Monthly Archives: April 2025

Tooker Responds To Clear-Cutting Concerns

Posted on April 14, 2025 | 32 comments

In response to public concern reported first by “06880” regarding the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s clear cutting of dozens of trees on the Sherwood Island Connector and Hillandale Road, as part of the project to add a new building at the site behind Walgreens — 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker says:

I understand the initial disappointment that the removal of the trees has caused those directly impacted by the construction at the State of Connecticut property at 900 Post Road East, and abutting portions of the Sherwood Island Connector and Hillandale Road.

The town had no prior notification of the clear-cutting activity, nor the timing of the start of the project.

One view of the clear cutting at the state DOT facility, from Hillandale Road …

As with the numerous CT DOT projects either completed or underway throughout this municipality, the town has little oversight over state projects on state property.

Certainly, town officials, including Police, Fire and the Department of Public Works, have professional, responsive and mutual communication with representatives from the CT DOT.

It is neither feasible nor appropriate for the town to be the public communication resource for state projects, because we have no oversight. The state does not have the same notification protocols as the town. For status updates, please refer to the CT DOT site: CT DOT Maps Project Status.

… and another. The Sherwood Island Connector is at left. (Photos/Matt Snow)

Since last week, when initial concerns were brought to our attention, the town has been in regular contact with the Westport Maintenance Facility (State Project 0158-0223) project manager, Matt Easdon.

He has assured us that the CT DOT is open to input from the town officials and will work with the community representatives as the project concludes, to ensure that the completed facility will have appropriate screening/fencing and landscaping to make it visually appealing to the neighbors.

The town is committed to working with the DOT to ensure that this occurs.

Mr. Easdon has now transferred responsibility for the next phase of the project to CT DOT transportation engineer Scott Adkins.

It needs to be stressed that this is a construction site. There will be inevitable disruptions in the surrounding neighborhood over the next 16-18 months. The completed project, however, will result in a streamlined, safer, more efficient complex that ultimately benefits our community.

It has also come to my attention that there are site plans in circulation dating back a number of years that make note of a possible transaction with the town for a portion of the same state parcel abutting West Parish Road. At no time during initial discussions was any state property, or portion thereof, considered for transfer to the town of Westport.

Instead, a potential transfer of property between the CT DOT and the CT Department of Housing for affordable housing was discussed. That conversation between the CT DOT and the DOH had already been put on an indefinite hold prior to these plans for the maintenance facility.

To clarify: Had it come to pass, any land “swap” transaction would have been between the two state agencies, the CT DOT and the CT DOH, not with the Town of Westport.

Aerial view of the state DOT maintenance facility. The Sherwood Island Connector is at left; Post Road East is at top. The area outlined in black (behind Walgreens) will be the new building. The area in red on the right (next to West Parish Road) is referenced by 1st Selectwoman Tooker, as once discussed for affordable housing.

As has been mentioned, the CT DOT is interested in feedback. Please consider emailing the following: Scott Adkins, District 3 Transportation Engineer (Scott.Adkins@ct.gov), with a CC to selectwoman@westportct.gov.

I am confident that the town’s relationship with our neighbors and residents and the CT DOT will remain in good standing now, and into the future, as we work towards a mutually agreeable way to improve and upgrade our and our State’s infrastructure and facilities.

32 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Places, Real estate

Tagged 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, maintenance facility, State Department of Housing, State Department of Transportation

Roundup: Bette Davis, Bat Inn, Boats …

Posted on April 14, 2025 | 4 comments

It’s not the most expensive house for sale in Westport.

Nor is it the biggest.

But 1 Crooked Mile Road may be the most historic.

From 1967 to 1976, world-famous film star Bette Davis lived in the 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom, 4,710-square foot home, on the west branch of the Saugatuck River.

Built in 1929, “this iconic residence has been meticulously updated to preserve its antique allure while integrating modern amenities & sophisticated design.”

It’s on the market for $2.275 million. If interested — or just to gawk — click here to learn more.

