Most of us mourn our losses in private. Sometimes there’s a little burial ceremony, or a poem or story written by a grieving child dealing for the first time ever with death.
Leave it to David Pogue to turn his cat’s demise into a celebration that is warm, witty and wonderful.
But why not? That’s the Westport writer/television correspondent/podcaster/ musician’s brand.
“I’m sad to report that Wilbur the Wackjob Cat has gone to the great laptop keyboard in the sky, just shy of his 23rd birthday,” Pogue emailed friends last weekend.
Wilbur
“He was known to many as the hilarious, inexplicable cat who inserted himself into every TV story and Zoom call.”
Wilbur lived his life on his own terms, for sure. And for nearly a quarter century Pogue documented it all, with a seemingly infinite number of photos and videos.
Then he stitched them all together, in a commemoration of his “fuzzy little screwball.”
Well, it looks like Police Chief Foti Koskinas and I are wrong.
If you looked at this morning’s “06880 On the Go” video, you saw intern Colin Morgeson asking random folks random questions about Westport.
One of them was about the towns that border ours. “Norwalk, Fairfield, Weston, Wilton,” they asserted. Colin nodded, and congratulated them.
At the Farmers’ Market, he happened upon our top cop. Foti added “Easton.”
I was standing nearby. I was surprised, but thought about it. Of course: that stretch of Easton Road just past Catamount led into the corner of Easton where Helen Keller once lived.
So when my turn came, I confidently added “Easton.”
Nope!
As Evan Stein clearly points out, that stretch of Route 136 actually runs through Weston.
Before posting, I did a quick map search. Too quick, as it turns out.
Fig Linens and Home — a small woman-owned business in Westport since 2003 — has your Mothers Day covered.
Their advice (whether you shop at their 66 Post Road East store or not) is:
The perfect Mothers Day gift is different for every mom. Finding the perfect pick is dependent on choosing what your mom loves.
Some questions to ask yourself to pick the ideal Mother’s Day present include:
Do any gifts align with her interests?Think of the things your mother loves most, and the things she does every day. Making a list of her hobbies and activities can help you brainstorm gift ideas.
Is it something you can see her using? Traditional gifts include things flowers, spa treatments and chocolate. If you never see your mom utilizing any of those, it’s time to re-evaluate. We often recommend gifts like luxury robes, silk slippers and relaxing candles, because they are usable every single day.
Would she buy it for herself? The best Mothers Day gift strikes a balance between being something she’ll want and use, while being something she probably wouldn’t splurge on herself. If your mom gets a massage every week, a massage gift card probably isn’t the best gift. Think instead of items you don’t think she would purchase, but that she would love.
PS: Mothers Day is a week from Sunday: May 14. Don’t forget!
Westport Police made 4 custodial arrests between April 26 and May 3.
One was for burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, larceny and criminal mischief, following a break-in at Riverside Sunoco of $3,600 worth of cigarettes and vaping devices.
Another arrest was for criminal attempt to commit larceny and forgery, after an attempt to cash a fraudulent business check for $18,500 at TD Bank.
A third was for criminal attempt to commit larceny, breach of peace and threatening, following mail theft by the neighbor of a Westport resident.
The fourth arrest was for failure to appear in court, after a September motor vehicle accident.
Police also issued the following citations:
Traffic control signal violations: 6
Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
Failure to comply with state traffic regulations: 4
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 3
Distracted driving (not cellphone): 2
Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Failure to obey stop sign: 2
Improper use of markers: 1
Assault 3rd degree, physical injury: 1
Speeding: 1
Operating a motor vehicle while texting: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Failure to register a commercial vehicle: 1
Unreadable license plate: 1
An arrest was made after a break-in yielded $3600 worth of cigarettes and vaping devices.
The Westport Book Shop’s Artist of the Month is an “06880” favorite: Rowene Weems.
