Category Archives: Library

Roundup: State Of The Town, Super Bowl Raffle, Harriet Tubman …

Posted on February 1, 2025 | 18 comments

A reminder: Westport’s annual “State of the Town” event is tomorrow.

On Sunday (February 2, 2 p.m., Westport Library), 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein will offer their insights.

The leaders will review town and school accomplishments during the past year, and preview some upcoming initiatives and challenges. A question-and-answer session will follow.

The annual event is sponsored by Westport Sunrise Rotary and the Westport Rotary Club.

Click here for the livestream.

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Board of Education chair Lee Goldstein.

No matter who wins the Super Bowl next weekend, the Sunrise Rotary Club will be victorious.

The civic organization is selling raffle tickets for $50 apiece. Each ticket will be assigned a randomly selected pair of numbers — one for each team.

If 2 numbers correspond to the final score of the Super Bowl (or the end of any quarter), you win.

You don’t need to watch the Super Bowl, or even care about football to collect.

50% of all ticket sales go the raffle winners (up to $1,000). The other 50% goes to charities the Sunrise Rotarians support.

Tickets will be sold through Friday morning (February 7). Click here to purchase, and for more information.

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Speaking of sports:

In what has become an annual tradition, the Junior Knicks partnered with Westport PAL to send travel 8th grader boys and girls basketball players to Madison Square Garden for an incredible experience this week.

The young athletes attended shootaround from courtside, played on the famed court, then stayed to watch the Knicks demolish the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Junior Knicks are a great friend to the Westport travel program, running camps together and bringing former NBA olayers like Larry Johnson, John Starks and John Wallace in to speak to the players.

Brett Tessler — who grew up here, and has returned to live — is director of fan engagement and youth programs. He’s worked hard to integrate programming between the Junior Knicks and Westport travel basketball.

More special events are planned for the future.

Just another day at Madison Square Garden.

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Black History Month comes to the Westport Library on Thursday (February 6, 7 p.m.).

The topic is abolitionist Harriet Tubman. The presenters are special: local author Jean Marie Wiesen — and Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece, Rita Daniels.

They’ll discuss their new book, “Harriet Tubman: Military Scout and Tenacious Visionary.”

The talk will be moderated by TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey, Jr. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Click here for more information.

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A special “Women Leading The Way To Wellness Galentine’s Kickoff Event fundraiser” is set for Tuesday (February 4, 6 to 9 p.m., WEST, 117 Post Road East).

Organizers say “Gather your best gal pals to sip, shop, and more.” Guests will enjoy bites, cocktails, and shopping discounts.  A portion of the proceeds will support American Cancer Society research.

For questions or more information, email jessica.taylor@cancer.org.

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There’s always a new way of looking at Westport. And our “Westport … Naturally” feature (naturally) shows a different one every day.

This is the view from Bermuda Lagoon:

(Photo/Doug Steinberg)

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And finally … on this day in 1896, “La Bohème” premiered at the Teatro Regio in (Turin. A young Arturo Toscanini conducted.

(Help “06880” pay the rent. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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Posted in Education, Library, Local business, Local politics, Sports

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Roundup: Paul Shaffer, Christine Ohlman, Laddie Lawrence …

Posted on January 29, 2025 | Comments Off on Roundup: Paul Shaffer, Christine Ohlman, Laddie Lawrence …

For half a century, Paul Shaffer has entertained America. .

On April 6 (11 a.m.), the legendary “Saturday Night Live” performer and David Letterman’s musical director will entertain a few hundred guests, at the Westport Library.

Shaffer’s special mix of music, comedy and entertainment will be on display, as a special attraction for the VersoFest Oral History Podcast. He will also perform on the piano.

He’ll speak with fellow “SNL” alum (and iconic Beehive Queen) Christine Ohlman. She will host the conversation fresh off her Library appearance for her annual Winter Dance Party with her band, Rebel Montez.

The event is sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston. Tickets are $25. Click here to purchase.

Shaffer and Ohlman’s appearance is just one of many highlights, during VersoFest’s 4 days of music, media and creatvity, from April 3 to 6. For more information, click here.

Paul Shaffer and Christine Ohlman.

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The Board of Education will hold a special meeting this Friday (9 a.m.). Staples High School boys tennis coach Kris Hrisovulos is appealing the non-renewal of his contract.

The meeting will be held in Rooms 307/309 at Town Hall.

Staples High School boys tennis coach Kris Hrisovulos

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Everyone needs a warm hug.

Thursday, February 6 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) marks the Westport Farmers’ Market’s annual Operation Warm Hug.

There, at their Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center winter home, they’ll collect lightly used coats, hats, mittens, sweaters and sweatshirts, to share with nOURish in Bridgeport.

Our neighbors are cold. Let’s warm them up!

