Five years ago this week, Westport was just settling into the new reality of COVID.
The weekend’s nice weather had brought large crowds to Compo Beach, though the parking lots were closed. Town officials — worried about close contact (even outdoors), and cars parked all along Soundview Drive — scrambled to react.
Soundview Drive, the first weekend after the lockdown. Town officials quickly cracked down on parking there.
The Trader Joe’s line wrapped along Compo Acres Shopping Center storefronts. Only a few shoppers were allowed in at a time. The checkout line was — like every other part of life — dictated by “social distancing.”
Schools desperately tried to figure out “distance learning.”
Trader Joe’s enforced social distancing rules — with their own very recognizable font.
And that was just the first couple of weeks.
Five years later, how have we changed? What effects linger — negative or perhaps positive? What do you remember most about those uncertain, frightening days?
Earlier this month, “06880” asked readers to weigh in. Here’s what you said.
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At the beginning of the pandemic, I was living with my husband in a very. comfortable house. He had a heart condition, but we enjoyed what we had, and managed to do many things. Then COVID struck, and I learned that my best friend from high school was one of the first 1000 deaths.
In May we decided to move to a senior housing domicile. It was beautiful, and well-maintained. My beloved husband lived there for 5 days; then he passed (from his heart condition). A few weeks later, I was diagnosed with COVID and quarantined for 15 days in a new home, where I knew no one and was totally isolated.
So I can’t say that the pandemic treated me favorably. I’ve gotten all the shots I could possibly need to protect me against the next outbreak of something — I hope. — Bobbie Herman
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We were raising our son in a 1- bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village. Wanting more space and family, we gathered a few things and our cat, and went to stay with my mother in my hometown of Westport. We expected to be there a few weeks, a month at most.
As spring and summer passed, my husband and I got used to the spaces, the beach, the green. We got spoiled with multiple bathrooms, a convenient washing machine and drive-thru Starbucks. We got to know the town better, the stores, the people, and eventually looked into the schools. When we saw that a cute house was less than a decent 2-bedroom in our neighborhood (crazy, this was 2020) we decided to stay.
Five years later I miss New York terribly. I miss my community, and easy access to all that culture. But I am happy with our decision to stay. We have settled nicely, embraced the town that has changed so much since my childhood yet is so familiar. I knew we were settled in when we did something I would not do in the city: adopted our dog. — Juliet Koskoff Diamond
Late March, 2020: Starbucks’ drive-through was one of the few places that seemed normal. So long as you didn’t get out of your car. (Photo/Rob Hauck)
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Not for all, but it was a glorious time for my husband and I. We started the pandemic as new grandparents. Our daughter and her husband moved from the city into our home, thinking it was only temporary.They ended up purchasing a home in Fairfield. Now we have 5 grandchildren, 4 of whom were born during the pandemic (the first was 5 months before. That’s how our life changed, all for the better: It gave us an immersion of love and family time.
And we never got COVID — until last July. — Dorothy Robertshaw
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I was a “COVID person.” My husband, our son (who was 3) and I moved to Westport right before official lockdown. We didn’t know a thing about the town, only what our realtor told us. We didn’t have much time to decide so moving here was definitely rushed.
Turns out, it was the best decision. A few years later after restrictions loosened we could really discover the town. COVID was the worst thing to happens to us in a very long time, but it led us to Westport and for that, we are thankful! — Cubie Vinson
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We experienced grand plans interrupted. Our daughter was studying abroad in Cannes, excited for the culmination with the Cannes Film Festival celebration (she’s a cinematographer), our son was a senior at boarding school and navigating college acceptance and revisit days. Some amazing trips booked for my hubby and I. All of which cut short with kids returning home — the lovely silver lining to the COVID cloud.
I personally managed group purchasing contracts with hospital systems across the country. We manufactured systems/kits for infectious disease testing at hospitals, VAs, clinics. I was part of the pandemic response trying to allocate kits. We were not prepared to manufacture at a rate beyond understanding. It was insane. And just when we thought it was subsiding, the surges would hit again, and again.
