As we prepare for another winter storm, today’s main theme is … winter.
Whether you’re relaxing with coffee by the fire, or ready to rush out and stock up on milk and eggs, today’s online art gallery is perfect for January.
Stay warm!
And if you get a chance this weekend, please send us your work.
No matter your age; the 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, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“The Poetry of Barns, Simple — Hulls Road” (Tom Kretsch — Available for purchase; click here)
“Occupied by Silence” (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)
“Mr. Snowflake” (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)
“Winter” — paper collage (Jodi B. Rabinowitz — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)
“Boys & Their Boxes” — digital composition (Ken Runkel)
“Mum’s the Word” — digital collage (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; click here)
“Winter Mountains” — shadowbox collage; painted canvas stripped, weaving/rattan inserts; with a piece from windstorm, from a 200+- year-old sugar maple (Dorothy Robertshaw)
“Plant Life Portrait” — acrylic (Ella Barborak — 9th grade; One River Art student)
Untitled — Photographer Mike Hibbard says, “This Alaskan braided river, fed by a glacier, is home to many animals. As I walked down the trail to the river, a huge grizzly bear stepped out of dense brush 20 feet in front of me, reared up, growled, and then … that’s another story!”
‘The Empire State Building/Excelsior Ever Upward” — watercolor (Steve Stein)
Untitled (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)
Untitled (Lawrence Weisman)
“Interesting Ornament” (John Maloney)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
The University of Connecticut men’s and women’s basketball teams are often among the top programs in the country.
Meanwhile, Staples High School’s boys and girls teams are both undefeated.
Go, Wreckers and Huskies!
The boys rout some of their toughest opponents by 30 or more points.
The girls recently knocked 2 teams from the unbeaten ranks.
The other day, photographer John Walker was at the Wreckers’ gym for a boys game.
Though only a freshman, John has a great eye for action. Here’s a look at some of his shots.
Austin Heyer
Sam Clachko
Drew Hill
Sam Clachko
Drew Hill
The next home game for the boys is Tuesday (January 27), vs. Wilton. The next girls game is Friday (January 30), against Fairfield Warde. Tipoff for both contests is 7 p.m. For full schedules, click here; then click “Team Schedule” on the left, and use the dropdown menus at top.
Last week’s Friday Flashback featured Hay Day — Westport’s first “gourmet market.”
This week we travel directly across the Post Road.
And even though this photo is from a few decades earlier than Hay Day, it looks remarkably the same today.
(Photo courtesy of Susan O’Donnell)
Sure, the cars are different. The clothes too.
But the only other changes a time traveler would notice is that — as of last spring — the Carvel brand was replaced by generic “soft serve ice cream.”
And the classic cone on the roof disappeared, years earlier.
What are your Carvel memories? 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!)
Presentations for the proposed 2026-27 school budget concluded last night, at Staples High School. “06880” journalist John H. Palmer reports:
The Board of Education mulled over $7.63 million in spending plans for facilities and grounds at the town’s 8 schools.
The $7.63 million projection for the 2026-2027 school year is about $134,000, (1.8%) more than the current year’s projection of $7.5 million, according to chief financial officer Elio Longo. The rise owes mostly to electricity costs, which have increased by about 10%.
He said that the town historically negotiates fixed contracts for 2-3 years at a time.
“The Board of Education has managed the risk associated with electricity supply, rate, and volatility by contracting a fixed rate to December 2027,” according to the budget summary provided.
“This mitigation strategy was a group purchase collaboration with the Town of Westport and other municipalities/school districts.”
Longo touted the accomplishments of the previous year, explaining that 211 building and grounds projects were completed in the spring and summer of 2025, and 145 during the winter.
The new fieldhouse floor at Staples was installed under budget, he said, while Saugatuck Elementary School and Kings Highway School both had parking lots paved over.
Moving forward, the district looks to add a new position — assistant director of facilities and security — for roughly $130,000. That person would assist the current director and “strengthen operational oversight, increase departmental capacity, and ensure the district remains positioned to manage both daily facility operations and the growing demands of capital and security initiatives,” Longo said.
Utilities costs, which include water and sewer as well as gas and electricity, have remained relatively steady at a 3-year average of $3.1 million. Costs in fiscal year 2026 were about $3.2 million, while 2027 is projected at just under $3.5 million. General maintenance costs were expected to remain steady at a $1.9 million average over three years.
