Westporters Eric and Kelly Emmert’s company makes and distributes gelato and sorbet — all by hand, with all-natural, locally sourced ingredients. Every item is kosher-certified.
You can find Cold Fusion at all the cool places on the East Coast (including Mystic Market and Rizzuto’s). There’s also a retail store in Newport, Rhode Island.
For years, fans have asked the Emmerts to open a place here.
Bingo!
Sometime in May, the former Main Street Papyrus store (next to Chase Bank) will become Cold Fusion Gelato. The lease was finalized today.
Like its Newport cousin, Cold Fusion will be a magnet for gelato lovers. There are 32 flavors, ranging (alphabetically) from amaretto almond to toffee crunch.
It will also serve sorbet (including vegan), coffee (cappuccino and espresso), snacks, shakes, smoothies and chocolates.
There will be café tables; a few seats in front, overlooking Main Street, and (pending permits) sidewalk seating too.
Eric and Kelly Emmert, and their gelato.
The Emmerts have been looking for downtown space for a while. They’re thrilled to be on Main Street, in such a key location. “The landlord is great,” Eric says. “We don’t have to charge $15 for ice cream.”
Eric knows his history. He’s excited to open just a few doors away from the original Ice Cream Parlor.
And he’s well aware that Westporters are eager for more mom-and-pop shops downtown.
Having raised 2 daughters here — and been involved with the community as youth coaches, Girl Scouts and other activities — the Emmerts are actually, honestly, truly a Westport “mom and pop.”
With the best gelato shop between here and Newport.
Cold Fusion Gelato will take over the old Papyrus space.
Plenty of people say they have faith in Westport. It’s a good town, they note. We’ve adapted to the coronavirus, and we’ll be even stronger once the pandemic is past.
It’s another thing entirely to put your money where your mouth is. (Or more accurately, where our mouths ae.)
At least 9 restaurants — Don Memo, Walrus Alley, Manna Toast, Hudson Malone, Organic Krush, Outpost Pizza, Mexica, Basso and Capuli — have opened in the 10 months since COVID completely upended the dining experience.
California-Mediterranean fusion is on the menu at Capuli, in the former Westport Pizzeria Post Road East space.
Think of it: At a time of capacity limits, fears of indoor seating, concerns whether anyone would eat outside in winter, and economic upheaval — added to the uncertainty and stress of the restaurant industry in “normal” times — these men and women planted their flag (and their food) here.
They’ve put both their money and their trust in us. They’ve given us many great dining options (and provided employment for many others.) That’s impressive.
Joining the newcomers as Unsung Heroes are all the restaurant owners who are adapting, innovating, and otherwise making it through these very tough times.
Jeera Thai, Ignazio’s, Rizzuto’s, The Cottage, Bistro du Soleil, Via Sforza, Tutti’s, Black Duck, Little Barn, Romanacci’s, Kawa Ni, Layla’s Falafel, Viva’s — they, and so many more, continue to serve great meals (and serve all of us).
So let’s do our share. Eat in or outside if you’re comfortable; take out if you’re not (they deliver!). Buy gift cards, for yourself or others.
And of course: Tip well!
Jeera Thai, downtown across from Design Within Reach., is one of Westport’s most flavorful restaurants.
Like many Westporters, Yulee Aronson’s family orders a lot of takeout food.
Environmentally conscious, he hates throwing away single-use containers. So he researched companies that offer reusable ones.
He found several. The closest — DeliverZero — is in Brooklyn. They provide containers to restaurants, for takeout or delivery. Diners can return them to the delivery person the next time they order from a participating restaurant, or drop them off themselves. A list of DeliverZero restaurants is on their website.
Yulee asked the owner what it would take to bring his service to Westport. He said, “5 participating restaurants.”
So: How about it, Westport? If you’re a restaurant owner, do you want in? If you’re a diner, would you ask your favorite owners to join?
If so, email yulee.aronson@parsons.com. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to start!
Forget the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs. Just cheer for a guard: the Bucs’ Ali Marpet.
He has a great back story: The Hobart College alum is the highest Division III player ever drafted in the NFL. Now he’s got a 5-year, $54 million contract blocking for Tom Brady.
He grew up not far away, in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, where his mother sang in the band Housewives on Prozac, and founded both the Mamapalooza music and arts festival and the Museum of Motherhood.
Oh, yeah: That mom is 1975 Staples High School graduate Joy Rose.
