Drivers weaving carefully (and not so carefully) through the Post Road East construction zone just west of McDonald’s have mourned the loss of a dozen or so old trees by the Linxweiler house.
They wonder too what will become of the many large rocks that made up a now-dismantled stone wall, near the trees.
Former stone wall in front of the Linxweiler house.
For once, the news is good.
A Planning & Zoning Commission site plan shows that the original stone wall will be replaced with a new one, continuing around the radius into Crescent Road.
The original was drywall. Hopefully, the next will be the same traditional type.
Congratulations are due town officials, who secured the replacement of the wall. (Hat tip: Michael Calise)
Site plans for Linxweiler house stone wall.
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One of the coolest opportunities anywhere is the Westport Police Department’s 8-week Citizens’ Police Academy.
Participants gain a first-hand understanding of what our officers do, how they do it, and how the WPD fits into our community.
At the same time, residents and officers get to know each other much better.
25 community members participate in classes on law enforcement, and get hands-on experience with equipment. They also join a “ride-along” with an officer — and receive CPR/AED certification.
The program runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays from October 5 through November 30 (except before Veterans Day and on Thanksgiving), and Wednesday, December 6.
The academy is open to Westport residents age 21 and older. Applications can also be picked up at police headquarters, and are due by September 18.
Westport’s Citizens Police Academy offers an inside look into every aspect of the department.
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Seen on social media yesterday:
“If you’re like me and all of your mail was stolen from your mailbox on Cross Highway, North Compo or Weston Rd (Friday) night, apparently some of it is floating around near the Willowbrook cemetery.
“With crime the way it’s been around here lately, I guess we should feel lucky our cars weren’t stolen or smashed. It’s just our personal information compromised.”
What a shame — and a hassle. (And for those whose checks are stolen and “whitewashed,” even worse.)
But among the responses was this, which is news to me: “Sign up for ‘USPS Informed Delivery’ free service. You get a daily email, with pictures of every piece of correspondence arriving in your mailbox.”
Not a good idea. It’s an invitation to thieves that there is mail — often a check — inside.
Yesterday’s Saugatuck Congregational Church service honoring the late Rev. Ted Hoskins was a chance for old friends to remember the longtime senior and youth minister.
It was a chance too for people who never knew him to learn more about one of the founders of Westport’s homeless shelter and food pantry. Today the Gillespie Center for men — and Hoskins Center for women, named for him — and other supportive housing and food projects are run by Homes with Hope.
Rev. Hoskins — who died last month — spent the last couple of decades of his life in Maine. But — as the turnout at his remembrance proved — his mark on Westport is profound, and indelible.
Homes with Hope representatives at Saugatuck Church yesterday (from left): Pete Powell, first president; Rev. Willie Salmond, who initiated the service for Rev. Hoskins; John Walsh, board chair; Helen McAlinden, president; Jeff Wieser, past president.
Dermatologists Dr. Nina Antonov and Dr. Marc Beuttler of Modern Dermatology will provide free full body skin cancer screenings, and/or spot checks, at the Aspetuck Health District (180 Bayberry Lane) on September 26.
Appointments are available between 9 a.m. and noon, and 1-4 p.m. Call 203-227-9571, ext. 235, and ask for Judy. Limited to residents of Westport, Weston and Easton only.
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Speaking of health: Overdose awareness and Narcan training will be held September 26 (7 to 8 p.m., Town Hall Room C201).
It’s sponsored by members of the Westport Prevention Coalition and Westport RTM.
To register and for more information, call 203-227-7644.
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It’s never too early to think about beer.
Wakeman Town Farm’s annual family Beer Garden event is Sunday October 15 (noon to 4 p.m.).
The afternoon features live music by Hitch and the Giddy-Up + Rob Morton, lawn games, bubbles, face painting, photos with mini ponies, and pumpkin crafts for the littles — and a surprise craft by LaurelRock.
Also for adults: Eco Evolution, and a massage therapist for the adults.
Lunch options include pizza by Tony Pizza Napolitano, Food Truck Refinery and Oronoque Farms.
Local beer is sponsored by Greens Farms Spirits, with ice cream from Saugatuck Sweets and Landtech. Ccider donuts and refreshments are courtesy of KMS Team at Compass.
Tickets are $10 for adults; kids are free. Click here to purchase, and for more information. Food and beverage purchases are a la carte. Proceeds benefit Wakeman Town Farm educational programs.
The intersection of Riverside Avenue and Bridge Street is one of the most heavily trafficked in Westport.
