Posted onJuly 12, 2025|Comments Off on Online Art Gallery #274
The 4th of July is over. But our artists have not forgotten.
Their work — and a broad variety of others — is featured in today’s online art gallery.
We hope many more artists will join them this summer. Our gallery is open to all.
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.
Please email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
“Do Words Matter?” (Tom Doran — Available for sale; click here)
“Hot Cold and In Between” — acrylic pouring (Dorothy Robertshaw; Available for sale; click here)
“Beagle Mix, Laila” — pencil on paper (William Fellah)
Untitled (Cohl Katz)
“Happy 249th — Old Glory in All Her Backgrounds” (Steve Stein)
“Meeting Across Dimensions” (Jerry Kuyper)
Eric Bosch built this birdhouse from scratch (including the working light). He says, “It gives off a nice seaside glow on these hot summer nights.”
“We Thought The Deer Were Eating Our Flowers!” (Mike Hibbard)
“Family Outing” (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Compo Beach and Weston’s Bisceglie Pond are closed for swimming, due to elevated baceria levels.
Swimming will remain prohibited until samples come back within acceptable levels. Those will be taken on Monday.
Burying Hill and Old Mill Beaches, as well as Sherwood Island State Park, are all open for swimming. Compo is open for all other activities except swimming.
It’s summer. But “OK To Delay” — the group urging parents to protect middle schoolers from smartphones and social media — is not delaying their efforts.
Next Thursday (July 17, 7:30 p.m., on the sand near the playground), they’ll host “Books on the Beach 203” event, at Compo.
Westport moms, educators and community members will discuss Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation.” It examines the role of “phone-based childhoods” in the youth mental health crisis,
The conversation will touch on the challenges modern families face, and how families can work together to overcome them. RSVP: oktodelaywestport@gmail.com.
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Emmy-winning CNN correspondent Gayle Young is a native Westporter. Her journalism career began as a Westport News writer. She was Connecticut’s finalist for NASA’s Journalist in Space competition.
She’s just published a memoir, “Update: Reporting From an Ancient Land.”
There is plenty about her adventures reporting from the Middle East at the start of the first Gulf War; her work as CNN bureau chief in Cairo and Rome; her award-winning documentaries as a writer and producer for National Geographic Film & Television, and her career as head of multimedia production at the World Bank.
There is also quite a bit about growing up here.
Whether in South Africa for the election of Nelson Mandela, or with Moama Gadhafi and Yassir Arafat, she was always grateful to come home.
She writes too about how helpful Westport officials were in the 1990s, when she was gathering documents to adopt her baby daughter from a Russian orphanage orphanage.
Speaking of journalism: The New York Times real estate section regularly runs “Renters”: stories of regular people, as they seek a rental that suits their needs, lifestyles (and bank accounts).
The most recent piece highlights Patricia Brennecke, a retired teacher who had to move from a great place in Oakland. She found — miraculously, to anyone familiar with Bay Area housing — an equally great spot in Emeryville.
The cross-continental Westport angle? “Imagine my surprise,” says Steve Doig — who emailed it to me — when I realized the story I was reading was about my classmate!”
Both he and Patricia graduated together, in Staples High School’s Class of 1966.
The non-profit — started and nurtured by longtime Westporters Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito, to “deepen community connections through the arts dialogue, ideas and transformation” — was honored with a US Senate certificate of special recognition.
It included information about the couple’s Beechwood Salons in Westport, and their continuing work with arts organizations across Fairfield County.
Senator Richard Blumenthal presented the honor last weekend, at The Hive’s digs.
From left: Senator Richard Blumenthal, Frederic Chiu, Jeanine Esposito. (Screenshot courtesy of News12 Connecticut).
… and writes: “Shucks! Another joy of summer disappearing. Remember the days when, as soon as school let out, we kids rode our bikes down to the grocery to shuck corn.”
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between June 25 and July 9.
