Category Archives: Real estate

Roundup: Staples Internships, Board Of Finance, Fair Rent Commission …

Posted on December 9, 2023 | 3 comments

Staples High School’s Internship Program is a win-win-win.

Every spring, talented and eager seniors leave school 3-4 weeks before graduation. They spend the final month out in the real world.

They work everywhere: retail stores, salons, restaurants, non-profits, medical offices, financial firms, design shops, farms, marketing companies, photography studios, publishers … you name it. If there’s a job to be learned and done, they do it.

(And not just in Westport. Interns head to New York City — even beyond.)

The work and real life experience they gain is invaluable. The energy, creativity — and help — they bring to the workplace is huge. And the internships get them out of high school at a time when senioritis would otherwise kick in (that’s the third “win”).

But as hard as they work, the program coordinators work equally hard right now arranging 420 or so internships.

So they’re asking the greater “06880” community: Can you help?

Do you need a senior (or 2, or 3) for daily onsite (or remote) work? Perhaps you’re beefing up your social media presence. Or looking for research help, design work, web content, data entry. Or hundreds of other tasks.

You can be a small, medium or large size firm– or a single proprietor. Maybe you were an intern once yourself, and want to give back.

Internships begin May 20. Students are expected to work 5 hours a day for 3-4 weeks, onsite, remotely or in a hybrid model. Program leaders provide guidance and oversight.

If interested, or to learn more, email shsinternship@westportps.org.

Staples High School internship opportunities include local farms.

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The Board of Finance holds a special meeting this Monday (December 11, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).

There is one agenda item: “Second discussion of the Long Lots Building Project.” It’s a discussion only; no vote will be taken.

The Long Lots Elementary School building project’s next step is the Board of Finance. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)

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Speaking of local politics: 1st Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker is seeking residents registered to vote in Westport to serve on the Fair Rent Commission. This group, was recently established by the Representative Town Meeting.

Five members will be appointed to staggered 4-year terms. Click here for the full language of the ordinance, including its makeup and powers.

In addition to the Fair Rent Commission, Westport residents with varying interests, talents, backgrounds and political affiliations are encouraged to volunteer to serve on other appointed committees that currently have vacancies or upcoming member term limits:

  • Architectural Review Board
  • Arts Advisory Committee
  • Blight Prevention Board
  • Commission for Senior Services
  • Conservation Commission
  • Flood and Erosion Control Board (Alternates)
  • Historic District Commission
  • Parks Advisory Committee
  • Tree Board
  • Youth Commission

Click here for descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of these appointed boards, commissions and committees.

Registered voters seeking any appointment should submit an Interest Form,   including a brief description of your background, biography or resume to selectwoman@westportct.gov.

Questions? Contact 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore: amoore@westportct.gov.

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Westport’s November residential home real estate market was stronger than a year ago.

There were 25 unit sales — up 8.7% compared to November 2022.

The median sales price of $1,75 million was up 9.7%; the median sales price per square foot of $434 is a 3% increase.

76% of homes sold for 95% or more of the list price. 84% sold within 90 days of listing.

The inventory of 91 homes represents a 12.5% decline compared to a year ago. The days on market — 48 — is a 15.8% decline. (Hat tip: Meredith Cohen/Raveis)

This 5-bedroom, 5 1/2-bathroom house at 2 Owenoke Park is listed for $8.795 million. It is 4,820 square feet, on 0.47 acres.

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La Plage celebrates the holidays with 2 special dinners.

There are 3-course prix fixe meals on Christmas Eve (4 to 10 p.m.) and Christmas Day (noon to 7 p.m.; $90 per person; $55 for 12 and under; $20 for kid’s menu). Click here for the menu, and reservations (required).

New Year’s Eve features a la carte seating from 5 to 7 p.m. A gala dinner, with 5- course tasting menu, is served from 8:30 on. Click here for the menu, and reservations.

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Speaking of the holidays: It will be a cold one in Lyman, Ukraine. For the second winter in a row, our sister city is dealing with the effects of Russia’s invasion.

Brian Mayer — the Westporter who co-founded Ukraine Aid International — is in Lyman this week.

Yesterday, he sent a video. It shows both the destruction, and the opportunity to help.

Our goal this month is to raise $60,000. That would pay for 2 wood pellet machines. Each provides pellets to heat 1,000 homes. In just 96 hours, “06880” readers have donated nearly $51,000.

With your help, the machines can be funded — and delivered — by Christmas. $30 will heat one home all winter. $300 will heat 10. $3,000 will heat 100. And 3 of those $3,000 donations will enable us to reach our goal.

To donate by credit card, click here; then click the “I want to support” box; then select “Westport — Lyman Sister City.” Scroll down on the Donate page for other options: mail, wire transfer and Venmo. Thank you!

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Pizza and a play.

That’s on the menu December 20. Westport Country Playhouse hosts “Together at the Table Family Dinner,” before a performance of the holiday production “A Sherlock Carol.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a pizza dinner, followed by the show at 7.

Families can enjoy a communal dinner in the Playhouse’s rehearsal barn and a casual conversation with an artist from the show before the performance together – all for $10 per ticket (must attend as a family, with student-age children. For reservations, call 203-227-4177.

“A Sherlock Carol” runs from December 19-23. Click here for the full schedule, and more information.

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Former 1st Selectwoman Diane Farrell returns to Westport.

This time, she’s the deputy under secretary for international trade, in the office of the Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce.

She’ll speak to the Westport Sunrise Rotary Club this Friday (December 15, 7:45 a.m.,; coffee, bagels and muffins at 7;  Green’s Farms Congregational Church).

The public is invited. To RSVP or for questions, email info@WestportSunriseRotary.org.

Diane Farrell

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Kerri Rosenthal turns its attention from women’s clothes to women’s work.

On Tuesday (December 12, 6 to 8 p.m.), the Main Street store hosts a launch and discussion for Dr. Hilary Berger’s new book, “Work Like a Mother: Rewriting the Script for a Mother’s Career and Wellness Journey.”

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Congratulations to Staples High School’s December Students of the Month: seniors Deneil Betfarhad and William Lacend Duprey; juniors Elsa D’Elia, Christina Kavanah and Kelpin Gomez Ramos; sophomore Reese Rein, and freshmen Lila Roach and Simon Van Aken.

