)
The Sweet Remains are a highlight of every Levitt Pavilion season.
But last night’s concert was extra special. The usual local pride — Sweet Remains leader Greg Naughton grew up in Weston, and lives in Westport — swelled when the trio was joined onstage by Greg’s wife, Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; his father James, the noted actor, and sister Keira.
Alert “06880” reader/longtime music fan/superb photographer Tom Kretsch reports: “It was a truly incredible evening, with a packed crowd enthralled by the group’s performance.”
The Sweet Remains, with James Naughton, Keira Naughton and Kelli O’Hara.
Recently, alert and hungry reader Patti Brill has noticed the “unkempt” appearance of the Charles Street restaurant. Yesterday, it looked like it was closed.
I checked the website. Nothing unusual; it was taking reservations and pickup orders.
I called. I was about to hang up when — on the 10th ring — a recording said, “We are pleased to announce our new hours.”
That’s usually a euphemism for “shorter hours.” I don’t know their previous schedule, but according to the chirpy voice, Tarry Lodge is open Wednesdays through Friday from 4 to 9:30 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 9:30 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.
Around the corner from Tarry Lodge, the Bridge Square Dunkin’ Donuts is definitely open.
Alert “06880” reader John Karrel was there this morning.
The music playing in the background was a bit mystifying: Christmas carols.
Hey! Only 153 shopping days left.
Meanwhile, in other Dunkin’ news, a large sign promises that the Compo Shopping Center spot — newly relocated from across from Fresh Market — opens in 3 days.
We’ll soon find out which is more dangerous: The drive-thru Starbucks, or its competitor in an already overcrowded and dangerous plaza.
Neighbors, dogs, open door — just like old times. This was Old Mill Grocery, minutes after it opened this morning. (Photo/Matt Murray)
The century-old wooden building on Hillspoint Road — most recently Joey’s by the Shore and Elvira’s — has been rechristened with its original name.
It’s once again a community center, for the neighborhood, anyone working there, and everyone passing by to or from Compo Beach.
The line was long this morning. But service was quick and attentive. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Old Mill Grocery sells everything from coffee and pizza to toilet paper, dog treats and swag.
Fruit, granola and OMG swag. (Photo/Dan Woog)
It’s a joint venture of the non-profit Soundview Empowerment Alliance (which bought the property, and will provide training and employment to people with disabilities) and TGB Hospitality (better known as Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily, The Granola Bar founders, who will operate OMG).
An official ribbon-cutting took place 2 hours after opening.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker cut the ribbon, moments ago. She’s flanked by Old Mill Grocery partners and staff, Granola Bar owners, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell, and Koda, the OMG dog. (Photo/Dan Woog)
It was interrupted — joyfully — by honks and thumbs-up signs from grateful residents and passers-by.
A Westport girl wrote her parents from sleepaway camp.
“I love camp so far,” she said. “I’m having conflicts with a bunkmate. I’m playing so much soccer and basketball. It’s great!”
The mother’s reaction: Anxiety, misery and sadness.
She focused on the second line. But it was sandwiched in between other, much more positive comments.
More importantly: Conflicts are a normal part of growing up. They’re how we learn to navigate the world. And there’s no better place to learn those lessons than independently, at camp, away from parental interference.
Plus this: The girl did not ask her mother to help.
Tracy knows. A former camper and counselor — and daughter of a camp director — she’s also a licensed psychologist, in private practice here.
She knows the value of sleepaway camp for kids. She knows youngsters thrive there.
And she knows — particularly in these days of instant access to all kinds of information — that parents worry constantly that they won’t.
“Camp is a bubble,” Dr. Brenner says — a place far different from home, with all its distractions and expectations (and technology). Parents send their children to that bubble because they want them to grow, mature, make friends and memories, and be happy.
Those are great reasons for children to go to camp. But, Tracy notes, there may be people there they don’t like. Activities they don’t care for. Food that isn’t fantastic.
So that bubble is just like real life.
“Whether you send your kid to camp for 7 weeks or 3 weeks, think about yourself,” Dr. Brenner advises.
“When in your life have you been consistently happy for 7 weeks, or even 3?” she asks rhetorically.
“It doesn’t happen. Kids can’t be happy all the time either. That’s okay!”
Kids are usually happy at camp. But 100% of the time is impossible — for anyone, anywhere.
One of the magic parts of the camp experience, she emphasizes, is that boys and girls learn to solve those less-than-perfect parts of life on their own.
Back in the day, parents worried — and sometimes read between the lines — only when they got a letter from their child.
Now — with daily photos on camp websites, group chats with bunkmates’ parents, and a general heightened anxiety over children’s safety, coupled with societal pressures to ease every bump in a youngster’s journey — the opportunities to worry are exponentially greater.
If a child writes “I miss you,” Tracy says, the instinct today is to call the camp director, to make sure the child is okay.
Slow down, the psychologist advises.
“It’s okay for kids to miss parents,” she says. “They love you.”
If a child calls home and cries on the phone, that’s natural too: “They haven’t heard your voice in a while.”
And, Tracy continues, remember why you chose that particular camp: You liked the director, the staff, the activities, the values.
Trust that decision.
Like many camp directors, Laurel’s Jem Sollinger knows and cares for every camper.
(There may be something else going on, Dr. Brenner adds. “Maybe those photos bring up a parent’s anxieties about their own friendships.”)
“Your child is learning to experience the full range of emotions without you there,” she repeats. “That’s a good thing. And it’s why you sent them to camp.”
The psychologist offers a few steps to help parents manage their anxiety.
First, “notice and name your emotion. Say to yourself (or out loud): ‘I’m worried my child may be unhappy.'”
Next, “have compassion for your feeling.” That means: “My child is away from home. It’s okay to worry.”
After that, Tracy advises, “Slow down. Step back. Look at the context.” For example, letters are written during “down time” — not when kids are out playing, swimming or canoeing.
Then, she says, “Remind yourself: If something is really wrong, the director will call.”
But, she adds, the director should be able to spend most of his or her time outside, with kids” — finding out if something is wrong — rather than replying to frantic emails and texts because in one photo, a child stands apart from his group, or is not linked arm in arm like the other girls.
Dr. Brenner has one final thought: “It’s a privilege and a luxury to send a child to camp — and to have those worries.”
Just as it is a privilege and a luxury to have a psychologist like her to explain how to let those worries go.
(“06880” relies on reader support. If we help ease your anxiety, please consider donating. Please click here to help.)
For a couple of years, a “Pride Bench” — decked out in rainbow colors — sat in front of Mystic Market. Everyone traveling past, on heavily trafficked Charles Street, saw it and smiled.
When the store closed in May, Westport Country Playhouse company manager, Bruce Miller thought that — given their close ties to the LGBTQ community — the Playhouse could make a good next home.
The Mystic Market folks agreed. The “Pride Bench” now sits proudly in front of the Sheffer Studio.
Fred Cantor, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Amy Schneider and Jonathan Prager all knew the new location of the bench. Susan Iseman, Nancy Vener and Celeste Champagne, meanwhile, recognized it from its previous location. (Click here to see the photo.)
This week’s Photo Challenge is less colorful — but very interesting. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
