Grand Central Terminal’s enormous clock is a central meeting place.
So is the clock in New Canaan’s downtown.
Soon, Westport will have its own clock. And its own easy-to-meet-up spot.
The handsome new addition — at the corner of Main and Elm Streets, where one-way Main Street becomes 2-way near Gap — is a gift from the Westport Downtown Association. The flower bed currently at the site will be enhanced too.
Two views of the new clock.
The WDA will pay for the purchase, installation, insurance, maintenance and repairs.
The clock will be “a beautiful addition to Westport,” WDA president Maxx Crowley says. Black with gold trim, and 2 sided — saying “Town of Westport” and “1835,” the year of our founding — it fits in with the lampposts currently downtown, and is designed in the same style as the Grand Central clock.
One more land-use approval, and another easement, are still required. Crowley expects the clock to be ready for dedication at the DMA/”06880″ Holiday Stroll (save the date: Saturday, December 6, 4 to 7 p.m.).
Site of the new clock.
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Westport’s Human Services Department, in partnership with Homes with Hope and the Westport Housing Authority, is monitoring the federal government shutdown, and its potential impact on residents who rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Human Services officials say, “We understand this may cause concern for families and individuals managing limited resources. You are not alone. Westport’s strong network of community partners is here to help ensure no one goes without food or essential support.”
Officials note:
- SNAP benefits already loaded onto EBT cards remain available through October 31.
- If the shutdown continues, November benefits will not be issued, and balances may be inaccessible until federal operations resume.
- The Connecticut Department of Social Services will share updates at ct.gov/dss. Follow DSS on Facebookand Twitter.
- End Hunger CT provides advocacy and support: endhungerct.org EHC SNAP Hotline: 866 – 974- SNAP
Local food resources include:
Homes with Hope – Gillespie Center: (45 Jesup Road; 203-226-1661; www.hwhct.org. Community kitchen: Lunch (12 p.m.) and dinner (5 p.m.) daily.
Food Pantry: Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 1:30 to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 1:30 to 6 p.m.
Westport Women’s Club Food Pantry: Access through Westport Human Services, 203-341-1050; humansrv@westportct.gov
Westport Center for Senior Activities: www.westportcsa.org; Daily weekday lunch, and home-delivered meals; contact Paulina Przybysz, 203-341-5097.
Westport Public Schools Free & Reduced Lunch: click here to apply; Also available: Filling in the Blanks meal program; click here.
Person-to-Person Mobile Food Pantry: Monthly distribution in Westport; www.p2pHelps.org.
Connecticut Foodshare: www.ctfoodshare.org
Need help right now? Call 211 for 24/7 food, housing and social service support statewide.
For support or questions, contact Westport Department of Human Services; 203-341-1050; humansrv@westportct.gov.
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Jim Abbott — the pitcher who, though born without a right hand, rose to Major League Baseball stardom (and threw a no-hitter) — wowed the full crowd Friday night, at the Westport Library.
A screening of the ESPN documentary “Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott” — produced by Westporter Jeremy Schaap — was followed by a conversation with journalist Schaap, ESPN senior producer Mike Farrell, and Westport’s own Dave Briggs.
From left: Dave Briggs, Jim Abbott, Mike Farrell, Jeremy Schaap.
They talked about life, overcoming adversity, and baseball. It was an emotional experience for all.
Abbott answered every question. And afterward he signed every autograph, and posed for every selfie.
Jim Abbott, with a young fan. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Missed it — or want to see it again? Click here or below, for the Library’s video.
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Speaking of sports: Two Staples teams play for FCIAC (league) championships this week.
The 2nd-ranked boys soccer team faces #1 Greenwich tomorrow (Monday, 6 p.m., Fairfield Warde High). The Cardinals are one of only 2 teams to defeat the Wreckers this year.
Celebrating after the 1-0 semifinal victory over Stamford. (Photo/Gavin Whitaker)
The top-seeded and undefeated (18-0) field hockey team meets #2 Darien on Thursday (5 p.m., Greenwich High). Staples topped Fairfield Ludlowe 4-1 yesterday, earning a chance to defend their FCIAC crown. The Wreckers and Blue Wave have won the last 8 league titles, and one of them will take it again.
The 2025 Staples field hockey team.
Staples’ girls soccer team camethisclose to making it 3 FCIAC finalists. They fell in penalty kicks (5-4) to Greenwich, after regulation time and overtime ended 2-2 on Friday at Fairfield Ludlowe.
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For decades, UN Day in Westport was a chance to celebrate our town’s long ties to the United Nations.
These days, our country’s relationship with the world body — whose headquarters are just an hour away — is controversial, and fraught.