Bette Davis’ house.

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Speaking of property: Last week’s clear-cutting of trees at the state Department of Transportation maintenance facility off the Sherwood Island Connector suddenly altered the look of that well-traveled road.

It also caused consternation for neighbors and nature lovers.

The number is smaller, and the location is different. But 4 more Westport trees are scheduled for removal, probably today.

James McLoughlin — an arborist on the town’s Tree Board — tells “06880” that the healthy, mature native trees will be removed on a town-owned section of Weston Road, on both sides of Hockanum Road, for what appears to be a new sidewalk project.

McLaughlin objected Friday, when he noticed small signs on them. He was
told he was a day late, and that they would be cut down on Monday.

Two of the trees slated for removal …

… and 2 others …

… and a close-up of the sign. (Photos/James McLoughlin)

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Friday’s Flashback featured a photo of a turn-of-the-(20th)-century inn, near Compo Beach.

There was a bat (animal, not baseball) logo. But not much other information.

No readers knew anything, either. Several speculated it was on Soundview Drive, based on the architecture and surroundings.

AI to the rescue!

Cheryl Saviano Petrone did not find what she wanted on ChatGPT — at first. But she persisted. And this was the result:

“Ah, I see now! You’re asking specifically about the Bat Inn at Compo Beach in Westport.

“Yes, the Bat Inn was indeed an actual establishment located near Compo Beach in the early 1900s. It was a popular resort hotel and a significant local landmark from the late 1800s into the mid-1900s.

“History of the Bat Inn: The Bat Inn was situated at the intersection of Compo Road South and the beach, close to the water. It was known for its wooden architecture, a large wrap-around porch, and its distinctive bat-shaped roof that gave it the name ‘Bat Inn.’

“This quirky design made the inn stand out among other accommodations in the area and contributed to its fame.”

“The hotel was popular in the early 1900s, attracting visitors who were looking for a charming, seaside retreat during the summer months. It also served as a gathering spot for social events and parties, particularly in the warm weather.

“Over time, as newer accommodations and developments grew in the area, the Bat Inn faded from prominence and was eventually demolished.

“Unfortunately, not many photographs or detailed records of the Bat Inn survive today, but it remains a part of local lore, especially among older Westport residents.

“It was a quaint, beloved spot in its time, often remembered fondly by those who experienced it…”

I’m not sure how much it “remains a part of local lore.” But if the rest of the sleuthing is correct, we’ve got our answer.

Thanks, Cheryl! And thank you ChatGPT, whoever — or whatever — you are.

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Alert “06880” reader Mark Laclair offers this warning to early season boaters:

“This winter’s ice has re-located channel markers. Red 16 is northwest of station, and I believe Green 15 is east of station. There may be others.

“I’ve seen at least 5 boats run aground utilizing the markers, including one in both locations Sunday morning. I’m sure there were plenty more. Slow and careful when navigating the channel!”

Boat aground in the Compo channel. (Photo/Mark Laclair)

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Do you do doo wop?

In 2 weeks, the UMass Doo Wop Shop — the school’s oldest all-male a cappella group — will make you smile and snap your fingers.

They’re booked for Christ & Holy Trinity Church (April 26, 6 p.m.), with a program that ranges from Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, the Temptations and Otis Redding all the way to the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Silk Sonic. In years past they’ve performed at Radio City Music Hall, and the White House.

The event is a homecoming for one Doo Wop Shop member. The 2022 Staples High School graduate is a former Orphenian and Player.

And — oh yeah — his father, Rev. John Betit, is Christ & Holy Trinity’s rector.

There is no charge, but a free will offering can help raise funds for the group.

Sh-boom!