But because it’s so congested and complicated — with drivers converging from several directions (including nearby parking lots) waiting for that elusive green light, pause in traffic or wave from the cop — most drivers don’t seem to look around and enjoy the scenery.
Like the solar-powered flamingos in front of Rizzuto’s restaurant.
They were the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)
Despite being right there in plain sight, only 4 readers knew the answer. No one else even hazarded a guess.
Congratulations to jim McKay, Harry Brady, Beth Berkowitz and Andrew Colabella.
When I see you at Rizzuto’s bar, I’ll buy you a drink.
Meanwhile, don’t have a cow complaining about the difficulty of last week’s Photo Challenge. Instead, turn your attention to the new one.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Ellen Wentworth)
(If you enjoy our Photo Challenge every Sunday, please support “06880.” Click here to contribute — and thank you!)
The correct day, but incorrect date, was posted yesterday for former superintendent of schools Dr. Elliott Landon’s funeral.
It is tomorrow: Monday, September 4, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel.
Dr. Elliott Landon
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Today’s grand opening of the Daniel E. Offutt III Education Center at Weston’s Lachat Town Farm will be special.
The morning includes tours of the new facility and a pancake breakfast (from now until noon), plus hayrides, pony rides, a blacksmith demonstration live music, children’s book reading, and visits with the farm’s goats and bunnies.
The $4 million center includes a large gathering spce with stone fireplace, art studio, classroom — and Brian’s Kitchen, a demonstration space honoring Brian Gordon.
At Staples High School, Brian was president of his Class of 1987, and a basketball star. He went on to become president of his ’91 class at the University of Pennsylvania too.
When he, his wife Kristy and daughters Molly and Drew moved to Weston, he became active there too. As 2nd Selectman Brian vigorously supported Lachat Town Farm. He particularly enjoyed Music at the Meadow, and other special events, with his family.
Cooking was one of Brian’s passions. He delighted his family and friends with culinary treats. He rarely used a recipe, believing that cooking was an expression of love and caring, and should be joyful and creative.
Brian’s Kitchen will continue his legacy of good food, good times and good fun. Click here to read more about Brian’s life, and his contributions to Weston.
Brian Gordon, at work.
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Right now, there are 4 Hungry Pots in the world: Danbury, Wethersfield, Manchester, and Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Soon, there will be a fifth.
A sign at the former Panera Bread — across from Shake Shack — announced its arrival.
It’s an “all you can eat Korean BBQ and Hot Pot.”
The website says: “We offer different variety of fresh quality meats seafood and vegetable to provide our guests with an enjoyable dining experience and authentic atmosphere. Customer service is our top priority when it comes to our customers. It is a perfect place for family gatherings, birthday parties and other events. We are passionate to bring a new unique dining experience for our new customer.
“The owner and all staff in Hungry Pot will greet you with the warmest welcome, whether you are a habitual patron or come for the first time. We have made painstaking efforts to create the tidiest and cleanest dining place, and guarantee you with friendly and timely service. All of your demands and feelings will be cared in our restaurant.
“We pick ingredients carefully and use only the freshest and natural ones to prepare every dish.”
Frank Rosen headed to Lime Rock Park yesterday, and spotted 3 fellow Westporters.
He was spectating. But they were all racing.
One of the trio was a (relatively rare) female driver, Lexy Barlow (below). She’s a 2018 Staples High School graduate.
The others were Joe Fuller (below) …
… and Josh Lewis (silver #812, below):
It’s great that Westport was well represented at Lime Rock. Our 3 drivers are following in the footsteps — er, slipstream — of our town’s most famous race car driver of all time.
A guy named Paul Newman.
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The Japan Society of Fairfield County invites everyone to a Fall Festival next Sunday, (September 10, 1 to 4 p.m., Jesup Green).
The family-friendly event includes taiko drum performances, live plays of Japanese folk tales, martial arts demonstrations and traditional dancing.
The Westport Book Shop’s featured artist this month is Maj Kalfus.
She’ll exhibit several digital compositions. Her paintings and drawings are influenced by an extensive career in the fashion industry. All work on display is available for purchase.
Maj teaches art in Westport and Weston, as well as the Silvermine Arts Center. She is a member of The Artists Collective of Westport.
Nature photographer and Westport Community Gardens director Lou Weinberg contributes today’s great “Westport … Naturally image.”
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
He adds this context:
“Dragonflies love to be photographed. This one cracked a broad smile for me.
“Dragonflies are a great control on the mosquito population. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
“The Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve provide great habitat and food for these critters. They are part of the incredible biodiversity supported by our model of suburban open-space environmental rehabilitation.”
