Sure, the upcoming election is important.
But the 3 candidates for 1st selectman — and the 2 vying for 2nd selectwoman — came together yesterday, at Homes with Hope’s Halloween party.
The event was at 122 Wilton Road — the 19-unit apartment building that opened a year ago.
“A great time was had by all,” says Homes with Home CEO and president Helen McAlinden. “This shows real community spirit!”
Clockwise from lower left: Andrea Moore, Don O’Day, David Rosenwaks, Katie Weldy, Amy Wistreich, Kevin Christie, Amanda Sayegh (pink). Weldy and Sayegh are with Homes with Hope; all the others are on the ballot.
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Readers have asked “06880” about the ongoing work being done at utility poles around town.
Most of it is Comcast.
The cable, internet, phone and wireless provider is coming here.
They plan to connect nearly 12,000 homes and businesses to their Xfinity network, which currently serves more than 64 million customers.
Click here for details on timelines and service availability. Comcast expects to complete the Westport project by the end of 2026.
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Meanwhile, Optimum — Comcast’s rival — has announced that in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, all calls and texts from the US to Jamaica are free.
And they’ll remain free, from now through November 30.
“We hope this small step helps you stay close to the people who mean the most during this time,” the company says.
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Congratulations to Marc Hartog!
Today is his last day as deputy director of Westport Emergency Medical Services.
He sure earned his retirement. Marc has spent 45 years with EMS — the last 15 in his current position.
There may not be any Westporter — resident, or someone who works here — who has not been helped by Marc. Or who does not know someone who has been.
“06880” will give him a “formal” sendoff soon. But for now: Thank you, Marc, for your nearly half-century of service.
You’ve been a life saver to this town.
Literally. (Hat tip: Ben Frimmer)
Marc Hartog and grandchild. (Photo/Lucy Ambrosino)
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One more reminder: There are still a few tickets left for our 3rd annual “Historic Homes of 06880” tour.
This Sunday’s event (November 2, 1 to 4 p.m.) includes 4 very cool (and different) homes: 221 Greens Farms Road; its Bedford-family neighbor at 249 Greens Farms Road; 155 Long Lots Road, and 209 Wilton Road. Click here for details of each historic house.
Tickets are $60 each, $100 for 2. Click here for tickets. Our friends at KMS Team at Compass once again co-sponsor the tour.
Proceeds help fund “06880”‘s work — which, as always, chronicles Westport’s past, present and future.
249 Greens Farms Road — one of 4 homes on Sunday’s tour.
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In his first months as Parks & Recreation Department director, Erik Barbieri has earned great reviews.
Among the many reasons: He’s quick to respond to residents.
A few days ago, Michael Diggin contacted Barbieri about the kayaks at Compo Beach. Specifically, Diggin asked: When will more storage racks be added? Since many kayaks are now 9 feet, could narrower racks be added? Could a security camera be installed? And could the grass be mowed more often, to discourage ticks?
Barbieri responded quickly. He said: More racks will be added next year. The Parks & Rec staff will work with Diggin to modify one to suit his needs. Barbieri will review the twice-weekly mowing, once-weekly weed whacking schedule. He is working with Westport’s new IT director to look at camera systems overall.
The director concluded, “Thanks for reaching out, and providing input and feedback on our operations. We can’t always do everything, but are always willing to take a deeper look at items like these.”
Compo Beach kayaks (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Families and caregivers of neurodiverse middle and high school students are invited to a special “Learn without Limits” presentation and open house, at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
The 6:30 p.m. event on Monday (November 3) includes practical strategies to support students in and out of the classroom. It also introduces Westporter Jake Sussman’s great Superpower Mentors program.
Click here for more information, and to RSVP.
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Tomorrow’s trash pickup takes place at Compo Beach. The day-after-Halloween date and site are intentional.
At 11 a.m. on Saturday, volunteers will meet at the cannons. They’ll spread out to clean up the area — including Soundview Drive.
After tonight’s trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, there should be plenty to clean up. The event is organized by Rachel Precious.
Sometimes, even the nicest people leave trash at the beach. (Photo/Sunil Hirani)
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Timing is everything.