Five years later: Kids graduated, happy and working. Squeezed in a few trips with my hubby. Me? I left the COVID-induced crazy corporate life, having gratefully served the pandemic response that culminated a career in diagnostics, to open a chocolate shop — in Connecticut of course! Life is sweet with a little bite of happy. — Laureen Haymes
Remember COVID testing? This was the scene at St. Vincent’s Medical Center on Long Lots Road, a few days before Christmas 2020. (Photo/Randy Ford)
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In April, during the beginning, my wife and I were blessed with our first grandchild. We had to visit while standing outside the sliding glass doors of their home. We had our second grandchild 2 years later, but we still had to do all of the precautionary steps. We then had to visit my wife’s aging parents at the nursing home while standing outside of their window (thankfully they were on the first floor).
When we opened back up at work (framing shop), we went from gallery exhibits to appointment only, which the clients actually liked, so we kept that for a while. Now I take appointments if the client prefers but it is “walk-ins welcome” again. I keep masks on hand and sanitizer if that makes a client feel more comfortable. How did it change me? After the two shots and one booster, I have a constant white noise. — Jay Cimbak
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We really never changed our lives. We entertained, got together with friends, traveled again to Croatia and several other international destinations .., easy to use points. No crazy panic as in the US, life continued, kids went to school and learned. It was just another illness like measles and diphtheria — except this escaped from a Chinese lab and globally spread because of global travel. — Jeff Schaefer
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Real estate market prices of home values have skyrocketed. Long after COVID was over, Westport was exponentially higher than other neighboring towns to move to. More commercial spaces are occupied as well, lot of growth in town plus the population increase.
Lot of new residents, excited to live here and find that “home” feeling but also get used to the constraints of living in a town that was first settled in the 1600s by the Bankside Farmers. Fridays in town during “rush” hour is a reminder of the relaxed COVID days, but before that, going from Westport to Greenwich or the NY border in under 30 minutes was heaven. No traffic.
Towns have their ups and downs. Can we continue to keep climbing, or will the demand soften and relax and slow development, enrollment rate and demand to live here? — Andrew Colabella
Commuting patterns changed dramatically durng COVID. This was the Westport trian station in May 2020. (Photo/Caroly Van Duyn)
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The permanent change is to mental health, and I’m not sure it recovers. If you Google “US School Shootings,” post say 2022 is pretty horrific. 115 and 116 in 2018/19/20, 327 in the school year ending 2023. Isolating kids, not great, although many Fairfield county towns did a nice job opening fall 2020 classrooms.
Adults haven’t fared much better. Employers have had to threaten and/or beg their employees to come back. Many of us have big jobs with big responsibilities and big benefits so we comply, but large swaths of America are still entrenched at home even in 2025. Good for some, bad for most.
It’s easy to second guess all the decisions, and there were bi-partisan wins and losses. I remember on 9/11/01 thinking that was the most traumatic thing I’d go through. In some respects, the lingering effects of the pandemic have been way worse. — David J. Loffredo
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After months of renovations, Susie’s House reopens April 1.
The 124 Compo Road North residence is run by Homes with Hope. Named for former director Susie Basler, it provides stable, affordable living for 6 young women ages 18 to 26 who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
At Susie’s House they’ll get back on their feet through education and employment, eventually moving on to independent living. Each woman will have a mentor, community support and case management.
Community members are invited to a pre-opening tour next Saturday (March 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). To RSVP, email events@hwhct.org.
For nearly 25 years, A Better Chance of Westport has provided education, a home, mentors, and opportunities for a powerful future to smart, self-motivated, creative and very cool young men of color, from around the country.
It’s one of our town’s best non-profits. Hundreds of Westporters have volunteered, in a variety of important roles. And they’ve gotten as much from the ABC scholars as they’ve given.
The “Dream Event” is A Better Chance’s annual fundraising gala. Along with the food, drinks and auction items, there’s something more: inspiring speeches, from the current scholars, and those who have graduated and gone on to great success.
This year’s event is April 26 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Then-current and past A Better Chance scholars, at a previous Dream Event.
The renovation of the Compo Beach playground is just a few weeks away.
Just like during its construction in 1989, and first renovation in 2006, it’s a community project.
Whether you’re a parent whose kids use it, or used to when they were younger — or even if you have no kids’ connection to this great Westport attraction — organizers are looking for volunteers to help.
Professional builders, skilled volunteers, unskilled hands — all are welcome to sign up for slots.
All volunteers will receive a playground t-shirt! Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served by community vendors.
There’s a “KidZone” on site for children (potty-trained, please!). 12- and 13-year- olds can help out there.
