Pic Of The Day #2778

Posted on November 26, 2024 | 2 comments

Fun last weekend on the Saugatuck River (Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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Young Staples Grads Spark Startup Forum

Posted on November 26, 2024 | 5 comments

The Westport Library was packed last night with entrepreneurs (current and future), tech types, and friends and fans of our town’s best and brightest recent Staples High School graduates.

Startup Westport’s “Young Innovators” forum featured 4 alums — none over 25 years old — and an only slightly older venture capitalist.

Dylan Diamond (CEO of Saturn Technologies), Max Hammer and Josh Karol (CEO and CTO, respectively, of CrowdVolt), and Whop CTO Jack Sharkey chatted with Molly O’Shea about the challenges, perils and joys of starting — then running — a multimillion-dollar business while still in college.

Or making the decision to drop out, to do so.

Panelists (from left) Max Hammer, Jack Sharkey, Josh Karol and Dylan Diamond, with moderator Molly O’Shea. (Photo/Kara Curtis)

The money they’ve raised is mind-boggling. So is the creativity they’ve shown, the detours they’ve taken, and the humility with which they talk about their work (which, in all 5 cases, is also their passion).

All gave enormous credit to Staples’ computer science program, which offered the tools to code, create and collaborate.

Diamond noted that then-principal John Dodig and instructor Dave Scrofani provided important backing, when certain administrators wanted to shut down his iStaples app.

(It gave students easy access to schedules, classmates and grades. Now, as Saturn, it’s used by students in 22,000 schools nationwide. Coming soon: colleges.)

Their career paths have already taken them to big companies like Tesla. But the panelists prefer entrepreneurship.

“Shoot for the moon,” Sharkey said. “If you miss, you can always get a job.”

“The opportunity cost in high school and college is so low,” said former University of Pennsylvania student Diamond, adding that young people have great insight into “how to build things.”

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker (far left) read a proclamation honoring Staples’ computer science program. From left: former principal John Dodig, instructors Dave Scrofani and Joanne Klouda, department chair John DeLuca. (Photo/Dan Woog)

The 4 learned the financial side of entrepreneurship along the way (including the importance of giving equity to new hires, at the start).

The young entrepreneurs all echoed Diamond’s advice: “Hire people smarter than you. Don’t pretend you know everything. It’s okay to say ‘I don’t know.'”

“Don’t get too attached to resumes,” Kozol added.

It has not always been easy. During COVID, when schools were closed, Diamond’s user base quickly dropped to “zero.”

But he and his classmates quickly learned the importance of pivoting.

Now Diamond is on his way to making Saturn “the world’s most fun personal calendar.” Google and Microsoft will never know what hit them.

(“06880” often highlights the success of Staples graduates, of all ages and types. If you enjoy this coverage on your hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Tree Lighting, Tulips, Earthplace Thanksgiving …

Posted on November 26, 2024 | Comments Off on Roundup: Tree Lighting, Tulips, Earthplace Thanksgiving …

Westport’s annual holiday tree lighting takes place at Town Hall on Thursday, December 5 (5 p.m.).

The Staples High School Orphenians will perform, and the Westport Museum for History & Culture will provide hot chocolate. All are invited!

The Town Hall tree. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Andrew Colabella reports: “Over the last 2 years, a group of volunteers from the Representative Town Meeting planted 500 tulips. Most were at the Minute Man monument.

“In late spring, a landscaper mistook the stems there for weeds. Parks & Recreation Department parks superintendent Michael West was upset, and wanted to make up for it.”

Colabella requested 500 tulip bulbs as replacements. West, and Parks & Rec’s Jamie Boone and Rick Giunta, surprised him with 1,500.

The other day,Colabella and several fellow RTM members planted the bulbs at the Minute Man, and other spots in town like the Compo Beach entrance and Compo cemetery.

In addition, each RTM member who planted tulips took bulbs to plant in a public spot of their choice — without telling the others where it is.

We won’t see the results of their work until spring. But it will be fun to discover, and beautiful to see.

Planting tulips at the Minute Man monument. Front row (from left): Nancy Kail, Kristin Mott Purcell. Rear: Melissa Levy, Andrew Colabella, Don O’Day.

