In 1974, Mike Krysiuk was having a great senior year at Staples High School. He played baseball, and worked at Mario’s. But a devastating automobile accident left him with a traumatic brain injury and many broken bones.
He’s well known in his home town, for the motivational talks he gives and the many years he’s spent working in Town Hall.
Two years ago Mike wrote The Big One: Miracles Happen when You Shoot for the Sun, about his youth in Westport. His co-author is award-winning writer Julia Bobkoff, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Westport’s Christmas Lake Creative writing workshop.
The Big One features insights about Mike’s astonishing comeback from the unimaginable, fueled by dogged determination and a dream.
The audiobook version, narrated by Mike and including clips of his original music, is now available. Click here to order.
A female ruby-throated hummingbird takes center stage in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
“06880” photographer (and Westport Community Gardens director) Lou Weinberg notes, “Its wings beat more than 50 times a second, and its nest is the size of a thimble!”
Click here to learn more about this beautiful bird.
And one of Westport’s most big-hearted restaurants is helping.
Jimmy Nuzzo — known to many as “DJ Jimmy Jams” — was born with a congenital heart defect. After open-heart surgery at age 7, he lived a healthy life for years. He owns Dance to the Music Entertainment, and is a loving husband and father.
Now he needs a new heart — and liver.
Jimmy Nuzzo (3rd from left), with his family.
On Sunday, August 28 (4 to 7 p.m.), Tutti’s on Riverside Avenue is offering a $25 penne with meatball dinner — large enough to feed 2 people. It’s to-go (and cash) only. 100% of the proceeds go to help Jimmy.
Chabad of Westport hosts “Kugel with a Twist” (September 7, 7 p.m.).
The Nosher editor Shannon Sarna Goldberg and Connecticut food blogger Liz Arronson Rueven will chat about modern takes on Jewish comfort food.
It’s free, and open to the community. However, attendees are asked to bring one kosher item (dried fruit, raisins, dates, nuts, tomato/spaghetti sauce, cereals, oatmeal, jelly, canned tuna, ketch, mustard, mayo, vegetable/corn oil) to stock Chabad’s mobile kosher food pantry, to arrive this fall.
Anyone donating $180 to held fight food insecurity will receive a signed copy of Sarna’s “Modern Jewish Comfort Food.”
Longtime Westporters Carl Addison Swanson and his editor Jo Ann Miller have just published their 54th book,
It details Swanson’s experiences — some fictional — during his 1969 Vietnam tour. tour.
“365 Days and a Wake-up” is “not your normal war novel with blood, guts and gore,” Swanson says.
“I was watching ‘M*A*S*H,’ the movie, on late night TV, and remembered some of the humorous things, amidst the insanity, of events which occurred. I attempted to capture them.”
Swanson, known for his fast-paced, plot-driven narratives as well as his prolific publications, owns a Bermuda publishing house, and is a senior editor at a national magazine.
“365 Days” is available Labor Day. The hardback version follows in mid-October. Click here to order. Click here for Swanson’s website.
The actor/car racer/philanthropist died in 2008, but his life in Westport with Joanne Woodward is featured in the CNN/HBO film “The Last Movie Stars.”
Arthur Klausner sends along a recent Tweet that “stars” Newman’s friend, Robert Redford. In the clip from 1980, the former Weston resident recalls a long-running practical joke the two men played on each other, involving melted-own automobiles and their homes.
The Levitt Pavilion has just added a new ticketed show.
Orebolo — featuring Rick Mitarotonda, Peter Anspach and Jeff Arevalo of Goose — take the stage on September 7 (7 p.m.).
The trio has built a national following nationwide. Formed during the initial COVID surge, they shared a home. They learned new covers, and explored Goose’s deep catalog acoustically.
Tickets are $15 (members) and $18 (non-members, plus a $2 facility fee). Member pre-sale is active now; public tickets are available Monday (August 22) at noon. Click here to order, and for more information.