14-17-year-olds are welcome on the build site. They cannot handle tools, but there are many other ways to help.
Earthplace’s 4th annual Beer Garden (April 26, 4 p.m.) has something for everyone — of all ages.
Adults enjoy a self-guided trail walk with craft beer tastings, while kids sample sparkling drinks, and participate in arts and crafts.
The beer garden includes food trucks, s’mores, lawn games, and a selection of full-size beers available for separate purchase. Click here for tickets, and more information.
S’mores at the Beer Garden.
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Weston Field Club has reopened.
The private club closed in November, after “financial irregularities” caused what the board president called an “existential crisis.”
With a new general manager, there’s an open house today (Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m., 38 Ladder Hill Road South, Weston). They’ll show off their facilities, and describe their programs like aquatics, racquet sports, trap shooting and camps.
Weston Field Club is also offering summer trial memberships, for $3,000 and $5,000. Click here for the website. Click here for more details, from Weston Today.
The Aspetuck Land Trust is ready for an active spring, both live and online.
Lunch & Learn: “Assisted Plant Migration Helps to Expand Our Native Plant Palette for Climate Change” (March 28, 12 noon, Zoom webinar). How can we help plant species move north as temperatures rise? Explore the role humans play in helping move plants, as well as helping animals move more freely to aid in seed dispersal.
Plant Sale (Opens for Members April 4). ALT’s spring and fall native plant sales feature hard-to-find native plants, trees, shrubs and perennials. Plants are ordered online, and picked on weekends at the Caryl & Edna Haskins Preserve. Click here to join or renew membership.
Vernal Pool Walk with Edward Pawlak (April 12, 10 a.m., Trout Brook Valley Jump Hill Preserve; click here to register).
Earth Day Weekend Ephemeral Wildflower Walk with Vernal Pool Expert Anthony Zemba (April 19, 10 a.m., Trout Brook Valley Jump Hill Preserve; click here to register).
Anthony Zemba leads a wildflower walk.
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It may be a (sub)urban legend, but I’ve heard that Violet Lane is named not for the flower, but for someone whose last name was Violet.
On the other hand, today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows that there indeed are violets on the small road off Myrtle Avenue.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
Which raises these important questions: Is there myrtle on Myrtle Avenue? And was it named for the plant, or a woman called Myrtle?
And finally … in honor of Westport’s violets (story above):
(There’s a mystery about Violet Lane. But there’s none regarding “06880.” We’re your hyper-local blog, here for you 24/7/365 — and we rely on you for support. Please click here to help. Thanks!)
It’s been nearly 5 years since COVID slammed into Westport.
And the world.
This week half a decade ago, we had moved from obliviousness about “the coronavirus” to concern.
A few days later, we were fearful. Then came the lockdown, and a tsunami of emotions all the way up to panic.
At the same time, we had all the time in the world to process it.
We weren’t going anywhere. And neither was anyone else.
The final 3 months of the school year were conducted online, haltingly and not very happily. Staples High School’s graduation was a drive-by affair.
A parade of cars passed in front of Staples’ main entrance, during the drive-by graduation ceremony. (Drone photo/Ryan Felner)
Six-foot social distancing signs appeared everywhere: Trader Joe’s, Stop & Shop, CVS, banks. We washed our hands obsessively, humming 2 stanzas of “Happy Birthday to You.”
Restaurants pivoted to takeout only. Gyms closed. Even doctors cut back on seeing patients.
Amid all the misery, there were unexpected upsides.
Neighbors gathered at the ends of driveways (socially distanced, of course) for drinks and conversation.
Westporters discovered Sherwood Island State Park, for strolling and solace.
Kids painted encouraging messages on rocks, created helpful apps, and helped senior citizens. Families bonded over board games. A “yarn bomber” decorated trees. The Remarkable Theater drive-in popped up (all cars socially distanced, of course).
The yarn bomber strikes at Compo Beach, near the Soundview Drive parking lot.
“06880” started a “COVID Roundup.” It evolved into today’s daily, all-inclusive (and non-COVID) Roundup. We started the online art gallery that first week of the pandemic too.
Some of that seems like it happened 5 centuries ago. Some of it seems like yesterday.
Now — half a decade later — “06880” wants to know: How has COVID changed you, and your life in Westport?