A 57-year-old Bridgeport man was arresed for driving under the influence, failure to drive right and operating a motor vehicle without a license, following a complaint of an intoxicated man in a resident’s yard who refused to leave. He did so before police arrived, but he was stopped on Greens Farms Road near Valley Road.
A 50-year-old New Milford woman was arrested on an active re-arrest warrant, for failure to appear.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 8 citations
Failure to renew registration: 7
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 5
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5
Driving while texting: 4
Failure to obey stop sign: 4
Improper use of markers: 3
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
Failure to grant right of way: 2
Driving under the influence: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Improper entry/exit on a limited access highway: 1
Transporting a child without restraints: 1
Following too closely: 1
Unsafe backing: 2
Failure to drive right: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Failure to return plates: 1
Always look behind when backing up!
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Robert Horne — a former member of Westport Boards of Finance and Tax Review — died June 28, after a lengthy illness. He was 86.
The UK native earned a degree in chemical engineering from Cambridge, and an MBA from Harvard. He held leadership positions at ICI, Digital Equipment Corporation and Nortel, and was president and CEO of BioCad.
After his public service in Westport, he helped shape the city of Johns Creek, Georgia. Robert enjoyed sailing, water sports and skiing.
He is survived by his wife Ann; sons Mark and Adam; daughter Hannah, and grandchildren Ayden, Addison, Morgan, Paige and Luke.
A celebration of Rober’s life is set for July 26 (2 p.m., Lanier Village Estate chapel, Gainesville, Georgia). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LVE Samaritan Fund.
Robert Horne
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Beach plums are blooming — beautifully — near Old Mill Beach.
They’re so beautiful, they’re today’s featured “Westport … Naturally” image.
They look good enough to eat, right off the screen!
And finally … on this date in 1553, Lady Jane Grey took the throne of England.
(It’s okay to delay giving your child a smartphone. But delaying support of “06880,” your hyper-local blog? Nah! If you enjoy anything we do, 24/7/365, please donate by clicking here. Thanks!)
The Westport Center for Senior Activities offers a number of wellness programs.
Three are dedicated specifically to support people living with Parkinson’s. They include:
Boxing: A high-energy class to improve balance and coordination, taught by fitness instructor and boxer Dan Lewis. Thursdays, 2-3 p.m.; July 10-September 25. $60.
Fitness: A movement-based fitness program to enhance strength, flexibility and mobility, taught by fitness instructor Beth Dalen. First 3 Wednesdays of each month, 10:15-11 a.m.; July 9-September 24.
Support Group: Guided discussions offering emotional support, shared experiences and practical strategies for living with Parkinson’s. Guest speakers address specific topics. The group is facilitated by nurse Diane Bosch. 10:15-11 a.m.; July 23, August 27, September 24.
To learn more, call assistant director Holly Betts (203-341-5096) or program specialist Joe Anastasi (203-341-1066).
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Free entertainment is on tap this weekend, at the Levitt Pavilion.
Early Clover — the former Coasters’ lead singer and Apollo favorite pays tribute to Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Otis Redding and more tonight (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.).
Tomorrow it’s Jake Swamp & the Pine, with Kali Stoddard-Imari (Sunday, 6:30 p.m.). Songs range from acoustic anthems to hoedowns to waltzes, drawing on influences from folk, bluegrass and pop.
Speaking of shows: The Old School Revue All-Stars have a great reputation. So does the Weston History & Culture Center’s “Music at the Barn” outdoor summer concert series.
So the band’s appearance on Sunday, July 13 (5:30 p.m.) should be an extra-special evening. They’ll play classic R&B, rock, soul, jazz and swing tunes.
Current and former members have toured and/or recorded with Steely Dan, the Average White Band, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Jose Feliciano, Tower of Power, Hall & Oates, the Blues Brothers, Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin.
Bring a lawn chair, and a picnic (no food truck). Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members; purchase here or at the show.