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Longtime — very longtime — Staples High School track coach Laddie Lawrence has a new project.

He’s collaborating with former runner (and later coaching colleague) Amanda Parrish Morgan on a book about his life.

It includes his youth and career as a star Wrecker runner himself, his career, his athletes, his relationships with the town and the running community, and much more.

Amanda hopes that many people who know Laddie will contribute stories about him. Humorous, serious, inspirational — all are welcome.

Click here to fill out a response form. You can also contact Amada directly:  (amandaparrishmorgan@gmail.com.

Laddie Lawrence and Amanda Parrish Morgan, at last fall’s Turkey Trot. 

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Speaking of Staples: Madison Malin was in a thrift store in Alexandria, Virginia last weekend.

Browsing the racks, this item caught her eye:

She snagged it — and then started wondering.

Madison thinks it is at least 40 years old, because it features the old Minute Man logo, not the Wrecker.

“Do you have any memory of these being sold, or an idea where it came from?” she asked “06880.”

Nope! But I’m sure at least one reader does.

If you remember a sweater like this — including when and how it was sold — click “Comments” below.

Go Wreckers! And the Minute Man!

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Speaking of Staples: Congratulations to seniors Alessandro Alderucci, Alexa Fass and Maxwll Manchester; juniors Susan Monaghan and Ella Slade, and freshmen Edison Kousky and Anita Vinokur.

They’re the school’s Students of the Month.

The honor recognizes students who help make Staples a welcoming place for peers and teachers.

Principal Stafford Thomas calls them “the ‘glue’ of the Staples community — the type of kind, cheerful, hard-working, trustworthy students that keep the high school together, making it the special place that it is.”

From left: Maxwell Manchester, Alessandro Alderucci, Alexa Fass, Edison Kousky, Susan Monaghan, Anita Vinokur, Ella Slade.

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February is the shortest month (fortunately). But at Earthplace, it’s packed with activities. Among them:

“Family Campfire: National Bird Feeding Month” (February 8, 1 to 2:30 p.m.): Marshmallows, animals, guided activities and more.

“Bluebird Houses” (February 9, 1 to 3 p.m.): Build a nest box to have ready for spring; designed for school-aged children with caregivers to do togther.

“Snow Moon Hike” (February 12, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.): A guided hike along trails in a full moon; listen for owls, and pick out constellations.

“Craft and Sip: Pressed Flower Candle Holders” (February 13, 6 to 8 p.m.); Bring drinks and snacks, then join friends to create a simple craft.

“Maple Sugar Magic” (February 23, 1 to 3 p.m.): Help tap a tree, then sample maple goodies around a campfire.

“Wild Roots: Conserving Genetic Diversity with Native Plants” (February 27, 7 to 8 p.m.)

In addition, Earthplace offers full- and half-day Vacation Day Camps over winter break (February 17-21). The theme is “Food Preservation with Natural Cooking.”

Click here for details, on the Earthplace website.

Questions? For nature programs and events, email v.swain@earthplace.org. For Vacation Day Camp, email s.bell@earthplace.org.

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Aspetuck Land Trust helps you get ready for spring, with a series of free virtual lectures. They include:

“Native Bees and Honey Bees: What You Don’t Know” (today, January 29, 1 to 3 p.m.; click here to register, and for more information).

“The Science of Plant Survival Strategies in Garden Design” (Thursday, January 30, 1 to 2 p.m.; click here to register, and for more information).

“Bees Beyond Honey: Understanding Native & Managed Pollinators” (February 20, 6 p.m.; click here to register, and for more information).

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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Just ahead of Valentine’s Day, the next Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play reading is “Back Talk.”

The new romantic comedy — about first dates and second thoughts — is Monday, February 3 (7 p.m.).

Artistic director Mark Shanahan looks forward to “a warm, romantic comedy on a chilly night in February.”

All tickets are $30. To purchase, and for more information, click here.

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Molly Alger calls this the “Whitney Street Breakfast Club.”

We call it “Westport … Naturally'” feature. Mangia!

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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And finally … in  honor of a couple of the upcoming book by coach Laddie Lawrence (story above):

(Run … don’t walk … to the bank, to support “06880.” Or — much more easily — simply click here. Your hyper-local blog thanks you.)

 

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Roundup: Downtown Book Shop, Sidewalks, Retail …

Posted on January 27, 2025 | 5 comments

Is there any local organization Miggs Burroughs does not help?

The noted Westport artist — whose roots here go back to elementary school, and whose artistic career took off in his 20s with a Time magazine cover and US postage stamp — has created 4 limited edition lenticular artworks, to be auctioned at the Westport Book Shop’s March benefit.

Miggs’ “Icons of Justice, Courage, Innovation, and Style” are on exhibit at the Jesup Road store through the end of February.

Everyone is invited to a reception for Miggs and the exhibit on February 19 (6 p.m.).