And finally … Jimmy Buffett died Friday. He was 76.
The New York Times calls him a “singer, songwriter, author, sailor and entrepreneur whose roguish brand of island escapism on hits like ‘Margaritaville and ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ made him something of a latter-day folk hero, especially among his devoted following of so-called Parrot Heads.”
Click here for a full obituary. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites. Jimmy Buffett always made me smile.
(Today, “06880” is “where Westport meets Margaritaville.” If you enjoy our musical tribute — or any of our other daily selections, or anything else on this blog — please consider a contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
Benji Porosoff won 1st prize in this year’s “Young Shoots” photography contest.
His colorful “Radish Roots” image showcased one of the many wonders of the weekly Westport Farmers’ Market.
“Radish Roots” (Benji Porosoff)
But Benji ranged a bit further than the Imperial Avenue parking lot this summer.
The just-turned-17-year-old spent 3 weeks in Namibia, with National Geographic Student Travel.
Benji Porosoff
He explored the African country. At Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary he saw the rescue and rehabilitation of injured animals, along with alternative “non-lethal” solutions to human-wildlife conflict.
Namib-Naukluft National Park was filled with sand dunes. Swakopmund is a small, beautiful town with desert wildlife like snakes and chameleons. At Walvis Bay he kayaked with sea lions.
At Etosha and Okonjima he got a very close look at rhinos, lions, elephants and leopards.
Everywhere, he had his camera.
He’s loved photography since age 9, when he discovered a darkroom at sleepaway camp. Back in Westport, he began shooting with his mother’s phone.
He heard about the Young Shoots contest. In 2015 and ’16 he placed second, with photos of a flower and string beans respectively.
He earned gold in 2018 with an image of a clam. He did not enter again until this year, when he took first again.
During that first Young Shoots summer, he took a Westport Library tech session on photo editing. That — plus YouTube videos, reading tutorials and trial and error — were the extent of his formal photography education.
Then — while Googling things to do during summer — Benji found the National Geographic program. It seemed perfect: a photography workshop, a chance to see wildlife, and a way to meet interesting people.
The group changed campsites every couple of days. He surprised himself by how much he enjoyed camping (his sleeping bag was cozy during nights that dipped as low as 18 degrees).
The spectacularly clear night skies were another pleasant surprise.
But the best part was the animals. Giraffes and elephants; cheetahs running up and down sand dunes; a bush walk with rhinos — every day was a new adventure.
And every day Benji learned something new. Sometimes it was owe to optimize the advanced settings on his camera. Other times, it was about the wildlife itself, conservation or Namibian culture.
Now Benji is back for his junior year, at Hopkins School. He’s co-captain of Science Bowl; active in the math team, Science Olympiad, robotics and the Diversity Board. He is a member of the cross country, ski and track teams.
In his spare time he’s a 4-year apprentice at the Eli Whitney Museum in Hamden. And he’s a talented glassblower, who has sold works to raise money for a non-profit.
Benji Porosoff’s glassworks.
Benji looks forward to continuing photography — nature, as well as sports. He hopes to upgrade to a camera with a faster focus and higher shutter speed.
His images are already quite impressive. With that new camera, the sky is — literally — the limit.
“Milky Way” (Benji Porosoff)
(Photos/Benji Porosoff)
(“06880” often highlights the talents and accomplishments of young Westporters. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
There are big ones like Longshore, Winslow and Baron’s South, and smaller but equally loved parks like Grace Salmon and the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve.
Some are old, like Luciano; others, like Riverside, are much newer.
Then there are tiny parks, like Eloise A. Ray.
Named for a noted landscape architect, it’s a small spot on Riverside Avenue, at the foot of Lincoln Street.
Like Pasacreta Park — its neighbor to the south — it provides a welcome respite from nearby downtown.
But, a group of neighbors warns, it may be in danger. They write:
What makes Eloise A. Ray Park special is that it sits on the west bank of the Saugatuck, and offers breathtaking views up and down the river.
It is used every day by people walking to and from the center of town, and also those who come specifically to sit on a bench to watch the daily river activity: the ducks and swans, the rowers, and the occasional small boat with a fishing line in the water.
Eloise A. Ray Park
Owing to its location and impressive views, the park is also used for family gatherings and special occasions. It’s a wonderful place.
Unfortunately, a developer – Vita Design Group — has somehow been able to purchase what many believed was public land immediately adjacent to the park, and has submitted plans to build a multi-level luxury home which will change the park forever.
