The Haberstroh family has long set the gold standard for civic involvement in Westport.
Charlie and his wife Patty were involved in a long list of activities, from politics (Board of Finance, RTM, Board of Selectmen, Parks & Recreation Commission) and sports (you name it), to social welfare (Department of Human Services).
Their children continue the tradition, without missing a beat.
Patty Haberstroh
When Patty — a beloved and long-time Human Services family coordinator — was diagnosed with ALS, the Haberstrohs added their prodigious energy to education, advocacy and fundraising around the debilitating and deadly disease.
On June 17th, brothers Chuck and Steve — a former Staples High School All-State golfer — played 100 holes in Hartford, to raise funds to fight ALS.
No big deal? That was 100 holes in one day.
The group of 24 — including ESPN NFL analyst and Westport resident Dan Orlovsky — teed off at 5 a.m. They finished nearly 16 hours later, at 8:45 p.m.
Dan Orlovsky, midway through the long but rewarding day.
They did it all in pouring rain — all day long.
That was challenging, Chuck says. But, he notes, “it was nothing compared to what our mom dealt with battling ALS.”
The long, emotional day brought in over $450,000.
Funds go to 3 charities. ALS TDI is laser-focused on finding cures and treatment for the disease. Team Gleason is a leader in developing and sharing technology for people living with ALS.
Experience Camps — based here in Westport – is a national program offering year-round programs for children whose parents or caregivers have died.
Chuck and Steve Haberstroh, with a sign honoring their mother at Keney Park.
Many 12-year-olds dream of scoring goals or hitting home runs. But Dylan Rosen is on a different track.
“I’m not a stick-and-ball kid,” the Coleytown Middle School rising 8th grader says. “I’m more of a helmet-and-fireproof-jacket kinda kid.”
His family had no racing experience. So Dylan and his father Frank turned to neighbor Jim Torok. The dirt track driver in turn steered them toward karting.
Dylan Rosen with Hugh Gorman, at Calf Pasture Beach.
A used kart from engine builder Forrest Edelman soon arrived.
Then came 22 races. He lost them all.
But Dylan did not give up.
A chance meeting with 2009 Staples High School graduate Parker Kligerman (and former NKA racer) at Daytona was pivotal.
The professional NASCAR driver gave Dylan encouragement and advice, especially on his struggles making qualifying weight.
Dylan Rosen with Parker Kligerman.
Early this past season, Dylan’s kart stalled. Standing nearby was Hugh Gorman, a former Sports Car Club of America crew chief.
He offered help, and a mentorship began.
Gorman walked the track with Dylan, taught him race lines, and helped him rebuild the kart.
Dylan was also preparing for his bar mitzvah and doing a volunteer project. He and his mom Barrie connected with Fairfield County-based Piston Foundation, which provides mentors and scholarships for young people interested in pursuing a career in the collector car industry.
Dylan became a youth ambassador, raising over $5,000 for the scholarship fund. He proudly carries the Piston Foundation name on his kart, jacket and helmet.
Mayo Smith — a Westport resident, Piston Foundation board member, and former Rolex 24 driver and podium finisher — oversaw the effort. He mentored Dylan, and set up a trackside booth.
Dylan Rosen and Mayo Smith.
With guidance from Smith and Gorman, Dylan climbed from the back of the pack to third.
“There’s nothing wrong with a respectable third place,” Smith notes.
Dylan will enter the fall season more determined than ever.
Right now, he’s racing toward another goal. Dylan’s bar mitzvah will be celebrated soon at the Spanish synagogue in Prague, following a family tour of Poland.
(Westport is filled with interesting young people — and “06880” is honored to tell their stories. If you enjoy reading them — or any other feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
For several months, Chris O’Dell tried to get a response to the non-renewal of his contract as Staples High School boys freshman soccer coach, by superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
O’Dell was ready for a Board of Education hearing on 4 dates, in March, April and June. Each time, the board balked.