Planting bulbs at Compo Beach. RTM members Claudia Shaum and Julie Whamond flank Parks & Recreation Commission chair David Floyd.

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Looking for non-shopping activities over Thanksgiving? Got relatives from out of town, who want to do something Westport-special?

Earthplace is your place.

Their Story and Animal program, Birds of Prey feeding, “Saturdays at Earthplace” and Winged Wonders program are all intriguing. And Earthplace trails and 62-acre sanctuary are open to the public, from dawn to dusk.

The Story and Animal program (Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m.; age 5 and under) includes an animal-themed story, and an “encounter” with an Animal Hall resident.

Birds of Prey Feeding (daily, 11 a.m.; all ages), includes information about birds’ eating habits and behaviors.

Saturdays at Earthplace (November 30, noon; all ages; parent or caregiver must be present) is a nature-based arts and crafts activity.

Winged Wonders (December 1, 1 p.m.) is a bird-on-glove demonstration, to learn about raptors. This Sunday features Earthplace’s barred owl, Moody.

Also, starting Sunday, Earthplace participates in Westport Moms’ first-ever Elf Scavenger Hunt The “Earthplace Elf” will hide somewhere indoors, for one week. Spot it between December 1 and 8, and win a prize.

For more information on Earthplace and its programs, click here.

An Earthplace Winged Wonders demonstration.

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The Long Lots School Building Committee meets tonight (Tuesday, November 26, 6 p.m., Town Hall, Room 201/201A).

The agenda includes a project update; work session to review progress on schematic plans, and public comment.

Long Lots School Building Committee, in a meeting last year.

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As part of the Cross Highway Traffic Improvement project between North Avenue and Bayberry Lane, the Cross Highway bridge over Deadman Brook is proposed to be replaced with a new bridge.

The existing bridge is in bad shape, and cannot be modified to include the new sidewalk proposed for the corridor.

Construction is proposed for 2025. The goal is to replace the bridge during the summer, when school is not in session.

The town has submitted applications to the Flood & Erosion Control Board, Conservation Commission and Planning & Zoning Commission for an 8-24.

Meetings of those groups are December 4, 11 and 16, respectively. Meeting materials are or will be available on the town’s website for each board.

Questions? Contact town engineer Keith Wilberg: kwilberg@westportct.gov; 203-341-1128.

Cross Highway bridge over Deadman Brook.

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Achtung!

Staples High School German students did more than just showcase their skills and knowledge at the recent University of Connecticut German Quiz Bowl, competing against other high school German programs.

They finished Nummer Eins — Number One!

In addition to the competition, students participated in workshops. They also learned about job prospects with over 150 German companies operating in Connecticut. (Since 2019, Germany has been Connecticut’s number one business partner.)

Staples German students, at the University of Connecticut.

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Speaking of school: Last week, Greens Farms Academy broke ground for it new Athletics and Wellness Center.

The 30,000-square foot facility — set to open in the spring of 2026 — will
include 2 full-size basketball courts, 2 wrestling rooms, 2 squash courts with viewing galleries, a fitness center and training room.

It follows the expansion of Lower School facilities, including a new dining and student commons and a renovated assembly room, which opened last year.

The projects are funded through GFA’s Centennial Campaign, which will officially launch next fall 2025 as the school nears its 100th anniversary.

A model of Greens Farms Academy’s Athletics & Wellness Center.

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Jazz at the Post celebrates Thanksgiving a day early.

This year’s weekly musical treat is tomorrow (Wednesday, November 27; VFW Post 399), instead of the traditional Thursday.

Bassist Fima Ephrom headlines. He’s joined by his First Light Band: guitarists Idan Morim and Tim Jago, keyboardist William Evans, drummer Ben Silashi and saxophonist Greg Wall.

Dinner service begins at 7 p.m. Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Tickets are $20; $15 for veterans and students. Click here to purchase.

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As Thanksgiving nears, Tammy Barry is grateful for an “extended autumn.” She spotted these “Westport … Naturally” beauties on Owenoke.

(Photo/Tammy Barry)

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And finally … Tina Turner was born on this date, in 1939. After a dynamic musical career, first with her husband Ike and then as a solo artist, she died last year, at 83.