If you lived here a long time, has there been a lasting impact on your relationship to this town? If you were one of the “COVID people” who moved here because of the pandemic, how has that worked out?
What are the permanent changes we’ve seen, now that the virus has receded? What were some that did not last, but maybe should have?
Please email your experiences and insights (and photos, if you’ve got any) to 06880blog@gmail.com. We’ll post them soon.
In the meantime: Stay safe.
But enjoy the world, and Westport, every day.
You never know what lurks around the corner.
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Winter seems to be slowly slipping away. (Though temperatures will struggle to reach freezing today.)
There’s no snow in the forecast.
But even if we don’t see another flake this season, this is New England. In less than a year, we’ll shovel again.
Well, some Westporters won’t.
That’s the topic of Clarence Hayes’ “Opinion” piece today. The Representative Town Meeting member writes:
Westport is an outlier. Out of 169 municipalities in Connecticut, it is one of the very few (if not the only one) whose Public Works Department has the responsibility to clear residential sidewalks after a snowstorm.
In nearly every other community, this responsibility falls to the adjacent property owners. While Westport’s DPW does its best to keep up, it’s time to acknowledge that this system is unsustainable.
Cross Highway, after a snowfall.
Currently, our town has 26 miles of residential sidewalks. That number will grow, as new sidewalks are added.
The highway crew of 16 workers already puts in grueling 12- to 30-hour shifts clearing and salting roads during storms. After tackling streets, parking lots, and even hauling snow out of downtown, they are then expected to begin the long, labor-intensive task of clearing sidewalks.
Depending on the severity of the storm, it can take up to a week before all sidewalks are passable. If storms come back-to-back, sidewalk clearing may not happen at all.
By that time, snow has often hardened into “snowcrete” — a dense, icy layer that is far more difficult to remove than fresh snow, and creates even more hazardous conditions.
“Snowcrete” on Hillspoint Road, between Hillandale and Prospect Roads. (Photo/Clarence Hayes)
This means that even when sidewalks are cleared, they may still be icy, uneven or impassable in spots. And when storms come in quick succession, sidewalk clearing may have to be delayed or skipped altogether as crews focus on keeping roads safe.
Meanwhile, residents understandably want safe walkways immediately after a storm. Pedestrians, including schoolchildren and commuters, rely on these sidewalks to get around safely. But the reality is that the town simply cannot provide immediate service to sidewalks while prioritizing road safety.
The solution is simple and fair: Update our town ordinances to require property owners to clear sidewalks adjacent to their property, as is standard in most Connecticut towns.
Prior to storms, in addition to salting their driveway and front steps, homeowners would take a few more steps out and cover their sidewalk. This would dramatically ease the burden on our public works crews, while ensuring sidewalks are cleared faster for everyone.
There will, of course, be pushback from some who do not want to take on this responsibility. But Westport is a community that values walkability and safety. If we want our sidewalks to be clear and accessible after a storm, this ordinance change is a necessary step.
It’s time for Westport to adopt a sidewalk snow removal ordinance that aligns with the rest of the state. Doing so will improve safety, support our public works department, and ensure that our growing sidewalk network remains usable all winter long.
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Harrison Sydor is a junior at Staples High School.
As a member of the cross country and track teams, you may see him running on Westport roads.
He sure sees you.
He emailed “06880” about an issue that, he says, has “bugged me and my friends for the last few months.” Harrison writes:
Traffic laws state that pedestrians should always be on the left side of the road. That is something we as a team adhere to most of the time, except for rare occasions where the shoulder is bigger, or we are shortly turning onto a street on the right hand side.
Lately, I have noticed that cars much less frequently give us space on the roads.
When there is oncoming traffic, it is much easier to slow down and safely pass us, instead of rushing through and threading the needle between the car on one side and the group of runners on the other. We have had crashes in the past.
Harrison Sydor (right), at an indoor track meet. Even in winter, Staples runners take to the roads.
On major roads we are 2 wide. One runner will jut slightly into the road, but not by a significant amount.
It is equally as important for the driver as it is the runner to pay attention and be courteous.
Recently, we have worked to make ourselves less of a hazard on the road to drivers. We would appreciate it if Westport drivers could make the same effort to use our roads properly and efficiently.
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Dave Smith and his wife Jeanne have lived in Westport for over 15 years. Their 4 children played multiple sports, including football, basketball, lacrosse, baseball and volleyball.