Orebolo
In other Levitt news, an opening band has been added to this Sunday’s (August 21, 6:30 p.m.) Allison Russell ticketed show.
She hand-picked Bailen, after opening with them at the Edmonton Folk Fest. Children under 12 are free (with an adult in the BYO-lawn chair section).
As for Allison: she released a new single yesterday, featuring Brandi Carlile:
Also this weekend: a pair of Friends of Sherwood Island State Park programs.
Tomorrow (August 20, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.), 2 interns with a big net will set up on the beach across from the Nature Center. They’ll show how many creatures they can pull out of Long Island Sound.
On Sunday (August 21, 2 to 3:30 p.m.), butterfly expert Michele Sorensen will lead a walk. She’ll start at the Nature Center porch, then explore nearby gardens and dunes for a variety of species. Buckeyes, swallowtails, sulphurs, fritillaries, monarchs, skippers and pearl crescents are all possible. It’s suitable for ages 5 and up.
Native Westporter and Pepperidge Farm manager Agnes “Aggie” Veno died peacefully last week, with her family by her side. She was 67.
Aggie was passionate about arts and crafts, and participated in craft fairs throughout Fairfield County. She was especially good at crocheting. She was also an excellent cook and baker, who enjoyed gatherings with her extended family.
She was an avid volunteer at St. Luke Church too.
She is survived by her mother Marie, sister Joann (Steve) Porch, godson Nicholas Vena, Jr., and many cousins, including Sadye Bella Bustillo, who had a special place in her heart. In addition to her father Andrew, she was predeceased by her brother, Andrew J. Veno, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held today (Friday, August 19, 10 a.m., St. Luke Church). Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery in Greens Farms.
You’ve heard of Steve Bannon. You may not have heard of Todd Wood.
But both of them have heard about Westport.
And — to hear them tell it — our town is one of the main reasons that Connecticut is “the belly of the communist beast.”
Bannon hosts “War Room,” a multi-platform podcast.
Steve Bannon, hosting “War Room.”
Recently, he interviewed Wood. He’s the “founder and editor” of the Connecticut Centinal, though its website says it was “established in 1802.” He’s also editor-in-chief of CD Media — the initials stand for “Creative Destruction” — which, he told Bannon, is “reopening newspapers up and down the Colonies.”
His company, he said, is “known for real journalism, and telling the truth on both sides.”
The truth about Westport, Wood said, is that “the town is run by an unelected Marxist politburo called TEAM Westport. They’re actually injecting transgenderism and CRT (critical race theory) into the schools.
“Now they’re complaining about the uniforms of the police, (saying) they’re too intimidating.”
“It’s over the top, what they’re doing on this gender ideology,” Bannon agreed.
“Yeah,” Wood noted. “They’re showing grooming videos to elementary kids — large, obese women with their breasts flaunting, jumping up and down with their beards to 3rd graders. Literally opening the door to behavior that’s really inappropriate for children.”
Todd Wood, on “War Room.”
Wood continued: “This CRT thing has really blown up in Westport. There’s a lot of angry parents, which have shown up at Board of Education meetings.”
In fact, he continued, “The head of the Board of Education in Westport won’t say the Pledge of Allegiance. You literally have a group of Marxists running the town, and controlling the town.
“Even though we won the election” — presumably referring to 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, a Republican — “they won’t change this TEAM Westport. The guy who is running it has been there like 20 years.
“It’s a real problem, Steve,” Wood concluded. “And it’s been up and down the coast, where they’ve spent a lot of time and money infiltrating with this Marxist ideology.”
Click here for Steve Bannon’s entire “War Room” interview with Todd Wood.
Screen shot of the Connecticut Centinal website.
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Sybil Steinberg spent many years as a senior editor at Publishers Weekly. In 1995, the prestigious trade magazine for the book industry flew the longtime Westporter to London.