As for school building maintenance projections for 2026-2027, $85,000 is projected for Coleytown Elementary School to replace an aging and obsolete ventilator as well as a failing sewer ejection pump.
Coleytown Elementary School
Saugatuck School and Bedford Middle School are both slated to receive a JACE main control system. The electronic system connects lighting, security and HVAC systems and provides advanced integration for smart buildings, managing systems, and enabling data visualization through a web browser. The total cost for installation in the 2 school buildings is estimated to be around $555,000.
Staples High School will get $50,000 of updates, including a new dehumidifier in the library for $10,000, and an epoxy floor installation in the field house pool hobby for $20,000.
Westport’s school board launched the 2026-27 budget season January 9. Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarise proposed a 5.48% increase over last year’s budget.
If adopted as presented, that would amount to just over an $8 million increase over the $150 million 2025-26 budget. The budget total represents $282,000 less than administrators requested last year. Most of those cuts were for books and equipment.
Among the notable items in the proposed budget:
The district expects to enroll about 5,251 students next year.
Health insurance costs for the district’s roughly 1,000 employees will increase by about 15%, from $22.5 million to about $25.9 million, nearly a 15 percent increase. This expenditure will keep the bottom-line increase to about two-and-a-quarter percent, as opposed to 3.24% without the increase.
About $95,000 will be allocated for athletic uniforms for sports teams at Staples. In the past, parents or booster clubs generally bore these costs.
If all goes according to schedule, the Board of Ed will vote to approve the budget proposal later this month, or early February. The next 2 weeks of meetings will focus on specific questions that board members will want answered before the approval vote.
“There’s not really many changes to this budget,” said board chair Lee Goldstein.
The Board of Finance then has until late April to conduct workshops and make any changes, before the budget goes to the Representative Town Meeting for final adoption in May or June.
(“06880” — Westport’s hyper-local blog — covers the town budget process, from now through adoption this spring. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Saugatuck residents have coped with several hassles — road closures, delays and heavy traffic; noise and more — in the months since the Aquarion/Dave Tinker Construction water main project began on and around Riverside Avenue several months ago.
Yesterday may have been the worst. Hundreds of residents had no water for much of the morning.
The good news: The water is back on.
The bad news: The project is not yet over.
=================================================
Beer and other canned alcoholic beverages might be available at the Longshore golf course this summer.
The Recreation Commission voted 3-0 on Wednesday to approve their sale. Two seats on the 5-person board are vacant.
The proposal now goes to the Select Board, for a final okay.
Thirsty Longshore golfers may be able to buy beer this year.
On Wednesday, we reported that Kyle Martino — the 1999 Staples High School graduate/Gatorade National Player of the Year/US men’s national team player would pitch his Street FC app on “Shark Tank” that night.
The competition was stiff. But Martino is an athlete. He knows how to win.
And he did. His app — which connects soccer players with pick-up games — was the night’s winner.
When Mexicue closed over a year ago — after only 2 years — it left a lot of space to fill.
Beginning the first week in February, Felice will fill it.
The restaurant — next to Sushi Jin, and across Main Street from the similarly named, but also now closed, La Fenice gelato shop — is part of a New York-based chain. There are 16 locations, in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Port Chester and Florida. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
=================================================
Stop & Shop was calm this morning, as the sun rose shortly after its 6 a.m. opening.
It won’t be for long. Westporters are probably already descending on it — and grocery stores everywhere — in preparation for this weekend’s weather.
It will be fine today, with a high of 36. But the temperature plunges to 7 degrees tonight.
Tomorrow will be mostly sunny too, with the thermometer reaching only 17.
Snow begins Sunday morning. We could get 15 inches, with a high temperature of 18.
Light snow will continue Monday morning.
Stay warm! Stay dry! And kids … the odds are good for a snow day Monday.
(Photo/John Richers)
================================================
Bruce Brodie’s one-man art show borrows from Walt Whitman.
But it could not be more timely.
The 1972 Staples graduate is exhibiting 18 paintings at Craven Contemporary gallery in Kent, Connecticut.