Students of the Month “help make Staples a welcoming place for their peers and teachers alike. They are 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.”

Staples Students of the Month (from left): Simon Van Aken, Lila Roach, Kelpin Gomez Ramos, Deneil Betfarhad, Christina Kavanah, Elsa D’Elia, William Lacend Duprey. Missing: Reese Rein. 

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Speaking of Staples: 1979 graduate and Clemson University men’s soccer head coach Mike Noonan is headed to the NCAA championship.

His Tigers beat West Virginia University 1-0 yesterday in the Division I semifinal. They face Notre Dame in Monday’s final (6 p.m.).

Noonan had a legendary soccer career at Staples, helping lead the Wreckers to the 1978 state championship. After earning All-America status at Middlebury College, he played professionally — including in Louisville, where the Final 4 is being held.

Several of Noonan’s former Staples teammates and friends made the trip there for yesterday’s match, including Rich Hiltz, Eric Strausser and Dan Donovan. Donovan’s son Paddy is a reserve goalkeeper for Clemson.

Mike Noonan greets Westport fans after yesterday’s NCAA Division I semifinal win.

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The Westport Astronomical Society’s free online lecture series continues December 19 (8 p.m.), with an out-of-this-world topic.

Dr. Catherine S. Plesko will discuss “Planetary Defense: Using Supercomputers to Prevent Asteroid Impacts on Earth.” She is the principal investigator for planetary defense at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Click here to watch via Zoom. Click here to watch via YouTube.

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Claudia Sherwood Servidio offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” image from Main Street near Willowbrook Cemetery, with this comment: “There’s still color out there!”

(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

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And finally … in honor of Dr. Hilary Berger’s book launch (story above):

(Once again — as we’ve done every day since 2009 — “06880” delivers tons of useful, hyper-local news and information. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

 

3 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Real estate, Restaurants, Staples HS

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Woodman (And Developers): Spare Those Trees!

Posted on December 1, 2023 | 12 comments

You might be thinking about Christmas trees.

They’re pretty. They’re fragrant. And they’re planted with one purpose only: to be cut.

One “06880” reader is thinking about many other species: those that are disappearing from residential properties at a rapid rate, all over town.

The reader says: “When I first moved to town 6 years ago and began walking about, I discovered Ferry Lane East. It’s a quiet, charming street with towering trees and houses hidden in the forest.

“Year by year, ‘luxury’ developers take one lot after another. The first thing they do is clear-cut the 100+ year-old trees, before building the maximum size box allowed by zoning.

“Of the 18 lots on Ferry Lane East, 7 have been ‘developed’ in this manner.

24 East Ferry Lane

“It’s going on everywhere in Westport, of course. But — leaving aside the absurd carbon impact of 8,000-square foot houses replacing 2,000-square foot ones — there is no effort to integrate at least some of the mature trees in the new development.”

The reader asked Dick Stein about this. Dick is a long-serving member of the Westport Tree Board, a professional landscape expert, and the driving force behind the identification and attempted protection of Westport’s “Notable Trees.”

The reader says: “Dick’s explanation was that developers are worried about buyers suing them if a beautiful, mature tree dies within the first couple years of a sale. this happens frequently, since the soil around the trees gets compacted during construction. The developer fails to remedy it before they leave. and the trees can die off simply from that.

“Also, trees can get in the way and slow down construction. It’s cheaper and safer to just clear cut as step number one. So that’s what they do.”

Here is #4 East Ferry Lane. Trees that were removed are circled:

Here is the lot today:

The reader notes: “I’m not sure what, if anything, can be done to encourage developers to stop clear cutting, and attempt to integrate mature trees.

“I know everyone is aware of the situation. This is just a reminder of the speed with which it is happening. I’ve been here only 6 years, and as a complete newcomer I can see the ongoing impact.”

(“06880” has covered Westport tree issues regularly. We’ll continue to do so. But we need reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)

12 Comments

Posted in Environment, Real estate

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From Glendinning To Bridgewater … And Next, A Few Homes?

Posted on November 28, 2023 | 24 comments

Over the past few years, a few big housing developments riveted Westport’s attention. There’s 1177 Post Road East, opposite Greens Farms Elementary School, for example, and 3 others in various stages of construction: 157 units on Hiawatha Lane Extension, 68 on Lincoln Street, and 16 more being shoehorned onto Wilton Road opposite Fort Apache on Kings Highway North.

Sometimes, Westport is handcuffed by state legislation that trumps local boards and commissions (and traffic and safety concerns). The driving force: the need for each town in Connecticut to provide a share of “affordable housing.”

1177 Post Road East

But local officials have been proactive. They’ve searched for sites where a new development might work (like the state maintenance facility between Walgreens and West Parish Road), and enacted zoning regulations to encourage “cluster cottage” housing on town-owned land.

All of that construction — already done, and planned — has one thing in common: It’s south of the Merritt Parkway. That’s where zoning enables its construction.

Recently, however, a unique property came on the market. It offers a chance for a small new development, with a decent-sized affordable housing element.

Glendinning Place is the 16-acre site first developed as an office park in the 1960s by Ralph Glendinning. His eponymous company was the first marketing promotion firm in the world.

(The wooded land next to the Saugatuck River — much of which he preserved —  had a long history with business. The Dorr-Oliver Company, which made chemicals and other products, was headquartered in a nearby former mill.)

One view of the Glendinning property …

Eventually, Bridgewater Associates became the office park’s tenant. The world’s largest hedge fund was famously secretive. Westporters barely noticed the firm, which departed over a year ago to consolidate all its operations at Nyala Farm, next to I-95 Exit 18.

Three partners — Westporter David Waldman, and New Haven-area Urbane Capital and Sachem Capital — purchased the property in September, for $10.6 million.

They’re leasing out the office space. But they saw a chance to use 3.7 acres to build 14 single-family, 2-story detached homes that they believe fill an unaddressed niche: 3-bedrooms, and just under 3,000 square feet.

Ten of those homes would be sold at market rates. The other 4 would be deed-restricted, as “affordable” (using state guidelines).

The developers need a text amendment. But they felt the timing and the site was right, for a small project including several affordable homes, on the only commercially zoned property north of the Merritt Parkway.

… and the office building.

Rick Redniss — whose Redniss & Mead land use and engineering firm is working on other local projects like Delamar Westport and The Clubhouse — is helping guide the project through the approval phase.

