The one at Kings Highway Elementary School is one of the most distinctive. That made it easy for so many readers to nail it, as the site of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)
Victor Belyaev, Andrew Colabella, Amy Schneider, Ann Bacharach, Fred Rubin, Jodie Aujla, Seth Schachter, Peter Barlow, Beth Berkowitz, Jill Turner Odice and Edward Karazin all recognized the distinctive crown feature.
Several readers added the back story: The school opened in 1926 — nearly 100 years ago — as Bedford Junior High. It lay across the field from what was then Staples High School (now Saugatuck Elementary).
In 1958 — when Staples moved to North Avenue — the Riverside Avenue building became Bedford Junior High. The old Bedford was, in turn, Westport’s newest elementary school. (Burr Farms and Hillspoint followed quickly, in those post-war baby boom years. Coleytown El was built just 5 years previously.)
Today’s seasonally appropriate Photo Challenge is below. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Jazz lovers packed the Westport Library last night, for a tribute to Duke Ellington.
Roger Kaufman’s Old School Review brought together the Smithsonian Museum’s Dr. John Edward Hasse, an Ellington expert; the New York All Star Big Band, and vocalist Audrey Martells.
It was a powerful evening, filling the Trefz Forum with all that jazz.
Audrey Martells, and the New York All Star Big Band. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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Want to buy Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s home?
No, not their Westport place.
According to the New York Times, their New York City penthouse at 1120 Fifth Avenue is on the market.
Purchased over 40 years ago, the asking price is $9.95 million. Monthly maintenance is $13,078. Click here for more information (and very cool photos). (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
The view from Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s apartment. (Photo/Evan Joseph Studios, courtesy of the New York Times)
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Marcy Sansolo’s “What Up Westport” Facebook page is fun, quirky and popular.
Marcy has created a great community there. And part of celebrating the town is giving back.
Recently, Marcy invited Westporters to show up at the Imperial Avenue parking lot on a Saturday morning, with gifts for kids who need them.
Plenty did.
Marcy calls it a “social experiment.” I call it “one more reason to appreciate this town, and the very generous people in it.”
Marcy Sansolo, with a few of the many contributed gifts. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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In 2020, Stephen Panus suffered through a parent’s worst nightmore. His 16-year-old son Jake was killed in a motor vehicle crash on Block Island.
The Southport resident and turned his journey of pain into purpose. His book “Walk On” describes overcoming adversity, and finding strength in vulnerability.
On Wednesday (December 11, 7 p.m., Westport Library), he and Fox Sports journalist/Westport resident Lindsay Czarniak will
Joining Panus for a conversation about Walk On is Westport’s own Lindsay Czarniak of Fox Sports, will talk about his memoir, and take questions from audience members. Click here for more information.
Speaking of books: Westporter Paul Podolsky has just published “The Uncomfortable Truth About Money: How to Live with Uncertainty and Think for Yourself.”
Podolsky says, “it boils down everything I learned about money in a letter to my kids.” Click here for more details, including ordering information.
And finally … in honor of Paul Podolsky’s new book (story above):
(Speaking of which … “06880” relies on reader support. We could not do what we do without you. If you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Yesterday was December 7 — a date, President Franklin Roosevelt promised, that will “live in infamy.”
Joey Karmanosky had graduated 6 months earlier from Staples High School, where he was sports editor of the Inklings newspaper.
In his diary, he wrote: “We got home late from Church today. Mom had to stop for some errands and the car wouldn’t start. It is old and I know Pops will not get another one.
“We walked home in the cold. We got home about 2:00 or so and the house was cold too. A few neighbors were there and the radio was on full blast. I think it was a CBS channel from the city because it was all crackling and I could barely hear anything. Two neighbors were over too. Listening.
“‘The Japs bombed us,'” one neighbor said to my mother. She went straight to the bedroom.
“I sat on the floor next to Pops. His hand was twitching. ‘What does this mean, Pops?’ I asked.
“‘We are at war,’ he said with no emotion. I got up after awhile and walked out on our street down toward the beach (Burying Hill) and figured I would have to join up to fight. What else could I do?”
According to Carl Addison Swanson, who sent along the chilling diary excerpt, Joey enlisted in the Army right after new year’s, in 1942. He served in the Pacific theater (New Guinea).
