There will soon be one less political party in Westport.
After more than 40 years as a local, non-partisan minority party, Save Westport Now is making a “structural change.”
Instead of acting as an official political party focused solely on Planning & Zoning Commission elections, they’ll operate as an “association.” They’ll expand their focus, and weigh in on other races.
Save Westport Now will not run candidates in the November election.
Save Westport Now was founded in 1980. A grassroots organization, they are “dedicated to protecting residential neighborhoods, preserving Westport’s
small-town New England appeal, ensuring smart growth, preventing over-commercialization, and preserving open space>”
That mission — which also includes protecting the town’s natural and historic resources, and quality of life — will not change, officials say.
The decision was made in part by the recognition that elections at all levels — including local ones — are now largely driven by national party affiliation.
That makes it difficult for organizations like theirs to remain “truly non-partisan.”
In the 2021 election, 3 Democratic P&Z candidates also ran on the Save Westport Now line. All 3 won.
Danielle Dobin got 532 SWN votes; Michael Cammeyer got 503, and Neil Cohn, 440. Their totals on the Democratic line were 4838, 4571 and 4461 respectively.
Save Westport Now officials also note that “safeguarding Westport’s future requires actively planning for climate change.”
But not all of that planning falls under the P&Z umbrella. Recently, they say, efforts like advocating for keeping the Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve in their current locations have gone beyond the P&Z.
Save Westport Now has widened its focus beyond the Planning & Zoning Commission umbrella. It has begun advocating on behalf of the Westport Community Gardens. (Photo/Karen Mather)
“Widening our lens will allow us to look at other local candidates — examining their records on land use and environmental issues, and making endorsements in other races beyond P&Z,” Save Westport Now says.
“The same is true for national and statewide issues around housing affordability. While P&Z in recent years has done much to lead on this issue, there is still a great deal that town officials can do to be proactive about meeting or exceeding the affordability targets expected of Westport.
“We believe that that this new approach will give us an even stronger voice in town and improve the election process, allowing us to make recommendations in more races and endorse candidates who we believe will be most responsive to residents, instead of running candidates who are also seeking election on a national party line.
“We will also continue to identify candidates who have conflicts of interest or who might be beholden to certain special interest groups.”
Save Westport Now will not accept contributions from special interest groups, and continue their non-partisan approach.
“After 40 years of advocacy for Westport’s residents,” officials say, “we believe that the challenges the town faces today demand this more nimble and wide-ranging approach. We look forward on working with Westporters of all political affiliations on the important issues facing our town.”
Co-chairs Ian Warburg and Jerri Graham, secretary Mark Kirby, treasurer Jessie Noyes McEntee, and board members Matthew Levine, Nina Streitfeld, Carol Buffinton and Valerie Seiling Jacobs (ex-officio) invite interested Westporters to check out their website or Facebook page, or email
contactsavewestportnow@gmail.com.
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Bill Mitchell describes himself two ways: “I sell socks.” And “I’m a glorified doorman.”
Sure. Just like Lionel Messi is a guy running around in shorts. And Taylor Swift is a girl with a mic.
Bill Mitchell
Here’s my description of Bill Mitchell: For decades the native Westporter has been the public face, heart and soul of a luxury men’s and women’s store that is so much more than a place to buy suits, dresses and jewelry.
Thanks in large part to Bill — with plenty of help from the ever-increasing Mitchell family — what began as a humble, 800-square foot shop has turned into an 8-store, coast-to-coast, very successful business.
He was there in 1958, when Ed and Norma Mitchell took a leap of faith and opened their first store.
He’s been there full-time since 1965 — during Mitchells’ moves first to Colonial Green, then to even larger digs much further down the Post Road.
He’s been there through boom times and recessions; through closing their boys’ department, and adding women’s clothes and jewelry. He was there, most recently, through COVID — when the bottom fell out, but Mitchells kept everyone on their payroll.