Caleb (Staples High School Class of ’24) is at the University of Connecticut. Nathan, a Staples senior, will attend Trinity College. Chloe is a Staples sophomore, while Noah ooks forward to being a freshman there next fall.
From left: Nathan, Caleb, Dave, Noah, Chloe and Jeanne Smith. Caleb and Nathan starred on Staples’ 2024 state champion football team.
For 5 years, he has published “Dads’ Survival Guide.” The weekly blog highlights parenting and marriage issues, with a perspective many Westport men can relate to.
This week, Dave — who coached his children on Westport Recreation, PAL and Little League teams — tackled a fraught topic: travel sports.
Calling it “a tangled and confusing web for any Dad to navigate,” he offers words of hard-earned wisdom for many Westporters. Dave writes:
The tension and stress on our kids during tryouts. The agonizing wait to hear. The disappointment of missing out. Or the joy of making a team.
Then, the commitment. To each game, practice, clinic and showcase. Year-round. An expectation from team coaches for families to rearrange their lives so players can attend everything.
And the cost! Oh, the cost! Participation fees. Off-season and pre-season workouts. Private coaching. Equipment. Uniforms. Gas. Hotels. Flights. A mind-bogglingly, expensive endeavor.
Yes, that’s travel sports. Which can make us Dads feel helpless. And hapless. Because once we get on the travel train, it seems impossible to get off. Peer pressure compels us to do it all.
Any Dad can struggle with travel sports. Even All-Pro NFLer Greg Olsen, who captured what many of us feel in a recent interview. “Everyone is fearful of our kids falling behind,” said Olsen. “It snowballs. Everyone else is doing it, so we’re just doing what they’re doing.”
Doing what everyone else is doing. Because we’re fearful of our little superstar falling behind. Yep, guilty, as charged.
In the Smith household, with multiple kids playing multiple travel sports, we’ve stumbled and bumbled our way for years. Missteps. Miscalculations. Mistakes. And wasted $$$.
But, what did we know? Nothing. And with advice coming from every angle, we were bewildered about who to believe. Or which paths to take.
Fortunately, none of our blunders were prohibitive. Or fatal. And now, with our brood playing multiple sports in high school and college, we have gained some perspective. Hindsight. Perhaps, too late for us. But maybe, helpful for others.
Here’s my 2 cents – for what it’s worth.
Specialization: 10,000 hours. Focus, focus, focus. We were told countless times the only way to play sports at the highest levels was by specializing. In a single sport. And a specific position. From a young age.
Baloney. There are countless athletes playing multiple sports in high school. Truth is, for many kids specialization is the wrong route.
With no participation requirement in high school sports, specialization narrows possibilities. In basketball, there are 5 on the court. Maybe 8 in the rotation. Chosen across 3 classes (soph, junior, senior). Only 9 on a baseball diamond. These limited play possibilities may alter one’s youth sports calculus.
Oftentimes, specialization leads to injuries from overuse. Working the same muscles again and again, year-round. TEENS having Tommy John surgery! Crazy And, kids burnout. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. One day our tiny protégé loves a sport. The next, they’re done with it.
Personally, I’m a huge proponent of remaining multi-sport athletes as long as possible.
Nearly 57 percent of Tommy John surgeries are performed on 15-19-year-old baseball players.
Success Factors: In my experience, the attributes high school coaches value in players is entirelydifferent from those youth coaches prefer.
High school coaches want unselfish, team-first players, who listen and learn. Mastering the fundamentals of DEFENSE and footwork are essential. Players must watch film and know the playbook. Coaches look for character in their players. Those with resolve and tenacity, an ability to fight thru adversity.
Fact is, size, strength or athletic advantages in youth play may not translate to success at the next level. Conversely, there are plenty of prolific high school athletes who were not standouts in youth sports.
Team Wins over Individual Development: Travel coaches – the professionals – focus on team success to help promote their Travel program. There is limited focus on individual skill development during a travel season. Teaching our kids the basics of how to pitch properly, swing a bat or shoot a basketball is on us Dads. Either by ourselves or with a private coach. This was a big surprise for me.
Alternative Sports: Youth programs center around a small subset of sports. With so many kids fighting for so few high school slots, the competition in these sports is intense.
