A representative of the Main Street outlet inferred to “06880” that the entire chain is in liquidation. She passed our contact info on to the national office, which never called back.
Lisa Seidenberg read yesterday’s Roundup item about renumbering the Merritt Parkway exits with interest. She writes: “This is historic for those of us who are Merritt fans.
“In 2008 I made a documentary, ‘The Road Taken …The Merritt Parkway.’ So now that film truly becomes a time capsule.
“Actually it already was, as many of those I interviewed in the film are no longer with us. The list includes Henry ‘Buzz’ Merritt (a grand-nephew of Schuyler Merritt, the Stamford congressman the parkway is named after), and humorist Alan Abel, a longtime Westport resident.”
Interested? Click here or below, to watch this 33-minute fascinating video.
Alert — and environmentally conscious — “06880” reader Rick Benson writes: “Someone is dumping mussel and oyster shells, with lemons and forks, into Sherwood Mill Pond by the kayak launch, and at Old Mill Beach by the boat ramp.”
(Photo/Rick Benson)
Definitely not cool.
Rick suggests “neighbors should report suspicious activity to the police.”
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VFW Post 399 reaches out to veterans in many ways.
Next up: a Veterans Benefits Luncheon on July 17 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
It’s free, and open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.
PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!
All veterans are invited to the VFW’s free June 12 luncheon.
And finally … Dave “Baby” Cortez — whose 1959 song “The Happy Organ” was the first instrumental song to top the Billboard Hot 100 — died 3 years ago.
But his death — and his burial in a Bronx potter’s field — only recently came to light, thanks to the work of a 15-year-old doo wop fan in Australia. Click here to read the full story, and obituary.
Posted onJuly 12, 2025|Comments Off on Online Art Gallery #274
The 4th of July is over. But our artists have not forgotten.
Their work — and a broad variety of others — is featured in today’s online art gallery.
We hope many more artists will join them this summer. Our gallery is open to all.
No matter what style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Please email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
“Do Words Matter?” (Tom Doran — Available for sale; click here)
“Hot Cold and In Between” — acrylic pouring (Dorothy Robertshaw; Available for sale; click here)
“Beagle Mix, Laila” — pencil on paper (William Fellah)
Untitled (Cohl Katz)
“Happy 249th — Old Glory in All Her Backgrounds” (Steve Stein)
“Meeting Across Dimensions” (Jerry Kuyper)
Eric Bosch built this birdhouse from scratch (including the working light). He says, “It gives off a nice seaside glow on these hot summer nights.”
“We Thought The Deer Were Eating Our Flowers!” (Mike Hibbard)
“Family Outing” (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
As Westport debates the Hamlet at Saugatuck proposal — and with it, related issues like affordable housing, density and more — Marti Lametta checks in from neighboring Fairfield.
Both towns have a “community feel,” she says. She has been a member of Christ & Holy Trinity Church for 0ver 40 years. She works in Westport, as director of operations for Keller Williams. Marti writes:
I have not heard anyone argue against adding affordable housing — not one person.
I do hear people wanting real solutions to meet the needs of low/moderate income residents, but developers’ proposals are not doing that.
Luxury apartment developments are solving the developers’ needs for high profits, with little relief towards the desperately needed worker housing. As in trickle-down economics, the money stays at the top, while the less profitable issues are not addressed.
Like Westport, Fairfield has changed its zoning regulations at developers’ requests. Multiple impactful developments have been approved by our Town Plan and Zoning (TPZ) Commission, a body that continues to ignore sensible alternatives and residents’ concerns.
441 Post Road in Fairfield, presently the Circle Inn and Diner, is a 6-acre site that backs on a tidal salt marsh. Zoning regulations been have changed for the site, as requested by the developer, and 2 different options have been approved by the commission in record time.
Fairfield’s published zoning regulations allowed for a hotel with 90 rooms. Those regulations have been changed, with the approval of the first application.
The first approved application is for a 278-unit apartment block surrounding a 6-story parking garage, plus a new 110-room hotel with the existing diner remaining.
One proposal for 441 Post Road, Fairfield.
The second approved application is for 2 massive apartment blocks that are 6 stories tall with 478 apartments (it’s under the 8-30g law, so 140 apartments are affordable according to state standards), and a 7-story garage with parking for 687 cars.
This development would be twice the size of Bridgeport Hospital (even the first application was larger than the hospital). Traffic would exit into the circle that contains the McDonalds, with its already dangerous F-rated and congested traffic patterns.
The site backs onto Turney Creek, into which the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the town are allowing stormwater from the site to be piped. Ecosystems will be forever destroyed.
