Our “06880” tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.”
It’s a lot better than some others (Google’s “Don’t be evil,” perhaps?)
As anyone reading this blog — or traveling the world — knows, Westport connections pop up everywhere.
But Ann Humphrey’s story is one of the most amazing. She writes:
A woman from Exeter, New Hampshire traveled to rural Kelseyville, California (population 3,300) for a Buddhist retreat.
While there she suffered a medical problem, requiring a visit to the Sutter Hospital emergency room in nearby Lakeport (population 5,100).
She was cared for by a physician who works primarily in San Fransisco and Santa Rosa, but occasionally covers shifts at the more remote location.
Sutter is a 25-bed community hospital in Lakeport, California.
The woman was worried. So beyond the exams and testing, the doctor engaged her in a friendly chat.
They discovered they are from the same town, nearly 3,000 miles away, and graduated from the same high school. Beyond the doctor’s care and warmth, the woman was calmed by the joy of that remarkable coincidence.
Fortunately, the tests and exams found nothing troubling. The woman felt better.
She called the Buddhist center. A man who lives there offered to pick her up.
On the call, she shared the story of the connection — without mentioning where. They marveled at such a small-world happenstance.
The man arrived at the hospital, where the woman waited near the entrance.
Her doctor was there too. His shift was over, and he was leaving.
From left: Sheila Groonell, Pete Humphrey, Dr. Stephen Cady.
The woman introduced the two men. “And to think we both went to Staples!” she said.
The man from the Buddhist center was astonished, stunned and delighted.
He too grew up in Westport. And he too is a Staples alum.
Had the woman not mentioned her school, that remarkable second coincidence would never have been made.
The woman is Sheila Groonell: Class of 1965.
Dr. Stephen Cady was a member of Staples’ Class of 1980. The man from the Buddhist center is Pete Humphrey, Staples ’79.
Great karma!
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Another beach season — Memorial Day to Labor Day — ended Monday.
The lifeguards stowed their boards and buoys for the last time. They locked the shack. They left the last motivational quote on the temperature-and-tide sign; the next one will posted 9 months from now.
It was a quiet final day.
That’s the way the lifeguards like it.
We did not hear, this summer, about any catastrophes. Not even a close call.
We did not hear a panicked cry for help, or the wails of ambulances.
That’s because the lifeguards did their job — every day, 7 days a week, from Memorial Day to Labor Day — so that they wouldn’t have to do that job.
Compo lifeguards on Monday: the last hour of the last day. (Photo/Dan Woog)
So: What did they do?
They performed first aid, for everything from heatstroke to splinters.
They found missing kids.
They helped people use the special wheelchairs that enable less abled beachgoers to enjoy the shore.
They trained, and practiced — just in case.
And every day, they posted a different motivational quote on the whiteboard in their shack.
That’s the way they roll. And all summer, they rocked it.
One morning — before the beach opened — Parks & Rec sponsored the Lifeguard Olympics.
This week’s Unsung Heroes are our superb lifeguards — at Compo, Longshore and Burying Hill.
Let’s hear it for their boss, Danilo Sierra-Girlado too, plus senior foreman Mike Giunta, and our new Parks & Recreation Department director, Erik Barbieri.
They didn’t make any headlines this year. Which is exactly how they like it.
So this story will have to suffice.
(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
For the second time yesterday, a technical glitch prevented David Rosenwaks from joining our Instagram Live.
It was not his fault. He’s a very tech-savvy guy. The blame lies elsewhere — I’ll take it!
But the third time will be the charm. Because Dave and I will be together, in person. No issues with remote.
The date is this Friday (September 5), at 4 p.m. We’re on Instagram @06880danwoog.
Thanks for your patience!
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When the Planning && Zoning Commission voted 4-0 (with 3 abstentions) to deny ROAN Ventures’ Hamlet at Saugatuck application, many town officials and residents expected an appeal.
The developers of the retail/residential/event space project have indeed gone to court.
But another legal action is in the works too.
Gloria Gouveia — former Westport zoning administrator, and founder of her own Land Use Consultants firm — has filed a zoning amendment application with the P&Z.
Its goal is to repeal regulations adopted in 2022 — at ROAN’s request — that allowed the firm to propose the Hamlet.
Citing the length of the application process and the difficulty of determining the proposed development’s compliance with the regulation (Section 24C), Gouveia’s request includes reasons in support of the repeal, and a list of benefits to the town should the repeal be granted.
Gouveia says this is her first application to repeal a zoning regulation in her 40-plus year career.
Part of the Hamlet plan, as seen from the Saugatuck River.
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Speaking of local politics: As reported by “06880” earlier, Altice has rearranged its Optimum channels.
Government meetings are no longer available on Channel 78. They can now be found on Channel 1310.
