Tonight is the night we turn our clocks back one hour, to “standard time.” (Though with Daylight Savings Time now in place for nearly 8 months, isn’t that the “standard”?)
The good news: We get an extra hour of sleep.
The bad news: We get an extra hour of all that “traffic-gedddon,” during the I-95 bridge slide.
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Speaking of this weekend’s bridgework, here’s a photo from this morning:
From now through December 21, then starting again after midterms in January, the Westport Library is teaming with Staples High School students on a “near-peer” tutoring program.
The program — held in the Children’s Library — features Staples students tutoring middle school and elementary schoolers in subjects including English, math, science, social studies, programming and Mandarin
The drop-in program runs between 4 and 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Tutor availability is posted weekly. Click here for the schedule.
All tutors are past participants, or received a letter of recommendation from a current or previous teacher.
Adults with students under the age of 12 must stay in the Children’s Library during the session.
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Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away. Pie time!
Wakeman Town Farm’s 4th annual Pie Sale is on. They’ve partnered with Earth Animal’s Mitten project initiative, to raise funds for Connecticut Food Share.
Oronoque Farms is baking apple and blueberry pies (traditional and crumb; served at room temperature or slightly warmed), as well as Pumpkin Pies (frozen and ready to bake; instructions provided).
Orders close November 17. Pick-ups are Tuesday, November 21 (4 to 7 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm). Click here to order, and for more information.
Blueberry crumb pie.
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Westport Transit District director Peter Gold reminds residents:
Many people know about the Westport Transit District’s Wheels2U service from their front door to the Westport and Greens Farms train stations. Less well known are services for the elderly and people with a disability.
The WTD provides an in-town service for the elderly and people with a disability, and a town-to-town service for people with a disability. Like Wheels2U, both services use handicap accessible vans.
The in-town service takes anyone with a disability, and anyone age 65 or over (whether or not they have a disability), anywhere within Westport, for $3.50. Rides must be booked a day in advance. Personal care assistants accompanying an elderly passenger or a passenger with a disability ride free.
The town-to-town service takes anyone with a disability to destinations in Norwalk, Wilton, Weston, New Canaan, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich. The fare is $3.50 each time a town border is crossed. (For example, a ride within Westport is $3.50; a ride to Darien is $10.50). Again, personal care assistants accompanying a passenger with a disability ride free.
Click here for more information, including how to book and pay for rides. Click here for information on Wheels2U.
Dionne Pia is the Westport Book Shop’s guest exhibitor for November. She exhibits 2 large-school paintings: “Brave New World” and “Galaxy.”
She earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. She also studied Russian icon painting, and landscape graphics. Dionne is a member of the Artists Collective of Westport. Her work has been exhibited in many shows throughout Connecticut.
Sustainable Westport’s second Residential Energy Learning series focuses on solar energy. “Everything Solar” is set for the Westport Library on November 7 (6:30 p.m., reception, 6:45 presentation and Q-and-A).
Westport architect John Rountree and Nathan Hernandez, solar consultant, will discuss how to transition your home or business to solar energy. They’ll cover solar panels, installation companies, design considerations, the expected ROI, and financing options (with federal and state incentives).
Westporter Dan Schlesinger will talk about his recent process of going solar.
Rodolfo Soto returns to the Westport Country Playhouse.
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It’s the lecture you’ve been waiting for!
Westport Astronomical Society’s free online lecture series continues November 21 (8 p.m.) with Dr. Slava Turyshev. The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory research scientist will discuss “Imaging and Spectroscopy of Exoplanets Using Solar Gravitational Lensing.”
(Hmmm … what to do with those extra 60 minutes? So many possibilities … including making a donation to “06880.” It’s easy — just click here. Thank you very much!)