UMass Doo Wop Shop

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What better way to start our “Westport … Naturally” week than with this sun-bursting-through-the-clouds shot from Sherwood Island State Park:

(Photo/Nancy Axthelm)

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And finally … in honor of the upcoming UMass Doo Wop Shop show (story above):

(From Long Island Sound to the sounds of doo wop, “06880” is your hyper-local source for news, entertainment and more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

4 Comments

Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Environment, Real estate

Tagged Bette Davis, ChatGPT, Sam Betit, The Bat Inn, Weston Road

Not Your Usual Toy Story: Tariff War Is A Dangerous Game

Posted on April 14, 2025 | 25 comments

Americans love their pets.

And their pets love the toys. Americans buy them by the millions each year, at stores like Walmart, Target, Petco and RiteAid.

Most Americans don’t know that a majority of those pet toys are designs from LRY Enterprises.

Fewer still know that LRY is run out of the home office of owner Leslie Yellin, right here in Westport.

That makes our town a major player in the pet toy world.

And it puts Yellin on the front line in the recent tariff wars that whipsawed that world — and every other business one.

Leslie Yellin with her latex pigs — the #2 best-selling pet toy in the US.

Yellin has spent her entire working career — beginning with baking dog treats in the back of Lick Your Chops, the Main Street pet store — in the industry.

She has never seen the turmoil she sees now.

For over 30 years she has built relationships with factory owners and companies oveseas. That’s where all her toys are made.

“Maybe once you could manufacture them here,” she says. “But there’s no way you can make a $2 cat toy in the US now, when you’re paying employees $15 an hour.”

Last week, President Trump slapped China with a minimum tariff rate of 145 percent. That stunned the country — and Yellin.

Leslie Yellin with pink pet toys she created to raise awareness of breast cancer.

“We’ve worked with generations of families” in China, Yellin says. “It would be painful to take business from them.”

Painful — but necessary. To survive, she must find factories in other countries.

“No one can do business this way,” Yellin notes.

“My company and big retailers can absorb some of the tariffs. But small companies, and most consumers, can’t. This is impossible. It will kill businesses, and lives.

“We are all in a daze,” Yellin says, speaking of manufacturers in many sectors. “We’re all asking: What’s the end game?”

When the first round of tariffs was announced, Chinese factories offered concessions. “They wanted to help,” Yellin says.

“But no one can absorb 145%. There is an entire group of manufacturers, just waiting and holding our breath.”

Yellin hopes there is a path to negotiation. If so, that must include recognition that China is treated with respect.

“Saving face is important” to those politicians and businesspeople, she says. “That’s the challenge politically,” for an administration that has not showed much respect for trading partners.

She could find manufacturers in countries like Cambodia and Vietnam. Trump announced tariffs of 49 and 45 percent on those nations, then paused them for 90 days.

No matter what happens, Yellin notes, “you can’t just flip a switch, and start manufacturing somewhere else. There”s a big learning curve, and a huge supply chain effect.”

In addition, she notes, all materials used in pet toys will still come from China.

“You can shuffle things around all you want, but the cost of goods may be even higher in the end if they have to be exported from there,” to be made somewhere else before arriving in the US.

Looking ahead, Yellin says, “People will spend less. They’ll buy cheaper products.” If the Chinese tariffs hold, “it will be devastating for middle- and lower-class Americans.”

Still, she says, her sector will not be hit as hard as some others.

“When a bad economy hits, pet toys and cosmetics do okay. During COVID our sales were up 25%. Pets are a source of happiness. People don’t let their pets suffer.”

But high tariffs are not a recipe for success overall. Major price increases in areas like medications and healthcare have particularly dire implications, Yellin says.

Meanwhile, she says, “I speak to major retailers all the time. We look at each other and say, ‘What are we going to do?’ Right now, we’re all in a holding pattern. Something has to give.”

Some Chinese factory owners have offered to change their invoices, to hide the source of a product (for, perhaps, a side payment). Some American companies may do that, she says. LRY Enterprises will not.

In this country, Yellin says, “Walmart says they don’t want to raise prices. I commend them. But we’re all going to have to eat these increases.”

Still, life goes on. The toy company owner is doing what she always would at this time of year: designing toys for the 2026 holiday season.

