Roundup: Playground Rebuild Week, Drug Take-Back Day, Tip-A-Cop Night …

Posted on April 23, 2025 | 1 comment

The Compo Beach playground rebuild has begun.

There is still time to volunteer. In fact, more hands are definitely needed.

Good progress has been made. But construction is a bit behind schedule. The target for completion is Saturday.

All kinds of help, of all skill levels, is welcome — for all shifts (8 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 5 to 8 p.m.).

Meals, fruit, water — and a free t-shirt — are all provided.

Click here to volunteer — or just stop by.

PS: The temperature will be in the 70s all week. What better place to be outdoors than Compo Beach?

It takes a village to rebuild the Compo playground. Can you help?

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Got drugs you no longer need (or want)? Or those that have expired?

This Saturday (April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Senior Center) the Westport Police Departmet takes part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Residents can bring tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs to the Senior Center. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container.

Do NOT bring syringes, sharps and illicit drugs. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

Drop-offs are free, and anonymous.

Westport Police also offer a year-round collection bin in the lobby of the headquarters building on Jesup Road. There is a supply of medication disposal bags in the lobby, to dispose of liquid and pill medications in your regular garbage.

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Speaking of police: This Friday (April 25), Rizzuto’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant will have some special staff members.

From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Westport Police Department officers will welcome diners, take orders and serve meals.

No, Rizzuto’s is not short staffed. And the police are not pocketing the proceeds.

The Tip-A-Cop event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Connecticut. Customers are encouraged to leave extra tips. All tips the officers receive will help provide sports, health and fitness programs to athletes of all abilities.

Our police are known as Westport’s finest. Thanks to the force, Rizzuto’s and Special Olympics, for this very “fine” idea.

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Two long-vacant storefronts at “Elm & Main” — the new name for what decades of Westporters knew as Brooks Corner — will soon be filled.

Everything But Water is moving into the old Birddogs space. The Orlando-based women’s retailer specializes in designer swimwear, vacation essentials and accessories.

They operate 34 stores. Westport will be their third in Connecticut. The other locations are Farmington and Greenwich.

Beyond Yoga opens their second Connecticut store in September. The first will be in Greenwich, starting next month.  The female-founded activewear brand is owned by Levi Strauss.

Fun Fact: Brooks Corner was named not for longtime tenant Brooks Brothers, but for B.V. Brooks. The real estate developer built the shopping center in the early 1960s.

“Elm & Main” — formerly Brooks Corner.

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Speaking of openings: The next location for The Granola Bar is …

… 330 Madison Avenue, in New York City.

Instantly popular from the day in 2013 when it opened in Playhouse Square — still its “flagship” location, with offices nearby — the breakfast/lunch/catering-and-more spot has since expanded to Fairfield, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich, plus Rye, Woodbury (Long Island) and the Upper West Side.

Now comes Midtown — just steps away from Grand Central.

Starbucks, McDonald’s, Subway … look out. You’re goin’ down!

330 Madison Avenue, New York City.

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Tomorrow’s Board of Education meeting (Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria) includes the usual mix of topics: academic performances, revisions to the school caelndar, board policies regarding employees, and students with disabilities.

The discussion item at the end should be less dry. It’s about Staples Block “S” trophies, and the controversy raised this year when the traditional metal awards were replaced by plaques.

 Block “S” plaque”

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Coming soon at Wakeman Town Farm:

“Wild About Veggies: Tips for Planting a Garden” (May 5, 7 p.m.). Learn about seasonal rotations, and much more. Click here to register.

“Learn to Shuck Oysters with a Local Pro” (June 8, 5 p.m.). Then enjoy the oysters you open (from Copps Island in Norwalk). You’ll also gain an understanding of oyster anatomy, and learn about the history of oyster farming here. $50; BYOB. Click here to register.

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Coming Sunday (April 27) to the Weston History & Culture Center i

Opening Day of “Images of a Forgotten Village: Valley Forge” (1 p.m.). The Saugatuck Reservoir in Weston was home to a small neighborhood called Valley Forge. Now the once-thriving community of mills, forges and farms has vanished from memory and sight. The only reminders are photos.