But this month, Bill Mitchell will sell his last pair of socks. He’ll stand at the front door one lsat time.
After nearly 60 years of being synonymous with Mitchells of Westport, the 80-year-old icon is retiring.
But don’t worry. His broad smile, exuberant personality and help-anyone-at-anytime spirit are not going anywhere.
“Westport is my only home,” says Bill, who — though born in a Brooklyn hospital — came here when he was 4 days old.
Echoing his friend and fellow philanthropist Paul Newman, he says, “Where else would I go?”
Bill’s Westport roots are as deep as the Gault and Tauck families — our town’s 2 other families, who founded and nurtured flourishing multi-generational businesses.
Bill Mitchell (right) and his older brother Jack.
The lessons taught by his parents Ed and Norma still guide him today.
Bill’s father opened a small men’s store in a former heating contractor’s office (today, M&T Bank’s Westport office) in 1958. He had only a desire to leave the New York advertising rat race, and the handshake promise of a loan from Westport Bank & Trust president Einar Anderson.
Ed and Norma brought their coffee pot from home every morning. Ed’s mother did the tailoring, at her Weston Road home.
The original Ed Mitchell’s, at the corner of the Post Road and Compo Road North.
At the same time, Ed gave back to the town. He chaired the Board of Finance — and helped engineer the purchase of Longshore, saving a failing private club from a developer who planned to build 180 homes there.
Bill played football, basketball and tennis at Staples. One day Albie Loeffler, his basketball coach, made him take responsibility for a transgression.
Bill never forgot that lesson, or the importance of educators. To this day he has been one of Staples High School’s biggest and most vocal boosters. He writes checks for every athletic, artistic and academic cause.
Less visible — but just as crucial — is his behind-the-scenes help. Whether an athlete needs a jacket for a banquet, an Orphenian needs a dress for a concert, a staff member needs encouragement or a student needs help with sobriety, Bill is there.
Bill Mitchell’s generosity extends far beyond Westport. He’s been a longtime benefactor of Bridgeport’s Kolbe Cathedral High School. In 2003, he posed with graduate Marques Brown.
But he never planned to be (as he calls himself) “a clothier.”
His goal was to become a sportscaster. A throat accident ended that dream.
In a way though, he never gave it up. His many good friends — and loyal customers — have included legendary broadcasters and local residents like Jim McKay, Brent Musburger, Jim Nantz and Mike Greenberg.
Bill Mitchell’s love of sports — and contacts in the sports world — are legendary. A few days ago, he arranged for his friend Carole Orland to throw out the first pitch at her beloved Fenway Park. They posed on the diamond, before the game.
Right out of college in 1965, Ed asked Bill to join the store. Reluctantly, he said he’d give it a year.
He never left.
Bill (left) and Jack Mitchell on the floor, many holiday seasons back.
“I’ve had the best seat in the house — or on the floor,” Bill says. “I’ve made and met so many friends. I’ll miss that. I love people.”
That’s an understatement too. It’s like Messi saying he loves soccer, or Taylor Swift saying she loves performing. “Love” is not a strong enough word to describe their passions.
Bill Mitchell has friends everywhere. This photo — with Westport police officer Ned Batlin — was taken at a Mitchells benefit for first responders.
It’s all about people. Bill has helped his business succeed because it’s more than just a great store.
“People don’t remember the clothes they buy,” he says. “They remember the way they were treated.”
Bill began by treating customers as friends. Today he treats their children — and grandchildren — the same way.
Those customer/friends include some of the most high-powered people in the world. Once, he and head tailor Dominick Condoleo brought new suits to Jack Welch in his Fairfield office.
“How does this look?” the GE CEO asked.
It was “99% perfect,” Bill says. “I like it,” he told Welch.
But, Condoleo told him, “There’s just a hint of ripple in the shoulder.”
Welch turned on Bill. “Don’t you ever lie to me again!” he said.