But, Yellin says, “I can’t do that forever. Something has to give. I’d love to know the answer: What’s the end game?”

(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — politically, economically, and every other way. If you appreciate stories like these, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

25 Comments

Posted in Economy, Local business, Local politics

Tagged Laurie Yellin, LRY Enterprises, President Trump

Pic Of The Day #2916

Posted on April 13, 2025 | Comments Off

Ready for lacrosse, at the Paul Lane Field pressbox (Photo/Richard Fogel)

Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #2916

Posted in Pic of the Day, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged Paul Lane Field, Staples High School lacrosse

Photo Challenge #537

Posted on April 13, 2025 | 14 comments

Nearly every Sunday, Andrew Colabella nails our Photo Challenge.

Not only that: He’s usually one of the first to respond with the correct answer too.

Not last week.

Of course, there’s a good reason. Andrew was the photographer who contributed the image.

It was a tough one. His black-and-white shot from inside Viva Zapata — of a door leading outside (click here to see) — stumped everyone except Brian Taylor, Sue Iseman, Sal Liccione and Matt McGrath.

Would it have stumped the champ, Andrew himself?

Nah.

Here is this week’s Photo Challenge. If you — Andrew, or anyone else — know where in Westport you’d see this particular American flag, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Seth Schachter)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

14 Comments

Posted in Photo Challenge, Restaurants

Tagged Viva Zapata

Roundup: Shake It For Shea, Spring For Abilis, Drew Angus In Concert …

Posted on April 13, 2025 | 3 comments

Just hours after she was born 9 weeks early, in June of 2022, Shea Greenfield’s heart stopped beating.

Doctors saved her life. But she was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. Her heart’s electrical system takes longer than usual to recharge between beats. She is at risk of fainting, seizures, cardiac arrest and sudden death.

There is no cure for the condition. And Shea’s condition is one of the most severe her doctors have ever seen.

Shea’s parents, Mark and Kira, had moved to Westport a year earlier. In addition to educating themselves about LQTS, they began raising funds for the Mayo Clinic, where Dr. Michael Ackerman’s team does cutting-edge research.

In 2023, the Greenfields organized a fundraiser. They raised an eye-popping $290,000 for Dr. Ackerman’s lab.

Last year’s event was even bigger: $440,000.

This year, they’re shooting for half a million.

The 3rd annual Shake It For Shea gala is May 8 (7:30 p.m., The Knowlton, Bridgeport). There’s live entertainment by the Bobby Attiko Band, delicious food and drinks, a night of dancing, and much more.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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A much older — and also very important — non-profit is Abilis

For nearly 75 years, they’ve provided services and support for individuals of all ages with special needs and disabilities. Today they serve over 800 people, and their families.

Abilis sponsors residential homes in Westport, and run REACH and LEAP support programs here too.

Abilis also works with employers in the area, including the Westport Book Shop and Westport Library.

The upcoming Spring for Abilis gala (May 17, Greenwich Country Club) features emcee Billy Blanks Jr., music by ETA, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and a chance to purchase much-needed items for Abilis’ programs like diapers, books, and educational games. The event is co-chaired by Gena Mann of Weston.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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The next local appearance for 2007 Staples High School graduate Drew Angus — whose fans include Jennifer Lopez, Elton John and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — is April 25 (SHU Community Theater, Fairfield).

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Drew Angus

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Gilbert Maurer — a former Westporter, former chief operating officer of Hearst, and trustee of the trust established by William Randolph Hearst — died April 6 at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. He was 96.

“Gil Maurer lived a remarkable life,” says Steven Swartz, Hearst president and CEO. “He helped build the modern Hearst corporation and kept working on it until the day he died. He was an artist, a civic leader, a savvy investor and philanthropist, and with his wife Ann he built a great family and found time to travel the world many times over.

As COO, Maurer was instrumental in Hearst’s diversification into broadcast and digital media, and other business ventures. As president of Hearst Magazines for 14 years, ad revenues more than quadrupled. He helped the company invest in Lifetime, A&E, History and ESPN.