If you’re a T-Mobile customer in Weston, you’re probably not reading this on your phone.
Weston Today reports that a sudden shutdown in cell service has resulted from the company not coming to terms with the town on a lease of a tower.
The town has reached agreements with AT&T and Verizon.
First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor notes that the decision to shut down service was made by T-Mobile, not the town. The company did so without notifying town officials or customers.
Weston Today says, “The shutdown appears to affect all Weston T-Mobile users, including students, teachers, and emergency responders. Users in nearby towns may also be affected.” Click here for the full story.
Members enjoy clam bakes, coffees, holiday parties, kayaking, barbecues, happy hours, wine tastings and TGIF get-togethers.
They play canasta. They go hiking and to movies. There is a book club, culinary group and luncheon club. There are trips to museums, baby and toddler play groups, and girls’ nights out. The group is always looking for new ideas, and very responsive to members’ needs.
It’s not just a “newcomers” group. All Westporters are welcome. Though most are women, men are active too. There are singles as well as couples.
For membership information, email membershipnnwestport@gmail.com. For events: eventsnnwestport@gmail.com. For all other questions, contact presidentnnwestport@gmail.com.
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And the winner is …
“The Edge of Water.”The multi-generational debut novel by Olufunke Grace Bankole is the winner of the 2025 Westport Prize for Literature. The award is presented annually to an original work of literary fiction that is both relevant and timeless.
Bankole will be honored at the Westport Library on November 6 (7 p.m.). She will then take part in a special conversation with Yale Review editor Meghan O’Rourke.
Copies of “The Edge of Water” will available for purchase and signing.
This is the third year for the $10,000 prize. Previous honorees were Zadie Smith for “The Fraud,” and Alejandro Puyana (“Freedom is a Feast”).
The 2 other Westport Prize finalists this year were “O Sinners: by Nicole Cuffy, and “Rabbit Moon” by Jennifer Haigh.
“The Edge of Water” follows Amina, who moves from Nigeria to New Orleans to forge her own path. But a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending everything she’d dreamed of and the lives of all she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew, and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria.
Submissions for the 2025 prize were read and vetted by a team of nearly 50 volunteer readers. The best-reviewed books advancing to a jury, for final selection.
On September 16 (8 p.m.), the University of Rochester astrophysics professor offers a Westport Astronomical Society lecture on “The Search for Life in the Universe.”
The WAS calls him “a leading expert on the final stages of evolution for stars like the sun. (His computational group) has developed advanced supercomputer tools for studying how stars form and how they die. A self-described ‘evangelist of science,’ he is also committed to showing others the beauty and power of science, and exploring the proper context of science in culture.”
Westport town attorney Ira Bloom, a senior partner at Berchem Moses, recently received the Marvin J. Glink Private Practice Local Government Attorney Award from the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA).
It recognizes “an exceptional private practice attorney serving municipal clients who demonstrates the traditional qualities of excellence in the practice of law, along with providing outstanding service to the public, and who possesses an exemplary reputation in the legal community, the highest of ethical standards, who is devoted to mentoring young lawyers, and who is devoted to educating lawyers in local government law.”
Bloom has been Westport’s town attorney since 1998. He holds similar positions in New Canaan and Weston. He is also town counsel for Wilton, and counsel for Easton.
For good reason: their membership included more than retailers. Real estate, financial services, marketing, tutoring — all those firms were helped by the non-profit, whose mission is to promote the economic interests of the entire downtown business community.
But now the WDA is expanding. They’re not changing their name. But they are serving organizations beyond the Main Street/Elm Street/Church Lane/nearby Post Road East footprint.
Across the west bank of the Saugatuck River, and into Saugatuck; from Playhouse Square and the Compo Shopping Centers; as far east as The Clubhouse near Southport, the Westport Downtown Association offers perks to members.
They take part in digital marketing campaigns. They have booths and a presence at events like the Fine Arts Festival, Westoberfest, Sidewalk Sales and the Holiday Stroll. And they tap into the skills and expertise of the WDA’s staff.
The goal is to show that downtown Westport is alive and thriving.
And that there’s more to Westport than just the relatively small downtown.
“We help everyone feel more a part of the community,” says WDA president Maxx Crowley.
Though a couple of miles from Main Street, Naturino is part of the Westport Downtown Association.
The monthly WDA newsletter — recently revamped and reimagined by marketing and communications director Brian Spurr — offers information on sales, upcoming events all over town and more.
It’s a great way, Crowley says, for a small business like Naturino Kids Shoes — in the shopping plaza next to Big Y — to spread the word about special offers.
