When this story was posted — at 10:20 a.m. — there was 1 minute of summer left. Autumn arrives at 10:21.
In honor of one of Westport’s 4 favorite seasons, “06880” photographer Andrew Colabella sent along these images. All were taken here, late in the day, throughout the summer.
Click on or hover over to enlarge. Enjoy! And don’t forget to mark your calendar.
Summer arrives on June 21, 2017. At 12:24 a.m.
Posted in Beach, Restaurants, Weather
Tagged Andrew Colabella, Compo Beach, Oscar's Deli
A while ago, Jane Green told a story for the Moth Radio Hour. It was recorded in front of a live audience at New York’s Cooper Union.
Jane Green
In June, the Westporter — and internationally renowned author — told Moth stories again, on stage at an old, lovely theater in Boston. She was joined by a Jamaican writer, New York City doctor, Puerto Rican actress and Boston fireman.
If you don’t know the Moth Radio Hour, you should. Broadcast on 400 radio stations — including WNYC in New York — it makes “This American Life” sound like amateur hour.
Story tellers have no script, and use no props. They stand in front of a microphone, under a spotlight, facing a room full of strangers.
The Moth Radio Hour is real, true stories, told by real, true people. Some are humorous. Others are heartbreaking. Some are both. All are transfixing and addictive.
Alert “06880” reader — and very-interesting-woman-herself — Katherine Bruan is a Moth fanatic. She also loves Jane Green.
So, Katherine thought, why doesn’t Westport — a town filled with talented, charismatic people, many with diverse backgrounds and all of whom have stories — have our own Moth hour?
It could be once or twice a year, Katherine suggested, at the Westport Country Playhouse or library. It would bring the community together. We’d all be entertained, moved and uplifted.
It’s a fantastic idea. And — to Katherine’s, my and probably your surprise — it’s already been done.
Starting last fall, Tom Croarkin organized several similar events at the Unitarian Church in Westport. He calls them “Story Slams,” but they’re really Moth Radio Hours without the radio.
Each participant gets 5 minutes. They can’t use props. And their story must fit a theme.
The Westport Unitarian Church welcomes everyone — including story-tellers.
The first one — last November — centered around “Lying Through My Teeth.” The second, in February, was about “Lost and Found” (stories were figurative, as well as literal).
May’s theme was “Trouble.” Fifteen folks got up and told woeful tales.
The next Unitarian Church Story Slam is this Friday (September 23, 7 p.m.).The theme is “Vacation.”
There’s a $10 admission fee (it’s a fundraiser for the church). BYOB.
To RSVP (not required) or more information, email tcroarkin1126@att.net.
So start thinking about your vacation stories. I’m sure Jane Green has at least one good one to share!
Posted in Entertainment, Media, People, religion
Tagged Jane Green, Moth Radio Hour, Story Slam, Tom Croarkin, Westport Unitarian Church, WNYC
A crew from the new ABC-TV series “American Housewife” begins shooting still and background shots at Longshore, Compo and other local sites tomorrow (Thursday).
Sounds like fun! After all, the hometown of the TV “housewife” is Westport.
Spoiler alert: The show was originally called “The 2nd Fattest Housewife in Westport.”
Of course, let’s welcome our Hollywood guests.
But ladies, if they ask you to be the star of a shot — maybe think twice.
Posted in Entertainment, Media
Tagged "American Housewife", "Second Fattest Housewife in Westport"
Earlier this month, Greg Wolfe and Nancy Lewis dropped their daughter Emily off for her 2nd year at the University of Michigan.
After dinner, the couple passed a tiny t-shirt shop near campus. As they looked at merchandise set on the street, the owner came out to chat.
Elmo Morales designed this slogan for Jim Harbaugh’s return as Michigan football coach. (Photo/Ryan Stanton for The Ann Arbor News)
“Where are you from?” he asked.
“Westport, Connecticut,” they said.
He was stunned. “You’re the first people I’ve ever met here from Westport!” he said.
And then Elmo Morales told his story.
In 1957 he was an 11-year-old living in Washington Heights. The Fresh Air Fund arranged a week in Westport. He stayed with the Petrucci family. They owned a liquor store, and had a son around Elmo’s age.
His eyes welled up as he told Greg and Nancy his story.
On the way home after picking Elmo up at the train station — with his clothes in a shopping bag — the Petruccis took him to a toy store. They told him to pick out anything he wanted.
He chose a Mattel 6-shooter. “I never got anything, except at Christmas,” he says. “And then it was pajamas.”
It was the first time Elmo had seen carpeting in a house, or a TV in a bedroom. There was orange juice every morning. Every day, they went to the beach.
