Roundup: Wheels2U, Top Dems, SNL Alum …

Posted on July 30, 2025 | Comments Off on Roundup: Wheels2U, Top Dems, SNL Alum …

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.

But there are 5 free rides for anyone who downloads the Wheels2U app for the first time.

Those rides can be used to deliver you to the train station platform. Or to head downtown for the Senior Center, Farmers’ Market, or shopping (and that non-free lunch).

The Westport Transit District’s Wheels2U provides rides to and from anywhere in Westport, and the Saugatuck and Greens Farms train stations every weekday from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m., and 4 to 9:30 p.m. Your first 5 rides are free.

Wheels2U also goes between anywhere in Westport and downtown locations every Tuesday through Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Again: the first 5 rides are free.

Just download the Wheels2U app, available at the App Store and Google Play.
Book your ride 20 minutes in advance. Track the vehicle on the app (like Uber). Then enjoy the ride in an SUV.

Click here for more information on Wheels2U. 

Wheels2U

==================================================

Connecticut’s top Democrats — Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General William Tong, and Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas — came to Rive Bistro on Sunday.

They joined nearly 100 Westport Wesporters, and the Democratic Town Commitee’s candidates in November elections, at the party’s annual summer social.

Governor Ned Lamont (microphone), with (from left) Democratic selectperson candidates Amy Wistreich and Kevin Christie, and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz.

Earlier in the day, Bysiewicz canvassed door to door with Kevin Christie and Amy Wistriech, the 1st and 2nd selectperson candidates respectively.

Canvassing on Sunday (from left): Kevin Christie, Amy Wistreich, Susan Bysiewicz. The deer is not registered to vote.

==================================================

Singer/songwriter — and noted “Saturday Night Live” alum — Ana Gasteyer brings her jazz standards, Broadway classics and comic stories to the Westport Country Playhouse on August 8 (8 p.m.).

SNL fans remember Gasteyer’s characters from her 6-year run: middle school music teacher Bobbie Moughan-Culp, NPR radio host Margaret Jo, Lilith Fair poetess Cinder Calhoun, along with impressions of Martha Stewart, Celine Dion and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Tickets are $125, $115 and $95. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Ana Gasteyer (Photo/Shervin Lainez)

==================================================

It’s a musical August at Blau House & Gardens.

The gorgeous hideaway off Bayberry Lane joins with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra for 3 “Music in the Garden” Sunday concerts. Each blends music, poetry and nature, in a serene woodland setting.

The series opens on August 3 with the Quantum Leap String Quartet, featuring composer Gwyneth Walker reading her adaption from the writings of Henry David Thoreau with her suite “Trails and Open Spaces.”

On August 17, the Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet fills the gardens with lyrical melodies.

The final event (August 31) showcases “So Sings the Garden,” a collaboration of poetry reading led by Westport poet laureate Donna Disch, with performances by soprano Maureen McKay, baritone Marcelo Guzzo, pianist Thomas Cuffari, and cellist Gunnar Sahlin.

Each evening includes an optional garden tour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., with concerts beginning at 6. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic before the performances. Parking and shuttle service is provided at Coleytown Elementary School.

Tickets are $75 per concert; the garden tour is $25. Click here for tickets, and more information.

Blau Gardens

==================================================

Speaking of gardens: It’s still July. But have you noticed an unusual number of leaves on the ground?

Johanna Keyser Rossi has. She took this photo …

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

… and searched online for more information.

She found this: “Trees may shed leaves to conserve water, due to prolonged hot weather and insufficient rainfall.”

Today’s forecast is for 94-degree heat (and possible afternoon thunderstorms).

The heat breaks tomorrow, with a predicted high of 78. With a little luck, we won’t see many more falling leaves until fall.

=================================================

“Cheese Fries & Chili Dips” — Weston native Chris Fuller’s one-man “hilarious and heartfelt story of a pro golfer’s bipolar journey to wellness” — returns to the barn at the Westport Country Playhouse on August 22.