Earlier this week — before yesterday’s rain and wind — Wakeman Town Farm hosted their annual Halloween Tot Parade.
Little superheroes, ghosts and cartoon characters paraded around the grounds, to spooky music, met the Farm’s animals, visited Trader Joe’s mini-pumpkin patch, and enjoyed cupcakes from BabyCakesNYC.
Pumpkins galore, at Wakeman Town Farm.
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Speaking of wind and rain: These were the (very rare) scenes yesterday at Compo Beach …
(Photo/Carol Lake)
(Photo/Nancy Breakstone)
… and not far away, at Burying Hill:
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
The forecast for trick-or-treating tonight is better: Cloudy, with temperatures in the mid-50s.
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The other day at the Senior Center, Dick Lowenstein spotted an interesting piece of art.
It looked very much like an illustration of Westport today: a very big new building rising up, in the shadow of a much smaller, older one.
It might even be a rendering of the current construction on Post Road West, at Cross Street.
Nope.
The work — titled “And Then There Were None” — was done by noted Westport artist Howard Munce. He died in 2016, age 100.
But he painted this one much earlier — in 1975.
Maybe a better name would be “The More Things Change …”
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between October 22 and 28.
In addition to the arrest for motor vehicle theft and firearm possession reported earlier, a 26-year-old Westport woman was charged with disorderly conduct and violation of a criminal protective order, following the investigation of a disturbance.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 4 citations
- Distracted driving: 3
- Evading responsibility: 1
- Speeding: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to rive in the proper lane: 1
- Improper turns: 1
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Former Westporter Adé Van Duyn died on October 17, passed away, surrounded by her children Keven, Caroly, Maren and Nielsen, and close friend Katherine Paulhus. She was 98.
Her family says “her optimism and humor at every bend in the road inspired all to expand their horizons, and act with compassion.”
The Essen, Germany native graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in the Hague, Netherlands.
Influenced by the vibrant post-World War II art scene there, her early works conveyed the impact of war, and the resurrection of life. She sailed across the Atlantic to join Gerard, her creative soulmate, in Ontario, Canada.
They created screen titles, illustrations, storyboards and sets in the early days of television. Their family drove to Burbank, California where Gerard pursued film while Adé sketched their young children.
In 1962 the Van Duyns arrived in Westport, and established an industrial design firm on Hillspoint Road. Adé welcomed neighborhood children to artmaking. She also collaborated with progressive educator Rose Park, leading to a career as a recreation director at Mediplex of Westport. Dynamic programming (including audio-visual presentations) replaced traditional crafts. Families and patients joined for festive holiday events.
Adept at problem solving, and reveling in nature, she canoed, sailed, hiked and camped, in all weather. Wildflowers, trees and oceans inspired Adé as a plein air painter. She was a member of the Black Rock Art Guild. Her paintings captured scenes of disappearing Saugatuck. She sang in the Unitarian Church choir, and participated in its Shawl Ministry. Adé’s final works are magnificent stained glass windows.
Adé Van Duyn
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Another fall day, another chance to appreciate the beauty of the season.
Nina Marino offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo;
(Photo/Nina Marino)
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And finally … Happy Halloween!
Encore!
(It’s no trick that “06880” has kept you informed — 24/7/365 — since 2009. It’s our job, and we love it. But it would be a nice treat if you clicked here, and showed us a little love. Thank you all!)
Thank you Marc Hartog! He has been a driving force for good in our town! SUPPORT EMS! They are largely a volunteer organization and need your support. Look into becoming an EMT and joining them. If not, DONATE so that the service can continue to be a first class operation! http://www.westportems.org/donate
Congratulations to Marc! And thanks!!
How about this World War I painting from Howard Munce? Available for purchase, if anyone is interested . IMG_2596.jpeg
Thank you, Dan, for remembering Adé Van Duyn on her death. I sang with her for a few years in the Unitarian Universalist church choir. I am also a Staples ‘75 classmate of her daughter Caroly. A talented and remarkable family. I regret not knowing Adé better, but Caroly has told me warm family stories of her parents.