Roundup: Be Prepared, Serve Meals, Call A JP …

Posted on January 12, 2025 | 4 comments

Westport connections to the Los Angeles fires keep coming.

And this one comes with an important reminder.

Dr. Edward Paul writes: “My two kids are in the LA area. Lexi Paul (Staples Class of 2012) lives in Pasadena; Rachel Paul (SHS ’14) lives in West Hollywood.

“Both were evacuated pretty quickly. Thankfully, each lives in an apartment building in a ‘downtown’ area with limited trees and brush, so they have been spared thus far.

“One lesson I’ve learned from this is that while we try to teach our kids how to navigate life, we (I) haven’t done anything to prepare them for handling disasters.

“How to get public service information, how to sign up for local alerts, what valuables or documents to pack if you need to leave in a hurry, what photos to take of your residence before leaving for possible insurance claims.

“These are important life lessons I’ve now given to them — after the fact, but hopefully before any future needs arise.

“One may think these lessons are common sense. They are for a grown 60-year- old. But maybe not for a 20+ year old.”

Do you — or your children — know what to do when danger suddenly approaches? (Photo/Mike Pryor)

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The Gillespie Center has reopened.

And — after a 7-month hiatus — volunteers are back serving meals.

Now they can cook too, in the new full-service kitchen.

The Westport Rotary Club had the honor of producing the first meal.

The joyful dinner was made even better, with the music of Antonia Nedder.

Families, individuals and organizations wishing to prepare and serve meals can click here for more information.

Serving the first meal at the newly renovated Gillespie Center. Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden (rear) is joined by (from left) Rotarians Mark Wilhelm, Jim Birchfield and Jeff Wieser (former HwH CEO). Helping out (front) are Jeff’s grandchildren.

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Want to get married quickly? Need someone to take a deposition? Have any other official oath-taking (or giving) task in mind?

Westport’s justices of the peace can help.

The town recently added a few new names to its roster of about 60. Many are familiar, as town officials, civic volunteers or other long-time residents.

Click here for a full list. They’re ready to serve.

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At 3 a.m. today, Westport firefighters responded to a motor vehicle crash at the southbound exit of I-95 Exit 18.

The vehicle sustained heavy damage, with one person inside.

Crews used battery-operated rescue tools to remove the roof. The occupant was extricated from the vehicle in under 10 minutes. Patient care and transport to the hospital were provided by Westport Emergency Medical Service.

State and Westport Police were on the scene. The last Westport Fire Department unit left at 5:13 a.m.

Vehicle in this morning’s I-95 crash.

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It’s still January. Can spring be far behind?

Wakeman Town Farm’s Winter Sowing Workshop will teach you how to make your own mini-greenhouse — in a bottle.

Start seedlings. Leave it out until spring. You’ll reap a dozen or more native plants, which pollinators will love.

Advanced master gardener Alice Ely leads the January 27 (7 p.m.) workshop. Click here to register.

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Walrus Alley’s next Comedy Night is January 28 (6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show).

Comedians Mike Brown, John Minus and Kevin Fitzgerald are on the menu. Tickets are $29. Click here to purchase.

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You never know what will be donated to Goodwill.

Les Dinkin spotted this the other day:

(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)

Oh, deer!

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We received plenty of snow submissions yesterday for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.

What could be more natural than this tranquil scene, at the Lansdowne Condominiums?

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … on this date in 1967, Dr. James Bedford became the first person to be cryonically preserved, after dying of cancer. He hoped to be resuscitated in the future. That has not yet happened.

(Don’t be cold! “06880” relies on the support of readers like you. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank y’all!)

4 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Restaurants

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“06880” Readers: 800 Ways To Help Fire Victims

Posted on January 12, 2025 | 7 comments

It’s hard to grasp the extent of the Los Angeles fires. But try this.

“06880” reader Sara Jordan’s sister Katie lives in Altadena — one of the towns most devastated so far. Many residents had no insurance.

Altadena is a vibrant, diverse community with a population of about 42,000.  Over 7,000 structures — homes, buildings, historic sites — were destroyed.

At least 2,000 children are without a school.

Altadena residents are hardworking, middle-class people who lived there for generations. Many inherited their homes from parents and grandparents.  They stayed for hours, trying to houses with garden hoses.

Some of the scenes from Altadena, California.