There’s a pre-show wine party at 6 p.m.. The show is at 7. It’s followed by a special post-performance discussion on “breaking the stigma,” with Yale University mental health specialists.

Tickets are $25. Click here to purchase and for more information, or call 203-227-4177.

==================================================

Kay McGhee Leary — a 1973 Staples High School graduate — died peacefully on Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida. She was 70.

In Westport she was involved in Girl Scouts, and the Staples band, orchestra and choir.

She earned a bachelor of science from Skidmore College, a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida — all in nursing.

She worked as a women’s health nurse practitioner, and served as a professor at Jacksonville University and the University of Florida – Jacksonville.

Kay loved history, travel and learning, along with bridge, book clubs, and involvement with the Women’s Giving Alliance and the PEO Sisterhood, DQ Chapter.

She is survived by her husband, Todd Leary, daughter Kay Lewis Hood, and sister Bonnie McGhee Strittmatter.

A celebration of life is set for Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach on August 1 (11 a.m.).

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a women’s health or education-focused charity in Kay’s honor, such as the Women’s Giving Alliance.

Kay McGhee Leary

==================================================

Here’s something you don’t see every day (except here as our “Westport … Naturally” feature: a broken hive, with a baby bee.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

==================================================

And finally … in honor of the very intriguing photo above:

(It really stings if you enjoy “06880,” but don’t support your hyper-local blog. It’s very sweet if you click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

Comments Off on Roundup: Wheels2U, Top Dems, SNL Alum …

Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Local politics, Obituaries, Transportation, Weather, Westport Country Playhouse

Tagged , , , , , ,

Cooking Like Nonna: Marisa Lambert’s Family Recipes, With Modern Twists

Posted on July 30, 2025 | 3 comments

Marisa Longo grew up close to both sets of grandparents — geographically, and culinarily.

Even with a full-time job, her maternal grandmother cooked everything — pasta, bread, dessert — from scratch. Her maternal grandfather made wine.

Marisa’s paternal grandmother made hot lunch for everyone at Marisa’s parents’ clothing store. Every afternoon at 3, she brought espresso: hot in winter, iced in summer.

Marisa’s mother was also a great cook.

As they grew older, Marisa and her 3 sisters shared their grandparents’ and mother’s recipes. They added tweaks here and there, and tested them among themselves.

Marisa Lambert

In 2006 she — now Marisa Lambert — and her husband Thomas moved to Westport. He’s a partner in FLB Law on Riverside Avenue.

She’s an attorney too. Next month, their twins will enter Staples High School.

Food has always remained close to Marisa’s heart. She’s taken cooking classes, and is part of a cooking club that began with parents on her son’s baseball team.

Now she’s sharing her passion with a wider audience.

“Cooking Like Nonna” — a nod to the beloved Italian word for “grandma” — began a year ago. When Marisa shared it with a wider audience in January, it took off.

On Instagram and TikTok, she offers recipes with personal twists. Often rooted in her heritage — whether a slow-simmered Sunday sauce, pasta primavera or ricotta pancakes — her goal is to bring people together through food.

“Just like both my nonnas, and my mom did,” Marisa notes.

TikTok screenshot.

In addition to home cooking, she spotlights local restaurants and businesses. She has featured the “cozy comforts” of Tutti’s Ristorante and Fatto a Mano, and the fresh, healthy offerings aat Organika, among others.

“Cooking Like Nonna” has caught the eye of major brands and platforms.  Appetito recently featured Marisa. Her cooking videos have been shared by Italian companies like Bono di Sicilia (the largest producer of certified EVOO in Sicily) and Mutti, a maker of tomato products since 1899.

Locatelli Cheese — even older, at 200-plus years — gave her a like.

Just as gratifying are comments from individual followers. A thank-you for Marisa’s stuffed zucchini recipe warms her heart. She knows she is following in her nonnas’ footsteps.

