READER wonders ABOUT WESTPORT MUSEUM DONATION
The Westport Museum for History & Culture’s announcement on Wednesday that they need $750,000 by January raises important questions:
- How did this happen?
- What’s next?
- Why is a historical society — or “museum for history and culture” — important?
Those are big issues. But there are many smaller, more personal ones too.
A longtime resident called “06880” yesterday, in a panic. Back when it was the Westport Historical Society, she had donated several kewpie dolls. (Fun fact: Westport illustrator Rose O’Neill created the characters, in 1909.)
The woman had heard that the Museum will hold a tag sale, to raise money. She was terrified the kewpie dolls — with both historical and emotional value — would be sold for a couple of dollars.
The woman spent all morning calling; no one answered, she said. When she went to the Myrtle Avenue building, she said, it was locked. No one was there.
I assured her the Museum would not be holding a tag sale — at least, not soon.
I said that one idea under consideration is moving their collections and archives to another, less expensive location. Perhaps, I said, Museum officials would contact donors to see if they wanted their items returned.
This woman is not the only one with concerns. Over the years, other Westporters have donated things — military uniforms, furnishings, memorabilia. There have been rumors from time to time that some of them have been “de-accessioned” — sold or discarded.
The woman who called “06880” sounded relieved that her kewpie dolls would not be sold immediately.
If anyone from the Museum for History & Culture can address the status of donated items, now and in the future — including the kewpie dolls — please email 06880blog@gmail.com.
Wheeler House — formerly the Westport Historical Society, now the Westport Museum for History & Culture.
CRIBARI BRIDGE MEETING SET
There has been little action on the Cribari Bridge in Westport.
But in Hartford, work continues.
The state Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has scheduled a project update meeting for November 12 (7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
It will include an update on the status of responses to comments received previously; progress to date, and an overview of upcoming steps and timelines.
Project manager James Barrows says, “Following publication of the Environmental Assessment/Environmental Impact Evaluation this past February, we were glad to see such a high level of public engagement, with 833 comments.
“CTDOT is grateful for the strong public engagement and the thoughtful input shared by community members, agencies, and other stakeholders.
“We value stakeholder feedback throughout this project and look forward to sharing updates.”
Click here for more information on the Cribari Bridge project.
Questions? Contact Barrows: james.barrows@ct.gov, (860) 594-3192, or project engineer Ashley Heredia: Ashley.Heredia@ct.gov, (860) 594-3488. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
Cribari Bridge (Drone photo/Alex O’Brien)
cops want your drugs: takeback day is October 24
Got unneeded medications — old, expired and/or unwanted — cluttering your medicine cabinet?
The Westport Police want them.
On Saturday, October 24 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Westport Center for Senior Activities), they’ll take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. They’ll collect tablets, capsules, patches and other forms of prescription drugs.
Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs are not accepted.
Don’t forget: A year-round bin located in the lobby of police headquarters allows drugs to be disposed of at any time. You can pick up medication disposal bags there too, to get rid of liquid and pill medications in your regular trash.
Click here for more information.
OVERDOSE AWARENESS, NARCAN TRAINING SET
Speaking of drugs: You’ve heard about fentanyl. What about the new designer drug, cychlorphine?
Do you know how to recognize and overdose? Or how to get — and use — Narcan, to treat it?
Positive Directions is sponsoring a virtual overdose awareness and Narcan training for Westport and Norwalk residents. It’s 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 29. Email positivedirections.org/events for the Zoom link.
PS: Free Narcan kits are available for Westporters and Norwalkers who attend the training. They can be picked up at Positive Directions, across from Whole Foods.
CRASH CLOSES TURKEY HILL NORTH
A 1-car rollover crash closed Turkey Hill Road North for several hours yesterday.
One person was extricated from the vehicle.
A broken utility pole necessitated the road closure.
Westport Fire Department personnel assist at the scene. (Photo courtesy of WFD)
$25 TICKETS FOR PLAYHOUSE WORLD PREMIERE
The world premiere of “Ken Ludwig’s Pride & Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley” is near.
And the Westport Country Playhouse is offering special $25 preview tickets.
Shows are Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20-21 (7 p.m.), and Friday, October 23 (8 p.m.). The deadline to order is Sunday. Click here to purchase.
looking ahead: snow and ice removal 🙂
Do you have a plow? A shovel?
Westport seeks proposals for emergency snow and ice removal.
