From time to time, I hear longtime residents lament: “What a shame the Westport News went out of business.”
It didn’t.
Our “hometown newspaper” still publishes a print edition, every Friday.
It’s hard to find. I don’t think it’s sold anywhere in town. It gets delivered (often 4 days late) by mail, to some (but definitely not all) Westporters.
Westport News, complete with ad sticker on page 1.
It’s online too. It’s been rebranded as “CT Insider,” though it still says “Westport News” there as well.
Yet many older readers think the paper is defunct. And most new ones have never heard of it.
They don’t know that, beginning in 1986, I wrote a weekly column for the Westport News called “Woog’s World.”
And they — including many old-timers — don’t know that until last Friday, I kept writing it.
My second-to-last “Woog’s World.”
Once a week, for 36 years, I offered my thoughts on Westport. For the past 10 or so years, I wasn’t sure anyone read them.
Feedback was non-existent. More common was: “I miss ‘Woog’s World,'”
My final newspaper column ran this past Friday.
The timing is right. “06880” is demanding more and more of my time. I know my audience, and I know their eyeballs are here.
For those who had no idea I wrote a regular newspaper column — and those who either remember the old Westport News, or never heard of its heyday and are curious to know more — I’m posting that final “Woog’s World” below.
Enjoy. And — if you’re interested — here’s a link to the Westport News website.
I mean, “CT Insider.”
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The final “Woog’s World”:
My first Westport News byline came in 1969.
My last will be in 2024. It’s this one.
I’ve had a great run. From those first days as a Staples High School sophomore covering the baseball team, to today’s farewell “Woog’s World,” I’ve had the honor of reporting, recording and ruminating on more than 50 years of Westport life.
I’ve been the “Up at Staples” columnist, a two-year gig I inherited from a senior when Vietnam, drugs, student power and more rocked our town. I wrote about Staples soccer, football, basketball, wrestling and baseball too, for the sports pages. I’d type it all up, drop my “copy” in a box outside the Brooks Corner office, then head off to school.
As a Staples High School senior, I praised Players’ production of “The Time of Your Life” — and slammed the choice of the play.
As sports editor from 1976-79 – my first real job after college – I wrote, edited, laid out and filled up to six pages, twice a week, about everything from the Wreckers and Little League to Olympic and professional hopefuls.
It’s hard to imagine now, but for much of the second half of the 20th century, the Westport News was how Westporters got their news. From its downtown office, the News covered everything and anything that happened in town.
Reporters had specific beats. One handled Town Hall; another, education. Jeanne Davis was the flamboyant arts editor. Still, the most popular feature was the all-inclusive Police Reports. No matter who you were, if you got nabbed you could not keep your name out of the paper.
The perfect story presented itself when the furniture store across the street burned to the ground. It was right in front of us – and a Tuesday afternoon, perfect for our Wednesday edition deadline.
A Congressional race, Gorham Island, and school bus schedules were front-page news in 1978.
I kept writing after becoming a full-time freelancer. In 1986, editor Lise Connell offered me this “Woog’s World” space. Every Friday since – for 36 years, which is about 1,800 columns – I’ve contributed 800 words about whatever went on in Westport that week. Or had gone on in the past. Or was coming ‘round the bend.
Subjects ranged widely. I wrote about a Staples student who won both the Siemens Westinghouse and Intel science contests in the same year; teenagers who overdosed on angel dust, and a high school alcoholic.
I wrote about controversies, like the Compo Beach playground that was built only after a court injunction. (Spoiler alert: Now one of the most popular spots in Westport, it will soon be renovated as a townwide project.) I covered the Y’s long, torturous move from downtown; the closing, opening, remodeling and other ups and downs of our schools, and the everlasting debate about the future of Baron’s South. (If I wrote for another 36 years, until 2060, I’d still be reporting on that topic.)
Every Christmas, I offered a poem. Every January, I imagined headlines for the coming year. Once, decades ago, I came out as gay in my “Woog’s World” column.
A few headlines, out of 1,800.
Lise Connell – a demanding, decisive and thoroughly wonderful boss – was one of several memorable editors. Larry Fellows had been a foreign correspondent for the New York Times. Woody Klein was previously the editor of IBM’s “Think” magazine. The Westport News – the flagship of what became the Brooks Community Newspapers – punched far above its weight.