Other businesses outside the downtown footprint that the WDA works with include Winged Monkey, Hammer & Nails, Stifel wealth management, Cobs Bead, Blossom + Stem, Millie Rae’s, Scout & Molly’s, Splash of Pink, The Post, and a variety of fitness studios and hair salons.
Recently, the WDA partnered with Content Studio — Chirag Shah’s event space on Riverside Avenue — for a meet-and-greet, networking, here’s-who-we-are social.
Even members without a location downtown can participate in WDA events.
Stylist Felicia Catale set up a chair and gave haircuts during this summer’s Sidewalk Sales.
Felicia Catale set up a “mobile salon” during this Sidewalk Sale. (Photo/Dan Woog)
And Pierluigi Mazzella brought an espresso cart from Fatto a Mano, to the delight of thirsty shoppers.
The Westport Downtown Association isn’t changing their name again.
But even if you’re not a downtown business, organization or shopper: They’re there for you.
(To learn more about the Westport Downtown Association, click here.)
(“06880” covers every aspect of the local business scene. But we rely on our readers’ support to do it — and to help all our coverage. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Last week, CT Insider reported that Flock Safety — a company that operates license plate scanners in many Connecticut towns and cities — is sharing data with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection.
Resident John McCarthy learned that the town of Westport has paid Flock Group $80,000, and asked about town leaders’ knowledge and oversight of Flock.
Today, Police Chief David Farrell responded to questions by McCarthy, and several Representative Town Meeting members. He said:
I appreciate the concerns raised regarding the use of Flock license plate reader (LPR) cameras, particularly as they relate to privacy and the handling of data. Public trust is central to our mission, and I want to take this opportunity to clarify both our safeguards and the benefits of this technology.
LPR technology has been in use by the Westport Police Department for over 15 years. Early on, these cameras were affixed to a couple of our patrol cars, as well as our railroad parking vehicle.
As technology has progressed, we have upgraded our systems, including changing vendors to meet our needs. We now have that technology built into our patrol in-car cameras that were mandated by An Act Concerning Police Accountability in 2020.
Flock license plae reader.
We utilize LPRs for downtown parking enforcement, and have had fixed cameras in place next to the Westport railroad station off I-95 exit 17 northbound and southbound for several years. Our two primary vendors are Vigilant and Flock.
The Flock system is designed with strict privacy protections. The cameras capture vehicle license plates, not personal identity information. The data collected is stored securely, is retained for 30 days, and access is strictly controlled.
Our department’s policy prohibits the use of LPR data for immigration enforcement or any purpose unrelated to legitimate criminal investigations. We do not share this data with federal immigration enforcement agencies. Our intent is solely to protect our community, not to compromise the rights or privacy of our residents.
The LPR system has already proven to be a valuable tool in preventing and solving crime. The cameras act as force multipliers by alerting officers to stolen vehicles, wanted people, and vehicles associated with ongoing investigations.
As you are aware, criminals will steal a vehicle, and then use that vehicle to commit other crimes, which is the case in many of the stolen vehicles that have occurred throughout this town. This real-time information has directly led to arrests in many communities for cases involving violent felonies, motor vehicle theft, and other serious crimes.
License plate recognition cameras can automatically notify authorities of suspected vehicles.
In addition, the system allows investigators to quickly generate leads that would otherwise take days or weeks to develop, ultimately saving critical resources. With surrounding towns also on this platform, we can coordinate when bad actors enter this region and work together to proactively catch criminals. These towns include Norwalk, Fairfield, New Caanan, Darien, Wilton, Bridgeport, Ridgefield and Newtown.
Because of the benefits of the system, the police department requested an increase in its operating budget to account for additional LPR cameras. This was presented and discussed at the public workshop and formal meetings with the Board of Finance.
It was also presented and discussed at scheduled meetings with RTM Committees (Public Protection, Finance, and Transit) during budget approval. It was included in our budget book that was presented to the full RTM for their consideration as well.
Our department recognizes that security and privacy must coexist. We have established policies, oversight measures, and accountability mechanisms to ensure the responsible use of this technology. We remain committed to transparency to ensure continued trust and confidence in our approach.
In summary, LPR cameras provide our community with a modern, efficient, and accountable tool to enhance public safety while respecting privacy.
Our “06880” Instagram Live conversation with the 1st selectman candidates continues today (Tuesday, 3 p.m.). Dave Briggs and I will chat with independent David Rosenwaks.
You can find us on Instagram @06880danwoog. We welcome your questions!
A couple of hunded people lined both sides of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge yesterday, and spilled into downtown.
They were part of over 1,000 “Workers Over Billionaires” rallies nationwide, on Labor Day. Participants held signs and chanted, opposing President Trump and billionaires “taking over the U.S. government.”
(Photo/Pam Docters)
(Photo/Rowene Weems)
Rally on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Mark Friedman)
The state’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony is set for this Thursday (September 4, 5:30 p.m.).
