Only a few spots remain for one of the greatest offers of the new (or any) year: Scout Troops 39 and 139’s pick-up and (sustainable) removal of your once-beautiful, now dried-out Christmas tree.
It’s a win-win-win: convenient and affordable pick-up for residents; free mulch and conservation material for the town — and the only fundraiser of the year for the Scouts.
The event is all day, on January 10. Troops will pick up over 800 trees, in every neighborhood.
The suggested donation of $25 per tree — less than most services — helps fund a full year of Scout meetings, experiences and gear.
Click here for details, and to sign up. NOTE: The deadline to register is Sunday (January 4).
Who you gonna call? Scout Troops 39 and 139!
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Sure, it’s New Year’s Day. There’s snow on the ground. We’ve got 79 days left till spring arrives.
But it’s not too early to think about golf.
The waitlist for the Longshore Ladies 9 Hole Golf Association opens tomorrow (Friday, January 2).
Membership offers access to league play, tournaments and skill‑building opportunities. This year, the League expands from 130 members to 135. Information for the waitlist and the forms can be found on the League’s website
Click here for information on the waitlist, and forms.
LL9HGA member Maria Mondino’s drive landed just 8 inches from the pin.
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Actress/dancer/choreographer/Kennedy Center Honors winner for lifetime achievement and contributions to American culture Carmen de Lavallade died Monday in New Jersey. She was 94.
For many years, she was associated with and married to Tony Award-winning actor/dancer/director Geoffrey Holder.
Yesterday, “06880” reader Karen Brailsford learned that the couple were married on June 26, 1955 at Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. A reception followed at the Westport estate of actress/producer Lucille Lortel.
Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade, after their wedding at Christ & Holy Trinity Church. (Photos/Saul Mauriber via the Beinecke digital collection /Yale University)
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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between December 23 and 30.
A 30-year-old Norwalk man was charged with larceny, attempt to commit larceny, payment of less than $500 using a revoked/stolen credit card, and failure to appear, following an investigation into a March credit card fraud report, with multiple purchases made at Home Depots in multiple states. The suspect was someone the victim previously employed as a contractor. He was unable to post bonds of $240,000.
A 29-year-old New York City man was charged with failure to appear, after being arrested on an unrelated matter in New York. He was unable to post bond of $150,000.
A 21-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct and threatening, after a verbal disturbance. He was unable to post $5,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Disorderly conduct: 1 citation
- Breach of peace: 1
- Texting while driving: 1
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1.
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Canada geese often act like they own our beach.
Not in the summer, guys.
But in winter — when no one is watching, except “Westport … Naturally” photographer David Cross — well, maybe they do.
(Photo/David Cross)
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And finally … January is named after Janus. The Roman god of beginnings is often depicted with two faces. One looks back to the past; the other, forward to the future.
(Looking for a New Year’s Resolution? How about: “I resolve to help support ‘06880,’ my hyper-local blog, to the best of my ability”? Then click here to make that resolution come true. Thank you!
Is this what used to be the Boy Scouts?
Yes. A web search shows: “The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) changed its name to Scouting America, officially in February 2025, to become more inclusive, welcoming all youth, including girls (who joined Scouts BSA program in 2019) and reflecting broader societal changes after years of policy shifts and emerging from bankruptcy, aiming to serve all families. The new name emphasizes that Scouting is for all young people, building on over a century of service while embracing a modern, inclusive vision.”
Curious as to why the Ladies golf league accepts out of town members and these out of town members get to pay Westport green fee rates instead of out of town rates.
Curious how the PD could only manage 5 traffic tickets over a weeks time.
Coming here to say the same thing. The numbers any week are shockingly low and don’t reflect my own experiences on the roads, but this suggests downright apathy or lack of interest in enforcing the rules that are made, ostensibly, to keep us safe. One can only assume this is a choice made by town leadership, as even an hour posted at any of a handful of intersections in town should yield multiples of that.
If there is no interest at the town level in holding drivers accountable – or dealing with the backlash from drivers irate at receiving a citation – then I would suggest just taking down all the signs, from no turn on red to no parking to one way signs. It will improve the aesthetic, save money, and spare those of us that do care enough about our neighbors to follow the posted rules the indignity of being clowned by those who simply can’t be bothered to.
Mr. Morgan, Not too many years ago the WPD used to average 5000-7000 traffic tickets a year.. It basically worked out to 1 ticket issued per patrolman a shift. I don’t know why the drastic change, but I’ve heard rumors and I have my theories. Crazy drivers is one of the biggest complaints that I hear about regularly. I’ll say it again. If you have no enforcement you will have no compliance.
Dan, I hope you don’t mind, but this has been a “hoot” to do!
For the record re Holder-Lavallade.
From the Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut · Monday, June 27, 1955, p.24, report seen at https://tinyurl.com/yt6cu8m4
GH described as “the Trinidad dancer and painter,” while Carmen is “also a dancer.” Emory Lewis, magazine editor, was best man while the bride’s sister, Yvonne De Lavallade, was maid of honor. Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Holder of Trinidad attended as did Mr. & Mrs. Leo P. De Lavallade of Los Angeles.
The reception venue “was held on the grounds of the White Barn Theater, where Holder made his American debut two years ago.”
The couple “were cast members of the recently closed Broadway musical ‘House of Flowers.’ ” “The wedding was attended by many in the theatrical profession from New York and Hollywood.”
So, why Westport? Who here organized/hosted it for them?
The photo reproduced here does not accompany the notice. Lovely photo. Carmen was 23.
And what an $$$$$$$ cast!
From Wikipedia: Book by Truman Capote (his 1st musical from a story of same name) & producer Saint Subber. Show introduced the steel pan to Broadway.
“After a Philadelphia try-out, the show opened on Broadway on December 30, 1954 at the Alvin Theatre and played for 165 performances. The director was Peter Brook. The cast included Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll, Juanita Hall, Ray Walston, Carmen de Lavallade, Alvin Ailey, Mary Mon Toy, and Geoffrey Holder (who also provided a section of choreography and went on to direct the 1992 revival starring Patti LaBelle). Most of the original orchestral score by Ted Royal has been lost, but the piano score survives.
Synopsis: “The story concerns two neighboring bordellos that battle for business in an idealized Haitian setting. One of the sex workers, Ottilie, turns down a rich lord to marry a poor mountain boy named Royal. Her madam plots to keep her by having Royal sealed in a barrel and tossed into the ocean. Royal escapes the watery death by taking refuge on the back of a turtle. The lovers are eventually married and live happily ever after.”
Carmen played “Carmen.” Holder played “The Champion.” Oliver Messel won TONY for Best Scenic Design. Original cast recording was reissued in 2003 by Columbia with bonus tracks.
Ha! “Fair Haiti, where we lay our scene ….”
Hhhmm. Even after Les Mis, I think the plot is too “something” even for the Staples Players.