Finally, 3 weeks ago, Scarice agreed to meet. Unknown to O’Dell, the superintendent recorded their conversation.
Chris O’Dell
The freshman coach raised that issue this morning, in the public comment portion of the BOE meeting.
“I won’t be bullied, embarrassed or blackmailed to not call out this abhorrent behavior,” O’Dell told the board.
After O’Dell’s 2 minutes were up, Scarice responded. He told the BOE that while the meeting was supposed to be confidential, he felt the need to tape it due to numerous “false statements” circulating about the case.
“Even if he felt he had to record what he said, he should have let me know,” O’Dell told “06880” after the board meeting. “What he did was completely unethical.”
The Board has offered one new date for O’Dell’s non-renewal hearing: July 23.
The coach told the board that it conflicts with a family vacation.
For nearly 50 years, Bloodroot has served delicious vegan food — spiced with healthy amounts of feminist ideology, and a side helping of social justice-type books — in a funky, you’ve-got-to-know-it-to-get-there spot on Bridgeport’s Black Rock Harbor.
Co-founder and longtime Westporter Selma Miriam died in February, 2 weeks short of 90.
But Bloodroot lives on. It’s gotten plenty of national attention. (Just the other day, it was mentioned on Brian Lehrer’s WNYC show as a restaurant well worth taking a detour to.)
On the other end of the political spectrum: This bus — part of the “Take Back Connecticut” tour — drew plenty of attention, as it drove through Westport yesterday.
Here’s one view, in front of Splash car wash. Images include the flag raising at Iwo Jima, Martin Luther King, Donald Trump after the assassination attempt, and — oddly — John F. Kennedy, just before he was killed in Dallas.
“The Edge of Water” by Olufunke Grace Bankole, “O Sinners” by Nicole Cuffy and “Rabbit Moon” by Jennifer Haigh are finalists for the 2025 Westport Prize for Literature.
It is awarded annually, to honor an original work of literary fiction that is both relevant and timeless.
This year’s winner will be honored at The Westport Library on November 6. The conversation with the winning author will be moderated by The Yale Review editor Meghan O’Rourke.
This is the third year for the $10,000 prize. The first grant went novelist Zadie Smith for “The Fraud.” The 2024 recipient was Alejandro Puyana, for his debut novel, “Freedom is a Feast.”
Submissions for the 2025 prize were read and vetted by nearly 50 volunteer readers. The best-reviewed manuscripts advance to the jury, which will select the winner.
(“06880” is your hyper-local source for news, information, features, and lots more. We rely on support from readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
In the wake of last month’s Board of Education hearing to appeal the non-renewal of his contract as Staples High School boys soccer head coach, the 2008 graduate filed a complaint with the state Freedom of Information Commission.
Oost-Lievense said that he intends to challenge the hearing, and the Board’s decision not to renew his contract, in court.
However, he says, he is handicapped in litigation because “the Board unlawfully deliberated my nonrenewal in executive session.” He had repeatedly requested the hearing be held entirely in open session.
Stating that the public and he were deprived of the ability to evaluate and challenge the Board’s decision, he asks that the meeting be declared “null and void.”
Westport’s delegation in Hartford — State Senator Ceci Maher, and State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Dominique Johnson — meet constituents tonight (Monday, June 16, 6 p.m.) in the Library’s Komansky Room (behind the stage).
It’s called an “End of Session Town Hall.” The public is invited, to learn about the legislative year that just ended.
From left: Senator Ceci Maher, Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Dominique Johnson.
The Westport Museum for History & Culture celebrates Juneteenth (Thursday).
At 10 a.m., they’ll offer a guided walking tour through downtown. It’s based on the Museum’s previous exhibit on African Americans in Westport
Museum staff will share stories of soldiers, sailors, activisits, artists and other citizens who helped build this town, while pointing out historic sites and buildings.
