
Sherwood Mill Pond (Photo/James White)

Sherwood Mill Pond (Photo/James White)
A recent “06880” post on once-upon-a-time Westport stores and restaurants sent readers racing down memory lane.
One of those memories: the Bonanza Sirloin Pit.
It stood where Goodwill is now, near Stop & Shop. Earlier, it was Westport’s Greyhound bus depot; after, it became the very popular Peppermill restaurant.
I’ve always had a memory of seeing Dan Blocker — “Hoss,” from the “Bonanza” TV show — making a personal appearance there.
But I was never sure how accurate that memory was. A posting by Paul Ehrismann on Facebook the other day assured me I was right.

There’s a bit more to the Bonanza story.
According to Wikipedia, the Westport steakhouse was the very first, in a chain that grew to 600 restaurants by 1989.
There was also a Bonanza a mile west, on the Post Road. Today we know it as Sakura.
(If you enjoy these weekly trips down the “06880” rabbit hole, please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Click here — and thank you!)
Posted in Friday Flashback, Restaurants
Tagged Bonanza Sirloin Pit, Dan Blocker, Greyhound bus depot, Peppermill
As scams of various kinds rise, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Westport Police Lieutenant Jillian Cabana discuss email, telephone and other forms of theft.
They join Y’s Men of Westport and Weston member John Brandt, on this week’s “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast.
Listen below, to learn how to protect yourself and your family from them.
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The tree that took down Compo Road South utility poles earlier this month started a fire at Patrick Church’s home near Park Lane. A pet was killed in the blaze.
His washer, dryer, TV, stove and other appliances must be replaced. He has had to purchase 2 generators, and hire an electrician.
Jeff Shikowitz and his family want to help. Patrick works for a refuse company, and has serviced the Shikowitzes since 2015.
“We have never encountered a more caring and thoughtful person,” Jeff says. “He always has a treat for our dogs, and a kind word for us. We look forward to seeing him during his bi-weekly pickups.”
Jeff has started a GoFundMe page for Patrick. The money will pay for replacement appliances, the electrician, and fuel to run the generators until full power can be restored. Click here for more details, and to contribute.

Patrick Church
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Who will win the Super Bowl?
Hopefully, you.
If, that is, you enter the Sunrise Rotary Club’s raffle.
Tickets are $50 each. Each ticket is assigned a randomly selected pair of numbers — one for each team. If the numbers correspond to the final score — or the end of any quarter, that person wins.
Payouts are $1,000 for the final score, and $500 for scores at the end of each quarter.
You don’t have to watch the Super Bowl — or even care about football — to participate.
PS: One winner is already determined: the many charities that Sunrise Rotary supports. 50% of all ticket sales go there. The other 50% goes to raffle winners.
Click here to buy tickets. Click here for more details on the raffle.

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Westport Lifestyle’s new editor is Sara Gaynes Levy.
Her previous positions include Glamour, Self, The Boston Herald and People StyleWatch. Her work has been featured by the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, New York Magazine, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, O the Oprah Magazine and others.
Sara lives in Westport with her husband and 3 children. She can be reached at sara.gayneslevy@citylifestyle.com.

Sara Gaynes Levy
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NCAA lacrosse action comes to Staples High School on February 6. #18 Boston University takes on St. Joseph, at Paul Lane Field.
Among the Staples lacrosse alums who have gone on to play for the Terriers: Charlie Howard (current player) and Matt Garber, who earned a master’s degree last year.

