Yesterday was National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The official color was orange.
A group of Westporters followed up today, with an informational display at the corner of Post Road and Main Street.
They’ll be there until 4 p.m. — raising awareness, and wearing orange.
(Photos/Lindsay Bucha)
No one alive today remembers a time without Norwalk Hospital.
Founded 125 years ago, it’s been an integral part of the birth, life and death of countless area residents.
Norwalk Hospital then …
Now — in honor of its quasquicentennial — the hospital hopes people remember what it’s meant to them.
They invite community members, staff and retirees to share memories and photos of Norwalk Hospital over the years. They’ll be displayed on its website, and posted on social media. Click here to complete the form.
They’re also gathering historical items — memorabilia, photos, newspaper clippings, etc. — for display in the hospital archives. Email maura.romaine@wchn.org for more information.
Be creative! Though I’m sure they’re not looking for your old hospital bracelet.
Or your tonsils or appendix.
… and now.
Canal Beach clammer (Photo/JP Vellotti)
(Photo/Kelley Spearen)
Yes, this is a handicap spot outside Fresh Market.
No, there was no handicap placard on the rear view mirror or dash.
Yes, this was the way the car was parked — for at least 15 minutes.
Yes, that certainly is an ironic license plate.
No one snoozes during Westport’s Independence Day fireworks.
But if you snooze too long now, you’ll have a tough time seeing them at Compo Beach.
Parking at Compo for the 62nd annual fireworks — which, in true Westport tradition, are blasted off a barge not on July 4th but, this year, on Monday July 2 — is by ticket only.
Sales — which began today — are limited, and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once they sell out, shuttle passes from Longshore are available for purchase.
Tickets are available at Westport Police Department headquarters (50 Jesup Road), and the Parks and Recreation office (in Longshore, near the first tee).
The price is $35 per car (pack ’em in!). Before you bitch and moan: Proceeds go to Westport PAL, to support many programs — and thousands of kids.
And before you complain that the fireworks are sponsored by Melissa & Doug — the international (and locally owned) toy company — remember that because of them, PAL does not have to shell out money for all those firework shells.
Absolutely worth $35!
Posted in Local business, Organizations, Westport life
Tagged Melissa & Doug, Westport 4th of July fireworks, Westport PAL
Earlier this week, I posted a story about Deej Webb’s great new book about F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald’s memorable 1920 sojourn in Westport. The central thesis is that those 5 months influenced everything else the famous author wrote — including “The Great Gatsby.”
Webb’s “Boats Against the Current” is filled with fascinating photos — notably several of Frederick E. Lewis’ 175-acre property that later became Longshore.
There were references too to Lewis’ lighthouse. It may have inspired some of the scenes in The Great Gatsby.
I’ve posted the photo below before. But I erroneously identified it as showing a big bash at Longshore. In fact — according to Webb — this is “a glittering summer party, complete with band, at the Lewis estate.” It certainly does look Gatsby-esque.
There’s also this fascinating map, drawn in 1921 by noted artist John Held.
Held included the lighthouse (right above the words “Long Island Sound”).
Check out the enormous boat sailing up the Saugatuck River, just south of downtown.
And — if you’re really eagle-eyed — you’ll notice that Held misspelled Bridge Street as “Brigde.”
What else stands out? Click “Comments” below.
Posted in Arts, Friday Flashback, Longshore
Tagged "Boats Against the Current", Deej Webb, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald
For several months, a committee of school officials and parents has been discussing possible changes to school start times. One proposal would push Staples High’s day back by almost an hour. Other changes would affect middle and elementary schools.
It’s part of a national movement, based on data about teenagers’ sleep habits.
But the issue is not black-and-white. An email rocketing around town offers counter-arguments, focused on Staples — based not on the start time, but rather the end of the school day. Here is an edited version:
Greenwich instituted a change last year, and suffered some negative effects by not sufficiently considering the end time. They “solved” this problem by decreasing instructional minutes of every class, and adding an end-of-day “opportunity block.” Students can work on school pursuits, or be excused early for athletic or other after-school commitments.
A new start time for Staples High School?
Will Westport make a similar change, cutting back the academic focus for our students in the name of more sleep?
The obvious benefit of the proposal is that students get more sleep, alleviate stress and are more productive during the day.
The detriment is the compressed afternoon schedule, which provides students 1 less hour of post-school time every day. Many believe students will stay up later to accomplish all they need to get done during the day.
Athletes will be released early more often for games, resulting in missed classes. In Greenwich the number of early releases in the fall increased by 147%. The total number of missed classes increased 233%.
Because some teams practice and play on fields without lights, schedules are already extremely tight. Impacts would be felt not only for high school teams, but for youth programs (lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, etc.) that use those fields after Staples teams.
Staples has many time-intensive activities, including Players, Inklings, Orphenians, Model UN, Science Olympiad and others. Asking advisors to stay an extra hour might be impossible; they have their own families and lives. The alternative is to shorten the amount of time students spend on these activities, severely curtailing their excellence.