Still, as always, the flags of dozens of member nations flew this weekend on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
Steinkraus Cohen — a longtime Westporter — dedicated her life to service and hospitality. Through jUNe Day and other events, she brought tens of thousands of international visitors to Westport. In 1965, she established the tradition of flying flags from the bridge that now bears her name. This year marks its 60th anniversary.
(Photo/Alison Wachstein)
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Through the first 6 days of early voting, 5.03% of eligible Westport voters have cast ballots.
The breakdown:
- Democrats: 585 of 7,953 eligible voters (7.36%)
- Republicans: 137 of 3,338 eligible voters (4.10%)
- Unaffiliated: 230 of 7,581 eligible voters (3.03%)
Early voting continues today (Sunday), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
The early voting schedule this coming week, also at Town Hall:
Monday, October 27 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 28 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, October 30 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, October 31 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 1 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 2 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Deadheads: Listen up!
The next “Supper & Soul” concert features the Spadtastics.
“Connecticut’s premier tribute act” comes to the Westport Library November 8 (7 p.m.). They’ll play 2 full sets, recreating a show from the 1970s.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s Supper & Soul series usually incudes a pre-show dinner, and post-concert drinks.
Due to the length of this event, there is no dinner. But attendees can enjoy a “Dead-inspired” drink before or after the music, at Basso, Massi Co, Spotted Horse or Walrus Alley.
(Beer, wine, spiked seltzer and water will be available at the Library.) Click here for tickets ($30).
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Speaking of the Chamber of Commerce: Their annual Halloween window painting contest took place yesterday.
Young artists were busy all over town. Winners will be announced this week.
Hard at work — and looking spooky.
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The Weston History & Culture Center’s new interactive exhibit — “Weston at Work” — explores the town’s agriculture, manufacturing and textile past.
Kids can card wool, weave on a loom, and use a rope and pulley to raise a hay bale. Immigrants, people of African descent, women and children who helped put Weston to work are included in the show.
The WH&CC also offers a guided tour of Coley House, to see life in the 1940s. There are 3 exhibits in the Visitors center too: “Twelve Stories of Weston History,” “Images of a Forgotten Village: Valley Forge” (now underneath the Saugatuck Reservoir), and “May I Have This Dance?” (ragtime music).
For hours, ticket information and more details. click here.
Raising a hay bale, at the Weston History & Culture Center.
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MoCA CT has received a $5,000 grant from the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center. Funds will support the museum’s teen council and youth educational programs.
Pictured left to right below: MoCA’s Maggie Farrell, Peter Saverine, Pamela Hovland and Janice Egan; Drew Friedman Community Arts Center board member Miggs Burroughs, and MoCA;s Sue Donato.
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Former Westporter J. Gilbert Plantinga died peacefully at his New Paltz, New York home last week, after a long battle with esophageal cancer. He was 73.
Known in Westport by his given name John, he taught himself guitar at 13. That passion shaped the rest of his life.
In 1969, while still in high school, he hitchhiked to Woodstock. According to family lore, he spent the night before the festival camping out with Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters.
After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Bridgeport with a B.A. in music, he later pursued a master’s degree (ABD) at New York University.
A jazz guitarist and composer, Gilbert taught both privately and at NYU.
In midlife, he turned his creative energy toward photography and fine-art printing. Through his New Paltz business, Uptown Light Photo Graphics, Gilbert became a trusted collaborator to photographers across the Hudson Valley and beyond. His own work appeared in numerous exhibitions.
His obituary says, “A member of Mensa, Gilbert was as brilliant and curious as he was stubborn and prickly. Although he wrestled with addiction for much of his life, in his later years he found strength and purpose through service — both as a deacon at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, New York, and through helping others find their way to sobriety.”
Gilbert is survived by his children, Kate Plantinga Mulzet (Joe) and Ben Plantinga; ex-wife and best friend MaryJo Martin; sister Prill Boyle (Michael), and nephews Gabriel Bach and Everett Boyle. He was predeceased by his former wife Slade Ingram Plantinga.
A celebration of life will be held on November 22 (11 a.m.) at the Reformed Church of New Paltz.
Gilbert Plantinga
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You never know what you’ll see at Sherwood Island State Park.
Yesterday morning, it was 2 riders on horseback.
Dixie O’Brien captured the moment, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Dixie O’Brien)
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And finally … in honor of yesterday’s Sherwood Island riders (photo above):
(What time is it? Time to donate to “06880.” Thanks in advance for clicking here, and helping do what we do — 24/7/365. You rock!)
Hopefully the real clock will keep better time than the image!
Thanks to Elaine Daignault and our excellent Department of Human Services! I hope Westporters will step up, as our warm community usually does, to help DHS help those trying to cope with lack of food resources.