Westport’s 4th annual Pride celebration brought a rainbow collection to Jesup Green.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies and friends; children in strollers, and older folks with walkers; those of many faiths, and none, all came together for a festive — and occasionally reflective — afternoon.
Staples High School was in the house.
Vendors sold books and bracelets. The Democratic Town Committee gave away cookies; Temple Israel handed out rainbow challah.
Speakers spoke. Musicians made music. Clergy offered prayers.
State treasurer Erick Russell (far left) — a member of the LGBTQ community — spoke about the importance of the day for young people. He was joined by Joe Grabarz, Connecticut’s first openly gay legislator; State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, and State Senator Ceci Maher, of Westport Pride’s advisory committee.
And — whenever they could — friends and strangers smiled.
Broadway actor and 2008 Staples graduate Adam Kaplan (2nd from left) with his husband Ashley Day, and parents Carol and Jeff Kaplan.
Festive arch, by the Jesup Road rainbow crosswalk.
Inclusive books on sale
Westport Pride founder and president Bryan McGunagle, and Kayla Iannetta, advisor to Staples Pride.
Face painting: a popular attraction.
Temple Israel cantor Julia Cadrain.
Former Staples High School principal John Dodig (right), and his husband Rodger Leonard.
Dr. Nikki Gorman
Puppet on parade
Former Representative Town Meeting member Harris Falk
Last week’s Photo Challenge showed an interesting perspective of a well-known sight: Bedford Square.
Seth Braunstein’s image — taken from inside, looking out toward Church Lane — was recognized by Susan Iseman, Andrew Colabella, Sal Liccione, Matt Murray, Clark Thiemann, Michael Simso and Linda Vita Velez. (Click here to see.)
That challenge was fairly straightforward. This one should be fairly recognizable too.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
(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!)
Westport’s relationship with our sister city of Marigny-le-Louzon, France was forged in the aftermath of World War II.
But it began soon after D-Day in 1944. Westporter Bob Loomis — a gun sergeant — was in the Normandy town, just 25 miles from Utah Beach.
A couple of weeks later another Westporter — heavy machine gunner Clay Chalfant — moved through Marigny with his company on their way to Belgium.
When the war ended, Charlotte MacLear — head of the French department at Staples High School, and a graduate of prestigious Sorbonne Université — sparked a campaign to “officially adopt Marigny” and help its recovery.
Our town sent clothes, money and Christmas gifts, thanks to fundraising that included selling toys and buckets with designs painted by Westport artists.
In return, Marigny created the “Westport School Canteen,” and named the town’s largest square “Place Westport.” MacLear visited our sister town 3 times. Each time, she was honored and adored.
That friendship remains strong. In 2020, Marigny officials named a room in their Town Hall for MacLear.
This week, Westporters Jeffrey Mayer and Nancy Diamond are visiting, sending our greetings, and giving gifts from our town.
This morning — 4 days, before the anniversary of D-Day — René Gautier wrote to “06880.”
As a child, he received some of those presents from Westport. He has been stalwart in maintaining our friendship ever since. René said:
As part of the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the landing and the liberation of Normandy — but also for the future! — we would like to know, to honor their graves, if soldiers from Westport or the surrounding area were killed in the fighting of 1944 and buried in one of the US cemeteries in Normandy.
Our association will undertake to symbolically decorate this grave with flowers.
What a generous, beautiful offer.
If you know of any American soldiers from Fairfield County who are buried in a US cemetery in Normandy, email 06880blog@gmail.com.
We will let René, and all our friends in Marigny, know.
They will do the rest.
Marigny and Westport are united in red, white and blue.
The film that debuted Number 1 at the box office last month follows 4 journalists on a road trip from New York to Washington, as society collapses.
Kirsten Dunst plays Lee, a photojournalist determined to interview the president in the midst of chaos.
How well — or poorly — does the movie depict wartime reporting?
Lynsey Addario knows. The 1991 Staples High School graduate, and Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times photojournalist, has covered the war in Ukraine, and conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.
This week, “On the Media”‘s Brooke Gladstone interviews her about her real-life experiences, and the fictional “Civil War.” Click here to listen.
