Category Archives: Real estate

Roundup: 233 Hillspoint, “Guys & Dolls” Drama, Post-Election Coffee …

Posted on November 14, 2022 | 8 comments

For a few years now, 233 Hillspoint Road has sat half-finished. Swaddled in blue, with a chain link fence and weeds, it demolishes the beauty of the Old Mill neighborhood.

But one day, it will look like this:

And — from the beach — like this:

The property is listed for sale.

What would you get for $7.9 million? (Or $4.9 million, unfinished?)

The listing says:

233 Hillspoint Rd. is an exciting, sleek and sophisticated new construction waterfront home. A truly open floor plan that is drenched in sunlight through walls of glass that frame the water from every room. This stunning, beautifully designed, four bedroom all ensuite home, will be finished with high-end, understated elegance by noted architect, Lucien Vita.

The primary suite, with a true cathedral ceiling and private balcony, is next-level. The roof-top deck is beyond cool. Soak up the sun and fresh air while entertaining and watching the fireworks and sailboats on the horizon. Walk barefoot on the champagne sands, through the-beach level covered terrace to your personal elevator that will whisk you from the garage to where your life is lived with clarity, at a pace dictated by nature, the sun, the tides and the rhythm of the waves.

Only a handful of Westport homes have this incredible, panoramic view with a sandy beach. You’re home. And your home is on the beach with crazy gorgeous views.

Click here to see more (and make an offer).

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David Roth and Kerry Long — co-directors of Staples Players — missed the opening night of “Guys and Dolls” in 2009. Kerry gave birth to their daughter Lucy, just 17 minutes before the curtain rose.

Henry Carson missed opening night of the same show on Friday. His absence was at least as significant.

The senior plays Nathan Detroit. But he caught the flu, and — with very little warning — his understudy had to go on.

His freshman understudy.

Will McCrea stepped up big time. He delivered an almost flawless performance, earning a huge hand from the sellout crowd.

That may not have been surprising. Will is Jack Lemmon’s grandson.

Will McCrea as Nathan Detroit, and Jackie Peterson as Adelaide. (Photo/Kerry Long)

The rest of the cast came through too — big time as well. The acting, singing, dancing, sets, lighting and pit make this one of Players’ best shows ever. And that’s saying something.

On Saturday, 2 more actors fell ill. Freshman Graham Griffin took over as Big Jule from senior Charles Watson. Junior Finley  Chevrier went on too.

Both Will and Graham’s Players debuts were impressive. Of course, they’ve been trained well: They shared the role of Daddy Warbucks in last year’s Bedford Middle School production of “Annie.”

Graham Griffin as Big Jule. (Photo/Kerry Long)

“Guys and Dolls” continues this weekend, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (November 18 and 19), and a Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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The League of Women Voters of Westport invites voters (and everyone else) to a “Post-Election Coffee.” It’s Wednesday (November 16, 10 a.m., VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, 465 Riverside Avenue).

Westport’s registrars of voters Deborah Greenberg and Maria Signore will discuss the election, and what happens now the Connecticut’s early ballot initiative has passed.


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Caroline Hendley and her husband rode to Saugatuck Shores this weekend.

She sent this image for “Westport … Naturally.” Check out the Buddha on the far right. Caroline thought that its head, resting on a dock, suggests that it can calm the waters.

(Photo/Caroline Hendley)

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And finally … Jeff Cook, a founding member of Alabama, died last week in Florida. He was 73, and suffered from Parkinson’s disease.

The band had 32 #1 country hits between 1980 and ’93. Several crossed over to the pop charts. Click here for a full obituary.

(Alabama is great. But Westport is better. Please click here to support “06880” — your hyper-local blog.)

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Entertainment, Politics, Real estate, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Wilton Road Apartment Approvals Begin

Posted on November 14, 2022 | 19 comments

In March, Westport’s 8-30g moratorium ends.

Four months from now, developers may again apply to include “affordable housing” in their plans. Some believe in it. Others use it as a ploy for approval of projects otherwise too big to pass zoning muster.

(8-30g is a state statute requiring at least 10% of a community’s housing stock to be “affordable,” according to a state median income formula. Westport would meet that standard if all affordable units were included. However, only those built after 1990 — when the regulation was adopted — are included.)