Author Talk with Heather Pemberton About her debut thriller, “Hidden Below” (3 p.m.) — inspired by the history of Weston’s Valley Forge

Both are free for members, with a suggested donation for non-members.

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For 2 decades, STAR Lighting the Way’s “Walk & Roll” has been a spring highlight. The event brings together families, friends, supporters and businesses to celebrate individuals of all abilities, and raise needed funds for STAR’s programs and services, aiding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This year’s event is May 4 (Sherwood Island State Park, 10:30 a.m.). The day includes family activities, music, food trucks, games and entertainment.

As always, the public is invited to walk, roll, volunteer or cheer from the sidelines. Click here to donate, register to walk or roll, or become a sponsor.

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Here’s an early head’s-up, on an event that will sell out soon.

On June 27 (6:30 p.m.,), Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads make their first-ever Westport appearance.

They’ll fill the Westport Library with their fun Caribbean swagger, and bouncy reggae rhythms, for a special dance party.

Salon says: “Talking Dreads play Talking Heads songs as shimmering one-drop reggae jewels. Tom Tom Club vet Mystic Bowie (swaps out) urbanity for roots and sincerity.”

Tickets are $37.50. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Mystic Bowie

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Max Harper’s family and friends — and many Westporters who did not know the Staples High School senior who died last fall — are admiring a new memorial to him.

The handsome stone is at Compo’s South Beach, near the trees and benches.

It was designed by longtime Westport artist (and Staples graduate) Miggs Burroughts.

On a cold, windy March day, an expert from Enduring Monuments met Miggs and Max’s father Marcus at the rock Marcus had chosen.

The Westchester firm had created stencils from Miggs’ artwork. They blasted as pecial powdery spray into it, then spray painted the recessed areas to make them stand out.

Creating the memorial …

 … and the finished memorial. (Photo/Pam Docters)

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A reader writes: “I went into the AMC (used to be Bowtie) Royale 6 this afternoon. They are open. Who knew?!

“I thought they had closed. They switched owners, and took down the board where they used to post movie titles you could see from Route 1. So for the last 6 months I drove by and thought they were closed. I bet 50% of Westport has no idea they are open.”

I’m in the 50% who knew they were open. In fact, I bet 90% of the town did not think they were closed.

But, as a public service announcement, I’m relaying the “news.”

Hopefully, it’s a lot more interesting than all the announcements you hear before a movie.

At the AMC Royale 6, which — did you know? — is open!

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Seth Schachter sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” image.

For those who are not early risers (or morning beachgoers): It’s an early morning shot of Burying Hill, looking toward Frost Point.

Burying Hill Beach (Photo/Seth Schachter)

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And finally … in honor of the AMC Royale 6 theater (story above):

(You go to the movies every once in a while. But “06880” entertains — and maybe informs and inspires — you several times a day. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support us. Thanks!)

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Posted in Beach, Environment, Local business, Police, Restaurants

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“06880” And Tommy Greenwald Team Up For Youth Sports Panel

Posted on April 23, 2025 | 7 comments

If your child is a pretty good athlete — or you think they are — odds are they (and you) are part of the “youth sports industrial complex.”

The phrase sounds satirical.

It isn’t.

As any parent with a young travel/elite player knows, the days of kids of varying ages meeting in the backyard, choosing teams, then playing on their own until dinnertime (all while making and enforcing their own rules), has gone the way of wooden bats and $20 soccer shoes.

Blast from the past.

Youth sports is a big business. And in a town like Westport — where personal hitting coaches, shooting coaches and fitness trainers are a dime a dozen (though exponentially more expensive) — there is an expectation that all that time and money will yield a substantial ROI.

Yet — besides rueful comments on the sidelines about yet another trip to yet another “showcase” tournament at yet another faraway place to play yet another game against a team from Wilton — how much do we really talk about this?

Next month, Westport youth sports parents will get a chance to do just that.

“06880” has partnered with Tommy Greenwald to present a special panel. “Fair Play and Foul Behavior: Issues Facing Youth Sports in Today’s World” is set for May 14 (7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria).

Topics will include the achievement/pressure balance, referee abuse, sport specialization, cost, the “academy” syndrome, myths and realities of college recruiting, and more.

Training, competing — and competing for spots — begins at an early age.