“Aragosta, Maine” — oil on canvas (Werner Liepolt)
“Pinckney Park, Rowayton” (Jo Ann Davidson)
“Did You Forget to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)- Again?” Pencil and watercolor artist Steve Stein says, “The holiday dating from pre-Hispanic Central America falls every year on November 1 and 2. It is believed that the spirits of departed ancestors return home to spend time with their relatives in a celebration of both the life and death of family.”
“It’s a Stretch” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Scary Yarn! Eeeek!” (Mike Hibbard)
“On a Windy Hill by the Transfer Station” (Peter Barlow)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Disturbed after finding discarded books in the Westport Library’s dumpster, alert reader Dylan Stableford recently wrote to “06880”:
The first time I noticed some library books in there I thought, that’s odd. Why wouldn’t they sell them, or donate them to Goodwill or a used book store? But figured it was just a lazy employee/one-time thing.
The next time, there were more books. And the next time, even more — sometimes 2/3 full.
These were not old and overworn books. Some were essentially new. I even grabbed two (Jon Stewart’s “America: The Book” hardcover, and a nice paperback copy of “In Cold Blood”). Yesterday, the dumpster was full.
(Photo/Dylan Stableford)
I asked someone at the front desk about it. They said they didn’t know but took my information and would get back to me. No one did.
My question is: Why? Why not donate them to, say, a school library in town? Or Goodwill? Or store them for an eventual book sale? Seems like an operational breakdown (at best) or laziness (at worst).
I asked Westport Library Bill Harmer for an answer. He quickly said:
Thank you for sharing your concerns with us regarding our book recycling process.
While we cannot specifically address the books mentioned, it’s likely that the books found in the dumpster were those declined by our dedicated book sale volunteer team.
We are truly appreciative of the generous donations of thousands of gently used, good-condition books, which are ideal for resale. We meticulously sort, price and store tens of thousands of these books for our book sale events, and the Westport Book Shop.
Thousands of books are available at regular Westport Library sales. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Unfortunately, we receive unsuitable books on a daily basis. These may be too damaged, exposed to humid conditions resulting in mold or mildew, filled with excessive margin notes or underlinings, or carry a strong odor of cigarette smoke.
Occasionally, even books that appear to be in good condition may have absorbed unpleasant odors due to storage with other books in less favorable conditions.
Furthermore, our book donation center operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. Despite clear signage urging patrons not to leave books outdoors when the center is closed, books left outside overnight or on Sundays are exposed to the elements and must be recycled, as we advertise.
Our book sale has a clearly defined policy, accessible on the Westport Book Sale Ventures website, which outlines materials we do not accept, including most encyclopedias, test-prep books over 3 years old, Time-Life series books, and magazines. Occasionally donors, after having their contributions declined for these reasons, may unfortunately choose to improperly dispose of books in our dumpsters.
It’s vital to understand that the books withdrawn from our Westport Library collection are removed for various reasons, such as damage, non-circulation, outdated content and various other factors.
When a book is no longer in use due to damage, outdated information, or low demand, we prioritize responsible and environmentally friendly disposal methods. Recycling is one of those methods, helping us minimize our environmental impact. Our goal is to maintain a relevant and high-quality collection for our patrons. Recycling enables us to make space for new and valuable resources.
Stacks downstairs, at the Westport Library.
Also of note: We send books that are no longer in frequent circulation but are in good condition to Better World Books, which sells them to support educational, literacy, and other programs. Better World Books also donates books to charity. We get a small amount of money back when we send books to them.
Transporting these materials to Goodwill or other charities poses logistical challenges. Unfortunately, we lack the capacity to deliver them to alternative locations. Moreover, these organizations typically lack the resources, including staff and facilities, to manage the collection and processing of these books. Even when we extend invitations to charities to collect books for free at the end of our sales, very few organizations take us up on the offer.
We hope this explanation sheds light on our book management practices. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or concerns.
(Readers often ask questions of “06880.” Answering them is one more feature of our hyper-local blog. Please support our wide-ranging work, by clicking here. Thank you!)
As Mary Gai notes, “All mills were the same at first. The mill stones were imported from France.