He calls it “an opportunity to add affordable housing in pretty innocuous ways. Generally, it’s very difficult to do that without an 8-30g proposal” — an often-adversarial process, pitting developers against the town.

However, he admits, “this is a balancing exercise. It always is, with housing in a Gold Coast town.”

Traffic concerns will be minimal, he says. Soil tests have been positive.

But feedback from neighbors — including concern about the septic threshold of 7,500 gallons a day — caused the partners to rethink the project.

They withdrew a planned text amendment application, as they reduce the number of homes. The goal remains to have 20% of them be affordable.

A new proposal and text amendment, and future meetings with neighbors, are in the works.

A previous rendering showed 14 homes built just below the top yellow line (underneath “Aspetuck Land Trust.” That number will be lower, in the next plan to be submitted.

Redniss remains convinced that Westporters want to do their share to provide affordable housing.

“I defended the town when it’s been attacked about housing,” he says. “Over the last 8 years, Westport has been proactive. It’s not ‘no’; it’s ‘let’s try to accomplish different ideas, and meet the diverse needs of the community.'”

Housing is a complex issue, he notes, involving everything from politics and zoning to history and tradition.

“Everyone has a responsibility to do their fair share,” he says. “This is a modest proposal. It’s not 150 units. It’s in a commercial zone.

“If we can’t do this here, where can we do it?”

Conceptual plans for the Glendinning homes.

(“06880” covers every aspect of Westport: real estate, business, politics, the environment, and more. Please click here to support hyper-local journalism. Thank you!)

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Posted in Local business, Local politics, Real estate

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[OPINION] Westport: Purchase Property Next To Burying Hill

Posted on November 14, 2023 | 42 comments

26-28 Beachside Avenue — Harvey Weinstein’s property, next to Burying Hill Beach, and the one adjacent to it —  is on the market for $17,900,000. The 2 lots on 5.65 acres include 454 feet of waterfront, and a beach.

Longtime Westporter and open space advocate Scott Smith writes:

If the good citizens of Westport can over the years pony up funds to purchase Longshore Club Park, Winslow Park, Baron’s South, Allen’s Clam House and other unique properties around town, why wouldn’t we consider acquiring the 5-plus acre parcel on Beachside Avenue adjacent to Burying Hill Beach?

26-28 Beachside Avenue is to the left of Burying Hill Beach. (Photo copyright GMLS IDX)

While it’s great to see investment in the restored jetty, as a municipal property Burying Hill is still woefully neglected and in serious need of further climate-mitigation repair.

The roadway and parking area are increasingly under water at high tides.

And let’s face it: Despite its spectacular location, with limited facilities, an awkward layout and poor access, Burying Hill is underwhelming as a recreational venue.

Buying the adjoining land at 26-28 Beachside Avenue would allow for the entrance roadway to be moved away from New Creek, and create an opportunity to reimagine the park as a public greenspace along a scenic tidal estuary with unparalleled bluff-side views of Long Island Sound. That is what Burying Hill Beach was meant to be.

The Burying Hill Beach entrance often floods at high tide. (Photo/Ed Simek)

Yes, there’s sticker shock.

But as Donald Trump has been schooling us, real estate appraisals are very much in the eye of the beholder, and lienholder. I, for one, would have a hard time shelling out any amount of money to build a home on ground despoiled by Harvey Weinstein.

26-28 Beachside Avenue. (Photo copyright GMLS IDX)

At the very least, from an ecological/conservation standpoint, it makes great sense to preserve the New Creek watershed from further development. I would hope there are conservation easements or other tax benefits to explore to that end.

Look what happened when the town failed to prevent the blue monster at Old Mill Beach.

So, come on, Westport: Make an offer!

(To see the full real estate listing, click here.)

(Readers’ opinions count! So do your contributions. Please click here to support “06880.” Thank you!)

Schematic for 26-28 Beachside Avenue.

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Posted in Beach, Real estate

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Roundup: Historic Homes, Terrible Traffic, WWPT Winners …

Posted on November 6, 2023 | 5 comments

100 guests toured 4 unique houses yesterday.

Each was special, in its own way. All were impressive. The result was a very successful first-ever “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour.

Annette Norton’s small 1700s home on North Avenue was a great attraction for the many residents who drive by often, admire her exterior renovation, and wonder what’s inside.

Annette Norton (left) shows guests the original fireplace, with a mantel she found in upstate Connecticut. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Mark Yurkiw and Wendy Van Wie’s barn is a 2-story, wide-open, wood-paneled  delight that includes Mark’s artwork treasures in every corner.

A view of the Cross Highway barn, from the 2nd-floor landing. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Matt Burrows and Amy Gay surprised visitors to their 1742 home, also on Cross Highway. The exterior is a faithful restoration of a well-known, once-dilapidated property, while the interior is very modern, beautifully designed (by the owners), and open.

Matt Burrows (right) shows off the open floor plan he designed for his home. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Julia Gross and Mark Lamensdorf’s property on Old Hill Road delights at every turn, from original wooden beams and a formidable stone basement, to an old outhouse (now shed) in the back that “seats 3.”

The original door and beams in the original kitchen on Old Hill Road. (Photo/Amy Saperstein)

KMS Team at Compass co-sponsored the event. Karen Scott, Laurie Morris, Michael Mombello, Susan Seath and Karen Hagen were superb docents.

“06880” board members Amy Saperstein, Bill Scheffler and John Dodig (and his husband Rodger Lawrence) assisted, with help from Staples’ Service League of Boys.

“06880” often reports on Westporters who restore — rather than tear down — some of our oldest homes. Yesterday, readers went behind the scenes, to experience 4 of the homes they’d only read about before.

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Speaking of restored homes: Here’s another shot of the continuing work being done at 44 Compo Cove, perhaps the most photographed house in Westport.

(Photo/Molly Alger)

The bones of the 1917 home will remain.

But the interior will look very, very different.

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For the second weekend out of three, the feared “traffic-geddon” generated by the I-95 Saugatuck Avenue bridge replacement project was largely avoided.

Traffic flowed smoothly — well, as smoothly as our “new normal” on Friday night, all day Saturday, Sunday morning, and early Sunday afternoon.