He never did.
Bill Mitchell made friends everywhere. He posed here with longtime Westport teacher (and former employee) Walt Melillo.
But boldface names are not the only customers Bill remembers.
One Christmas Eve he finally got home, exhausted after a hectic holiday season. The light on his answering machine was blinking.
A customer had forgotten to pick up a package she needed that night. She was leaving early the next morning for Vermont. Could he deliver it?
Bill did — to her home in Brookfield.
She never said thanks. But, Bill says, “I honored my parents’ legacy. They always said, ‘Say yes. Then make it happen.’ And they made it happen even when they couldn’t afford to.”
His parents’ legacy is carried on by his brother Jack; Jack’s 4 sons, and Bill’s 3. The fourth generation is now joining the business. Nothing makes Bill and Jack prouder.
Two generations of the Mitchell family. Bill is at the far right; his brother Jack is 2nd from left.
Long ago, former Board of Education chair and neighbor Leonard Rovins advised Bill to get involved in community organizations like the Library, YMCA and Playhouse.
He heeded that advice. These days, his primary board work is with Sacred Heart University. He’s immensely proud of the great strides the school has taken.
He’s proud too of his work with a variety of religious groups and figures. His parents were members of Saugatuck Congregational Church. When he was roasted at the Friars Club for his 70th birthday, an honored guest was Cardinal Dolan.
And, Bill says, The Conservative Synagogue rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn “made me an honorary Jew.”
Their friendship — which began when Mitchells lent its parking lot for overflow High Holiday parking — is real, and strong. Next month, Mitchell will join the rabbi on a trip to Israel.
Bill Mitchell with his sons (from left) Chris, Tyler and Scott.
In retirement Bill will continue his work with recovery programs like the Lighthouse in Darien, and Shatterproof. He has been sober since 1991, and speaks openly about his one-day-at-a-time journey.
Very quietly but quite effectively, Bill has sponsored many people in their own recovery work.
He also looks forward to taking one-on-one trips with his 7 grandchildren. “I’ll even be able to go at Christmas!” he says with wonder, thinking back to his busiest time of year, ever since Ed Mitchell’s opened.
Beginning next month, Mitchells of Westport will look different. Bill won’t be there at the door. He won’t be asking if you want coffee, a bagel, maybe some socks to go with that purchase.
But he’ll do the same thing his father always did: “wake up with a purpose in life.”
And he’ll be doing it for quite a while.
Ed Mitchell died 40 years after — late in life — he founded that first small store. He was 3 weeks shy of his 99th birthday.
Bill Mitchell’s many friends join me in wishing him many more years of good health and great fun — right here in the town he has always loved.
Jim Wolf is president of the Westport Soccer Association. A star and 2-year captain on the Staples High School team (Class of 2001), he has perspective on local athletic fields as both an athlete, and now a sports organization leader.
He hopes this piece brings heightened community awareness to the capacity and condition of Westport fields, while explaining the current and expected impact on local youth sports programs.
The Westport Soccer Association delivers the town’s youth rec and travel soccer programs. Its enrollment exceeded an average of 1,700 players during the most recent fall and spring seasons, making it the largest youth sports organization and one of the largest 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations in Westport.
The WSA is driven by the community. More than 200 parent-volunteers generously donate their time, with oversight from a board of 9 volunteers.
Similar to other youth organizations in town, participation levels have increased significantly in the post-COVID years.
As our fall enrollment grew 30% compared to 2020, our need for fields expanded as well. This fall we will field 31 travel teams, and anticipate that number to increase as the current pre-K and rec players filter up into the travel program.
Our youngest age group for travel currently has a record number of 6 teams on the boys’ side, underscoring the growth.
Each additional travel team requires an incremental 4 to 5 hours of field time per week on average. At this time, current field capacity does not accommodate future levels of enrollment. Many Westport kids unfortunately will not be able to participate unless field capacity increases.