Lynsey Addario
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Kai Nee’s 15-strikeout, 2-hit, complete game pitching performance paced the Staples baseball team to a 7-0 shutout of Newtown yesterday, in the CIAC “LL” (extra large schools) state tournament quarterfinals.
The 19th-seeded Wreckers advance to Tuesday’s semifinal, at a site and time to be determined.
Their foe is familiar: Fairfield Warde. The Mustangs are ranked second in the state tourney.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA does a lot of things right.
Including making feel-good videos.
Longtime Westporters Bob and Doree Levy are featured in a recent reel, explaining how much they enjoy the Wilton Road facility.
Doree does Aquafit. Bob helps out at a class for Parkinson’s patients. Together, they donated the “alligator” that spouts water at the kids’ splash pool.
The Y epitomizes the Three Musketeers’ motto: “All for one, one for all,” Bob says.
And, Doree adds — referring to the Y’s original acronym — “I’m not young. I’m not a man. I’m not Christian.”
But, she notes, today’s Westport YMCA is all about community and inclusion.
Suitable for all levels and ages, it’s just $10. That includes a garden tour and materials.
Guests can collect botanical materials for a Gelli plate printmaking activity. Staff and volunteers with the Center will guide participants in creating artwork using leaves, petals, twigs and more from the inspiring landscape.
From 1 to 5:30 p.m. on June 21 — the day after this year’s solstice — J. McLaughlin and the Westport Country Playhouse collaborate on an afternoon of sips and shopping.
15% of all sales will benefit the Playhouse.
Can’t make it that day to Compo Acres Shopping Center? Call the store (475-284-2495) to place an order.
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Pippa Bell Ader offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo. She writes:
The Old Hill albino deer was spotted recently on Wright Street. It has grown quite a bit since I last saw it.”
And finally … Marvin Hamlisch was born on this date in 1944.
The composer/conductor he is one of few people ever to achieve an EGOT (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony).
He died in 2012, age 68.
In addition to the 2 memorable songs below — from “The Sting” (starring Westporter Paul Newman) and “A Chorus Line” — he wrote the score to “The Swimmer,” the movie filmed largely in Westport in 1966.
(“06880” is one singular sensation. We entertain [and inform, and educate] our readers several times a day. But we need your help. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Cohl Katz is a hair stylist and makeup artist to the stars.
Her client list runs, literally, from A (Al Green, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Arnold Schwarzenegger) to Z (Zelda Williams).
With Barbara Bush, Bob Dylan, Cal Ripken, Cindy Crawford, Ellen DeGeneres, Hillary Clinton, Hilary Swank, Jerry Seinfeld, John McEnroe, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mary Tyler Moore, Mel Gibson, Mick Jagger, Muhammad Ali, Nicole Kidman, Ray Charles, Robin Williams, Rod Stewart, Rosie O’Donnell, Sting and Tom Cruise in between.
Cohl Katz (right) with her client and friend, Katie Couric.
She’s also a Westporter. Cohl loves everything about our town: the beach, the arts, the vibe, this blog.
Now she wants to give something back, in a fun, “06880”-related way.
She’s offering her talents — a haircut and makeup application for women, a haircut and style for men — to 3 winners of a contest she and I cooked up.
Below are 3 trivia questions. Each one is about a famous Westport or Weston resident. All of them have been (of course!) Cohl’s clients.
Email your answers — to 1, 2 or all 3 — to 06880blog@gmail.com.
We’ll put all the names in a (stylish) hat, and pull 3 winners. (To clarify: If you answer 1 question correctly, your name will go in 1 time. Two correct answers means you’ll be in the hat twice; 3 = 3.)
The deadline is this Tuesday (June 4, 11:59 p.m.).
Let the games begin!
Question #1: This former Westporter started out as a stockbroker. But that’s not where they gained the most fame.
Question #2: To prepare for his role as an emotionally destroyed soldier in a film that won him an Academy Award, this actor ate only bananas, water and rice for a month.
Question #3: This musician has co-written 14 songs on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Cohl Katz with Tracy Morgan. If you are one of our 3 contest winners, you could sit in that chair soon.
Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority continues to hear testimony about Aquarion’s construction of 2 large water tanks on North Avenue, opposite Staples High School. They replaced 1 smaller one on the same site.
Marc Lemcke has fought the water company since the tanks were first proposed in 2017. On Thursday, he testified before PURA, on behalf of Smart Water Westport and a group of neighbors.