And … after a brief Yankee Doodle Fair-induced detour to the Levitt pavilion parking lot, the Westport Farmers’ Market returns to its Imperial Avenue home this Thursday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
It was a different venue last week, but the scenes were familiar to its many fans. For example:
Fresh strawberries, and …
… these regulars. They’re there every Thursday from a nearby office, always smiling and looking dapper. (Photos/Lori Cochran-Dougall)
=================================================
Congratulations to Adam Friedman!
The Westporter won the 123rd annual Connecticut Amateur golf championship.
The (very large) trophy was nice. Even better: Friedman earns an exemption into this year’s US Amateur event. It’s set for San Francisco’s Olympic Club, in August.
Friedman attended Staples as a freshman, then earned a scholarship to Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy in Florida. He attended Montverde Academy, and graduated in 2016 with high honors. Adam then played at Florida Atlantic University. His home course now is Great River Golf Club in Milford.
And finally … in honor of Jeffrey Cohen’s photo (above):
(Another week, another Roundup … and another request: If you enjoy this — or any other “06880” feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
And not just at their day jobs, in departments like conservation, finance and human services.
For example, one is a former Division I basketball coach. One does voiceovers for national clients. And one is a barbecue chef.
Actually, they’re all the same person.
Candice Holley is our multi-talented director of human resources. Her office touches every resident, in some way.
But few Westporters know the woman at the helm.
Candice Holley
Holley earned high school All-America honors in her native Memphis. She was a a Conference USA All-Freshman at the University of Cincinnati. But after 2 cartilage injuries she transferred to the University of Mississippi, to be closer to home.
Her Memphis ties are strong. Her grandmother was arrested during civil rights sit-ins, and her aunt marched.
Holley headed to Seton Hall University as a grad assistant coach, then stayed in the East to work in human resources.
She lived in Fairfield Greenfield Hill, and worked with non-profit and for-profit organizations.
A consulting gig in the Dominican Republic was intriguing. She appreciated the chance to explore her Caribbean roots. But Holley missed her kids — they range in age from 15 to 7 — so when the Westport job opened up, it was a great opportunity.
She’s helped modernize a department that had been largely paper-driven.
In Westport Holley manages 17 departments, and 3 ancillary ones (Wakeman Town Farm, registrars of voters and the Library). Each is like its own small business, she says.
Her job is to make town employees’ lives easier. If there are disagreements, she helps determine the cause. Was there a poor process? Weak communications?
Whatever the reason, she provides tools for solutions.
There is a tendency, Holley says, for employees to say “we’ve always done it this way.” She gently tries to get buy-in from all, for new ways of doing things.
“HR is a service department,” Holley notes. “It’s so rewarding to see a system work well.”
Candice Holley, at her Town Hall desk … (Photo/Dan Woog)
She calls Westport “a special place. We want excellence, with world-class training, development and talent.”
Holley is involved in the hiring process too. She points to the recent selection of Erik Barbieri as Parks & Recreation Department director.
“He has the right temperament, and the synergy is great. Our job is to screen and find the best peopole, then help them succeed.”
The departure of longtime information technology director Eileen Zhang offers an opportunity for another important hire.
… and with Town Clerk Jeff Dunkerton, honoring longtime employee Ruth Cavayero …
Holley finds it rewarding to coach leaders through difficult conversations. But that’s not the only coaching she does.
This past winter, Holley got involved with Westport PAL’s 4th grade girls basketball team. “Ir’a important to make space in your life for the things you love,” she says. “These kids are so cool!
“Coaching is much more than basketball. It’s a chance to teach life lessons.”
She cherishes her players almost as much as her own children, with whom she now lives in Newtown. She survived cervical cancer at 25, but was told she could not have kids.
Like any good coach, Holley sat with doctors and developed a game plan.
… and on the runway, at this year’s Fashionably Westport show. (Photo/Dan Woog)
As for that voiceover work: Holley does it in her free time, in her home studio. She’s taught herself breathwork, cadence, and whatever else is needed for a wide array of clients. Holley has been heard urging everyone to “wear a mask for New York” — that was with Governor Cuomo — and to eat McDonald’s Chicken McGriddles.