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Mark Mathias was at Compo Beach last night, and met a few people with dogs. A car pulled up, and projected an image onto the haze over the water.
Here’s what it looked like (with light reflected from dogs’ collars):

(Photo/Mark Mathias)
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Yesterday’s fog also provided a fine photographic background for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature. This is the view from Grace Salmon Park:

(Photo/Patricia McMahon)
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And finally … Paul Newman — actor, director, race car driver, philanthropist, civic volunteer, neighbor and friend — was born on this date in 1925: 99 years ago.
Happy birthday, Paul. We miss you!
(You don’t have to give away as much money as Paul Newman did. “06880” is grateful for whatever support you can provide. Please click here to help your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Staples High School Class of 1976 alum Jan Carpenter is a retired financial executive. She graduated from Boston College, and spent her career working in the consulting and advertising business in New York and San Francisco.
She has been an active civic volunteer, and recently became involved in political efforts to improve how we govern ourselves and improve our democracy. Jan writes:
Feeling stressed from the toxic political news of the day? Here is a bit of stress reduction.
I am a co-state leads for America’s new Forward Party. We don’t take a position on traditional party platforms like gun control, etc.). Rather, we believe that our political system is broken and we need to fix it.
We will not run a candidate for president in 2024. Instead, we are trying to get regular folks elected at local and state levels who want to work together with grace and tolerance, advocate for compromise and civility, and want democracy reform.
That reform takes many forms, including voter reform (ranked choice voting, for example), open primaries, and independent redistricting.
As part of this work, I am lucky to have been exposed to many grassroots organizations fighting for these sorts of reforms that few have ever heard about.
I want to share with Westport 3 of them that I found especially interesting and promising, in the fight for reform and a better future.
Citizen Assemblies. The concept involves taking a thorny community issue and, in an effort to move in a positive direction, bringing together everyday citizens by lottery to work together over a period of time to come up with a recommendation.
Participants attend a set number of days/meetings (and typically get paid for doing so), get to know each other, hear from experts on both sides of an issue (also typically paid), then vote on a decision, which must be a supermajority (2/3) vote.
Their decision (in writing) goes back to the legislative body that needs to vote on the topic. That body could vote against the recommendation of the CA, but would need concrete reasoning. (Click here to learn more.)

Citizen Assemblies:
Citizen Assemblies have been used in a variety of places, including:
Westport might be a great maverick/leader, by using CAs to address difficult problems (there is no shortage of them these days).
It’s probably too late for Long Lots (though if thought about earlier, might have worked beautifully), but maybe not too late for discussions surrounding downtown.
Open Primaries. Connecticut’s closed primaries means that only Democrats get to vote in Democratic primaries, and Republicans in theirs.
Yet these are not “clubs” that we think of when we think of closed memberships. These are public primaries, which we all pay for.
Most Connecticut voters identify as independent — yet most voters here do not get to participate in primaries. Some say this results in more extreme candidates, less competition, and less incentive to appeal to a broader part of the electorate.
A group is trying to fix that. Click here for details; view the video below:
The Good Party. It’s incredibly difficult to run and get elected as an independent candidate today. This is particularly frustrating since (as noted above), most of us are independent.
This group is trying to fix that. The Good Party is not actually a party at all; rather, it’s a group that has come together to help people at local levels to run as independents.
They are building a movement (and offering free technical support) to end America’s 2-party political dysfunction. Click here and also here for details.
I hope “06880” readers find this interesting and encouraging. To learn more about the Forward Party, click here.
Readers: Would the Forward Party work in Westport? Click “Comments” to discuss. As always, please use your full, real name. And be civil!
(“06880” is your source for all local politics: Democratic, Republican, independent and Forward Party. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Posted in Local politics, Politics

This morning’s fog, on the Saugatuck River … (Photo/Jodie Brooke Aujla)