Meanwhile, an 8-30g project approved before the moratorium is moving through Westport’s approval pipeline.

122 Wilton Road — the 1.16-acre parcel bordered by Wilton Road, Kings Highway North, the Saugatuck River and Taylortown Salt Marsh — is the planned site of a 3-story, 19-unit,  20,078-square foot apartment complex.

122 Wilton Road is the site of a planned 3-story, 19-unit apartment complex.

In 2018, the state Appellate Court denied a plan by Garden Homes of Stamford to build a 7-story, 48-unit apartment complex.

The developer returned with the smaller, 19-unit proposal, which included an 8-30g component.

Again the P&Z rejected the request. The scale was still too big; there were still traffic and fire safety issues.

But Garden Homes appealed, and a court overruled the P&Z. According to 8-30g, affordability trumps traffic and safety concerns.

COVID pushed back the 122 Wilton Road schedule. But last month the Conservation Department issued a permit. Still ahead are permits from the Water Pollution Control Facility and Building Department.

But with the court’s okay, the project moves steadily ahead.

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Posted in Economy, Local politics, Real estate

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Food Lines

Posted on November 12, 2022 | 8 comments

Westporters waited eagerly for Casa Me to open. The Italian restaurant in Sconset Square is now serving satisfied diners.

We waited for Saugatuck Provisions too. It sold its first steak, pork (and pasta) on Tuesday.

But several highly anticipated openings seem to have stalled. We’re twiddling our thumbs waiting for …

Amazon Fresh. The innovative grocery store — just pick up your stuff and walk out (after scanning your app, of course) — has not been worked on in months. The place looks abandoned (a very un-Amazon-like description).

Way back in February, The Original Pancake House announced a summer opening.  They said they’d take over the 2nd floor space formerly occupied by Boca restaurant (and before that, Acqua). There are over 100 locations in 28 states and overseas. This will be the first in Connecticut. After months with no activity, it looks like work has finally begun. But there’s not even a “coming soon” link on the website.

In July, callers to a Post Road restaurant near Shearwater Coffee heard: “Hi! You’ve reached Pizza Lyfe, formerly Ignazio’s. We are remodeling, and will be back soon!” “Soon” is still on its website. Hungry potential diners wonder what’s taking so long. It was already set up as a pizza place, right?

Meanwhile, there is good news about Mexicue. The Main Street outpost of the New York, Washington and Stamford restaurants, mixing “street food sensibility” with fine dining, was announced in February. Nine months later, the website promises a November 16 opening.

(“06880” is your regular source of restaurant and retail news. Please click here to support our work.)

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Posted in Downtown, Local business, Real estate

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Roundup: Jimmy Kimmel, Westport10, Clocks Change …

Posted on November 5, 2022 | 2 comments

Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue is often edgy.

The other night, in a segment on Kanye West’s social media remarks, he aired a (fake) ad for “Yentanyl” — an aid to help those who might be feeling a bit antisemitic.

And there — right in the middle — was a clip from “Fiddler on the Roof.”

But not just any production of the Broadway classic. This was from Staples Players’ 2015 show: the famous “Bottle Dance” sequence.

Directors David Roth and Kerry Long have no idea how Kimmel’s staff found the show. But it’s on YouTube.

Actually, it’s quite popular. It’s gotten over 113,000 likes — and admiring comments from as far away as Russia. Many admirers probably have no idea this is a high school group.

Click below for the Kimmel into. The “ad” begins around the 7:30 mark. Staples’ cast comes on just after 8:00.

Then click below for the original Staples Players’ “Bottle Dance.” Oy! (Hat tip: Caroline Rossi)

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Speaking of Staples: The high school’s logowear is everywhere. Athletes, actors, musicians, Inklings writers — all proclaim their Wrecker allegiance.

There’s plenty of generic “Staples” apparel too, worn proudly by students and parents. It’s fun — and quite profitable for the retailers (some local, some not) who sell it.

At the Homecoming football game last month, a Staples PTA member spotted 2 varsity jackets — on long-ago graduates: Gina Hackett (Class of 1991) and John McGrath (’95).