 

Marisa Lambert celebrates National Smoothie Day at Organika.

Like making a family dinner, being a content creator takes plenty of behind-the-scenes work. Marisa constantly tests, adjusts and modernizes her recipes.

The other day it was a microwavable asparagus dish, with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. “Old school recipes, with a modern twist,” she says.

Since going online, Marisa has discovered a “large and friendly community” of creators and foodies.

She also learned new skills — including video editing.

Marisa’s goal is to expand — first throughout Fairfield County and Connecticut, then around the tri-state region.

Marisa Lambert’s pasta primavera, on Apetito.com. 

She’d like too to start an international segment. One friend from the Republic of Georgia, and another from Hungary, are inspiring her to add new dishes.

In the works: a 2-video series on the Westport Farmers’ Market. The first will focus on what’s available there; the second, on what she makes with those ingredients.

Though she now has an international audience — with some of her most avid followers living in Italy — Cooking Like Nonna remains a family affair.

Marisa began by sharing recipes with her sisters. She still does.

Her son and daughter help film her segments.

And of course, whenever she tweaks a recipe, cooks a meal or uplodads a new reel, Marisa thinks of her nonnas.

Buon appetito!

(For links to Cooking With Nonna, click here for Instgram; click here for TikTok.)

3 Comments

Posted in Media, Restaurants

Tagged , , , , ,

Pic Of The Day #3023

Posted on July 29, 2025 | 1 comment

Saugatuck River, from the Levitt Pavilion (Photo/Rachel Konstantin)

1 Comment

Posted in Downtown, Pic of the Day

Tagged

Roundup: Parks & Rec Notice, Westport 10 BBQ, Homes With Hope Fundraiser …

Posted on July 29, 2025 | 4 comments

A number of Westport residents were surprised yesterday to receive this email, from “Westport Parks & Recreation Department”:

“Hi! You used our online services to purchase a parking emblem. The registration is only in Lisa’s name, and she is not a senior, the fee for this purchase is $60 plus CT sales tax. You may contact us at 203-341-5152 to provide us with your credit card information for the difference or you are more than welcome to stop into the office. We are here Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Look forward to hearing from you!”

There was one little issue: Recipients did not purchase a parking emblem “in Lisa’s name.”

A call to the number brought up a recording, saying it was sent in error, and to disregard the message.

As for Lisa: Well, most people lie about their age to seem younger.

==================================================

Westport 10 — our town’s social and networking group of Black men, which has grown to far more than 10 members — celebrated their annual Jamaican BBQ on Sunday, with wives and children.

Westport 10 men …

Howard and Olga Roberts hosted the event. The menu included the national dish — ackee and saltfish, along with oxtails, curry goat, rice and peas, cabbage and more.

… and their families.

==================================================

The annual “Stand Up for Homes with Hope” comedy show (get it?) has snagged a great headliner.

Tom Papa — star of 6 specials, including a recent Netflix show, and with more than 20 years’ experience as an actor, host and author, in film, TV, radio, podcasts and the live stage — comes to Fairfield University’s Quick Center on October 17.

The fundraiser helps the Westport non-profit continue its 40-year mission of addressing homelessness and food insecurity.

Tickets will be on sale soon. Sponsorships are available now. Click here for details.

Tom Papa

==================================================

Sunday’s Roundup included a photo and item about the nanosecond-timed light at Bulkley Avenue North and Post Road East.

That’s not the only difficult spot in town. (Surprise!)

Sandy Rothenberg sends this photo of Compo Road South, heading north to Post Road East:

(Photo/Sandy Rothenberg)

With only 3 cars able to make the left turn onto the Post Road — but many others backed up waiting to go straight or turn right — drivers sometimes have to wait several cycles just to get into that left lane.

Others — like the one above — often take matters into their own hands.