Most importantly, Mr. Petrucci talked with Elmo about college, and what he wanted to do with his life. It was the first time the boy had thought about his future.
“They broadened my horizons,” Elmo says. “I was able to see the rest of the world. Everything grew from that little seed.”
Elmo went back to Washington Heights. A shared love of jazz cemented a friendship with a youngster named Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
Elmo earned a track scholarship to Michigan. He stayed in Ann Arbor, and became a teacher.
After graduating from Michigan, Elmo Morales continued to run.
About 40 years ago, he opened Elmo’s T-Shirts as a sideline. For years it was on Main Street. Not long ago, he moved to East Liberty Street.
This is one of those great “Westport meets the world” stories I love so well.
But don’t just read it and smile.
Every year, Staples sends at least a dozen graduates to the University of Michigan. So, students and parents: Head to 404 E. Liberty Street.
Buy a t-shirt or souvenir.
And then tell Elmo you’re from Westport.
The Westport Police Department has added details about this morning’s bus accident at Weston Road and Cross Highway.
There was minor damage to both the bus and the car. Both drivers stopped.
The driver of the car spoke to the driver, then drove his child to Bedford Middle School.
He did not leave any information or paperwork at the scene. However, he followed up afterward by calling police headquarters.
So no, it’s not a “hit-and-run” as originally reported. However, by not following what the police call “proper procedures,” the driver caused a bit of alarm.
A Bedford Middle School parent forwarded this email, sent today by principal Adam Rosen:
This morning, BMS bus #21 (morning run) was involved in a minor fender bender; the bus was rear-ended by a hit and run driver. This occurred at the intersection of Cross Highway and Weston Road.
Westport Police, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Palmer and Director of Transportation Mrs. Evangelista arrived on the scene to assess the situation. While no injuries were reported at the scene of the fender bender, out of an abundance of caution, upon arrival to BMS at 8:20 AM, all students were individually assessed by our health team and counseling team for physical and/or emotional injuries.
At this time, I can share with you that there were no injuries to our students. We are using all of our tender loving care at Bedford to take excellent care of your children.
The parent was pleased to receive the prompt email. But, he wonders — and so do I — what kind of driver has a hit-and-run with a SCHOOL BUS?!
Posted in Children, Education, Transportation
Tagged Adam Rosen, Bedford Middle School, school bus
In 1928, Larry Aasen’s father returned home to North Dakota from the national Democratic convention. He brought his young son an Al Smith pencil.
The souvenir is long gone. But Aasen — in his 90s, and a longtime Westporter who with his fellow politcally activist wife Martha has attended “many” national and state conventions — amassed over 2,000 other buttons, posters and assorted mementos.
Aasen mounted some in wooden frames. He donates others — worth at least $15 each to collectors — to local non-profits, to sell at silent auctions. They raise $100 to $150, he says.
Though Aasen is an avid Democrat — and his collection skews that way — his collection is non-partisan. His Republican memorabilia dates back to Wendell Willkie. He trades for some of them. Others come from his many GOP friends.
Starting tomorrow (Wednesday, September 21), his favorites will be on view at the Westport Library’s lower-level Riverwalk display case. They include a Woodrow Wilson button, and posters for FDR and JFK. The exhibit runs through (of course) Election Day.
An opening reception is set for Thursday, September 29 (6 p.m., McManus Room).
Aasen will be there. He’ll tell stories about his buttons — and his political life.
Like this one. In the 1950s, he was in Kansas City on business. He found out where Harry Truman often parked, to walk to his office. Sure enough, early in the morning, the former president drove through heavy snow, got out and prepared to walk.
There were no Secret Service agents around. Aasen asked if he could walk too.
Martha and Larry Aasen.
They talked about politics, including Aasen’s native North Dakota and Martha’s Mississippi.
Somehow the discussion turned to the disputed presidential election of 1876. As Truman recounted how — 80 years earlier — Rutherford B. Hayes beat out Samuel Tilden, Aasen says, “he really got worked up.”
There’s no question who Aasen is voting for this Election Day. He’s met Hillary Clinton many times, he says, going back at least 20 years.
“People don’t realize how many times she’s been in Westport for fundraising,” Aasen says.
At the opening reception next week, maybe he’ll pair his “I’m With Her” button with one that says “We Want Willkie.”
Posted in Library, People, Politics
Tagged Harry Truman, Hillary Clinton, Larry Aasen, political buttons, Wendell Willkie, Westport Library
For residents of Owenoke Park, the week starts off with a bang.
This morning, the gracious home at #17 will be bulldozed into oblivion.