… and another view (Photo/Nancy Breakstone)
After input from neighbors, developers of 1 Glendinning Place have reduced the scope of plans for the property off Weston Road (mostly recently, offices of Bridgewater Associates).
The previous one had 14 units. The new plan includes 10 free-standing units, of 3,000 square feet each.
Two will house special needs affordable residents. There are 3 units in each. One of the 6 will be reserved for a live-in supervisor.
Developer David Waldman notes that this is similar to supportive housing at 136 Riverside Avenue.
The change at 1 Glendinning Place will allow Westport to obtain more 8-30g (affordable housing) moratorium points.
The next step: application to, and hearing with, the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Artists’ rendering shows 10 proposed homes (green) for 1 Glendinning Place. Click on or hover over to enlarge.
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Our Town Crier and Westport Marketplace have joined forces.
Now there’s one place for over 800 local listings — restaurants, retail, realtors, services (business, personal and home), and more — along with statewide information for categories like “Pizza Trail” and Valentine’s Day (places to eat and stay; things to do).
Betsy Pollak masterminds both. Click here to see; click here to sign up for the Westport Marketplace newsletter (monthly, plus special editions).

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The Westport Progress Report on Floodplain Management is complete.
It is prepared annually to enable Westport residents to receive a 10% reduction in their flood insurance. Flood Insurance is offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to communities that participate in the Community Rating System. Click here to read the plan.
Municipalities that participate in the CRS are ranked from 1 (highest) to 10. Classifications warrant what flood insurance rate reductions are offered. Westport’s ranking is 8.
Annual reports are required identifying how Westport is implementing the Western Connecticut Council of Governments Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. Click here for the Westport report.

Local flooding is becoming more prevalent. This was the scene in a back yard earlier this month. (Photo/Meghan Norris)
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Alert reader Bob Mitchell writes:
“I recently enrolled in USPS Informed Delivery, a service that tells you every day what mail is being delivered to you.
“I was mildly interested until last Friday, when I was informed that I was receiving 6pieces of mail.
“The mailbox was empty. Since that day, none of the indicated pieces of mail have shown up. (The service shows you pictures of the mail pieces, so I know they haven’t arrived.)
“In addition, I had ordered 2 boxes of COVID test kits. On Friday I was informed by USPS in great detail the progress of the delivery of these kits, culminating in notice that the packages were delivered to my mailbox. I have never seen these packages either.
“I have reported the non-deliveries, but have had no response from USPS. I wonder if any others have had similar incidents.”
So, “06880” readers: Do you have USPS Informed Delivery? Have you experienced non-delivery? What are your options if you report them, but never hear back? Please click “Comments” to help Bob.

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This week’s League of Women Voters of Westport annual “Pie & Politics” event at Pizza Lyfe featured Westport’s 3 state legislators: Senator Ceci Maher, and Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Dominique Johnson.
They updated attendees on issues expected to be debated this year in Hartford, including funding for voter education about early voting, support for polling staff, and the ballot initiative to amend the state constitution to offer no-excuse absentee voting. All 3 spoke passionately about protecting and expanding voters’ rights, and the importance of taking steps to improve voter turnout.
The discussion also included climate change, whether Connecticut should adopt an electric vehicle mandate to go into effect in 2035, and other initiatives to mitigate climate change and train a workforce for clean energy jobs.
The legislators spoke to the importance of looking at solar, geothermal, heat pumps, reskilling, and addressing housing shortages to attract clean energy companies and their employees.
Other topics included mental health policies, transportation, housing and education.

From left: State legislators Dominique Johnson, Jonathan Steinberg and Ceci Maher at Pizza Lyfe.
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The Westport Rotary Club heard an animated talk by Tommy Greenwald at this week’s lunch meeting.
Of course, anyone who knows Greenwald — the 1978 Staples High School soccer state champion/father of 3 sports-playing sons/Broadway marketer/young adult author knows that he lives his life in an animated way.
Greenwald writes often about the hyper-competitiveness and pressure of youth sports — for children and their parents. He told the Rotarians that his goal is to bring fun back into that stressful world, and show youngsters that the path to a well-balanced life does not totally revolve around the success of a team, or individual achievement on the field or court.