And the cluster*** that is cars exiting or entering Compo Acres Shopping Center, by the narrow passage by [solidcore]* is a whole other sorry story.

*Don’t get me started on their absurd punctuation.

==================================================

The Caribbean Jazz Connection headlines this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, VFW Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7; $20 music cover, $15 veterans and students).

Drummer Jim Royle crosses jazz and Caribbean Latin styles. His band features steel pan player Bryan Garbe. A former student of Royle’s, he grew up in Fairfield.

Other members include bassist John Mobilio, pianist Dave childs, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets, and more information.

Jim Royle

================================================

Congratulations to Westport Softball’s CT Wreckers 10U team. They won the Southwest CT Fastpast League Silver Division championship in Southbury,  finishing their league season undefeated.

Front row (from left): Megan Acampora, Zoey Klauser, Lila Salotollo, Natalia Hernandez, Addie Lewis, Lane Haberstroh, Juliette Rocco, Blythe Yanover, Amara Stocker, Bella Sable. Coaches (rear): Jeff Yanover, Ried Salotollo, Jason Sable. Not pictured: Ava Konig.  

==================================================

Some of our favorite “Westport … Naturally” photos are butterflies.

Today’s colorful and cool swallowtail comes courtesy of Jay Petrow.

(Photo/Jay Petrow)

==================================================

And finally … following up on the erroneous Parks & Rec message yesterday:

(A gentle, mid-summer reminder: “06880” — your 24/7/365 hyper-local blog — relies on the generosity of readers like you. If you enjoy our coverage, please click here to donate. Thank you!)

4 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, Sports

Tagged , , , ,

O’Day, Moore: After Hamlet Vote, Time To Reassess

Posted on July 29, 2025 | 30 comments

Don O’Day is a former Board of Education chair. He led the Coleytown Middle School renovation, and currently serves on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and Long Lots School Building Committee.

Andrea Moore is Westport’s 2nd selectwoman. She is a former Board of Finance vice chair and former RTM member.

They are running on the Republican ticket for the Board of selectmen. In the wake of last night’s Planning & Zoning Commission decision on The Hamlet at Saugatuck, they say:

ROAN Ventures’ proposal to build a mixed-use waterfront development called The Hamlet was denied by the Planning & Zoning Commission last night.

This has been a long and difficult process — for Westport residents, the P&Z, and ROAN Ventures. But make no mistake: Last night’s decision by the P&Z is not the end of the road. Far from it.

The Hamlet plan was denied last night. But discussion of what comes next for Saugatuck will continue.

Westport’s leaders, property owners and residents must now consider the next steps. The O’Day–Moore campaign for selectmen sees two:

The applicant withdraws and resubmits a new Hamlet proposal.

This is our preferred outcome.

Very often, a denial — however frustrating — is simply one step on the road to a mutually agreeable solution. Come November, Westport will have new members and leadership across our local government. With new faces may come fresh thinking, and new ideas should be on the table. Thoughtful suggestions recently offered by several respected members of the community deserve serious evaluation.

Let’s also acknowledge that developers seek a return on investment. Investor profitability isn’t about greed; it is a basic reality of business — but by no means guaranteed. It is why people risk personal capital.

The O’Day–Moore campaign views this moment not as a final rejection, but as an opportunity to move forward constructively, with the knowledge that development in the Saugatuck area is a positive outcome. Importantly, the O’Day–Moore pledge is that all development must consider the myriad concerns raised by residents during the many hearings held on this issue.

The applicant moves ahead with a large-scale 8-30g project.

We hope this does not happen.

First and foremost, threats — explicit or implied — make resolution harder. We urge a tone of collaboration, not confrontation.

As we all know, Connecticut’s 8-30g statute allows developers to bypass local zoning regulations in towns where less than 10% of housing is considered affordable. A massive 8-30g development in Saugatuck could place significant strain on Westport’s infrastructure—particularly our schools, roads and other vital services.

One possible 8-30g proposal for Saugatuck.