She was also featured in several episodes of the NPR “Seizing Freedom” podcast. Holley read the letters of formerly enslaved people, who shared their experiences through Reconstruction.
In what free time she has, Holley brings the barbecue lessons she learned in Memphis to the kitchen. She smokes meats, grills, and makes her own dry rub and BBQ sauce.
Candice Holley thrives in Town Hall. And on the sidelines of the basketball court, and in her voiceover studio and kitchen.
Still — after life in Cincinnati, Mississippi, the Dominican Republic and New Jersey — she is never far from her Memphis roots.
“I’m the hopes and dreams of what my aunt and grandmother fought for,” she says. “I really believe that America is character over color.”
(Westport is filled with interesting people — and “06880” regularly shines a light on them. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Huge congratulations to the Staples High School boys lacrosse team.
That is: the state championship Staples laxmen.
The Wreckers used talent, smarts, power, poise and patience, outlasting Darien 7-6 yesterday in the “LL” (extra large schools) final at Fairfield University.
The #3-ranked Wreckers got the game-winner in the back-and-forth battle from — who else? — University of Michigan commit Adam Udell, with 1:44 to play in the 3rd quarter.
University of North Carolina-bound goalie Josh Marcus kept the#4-rated Blue Wave scoreless — and Staples did not score again — through the final period.
Coach Will Koshansky has created a juggernaut. The seniors graduate with 3 state championshps in their 4 years — and an FCIAC title the one year they were denied the Connecticut crown.
Well done, Wreckers!
From left: Senior captains Tristan Schaefer, Josh Marcus and Adam Udell, with their hardware.
Celebrating the win …
… and posing for the championship picture. (Photos/JC Martin)
================================================
The Westport Country Playhouse’s 95th season will feature 3 plays.
Each — an Oscar Wilde comedy, a 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner and a classic Agatha Christie mystery — will run for 3 weeks.
That’s just the first act. The Playhouse will also offer 3 shorter-run events: a play based on a best-selling memoir, a family holiday show, and a big band celebration of Broadway musicals.
Wilde’s famous “The Importance of Being Earnest” kicks off the mainstage season (October 28-November 15).
“Primary Trust” — an uplifting, gentle and powerful exploration of change, friendship and quiet courage — runs April 14 to May 2.
“The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” by Christie, closes out the 2025-26 year July 14 to August 1.
The add-on productions include Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie” (September 4-6), the Playhouse tradition “A Sherlock Carol” (December 13-21), and “Big Band Broadway” (January 29 to February 1).
Unless they’re the ones playing in a rock band named for the medical shorthand “Do Not Resusciate.”
The (nearly) all-doctor group entertained their many fans — some of them, perhaps, patients whose lives they’ve saved — last night, at the Westport Library.
The benefit for the Library’s programs went off without a hitch.
And finally … in honor of the Staples boys lacrosse team (story above):
(“06880” Roundups are often filled with good news like big wins, information like Playhouse shows, and odd stuff like cones in the road. If you appreciate any of this, please click here to support us!)
Longtime Westporter and noted think-outside-the-box-er Scott Smith has watched the long debate about Westport’s athletic fields.
There are few, compared to neighboring towns. And there very few places to build new ones.
Scott may have a solution. He writes:
The biggest, most convenient site in Westport for ready-made new athletic fields, by far?
Sherwood Island State Park. There are acres and acres of flat grass fields, including a full-sized baseball diamond with rusted backstop, that could easily be refurbished into legit playing grounds for all kinds of sports.
Once upon a time, softball was played here. (Photo/Scott Smith)
These areas are rarely in use during the school year (and most, hardly even in the summer).
Of course, they would have to be equitably shared in any season by all, including local football leagues, rugby clubs and other users.
It’s a public-facility improvement that would not only benefit Westporters in search of new athletic fields to play on, but all Connecticut residents.