Marina Drasnin — the photographer and artist who left Los Angeles for Westport after the wildfires, and was featured recently in “06880” — is this month’s guest exhibitor at the Westport Book Shop.
She’ll show her very personal and evocative collection, “ad-DRESSING-life,” featuring her hand-beaded and story-imbued miniature dresses. Each one represents a meditation on love, loss and memory, created during her husband’s 5-year battle with illness.
Marina studied at the Sorbonne. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in Boston, Los Angeles and Paris.
A reception is set for July 16 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
Meanwhile, the Book Shop’s Short Story Book Club meets July 24 (6 p.m.) to discuss “A Cup fo Cold Water” by Edith Wharton (1895) and “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather (1905).
Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.
Including — on the steeple, and a flag — Assumption Church.
Work has been going on there for a while. But this weekend, it really catches your eye.
(Photo/Janine Scotti)
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Thursday’s wind storm was brief, but powerful.
Especially at Robin Frank’s house. Two umbrellas on metal poles nearly crashed through the kitchen window while she was making dinner.
This one — reaching the second floor — was especially scary:
(Photo/Robin Frank)
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Leslie Byelas — a noted lawyer, and former assistant US Attorney in Connecticut — died Wednesday in hospice care, at his Fairfield home. He was 88.
The Bridgeport native received an undergraduate degree in 1958 and a law degree in 1961, both from Boston University. He served in Connecticut’s Office of the Judge Advocate, and the US Army Reserve.
Les had a longtime legal practice in Westport. He retired in 2020, after 59 years in the profession.
In addition to his wife Ellen Lubell, Les is survived by his sons Michael and Jonathan, stepdaughter Karina Lubell, sister Ruth Byelas, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Amy Bloom and Bill Mainor, grandchildren Tristan Mareuil and Axel Mareuil, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, the Connecticut Food Bank, and Connecticut Humane Society.
Les Byelas
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We get lots of sunset photos at “06880.”
But Cabry Lueker’s image of Burying Hill Beach is particularly compelling, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Posted onJuly 5, 2025|Comments Off on Online Art Gallery #273
Sure, it’s a holiday weekend.
But our online art gallery is open. In fact, we never close!
Another fact: This feature is open to all. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone can contribute.
And as always, 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.
Please email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
John Fernie drew these New Yorkers arriving at Compo Beach for a vacation in the late 1950s, for what his son Bruce — who sent it to us — calls “a long-forgotten magazine.” The original hangs in Bruce’s home, reminding him of “those great childhood beach days on the Sound.”
Untitled (Duane Cohen; Available for purchase — click here)
“Wonderful Jazz at the Levitt” (Judith Katz)
Untitled (Roseann Spengler)
“Blooming Flowers”– impasto gold leaf on wood (Dorothy Robertshaw; Available for purchase — click here)
“Dragon Flies” — 28 x 22, acrylic foil on canvas (Brian Whelan — Available for purchase; click here)
“Flowerful Thoughts” (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)
Posted onJune 28, 2025|Comments Off on Online Art Gallery #272
Summer’s here!
If you didn’t know it … just take a look at some of this week’s submissions to our online art gallery.
As always, this feature is open to all. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone can contribute.
And as always, 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.
Please email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“It’s a Beach Day” (Cohl Katz)
“Balloons in a Field” — digital painting (Ken Runkel — Available for purchase; click here)
“Azalea in the Rain” (Karen Weingarten)
Untitled (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)
“Richie’s Sand Trap Blast” (Eric Bosch)
Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
Amy Schneider had stone coasters made from these photos she took of Westport scenes.
“Scene at the Shore” — pencil and watercolor (Steve Stein)
“‘Ready for us to explode in beauty and kindness? Here we come!’ (Sri Lanka)” (Mike Hibbard)
“Light and Shadow” (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Posted onJune 25, 2025|Comments Off on Roundup: Instagram Live At OMG, Free Ice Cream At Retreat Sweets …
Our first “06880” Instagram Live — a discussion hosted by Dave Briggs and Dan Woog, with a Hamlet developer — drew plenty of interactive questions from viewers. We posted the link later, and thousands clicked on.