He returned to Westport in April 1944, “thin as a rail.” He discontinued his diary shortly after enlisting.
Carl says that Joey served as a Westport mail carrier for decades. He died in 2006.
Kids roasted s’mores, posed with Santa (and Buddy the Elf and the Grinch), petted piglets, made ornaments, got their faces painted, sent letters to the North Pole, and had a holiday blast in hundreds of other ways.
Nômade’s s’mores are a new Stroll tradition. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Their parents enjoyed Champagne, shopped, snapped photos of their kids with Santa (and Buddy the Elf and the Grinch), met friends and neighbors, and had their own holiday blast.
Sorelle Gallery: fine art and more. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
A DJ blasted Christmas songs (with a bit of Motown and other popular music thrown it). Many people donated toys, to the Westport Police drive.
All your favorite holiday classics, from the Holiday Stroll DJ. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Merchants up and down Main Street — and across the river, even in Saugatuck — added their own unique promotions, for even more fun.
Many merchants offered special Stroll deals. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Yesterday’s 4th annual “06880” Holiday Stroll was the biggest and best yet. The Westport Downtown Association kicked it up many notches this year, adding dozens of activities, bringing in artisans and vendors, and making sure the 2,000 attendees had a holiday blast.
Even the weather cooperated. The air was brisk, but hey, it’s December. Winter is hot chocolate time, and there was plenty to go around.
The kettle corn guy had a busy night. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Thanks to all the stores, restaurants, vendors and others who participated. Thanks too to the Westport Downtown Association, whose partnership with “06880” is invaluable (and greatly appreciated).
And of course, thanks to all who attended. Seeing downtown sidewalks filled with strollers (the walking kind, and the kind with infants strapped in) makes all of us realize what a truly great community this is.
Direct from Staples Players’ production of “Elf”: Buddy (left, Seamus Brannigan), with castmates Yusef Abdallah and Chloe Carson. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Face painting is always a Stroll hit. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Everyone — including 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker — loves a holiday piglet. (Photo/Cathy Malkin)
Kids dropped off letters to Santa at Savvy + Grace. He promises to reply to all. (Photo/Terry Brannigan)
Staples Orphenians sang on Main Street … (Photo/Ryan Allen)
… and in the acoustically great tunnel of love. (Photo/Shobana Mani)
Dylan Curran helped direct traffic. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Main Street glistened … (Photo/Ryan Allen)
… and the Main and Elm Street parking lot hopped. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Her first Holiday Stroll. Hopefully, there will be many more. (Photo/Ryan Allen)
Today is the day: the 4th annual “06880”/Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll.
It’s 5 to 7 p.m., on Main Street, plus the parking lots at Elm Street, and all around downtown.
There is something for everyone. For kids, there’s a candy wagon, photos with Santa and the Grinch, face painting, crafts, Buddy the Elf and other Staples Players costumed characters, piglet reindeer, a mailbox for Santa letters … you get the idea.
Plus smores at Nômade, a DJ dance party, kettle corn, hot chocolate, a human snow globe, and a holiday market with artisans, non-profit booths, plus goodies from non-downtowners like Alina’s Cakes, and The Clubhouse.
Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy too, for the Westport PAL and Police Department collection.
Plus, nearly 100 stores, restaurants and other businesses offer deals, discounts and giveaways.
Here’s a small sampling: Complimentary nibbles and hot chocolate at stores. Cocktails and Champagne at restaurants. Raffles. Gifts with purchases. 15, 25, 50% off. Free classes.
To see the entire list, click here, then scroll down. See you tonight at the Stroll!
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Westport’s second tree lighting ceremony of the week — the Wakeman Town Farm one — “lit up” a large crowd yesterday.
The Wakeman Town Farm tree …
What started as a Wakeman family tradition has continued for all Westporters.
The Porch and Sweet P Bakery supplied cookies, treats and hot chocolate. The Westport Fire Department kept eye on a bonfire. Greens Farms and Saugatuck Elementary, and Staples High School, musicians played. Awesome Toys handed out gifts.
And 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker — accompanied by Wakeman family member Bill Constantino — did the switch-throwing honors.