Then — for the second Sunday afternoon out of 3 — Westport was suddenly gridlocked.

Just like 2 weeks ago, traffic materialized out of nowhere. And it was everywhere.

Saugatuck — and feeder arteries like Greens Farms Road and Bridge Street — were jammed.

A line of cars and trucks extended from the North Kings Highway/Wilton Road light, all the way past Hudson Malone.

And the stretch from Parker Harding Plaza to the Post Road/Riverside Avenue/Wilton Road cluster**** was as bad as its ever been.

Some drivers waited patiently. Others devised new maneuvers to try to gain an edge, creating (of course) further chaos.

The state Department of Transportation once again completed the “bridge slide” portion of the project ahead of schedule.

The southbound span of I-95 was open around 4:30 p.m. But traffic continued for quite a while on the mean streets of Westport.

“It defies logic,” says Dan Vener, who took this photo of I-95 traffic, while stuck in the ground-level jam:

(Photo/Dan Vener)

Meanwhile, for a fascinating time-lapse version of the “bridge slide” — from 6 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Sunday — click below:

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it’s an annual tradition.

But it never gets old.

This weekend, Staples High School’s WWPT-FM broadcasters traveled to Chicago for the John Drury Radio Awards ceremony.

The station earned 16 nominations. They earned 11 honors — all (as anyone who ever listens to 90.3 knows), very well deserved.

Congratulations to:

  • Best Station Advisor: Geno Heiter
  • Broadcaster of the Year winner: Charlie Scott
  • Broadcaster of the year finalists: Elise Eisenberger, Henry Manning & Katherine Spada
  • Best DJ: Charlie Scott
  • 2nd place, News Feature: Maya Brody
  • 2nd place, Newscast: Charlie Scott
  • 2nd place, Radio Drama (@playersinsta )
  • 3rd place Talk Show: Henry Manning & Charlie Scott
  • 3rd place, Sportscast: Elise Eisenberger & Charlie Scott
  • 3rd place, Sports Play by Play: Devon Jarvis & Mason Siskind
  • 3rd place, Specialty Music: Cooper Sadler

Other nominations garnered 4th and 5th places.

WWPT rocks!

And obviously, does much more too.

At the John Drury Awards (from left): WWPT-FM advisor Geno Heiter, Devon Jarvis, Maya Brody, Katherine Spada, Henry Manning, Charlie Scott.

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Jon Gailmor — the beloved Vermont musical icon — returned to his Westport home town yesterday, for a sold-out show at the VFW.

The 1966 Staples graduate was joined by a few talented friends: former classmates Rob Carlson (his singing partner from the 1970s) and Roger Kaufman, plus Suzanne Sheridan, the producer of the popular “First Folk Sunday” series.

It was a trip back to a magical musical time.

And just perfect for these days, too.

From left: Jon Gailmor, Roger Kaufman, Suzanne Sheridan, Rob Carlson. (Photo/Pam Washburn)

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Yesterday was jam-packed.

The Westport Arts Advisory Committee sponsored its annual TEA (Thinkers, Educators, Artists) Talk at the Westport Library.

A crowd of 150 people heard experts — including Emmy- and Grammy Award-winning 1971 Staples grad Brian Keane, town-wide K-12 arts coordinator Steve Zimmerman, and artist/arts consultant Liz Leggett — discuss “What’s Next for the Arts?,” as it faces challenges from artificial intelligence.

Topics included whether or not AI poses an existential risk to the arts; the role of education; the pure joy of making art, and — intriguingly — how we decide what is real, not real, and “authentic.” Does, in fact, “authentic” matter at all?

Panelists used AI tools to create illustration and art, using prompts from attendees. Artists showed traditional techniques.

There was a lot to think about.

And every comment was generated by humans.

Panelists — each under their photo — at yesterday’s TEA Talk.

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Field Trip jerky — the very popular producer of healthy, protein-rich snacks ranging from beef, chicken, turkey and pork to jalapeño, cracked pepper and everything bagel — is headquartered in downtown Westport.

But it reaches all over the country.

Literally.

The other day, Bruce Miller and his wife were in Alaska. On a tour of Denali National Park, guests received a snack box.

Inside was a Field Trip Cracked Pepper Turkey Stick.

“We traveled 4,400 miles from home to enjoy a local treat!” he says.

You don’t have to go to The Last Frontier.

Field Trip is sold at retailers like Stop & Shop and CVS.

And in their only retail outlet, next to their Post Road offices opposite Design Within Reach.

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Artists Collective of Westport member Maj Kalfus’ work is featured at the Weston Senior Center, through the end of December. Her 30 pieces include oil paintings, collage, brush and ink, graphite, digital art and drawings from life.

A reception is set for November 16 (6 to 8 p.m.). Kalfus teaches at the Westport Senior Center. Her portrait of Ella Fitzgerald was featured at the recent Westport Country Playhouse tribute to the jazz singer.

Works by Maj Kalfus

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As we head into mid-fall — with winter not too far away — this is the “Westport … Naturally” scene from Ellen Wentworth’s living room:

(Photo/Ellen Wentworth)

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And finally … in honor of our great “Historic Homes of 06880” tour (story above):

(A lot went on this weekend — and, as always, “06880” previewed, and now reviews, it. If you enjoy our hyper-local coverage, please consider a contribution. Click here — and thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Real estate, Staples HS, Transportation

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“Historic Homes Of 06880” Tour Set For Sunday

Posted on November 1, 2023 | 2 comments

A few tickets remain for our first-ever “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour.

This Sunday’s event (November 5, 2 to 5 p.m.) is a chance to see 4 homes — all from the 1700s — that have been featured in our blog.

“06880” often reports on teardowns, new construction, and the loss of beloved landmarks.

But Sunday’s tour highlights the meticulous, loving, creative — and handsome — work that Westporters do to renovate, restore and reimagine homes that have stood for centuries.

All are on main roads. (No surprise: That’s where people built houses, back in the day.)

You’ve driven by all of them. Now you’ll get a chance to admire them from the inside.

There’s 29 North Avenue — the tiny house on the left heading north toward Staples High School. Annette Norton (the owner of Savvy + Grace) has spent 2 years on her top-to-bottom, inside-and-out renovation.

It draws appreciative looks from all who pass by (and was chronicled last spring on “06880”).