Greenwald is a young adult author, specializing in youth sports. His latest book, “The Right Call” — a companion novel to his previous “Game Changer” —explores the growing pressures young athletes face, and the lengths some parents go to make sure their kid comes out on top. Greenwald will give away some copies of his book at the event.

The 1979 Staples High School state champion co-captain’s 3 sons were also Staples athletes and captains.

Panelists include:

  • VJ Sarullo, Staples athletic director
  • Dave Smith, father of 4 athletes who writes frequently on youth sports topics
  • Caleb Smith, former Staples quarterback and lacrosse star, now playing football at the University of Connecticut
  • Heather Talbott, PAL girls lacrosse co-president and basketball organizer; former lacrosse player at Lehigh University
  • Mark Pressman, longtime football and softball official
  • And of course Tommy Greenwald himself.

Moderator Dan Woog was the Staples boys soccer head coach for 19 years, and a youth coach for nearly 30 years before that. He is a co-founder of the Westport Soccer Association, and writes nationally on youth sports topics.

The event will include time for audience participation.

7 Comments

Posted in Children, Sports, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Pics Of The Day #2925

Posted on April 22, 2025 | Comments Off on Pics Of The Day #2925

Magnolia tree outside Christ & Holy Trinity Church … (Photo/Elisabeth Levey)

.. and looking out at Hillandale Road (Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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Roundup: Hamlet Meeting, E-bike Safety, Free Saplings …

Posted on April 22, 2025 | 9 comments

After the recent Zoom-bombing of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting — an attack that included pornography, Nazi symbols and the video of a beheading — the next meeting will be in person.

It should draw a large crowd.

The P&Z agenda for next Monday (April 28, 6 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) is about the proposed Hamlet at Saugatuck retail/residential/hotel/marina development.

The public hearing includes input from residents.

A 65-day extension has been granted for this phase of the regulatory process. The final date for a decision is now June 18.

Aerial rendering of the Hamlet at Saugatuck proposal.

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Another meeting discusses another long-debated project: the new Long Lots Elementary School.

The Building Committee meets tonight (6 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A) for a project update. There will be time for public comment.

Three views of a possible new Long Lots Elementary School.

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E-bikes are e-verywhere.

To raise awareness about safety, the Westport Police Department is sponsoring a community forum.

The May 13 event (6:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) will cover rules and regulations (for riders and motorists), street awareness, and tips and resources for all ages. A Q-and-A session will follow.

The evening will feature law enforcement officials and safety director Charles Foster of SCBC Safe Rides.

Class 3 e-bike.

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Speaking of transportation: The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Transit Committee and Westport Transit District meet jointly tonight (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Westport Library Room 210).

The agenda includes:

A recommendation to the RTM on the 2025-26 budget request for railroad parking, including a discussion of railroad parking permit revenues.

A recommendation to the RTM on the 2025-26 Transit District budget.

A recommendation to the RTM on a supplemental appropriation of $55,000 for transportation services for the elderly, and people with disabilities.

A discussion on expanding Wheels2U service to the Senior Center, Farmers’ Market, and Jesup Green/Westport Library, beginning next month.

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Yesterday’s Roundup gave an incorrect location for the memorial to Max Harper.

It’s at the western end of South Beach, near the trees and benches across from Ned Dimes Marina.

It’s a beautiful spot, for a loving tribute.

The Max Harper memorial stone, on Compo’s South Beach. (Photo/Pam Docters)

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There may be no such thing as a free lunch.

But there are free tree saplings.

the Westport Tree Board will give them away this Friday (April 25, 3 to 5 p.m., Town Hall back parking lot).

The gifts are in honor of Arbor Day. There’s one per family — choose from Virginia pine, river birch, red cedar or lilac.

Tree Board sapling giveaway, in 2022.

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A reminder: One of the most inspiring — and fun — galas of the year is this Saturday.

The A Better Chance of Westport Dream Event raises funds for the non-profit that creates educational opportunities, and changes lives, for exceptional young men from less advantaged communities.

As always, the highlight will be speeches from the graduating seniors, and an ABC alum. This year’s returning grad is Yoel Hooper-Antunez. Click here to read his amazing back story.