Those days are well known to anyone who lived in Westport between about 1965 and 2000. If you were a Westporter, you read the Westport News.
But the world of journalism has changed seismically since then. The Brooks family sold their chain of papers to Hearst Media. Print circulation declined, while online options surged. Readers could access the Westport News – and sister publications – any time, from anywhere. Stories were posted any time too. A new century ushered in a new era.
I’ve aged a bit, from the early days.
Through all the changes, I’ve enjoyed chronicling all things Westport. No, that’s not right; I’ve loved it. I appreciate beyond measure the chance to share my thoughts and insights, week after week (year after year) (decad after decade), about what is happening (and has happened, and may one day happen) in this historic, ever-changing, passionate, quarrelsome, weird and wonderful community.
I’ve been privileged, for 36 years, to have had my say. I’ll continue to say it on the “pages” of my “06880” blog (www.06880.org).
And now – 55 years after my byline first appeared in the Westport News – I’ll sign off the way I was taught, my first day on the job as a high school sophomore.
For decades – in a throwback to the days of telegraph transmission — “-30-“ meant the end of a story. The writer had done his job; now it went to the editor and (how’s this for a memory?) typesetter.
“Woog’s World” is done. I give hearty, loving thanks to decades’ worth of colleagues, friends, and most importantly, readers. It’s been a true honor, and a great privilege. -30-.
Thanks for all the blood, sweat and tears that went into those (0 years Dan. Now onward with 06880-
What a lovely goodbye, Dan! Believe it or not, I remember reading your first WN column 55 years ago and thinking, “Wow! I didn’t know Dan was such an engaging, wonderful writer.” After all these years, my opinion hasn’t changed. PS. Loved rereading your review of Time of Your Life!!
As you know, sir, I did keep up with it — well, a bit less in recent years — & enjoyed Googling it & having it appear in ‘newspapers’ all around the country. Incredible you sustained it this long.
Wow! I thought for sure you were going to surpass Herb Caen’s record. But surely you are as beloved in Westport as Caen was in San Francisco—maybe even more so.
Re your Up at Staples excerpt shown above: didn’t a bunch of us go in by train to see one of those Secret Challenge shows in person at the NYC TV studio where it was recorded? Or am I imaging that? And didn’t Lev earn the “Showboat” moniker because he put on a remarkable display in a skipping-rope contest that would have made Ali proud? Or is that a false memory as well?
In any case, kudos on your “Chorus Line” run at the Westport News; and obviously the run has not truly ended—it continues in another forum.
A relatively new reader ( since 1983), from Weston then Westport, I have thoroughly enjoyed your columns and just recently marveled to my husband how you are on top of our news several times a day from 06880 and your pics to finding Westport News when I can. Thank you. See you online!
Congratulations on the long run with Woog’s World in the Westport News.
Count me amongst those who had no idea that the Westport News was still a thing, in any way, shape, or form!
The Minuteman is gone, isn’t it?
Lise Connell went on to edit The Minuteman which was a robust and free competitor of the Westport News for a while . She gave me my start with a column too , “Anything Goes”. Publishing those op-Ed’s helped me find my voice , which helped motivate me to be more active in town. Thanks for all those columns Dan, I read many of them. This blog you’ve created has become the closest thing to the “have you heard …?” ability for Westporters to know what’s going on in our town . I thank you for it . Wishing you many more years of strength and health to keep going .
As another old time columnist for the Westport News, I remember when you were my Sports Editor. Lise Connell also allowed me to expand with my On The Waterfront column in addition to my fishing columns. Pleasant reminders of the “good old days”. – Dick Alley
You are one cool Westport guy, Dan! Writing columns as a sophomore in high school. Very cool 😎
I do remember moving to Westport in 1996 … thrilled to have a town newspaper to be in the know. And yes, I remember Woogs World 👍❤️… And we are so thrilled with 0688 out in the know every day …. Thank you, Dan
Well done Dan! Write on. Keep us in he Westport loop where ever we are.
I still receive The Westport News every week. You can, too. Just contact them and request delivery.
Thanks, Dan. I’ll miss Woog’s World. I’ve been reading the Westport News every week in The Library.