29 North Avenue

When the Angotti family bought the he 1707 Nathaniel Finch house at 6 Old Hill Road, it was sagging and dilapidated.

Rather than tearing it down, they embarked on a 2-year restoration project using authentic building material methods, without a single nail or screw. It is now one of the gems of the historic Old Hill neighborhood, a shining example that the past remains alive, more than 3 centuries later.

6 Old Hill Road

The home at 39 Cross Highway, near the corner of Weston Road, is much admired, very visible and extensively remodeled.

The homeowners’ work was recently rewarded with a Historic District Commission Preservation Award.

39 Cross Highway

Further east, 190 Cross Highway is a barn that stood when the British marched by on their way to Danbury. Today, it has been remodeled into a funky, very cool working artists’ studio.

190 Cross Highway barn

“06880” tells stories. As you explore all 4 houses, you’ll learn the stories behind each one.

Homeowners, members of “06880”‘s board of directors, and our friends and co-sponsors at KMS Team at Compass will point out cool aspects of each home. We’ll answer questions. You’ll get a brochure explaining the 4 houses too..”

Tickets are $60 each, $100 for 2. Proceeds help fund “06880”‘s work — which, as always, chronicles Westport’s past, present and future.

Click here for tickets. It’s our “Donate” page. Please note “Historic Homes of ‘06880’” with your order.

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Posted in Looking back, Real estate

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Roundup: Stats: Real Estate, Police, PopUp Bagels …

Posted on October 26, 2023 | 4 comments

The hot real estate market has cooled a bit. Several indicators are down during the first 3 quarters of 2023, compared to last year.

But the median sale price is up 2.4% from January-September 2022. The current median is $2.1 million, according to KMS Team at Compass.

Other statistics, for the first 9 months of 2023 compared to ’22:

  • Number of sales: 257 (down 29%)
  • Total dollar value: $627,258,757 (down 29%)
  • Number of new listings: 379 (down 18%)
  • Average percentage over asking price: 1.67% (down 2.4%)
  • Number of days on market: 29 (down 5%).

This 8,246-square foot, 4-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom on 1.35 acres on Saugatuck Avenue is listed at $13.9 million.

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Westport Police had a busy week.

There were 5 custodial arrests of adults, between October 18 and 25.

Three were charged in connection with Monday’s chase on I-95 and the Greens Farms area, ending at the Sherwood Island Connector.

Two 20-year-olds from Ansonia, and a 19-year-old from Seymour, were all charged with the same crimes: reckless driving, engaging police in a pursuit, larceny of a motor vehicle, interfering with police officers/resisting arrest, assault on a public safety officer, and reckless endangerment.

The day before (Sunday, October 22), an attempted motor vehicle theft at 4:20 a.m. led to police pursuit onto I-95, where the vehicle’s tires were deflated after stop sticks were deployed.

Two juveniles were caught at the scene. A Westport K-9 officer found an 18-yar-old from Meriden in nearby bushes. He was charged with reckless driving, improper use of marker plates, operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny 6th degree, conspiracy to commit larceny 6th degree, and interfering with an officer. He was turned then over to New Haven police, where he had outstanding warrants.

In addition, a 20-year-old Waterbury man was arrested in connection with last month’s carjacking inside a Bayberry Lane garage. He was charged with home invasion, burglary 1st degree, larceny 1st degree, conspiracy to commit larceny, robbery 1st degree, robbery by carjacking, assault 3rd degree, and reckless endangerment.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 9 citations
  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 9
  • Failure to comply with state traffic control signals: 5
  • Disorderly conduct: 1
  • Larceny 5th degree: 1
  • Passing a standing school bus: 1
  • Speeding: 1
  • Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
  • Following too closely: 1
  • Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
  • Failure to insure a motor vehice: 1
  • Improper use of markers: 1

The aftermath of Monday’s pursuit of stolen vehicles. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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The “pop” in PopUp Bagels first referred to its peripatetic appearance — an underused location in Westport, then a few nearby towns, eventually New York.

It could also mean “popular.” The Westport-based bagels (and schmears) always sell out. Block-long lines waited in the city. They won 2 straight “Best Bagel” awards at the very prestigious Brooklyn Bagelfest.

Now, Adam Goldberg’s 3-year-old business has closed on an $8 million capital raise. The funding will enable future growth, and an expansion of the executive team.

The round was led by New York equity firm Stripes. Click here for the delicious details.

Adam Goldberg, with the gold.

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The private garages at Sherwood Mill Pond — behind the Old Mill homes, on the way to the pedestrian walkways to Compo Cove — are an object of fascination.

They’re old — a throwback to perhaps the 1920s.

One owner has decorated hers with seashells and baubles.

Then there is this one:

(Photo/Karen Como)

There must be a back story. Perhaps a wife said to her husband, “Honey, that is not going in the house. It belongs in the garage!”

Click “Comments,” to share your own bathroom humor.

But keep it clean. No potty mouths.

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Amy Schneider spotted these pumpkins yesterday, at the Compo brick pavilion.

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

Perhaps someone heard that the beach was a favorite spot for trick-or-treaters.

Let’s clarify: It’s the homes in the very walkable Compo neighborhood, not the beach itself.

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Longtime Westporter Paul Hammond, more recently of Fairfield, died  peacefully at home earlier this month, with his family and rector at his side. He was 82.

Paul grew up in Darien, where he was an acolyte at St Luke Church, acting in theater, and played baseball and football. His summers were spent in Chatham, Massachusetts, where his family had 300 years of history.

.After graduating from Darien High School in 1959, Paul took a gap year to work as head doorman at Hawaii’s Waikiki Hilton. He graduated from Brown University in 1965, then earned his masters degree at New York University in international development.

In 1966 he joined the Army. Paul served for 3 years as a 1st Lieutenant and executive officer of his training battalion, receiving a Commendation Medal.

He began his business career at International Paper, then worked at Emery Air Freight and All Transport. Paul started his own company, US Trade and Transport, and traveled the world selling heavy construction equipment.

He later entered market research, working for Teeton Group, Yankelovich and TRC, where he was an executive vice president and principal shareholder.

Paul met the love of his life, Paige, in 1979. They were married the next year. They settled on Saugatuck Shores, where they lived for 35 years.  Paul enjoyed lobstering, fishing, waterskiing, and spending time with Paige’s children.