The Dream Event also includes excellent food and drinks, a silent auction, and a chance to hang with some of the most accomplished young people in town. Click here for tickets, and more information.

The current A Better Chance of Westport scholars.

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Also at the Library: the return of Andrew Wilk’s Medical Series.

The topic for 2025 is oncology. Longtime local internist Dr. Robert Altbaum moderates each of the 4 sessions, and introduces experts.

Tonight (Tuesday, 7 p.m.), Dr. Richard Frank, chief for clinical and translational cancer research at Nuvance Health, describes recent advances in cancer, including chemotherapy, targeted DNA treatment and immunotherapy, and explores the diagnostic, therapeutic and psychological challenges of treating advanced cancer

Dr. Robert Altbaum

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Dylan Robbin knows hoops.

Last week, the Staples High School freshman was featured on the House of Highlights YouTube channel.

The 90-minute segment included a debate between 10 Gen Z sports podcasters and Jermaine Womack, who runs the popular YouTube channel Chill Town Hoops.

At 14, Dylan was the youngest participant by at least a decade.

A clip of his conversation with Womack about whether Steph Curry is the best point guard of all time went viral on Instagram.

Click below to see the full debate. You can follow Dylan on Instagram and TikTok: @drsportstakes.

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Frank Rosen is probably the 50th reader to send a photo of the bald eagle that perches regally on the communications tower at the Westport police station.

But he’s the first to realize — without me telling him — that the bird is a wooden fake.

(Photo/Dylan Rosen)

“We killed about 30 minutes in the beautiful sunshine, taking in it’s majestic beauty,” Frank says.

“I waited so long for it to fly away — only to realize it’s not real.”

No one else who sent similar images to “06880” over the past month realized — until I told them — that the reason the eagle stood so still for their photo is because it never moves.

Reactions range from laughter to anger. Most common, though, is embarrassment.

To whoever placed America’s national bird atop the tower: well played.

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A new guest has been added to CT Against Gun Violence’s annual spring benefit “Be the Hope” luncheon (May 15, 11:30 a.m., The Inn at Longshore).

The headline speaker is Rob Wilcox, former deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

He’ll join Sandy Hook youth activist Matthew Holden, who will discuss his work. Click here for tickets.

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Tulips bloom around the Minute Man, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Sunil Hirani)

Up next for our town symbol: The 248th anniversary of the Battle of Compo Hill.

This is not some random monument. Our Minute Man commemorates the Battle of Compo Hill — fought 248 years ago, this week.

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And finally … in honor of the wooden eagle behind the police station, which does not fly anywhere:

(If you click here to support “06880,” your hyper-local blog, our heart will soar like a — dove. Thank you!)

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Posted in Environment, Politics, Saugatuck, Transportation

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Parks & Rec Update: Master Plan Meeting On Thursday; Goosinator Arrives In May

Posted on April 22, 2025 | Comments Off on Parks & Rec Update: Master Plan Meeting On Thursday; Goosinator Arrives In May

It’s been just 2 months since Erik Barbieri took the reins as Parks & Recreation Department director.

He’s met the stakeholders. He’s toured the town’s many facilities, and learned about programs, policies and procedures.

Now he’s ready to act.

But Barbieri also knows that residents’ input is important.

He looks forward to this Thursday’s Parks Master Plan workshop. At 6:30 p.m. on April 24, in the Town Hall auditorium, Westporters can weigh in on the future of our beaches, parks, athletic fields and other facilities.

The Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan includes ideas for Wakeman Fields, along with other athletic facilities and town parks. (Drone photo/David Pogue)

Residents can meet the architectural engineering firm working on the plan, learn more about the process, and offer feedback. There will be opportunities for small group discussions too.

The presentation will be available within a week, on the Parks & Recreation Department website. Additional workshops will be held in the summer and fall.

(Longshore is not part of this event. The 180-acre park has its own separate Master Plan.)

Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Meanwhile, Barbieri is working with 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and the Parks & Recreation Commission to prioritize all department projects.

One of his first moves may prove to be one of his most popular.

Except among Canada geese.

His department recently bought a Goosinator. It is a highly effective way of forcing the obnoxious (but federally protected) species to move on.

With big eyes, a tail and the coloring of a fox, the remote-controlled device emulates a goose predator in the wild. When employees get a report of a goose gathering, they employ the Goosinator.