The titles of the 18 paintings — all completed in 2025 — use words from the 19th century poet to invoke the seasons, sunlight, weather, heaven and earth, love, ardor and longing.
“The work was started in anticipation of changing times,” Brodie says. “It took shape amidst the persistent drumbeat aimed at consolidating power and curtailing freedoms. I looked to the skies to express my feelings, and find hope.”
The show opens this week, and runs weekends through March 15. Brodie will be at the gallery February 14 and 15. For more information, click here.
“He That Walks With the Tender and Growing Night” (Bruce Brodie)
The winter of 2021 was a big one for downtown bookstores.
In February, Barnes & Noble moved into the former Restoration Hardware. The space was closer to other retailers, though smaller than their previous store (now the Big Y supermarket).
No one cares about a big-chain corporate success. But a small, community-minded used book shop, with a special mission — that’s a different story.
Westport Book Shop is a partnership between the Westport Library and Westport Book Sales, the non-profit with 2 important missions: They raise funds for the library by running its book sales, and they hire adults with disabilities.
So it’s fitting that Westport Book Shop is just a few yards from the Library, across Jesup Green.
Westport Book Shop
The 5,000 or so books, in over 40 categories, come from donations to the annual book sales. There’s also a large selection of vinyl records, audio books, CDs and DVDs.
The view from inside Westport Book Shop, across Jesup Green to the library.
Books cover all major categories: fiction, non-fiction, biography, children’s, you name it.
The Book Shop also features the Drew Friedman Art Place. Miggs Burroughs curates rotating exhibits.
On January 28, the 60-plus artists and photographers who have been featured will honored with a special piece, by Burroughs. It remains up through February.
Miggs Burroughs with his own work, at the Westport Book Shop.
To celebrate their 5th anniversary, Westport Book Shop is offering a few specials. They’re fundraisers too — a great way for residents to show their love and support.
One is a raffle. The winner gets a new copy of “The New Yorker in Westport” book. Donated by its authors, Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley, it shows dozens of magazine covers, showing 50 magazine covers created by area artists, inspired by familiar local scenes. Accompanying each image are interesting stories, and facts about our town.
Tickets are $5. They’re available online and at the store, through Wednesday, January 28.
Also available at the store: items created especially for the anniversary.
There’s a snuggly Westport Book Shop logo hat; local artist Jack Geer’s image of the store as a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, and a decal.
Special 5th-anniversary items.
It’s been a great 5 years for Westport Book Shop.
They’ve provided over 12,250 hours of employment and skills training for adults with disabilities.
And they’ve contributed over $350,000 to the Westport Library.
But that’s just the start.
They’ve got a $50,000 fundraising goal, to help continue their work. Click here to donate.
Town officials are closely monitoring the major winter storm forecast.
It’s expected to begin Sunday morning (January 25), with hazardous conditions to continue into Monday.
Models indicate 12 to 18 inches of snowfall across southern New England. Wind gusts of 20 to 30 miles an hour may result in blowing snow and periods of near-zero visibility. The snow is expected to be light and powdery, so widespread power outages are not anticipated at this time.
Fire Chief Nick Marsan says, “This storm has the potential to significantly impact travel and daily activities. Now is the time for residents to prepare, complete errands early, and plan to stay off the roads once snowfall begins so emergency and public works crews can operate safely.”
Department of Human Resources director Elaine Daignault adds, “Extreme cold can be dangerous, especially for seniors, residents without reliable heat, and those facing hardship.
“Our team is ready to help connect residents with warming centers and other critical resources. Please check your furnaces now, and schedule fuel deliveries ahead of the storm. If you or someone you know needs assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
Westport residents experiencing hardship due to cold weather can contact Human Services at 203-341-1050 now and tomorrow, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Both are on the menu this Monday (January 26, 7 p.m.). The League of Women Voters of Westport hosts their annual “Pie & Politics” panel, a few days before the General Assembly session begins in Hartford. It’s a decades-old tradition, organized by LWVs all over the state.
Local State Senator Ceci Maher, and State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Dominique Johnson will meet voters (and enjoy dinner). There’s also a panel, moderated by former State Representative Ken Bernhard.
They’ll discuss statewide issues like the budget, and local ones they’ll wrestle with, including affordable housing and the Cribari Bridge.