 

(It’s hard to keep up with everything in town. But “06880” tries. If you like what we do, please support us with a contribution. Click here — and thank you!)

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Citizens Police Academy Offers Inside Look At Officers’ Lives

Posted on November 26, 2024 | 6 comments

Every police officer knows the anxiety of walking up to the driver of a vehicle they’ve just pulled over.

Who is in the car? How many people? Are there weapons? What else besides speeding, erratic driving or whatever prompted the stop might be involved?

Those of us not in law enforcement seldom think about that.

Toni Simonetti never did. Until she herself simulated a traffic stop.

It was in the safety of the Westport Police Department parking lot. There was an officer in the car, pretending to be a driver.

Still, it was a nerve-wracking experience. Many emotions swirled through Toni’s head.

Even a simulated motor vehicle stop in the Police Department parking lot can be scary.

The simulation was one small part of the WPD’s annual Citizens Police Academy.

For 8 weeks, 25 to 30 residents get an up-close, and very personal, look into all aspects of the profession.

They learn about special units like K-9, marine and drone; weapons; what happens at each step of the criminal justice system, and much more. They ride with a patrol officer.

And they get a chance to “stop” a vehicle, and feel what it’s like to approach the unknown driver inside.

The 2024 Citizens Police Academy class, with certificates. This year’s session included 3 Representative Towne Meeting members.

Simonetti is a 24-year resident of Westport. After retiring in 2015 from a long career in media relations, she has been busy with activities like gardening, cooking and bridge.

When she heard about the Citizens Police Academy, she was intrigued. She’d always been a fan of the WPD — “we’re lucky to have such a well-resourced and professional force,” she thought — but her only interactions had been getting a yearly railroad parking permit at the station, and disagreeing with Chief Foti Koskinas’ plan to restrict access to the Westport Community Gardens during school hours.

Besides, she says, “I’m a nosy journalist. I like to know how things work.”

That’s the whole idea of the Citizens Police Academy. It’s thorough, intense, and very educational.

The course includes an overview from Koskinas on his role as chief; a tour of headquarters; the legal provisions governing “probable cause” for questioning; recruitment, selection and training of officers; criminal investigations, including white collar crime; domestic violence; crime scenes, and the WPD’s relationships with the Westport Public Schools and Human Services Department.

Attendees also receive Stop the Bleed training, which Simonetti calls “not for the squeamish.” There is an option too for 1 hour of weapons training.

Each 2 1/2-hour class is packed with information.

The syllabus was straightforward. But, Simonetti says, “I never anticipated how much the topics would come alive in the classroom. There’s nothing like hearing officers tell their stories, and give descriptions of how they work.”

It was “transformative,” she says, to “understand police work as a whole, and the individual thought processes behind it.”

The session on motor vehicle stops, for example, “takes your breath away.” The potential dangers came alive.

When it was time to attempt her first stop — in the WPD parking lot — there was so much to think about: where to stand, how to use her flashlight, what to look for, what to say (and not say), all while considering her own safety.

The ride-along was also eye-opening. She was impressed with the technology inside a patrol car. The amount of data that pops up on a license plate reader was particularly surprising.

She had been skeptical of the need to know the demographic data recorded with each stop. However, she learned, information on who gets stopped, why and where can reveal important patterns of behavior.

The K-9 class was especially memorable. Students met the dogs — one is a bomb sniffer; all 3 can track people and drugs — and learned that their handlers take them home each night.

At the end of the academy, attendees donated money to the K-9 unit. (They also bought lunch and dinner for the entire department.)

K-9 class, at the Westport Citizens Police Academy. (All photos courtesy of Lt. Jillian Cabana)

After 8 weeks, Simonetti is “even more appreciative of the work the police do, the risks they take to protect us, and what great people the men and women in uniform are.”

Now, when she sees a patrol car parked in the Ulta lot, she realizes it’s because the beauty salon company is a frequent target of thieves.

When a police car passes at a normal speed, its red and blue lights on, she knows the reason: visibility is important, for both good guys and bad actors.

And when an officer races by at high speed, siren blaring, she wonders who it is, where they’re going — and what will happen when he or she arrives.