There is precedent for the state sharing Sherwood Island with other entities. I love watching the remote airplanes piloted by members of The Country Squire Modelers of Norwalk, a club that has operated by permit in the park since the 1960s.
Country Squire Modelers fly remote planes at Sherwood Island.
What’s more, Friends of Sherwood Island State Park — the nonprofit whose mission is to “preserve, maintain, improve and enhance Sherwood Island State Park for the benefit of the general public” — exists as a possible resource for expertise and connections.
I can’t speak for them, nor for the Westport athletic groups that I expect would be called on to share in the costs of upgrading and helping maintain the fields for their respective sports.
All would have to take part in the necessary negotiations to work out fair usage between town sports groups and others who might want to use them.
Open space at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/Scott Smith)
I’ve long heard that “the state” is impossible to deal with. But given the recent botched dealings with the Department of Transportation over the state maintenance facility project, maybe it’s Westport town officials who are the problem?
I don’t want to sound hopelessly naïve. But why wouldn’t we want to explore a public-private partnership with the state that could result in enhanced fields for local athletes of all ages and abilities? Isn’t that what a public park is for?
(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all. Email 06880blog@gmail.com).
Among Sherwood Island State Park’s 232 acres: plenty of flat land.
Dave Briggs and I teamed up yesterday, for our first-ever Instagram Live chat.
It’s an important one. We chatted with Martin Purcell, one of the ROAN Ventures developers about their Hamlet at Saugatuck project.
We invited questions from viewers, and asked some of our own. They included traffic, employee parking, height and density — and who exactly ROAN Ventures is.
Click here or below to view the Insta Live. NOTE: It took a couple of minutes at the beginning for Martin to join the call. Indulge us as Dave and I fill dead air.
Wednesday’s Parks & Recreation Commission meeting (June 18, 7:30 p.m., Zoom) will, as is customary, hear reports from the Golf, Racquets and Parks Advisory Committees.
But 2 special agenda items will honor longtime local volunteers.
Commissioners will hear a request to install a plaque at Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve commemorating Sherry Jagerson. The environmental activist, who died last year at 80, played a key role in creating the small park on Hillspoint Road, following the demolition of Allen’s Clam House.
Sherry Jagerson, at Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve. (Photo/Monique Bosch)
They will also discuss a request to name the Compo Beach pickleball courts in honor of Tom Lowrie. The 96-year-old stepped down last month as the town’s “pickleball ambassador.” But he is still a strong advocate for the sport he helped popularize here in town.
Tom Lowrie (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
=================================================
From 5-6 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month, Village Pediatrics hosts an open house.
Before this month’s event they posed for Pride, with shirts that say “Proud to Care for Every Color of the Rainbow!”
Standing (from left): Genna Harrison, Dr. Stephen Grevious, Dr. Neysa McDonald, Dr. Nikki Gorman, Ashley Dushin. Front: Caleigh Porter (holding Dogtor Bill), Magali Sánchez, Taína Mercado, Evelyn Anderson (yellow shirt).
A 29-year-old East Orange, New Jersey man was charged with conspiracy to commit larceny, fugitive from justice and failure to appear, following a 2019 investigation into the passage of fake $100 bills. He was unablel to post $130,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations, between June 4-11:
Texting while driving: 6 citations
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 6
“06880” reported recently that Steve Wheeler — a 1970 Staples High School graduate, who in 1974 became the first Connecticut runner to run a sub-4-minute mile — died suddenly in Oregon. He was 73. Here is his full obituary.
At Staples Wheeler captained the track and cross country teams, setting numerous school records.
At Duke University he won numerous Atlantic Coast Conference indoor and outdoor championships, and earned multiple All-American honors.
Wheeler set several Duke individual and relay team records, including the distance medley relay and 4 x mile relay.
In 1974 he became only the 67th athletes in the US to run a sub-4;00 mile.
Wheeler earned a master’s degree in public administration from San Diego State University in 1978, and began a 4-decade career in city and county administration.