Though Katie lost her home, she sprang into action to help those less fortunate. She sent Sara a spreadsheet of GoFundMe pages.

There are about 800 for Altadena alone. They’re raising money for everything: temporary housing, clothes, transportation, funeral services.

Many are for individual families. Some are for businesses, like restaurants and coffee shops. Others are for schools, museums and faith centers.

The list is heartbreaking, and unfathomable.

“Westporters are some of the most generous people I know,” Sara says.

Wouldn’t it be great if every “06880”reader  clicked here, selected just one GoFundMe campaign from the list, and donated what they can?

How about if every civic organization and school in Westport did the same?

(The list is in order, from the least funded one to the most.)

Questions? Email Sara directly: sarajordankornfeld@me.com.

The remains of Katie Jordan’s neighborhood.

7 Comments

Posted in Westport life

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Exploring The Internet Netherworld: Optimum Or Frontier?

Posted on January 12, 2025 | 42 comments

Dave Wilson wants to be an educated consumer.

That’s not easy — at least, not when he’s looking at internet providers.

He went to the Optimum store next to Fresh Market to get information about his current plan.

Right now he has 2 cable boxes and 2 phone lines, plus DVR and a core package. With taxes, it’s over $300 a month.

The MSG channels, for Knicks and Rangers games, were just blocked, due to an inability of Optimum and MSG to agree on carriage fees, Dave adds.

“I’m not even sure what the core package gives me now,” he says. “It’s so messed up.”

The Optimum folks could not print anything out, or even provide many details about different plans. “It varies,” they said vaguely.

Instead, they gave Dave a phone number to call, to learn more and negotiate.

He went to Optimum’s Norwalk location, and got nowhere there either.

“These locations are set up to sell phones and exchange cable hardware,” he says. “They’re very non-friendly consumer environments. It’s so strange to run a business this way.”

Frontier was no better.

He ended up on the phone with a call center “in some netherworld. They can’t fully describe or explain their offerings either. And they can’t email me information, ‘due to company policy.'”

All Dave wants is to educate himself about options (and get documentation of what he’s offered, so there is no bait-and-switch).

Since Dave can’t get much (or any) info from the companies himself, he hopes “06880” readers can help.

What do you know abou the cost of Optimum and Frontier? The quality of service? What are their strengths, weaknesses and differences?

Click “Comments” below. As always, please use your full, real name.

42 Comments

Posted in Local business, technology

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Pics Of The Day #2824

Posted on January 11, 2025 | Comments Off on Pics Of The Day #2824

Last night’s lovely snowfall, at Compo Beach:

(All photos/Jonathan Prager)

Comments Off on Pics Of The Day #2824

Posted in Beach, Pic of the Day, Weather

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Roundup: Rink Ring, Hillspoint Homes, Newman’s Own …

Posted on January 11, 2025 | 6 comments

Longshore is Amy Feder’s happy place.

So it was a natural place for John Recine to propose to her.

What he didn’t expect was that — as he popped the question, on the PAL Ice Rink — a skating stranger would capture the moment on camera.

Amy was there with Ali, her 22-year-old daughter, and Johnny’s daughter Angela and boyfriend Zach (visiting from Austin).

The happy couple have not set a date or place yet. No one asked me, but I can think of a great spot very close to that rink …

From left: Zach Springer, Angela Recine, Amy Feder, Johnny Recine, Ali Feder. (Photo/A random but great stranger)

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As a large new house rises near Schlaet’s Point, anoather big house will not be built a few yards away.

The Zoning Board of Appeals has denied an application for a 36-foot tall house at 238 Hillspoint Road. The proposed 2,200-square foot structure would have replaced a one-story cottage, built in 1920.

The current home at 238 Hillspoint Road.

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On January 26, Paul Newman would have been 100 years old.

In his honor, Newman’s Own — the philanthropy started in Westport, where the actor/race car driver/humanitarian lived for over 50 years — will launch “Paul Newman Generosity Day.”

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, local officials and celebrities will gather at the Newman’s Own office on the Post Road at Morningside Road North for an afternoon of “celebration and generosity.”

Newman’s Own will unveil the “100 Acts of Generosity Challenge.” Participants will perform acts of kindness, share stories, and inspire others to do the same on social media.

Nearly 100, and still looking good.