However, there are plenty of high school sports for boys and girls which don’t get much fanfare but can be equally as enriching. Cross-country. Volleyball. Rugby. Hockey. Wrestling. Skiing. Swimming. Diving. Water polo. Fencing. Golf. Tennis. Squash. Cheerleading. Crew. Track and Field. Loads of options for our kids to play through high school. And perhaps, beyond.
After Staples, Terry Brannigan went on to a very successful wrestling career at Wesleyan University.
Best Fit: As we ponder the intense commitment and $$$ of travel sports, we should start by considering each child’s strengths, natural talents, and personality.
Do they prefer individual sports, relying on their own performance vs. being part of a team? Are they repeat-motion kids; meticulous and disciplined enough to do one thing over and over again (pitching, rowing or field goal kicking)? Do they have strong hand-eye coordination (hitting a baseball, tennis or catching a football)?
Are they high endurance athletes (running, biking)? Capable of hustling up and down the field endlessly (midfielders)? Or are they best suited for shorts bursts of intense effort (sprints, shot put, wrestling)? Would our kids thrive in high profile, pressure positions (QB, goalie, gymnast)? Or prefer operating in the background (lineman, outfield, defender)?
Finding sports and positions which match our kids’ nature helps build confidence from an early age. While developing a passion to improve.
Travel sports can be a terrific way for our kids to pursue what they love. And compete at a high level. Yet, travel sports can be confusing. Especially for Dads. Thinking about the down-the-road realities can help make the travel sports experience even greater for our kids. And better for us Dads, too.
Go, Dads. Go.
(To be added to the “Dads’ Survival Guide” distribution list, email davidosmith7777@gmail.com)
(“06880” often covers youth issues, sports and parenting topics. We also frequently offer a platform for readers’ opinions. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to aid our work. Thanks!)
Our dining room is a disaster zone. Used for its intended purpose once, or at most twice a year, the room now serves as an ad hoc storage unit.
The sideboard is covered with paraphernalia for my husband’s volunteer EMS position — trauma shears, belt clips and extraneous badges. The extra dining chair in the corner is piled high with unwanted Amazon packages and shoe boxes, all awaiting printed labels before embarking on their return journeys.
The floor is covered with boxes of Polar seltzers cans and bottled waters from Costco, which haven’t yet earned their spot in the refrigerator.
Amongst this chaos, one thing is sacrosanct. The dining room table stands in the center of the room, untouched and oblivious to the disorder surrounding it.
The smooth, rich mahogany reflects the light coming through the front window. Four legs resemble the rear haunches of a lion, creating a strong, regal stance.
No one and nothing touches that table.
The Frimmer family, back in the day.
My husband and I bought the piece for our first home, a small condo in Norwalk. Recently engaged, we were eager to decorate our shared space.
When his mother suggested we peruse the expensive furniture store above Starbucks in downtown Westport, we obeyed. She is a woman of exquisite taste, and we knew nothing about home furnishings or where to acquire them.
Up to that point, the only furniture I’d ever purchased had been a Papasan chair for my dorm room, and a simple metal bed frame and mattress.
In the fancy store, we immediately knew we were in over our heads. When the saleswoman insisted the dining table would work perfectly in our room, we nodded in agreement and handed over our credit card.
We also created an elaborate wedding registry at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Armed with a scanner, we scanned everything in sight. China with gilded edges, cut crystal glasses, silver cutlery and various appliances we thought we needed. A quesadilla maker, an espresso machine and a charcuterie board with built-in drawers were all must-haves.
We would fill our home with lovely things, wake up cuddled in each other’s embrace, and create a wonderful family filled with endless love and joy. Our life together would be smooth and easy, and go exactly as we’d planned.
Twenty-three years, 2 nearly grown children and a dog later, we’ve faced our share of bumps in the road.
The Frimmers, much more recently.
Our older child came out as transgender, and changed their name and pronouns. Chronic illnesses, trips to the emergency room and caring for ailing parents have all marred the perfect picture, or perhaps made it more colorful and nuanced.
Because we received less than a full complement of tableware from our registry, I can count the number of times we’ve used it on one hand.
The waffle iron conked out during its first test run. The ice cream maker escaped its box last year, only to be locked back away when the final product turned out crystallized and unappealing.
Life, and more specifically marriage, is messy, cluttered and unpredictable, which brings me back to our dining room.