Hundreds of Staples High School students are involved in sports, music, after-school clubs, and activities like Staples Players. Changing the start time would also affect the end time of school — and the timing of those activities. (Photo/Kerry Long)
Many Staples students participate in non-school activities, like Saugatuck Rowing Club, dance, youth orchestras, religious youth groups and Scouting, along with programs like driver’s ed. Some might be able to change their schedules; other cannot. As with other commitments, the result is either less time, or ending an hour later — which would push homework and other evening activities back too.
That’s also true for after-school jobs too, like babysitting, tutoring and others.
A Greenwich report notes that 44% of students said the new start time negatively impacted their school-related extracurricular activities — and 58% of students said the same about their extracurriculars outside of school.
Regarding stress, 40% of students in Greenwich reported a “very negative or negative effect.” 36% reported “no change,” while 22% described a “positive or very positive effect.”
The Greenwich High principal noted that “the well-intended focus on the beginning of the day now needs the same attention to the end of the day.”
What do you think about possible changes to the beginning and end of the school day? Click “Comments” below.
A bird’s-eye view of the Great Duck Race duck …
… and a wider-angle duck (Drone photos/Ben Berkley)
Posted in Downtown, Organizations, Pic of the Day
Nearly every day, alert “06880” reader Morgan Mermagen runs by Longshore.
For a month she’s seen wires hanging so low, she can actually touch them.
It’s the same on Hales Road:
(Photos/Morgan Mermagen)
They’re strung through loops, and are not affixed at each pole. The slack allows them to hang low in one place, high in another.
At first Morgan thought the wires were part of a storm clean-up, and on someone’s to-do list. Now she wonders what’s going on, and why no one has done anything.
She does not know who they belong to: Eversource? Optimum? Someone else?
She hopes someone will pay attention.
Hopefully now, someone will.
Posted in Environment, Longshore
Tagged Hales Road, Longshore, South Compo Road, utility wires
Fran Reynolds — for 25 years, Westport’s Department of Human Services senior services coordinator — died last week at 89. Longtime colleague Terry Giegengack sent along these thoughts:
Fran Reynolds passed away last Friday at Norwalk Hospital with her beloved daughters and family by her side. She will be remembered with loving respect by many — including those she worked with at Westport’s Department of Human Services.
Fran developed Senior Social Services many years ago. She was the heart and soul of the Human Services Department. As a young working mother for Senior Services, I appreciated her kindness and understanding, as well as her high standards of excellence in work performance.
The continuing professional education that I was fortunate to receive in Westport’s Human Services Department, from Fran and others noted below, provided the foundation for a lifetime of public social service. What I valued the most was Fran’s caring, thoughtful but honest assessments and evaluations of a situation. It challenged and delighted me when I could successfully anticipate all of her questions about a situation and have ready — all of the answers!
Fran treasured her family and friends with tender and loving care, helping us all to grow as better persons. She valued the learning experience, but it was her sense of humor that always made me smile and believe in tomorrow!
Fran Reynolds, with her trademark laugh.
Sue Pfister, Director of the Westport Senior Center, says that Fran was “forever giving of her time, spirit, self and soul to make sure everyone was taken care of, and their needs were being met. Her demeanor was always calm, slow but deliberate, effective and efficient. Her smile was contagious, right up to the end.
“She went peacefully, as she so well deserved. As a second mom to me, she will continue to live out all that she taught me, for I know she is watching over every step I take!”
Barbara Butler, former director of Westport Human Services and long-time friend, highlighted Fran’s tremendous respect for each individual and their right to make their own choices however much we might disagree.
“Fran instilled in all of us a respect and admiration for a person’s self- determination, including their feistiness. She was innovative, especially with the tax relief program. And how she could talk to a client long enough to convince them that a course of action they had initially opposed was actually their idea. Fran was brilliant!”
Fran Reynolds (2nd from left) with colleagues Terry Giegengack, Sue Pfister and Barbara Butler.
David Kennedy, former director of Westport Human Services and current COO, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, adds, “Fran was one of the most thought-filled leaders I have ever known. Every decision she made was rooted in values that always put others first — and herself after everyone else — and always with her special smile. Fran Reynolds was a true servant leader who touched my life — and thousands of others’ — deeply.
“Have you ever seen the plaque, ‘Faith-Family-Friends’ that sits in many homes? That was Fran. Her faith guided her in all she did and was the bedrock of her life.
“Family? The more the merrier and the more love she gave each and everyone.
“Friends? If you knew her, you were a friend for life. Neighbor, college classmate, client, volunteer, Compo Beach acquaintance, co-worker, and on and on. Everyone was welcomed into her arms and always treasured for who they were not for who they knew.”
May God bless you and keep you. Rest in peace, dear Fran. Love, Terry Giegengack
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