The New York Post provides the full back story. Click here for details. (Hat tips: Bill Halprin and Fred Cantor)
Ali Marpet (left) on draft day and his mother Joy Rose (right), flanking his siblings Zena and Blaze.
Before cheering for Ali Marpet — and digging into wings and nachos — consider doing a tough workout. You’ll feel good. And you’ll help a great cause.
The workout is a 6-minute pullup bar hang or 6-minute plank, followed by either a half-mile run and 30 pushups, or 2 rounds of 75 jumping jacks, 35 mountain climbers, 15 pushups and 7 burpees. There are other options too.
The cause — after registering ($25 per person, or $40 if you want a t-shirt) is Catch a Lift. The national organization — which has a strong Westport presence, thanks to Adam Vengrow and Andy Berman — helps thousands of post-9/11 combat-wounded veterans regain mental and physical health through gym memberships, home gym equipment, personalized fitness and nutrition programs, and a peer support network.
Lynsey Addario’s compelling New York Times photos of COVID’s very real effects on very real people in the UK has caught the eye of CNN.
The 1991 Staples High School graduate (and Pulitzer Prize winner, and MacArthur fellow) was interviewed by Rosemary Church. It’s a sobering look at her work — and at the lives and deaths of a few of the millions impacted by the pandemic. Click here (not below — that’s a screenshot) to see.
Once again, Homes with Hope is part of the Wilton Kiwanis Club’s annual Citrus & Chocolate Fundraiser.
A variety of offerings includes combo packaging with samplings of citrus, plus a great assortment of See’s chocolates.
Every box of fruit or chocolate ordered through the Homes with Hope link benefits our local supportive housing organization. Click here to order. Click here for more information.
Hal Holbrook — who died recently at 95 — spent more than 6 decades portraying Mark Twain.
As John Kelley notes, one of those performances was on Halloween night in 1959, at Staples High School.
The school had just opened its modern North Avenue campus. The PTA had an active arts program, bringing musicians, dancers and actors to the new auditorium stage.
Hal Holbrook might have been the most famous name of all.
Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain (Photo/Sara Krulwich for the New York Times)
Rick spent the past 7 years running the market’s bakery. But for more than 2 decades before that, he was the much-loved (and very generous) owner of Great Cakes.
Rick Dickinson, with his great Great Cakes goods.
When that iconic bakery across from New Country Toyota closed 7 years ago tomorrow, Westport lost more than a spot to satisfy a sweet tooth and enjoy a leisurely coffee. It lost a business that always gave back to the community, and a businessman who cared deeply about the town.
Rick was Great Cakes. He worked there for 27 of its 32 years — the last 22 as owner.
As Peter’s Weston Market prepared to close, Rick began thinking about Granola Bar co-owner Julie Mountain. He called, asking if they needed help.
She was stunned. Julie and fellow owner Dana Noorily had just been talking about doing more with their baked goods.
The 3 met at the popular Playhouse Square café. Rapport was instant. “We had the same ideas. And we laughed a lot,” Rick says.
He quickly said: “I’m 150 percent in.”
They quickly said: “Great. You’ll start Monday!”
So Rick is already on the job. Unfortunately, he can’t whip up his new additions to the Granola Bar menu — challah, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies — justlikethat.
Julie and Dana have already purchased a challah maker (from Peter’s). But other equipment is needed.
Items will be added gradually. Challah, he promises, is first.
Coming soon: new bakery items on The Granola Bar menu.
Rick is working out of Westport, supplying it and the 4 other Granola Bar locations (Fairfield, Stamford, Greenwich and Rye).
“Julie and Dana have such a successful business already,” he says. “This is a win-win for all of us. I haven’t been this excited in years. I feel like I’m coming home.”
As Westport students prepare to return to full-time learning, “06880” reader Erin Loranger writes:
“While there are countless unsung heroes in our schools, I would love to recognize the custodial crews.
“I can’t imagine how hard they have worked with tasks such as reconfiguring classrooms and cafeterias, loading in new desks, and constructing Plexiglas barriers so that students and staff can have a safe environment.
“Without their commitment to excellence in taking care of our buildings and cleaning, our young learners would not have the opportunity to have been in school at all this year, let alone being in the position now to transition to full-time, in-person learning.”
Will Herrera — one of Westport’s many unsung, invaluable custodians and maintenance staff.
“I left Weston in 1967, and Peter’s Weston Market was there. If my memory is correct, I think that ‘Peter; was Peter Robinson. I went through Weston schools with his son Guy in my class.