This year we hosted Thanksgiving dinner for my husband’s family, including our teenage niece and nephew. In the days leading up to the holiday it was all hands on deck: making grocery lists, procuring the necessary ingredients and preparing multiple dishes, and ridding the dining room of its usual clutter.
Thanksgiving dinner …
After we stuffed ourselves with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, we cleared the dishes and moved on to the entertainment: the holiday grab bag extravaganza.
We arranged our gifts on the coffee table in the living room, chose numbers and unwrapped packages. My 16-year-old son was inordinately proud of the gift he’d contributed, a portable ping pong net suitable for any table.
Somehow, after all the trading and finagling, he ended up with his own gift, likely his secret plan all along.
He and my nephew attached the net to our kitchen table, but the round shape didn’t lend itself to the game. When they tried the coffee table, they had to play from their knees, an uncomfortable proposition.
That’s when the boys asked if they could use the dining room table instead.
I refused. If they played there, the top would be covered in permanent dings and scuff marks in no time. I couldn’t allow that.
But by the time I’d washed the serving platters, loaded the dishwasher and dried my hands, a rousing game had begun.
… and ping pong.
As I went to put a stop to the nonsense, the sounds from the dining room gave me pause. Amid the clicking of the ball on the wood surface, there was camaraderie, chatting and laughter — so much laughter.
All 4 kids gathered around the table, playing, giggling and cheering each other on.
Rather than worrying about SAT scores or friendship drama or whether their gender-affirming medications would be available for the next 4 years, they were enjoying each other with the help of a simple game.
How could I put my foot down now?
This montage was my dessert, more delicious than pecan pie or apple cake could ever be. I made eye contact with my son, and gave a nod of assent.
Since then he’s asked me to play with him every day, often sharing news from his life as he serves, volleys and puts extra spin on the ball.
So my dining room will continue to accumulate unwanted packages and Costco purchases. And now our precious table will collect scratches and scrapes, well deserved scars signifying a worldly maturity.
If and when we use the table for dining once again, likely not before next Thanksgiving, I’ll throw a tablecloth over the top and call it a day.
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Anyone who drives, walks, bicycles or scooters in Westport knows our roads are dangerous.
Now we’ve got it in writing.
Tighe & Bond — the consultants hired last year by the town to formulate a comprehensive “safe streets for all” action plan, with a $450,000 federal grant — has weighed in with their first draft.
That’s the right term. It weighs in at a hefty 83 pages.
The front cover of the Safety Action Plan draft shows downtown without — incredibly — much traffic.
Some of it is table-setting: background of the project, information about previous studies, etc.
But the Shelton-based consultants certainly reached out to the town. They researched police records, held meetings, devised surveys, and created an interactive map for residents to comment on particularly dangerous areas, offer suggestions, and even praise whatever currently works.
Westporters responded. The leading issue was driver/car safety (32%), followed by pedestrians (22%), intersections (19%) and visibility (13%). Bike, school and transit issues were also mentioned.
Residents’ responses to the interactive safety map showed concerns all over town.
There were few surprises. The highest number of motor vehicle accidents take place on the Post Road, in Saugatuck, and along North Avenue and Cross Highway.
Using a formula involving crashes, public perception and more, the consultants prioritized these roadways:
They also prioritized these intersections:
Tighe & Bond offered several policy recommendations. They include:
Pedestrian and bicylce master plan
Adopt red ight and/or speed cameras (recently approved by the state)
Comprehensive street light policy
Establish a team or dedicated person to implement and manage recommended changes, safety projects, and pursue grants.
Of 30 project recommendations, all but 2 were ranked “highest” or “high.” The top 5 are:
Kings Highway North, between Post Road and Wilton Road: pedestrian facility and sight distance improvements (estimated cost: $3-4 million)
Riverside Avenue at Bridge Street: modern roundabout ($5-6 million)
North Avenue and Long Lots Road to Cross Highway: pedestrian facility and intersection improvements ($500,000-$1 million)
Compo Road North at Evergreen Avenue; Easton Road at Bayberry Lane; Sylvan Road North at Pequot Trail; Long Lots Road at Bayberry Lane/Maple Avenue North: intersection sight distance improvements (vegetation clearing, approach realignment, and/or intersection control modifications (less than $25,000 per location)
Lower speed limit to 30 mph on town roads; consider 25 mph on commercial corridor (cost estimate not applicable).
