Last week’s Friday Flashback featured a what’s-old-is-new-again look at the Cribari Bridge.
Specifically: the 1985 campaign to save the then-threatened historic span from the threat of rebuilding, and the tractor trailers that would follow.
The story drew more than 2 dozen comments. Several referenced the temporary bridge that was erected when — a few years later — the bridge was rehabilitated.
(Spoiler alert: The renovation did not alter the structure. The temporary bridge — much praised for its height, and ease of use — was demolished once the project was completed.)
This week, we show you one of the few photos of that temporary bridge. No, it’s not Photoshopped or AI-generated.
Built just north of the permanent bridge, it curved from Bridge Street through the parking lot of what was then the Mansion Clam House (today, it’s the Bridge at Saugatuck restaurant).
Dave Eason — a former co-owner of Mansion — noted in the comments, “It only impacted the extreme southern end of the lot. It actually worked really well.”
Today, that Riverside Avenue terminus has been planted with evergreen trees.
BONUS SHOT: At the lower right of the photo is what was then a high hump on Ketchum Street. During the Gault project that brought (among other things) condos to Saugatuck, the road was lowered.
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The Levitt Pavilion has just signed one of the biggest bands around, for perhaps the biggest concert of the season.
Tedeschi Trucks Band rocks the Levitt on September 14 (7 p.m.). A cocktail party at 5 p.m. is sponsored by Massi Co. (formerly Don Memo) and Walrus Alley. rs D’Oeuvres from the menus of Massi & Co and Walrus Alley
Grammy Award-12-piece rock and soul powerhouse TTB is known for great live performances. NPR called the husband-and-wife team of Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi “two of the best roots rock musicians of their generation.”
Levitt Pavilion members can purchase tickets at 10 a.m. today (Friday). Sales to the general public begin Sunday (August 24, 10 a.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Tedeschi Trucks Band.
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The Delamar Hotel has opened its guest rooms, to great reviews.
Its restaurant — the Dandelion — took a bit longer to prepare. But now the much-anticipated dining spot — with its modern Mediterranean vibe, in a spectacular space — is ready for its reveal.
A grand pre-opening celebration is set for Saturday, September 6 (6 p.m.).
Twenty-five years ago today, Beth Cody began volunteering for Westport Little League. She was the 4th grade baseball co-commissioner.
In the quarter century since, she has continued as commissioner for many grades — mostly 4th.
But that’s just a warmup. In 2013 she and her son Jack — a Staples High School junior, former Little Leaguer and Staples player, LL coach and member of Kool to be Kind — introduced the Challenger league to Westport.
It offers boys and girls ages 5 to 18 with physical or intellectual challenges a chance to play baseball too.
Thanks in large part to Beth, it’s stronger than oever.
“She absolutely loves it, and the families love her back,” Jack says.
“She offers a very personalized experience to all the players, and is friendly with all the families. She always looks for fun events besides baseballm so the kids can bond.”
But that’s not all either. Beth volunteers as executive secretary, and has taken minutes at board meetings since 2000.
On top of all that, she’s had a paid job as Westport Baseball & Softball registrar for 20 years.
Congratulations Beth, on your 25th anniversary, serving so many boys and girls (many of them now men and women), in so many ways. You’re a grand slam!
Speaking of Little League: How about that Fairfield National team?!
Our neighbors have reached the pinnacle of U-12 baseball success. Tomorrow (Saturday, August 23, 3:30 p.m.; televised on ABC), they’ll play for the US Little League championship.
Their opponents are from Nevada — the same team Fairfield came from behind to beat and reach the US championship. Nevada advanced out of the double-elimination loser’s bracket (click here to see).
They’re the first Connecticut team to reach the national finals since — yes — Westport, in 2013.
There is a strong Westport connection on the current Fairfield squad. Ben Herbst, Colin Curley and Boden Dunlap all have parents who are Staples High School graduates. Tommy D’Amura — who belted a home run in Wednesday’s 7-3 win over a Nevada team — has parents who work in our town’s public schools and Police Department.
If Fairfield wins the American title, they’ll play Sunday against the international division winner, for the world championship.
Which even the MLB winner of the “World” Series does not do.