Salman Rushdie was in hiding; the Ayatollah Khomeini had issued a fatwa calling for his execution. Last week, the author was stabbed repeatedly, during a talk in upstate New York.
Steinberg recalls her interview with Rushdie, 27 years ago:
At the time I was editor of the book review section, for which PW is renowned. Pantheon was about to publish his first collection of stories, titled “East, West.” They wanted to assure the US publishing industry that Rushdie was still writing, and at the top of his form.
Sybil Steinberg
Security was tight. A cab with shades drawn picked me up at my hotel, and drove me to the Random House offices in London.
I entered through a side door. Two security people examined me, and my tape recorder and notebook. I had to assure them that I hadn’t told anyone abut my mission.
They led me to a private office, and locked me in. About 10 minutes later, there was a clatter in the hallway. Rushdie arrived, accompanied by his own security team.
Rushdie’s serious expression had led many to misread his personality. He proved to be a delightful interviewee: genial, forthcoming, and a great raconteur.
Because Rushdie was of great interest to the publishing industry, PW gave me 3 pages for the interview — a privilege never granted before or since.
The headline read: “Six years into the fatwa, the resourceful writer discusses his new book and his determination ‘not to be beaten.'”
Here’s an excerpt: “While he doesn’t deny that the death sentence cast a cloak of terror over his existence, Rushdie is eager to plead the this audience not read his life into his work.”
There’s a bitter irony that Salman Rushdie was attacked as he was about to address the audience at Chautauqua about America’s role as a safe haven for authors.
Sybil Steinberg retired from Publishers Weekly in 2001, but continued as a contributing editor until last year. When PW celebrated its 150th anniversary this past April, she was honored as an editor who was “a significant force in the industry.” She continues to offer regular recommended reading lists, through the Westport Library.
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My daughter and I played tennis Wednesday at Staples High School. I was disgusted to see all of the trash left on the court. The same trash I saw 2 days prior had grown in volume.
In addition to empty water bottles and tennis cans, there were about 8 of those sharp and dangerous metal seals. My daughter and I cleaned up the mess.
I don’t understand why people can’t clean up after themselves. They think it’s ok to leave their trash behind. There is a green receptacle on the court, and a garbage can just outside the fence.
Why is it so hard? Come on, people. Let’s all enjoy this public space together!
World-renowned (and Westport) photographer Stephen Wilkes is featured in a new Westport Library exhibit.
Encompassing all 3 galleries, the show will explore how his visualization of the concept of time has evolved from the earlier days of his career, on through his latest series “Day to Night” and “Tapestries.”
The exhibition opens September 8.
The program will be preceded by a reception with the photographer at 6:15, followed by a Q&A in the Forum, with Stacy Bass.
Longtime Weston resident Bill Rother — a well-known musician and travel company executive — died August 1, at his beloved Kettle Creek Camp in the Pennsylvania mountains, surrounded by family. He was 89.
A strong athlete, Bill was captain of his high school swimming and crew teams. He continued to swim throughout his life, winning dozens of medals in the senior Olympics. Bill swam his age in laps on his birthday – hitting 89 this year.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in forestry in 1955, and remained a lifelong Nittany Lion supporter. Although he never worked in the field, Bill loved to quiz his grandkids on the Latin names of trees in the woods.
He served as an Army second lieutenant in the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Penn State, then first lieutenant and platoon leader with the combat engineers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division.
He was a musician from his earliest days, working his way through college playing banjo with a Dixieland band, The Sadistic Six. This led to work as a professional musician with Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians. He traveled the world with the group, performing on live television with stars like Perry Como, Jackie Gleason and Garry Moore, and appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” right before the Beatles.
Highlights for Bill were playing at the White House and meeting a President (Eisenhower), a Queen (Elizabeth), and a King (Elvis).