As for the benefit: It’s March 13 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library).

Since early 2021, the Westport Book Shop has provided over 8,750 hours of paid employment and job training for more than a dozen people with disabilities.

They learn workplace skills transferable to other retail environments, and enjoy frequent, everyday interactions with the community.

Over that time, thanks to sales, the Book Shop has provided more than $200,000 of support to The Westport Library.

The fundraisers will build on that financial foundation, and help grow the employment program.

The evening includes live music, light bites and beverages, a paddle raise, and live and silents auction of unique books, vinyl, artworks and experiences.

Auction items include 2 copies of “The New Yorker in Westport” by Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley; signed copies of Rod Serling’s book “Patterns,” and Amor Towles’ “Rules of Civility”; tickets and tours of local attractions, and more.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Miggs Burroughs, at the Westport Book Shop.

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Shame on Shell!

A Westport ordinance says that businesses must clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours.

Our last snowfall was a week ago.

This was the scene yesterday, on the sidewalk in front of the Shell gas station opposite the Westport Country Playhouse entrance:

Sure, it’s a lot harder to remove now.

But it should have been done the first time.

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Speaking of ice: The Westport Fire Department has been notified of a hydrant issue downtown, near GG & Joe’s.

It is leaking, forming ice on the sidewalk and street. Aquarion is working to fix it.

Leaking hydrant. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)

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Speaking of downtown: 2nd Street opens February 7..

The second-hand clothes and accessories store moves into space vacated by The Loft, next to Shoe-Inn.

Their first Connecticut location — one of about 50 nationwide — opened last year, in New Haven.

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Meanwhile, across the street Timothy Oulton is closing March 31.

The UK-based furniture and home accessories firm is 2 doors from Oka. That British furniture store closed last summer.

Next door is Mexicue. That 2nd-floor restaurant shut down in December.

 

Timothy Oulton (Photo/Sal Liccione)

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Hunter Peterson — the Staples High School graduate and shellfisherman who was profiled  yesterday on “06880” — has a new Instagram account.

You can follow him @saugatuck_oyster_company.

One of Hunter Peterson’s crabs.

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“Westport … Naturally” has received lots of Sherwood Island photos recently.

Looks like Connecticut’s first state park has been discovered — after nearly a century — but more than a few local residents.

There’s a lot there to explore. And — as Rob Grodman’s image shows — winter is as good a time as any to do it.

(Photo/Rob Grodman)

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And finally … today is the birthday of Lewis Carroll. He was born in 1832, and died in 1898.

(Feed your head! Feed “06880,” too. We can always use the support of readers. Please click here. Your hyper-local blog — and the dormouse — thank you.)

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Roundup: Library, Old Mill Grocery, Motherhood Swaps …

Posted on January 26, 2025 | 1 comment

The good news: The Westport Library reopens today at its normal Sunday time: 1 p.m. It was closed Friday and Saturday, due to a burst pipe.

The equally good news: The cold weather has ended. Today’s high is predicted to be 41 degrees. On Wednesday, they could climb to near 50.

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Brava for Liana Sonenclar!

The 2014 Staples High School graduate is a New York playwright. Her latest work, “Before This New Year” begins previews at the Duke on 42nd Street off-Broadway theater on March 19. Opening night is April 4.

The play follows a high school track star, who is forced to confront old feelings and life-changing decisions when she reconnects with a former teammate after her first semester of college.

Press materials say, “sharp, funny, and poignant, ‘Before This New Year’ is a powerful exploration of love, loss, identity, and coming-of-age in today’s relentlessly high-pressured world.”

Click here for more details, and tickets.

Liana Sonenclar

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Sure, beach residents could head downtown for coffee and conversation.

But they don’t have to.

This was the scene yesterday morning, at Old Mill Grocery & Deli.

The community table was filled. The vibe was warm and welcoming. And breakfast was very, very good.

Old Mill Grocery & Deli, yesterday morning. (Photo/Jim Hood)

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“Shoulder check” is an ice hockey term.

It’s also the name of an initiative that inspires people to commit to supporting each other through small acts that have big impacts. Put simply: “‘being there’ is as simple as a hand on a shoulder.”

It’s as simple as reaching out, checking in and making contact.

On February 1 (6 p.m., Milford Ice Pavilion), Staples High School’s Stormac co-op boys hockey team will play Wilton in a “Shoulder Check Game.”

The goal is to raise awareness of mental health issues.

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This Friday (January 31, 10 a.m. to noon, 15 Myrtle Avenue), Jenni Kayne hosts a panel on “Better Swaps for Motherhood.”

Sorette founder Lanning Ardente, clean beauty expert Rachel Northway and Westport mom Becca Potolsky will offer insights.

