Most Photo Challenges show a closely cropped version of a larger image. It’s usually an exterior shot from somewhere in Westport — the cupola of a school building, for example, or a garden most of us pass every day without really “seeing.”
Last week’s Photo Challenge was very different.
At first glance it looked like an aerial photograph of hundreds of people, arranged on a white surface — snow or ice? — to form the visage of Madonna. (The singer — not, despite the proximity to Christmas, the mother of Jesus. Click here to see.)
But there was far more there than met the casual eye.
The Photo Challenge showed Lynn Untermeyer Miller’s shot of a piece of art that hangs in Clarendon Fine Art, the exciting Main Street gallery.
It’s by contemporary artist Craig Alan. Like much of his work, the “people” forming Madonna (and other subjects, like Nelson Mandela and Ruth Bader Ginsburg) are actually intricately drawn characters.
All are unique. But together, they form a meaningful whole.
Mary Sikorski, Andrew Colabella, Arthur Hayes, John McKinney and Marcia Brooks all knew their art — or at least, their Westport art gallery.
This week’s Photo Challenge is also a bit out of the ordinary. It’s a cleverly designed Christmas scene. But where in Westport is it?
If you know, click “Comments” below.
And whether you know exactly where, think maybe you do, or have absolutely no clue: Happy Holidays, from all the photographers at “06880” to you.
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
From the early days of the pandemic, Ellin Spadone’s watercolors have inspired “06880” readers.
For good reason: Ellin is a pro.
She has exhibited widely, in galleries and shows. Her work is enjoyed in private collections throughout the country (and one of her Easter eggs was part of the White House celebration). She specializes in gardens, landscapes and still lifes.
Now, Ellin has taken some of her most engaging works — all of them posted on “06880” — and collected them into a book.
Each piece in “Corona Bules: An Artist’s Visual Journey” includes a detailed description or comment, by Ellin.
For example, “And Miles to Go” notes:
The title is inspired by Robert Frost’s lovely poem, “Stoppy by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” We had come so far in the fight against Covid, but we still had many challenges ahead.
Not only was the loss of our loved ones profound — but due to hosptial restrictions many families were denied the comfort of last goodbyes.
No clasped hands, no last loving farewell.
Ellin published her book privately. If enough “06880” readers show interest, she will make it available to them. Email ecspadone@gmail.com to learn more.
“And Miles To Go” (Ellin Spadone)
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The VFW Post 399 dredging project continues, at the Saugatuck River marina behind the club. Deeper access will allow the VFW to expand its services.
The work is unrelated to the larger Saugatuck River dredging. After years of discussion, it’s still in the planning stages.
Attention youth hockey players: Learn from local experts!
Varsity coaches and players from Staples High School’s boys and girls co-op teams will host 3 Sunday clinics this winter, at the Westport PAL Longshore rink.
Open to grades 4-8, the sessions will include skill drills and small games.
The dates are January 5, and February 2 and 16 (8 to 9 a.m.).
Full equipment is required. To register, email Staples boys coach Matt Bohn: mbohn@westportps.org.
Hockey at the Westport PAL Longshore rink. (Photo/Larry Untermeyer)
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When we hear “beach,” we don’t often think: trees.
But — as today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo shows, they are as important a part of Compo as the sand, Sound and sun.
And finally … with several of today’s stories being about water (in many forms), we present:
(From arts to sports — and all over Westport — “06880” is your hyper-local source for news, events, insights and much more. If you enjoy our 24/7/365 coverage, please click here to donate. Thanks!)
There’s not much time left to get in your car, drive somewhere, buy stuff, wrap it, deliver it, and hope that the recipient enjoys it.
Or, alternatively, to shop online, and hope that — thanks to our complex delivery system — someone else will deliver it wherever it needs to go, while you hope the recipient enjoys it.
Our town’s non-profit environmental education and advocacy organization notes that the holidays are a time of “joy, togetherness — and a lot of waste.”
The average household generates 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and the New Year than at other times of the year. (And as we all know, Westport households are far from “average.”)
Many people feel forced to choose between holiday cheer and sustainable practices, Sustainable Westport says.
But there are alternatives.
They share some ideas to reduce waste, and make the holidays more eco-friendly.
Susatainable Westport’s first recommendation is: “Stop buying more stuff!”
It’s important not only for the planet, they say, but for our own mental health.
Instead, they suggest, share or give “experiences. Meaningful moments and connections are what the holidays are truly about. Plus, by keeping gifts local, you can reduce your environmental impact and help promote our local economy.”
In the spirit of giving, Sustainable Westport shares a few “experiential ideas”:
Take advantage of our arts and cultural scene. Give a MoCA CT membership, and check out an exhibit there. Or catch a show at the Westport Country Playhouse
Sign up for a cooking class or attend a gourmet dinner at Wakeman Town Farm
Make a donation in a friend’s or family member’s name to the Westport Library
Purchase a gift certificate to one of Westport’s great restaurants.