Bill’s next foray into Hollywood was an attempt to produce his own TV show in London about a race car driver called “Knights of the Road.” Despite a year of work, even hiring a down and out actor who went on to future success (Peter O’Toole), they ran out of money and Bill returned to Los Angeles penniless.
He saw an ad in the L.A. Times: “Tour Director to lead deluxe groups to Hawaii.” He was quickly hired by the company, Ask Mr. Foster. Within days they bought Bill a tuxedo and sent him to work on the SS Lurline cruise ship, chatting with the likes of Lloyd Bridges on his way to run tours in Hawaii.
After several years in the travel industry Bill connected with his close friend, Arthur Tauck, who hired him as a tour director with his premier tour company, Tauck Tours. It was a career he enjoyed for over 30 years.
His most proud accomplishment was setting up Tauck’s first itinerary in Hawaii, fulfilling a lifelong dream of living in the islands. Bill couldn’t believe he got paid to travel the world, and live at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
Bill married the love of his life, Bonnie Marie Orton, in 1969 on Kauai. Their honeymoon included adventures in Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Bora Bora. Bill and Bonnie raised one daughter, Samantha Carrie Maile Lou Li’i Li’i Rother Nagy, who Bill called “the light of my life.”
In Weston, Bill became friendly with José Feliciano. He became the singer’s tour manager, and performed with him locally.
Bill was preceded in death by his brother Bobby. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, daughter Samantha, son-in-law Christopher, and grandsons William James and Luke Robert Nagy.
A celebration of life service will be held in September at the Unitarian Church in Westport, at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, his fmaily says: :be kind, laugh, play music, love big, drink the good beer, and live a great life.”
Wakeman Town Farm’s lecture garden series continues August 29 (6:30 p.m.). Master gardener Alice Ely talks on Milkwood Growing and Monarch Raising.”
Monarchs have suffered tremendous habitat loss recently. Alice will describe ways to attract egg-laying monarchs to gardens, raising eggs into hungry caterpillars, and tips on growing a variety of milkweed species to help them thrive.
Season 2 of “Kids are Talking” has been a great success.
Producer Michael Bud of Weston brought in new moderators for each episode. Among them: State Senator Will Haskell, who inspired teenager to get involved in politics; a “conspiracy rhetoric” professor who talked about the JFK assassination and lizard people; a Yale professor who discussed sleep habits and moods; an expert on boundaries, and last night, teen leaders of a suicide prevention organization.
Click here for past episodes, and more information.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” features some luscious tomatoes from Tom Cook’s Community Garden plot.
(Photo/Tom Cook)
Your bounty may not look like this. But there’s plenty of produce available today at the Westport Farmers’ Market. It’s runs through 2 p.m., at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
And finally … Judith Durham, whose beautiful voice helped make The Seekers the first Australian pop group a success during the British Invasion — died today in Melbourne. She was 79, and suffered from a lifelong lung disease.
“Georgy Girl” was the Seekers’ biggest hit. I didn’t care for that one, but I loved many of their other songs — those well known, and others less famous. Australians considered them a treasure, and they were right. Click here for a full obituary.
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Nearly 60 years later, the synagogue prepares to host another internationally known guest.
Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak will speak on September 20 (7:30 p.m.). He will discuss current events, including Israel’s coming election and the war in Ukraine.
Click here for details, including in-person and livestream registration.
Ehud Barak
Barak, who became the most decorated soldier in the history of the Israel Defense Forces over a 36-year career, served as the nation’s prime minister from 1999 to 2001.
He also has held other prominent posts in Israel’s government, including as defense minister and as minister of internal and foreign affairs.
For more information, contact Temple Israel at 203-227-1293.
“06880” has been buzzing recently with stories (and comments) about broadband (and prices).
Western Connecticut Council of Governments — a planning organization for 18 area town, including Westport — is conducting a quick survey on internet service and pricing.
Residential and business customers can complete the survey. Click here for the link.