Second Fairfield proposal, near the McDonald’s traffic circle.
We have banded together as the Fairfield Circle Neighbors for Responsible Development, and said we’ve had enough!
We are appealing these TPZ approvals, with Joel Green as our attorney, in Bridgeport Superior Court. Through fliers, newsletters, social media and personal networks we are working to spread awareness of the projects, and raise funds to cover the costs of the appeals process.
At some point we need to all stand up and say that this cannot continue. If Westport residents have the same concerns that we have in Fairfield, please “say no to more out-sized development,” and file the appeals.
I hear the argument that appeals are a waste of time. The argument is not a good one. I work in Westport, and most days go home through Saugatuck. Need I say more?
Stand up and fight back! If you want to follow us along the way, click here to sign up for our newsletter. I hope your Planning & Zoning commissioners listen your concerns.
(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all. Email 06880blog@gmail.com with submissions.)
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Meanwhile, in another Fairfield County town, CT Mirror reports:
“In a victory for advocates of Connecticut’s affordable housing law, a Superior Court judge last week ruled that the New Canaan Planning & Zoning Commission improperly denied a proposal to build a 102-unit apartment complex that included 31 affordable units.
“The 98-page decision refuted concerns commonly raised by opponents of such developments and emphasized that all towns bear some responsibility for meeting housing needs in the state.
“The ruling, issued in Superior Court in Hartford, says that the planning and zoning commission must approve the construction after the developer makes a couple of minor tweaks to the proposal to build on Weed Street in New Canaan.
“The property is in a residential neighborhood, less than half a mile from the New Canaan train station. It previously had a 10,000-square-foot single-family home and separate pool house, which have been demolished. The current property owner first applied in 2022 to change the zoning and build apartments and made several adjustments to the plan. It was denied in November 2022.
“The developer contested the denial under a Connecticut affordable housing law commonly known by its statutory name — 8-30g. That law allows developers whose affordable housing proposals are denied to sue and force local officials to prove that they declined the proposal for health or safety reasons.
“Towns are exempt from the law if at least 10% of their housing is designated affordable, and they can apply for temporary reprieves as they make progress toward that goal.”
From its founding in the mid-1600s through the end of World War II, Westport was very much a farming community.
The post-war baby boom influx of young families — not unlike what’s happened since COVID — brought dramatic changes to town.
Demand for housing was strong. From the 1940s through ’70s, many acres of farmland was sold to developers.
A few farms hung on longer. One was on the west side of North Avenue, not far from Long Lots Road.
For many years it was owned by the Rippe family. Produce grown there was sold at their stand on the Post Road. Now it’s the Harvest Commons condominiums (hence the name).
In its last iteration, it was Buster’s. Westporters swore it was the best corn they ever tasted.
(Photo/Ene T. Bonnyay, courtesy of Eric Bosch)
Today, Buster’s has been replaced by Greystone Farm Lane.
The name means nothing — there was no “Greystone Farm.”
But that’s why the architects stuck faux silos on the sides of the homes.
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
One of Westport’s favorite restaurants will soon become a different favorite spot.
On August 16, Don Memo will serve its last meal. In early September, it reopens as Massi Co.
Named after owner Massimo Tullio, and backed by the Don Memo oand Whelk team, the new restaurant in the iconic stone building (Westport’s original Town Hall) will feature a “deeply personal Italian-American” concept
It will include Neapolitan brick oven pizzas, house-made pastas and craft cocktails. Chef Zach Hinman is in charge of the kitchen. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)
Massimo Tullio (Photo courtesy of The Connecticut Edit)
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For as long as the Merritt Parkway has existed — nearly 90 years — Westport has had 2 exits: 41 and 42.
Soon, they’ll be gone.
In their place will be Exits 20 and 21.
The new numbers conform to federal standards, which mandate that exits show the approximate mileage from a starting point. With the Merritt, that’s the New York border.
New signs will be installed on the parkway beginning July 28. There will also be signs noting the “old exit” numbers. They’ll be in place for at least 2 years.
Other state highways have already been renumbered. The “Connecticut Turnpike” (I-95) will follow, either next year or in 2027.
So say goodbye to the Exit 42 cluster****. Soon, it will be the mess at Exit 21.
And Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department wants to make sure no one misses out on any action. For example:
Beach volleyball:Middle and high schoolers, all levels. Led by Brendan Giolitto, Staples High School coach.
Youth tennis (including peewees): All levels; fundamentals, technique and match play.