ROAN Ventures’ Hamlet proposal was not presented under the terms of the 8-30g statute. Therefore, it went through a robust local process where zoning protections applied.

Losing local control through a state override is not in our town’s best interest.

Let us be clear: Affordable housing must be part of Westport’s future. If elected, the O’Day–Moore team is committed to working with the Planning & Zoning Commission to promote an affordable housing provision in town and a cohesive zoning plan for Westport.

On Traffic: Let’s Try Solutions — Now

Traffic in Saugatuck is a known and daily frustration. Commuters rushing to or from the train experience it. So do parents, business owners and visitors.

Interestingly, the Hamlet proposal included ideas to reduce congestion while adding density — something that may sound counterintuitive but merits exploration. Proposals such as smart traffic-light management (via remote monitoring), converting one-way streets to two-way, or other design tweaks deserve immediate consideration.

If we can implement even a few of these ideas and they help — why wait?

ROAN Ventures offered several ideas for traffic mitigation and improvement.

A Path Forward

Reopening this discussion will require a willingness to begin again — by both sides. A reassessment period makes sense. Then let’s return to the table with a shared goal: smart planning for Westport’s future.

Let’s find a collaborative path forward.

30 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Real estate, Saugatuck

Tagged , , , ,

Hamlet: To Be? Not To Be.

Posted on July 29, 2025 | 4 comments

“06880” reporter John H. Palmer writes:

The Hamlet is officially a no-go.

In what is probably the most unsurprising bit of news in Westport, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted last night to deny the application for the embattled Saugatuck development.

ROAN Ventures sought to develop a multi-use development of 11 buildings, including retail, hotel and residential, between the Saugatuck River, Charles Street, Franklin Street and Railroad Place.

The project was struck down by a vote of 4 “no”s, and 3 abstentions. The decision was widely anticipated, after the commission’s straw vote during its work session last Monday.

Last night became largely a formality, meant to officially vote on a resolution of denial written by planning director Michelle Perillie.

The most recent Hamlet plan. Railroad Place is at the bottom of the rendering. Charles Street is at the top Riverside Avenue on the right.

Official denials were recorded by commissioners Patrizia Zucaro, Amy Wistreich, Michael Calise and chair Paul Lebowitz. Commissioners Neil Cohn, Michael Cammeyer and Bre Injeski abstained from the vote.

“I cannot be in the majority tonight,” said Cohn. “We’re doing a real disservice to our town. I truly worry about the long-term consequences of our decision in our community.”

The project, which has been in development and negotiations for more than 3 years, has been met with great enthusiasm by some. Others voiced concerns about the effect it could have on traffic, parking, pedestrian safety, the environment and waterfront access.

The denial was based on reasons the P&Z felt that the application did not meet the requirements of the text amendment that was passed in 2022, creating a new zoning district in Saugatuck.

Among the items noted in the denial: the disapproval by the Architectural Review Board, as well as the opinion that the buildings proposed for the Hamlet “did not meet the scale or feel of a New England Vernacular Village,” as ROAN had billed it.

A majority of P&Z members opposed the “scale and feel” of the Hamlet project.

ROAN had come back to the drawing board several times after parking issues were raised, leaving commissioners feeling that there were more questions than answers.

Some of those issues included an unclear plan for on-site employee parking, loading and unloading zones, and underground parking stackers that would have created queuing concerns on nearby roads.

Pedestrian safety concerns were also raised about the “bend” on Railroad Place, where the entrance of one of the parking garages would have been located.

“The applicant’s proposal indicates that employees may have to take the train to work, which is unacceptable to the commission,” according to a draft of the denial resolution read by commissioner Zucaro Monday evening.

Another issue included in the denial was that the application did not conform with a waterfront accessibility requirement of at least 25 percent. The project as presented would have provided only 19 percent, according to the denial document.