Now Dave and Dan are teaming up for a second Instagram Live. We’ll be at Old Mill Grocery & Deli tomorrow (Thursday), talking with representatives from the owner (Soundview Empowerment Alliance) and operator (Romanacci).
Our Instagram Live begins at 3 p.m. Our Instagram is 0688danwoog. See you there!
Before the school year fades too far in the rearview mirror, here’s a great story from Saugatuck Elementary.
Students on Bus 2 wanted to show their appreciation for their driver. So they set up a lemonade stand, and raised money for a gift.
They presented it — and told a few heartfelt stories.
Ken starts and ends very day with a smile, they said. He sings “Happy Birthday” to riders. And he knows every youngster by name.
This was Ken’s first year as a First Student bus driver in Westport. We hope he’s here for many, many more!
Ken, with Saugatuck Elementary School students.
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It was not only hot yesterday — it was symmetrically steaming.
Here are 2 views of the heat, 1 minute — and 1 degree — apart.
(Courtesy of Jonathan Alloy)
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Tomorrow marks the opening of MoCA CT’s 2 photography exhibitions.
Tod Papageorge’s “At the Beach” will run alongside “In the Pool,” composed of work by Papageorge’s his graduate students, from June 26 to October 12.
Papageorge is a Connecticut-based artist and teacher. His contributions to American street photography in the 1960s helped shape the genre. His work is held in more than 30 public collections, including the New York and San Francisco Museums of Modern Art.
“At the Beach,” making its East Coast debut, features large black-and-white photoss that Papageorge took on Los Angeles beaches in the 1970s and ’80s.
An opening reception is set for tomorrow (Thursday), from 6-8 p.m.
Retreat Sweets — the Japanese mochi donuts, Korean corn dogs, Asian street food and tea drink spot next to Layla’s Falafel on Post Road East — celebrates its first anniversary on Sunday (June 29, 1-4 p.m.).
They’ll host Korean games like ddakji (folding and flipping paper tiles), and American ones like cornhole. There are plenty of prizes. Plus: free ice cream for everyone!
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The name says it all.
“Stand Up & Learn” — a program that teaches youngsters ages 8 through 16 how to write (and perform) comedic stories and bits — comes to the Westport Country Playhouse next month.
The program runs July 15 to 18 (3:30 to 5:30 p.m.), finishing with a performance the last day. It emphasizes creative writing, communication, critical thinking, and team- and confidence-building.
“Stand Up & Learn” is created and directed by Kevin Flynn. A former pro soccer player, he transitioned into standup comedy, acting, writing, producing and podcasting.
Henry Dodge’s 71.3% faceoff win percentage was the best in the nation for a college lacrosse player this year — by a wide margin.
Yet the 2022 Staples High School graduate (and All-American, Connecticut Player of the Year, and state champion), will not be back for his senior year at the University of Vermont.
He’s transferring to the University of Maryland, a longtime national powerhouse.
He brings America East Specialist of the Year, and All-Conference, honors to College Park.
As a Catamount this past year, Dodge averaged just under 12.5 faceoff wins per game. His 8.5 ground balls per game was 4th -best in NCAA Division I. (Hat tip: Jonathan Hart)
Henry Dodge
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Though this week’s weather has been too hot for many Westporters to do much of anything, it inspired former town poet laureate Diane Lowman to create this haiku:
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Bianca Bazante, owner and creative Director of The Artist Loft, celebrates 4 years at her 23 Post Road West location by offering deals for clients – new and old – all summer.
From now through July, she offers Brazilian Blowdry for $199, and Trissola keratin treatment that lasts up to 6 months for $340. Click here for details.