Go Fairfield! (Hat tip: Bill Dedman)
Fairfield players — including Boden Dunlap, Ben Herbst and Colin Curley — celebrate a Little League World Series win.
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Speaking still of sports: The resurrected Compo Men’s Hoops League has been a resounding success this summer. Every Monday, 92 players on 10 teams compete under the lights.
As the Final Four looms (Monday, August 25; semifinals at 7 p.m., finals at 8:15), each squad boasts Westport roots.
Team Schur (Staples High School grads Jordan Schur and Connor Whelan; Travis Test, married to grad Eileen Cooney) faces Team Dymond (SHS alums Aaron and Josh Shapiro).
Team Rivel (SHS grad Sam Jossen, longtime Wesptorter Brian Rivel, Westport native Sean McCurdy, Westport detective James Baker) faces Team Salerno (Oscar Edelman, Greens Farms Academy).
Other notable “old” Westporters in the league include Staples graduates Andrew Bloom and Ben Joseloff, former Wrecker Brett Tessler, and a team of all (relatively recent) alumni: Jared Parnes, Carter Kelsey, Owen Ziegler, Mike Ziegler, Cam Manna, Nick Lukens, Justin Rothenberg, Josh Lapping and Matthew Ambrifi.
Believe it or not, another sports story: The Joggers Club is warming up for another year.
A friendly group of neighbors who enjoy the camaraderie and energy of running, every Saturday at 8 a.m. they host runs along the shore. The meeting place is the Greens Farms train station.
Each run is followed by coffee and bagels. A yearly membership is $50. All new members get a free Lululemon Joggers Club shirt ($78 retail). Click here for details.
Back at Compo Beach: the Parks & Recreation Department and Westport Arts Advisory Committee’s collaboration — the Compo Mural Art Competition — has reached its next stage.
Residents were invited to design a mural to bring “color, creativity and connection to the spirit of Compo Beach.” The site is the long white wall on the side of the Bluestone/Hook’d concession building.
Some great submissions have come in. Now it’s our turn.
Speaking of the beach: The Remarkable Bookcycle has been getting a lot of use this summer.
Dozens of beachgoers have picked up summer reading (and loftier volumes) from the free lending library, parked on Soundview Drive by the volleyball courts.
But it’s attracted a lot more takers than givers.
The shelves look bare. So: The next time you’re headed to Compo, throw a few gently used favorites in your bag.
It’s an easy — and “remarkable” — contribution to make to our town.
(Photo/John Richers)
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Speaking still of Compo Beach: Hurricane Erin will not make landfall on the US.
But the sprawling storm is still affecting coastal North America, from the Carolinas to the Maritimes.
This was the scene yesterday, at Compo:
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
Meanwhile, Compo remains closed to swimming. It will remain closed until the water is re-tested. Results will be available on Tuesday.
Burying Hill Beach is open, but no lifeguards are on duty. Old Mill is open too — and there are never lifeguards there.
(Photo copyright Ted Horowitz)
Meanwhile, with no swimmers to look out for, these lifeguards found a way to pass the time yesterday.
(Screenshot courtesy of Amy Schneider)
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Similar to the photo above, today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows yesterday’s cool, gray weather.
It grounded even the gulls.
(Photo/Andrew Franco)
Today will be more August-like: Sunny, with a high of 83. The weekend looks good too.
Tuesday is the first day of school, in Westport. Which brings up the annual question: What happened to summer?!
And finally … in honor of the opening of the new Delamar Westport restaurant (story above):
(If you thought this Roundup was heavy on sports … don’t worry. There’s another one tomorrow — and every day after. And if you appreciate any of them, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Many hoped for a similar response today. Forty years later, the future of the Cribari Bridge is still in doubt.
Larry Weisman is not sure that’s the right reaction.
The longtime attorney and town observer writes:
I think that the enthusiasm for saving the Cribari Bridge — which reached its peak in 1985 — is outdated.
It should be replaced by an effort to improve the safety and efficiency of the bridge, preventing its use by oversized vehicles, and preserving what some value as its aesthetic properties.
That is exactly what the state – which owns the bridge – is trying to do.
