Last week’s Photo Challenge showed a Christmas wreath, still hanging (on) on the top of a building.
It was the Westport Weston Family YMCA, as Fred Cantor, Andrew Colabella, Ed Simek, David Meth, Sal Liccione, Will Gibson, Richard Hyman, Jonathan McClure, Linda Vita Velez, Rew Travis, Jalna Jaeger, Naree W Viner, Amy Schneider and Tanaz Mody all knew.
None of them — or anyone else, for that matter — knew why it was still there, 67 days after Christmas.
No matter. It was gone a couple of days later.
Coincidence? “06880”-related? Who knows.
Just call it another Christmas miracle.
It will be a miracle, meanwhile, if no one gets today’s Photo Challenge. It’s easy — we’ll drink to that!
If you know where you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker’s most recent newsletter, “Westport in Focus,” has hit email inboxes all over town.
Among the items: a call for volunteers for town boards and commissions.
She writes: “Over the past few years, 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore has spent considerable time meeting with and recommending eligible residents for appointments to non-elected town boards, Committees and commissions. Many people have heeded the call for civic involvement, and we are very appreciative of their efforts. These volunteers are making a difference in your community!
“The work of filling these positions is ongoing. Opportunities remain that may be of interest to those with unique skill sets, life or professional experience. This includes those with architectural experience for possible appointments to the Historic District Commission, or perhaps a background in building or engineering for the Building Maintenance Committee or the Public Site and Building Commission.
“Other agencies, such as the Parks Advisory Committee, Racquets Advisory Committee, Human Services Commission, Flood & Erosion Control Board (alternates), and Tree Board are for those seeking an opportunity to volunteer, listen, and learn about town operations and how they may contribute in an advisory capacity.
“You must be a registered voter to be considered. Please submit an interest form (click here) and discover how you may volunteer to serve Westport. You will find it very rewarding, I’m sure!”
The Flood & Erosion Control Board plays an important role in Westport life. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
On Friday night, former CNN TV journalists Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs emceed Fashionably Westport, the Westport Downtown Association’s fun fundraiser for Homes with Hope, at the Westport Library.
Just moments before though, they were back in breaking news anchor mode. The pair — who recently began a joint podcast series — used the Library’s Verso Studios facilities to interview Ian Bremmer.
They asked the founder and president of Eurasia Group — a highly regarded political risk research and consulting firm — about that afternoon’s global alliance-shaking meeting in the Oval Office between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
The interview was almost as stunning as the presidents’ session.
“This was probably the worst day for the world since 9/11,” Bremmer began.
It marked “a catacylsmic shift in the Western order … a core break.”
Bremmer noted that the US has been the only NATO nation ever to invoke Article 5 — the principle that says if one member country is attacked, all other members will defend it.
“America’s allies now look at us and say, ‘We don’t feel we have a trusted ally,'” Bremmer added.
Cabaret Olé — the fundaiser for Staples High School’s Orphenians trip to Spain, with performances by that elite a cappella ensemble, and highly regarded VOCES8 — just got even more special.
Mary Kate Morrissey — lead in Broadway’s “Wicked” — and Dan Micciche, the show’s music director and conductor — will also perform at the March 30 event (6 p.m. Christ & Holy Trinity Church).
Morrissey spent a decade touring 92 cities with “Wicked,” “Mean Girls” and “Hair,” before making her Broadway debut in Wicked in 2023. Micciche has been with the show for over a decade, including national and international tours.
He will coach the Orphenians on their song with Morrissey.
Cabaret Olé includes tapas and other light bites, and a silent auction. Funds raised go to both the Spain Choral Festival and the VOCES8 Foundation.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Monday, March 3, noon) at www,Orphenians.com.
Mindy Wolkstein’s husband died recently, from complications of dementia.
During his illness, ElderHouse Adult Day Center in Norwalk took great care of him.
For 48 years they have provided care for many others too, while giving caregivers much-needed breaks.
To give back, Mindy joined their board of directors. Now, she’s spreading the word about an upcoming Elderhouse benefit.