For nearly 100 years it’s been a fixture on the private road that juts between the Compo Beach marina, Gray’s Creek and Longshore. It’s an important part of the Compo Owenoke Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its early 20th century resort and beachfront architecture.
Neighbors love the understated elegance of #17. Boaters on the water, and everyone enjoying Compo’s South Beach, have also appreciated its handsome Georgian Revival lines.
17 Owenoke Park. (Photo/Ian Warburg)
According to local legend, a woman knocked on the door in 2010. She said she loved the house, and had to have it. It was not for sale. But she offered $12 million — double the home’s market value — and that was that.
The woman — who reportedly worked for Enron until its demise — later joined a former colleague in setting up Centaurus Advisors. The energy-focused, Texas-based hedge fund allegedly provided a loan of $8 million, which the woman used to purchase the house.
In 2014 or ’15 Centaurus apparently foreclosed on the loan, and took possession of the property. It’s been on the market at decreasing prices.
Some buyers were interested in preserving the magnificent structure, and restore it to its past glory. Others wanted it to build their own dream house. None, however, would pay more than $5 million.
Given the declining condition of the property, and the expense of bringing it to FEMA compliance, the owners — listed as Centaurus Energy Market, which seems to be a subsidiary or related company of Centaurus Advisors, LLC — decided that the real remaining value is in the land.
Demolition begins at 8 a.m. today.
Since the 1960s, Staples Players has earned renown for its Broadway-style productions.
The directors and technical advisors deserve plenty of credit. But so do the choreographers.
Beginning in the 1960s, Players have been blessed with choreographers with actual Broadway experience. One of those was Gene Bayliss.
Gene Bayliss
Bayliss — who died last week at 89 — had a storied life. A Birmingham, Alabama native, he starred in many shows at Northwestern University. He was head cheerleader there too, and when the football team traveled to California for the 1949 Rose Bowl, Gene made national headlines by cartwheeling off the train in a raccoon coat and straw hat.
In 1996 — for the school’s 2nd Rose Bowl appearance — he provided an encore at the alumni dinner.
In New York City, Gene — who combined “graceful, creative movement with articulate, expressive speech and leadership” — earned praise as a director and choreographer. He danced in commercials and on live TV, and worked with Dinah Shore, Dave Garroway, and pageants like Miss USA and Miss Universe.
Gene created the staging for the show-stopping “Telephone Hour” and “Lot of Livin” numbers in “Bye Bye Birdie.” He served as associate choreographer for “Carnival,” and recreated those shows (and many others) for over 150 regional and international tours.
He also produced product launches and corporate meetings for Fortune 500 companies.
Gene Bayliss choreographed the Miss Universe pageant in 1977. Here he acts as a stand-in for the winner during rehearsal.. He’s crowned by the reigning Miss Universe Rina Messinger, as host Bob Barker looks on.
But it was Gene’s work with Staples High School that brought him his most local renown. Working with Players directors Craig Matheson and Al Pia, he brought Broadway to the high school stage (including a few signature acts from “Carnival”).
Every Christmas for years, Staples’ Candlelight Concert featured a new production number that he created and choreographed specially for the choir.
Those were his ways of giving something back to the worlds of theater and music he loved so much. (He was also happy to do something for the school his 6 children attended.)
Former Players and choir members recall his avid interest in their careers — and his care and concern for them as teenagers too.
Gene was vice president of the Connecticut Ballet School, and an active parishioner at both the Church of the Assumption and St. John’s in Weston.
A funeral mass is set for tomorrow (Monday, September 19, 11 a.m.) at Assumption Church. Interment with military honors follows in Assumption Cemetery.
Donations in Gene’s memory may be made to the Lambs Foundation, which supports America’s theater legacy. For Gene Bayliss’ full obituary, click here.
Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Looking back, Media, People, Staples HS
Tagged "Bye Bye Birdie", Gene Bayliss, Staples High School choir, Staples Players
The Nevada Hitchcock Memorial Garden is hidden in plain sight: on the well-traveled corner of Cross Highway and Weston Road.
Fred Cantor, Susan Schmidt, Bobbie Herman, Barbara Sherburne and Nancy Hunter Wilson all knew that the plaque featured in last week’s photo challenge can be found there.
Then Ellen Greenberg, Louise Ward Demakis, Jerry MacDaid, Morley Boyd and Wendy Crowther all added great information about the pioneering journalist who in 1924 founded the Westport Garden Club. Click here for the photo, and some intriguing history about Nevada. (Though we still don’t know where she got that unique first name.)
This week’s photo has nothing to do with gardening. If you think you know where in Westport you could find this, click “Comments” below.
Posted in Organizations, People, Photo Challenge
Tagged Nevada Hitchcock, Westport Garden Club
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