Journalist/photographer/artist/Westporter Jay Schadler spent over 3 decades as a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, “20/20,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America,” National Geographic TV and others. His work has also been featured too on Bravo and Discovery.
Now, as a podcaster partnered with Verso Studios at the Westport Library, he uses intimate interviews to tells stories of Westporters’ life transitions.
One of the mosot compelling features Doug and Patti Brill. With honesty, insight and compassion — and a bit of humor, too — they describe the world they’ve lived in for the past 20 years.
One day, Doug lost his ability to remember anything for more than 48 hours.
Many Westporters know Doug and Patti Brill. Some know the outlines of their story. Very few understand its depth. Click here to listen.
Doug and Patti Brill (far left and right, respectively), smile often. But the reality of their life is no laughing matter.
==================================================
Westporters have plenty of used musical instruments, hanging around their homes.
Young musicians in Ecuador could sure use them.
From now through August 1, the Westport Rotary Club is collecting them. They’ll be sent to the Youth Orchestra of Ecuador on August 3.
Instruments can be left at the Green’s Farms Congregational Church office, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Questions? Email peter.helt51@gmail.com, or call 203-295-5060.
=================================================
Dark Star Orchestra brought the Grateful Dead’s music — still quite alive — to the Levitt Pavilion yesterday, to a packed lawn. In the past 25 years, they’ve performed over 3,100 shows.
The band recreated the August 5, ,1974 Philadelphia show.
(Photo/Carleigh Welsh)
Matthew Mandell reports there were 3 Representative Town Meeting members there: himself, Karen Kramer, and Jack Klinge — the longest-serving rep, who when voting to approve the Long Lots Elementary School appropriation, quoted the lyrics “What a long strange trip it’s been.
(Photo/Matthew Mandell)
Jerry Kuyper left moments before the end. He captured this colorful shot from the Imperial Avenue parking lot bridge:
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
This week’s shows are all free:
- Tuesday, July 22: Sierra Hull (7 p.m.)
- Wednesday, July 23: Fyütch & Aura V (Children’s Series; 7 p.m.)
- Thursday, July 24: The Moonrise Cartel (7:30 p.m.)
- Friday, July 25: Danny Lipsitz & the Brass Tacks (7:30 p.m.).
Click here for free tickets, and more information.
==================================================
Speaking of colors: It wasn’t a full rainbow.
But Compo Beachgoers were treated to a fun little rainbow last night:
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
=================================================
Earthplace is in the early stages of a capital campagn to renovate and modernize their building, and add a second floor for a science and environmental center.
The Greens Farms Garden Club is helping, with a big donation.
The two non-profits — with complementary missions — have a long relatinship. They began working together in 1977.
(From left): Wynn Hermann, Earthplace committee chair; Tony McDowell, former Earthplace director; Jacque O’Brien, Greens Farms Garden Club president.
==================================================
Staples High School graduate Geoffrey Kneisel died unexpectedly July 1, with his wife and mother by his side.
AFter graduating from Skidmore College, Geoff spent his entire working career at AmeriCares. He loved his job, his business associates, and the travel experiences related to bringing aid to needy nations throughout the world.
In 2021 Geoff and his wife Sara moved to Castine, Maine, where he had spent many summers. He also loved Nantucked and St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.
Geoff was most at home on the water, often with his wife and daughters, fishing, skimboarding or enjoying nature. He cared deeply about the environment and the welfare of the world.
In addition to his wife of 23 years, Sara Byun, and his mother, Mary Clayson, he is survived by his daughters Annabelle and Amelie; siblings Lindsay Kneisel Gagnon of Essex, Massachusetts and David of Westport, and aunts, uncles, cousins and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Frank, and aunt Ginny Kneisel.
Contributions in Geoff’s memory may be made to The Hatch Community Youth Fund, P.O. Box 195, Castine, ME 04421. A celebration of Geoff’s life will be held at a date to be announced.
Geoff Kneisel
==================================================
From time to time for our “Westport … Naturally” feature, we just like to sit back and offer a beautiful, natural scene.
Like this one, from Saugatuck Shores:
(Photo/Howard Edelstein)
==================================================
And finally … on this date in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. Ten others have followed. The last 2 — Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt — made the journey in 1972.
(If you click here to support “06880,” we will love you to the moon and back. You can’t ask for more than that. Thank you!)
The history of journalism and Westport has to be unparalleled. I learned how to swim in Jim McKay’s pool on Compo Parkway, bet it’s a long list.