As always, the event will be held at Sherwood Island State Park’s 9/11 Memorial. The site was chosen because the park was the staging area for the Connecticut National Guard that day. Sadly, their rescue efforts were not needed.
Governor Ned Lamont and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz will lead the ceremony. Names of the 161 people killed in the terrorist attacks with Connecticut ties will be read aloud.
The ceremony is held before the actual anniversary, so that family members and friends can attend the ceremony on September 11, at the World Trade Center.
9/11 Living Memorial, at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/David Squires)
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The fall Jazz at the Post season begins Thursday (September 4, VFW Post 399) — a few days before fall, but who’s counting?
It’s “Piano Madness,” with Janice Friedman, Mike Campenni, Dave Kingsnorth and Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
And finally … Billy Preston was born on this date, in 1946. The keyboardist and singer backed artists like Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, the Beatles and Rolling Stones, and recorded solo hits too. He died in 2006, age 59.
Billy Preston’s keyboard was an important part of this performance, in the Beatles’ famous final rooftop concert. Too bad he does not appear for more than 1/2 second in it:
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For Rev. Carlton Smith, the road to his position as the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport’s new senior minister was long and winding.
It began in Holly Springs, Mississippi. There were stops in Virginia, Queens, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Oakland, before he arrived at Lyons Plains Road.
Rev. Smth’s religious path was also neither straight, nor preordained.
Raised in the United Methodist tradition, he entered divinity school as a Pentecostal.
That’s about as far theologically from the UU church as Westport is, geographically, from Holly Springs.
The other day the minister sat in his new office, with views of the woods that have inspired congregants for 7 decades, and discussed the journey that brought him here.
It included Howard University (where he was in student government with classmate Kamala Harris), and an early job at the Discovery Channel in Washington.
Thirty years ago, heeding a call to the ministry, he returned to Howard for divinity school. He had joined the evangelical Pentecostal church.
But when a classmate invited him to a Unitarian Universalist Service, he discovered a tradition — including a strong emphasis on social justice — he’d never known of.
UU’s lack of a formal creed appealed to Smith too.
Rev. Carlton Smith, outside his new home. (Photo/Dan Woog)
He served in communities throughout the East — and in California — before joining the Unitarian Universalist Association staff. He led the Southern region – from Texas to Virginia, then headed a team of 10 overseeeing congregations from the Rockies to the Pacific Coast, plus Alaska and Hawaii.
His favorite place? “Each has its own magic. I like wherever I am at the moment.”
Right now, that’s Westport.
Smith has been impressed with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s “depth of history, sense of commitment, and all who have helped it thrive.” He was attracted to “the abundance of social justice programs, and the engagement with the community.”
Smith will serve as senior minister for a year, while a search committee seeks its next settled pastor.
That’s a familiar spot. He is an Accredited Interim Minister, filling the position in a number of places.
It’s a specialized role. Interim ministers “hold the congregation together, as it discerns its identity: what it wants to hold on to, and let go of,” Smith explains.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.
The match between a congregation and its minister is “like online dating,” he notes. There is a website where UU communities look for ministers, and ministers look for vacancies. Each provides detailed information. If there is mutual interest, in-person meetings follow.
Smith’s interest in Westport was piqued not only by UU’s rich legacy and social justice commitment, but something more personal. Westporter and member Denny Davidoff served as moderator — the highest lay position in national leadership — from 1992 to 2000. She helped shape liberal religion in North America, and inter-religious dialogue globally.
Smith knew her, through his work on the UUA staff.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport faces several challenges. Like many religious institutions, it still grapples with the effects of COVID on membership and participation.
“People are more selective now about their discretionary time. Volunteerism is a challenge,” Smith explains.
For a congregation that emphasizes social justice, this is a fraught time. It is also a time, Smith says, “when communities like ours must step into the gap.”
On the other hand, “when people are anxious, they seek out a congregation like ours. They’re looking for like-minded people, to grieve losses with, and share.” Westport church “can be a magnet for people looking for a place to belong.”
Since beginning his new post on August 15, Smith has met many congregants, on committees, in interest groups and at potlucks.
“This congregation does hospitality well,” he says. “There is no shortage of opportunities to gather around food and fellowship. People have great appreciation for each other.”
He sat in on 2 Sunday services, and led his first one this past weekend. Just before Labor Day, he spoke about the contributions of the labor movement to American society.
Ahead: meeting other faith leaders in town.
And, on September 14, the reopening of the Unitarian Universalists’ sanctuary, after renovations.
It’s a new look, for a new season — and a new minister.
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The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport faces several challenges. Like many religious institutions, it still grapples with the effects of COVID on membership and participation.