The couple traveled extensively. Treasure Cay, Abaco Bahamas became their home away from home.

In retirement, Paul wrote novels and researched. He published 4 books aboutthe American Revolution.

Paul was active at Christ & Holy Church on the vestry, Fundraising Committee, and as building project manager for the renovation project. He served as a president and board member of the Saugatuck Island Owners Association.  He was also chair of the Treasure Cay Golf Club, commodore of the Yacht Club, and a board member of the Treasure Cay Medical Clinic. Recently, he served as Grounds chair and a board member at the Meadows in Fairfield.

Paul fully encouraged all his grandchildren, and rarely missed an event.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Paige Hammond; stepchildren Connie (Jamie) Widmann of Newtown, and David (Andrea) Moore of Westport; grandchildren Jimmy and Sarah Widmann, and Tessa, Janna and Ella Moore;  sister-in-law Suzanne Hammond. and many cousins, nieces and nephew.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held November 17 (noon, Christ & Holy Trinity Church).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Paul’s name to Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810.

Paul Hammond

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Many “Westport … Naturally” photos feature an animal, plant or flower.

This one shows a much bigger scene, at Sherwood Mill Pond. It’s one of the reasons we love this part of New England so much.

Enjoy it now. It won’t last forever — or even a couple of weeks.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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And finally … (and speaking of Sherwood Mill Pond): today’s song honors a certain garage on the way to Compo Cove:

(Where else but “06880” do you get real estate, police, business and  beach news — and much more — every day? We rely on reader support to do it all. Please click here to help. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Traffic, Garden, “The Exorcist” …

Posted on October 23, 2023 | 6 comments

We expected the worst all weekend.

“The slide” — the simultaneously high-tech and low-tech effort to replace the aging I-95 Saugatuck Avenue bridge with a new one, constructed alongside it — began Friday afternoon.

Dire warnings of gridlock aside, traffic flowed smoothly through Westport Friday night. And all day Saturday. And Sunday morning.

Anyone who expected a long journey on the Post Road, or through Saugatuck, zipped right along.

Until yesterday afternoon.

Suddenly, things were as bad as we’ve ever seen. The Post Road was jammed for miles, and drivers were not playing nice. Running red lights, blocking side streets, pulling into oncoming traffic — if there was a way to be a jerk, they found it.

Meanwhile, Waze and similar apps were routing drivers through parts of Westport that seldom see traffic, like Gorham Avenue and Hermit Lane. Hermit Lane!

The bizarre thing is: “The slide” was completed far earlier than expected. By mid-afternoon yesterday, the new bridge was in place.

The state Department of Transportation send out this message:

So yeah, we survived “the slide.”

Now we just have to do it all over again, 2 weeks from now.

The other side of the bridge is not going to move itself. (Hat tip: Susan Iseman)

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Michael Beebe reports from the Westport Community Gardens:

“Despite the soggy weather and the pall cast by the Long Lots School Building Committee recommendation, our final workday of the 2023 gardening season was Saturday,

“24 volunteers cleaned up the garden grounds, and made them ready for winter.  We are all hopeful that come spring, we will be readying our plots for planting our seedlings, as we have for 20 years.

Erin and Steve Loranger, getting the Community Garden ready for winter.

“In many ways it was business as usual. But between loads of wood chips, there

was a lot of discussion of the town’s decision to destroy the hard work of this hearty community.

“We even had a couple of visitors: a Long Lots parent and her kindergarten daughter. They wanted to learn more about the garden, in light of the controversy. The mom seemed concerned that the controversy about the garden was holding up construction of the school.

“I pointed out that the actual debate is about sports fields vs the garden. In fact, the LLSBC had an option which left the garden right where it was — proving that the garden itself is not an obstacle to a timely start. They just chose a different option.”

Michael sent photos of “a cheerful crew doing what we have always done: getting fresh air, working together as a community, and keeping the gardens beautiful.”

Volunteering at the Community Gardens work day (from left): Andrew Giangrave, Julie O’Grady, Teresa Roth, Franco Fellah, Patty Duecy, Pipa Ader.

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Just after 4 p.m. yesterday, Westport Police were alerted to a boating incident, with missing people.

Sometime after 9:30 a.m., a small fishing boat anchored on the south side of Cockenoe Island sank, in choppy waters.

There were 5 people on the small vessel; all ended up in Long Island Sound.  The Westport Police Marine Unit rescued 3. Assisted by the US Coast Guard Marine and Air Units, Norwalk and Fairfield Police Marine Divisions, and Suffolk County Air Unit, they searched for the other 2.

The 2 missing men are from Spring Valley and Suffern, New York.  A significant language barrier hampered ability to identify the missing men.  Police are working with translators during the investigation.

Any boaters near Cockenoe Island between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. yesterday are asked to call the Westport Police Department: 203-341-6000.

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This marks the 50th anniversary of the release of “The Exorcist.”

It’s hard to remember now, but reaction to the film was vehement. Much of it centered around Regan, the girl who was possessed (and whose head swiveled completely around, and who spewed green vomit and did unspeakable things with a crucifix).

Come to think of it, maybe that reaction wasn’t so unpredictable.

Regan was played by Linda Blair. A 14-year-old Staples High School student who had been working as a model and actress since she was 6, she was chosen from  600 others for the role.

Blair earned a Golden Globe Award, was nominated for an Oscar — and received death threats for her “blasphemy.” (She also dated Rick Springfield who, age 25, was 10 years older.)

All of that background is because yesterday’s New York Times included a 50-year retrospective of “The Exorcist.” Three critics assess the film’s impact, then and now. Click here to read. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)

Linda Blair in “The Exorcist.”

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“06880” often celebrates Westport’s rich history. We honor homeowners who preserve the past, while enhancing their neighborhoods by giving new life to old properties.

Which is why our first-ever “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour is so special. On Sunday, November 5 (2 to 5 p.m.), you’ll have a chance to check out 4 of our town’s oldest, most interesting homes.

The go-at-your-own-pace tour includes:

  • 29 North Avenue, the fascinating tiny 1700s home that Annette Norton has lovingly restored
  • 39 Cross Highway, the handsome remodeled house at the corner of Weston Road that recently won a preservation award
  • 190 Cross Highway, the intriguing barn/artists’ studio that the British passed on their way to burn the Danbury arsenal, and
  • 6 Old Hill Road, the 1707 home that was lovingly restored after a 2-year renovation project.