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Former Staples High School athlete Jason Stever died peacefully earlier this month in Seneca, South Carolina, with his wife and daughter by his side. He was 50 years old.

A member of the Class of 1993, Jason captained both the soccer and lacrosse teams. He won the soccer Alumni Award for his dedication to the program, and was noted for his intelligence, athleticism and leadership. As a senior, the Wrecker lacrosse team qualified for its first state tournament ever.

At Clemson University Jason was president of the Pi Kappa Psi fraternity, and became passionate about the Tigers football team.

A skilled handyman, he often helped friends and family. His smile and generous spirit lifted all those around him.

Jason is survived by his parents, Jacqueline and Jay Stever; his wife, Tracy Stever; daughter Addison Stever and stepson, TJ Barranger; sister Jennifer Vaughn (Craig Vaughn); brother-in-lawMarty Duncan (Diana), and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

A celebration of Jason’s life will be held in Hilton Head, South Carolina at a date to be determined.

Jason Stever, in the 1993 Staples yearbook.

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As ice melts at the Sherwood Island State Park beach, it looks almost like mid-summer foam.

Pamela Docters captured the scene, for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Pam Docters)

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And finally … on this date in 1863, Massachusetts Governor John Andrew received permission from the Secretary of War to raise a militia for men of African descent.

The 1989 film “Glory” depicts the soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Infanatry Regiment, from their formation to their heroism at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner.

(From the Library and Old Mill Grocery, to off-Broadway and beyond, “06880” brings you hyper-local news and information, 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Public Safety Complex Charette, WFD Cold Weather Training …

Posted on January 25, 2025 | 1 comment

The new Westport Public Safety Complex is still in the conceptual and feasibility stage.

The public is invited to learn more about the $90 million project, and offer feedback, at an open house charette. The event is February 6 (7 p.m., Senior Center).

An architectural presentation will be followed by interactive discussions.

The aim of the project, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker says, is to “ensure that our first responders have the resources and infrastructure they need to serve Westport effectively for generations to come.”

Fire Chief Nicholas Marsan, who also serves as the town’s emergency management director, adds, “This would be more than just a building; it’s a commitment to the people of Westport. Modernizing our facilities will enhance our ability to respond quickly and efficiently in times of emergency. A new complex will also allow for better coordination of resources and planning, ensuring that our community is well-prepared for any situation. We look forward to hearing from our community and working together to bring this vision to life.”

Police Chief Foti Koskinas notes, “This is a much-needed facility that will greatly benefit our community. Housing police, fire, and EMS under one roof fosters better collaboration, faster response times, and more efficient operations. A project of this nature will strengthen public safety and ensure that we are well-equipped to serve Westport now and into the future.”

For more details on the charette, call Marsan (203-341-5000) or email nmarsan@westportct.gov.

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Meanwhile, while you were warming up with hot cocoa yesterday — or at least staying inside — the Westport Fire Department was outdoors.

Very much outdoors.

They used the cold weather to train on cold water rescue.

And they offer this advice:

If a pet falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Call 911 or Westport Fire immediately. First responders are trained and equipped with cold-weather rescue suits tho handle those situations safely.

When in doubt, stay off the ice! Err on the side of caution. Avoid risk!

Westport Fire Department’s cold weather training, yesterday. 

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Speaking of first responders: Westport Police report that the man reported as missing in yesterday’s “06880” Roundup has been found, safe and sound.

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VersoFest 2025 just got even bigger.

Henry Rollins will headline the Saturday evening (April 5) event, at the Westport Library.

The harcore punk legend will be in conversation with author and Beggars Grou president Nabil Ayers.

Rollins has held many titles in the past 45 years: singer, writer, spoken word artist, actor, producer, radio host, and outspoken frontman for Black Flag and the Rollins Band.

VersoFest is The Library’s 4-day music and media festival and conference (April 3 through 6). It’s a forum for media creators, artists and fans, with panels, workshops and performances.

Tickets are $35. Click here to purchase. Click here for more details on VersoFest.

Henry Rollins

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MoCA CT celebrates Black History Month with a series of events focusing on the rich cultural contributions and creativity of the African diaspora.

They include:

Film Screening & Q&A (February 13, 7 p.m.): “DELA” is a documentary about Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui. Filmmaker Oyiza Adaba will host a post-screening Q&A, tying the film into MoCA CT’s exhibitions on the role of recycled materials in art and climate issues. Click here to register.

Soulful Expressions (February 15, 7 p.m.): An evening of poetry by Sahmra Sawyer, music by pianist Joe Bush, dance by Jeffline Saint Louis, and food by Jamaican chef Dré Sawyers. Artist Erika McGhee will do live sketches of visitors, followed by a dance floor open for classics like the Electric Slide, Wobble, and more. Click here to register.