Bianca Bizante
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It’s milkweed season.
The plant — a favorite of monarch butterflies — is flowering at Winslow Park. Charmian Valante took today’s colorful “Westport … Naturally” photo in a meadow there.
And finally … this is National Camping Week. Enjoy!
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — and, with podcasts and Instagram Live, a multi-platform service, for all things Westport. If you enjoy our work, please click here to support us. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Instagram Live At OMG, Free Ice Cream At Retreat Sweets …
Yesterday’s power outage at Post Road East and Myrtle Avenue seemed to come out of the blue.
But there was a good reason for it. A retired former Connecticut Light & Power director explains: “A little wind — actually just over 40 mph — but the real culprit is the very tall trees growing above the 3-phase primary.
“The company has been trimming its circuits on 4-year cycles for many decades, and patrolling all backbone primary circuits each of the 3 interim years between major cycle trims, looking for signs of trouble in any of the trees growing above the circuits.
“But in most parts of the country the utility trims all branches that are above these circuits, so there is nothing but blue sky above when standing beneath the circuits and looking up.
“Unfortunately, Westport historically denied trimming to that extent. So when a strong wind takes an overhanging tree limb, or sometimes an entire tree is uprooted, you get a major outage as occurred there Friday — keeping 597 customers out of power for hours.
“This brings back memories of major storm-related outages in town: Isaias (early August, 2020 when 97% of customers lost power, some for nearly 2 weeks!), Super Storm Sandy (October 2012), Snowtober Storm (Halloween 2011), Storm Irene (August 2011), March nor’easter (March 2010), Winter Double Nor’easter (mid-January 2006), “Perfect Storm” (late fall 1991), Hurricane Bob (August 1991), Hurricane Gloria (October 1985) … all had strong winds and with its tree cover, Westport was usually one of the worst towns in the state as measured by percentage of customers out of power at the peak of the storm.”
Eversource crews working on the outage (with tree cover above). (Photo/Mark Mathias)
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Speaking of the environment: We’re #1!
At least. Westport and Weston are in terms of electric vehicle ownership.
CT Mirror reports today that while just 2.7% of all vehicles in the state are electric, the figures are 10.4% and 10.1% respectively, for our 2 towns.
Every Thursday, the Imperial Avenue parking lot teems with vendors offering fresh ways to prepare fresh food (and not just produce — there’s meat, baked goods and more). Musicians perform. It’s fun, funky and alive.
There’s a lot to do, and see. It’s a photographer’s paradise too.
Which is why, for nearly a decade, the WFM has run Young Shoots: a digital photography competition for students ages 5-18.
Local artists will judge the entries, by age group. There’s a show on August 20 at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center. Winners will be announced (and receive cash prizes).
New this year: Every week, a new photo will be featured on “06880” (and displayed at the Imperial Avenue market).
Take it from Miggs Burroughs, noted local artist and Young Shoots co-chair: “Not only does this contest give young talent an opportunity to shine like ripe tomatoes, but it nourishes the community with a feast of photographic goodness!”
Click here for details. The deadline is August 8. The contest is a partnership between the Westport Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.
There were honors galore, at the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s 101st annual meeting this week. They include:
Lee J. Edelstein Volunteer of the Year: Kristin McKinney
Allen Raymond Legacy & Impact Award: Rosemary Halstead
Edward T. Bedford Outstanding Youth Award, Dani Schwartz, Grant Slippen
Star Employee Recognition Awards:
Paul I. Becker Employee of the Year: Patrick Freeman
Above & Beyond: Victoria Walters
Commitment to Mission: Brian Ference
Relationship Champion: Alison Ligi
Rookie of the Year: Miles Grinnell
The event concluded with US Paralympic athlete Matthew Torres’ surprise appearance to present competitive swimming director Ellen Johnston with the Order of Ikkos. The prestigious honor is awarded by Olympic and Paralympic medalists to the coach or mentor who most influenced their success.