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Richard Huntley is an internist/primary care doctor in Norwalk, and a Westport resident since 1988.

In 2023 he got a chance to do charitable medical work. He traveled to Kenya to screen for high blood pressure (Africa has the highest rate of hypertension globally.

80% of hypertension cases in Kenya are unrecognized, and only 10% is treated. Only 2% of the population has health insurance, so most people focus on illness rather than preventive care.

Dr. Huntley first worked in rural areas of Kenya. In 2024 he volunteered in Kibera — Africa’s largest slum, with over a million people.

He has partnered with Crossing Thresholds, a New Canaan-based nonprofit, to start a clinic to screen and treat high blood pressure. He organized a fundraiser to provide hypertension medications. For more information on the project, and donate, click here.

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After leading Williams College to a 3-0 record, and averaging 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game, senior captain (and 2021 Staples High School graduate) Arianna Gerig was named New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors.

She was also selected for the First Team of the Week, the New England Women’s Basketball Association. (Hat tip: Don Kubie)

Arianna Gerig

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David Kaplan started his movie-making career the way you always hear it should be done: in the mailroom of a Los Angeles talent agency.

In 2013, “06880” profiled the 2003 Staples High School graduate. His film “Short Term 12” had just won the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Narrative Feature.

Now he’s got a Golden Globe

“The Brutalist” — backed by Kaplan Morrison, Kaplan’s New York-based production company — won 3 awards Sunday night, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. (Hat tip: Adam Friedland)

David Kaplan

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Andrew Wilk is a Big Name in entertainment.

The Westporter is a 5-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and director of network television. He has worked with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Audra McDonald and Kelli O’Hara.

He is also a noted stage director and writer. But symphony conducting remains his first love. He is a frequent musical director and conductor at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and been involved with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

On May 17, Wilk will be at Waterbury’s Palace Theater. He will conduct the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra for a night of music and memories, celebrating 20 years of Broadway musicals.

The show will include musical numbers from “The Phantom of the Opera,”
“Ragtime,” “Evita” and “Dreamgirls,” plus “Over the Rainbow,” “Memory” and “Tomorrow.”

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Andrew Wilk with one of his Emmys, at his Lincoln Center office.

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And finally … today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, from the Balducci’s parking lot, gives new meaning to the “Rover” in Range Rover.

(Photo/Neal Radding)

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And finally … in honor of Andrew Wilk’s upcoming show at the Waterbury Palace Theater (story above):

(Do you hear the people contributing to “06880”? Just click here to join in. Merci!)

6 Comments

Posted in Children, Entertainment, Environment, Longshore, Real estate, Staples HS, Totally random

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Online Art Gallery #248

Posted on January 11, 2025 | 4 comments

Today’s online art gallery includes, as usual,  faces, pets, and the world around us.

As well as — for the first time ever — the New York Mets.

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.

This feature is open to all. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.

Just email a jpeg to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.

“(Wow!) What is That?” — oil on canvas (Mary Madelyn Attanasio)

“Puffina” — acrylic abstract (Patricia McMahon)

Untitled — impasto acrylic (Dorothy Robertshaw)

Untitled (Tom Doran)

Untitled — hand-painated, mixed media, in acrylic display case at Westport River Gallery (Fazzino)

Untitled (Duane Cohen)

“Vintage School in Eastern Connecticut, With Sunlight and Approaching Storm” (Peter Barlow)

“I’m Peeking at Mi Papa Leading Hikers up Into the Andes.  Te Amo, Papa!” (Mike Hibbard)

“Drama” — multi-media composition (Maj Kalfus)

“Not Happy About Being Given a Timeout” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Teddi” — acrylic on canvas (Missy Greenberg)

“Are We There Yet?” (Martin Ripchick)

“A Very Rare Septopus” (Steve Stein)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

4 Comments

Posted in Arts

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Pic Of The Day #2823

Posted on January 10, 2025 | 2 comments

Enjoying the free poetry box, at Soundview Drive by Hillspoint Road. (Photo/Nancy Diamond)

2 Comments

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Friday Flashback #432

Posted on January 10, 2025 | 10 comments

Many Westporters — but probably not enough — know and enjoy Sherwood Island.

Some — but definitely not enough — know that it was Connecticut’s first-ever state park.