Planning their next poop (Photo/Marcia Falk)

“Geese do not like it!” Barbieri says.

He adds that in New Britain, where he previously served as Parks & Rec director, merely taking the Goosinator out of a vehicle caused some geese to flee.

“They’re out of control,” Barbieri says of the Canada geese. “They poop all over the beach and fields. But it’s not just unsightly. Their poop is bad.” It contains bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, along with parasites.

The Goosinator will be delivered in May.

(“06880” is your hyper-local news source — 24/7/365. If we help you know what’s happening all over town, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Pic Of The Day #2924

Posted on April 21, 2025 | 1 comment

Westport Library (Photo/Tomoko Meth)

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Alan Nevas: A Friend’s Son Remembers

Posted on April 21, 2025 | 11 comments

Douglass Davidoff writes:

I am in tears for our loss of Judge Alan Nevas. I did not know him well, and yet Alan has been a constant positive presence in my life for most of my 67 years, ever since my parents moved to Westport in 1959 when I was 2 years old.

My father, Jerry Davidoff (1926-2009), was 2 years older than Alan. From the moment my dad set up a law office on Church Lane in downtown Westport in 1959 he had a deep respect, admiration and collegial attitude about Alan Nevas.

Back during the 1960s there were only about 30 attorneys in Westport. They all knew each other. Dad talked about his colleagues often at the dinner table, so we learned about people like Ned Dimes, Steve Tate, Ed Capasse, Larry Weisman and Alan Nevas.

I think Alan and my father had a similar approach to the practice of law in Westport. They were also politically competitive. Alan was a Republican at a time when Republicans ran things in Westport, and Dad was a Democrat working to win elections whenever possible. They liked each other a lot, and I think they stayed out of each other‘s way in politics.

Alan Nevas

Dad ran for the Connecticut House of Representatives and lost. He later served on the Westport Board of Education and Representative Town Meeting. Alan won local elections. He served on the Board of Finance, and represented Westport in the Connecticut House of Representatives.

Since Dad has been dead for 16 years, I don’t think there’s any harm in reporting for posterity that he tried a couple of times to secure a state judgeship during the years that Democrats ran things at the State Capitol. Dad did not succeed in this dream — a disappointment.

But Alan succeeded in the same pursuit. He served his state and his nation as the US attorney for Connecticut, and then as a federal judge. Every single one of us is better off for Alan‘s contribution to jurisprudence in Connecticut and the nation.

That’s not me talking. That’s my father Jerry talking through me, to remember his friend.

Jerry Davidoff and his wife Denny.  (Photo/copyright Nancy Pierce)

For me, one episode stands out. About 7 years ago, when I began researching my family history on Ancestry.com, I found a news clipping from the Westport correspondent for the Bridgeport Post-Telegram providing a report on the spring 1969 Vietnam War protest in Westport. This was a day of events, when people gathered together to protest our government’s war in Southeast Asia.

I was a student at Long Lots Junior High School. Students at Staples High School secured permission from the principal and superintendent to march from Staples to the afternoon protest in downtown Westport, at the corner of State Street (Post Road East) and Main Street.

No such permission was granted to junior high school students. But there were hundreds of like-minded junior high school students, so just before the event the principals and the superintendent acquiesced and sanctioned marches to downtown by students from Long Lots, Coleytown and Bedford Junior Highs.

In splendid weather we converged on downtown, where many hundreds of adults also gathered. From the steps of the old YMCA (now Anthropologie), there were speakers arrayed against the war. A keynote address was given by a member of Congress, recruited to come to Westport to speak against the war.

 

A view from the steps of the YMCA (now Anthropologie) of the Vietnam protest downtown. Photo/Adrian Hlynka)

That night, in what became one of my strongest memories growing up in Westport, about 500 townspeople crowded into the sanctuary at The Unitarian Church in Westport for a candlelight vigil. The names of 500 Connecticut military war dead were read aloud.

After each small batch of names was read aloud in the darkened sanctuary, another row of townspeople in the pews was invited to light their candles. Slowly, the sanctuary became illuminated by candlelight. Paul Newman spoke, and we all know how rare it was for Paul Newman to speak publicly in Westport.