Lemcke described his group’s investigation into Aquarion’s actions. His 4 main points:
The Westport tanks were not needed, and Aquarion knew it.
The tanks are part of a $200 million project that was not needed. and Aquarion knew it.
The tanks are larger than authorized.
Aquarion tried to conceal certain facts.
Specifically, Lemcke said, Aquarion blocked the disclosure of public records; hid payments to their Westport town lawyer’s firm, which had a conflict of interest; concealed information about contamination; knew that tank screening was not possible; engaged in illegal marketing; failed to provide “critically important” reports; violated terms of length of construction, and built the tanks without a wetland permit.
The water utility’s “questionable conduct … has critical implications for future water management, and makes the case for even greater oversight going forward,” Lemcke told PURA.
A hearing on Tuesday (June 4, 10 a.m., Zoom) will be held, covering Aquarion’s permit conditions.
Click here for the full 53-page report of Lemcke’s testimony; then click “Attached correspondence” at the bottom.
Aquarion water tanks under construction, June 2022.
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The Levitt Pavilion’s 50th season features over 50 free shows. And they started yesterday.
Tonight (Saturday) at 7:30, Boston-based Couch entertains with pop, funk, rock, R&B and soul. Click here for more information, and to reserve free tickets.
Tomorrow (Sunday, 7 p.m.), the Arun Ramamurthy Trio fuses South Indian classical Carnatic music and contemporary jazz. Click here for more information, and to reserve free tickets.
For all free shows, all available and returned tickets are distributed at the box office, first-come, first-served, beginning 2 hours before show time.
And for all free shows, audience members are free to bring in outside food and drink.
For a highlight reel of last weekend’s ticketed opening — with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & The United Nations, and Dogs in a Pile, click below.
The rules are the same as past challenges, this year with a fresh round of 25 categories(click here to see). You can do all or only one, or anything in between. Just have fun!
Once you read a book that fulfills a category, submit it via the form on the Library. Then track your progress on our leaderboard.
The leaderboard is also where you can see what everyone else is reading, and give your own recommendations. You can also join the Westport Reading Challenge Facebook Group, and talk smack — er, books — all summer long.
As for kids: Starting today, children can sign up for the Library’s Summer Reading Program. It wraps up September 2.
Youngsters can read anything. Any time. And anywhere, all summer long.
Register online and keep track of minutes read. For every 100 minutes, you can decorate a summer sun that will be displayed in the Library.
Earn a treat from Shake Shack at 500 minutes. When you reach 1,000 minutes, can choose a book to keep from the Library’s selection of titles.
For more summer fun and prizes, stop in the Children’s Library to play bingo and earn more free books.
It’s a memoir about the fallibilities of memory. In 1972 she and her 13-year-old sister were flying unaccompanied back to New York from Israel. Their plane was hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and forced to land in the Jordan desert.
Too young to understand the gravity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Martha coped by suppressing her fear. Nearly a half-century later, her memories of those 6 days and nights as a hostage were hazy and scattered. Was it the passage of so much time, or that her family couldn’t endure the full story, or had trauma made her repress the experience? A professional historian, Martha wanted to find out.
Drawing on archival research, childhood memories, and conversations with relatives, friends, and fellow hostages, she re-creates what happened to her. As the hostages forged friendships and provoked conflicts, the sisters learned about the lives and causes of their captors, pondering a deadly divide that continues today.
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Westport Police officers carried the Flame of Hope along the Post Road through town yesterday. The event — from the Norwalk line, to the Southport border — showed support for Special Olympics of Connecticut.
Amy Schneider was one of many drivers and passersby who slowed down and snapped photos, as the torch and flags went past.
Gail Cohen died yesterday, surrounded by her family.
Her family says, “she was passionate about her family, the theater and canasta. She battled her terrible disease valiantly and courageously for 9 months.
“Throughout her life she inspired those around her with her passion, empathy, zest for life, and devotion to the happiness of others. Gail always led with love. She was a force and advocate for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves.”
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Eric; children Hayley, Zach and Sydney, grandson Cooper, mother Mimi and siblings Richard, Beth Steinberg Michael and Robin.
