Category Archives: Looking back

David Ohman’s Westport

David Ohman lived in Westport from 1992 to 1998.

Though he grew up in Southern California, this town gave him “a comfort level like a favorite sweater,” he says. He was “smitten by Westport from my first day.” And he still calls this “my adopted home town.”

In his 6 years here — when not freelancing in New York as a graphic designer — David took many photos in Westport and Weston.

Along the way, he met “some really wonderful people.” Photographer Alan Fontaine became a close friend, and convinced him to start his own portrait studio. In 1995, he did. He quickly got plenty of work, thanks to his signature black and white style.

At 81 years old — and a cancer survivor — he wants to share some of his photos with “the lovely people of Westport who welcomed me, and nurtured our friendships so unconditionally.”

Here are a few of those images. Though 3 decades old, they are timeless.

Well … except for the first two.

Remarkable Book Shop, Main Stree

Allen’s Clam House, Hillspoint Road

Sherwood Mill Pond

Compo Beach boardwalk

Compo Beach pavilion

Compo Beach in fog 

Longshore cemetery

Saugatuck Rowing Club

Saugatuck River, downtown (All photos/David Ohman)

Staples Players Rewind: “City Of Angels”

In the spring of 2004, Staples Players brought “City of Angels” to the stage.

Former media teacher Jim Honeycutt taped the Tony Award-winning musical, with dual story lines — and all of directors David Roth and Kerry Long’s shows.

This week, in our chronological look back at highlights of past productions — called “nutshells” –Spri we bring you back to that show about a Hollywood screenwriter, and his detective creation.

Click here or below to see.

(If you like these nutshells — or any other “06880” feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

“Then & Now”: Part 5

Dave Matlow’s series of photos of demolished homes — and their replacements — continue today, north of Main Street.

Here are 4 more, from his archives and today.

Fillow Street, September 2020 …

… and March 2026.

==================================================

Oak Street, April 2015 …

… and March 2026.

==================================================

Woods Grove, May 2005 …

… and March 2026.

==================================================

Richmondville Avenue, November 2006 …

… and March 2026.

(“06880” regularly covers Westport real estate, history … and much more. If you enjoy features like this, please click here to support our work.)

Staples Players Rewind: “Oliver!”

In the fall of 2003, Staples Players brought “Oliver!” to the stage.

Former media teacher Jim Honeycutt taped it — and all of director David Roth’s shows.

This week, in our chronological look back at highlights of past productions, we bring you that memorable “Oliver!” Click here or below to see.

And “consider yourself” lucky to be entertained so well!

(If you like these nutshells — or any other “06880” feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

“Then & Now”: Part 4

Dave Matlow’s series of photos of demolished homes — and their replacements — continue to resonate with “06880” readers.

Here are 4 more, from his archives and today.

Compo Parkway, December 2005 …

… and March 2026.

==================================================

Ellery Lane, October 2004 …

… and March 2026.

==================================================

Danbury Avenue, May 2013 …

… and March 2026.

==================================================

Elwil Drive, May 2018 …

… and March 2026.

(“06880” regularly covers Westport real estate, history … and much more. If you enjoy features like this, please click here to support our work.)

“Then & Now”: Part 3

Dave Matlow’s series of photos of demolished homes — and their replacements — have struck a chord with “06880” readers.

Here are 4 more, from his archives and today.

Whitney Street, July 2014 …

… and February 2026.

==================================================

Webb Road, April 2005 …

… and February 2026.

==================================================

Harding Lane, February 2013 …

… and February 2026.

==================================================

Windy Hill Road, October 2012 …

… and February 2026.

(“06880” regularly covers Westport real estate, history … and much more. If you enjoy features like this, please click here to support our work.)

Staples Players Rewind: “Hello, Dolly!”

Who doesn’t love “Hello, Dolly!”?

Staples Players sure did. The cast and crew dove into the 1964 musical rom-com, when they staged it as their fall 2002 production.

Former SHS media teacher Jim Honeycutt taped that, and all of Players director David Roth’s shows.

This week, in our chronological look back at highlights of past shows, we bring you that memorable “Dolly.” Click here or below to see.

(If you like these nutshells — or any other “06880” feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

Homes Of “06880”: Then & Now, Part 2

Readers reacted quickly to last week’s initial installment of “06880”‘s new series: “Homes of ‘06880’: Then & Now.”

They appreciated seeing photographer Dave Matlow’s archival images of homes he photographed for WestportNow’s “Teardown of the Day” — juxtaposed with their current-day replacements.

Dave is taking new shots, from the same distance and angle. Here are 4 more houses that are now gone, along with the new ones.

Darbrook Road, March 2005 …

… and February 2026.

==================================================

Deerwood Road, September 2020 …

… and February 2026.

==================================================

Burnham Hill, July 2011 …

… and February 2026.

==================================================

Blue Ribbon Drive, July 2011 …

… and February 2026.

(“06880” regularly covers Westport real estate, history … and much more. If you enjoy features like this, please click here to support our work.)

Staples Players Rewind: “Into The Woods”

Today, we continue our journey into past Staples Players productions.

Since 2000 — when David Roth was named director of the prestigious high school drama troupe — Players has staged 2 powerful productions each year.

Longtime media instructor Jim Honeycutt filmed them all. Now retired, he has created 10-minute “nutshell” highlights of each show.

Each week, in chronological order, “06880” shares one of those nutshells.

Today, relive Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” from the spring of 2002. It stars someone whose name is familiar: Justin Paul.

Other Players in the show include Sarah Peterson, Emma Ritter, Caitlin Collins, Toby Burns, Daryl Wein, Haley Petersen, Katie Clark, Joanna Gang, Tyler Rackliffe, and many more.

Click here or below to enjoy.

(If you like these nutshells — or any other “06880” feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

Homes Of “06880”: Then And Now

One of the most popular features on the old WestportNow.com site was “Teardown of the Day.”

For nearly 2 decades local photographer Dave Matlow snapped images of area homes, just before they were knocked down.

He meticulously archived them.

Now he’s taken the project one step further.

Dave is photographing their replacements — from the same distance and angle.

Taken together, they show the changing face of Westport: the types of architecture we’ve lost, and what’s replaced them.

“Homes of ‘06880’: Then and Now” will be a regular feature here.

Thanks, Dave, for your diligence in documenting Westport — then and now.

Juniper Road, November 2014 …

… and February 2026.

==================================================

Hillspoint Road, 2005 …

… and Hillspoint Road, February 2026.

==================================================

Caccamo Lane, January 2012 …

and February 2026

=======================================================

Colonial Road, September 2012 …

… and February 2026.

(“06880” regularly covers Westport real estate, history … and much more. If you enjoy features like this, please click here to support our work.)