“In our Weston garden stands a majestic old Japanese pagoda tree (also called scholar tree).
In summertime when it is in full bloom, you can ‘hear’ the tree from far away. It is the happy humming sound of thousands of busy bees. They are not only in the tree but also on the ground, which is covered with blossoms. It’s not a good idea to walk under the tree at that time.
“But during the last years we noticed a sharp drop in the bee population.
“This summer the tree is again in full bloom –- but completely silent. Hardly any bees at all. Sadly, the prophecy made by Rachel Carson in her 1962 book ‘Silent Spring’ has come true — right here in our garden, where we never use insecticides or herbicides.
The usual swarms of bees are gone from Hans Wilhelm’s garden.
For nearly 75 years, Westport PAL has served youngsters with sports programs and scholarships. That’s impressive.
And for 60 years, they’ve raised funds through the Chief Samuel Luciano Golf Tournament. That’s impressive too.
This year’s event is September 12. The day includes continental breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon shotgun starts, cocktails, dinner, a raffle and prizes.
Single, twosome and foursome spots are available. Click here for more information, including registration and sponsorships.
Sunday’s New York Times included a great review of Mary Rodgers’ new memoir, “SHY: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers.” Jesse Green continued working on it for years, after her death in 2014.
Mary Rodgers Guettel is Richard Rodgers’ daughter. They lived in Fairfield, just over the Westport line. She became an apprentice at the Westport Country Playhouse in 1950. She later earned fame writing the music for “Once Upon a Mattress.”
In 2009, the Playhouse honored Rodgers Guettel, at their annual gala. Among the celebrants: Stephen Sondheim, a fellow 1950 apprentice.
Also on hand that night: Weston’s Jim Naughton, and Westporter Kelli O’Hara.
Rodgers’ son, Adam Guettel, wrote “Light in the Piazza.” The musical starred O’Hara — whose father-in-law is Naughton.
The memoir includes references to Rodgers’ internship. She describes their intense work schedule (which she enjoyed), and that afterwards they wanted to go drinking.
However, she wrote, “In Westport, everything closed up tight as a drum at one in the morning.” So the interns frequently “ran our own bar at Frank Perry’s house at night, often accompanied by a low-stakes poker game.”
Yes, that Frank Perry. The future film director (“David and Lisa,” “The Swimmer,” “Diary of a Mad Housewife”) was another member of that amazing Class of 1950 Westport Country Playhouse apprentices. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
Richard Rodgers’ daughter (2nd row, 4th from left) posed with other Westport Country Playhouse apprentices in 1950, at the Jolly Fisherman restaurant. Other notables in the photo: Stephen Sondheim (crouching, top of photo) and Frank Perry (front row, left).
Westport began as a farming community. We’ve moved from onions to everything under the sun.
Along the way we added manufacturing, then arts, marketing and hedge funds.
But we always go back to our roots.
The other day, I sat at the Westport Library with Liz Milwe. A native Westporter and active volunteer who served on the RTM for over 10 years, she’s best known now for her work as co-chair of Wakeman Town Farm.
We talked about WTF’s growth over the past decade; its role in Westport; our town’s commitment to sustainability, and much more.
In conjunction with its next production — “4000 Miles” — the Westport Country Playhouse will give away a Cannondale Adventure 1 Bike (valued at $960).
It’s a donation from Cycleology Bike & Ski of Westport. The store also donated an RBX classic SS cycling jersey and Cycleology water bottle ($97).
The tie-in? “4000 Miles” (August 23 through September 4) is about a young cyclist. His cross-country trip from the West Coast ends at the Greenwich Village apartment of his feisty 91-year-old grandmother. Their generational divide creates conflict over age, family, love, sex and politics — until they discover an emotional connection that gives each a purpose.
To be eligible to win, submit your name, phone number and email either by purchasing a ticket online, by phone (203-227-4177), or in person for “4000 Miles,” or by filling out an entry form here.