Below is a chart that outlines 6 carefully considered alternatives, as well as DOT’s preference among them.
As can be seen, the options in the two righthand columns headed “Replacement”, (one with “Alignment” — the preferred alternative — and the other without), check all the boxes for the thoughtful criteria in the left-hand column.
Click on, hover over or pinch to expand.
If the bridge is replaced in accordance with the preferred alternative, the results would include:
Increased horizontal and vertical clearance, with electrical equipment located above 100 year flood elevation
Safe bicycle and ADA compliant pedestrian passage
Safe guardrails and roadway barriers
Increased clearance when closed, reducing frequency of openings
Compliance with historic criteria
Right and left turn lanes at the Saugatuck end of the bridge.
It seems to me that ConnDOT has done a conscientious job of establishing reasonable and realistic criteria; assessing available alternatives, and the need for structural and operational improvements, and has listened to and taken into account public concerns expressed in earlier forums.
This is not to say that there are not traffic issues on the roads leading to and from the bridge.
But those problems must be addressed separately, and apart from any decision about the bridge itself. The bridge is not the only problem.
The town controls all of the roads that affect bridge traffic, except for Compo Road South (Route 136). The town is in a position to prevent or limit truck traffic on Imperial Avenue and Greens Farms Road. Along with height and weight warnings and alarms, that would go a long way toward effectively addressing the concern about 18-wheelers.
We only have 3 ways to drive across the river. It is imperative that each of them operates safely and efficiently for cars, bicycles and pedestrians.
I believe that the “preferred alternative” shown below in the second column from the right is the best solution. It should be widely supported — even though it would be difficult to synthesize on a t-shirt.
For 60 years the handsome metal award, on a sturdy wooden base, was the highest honor given to any Staples High School athlete. Two were given at the end of every season, by each varsity team.
Last year, athletic director VJ Sarullo abruptly replaced the award with an inexpensive plaque — without even room for the honoree’s name.
After a community uproar — including heartfelt comments by past recipients, several of whom said it was the only sports award they cared about or kept — superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice directed Sarullo to find a solution.
Several current and former Westporters offered to find a manufacturer, and/or fund it themselves.
Yesterday, Sarullo emailed the families of last year’s winners:
We are pleased to announce the return of the Block S Award, a longstanding tradition that recognizes and celebrates members from each athletic team for their dedication and meaningful contributions to the athletic program. This award has long held significance in acknowledging student-athletes who represent the spirit and commitment of our Staples High School Athletics Family.
He offered the “original Block S trophy design” to last year’s honorees. Click here for the order form.(Hat tip: Jeff Manchester)
“The Great Gatsby” (100 years old) has been around even longer than the Westport Country Playhouse (94).
The 2 institutions come together on September 27 (7 p.m.). The Playhouse hosts “The Fitzgeralds: A Reading with Music.” The evening offers a look at the lives behind one of the most enduring works of American literature — with readings by acclaimed performers Stephanie Zimbalist and Alec Baldwin. The original live score is by Forrest Gray.
At the heart of the show are letters between F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Their words reveal the love and conflict that fueled some of the 20th century’s most iconic writing. (The couple spent a spirited and memorable summer here, in 1920.)
Portions of the proceeds will benefit the Woodward Internship program at The Westport Country Playhouse. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday) at 1 p.m. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, in front of their Compo Road South home.
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Connecticut faces a waste crisis. With the closure of key waste-to-energy facilities and no landfill capacity, the state increasingly relies on exporting trash — an unsustainable and costly practice.
On September 8 (7 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm), Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority director Jennifer Heaton-Jones explores the state of waste management in Connecticut, including where our trash goes, the environmental and economic impacts of our current system, and why urgent action is needed.
A key focus will be on the importance of “Recycling Right” — understanding what belongs in the recycling bin, what doesn’t, and how contamination undermines the entire recycling process. Attendees will learn how small changes in behavior can lead to big improvements in recycling efficiency and environmental outcomes.
Carl and Jo Ann Miller’s moving sale — with proceeds benefit VFW Post 399 and “06880” — is set for this Saturday (9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pleasant Valley Lane off North Avenue, opposite the Bedford Middle School entrance).
