It took over 6 hours of talk. But early this morning, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4-3 in favor of plans to renovate Parker Harding Plaza, and add the spots lost there to Jesup Green.
Those parking spots would be at the top of the green.
Tonight (Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium; click here for the livestream), the Representative Town Meeting votes on a request to spend $630,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the design and redevelopment of both Jesup Green and the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
(Click here for a full report, from the Westport Journal.)
The Jesup Green parking plan.
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And the grand marshal of the 2024 Memorial Day parade is …
… Charles Lamb. He is a Korean War veteran, and a longtime civic volunteer.
The 95-year-old native of Springfield, Illinois joined the Navy in 1946, at 17. He was part of the Naval Aviation College Program.
In 1948 he was sent to Pensacola Naval Air Station. where he became a midshipman and started ground school. In 1950, age 21, he was designated a naval viator.
He amassed over 2,000 hours of flight time and earned 2 medals, each representing 20 aerial combat missions during the Korean War. He rose to the rank of lieutenant.
In 2022, the State of Connecticut recognized him for his patriotic service.
Lamb moved to Westport with his family in 1971, and still lives in the house they bought on Saugatuck Shores.
He served on the Representative Town Meeting (District 1) and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
This year’s Memorial Parade — the first in 54 years not overseen by Bill Vornkahl, who died in January — will be held on Monday, May 27, at 9 a.m. A ceremony follows the completion of the parade, on Veterans Green.
Charles Lamb will be grand marshal for the 2024 Memorial Day parade. After his remarks, a bugler will play “Taps.”
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Westport’s Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Task Force has been listening, and acting.
On April 25 (7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), they’ll provide an update on their progress.
Residents will also be able to offer comments, and air concerns.
The event — coordinated by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and the Public Works, Planning & Zoning, and Public Safety Departments — will include town employees experienced in traffic management, and well versed in roadway conditions, engineering, and speed calming solutions, as well as the regulations and oversight authority of the town.
Also in attendance: the consultants responsible for preparing Westport’s Safety Action Plan, funded by a federal grant.
Meanwhile, the town’s interactive, online survey is open for residents’ input. Click here for access.
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Plenty of Westporters thrilled to the University of Connecticut’s romp to its second straight NCAA men’s basketball title last night.
A few were in Glendale, Arizona. Many were at home. Some were in Gampel Pavilion, the Huskies’ court, where UConn hosted a viewing party.
Tomaso and Lucia Scotti — siblings, Staples graduates, and fellow students — found each other in the large crowd.
Tomaso graduates this spring with a fine arts degree. focusing on graphic design. He gives tours from his job at the rec center, where he is a fitness instructor.
Lucia has a leadership positions in the visitors center. She is a sophomore majoring in civil engineering, and will study in Italy next year.
Lucia and Tomaso Scotti say: “Go Huskies!”
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Besides UConn’s rousing victory yesterday, the other big news was the solar eclipse.
Dozens of Westporters sent photos to “06880.” Franco Fellah added a video.
He writes: “Too bad the conditions were pretty horrible and cloudy. Here is a time lapse of the entire eclipse, as seen from my front yard on Elmwood Road. It is composed of 160 images taken with a robotic telescope.”
Here it is: a much quicker look than you got yesterday.
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Also yesterday: The Westport Country Playhouse was buzzing, for the world premiere of 3 films. All were Triple Threat Academy productions, made by aspiring actors, singers and dancers under the guidance of professionals.
Two were largely student-produced: “Oceans Fourteen” and “Family Recipe.”
“Family Recipe” actors post, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
The feature was “Presumed Incompetent,” directed by Triple Threat founder (and former “Fame” star, and 1981 Staples High graduate) Cynthia Gibb, and written by Jill Johnson Mann.
Jill Johnson Mann and Cynthia Gibb, at the Playhouse.
“Presumed Incompetent” is based on the true story of Wynston Browne, the Staples High School junior with non-speaking autism and apraxia. He’s also the star of the film, which shows how a simple spelling device unlocks his very sharp brain. It’s life-changing — for him, his family, and all those around him who for too long presumed him to be incompetent.
“Presumed Incompetent” — which includes many local youngsters (and Gibb’s mother Linde) — is poignant, uplifting and inspiring. It heads next to festivals around the country.
Wynston Browne, at the “Presumed Incompetent” premiere. (All photos/Dan Woog)
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At 10 a.m. yesterday, a tree toppled. It took down power and cable to 160 homes — and started a brush fire.
The Westport Fire Department extinguished the blaze, but Wilton Road was closed to traffic.
Eversource restored power by 12:30 p.m., and the road was reopened.
(Photo/Steve Stein)
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Marriage equality for LGBTQ people was not always the law of the land. And the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport was not always a “welcoming congregation.”
The history of the local UU road’s to equality is the subject of a documentary film, “Welcome,” by longtime Westporter Rozanne Gates.
It’s being shown at (of course) the Westport church this Saturday (April 13, 7 p.m.). A discussion (and refreshments) will follow.
The showing is free, and the public is welcome.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.
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The Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for president campaign will be at Sherwood Island State Park this Saturday (April 13), from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
They’ll be collecting signatures, to get him on the Connecticut ballot in November. 12,000 are needed.
Click here for more details.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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This week’s Jazz at the Post features saxophonists Dayna Stephens and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi,” in a tribute to the “two tenor sax front line” legacy.
Accompanying them are guitarist Kenny Wessel, bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Tim Horner.
There are 2 shows this Thursday, at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399: 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service begins at 7. The music cover is $20 ($15 for veterans and students). Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
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Longtime Westport resident George Erickson died peacefully at home on April 3. He was 86.
The Pelham, New York native earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Colgate University, where he was a proud member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.
After graduation he was an officer in the US Marine Corps, rising to captain.
George married Susan Ostrom in 1960. They moved to Quantico, Virginia, and later Westport.
George discovered a passion for restoring old houses, seeing potential that no one else would tackle. Beginning with a 1789 Federal home in Greens Farms, he then worked on homes in Southport, a summer home in Branford, and finally a Victorian on Mill Hill.
He often volunteered to drive vans for soccer tournaments, Scout camping trips and rides to college. He was almost always on the sidelines of games, concerts and graduation ceremonies, for children and grandchildren.
His career started as a Fuller Brush salesman in Westchester, then led to a marketing position at Glendinning, and ultimately his own direct mail business, Curriculum Resources. Owning his company allowed him the freedom he craved.
In Westport George enjoyed a friendship with Jon Fox (who he met in 7th grade). He and Susan traveled often. And ever the volunteer and proud Marine, George enjoyed building Memorial Day floats with the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
George is survived by his wife Susan, children Martha and Jonathan, and his grandchildren Guthrie, Aria, Riley, Nell, Mullein, Romy and Faye. He was predeceased by his daughter Kristin.
Donations in his name may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County.
George Erickson
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Golf is not really part of our natural world.
But dogs sure are. Which is why this shot fits the bill for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Feel free to add your own caption.
(Photo/Patricia McMahon)
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And finally … on this day in 1682, Robert Cavelier de La Salle discovered the mouth of the Mississippi River. He claimed it for France, and named it Louisiana.
(Whether you’re in Westport, Louisiana, Mississippi or anywhere else: If you enjoy “06880,” please consider a tax-deductible donation. We rely on reader support. Click here — and thank you!)