“They were simultaneously wood cutting mills and grain mills. When steam power overtook all around 1840, the mills did cider, cotton (making raw fibers into ‘belts,’ the Mill at Richmondville went into twine. Both of my parents worked there in the late 1930s, making twine. Much of that road was employees of the mill. Mills were not appreciated. They were dismantled and turned into either commercial centers or residences.”
In the case of The Mill at Richmondville, they were turned into an office building — and, now, into apartments.
There was the mill at Compo Cove, which burned twice (and is now the home straddling the Sherwood Mill Pond inlet). It’s memorialized still in the name of the “Old Mill” area.
(Photo/courtesy of Paul Ehrismann)
And, by Ford Road, there were these:
It’s misspelled on the postcard. Today, nearby, is Sipperley’s Hill Road (often misread as “Slippery Hill Road”).
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50 Years Ago This Week:
Led by former Bedford Junior High School principal Norman Flint, a group of parents, students, administrators and others did a protest walk to demonstrate the dangers for students who must walk to the Riverside Avenue building. (Today it is Saugatuck Elementary School.)
RTM candidate Charles Ziff noted: “In many areas sidewalks don’t exist and where they did, they were in very poor condition or overrun by shrubs.”
Bedford Junior High School, back in the day.
(“Friday Flashback” is one of our many weekly features. If you enjoy it — or anything else on “06880” — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
A reminder (and we can’t remind readers often enough): From tonight through early Monday morning, the second “bridge slide” takes place.
The new I-95 Saugatuck Avenue bridge will be slid over, replacing the old one. Traffic will be diverted onto local roads.
Drivers using Waze and other apps will find their own ways around the miss, as they did 2 weeks ago. Areas far from 95, like Hermit Lane and Gorham Avenue, were affected.
If you’re going to weekend happenings — like Saturday’s Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services banquet at the VFW, or the next day’s “First Folk Sunday” (also at the VFW), or Sunday’s “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour — plan accordingly.
If it seems like there are a lot of vape and smoke shops popping up around town: You’re not high. It’s true.
The Planning & Zoning Commission has taken notice too.
The first agenda item at its November 13 meeting (7 p.m., Zoom; click here to see) includes a text amendment that would “protect the public health and welfare by adding language to define and prohibit Smoke Shops and add stricter standards applicable to other establishments that sell smoking related products, but do not qualify as a Smoke Shop as described in the definition.”
New language is also proposed to “prohibit light emitting diode or LED signs so as to reduce potential distractions to motorists” — one of the complaints about Savvy Smoker, the new shop next to Christian Siriano at the corner of Post Road East and West Parish Road.
Nearly 400 fans packed the Inn at Longshore last night, for Westport PAL’s 2nd annual gala.
The Romano family (Pete, his parents PJ and Joan, sister Pam Romano-Gorman, and daughters), and former PAL president Ned Batlin, were honored for their longtime contributions to the non-profit that serves thousands of Westport youth every year.
There was an auction too, including special items like VIP parking — and beach sitting — areas for the PAL-sponsored 4th of July fireworks.
And there were heartfelt testimonials to the importance of Westport PAL (and the influence of so many volunteer coaches) by former lacrosse player Henry Dodge, current Staples High School quarterback Caleb Smith, and 6th grade athlete Tristen Rycenga.
It was a great, Westport-centric evening. Funds raised will go to the new, 2-story clubhouse planned for (of course) PJ Romano Field.
6th grader Tristen Rycenga (at microphone) and teammates thank Westport PAL for all they do. PAL president Craig Bergamo is at left. (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)
Also yesterday: 90-year-0ld Win Allen provided a snapshot of his life story to the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston.
The 48-year resident of Westport grew up in Harlem, attended law school, earned a Fulbright Scholarship, then created the first Black-owned Wall Street firm.
He has written 3 books, most recently“How I Pried Open Wall Street in 1962.”