… and tree lighters Bill Constantino and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
The annual Westport Police Department toy drive kicks off today. The joint effot, with the Police Athletic League and Police Benevolent Association, continues tomorrow, and next weekend too.
New, unopened and unwrapped toys for all ages and genders — along with cash, to buy toys — will be collected at Athletic Shoe Factory (1560 Post Road East) Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can also drop off unwrapped toys at Police headquarters on Jesup Road (any time), or Awesome Toys & Gifts and The Toy Post, during business hours.
There will be a collection box on Elm Street too, during tonight’s “06880”/ Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll (5 to 7 p.m.).
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Some people call next weekend’s Staples High School concert “Candlelight.”
Generous audience members will also make it “Can-Delight.”
On Friday and Saturday, the Tri-M National Music Honor Society is sponsoring a canned food drive. Collection boxes will be set up in the main lobby.
Concert-goers are invited to bring boxed or bagged stuffing; canned sweet potatoes, vegetables, fruit, tuna, chicken, meat, soup, beef stew and chili; instant mashed potatoes; boxed macaroni and cheese; brownie, cake and pie mix; cranberry sauce; shelf-stable milk and almond milk; hot and cold cereal.
Come on, Candlelight guests. You “can” help our neighbors in need!
The Romanacci team followed up last month’s great “Evening in Rome” 5-course dinner at Old Mill Grocery & Deli with a second, Thursday night.
It was another night for beach neighbors to come together. Old friendships were rekindled and new ones were made, over excellent food and very good wines.
Based on raves for the first 2 dinners, Romanacci’s plans more after the holidays.
Old Mill Grocery’s “Night in Rome” dinner. (Photo/Carol Alexander)
Yesterday’s Roundup item about Staples High School’s Italian Club fundraiser for Centra La Tenda, a community organization serving needy children in Naples, omitted a link.
Click here to donate. Click here, then scroll down to read more about the project.
Several dozen people filled Rizzuto’s last night, for Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport’s annual holiday party.
In keeping with the organization’s mission of helping new and longtime residents connect through common interests and social events, guests ranged from born-and-bred Westporters, to those who moved here this summer.
For more informaiton on Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport, click here.
Neighbors & Newcomers of Westport president Alma Sarelli (2nd from left), and members at last night’s party. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of parties: Non-members are welcome at the upcoming Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party.
It’s this Wednesday (December 11, 5 to 7 p.m., Harvest restaurant). Tickets ($35 for members, $40 for non-members, $5 extra for walk-ins) include one drink. Click here for reservations.
Joyce Thompson — longtime president of the Westport Arts Center — died peacefully at her Weston home, surrounded by her family. She was 90, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
She graduated from Wheaton College, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport.
During her tenure as WAC president, the organization restored, improved and maintained Greens Farms Elementary School as a gallery and home for artists. When the town needed the school again, the Arts Center moved to Riverside Avenue, where her participation continued. The WAC was the forerunner of what is now MoCA CT.
Joyce continued her interest in painting while also pursuing sailing and boating. She and her husband David were a familiar sight on Long Island Sound in the sloop Bluejacket and trawler Rambler.
An active member of Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club, she was also in the Power Squadron. She won a citation for the high number of boats she inspected on their behalf.
She was an avid gardener, and took pride in the restoration and maintenance of her pre-war International style house. Her paintings, especially cloudscapes, are hung with pride by family and friends, there and in other homes.
Married for 66 years, she is survived by her husband; children John of Stratford, Jennifer Van de Graaf (Stephen) of New Canaan (Stephen) and Sarah Marcotte (James) of Los Angeles, and grandchildren Gwen, Owen, Sarah and Rowan.
The family is deeply grateful to her caregivers Jackie Brown and Judith Bryan, who showed empathy and love.
A celebration of Joyce’s life will be held on Saturday, December 14 (10:30 a.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westport). The service will be livestreamed.
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Former Westport Emergency Medical Technician Toni Cribari died peacefully on November 26 in Hartford. She was 80.
The Hartford native worked in many roles throughout her life, from waitress and Norwalk Hospital pharmaceutical technician, to EMT.
But, family says, “perhaps her most cherished role was nanny, caring for and nurturing countless children whom she loved as if they were her own.”
An avid music fan, she was known for her “independent spirit, sense of humor, and beauty both inside and out.”