Upcycling Sculpture Workshop & Exhibition Tour (February 22, 1 p.m.). Local artist Remy Sosa will lead this. He’ll start with a guided tour of the current exhibit “On Fire: Energy, Climate, Infrastructure and Human and Nature: A Changing Relationship,” focusing on the environmental impact of recycled materials. Click here to register.

Yo learn more about MoCA CT’s Black History month offerings, click here.

Remy Sosa

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February also includes Valentine’s Day.

And at the Westport Country Playhouse’s intimate Lucille Lortel White Barn Center.

“An Evening to Celebrate Love” (Saturday, February 15, 8 p.m.), features  Playhouse alum Rodolfo Soto and Carrie Lyn Brandon. They’ll highlight music from “Once,” original songs and more.

Alll tickets are just $20. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

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Pamela Docters spotted this yesterday, at the Senior Center:

“Let’s ‘hope’ that spring is on its way!” she says.

From her (and the Senior Center’s) lips, to …

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Longtime Westport resident James Masiello Jr. died unexpectedly on Tuesday, surrounded by his family. He was 65.

His obituary says, “A man of many passions, Jimmy had a special place in his heart for old mob movies, homemade Italian meals (especially when he was cooking), the beach and golf. He loved spending time with friends on the course, often boasting about his handicap, and he had a talent for making every round feel like a good time. A fantastic cook, he always enjoyed preparing a delicious meal for family and friends to enjoy, but also loved visiting his favorite restaurants to spend time with special people.”

Jimmy had a 28-year career in sales and marketing, where he formed long-lasting business relationships worldwide. Most recently he was self-employed as a retail liquidator, renowned for his salesmanship.

Jimmy was predeceased by his brother Mark, and his beloved chocolate labs Winston and Duke. He is survived by his children Michele, Alexandra and James (Buddy); his sister Marnie; many cousins, extended family and friends.

A wake will be held at Harding Funeral Home on February 7 (4 to 7 p.m.). The funeral is set for St. Luke Church on February 8 (11 a.m.), followed by a celebration of life at BJ Ryan’s East, 1 Cove Avenue, Norwalk at 12:30 p.m.

Donations can be made in his honor to the Mark Masiello ’83 Memorial Scholarship at Fairfield College Prep, or to World Central Kitchen.
Condolences for the family may be left online at www.hardingfuneral.com.

Jimmy Masiello

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is suitably wintry. Mark Laclair took this shot not long after a boat drove down the channel, cutting through the ice.

(Photo/Mark Laclair)

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And finally … on this day in 1964, The Beatles reached the top of the US Cashbox chart for the first time. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” became the group’s best-selling single worldwide. Two weeks later, they performed the song on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The world was never the same.

(Whether you remember Beatlemania, are a Swiftie or anything else, we hope you like our daily music videos. It’s one more feature of our hyper-local blog. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)

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Burst Pipe Closes Library

Posted on January 24, 2025 | Comments Off on Burst Pipe Closes Library

The Westport Library will be closed today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday), due to a burst water pipe.

All programs for both days are postponed or canceled. The Winter Dance Party with Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez, originally planned for tonight, has been rescheduled to February 7.

The Library tentatively plans to repoen at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 26. Check the website for updates.

The Libary lights will be off tonight and tomorrow. (Photo/Michael Chait)

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Roundup: Jamie Mann, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Shonda’s Video …

Posted on January 24, 2025 | 2 comments

Westport will soon have a new Broadway star.

Staples High School Class of 2021 graduate Jamie Mann makes his Great White Way debut this spring in the new show “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”

The prequel to the popular Netflix show is set 24 years before the TV show’s first season. Jamie plays the teenage version of Ted Wheeler, Mike Wheeler’s jock dad, and understudies James Hopper, Jr.

Alison Jay plays Joyce Maldonado (the Winona Ryder character). She and Jamie became friends in 2022, while working on the workshop for the play at Netflix in Los Angeles.

Jamie had been on the Netflix set before. He starred as Brody in “Country Comfort,”during part of his junior and senior year at Staples High School.

Westporters know Jamie from his roles with Staples Players, and as a longtime student of Cynthia Gibb’s Triple Threat Academy. (Jamie now teaches  dance classes and offers private dance and acting coaching).

During Bedford Middle School, Jamie played Billy Elliot in theaters throughout the East Coast. He will graduate remotely, with a BFA from the University of Michigan’s musical theater program this spring.

“Stranger Things” opens on April 22. Previews begin March 28. For tickets and more information, click here.

Jamie Mann (Photo/Michael Kushner)

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Speaking of theater: “Broadway’s Bad Boys” opened at the Westport Country Playhouse last night. The 4-night run ends Sunday.

Performed by 3 Broadway actors — Sam Gravitte (“Wicked”), Kevin Massey (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) and Julius Thomas III (“Hamilton”) — who played villains in musicals, the production includes “Phantom of the Opera,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and Professor Harold Hill of “Music Man.”