Win Allen speaks to the Y’s Men. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
Ukraine Aid International –– the non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — continues to deliver crucial aid.
The organization has purchased a water filtration truck, for deliveries to frontline locations to places — like our sister city of Lyman — without permanent installations.
Lyman’s police also just received a generous donation from the Westport Police Department. The shipment includes gear that was scheduled to be replaced here, including bulletproof vests, shoulder radios, winter hats and gloves, car radios, police belts and ballistic helmets.
Donations to Lyman are always welcome. Click here; then click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.)
Ukraine Aid International’s water filtration truck.
For adults — well, you may have way too many Kit Kats, M&Ms and apples (just kidding) left over from Monday night.
Al’s Angels are happy to take it off your hands.
From now through Wednesday (November 8), bring extra Halloween candy to Saugatuck Sweets’ Westport or Fairfield locations.
It will be placed in nearly 1,500 Al’s Angels Thanksgiving holiday meal bins, for children battling cancer, rare blood diseases and several financial hardship.
“On September 13, the Conservation Board approved a plan to build a luxury townhouse next to Eloise A. Ray Park, on Riverside Avenue.
“This approval occurred over the objections of a number of residents, including a ‘Friends of the Park’ group which has been lobbying against the project for some time.
“Opponents of the project argue that it will be unusable while construction is ongoing; that it will be used in part as a staging area, and damaged by equipment; that the park will be ‘forever altered by having a multi-level house, driveway, patio and walls’ encroaching on it; that trees will be cut, wildlife displaced, and that traffic on Riverside will be affected for lengthy periods of time.
“While the project still requires approval by Planning & Zoning (no hearing date has yet been set), Friends of Eloise A. Ray Park urges residents to find out where P&Z candidates stand on this issue. They also invite interested residents to email saveeloise@gmail.com.”
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, who are drivers or passengers in cars, are invited to a “Traffic Stop Practice” tomorrow (Saturday, November 4, 8 a.m. to noon), Sacred Heart University).
Sponsored in part by the Westport Police Department, the goal is to provide those with ASD with information about interactions during a routine traffic stop. They’ll also learn how to use the Department of Motor Vehicles’ “Blue Envelope,” which helps enhance communication with officers.
To register, email asd-center@southernct.edu; include “Traffic Stop Practice” in the subject line, and include name, phone, email and physical address.
The state DMV “blue envelope” program, for people with autism.
Though 180 families applied to the Salvation Army for Thanksgiving turkeys and other food, the organization expects their CT Food Share allotment will not cover the need.
The seek additional support from are residents.
The Salvation Army also hopes to purchase new coats, sneakers and toys for hundreds of youngsters.
To help, and for more information, contact Major Persi Sanclemente: Persida.Sanclemente@USE.SalvationArmy.org; 401-439-3480.
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Yesterday’s frost was the first of this fall.
Jacqui O’Brien captured it in Greens Farms, for “Westport … Naturally”:
(Photo/Jacqui O’Brien)
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And finally … this weekend’s “bridge slide” is not electric.
But this video will get you in a happier mood than you otherwise might be:
(Staying home to avoid all the traffic? Slide over to this link, and help support “06880.” Thank you!)
Toni Simonetti — a Westport resident for 23 years — is a transplant from Detroit, by way of New York City. She and her husband Jeff Neville live near downtown with their goldendoodle Max.
She loves spending time with town elders, playing bridge, and gardening. That last passion led her to Town Hall Monday night, for the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting about Long Lots Elementary School and the future of the Westport Community Gardens.
She writes:
Westport has about 27,000 residents, and 52% are over the age of 45 years. A quarter of our town’s population is over the age of 60, while children ages 5-15 account for about 13% of the town’s residents.
Yet some fuzzy math used by the town declared that there are 11,000 “participants” who use the town’s athletic fields.
Fuzzy math notwithstanding, you cannot deny the town’s demographic. We have a lot of “old people.”
So what, you say?