This winter, give the gift of entertainment at the Westporot Country Playhouse.
“The holidays are a time to come together, not consume more,” Sustainable Westport says.
“We hope these ideas help you celebrate the season in a way that’s kinder to the planet — and your spirit.”
Their New Year’s resolution: Offering more tips in 2025.
(“06880” uses no trees or gas to deliver news and ideas, 24/7/365. If you appreciate our sustainable work, please make a tax-deductible gift by clicking here. Thank you!)
As we prepare to close out 2024 and head into winter break, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a joyful holiday season and a happy new year.
My wife Kerry has taught kindergarten for many years. Every December I hear stories about the boundless excitement her 5-year-olds bring to the classroom.
Teachers across our district face the unique challenge of channeling this energy while maintaining focus during this time of year. Please join me in extending extra patience and appreciation to our incredible faculty and staff as they guide our students through this exciting final week of the year.
Below are a few important updates from around the district:
Greens Farms Elementary School Swatting Incident Last Week
Greens Farms Elementary School experienced a “swatting” incident last week, when a false report of a potential threat was made.
While such situations are deeply unsettling, I want to commend the extraordinary response from the GFS administration (Principal Brian Byrne and Assistant Principals Adelia Eddy and Chris Breyan), the faculty, staff, and our invaluable partners at the Westport Police Department.
In moments like these, it’s crucial to treat every situation as real until proven otherwise. Our emergency response system was put into practice, and the collaboration between GFS and WPD demonstrated exceptional coordination and professionalism.
Greens Farms Elementary School
I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the parents who were waiting in the parking lot for holiday events during the incident. Your patience and cooperation set a remarkable example for our entire community.
Unfortunately, these types of challenges are a reality of our time. However, through careful preparation and strong partnerships, I remain confident in the safety measures we have in place to protect our students and staff.
Smartphone/Wearable Technology Update
Last spring, I recommended restricting access to smartphones and wearable technology during the school day across all grade levels. While this approach is solidly in place for grades K-8, we have maintained the current system at Staples High School, which allows limited access during non-instructional periods, as we evaluate our next steps.
This fall, I engaged with all Staples faculty in small groups to gather their input. While some opinions varied, a strong majority supported moving toward greater restrictions on smartphone use, including a full ban during the school day.
I had intended to host a couple of “town hall” events for parents and students on this matter, but there was a change in a nearby district and it gave me pause.
In November, Wilton High School implemented a full smartphone ban. Their experience has provided us with an opportunity to learn before finalizing any changes in our district.
Wilton High School has generously offered to host a site visit for a team of Staples faculty, administrators and students. This visit will likely take place in late January. After that, I will host the town hall events for Staples parents, and for students, that was originally planned for October/November.
I have also reached out to the Inklings faculty advisors (the Staples student newspaper), and asked that they send a student reporter to chronicle the site visit to Wilton High School.
We will take the time to learn, listen, and thoughtfully plan for the best path forward.
A Bold Strategic Vision for AI in the WPS
Last night, I presented a bold recommendation to the Board of Education: to position the Westport Public Schools as a national leader in public education’s artificial intelligence revolution.
AI tools are rapidly transforming how we live, work, and learn. These tools are here. In just a few years, they have moved from futuristic novelty to mainstream necessity. As educators, we cannot afford to remain on the sidelines.
This was delivered as part of an update on the district strategic plan. I recommended that the district adjust priorities, and make the appropriate use of AI a focal point of district innovation.
We must ensure that AI augments — not replaces — the fundamental aspects of education and cognitive development.
My charge is to return to the Board of Education in the coming months with a clear strategic vision for teaching and learning in the era of the AI revolution. I enthusiastically welcome that challenge!!
I will return to the school community with updates. Additionally, I will seek community partnerships, in search of expertise among community members and educational consultants on developing a bold vision and action plan for our students and schools.
My best to you and your family this holiday season.
(Education is a regular “06880” beat. If you enjoy our coverage of Westport schools — grades K-12, public and private — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Greens Farms Academy head of school Bob Whelan is well-known for his whimsical snow closing videos.
Now he’s branched out.
Looking completely at ease in a super-sized elf costume, the school’s top dog offers a unique holiday video.
Click below to see. Ho ho ho!
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One of the hottest toys this holiday season are Jellycats.
The whimsical, creative creatures have flown off most store shelves. Late-shopping Westport parents are desperate to find any.
And if they’re online, it’s getting late to ship them.
Attention, Westport shoppers! Savvy + Grace — the store that seems to cram everything into its funky Main Street space — has a great supply.
At least, they did up until this announcement …
Bartholomew Bear — one of the very popular Jellycats.
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Speaking still of the holidays: The Selectwomen’s office celebrated yesterday with festive sweaters (and more).