Gina Hackett and John McGrath, at Homecoming.

That sparked a fundraising idea.

For a limited time — and just in time for the holidays — the Staples PtA is selling Staples Wreckerwear. Some is branded for alums; some just says “Staples.” It’s available to all alums everywhere. And anyone else who is proud of our outstanding high school.

Keeping it local: This is a partnership with Nice Threads, the Kings Highway North customizing company owned by 2000 graduate Tim Nash.

Click here to see all the sweatshirts, t-shirts, flannel pants, hats and beanies. The ordering deadline is November 11.

Some of the Staples PTA/Nice Threads logowear items.

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Autostrada — the classic car/private club/event meeting space that’s one of Westport’s hidden gems — was the setting for yesterday’s Westport10 meeting.

The social and cultural group of Black Westport men was hosted by Autostrada founder Gioel Molinari. They enjoyed a private lunch and tour of the rare autos in the well-curated space.

Gioel’s oat milk lattes drew especially high praise.

So far Westport10 has met at La Plage, the Westport Library and now Autostrada. Next month …?

Westport10 at Autostrada. Standing (from left): Craig Melvin, Christian Bolu, Ted Parker, Jay Norris, Kevin Christie, Brian Corbett, Vincent Spencer, Eric Freeman. Front: Gioel Molinari.

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Tonight — well, actually tomorrow morning — is our reward for last March.

Set your clocks back before bed. Bingo! You get an extra hour of sleep. It’s the “fall back” part of the “spring forward…” saying.

But here’s the thing: Why are we now on “Standard Time”?

It’s only from tomorrow through early March. That’s 4 months.

The other 8 months are “Daylight Savings Time.” Shouldn’t that be the standard? And maybe call these next 4 months “Nighttime Darkness Time”?

I’m just sayin’…

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Back to Staples: The high school’s Zero Waste Committee’s first-ever sustainable holiday festival is in the cafeteria on November 12 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Green gift items include kids crafts, a thrift store and more. Admission is free. Click here and scroll down to see the nearly 30 vendors.

Speaking of green: Last winter, “06880” posted 2 stories about trees removed at the site of a new home on Hideaway Lane, off Hillspoint Road.

New trees have now been planted on the town’s right-of-way. They are slow growing, and will not reach as high as the utility wires above them (as the trees that were removed did).

SIR Development also planted approximately 32 trees on the property itself, replacing those that were cut down. The tree warden was consulted on all the plantings.

New trees on Hillspoint Road.

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With great weather predicted, La Plage’s Patio Bar at Longshore will remain open this weekend.

We’re not sure what Thanksgiving holds. But the popular restaurant will be serving (indoors) a special holiday dinner, from noon to 7 p.m. that day (November 24).

There’s a traditional Amish turkey, with seasonal local ingredients. The 3-course prix fixe menu is $85 per person (young adults: $39).

For reservations and information, click here or call 203-684-6232.

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Speaking of weather: It was foggy yesterday morning at Compo Beach.

And we don’t have the foggiest notion who put these boots there. Or why.

Just one more reason — if anyone needs it — that there’s always something to see by the shore.

(Photo/Alison Lee)

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Longtime Westport resident and noted actress Page Hedden Wilson, died at her Haddam home on  September 13. She was 96.

Page was born in New York City in 1926 to Walter P. Hedden, director of Port Development for the Port Authority of New York, and Worth Tuttle Hedden, an award-winning novelist and champion of minority rights.

After attending Antioch College, Page met her husband, Ian H. Wilson while studying at the Theater School of Bradford Yorkshire, England. They were married in 1951 and lived for a short time in London, where Page gave birth to her first child on the day Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne.

In 1954 the couple relocated to Westport, Connecticut, where they  raised their daughters Rebecca, Dori, Ellen, Holly and Alix. For more than 60 years the family lived in 5 different homes there.

Page and Ian acted in the Westport Community Theater during its early years at the group’s little theater on Kings Highway, Wilton Playshop and White Barn Theater.

Page was an artist and puppeteer, creating her own traveling puppet show Trunk of Tales Puppets in 1965 and performing at hundreds of schools, museums and nature centers in New York and Connecticut. She was also s founding member of the Connecticut Guild of Puppetry.