“Night at the Aquarium” (April 3, Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk) features hors d’oeuvres, dinner, drinks and an auction.
The evening will also honor the Greens Farms Academy Community Service Program. Led by Susan Wilchinsky, it has engaged hundreds of students in service to ElderHouse for over 25 years. Students meet weekly at the Norwalk adult day center.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more, click here.
Speaking of Greens Farms Academy: Their Dragonoid team recently completed a very impressive robotics competition season.
They earned several engineering and programming awards, showcasing their skills at the State Championship, held at Bridgeport’s Total Mortgage Arena.
The Middle School team, Dragonoid Mechanics finished second overall. They also received the Create Award, for innovative problem-solving.
The Upper School team, the Dragonoid Brawlers, demonstrated adaptability and resilience, fine-tuning their robot under pressure. Earlier in the season they received a Judges’ Award, for dedication and ingenuity.
Greens Farms Academy Dragonoids Middle School robotics team. From left: Ben Kiev, Cooper Mleczko, Will Manes, Liam Haverstick, Mackenzie Bloom.
In 2021, Anjali McCormick was named CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA. She came from New Jersey, where she served as senior vice president and chief operating officer with the Summit Area YMCA.
McCormick left Westport this past August, after navigating the local Y through COVID, and celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Now she’s back in the Garden State — at the same Summit Y. She returns as interim CEO of its 4 branches on March 10.
Board chair Maria Brugg says, “Her extensive leadership experience, deep knowledge of the larger Summit area, and business acumen as a graduate of Harvard University with an MBA from New York University will help us forge new paths during this transitional period for our nearly 140-year history.”
Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Pete Wolgast)
Anjali McCormick, at the Westport YMCA. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Sorelle Gallery’s new show, “Refraction,” features abstract watercolor paintings by Connecticut artist Nealy Hauschildt.
It opens next Saturday (March 8), with a reception andn artist meet-and-greet from 2 to 4 p.m. Click here for more details.
That’s the class — sponsored by Little Gan — Chabad of Westport’s pre-school — to help parents and caregivers support their baby’s physical development (ages 0 to 6 months), through fun activities led by a pediatric physical therapist.
The sessions emphasize the important of “tummy time,” with exercises to build strength, balance and coordination.
The class runs from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Mondays, from March 31 to June 2.
Click here for more information, or email jewishwestport.com/grownupandme.
Looking for tummy time.
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Slowly warming temperatures have drawn residents to our beaches — including, in this “Westport …Naturally” photo, Sherwood Island State Park.
Today’s high temperature will struggle to reach freezing. By Tuesday, it will be back near 50. Welcome to March!
And finally … in honor of Tummy Time, the program for infants’ parents and caregivers (story above):
(“06880” echoes 1st Selectwoman Tooker’s call to get involved. Our suggestion: Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to this hyper-local blog. And then, yeah, join a board. It’s all good.)
Bob and Doree Levy are avid Westport Weston Family YMCA members.
They spend much of their time in the pool. But 3 years ago, he saw a woman teaching someone how to box.
She was Brenda Waldron, the instructor for a class of people with Parkinson’s.
Brenda Waldron, at the Westport Y.
Bob had never hit anyone — or been hit — in nearly 8 decades of life.
But he told Brenda he’d love to help.
Ever since, Bob has taught boxing to individuals with the disease.
The volunteers and 30 people with Parkinson’s meet Mondays and Thursdays, at 12:30 p.m.
Bob is not an expert on the disease. But he has seen the positive impact the class has on everyone involved.
“Boxing provides numerous benefits,” he notes. “It enhances strength, improves balance, and aids in memory retention. The coordination required to remember the sequence of numbers corresponding to each punch is particularly beneficial.”
In addition, he says, “the group fosters a strong sense of camaraderie and unity, embracing the ‘all for one and one for all; spirit of The Three Musketeers. This bond has made this group one big family.”
The group has also made an impact on Bob’s life.
“I am an old man now,” he says. “Since my youth, I have always believed that helping others is the reward.
“It does not cost anything to open a door for someone, greet them with a smile, or spread positivity.”