The photographer will display “Wish You Were Here: Postcards from Westport.” The 16 photos depicting scenes around town are part of a larger series of “love notes” to Westport.
Rowene moved to Westport from Wyoming 4 years ago. She says, “The beauty of Westport’s waterside landscape is such a lush contrast to my Rocky Mountain home. I find it a continuing source of inspiration.”
Rowene’s photography will exhibited at the Book Shop on Jesup Road through May 31. All pieces are available for purchase.
Rowene Weems with her photos, at the Westport Book Shop.
The former site of State Cleaners — the near-70-year business that closed this winter, at the rear of 180 Post Road East — will soon have a new tenant.
It will fill a gaping need in Westport. It’s just what we need! Check it out below:
Kelly Spearen has always loved working with his hands.
During his years at Bedford Junior High and Staples High School, he spent time with carpenters. He was accepted to helicopter and airborne Ranger school. In 1975 he joined Westport Center Service, and as general manager built its automotive department from scratch.
In the 1980s he got into metalworking. His wrought-iron hardware pieces were bought by L.L. Bean and Stew Leonard’s.
Kelly then created bigger sculptures. A private customer bought his 22-foot Eiffel Tower. Another purchased a giant question mark. With the advent of Facebook, he found customers as far away as California and Germany.
“Marilyn,” by Kelly Spearen. (Photo/Jo Ann MIller)
Many of his works can be found in front and back yards all over Westport.
Kelly recently had neck surgery. His many friends and fans wish him a speedy recovery. (Hat tip: Carl Addison Swanson)
The Longshore restaurant has expanded to 7 days a week. Lunch is served weekdays from noon to 2:30 p.m., with brunch on weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is weekdays from 4 to 10 p.m., weekends from 4 to 11 p.m.
On Mother’s Day (May 14, noon to 7 p.m.), chef Frederic Kleffer will offer a 3-course prix fixe menu, showcasing New England coastal cuisine. It’s $85 per person, $45 for young adults. Click here for reservations, or call 203-684-6232.
And don’t forget: The “Restaurants” tab at the top and side of the “06880” home page offers quick links to a variety of Westport restaurants.
Driving around Westport, we see all kinds of regulars: the woman who rollerblades along Greens Farms Road without a helmet or pads, oblivious to traffic. The young guy on the Post Road, who pops wheelies on his bike.
They’ve been joined recently by this guy. He works out very intently on the sidewalks and crosswalks of downtown.
Two pay phones remain in Westport. One is at the Merritt Parkway Exit 42 parking lot. This is near the Sherwood Diner. Photographer Mark Mathias says: “Hiding in plain sight. No dial tone, but there’s a wire going to a utility pole, so it might work if I put a quarter in it.”
Amy Scarella is a 1994 Staples High School graduate. Many Westporters know her as the passionate power behind Little Black Dog Rescue.
She was the woman driving around town with an SUV full of howling canines. She fundraised tirelessly to rescue dogs from kill shelters (usually down South), transport them to Connecticut, and address each dog’s many health problems. Then she matched each dog to a loving family. It’s estimated she and her team have saved over 1,000 animals.
A former teacher in the Bronx, Amy also tutored kids.
Her longtime friend Meghan Bell calls her “the friend who showed up at my house to watch my newborn twins so I could take a shower and a nap. And the friend who drove in a snowstorm to Westchester County Medical Center to pick me up when my father had a stroke and I couldn’t put a sentence together, let alone navigate I-95 in the snow.”
Amy moved to Charleston, South Carolina a few years ago to be closer to her family. Recently, she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Due to its size and location, there was no more room to grow. She needed immediate surgery.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by her friends, to help with medical and rehabilitation expenses. Anyone who knows Amy’s Little Black Dog Rescue work — and those who don’t, but wishes they did — is invited to contribute.
The next step in the handling of a resident’s complaint about material displayed in the Staples High School library is a special meeting on Monday, April 3 (3:30 p.m., Staples library).