Alfred Gwilliam has gardened at Plot 29 in the Westport Community Gardens for as many years as I can remember. I walk past him every time I go to the garden; mine is just a few plots down. He is always there, tending flowers, gooseberries and blackberries.
Irmgard and Alfred Gwilliam, at the Community Gardens. (Photo/Toni Simonetti)
Earlier this year, he said it was becoming difficult to tend the entire 10’ x 40’ plot. He is, after all, 90 years old, and he had just had a pacemaker implanted.
But he was not willing to give up gardening, so he worked the plot as best he could. As one of the garden co-chairs of membership, I suggested he reduce his plot size by half, which might make it more manageable.
“I can do that?” he asked. “I don’t want to give it up, but I didn’t know I could keep just half.”
One quick phone call to my partner in membership, Laura Riguzzi, and it was settled.
On Monday evening, October 30, Alfred and his wife of 58 years, Irmgard, found their way to Westport Town Hall. They were there to support the gardens, and to hear if the Parks & Recreation Commission would really vote to destroy them.
As the meeting swelled with this baseball dad, that soccer mom, other young mothers and fathers of school age children, and town staff describing the difficulty they have scheduling all those games, the Gwilliams took it in.
“We need more soccer fields. We need the baseball field. We have children. They need sports. The children need the fields. The children need a school. The children need our help. This is a family town, and we are all about the children.”
Other gardeners were there too, giving their usual raft of reasons why the town is making misguided decisions to bury the gardens. The usual cadre of abutting neighbors were there again, still worried about water, lights, noise and traffic in their quiet neighborhood.
Some speakers at the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting talked about issues with nearby Muddy Brook. (Photo/Peter J. Swift0
The matter was being pushed through the artifice of a public meeting, with an appointed body that has no authority whatsoever on building a school or approving land use requests.
German-born Irmgard is not a public speaker. She was there “because I love the garden.” She told me of the difficult year she has had with caregiving her beloved sister who has dementia, and worrying about Alfred and his health issues. Her daughter succumbed to cancer recently.
“With all of this on my plate, the garden is where I go to find peace and beauty … ever since I was a child in Bavaria. I wasn’t there to speak,” she told me later.
“I knew the decision had already been made, but I couldn’t help it.
“I saw this beautiful young woman, talking about her 3 sons and how they need the field. How much they needed it,” she said.
“It was too much for me. I need the garden. My husband needs the garden. The weight of it all — I had to say something.”
She raised her hand to speak, then made her way to the podium. Immaculately dressed and coifed with bright pink lipstick, she silenced the room with her smile.
Her well-spoken English was flavored with a German accent; her voice, delicate and fragile.
“Thank you for an interesting and incredible meeting. It is amazing. It is my first time here. I have lived here 53 years and raised 2 children here,” she began.
“It is amazing what is being said. What I have to say is just a footnote.
“But no one knows the pleasure, the mental health that I get from the garden. When I am ‘out of it’ I go to the garden, and I am a new person.
The Westport Community Gardens are a sanctuary for many. (Photo/Karen Mather)
“We are talking tonight about the children, and yes, yes, the children need everything.
“But who is talking for us; who is talking for us and for our garden?” She repeated the word children several times, with some trepidation.
“These are big, big issues. My husband, he is born an Englishman, American now, and he is very ill. He goes to the garden every day. It makes him live. So, who is talking about us; who is talking about the old people and the pleasure we get from the garden?”
I was literally in tears.
The chair of the committee thanked her for her comments. Shortly thereafter he read his prepared statement about how this is a town for children.
Tears welled up again. I got up and left the meeting.
On my way out, as the chair droned on about how great the Parks & Rec facilities are, I rushed passed Jen Tooker. She sat in the dark, in the back of the auditorium, as is her habit.
She glanced at me. I glanced back. I hoped she was listening.
One more reminder that summer is over: Yesterday (November 1), the barriers were removed at Church Lane and Elm Street.