Tickets are not necessary to win. All tickets purchased to “4000 Miles” at any time, including subscription packages, are automatically entered into the giveaway, as long as name, phone number and email were given at the time of purchase. One entry per person; must be age 18 or older.
John Richers writes: “On a recent vacation, my wife Valerie Leff and I visited the Nobel Peace Prize Museum in Oslo.
“It featured an exhibit about both courageous journalism and the global plight of refugees. Among only 3 books displayed, one (below) was on photojournalism — by a very familiar name.
“We felt proud of our Westport connection to this courageous photographer!”
Author Lynsey Addario is a 1991 Staples High School graduate — and Pulitzer Prize winner.
Next week’s Remarkable Theater drive-in features are “Paddington 2” and “Goodbye, Columbus.”
The canine film — a 2017 live-action animated comedy — screens on Monday (August 8, 8 p.m.).
The rom-com/drama about a recent college graduate and working-class Army veteran who has an affair with a nouveau riche woman is set for Wednesday (August 10, 8:15 p.m.).
Gates open one hour before both days, for tailgating and socializing. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Sure, it’s easy to ignore Spooky Town — the Halloween store that has opened already across from Stop & Shop. Even the most ultra-organized mother does not think about her kid’s costume in early August.
And the Christmas music already wafting in the Bridge Square Dunkin’ Donuts — that’s a joke, right?
But check out this flyer that landed in yesterday’s mail:
“happy Labor Day!!” — Planet Pizza is serious.
Start planning that picnic already. Only 30 days left to order!
This fall, New York’s School of Visual arts honors Lynsey Addario.
The New York Times photojournalist, MacArthur genius grant and Pulitzer Prize recipient — and 1991 Staples High School graduate — takes part in the 32nd annual Masters Series Award and Exhibition.
“The Masters Series: Lynsey Addario” will be a comprehensive retrospective of her fearless, 2-decade journey documenting humanitarian issues around the globe.
The free exhibition runs from September 2 through October 29. Addario gives a special talk on September 9.
The exhibit showcases the photographers’ career, from Afghanistan and Iraq to Congo, Libya, Somalia, Syria, South Sudan, and most recently, Ukraine. She brings a strong focus on women’s issues to her work, including gender-based violence and rape as a weapon of war.
Addario is the author of Of Love and War, a solo collection of photography, and the best-selling memoir It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War.
in the early days after the Russian invasion, Lynsey Addario’s photo of this bombed-out apartment building in Kyiv brought the war’s reality to people around the globe. (Photo/Lynsey Addario for The New York Times)
Screenshot of Lynsey Addario from “Firing Line.”
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You’re never too old to “lunch and learn.” Even in August.
Aspetuck Land Trust announces 2 upcoming sessions.
“Green Corridor: From Vision to Reality” (Wednesday, August 10, noon to 1 p.m.). features director of landowner engagement. Mary Ellen Lemay. She’ll explain why the Green Corridor initiative helps heal the fragmented and toxic landscape that surrounds us.
Using simple eco-friendly steps in yards and other private properties, the Green Corridor allows species to move across the landscape, improving biodiversity. Click here to register.
At “Think Like a Forest” (Friday, August 26, noon to 1 p.m.), Anna Fialkoff explains how planting native trees supports local food webs. Benefits include
purifying air, shading and cooling in hot weather, storing atmospheric carbon, minimizing flooding and storm water runoff, and helping sustain vital pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Click here to register.
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And you thought there were no holidays in August!
This coming Tuesday (August 9) is International Co-Working Day.
To celebrate, Office Evolution — the great, airy, flexible and filled-with-all-you-need space at 500 Post Road East (opposite Westport Fire Department headquarters) offers free one-day passes to anyone looking for a new work environment.
The holiday is Tuesday, but the offer is good all next week (August 8-12).
For more information, email Westport.CT@officeevolution.com, or call 203-635-8770. Click here for the Westport website.