A memorial service will be held tomorrow (Sunday, June 2, 1 p.m., The Community Synagogue of Westport). Shiva will be at 32 Burnham Hill tomorrow from immediately after the burial until 8 p.m., and Monday, June (1 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 9 p.m.).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Cohen Family Scholarship Fund at Cardozo Law School/Yeshiva University, or a charity of your choice.
And finally … in light of the many headlines over the past 2 days:
(Sure, it’s the weekend. But “06880” never rests. Our Roundup continues, 24/7/365. If you enjoy our ceaseless work, please click here support us. Thank you!)
He’s the go-to framer at Rockwell Art & Framing (and, for decades before that, at Max’s Art Supplies).
He’s also an avid collector of Coleman lanterns, railroad and other lanterns, and oil lamps.
Who knew?
Today, he shares his passion with our online gallery-goers. Scroll down, for a fuller explanation from Jay of his submission.
That’s the beauty of this feature. No matter what 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 it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Limoncello” — acrylic on canvas (Dorothy Robertshaw)
Untitled — oil on canvas (R. Castellon, at Westport River Gallery)
“Red Light and Other Colors” — acrylic on hard board (Peter Barlow)
“Splash” — digital composite (Ken Runkel)
“Ouch! You’ve Made Your Points! I Wish We Could Disagree in a More Agreeable Way” (Mike Hibbard)
“Encircled” — collage (Amy Schneider)
“Scribble” (Karen Weingarten)
“Shiny Future” (Tom Doran)
“The Sleeping Giant Mountain Range” (Steve Stein)
“Curled Up” (Lawrence Weisman)
Untitled — Photographer Jay Cimbak writes about one of the old lanterns he collects: “As we go into warmer weather, I thought this would be a good submission to remember colder days. If anyone would like to add to my collection of gas lanterns and oil lamps, I never pass up a donation.”
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Westport is justifiably proud of the work our Housing Authority and Homes with Hope does to improve the lives of neighbors in need.
Now the whole state will know.
The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness is honoring those 2 organizations, and the Town of Westport, with its 2024 Community Champions Award.
It will be presented on June 12, at the Hartford Convention Center. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Nichelle Carver, senior regional advisor at the US Interagency Council on Homelessness.
The application for the award demonstrates the depth and breadth of Westport’s commitment to addressing homelessness. It says:
“The Town of Westport, in collaboration with the Westport Housing Authority and Homes with Hope, embodies the essence of the Community Champions Award by championing innovative practices, fostering broad collaboration, and developing creative solutions to address homelessness.
“Its collective leadership and frontline staff have not only transformed the lives of the homeless population but have also set a commendable example for suburban affluent communities around the country. Through ongoing collaboration with Opening Doors Fairfield County and The Coordinated Access Network, hundreds of homeless families are housed successfully in Westport and surrounding towns receiving ongoing case management and residential support to ensure they remain housed permanently.
“Westport is more than just a town; it’s a vibrant community teeming with innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to progress.
“As a beacon of excellence in endorsing housing for all, Westport stands out for its remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact. Over the past 40 years, Westport Housing Authority, Homes with Hope, and the Town of Westport have become leaders in making steadfast changes to meet the needs of the homeless and those with housing insecurity throughout Fairfield County.
“The Town of Westport was the first municipality to secure Diversion funding from HUD for the Coordinated Access System to support Fairfield County’s homeless providers. Westport has worked hard to secure this funding and be a part of Opening Doors Fairfield County’s solution to ending homelessness.
“The Town of Westport has also advocated for and successfully secured funding through the Department of Housing to renovate the Gillespie Center’s Emergency Homeless Shelter and food pantry. They have secured funding for a single-room occupancy model on another Town Property to provide housing with priority for 18- to 24-year-old homeless women. These 3 agencies continue to advocate for affordable housing and services to support the Coordinated Access Network.
The Gillespie Center, now under renovation.
“During the needed renovations of both the Gillespie Center and Project Return/Susie’s House, the Town of Westport and the Westport Housing Authority have stepped forward again and pitched in to provide temporary shelter and a food pantry free of charge to ensure that operations continue without interruption and that those with food and housing insecurity continue to be fed and housed. They have organized community and statewide rallies and speaking arrangements to highlight the importance of suburban towns advocating for what is often thought of as a city problem which, as we all know, it is not.