The outdoor restaurant tables are gone.
The road is once again open to traffic.
Church Lane (Photo/Sal Liccione)
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One more reminder Halloween is over: Your rotting pumpkins.
No problem! Next Thursday (November 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), the Westport Farmers’ Markets hosts its 5th annual Great Pumpkin Toss.
Just bring your pumpkin to the Imperial Avenue parking lot. Action Waste Solutions will collect them.
It’s one way to turn a tiny portion of the 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins wasted in the US each year into usable compost.
All pumpkins and gourds in their natural state are accepted. Squishy and rotted ones are fine. Unfortunately, decorated or painted pumpkins cannot be composted.
Participants can “toss” their pumpkin in the bin, or just drop and go.
Last year, Westporters diverted one ton of pumpkin waste from landfill. Farmers’ Market director Lori Cochran-Dougall hopes to beat that record next week.
There’s no trick to that — just an environmental treat.
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Westport’s 5 polling locations for Tuesday’s elections are the same as last year:
Districts 1 & 2: Saugatuck Elementary School
Districts 3 & 8: Coleytown Middle School
District 4 & 5: Greens Farms Elementary School
Districts 6 & 7: Long Lots Elementary School
District 9: Westport Library
Polls are open Tuesday (November 7) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Unsure of your voting district? Check the map below, or click here.
Questions? Contact the registrars of voters: 203-341-1115.
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Westport Police made 6 custodial arrests between October 25 and November 1.
A man was charge with 2 counts of burglary, 2 counts of larceny, and illegal taking of a payment card, after stealing a purse from an unlocked vehicle. An off-duty officer saw a man later trying door handles in a Post Road East parking lot; his license plate matched that of a car seen by a Good Samaritan following the theft.
A man was charged with interfering with an officer, after a domestic violence call at a house under construction. When asked for identification, he provided fake names and addresses.
A man was charged with driving under the influence and operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, following a report from Compo Beach of an intoxicated person stumbling in the parking and yelling with another person. He was stopped while driving away from the beach.
A man was charged with violation of a protective order. After a previous arrest for domestic violence, he tried several times to contact the victim via phone and messaging.
A man was charged on Halloween with criminal trespass and criminal attempt at burglary, after a homeowner reported witnessing by remote surveillance camera a suspicious person trying to enter their home. When stopped by officers he said he was “trick or treating with his family,” but was alone.
A man was charged with threatening, unlawful restraint, reckless endangerment and breach of peace, after a juvenile reported that a man had pointed a gun at the heads of several juveniles, accusing them of breaking bottles and trespassing. The teens had been playing “break or bounce” with bottles in the raod. The man demanded the teens text him photos of their licenses, and ordered them to sit down before they ran off.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 18 citations
Distracted driving: 2
Traveling at unreasonable speed: 2
Operating a motor vehicle while using a cellphone: 2
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
Permitting a minor to possess alcohol: 1
Passing in a no-passing zone: 1
Following too closely: 1
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Permitting a minor to possess alcohol is a serious offense.
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Westport is grateful for Club 203.
And Club 203 — which offers social activities and friendship for adults with disabilities — is grateful for community support.
Their November meeting is a “Thankful & Grateful” event. It’s November 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Earthplace.
On the menu: “Thankful bites, a gratitude art corner by MoCA, and an exclusive tour of Earthplace’s incredible animal exhibition.”
In the holiday spirit, guests are asked to bring a thankful gift to be donated to clients of Westport’s Human Services Department. Any toiletries and/or household cleaning items that cannot be bought with SNAP are welcome.
For details and registration, click here. Questions? Email club203ct@gmail.com.
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It’s November, so it’s time to think about holiday gifts.
Give sustainably this year!
you can get a head start at Staples High School’s Zero Waste Committee 2nd annual EcoFest (Saturday, November 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Staples cafeteria).