“The photo below was taken at a political rally in 1956, when Adlai Stevenson ran against Eisenhower. My father was the first Democratic Town Committee chairman. He organized this rally in Weston, representing both Republicans and Democrats. My mother and a friend’s mother are the two women on the left side of the photo.”
The cars, the styles and the politicians have changed since 1956. But Peter’s Weston Market still looks much as it did, 65 years ago.
Honoring the year it begins, they’re rolling out a “2021 Welcome Program.” In keeping with COVID restrictions, guests are invited to browse for up to 20 minutes. To allow everyone to enjoy the store, they can purchase up to 21 items per visit.
See you there!
The new home of the Westport Book Shop, across from Jesup Green.
Seth Schachter is an avid collector of Westport postcards and memorabilia.
He saw this 8×10 image on eBay. It came from a Westport estate. It depicts an old factory here — but there are no other details.
Seth hopes our “06880” readers can crowdsource its background. If you know the name of the factory, or where it was, click “Comments” below. Click on or hover over to enlarge.
Westport Sunrise Rotary’s Super Bowl raffle is off to a great start. Not many tickets remain.
They’re $50 each. Numbers are randomly assigned. Winners will be determined by the scores at the end of each quarter. Winner of the final score snags a $1,000 Visa card. 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter winners each get a $500 card.
The raffle funds important charities like Mercy Learning Center literacy training, the Susan Fund for students with cancer, Earthplace and Elderhouse.
Mary Satta Lane — better known as “MaryLane,” a beloved waitress at Mario’s for nearly 40 years — died Monday. She was 89 years old, though she described her age as “36 and holding.”
Her obituary calls her ‘a strong woman with a wicked sense of humor….She leaves behind a legacy of laughs, as well as a lot of people who love her.”
A memorial service — “the celebration she deserves” — will be held when the weather warms. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to United Methodist Homes, 58 Long Hill Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484.
William “Liam” Bohonnon has received the Connecticut Bar Association’s Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award. The 2008 Staples High School graduate was honored for his pro bono work for the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center.
And finally … the Eisenhower-Stevenson presidential election (see Peter’s Market story above) was not the only momentous event in 1956.
On this day — January 28 — that year, Elvis Presley made his national television debut. It was not on the now-legendary, hip-thrusting “Ed Sullivan Show,” but — also on CBS — “Stage Show.”
The program, produced in New York, was hosted on alternate weeks by big band leaders and brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. This appearance came the day after the release of “Heartbreak Hotel.”
When COVID hit, restaurants needed fast, to-go-friendly food. The Granola Bar scaled back their menu.
Many customers missed their oatmeal and turkey chili.
Great news: They’re back!
So is the kids’ menu. And the expanded bakery now includes cookie dough brownies, plus paleo and traditional chocolate chunk cookies.
There are specials each week. Coming soon: a robust catering department.
The Granola Bar has closed down their pop-up taco bar. But more evening pop-ups will be announced soon. Follow @thegranolabar on Instagram for details.
They’re all in a day’s work — well, 2 — at Wakeman Town Farm.
On February 8 (7 p.m.), master gardener/composter and Westport Garden Club civics chair Nathalie Fonteyne Gavrilovic offers the fundamentals of pruning. She’ll cover techniques, tools and timing. Click here to register.
On March 8 (7 p.m., Zoom), Dr. Jessica Melman discusses diet, crate training, vaccination schedules, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, common house hazards and more. She’ll answer questions too.
It’s perfect for all the new pandemic puppy owners. Click here to register.
As a junior on the Boston College women’s rowing team, 2018 Staples High School graduate Brooke Schwab has spent more hours than she can count on the erg machine. It’s the workout rowers love to hate.
But today (Tuesday, January 26), she’ll erg 100,000 meters — with joy (and sweat).
A usual BC workout is 2,000 meters — 5,000 tops. These 100,000 meters — equivalent to 63 miles — will take 10 to 12 hours to complete.
The goal is to raise money for pancreatic cancer research, through the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
She’s honoring a close family friend, who was diagnosed last year at just 18.
Brooke is doing the heavy lifting — er, rowing. To do the easy thing — contribute — click here.
Published today: “The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance.”
Author Rich Diviney — a 1991 Staples High School graduate — is a retired Navy SEAL commander. In 20-plus years, he completed more than 13 overseas deployments — 11 to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was intimately involved in the SEAL selection process, whittling a group of exceptional candidates down to small cadre of the most elite.