Two Representative Town Meeting (RTM) committees — Health & Human Services, and Environment — meet jointly on February 4 (7:30 p.m., Zoom).
The agenda includes:
Water contamination
Synthetic turf fields vs. grass fields
Reducing town pesticide applications
Tree preservation and clear-cutting
Noise ordinance.
Clear-cutting is on the RTM committees’ agenda.
=================================================
The VersoFest lineup just got even more festive.
Peter Shapiro — longtime owner and operator of concert venues like the Capitol Theatre and Brooklyn Bowl, and producer of many music festivals — and rock author, writer and documentarian Dean Budnick will discuss the legacy of the Grateful Dead, and the development of the jam band scene over the decades.
Their free session is March 29 (12 p.m.).
Shapiro produced Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead. He founded Lockn’, a 4-day festival featuring Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Widespread Panic and Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Budnick is the author of books on the music industry, and has written for Billboard, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
Speaking of prix fixe menus: Dandelion is serving up one for $95 on Valentine’s Day.
The February 14 “intimate and elevated” meal is “designed to be shared and savored,” at the restaurant in the Delamar Westport hotel.
It includes “a welcoming amuse bouche, followed by your choice of vibrant starters and beautifully composed entrées inspired by Mediterranean and Levantine flavors, from fresh seafood and wood-fired specialties to refined cuts of meat and seasonal vegetables. End on a sweet note with indulgent desserts created exclusively for the occasion.”
After 8 years as a professional with Brooks Beasts, the 2013 Staples High School and 2017 University of Virginia graduate — and holder of many Connecticut and collegiate running records (plus a world record, as a relay anchor) — is retiring.
Wynne began running as a freshman as a way to stay in shape for lacrosse. He soon realized he was a natural. He flourished under coach Laddie Lawrence, then went on to even great heights.
He missed the Olympics twice, by only two spots at the trials. But he stands tall, as one of Staples’ most accomplished athletes ever.
Congratulations, on a great career! You have inspired many young Westporters to follow — hopefully quickly — in your footsteps. (Hat tip: Reess Kennedy)
Henry Wynne (Photo/Will Hoffman for Runner’s World)
But the proposed remediation and redevelopment of Manresa Island — just off the Norwalk coast — is a Very Big Deal.
On Tuesday, the Westport Rotary Club heard all about it. Jessica Vonashek — executive director of the Manresa Island Corporation — described what may be ahead for the former NRG power plant. (That’s the smokestack we see from Compo Beach.)
The hope is to transform the site into a thriving (and accessible) 125-acre park. It would unlock almost 2 miles of shoreline access, and create a unique destination alongside the adaptive reuse of the structures at its center.
Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between January 14 and 20.
A 30-year-old Piscataway, New Jersey man was charged with operating under the influence, traveling unreasonably fast and following too closely, after his vehicle struck a trash truck on Post Road West just before 4:30 a.m.
A 64-year-old Stamford man was charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of registration market plate, failure to maintain minimum insurance coverage, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and failure to appear, following a motor vehicle stop on Beachside Avenue.
A 53-year-old Westport woman was charged with failure to appear. Officers were called to a trespassing complaint, and learned that she was the subject of a warrant for an unrelated matter.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Texting while driving: 7 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Speeding: 1
Evading responsibility: 1
Following too closely: 1
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a tint inspection: 1
Failure to remove snow from a motor vehicle: 1
Failure to renew license: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Improper windshield: 1
Improper rear/marker lamps: 1
It’s the law: You must remove snow and ice from your vehicle!
It’s a lot closer. And even though it’s a Middle School company, their “Addams Family” production may be worth checking out.
The curtain rises at Weston High School at 7 p.m. on January 30, and 3 p.m. on January 31 and February 1. Tickets are available online, and at the door.
Short Wharf Theater’s “Addams Family” cast. (Photo/Greg Cohen Photography)
And finally … in honor of Weston Middle School’s upcoming “Addams Family” show (story above):
(“06880” is your full-service, 24/7/365, hyper-local, “Where Westport Meets the World” blog. But we can’t do it without the support of readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
“Occupied by Silence” (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)
“The Board of Education has managed the risk associated with electricity supply, rate, and volatility by contracting a fixed rate to December 2027,” according to the budget summary provided.