(“06880” is Westport’s hyper-local blog: the place to learn anything and everything about our town. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Just Added To The Holiday Stroll …

Posted on November 25, 2024 | 2 comments

The “06880”/Westport Downtown Association Holiday Stroll gets more creative — and exciting — every day.

If you loved Staples Players’ “Elf”: come meet Buddy the Elf, Santa Claus, and other actors from that great show — all in costume.

And much more, just added:

  • “Piglet reindeer”
  • DJ (with a holiday dancy party)
  • “Human Snow Globe”: great for group photos for holiday cards
  • Ornament-making
  • The first 150 families can pick up a “passport” at the Main Street/Elm Street parking lot. After visiting 5 merchants, bring it back for an “Elf Yourself” gift bag.

Mark your calendar now for Saturday, December 7 (5 to 7 p.m.)!

All the favorite attractions return, including Santa, face painting, s’mores, a photo booth, and holiday music from Staples High School’s elite Orphenians.

Holiday face painting, at the December 7 Holiday Stroll.

There are extra vendors and booths too, for merchants and organizations without permanent downtown locations.

Don’t forget to bring a toy or two, for the Westport Police Department’s Toys for Tots collection box. Plus a letter to Santa, to drop in his very own mailbox.

Over 70 retailers, restaurants and others have signed on, with gifts, giveaways, discounts and more.

The town-wide event (Saturday, December 7, 5 to 7 p.m.) includes participation from merchants on Post Road West and Saugatuck. Some offer specials all day, all weekend — even through January 2. (Merchants and restaurants: If you haven’t signed up yet, click here.)

They include:

Advanced Dog Behavior Solutions: $150 off Puppy Dog Training program (mention “Holiday Stroll”; through December 20

Alina’s Cakes & Cookies: Complimentary hot chocolate

Animal Muse Communication & Rehabilitation: Complimentary animal Reiki session, with a VIP animal communication session (all day)

Arezzo: Half-priced appetizers; 1 complimentary glass of wine per person

AROGYA Holistic Healing: Complimentary hot tea

Basso: Complimentary house cocktail or sangria, with purchase of entree (5 p.m. until closing)

Bella Bridesmaids: Champagne bar; $50 off $500 or more (all day)

Bloom Salon: Complimentary hair tinsel; refreshments; 10% off future service

Bobbles & Lace: Wine; $10 off future purchases (all day)

Bridgewater Chocolates: All purchases entered into a $50 gift card raffle

Candle Caboodle: Buy 1 candle, get dessert candle mini for free (while supplies last)

Castle Wine & Spirits: Free tote bag with purchase; get 5% off applicable wines when used in the future (all day)

Staples Orphenians sing carols. (Photo/Jerri Graham)

Catherine H: Chance to win with every purchase (through December 24)

Chait Fine Art Gallery & Photography: 30% off prints and $100 head shots; complimentary holiday refreshments (4 to 7 p.m.)

Clarendon Fine Art: Complimentary coffee table art book with purchase (through December 24)

Cobs Bread: Buy 6 scones, get a free cranberry & sea salt French bageutte (through December 11)

Cold Fusion Gelato: Free wrapped chocolates

Core Burn Pilates: 1 free 30-minute session, or 1 free group class, plus 10% off any regular-priced package; sign up during Stroll for free grip socks (all day)

Cove Collective: 15% off, and festive treat (all day)

Crafty Kids Westport: Arts and crafts station

Diana Blau: Free bear ornament crafts for kids

Don Memo: Complimentary horchata

Strolling along Main Street. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Earthplace: Free t-shirt with new membership (all day)

Eleven11 Biz: 11% off

Faherty: Auburn Permanent Jewelry pop-up

Fred Accessories: Complimentary holiday treats (5 to 6 p.m.)