Swim lessons: Beginners and advanced; Stroke development, water safety and confidence.
Football skills and drills: Non-contact; focusing on speed, agility and position-specific drills. Led by LST Pro staff.
Baseball: Hitting, fielding, base running and teamwork; led by LST, in partnership with Westport Little League.
Tot N’ Play Camp: A week of sports, crafts, beach time and class camp, for pre-schoolers. Flexible scheduling, with a focus on friendship, teamwork and adventure.
Skyhaws Volleyball: Fundamentals like passing, setting, hitting and serving, in a fun, beginner-friendly environment.
Next Generation Skateboarding: From beginners to advanced: skate and shred safely and confidently.
The Grit Ninja: Obstacle courses challenge youngsters physically and mentally; build strength, agility and grit in an exciting, supportive setting.
Squirt & Parent ‘n’ Me programs: Introduce little ones to soccer, t-ball, lacrosse, track and field and more, with a helping hand. Build confidence and coordination in a playful, comforting environment.
Outdoor Fitness with Andrew Berman: An invigorating bodyweight workout class at Compo Beach. Focus on strength, balance and mobility, in a beautiful setting.
Jay Schadler is a noted journalist, photographer and artist.
For more than 3 decades he traveled the world as a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, “20/20,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America,” National Geographic TV and others. His work has been featured too on Bravo and Discovery.
His new gig: podcaster, with Verso Studios at the Westport Library. Through intimate interviews, he tells stories of Westporters’ life transitions.
Many names are familiar. The 5 episodes in Season 1 include living a life with no memory, with Doug and Patti Brill; the grief of loss and the gift of love with Jenny and Anthony Capalbo; a new heart and a new life with Gerardo Lambert; turning tragedy into legacy with Jim Kudzo, and exploring talent and opportunity with Andrew Wilk.
In Westport, Paul Newman’s home overlooked the Aspetuck River. His New York apartment has a view of Central Park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. (Photo/Evan Joseph Studios, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal)
Hitch & the Giddyup are heading to Weston. Yee haw!
The country/bluegrass/soulful American band plays at “Music at the Barn” — the Weston History & Culture Center’s outdoor summer series — on July 27 (5:30 p.m.).
Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members; children under 12; click here or purchase there. Bring a lawn chair, food and drinks (no food truck!).
Francesca “Franny” Cenatiempo died at home, surrounded by her family. She was 33, and hahd battled cancer.
Francesca was born on July 4th, 1992 to Carmine and Sandra. At age 7 she was enrolled in Saint Catherine Academy; then as an adult, at Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs.
She loved school and her program, and was celebrated, cared for and loved by the staff. She was surrounded by friends who reciprocated her unique love. At Saint Catherine Francesca met her longtime caregiver, Sonia Vielot, who became an integral part of her family.
Her obituary says, “Francesca had a gift for deeply touching the lives of everyone she met. She greeted people with open arms, accompanied by the biggest hug and an unforgettable smile. Her laughter echoed everywhere she went, as she saw the beauty and joy in every person and part of this world. She was a pasta lover, a Disney fanatic, and had an eye for all the cute boys. She enjoyed music, dancing, and splashing around at the beach.”
Francesca is survived by her loving parents, Carmine and Sandra Calise Cenatiempo; siblings CJ and Charlotte Cenatiempo; grandparents Michael Calise, Sally Palmer and Barbara Mehle; aunts and uncles Filippo and Pina Cenatiempo, Leonardo Cenatiempo, Alfredo and Rosa Cenatiempo, Stefano Cenatiempo, Giulio and Gabby Cenatiempo, Catherine and Don Lawson, Maria and Jon O’Herron, Bettina and Michael Colleen, and Frank and Robin Calise, and many cousins.
A celebration of her life is set for tomorrow (July 12, 11 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi, Weston). Donations may be made in her name to Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs. Condolences for the family may be left online.
Francesca Cenatiempo
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Frances Mande — a Westporter for nearly 70 years — died Wednesday. She was 103.
Born in Russia in 1922, she came to Brooklyn with her family when she was 7. She and her husband Irving met when she was 17, and married when she was 19.
Fran and Irv moved to Westport in 1956. They raised 3 children in the house where she lived until passing. The couple traveled the world together, until Irv’s death in 2006.
Fran loved attending shows at the Westport Country Playhouse, and taking her children and grandchildren to Compo Beach and Mario’s restaurant. She was a regular at the Senior Center, Westport Library and Levitt Pavilion.
She also enjoyed the Westport Road Runners program. Her photo was in the Westport News after finishing a 10-mile race, in her 70s.