Toni is survived by her husband Ed; son Justin (Morgan), and granddaughter Ophelia. She was predeceased by her sister Denise, and daughters Chitra and Tara.
A graveside service will be held Monday (December 9, 11:00 a.m., Assumption Cemetery). Click here to leave online condolences.
We open this week’s online art gallery with a Christmas work, and end it with “the last leaf of fall.”
In between: our usual assortment of submissions, in a wide variety of mediums and offering a broad range of themes.
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.
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Email a jpeg to 06880blog@gmail.com. And remember: Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“A Christmas Carol” — oil on canvas (Mary Madelyn Attanasio)
“From Away” — watercolor (Linda Bruce)
“Fola in Harlem” (Patricia McMahon)
“A Long Walk to the Mailbox” — digital illustration (Ken Runkel)
“Exploding Spirits of Fire — Just the Beginning!” — taken from a plane (Mike Hibbard)
Untitled (Matt Murray)
“Off-Season Scape” (Peter Barlow)
“Spot On” (Martin Ripchick)
Eric Bosch writes, “Like one of Santa’s elves, I’ve been building, painting and adding fun bright colors to winter’s gray. I call this ‘Farmer Milking Cow Whirligig’ and the ‘Cottages Birdhouses.'”
“In the Sauna” (Lawrence Weisman)
“The Last Leaf of Fall” (Steve Stein)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Hardbacks, paperbacks, e-books, audiobooks; fiction, non-fiction, mystery, horro; popular, obscure — you name it, we devour it.
There is pleasure in enjoying a book by ourselves: on a couch or car, in bed or at the beach.
But there is something to be said too for reading, and discussing, a book with others.
That’s why there are book clubs.
It’s also why, for nearly 25 years, the Westport Library has sponsored WestportREADS.
Hernan Diaz
The idea is simple. The staff picks one volume. They make it available in a variety of formats. Then they organize a variety of events around it, for an immersive, month-long community experience.
The 2025 WestportREADS selection is Pulitzer Prize-winner Hernan Díaz’s “In the Distance.” It’s about a young Swedish immigrant who travels east from California in search of his brother, moving on foot against the great current of emigrants pushing west.
Driven back again and again, he meets naturalists, criminals, religious fanatics, swindlers, Native Americans and lawmen.
His exploits turn him into a legend. Moving beyond the conventions of historical fiction and genre, Diaz probes stereotypes from our past, and offers “a portrait of radical foreignness.”
But the town won’t simply read “In the Distance.” They can meet the author in person, on February 13.
Meanwhile, throughout January and February, the Library has planned events and programs: discussions, celebrations and more.
It’s a chance to read a great book — one that might otherwise be overlooked — while meeting new people, and learning from them.
Limited copies of the book are available for borrowing now. More copies will arrive in mid-December. It’s also available in e-book and audio formats.
A lecture led by U.S. historian Kris Klein Hernández kicks off the WestportREADS festivities on Thursday, January 16, followed by a film series screening “First Cow,” “The Gold Rush” and “Meek’s Cutoff” on January 17 and 24, and February 7, respectively.
Discussion groups are scheduled for January and February. A Book Pub at Walrus Alley on February 4 is another special event.
“In the Distance” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the PEN/Faulkner Award. It was also a Publishers Weekly Top 10 Book of the Year, and one of Lit Hub’s 20 Best Novels of the Decade.
And it was where the Nistico family — the longtime, loving and beloved owners — welcomed everyone, every day.
Lou Nistico, son of the Arrow’s founders.
Like every restaurateur, they offered food and drinks. But they did far more.
If anyone needed anything — money, clothes, a helping hand — the Nisticos were there. They took care of you, no questions asked. In doing so, they took care of Westport.
They set the standard for what a restaurant, and its owners, could and should be.
Tommy Nistico, back in the day.
After they sold the building (and took over The Red Barn), the Arrow cycled through different businesses.
But it still looks pretty much like its heyday.
And, once again, there’s Italian foodo on the menu.
FUN FACT: Charles Street was not the Arrow’s original location.
It opened first where Franklin Street runs into Saugatuck Avenue — which looks a bit like an arrow. Today it’s another restaurant, with a different cuisine: Lomito’s Peruvian.
(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!)
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