He was instrumental in hiring Norman Foster to design Hearst Tower in 1999 — a move that changed both New York City’s skyline and the image of Hearst itself.

Descended from artist Alfred Maurer, he and his wife of 69 years, Ann, created the Maurer Family Foundation to support the arts in America.

Maurer was a trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art, serving as president of the board from 1993 to 1998. He was also a trustee and director of the Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach, a member of the Dean’s Council at the Yale School of Architecture, an overseer of the California Institute of the Arts, member of the Greater New York advisory board of The Salvation Army, a member of the board of nanagers of the New York Botanical Gardens, chair of the board of visitors of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and member of the board of visitors to the art museums at Harvard.

His daughter Meredith Hutchison says that Westport was a special place for her parents. Her father walked often at Compo Beach, dressed nicely with a hat and cane.

An artist himself, Gilbert Maurer painted this Hillspoint Road scene.

Maurer was predeceased by his wife. He is survived by his children Christopher, David, Peter, Jonathan and Meredith, their spouses, 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held in Palm Beach and New York City. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Norton Museum, The Society of the Four Arts, the Whitney Museum of American Art and Yale School of Architecture.

Gilbert Maurer

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The cormorants are back at Burying Hill Beach — and Johanna Keyser Rossi photographed these 2, for “Westport … Naturally.”

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … on this date in 1742, George Frideric Handel’s oratorio “Messiah” made its world premiere in Dublin. Hallelujah!

(Go ahead — click to watch the video above. It’s a beautiful 2 1/2 hours. Then, if you get a chance, please click here to support “06880.” One day, 2 important clicks. Thank you!)

3 Comments

Posted in Children, Entertainment, Obituaries

Tagged Abilis, Drew Angus, Shea Greenfield

State DOT Promises Action On Residents’ Clear-Cutting Concerns

Posted on April 13, 2025 | 11 comments

Stina Sternberg Snow lives on Hillandale Road, not far from the Sherwood Island Connector.

Which means: not far from the clear-cutting done by the state Department of Transportation, as part of construction of a new building at their maintenance facility behind Walgreens.

Stina and her husband Matt have been in touch with the DOT. Here’s their report after a conversation with project engineer Matt Easdon.

One view of the clear-cutting at the state DOT maintenance facility (Sherwood Island Connector is on the left) …

Stina reports: “It’s clear from the way Easdon (and Scott Adkins, the District 3 engineer to whom the baton will now be passed as the project moves to the construction phase) have responded to us that they’re open to input.”

“Just the e-mails and calls they’ve received over the last 3 days have resulted in orders for new design changes to be added to the plans. It’s clear they hadn’t thought of repopulating trees before.”

Stina says she and her neighbors have learned that the construction phase of the new DOT maintenance facility — “essentially a garage for the state’s snow plows and maintenance trucks — the same function this property has held for 60+ years” — will start this summer, and last until the spring of 2027.

The number of trucks housed there now will not increase, but the new main building will be 3 times larger than the current one. It will include offices, and sit closer to the Sherwood Island Connector.

Stina also says that DOT has been told by the town that the east side of the lot (near West Parish Road) is “hands off for now,” because of the possibility of building affordable housing there.

Stina also says that the DOT originally looked for other parts of Westport for new facility — to not disrupt a residential area — but no land was available.

… and another, from Hillandale Lane. (Photos/Matt Snow)

Easdon told Stina that all the trees and brush along the connector and Hillandale Road were removed now — though construction is months away — and done quickly to avoid disrupting wildlife nesting season. That was recommended by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which has been consulted on the project.

Stina adds, “They claim to be very open to collaborating with town residents to help make the new facility as undisruptive as possible, and to listen our input when it comes to the tree situation.

“It’s obviously too late for the latter, but because we’ve reached out with our complaints over the last few days, Easdon’s team has already asked the agronomy side of their planning team to work on adding new trees (probably arbor vitae) along the Hillandale Road and Sherwood Island Connector sides to the plans.

