A reminder: Tonight is the night you turn back your clocks — and get back that hour you lost in March. Enjoy!
“DAY IN THE LIFE OF WESTPORT” debuts at y
On Sunday, September 6, 241 photographers submitted 510 photos for the “Day in the Life of Westport” project.
They showed — vividly, colorfully, artistically, prosaically — the enormous variety of things that happened, large and small, that typical day.
Donuts at Coffee An’. A rainbow over Old Mill Beach. A Staples soccer team car wash. Volunteers at Homes with Hope. Kids jumping off a bridge (next to a “No Jumping” sign).
Yesterday, 80 of those images were unveiled at the Westport Weston Family YMCA. They hang handsomely on a wall, just inside the entrance.
A crowd of photographers, residents, Y officials, volunteers from the Artists’ Collective of Westport and League of Women Voters (the project’s sponsors), and 1st Selectman Kevin Christie admired the photos, and the 430 others that played on a screen nearby.
Miggs Burroughs — the Collective’s co-founder — hung the exhibit. The Collective and LWV paid for the printing and framing.
The exhibit is open to the public. Visitors must check in at the front desk.
Of courese, this is not the end. Future possibilities include a book and mosaic.
From left: Christina Scherwin, Westport Y COO; committee members Joan Gillman, James Delorey, Miggs Burroughs; 1st Selectman Kevin Christie; committee member Velma Heller. Missing: member Andrea Moore. (Photo/Dan Woog)
CRIBARI BRIDGE HOLIDAY LIGHTS: SPONSORS SOUGHT
Today is Halloween. So of course our thoughts turn to … the Cribari Bridge holiday lights.
Three years ago, Westport PAL took over the beloved tradition. They ensure the lights are strung and maintained.
They do it thanks to sponsors. During this drive, additional proceeds support the PAL Scholarship Fund.
There are 4 levels:
- Presenting Sponsor — $2,500+
- Community Sponsor — $1,000
- Holiday Sponsor — $500
- Friends of the Bridge — Contributions of any amount are welcome.
Businesses contributing $500 or more have their name or logo displayed on a sign next to the bridge, throughout the holidays.
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. To sponsor, or learn more, email emmarenglehart@gmail.com.
Cribari Bridge holiday lights. (Photo/Patti Brill)
HALLOWEEN WINDOW PAINTING WINNERS NAMED
Last weekend, over 40 children painted more than 30 windows throughout town.
It was all legit: the annual Halloween Window Painting Contest, sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
And the winners — who each earned a $25 gift card from Sweet Lyfe, and a certificate — are:
Middle School
Best Halloween Themed: Aria Brown, 7th grade Coleytown (helpers Tina Xhao, 7th grade and Julianna Brown, 3rd grade): Greens Farms Spirit Shop
Most Creative: Frazer Benton, 7th grade Coleytown: Cycle Dynamics
Scariest: Lila Boyd, 7th grade, Bedford: Cycle Dynamics
Elementary School
Best Halloween Themed: Teagan Belton, 2nd grade Coleytown (helper: Quinn, age 4): BFT
Most Creative: Margaux Chang, 3rd grade Kings Highway (Helpers: Madeline Chang, 3rd grade and Emelia Vitelli, 2nd grade): Riverside Barber
Scariest: Madeline Frommer, 2nd grade, Saugatuck: BFT,
Winners’ montage.
ROB SIMMELKJAER’S $100 MILLION HAUL
The 50th New York City Marathon runs tomorrow.
That’s a big deal for the organizers: the NY Road Runners.
Their CEO, Westport resident Rob Simmelkjaer, will be in the spotlight (until the winners cross the finish line).
On Friday, he was center stage too, at the pre-race gala next to Tavern on the Green. He had the honor of announcing the organization has raised $100,000,000 — that’s $100 million — for charity this year.
He was joined in the photo below by (left) fellow Westporters Jonathan Alloy and marathoner/running coach Jody Bell.
RTM TRANSIT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON BRIDGE
The Representative Town Committee (RTM) Transit Committee meets Monday (November 2, 6 p.m., Zoom).
They’ll continue their discussion of the establishment of a working group or subcommittee to review the proposed Cribari Bridge project; identify key areas of concern, including traffic, public safety, and community impacts, and discuss the RTM’s potential role, organizational structure and next steps.
A GREAT BET: ROWAN CENTER FUNDRAISER
Many Westporters volunteer for, and serve, the Rowan Center. The nonprofit protects children, helps prevent sexual abuse and supports survivors throughout Fairfield County.
On December 3 (6:30 p.m., The Inn at Longshore), the Center’s “Casino and Cocktails for a Cause” will raise both funds and awareness.
The evening includes casino tables, magic, cocktails, dinner and more. CBS weatherman (and Westport resident) Lonnie Quinn is MC. Click here for tickets, and more information.