Tommy Greenwald (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between January 17 and 24.
A woman was arrested after she found a $550 MoneyGram on the ground, endorsed it using her real name and address, and deposited it in her bank account. She was afforded the opportunity to reimburse the victim but refused, and was charged with larceny.
Westport Police also issued these citations:

Failure to secure a load can lead to a citation.
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Sure, it’s a church.
But the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport is the site of a “barn dance” this Sunday (January 28, after the service at approximately 11:30 a.m., until around 3 p.m.).
Billy Fisher will call the dance, with live music from Wry Bred. The event includes Cake Carousel and pizza.
Everyone is invited: all ages, all levels of experience. A recommendation donation of $5 per person, $15 per family covers entertainment costs.
Questions? Email mcelroy.cathy@gmail.com.

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MoCA’s 2nd Artisan Market (February 11, noon to 4 p.m.) features handcrafted items: bespoke jewelry, textiles, fine art and gourmet foods.
It’s a chance to purchase unique gifts before Valentine’s Day, while supporting local creators.
Staples musical sensation Ethan Walmark will entertain.

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Also at MoCA: Jazz musician Anthony Hervey, in concert February 27.
He has impressed audiences worldwide as a sideman for Christian McBride, Jon Baptiste, Michael Bublé and Wynton Marsalis (who called him a “beautiful trumpet player of first magnitude.”
He’ll be joined by saxophonist Markus Howell, pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, bassist Russell Hall and drummer Miguel Russell. Click here for tickets, and more information.

Anthony Hervey
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Patricia (“Patty”) Palmer died Sunday. She was 79.
The Bridgeport native graduated from St. Vincent’s School of Radiology in 1964. She worked at Norwalk Hospital for over 40 years, first as a registered X-ray technician and then as a manager.
Patty lived in Westport for over 50 years, and raised 2 daughters here. She was involved in their Parent Teacher Association, and led their Brownie and Girl Scout troops.
She enjoyed reading at Compo and Burying Hill beaches, taking a wide range of local classes, and was a regular walker at Sherwood Island State Park.
Her favorite activities were dancing and travel. She met her husband David on the dance floor. They spent over 30 years traveling and sightseeing, especially in Cape Cod and the Caribbean.
Patty is survived by her husband of 35 years; daughters Kelley Swift and Megan Tibball (Jeff), all of Fairfield, and grandchildren Jordan and Brendan Tibball, and Jackson Swift.
Her family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the nurses and caregivers at Bridgeport Hospital who took good care of her, and made her final time peaceful and comfortable.
Visiting hours are Monday (January 29, 4 to 7 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Luke Church on Tuesday (January 30, 11 a.m.).

Patty Palmer
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All winter long, dogs are allowed on Compo Beach — and in the water.
These goldens enjoy the opportunity, oblivious they are the subjects of today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.

(Photo/Deborah Herbertson)
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And finally … Melanie — the one-named, much-loved singer/guitarist/ songwriter of the late ’60s and early ’70s — died Thursday. She was 76. Click here for a full obituary. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)
(Real estate news? Police reports? Obituaries? Whatever you’re looking for, it’s here at “06880.” This is your hyper-local blog — and it’s reader-supported. Please click here to help. Thank you!)

Longshore golf course (Photo/JD Dworkow)
Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #2472
Posted in Longshore, Pic of the Day, Weather
Tagged Longshore golf course
Staples High School Class of 1992 graduate Tracy Stein Hinson writes:
On Saturday, January 13, I was reminded that heroes live quietly among us.
Our house sits on a dangerous stretch of Wilton Road, at the invisible intersection of three towns: Westport, Wilton and Norwalk. Over 20 years we have responded to numerous accidents, fallen trees, stranded motorists and injured cyclists.
But that day was different.
Two cars collided violently at the corner of Brenner and Wilton Roads. No one saw it happen — or if they did, they didn’t stop. Six people were seriously injured.
The first to drive past was an off-duty emergency room nurse and her young-adult son. Without hesitation they called 911, retrieved medical supplies from their trunk and began assessing injuries.
Across the road, a neighbor heard the crash and came outside to investigate. She alerted her husband, an off-duty firefighter. Grabbing a radio and latex gloves, they too rushed outside to help.
Moments later another neighbor, a junior at Staples High School who is also a volunteer with Westport Emergency Medical Services, was on her way home. Despite being off duty, she donned her fluorescent jacket and calmly joined the harrowing scene.