Ellen Johnston receives her Order of Ikkos from Matthew Torres. (Photo/Emily MacDaniel)
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Congratulations to Michael Ances!
The Staples High School graduate — and longtime Monroe Public Schools music teacher — is the district’s Teacher of the Year.
Ances — now serving as Masuk High band director — has taught in nearly every school in Monroe.
He goot his start as a 5th grade trumpet player, under the tutelage of Nick Mariconda at Saugatuck Elementary School.
Ances — who also serves as musical director and pit band conductor of the annual high school musical, and the district’s performing arts coordinator — has never forgotten his Westport roots.
In a long story in the Monroe Sun, Ances recalls playing at Radio City Music Hall with the Staples band.
And when Mariconda — who went on to lead the SHS band — retired, Ances and fellow trumpeters Andrew Wilmott and Jon Owens celebrated him with “Bugler’s Holiday, at the annual Westport Pops Concert.
One character tells another that there is a hierarchy of humanity: “#1 Lesbians; #2 Gay Men.”
Then he says: “Imagine a world without us. Clothing, interior design, hair, makeup, choreography, art, theatre, food, topiary. Basically, you’d be left with the gray, ugly world of Eastern Europe during the Cold War or, worse, the soul-searching blandness of, say, greater Westport, Connecticut.”
Despite — or perhaps because of — lines like that, it’s got a 4.6 rating on Amazon. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)
Barn swallows fly quickly, in and out of the parking garage at the Riverside Avenue medical office complex. Every year, they nest above the lights.
Johanna Keyser Rossi caught one of the birds, in a rare still moment, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … Lou Christie died Wednesday, at his Pittsburgh home. The falsetto singer was 82.
Best known for his #1 song “Lightnin’ Strikes,” he had several other hits. His follow-up to “Lightin'” — “Rhapsody in the Rain” — was banned by many stations, due to its explicit lyrics about “making love in a storm.” (“And in this car, our love went much too far …”) You get the idea.
(It’s a hot weekend in Westport. But whatever the weather, “06880” is here — 24/7/365. If you appreciate our hyper-local coverage of our town, please click here to support our work. Thanks!
Steve Stein offers not a sketch, but a computer amalgamation. Which proves what we often say: There’s always something new, in our Saturday online art gallery.
As always, 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 feature is open to all. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone can contribute.
Please email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Hands Always Tell the Truth” — digitally manipulated and regenerated 19th century-styled portrait of a beautiful lady of the period (Ken Runkel — Available for purchase; click here)
“Nature At Its Best” — shadowbox art; background was created with a small ball chain, with pouring of acrylic paint (Dorothy Robertshaw; Available for purchase; click here)
“Today’s Flowers” — watercolor (Eric Bosch)
Untitled (Joan Micale — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled — Photographer Mike Hibbard writes, “Christine is a 1950s Alaskan boat used to push huge rafts of logs. Maybe she is related to Gloria, the deceased Westport oyster boat?”
“A Painter” (Mary Treschitta — Available for purchase; click here)
“The Orange Man Cometh!” — computer amalgamation (Steve Stein)
“Stuck” (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
For nearly 50 years, Bloodroot has served delicious vegan food — spiced with healthy amounts of feminist ideology, and a side helping of social justice-type books — in a funky, you’ve-got-to-know-it-to-get-there spot on Bridgeport’s Black Rock Harbor.
Co-founder and longtime Westporter Selma Miriam died in February, 2 weeks short of 90.
But Bloodroot lives on. It’s gotten plenty of national attention. (Just the other day, it was mentioned on Brian Lehrer’s WNYC show as a restaurant well worth taking a detour to.)
On the other end of the political spectrum: This bus — part of the “Take Back Connecticut” tour — drew plenty of attention, as it drove through Westport yesterday.