GRAND OPENING TOMORROW: DIVINE BEAUTY SPA
Divine Beauty Spa celebrates its grand opening tomorrow, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Located on the second floor at 46 Post Road East, near Tiffany, they’ll offer sales, flash tattoos, tea and pastry. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
TEARDOWN PERMITS SOUGHT FOR 5 HOMES
The Historic District Commission meets November 10 (7 p.m., Zoom).
The agenda includes discussion of demolition permits for
- 10 Woodcock Lane
- 17 St. John’s Place
- 4 Grist Mill Lane
- 183 Wilton Road
- 5 Inwood Lane.
To see all meeting materials, click here.
183 Wilton Road. The 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom house was built in 1946.
STAPLES HONORS 7 STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Staples High School’s October Students of the Month are seniors Jace Darby and Shea Root, juniors Grant Theisinger and Elle Worobec, and sophomores Sid Kumar, Chase Landgraf and Anna Setten.
The program recognizes students who “help make Staples a welcoming place for their peers and teachers. They are the ‘glue’ of the Staples community: the type of creative, thoughtful, conscientious students who enable the school to grow and thrive.”
Honorees are nominated by their teachers as students who always work
hard, are friendly to the staff and fellow students, and make positive contributions in class and the Staples community.
From left: Grant Theisinger, Sid Kumar, Jace Darby, Anna Setten, Shea Root, Elle Worobec, Sofia Mutescu.
FOLLOW-UP: REAL ESTATE AND THE ARTS
Yesterday’s “06880” story on the November 17 (8 a.m., SoNo Collection, Norwalk) panel on “Second Acts: Real Estate and the Arts in Fairfield County noted that it was co-sponsored by the Westport and Norwalk Chambers of Commerce.
The link for tickets that was provided to us was to the Norwalk Chamber. But both organizations are registering participants — and each gets proceeds for its registrants.
To register through the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, click here.
SAUGATUCK CHURCH CONCERTS BEGIN
The Saugatuck Church’s concert season kicks off Friday (November 6, 7 p.m.).
Singer/songwriter Spencer LaJoye offers music and stories. A classically trained violinist, their music blends indie folk, Americana, and deeply personal storytelling. Admission is free.
Spencer LaJoye
obituary: david burgess
David Burgess — a well-respected Westport handyman and caretaker — died September 15, after a 2-year struggle with health problems. He was 72.
David’s family moved to Westport when he was 12. He traveled widely, but always returned here.
David was born in Dobbs Ferry, NY, on March 21, 1954, to Julian Ayres Burgess and Virginia McIntyre Burgess. In 1966, the family moved to Westport; and although as a young man David would travel widely, it was always Westport he returned to, eventually making it his permanent home.
An avid fiction reader, he especially enjoyed science fiction and mysteries. When in his 60s he converted a delivery van into a motor home, he installed a small library.
David’s first workshop was in the basement of the family house on Burritts Landing North, where he learned the basics of repairing and tuning outboard motors. As he grew older he graduated to motorcycles and cars.
David traveled widely, and enjoyed being on the water. In 2008 he inherited the last boat his father ever made.
David’s greatest pleasure was working with his hands. As a young man he did tree work and plowed snow. Later he settled into being a caretaker and handyman for homeowners in Westport and surrounding towns, as well as VFW Post 399.
He had a large clientele, many of whom were elderly. He served as an unofficial health care aide, helping persons with mobility issues get around the house.
In 2024 he fell from a high ladder. This past April he developed trouble walking. Tests found a broken sacrum and severe spinal stenosis. Spinal surgery seemed to help, but while in rehab two more vertebrae fractured.
David is survived by his mother Virginia, brother Randy, aunt and uncle Marie and John McIntyre, step-uncle Ernie Cotrill, and cousins Jennifer Cole, David McIntyre, Anne-Marie McIntyre, Richard Waggoner, Mary Waggoner Moritz, Julie Waggoner, and William Waggoner.
A memorial service will be held on a date and place to be announced later.
David Burgess
“westport … naturally” & song of the day
John Kantor contributes today’s “Westport … Naturally” image.
He writes: “Maybe this is something only tide geeks like me would appreciate. But the king tides this time of year are always impressive. Big highs and big lows.
“This is New Creek, between Sherwood Island and Burying Hill.”
(Photo/John Kantor)
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And finally … today’s song — based on the photo above — is of course:
(Through high tide and low — and Daylight Saving and Standard Time — “06880” is here for you. But we can’t do it without your support. Please click here — and thank you!)
“RTM TRANSIT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON BRIDGE”
See, now, this “fun with English” headline has a great suggestion: The RTM’s subcommittee working group should have to meet *on* the bridge until they’ve hammered out a solution. Especially in winter. No cozy “heated rooms with chairs and a roof” for you, nope, it’s out in the elements you go! 😝