The renowned explorer and science communicator (and Weston resident) has been elected the 46th president of The Explorers Club.
Wiese was executive producer and host of the mult-Emmy Award-winning ABC and PBS program “Born to Explore.”
In 2002 — after a previous election — he was the youngest Explorers Club president in history.
During his tenure he negotiated partnerships with Rolex, Eddie Bauer and later Discovery Networks.
Headquartered in New York, with chapters around the world, the Explorers Club supports scientific expeditions of all disciplines.
Notable club members include Jane Goodall, Walter Cronkite, Theodore Roosevelt, the Apollo 11 crew, and the Mount Everest summit team of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary.
This weekend (January 25 at 7 p.m., January 26 at 3 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church), Triple Threat Academy presents “Alice in Webland.”
The new play “takes a timely, kid-friendly tumble into a whimsical but risky world of web temptations.”
Children growing up in the digital age can relate to the show’s characters, and learn valuable lessons about balancing social media and living in the moment.
The show is written and directed by Georgia Wright. The cast of young actors is overseen by Triple Threat founders Cynthia Gibb and Jill Mann.
Tickets are $5 (free for senior citizens). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Writer-director Georgia Wright (right), and Triple Threat actors.
Melissa Newman — Westport’s own, and one of the most popular Jazz at the Post regulars — returns to the VFW this Thursday (January 23; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.).
She’s joined by guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Bobby Leonard. Click here for tickets.
Melissa Newman
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Yesterday’s snow is today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Claudia Sherwood Servidio captured the seren scene, on Cross Highway.
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Five years ago this week, Westport was just settling into the new reality of COVID.
The weekend’s nice weather had brought large crowds to Compo Beach, though the parking lots were closed. Town officials — worried about close contact (even outdoors), and cars parked all along Soundview Drive — scrambled to react.
Soundview Drive, the first weekend after the lockdown. Town officials quickly cracked down on parking there.
The Trader Joe’s line wrapped along Compo Acres Shopping Center storefronts. Only a few shoppers were allowed in at a time. The checkout line was — like every other part of life — dictated by “social distancing.”
Schools desperately tried to figure out “distance learning.”
Trader Joe’s enforced social distancing rules — with their own very recognizable font.
And that was just the first couple of weeks.
Five years later, how have we changed? What effects linger — negative or perhaps positive? What do you remember most about those uncertain, frightening days?
Earlier this month, “06880” asked readers to weigh in. Here’s what you said.
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In May we decided to move to a senior housing domicile. It was beautiful, and well-maintained. My beloved husband lived there for 5 days; then he passed (from his heart condition). A few weeks later, I was diagnosed with COVID and quarantined for 15 days in a new home, where I knew no one and was totally isolated.
So I can’t say that the pandemic treated me favorably. I’ve gotten all the shots I could possibly need to protect me against the next outbreak of something — I hope. — Bobbie Herman
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We were raising our son in a 1- bedroom apartment in Greenwich Village. Wanting more space and family, we gathered a few things and our cat, and went to stay with my mother in my hometown of Westport. We expected to be there a few weeks, a month at most.
As spring and summer passed, my husband and I got used to the spaces, the beach, the green. We got spoiled with multiple bathrooms, a convenient washing machine and drive-thru Starbucks. We got to know the town better, the stores, the people, and eventually looked into the schools. When we saw that a cute house was less than a decent 2-bedroom in our neighborhood (crazy, this was 2020) we decided to stay.
Five years later I miss New York terribly. I miss my community, and easy access to all that culture. But I am happy with our decision to stay. We have settled nicely, embraced the town that has changed so much since my childhood yet is so familiar. I knew we were settled in when we did something I would not do in the city: adopted our dog. — Juliet Koskoff Diamond
Late March, 2020: Starbucks’ drive-through was one of the few places that seemed normal. So long as you didn’t get out of your car. (Photo/Rob Hauck)
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Not for all, but it was a glorious time for my husband and I. We started the pandemic as new grandparents. Our daughter and her husband moved from the city into our home, thinking it was only temporary.They ended up purchasing a home in Fairfield. Now we have 5 grandchildren, 4 of whom were born during the pandemic (the first was 5 months before. That’s how our life changed, all for the better: It gave us an immersion of love and family time.
And we never got COVID — until last July. — Dorothy Robertshaw
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