He served as county administrator for Clackamas County, Oregon, and city manager for Tualatin and Hood River. He retired in 2018.
Wheeler was married to Nancy Newton, the current city manager of Springfield, Oregon. They shared a deep commitment to public service and civic leadership.
Wheeler was predeceased by his his brother Kenneth. He is survived by his wife Nancy Newton; his mother, Mary L. Reyen; his brother Warren; his children Jeffrey Wheeler (Emily, and grandson Tucker); niece Gwendolyn and nephew Owen Wheeler, and their mother Haynie Wheeler; niece Lauren Wheeler, and her mother Jeannine Wheeler. He is also remembered with respect by his former wife, Pat Wheeler.
Donations in Steve’s honor may be made to Springfield Rotary Charitable Foundation, PO Box 55, Springfield, OR 97477.
Steve Wheeler
================================================
Village Pediatrics — mentioned in an item above — is popular with kids and parents.
And wildlife.
This guy popped up recently on the “Storywalk” — the children’s illustrations that line the walkway on the Saugatuck River, just outside the doctors’ office.
The photo comes from Dr. Nikki Gorman. She founded the practice — and finds time to take “Westport … Naturally” images like this.
And finally … James Lowe is nowhere near as famous as Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, 2 music legends who died this week.
But as the frontman for the Electric Prunes, Lowe — who died last month in California, at 82 — will be remembered by garage band fans for this hit:
(When was the last time you thought of the Electric Prunes? And when was the last time you supported “06880,” your hyper-local blog? To answer the second question, click here. Thanks!)
Last night, the Representative Town Meeting unanimously approved a new Long Lots Elementary School.
The long — and long-delayed — project got the final go-ahead, after recent approvals from a variety of other town bodies.
Artist’s rendering of the Long Lots Elementary School courtyard.
Work remains — including putting the $103.2 million contract out to bid.
The only delay would be a townwide referendum, based on the cost. A petition would need to be signed by 10% of registered voters — 1,860 people — by June 27.
But when the vote was over last night, town officials — including selectwomen, RTM and Board of Education members, and the Long Lots School Building Committee — headed the short distance from Town Hall to the Spotted Horse, to celebrate.
(Photo/Andrea Moore)
From left: Don O’Day, Jay Keenan, Tim Wetmore, Joe Renzulli, Kevin Christie, Srikanth Puttagunta, Liz Heyer. All are on the Long Lots School Building Commitee, including ex officio members Christie (Board of Education) and Heyer (Board of Finance). (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
The Staples High School boys lacrosse team shoots for the state championship tomorrow (Saturday).
The Wreckers — seeded #3 in the “LL” (extra large schools) tournament — take on #4 Darien. Faceoff is 12:30 p.m., at Fairfield University.
That’s the same stadium where — 3 days ago — the blue-and-whites scored a spectacular semifinal victory.
Down 9-5 with less than 5 minutes to play, they stunned #2 Ridgefield with 5 straight goals. Tristan Schaefer netted the game winner, with just 2.4 seconds remaining.
Will Fleming had tied it up 9-9, with 33 seconds to go. Adam Udell notched the 2 goals before that.
Coach Will Koshansky’s squad is gunning for their 3rd state title in 4 years. They won it all in 2022 and ’23 — the first Connecticut championships in their history.
Go Wreckers!
Tristan Schaefer (91) celebrates his clutch game-winning goal against Ridgefield. (Photo courtesy of Staples Boys Lacrosse)
Speaking of sports: Last August, Ben Casparius was pulled up from the minor leagues, to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Two months later, he helped pitch them to a World Series championship.
This spring, the 2017 Staples High School graduate secured a roster spot with the team, as a relief pitcher.
Now he’s a starter.
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, “he’s done nothing but produce in the majors …. His 44 innings of work this season have seen him produce a 2.86 ERA with a 1.89 FIP while striking out 26.0% of his opponents and walking just 5.1%. Those numbers are nothing short of brilliant.”
