Back in the day, most teenagers had summer jobs — including (like me) at Chubby Lane’s, the Compo Beach concession stand that sat where the volleyball courts are now.
It was a great experience (despite the knee-length socks we had to wear). We were at the beach. We made money. We got free food.
And our friends were right there, hanging out for hours nearby.
Chubby’s, back in the day. (Photo copyright Studio Astute/courtesy of Jack Whittle)
Things have changed. The concession stand — formerly Joey’s, recently Hook’d, now Bluestone — is in a bigger, less welcoming space.
The menu is bigger too (and pricier).
And teenagers spend their days at college ID clinics for sports. They go to college application essay writing boot camps. They work at internships in law offices, real estate offices, financial planning offices.
Their time for just hanging out is limited.
Saddest of all, they will never know the joy of biting into a juicy Chubby’s cheeseburger, cooked by a friend.
And slipped to them through the ice cream window, for free.
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Another view of Chubby’s. There was curbside parking — no need for a beach sticker to enjoy a burger. (Photo courtesy of Liz Doyle Boyd)
Last night’s Board of Education meeting began with a toast to retiring teachers and other professionals. Administrators and Board members praised nearly 2 dozen men and women, for their decades of service.
Then came comments about a coach who will not return.
With several teammates standing in support, 3 Staples High School boys soccer players spoke passionately, powerfully and clearly — yet respectfully — about their confusion, anger and disappointment in the way the BOE, superintendent of schools and administrators handled the non-renewal of coach Russell Oost-Lievense’s contract.
Incoming captains Drew Hill and Dylan Shackelford, plus fellow junior Zach Gillman, called for their coach’s reinstatement.
They described sitting in last month’s 14-hour hearing, yet not having ever been interviewed as witnesses. They were surprised at the silence of BOE members — some of whom never asked one question during the long day — as well as with the application of the “arbitrary and capricious” threshold upon which the decision was supposed to be made.
The players also noted that they were speaking for “any coach or teacher” who could be targeted next by administrators.
Board member Robert Harrington then proposed an agenda item to reopen the case, based on witnesses who were not allowed, evidence withheld, and the “impartiality” of the BOE’s mediator at the hearing.
Like the students who spoke, Harrington pleaded for the superintendent and administrators to sit down with Oost-Lievense and try to find a resuloution.
There was no second for his motion.
Harrington’s second agenda request — to allow discussion of a “privileged” letter from the BOE’s attorney — also failed, without a second.
From left: Dylan Shackelford, Drew Hill, Zach Gillman. (Photos/Dan Woog)
The much-maligned concessionaire still has the Compo Beach and Longshore contracts (for one more year).
But they seem to have rebranded themselves as Bluestone
Their graphics (and offerings) look much the same as before. But if you’ve tried the new brand at either location, please click “Comments” to leave a review.
Bluestone at Compo Beach … (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
… and Longshore. (Photo/Brandon Malin)
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The Longshore parking lot overflowed last night, with 2 of Westport’s most popular events.
CLASP Homes‘ annual “Taste of Westport” event highlighted many of the area’s most popular restaurants (and assorted other food purveyors).
It was a huge fundraiser for the non-profit that has done such good work, for so long, providing care, support and inspiration to men and women with autism and developmental disabilities.
Among those providing (much more than) a taste of Westport, to hundreds of hungry attendees: Anan, Artisan, Bar Bushido, Barcelona, Black Bear Wines & Spirits, The Blondinit, Boathouse, The Bridge at Saugatuck, Bridgewater, Chopin Vodka, Código 1530, Don Memo, Eder Bros., Freixenet Monetto, Grumpy Dumpling Co., Gabriele’s, Gruel Brittania, La Plage, Little pub, Magic Pie Co., Nômade, Moët & Chandon, Nordic Fish, Oggi Gelato, Blue Bistro, Rizzuto’s, Romanacci Pizza Bar, Saugatuck Oyster Company, Schloss Johannisberg, Tarantino, The Whelk, Woodford Reserve and Zucca Gastrobar.
Robin Tauck and Miggs Burroughs take in the scene …
… which included plenty of serving stations, and a few hundred folks enjoying them.
Meanwhile, a few steps away on the La Plage patio, another couple of hundred folks socialized, networked and noshed at Startup Westport‘s monthly get-together.
In just 2 years, the public/private partnership for tech and entrepreneurship has established itself as a force for creativity, innovation and economic activity.