An “official” pre-construction meeting, with everyone involved in the project, is set for New Haven next Wednesday (April 16).

The meeting is not open to the public, but Easdon told Stina “they will add a discussion about the community pushback and planting new trees. He will hopefully have drawings to share with us of what the whole project will look like” a few days later.

Stina passes along these emails —

matthew.easdon@ct.gov
Scott.Adkins@ct.gov

and a link to a petition to restore the trees.

(If it happens in Westport — or to Westport — you’ll read about it on “06880.” Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

11 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Places, Politics, Transportation

Tagged Hillandale Road, maintenance facility, Matt Easdon, Sherwood Island connector, State Department of Transportation, Stina Sternberg Snow

Pics Of The Day #2915

Posted on April 12, 2025 | 1 comment

Willowbrook Cemetery: The view from Main Street …

… and a close-up (Photos/Andrew Colabella)

1 Comment

Posted in Environment, Pic of the Day

Tagged daffodils, Willowbrook Cemetery

Roundup: Savvy Smoker, Ramadan, Gatsby …

Posted on April 12, 2025 | 15 comments

Savvy Smoker was busted this week.

That’s as regular a headline as “New York Giants lose.”

Law enforcement has served 4 warrants since December 2023 — including twice in the past 2 months — after complaints of non-licensed cannabis sales, and selling to minors. Numerous marijuana and THC products were seized, and a sales associate arrested.

So why hasn’t the store been shut down?

“Its frustrating,” Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas acknowledges.

“We report every incident to the state. But they, and the Department of Consumer Protection, say they can’t do anything.”

Koskinas will meet with Representative Town Meeting leaders next week. He hopes the RTM can draft an ordinance to take action against a store, after a certain number of violations.

The chief also spoke with the Aspetuck Health District. They were sympathetic, but could not find language to make repeated arrests a public health issue.

“They pay fines,” Koskinas says of the Savvy Smoker, which seems to be living up to its name. “But they keep on going.”

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Today is the beginning of Passover. Next Sunday is Easter.

And this past week marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

It’s a tholiday tradition to visit civil service offices, meet the executive officers, and give thanks and appreciation for the contributions and services they provide.

Members of the Ismaili Muslim community gave Eid al-Fitr gifts of appreciation to 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore, Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Fire Chief Nick Marsan, for their efforts on behalf of the Ismaili Muslim community and the people of Westport.

Town officials, with representatives of the Ismaili Muslim community.

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Happy 100th birthday, “Great Gatsby”!

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel — hailed as “the Sistine Chapel of American literature” — was published a century ago this week.

In its honor, the Boston Globe has looked back at the author, and his muse.

The path leads to Westport.

Taking note of the work of Robert Steven Williams and Richard Webb — Westporters who have written and made a film about the possible role our town played in inspired some of the characters and scenes — the Globe says:

When Fitzgerald arrived in Westport in May of 1920, both he and it were entering new eras. He was newly married and on honeymoon with Zelda, a vivacious 19-year-old Alabaman who later became a writer as well. Westport, meanwhile, was leaving its agricultural roots behind and becoming a more industrialized, suburban enclave that parades of wealthy New Yorkers, Bostonians, and other city dwellers took the train to visit. Artists like the Fitzgeralds, priced out of more established communities like Greenwich, came too.

At the time, Westport was practically lawless. The town’s police had little interest in enforcing Prohibition and bootleggers smuggling Canadian liquor criss-crossed Long Island Sound. The Fitzgeralds drank heavily at speakeasies, skinny dipped, and partied on the beach. “It was a bit like the Wild West,” said Robert Steven Williams, a Westport resident and one of the filmmakers behind “Gatsby in Connecticut: The Untold Story,” a 2020 documentary.