Homeowners, members of “06880”‘s board of directors, and our friends from KMS Team at Compass will point out cool aspects of each home. We’ll answer questions. You’ll get a brochure explaining the 4 houses too.

Tickets are $60 each, $100 for 2. Proceeds help fund “06880”‘s work — which, as always, chronicles Westport’s past, present and future.

Click here for tickets. It’s our “Donate” page. Please note “Historic Homes of ‘06880’” with your order.

29 North Avenue

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A large crowd enjoyed Neil Gaiman’s StoryFest lecture on Friday.

It also doubled as the fall 2023 Malloy Lecture in the Arts. The twice-annual event was endowed by Susan Malloy.

But who was she?

Before Gaiman spoke, Ann Sheffer — Malloy’s niece — gave some insights into the woman who devoted her life the arts, libraries, and Westport (and who would have been 100 years this coming February 28):

Ann said:

“Susan was my mother’s younger sister. They, their brother and their parents started coming to Westport in the early 1930s. In 1935 they bought a 1790 house on Cross Highway.

“My parents moved to Westport in the early 1950s, and Susan and family moved here in the early ’60s. They were all deeply enmeshed in the political, educational and cultural life of our community.

“Susan studied at the Art Students League after college. In Westport she a studio in her house, and painted every day – between carpooling, PTA meetings, and working to create the Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection and Arts Center, among other Westport institutions. She also created birdhouses for the Project Return auction.

“In our family, a common theme was a love of libraries. My grandfather, an immigrant who dropped out of school after 8th grade, loved books, bought libraries at estate sales and gave them away. He endowed libraries, including this one, through his Tudor Foundation.

“The Malloy Lecture represents the convergence of all of Susan’s interests and talents.”

Susan Malloy

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The Staples High School boys soccer team is enjoying a banner year. They head into this week’s FCIAC playoffs, and next month’s state tournament, as the #2 team in Connecticut.

To keep their program on top — and pay for things like assistant coaches, field maintenance and more — they’re running an online auction.

Items include a ski house, cooking classes, boat trips, Broadway tickets and more.

Click here to see all the items, and bid. The auction ends next Sunday (October 29, 10 p.m.).

The 2023 Staples boys varsity, JV and freshman teams. (Photo/Mark Sikorski)

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image — of last of the fall” dahlias — comes courtesy of Peter J. Swift (and the Westport Community Gardens).

(Photo/Peter J. Swift)

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And finally … as we celebrate “The Exorcist”‘s 50th anniversary (story above):

(Welcome to another week of “06880”: your hyper-local blog. Every week, we rely on reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)

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New Addition To “Historic Homes Of 06880” Tour

Posted on October 10, 2023 | Comments Off on New Addition To “Historic Homes Of 06880” Tour

There’s new news about next month’s tour of some of Westport’s oldest homes.

The Nathaniel Fitch house has just been added to “Historic Homes of 06880.” The first-ever “06880”-sponsored event is Sunday, November 5 (2 to 5 p.m.).

The 1707 Finch house at 6 Old Hill Road replaces the the 1683 house on Long Lots Road, now unavailable. When the Angotti family bought it in 1996 — nearly 300 years later — it was sagging and dilapidated.

Rather than tearing it down, they embarked on a 2-year restoration project using authentic building material methods, without a single nail or screw.

6 Old Hill Road

The other 3 properties on the tour are equally interesting, each in a different, special way.

There’s 29 North Avenue — the tiny house on the left heading north toward Staples High School, now lovingly renovated by Annette Norton, drawing appreciative looks from all who pass by (and chronicled last spring on “06880”).

29 North Avenue

Two other homes are close by, on Cross Highway. #39 is the much admired, very visible and extensively remodeled home near the corner of Weston Road that recently won a Historic District Commission Preservation Award.

39 Cross Highway

Further up Cross Highway is a barn that stood when the British marched by on their way to Danbury, and is now a handsome/funky/very cool artists’ studio.

Cross Highway barn

“06880” often celebrates Westport’s rich history. We honor homeowners who preserve the past, while enhancing their neighborhoods by giving new life to old properties.

“06880” tells stories. As you explore all 4 houses, you’ll learn the stories behind each one.

Homeowners, and members of “06880”‘s board of directors, will point out cool aspects of each home. We’ll answer questions. You’ll get a brochure explaining the 4 houses too.

Our friends at KMS Team at Compass are sponsoring the “Historic Homes of ‘06880’ tour.”

Tickets are $60 each, $100 for 2. Proceeds help fund “06880”‘s work — which, as always, chronicles Westport’s past, present and future.

Click here for tickets. It’s our “Donate” page. Please note “Historic Homes of ‘06880’” with your order.

Comments Off on New Addition To “Historic Homes Of 06880” Tour

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Roundup: Candidates’ Debate, Carjack And Gun Arrests, Longshore Meeting …

Posted on October 7, 2023 | 8 comments

Who you gonna believe: the comments section of “06880,” or your own ears?

With local elections looming, Westport’s League of Women Voters has scheduled 3 important debates. All take place in the Town Hall auditorium.

Planning & Zoning Commission candidates take the stage October 11 (7 p.m.). They’re followed by a double-header October 12: the Board of Education at 7 p.m., Board of Finance at 8:15.

This is your chance to hear — and assess — the men and women vying to lead our town. Come to Town Hall; then make an informed decision.

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Yesterday, with the help of the Waterbury Police Department, Westport detectives took 22-year-old Garrett Gibbs of Waterbury into custody for his involvement in the September 17th carjacking incident.

The arrest followed an intense investigation. Gibbs was charged with the following crimes:

  • Home Invasion
  • Burglary 1st degree
  • Robbery by carjacking
  • Assault 3rd degree
  • Larceny 1st degree
  • Conspiracy to commit larceny 1st degree
  • Robbery 1st degree

he is being held at the Westport Police Department on a $500,000.00 bond. He will appear in Stamford Superior Court on October 16.

Westport Police detectives are still working this case, and anticipate additional arrests.

Yesterday was a busy one for the WPD. They also arrested a 17-year-old juvenile from Stratford for an incident on July 11, when shots fired in Saugatuck. 

