What may be Westport’s last large open residential lot has been sold.
Two boldface names are involved in the transaction.
Marc Lasry — the billionaire hedge fund manager and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner, who lives on Beachside Avenue — bought the 12.3-acre 109 Morningside Drive South property for $7 million.
The seller — Wildflower Haven LLC — is run by Shonda Rhimes. She too lives elsewhere in Westport. Rhimes bought it in 2022, for $5.925 million.
For many years before that, it was owned by the Kowalsky family.
Lasry tells “06880” that he has 5 children, and may build homes there for 2 or 3 of them. The land will not be subdivided for a dozen homes, as many Westporters feared when it was on the market.
But nothing will happen soon.
“There is absolutely no rush,” Lasry says.
109 Morningside Drive South is the vast open space at the center of this aerial view. It is bordered by Clapboard Hill Road and Turkey Hill Road South.
=================================================
Walking around town is treacherous, after the weekend’s snow.
This is the scene on Post Road East, near Turkey Hill Road North and Harvest Commons:
Meanwhile, the Westport Downtown Association has this message for residents:
=================================================
Tired of being cooped up indoors?
Friends of Sherwood Island State Park is hosting a “Love Yourself, Get Outdoors” event on (appropriately) Valentine’s Day (February 14, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
Linda Gottlieb of FitTraining will lead the session. Organizers say: “Practice green exercise. Experience ‘forest bathing.’ Learn to use the ‘nature pyramid’ to guide your exercise.”
It’s free, and everyone is welcome. Dress in layers; it’s windy at the bach.
If recent weather has you thinking of warm sun: Head to VFW Post 399 on Thursday.
This week’s “Jazz at the Post” features The Caribbean Jazz Connection. Its leader — drummer Jim Royle — has been crossing genres of jazz and Caribbean Latin styles for years.
The band includes his former student and steel pan player Bryan Garbe. The Fairfield native is now an internationally acclaimed percussionist; bassist John Mobilio, and pianist Dave Childs.
And finally … happy birthday, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart!
In just 35 years, he wrote over 800 pieces, in virtually every classical genre: symphonic, concertante, chamber, opera and choral repertoires. He is considered one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music.
(“06880” is nearly 17 years old — half of what Mozart was when he died. We’re not comparing ourselves to him. But we do work pretty hard. Please click here to support our efforts. Danke schön!)
Some Westporters spent today digging out from yesterday’s 14-inch snowfall.
Some spent it walking outside, admiring the scenery.
Main Street, near Willowbrook Cemetery (Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
Some spent it sledding.
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
Some spent it plowing the streets …
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
… or clearing hydrants.
Don’t make the Fire Department do all the work. If there’s a hydrant near you: Shovel it out! The home you save may be your own. (Photo/Dorothy Robertshaw)
Some went shopping …
Whole Foods Plaza (Photo/JD Dworkow)
… but many others did not.
Playhouse Square, 3 p.m. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Here are a couple more of the many photos we received today:
Back in the day, my generation learned about snow days by listening to the radio.
Westport’s WMMM and Bridgeport’s WICC would go through the list.
It was alphabetical — and agonizing.
Ansonia Public Schools. Bridgeport public schools. Darien public schools. Even Our Lady of Fatima, wherever that was.
Who cared? What about Westport?!
Sometimes they’d be closed. Sometimes they wouldn’t. It was a crapshoot.
Then came a more high-tech method: emails and voicemails.
Still, it was a crapshoot. Longtime superintendent of schools Elliot Landon made it a point of pride to keep Westport schools open.
“Today is Monday, January 26. The Westport Public Schools will be open!” he cackled.
It didn’t matter that schools from here to Buffalo were closed. Suck it up!
Former superintendent of schools Elliot Landon. He is probably smiling because he just announced that schools would be open.
But this is 2026. Social media is everywhere. High school students make full-length documentaries; 8-year-olds create Instagram reels.
So, to announce tomorrow’s snow day — which there was little doubt about, from Friday’s predictions on — Westport Public Schools officials got creative.
Assistant superintendent John Bayers headed to Long Lots Elementary School. He consulted with Leo the Lion — the mascot. They punted.
The decision was left to Long Lots’ staff: teachers, cafeteria workers, custodians, and the school resource officer.