The beach and surrounding area was some of the first property the 5 “Bankside Farmers” occupied, when they settled in what was then Fairfield in 1639.

The Native Americans called it Machamux (“The Beautiful Land”). The farmers named part of it Fox Island, because it was shaped like a fox.

In the 1700s the area was renamed Green’s Farms, for one of the founding Bankside families.

The Sherwood family settled on Fox Island, and acquired the nearby gristmill. They shipped kiln-dried cornmeal to the West Indies. Oysters were harvested from the Mill Pond.

An early view of the Sherwood Mill Pond gristmill.

Their Fox Island farm, meanwhile, produced onions and potatoes, which were shipped to New York.

In the 1900s, the state tried to acquire land for the park. Wealthy landowners in the area fought against it.

The first parcel of park land was acquired in 1914. But it took 23 years for the entire park to be assembled, and open to the public.

But why did the early settlers call it “Fox Island”?

Because it was shaped like a fox. (Hat tip: Friends of Sherwood Island State Park History)

Here’s how it looked in 1934 — 3 years before the state park opened — in a fascinating aerial view, found and shared by alert “06880” reader Mary Gai:

Fox Island (now Sherwood Island State Park). Burying Hill Beach is at the right, beyond the brook.

But that raises an important — and probably unasnwerable — question: How did farmers in the 1600s know what it looked like from the air?!

Eight-five years later — in 2019 — both Sherwood Island and Burying Hill had changed.

The state park no longer looked like a fox, as this second aerial image (also discovered by Mary Gai) shows:

Meanwhile, here’s one more bit of trivia: What is the official name of the Sherwood Island State Park beach?

If you know, click “Comments” below.

(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!)

10 Comments

Posted in Beach, Friday Flashback

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Roundup: Longshore Shed, LA Fires, Board Of Ed …

Posted on January 10, 2025 | 10 comments

An aerial photo posted yesterday, showing the proposed site for a new Parks & Recreation Department maintenance shed at Longshore, missed the mark.

The actual possible location — on Old Cuttings Lane, near the golf course’s 12th green, not far from the exit road — is shown below.

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Nearly every Westporter knows someone in Los Angeles.

Friends, relatives, colleagues … it’s almost impossible to live here, and not have some ties there.

Staples High School 2016 graduate Eliza Donovan lives in LA.

She sent this yesterday …

(Photo/Eliza Donovan)

… and reports: “I like sitting outside for lunch, but ash is falling all the way over here, at the USC-Keck Medical Campus.”

She was not evacuated. However, she was surrounded by 3 fires.

If you have any LA fire stories to tell — or would like to request help for someone there — please email 06880blog@gmail.com.

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The next Board of Education Policy Committee meeting is Wednesday (January 15, 9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium).

The agenda includes the second discussion of a possible new civility policy; the second reading of possible revisions to the existing policy for evaluation, termination and non-renewal of coaches; and the first reading of possible revisions to existing polices about student discipline, suicide prevention and intervention, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and non-discrimination.


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Local theatergoers remember Colin Konstanty from the Staples High School stage.

On Monday (January 13, 7 p.m.), the former Staples Player cast member and 2022 graduate is on stage again.

This time it’s at the Westport Country Playhouse, in a Script in Hand play reading.

“How the World Began” probes the conflict between divine creation and evolution, and its effect on a small Kansas town torn apart by a tornado.

After Staples, Konstanty — now a student at NYU Tisch School of the Arts — has appeared off-Broadway, and on Disney+.

Tickets are $30. To purchase, and for more information, click here.

Colin Konstanty

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Early yesterday morning, the Westport Fire Department responded to a call about a deer stuck in the Saugatuck River ice, near the Post Road.

Rescue Company members in cold water suits entered the river, and removed the deer. It soon walked under its own power into the woods.

Fire officials note: “Residents should never attempt to rescue an animal or person from icy waters themselves. Entering the water without proper training or equipment can result in serious injury or loss of life. Instead, call 911 or the Fire Department to ensure a safe and professional rescue.”

(Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)

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The arts are thriving in Westport.

And “06880” is proud to partner with the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center to help the next generation of artists develop their talents.

To the tune of $5,000 worth of scholarships.

The grants will go to current high school seniors with financial need who want to pursue an arts education at any level — university, community college or an arts school. All Westport 12th graders are eligible, no matter where they currently attend school.