There are many gems left — including one great outdoor sculpture by Kelley Spearen.
And how about this offer: Buy an item, get a free masterpiece painting by Jo Ann Miller.
Thank you, Carl and Jo Ann, for your generosity!
Kelley Spearen sculpture, at the moving sale.
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The Longshore Women’s Golf Association celebrated their 65th anniversary this week with their annual member/guest tournament.
The day of friendship and competition also raised funds, awareness and food for Filling in the Blanks. The Norwalk non-profit provides weekend meals for underserved Fairfield County children.
The LWGA — open to golfers from Westport and surrounding communities — plays 18-hole competitions every Tuesday, from April through October.
Winners of the memberr/guest, with a gross score of 60, are below (left to right) Leela Benaderet, Anne Palmer, Stina Sternberg and Tracey Narang. Joining them are Longshore head professional Jon Janik and Heidi Nolte, LWGA tournament chair.
(Photo/Sue Roberts)
Net team winners, with a score of 53, were Cindy Scope, Rickie Haas, Jerre Skeats and Jill Hanau.
A few tickets remain for Shorefest — the Friends of Sherwood Island State Park evening of great food (from Westfair Fish & Chips), entertainment (John Lamb), and a silent auction with very cool local items.
The event is September 5 (6 to 9 p.m. at Sherwood Island — of course).
Westport Police made 4 custodial arrests between August 13 and 19.
A 23-year-old Greenwich man was charged with interfering with an officer, assault of a public safety worker, criminal attempt to assault a public safety officer, and breach of peace, following a disturbance at Cedar Point Yacht Club. The man — allegedly intoxicated — initially ran from officers. He then disobeyed verbal commands, and physically resisted efforts to detain him, while trying to harm the officers. He posted $75,000 bond.
A 65-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful restrain, follwoing a domestic disturbance. He allegedly pushed and attempted to restrain the victim.
A 24-year-old Yonkers, New York woman was charged with larceny, after a report of shoplifting at Lululemon. She was found to have multiple bags designed to defeat security measures, and $1,122 worth of stolen merchandise.
A 51-year-old Waterbury man was charged with violation of probation, after officers responding to a disturbance at a Westport home found he was the subject of an active arrest warrant. He could not post $50,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Driving while texting: 9 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 8
Failure to renew registration: 3
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
Speeding: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Failure to grant right of way: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without tint inspection: 1
For months, the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck was one of the fiercest voices against the Hamlet at Saugatuck project. The grassroots group cited traffic, parking, density, changes to our “small town charm” — and many other reasons — as they urged town officials to reject the proposal.
Last month, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4-0, with 3 abstentions, against the Hamlet.
Within a few days, ROAN Ventures — the developer of the Hamlet residential/hotel/retail/event space project — announced an 8-30 development.
The plan includes 400 to 500 residential units, in the same general Saugatuck footprint as the Hamlet site. As an 8-30g, 30% would be deemed “affordable” under a state formula. Its name: The Alliance for Saugatuck Housing Opportunity.
The Westport Alliance for Saugatuck writes:
The tide has turned on Hamlet, and brought us other choices for Saugatuck.
ROAN has appealed the P&Z’s correct denial of its incomplete Hamlet application. We understand they may already be in negotiations with the town. And using the same threat used in 2022 to create the Saugatuck text amendment that increased zoning by 800%, exclusively for the properties they controlled.
In their Instagram and TikTok posts, ROAN attempts to blame the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck for their 100-foot high 8-30g project, even misappropriating our name to confuse residents. This is why we strongly felt the need to clear the air.
Artists’ rendering of ROAN Ventures’ 8-30g project.
The real Westport Alliance for Saugatuck is the voice of thousands of residents who are too smart for a blame game.
Six months ago, residents from every corner of town — parents, commuters, small-business owners — came together to oppose ROAN’s dense, urbanized Hamlet proposal. Concerns ranged from choking traffic and lost commuter parking to environmental and public safety risks.
From those meetings, the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck was born. We now represent over 5,000 residents — multi-partisan, multi-generational — united for smart Saugatuck development that strengthens Westport without sacrificing its character or safety.
The tide on this project has turned.