This land – designated 79 Riverside Avenue – borders the park immediately to the north. It has a number of old trees, and also offers prime habitat for wildlife. For this reason among others, it has been a perfect neighbor to the park for many years.
The view from Eloise A. Ray Park in summer …
But all that will change – along with the character of the park itself – if the town allows the development to proceed. In particular, we can expect the following:
The park itself will effectively be unusable for long periods of time while construction is ongoing, and will be used in part as a staging area for construction equipment.
The park will be damaged by construction equipment.
Once construction is complete, the park will be forever altered by having a multi-level house, driveway, patio and walls encroaching upon it.
Construction will also require razing the land at 79 Riverside, cutting down a number of old trees and eliminating wildlife habitat,
Construction will also seriously impact traffic on Riverside Avenue — already very busy – because heavy equipment will need to use the roadway on a regular basis.
In sum, there will undoubtedly be a loss or permanent alteration of public waterfront space, of which there is very little these days. And while the developer will no doubt downplay these concerns, as they always do, those of us familiar with the reality of new development projects know better.
A hearing is set for September 6, before the Flood & Erosion Control Board. There is another hearing on September 13 before the full Conservation Commission. Further hearings will follow.
… and fall.
While a number of us plan to attend and voice our concerns, we believe there is broader support for our cause. We would like to alert the community at large to the situation.
We strongly encourage others to:
Attend the hearings and voice their concerns;
Write to Town Hall opposing the development; and
Encourage the town to buy the lot and incorporate it into the park.
Our group – Friends of Eloise A. Ray Park – is also raising funds toward preserving the park. They will go toward the legal effort to fight the development: retaining experts (soil and erosion, planning and zoning, wildlife, traffic safety, etc.); retaining legal counsel to assist in presenting evidence before the town, and, in the event of approval, carrying on the fight in the courts.
We are in this for the long haul, and hope others are too. Anyone interested in lending support or assistance, or who would like more information, can email saveeloise@gmail.com.
John Keats said, “The poetry of the earth is never dead.” This may be true, but there is less of it every time we turn a blind eye to unnecessary development.
There are fewer places like Eloise A. Ray Park every day. Each loss is a loss for all of us. Any help that the community can offer is greatly appreciated.
(From parks to parking, “06880” is your on-the-scene, hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The funeral for Dr. Elliott Landon — Westport’s superintendent of schools for 17 years, from 1999 to 2016 — will be held Monday (September 4, 10 a.m., Temple Israel). He died Thursday night, at 82.
Yesterday, assistant superintendent of schools John Bayers sent this message to staff:
“Elliott led the district through a very transformative period. From a facilities perspective he oversaw the reopening of Greens Farms Elementary School, the opening of the current Bedford Middle School, and the renovations of Staples High School. Those projects themselves could have pulled a superintendent’s focus away from the primary responsibility of overseeing the educational program of a district, but Elliott never wavered from keeping the focus on having excellent schools for students, staff and families.
“During Elliott’s time in Westport the words ‘Lighthouse District’ were often used to describe the strength of its schools. While Elliott had high expectations for the academic performance of students, he was always working with everyone to think about innovative ways for our schools to help students prepare for their lives after high school. He knew complacency and a focus on lofty district rankings would not serve our students, our families, our staff, and the community well. He was a true champion of meeting the individual needs of every child.
“There is no doubt stories about his incredible impact on the schools will be shared by many in the coming days, and I encourage those of you who did not have the chance to meet or work with him to listen intently as you will appreciate how his legacy is having a lasting effect on the district today. His impact is not just on our schools, but on the community as well.
“Shortly before his retirement Elliott met with the Westport News to reflect on his career. What is striking in that article (linked here) was Elliott’s realization that he had basically hired everyone in the district at that point. That is an amazing accomplishment. For those of us who were hired during Elliott’s tenure, it is also humbling.
“Please join me in keeping Elliott, his wife Joyce, their children Gillian and Judd and their spouses, their grandchildren, and their extended family in your thoughts during this difficult time.”
In 2015, students Liam Abourezk, BK Browne and Jack Sila showed Dr. Elliott Landon how they used QR codes on their smartphones, as part of a Staples High project involving art, writing and history.
On Wednesday, 3 Representative Town Meeting committees voted unanimously to recommend approval of a School Security Officers program, proposed by the Westport Police, First Selectwoman and Superintendent of Schools.
Three officers would be assigned to 2 school campuses each: Coleytown Middle and Elementary; Kings Highway/Saugatuck, and Long Lots/Greens Farms. Staples High and Bedford Middle School already have an officer on patrol.