And it cost Bob just a few dollars to give his boxing class a gift.
The other day, for the third year in a row, Bob handed “Knock Parkinsons Out” t- shirts to members of the class.
The boxing class.
“Thank you Parkinson’s group,” Bob says. “I truly have been blessed.”
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — a daily source for stories about our town you won’t read anywhere else. We rely on reader support. If you enjoy our work, please click here to help. Thank you!)
The Westport Weston Family YMCA is many things, to many people.
Now — thanks to a partnership with Superpower Mentors — it is reaching out specially to students ages 10 through college and beyond with dyslexia, ADHD and other learning differences.
Y families now get reduced rates for Superpower Mentors’ services. The organization — created and run by Westport native Jake Sussman, who struggled with ADHD before graduating from the Forman School, then the University of Hartford — provides one-on-one support to build confidence, develop executive functioning skills, and prepare for success in school, work and life.
Superpower Mentors does it by matching students with peer mentors who share their learning differences, smf understand their challenges firsthand. They’re paired by interests too — sports, music, technology, the arts and more — creating an even strong connection.
Mentors offer guidance in time management, study habits and emotional well-being. Over 90% of mentees show increased confidence and success after just a few months.
Information sessions to help families learn more about the program are set for March 11 (12, 6 and 7:30 p.m.) Parents can meet the Superpower Mentors team, ask questions, and explore whether the program is a good fit for their child.
To prepare for a discussion of adapting 5 buildings at Baron’s South for affordable housing, the Planning & Zoning Commission will inspect them next Tuesday (February 25, 2 p.m.).
The public is invited, but no public comment will be taken.
“Golden Shadows,” the largest of the 5 buildings at Baron’s South. (Photo/Wendy Crowther)
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“Native Gardens” bloomed last night at the Westport Country Playhouse.
The comedy — about neighbors from different cultures who clash over the property line separating their gardens — runs through March 8.
Author Karen Zacarías will be in the audience tonight (Wednesday). American Theatre magazine recently cited her as one of the 10 most-produced playwrights in the US.
Click here for tickets, and more information. Click below, for a video preview:
Upcoming Westport Farmers’ Markets include “effortless” discussions.
Both are led by TAP Strength’s EJ Zebro, from noon to 1 p.m. On February 27 he’ll speak with Bena Kallick on “Effortless Aging.” The March 3 topic is “Effortless Wellness,” with Jennifer Boyd.
The Winter Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center (7 Sylvan Lane).
As always, there are 3 dozen vendors, plus lunch options like pizza, Thai and Mexican food, oysters and more.
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Westport is quiet this week. With schools closed for winter break, families have taken off for spots warm (Florida, the Caribbean) and cold (Vermont, Utah).
Two dozen Staples High School students and 4 teachers have gone somewhere else: Japan.
Their 9-day tour has a STEM focus. They’re visiting a testing facility for maglev trains, and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency.
They’re also having traditional experiences, like seeing Mt. Fuji, shrines and gardens, and attending tea ceremonies and a sushi-making class.
The Compo Beach playground’s “community build” renovation is set for April 21-26.
In preparation, fencing has already appeared.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
The renovation will include new accessible equipment for children of all abilities; widened walkways; safer surfacing around the swings, and replacement of the weathered fence.
It’s a major project of the Westport Rotary Club and Westport Young Woman’s League, with help from the Parks & Recreation Department and other organizations.
And finally … in honor of the Westport Y’s partnership with Superpower Mentors (story above):
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Posted onFebruary 12, 2025|Comments Off on New Westport Y CEO Glen Hale: A Familiar Face
The Westport Weston Family YMCA’s search for a new chief executive officer ended right where it began: inside its Bedford Family Center.
Glen Hale takes over, effective immediately.
He does not have far to go. He has served as interim CEO since August, when Anjali McCormick resigned.
Prior to that, Hale was the Westport Y’s chief financial officer.
Glen Hale
The Y calls him “a career leader (who) has managed cross-functional teams, executed global growth initiatives and acquisitions, and implemented organization-wide technology systems.” He is also a certified public accountant.