His new book examines what it takes to be those optimal performers.
Diviney was often surprised by which candidates washed out and which succeeded. Some had all the right skills yet failed; others he might have initially dismissed rose to the top.
Seemingly objective criteria did not tell him who would succeed in the toughest military assignments. It is just as hard to predict success in the “real world.”
Diviney explores the lessons he’s learned about attributes –including cunning, adaptability, courage, even narcissism — that determine resilience, perseverance. situational awareness and conscientiousness.
He shares stories from the military, business, sports, relationships and parenting.
Click here for more information. (Hat tip: Celia Offir)
Many Americans honored Martin Luther King last week. STAR Lighting the Way is celebrating him all year.
The non-profit — which serves people of all ages impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families — is collaborating this year with Open Doors Shelter and Person-to-Person. Together, the organizations will address local food insecurity and hunger.
Volunteers will collaborate with STAR clients to prepare, deliver and serve hot meals to Open Doors Shelter, and collect non-perishable food to deliver to Person-to-Person.
The first meals were prepared by chef Luis Solis, owner of Don Carmelo’s. Dessert came from Sweet P Bakery in Norwalk, founded by Westporters Bill and Andrea Pecoriello. Both institutions are longtime STAR cooking class supporters.
The initiative was launched on the MLK Day of Service. Officials lauded a $20,000 grant from The Arc-US and AmeriCorps, to help the effort.
Karen Veronica — founder of Bread & Roses, the AIDS care center in Georgetown — died yesterday at her home in Ohio.
Her path to helping hundreds of people — at a time when many communities turned backs on them — began when her ex-husband contracted AIDS.
She, his lover and her 2 teen-age daughters — students at Staples High School — cared for him during the 18-month illness that kept him bed-ridden until his death in 1988.
Her grief turned to activism. Bread & Roses opened the next year. Click here for Jarret Liotta’s story on her impact from the New York Times.
And finally … today is Australia Day. (Well, it is still January 26 in the US. In Australia, it’s already tomorrow.)
The holiday marks the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in New South Wales, and the raising of the British flag at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip. Aboard the ships: 750 British prisoners, and 250 military men.
Back in 2009, the Food Network featured the Black Duck on its “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” show.
Millions of Americans learned about Westport’s favorite barge. More than a decade later, folks still detour off I-95 to find it.
Ling and Lamb’s audience is not as big. But with over 60,000 YouTube subscribers, they’re substantial.
The tagline is “American wifey + Nigerian husband experiencing each other’s culture.” Topics range from their new apartment and fashion to Christmas.
The other day, they came here.
“We just discovered a Mexican restaurant in Westport, Connecticut, USA” is the title.
Ling and Lamb at Mexica.
It’s one of the reasons you click on random videos. 99 may be ridiculous. But the 100th is a gem.
That’s how Ling and Lamb feel about Mexica. They heard about the new spot on Post Road West (site of the former Señor Salsa). They brought their camera, their smiles and their appetites.
They were not disappointed.
And you won’t be disappointed by the video.
The couple banters easily with each other, and with the owner. (“If you don’t like the food, you don’t have to pay,” he says. “If you like it, you pay double.” Lamb loves that line.)
They film themselves ordering their drinks and meal. Ling explains some of the ingredients to Lamb (he does not like the cactus). They admire the beautiful decor.
Every chair is specially hand-crafted and painted.
They do exactly what you should do at a leisurely meal: They enjoy themselves.
Check out the video below. With over 34,000 views in a week, it’s well worth the 17 minutes.
Tuesday night’s COVID remembrance at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool will be remembered for its somber, stunning 400 lights. Each represents 1,000 Americans killed by the coronavirus.
Staples High School 2009 graduate Andrew Lott — a former Staples Players lighting director — played a major role in the event. He also helped light last night’s Biden/Harris inauguration show, featuring musical performances, fireworks, and tributes to Americans affected by the pandemic.
Lott — a University of Michigan alumnus — has worked with the Spoleto and Williamstown Theatre Festivals, Public Theatre, Shakespeare in the Park and Lincoln Center.
He spent 2 years as lighting director for “CNN Tonight.” He now works nationally on a wide variety of events.
Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and their spouses admire 400 lights, at the Lincoln Center reflecting pool.