Accident scene on Wilton Road. (Photo courtesy of Tracey Stein Hinson)
Sirens echoed in the distance. First responders began arriving from Wilton and Norwalk.
We also heard the crash and were surprised to find events unfolding outside our fence. My husband, a former Special Forces team leader, asked for his trauma bags from the house.
Our 12-year-old son ran to get them. I called 911.
Time seemed suspended. The off-duty ER nurse was on the phone and giving direction. Her son was describing events to police. The high school EMT and off-duty firefighter worked with first responders doing triage. The firefighter’s wife translated for several victims in Spanish. My husband knelt next to the youngest victim, repeatedly telling her she was going to be okay.
The ambulances finally arrived.
By the time all 6 people were en route to hospital, it seemed like hours had passed. Clean up efforts began. Shattered glass was swept up; rescue gear was put away; tow trucks were called. The dozens of people who had coalesced around the scene began to disperse.
The “informal” responders — the neighbors and passersby who stopped to help strangers in a moment of crisis- – brought compassion, empathy and humanity to a traumatic situation. Before leaving the scene they stood for a few moments, thanked one another.
Then, commenting on the fragility of life, all unceremoniously returned home.
For those people – the firefighter and his wife, David and Monica McCabe; the off-duty Westport high school EMT, Samantha Henske; the former Special Forces soldier, Ron Hinson, and the ER nurse and her son, in addition to Norwalk and Wilton first responders — we should all feel incredibly thankful.
“06880” honors all who responded. It’s good to know we are surrounded by great Good Samaritans.
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this weekly feature — and all the others on “06880” — please click here. Thank you!)

Several drivers passing by had first aid kits in their cars.
Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities’ Parent Conference includes 9 presentations from professionals on topics like ADHD, non-verbal learning disorders, dyslexia and assistive technologies for students with LD. The days ends with an “ask the experts” panel.
The event is February 3 (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Winston Preparatory School, 57 West Rocks Road, Norwalk).
Catering will be done by The Porch at Christie’s and Sweet P Bakery. Both offer training and employment for adults with disabilities.
Click here for more information and registration. Financial assistance is available; email programs@smartkidswithld.org.

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Jon Gailmor has been a noted singer/songwriter since his Staples High School (Class of 1966) days, and his musical partnership with classmate Rob Carlson.
After performing in Europe, Jon settled in Vermont. He’s become a state treasure, beloved for a weekly radio show for kids; his performances in schools, colleges, resorts, restaurants, folk clubs, senior centers, prisons and hospitals, and his songwriting residencies and workshops for students and teachers.
Gailmor has been honored as an “Extraordinary Vermonter” by the governor, received the Mayor’s Peace Prize in Burlington, and was awarded a Silver Citation by the Vermont Arts Council. He sang as Vermont’s representative at the 25th Anniversary of the Kennedy Center in Washington.
He has toured with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and released 6 albums.
This fall, he quickly sold out an appearance at the VFW’s First Folk Sunday series.
On April 6 he returns to the area, for a trademark songwriting workshop for young artists. Topics include meter and rhythm, lyrics versus poetry, and song structure.
There are 90-minute sessions for 2nd-5th graders, and 6th-8th graders. All students return that afternoon for a performance of songs they’ve written, with Gailmor.
The event is sponsored by the Weston History & Culture Center. Advance registration is required. Click here to register, and for more information.