Glowbar: $10 off facials for non-members (through December 31)

Head to Tail Books: 15% off online purchases with code “Stroll” (through December 20)

Homes with Hope: Complimentary hot chocolate

Hummingbird Healing Center: Hot chocolate and tea, plus free 10-minute session

A small part of the large crowd. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

Huntington Learning Center:  Enter to win holiday basket; $100 off academic evalutation

Jenny Kayne: Hot chocolate; 15% off

Jeweled Coquette: TBD

Joe’s Pizza: Free garlic knots (3 per person)

Johnny Was: $50 off purchase of $300 or more

Santa and friend. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

Kerri Rosenthal: 20% off

Le Beaute Artistry: 10-20% off voucher cards

LEVENthal Bakery: Free cooke samples; raffle tickets to win custom cookie, with purchase

Lux Bond & Green: Traveling jewelry cases and holiday treats

Madewell: TBD promo; gift with purchase; hot chocolate

Mexicue: Holiday margaritas $10

Middlemarch: Join mailing list; be entered to win $50 gift card (all day)

Myr’s Designs: Free red cashmere scarf with $100 purchase (all day)

Naturino Kids Shoes: 20% off single item (all day)

NEST Agency: Complimentary OGGI ice cream cart (3 to 7 p.m.)

Office Evolution: All the Starbucks you can drink; free private office until December 31 with signed 6- or 12-month new office agreement beginning January 1; brokers excluded (all day)

Nômade: Free s’mores and holiday chocolate calendar

Everyone loves s’mores! (Photo/Dan Woog)

Old Mill Shell Company: Hot chocolate

Party Harty: 15% off all Westport clothing (Saturday and Sunday)

Pizza Lyfe: Complimentary dessert

Rhone: Complimentary Grace Farms tea

Rowan: 15% off non-piercing jewelry (excludes diamonds); enter to win gift card (all day)

Savvy + Grace: Gift, with purchase of $50 or more

Scout & Molly’s: 20% off single item; snacks and drinks (all day)

Sculpt by Sara: Fitness bands, raffle, hot drinks, 15% of packages, 1/2 off class for new customers

Serena & Lily: Snacks and drinks; enter to win $500 gift card

Serendipity Lab: Discounts on rooms and meetings (through December 31)

Sorelle Gallery: Holiday poinsettia cocktails and treats; 20% off all in-store and online artwork (all day)

Lovin’ the Stroll. (Photo/Jerri Graham)

Shoe-Inn: Up to 75% winter sale (all day)

South Moon Under: 30% off select holiday styles and gifts (all day)

Southern Tide: Free gift with $150 or more; wine totes (all day)

Spash of Pink: Free Lilly Pulitzer printed mug with $100 purchase; printed plush blanket with $300 purchase (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Spice: Holiday cocktail napkins with purchase of $75 or more

Squeeze Massage: 25% off gift cards (through January 2; use code GIFT25)

Staples MOSS (Make Our Schools Safe) Club: Bake sale

Stephen Kempson London: Free hot chocolate; hostin women-founded businesses (all day)

Strands for Support: Buy 2 pieces of jewelry; get 1 pair of earrings free

Studio Cafe: 50% off holiday lattes and peppermint mocha lattes (all day)

Sundance: Save up to 20% with SMS sign-up; season cocktails and light bites

The Bridge at Saugatuck: Complimentary hot chocolate and churros; buy $200 worth of figt cards, get a complimentary $25 gift card for yourself

The Clubhouse: Putting competition; enter giveaway for the Ultimate Clubhouse Experience

Free garlic knots at Joe’s Pizza: one of the many participating restaurants. (Photo/Dan Woog) 

The Sugar Wagon: Candy; 10% off for party commitments

The Toy Post: Small gift for each child who comes to the store

Theory: Via Carota cocktail tasting (1-4 p.m.); gift with purchase (all day)

Unsubscribed: Special promotion

Vince: 15% off signup for SMS; complimentary champagne (all day)

Vuori: Free gift with purchase of over $250 (all day)

Walrus Alley: Happy hour specials, including traditional Gluhwein

WEST Boutique: Gift with purchase

West Out East: 15% off all accessories (all weekend)

Westport Book Shop: Coupon for shoppers

Westport Country Playhouse: Use code Stroll25 for 25% discount for 2 play packages (through Sunday)

Yozo Studio: Select from list of fonts, colors and quantities for special pricing; email hello@yozostudio.com; now through the Stroll

 

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Roundup: Thanksgiving, WTF Tree Lighting, 159 Main …

Posted on November 25, 2024 | 2 comments

A reminder: For Thanksgiving, “06880” wants to share some of the things you — our readers — are thankful for.