After “06880” wished her a happy birthday last month, she was lifted up by emails from readers.
A funeral is set for Sunday (July 13, 10 a.m., Temple Israel of Westport). Shiva will be held at her home. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Westport Library or Westport Senior Center.
Like any good mother, this one fed her little one:
Johanna Keyser Rossi — who took today’s spectacular “Westport … Naturally” image near Fresh Market — reports, “She fed him for a long time. So I assume there is only one baby osprey.”
And finally … in honor of the new Merritt Parkway numbering system: This is the closest I could get.
(Whether you live in the 06880, 25 miles away, or 2,500, if you’re reading this, you’re part of our great online community. Thank you — and thanks too for clicking here, to support our work!)
Larry Weisman and his family moved to Westport in 1966. He brought his law practice here in 1979.
Larry Weisman
Concentrating on zoning law, he has represented the Gorham Island developer, the Gault Saugatuck project, the Westport Library, Aspetuck Town Trust, Compo Beach playground effort, the Westport Weston Family YMCA and many other significant projects.
He has watched the battle over the Hamlet at Saugatuck project with interest. He writes:
What if ROAN Ventures — the developers of the Hamlet — were to withdraw its application, with the understanding that it can be refiled at any time?
And what if the town of Westport — not the Planning & Zoning Commission — were to appoint a committee of knowledgeable and experienced real estate developers to discuss with ROAN a public/private partnership to develop Saugatuck?
And what if the town made a substantial contribution to the project — not necessarily in dollars only, but also by contributing in-kind services, and perhaps expansion of the project into adjacent town-owned sites? And what if that included redesigning the sea of asphalt which is now the railroad parking lot, to address parking concerns?
Part of Saugatuck today that ROAN Ventures hopes to develop. It would be part of a public/private partnership that Larry Weisman proposes.
I think the result of such an effort could produce a substantial amount of 8-30g residential units. They would be not in 8-story buildings, but perhaps in 3- or 4- story buildings around a central court, with the remainder of the property devoted to a judicious mix of commercial and office uses, with appropriate amenities on the river.
Traffic patterns and parking options could be explored more thoroughly with the participation of the town. Ancillary uses, such as a theater and hotel, could be better evaluated in terms of community need if public opinion were taken into account.
Uses designed to serve an expanded residential neighborhood, such as a pharmacy, hardware store and grocery, could be included in the mix to promote a sense of community.
In 2018, a Transit Oriented District plan envisioned redevelopment of Saugatuck.
A secondary effect would be a reduction in traffic.
Architectural style could be addressed more effectively. An eye toward creating a more community-friendly design and walkable streetscape would add to a sense of community.
It’s my guess that such a scheme has the potential to produce a win-win result. The developer and its investors would turn a reasonable profit, and the town and its citizens would have their say.
I think the end result is likely to be better and more acceptable to the citizenry for having participated than anything we’re likely to get from the P&Z through the prescribed process.
This is a bold proposal, to be sure. I recognize that there will be those who say that it would set a dangerous precedent for negotiated zoning, which would threaten the prerogatives and run counter to the statutory responsibilities of the P&Z and the conventional system of land use regulation, which contemplates measuring development proposals against a predetermined set of regulations.
But I think the redevelopment of Saugatuck is an issue of such magnitude and consequence to the community as a whole that it can be seen as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which is worth the risk.
All that’s lacking is leadership.
(“06880’s” Opinion pages are open to all. Please email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com)
The 11th annual “06880″ party is just a week away.
And if you’re reading this: You’re invited.
Next Thursday (July 17, 6 p.m.) is the day and time. The far end of Compo’s South Beach — away from the cannons, near the boat and kayak launch — is the place. (Still confused? See the aerial view below.)
The blue arrow marks the “06880” party spot.
Every member of the “06880″ (as in, this website) community is invited.
We welcome frequent commenters and lurkers. Folks who have lived here all their lives, and those who moved here yesterday. People who want the Cribari bridge to stay the same, those who want a new one, and everyone in between. (Don’t worry: We keep the party a politics-free zone.)
The tagline for “06880″ is “Where Westport meets the world.” Next Thursday, that world comes to Compo.
Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. (If you bring extras to share with others, we won’t say no). Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.
There’s no charge. It’s a “fun-raiser,” not a fundraiser.
A “blog party” — the “06880” version of a block party.
Compo Beach and Weston’s Bisceglie Pond are closed for swimming, due to elevated baceria levels.
Swimming will remain prohibited until samples come back within acceptable levels. Those will be taken on Monday.