The SSOs would work primarily outside, including assisting with traffic and deterring potential threats. They would enter schools only for emergencies.
The full RTM will act upon the request at its next meeting: Tuesday, September 5 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
StartUp Westport — the organization dedicated to harnessing our town’s tech and entrepreneurial talent, and making it an innovation hub — starts up the fall with a meeting September 14 (6:30 p.m., meet and greet cocktails; 7 p.m. program; Westport Library).
Westporter Dan Bikel — a key member of the AI community at Meta — will speak on “Generative AI: NLP, Machine Learning and Large Language Models.”
The event is free, but pre-registration is mandatory. Click here to claim a spot.
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Sherwood Island State Park — the site of Connecticut’s official 9/11 memorial — is once again the site of the state ceremony honoring the lives of residents killed in the terrorist attack.
The event is set for Thursday, September 7 (5:30 p.m.). Family members of will participate, and the names of the 161 victims with ties to Connecticut will be read aloud. Governor Lamont and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz will participate.
The Sherwood Island memorial is located on a peninsula. The memorial is engraved with the names of people with ties to Connecticut who died on 9/11.
On a clear day the Manhattan skyline is visible across Long Island Sound. Immediately following the attacks, people gathered there to observe the devastation in Lower Manhattan.
In the following days, the area was used by the Connecticut National Guard as a staging area for relief efforts.
People Magazine just gave the Westport-based bakers a “Top Delicious Destination” designation.
Popup Bagels has already taken our town and county by storm. Next, they conquered the Big Apple.
Now, will it play in Peoria?
As anyone who has tried to get a good bagel outside of this area hopes: God willing.
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Yesterday’s Roundup noted that Rev. Willie Salmond will be the guest preacher at tomorrow’s Saugatuck Congregational Church 10 a.m. worship — and that all Westporters are invited to share memories of longtime pastor Rev. Ted Hoskins.
That will be Rev. Salmond’s 2nd service of the day. At 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, he leads the summer’s final early morning service, at Compo Beach.
Sunday morning beach service at Compo. (Photo/Karen Como)
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Speaking of Compo Beach:
This has been the Summer of Tents, on the sand.
Some people love the shade and breeze they provide, along with ease of putting up and taking down.
Others think they’re too big and intrusive. And too many.
But — in the waning days of the season — here is a new trend: tents that sprawl far beyond their footprint.
In 2015, the Westport Weston Family YMCA received a large and unexpected gift from the estate of Ruth Bedford.
The granddaughter of Y founder Edward T. Bedford, she had died the previous year, at 99. The board of trustees established the Ruth Bedford Social Responsibility Fund. Its endowment supports grants to organizations that provide direct or supplemental educational opportunities in Fairfield County.
The fund is now accepting preliminary applications for the 2023-24 grant cycle. The deadline is September 9.
Last year, the Bedford Fund awarded $300,000 to 31 Fairfield County organizations. Their programs support equitable education programs for students.
Some recipients of the Westport Weston Family YMCA Ruth Bedford Social Responsibility Fund.
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Last spring, the Westport Library partnered with New York’s Song Arts Academy, for an 8-week songwriting workshop for middle and high school students.
This fall, adults get their chance.
The 2-hour songwriting program runs 8 Mondays (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.), beginning September 18. The course is once again taught by former Westporter Billy Seidman, an experienced songwriter and the author of “The Elements of Song Craft.”
Participants learn the techniques and mechanics of great song-writing, including critiques of famous tunes. During the final 2 weeks, participants record a song in the Library’s Verso Studio.
Previous songwriting experience is not necessary. For more information, email songartsacademy.com. To register, click here.
Billy Seidman
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Marisa Zer grows flowers for florists, shops and private customers.
Today she shares a scene at her dahlia patch — “bees lining up at the flower bar” — for our “Westport … Naturally” features.
And finally … A tribute to Jimmy Buffett will come tomorrow. Meanwhile, in honor of Billy Seidman’s songwriting class at the Westport Library (story above):
(I write the stories. You may or may not write the songs. But please write a check to support our “06880” work. Click here — and thank you!)
Our first online art gallery of September features only one “fall is coming” work.
There will be more in the weeks ahead, for sure. Foliage, pumpkins, turkeys — bring ’em on!
Along with every other theme. As always, we welcome watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — whatever you’ve got.
Email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Share your work with the world! (PS: Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.)
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Artist Eric Bosch says, “This piece was inspired by the Westport Community Gardens. It represents the growth of nature, and the wisdom of the Long Lots School Building Committee to do the right thing for our town as a whole.”
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!)
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