What I learned only recently from that newspaper clipping is that this day of townwide protest and prayer was the deep planning work of Alan Nevas and my father, along with a strong group of lawyers, physicians and clergy in the town.

They organized the program for the protest downtown. They organized the vigil that night. They were from the tight-knit group of local professional leaders in Westport — people like Drs. Jack Schiller and Paul Beres; clergy like the Revs. Ed Lane of the Unitarian Church, Ted Hoskins of the Saugatuck Congregational Church and Rabbi Byron T. Rubenstein of Temple Israel — and attorneys like Alan Nevas and my dad.

When I came across these names in the Bridgeport paper, none meant more to me than to see that Alan Nevas had collaborated with my dad on this effort.

Alan Nevas (Photo courtesy of WestportNow)

If he were alive today at age 99, my dad would be weeping for the loss of his friend, his admired colleague for 4 decades in the practice of law and service to clients and to justice in Westport and Connecticut, a man aligned with the opposite party but so closely aligned with my dad in core values and mutual respect for the law, and for the town and its citizens whom they both loved with so much heart.

Alan Nevas was a pillar of our community. As I said much earlier, I did not know him well but he was such a treasured friend and colleague for my dad that it is hard to describe what a strong presence Alan was nonetheless for me.

My prayers today and during services tomorrow are for the Nevas family, and for the cause of justice in Westport, in Connecticut, and in the federal courts of the United States, now and forever more.

Goodbye, Alan. Farewell.

—

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Posted in Looking back, Obituaries

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Student Power: Youth Commission Seeks Members

Posted on April 21, 2025 | Comments Off on Student Power: Youth Commission Seeks Members

Danya Herman writes: “Margaret Mead said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’

“As a sophomore at Greens Farms Academy who had recently moved from New York City to Westport, I never imaged I could have a voice in the governing of our town. That is, until I heard about the Westport Youth Commission.

“After attending my first general meeting and then, through getting involved in projects and sharing my voice, moving up the ranks to now be on the executive committee my junior year, I’ve seen how this quote defines the work we do.

“We are not just a group of students and adults; we are a rising tide, shaping the shores of our community bit by bit with every idea, conversation, and event.

“Whether through Dodge-A-Cop, where laughter and friendly competition fill the Staples fieldhouse and relationships are built one dodgeball throw at a time, or the iMentor Internet Safety Program, where we become guiding stars for elementary and middle school students navigating the vast digital and social sky, our work proves that youth are not just the future; we are the present.

Police and Staples students, before a Dodge-a-Cop dodgeball event.

“I love being part of the Westport Youth Commission because together, we are not just waiting for a better town. We are helping create it.”

Westport Youth Commission applications for the 2025-26 school year are available now. They’re looking for 9th-12th graders interested in discussing youth issues each month, while making a difference in the community.

The WYC includes 15 high school students and 15 adults), all recommended by the Board Development Committee and appointed by the First Selectwoman.

The application deadline is May 2. Click here for an application form, and more information.

A student discount program is another Youth Commission initiative.

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“06880” Podcast: Eric Freeman

Posted on April 21, 2025 | 2 comments

Eric Freeman is a partner in a real estate investment firm. He and his wife are raising young sons. A former viola player, he sits on the board of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.

But his most important role may be as president of the board of A Better Chance of Westport.

That’s the organization that, for over 20 years, has provided educational opportunities — and much more — to young men of color, from communities less advantaged than Westport. It’s one of our town’s crown (and underpublicized) jewels.

A few days before ABC’s big fundraiser, the Dream Event — it’s Saturday, April 26 — Eric and I chatted for the “06880” podcast. Click below to learn more.

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Roundup: Israeli Flag, Opossum Rescue, Compo Beach Art, Memorial & Oysters …

Posted on April 21, 2025 | 3 comments

Just a few days after Passover, the Israeli flag that hung outside Mark Scheck’s house was torn down .

All that remains of the flag.

Mark says 2 new flags will go back up. Along with a security camera.

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Another day, another rescue by Peter Reid.

Julie Loparo sends this latest story, about Westport’s animal control officer:

“At a time when local wildlife are dealing with the effect of habitat destruction due to rampant and unchecked clear cutting of trees and demolition of green space, it is not surprising that our wildlife mothers need to think outside of the box for safe lodging.