An ad hoc committee, appointed by Superintendent of School Thomas Scarice, will follow up on last week’s session. Westport resident Tara McLaughlin seeks the removal of 3 books — sought the removal of “Gender Queer,” “This Book is Gay” and “Flamer” — from the collection.
Monday’s meeting is the next, in a 9-step process. The committee will discuss previous hearings, and “develop an evaluative judgment and recommendation for consideration by the Superintendent of Schools.”
Public comment will not be allowed. It may be permitted at a later meeting.
Want input into Westport’s Historic Preservation Plan?
The Historic District Commission is conducting a survey, to guide them as they adopt one. The goal is to “establish a long-term vision for historic preservation in the community, and create a set of achievable goals and strategies for strengthening the town’s historic preservation program.”
Click here for the survey. To learn more about the Historic District Commission, click here.
This sign on Jesup Road is looking a bit historic.(Photo/Morley Boyd)
The agenda for their April 11 Zoom meeting includes 6 homes “to take such action as the meeting may determine to oppose the issuance of the demolition permit … and require the full 180-day delay.”
Among those on the chopping block: 45 Compo Beach Road.
Located across from Ned Dimes Marina, on the way to the beach entrance and just north of Roosevelt Road, it’s one of the most recognizable houses in town:
Eleven Westport organizations have received arts grants. They come from 3 state sources: General Operation Support, the Connecticut Arts Endowment, and Supporting Arts.
Westport’s total of $183,647 is distributed this way:
American Chamber Orchestra – $5,764
Beechwood Arts, Inc. – $10,000
Fairfield County Chorale – $12,987
JIB Productions (Play With Your Food) – $2,371
Levitt Pavilion, Friends of Westport – $54,909
MoCA Westport, Inc. – $60,782
Music for Youth Westport – $5,954
Suzuki Music School of Westport & Orange – $3,128
Westport Community Theatre – $9,417
Westport Country Playhouse – $12,959
Westport School of Music – $5,376.
MoCA Westport is one of 11 local organizations to receive state arts grants.
You’ll find it in the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum, now through Sunday. It’s part of Verso Fest — the 2nd annual music-and-media festival.
It’s a 1:4 scale model of the Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound. It was created by former Westonite Anthony Coscia.
The “wall” is on display, and will crank tunes (intermittently) throughout VersoFest. There’s even a class about it (and PA systems): tomorrow (Saturday, April 1, 11 a.m.), open to all.
The aim of Coscia’s project is to preserve The Wall’s place in history, and allow people to hear, see, and feel what few were able to experience.
The model features over 500 functioning speakers divided into 8 channels, producing 100 decibels with little to no distortion.
VersoFest kicked off last night, with a concert by Sunflower Bean. A crowd of over 200 people enjoyed the show.
Sunflower Bean, last night at the Westport Library’s VersoFest. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Tonight it’s the (sold-out) Smithereens. Saturday includes panels with Steve Lillywhite and Richard Butler. Among Sunday’s highlights: a vinyl swap, and the documentary “Live from the Astroturf.”
For a schedule and full details of concerts, workshops and more, click here. All concerts are co-produced by the Library and Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Sunflower Bean backstage at VersoFest, flanked byTalking Head and Tom Tom Club’s Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. (Photo/Matthew Mandell)
Matthew Balga — the Whelk chef killed by a car earlier this month, while walking across Riverside Avenue after work — will be remembered on Sunday.
CT Urbanists — a safe streets advocacy group — will place a pair of “ghost shoes” at the site where he was struck.
A group will walk from the Westport train station at 11:30 a.m. to the site. All are welcome.
Similar ceremonies will honor 3 other pedestrians killed this month, in Greenwich, New Haven and Cheshire.
For more information, email jcproctor@gmail.com.
Chef Matthew Balga
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Aspetuck’s next “Lunch and Learn” webinar is all about nighttime.