Please email 06880blog@gmail.com today. Let us know what you’re thankful for this year. (NOTE: Do not post your thanks in the Comments section; just email them to us.)

Big or small; concrete or abstract; individually or as a family; here in town or anywhere else — we want to hear from you. And please let us know whether we can use your name, or if you prefer anonymity.

We’ll post your thankful responses — with our thanks — soon.

A 1941 Saturday Evening Post cover, by Westport artist Stevan Dohanos — 83 years ago.

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A relatively new, but very fun tradition, continues: The Wakeman Town Farm holiday tree lighting takes place December 6 (4:30 p.m.).

The family event includes cookies, treats and hot chocolate courtesy of The Porch and Sweet P Bakery, and a bonfire.

The tree will be lit by 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Bill Constantino, a Wakeman family member.

The tree lighting is also a chance to give back. WTF will collect “pre-loved” Legos, as a part of Sustainable Westport’s project.

There”s a collection too of unwrapped toys for the annual Al’s Angels drive. And members of Staples’ AWARE organization are raising money for women and teens in need, through a bake sale.

Tree lighting at Wakeman Town Farm.

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It’s one of the busiest times of the year.

But 159 Main — the successor to Rye Ridge Deli, which took over from Oscar’s — posted a note on its door saying, “We are closing for a few days to carry out necessary upgrades.

“It is our priority to continue to serve you in the best possible way during this time. We will be reachable through our platforms.”

A QR code brought up a form to submit an email address. A phone number was also listed, but a call to it went unanswered.

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Eric Bosch writes: “If you walk along the cement sidewalk toward the canons on Compo’s South Beach, you can now see the remnants of a very old groin/jetty coming up out of the sand.

“These are easily seen at Burying Hill Beach, where there are 3 or 4 rows of them (they stick 4-8 inches above the sand there). Beach groins help deposit sands onto the beach, preventing erosion.

“The one in this photo clearly did its job for years, as it was completely covered up until recently. My guess is that the 8.8-foot exceptionally high tides that we just experienced with the full moon exposed this when the waters receded.”

Newly exposed groin/jetty at Compo Beach. (Photo/Eric Bosch)

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Another new appearance: this rock, painted recently on Easton Road between Coleytown Road and North Avenue.

(Photo/Sandy Rothenberg)

If you know the back story, click “Comments” below. If you dont: It will remain just another Westport mystery.

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Westporter Joanie Gottlieb builds, redesigns and customizes dollhouses.

 

Joanie Gottlieb with her farmhouse dollhouse … 

… and the interior. 

And similar structures.

Right now, she’s working on a commission from a Manhattan client. He wanted a townhouse — not a dollhouse — complete with a rooftop bar and lounge, oirginal paintings, and a music room with a keyboard, guitar, amps and drums.

The music room, in Joanie Gottlieb’s “townhouse.”

Each one takes 2 months to complete. For more information, email joaniegottlieb52@gmail.com. (Hat tip: Toni Simonetti)

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Longtime Westport resident Mary Becker died last Wednesday, at home. She was 95.

The New York City native attended Sarah Lawrence College. She met her future husband Lester at a resort hotel in the Catskills. They married in 1951, and moved to Westport in 1963.

After raising 2 children, Mary turned her passion for global travel into a career. She spent many years as a travel agent.

Mary was an avid and skilled knitter, creating works and gifts that were treasured by family and friends. She also had a deep love for her garden, and for music, theatre and reading. She also doted on a long line of dogs and cats, the last of which, Archie, stayed curled up on her bed through her final days.

Mary was deeply involved in her children’s lives. She was well known and loved by the many classmates and friends who came through their home over the years, and she maintained close relationships with many throughout her life.

She is survived by her husband of almost 73 years; daughter Ann Moore of New York City; son Michael (Christine) of Los Angeles; sister Eve Lubin of Los Angeles and grandson Ellis Becker of Madison, Wisconsin.

Her family says, “Mary’s life was marked by courage and compassion, and in both life and death, she faced each moment with grace and supreme bravery. Her infectious energy, positivity and joy were an inspiration to all who knew her.”

