Over 130 Westporters (and friends) had a great time yesterday, at our 2nd annual “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour.
In spectacular fall weather, they toured 4 fascinating properties.
Ed Gerber’s 1764 saltbox on Cross Highway was once the home of George Hand Wright, a founder of Westport’s artists’ colony. Ed proudly showed off his restoration work, which earned a Westport Preservation Award, and a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dan and Nicole Donovan’s 1870 Queen Anne-style farmhouse on Maple Avenue South earned raves for its imaginative restoration, including a welcoming kitchen (where their 6 children gather when they’re all home), and a wine cellar that’s been converted into a pub.
Around the corner on Greens Farms Road, Al and Chris DiGuido’s 1860 Colonial’s renovations were on display. The 4 fireplaces, mahogany ceilings and rooftop balcony competed with the full bar and entertainment center upstairs, complemented by Al’s extensive collection of sports memorabilia.
The fourth house, at 296 Compo Road South, is new construction — a future historic home. Architectural designer Michael Greenberg, builder Peter Greenberg of Able Construction, and owner Kim and Niv Harizman described the work they’ve done, and showed off their open floor plan.
Thanks to the owners who opened their homes; to our friends at KMS Team at Compass, who sponsored the event and made it extra fun; to “06880” board members and Staples Service League of Boys who provided support, and of course all who attended.
Dan Donovan turned a 6,000-bottle wine cellar in his 1870 home into a pub.
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Frank Sisson writes: “While I commend the increasing attention being given to bikers’ rights and safety, I wonder if this new sign — one of several I noticed recently that have gone up on Cross Highway near Wakeman Park — was fully thought out.
“It sounds good in principle. But some bikers — particularly younger ones — are likely to take it very literally and ride their bikes in the center of the lane, assuming that vehicles behind them will just have to match their much slower pace.
“I have a feeling that vehicles like this one — not to mention the many impatient tailgating drivers we all encounter in this area — may not ‘get it.”
(Photos/Frank Sisson)
“I fear that our younger bikers will take these new traffic signs too trustingly, and assume that traffic will obey them, but that much of the driving public will not. Wouldn’t the establishment of an official ‘bike lane’ be a much better approach to biker rights and safety?”
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Congratulations to Peter Stern.
Last week, Peloton named the 1990 Staples High School graduate as its new CEO. He takes over in January.
Stern has broad experience managing digital products. He currently serves as president of Ford Integrated Services, overseeing subscription offerings like BlueCruise, Pro Intelligence, and connectivity and security initiatives.
Previously, he co-founded Apple Fitness+, and held significant positions at other major companies, including Time Warner Cable.
Click here for a story from CEO Today. Click here for an “06880” story on Stern from 2019.
Peter Stern (Photo courtesy of Peloton)
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Westport artistw Janine Brown, Jay Petrow and Janet Slom, plus former Westporter Jocelyn Braxton Armstrong, will participate in Bridgeport’s 19th annual American Fabrics Arts Building Open Studio event November 9 and 10 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
The weekend includes art sales, music, and a raffle of original art. Proceeds aid 4 local charities, and food and clothing donations will be accepted for Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
Dogs are welcome at the family-friendly event.
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The English choral group Gesualdo Six makes its Westport debut with a program of polyphonic English Motets this Sunday (November 10, 5 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church).
The program will be followed by a buffet and reception, with a chance to meet the musicians before they head back to Europe.
Tickets are available by clicking here, and at the door.
Gesulado Six
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Halloween is over.
Most pumpkins have headed to the compost heap, or the Great Pumpkin Patch in the Sky.
Others may be served as a Thanksgiving pie.
These 2 have managed to avoid any of those fates.
The subjects of today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature, they’re sitting fat and pretty at Riverside Park.
At least, they were yesterday.
(Photo/Pam Docters)
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And finally … jazz trumpeter/arranger/composer/record producer Quincy Jones died yesterday in California. He was 91.
He has the third-highest total of Grammy Awards won by a single person (28 — behind Beyoncé’s 32 and Georg Solti is second with 31.) He received honorary degrees from Harvard, Princeton, Juilliard, the New England Conservatory, the Berklee School of Music and many other institutions, along with a National Medal of Arts.
Click here for a full obituary.
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My friends and I would ride our bikes, I had a Schwinn 3-speed stingray, all day up past Weston, exploring the beautiful country inland. Safety was the least of our concern in the late 60’s. But, we never assumed anything other than we were at risk by riding on roads built for cars. Placing signs that give bicyclists or pedestrians any sense of security or entitlement may be legal but are very dangerous. Young or mature, signs should direct pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycles to be extremely careful and defensive as they are at much greater risk of serious injury than motor vehicle drivers.
So many kids on bikes and ELECTRIC bikes without Helmets! I don’t get it.
Janet Woodward my now retired pediatrician warned me to get myself off the main roads with my kids on my bike due to texting. Since then I ride in quiet neighborhoods or designated bike areas like in Monroe. Please wear helmets and please make your children wear them too. 🙂
Over 130,000 biking accidents each year involving automobiles with 1,000 fatalities in this country. I quit riding to the Greens Farms beach from my home off North Avenue because of the traffic. My mailman tells me he gets “clipped” nearly every day in his USPS truck because of wayward drivers. Need helmet laws, safe isolated bike paths and education to all who ride these coffins on two wheels.
Scooter,
You are sooo right!
It’s become a pervasive problem in our sick society. I was out in the front yard one night trimming my hedge and a sicko riding by on a bike whistled and hooted: “Nice A— Gramps!!!!” The lack of respect is appalling.