This dynamic has been shared across the town’s youth sports programs, and existing fields have become over-utilized and unrested. As a result, conditions on the grass fields deteriorated significantly over the most recent spring season.
The WSA has ongoing discussions with the town focused on our growth and concerns. Town officials and the Parks & Recreation Department have been supportive, collaborative and creative as field constraints have become more pronounced. They continue to dedicate a considerable amount of time to field allocation and maintenance, and communicating with the programs.
The collective understanding is that there are currently limited opportunities to bring new fields on-line, and inadequate financial resources provided for by the existing Parks & Rec budget to combat the impact of the current levels of usage.
Despite these challenges, P&R is putting forth a tremendous effort, given a suboptimal set of circumstances. The WSA appreciates their time and attention.
Hundreds of young athletes march in the Memorial Day parade.
Matters are further complicated by the Long Lots Elementar School construction project. The WSA is in the early stages of planning with the town for the fields at Long Lots to go off-line during the school’s construction period.
The WSA will use Long Lots fields for a combined 60+ hours per week this fall. Losing these fields will make an already unsustainable dynamic much worse. But the WSA will be solution-oriented, and do what it can to maintain our enrollment levels and ensure that no other town program is disproportionately impacted.
We acknowledge that much of the public discussion regarding the Long Lots School project has focused on the future of the Westport Community Gardens. But it is of equal importance to consider the effect on hundreds of families and children who will be affected not only during construction, but in perpetuity if adequate space is not allocated to safe, maintanable fields.
The Long Lots School construction will have a temporary but very meaningful impact on field availability for the WSA, as the primary users. Fields are a semi-fungible resource allocated by P&R. Time slots will need to be shifted, and other programs will be impacted as well. All opportunities to expand field capacity and improve quality (ranging from lighting to turfing to irrigation) should be quickly assessed and acted upon.
Among many other more important factors, including education specifications, cost and timeline, it is appreciated that the criteria for the Long Lots School Building Committee’s decisioning is in part based on the “impact to current site elements,” and fields are being assessed with P&R’s involvement.
That said, the hope is that (i) the approval committees will appropriately consider opportunities to improve field capacity and quality on the Long Lots campus post-construction along with any trade-offs, and (ii) the town begins planning/allocating budget now to enhance its field inventory in anticipation of the Long Lots fields going off-line during the construction period.
The WSA is hopeful that all interested parties will bring a spirit of collaboration and a willingness to compromise to discussions. Any solution should not be a win/lose situation for groups, but about what works best for the entire Westport community.
(Full disclosure: “06880” executive editor Dan Woog is a co-founder of the Westport Soccer Association, and non-voting emeritus member of its board.)
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This morning, the former Representative Town Meeting member brings another petition to the RTM and town clerk.
This one — signed by more than 20 Westport electors — asks the RTM to vote on a resolution at its October 3 meeting, affirming that the word “shall” means “mandatory,” as already defined in the Town Charter and the RTM Rules of Procedure.
If passed, the resolution would “compel and require” the moderator to place on the RTM agenda any petition signed by at least 20 electors at least 14 days prior to a meeting.
The impetus for McCarthy’s petition is a previous attempt to add an agenda item to tonight’s meeting regarding a review of the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee’s goals, process and proposed plan for Parker Harding Plaza.
The request — signed by over 50 electors, and verified by the town clerk — was denied by RTM moderator Jeffrey Wieser. His decision was affirmed in an opinion by assistant town attorney (and former RTM moderator) Eileen Lavigne Flug.
In other RTM news, members Seth Braunstein and Matthew Mandell have proposed an ordinance to create an Affordable Housing Fund.
A first reading is on the agenda for tonight’s meeting (Tuesday, September 5, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
“Creating a fund to accrue monies for the purchase of land, construction of housing and/or the buydown of market rate housing both aids the establishment of such homes and gives the town greater control over its own destiny,” the 2 members say.
