Lovingly preserved homes and beautiful fall weather were the perfect combination for yesterday’s very educational, very high energy and very fun “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour.
Over 130 guests toured 2 properties on Greens Farms Road (both once owned by the Bedford family), and 2 other equally cool ones, on Long Lots Road and Wilton Road.
“06880” board members Dan Donovan and Bill Scheffler flank KMS Team at Compass members Mary Ellen Gallagher and Susan Seath, at 249 Greens Farms Road. Built by Edward T. Bedford, its interior is similar to the 1923 Westport YMCA building — which he endowed too.
Huge props to our friends at KMS Team at Compass, who helped organize the event, and provided historical background and other materials; Pat Shea of Coldwell Banker, who is involved with one of the Bedford homes, and the “06880” board of directors, who greeted visitors warmly and offered additional insights.
In a town filled with new construction, residents love to take a peek into homes that have stood for a century or two. There are many around — and we’ll show off 4 more great ones next year.
Totney and Rick Benson, admiring the Prohibition Era-bar at 209 Wilton Road. The young owners have renovated it with an eye toward its 155-year-old history.
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And speaking of “06880” activities: The 5th annual Holiday Stroll returns Saturday, December 6!
From 4 to 7 p.m., the Westport Downtown Association and “06880” present a now-traditional, action-packed and family-friendly kickoff to the holidays.
The Orphenians will sing. Santa and other characters will pose for photos. There’s a DJ, face painting, food, special deals for shoppers, and much more — including a dedication of the new WDA clock.
More details coming soon. But for now: Save the date!
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Tomorrow is Election Day. (Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Click here for information on candidates and polling places.)
Which means that on Wednesday, thousands of yard signs will be obsolete.
Most candidates do a good job of removing them, within the 48 hours required by law.
But what next?
Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members recycle theirs. Many run every 2 years; it’s a non-partisan body, so their signs just say their name and district.
Yet the signs for those running for boards and commissions — often on a ticket with others — are instantly outdated.
They might save the metal stands. The signs themselves are destined for landfill.
Unless someone has a better idea.
Can artwork be created, perhaps as a school project? Is there another use for them?
I have no idea. But “06880” can start a good discussion.
If you know a good use for thousands of suddenly useless yard signs, click “Comments” below.
Yard signs near the transfer station. Is that where they will all end up? (Photo/Matt Murray)
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Speaking of the election: Early voting ended yesterday. It was the first time in Connecticut, for local races.
After 2 weeks, 16.7% — 3,177 out of 19,020 eligible Westport voters — cast ballots.
The breakdown:
- Democrats: 1,772 of 7,945 eligible voters (22.30%)
- Republicans: 488 of 3,332 eligible voters (14.65%)
- Unaffiliated: 899 of 7,588 eligible voters (11.85%)
Of course, how they voted will not be known until tomorrow night. “06880” will have the results when they are announced, some time after 8 p.m.
Lucia Scotti (left) came home yesterday from the University of Connecticut, to vote at Town Hall. She was joined by her parents, Janine and Pietro.
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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist (and 1991 Staples High School graduate) Lysney Addario’s new film, “Love+War” — a documentary about her work in conflicts around the globe — has gotten great reviews.
On “Weekend Edition,” she spoke with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe about the balance between her work and life. Click here to read the interview, and/or to listen. (Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)
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The Westport Book Shop’s guest exhibitor this month is well-known artist Darcy Hicks.
Specializing in metal leaf and oil paint, she is drawn to anything that reflects aggressive light.
Hicks is the director of education at the Norwalk Art Space, which provides free art and music education to low-income students. The Westport native earned a bachelor’s in fine arts from Smith College, a master’s of education from Lesley University, and an MFA in creative writing from Fairfield University.
A reception is set for November 12 (6 p.m.). All artwork on display is available for purchase. 25% of the proceeds will be donated to the Arbor Day Foundation, which has planted half a billion trees.
Darcy Hicks, with her work at the Westport Book Shop.