The DFCAC is funding the scholarships. It was founded by Friedman — the downtown property owner, restauranteur (Onion Alley, Cobb’s Mill Inn, Stonehenge Inn) and philanthropist whose first wife Bobbie was an accomplished artist.

The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center also sponsors workshops and projects for students. The center is administered by Nick Visconti, Friedman’s longtime business partner.

To apply, students who currently participate in art classes or art activities should send up to 8 digital images (JPEGs) of their work. It can be any medium — photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, digital art, or other.

Applicants should also submit a statement of up to 300 words describing the value of art in their life, and the world at large.

Send images and the statement (or any questions) to info@DrewFriedmanCommunityArtsCenter.org (subject line: “2025 Scholarship”). The deadline is February 28.

Drew Friedman Community Arts Center representatives Miggs Burroughs and Nick Visconti (far right) and then-1st Selectman Jim Marpe congratulate previous arts scholarship winners.

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A reader writes: “On Tuesday, the Westport Representative Town Meeting approved roughly $1.5 million for a new floor for the Staples fieldhouse.

“Prior to the vote, a concerned RTM member told the participants that the new floor would be coated with PFAS (synthetic chemicals resistant to heat, water, oil and grease).

“It’s unclear if those responsible for awarding the floor contract knew this, but it appeared this was new info to most or all RTM members.

“After revealing this info, several other RTM members reinforced their colleague’s concern.

“After these concerns were raised, 32 members voted to approve the funding; 2 abstained. The view seemed to be that the urgency of installing a new floor should take priority over the toxicity the flooring would create.

“Given the massive litigation surrounding the manufacturers of PFAS, it seems shocking that town officials would knowingly approve toxic flooring for use by children for the next 25-30 years without considering the liability implications.

“Both 3M and DuPont have settled for billions already. More litigation is ongoing.

“I hope a quick solution can be found to replace the proposed flooring with a safer alternative. This should be a red flag to us all that Westport needs to tighten up its supply chain review process to include products that have been proven to be toxic.”

The Staples High School fieldhouse.

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The Westport Library is many things, to many people.

It’s books, art, lectures. And — as anyone who has been to the Trefz Forum knows — it’s also about music.

Westport residents and Library fans Les and Samira Dinkin are frequent attendees, at events like VersoFest, Supper & Soul and more.

Now, they’ve shown their appreciation with a donation of musical instruments.

In honor of Les’ late brother Corey, the couple has given a vintage 1959 Silvertone hollow body guitar with the original matching Silvertone tube amplifier, plus other vintage Ampeg, Harmony, and Ibanez guitars and tube amps.

All will support Verso Studios, the Library’s music and media hub. The instruments — Corey’s favorite — will be used by visiting artists, and those recording in the studio space.

“I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to honor Corey’s legacy,” says Les, a longtime supporter of Verso Studios, Verso advisory board founding member, and VersoFest official sponsor (and amateur drummer).

“Corey was passionate about all types of music, from classical to jazz and especially the blues, as a collector, fan, and musician.”

Corey Dinkin composed what Les calls “very eclectic jazz fusion and blues compositions,” and performed at clubs like New York’s Bitter End.

“I wanted to see these instruments being appreciated and played, not sitting in a storage unit,” Les says.

Senator Richard Blumenthal fondly calls the Westport Library “the noisiest Library in Connecticut, if not the country.”

To learn more about Verso Studios’ capabilities, gear and services, click here. The Library also has music and media equipment available through its Library of Things.

From left: Les and Samira Dinkin, Verso Studios’ Travis Bell, Westport Library director Bill Harmer, with part of the Dinkins’ musical instruments donation.

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If you’re looking for a “Westport … Naturally” image that encapsulates winter in Westport, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s the Saugatuck River yesterday:

(Photo/Leigh Gage)

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And finally …  on this date in 1878, Senator A.A. Sargent of California introduced an amendment to Congress that would grant women the right to vote. It took a mere 42 years, but the amendment was ratified by Congress in 1920. 

(There are no gender — or age, or residency) — restrictions on who can donate to “06880.” Just click here, to register your support for your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

10 Comments

Posted in Arts, Education, Library, Local politics, Longshore, Westport Country Playhouse

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Jim Calkins: Principally Speaking

Posted on January 10, 2025 | 22 comments

Jim Calkins was an accidental principal.