Curtain call at the Westport Country Playhouse last night. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)

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Speaking still of entertainment: It’s only January, but the Levitt Pavilion has announced its first acts of the season.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and The Infamous Stringdusters — those are bands — will be joined by New York’s Melt, on June 1.

The funk/bluegrass/indie soul tour will play just 5 venues across the Northeast. Ours is one of them.

It won’t be the Levitt’s opener, though. The 2025 season runs from may through October, with a combination of paid-ticket shows and 50 free dates. More shows will be announced soon.

Tickets go on sale today (Friday), at 10 a.m. Click here to purchase, and for informatio on the “enchanced concert experience” package.

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A capacity crowd filled the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum last on Sunday, for our town’s 19th annual Martin Luther King Day celebration.

The event included a wide-ranging discussion with noted producer Shonda Rhimes, and novelist/playwright/professor Trey Ellis. Both are Westport residents.

If you missed it — or if you were there, and want to see it again (along with a pair of great performances by gospel singer Christian Servance) — click below:

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Earlier this week, “06880” reported on Lynda Bluestein’s 2 wind phones, at the Westport Library.

We followed up by noting that a third wind phone — a disconnected rotary telephone, through which users can stay connected with loved ones who have died — was just installed at Greenfield Congregational Church.

Now there’s more news about Lynda, a longtime Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member and staunch advocate for medical aid in dying legislation.

This is a story about choice, not death.

Lynda Bluestein would not take ‘no’ for an answer. Because Medical Aid in Dying is not legal in Connecticut, Lynda is forced to find another way to die peacefully.

This is an intimate and gripping look into what it takes to legally die on one’s own terms in the United States. Other Side delves into the systemic, familial and emotional complexities of navigating an untrodden medical landscape while terminally ill.

A 90-minute documentary about her life and death — “Other Side” — has just been accepted by South by Southwest.

Its world premiere is scheduled for the prestigious film festival in March.

Lynda Bluestein, in a scene from “Other Side.”

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Yesterday, Westport Police received a report from a friend that William Hill has not been seen since Monday.

He is homeless, avoiding shelters, but visits friends at Sasco Creek Village daily. Given the extreme cold this past week, friends and the Police are extremely concerned for his welfare.

Hill is 62, between 5-7 and 5-11 tall, medium build, with salt and pepper hair, and a moustache. He was last seen wearing a black jacket and pushing a gray Trek bicycle with a rack, carrying bags and a knapsack on his back.

Anyone with information that can help locate William Hill should call the Police Department: 203-341-6000.

William Hill, in a younger photograph.

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Congratulations to Jo Ann Miller!

Her third novella in the “Abbey Lane” fiction series, “Deadly Donations,” has just been published.

Here, the former investigative reporter turned private detective encounters the effect of huge donations by foreign countries to American universities.

The Network Contagion Research Institute reports that over $47 billion has been donated, much of it not reported, and coming from authoritarian Middle East countries.

Meanwhile, hate crimes and antisemitic acts increased over 200% on campuses.  When Abbey’s activist client is murdered, she delves into those corrupt donations. Click here to purchase on Amazon.

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The Westport Library is cozy and welcoming. One of the many wart employees is Heli Stagg.

This week, she ventured out from the Library café — which she runs — to photograph the nearby Saugatuck River.

Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is a great reason to appreciate our local beauty.

And then get something nice and warm, served by Heli at the café.

(Photo/Heli Stagg)

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And finally … Never heard of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong — the band that will headline the June 1 Levitt Pavilion concert (story above)?

Click below!

(Every day, the Roundup highlights future events, recaps past ones, and covers everything else in between. If you enjoy our hyper-local coverage, please click here to support our work. Thannk you!) 

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Roundup: January 6 Pardons, Wind Phones, Isles In The Aisles …

Posted on January 22, 2025 | 43 comments

There is a local angle to the 1,500 pardons granted Monday night by President Trump.

One of the convicted defendants who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 was Benjamin Cohen. The Westport resident — 21 years old at the time of the siege — was arrested in 2023, at his home off Bayberry Lane.

Last summer he pled guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers.

Earlier this month he was sentenced to 5 years probation and 6 months of home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution of $2,000.

Benjamin Cohen, in photos released at the time of  his arrest.

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Lynda Bluestein’s final legacy were wind phones.

Two devices — disconnected rotary telephones, used to stay connected to loved ones who have died — were installed last year at the Westport Library. They honor the longtime Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member, and medical aid in dying advocate.

A new wind phone was installed in the Memorial Garden of the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in late November. A private dedication ceremony was held January 4 — the first anniversary of Lynda’s death.

Bluestein’s son Jacob built the structure to house the phone, which was donated Vanessa and Dave Bradford.