Wow, Dan! Wot an incredible run from high school sophomore to Westport’s Herb Caen. And why didn’t I think of that obvious comparison? Congratulations.
You, Dan, like the Westport news are a Westport treasure!!!! and although I am moving back to New York City next week after living here for 30 years, I will follow your column every day 👍😁 Midge Deverin
I remember the first Woogs World!!! They were all awesome. I regularly marvel at your passion, accuracy, professionalism, and never waivering theme. You deserve congradulations but more importantly, a thank you from all Westporters and me.
I remember that day, i opened up the Westport News, Woogs World. I was in high school, then, i came back to town after ten years, i opened it up, wow still there.
And then of course, this blog, Kind of blew ww away.
To put it simple, your writing is a culural landmark, on par with Paul Newman, The Barron, and the Black Duck…
It cannot be overstated how you capture the magic and spirit of this place…
Well done, Dan. Congratulations and thank you for such a long haul! Excited that our paths will still cross. Michael Mombello
This clickbait on you saying goodbye (like that’ll ever happen) brings back memories. Before I knew you 1/1 Dan I was reading your 1st generation WN column one day in the 60’s. I couldn’t believe there was anyone who liked Staples enough to write a column about it. My late mother (who was the 1st ever school secretary at Burr Farms but had since moved on to other things) said: “I knew Danny Woog at Burr Farms and he was the nicest little boy.” Burr Farms is McMansions and my Mom has been pushing up daisies at Willowbrook (for 20 years on 1/4/24 like it was last week!!!) but you are still the nicest little guy left in Westport (the rest of us moved away). Other than you the only little guys left in town are mean little shits (called developers). You’ve set a high bar for yourself. You’ll probably exceed it before the week is out 😇😘👍
Dan,
Yes, a goodbye but as with all passings, the memories, the efforts and the impacts remain. Stay well and may your prose be like that classic fine wine, better with age.
Dan,
Thanks for all you’ve done and continue to do for the town.
Chris Lewis
When I first moved to Westport 25 years ago I began receiving the Westport News. After I moved to another street the subscription stopped coming. When I learned a neighbor still gets his copy, for the last 6 years I’ve tried everyway possible to get it restarted. Phone calls, letters, emails, I even went to their offices at Merritt 7 in Norwalk only to be told that no one is there, everyone now works remotely. I was about to call their advertising department and threaten to call every advertiser to tell them that their ads were not being seen when I realized that Hearst doesn’t care and neither should I. Such is the fate of journalism that we have been hearing about for a long time now. Thank goodness for “06880” ….Many Thanks Dan! …and to all dedicated journalists.
Nobody does it better ‼️✍️
From 1988-1992 The Westport News and Woog’s World were required reading. It’s amazing how, in those years, one could publish a profitable newspaper about a single town– talk about hyperlocal. The Westport News wasn’t the only one.
There was the Trumbull Times, The Fairfield Citizen and more all keeping their readers well informed about the local goings on.
With all due deference to the excellent job Dan does with 06880, we’re losing a great deal with the death of these local publications.
Still, congratulations, Dan on a great run!
Of course I remember Woog’s World! Loved it. I was an Arts Editor at the Westport News in the 90s. It was a terrific paper. There was so much advertising from all the Mom and Pop businesses in town. More advertising pages meant more editorial pages. Too many fabulous stories to list here, but I did interview Willie Nelson for the Westport News when he came to perform at the Levitt Pavilion. I still have the article I wrote (laminated) along with a photo of the two us which he asked if I wanted to have one.
well done Dan
Thank you Dan. I remember your many kind words about my “Home Oilers” of Babe Ruth Baseball fame. They were all wonderful young men and I frequently wonder about their post college lives.
Awwww, I have made a point of reading your columns online. That format allowed more creative and free opining, it seems to me, than the newsier 06880. Well, all things must pass – but thanks for that work for all those years.
Dear Dan,
Say it isn’t so!
As local newspaper and radio coverage faded to the status of anachronism, you wisely pioneered in the next, best news medium. Whatever would we do without you?
Over the years, “06880” has quietly and necessarily assumed multiple mantles in the name of community communication.