Westport Office Evolution owner Laura Kaufman (left) and business center manager Lindy Steinorth, when Office Evolution opened in 2019.
Last week’s post on Optimum drew plenty of comments.
Some “06880” readers recounted their own experiences. Others offered alternatives.
But none went into as much depth as this one, who requested anonymity (to avoid being barraged by questions). He writes:
We are probably one of the last in Westport. But we finally converted from Optimum Cable to streaming. We will save about $150+ per month.
We now use Hulu to get all live national and local channels. We still use Optimum internet and home phone service. We also subscribe to a range of streaming services, but this is a separate decision.
Here is why we made the change:.
The $320+ monthly bill
The complicated need for multiple controllers for regular TV, cable, and streaming programs. Only one controller per television is required for Hulu.
After comparing other internet services, we chose to keep the Optimum 300 mps service, which right now is by far the best in the area. Optimum also offers a 400 mps or 500 mps service for an additional charge. You must have a good, strong internet signal to use this streaming option (and other streaming services).
We also have Eero Pro 6 network mesh installed to improve internet signals throughout our 3-story home. You can buy Eero at Best Buy. The system is easy to install; modules plug into regular electric wall outlets on each floor. We have 3 modules, and it does improve reception.
Using consumer and certain technical reports, etc., we evaluated various streaming services (YouTube, Sling, etc.). We chose Hulu as the best with the live national and local networks, the common cable CNN, MSNBC, Fox, CNBC, local) channels, and other stations in place.
In addition, the Hulu service has all the record, playback capabilities, and back episodes of television like Dateline, American Greed, CNN specials, unique programming, etc.
The streaming services you choose are a separate decision. Most people will be okay with Amazon and Netflix. We have a lot of interest in others: HBOMax, Apple, Disney+, etc.
Here’s our decision process:
I called Optimum. They sent me to the group responsible for those people that want to cut off cable service.
Within a few minutes I was given an offer to reduce my BASEB $285 per month to $185 for one year. During my second call, they offered another $30 reduction in price. Discounts were all for just one year? Some people may just want to stop here, and not go through with the total conversion. The decision to switch to digital here does not save you that much money. But what happens after one year? And we would still have 3 cable boxes and 2 controllers per television.
We asked about just retaining the 300 mps Optimum internet and landline only (my wife wants a landline), and received a $99 per month offer. In this case, we wanted to shut off the cable and return the 3 cable boxes ($11 each per month). An internet connection is needed to run the streaming services. After doing my research I discovered that Optimum is by far the best Internet service in our area. Yes, you would get to retain your Optimum e-mail.
I changed over to Hulu, and worked with Hulu to make sure I understood exactly how to operate the Hulu service. It is very easy to use for live services, and offers many great streaming features including original programming.
I left both Optimum and Hulu in place for 2 weeks while we tested the new Hulu service, and made sure we could operate all 3 TVs. Hulu customer service is outstanding (and 24/7).
We now need only 1 controller per TV. Digital operation is easy.
I returned all cable boxes and controllers to the Norwalk store.
The financial decision is basically a wash; each service costs about the same. But we decided to change because of the digital ease of use, one controller, removal of the cable boxes for every television, and Hulu’s much greater versatility in terms of live and streaming services and unique content…..
Other considerations: If you have televisions over 5 years old, you will have to add the Roku or Apple TV accessory to your set to adopt Hulu streaming. We bought a new digital Samsung 50-inch 8000 series television for $464 on Amazon. We put the Apple TV accessory on our older 50-inch Samsung. This Apple accessory also improves image quality.
The selection of streaming options like Amazon, Netflix, Disney+, HBOMax, AppleTV, etc. does not change this decision analysis. The selection of streaming services is a different part of your own financial decision.
(Here’s a decision that’s not hard: Support “06880.” We rely completely on reader donations. Please click here to help.)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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