“Last week Peter (who wears another hat as intake director for Wildlife in Crisis) received a call from a resident. She calmly said there was an opossum residing in her home.

“Officer Reid responded quickly. He found the opossum — a mother with a full pouch of babies — taking a respite in the home owner’s cat tree.

“Officer Reid safely and humanely moved entire cat tree outside, and placed water and opossum nutrition near it.

“By the next morning, the mother opossum had found a new — hopefully safe — spot for shelter.

“We thank the local resident for not panicking, and instead of calling a ‘pest control’ service, contacting Animal Control Officer Reid. We also thank him too, for once again providing another wildlife rescue.

“Of course, we would be remiss not to thank our friend the opossum, who single-handedly (or single-pawedly) can devour 5,000 ticks a year, while acting as a natural pest controller in our yarda.

“Like mother opossum, we humans have to think outside the box sometimes, to live peacefully and humanely with our wildlife friends.”

Safe opossum. (Photo courtesy of Julie Loparo)

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Two follow-ups to yesterday’s Roundup item on the striking art print recently posted on the Compo Beach lifeguard shack.

Stacy Bass reports that the artist is Julie Headland.

It’s part of the Westporter’s “I’m Fine” project. Julie explains on her website:

“In early 2020 the world was succumbing to a pandemic, and my husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Friends and neighbors continually checked in and kindly asked: ‘How are you?’

“I was numb, and typically answered: ‘I’m fine.”

“One day as the words left my mouth, I had an epiphany. My world was collapsing, but the brave little girl inside knew she must overcome and survive.

“Thus, the I’M FINE Project was born. The little girl in each piece inspires us to take heart and overcome the world.

“In time these playful parodies gave rise to both public and private comments by strangers expressing their own personal struggles. That is when I realized the I’M FINE Project was also a way to amuse and encourage others who were suffering.

“I am deeply aware of the pain and struggle in the world, and I do not wish to make light of suffering. But I have an optimistic aesthetic, which I am keen to convey with as much wit and whimsy as I can muster.”

Meanwhile, evidence that Headland’s work is truly Westport-based comes from a close-up photo, of the larger work.

Matt Murray’s image shows clearly something many viewers may have missed:

(Photo/Matt Murray)

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Speaking of Compo Beach: A new memorial there honors Max Harper. The Staples High School senior died in September.

Visitors to the stone — located near the cannons, not far from where a memorial service drew hundreds of classmates and friends last fall — have left rocks, flowers, a baseball hat and more, as tributes.

(Photo/Pam Docters)

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Speaking still of Compo: There are plenty of less permanent sights on and offshore, too.

You might see a proposal or wedding. A pop-up water polo practice. Rupert Murdoch’s old yacht.

And, this past weekend, a guy shucking oysters for 2 women, at a working bar.

(Photo/Sunil Hirani)

Just another day at the beach …

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Lynda Bluestein’s legendary life has been captured in a documentary.

“Other Side” tells the story of the last months of her life. The longtime Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member won a landmark legal case allowing her, as an out-of-state resident to take advantage of Vermont’s medical aid in dying law.

The film will be shown at the Westport Library on June 29 (1:30 p.m.). Seating is limited. Click here to register.

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Birchwood Country Club’s Easter brunch drew 160 people. Among them: a number of children, who participated in an Easter egg hunt.

Golfers were happy to cede their tee times for the special event.

Birchwood general manager Danny Jones explains the rules.

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Pam Docters offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” image from Compo Road South, near Longshore, and writes: “While big bursts of color from the cherry trees, dogwoods and forsythias grab all the attention, I love the smaller flowers in all their glory.”

(Photo/Pam Docters)

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And finally … I had never heard of Mac Gayden before yesterday.

But the musician — who died on Wednesday in Nashville at 83, from complications of Parkinson’s — had an intriguing resume.

He co-wrote “Everlasting Love” — a Top 40 hit in 4 straight decades — and played guitar on Bob Dylan’s “Absolutely Sweet Marie.” Click here for his obituary.

(Please click here to support “06880” with a tax-deductible contribution. You’ll absolutely have our everlasting love. Thank you!)

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