In 2022 the Westport Planning & Zoning Commission adopted an Affordable Housing Plan, under state statute 8-30j, which called for the creation of such a fund. This ordinance follows through on that request.
Following RTM committee discussions, Braunstein and Mandell hope for a full vote at next month’s meeting. The next step would be for the P&Z to create a regulation to fund the initiative.
Among Westport’s current affordable housing options: Sasco Creek Village.
Sunday’s Saugatuck Congregational Church service honored their late, longtime senior and youth minister Rev. Ted Hoskins.
Among those at the pulpit: Rev. Peter Powell. Forty years ago, he worked with Rev. Hoskins to establish a homeless shelter and food pantry here.
In a tribute to both Rev. Hoskins and the church, Rev. Powell said:
“In my experience Ted lived the charge given in Matthew 25. As you read his obituary you could not fail to see how he fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, healed the sick and visited those in prison.
“Some examples from my experience. The Westport Emergency Shelter was a response to homeless, now better described as unhoused, men sleeping in a room in this church. The legacy lives on. The Gillespie Center has 15 beds because Saugatuck Church found 7 bunk beds and 1 cot for the men.
“These beds were moved over to the Vigilant Firehouse. The Westport/Weston Health Department came in, measured the space and determined the number of cubic feet each bed required. When I pointed out that they backed into that number they refused to change.
“The Linxweiler House was empty, and Ted established a program he called Operation Bootstraps there. Unfortunately that program didn’t work, but with the guidance of Jim Gillespie the program was transformed into a sober house requiring all residents to have a job and stay sober. It worked for many years. It was a Ted legacy.
“In my early years at the Interfaith Housing Association Ted visited the firehouse and gave $100 bills to the night staff on Christmas Eve, the anniversary of our opening. He was always involved.
“In the early ’90s when I needed a new office, he gave me and IHA space in this building. I was here for a few years.
“Ted was your pastor, but he was also pastor to the town of Westport…. A conversation with Ted could resolve difficult issues. He was our social conscience. You shared him with the town. His shoes have never been filled as the acknowledged religious leader and social action conscience of Westport.
“When the unhoused men moved to the firehouse with Ted’s leadership, you opened your building to 12-step programs, helping Westport become a center for recovery for the entire region.
“I believe Ted could do all of this because he was your pastor. Hhe loved you and you loved him, and you both knew you were in love. He was a very public figure and crucial to the development of social action in Westport, but first he loved and cared for you. He did not wag his finger at you; he taught you how to respond to the Gospel. He had the credibility to do that because he was first and foremost your pastor. He visited, counseled, baptized, worshiped, married, buried and preached to you with a deep understanding of who you are and together you and he transformed Westport. He could not have done it without you ,and you could only do it because it was intrinsic to his life with you.
“Thank you for sharing him with all of us.”
Rev. Ted Hoskins
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Sunday’s Roundup noted a second epidemic of dozens of bagels spread around High Gate Road. This time there was a plastic bag, with many more bagels, nearby.
Last winter there was a similar scene at the same spot, off Maple Avenue South.
“Weird,” I wrote yesterday.
I soon received an email from “Peter T.” He said: “Regarding the Bagels on High Gate Road, they are there for the Deer to eat along with the cracked corn. Nothing weird about it!”
I asked who put them there, and whether he knew if deer liked bagels.
This time, “Nancy” responded (from the same email address). She wrote: “I live on the street and yes deer like the bagels and cracked corn that is out there.”
I asked about the unopened plastic bag. She said: “Why does it matter. The neighhood feeds the deer all year long”
Meanwhile, a reader points out, “deer around here eat everything that grows. They are hooved rats. And since it’s summer, they don’t lack in food sources.”
If last winter was any indication, those bagels will stay out on High Gate for weeks.
Unlike the mice and rats get them first.
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Lachat Farms’ grand (re-)opening was this past weekend.