Lynda sometimes sat in with her husband Paul and Dave Bradford when they played music at the Black Rock Farmer’s Market and PorchFest.

Greenfield Hill Church wind phone. (Photo/Kristyn Miller Photography)

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The Westport Farmers’ Market reminds residents that “self-care and connection” is available every Thursday through March (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), at the winter location: Gilbertie’s Herbs & Gardens Center (7 Sylvan Lane).

In addition to farm-fresh produce and other goods, there are workshops focusing on wellnes (meditations, sound baths, Dharma massages and strength.

“Get Growing” children’s activities spark curiosity and foster connections with nature. Through hands-on experiences, younsters learn about the importance of sustainable living, and the joy of growing and eating local food.

Whether indoor or outdoor, Fatto a Mano always draws a crowd at the Westport Farmers’ Market. (Photo/Frank Rosen)

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Nearly 30 years after the Hartford Whalers fled to North Carolina, pro hockey comes to the Westport Library.

“Isles in Aisles” is a new partnership between the Library and the Bridgeport Islanders, the New York Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate.

Players will be at the Children’s Library on February 4 (5:30 p.m.), February 18 (4:30 p.m.) and March 3 (4:30 p.m.) to read aloud from their favorite children’s and hockey-themed books. Players will sign autographs afterward..

This is a drop-in event for youngsters, but adults are welcome.

Potential books for Isles in Aisles include “Z is for Zamboni,” “Hero’s Ho Ho Ho Hockey Dream,” “Hockey Morning, Noon, and Night,” “The Magic Hockey Stick” and “The Hockey Sweater.”

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An incorrect time was posted yesterday for “Alice in Webland,” the Triple Threat Academy show set for this weekend at Saugatuck Congregational Church.

The correct times are Saturday, January 25 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, January 26 at 3 p.m.

Children growing up in the digital age can relate to the show’s characters, and learn valuable lessons about balancing social media and living in the moment..

Tickets are $5 (free for senior citizens). Click here to purchase, and for more information.

2nd through 8th graders rehearse for the world premiere of “Alice in Webland.”

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Mollie Klaff Passero — longtime owner of Klaff’s, the store that for many years had a Westport location — died Tuesday, surrounded by her family. She was 101.

From the early 1950s through 2015, she held court in her signature suits and silk scarves, in the Klaff’s of South Norwalk site.

Mollie Klaff was born in Norwalk. She began singing professionally at age 8. By 13 she had her own radio program on WICC. As a young woman she had a successful singing career, touring with Louis Prima.

While performing in Stamford she met her husband, Maury Passero. They married in 1948.

In 1921 her parents started Klaff’s, a plumbing supply company. They added electrical supplies and hardware in the 1930’s. After WWII, they added lumber, building supplies, and complete homes.

They added lighting and kitchen departments in the 1950’s. When they died in the 1950’s Mollie, her sister Debbie and Maury took over the business.

Klaff’s became a destination home design center with locations in South Norwalk, Westport, Danbury and Scarsdale, New York. Their daughter Felicia managed the Westport store.

Here family says, “Mollie treated every employee at Klaff’s as family, with most spending their entire careers working with her.”

Mollie passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, surrounded by family. In addition to her children Joe and Felicia, she is survived by her son Jeffery, daughter Lisa, daughters-in-law Amy and Allison, and granddaughters Sasha, Lilli, Eve, and Izabella.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mollie’s name can be made to Temple Shalom of Norwalk, where services will be held tomorrow (Thursday, January 23, 1 p.m.).

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The mourning (not “morning”) dove that stars in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature doesn’t mind the cold. It just plumps up its feathers, and watches the world go by.

Lou Weinberg offers this superb photo — and a link to learn more about mourning doves.

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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And finally … Garth Hudson died yesterday, in a nursing  home in Woodstock, New York. He was 87.

Described by the New York Times as a musician “whose intricate swirls of Lowrey organ helped elevate The Band from rollicking juke-joint refugees into one of the most resonant and influential rock groups of the 1960s and ’70s,” he was the last surviving member of The Band.

Click here for a full obituary.

(Politics, spirituality,, sports and more are all part of today’s Roundup. If you enjoy this daily feature, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Shonda Rhimes Offers Inspiring MLK Day Message

Posted on January 20, 2025 | 4 comments

Shonda Rhimes was raised to see obstacles not as roadblocks, but as hills to climb.

That was Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s mentality too.

It was fitting that Rhimes — CEO of Shondaland; creator, head writer and executive producer of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” and “Scandal”; the producer of “Bridgerton” (and a Westport resident) — delivered that message, powerfully and eloquently, at yesterday’s 19th annual Martin Luther King Day celebration at the Library.

Despite inclement weather, the Trefz Forum was completely filled. Hundreds of others watched via livestream.