Meanwhile, there were no protests — in Washington, state capitals or Westport — yesterday, as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as America’s new leaders.
But Westporters Rex Fowler and Dodie Pettit — aka Aztec Two-Step — headed to the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge to celebrate.
A few people asked why Fowler was wearing a red hat.
“We are All Americans today,” Pettit explained. “We didn’t think about the color when we went out of the house. Maybe that’s the point!”
Winter sports practices have begun at Staples High School.
The usual date is around Thanksgiving. The pandemic delayed the start nearly 2 months; the first competition will now be in early February.
For the boys basketball team (shown below), along with girls basketball; boys and girls indoor track, ice hockey and skiing, and boys swimming and diving, it was one small step toward normalcy — though masks are required at all times, and spectators are not allowed.
Wrestling and competitive cheer are still prohibited.
I got a nice surprise this week with my takeout (fantastic lamb dan dan) from Kawa Ni.
The Japanese/pan-Asian restaurant has partnered with 2 others also owned by Bill Taibe — Don Memo and The Whelk — in a game. Every time you order from one, you get a letter (mine was “E”). When you have enough to spell out the name of one of those restaurants, you can post it to social media (with a tag) and win prizes (a family meal for 4, takeout up to $75, or a cocktail to go).
There are instant prizes too: guac and chips, fried oyster deviled eggs and crab rangoon.
It’s great food fun. And a lot better than a toy with a Happy Meal.
Noted chef Matthew Redington died unexpectedly earlier this month in New York. He was 40 years old.
The Westport native learned his craft at Acqua restaurant on Main Street under Christian Bertrand, formerly of Lutèce. Matt graduated from New England Culinary Institute where at age 19 he was the youngest person offered a spot in the Advanced Placement Program.
Matt and went on to top chef positions at Jean-George Vongerichten’s Spice Market in New York, Clio in Boston and Tengda in Greenwich (a co-creation of his). At Paul Newman’s The Dressing Room next to the Westport Country Playhouse, he helped Michel Nischan create the groundbreaking farm-to-table menu.
Most recently Matt ran a consultancy, creating culinary themes, concepts and menus for new and re-launched restaurants in New York and Connecticut.
Matt also enjoyed yoga, snowboarding, and innovative art and graphics.
He is survived by his father Thomas of Colebrook; sister Jessica Redington-Jones of Taylors, South Carolina; 3 nieces, 7 aunts, 6 uncles and numerous cousins.
A memorial celebration of Matt’s life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the New England Culinary Institute Scholarship Fund, 7 School Street, Montpelier, VT 05602. To leave online condolences, click here.
Westport’s elementary and middle school open for full in-person on February 1.
A new Westport Public Schools website offers information on the transition. it includes details on schedules, specials, health and safety, lunch and recess, mitigation and hygiene strategies, classroom cohorts, special education, transportation, technology and more.
Click here for the elementary school page. Click here for the middle school page.
Talented Westport photographer Ted Horowitz posted this photo to his Instagram this morning:
He took the shot years ago at sunrise, in the Lincoln Memorial.
“In the silence of dawn, with golden light reflecting on the statue, the the sense of gravity and majesty was overwhelming,” he says.
“It was a hopeful moment, as morning light poured in and a day dawned once again. I felt that this image was appropriate for today, as we seeking relief from the past 4 years, and are hopeful for the new day which is about to begin.”
Next Thursday (January 28) is National Seed Exchange Day.
Stumped for a celebration? Head to the Westport Farmers’ Market. It’s (no coincidence) their annual seed exchange.
People can bring seeds saved from their gardens — or take home a few saved by others.
WFM farmers will donate seeds from their favorite crops for the community to try at home. All seeds except invasive species are welcome, but the market urges people to bring and take home heirloom or organic varieties. (Click here for a list of invasive plants.)
Heirloom seeds are critical to reclaiming the food system. They’re open-pollinated plants passed down from generation to generation, without human intervention or manipulation. They taste better, are more nutritious, and help protect plant diversity.
“Collecting, sharing, and growing seeds saved by our very own shoppers, farmers and vendors – especially heirloom varieties – involves the community personally in the promotion of local food and flora,” says Farmers’ Market executive director Lori Cochran-Dougall.
“This year more than ever we want to seed the year with love and health.”
The seed exchange runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — or until all seeds are shared — on January 28th at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, 7 Sylvan Avenue.
Experts will be on hand to informally discuss the importance of seed saving.