In today’s “What’s Next in Weston” podcast, 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor and Carol Baldwin, president of the Friends of Lachat Town Farm, discuss funding of improvements, and programs coming soon.
Click below to listen. The podcast is a service of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
The big space recently vacated by Bed Bath & Beyond on US 1 — just over the border in Norwalk — will be filled in November.
The new tenant is a combination Bob’s/Eastern Mountain Sports store.
Bob’s Stores (sports clothing, shoes) is moving from Main Avenue to where Bed Bath and Beyond was on Westport Avenue in November. (Hat tip: Bruce Schneider)
This was a big weekend at Lime Rock — and not just for the 3 Westport race car drivers mentioned in Sunday’s Roundup.
Roger Kaufman writes: “I was stunned and honored to be given an award Sunday at the Lime Rock annual Labor Day weekend, festival and car show. It was Best in Class in the ‘Swedish category.'”
“My trusty 1963 Volvo 122S, which I’ve owned for 40 years, was a Westport car. It was sold by Lillian Oster and imported in 1963 via Larry Terrino on the Post Road. It’s my third one, and a tried and true companion for almost half a century.
“I had never been to Lime Rock or done many car shows until recently. But I decided to give it a whirl.
“It was of interest yesterday to the folks at Lime Rock that when Paul Newman saw the car in Weston around 2007), he came over to me at Peter’s Market, where he was bagging groceries with Joanne.
“He stuck his head in the driver’s side window and said, ‘what a great car !’ Cars were his hobby, and we had a great chat.
When most people rudely reserve picnic tables at Compo’s South Beach, they simply throw a tablecloth over the top, pretending not to see the “Picnic Tables May Not Be Reserved” sign.
Yesterday, the stakes got a little higher.
Here’s how one aggressive picnicker claimed his (or her) spot:
Janine Scotti sends along today’s beautiful “Westport … Naturally” photo — and its back story:
“What do you give a chef who is also the salt of the earth for his 74th birthday (coming soon)?
“A plot at the magnificent Westport Community Gardens. My beloved husband Pietro [former owner of Da Pietro restaurant] was in awe of the gardens, He is thrilled to be a part of this thriving community.
“I just gave him a private dusk tour. He wanted to see all the beauty of every plot. Hats off to you all!”
Pietro Scotti, with a giant sunflower. (Photo/Janine Scotti)
And finally … on this day in 1836, Sam Houston was elected first president of the Republic of Texas.
(“06880” is where Westport meets Texas — and the world. If you’re from here, there or anywhere, and you like this blog, please support our work. Just click here. And thank y’all.)
We can launch a telescope a million miles beyond Earth’s orbit, and receive images from 13.6 billion light years away.
We ought to be able to figure out how to build a school without uprooting a town treasure.
Granted, Westport is not NASA. But we’ve got more than our share of smart minds in town.
James Webb space telescope.
If some human beings can overcome problems like how to unfurl mirrors in space, protect them from the sun’s light and heat, and send commands across unfathomable distances of darkness, others ought to be able to solve the dilemma of where to put a building, baseball diamond or some construction equipment.
This isn’t rocket science.
As Westport confronts the shouldn’t-be-daunting issue of how to keep a 20-year-old garden and preserve that, thanks to stupendous volunteer effort and sweat equity, has increased biodiversity, boosted Westport on its path toward Net Zero, and raised produce for hungry Fairfield County neighbors — and at the same time brought joy, comfort and a sense of community to hundreds of Westporters, from tots to 90s — we need to tap the talents, creativity and energy of all our residents.
Our town is filled with architects, engineers, contractors, environmentalists, sports management professionals, educators, financiers, non-profit executives and more.
Every day, they face challenges. Every day, they devise solutions.
Let’s put our differences aside. Let’s put our heads together. Let’s grow — as the 100-plus Community Gardeners, and thousands of friends urge — the garden and the school together.
Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve. (Drone photo/Franco Fellah)
Here are a few things to think about:
How big a footprint does the new school actually need?Can it be vertical, rather than horizontal? To those who say an elementary school should be one story, well … Kings Highway. Saugatuck. Greens Farms. The old Bedford (now Town Hall).
Do we really need to include Stepping Stones preschool (currently located at Coleytown Elementary)? Why is that a given? Is there somewhere else it can go, lessening the size?
If a Babe Ruth baseball diamond is crucial, where else could it go?How about on the roof of the new school? Union City, New Jersey has one. Other types of athletic fields have been built on rooftops too, including Brown University.
Here’s more outside-the-box (that box being the Community Gardens) thinking:
Baseball could partner with (or rent from) Greens Farms Academy. It’s diamond is unused on weekends. Could Babe Ruth play ball there?
Greens Farms Academy baseball diamond.
The town owns land just west of The Saugatuck co-op housing, on Bridge Street. For decades, it was a playing field for what was then Saugatuck Elementary School.
There is also plenty of land at the 40-acre Fairfield County Hunt Club. Would they want to sell or rent part of it? We won’t know until we ask.
Then there’s this: The Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve comprise nearly 4 acres. A typical baseball field is 4.5 acres.
Instead of relocating what’s already there to another, as-yet-undetermined site, find that location now — and put the baseball diamond there instead.
One plan shows a baseball field on the current site (left) of the Community Gardens …
Good people can certainly differ. But in the 10 weeks since “06880” first broke the news that the Community Gardens and Preserve may be “supplanted” by the Long Lots project, hundreds of Westporters have spoken in favor of retaining them.
They span the political spectrum. They are all ages. Some have been here for decades; others just moved in. Some are gardeners; many are not. Some are parents of Long Lots children.
In all the comments on this blog, on Westport Journal, and in public meetings, I can’t recall one person (other than members of the Long Lots School Building Committee) who has said: “We should replace the Gardens and Preserve with a baseball field, or the school itself.”
If you want that, please make your voice heard.
If you don’t, please put on your thinking cap.
We’re not asking you to design the James Webb Telescope.
All we need is a way for a garden and school to share space.
Comm
… while another shows a new school there.
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Drivers weaving carefully (and not so carefully) through the Post Road East construction zone just west of McDonald’s have mourned the loss of a dozen or so old trees by the Linxweiler house.
They wonder too what will become of the many large rocks that made up a now-dismantled stone wall, near the trees.
Former stone wall in front of the Linxweiler house.
For once, the news is good.
A Planning & Zoning Commission site plan shows that the original stone wall will be replaced with a new one, continuing around the radius into Crescent Road.
The original was drywall. Hopefully, the next will be the same traditional type.
Congratulations are due town officials, who secured the replacement of the wall. (Hat tip: Michael Calise)
Site plans for Linxweiler house stone wall.
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One of the coolest opportunities anywhere is the Westport Police Department’s 8-week Citizens’ Police Academy.
Participants gain a first-hand understanding of what our officers do, how they do it, and how the WPD fits into our community.
At the same time, residents and officers get to know each other much better.
25 community members participate in classes on law enforcement, and get hands-on experience with equipment. They also join a “ride-along” with an officer — and receive CPR/AED certification.
The program runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays from October 5 through November 30 (except before Veterans Day and on Thanksgiving), and Wednesday, December 6.
The academy is open to Westport residents age 21 and older. Applications can also be picked up at police headquarters, and are due by September 18.
Westport’s Citizens Police Academy offers an inside look into every aspect of the department.
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Seen on social media yesterday:
“If you’re like me and all of your mail was stolen from your mailbox on Cross Highway, North Compo or Weston Rd (Friday) night, apparently some of it is floating around near the Willowbrook cemetery.
“With crime the way it’s been around here lately, I guess we should feel lucky our cars weren’t stolen or smashed. It’s just our personal information compromised.”