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Veterans Green was packed yesterday with air-cooled car owners, their admirers — and of course, the vehicles themselves.
The 12th annual event was sponsored by the Small Car Company,
Some of the many air-cooled cars on Veterans Green. (Photo/Susan Garment)
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Drivers taking advantage of this train station spot are going to have to wait a lot longer than 15 minutes.
(Photo/John McCarthy)
Donut Crazy closed in April.
But in terms of outdated signs, this one has nothing on Jesup Green.
A sign there indicated a Minnybus stop.
Nearly 40 years after the diesel bus made its last run.
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Get your game on!
SLOBs — the Staples Service League of Boys, a hard-working and very popular organization — hosts a 3-v-3 basketball fundraiser. Proceeds go to Staples Tuition Grants — a very worthy cause for the teens — in memory of their friend Perrin Delorey.
The November 21 event (6 p.m.) includes pizza. Registration is $25 per participant; Venmo @jhgillman.
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Jeff Lea — the winningest coach in Staples boys soccer history — has just won again.
The 2nd permanent head coach — who served in 1970, then from 1978 to 2002, and won 5 state championships plus 12 FCIAC titles en route to a 357-77-42 record — will be inducted on March 7, at the Doubletree in Bristol.
Lea’s selection brings to 12 the number of Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame inductees with Staples ties. They include Loeffler, Steve Baumann, Paul Hunter, Tim Hunter, Jim Kuhlmann, Kyle Martino, Ken Murphy, Kevin Murphy, Mark Noonan, Mike Noonan and Dan Woog.
Jeff Lea (far left), with members of the 1970 state championship team (from left): Tracy McIntosh, Fred Cantor, Neil Brickley, Steve McCoy.
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Josie McAllister took advantage of yesterday’s spectacular autumn weather to enjoy the Compo Beach jetty.
Her human friend Gwen Tutun was happy to record the moment, for “06880”‘s daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Gwen Tutun)
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And finally … that early darkness yesterday caught you by surprise, right?
It happens every year, when Daylight Savings ends justlikethat.
But don’t worry. Only 125 days until it begins again.
(“06880” is more than just a blog. We sponsor an annual house tours, 2 strolls a year, and a variety of good causes. But we can’t do it without you! Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The signs are very strong in one direction, yet easy to fold in the other. They’re also fairly easy to cut and paint.
You could make furniture, toy airplanes, go carts, a utility shed, cornhole games, a float for the Memorial Day parade, repaint them and use them for protests.
They probably make great sleds, conversely, they’d also work under your tires if you’re stuck in the snow.
We could make boats and resurrect The Great Race.
A Town exhibit of repurposed lawn signs sounds fantastic.
Or we could just dump them all in the landfill
Considering the low turnout, it seems these junky signs all over town aren’t increasing the voting. Im sure I’ll get plenty of flack for this….
Two days in a row with Van Morrison! Thanks, Dan. Also that dog is so adorable.😍 Looks like a mix?
Just a question about the mural paintings in Town Hall? When were they done?
I’m pretty sure the murals were there from the Bedford Elementary School days. Maybe a WPA project?
I was there only for kindergarten and first grade way back in the 60s. Then moved to Saugatuck Elementary. I probably don’t remember them although I vividly remember the auditorium, with the stairs up to auditorium, my classrooms with Mrs Gordon for kindergarten, Miss Huck, first grade and my favorite teacher along with Mrs. Irene Sheets at Saugatuck, the huge playground and field behind Bedford El, and the 3rd floor offices and the big climb up there. I need to go back for a tour!😊
The one word you NEVER saw on ANY of those yard signs:
“Republican”.
Several did mention the word Democrat(ic).
(specifically, BOF, BOE, ZBA & Selectmen)
If you’re too ashamed to mention your party affiliation,
perhaps you should run as an independent
(and why not mention it! Rosenwaks, looking at you)
or create a new, better, party!
I wonder if anyone has ever decided whom to vote for based on a yard sign.