Yesterday’s mention of Capuli — the new restaurant in the old Westport Pizzeria location across from Bank of America — may have left the impression that it’s a pizza place.
It’s not.
The California-Mediterranean fusion menu — filled with healthy options — includes appetizers like chimichurri shrimp skewers and grilled octopus, and entrees like eggplant polenta Napoleon, pansotti, classic New York steak and California hamburger.
Click here for the mouth-watering lunch and dinner menus.
Mike Hayes is a 20-year veteran of the Navy SEALs, with service in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He had defense policy and strategy roles in the Bush and Obama administrations.
He’s got a master’s in public policy from Harvard, and is the author of an inspirational book, “Never Enough.”
Hayes is also a Westporter. And on February 4 (7 p.m.), he’ll share his thoughts on leadership with former Westport Library trustee Maggie Mudd.
He’ll talk about how decisions get made, particularly under duress; crisis management, conflict resolution and more. Leadership lessons are applicable to every walk of life, Mudd notes.
Click here to register for the free virtual program.
Despite the pandemic headwinds, new restaurants continue to open in Westport.
Don Memo, Walrus Alley, Manna Toast, Hudson Malone, Outpost Pizza and Basso have all opened their doors, despite restrictions on dining.
Yesterday, Capuli joined them.
Like its predecessors in the Post Road East space opposite Bank of America — Westport Pizzeria, and before that Joe’s Pizza and S&M Pizza — it will serve pies.
But the cuisine is called California-Mediterranean fusion, featuring “a variety of fresh ingredients, low in saturated fats, whole grains, seasonal vegetables, lean meats and seafood.”
They plan on primarily takeout meals at the start. Call 203-557-9340, or email capuli.westport@gmail.com for more information.
The pandemic has also affected Suzuki Music Schools. But their classical music education and performance schedule has simply moved from Colonial Green to cyberspace.
The popular children’s “Pillow Concert” series returns January 24, and continues through spring. Family-friendly concerts give children a chance to be up close and personal with performers beyond the front row (and they’re encouraged to bring pillows to create seats at the artists’ feet).
Online master classes and interactive workshops will be conducted by widely acclaimed artists like violinists Rachel Barton Pine and Regina Carter. They’re open to audit for non-students for the first time (for a small suggested donation to the school).
The 4th annual Connecticut Guitar Festival returns March 5-7. It goes global virtually this year, featuring international artists. Attendees can tune check out Suzuki Schools’ social media pages every week leading up to the festival for discussions famed guitarists about how they’ve performed during the pandemic.
For more information on Suzuki Music Schools, click here.
To celebrate Martin Luther King Day, the Westport Public Art Collections announced a series of small rotating exhibitions. They’re part of a larger initiative to support nondiscrimination in the arts.
The first — opening at Town Hall on February 1 — explores longtime Westporter Tracy Sugarman’s civil rights activities during the Freedom Summer of 1964 in Mississippi.
The artist-reporter wrote, “I was determined to bring back real images of real people and real places so everyone could see American apartheid for what it really was.”
Tracy Sugarman died in 2013, at 91. To learn more about him, click here.
“July and 100 Degrees in the Shade at the Sanctified Church for Freedom School Kids, Ruleville”
“Has anyone ever mentioned the overflow Post Road traffic at the Starbucks drive-thru?
“I can’t tell you how many time I’ve driven by and thought it’s an accident in the making. I snapped this the other day leaving the Bank of America ATM next door. I could barely see the approaching traffic.
“I’ve got nothing against Starbucks. I just don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”
Colin, the topic has been addressed before. This has been going on for months — ever since the pandemic began.
I am stupefied that anyone would sit in a car for so long at any drive-thru. It’s particularly mind-boggling because there is a perfectly good Starbucks a mile or so down the road, at Stop & Shop. The biggest line I’ve ever seen there is one person.
You could drive, park, get your coffee, drink it — and do all your grocery shopping — in the time you’d spend on that Post Road Line.
Of course, it would mean getting out of your car …
And finally … Phil Spector — the influential record producer who went from creating the famous Wall of Sound to prison for the murder of a woman in his home — died Saturday, of complications from COVID. He was 81.
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You can find Cold Fusion at all the cool places on the East Coast (including Mystic Market and Rizzuto’s). There’s also a retail store in Newport, Rhode Island.
The 3 met at the popular Playhouse Square café. Rapport was instant. “We had the same ideas. And we laughed a lot,” Rick says.