Page was a playwright, actress and producer of critically acclaimed plays about famous women, from Agatha Christie to Mary Cassatt and Eleanor Roosevelt. She researched her characters carefully, using authentic props and dresses.

Page is survived by her daughters Rebecca (John Armstrong) of Madison, Connecticut; Dori (George Ostasiewicz) of Norwalk; Holly (Jim Luce) of Denville, New Jersey and Dr. Alexandra Wilson (Terry Dawson) of Austin. and 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Page was predeceased by her former husband, Ian Wilson, her daughter, Ellen Page Wilson and her companion of many years, Sayard Stone.

PageWilson, on stage as Agatha Christie.

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Yesterday’s fog on Orchard Hill Road intrigued Rowene Weems.

The result: this moody but mesmerizing “Westport … Naturally” image:

(Photo/Rowene Weems)

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And finally … inspired by the photo of the Compo Beach footwear (above):

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Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Local business, Obituaries, Real estate, Restaurants

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Who You Gonna Call? 15 Generations Of Westporters.

Posted on November 4, 2022 | 2 comments

Peter Jennings’ family has been here for 11 generations.

Maxx Crowley — a 4th-generation Westporter — is, by comparison, a new arrival.

For years, the 2 families’ businesses have been friendly rivals — and sometimes partners — in the property management field.

Now they’ve joined forces. A recent merger created a new firm that offers a wide range of services — leasing, maintenance, bookkeeping and more — to commercial and residential owners from Westchester to Hartford.

But they’ll still concentrate on — and be headquartered in — Westport.

SCA Crowley trucks and team outside one of their properties: the 55 Greens Farms Road office complex.

After 28 yeas with the HK Group, Jennings started his own firm, Bayberry Property Management, in 2009. He eventually serviced, and served as a broker for, 80 buildings.

SCA Crowley — the business formed by Maxx’s father Steve — recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Steve started as a real estate broker, but soon realized that property owners wanted leaf removal, snow shoveling, landscaping, pothole fixing, painting and many other services.

COVID sparked a change in SCA’s real estate management. Homeowners moving from Manhattan and Brooklyn needed help learning about irrigation systems, hot water heaters and pools, and jobs like power-washing patios. The company — whose clients already included Playhouse Square, MoCA Westport, office buildings, medical centers and Homes with Hope facilities — expanded their residential property portfolio.

(From left): Bobby, Steve and Maxx Crowley.

SCA and Bayberry had been friendly for a while. They referred customers to each other’s services.

Now, Crowley says, their combined operations will be even more seamless.

“We’re a Swiss army knife,” Jennings adds.

The merged company will be called SCA Crowley Real Estate Services. (“Steve won the coin toss,” Maxx Crowley jokes.)

Peter Jennings

The only change, Jennings adds, is the purchase of new logowear and business cards.

The new firm’s offices will be on Kings Highway North, near Main Street. Its trucks will be at Riverside Avenue.

Though properties extend from White Plains to Hartford, it will still be a “mom-and-pop” company.

Plus other family members.

Maxx Crowley works with his siblings Bobby and Judy.  Jennings is joined by his sister Karen, daughter Katie, and sister-in-law Beth.

Both families will continue to contribute to Westport, in non-property management ways too. Steve Crowley is a longtime volunteer with many civic causes. Maxx Crowley is president of the Westport Downtown Association. Jennings is the Green’s Farms Congregational Church historian.

After 15 combined generations, the Jennings and Crowley family histories continue.

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Posted in Local business, Real estate

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Unsung Heroes #259

Posted on October 19, 2022 | 8 comments

Several years ago, a company called Renovation Angel updated David Pogue’s 20-year-old kitchen. They did the demolition, hauling and cleanup — for free.

The Pogues got a tax deduction. Renovation Angel then resold the Pogues’ old kitchen, People renovating their ow kitchens got luxury items for a fraction of the price.

The best part: All those proceeds went to charity. Renovation Angel donates to programs for addiction recovery, at-risk children, job training and social entrepreneurship. You can read all about it here.

Recently, David and his wife Nicki wanted to update their main bedroom bathroom. Renovation Angel works only with kitchens. But David persevered — and has another great everyone-wins story.