What a shame — and a hassle. (And for those whose checks are stolen and “whitewashed,” even worse.)
But among the responses was this, which is news to me: “Sign up for ‘USPS Informed Delivery’ free service. You get a daily email, with pictures of every piece of correspondence arriving in your mailbox.”
Not a good idea. It’s an invitation to thieves that there is mail — often a check — inside.
Yesterday’s Saugatuck Congregational Church service honoring the late Rev. Ted Hoskins was a chance for old friends to remember the longtime senior and youth minister.
It was a chance too for people who never knew him to learn more about one of the founders of Westport’s homeless shelter and food pantry. Today the Gillespie Center for men — and Hoskins Center for women, named for him — and other supportive housing and food projects are run by Homes with Hope.
Rev. Hoskins — who died last month — spent the last couple of decades of his life in Maine. But — as the turnout at his remembrance proved — his mark on Westport is profound, and indelible.
Homes with Hope representatives at Saugatuck Church yesterday (from left): Pete Powell, first president; Rev. Willie Salmond, who initiated the service for Rev. Hoskins; John Walsh, board chair; Helen McAlinden, president; Jeff Wieser, past president.
Dermatologists Dr. Nina Antonov and Dr. Marc Beuttler of Modern Dermatology will provide free full body skin cancer screenings, and/or spot checks, at the Aspetuck Health District (180 Bayberry Lane) on September 26.
Appointments are available between 9 a.m. and noon, and 1-4 p.m. Call 203-227-9571, ext. 235, and ask for Judy. Limited to residents of Westport, Weston and Easton only.
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Speaking of health: Overdose awareness and Narcan training will be held September 26 (7 to 8 p.m., Town Hall Room C201).
It’s sponsored by members of the Westport Prevention Coalition and Westport RTM.
To register and for more information, call 203-227-7644.
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It’s never too early to think about beer.
Wakeman Town Farm’s annual family Beer Garden event is Sunday October 15 (noon to 4 p.m.).
The afternoon features live music by Hitch and the Giddy-Up + Rob Morton, lawn games, bubbles, face painting, photos with mini ponies, and pumpkin crafts for the littles — and a surprise craft by LaurelRock.
Also for adults: Eco Evolution, and a massage therapist for the adults.
Lunch options include pizza by Tony Pizza Napolitano, Food Truck Refinery and Oronoque Farms.
Local beer is sponsored by Greens Farms Spirits, with ice cream from Saugatuck Sweets and Landtech. Ccider donuts and refreshments are courtesy of KMS Team at Compass.
Tickets are $10 for adults; kids are free. Click here to purchase, and for more information. Food and beverage purchases are a la carte. Proceeds benefit Wakeman Town Farm educational programs.
The intersection of Riverside Avenue and Bridge Street is one of the most heavily trafficked in Westport.
But because it’s so congested and complicated — with drivers converging from several directions (including nearby parking lots) waiting for that elusive green light, pause in traffic or wave from the cop — most drivers don’t seem to look around and enjoy the scenery.
Like the solar-powered flamingos in front of Rizzuto’s restaurant.
They were the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)
Despite being right there in plain sight, only 4 readers knew the answer. No one else even hazarded a guess.
Congratulations to jim McKay, Harry Brady, Beth Berkowitz and Andrew Colabella.
When I see you at Rizzuto’s bar, I’ll buy you a drink.
Meanwhile, don’t have a cow complaining about the difficulty of last week’s Photo Challenge. Instead, turn your attention to the new one.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Ellen Wentworth)
(If you enjoy our Photo Challenge every Sunday, please support “06880.” Click here to contribute — and thank you!)
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As our fall enrollment grew 30% compared to 2020, our need for fields expanded as well. This fall we will field 31 travel teams, and anticipate that number to increase as the current pre-K and rec players filter up into the travel program.
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