Jon Gailmor
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Yesterday’s Roundup noted the introduction of an English language conversation group at the Westport Library, in addition to those in other languages.
One that was not listed: Hebrew.
A Hebrew conversation group has been active for 13 years. During COVID it moved to Zoom, where it continues today.
Members meet twice a month virtually. All levels of speakers are welcome. For information, email israelisinct@hotmail.com.

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Americana/blues/bluegreass/folk/funk/jazz musician Crys Matthews comes to Voices Café on Saturday, February 3 (8 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport). Called “the next Woodie Guthrie,” Matthews is a star in the new generation of social justice music-makers.
Click here for tickets ($25 adults, $15 under 21). A portion of proceeds benefits Trans Haven, part of New Haven’s PeerPride.

Crys Matthews
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Rugby players compete in all kinds of weather.
So it’s no big deal that a 4th annual rugby college showcase and combine is set for February 10 (noon to 4 p.m., Paul Lane Field at Staples High School). Sponsors are DC Old Glory and New England Free Jacks.
Over 70 college coaches are expected to attend. Registration is $75 per player. For information, email info@staplesrugby.com, or call 917-797-9486.

Several Staples High School rugby players will participate in the February 10 showcase and combine.
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Staples High School Class of 1982 graduate Joseph “Joe” Collins died earlier this month, at 59. His obituary reports that he took his own life.
He began his public service career as a Westport Emergency Medical Technician. He graduated from Franklin Pierce University with a BA in psychology and a master’s in business administration, and was chief of the college fire department.
Joe worked full time for the Keene (New Hampshire) Police Department and part time at the Fitzwilliam Police Department, rising to sergeant. He helped implement Keene’s K-9 program. He also volunteered for the Jaffrey-Rindge ambulance.
In 2000 he was named Chief of Police in Rindge. He was soon hired as a training specialist for the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, and a trainer at the New Hampshire Police K-9 Academy and Working Dog Foundation. Later positions were with the towns of Sunapee and Newport.
Not necessarily feeling satisfied again, Joe returned to the field when he accepted a position with the Town of Sunapee Police Department, and later with the Town of Newport as well.
Joe became an explosive detection dog team handler with American K-9. As a member of the US Baghdad Embassy Security Force, he searched and cleared vehicles and packages entering the International Zone and US Embassy compound in Baghdad.
After Iraq, Joe continued to strive for sobriety and found a calling to serve others in a gentler way. He became licensed as an apprentice funeral director and embalmer. He then entered security operations as an officer at Monadnock Community Hospital and Windham County Court facilities in Vermont.
A desire to work with canines led him to Houston. He checked fans of the Houston Astros as they played their way to the world championship. Recently, Joe returned to his beloved Monadnock Region.
Joe is survived by his son, Coleman; sisters Karen VanBuskirk of Brewster, Massachusetts; Terry Croffy (John) of Fairfield; Patty Cronin of East Harwich, Massachusetts, and Christina Collins (David Huband) of Toronto, and his brother Greg of St. Louis, along with great-aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends, including Tammy Johnson and her daughter, Ronni, and his former wife Amy Collins.
A celebration of Joe’s life will be held June 1 (11 a.m., Cournoyer Funeral Home, Jaffrey).
In lieu of flowers, consider a contribution to the Good Neighbor Fund, PO Box 486, Jaffrey NH 03452. For a full obituary, click here.

Joe Collins
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The temperature is creeping back up. The days slowly get longer.
Look closely at today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo of Saugatuck Shores, and you’ll see that spring is — well, maybe not right around the corner. But closer than it was a couple of weeks ago.

(Photo/Matt Fortuna)
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If you’ve never heard Jon Gailmor (story above): What a shame.
Here are a few:
(Every day, our “06880” Roundup provides information on things to do and see. Please support this, and other features on our hyper-local blog. Just click here. Thank you!)
Posted in Children, Education, Entertainment, Obituaries, Sports
Tagged Hebrew language, Joe Collins, Jon Gailmor, rugby, Unitarian Church Voices Cafe