Second Chance performs similar work with bathrooms. The non-profit “provides people, materials and the environment with a second chance.”

Second Chance arruves at the Pogues’ home …

They “deconstruct buildings and homes, salvage usable materials, and make those and other donated items available to the public for reuse” at a 200,000+ square foot retail center.

The revenue generated provides job training and workforce development for people with employment obstacles in the Baltimore area.

Pogue’s builder pulled out everything from the old bathroom — sinks, shower doors, toilet, cabinets, tub, etc. — and put it in the garage.

Second Chance sent a big truck and 8 big men to wrap, protect and load it all into a truck.

… and workers clear out bathroom equipment. (Photos/David Pogue)

Once again, it was a win for everyone. The Pogues gained a tax deduction and free hauling. Second Chance gained the opportunity to employ people who need the jobs. The people of Baltimore gained inexpensive building materials that gain a new life.

Landfill gained nothing.

Thank you, Second Chance, for giving a second chance to “people, materials and the environment.”

And thank you, David Pogue, for recognizing such a worthy Unsung Hero.

(To nominate an Unsung Hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com)

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Roundup: Politics, Trees, Music …

Posted on October 19, 2022 | 2 comments

Candidates for State Senate and House seats squared off yesterday, at the Westport Library. The debate was sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. Chamber director Matthew Mandell moderated.

Among the main topics: reproductive rights and affordable housing.

Candidates at yesterday’s Westport Library event. (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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Bob Weingarten reports on the latest tree-cutting: He estimates more than a dozen have been felled at 31 Turkey Hill Road South, “and more” to come.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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Fall is in full force. But the Westport Farmers’ Market plows on in its summer location — the Imperial Avenue parking lot —  every Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They’ll be there another month, through November 10.

In addition to vendors with seasonal vegetables and fruits, meat, milk, cheese, seafood, baked goods, prepared foods (plus knife, scissors and tool sharpening), the Farmers’ Market hosts different musicians each week.

Tomorrow (October 20), hear Picnic on the 4th of July. Guitars, banjo, harmonica, washboard and vocals offer “new grass” music – songs with a bluegrass twist. The band includes Westporters Louis Fuertes and Pat Blaufuss.

Picnic on the 4th of July band members (from left): Martin Daniels, Jeff Carroll, Pat Blaufuss, Louis Fuertes. (Photo /Lynda Carroll)

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Westport Country Playhouse has added a 5th play — the comedy of manners “The Cocktail Hour” by A. R. (Pete) Gurney, to its 2023 seaso

“Pete Gurney has been a Playhouse audience favorite for many decades,” says WCP artistic director Mark Lamos, who will direct the show.

“My long association and friendship with him, both at the Playhouse and Off-Broadway, makes me happy to be reunited with his work.”

For more information on the 2023 season, including tickets, click here.

Westport Country Playhouse (Photo/Lynn U. Miller)

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Several dozen Westporters received flu shots yesterday, at the Senior Center.

The event was sponsored by the Aspetuck Health District. The Fire Department’s Rescue 3 unit was on hand to help.

Getting ready for flu season. (Photo/Molly Alger)

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Sherwood Mill Pond presents ever-changing scenes — perfect for “Westport … Naturally.”

This morning, Matt Murray spotted egrets in the fog:

(Photo/Matt Murray)

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And finally … Peter Tosh was born today in 1944. From 1963 to 1976 he, Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer were the heart of the reggae band the Wailers. He then became a successful solo artist. He was killed in 1987 during a home invasion, at age 42.

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Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Politics, Real estate, Westport Country Playhouse

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Beechwood Arts: Turning The Page To Chapter 3

Posted on October 18, 2022 | 2 comments

There are many chapters in Beechwood’s storied history.

The 3-acre property on Weston Road includes a handsome 1806 house, carriage house, and stunning 400-year-old beech tree.’

For the past 12 years it’s been the home of world renowned pianist Frederic Chiu and his wife, equally talented artist Jeanine Esposito. For nearly as long, they’ve shared it with the community.

Beechwood House — with its magnificent copper beech tree — is the site of fascinating salons.

