Pic Of The Day #81

Posted on July 7, 2017 | 11 comments

Earthplace campers enjoy today’s downpour. (Photo/Jaime Bairaktaris)

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Posted in Children, Organizations, Pic of the Day, Weather

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Friday Flashback #47

Posted on July 7, 2017 | 16 comments

July 4th marked the 56th anniversary of one of the most famous events on Gorham Island.

Around 2 a.m. that morning in 1961 Brendan McLaughlin — a former Marine working as a New York advertising executive — shot and killed his father during a family argument.

The murder took place in the McLaughlins’ old Victorian house on Gorham Island. The house was originally built on Main Street, then moved to the island.

The Victorian house on Gorham Island in 1971. (Photo/Peter Barlow)

McLaughlin fled. An hour before dawn he burst into the police station on Jesup Road. He pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and fired at 2 policemen behind the front desk, wounding Donald Bennette.

Officers chased him into the parking lot, where he shot officer Andrew Chapo. A shootout ensued; McLaughlin was wounded.

Chapo and Bennette recovered.  McLaughlin died several weeks later.

The other famous Gorham Island event was when that handsome — if haunted — home was demolished, over a decade later. Another structure nearby was also razed.

Today a 40,000-square foot green-and-gold-glass office building fills Gorham Island.

Which no one except those who remember the old house calls it anymore.

Close-up of the Gorham Island house, 1973. (Photo/Peter Barlow)

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Posted in Downtown, Friday Flashback, Police

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Ted Diamond Turns 100

Posted on July 7, 2017 | 13 comments

Ted Diamond is Westport’s youngest centenarian.

On Monday, the longtime resident celebrated his 100th birthday. And what a 10-decade life it’s been.

Diamond served as an Army Air Corps combat navigator with the 15th Air Force. He flew 50 missions over highly secured military installations throughout Europe, often leading a group of 28 B-17s.

Two years ago — on his 98th birthday — he received France’s highest medal: the insignia of Chevalier (knight) of the Legion of Honor.

The award — established by Napoleon in 1802 — acknowledged Diamond’s enduring contribution to the success of Operation Dragoon, a military campaign to free the nation from Nazi domination.

Ted Diamond, at this year’s Memorial Day ceremony.

He has spent the last 62 years in Westport. In addition to 3 terms as 2nd selectman, he was an RTM member, and volunteered on numerous town committees, commissions and boards.

In 2007, Diamond served as grand marshal of Westport’s Memorial Day parade.

But he’s not about to let a 3-digit age slow him down.

Last night, the former 2nd selectman was at Bedford Middle School. Congressman Jim Himes was holding a town hall meeting.

Ted Diamond wanted to hear what his fellow Democrat thinks about today — and the future.

Ted Diamond and his wife Carol, at last night’s “town hall” meeting with Congressman Jim Himes.

 

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Posted in Local politics, People

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In Tough Times, Himes Has Hope

Posted on July 7, 2017 | 35 comments

A large crowd greeted Jim Himes with a standing ovation at last night’s Bedford Middle School “town hall meeting.”

The congressman handled a host of questions — about healthcare, the environment, taxes, trade, immigration, infrastructure, Connecticut’s economy, Nancy Pelosi and more — with poise, humor and plenty of policy knowledge.

It was a friendly crowd. There was one skeptic – a man who challenged the House Intelligence Committee member about Russian collusion in the presidential election — but he was countered by a Westport Republican who thanked the Democratic representative for doing “a beyond admirable job.”

The man added, “There are Republicans who stand behind you 100%.”

Congressman Jim Himes, last night at Bedford Middle School.

But the most intense moment came almost at the end of the 90-minute event.

A Jewish Romanian woman with a special needs son fought tears as she said that America today reminds her of “a police state.”

Describing “an atmosphere of doom and gloom,” she called propaganda “very powerful and subtle.”

Why, she asked, “can’t anyone call this administration on dismantling our government as we know it?”

Himes replied, “I’ve been in politics long enough to know that fear and division are very powerful tools — and that we Americans are susceptible to it. We respond to it.”

But, he added, “We also respond to hope and aspiration.” He used President Kennedy’s “ask not…” quote as an example.

Himes noted that people who are swayed by fear are “decent people.” Those of us in Fairfield County may not recognize how “hollowed out” other Americans may feel, he said. In those situations, placing blame on others is easy.

“It is incumbent on people like me to offer aspiration, so we don’t succumb to fear,” Himes continued.

He disagreed though with the Romanian woman’s assertion about the “dismantling” of our fundamental government institutions.

Himes cited the judiciary branch’s strong, quick and aggressive stand against President Trump’s “garbage” immigration ban. He also praised the role being played by the media.

“Each and every one of us needs to stand up and say ‘No, you won’t,'” Himes said.

Fairfield County has been exceedingly lucky, politically. For over 30 years we’ve had superb representation in Congress.

Stewart McKinney, Chris Shays and now Jim Himes. Republican or Democrat — it doesn’t make a difference. Our congressmen look out for all of us in this district.

Last night at Bedford, an audience of Democrats and Republicans said “thank you.”

A young Westporter asked Congressman Jim Himes a question about healthcare.

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Posted in People, Politics

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Pic Of The Day #80

Posted on July 6, 2017 | 1 comment

It could be any kids, anywhere, in any town. But these ones are ours, at Saugatuck Sweets. (Photo/Ken Wirfel)

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Posted in Children, Local business, Pic of the Day, Saugatuck

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Farewell Travels: Hello Travel Designer

Posted on July 6, 2017 | 9 comments

Westporters are no strangers to luxury travel. Whether it’s a helicopter to the Hamptons or a private jet to Jasper, you (or a neighbor) has done it.