Click here for the full Boston Globe article. (Hat tips: Fred Cantor, Gwen Tutun)

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Speaking of important novels: As a student at Staples High School, Shelley Fisher’s most memorable assignment came from English teacher Tony Arciola: a paper on how Mark Twain used irony to attack racism in “Huckleberry Finn.”

She became a member of Yale’s first graduating class to include women. She earned a doctorate in American studies, and — as a professor of English at Stanford — Shelley Fisher Fishkin is now one of the nation’s foremost Twain scholars.

Her newest book — to be published Tuesday — is “Jim: The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn’s Comrades.” It explores the influence of the enslaved made on his young white companion.

Press materials call Jim “a highly polarizing figure: hH is viewed as an emblem both of Twain’s alleged racism and of his opposition to racism; a diminished character inflected by minstrelsy and a powerful challenge to minstrel stereotypes; a reason for banning ‘Huckleberry Finn’ and a reason for teaching it; an embarrassment and a source of pride for Black readers.”

Fishkin explores Twain’s portrayal of him, as well as Jim’s “afterlife” in film, translation, and classrooms today. “The result is Jim as we have never seen him before — a fresh and compelling portrait of one of the most memorable Black characters in American fiction.” Click here to order, and for more information. (Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)

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Speaking of Staples: Ben Casparius made his Major League Baseball debut last season.

Cooper Boardman made it Thursday night.

Casparius — a 2017 Wrecker grad — did it on the mound, for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Boardman’s achievement was in the broadcast booth.

The 2017 Staples and 2021 Syracuse University grad called his first major league game, for the Boston Red Sox’s WEEI radio network. He’s doing all 3 games of the series in Chicago, against the White Sox.

According to the Ruden Report, which broke the story, Boardman has been broadcasting Boston’s AAA Worcester games since 2021. He has also worked for Fox Sports and Westword One, working college basketball, softball and lacrosse.

Boardman began his career at Staples. He called a number of sports, and won several John Drury Awards. Click here for the WEEI Tweet.

Cooper Boardman

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Speaking still of Staples: Democracy is not dead.

Every spring and fall, Westport’s League of Women Voters registers new voters at Staples High School.

This week, they enrolled 39 seniors, in both parties. They handed out about 20 applications to others.

The new voters’ first chance will come this November, in local elections.

Westport’s newest voters, at Staples High School.

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Harbor Watch knows their people.

Every year, Earthplace’s water quality research program hosts a “Cocktails & Clams” fundraiser.

Every year, it sells out.

This year’s event is May 31 (5 to 7 p.m., Copps Island Oysters).

As always, the draw is an unlimited raw bar with fresh oysters and clams, canapés, drinks and live music, at the scenic Norwalk Harbor venue.

All proceeds support Harbor Watch’s science education programs. Faced with significant federal funding cuts, this year’s gala is crucial to empower local youth as future environmental stewards.

To purchase tickets, become a sponsor or make a tax-deductible donation, click here.

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Party planning is stressful.

Marinda Freeman can help. The former executive director of Martha Stewart Catering will discuss her new book, “Everything is an Event,” on May 2 (4 p.m., Westport Library).

A Q-and-A and signing session will follow. Registration is $5. Attendees receive a 25% book discount. Click here for more information.

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One of the joys of this time of year is the return of chirping birds.

This blue jay hung out at Richard Fogel’s feeder — and posed for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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And finally … you may have figured this one was coming, based on the photo above.

Or not.

(Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald — today, Westport meets the world AND some literary superstars. Just another “06880” day. If you enjoy Roundups like this, please click here to support us. Thanks!)

15 Comments

Posted in Environment, Library, Local politics, Police, religion, Sports, Staples HS

Tagged Cooper Boardman, Earthplace, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harbor Watch, League of Women Voters Westport, Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Savvy Smoker

Online Art Gallery #261

Posted on April 12, 2025 | 4 comments

Welcome to another colorful, topical and timeless week of our online art gallery.

As always, we invite submissions from all “06880” readers (and siblings). No matter what style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

This feature is open to all. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone can contribute.

Just email a jpeg to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.