The couple created and curated Beechwood Arts & Innovation. Originally a way to showcase music in a sunny, circular room, the non-profit soon evolved into a multi-generational, ever-changing, truly innovative salon.

Violinist Joshua Bell, artists in every medium, chefs — and an eclectic cast of culturally curious area residents — gathered every 3 or 4 months. They listened, observed, ate, asked questions, debated, and gained new perspectives on our universe.

Food was an artful part of the Beechwood experience.

Chapter 1 of Beechwood Arts & Innovation was its workshops, Chiu and Esposito say. They created a destination, a physical community where could join together and connect, over a shared discipline.

Chapter 2 involved greater collaboration, across arts genres, and an outreach to even more diverse artists and audiences. When COVID struck, and intimate gatherings grew difficult, Beechwood pivoted to interactive livestreams and “Salons Around the World,” happening simultaneously in a variety of venues.

A piano performance was  just part of one salon.

Now — at the same time Esposito and Chiu are planning their 100th Beechwood event October 30 — they’re preparing for Beechwood’s Chapter 3.

Soon, the magnificent property will be on the market. The 216-year-old home they’ve spent the past 2 years renovating will be sold. They’ll stay in the area. though — and shepherd Beechwood into Chapter 3.

The end of the pandemic is only part of the reason for the latest evolution. In recent months, Chiu’s touring and piano competition judging schedule has increased dramatically.

He’s on the road constantly. And when he’s not touring, he’s teaching. He began during COVID; now he’s doing it in the classroom, away from Westport.

Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu, at their Beechwood home.

Yet there are still concerns about large gatherings in small spaces, especially as the weather forces more people indoors. Summertime “Beechwood Open” series — conducted outdoors — are impractical most of the year.

The summer 2021 gathering was a great success. Ongoing extensive renovations made this year’s Open impractical, however.

Esposito and Chiu had originally planned small repairs. “It’s an 1806 house though,” she notes. “One thing always leads to another.”

The immediate next “other” for Beechwood is October 30 (2 to 6 p.m., 52 Weston Road). Guests can wander around, at their leisure. There will be  performances under the tree and in the music room — and an open piano and stage.

In addition, 21 artists will offer tiny paintings, commemorating secrets from the property’s long history.

A scavenger hunt will enable attendees to see parts of the house they’ve never been in. A tag sale — with items grouped by collections (and vintage outfits, hats, jewelry, scarves and bags) — will help Chiu and Esposito downsize.

Plans are not finalized for all of Chapter 3. It will, however, involve collaboration with institutions like the Westport Library, MoCA, SHU Community Theater and other partners. Small dinners will continue, with guest musicians and artists.

And a name has already been chosen: “The Hive.”

“Beehives are totally collaborative,” Esposito says.

“And buzzing with activity,”” Chiu adds.

(Guests at the October 30 event should park at the United Methodist Church on Weston Road, across the street from Beechwood. There is no charge, but pre-registration is requested; click here.) 

(“06880” regularly covers Westport’s arts scene. Please click here to contribute to this hyper-local blog.)

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Posted in Arts, Real estate

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Beltas Farm Lane Grows Slowly, Steadily

Posted on October 17, 2022 | 10 comments

The last time we checked in with the Beltas, the family had closed their farm.

Since 1946, the 23-acre Bayberry Lane site just south of Cross Highway had been worked by 4 generations of Beltas. They raised poultry (and for a while, livestock). They grew corn, herbs and flowers. They ran a farm stand in summer. At one point, they supplied Stew Leonard’s with a ton of tomatoes a day.

An aerial view of the former Belta’s Farm shows fields, greenhouses, a compost pile (near the top), and two homes (bottom).

But the 4th generation is now in their 60s and 70s. Their children and grandchildren are not farmers. Last year, the Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved a plan to subdivide the farm into 9 building lots.

That’s a not-unusual Westport story. Yet what’s happening now is unusual.

Greg, Jimmy and Connie Belta Caruso are not taking the money and running. They’re slowly crafting a plan for 7 new homes. They’re maintaining almost 5 acres of open space. They’re grading the property with a keen eye to runoff, including a retention pond. They’re reusing nearly everything they can, from wood to stone. They’re planting dozens of trees.