Taking a moment out from another busy day are (below, from right) 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, office manager Eileen Francis, operations director Tom Kiely and administrative assistant Sara Amaro.
The wreath is courtesy of Wreathing for Community. It was made by a member of Neighbors and Newcomers of Westport.
Also yesterday: It was hardly a blue Christmas at VFW Post 399.
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll lit up a large crowd of veterand and friends at the Riverside Avenue club, with music, camaraderie and holiday cheer,
Everyone — from Elvis to you — is always welcome at the VFW. It’s one of Westport’s best (and least expensive) event spaces. For more information, email quartermaster Phil Delgado: delgadopa@icloud.com.
Elvis was in the building.
From left: VFW bartender/radio personality/actor Matt Zako, Elvis, and VFW auxiliary vice president Patty Kondub.
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Speaking yet again of Christmas: Santa Claus is a very busy man.
But he’s still gotta eat.
Before making his rounds, he’ll stop by for brunch at Zucca Gastrobar.
Between bites, he’ll pose for pictures.
The Big Guy will be at the popular Saugatuck restaurant tomorrow (Sunday, December 22), from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Guests are invited to wear PJs, or their favorite ugly Christmas sweater.
Seating is limited. Click here for reservations, or call 203-349-5227.
Santa is on his way tomorrow.
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With temperatures expected to drop — tomorrow’s high will only be 24, with a low of 10 overnight — local warming centers will be open. Sunday times include the Westport Library (1 to 5 p.m.), Westport Museum for History & Culture (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Westport Weston Family YMCA (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and MoCA Westport (noon to 4 p.m.).
And finally … Michael Brewer — half of Brewer & Shipley — died Tuesday at his home in Branson, Missouri. He was 80.
Their biggest hit was “One Toke Over the Line.” The catchy tune’s weed-touting lyrics went high over the head of Lawrence Welk, who featured it on his show because it had a line about “sweet Jesus.”
But this overlooked song of theirs is at least as good, and far more meaningful:
(From Greens Farms Academy to the VFW — and from Elvis to Lawrence Welk — “06880”‘ is your 24/7/365 source of information, news, and random stuff. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Two submissions this week include “festive” or “festival” in their titles.
Other artists also offer holiday-themed works.
But no matter what style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
This Saturday feature is open to all. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Email a jpeg to 06880blog@gmail.com. And remember: Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Festival of Light” (Karen Weingarten)
“Festive Farm Life in New Milford” (Patricia McMahon)
“Christmas memories” — oil on canvas (S. Guccione, at Westport River Gallery)
“Spirit of the Season” (Jerry Kuyper)
Untitled (Roseann Spengler)
“Winter Woodlands” — acrylic embellished with gold (Dorothy Robertshaw)
“Woman in a Hallway” (Tom Doran)
Untitled (Jo Ann Miller)
Untitled — acrylic (Missy Greenberg)
“I’m 117 Years Old. Wanna Race?” (Mike Hibbard)
“Zentan” (Ellen Horowitz)
“Cascade” — acrylinc painting on Masonite (Peter Barlow)
“The Protester” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Aargh” (Martin Ripchick)
“Kim’s Chanukkiah and Steve’s Dreidels” — pencil and watercolor (Steve Stein)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
She’s the 93-year-old woman who works — joyfully, but hard and full-time — as a cashier. (In 2023, she was honored as an “06880” Unsung Hero. Click here for that story.)
Among her many fans is an Instacart shopper named Dan. He writes:
“I deliver groceries for a living, while I’m in the process of looking for a job more aligned with my background. But there must be a bigger reason that I have this job, because it put me in a position to truly bless somebody.
“I pass through Balducci’s several times a week, and I always say hello to Charlotte. She’s so warm and friendly, and always has a positive attitude.
“It breaks my heart to see a 93-year-old woman who reminds me of my grandmother, working so hard at her age.
Charlotte, everyone’s Balducci’s friend.
“I took a video of her and uploaded it to my Facebook profile, alongside a GoFundMe link in case people would want to donate.
“I was fearful that nobody would respond, but hopeful we would raise enough money to give her a nice surprise for the holidays.”
As of yesterday afternoon, over $3,400 was raised. There were many heartwarming messages too.
Dan continues: “I’m filled with gratitude. My faith in humanity has been restored.
“I will present Charlotte with 100% of the donations on Christmas Eve, at 11 a.m.”
Yes, she’s working the day before Christmas.
But — thanks to Charlotte’s many friends and fans — this may be one of the most special, in her nearly full century of life.
(To contribute to Charlotte’s Christmas gift, click here.)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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But there are alternatives.
This was delivered as part of an update on the district strategic plan. I recommended that the district adjust priorities, and make the appropriate use of AI a focal point of district innovation.
Officers responded quickly, and identified a vehicle that was involved, but the driver fled and eluded police.