Last night’s vote was the culmination of many P&Z meetings. This April public session drew a full house to Town Hall. (Photo/Andrew Colabell)

Town Attorney Ira Bloom told the P&Z last night that he expects ROAN Ventures to appeal the decision.

The developer has said publicly that upon denial, they plan to file an application with the town to build a 500-unit affordable housing development under the state’s 8-30g law. Three massive buildings, 8 stories tall – 6 floors of housing, above 2 for parking – would be constructed on the Hamlet footprint.

Because it’s an 8-30g development, the town would have far less say regarding parking and other issues surrounding the development.

“This door in our community is of course still open,” said Lebowitz, indicating that he’d be interested in seeing similar applications that could work in different parts of town.

He added that the threat of an affordable housing application as a “second choice” should never be a bargaining chip for future applications.

“To those who say we should have looked to the future and been worried about what they could bring, I say that would never be a choice for this commissioner. That’s a non-starter for me.”

4 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Real estate, Saugatuck

Tagged , ,

Pics Of The Day #3022

Posted on July 28, 2025 | 1 comment

People may not read all the signs around town …

… but birds sure appreciate them, on land … (Photos/Richard Fogel)

… and water (Photo/Jamie Walsh)

1 Comment

Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day

Tagged

“06880” Podcast: Charles Mallory

Posted on July 28, 2025 | 3 comments

Charles Mallory is the founder of Greenwich Hospitality Group.

Their new Delamar Westport is the latest addition to luxury properties like the Delamar Southport and Greenwich Harbor, and others in West Hartford, Mystic and Traverse City, Michigan.

The other day, Charles and I chatted about our town’s newest hotel; the company’s others; hospitality in general, and of course many other Westport topics.

Click below to learn more.

3 Comments

Posted in Local business, Media

Tagged , ,

Roundup: PopUp Bagels, Coyotes, Flags …

Posted on July 28, 2025 | 14 comments

Pop-up Bagels popped up in Westport during COVID.

Adam Goldberg began baking sourdough bread, then moved on to bagels.

He sold them to friends, then friends of friends. It was an “if you know, you know” business.

Suddenly, PopUp Bagels exploded — to the rest of Fairfield County, then New York. The upstart from the ‘burbs won awards in — are youse sittin’ down? — Brooklyn.

Today, Goldberg’s little bagel business annoounces a huuuuge expansion. They’re going from 13 stores on the East Coast, to 300 nationally.

We’re talkin’ Atlanta, Nashville, Orlando — cities that think bagels are made of cardboard.

“We’re bringing our stores to places where people don’t necessarily think of themselves as ‘bagel people’,” Goldberg told Fast Company. “We’re introducing bagels into their routines.”

They’re working with 15 franchisees,each of whom will run multiple locations. PopUp will make the dough regionally. 

PopUp Bagel’s tagline is “Not famous, but known.”

Sounds like it’s time for a new one.

Click here for the full Fast Company story. 

Founder Adam Goldberg (right) with CEO Troy Bartlett.

==================================================

“06880” reader Michael Szeto writes: “I was taking my dog out to our mailbox at 4:30 yesterday afternoon, when I saw a coyote on my front lawn on Minute Man Hill.

“Fortuantely, I pulled our dog back into the house. The encounter could have been very bad.

“The past 2 nights we were awakened by blood-curdling coyote howls, between midnight and 2 a.m. Our dog couldn’t stop barking.

“There is so much uncontrolled wild life on our properties. I’m not sure what we can do about it. We can’t even enjoy our backyards without fearing an attack on our dog by coyotes.”

Minute Man Hill coyote. (Photo/Michael Szeto)

==================================================

A few dozen members of Staples High School’s Class of 1995 gathered for their 30th reunion Saturday, at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.

They don’t look  — um, “close to 50” — do they? (Hat tip: Laura Loffredo)

==================================================

Yesterday, VFW Post 399 celebrated the installation of a 120-year-old 23-karat gold leaf eagle, on its flag pole.