Plus, everyone involved knows how to have fun.
Dan Bikel, Tucker Peters and Jay Norris share startup tips …
… and the networking continues. (All photos/Dan Woog)
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Club203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — closes out another very successful year, with a big beach jam.
The June 10 event (6:30 to 8 p.m., Compo Beach Ned Dimes Marina) includes the Super Duper Weenie Truck, art by MoCA, and “music and movement” led by Susan Wright from Digital Zen Studios.
VFW Post 399 reaches out to veterans in many ways.
Next up: a Veterans Benefits Luncheon on June 12 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
It’s free, and open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.
PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!
All veterans are invited to the VFW’s free June 12 luncheon.
The senior lacrosse player set a school record for career points on Wednesday, when Staples High dismantled Norwich Free Academy 23-0 in the state LL tournament round of 16.
Udell — a University of Michigan commit — now has 230 points (goals and assists). That’s one more than the previous record holder, Michael Reale, who graduated in 2016.
Udell — who also holds the school records for goals and assists in a season — has a chance to add to that total tomorrow. The #3 Wreckers host #6 Greenwich (1 p.m., Paul Lane Field) in the state quarterfinals. The Cardinals beat Staples earlier in the year.
Seen yesterday at the Westport Farmers’ Market: free seeds and seedlings …
… and fresh strawberries:
The Farmers’ Market is open every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
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The Westport Rotary Club’s annual Community Service and Public Protection Awards lunch on Tuesday featured awards to 11 local activists and volunteers, plus Public Protection awards to Westport Police, Westport EMS, and Westport Fire Department personnel.
Honorees included Harold Bailey, Jr. and Bernicestine McLeod Bailey of TEAM Westport, Compo Playground Committee co-chairs Bridget Flynn and Samantha Owades, and site manager R.B. Benson.
First responders honored by the Westport Rotary Club …
… along with (from left) Harold and Bernicestine McLeod Bailey, with Rotary Club officials Eileen Lavigne Flug and Jim Marpe …
… and Samantha Owades, Rotary’s Alex Cohen, Bridget Flynn RB Benson. (Photos/Adriana Bleloch-DeLucia)
A brief illness kept the longtime Westport resident from her usual visits to the Senior Center and Compo Beach. But she’s doing better, and hopes to return soon.
Fran still lives off Clinton Avenue — her home for the past 70 years.
And she’s got email (which certainly did not exist when she moved in, during the Eisenhower administration). “06880” readers can wish Fran a happy 103rd birthday at franmande@gmail.com.
Happy birthday, Fran Mande!
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Little Beet — the “vegetarian-friendly” restaurant a few doors up from Fresh Market — closed on April 24.
Perhaps the reason we’ve just heard about it is related to the reason they’re no longer here.
Eight locations in New York and Westchester, and 2 others in New Jersey and Washington, remain open.
Marina Drasnin was a Holiday on Ice figure skater.
She married, got divorced and remarried. Eight years ago, her second husband passed away.
Marina Drasnin
All along, she enjoyed a career as a photographer and artist. She worked for Larry David, arranging flowers and creating other art projects for his events. She developed books of photos, for private clients.
Marina had a beautiful home, with a garden she loved, in Pacific Palisades, California.
Life was great — until this past January, when wildfires raged. Then came torrential rains, and mudslides.
Marina’s home suffered extensive smoke damage. Most of her neighbors’ were destroyed.
After living with her friend Randy Gardner — the figure skating star — in Manhattan Beach for 2 weeks, and 2 more weeks with other friends in Ventura, she decided to take up friends’ suggestions to move east.
A Southern California native, she’d gotten to know — and love — this part of the country as a Tufts University student.
Her son went to Sarah Lawrence College, and now lives in Brooklyn. Marina’s best friend lived in Westport, and is now in Weston.
Moving was a daunting decision. She navigated a tight real estate market, from 3,000 miles away.
Suddenly, something came on the market: a 900-square foot cottage on Richmondville Avenue.
The wooden floors were new. It was clean and fresh. In back was a beautiful garden.
Marina’s Richmondville garden.
She put in an application, sight unseen. Then she googled the name of the realtor: Mar Jennings.
Amazingly, Marina learned, he’d been a figure skater.
They chatted, and found several friends in common. Mar has been “an angel,” Marina says.
And that was just the start of her love affair with her new home town.