“Working the Night Shift: Pollination Happens after Dark Too!” (Wednesday, April 5, noon to 1 p.m.) explores how moths, flies, beetles and other dusk and after-dark pollinators play important roles pollinating wild and managed plants, along with the ecology, diversity and importance of these hidden pollinators, and how to support them.
The presenter is Emily May (pollinator conservation specialist, and agricultural lead with the Xerces Society’s Pesticide Program). Click here for more information, and to register.
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This intriguing photo was recently found in an old barn — used for storage by many families — on Bayberry Lane.
Lloyd and Stacy Stableford think the girl (now woman) in the photo might like to have it back. If you know who she is, email sstableford@gmail.com
President Carter, with an unidentified girl.
Also found: something (possibly valuable), with a dedication. The recipient was “Gramp” referred to as “Tia’s 3rd husband”), who had been an attorney and judge in the early and mid 20th century. It hung in his law office and courtroom until he retired in 1961.
The item was embroidered in Japan in 1914 or 1915, and presented around 1920 by a Lt. Cmdr. R.S. Skelton, whose name appears in the 1883 Congressional Record.
The Stablefords’ research did not yield much. If you know anything more about “Gramp,” email sstableford@gmail.com.
“I am absolutely heartbroken over the loss of an Orvis Recon Fly & Reel. It was my personal favorite and a gift from my wife.
It was accidently left on the right-side parking shoulder nearest the water of Ford Road in Westport Wednesday, between 2 and 6 p.m. Reward given to the kind soul who locates and returns it. Please call Mark at 475-731-7400.”
Let’s hope Mark gets his fly and reel back.
And that his wife doesn’t see this. (Hat tip: Mary Beth Murray)
Orvis Recon
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It’s not Westport, but close enough:
With 136 new apartments planned for the Route 1 border in Norwalk — including Renzulli Road becoming a cul-de-sac, and the demolition of 7 houses, plus several businesses — decades-old Sanitary Cleaners is closing next month.
The final day to accept clothing is tomorrow. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)
George Billis Gallery recently moved from Westport to Fairfield.
Their original New York location — 527 West 23rd Street — is still open.
That’s where Westport artist Sherri Wolfgang has her next exhibit.
The opening reception is Saturday, April 8 (4 to 7 p.m.). The show runs from April 4-29 (Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.). For more information, call 917-273-8621.
Beginning tomorrow, dogs will begin their 6-month ban from Compo Beach.
That includes Lola — who lives on Soundview Drive, just yards from the shore.
She prepared for her new life by watching workers smooth the sand.
And by posing for today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
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And finally … if you want to weigh in on the Historic District Commission’s Preservation Plan (story above), do not listen to the first lines of this song (or watch the images):
(Don’t know much about Westport? Read “06880.” Learn. And then support our work. Please click here. Thank you!)
For the next 3 weeks, America will watch 64 teams whittle down to 32, 16, an Elite 8, a Final 4, and then — at last — the NCAA Division I men’s basketball champion.
Billions of dollars will be wagered. Far less will be won.
But why root for Kansas, Duke or UConn (or Grand Canyon, Northern Kentucky or Vermont) when you can cheer for Compo Beach, Gold’s or the Remarkable Book Shop?
Welcome to “06880”‘s first-ever “Westport Madness.”
The goal is simple: find the most quintessential thing in our town.
And you — our readers — are the ones who will do it.
I came up with 16 pairings (unlike March Madness, there are no seedings). My trusty sidekick — Staples High School sophomore Luca Caniato — created the graphics, and a voting system that’s even more secure than Dominion.
Click on or hover over to enlarge.
To vote, just click here. Then scroll down for each match-up. (Don’t forget to click “Submit” at the end!)
Each round of voting lasts 48 hours. Winners, and an updated bracket, will be posted soon after voting ends.
So look over each bracket. Select the “most Westport” choice for each. Click here to vote.
Let the games begin!
(If you enjoy features like this, please support “06880.” Click here to donate. 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!)
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