Organizers promise “sustainable gifts and ideas for every occasion,” plus exhibitors, food, thrifting, kids’ crafts, educational presentations and more.
PS: It’s free — no admission charge!
I have no idea if these gifts are sustainable. But the wrapping is!
Westport-based Bridgewater Associates is often called “the world’s largest hedge fund.”
But how does it make so much money?
Rob Copeland wondered. The New York Times journalist interviewed hundreds of people in and around the company. He pored over emails, recordings, court records, company documents, and published interviews and articles. (He did not speak with founder Ray Dalio and other Bridgewater executives, who provided feedback through lawyers and representatives.)
The result is a new book. “The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend” will be published next Tuesday.
Yesterday, the Times ran a long excerpt (click here).
Copeland’s conclusion: It is not a Bernie Madoff-like Ponzi scheme.
But I’m still not sure how they do it. (Hat tip: Allan Siegert)
“The Book of Mormon” professionals offer a “Broadway workshop” at the Westport Country Playhouse (November 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Included is musical theater instruction, dance performances, and Q-and-A. Fifth graders through college students are welcome.
Cast members include Joshua Keen, dance captain/swing, and Andrew Stevens Purdy, ensemble and understudy for Elder Cunningham.
After the workshop, they head back to New York for a performance that night.
To register, email curleylaura@hotmail.com or text 917-734-8462.
A reader enjoyed last week’s Friday Flashback, about the Platt Burial Ground on Post Road West at the Norwalk line. He writes:
“I own a house that sits nearby, near Kings Highway South.
“I’m pretty sure both it and Post Road West existed in the early 19th century, albeit with less traffic.
“So I wonder if the Platt Burial Ground has always been as small as it is today. Could it have, in the past, extended all the way to Kings Highway South?
“My house’s back yard lawn has this pesky rectangular bare spot, about 6′ x 3′, over the septic tank. Or is it something else?
“So far, no portals into Hades have ever opened up in the closet.
“Nevertheless, every Halloween we keep an eye out to make sure the poltergeists are resting in peace, and that nothing like an arm or leg decides to poke out.”
Dr. Jerome Brodlie died peacefully at his Weston home last week. He was 85.
He worked as a child psychologist in private practice and at Greenwich Hospital, where he chaired the psychology department. As a regular guest on “CBS This Morning” he reached millions of American parents. He also built mental health services in areas affected by natural disasters, in the US and overseas.
The Bronx native attended the University of Illinois on a baseball scholarship. After graduation in 1960 he passed up a chance to play professionally, and got his doctorate in psychology at Columbia University.
He did post-doctoral work at the Alfred Adler Institute, while he taught at Brooklyn College. He married Lisa Evans, a pediatric oncology nurse.
In 1968 they moved to Weston. In addition to his private practice in Greenwich, he taught at Yale School of Medicine and Southern Connecticut State University, while also serving as a consulting psychologist for Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich Academy, and the Eagle Hill School.
In 2001 he was part of a statewide commission that advised on new laws and processes for child custody in divorce cases.
In 2005, Dr. Brodlie went to New Orleans to train nurses, doctors, and teachers who were helping children recover from the trauma caused by Hurricane Katrina. He also advised the school systems, students and teachers affected by Hurricane Ivan, which had struck the Cayman Islands, where the family vacationed frequently. The State Department later recruited him to go to Burma to work with young people experiencing PTSD; there he met and counseled victims of torture, caregivers for people with terminal illness, former political prisoners, and others. He returned there often.
His family says he enjoyed “playing sports, traveling, cooking, painting and telling jokes, although his paintings were usually more successful. He played pickleball and basketball, but he was most proud to have played 78 consecutive baseball seasons.”
He is survived by his wife Lisa; children Matt, of Los Angeles, Sara Gray of Middletown, Rhode Island, and Dr. Rachel Brodlie Corse (Griffin) of Cambridge, Vermont; grandchildren Maximus, Lola, Stella and Benjamin, and sister Barbara Scheinert.
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