She described her route to superstardom — and explained the responsibility she feels for telling true stories, while being true to herself — in a conversation with Trey Ellis.

He’s an award-winning novelist, playwright and filmmaker; a professor at Columbia University — and also a Westporter.

When she began her career, Rhimes said, she was driven to succeed. “If I was getting coffee for someone, I tried to make it the best coffee they ever had. I wanted them to remember me.” She did not want to “take over the world” —  but she wanted to be noticed.

She paused, then added, “Nobody thinks it’s remarkable when a white man says he’s going to take over the world.”

Tying together the economic impact of her work, the importance of showing diverse (and three-dimensional) characters, and staying true to her own principles, Rhimes said, “I only make shows that I want to watch.”

Doing that, however, has attracted viewers around the globe — and influenced how they see Black, LGBTQ and other minority people.

She wants her shows to be both mirrors (“for viewers to see themselves”), and windows (“to look out on a world they may not know”).

Shonda Rhimes

Noting the significance of today — it’s both Martin Luther King Day, and Inauguration Day — Rhimes said, “The struggle is not over. It’s beautiful to see how far we’ve come. But we take 2 steps forward, and 1 back. We will get through this all, if we stay vigilant.”

Looking ahead, she feels “even more of a responsibility to tell the stories I want to tell. It feels like we may be in for more suppression. Well, I’m not interested in being suppressed — or suppressing anyone else.”

A group of Bridgeport students — guests of the Walter Luckett Foundation — asked intriguing questions.

One youngsters wondered why Rhimes left California for Connecticut.

During the pandemic, Rhimes replied, she realized Los Angeles was not a great place to raise her daughters.

She wanted to move to a town that was focused on families. She found Westport almost by accident. But, she said, “this is a place where I’ll stay.”

Trey Ellis asked his own questions, and those submitted by Bridgeport youngsters.

Rsponding to another question, Rhimes said, “I tell my kids, ‘Who you are is up to you.'”

When a fan says “I want to be just like you,” she replies, “No. Be just like you.”

Rhimes concluded her Martin Luther King Day conversation with a reference to last year’s event, which featured King’s advisor and speechwriter, Clarence Jones.

“He wrote half of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” Rhimes noted. “That’s a lot to live up to.

“But one thing I learned last year is that there is always a moment when you can make the world a better place, make someone feel included, or reach out.

“You can reach out in a million ways. And always ask yourself,’ “What did I do to make the world a better place?’

“If you don’t do that — what are you doing here?”

(Westport’s 19th annual Martin Luther King Day celebration was co-sponsored by the Westport Library, TEAM Westport, the Westport/Weston Clergy Association, the Westport Country Playhouse, and the Walter Luckett Foundation.

(The Martin Luther King Day celebration continues tonight [Monday, January 20, 7 p.m.], with a free screening of “King in the Wilderness at the Westport Country Playhouse. Trey Ellis is a co-producer.

(The Emmy Award-winning 2018 film follows Dr. King from the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 to his assassination in April 1968. It includes never–seen interviews with people closest to King, interspersed with historical archives.

(Interviewees include Andrew Young, Harry Belafonte, John Lewis, Joan Baez, Jesse Jackson and C. T. Vivian. Click here for more information.)

TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey welcomed guests to the MLK Day celebration.

Making his second Westport Library appearance in a week, Senator Richard Blumenthal called Westport “a beacon of activism and hope.” He thanked attendees for “being foot soldiers for justice.”

Stamford singer Christian Servance opened and closed the event, with a rousing pair of gospel-inflected songs.

Christian Servance, singing to the full Trefz Forum. (This and all photos above/Dan Woog)

From left: 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Westport 10 founder Jay Norris, Shonda Rhimes, Trey Ellis.

(If it happens in Westport, you’ll read about it on “06880.” Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Photo Challenge #525

Posted on January 19, 2025 | 10 comments

Last week’s Photo Challenge was as basic as it gets: a simple black rotary phone.

But the story behind it more than makes up for the plainness.

Bob Weingarten’s image shows a “wind phone.” Dedicated to Lynda Bluestein — and championed by her, before her death early last year — it’s disconnected.

People can use them to stay connected to loved ones who have died. (Click here for more details. Click here for the photo.)

Though the wind phone sits unobtrusively amid the “Library of Things,” near the first floor conference rooms and restrooms, more than a dozen readers knew what and where it was.

Ed Simek, Susan Nolte, Michael Szeto, Joelle Berger, Richard Hyman, Karen Kim, Amy Schneider, Fred Levine, Andrew Colabella, Jennifer Zorek-Pressman, Marla Kerwin, Robert Frank and John Lisée all answered correctly.

Fred Levine added, “I have used it. A very moving experience.”

The weather is cold, so we’ll stay indoors with this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Jay Dirnberger)

(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!

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