Of course, some folks ventured outside. Here’s what they found:
9 am.: Post Road East. (Photo/Colin Livingston)
9 a.m.: Fire headquarters (Photo/Colin Livingston)
Off Whitney Street. (Photo/Richard Fogel)
Off Wilton Road: Not a snowman — but it could be! (Photo/Chuck Greenlee)
I-95 southbound, between Exits 18 and 17: the view from an ambulance. Thankfully, photographer Jonathan Alloy says, “people are staying off the roads.”
Another view of I-95. Photographer Susan Garment reminds drivers to have both headlights and taillights on during snow and rain. Running lights are only on the front.
Dart, on Guyer Road (Photo/Bill Downey)
Railroad bridge: Maple Lane, near Greens Farms train station. (Photo/Seth Schachter)
Burying Hill Beach (Photo/Seth Schachter)
Robin and Griffin at Burying Hill Beach (Photo/Nico Eisenberger)
Frozen Compo Beach … (Photo/Tammy Barry)
… with a bit of recreation there … (Photo/Tammy Barry)
… while bundled up against the cold. (Photo/Tammy Barry)
Sherwood Island State Park: Don’t believe everything you read. (Photo/Bruce Geller)
In 2018, a Westport woman — a realtor, marathon runner and member of the Zoning Board of Appeals — was paralyzed when she stepped outside her house during a storm. A tree branch fell, breaking her neck.
Be safe in treacherous weather, a reader says.
Which reminds us: If any resident needs help of any kind today, please click “Comments” — and/or email 06880blog.org.
Our readers — and “06880” — will do our best to help. No promises, but this is what our community is all about.
Online, and in real life.
=================================================
It goes without saying, but the Westport Library and Westport Weston Family YMCA are both closed today. (Along with probably everything else.)
In addition, all Library programs have been canceled through Monday. Among those impacted:
The following programs will be rescheduled, for dates not yet determined:
These Children’s programs will be canceled for Monday, returning as scheduled February 2: Rhythm & Rhyme, Tummy Time Midday, Near Peer Homework Help, and Crafternoon at the Library.
As of now, Near Peer Homework Help is still on for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
This 2016 scene may look familiar today. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
=================================================
Meanwhile, this was the scene yesterday.
The temperature did not reach 20. But that did not stop intrepid dogs — or their owners — from heading to Compo Beach for some quality, pre-snow time.
Six major school construction projects across Connecticut are on the state’s building priority list for 2026.
And one of the 6 is Long Lots.
The New Haven Register reports that after districts apply for grants, the state Department of Administrative Services reviews applications, compiles a priority list, and presents it to the governor’s office and legislature’s School Construction Project Priority List Review Committee.
The committee unanimously approved the 2026 list earlier this month. It now goes to the state legislature for funding.
The amount depends on the reimbursement rate, calculated by the Department of Administrative Services based on each town’s wealth. (Hat tip: Bill Dedman)
The Chamber of Mothers is a national, nonpartisan coalition working to advance maternal health, paid leave, and economic equity for families. Our Connecticut Chapter is focused on building awareness and advocacy right here in our state.
Westporter Jessica Hill co-facilitates the Connecticut chapter. On January 28, they’re sponsoring a social media day of action, to shine a light on Connecticut’s paid leave programs, help educate employees about their rights, and encourage businesses to celebrate and promote their own family-friendly policies.
Participants can share one or more images on their feeds or stories, along with tags (@ctpaidleave and @chamberofmothers), hashtags (#CTPaidLeave) and the link ctpaidleave.org.
Chabad of Westport’s “Night for Our Heroes” honors Major Sagi Dovev (Res.), and wounded Israeli Defense Forces soldiers for their courage, strength and sacrifice. The event is February 25 (7 p.m.).
Since October 7, 2023, Major Dovev has volunteered full-time at Sheba Medical Center. He works with wounded soldiers and freed hostages as they rebuild strength, confidence, and hope. He has spent the past decade developing innovative training methods to build physical and mental resilience. .
Also featured: Daniel Kopylov, a fighter in the Kfir Brigade who was critically wounded in Gaza. During his rehabilitation, Daniel trained with Major Dovev, demonstrating incredible determination and resilience, becoming a living example of the strength of Israel’s soldiers.
And finally … why are we randomly offering up this song?
Well — as Bob says, “you don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows…”
(You also don’t need to donate to “06880” to read our 24/7/365 coverage of Westport. But we sure do appreciate it if you do. Please lick here — and thank you. PS: It’s a lot more fun than shoveling.)
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.