A gathering for family and friends will be held at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s honor to either rhe Westport Country Playhouse or the Pet Animal Welfare Society.


Mary Becker

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As birds fly south for the winter, we see empty nests all around town.

Wasps don’t migrate. But they too leave empty nests.

Johanna Keyser Rossi spotted this one — today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature — at the YMCA.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … “Alice’s Restaurant” — Arlo Guthrie’s meandering, absurd — and pretty much true — song about littering, the police and the military draft has been a Thanksgiving staple since its release in 1967.

That’s because the events happened — the true ones, anyone — at a Thanksgiving dinner attended by (among others) Guthrie, a student at the Stockbridge School (and son of Woody), where Alice Brock was a librarian.

Alice — who also owned a restaurant (called not Alice’s, but the Back Room (along with a deconsecrated church) — died last Thursday, in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

Fittingly, it was a week before Thanksgiving. She was 83, and suffered from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease. Click here for a full obituary.

(You can get anything you want on “06880.” Well, so long as there’s a Westport hook. Except for our song of the day. That’s random. You can also click here to support this hyper-local blog. We thank you!)

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Our Sister City Holiday Gift: Send Lyman’s Kids To Camp!

Posted on November 25, 2024 | 2 comments

Two years ago, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Westporters opened their hearts — and wallets — to help our new sister city of Lyman.

We raised over $250,000, in less than a month. Thanks to Ukraine Aid International — the boots-on-the-ground, get-stuff-done non-profit created by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — our friends in the war-torn nation received (literally) tons of desperately needed goods.

UAI delivered communication equipment, police and trash vehicles, bulletproof vests for utility workers, and portable heaters. Funds from “06880” readers also paid for repairs to hundreds of apartments, plus meals, children’s gifts and more.

Christmas in Lyman 2022, with a bit of help from Westport.

Last year, Westport raised over $60,000, for 2 wood pellet machines. Each provided heat, all winter long, to 1,000 Lyman residents.

As our sister city prepares for a third winter of war, it’s time once again for Westporters to help.

This year, it’s all about the kids.

Hundreds of Lyman youngsters have been evacuated from the eastern town, which endures regular shelling from Russian forces.

Those children’s lives — uprooted, uncertain, perilous — are unimaginable to us.

But there is one bright spot: a camp called Karabin.

Photos for this story show children from Siversk, Ukraine at the Karabin camp. It’s Weston’s sister city — and our neighbors have already sponsorsed 4 camps for Siversk’s kids.

Located in the western Carpathian Mountains, it’s a place where Lyman’s children — now spread all across the country — can reunite with their friends and teachers.

For 10 days at a time, in winter and summer, they hike, play sports, do crafts and art therapy, enjoy music, watch movies, and have game nights.

Play time at Karabin … 

They also take classes, and study. Through Starlink, they can talk to their parents online.

… and study time …

Two chefs prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a tea time and nightly snack.

… and meal time.

It’s a tiny bit of normalcy, for boys and girls whose lives have been brutally upended.

It costs about $280 to send one child to Karabin, for 10 days.

How about it, Westport? Can we raise $56,000, to ensure that 200 kids in our sister city enjoy a respite from the terrors of the past nearly 3 years? 

Just click here. Under “Designation,” choose “Westport-Lyman sister city” from the dropdown menu. You can also choose a monthly or one-time donation. If you use the mail or Venmo option, please make a note: “For Westport-Lyman.”

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker knows the importance of this fund drive.

She says, “Our sister city relationship with Lyman is 2 years old, and the conflict is nearing 3 years.

“Investing in infrastructure has been our focus, as the leaders of Lyman (the mayor and police chief, who we communicate with regularly) have identified that as the priority.

“However, I now feel it is time to pivot and focus on the kids. The stark reality of war has altered life for everyone, and especially for the children of Lyman.”

Though Westport and Lyman have been sister cities for less than 3 years, our town’s tradition of helping war-ravaged children at holiday time dates back nearly 8 decades.

For many years after World War II, we sent Christmas gifts to youngsters in our first sister city, Marigny-le-Lozon.