Or heard someone brag about it, in the Balducci’s checkout line.

But there is luxury travel, and then there are people like Susan Farewell.

Today’s New York Times has a feature story on “a subset of travel planners — they prefer the term travel designers — who do far more than simply book trips. They manage the travel portfolios of their affluent clients.”

Susan Farewell

The piece includes Farewell Travels — the eponymous owner’s company. Like other travel designers, Farewell makes house calls (to observe family dynamics), and does “reconnaissance … the better to make recommendations on lodging, tour guides and special excursions.”

As an example, the Times article cites Westport clients Russell and Bobbi Crocker. Farewell planned a trip to South Africa and Zambia for the couple — then went ahead to check everything out.

After returning, she booked a different — presumably better/nicer/more something — for the Crockers.

The Times reports how she works:

Ms. Farewell’s initial meetings with new clients amount to an intake. She isn’t interested solely in where they would like to go, but in where they have been, their “style” (large hotel or boutique? adventurous or not so much? sedentary or active?), the ages of their children, the length of time they are willing to spend on a plane, the number of days they have available and the money they want to allot to travel annually. It’s not unusual, she said, for some small families she works with to spend $50,000 for a weeklong trip (not including the private jets).

The Times story notes that one client — hopefully not Farewell’s — would never use his particular travel designer again. At a remote location, the man was served frozen — not fresh — orange juice.

I’m sure no Westporter would ever feel so entitled.

But if he did, I’m also sure that Susan Farewell would tell him where to go.

(For the full New York Times story, click here.)

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Posted in Local business, Media, People

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The Sidewalks Of Westport

Posted on July 6, 2017 | 26 comments

Westport’s annual Sidewalk Sale takes place this weekend.

But this is not a story about that.

In fact, when they move here or visit from other parts of the country, people often remark on the lack of sidewalks in Westport.

We’ve got them.

We just don’t use them.

The other day, I drove from the beach, down South Compo, up North Compo, then Cross Highway and North Avenue to Staples.

There are sidewalks most of the way.

The number of folks on them: Zero.

Nada. Nil.

Okay, maybe they’re crossing the street. But this is the closest photo I could find to showing people in the road, when there’s a perfectly good sidewalk nearby.

I did see people on the sides of the road, sandwiched between speeding cars and grass, on the other side of which were perfectly good, safe and completely empty sidewalks.

I saw people walking abreast, chatting.

I saw people walking alone, headphones on, oblivious to the world.

I saw several women (and one man) pushing mega-strollers, right there on the street.

I’m not sure why Westporters don’t use sidewalks.

Is it laziness (you may have to cross the street to get there)?

Is it ignorance (people don’t know they’re there — or have no idea what they’re used for)?

Perhaps the sidewalks are cracked or uneven (though as a bike rider, I know our streets are not exactly baby-bottom smooth)?

If you’ve got a theory, please click “Comments” below. And if you’re one of the (many) non-sidewalk-using Westporters, I’d really like to know!

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Posted in Transportation, Westport life

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Pic Of The Day #79

Posted on July 5, 2017 | 2 comments

6:45 a.m.: Morning commute to the train.

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Posted in Pic of the Day, Saugatuck, Transportation

Baron’s South “Arts Campus” Returns To P&Z

Posted on July 5, 2017 | 24 comments

In May, the Westport Arts Center and a group of arts advocates presented a pre-application to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The goal was to create an “arts campus” at the Baron’s South property. The 3-prong proposal included these ideas:

  1. The Westport Arts Center would lease and restore Golden Shadows — the main building that served as the home for Baron Walter Langer von Langendorff (“The Baron”) — retaining most of its decorative interior, for use as offices, classrooms and gallery space.
  2. The WAC would lease and restore the  Tudor revival guest house at 70 Compo Road South as additional gallery space.
  3. They would lease the 2 units at 52 and 52B Compo Road South, for use as artists’ residences.

The P&Z was not thrilled with the plan. They called the plan too intense for the “light use” for which the 32-acre property is zoned.

Many Westporters, on the other hand, thought it was great. “06880” was flooded with positive comments.

Golden Shadows: the centerpiece of the Westport Arts Center Baron’s South plan.
(Photo/Wendy Crowther)

The whole idea of a pre-app meeting is to get a sense of the P&Z’s mood. The WAC and arts advocates listened to the commissioners.

Tomorrow (Thursday, July 6, 7 p.m., Town Hall) they’ll present a formal proposal. They’ve reworked the use of the artists’ residences, and other concepts.

They also hope to show that the work they’ll do on-site will help the public enjoy all the open space surrounding the arts campus.

The meeting is open to the public.

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Posted in Arts, Downtown, Local politics, Organizations, Places

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Unsung Hero #5

Posted on July 5, 2017 | 2 comments

Dana Johnson moved to Saugatuck over 30 years ago. He married Ginny, and is an avid tennis player.

He’s our unsung hero because of all his work with the Senior Center. He serves meals, calls Bingo every Thursday to a devoted crowd, and organizes events like the Staples Senior Golf Tournament — an inter-generational event involving the high school boys and girls teams that benefits the center’s fitness program.

Dana Johnson (2nd from right, with clipboard), at the Staples Senior Golf Tournament.

Dana also volunteers 2 days a week at the center’s congregate lunch program, as a “waiter.”

Loretta Hallock calls him “one of the most unselfish people I know.”

Senior center director Sue Pfister adds, “Dana’s warm smile and gregarious personality are welcome any day of the week here. The only problem I have with him is, he’s a Red Sox fan!”

Congratulations, Dana. Thanks for all you do, for so many!

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Posted in Organizations, People, Unsung Heroes

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