And they’re keeping 2 lots for themselves. They’ll continue to live on the land they have loved for so long.

The Belta brothers, on their newly paved road, near what will be building lots.

As with any building project, there are delays. Supply chain issues meant it took nearly 4 months for utilities to run their lines. That’s finally done. The first phase of paving the new Beltas Farm Lane followed, allowing access for builders and realtors.

There has been plenty of interest, including national firms. The 7 lots range in size up to 3 acres — rare in Westport.

The family believes that tying up all the lots in one entity is not the best route for development. As lifelong Westporters, the Beltas favor Westport builders, designers and realtors. “They know and love the town as we do,” Connie says.

The homes are being offered on the retail market, direct to buyers who want to build their dream home. It’s more difficult and expensive for the Beltas, but they think it will produce a much more desirable outcome. In an uncertain market, they are prepared to wait for the right buyers.

Nearly 20 percent of the 23 acres will remain as open space. It’s on the north side of the property, near Cross Highway.

For now, the Beltas are taking their time. The brothers are removing 75 years of  things — chicken coops, tractors, plows, topsoil — from the land, themselves. “No one ever threw anything away,” Jimmy notes.

“It’s a slower way of doing things,” Greg adds. “Any builder would have come in and bulldozed all this already.”

A few of the dozens of trees the Beltas are planting. (Photos/Dan Woog)

There’s been visible progress. A handsome stone entrance has replaced the former farm stand, at the bottom of the Bayberry Lane hill. It’s built entire from the Beltas’ fieldstone. (Their grandfather, a mason, came to the US at 18 from Italy.)

White cedar has been repurposed into fence posts, and birdhouses at the wetlands.

Every day, work continues. “But there’s only two of us,” Jimmy says. “We don’t want deadlines.”

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Posted in Environment, Real estate

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Roundup: Dog Park, Distracted Driving, Nice House …

Posted on October 15, 2022 | 9 comments

Right now, there are no fenced dog parks in Westport. (Winslow Park is enclosed, but there are many gaps and areas without walls or fences.)

Andrew Colabella wants to change that.

The Representative Town Meeting member worked with Karen Kramer and Matthew Mandell to create a petition. The goal is to gauge support, to show town officials the need. Click here to see.

There are gates, and some new fences, at Winslow Park. But it is not a fully enclosed dog run. (Photo/Nell Waters Bernegger)

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The Westport Police Department is participating in the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s high visibility distracted driving enforcement campaign. The campaign — beginning today, and running through October 31 — will increase efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws.

Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years old are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time — even hands free.

The fine for the first offense is $200. It’s $375 for the second ticket, and $625 for the third and subsequent offenses.

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Who knew so many “06880” readers also read the New York Post?

I’d need an entire haberdashery to hand out hat tips to everyone who sent me the tabloid story noting Shonda Rhimes’ purchase of Doug and Melissa Bernstein’s 11-bedroom home. The 7.5-acre property also includes a basketball court, bowling alleys, arcade, home theater, playroom, billiards room, 8 fireplaces, kitchen with a pizza oven, tennis court, pool, playground, and outdoor seating and dining areas.

Karen Scott was the KMS Partners at Compass broker who sold the property to the producer/screenwriter/author/global media company CEO/Television Academy Hall of Fame inductee’s agent.  Rhimes will move from elsewhere in Westport; the Bernsteins have bought another home here.

Click here for the full New York Post story.

Shonda Rhimes’ new home.

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Meanwhile, another New York newspaper — the Times — this week ran a Critic’s Notebook piece headlined: “Has War Changed, or Only War Photography?”

It begins by citing a 1991 Staples High School graduate and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist:

Lynsey Addario began taking war pictures when the United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001. Only two-thirds of a century had elapsed since Robert Capa documented the Spanish Civil War. But to go from the exhibition of Capa’s Spain photos at the International Center of Photography to the Addario show at the SVA Chelsea Gallery is to traverse not just time and geography but a profound shift in sensibility. Capa’s pictures express his belief in war as a conflict between good and evil. In our time, which is to say in Addario’s, unwavering faith in the justice of one side has perished, a casualty of too many brutal, pointless, reciprocally corrupt wars.