Each day brings new voices who have changed their thinking on the Hamlet project. Many were initially in favor, and believed ROAN would create something special.
From the Westport Alliance for Saugatuck website: ROAN Ventures’ original 2022 rendering, during their text amendment hearing …
Every day more stand up to express their disappointment and frustration at how this project morphed from the promised quaint New England coastal village to an oversized urban plan.
… and the same view from the Saugatuck River, in a 2025 view.
All along, many of Westport’s smartest minds gave ROAN advice, methods for compliance, and numerous ideas to make their project acceptable. They refused.
With time running out on public hearings, they were urged to withdraw and refile. Again, they refused.
It’s not an either/or choice.
ROAN wants you to believe it’s their way or their gulag. This is false.
An 8-30g project means 70% of residences will be market rate. No market rate buyer will buy or rent an apartment in a building that looks like a prison, or doesn’t have adequate parking.
ROAN knows this threat is hollow, and only meant to scare the town into giving them concessions.
Many residents ask whether we should negotiate with ROAN. Can we trust them to keep their word?
Westport is an extraordinary, wealthy and desirable place. Our town does not have to bend for any developer. We hold the cards. The Hamlet application was rightly denied for substantive reasons. The appeal will fail.
Unless ROAN is willing to make the same pivot smart Westporters have made, to listen to residents and answer their needs, there is no reason to negotiate. Westport deserves a smart, well-planned, development that fuels a bright future for Saugatuck.
A future with green space, riverfront access, housing (both affordable and market rate), retail and offices — without crippling traffic, parking shortages or safety hazards – all while making attractive returns for a developer and investors. But this takes an experienced developer who listens to residents.
The real Westport Alliance for Saugatuck will see this through to help create this bright future. Together, we stopped the Hamlet. Together, we can do it again, even with the inevitable Superior Court appeal.
In the meantime, we’ll continue to ensure the voice of the public is heard. We invite you to join us!
(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all residents. Email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com)
Philip Langner — the son of Westport Country Playhouse founders Lawrence and Armina Langner, and a towering figure in American theater history in his own right as a Broadway and film producer — died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday. He was one week shy of his 99th birthday.
Langner spent more than 90 years at the center of American theater. His father founded the Theatre Guild in 1919 — a few years before he was born. His father and mother then converted an old tannery and barn a few miles from their Weston home into the Playhouse in 1931, when he was 5.
Philip Langner
At age 9 he saw the original “Porgy and Bess” on Broadway (produced by The Theatre Guild).
Other highlights included conversations with Anna May Wong; playing as a child with Paul Robeson’s son; making suggestions to Richard Rodgers on how to rewrite the play that became “Oklahoma!”; watching Tallulah Bankhead throw her scenery out into the audience; climbing trees with Humphrey Bogart; acting with Tyrone Power; attending the wedding of Olivia de Havilland at his parents’ house; staying with Charlie Chaplin in Switzerland; persuading Katherine Hepburn to help create “Judgment at Nuremberg,” and visiting with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in Rome while they filmed “Cleopatra.”
He served in the Navy during World War II.
In the 1950s Langner operated a theatre in London’s West End, where he worked with Hugh Beaumont, Sir John Gielgud, Dame Patricia Routledge and Joan Collins, among others.
He took over as President of the Theatre Guild from his father in 1962, and produced a number of Broadway plays and musicals. He also managed the Westport Country Playhouse for many years.
Summer crowd, at the Westport Country Playhouse (Photo/Wells Studio)
Langner co-produced 5 movies, including the multi-Academy Award-winning “Judgment at Nuremberg.”
Langner was married to actress and Theatre Guild co-producer Marilyn Clark Langner. They presented 34 Theatre At Sea cruises around the world, featuring Broadway greats like Helen Hayes, Patricia Neal, Lillian Gish, Ed Asner and Loretta Swit..
He is survived by his daughters Lola and Eve, and granddaughters Lauren Kennedy and Brielle Kennedy.
Donations may be made in his honor to the Westport Country Playhouse, Entertainment Community Fund, The Animal Project NYC, or a charity of your choice.
Philip Langner (front), at the 2023 ceremony designating the Westport Country Playhouse as a Literary Landmark. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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