The gold bird was regilted by Marty Rogers, and hung by Bert Porzio’s tree company.

Bob Rogers and Frank Veno organized the event.

(Photo/David Tetenbaum)

==================================================

Speaking of patriotism: All around Westport, American flags wave proudly.

Except this one, on Post Road East. It’s been stuck for days in a tree branch, says Bob Weingarten, and cannot wave at all.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

==================================================

Longtime Westport resident Richard “Chick” Hayden died peacefully at his home in Rye, New Hampshire on July 5. He was 89.

The Duluth native graduated from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota with a degree in English. He spent nearly 40 years at IBM, retiring as director of industry relations.

In retirement Chick worked with Cross Roads House of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, including a term as president. 

Chick was father to 8 children with his first wife, Jane Alma Hofmann. Though they divorced, they remained lifelong friends until her death. Chick found love again, and in 1983 married Caroline Poor Cilley. They moved from Westport to New Hampshire in 1996, settling in a 1735 farmhouse with an attached barn that they turned into a hub for get-togethers for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His family says, “Having endured his own hardships, he was ever sensitive to the trials of others, providing wisdom, compassion and love (both soft and tough) in whatever measures needed.

Chick is survived by his wife Caroline, children Kristin, Kimberly, William, Michael, Patrick, Anthony and Kathleen; step-children Caroline Sumrall, Charles Cilley and Doug Cilley; 22 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Mary.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Chick’s name may be made to the Cross Roads House.

Richard “Chick” Hayden

=============================================

We receive deer photos every day, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

Fawns — not so much.

But they’re everywhere these days. Diane Johnson spotted this pair, off Imperial Avenue.

(Photo/Diane Johnson)

==================================================

And finally … on this date in 1901, actor/singer/saxohphonist Rudy Vallee was born. He died in 1986.

(Another Monday — the start of another week of “06880” Roundups. If you enjoy this daily feature of news, events, photos and random “stuff,” please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

14 Comments

Posted in Environment, Local business, Obituaries

Tagged , , , , ,

Strolling On A Soundview Sunday

Posted on July 28, 2025 | 3 comments

Brief showers chased away some of the midday crowd, at yesterday’s 2nd annual Soundview Summer Stroll.

But the folks who were there before noon — and the ones who came (or returned) after the quick rain — had a great time.

The beach exit road was closed to cars. So kids and parents (and people without children) enjoyed a relaxed amble up and down the street.

There were fit 20somethings on Rollerblades, and youngsters on bikes. One woman said, “This is the first time I didn’t worry about him riding in Westport.”

Four bands and one solo artist played for 7 hours. Rock, funk, alt, disco, new wave, pop, classics … Owen Daniel, Deep Valley Road & Friends, Core, Not My Problem and Rock Paper Soul covered it all, perched on a porch.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

Old Mill Grocery by Romanacci served up plenty of pizzas, and hundreds of gelatos.

At the end of Soundview, kids painted rocks, got their faces painted, threw water balloons, mugged in a photo booth — and chalked the street.

The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to the town, from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association.

Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department offered invaluable help. So did music director Dana Gordon, volunteers who helped with children’s activities, and organizers Kristin Mott Purcell and Sunil Hirani.

“You should do this every Sunday!” one woman said.

Well … it’s quite an undertaking. But we’re already looking forward to next year’s Soundview Summer Stroll.

We will try to pick a date with better weather.

People and dogs enjoy the Soundview Summer Stroll …

… and a child …

… and politicians too.

Music from Deep Valley Road & Friends …

… and Owen Daniel.

Yours truly, in the photo booth.

Rock painting …

… and rocks on the seawall. Pick yours up today! (Photo/Jay Petrow)

 

One more crowd shot.

Chalk it up to a great experience. (All photos/Luca Caniato unless otherwise noted)

3 Comments

Posted in Categories

Tagged , , ,