Here’s one view, in front of Splash car wash. Images include the flag raising at Iwo Jima, Martin Luther King, Donald Trump after the assassination attempt, and — oddly — John F. Kennedy, just before he was killed in Dallas.
“The Edge of Water” by Olufunke Grace Bankole, “O Sinners” by Nicole Cuffy and “Rabbit Moon” by Jennifer Haigh are finalists for the 2025 Westport Prize for Literature.
It is awarded annually, to honor an original work of literary fiction that is both relevant and timeless.
This year’s winner will be honored at The Westport Library on November 6. The conversation with the winning author will be moderated by The Yale Review editor Meghan O’Rourke.
This is the third year for the $10,000 prize. The first grant went novelist Zadie Smith for “The Fraud.” The 2024 recipient was Alejandro Puyana, for his debut novel, “Freedom is a Feast.”
Submissions for the 2025 prize were read and vetted by nearly 50 volunteer readers. The best-reviewed manuscripts advance to the jury, which will select the winner.
(“06880” is your hyper-local source for news, information, features, and lots more. We rely on support from readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
The 2019 Staples High School graduate has just been crowned Miss Globe USA. She’ll represent our country in the international Miss Globe competition.
Sam is a proud first-generation Albanian-American, with deep roots in her heritage and a strong commitment to service.
A former Miss Connecticut Teen USA, she used her platform to bring awareness to important social issues like human trafficking.
She launched a video series featuring interviews with survivors and experts, created an educational anti-trafficking program for high school students, and collaborated with nonprofits across the world as a spokesperson.
Sam is currently the president-in-training of Kaleido, a non-profit founded in 2006 with a shelter in Mexico City. She spoke at the Washington International Summit Against Trafficking, and hosted an international panel at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Sam also serves as executive director of the Albanian-American Association of Ulqin. She has hosted events on women’s empowerment, including one with the President of Kosovo.
She speaks English, Albanian and Spanish, and hopes to be an attorney.
Staples Orphenians are in final preparations for their trip to Spain.
Before they go, they invite the public to a (free!) sendoff concert. It’s this Sunday (June 22, 3 p.m., Trinity Church, 651 Pequot Avenue, Southport). They’ll sing the repertoire they’ve prepared for overseas.
Their itinerary includes performances in Madrid and Barcelona: one at the Church of San Millan and San Cayetano, a festival with Rollo Dilworth at Basilica del Pi, and a mass and hour-long concert at La Sagrada Familia.
Speaking of music: Nearly a decade after its start, The Cello Camp has earned a spot as a “first chair” summer program.
It was created by cellist, educator (and Staples High School graduate) Danielle Merlis.
She envisioned “a welcoming space where young cellists can connect with each other, discover the full range of what the cello can do, and grow as musicians. It’s not about perfection. It’s about curiosity, creativity, and building strong technique through high quality instruction.”
The camp includes bass players, and welcomes guest clarinetists, drummers, pianists and singers.
If you’re near the Fairfield County Hunt Club now through Saturday, you’ll notice plenty of action.
The Fairfield June Horse Show began yesterday. The Heritage competition is a chance for the public to watch world-class riders — for free.
High performance show jumping includes a $5,000 Welcome Stake tomorrow (Thursday), and the $15,000 Grand Prix on Saturday (June 21, 1 p.m.).
Visitors can walk the course for the Grand Prix right before the competition, to experience the height of the fences and the technicality of the course.
Saturday is also Family Fun Day, with pony rides, face painting, crafts and more (10 a.m.).
Horse show action, at the Fairfield County Hunt Club.
Another “Family Fun Day” takes place at Wakeman Town Farm on July 12 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
It includes farm crafts and activities for all ages, plus visits with animals, books, hair tinsel, sunflower seed planting, a bubble show, information about bees and butterflies and music from the School of Rock.
Food (pizza, mozzarella sticks, salads, Italian ices and lemonade) is included in the ticket price.
Wakeman Town Farm will collect new diapers at the Family Fun Day. Bring as many as you can!