We have come to rely upon your skill and ethics as a journalist to assure the opportunity of a fact-based understanding of events. We have come to rely upon your wit and common sense to broadcast the absurdities of our hyper-local culture. We rely upon your moral compass and humanity as a reminder that we are at our best as individuals and leaders when our actions are guided by conscience.
You laud us, scold us, educate us, and inspire us. You celebrate with us, mourn with us, and share yourself with us, every minute of every day without interruption. You are the fascia that keeps us connected to one another, to our community and to the world.
You are our friend, our confidante and the change we wish to see in the world. You honor us with your devotion, your service, and too often thankless sacrifice to do all that you do on our behalf.
I trust that you, a fellow wordsmith, will connect with this, my personal observation on a visceral level — there are no words to describe or encompass the depth of gratitude that we owe you.
As for me, my dear and glorious friend, I love you beyond measure.
Congratulations Dan! What a pleasure it has been to read your info about Westport in both mediums. When we first arrived in Westport we had the Westport News delivered to our mailbox and learned lots from you. When I became PTA President at Staples High School in 2013 I was told I had to read your blog every day to stay updated on what was happening in the town. Ever since then, both me and my family members across the country have subscribed and learned so much about our community’s past and present. Thank you!
Thank you Dan, you are literally irreplaceable. I have been a newspaper girl since 1950 when my mom started working for the Westport Town Crier. She covered everything from Board of Ed meetings to Playouse openings to weddings and wore a camera around her neck at all times. She went to the Westporter Herald when the Town Crier was sold. You are my kin! We are deeply indebted to you for your valuable service to this town!
As a kid coming of age in Westport during the 1980s, The Westport News and especially Woog’s World were indeed staples for those who wanted to be in the know on all things Westport. After many years of moving away, living in all different parts of the country, I am now back in the area, and so delighted to have discovered 06880! Thank you Mr. Woog for your perennial persistence in keeping alive the art of thoughtful reflection and respectful exchange that so characterizes the tenor of a special town like Westport.
Thank you to all, for your exceptionally kind comments. You made my day (week) (month) (YTD).
I look forward to sharing more opinions on “06880” — and of course hearing yours. On we go!
Crushed that it is ending and so grateful for the years you provided us with insight, humor and journalism. Thank you so very much for the service “Woogs World” provided our community ❤️
When visiting the ‘rents for several decades, I was reading you though I didn’t know it. Your columns are a precis of all the town issues of the times. Hope you kept both your copy and the print version. Seriously, next book (also with pics & maps) WOOG ON WESTPORT, 1969-2024: [Selected Opinions of a Native Son on the Little Town that Went Big]. Saved to my Westport – History file.
And as I have myself written copy for local papers
— 30 —
Dan! I remember getting the Westport News … a broadsheet was it? Had no idea CT Insider was the new iteration of it, but I have seen Woog’s World online occasionally.
Congratulations on a good long run with Woog’s World. Just Look at you now! Westport’s media baron!
The decline of local journalism (Dan excepted) is really sort of disastrous to communities when you think about it. In “the good old days,” everyone read the paper, from school lunch menus to police reports to real estate listings to school bus routes to honor rolls. Every week, hundreds of Westporters’ names were in the paper, usually for doing something good. We all operated with a common and fact-checked pool of information through which we could meet neighbors, celebrate and promote volunteers and organizations, and make smart decisions in the voting booth. Losing that vital common thread (Dan excepted) hurts every community.
Agree totally with Don’s wise words!!
Used to love reading the Westport News for sports, Woog’s World and Judith Marks’ columns.
Thankfully we have 06880DanWoog.com keeping us up to date on the Westport scene and connections to the world!!
Lots of exceptions to this are appearing.
A nearby for-instance is Redding’s two-year-old offline/online Sentinel, founded/published by Dan Woog contemporary Susan Clark.
Dan..even though The Westport News was usually left in a puddle at the far end of my driveway I always made sure to bring it in wipe the dirty water off the plastic and turn to Woog’s World and Judith Marks White..thanks for all the years of info and hooray for 06880…You know how old I am and if it weren’t for you I would have no idea what’s happening in the town I’ve lived in for almost 65 years!
Where would Westport be without you Dan? Much gratitude for all you do, and have done. Extraordinary!
We go way back, Dan! I will keep up with you in my daughter’s copy of Westport News. Louise Whitney MacCormack