The Yankee Doodle Fair — for a century, Westport’s favorite end-of-school tradition — opened last night.
It continues today and this weekend, at the Westport Woman’s Club and adjacent Imperial Avenue parking lot.
Today (Friday) it’s 6 to 10 p.m. Tomorrow (Saturday) the fair runs from 1 to 10 p.m. It winds up Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m.
In addition to carnival rides and games, there is plenty of food. And, of course, a raffle. Proceeds from the fair help the Woman’s Club fund many charitable activities and scholarships.
(Photo/Lauri Weiser)
More photos to come tomorrow, from the very talented Ryan Allen!
=============================================
Elle Michel Deran is an actor, the founder of Pussyboy Apparel, one of the nation’s leading trans influencers, and a 2013 Staples High School graduate.
Now — smack in the middle of Pride Month — she and Ezra Deran Michel are featured in a Cosmpolitan project called “Love Transcends.”
In it, the couple — who just moved from Los Angeles to a tiny town in Jalisco, Mexico — talkabout why they left the US, sobriety, “how accountability can be sexy, and why both being trans makes it easier to cope whenever their relationship gets tough.”
The Wakeman Town Farm farm stand opens tomorrow (Saturday, June 14).
It will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It features fresh produce, honey, artisanal baked goods, extra virgin olive oils and gourmet balsamic vinegars, Chaga mushroom elixirs and salsas — plus fresh cut flower bouquets and WTF logowear.
Visitors can also walk through the gardens, say hi to the animals, and chat with the farmers.
Meanwhile, Wakeman Town Farm is looking for volunteers (ages 16+) to prepare and plant gardens (Wednesdays and Fridays, 2 to 4:30 p.m.). Email info@wakemantownfarm.org.
Among their many tasks, Westport’s League of Women Voters does a great job educating residents about the political process — everything from registering and voting, to why municipal elections are important.
Yesterday, LWV members got educated themselves.
The guest speaker at their annual luncheon was Stephanie Thomas. Connecticut’s secretary of the state spoke in depth — and passionately — about our relatively new early voting process. She provided background, statistics, and strong affirmation for its impact on turnout.
She also stressed the need for continuing voter education.
That’s what the League of Women Voters does constantly. And as Thomas knows, in Westport they do it very, very well.
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, at the LWV’s annual meeting at Green’s Farms Church. (Photo/Dan Woog)
=================================================
Much of today’s national politics has been called a dumpster fire. We can argue that all day.
But yesterday, there was a literal dumpster fire on Hales Court.
Quick work by the Westport Fire Department kept it from spsreading to a nearby residence.
There are still a few random spots in town — a bank and store, for example — with signs or floor decals reminding patrons of the need for “social distance.”
That COVID-era phrase is now just a bad memory. If we notice the notices at all, we just ignore them.
But what about these signs, at Fresh Market?
(Photo/Dan Woog)
When was the last time anyone called in a curbside order?
Probably the same time the sidewalk and road in front of the entrance was not under construction.
Julie Loparo of Westport Animal Shelter Advocates writes: “We hope to find not only a possible owner, but to secure donations for a young cat’s emergency care.
“After being struck by a car on Tuesday, on Easton Road, he was taken to the VCA emergency clinic in Norwalk by Westport animal control officer Joe Saponare. He has been treated for shock, abrasions and a fractured pelvis.
“He will be released to the care of a WASA volunteer today. His emergency care to date has cost $2,750. Donations can be made here. For more information, email wasa1@optonline.net, or call (203) 557-0361.
Emergency cat care needed.
=================================================
Speaking of animals: Deer are everywhere in Westport.
Including Old Mill Beach.
Robin Tauck spotted this pair yesterday — heading in opposite directions — and sent us this photo, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Robin Tauck)
=================================================
And finally … happy Friday the 13th!
(From sports stars to trans influencers, and Wakeman Town Farm to the League of Women Voters, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