Also at Wakeman Town Farm: a lecture by advanced master gardener Alice Ely on milkweed growing and monarch butterfly raising (July 14, 7 p.m.). Children and adults are welcome.
Attendees will learn how to attract egg-laying monarchs to gardens, how to raise the eggs into caterpillars and healthy adult monarchs, and tips on growing milkweed species to help them thrive.
After years on CBS News, Emmy Award-winning journalist — and 1988 Staples High School graduate — Jeff Pegues joins the podcast world.
“Person of Interest” debuts June 19th on the Alive Podcast network. The Juneteenth date is intentional: Alive is a Black woman-owned company.
Pegues’ podcast will be streamed on Apple TV, Roku and Fire TV. He says, “This show isn’t about sensationalism. It’s about substance.”
He will have “freedom to follow the real story, and examine the people and perspectives too often ignored by traditional media.”
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Yesterday, Westport firefighters took advantage of a special training opportunity.
At a home slated for demolition near Compo Beach, crews practiced stretching hose lines into the structure, reinforcing essential tactics in a real-world setting.
Westport Avenue training. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
Saugatuck Rowing Club’s juniors performed superbly, at the recent USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida. The event drew more than 4,000 athletes, from 230 clubs and schools.
The women’s second varsity 8+ earned a national championship. Westport athletes included coxswain Sora Yu, plus rowers Kate Weitz, Caroline Zajak, Sophie Cochran, Carolina Proctor and Mina Leon.
The men’s U17 4+ A boat also claimed gold. Westporters included Elena Nasar (coxswain), Cameron Jaffe and Otis Gotlieb. Daniel Sobel lives in Weston.
Up next: Saugatuck’s junior women head to the Henley Royal Regatta in London.
National champs! From left: Sora Yu, Mackenzie Fosdick, Kate Weitz, Grace Baker, Caroline Zajak, Phoebe Bryan, Sophie Cochran, Carolina Proctor and Mina Leon. (Photo copyright Row2K.com)
Celebrating on land. The rowers are the same as above, except coxswain Sora Yu is 5th from left.
Also champs! From left: Cameron Jaffe, Otis Gottlieb, Daniel Sobel, Samuel Turok, Elena Nasar. (Photo/Lisa Worthy)
From left: Samuel Turok, Daniel Sobel, Elena Nasar, Otis Gottlieb and Cameron Jaffe.
Rock star/soul singer/multi-intstrumentalist Eliot Lewis — a longtime member of the Average White Band (1989-2002) and Hall & Oates’ band (2003-23) brings his many talents as a solo performer to VFW Post 399 on June 27 (7 p.m.).
Speaking of the VFW: Trumpeter Frank London is a master of old and new jazz, swing, bop, klezmer, gympic, Baltic, Cuban, West African — and many other — music genres.
Diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer, Lonson recently released “Spirit Stronger Than Blood,” as a celebration of life. He has gained the upper hand, and is once again touring the world.
Tomorrow (Thursday), he’ll headline Jazz at the Post (VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7; $20 music charge, $15 for veterans and students).
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — and nature lesson — come from Lou Weinberg.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
He writes: “Adult catbirds feed their young a diet of spiders and insects, primarily. As young catbirds get older, adults introduce berries to their diet.
“Catbirds are related to mockingbirds, and are well versed at the art of mimicry. Their most famous call sounds like a cat’s meow.
“This is the season when many native and migrant birds care for their fledglings.
“Green open spaces are essentially ‘all you can eat buffets’ for birds raising their young, as they harbor large populations of insects, spiders, worms and other invertebrates.
“Westport continues to see a decline in tree cover and green open space, unfortunately. The most recent example is the town’s decision to clear cut and bulldoze 4 acres (the Long Lots Preserve around the Westport Community Gardens) that is a model of biodiversity.
Finally … in honor of The Cello Camp (story above):
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