Burying Hill and Old Mill Beaches, as well as Sherwood Island State Park, are all open for swimming. Compo is open for all other activities except swimming.
It’s summer. But “OK To Delay” — the group urging parents to protect middle schoolers from smartphones and social media — is not delaying their efforts.
Next Thursday (July 17, 7:30 p.m., on the sand near the playground), they’ll host “Books on the Beach 203” event, at Compo.
Westport moms, educators and community members will discuss Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation.” It examines the role of “phone-based childhoods” in the youth mental health crisis,
The conversation will touch on the challenges modern families face, and how families can work together to overcome them. RSVP: oktodelaywestport@gmail.com.
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Emmy-winning CNN correspondent Gayle Young is a native Westporter. Her journalism career began as a Westport News writer. She was Connecticut’s finalist for NASA’s Journalist in Space competition.
She’s just published a memoir, “Update: Reporting From an Ancient Land.”
There is plenty about her adventures reporting from the Middle East at the start of the first Gulf War; her work as CNN bureau chief in Cairo and Rome; her award-winning documentaries as a writer and producer for National Geographic Film & Television, and her career as head of multimedia production at the World Bank.
There is also quite a bit about growing up here.
Whether in South Africa for the election of Nelson Mandela, or with Moama Gadhafi and Yassir Arafat, she was always grateful to come home.
She writes too about how helpful Westport officials were in the 1990s, when she was gathering documents to adopt her baby daughter from a Russian orphanage orphanage.
Speaking of journalism: The New York Times real estate section regularly runs “Renters”: stories of regular people, as they seek a rental that suits their needs, lifestyles (and bank accounts).
The most recent piece highlights Patricia Brennecke, a retired teacher who had to move from a great place in Oakland. She found — miraculously, to anyone familiar with Bay Area housing — an equally great spot in Emeryville.
The cross-continental Westport angle? “Imagine my surprise,” says Steve Doig — who emailed it to me — when I realized the story I was reading was about my classmate!”
Both he and Patricia graduated together, in Staples High School’s Class of 1966.
The non-profit — started and nurtured by longtime Westporters Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito, to “deepen community connections through the arts dialogue, ideas and transformation” — was honored with a US Senate certificate of special recognition.
It included information about the couple’s Beechwood Salons in Westport, and their continuing work with arts organizations across Fairfield County.
Senator Richard Blumenthal presented the honor last weekend, at The Hive’s digs.
From left: Senator Richard Blumenthal, Frederic Chiu, Jeanine Esposito. (Screenshot courtesy of News12 Connecticut).
… and writes: “Shucks! Another joy of summer disappearing. Remember the days when, as soon as school let out, we kids rode our bikes down to the grocery to shuck corn.”
Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between June 25 and July 9.
A 57-year-old Bridgeport man was arresed for driving under the influence, failure to drive right and operating a motor vehicle without a license, following a complaint of an intoxicated man in a resident’s yard who refused to leave. He did so before police arrived, but he was stopped on Greens Farms Road near Valley Road.
A 50-year-old New Milford woman was arrested on an active re-arrest warrant, for failure to appear.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 8 citations
Failure to renew registration: 7
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 5
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5
Driving while texting: 4
Failure to obey stop sign: 4
Improper use of markers: 3
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
Failure to grant right of way: 2
Driving under the influence: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Improper entry/exit on a limited access highway: 1
Transporting a child without restraints: 1
Following too closely: 1
Unsafe backing: 2
Failure to drive right: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Failure to return plates: 1
Always look behind when backing up!
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Robert Horne — a former member of Westport Boards of Finance and Tax Review — died June 28, after a lengthy illness. He was 86.
The UK native earned a degree in chemical engineering from Cambridge, and an MBA from Harvard. He held leadership positions at ICI, Digital Equipment Corporation and Nortel, and was president and CEO of BioCad.
After his public service in Westport, he helped shape the city of Johns Creek, Georgia. Robert enjoyed sailing, water sports and skiing.
He is survived by his wife Ann; sons Mark and Adam; daughter Hannah, and grandchildren Ayden, Addison, Morgan, Paige and Luke.
A celebration of Rober’s life is set for July 26 (2 p.m., Lanier Village Estate chapel, Gainesville, Georgia). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LVE Samaritan Fund.
Robert Horne
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Beach plums are blooming — beautifully — near Old Mill Beach.
They’re so beautiful, they’re today’s featured “Westport … Naturally” image.
They look good enough to eat, right off the screen!
And finally … on this date in 1553, Lady Jane Grey took the throne of England.
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