“With top-notch schools, dynamic arts programs, and diverse cultural events, the town ensures that every individual can learn, grow, and contribute to the fabric of society. By investing in the next generation and promoting cultural exchange, Westport is shaping a brighter future for all. The Westport Housing Authority provides a sleep-away camp (Camp Funtastic) for the children they serve during the summer school break. This opportunity provides an experience unique for the children at no cost.
“Westport Housing Authority provides residential services to individually support the residents and collaborate with onsite services to ensure that each family has what it needs to be successful in their new town and home; this is a unique model and has proven to be very successful.
“Collaboratively this group provides food gift cards, shopping cards, and a food pantry to the most vulnerable families in Westport.
“Data is proving that the homeless families coming into Westport are adjusting well and the second generations are graduating high school and attending prestigious colleges and universities therefore ending the cycles of homelessness through education and earned income.
“During a rally in 2021, Jim Marpe, Westport’s past first selectman, presented a proclamation declaring the Town of Westport’s call to action supporting Homes with Hope and Westport Housing Authority’s efforts to end homelessness. This is the first local suburban municipality to take such bold action supporting the homeless.
“Once homeless families get housed in Westport, the agencies collaboratively do everything needed to help them adjust to their new surroundings including providing needed case management and residential support to ensure that they thrive in the wonderful Westport School System.
“It takes a village and this sure is a unique one! For over 40 years, Westport has been leading the way for small affluent towns to follow suite and donate municipal property to be used to support the homeless.
“In addition, Homes with Hope has created an Affordable Housing Advisory Council to further demonstrate its commitment to fostering sustainable solutions and community involvement. Its efforts align perfectly with the values of this award.
“Every month, this Affordable Housing Advisory Council, collaboratively with the Town of Westport and Westport Housing Authority, engages with expert housing speakers to educate the community on housing topics to ensure that they have support for public meetings and statewide advocacy events including Rallies.
“Also, its work focuses on educating Planning & Zoning Committees about the importance of housing for all and ways they can help with changing housing Planning and Zoning rules. Members of the group attended the recent CCEH rally at the Capital, and will continue to lean in to support all such efforts until the day we have housing for all.
“Homes with Hope, Westport Housing Authority, and The Town of Westport are certainly worthy of this recognition for impactful work which significantly enhances the delivery of housing and services with the outcome of improving the lives of those experiencing homelessness throughout Fairfield County.
“In conclusion, these 3 agencies embody the spirit of excellence and community that The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness seeks to honor. With its unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, the entire Westport Community has truly earned recognition as a model town deserving of this prestigious award.
At 1:50 p.m. today, Westport police officers responded to Stop & Shop, on a report of a larceny in progress.
An officer on patrol in the parking lot approached the suspect vehicle, to take the 2 involved parties into custody.
The male, in the driver’s seat, immediately complied, and exited the van. The female jumped from the passenger side into the driver’s seat.
As the officer attempted to prevent her from leaving, she accelerated and dragged the officer for a short distance.
The suspect vehicle fled west on Post Road East, and was quickly spotted by responding officers. They attempted a motor vehicle stop, but the driver continued at a high rate of speed.
As the suspect vehicle raced through the intersection of Morningside Drive, it struck a van that was crossing the intersection.
This van was struck as it crossed Post Road East, from Morningside Drive North. It spun around twice, before ending up facing east. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The female suspect was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for what appeared to be minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.
The accident closed Post Road East for a short period of time.
Garrett Sprouse, 45 of New Haven, was charged with conspiracy to commit larceny, and operating a motor vehicle without a license. He was released after posting a $500 bond, and assigned a date at Stamford Superior Court.
Hannah Howell, 31 of New Haven, was charged with larceny, interfering with police, assault on a police officer, reckless driving, engaging in a pursuit, and failure to obey a traffic signal. She is being held on a $15,000 bond.
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“Its collective leadership and frontline staff have not only transformed the lives of the homeless population but have also set a commendable example for suburban affluent communities around the country. Through ongoing collaboration with Opening Doors Fairfield County and The Coordinated Access Network, hundreds of homeless families are housed successfully in Westport and surrounding towns receiving ongoing case management and residential support to ensure they remain housed permanently.