The youth is currently incarcerated at Manson Youth Institute, following a previous arrest by another agency. The arrest came after a lengthy investigation by the Detective Bureau, involving multiple interviews and search warrants. 

The teen was charged with:

  • Unlawful discharge of a firearm
  • Conspiracy to commit unlawful discharge of a firearm
  • Reckless endangerment 1st degree
  • Conspiracy to commit reckless endangerment 1s degree
  • Breach of peace
  • Conspiracy to commit breach of peace.

He will  appear in Bridgeport Juvenile Court on October 13. Police anticipate additional arrests.

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A twice-postponed Parks & Recreation Commission meeting has been rescheduled to October 18 (Town Hall Room 201, 7:30 p.m.). The agenda includes discussion of the Longshore Capital Improvement Plan.

The first meeting was interrupted due to a medical emergency. The second — this past Thursday — was planned as a virtual session. It never began, due to technical issues.

Among the concerns of attendees: where on the property to place the planned pickleball courts.

Changes will be coming soon to Longshore.

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Gaetano’s Deli is a favorite with Staples students.

So it’s a natural location for the high school radio station’s live broadcasts today.

Award-winning WWPT will set up a tent and remote facility outside the Post Road East spot. Everyone is welcome to stop by, and see these great young radio broadcasters in action.

And if you can’t be there, listen in: 90.3 FM, or online.

Check out the schedule below:

(Graphic by Henry Manning)

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It’s tough: How can parents talk honestly with their children about drug use, without sounding preachy, unrealistic or clueless?

All this month, the Westport Prevention Coalition is offering free streaming access to a 52-minute documentary, “Don’t Wait.”e.

Substances have changed over the years. Cannabis concentrates can deliver 96% pure THC with no CBD or plant matter. Delivery mechanisms like vapes and pouches are relatively new too.

The film updates parents’ knowledge, and helps them answer tough questions from their kids. Click here to stream the video.

As follow-up for parents who want more information, WPC plans 2 Zoom sessions for parents (October 24 and 26). Click here to register.

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PinkLand — the Pink Aid online auction, raising funds to help people with breast cancer — opens Monday. It runs through Thursday.

Over 300 items are available for online bidding. They include:

  • Brendan Murphy painting (value: $21,000)
  • Yankees Legends seats for 2024 ($3,000)
  • 2 tickets to “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen (TBD)
  • 4 VIP wristbands for Governor’s Ball Music Festival 2024 ($3,200)
  • 3 night Oceanview King stay at Mauna Lani, including buffet breakfast ($5,000)
  • Clase Azul Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Reposado tequila ($4,999)
  • Keith Urban Guitar ($500)
  • Courtside Knicks tickets ($2,500)
  • 4 tickets and field passes to Mets-Giants ($150)
  • Sholeh Janati painting ($5,800)

Tickets are still available for the October 12th luncheon at Mitchells of Westport (11 a.m.). Click here for more information — and to see all auction items, and bid.

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Westport celebrates UN Day with a special Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Lecture.

Kuwait Ambassador to the UN Tareq Albanai will speak on “Identifying Opportunities for Creative Diplomacy to Solve Global Challenges: A View from the Arabian Gulf” (October 24, 7 p.m., Westport Library). He’ll take audience questions afterward.

Ambassador Albanai has long experience dealing with issues of disarmament. A graduate of George Washington University, he is fluent in Arabic, English and Spanish.

Click here to register for in-person participation or streaming. The event is co-sponsored by the Library, and the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut.

Kuwait Ambassador to the United Nations Tareq Albanai.

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Rachel Rose is a 2014 Staples High School graduate. She now lives in Fairfield.

The former Orphenian, who studied privately with Cynthia Gibb, is now a professional singer. She calls her style achel calls her style “Jewish soul, contemporary soul and R&B.”

She entered a Jimmy Fallon “Battle of the Instant Songwriters” contest a year ago. On Wednesday, a representative called to see if she wanted to appear on the show.

On Thursday, there she was: on national TV. She and a fellow musician were given an hour to write a song, then perform it.

The title she was provided: “I Think This Airbnb is Haunted.”

How did she do? Click below!

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Alert “06880” reader Rita Corridon was checking out the New York Times’ “The Morning” feature today.

One piece began:

My hometown has a gardening store so lavish, so over-the-top curated with weather-stained terra-cotta planters the size of vintners’ casks, crumbling concrete birdbaths rescued from Eden and a jungle’s worth of fronds and boughs and leaves that it is a destination.

Out-of-towners come to gaze at its tableaux of mosses, hand-forged shears and fairy lights, to dine on seasonal produce at its in-house café. I think there might be an actual waterfall back by the table linens.

I love going to this store, wandering its aisles and imagining how different my life would be if I could inhabit its forever-green promise, like Keats gazing on the Grecian urn.

“That must be Terrain!” Rita thought.

She looked up the author, Melissa Kirsch.

Sure enough, the “hometown” she talks about is Westport.

Click here for the full piece.

“Lavish, over-the top” Terrain.

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Another teardown: Tom Lowrie reports: “A week ago, the house at 148 Old Road was demolished.

148 Old Road then … (Photo/courtesy of Google Maps)

“The site was covered with large trees and brush. The following week all but the best trees were cut down. A mountain of wood chips, logs and house materials were carted away.

“Then the CAT machines went to work, digging out stumps and and piling all the topsoil for future leveling of the site.”

Just another day in the world of Westport real estate.

… and now.

(Photos/Tom Lowrie)

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Westporter Howard Matson — a past international president of the Circumnavigators Club — hosted a dinner last nigh at New York’s Union League Club honoring Tony and Maureen Wheeler, writers and publishers of the Lonely Planet guidebook empire. The couple received the club’s highest recognition: the Order of Magellan.

Matson, who now serves on the club’s Board of Governors, has hosted in past years Jacques Cousteau, Walter Cronkite and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Howard Matson (center) with Maureen and Tony Wheeler.

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“Westport … Naturally” features our town’s natural wonders. Horseshoe crabs — which have been around for 440 million years — certainly qualify.

But these guys didn’t climb on the (man-made) Burying Hill Beach pier by themselves.

They needed help from humans. Our species is about 300,000 years old.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … speaking of the candidates’ debates next week (story above):

(“06880” is your place for healthy debate — and local journalism. If you appreciate our work, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here — thank you!)

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