Hale has over 25 years of experience with non-profit organizations, including CFO for several organizations.
“Paired with a lifelong interest in athletics and sports – both as a participant and a fan – Hale’s skills and passions align well with the YMCA’s mission of promoting healthy living and youth development,” the Y says.
The Y recently earned Praesidium Accreditation — the highest industry standards — for its safety efforts.
The organization also reached its maximum membership capacity of 12,500. Over 1,000 people are on the wait list. Winter programs have set record participation levels.
Westport Weston Family YMCA board president Juliane Sunderland says, “I have had the pleasure of working with Glen for a number of years. His extensive experience, financial acumen, and deep commitment to our mission make him the ideal leader to guide our organization into its next chapter of growth and community impact.
“With Glen at the helm, alongside our strong leadership team, we are confident in our ability to move forward and achieve our goals.
The Westport Y’s Bedford Family Center, at its Mahackeno campus.
John McKinney, chair of the Y board of trustees, adds, “Glen has a deep understanding of our organization, the community we serve, and has a clear plan for our future. As we look toward the next century of service, we are confident that under Glen’s leadership, the Westport Weston Family Y will continue to serve as a cornerstone of the community.”
Hale says, “I’m honored and excited to take on this role. The WWFY has a rich history of serving our community, and I’m eager to build upon that legacy by expanding our program portfolio and strengthening community partnerships.
“I look forward to continuing my work with our great team and highly engaged membership, and striving for excellence in all that we do.”
Hale is married, with 2 daughters. He and his family moved from New York to Connecticut 20 years ago.
(“06880” regularly covers the Y — and many other Westport non-profits. If you enjoy our hyper-local focus, please click here to support our own non-profit work. Thank you!)
Comments Off on New Westport Y CEO Glen Hale: A Familiar Face
Posted onFebruary 2, 2025|Comments Off on Remembering Christian Trefz
Christian Trefz — a longtime resident and philanthropist whose generosity included the Westport Library, Westport Country Playhouse and the Westport Weston Family YMCA — died on Wednesday. He was 88.
His obituary says:
Christian was born in New Haven in 1936. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Germany between 1957 and 1959.
He was executive vice president of Trefz Corporation, along with his late brother Ernest C. Trefz. They opened their first McDonald’s restaurant in Waterbury in 1964. During his 60 years of operation, the business grew to over 50 stores across Connecticut and New York.
The brothers received numerous awards for outstanding restaurants and community service, including the Golden Arches Award (earned by fewer than 1% of McDonald’s owner operators world-wide.
Christian Trefz
Chris was kind, compassionate, and generous. He felt tremendous need to give back. Chris was a big supporter of Norwalk Hospital, where he established the family endowed chair in Global Health.
He also helped fund the operation of the Americares free health clinics Bridgeport and Norwalk, providing healthcare for people without health insurance.
Chris also loved the town of Westport, where he lived for over 50 years. He was committed to supporting the Westport Library transformation project, and in 2023 he helped to reignite the operation of the Westport Country Playhouse.
Chris found great pleasure in his gardens. Whether at home in Westport or Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, he found peace sitting by the water.
He enjoyed traveling the world, boating, and was an avid car collector. He was a member of the New York Yacht Club and Mill River Country Club.
Chris loved entertaining, and found every opportunity to organize family gatherings. It was important for him to pass on his values of hard work, education, and respect for others to his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Chris is survived by his son James, daughter Tara Locke, and stepson Winston Janusz; grandchildren William (Emma), Daniel and Kathryn, and step-grandchildren Jonah, Connor and Sage.
Additional survivors include his sisters-in-law Joan Trefz, and Margaret Bartlomowicz, nephews Christian and Paul Trefz, niece Linda Trefz, and nephew Michal Bartlomowicz. He was predeceased by his brother Ernest.
Funeral services will take place on Wednesday (February 5, 10 a.m., Green’s Farms Church).
Relatives and friends may greet the family on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, 860 Howard Avenue, New Haven, CT 06519, Website link. To leave an online condolence, click here.