In mid-August of 1966, the Board of Education still had not found someone to replace Ray Walch, who resigned after less than a year at Staples High School.

Almost in desperation, they offered the job to the 42-year-old World War II veteran. He had just completed his first year in Westport as an assistant superintendent, after serving as a Norwalk guidance counselor.

The Board of Ed figured he’d be a decent caretaker, while they looked for someone more qualified.

Calkins came in with a mission. He wanted to harness the talents of students and faculty alike, to make Staples “unique.”

He was the right man, at the right time.

Jim Calkins

The massive unrest of the 1960s — the Vietnam War, drugs, the sexual revolution — were all underway when Calkins arrived. While other schools were rocked by change, Calkins charted a different course.

He embraced students — intellectually, emotionally, even literally, with an arm around the shoulder or a hug.

His office door was open to all (though some students bypassed his secretary, and climbed in through an open window). He addressed problems with reasoned discussions and compromise, rather than one-sided edicts. He said he loved his students, and they loved him back.

In January of 1967 — less than half a year after arriving — the Board of Ed made Calkins’ position permanent.

Over the next 8 years, he made quite a mark on Staples. He abolished study halls, and instituted an open campus. He liberalized the dress code; girls could now wear slacks, and boys blue jeans. He encouraged experimental courses, and championed a Student Lounge.

Principal Jim Calkins often called school-wide meetings in the gym. He stands far right in this 1970 photo, nearly engulfed by students.

Calkins’ most notable accomplishment may have been the Staples Governing Board. A toothless student council was out; taking its place was a unique body with 10 students (4 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores) and an equal number of adults (3 administrators, 7 teachers).

It was not an advisory board. The SGB had real power — over curriculum, school rules, use of the building — everything, in fact, except staffing and budgets.

The principal had a “suspensive veto.” But it could be overridden by a 75% vote of the SGB.

In 1970, the SGB debated removing special dress codes for athletic teams. Junior Greg Katz (standing left) wanted to try out for the baseball team without cutting his hair. The SGB affirmed that right. Katz went on to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

The Staples Governing Board drew national attention — both positive and negative.

The SGB lasted only a few years. It was weakened when Calkins took a sabbatical leave during the 1972-73 school year; it survived only a few years after he resigned in 1975, for personal and professional reasons (including earning his doctorate).

But in his near decade as Staples principal, Jim Calkins made an enormous impression on the school, and everyone in it.

Jim Calkins died in 2006. This year, his son Michael finally cleared out his family’s home.

Not long ago, Michael gave me a gift: a large box, filled with Staples memorabilia, his father’s Ph.D. dissertation, national magazine and newspaper stories about the SGB, and more.

The clippings, Staples Players programs and other items in the box were interesting. But what was most compelling were dozens of letters Calkins had saved.

They came from grateful students, parents, teachers and town leaders. They were intensely personal, filled with cherished anecdotes.

A typical note to Mr. Calkins, from 2 students.

Today, very few people thank others — let alone a school principal. If we do, it’s by email. Unless we print that out, it’s gone forever.

But these letters — written in distinctive handwriting, or typed by a secretary; on flowered notecards and lined paper; meticulously saved, over half a century ago — tell a remarkable story.

I have skipped on Senior Skip Day since I was a soph. But this year was different. We thought that maybe we could prove to you that we appreciate all the things you have done for us. It isn’t so bad to go to school. Thank you for everything Mr. Calkins. You’re the greatest.

I would like to express my wholehearted thanks to you for allowing the girls to wear slacks during exam week. It made many of us feel much more comfortable than we could be dressed in regular school clothes, especially during times of such intense pressure.

My wife and I want to express our gratitude and thanks for appearing as a character witness for my son and the other 4 boys on Tuesdays. Our lawyer felt you alone turned the tide, resulting in jail sentences being suspended. It’s been a long 3 months, but if our son becomes a better man because of this, and you, it’s all been worth it.

You have taught me how to live. You have shown me what I’ve got and how to use it. I am proud to say “I go to Staples High School.” I hope you will say one day of me, “I am proud he went here.”

(“06880” is your source for all things Westport — including history. If you appreciate an occasional look back — or anything else we post — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

22 Comments

Posted in Education, Looking back, Staples HS, Teenagers

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