Those children are now in their 80s. They’ve never forgotten our town’s generosity. Now, Marigny is helping Lyman too. This year and last, they’ve sent hundreds of gifts to our shared sister city.

Our $56,000 goal should be easily reachable. It’s about $2 for every Westport resident.

Let’s all get involved. Talk to your kids. Ask them if they’re willing to forgo one gift this season, and donate the money to someone their age in Lyman.

It takes a village to help a village. Thank you, Westport, for making this a memorable winter for the boys and girls who have fled the only village they knew. They now have a chance to get together, see their friends, and — for the first time in a long while — smile.

Please click here. Under “Designation,” choose “Westport-Lyman sister city” from the dropdown menu. If you use the mail or Venmo option, please note that it is for “Westport-Lyman.”

Relaxing in Karabin’s hot tub. A bit of normalcy, in a war-torn land.

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Pic Of The Day #2777

Posted on November 24, 2024 | 3 comments

It’s late November — but not too late for these Compo Beach swimmers (Photo/Mary Sikorski)

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Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day

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Photo Challenge #517

Posted on November 24, 2024 | 11 comments

For decades, the sculpture of a bird has been affixed high atop the building that now includes Brandy Melville.

It was there when the tenants included Jewels by Jason, and a salon. It may even have been there when it was the original Ice Cream Parlor.

Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Andrew Colabella, Fred Cantor and Jill Odice all recognized it. (Click here to see.)

For everyone else: The next time you’re downtown, near Savvy + Grace and Nômade, look up. You’ll see one more bit of old Westport, hidden in plain sight.

This week’s Photo Challenge may also be one of those spots you often pass by, but seldom see.

If you know where in Westport you’d see this whimsical view, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

(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!)

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Roundup: Elf, Art, SLOBs …

Posted on November 24, 2024 | 5 comments

“Elf: The Musical” ended its 2-week run last night, at the Staples auditorium.

Staples Players’ fall show has taken its place as one of the most fun, energetic and spectacular shows in the troupe’s 66-year history.

Sold-out audiences loved the singing, dancing — and especially, its message of joy. Many attendees got in the spirit of the show themselves:

(Photo/Dan Woog)

From left: Blake Raho, Seamus Brannigan and Chloe Carson. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Buddy (Seamus Brannigan) and the elves. (Photo/Susan Garment)

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Clarendon Fine Art on Main Street was filled Friday night, at a reception for Craig Alan.

His work includes dozens, sometimes hundreds, of intricately painted exquisite figures. Here’s one example. (Hat tip: Stephanie Mastocciolo)

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Also Friday night: Staples Service League of Boys‘ (SLOBs) biggest basketball fundraiser ever.

More than 240 SLOBs, students and parents formed 38 3-v-3 teams, to raise over $5,100 for Staples Tuition Grants.

SLOBS president Cole Siegner, fundraising chair Zach Gillman and the executive board planned the event, and selected the charity to support.

They also voted to create a SLOBs named award with Tuition Grants, in honor of their friend and fellow Stapleite Max Harper. To contribute, click here; then select “SHS SLOBs Named Award” from the dropdown menu.

Contratulations to the winners: seniors James Pretty, RJ Kickham and Ben Cukier.

Runners-up were Austin Heyer, Cole Landgraf, Nate Maurillo and James Moneyhun. Two teams won sportsmanship awards: Jack Schwartz, Jackson Tracey, Max Saperstein and Andre Albanese, and Grant Bozeman, Ryan Marens, Charles Nivaud and Michael Roberts.

A small portion of the large SLOBs crowd.

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Westporters are used to seeing one deer, nearly everywhere in town. Sometimes there are 2 or 3.

But 6?!

Richard Fogel spotted these half-dozen the other day off Whitney Street, and snapped this shot for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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And finally … Donald “Duck” Dunn was born on this day, in 1941. A bass guitarist/record producer/session musician/songwriter, he is best known for his work with Stax Records artists like Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd and others.

Dnn is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Booker T. & the MGs. He died in 2012, at 70.

(Hold on! Are you coming with a tax-deductible donation, to support “06880,” your hyper-local blog? If so, please click here. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Local business, Sports, Staples HS

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