The lobby of the Westport Weston Family YMCA is a busy place.
A constant stream of members check in, leave, and ask questions at the front desk.
People sit in the comfortable chairs. They use laptops, read newspapers, feed their little kids.
It’s easy to overlook the grandfather clock, sitting quietly (except for noon, when it gongs) in the corner to the right of the front doors.
But Lynn Wilson, Richard Hyman, Andrew Colabella, Lois Himes, Matt McGrath and Jalna Jaeger all know exactly where the tall clock is. And they all chimed in, to identify it as the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)
Here’s this week’s image. If you know where in Westport you’d see it, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Seth Braunstein)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!
A pair of Saturday Father’s Forums — places for fathers to talk about parenting challenges and strategies — are set for January 25 and February 22. Both are from 9 to 10 a.m., at Toquet Hall.
They’ll be led by Vince Benevento, founder and CEO of Westport’s Causeway Collaborative. The forums are sponsored by Westport Together. For more information, click here.
Father and son.
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It’s purely coincidental — given the recent tragedy in Los Angeles — but the current exhibition at MoCA CT is called “On Fire.”
Curated by Ive Covaci, Anne Boberski, and the Westport Public Art Collections Committee, it includes over 75 works in a variety of media.
The exhibit explores the ways in which artists from the 1930s to today have envisioned and responded to the interrelationships of energy, infrastructure and the environment.
This 4th annual exhibition by WestPAC at MoCA is inspired by 8 paintings, “The Evolution of Heat,” created by Ralph Boyer in 1934 for the old Staples High School as part of a WPA project.
The paintings usually hang at Westport’s central fire station, so this is a rare opportunity to see them in a museum setting.
Contemporary works — including scenes of local bridges, waterways and infrastructure — ask visitors to consider the past and imagine the future of our community.
The gallery is open Thursdays (4 to 8 p.m.), and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (noon to 4 p.m.). The exhibit runs through March 2.
Upcoming programs include:
January 23 (5 p.m.): Exhibition tour with curators Anne Boberski and Ive Covaci, co-chairs of the WestPAC Committee.
February 27 (6 p.m.): Community conversation: “Art, Infrastructure, and the Environment,” moderated by Ive Covaci.
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Pamela Rae Schuller — a “comedian, speaker and advocate who brings a unique perspective to inclusion through humor and storytelling” — will be here on February 6 (7:30 p.m., Chabad of Westport).
A recent photo of a Cybertruck parked in a handicap spot at the Westporot Weston Family YMCA — without a visible sticker — brought this comment from the owner:
“I have Parkinson’s and a handicap sticker from CT for more than 2 years.”
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Right before the snow, Anne Bernier snapped this shot of Deadman Brook, near the Levitt Pavilion and Imperial Avenue parking lot.
“I thought it beautifully encapsulated these cold, bright, winter days in Westport,” she says.
It does — which is why it’s today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … in honor of the 2 events happening simultaneously today, along with the Westport Together event on January 25 (story above):
(Sure, it’s a holiday. But in the nearly 16 years since “06880” began, we haven’t missed a day. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The Inn at Longshore has closed for renovations. It will reopen later this year.
Work is moving steadily along at the Delamar Hotel. The plan is to open in the spring, on the site of the former Westport Inn.
Until then, there is not one hotel room to be had in our entire town.
A century ago, there were plenty.
The Westport Hotel — at the corner of State Street (Post Road East) and Main Street — was a handsome building. It included a saloon and pool tables.
Decades earlier, Edward T. Bedford was too young to enter.
After becoming wealthy — as a broker of lubricating oils for railroads, helping chemist Robert Chesebrough sell his new product Vaseline, and a director of Standard Oil, among other things — he wanted the boys of Westport to have a place to gather.
Bedford bought the Westport Hotel, and demolished it. In its place, he built a $150,000 Tudor-style YMCA. It had reading and writing rooms, a bowling alley — and of course, pool tables.
For 90 years, the Y stood on the site of the old Westport Hotel. Since then — after the YMCA moved to its Mahackeno property on Wilton Road — the building has been leased to Anthropologie.
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