Bids will be received until 11 a.m. October 29, at the Town Hall finance office (Room 313). To see the RFP, click here
Questions? Email bwatson@westportct.gov.
Sure, it’s still mid-October. But town officials want to be ready.
STAPLES HOMECOMING KICKOFF: NEW TIME
The start time for tonight’s Homecoming football game against Darien at Paul Lane Field has been moved to 5 p.m. Thunderstorms are predicted later in hte evening.
The celebration of all Staples sports captains has been moved to November 13 (Senior Night, vs. Fairfield Ludlowe).
Go Wreckers!
KNEADS EXPANDS
Kneads is rising — and we don’t mean their yeast.
Last weekend, popular Saugatuck bakery opened a café at 1916 Post Road in Fairfield.
That site will handle all bread production for both Kneadses. The original location will focus exclusively on pastry production.
In the works: a 3rd locale, at 32 Railroad Avenue in Greenwich.
MOTHERS WITH ADHD: INCORRECT DATE GIVEN
Incorrect information was provided to “06880” about the upcoming “Sharing the Invisible Load: ADHD, Motherhood & Identity” event. The correct date is November 8 (9 a.m., Beyond Yoga, 136 Main Street).
The morning combines movement, conversation, support, and connection with other women who understand the experience. In addition to coffee and light bites, Beyond Yoga will offer attendees 20% off in-store shopping after the event.
Click here to register, and for more information.
jonathan steinberg: how state government works
This week, retiring State Representative Jonathan Steinberg kicked off his 4-part series on how Connecticut’s state government works.
The sessions continue October 27, November 17 and December 8, at the Westport Center for Senior Activities.
It is not a political discussion; it’s about the nuts-and-bolts of Hartford. For information on the series, call 203-341-5099.
State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, at the Senior Center. (Photo/Diane Lowman)
sTELLAR OCCULATIONS ON PLUTO AND TRITON
If you’ve always wondered how to use stellar occultations to monitor the tenuous atmospheres of Pluto and Triton, you’re in luck!
The Westport Astronomical Society hosts Dr. Michael Person of MIT for an in-person lecture (October 20, 8 p.m.). The talk will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Zoom, and posted to the WAS YouTube channel afterward.
COLEYTOWN COMPANY’S “PURE IMAGINATION”
Katie Bloom’s first show as director of Coleytown Company is a “Pure Imagination.”
The 14 numbers in the musical revue include selections from “Willy Wonka,” “Frozen,” “Shrek” and more.
Show dates are November 5 (6 p.m.) and 6 (7 p.m.). Click here for tickets.
“WESTPORT … NATURALLY,” & SONG OF THE DAY
We’ve featured a lot of different plants in our “Westport … Naturally” series.
But this is our first panicled wood aster. Clarence Hayes spotted, photographed — and identified it.
(Photo/Clarence Hayes)
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And finally … in honor of the Westport Police Drug Takeback Day:
(Speaking of helpers: “06880” relies on the generosity of readers like you. If you value what we do, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Before going into hysterics, this woman might’ve tried calling or visiting when the museum is actually open.
I checked the website yesterday. It said it was open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, along with other weekdays (I can’t remember exactly which ones). Today, the website says it is open only on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m; closed all other days.
I called yesterday mid-afternoon, and though the recording said they were open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., I could not get a human being through their phone tree.
I just called again (9:30 a.m.). The phone message still says it is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 203-222-1424.
You owe the woman an apology.
Thank you for publicizing the November 12 meeting. The 833 comments submitted on the Cribari Bridge project demonstrate how much this decision matters to the community.
The meeting should explain how substantive concerns will be addressed before decisions advance—particularly potential increases in heavy-truck traffic and their effects on pedestrian safety, noise, vibration, air quality, and the Bridge Street Historic District. Residents also deserve a clear timetable and an explanation of the remaining opportunities for public and consulting-party participation.
CTDOT should explain which federal and state bridge standards are legally required, which allow exceptions for historic bridges, and which are simply preferred design guidelines. The public deserves to know whether replacing the Cribari Bridge is truly necessary for safety or whether rehabilitation could meet applicable requirements while preserving its historic character.
I’ve only donated money, not objects, to museums (WHS/WMHC not among them) so was curious if an artifact donor enters a written agreement regarding an unrestricted donation or a loan, and whether a loaned object can be demanded back at will. The latter would presumably not become an asset to be liquidated in bankruptcy.