Marina (and her 2 cats) arrived on May 1. Since then, life has been wonderful.
Marina has enjoyed photographing scenes like this.
Outgoing by nature, Marina met many new people. They’ve quickly become friends.
The staff at the Parks & Recreation office were extremely helpful. A girl working at the Longshore tennis courts introduced her to a woman, who invited her into a doubles game. The other women were equally warm.
The woman’s Greens Farms home was surrounded by lilacs and dogwoods. “I’m in heaven here, with them all around,” Marina says.
Marina is enchanted by scenes like this.
The garden in her new home — and shops like Terrain — enthrall Marina. She looks forward to checking out Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Shop, which she’s heard so much about.
“I almost got in a car accident today, looking at all the peonies and rhododendrons.” (She’s already driving like a Westporter, it seems.)
She went to the Memorial Day parade. She’s been invited to a clambake.
Memorial Day photo collage, by Marina Drasnin.
And Jenny Bentley — half of the 2Jens organizing business — is helping Marina unpack and get settled. (They met through a mutual friend, who works for Westporter Shonda Rhimes.)
“I love all these old houses and country roads,” she says.
“People in L.A. seee my Instagram and say, ‘You’re in love with Westport.’ I am. I feel safe here. I can go places by myself. I’m so happy.
“I’m happy with my neighbors. I’m happy to see people walk by. I just saw an old-fashioned ice cream truck!'”
After we chatted, Marina was off to the Westport Book Shop. She loves it too — and hopes one day to have a show there.
Compo Beach lifeguard chair (Marina Drasnin)
Soon, Mar Jennings — the realtor who helped her find the cottage she loves — will be taking her to dinner.
They’ll have a lot to talk about, from their ice skating past to the home town they now share.
Mar Jennings and Marina Drasnin.
(Welcome to Westport, Marina! Whether you’re a newcomer or a native, we hope you enjoy “06880.” A reminder: We rely on readers’ support. If you like this hyper-local blog, please click here. Thanks!)
Tucked near the basketball courts at Compo Beach sits a park that for years has served as a haven for Westport’s skaters.
But today, cracks are showing — literally and figuratively.
Wooden ramps are rotting. Nails come loose. And while the energy of the local skate community remains strong, the park itself struggles to keep up.
Skate park ramp …
Seamus Brannigan, a Staples High School junior, has enjoyed skating for years. Yet he recognizes the park’s issues.
“It’s gotten to a point where it is barely skateable,” he says. “The wooden ramps are falling apart, and the whole park needs to be replaced.”
For Brannigan and many others, skating is more than a sport. He also feels part of a strong group.
That sense of camaraderie might now be in danger.
“I love skating because it’s a place and a community where I can meet people with interests like mine. It’s a place where all people are welcome,” Brannigan says.
His solution: “a full concrete park like the one in Norwalk. It would last for decades.”
… and a wider view. (Photos/Katherine Phelps)
The idea of rebuilding the Compo skate park is not new. There’s already some funding in the Parks & Recreation Department budget for repairs. It’s about $10,000 annually, which does not stretch far.
Jesse Bauks, an English teacher at Staples and longtime advisor to the school’s Skate Club, has seen the park’s decline first hand. He too believes it’s time for a change.
“The skate park is falling apart — rotten wood, loose screws and nails — really just due to age and exposure to the elements,” Bauks says.
“There is a group of pickleball folks looking to expand their space, and the current location of the skate park makes for a good place for that to happen. So the future of this space as a skate park seems to be up in the air.”
Last year, Parks & Rec removed and rebuilt one of the large ramps with help from parks supervisor Mike West, thanks in part to $1,200 from student-led fundraisers.
However, Bauks says a more significant investment is necessary.
“To really rebuild the park — like they did in Norwalk — could cost anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million, depending on whether it’s done in wood or poured concrete,” he explains.
The Compo Beach skate park, in 2021.
Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri, who started in March, is aware of the skate park’s condition. He is open to conversations about its future.
While still settling into his role, Barbieri has already earned a reputation for listening, and understanding the importance of youth spaces.
While nothing definitive is yet planned, skaters are taking initiative by organizing, raising awareness, and pushing for change.
“A concrete park could serve Westport’s youth for decades,” Brannigan says.
“This is more than just a park — it’s our community.”
(“06880” covers issues of concern to Westporters of all ages. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Our skaters and our staffers thank you!)
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