Addario over the last two decades has taken her camera to some of the most dangerous places on earth. A MacArthur fellow, she is a freelance photographer who shared a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting awarded to The New York Times in 2009 for its coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Like Capa, she calls herself a photojournalist, not an artist. She has said that she is dedicated to “using images to undo preconceptions and to show a reality often misunderstood or misrepresented.” She has also named Capa as one of her main influences, even though many of the preconceptions she seeks to undermine are those he enshrined.

Click here to read the full story. (Hat tip: Kathie Motes Bennewitz)

In one of Lynsey Addario’s most famous photos, Ukrainian soldiers try to save the father of a family of four — the only one at that moment who still had a pulse — moments after being hit by a mortar while trying to flee Irpin, near Kyiv. (Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County has received a $5,000 grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation.

It’s for their Dignity Grows chapter, part of a national network to fight period poverty among nearly 30% of menstruators in the U.S. Donors and volunteers fund and pack monthly totes of hygiene and period essentials. They’re delivered free of charge to partner agencies, who then provide them to their clients. 

From last September through June, the Federation organized 10 packing events — many in Westport — and delivered 800 totes. The grant will help them expand their reach, to meet a growing need.

A packing event hosted by Sharon Navarro (top right, 3rd from right) and Jen Frank (bottom row, 2nd from right). All participants are Westport residents — except the lone male, Ofek Moscovich. He’s the Federation Israel emissary spending a year here. The group packed 100 totes for LifeBridge Community Services in Bridgeport.

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Who knew there were “professional carvers”?

On Thursday (October 20), you can meet one. DeTapas restaurant hosts one. He’ll serve a “world-class jamon,” paired with special Spanish wines.

The carver will go from table to table, from 5:30 p.m. on. The cost is $45 per person. Guests can stay and enjoy dinner afterward. To RSVP, use Open Table, or contact the restaurant: hola@detapasrestaurant.com; 203-557-0257.

Owner Carlos Pia in his handsomely decorated De Tapas restaurant.

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Speaking of restaurants:

After a successful summer, La Plage pivots to fall. Highlights include “Mussels Wednesday” (Pemaquid Maine mussels with non-stop fries service, paired with a special Pilsner from Spacecat Brewing in Norwalk); “Lobster Bake Thursday” (with head-on shrimp, mussels, clams and andouille), and “Paella Sunday” (clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, chicken, chorizo).

La Plage also offers a “Halloween Bash” (Sunday, October 30). The winning costume earns 2 tickets to the restaurant’s New Year’s Eve dinner and gala.

Killer water views at La Plage.

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Looking for money?

Connecticut has just published a new “Big List” — names of people owed money from various sources, currently held by the state treasurer.

The website (click here) guides users through a form to complete and have notarized.  

If you get a windfall, consider sharing it with Dennis Jackson — the “06880” reader who found the site.

And, of course, with “06880.”

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The Joggers Club is not running out of great ideas.

Besides Fun Runs every Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. at Compo Beach, and Track Night every Wednesday at 6:q5 p.m. (Staples High School), they’re taking part in races throughout the state. Among them:

  • Pumpkin Run: October 30 (costumes encouraged)
  • Jamie’s Run for Children: November 6 (DJ Party after)
  • Hot Coco 5K: November 12 (“Hottest Race in November”)
  • Branford Thanksgiving 5K: Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Run for Children: December 4 (free beer and live music).

The Joggers Club offers a free race bib to each of those races to one member — and discounted coupons for everyone else.

Club membership is $50 a year (new members get a free Endurance Brooks racing shirt. Click here or on Instagram or Facebook for more information.
$50 a year (And new members get a free Endurance Brooks racing shirt)

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Boo!

The scene outside Winslow Park Animal Hospital changes with the holiday. It’s clear what’s next:

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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We’ve featured wasp nests before, in our “Westport … Naturally” series.

But I don’t think I’ve seen any as large — and scary-looking — as this. Pete Powell spotted it on the Longshore golf course, opposite the green at hole 13.

You sure don’t want to hit a ball near there.

(Photo/Pete Powell)

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And finally … in honor of the Connecticut state treasurer’s trove:

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