Filming took place in Westport for a documentary about film critic Susan Granger. She has spent 8 decades in and around the movie industry, from the Golden Age of Hollywood to present-day streaming.
Granger’s father directed and produced films like “Born Yesterday.” Her godfathers were Milton Berle and Red Skelton. Thanks to her dad, starting at age 4 she appeared in small roles with Skelton, Lucille Ball, Abbott & Costello and others.
That background gave Granger a unique perspective as a film critic and speaker. She writes often for Westport Journal and Hearst Connecticut Media Group.
Others interviewed in recent weeks include Fairfield residents Keir Dullea and Mia Dillon.
The documentary short is projected to be ready for film festivals next year. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
Rev. Ted Hoskins — the former minister at Saugatuck Congregational Church, and one of the most influential clergy members in modern Westport history — died yesterday, one day after his 90th birthday.
He served Saugatuck Church as senior minister from 1971 to 1994. After leaving Westport, he lived in Isle au Haut, Maine. He continued his ministry on the seacoast there.
Rev. Ted Hoskins (Photo courtesy of Penobscot Bay Press)
In Westport Rev. Hoskins was known for his staunch advocacy of social justice, and for underserved populations. He was also a leader in the town’s interfaith clergy efforts.
In 1984, a fierce debate raged over the opening of a homeless shelter in the former Vigilant Firehouse on Wilton Road (now OKO restaurant).
The moral leadership of Rev. Ted Hoskins, Rev. Pete Powell, Rabbi Bob Orkand and businessman James Bacharach, plus the town support of 1st Selectman Bill Seiden, Human Services director Barbara Butler and David Kennedy, tamped much of the controversy.
The shelter opened. It was one of the first shelters in a suburban community — and still is, nearly 40 years later.
The Homes with Hope facility is now located on Jesup Road. Hoskins Place — a 5-bed facility for women — is named for the pastor.
Hoskins Place women’s shelter, on Jesup Road.
He was also active in the anti-Vietnam War movement. In 1971 — his first year in Westport — he marched in the Memorial Day parade in front of a banner urging peace.
In 2015, when Saugatuck Church was re-dedicated 3 years after a devastating fire, Rev. Hoskins returned as a guest preacher.
A full obituary — including funeral arrangements — will be posted when available.
Rev. Ted Hoskins (center) and Rabbi Byron T. Rubenstein of Temple Israel (right) march in front of a banner urging peace, at the 1971 Memorial Day parade.
The new and massive I-beams at northbound I-95 Exit 17 have residents wondering: Is there really going to be a new bridge there?
New construction on Saugatuck Avenue, at I-95. (Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
Not exactly.
Sometime this fall, the Saugatuck Avenue bridge will be replaced, using “accelerated bridge construction.”
A new bridge will be constructed adjacent to the existing bridge. That’s what the new I-beams will support.
Over a single weekend (Friday evening to Monday morning), the current bridge will be demolished. The new structure will be installed in its place.
The date for that complicated (but quick) work has not been set. The entire State Department of Transportation project — which extends south to Norwalk’s Exit 16 — is projected to run through November 1, 2024. (Hat tip: Andrew Colabella)
An enormous crowd enjoyed margaritas, special watermelon drinks, and the New York-based taqueria’s signature dishes.
The official opening is Monday (August 7). Click here for more Tacombi info.
Enjoying Tacombi last night (from left): Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service president Mike Burns; 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker; hosts Hightower Financial Group and Judy Michaelis; Tacombi manager; Police Chief Foti Koskinas; WVEMS vice president Larry Kleinman. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Also last night: The Soul Drivers rocked the Levitt Pavilion, with their Memphis Soul sound. Tonight (Saturday) it’s Theo Kandel; tomorrow, Quadrature. Click here for (free) tickets, and more information.
Soul Drivers (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Not far away last night, Massive Diva entertained diners at Walrus Alley. They’re there — right next to Don Memo — every Friday night. Tonight (7:30 to 11) it’s the always-popular Zambonis.
Westport firefighters responded to a house fire on Warnock Drive, off Easton Road.
Most damage was limited to the exterior and front attic space. There were no injuries. Westport Emergency Medical Service and Westport Police assisted.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Warnock Drive fire. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
A new artist (George Radwan) joins us this week, with a new type of mixed media (concrete, plaster, sand and Structo-lite).
Welcome, George!
He knows what this online art gallery is about. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
All genres are encouraged. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage and (yes) needlepoint — whatever you’ve got, email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Share your work with the world! (PS: Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.)
“Nightscape” (Tom Doran)
Untitled (Karen Weingarten)
“The Rivers Run Wild” (Dorothy Robertshaw)
“Fairfield County Vintage” (Peter Barlow)
Untitled. Photographer Diane Yormark explains, “Two men ‘understand one another and what it’s like to put in a full day’s work.’” — Calgary, Alberta
The 2020 Staples High School graduate, rising University of Michigan senior, noted lighting designer and photographer — is spending this summer working at Longshore Sailing School.
The other day, he flew his drone over the Sound.
“This is such a classic Westport look, with the 60-year history of the sailing school,” Brandon says.
“I remember growing up and seeing the colorful sails on the water off Compo. So it’s cool to get images from the air, from a different perspective than most people get to see.”
And, Brandon adds, “The kids enjoyed waving to the drone. That was fun!”
Drivers struck in traffic on Saugatuck Avenue — in other words, all of us — have been intrigued by the transformation of #58.
The tiny brick storefront — home to, at various times, a barbershop, catering kitchen, liquor store and (most recently, but a while back) a pop-up art gallery — has been renovated.
The red brick is now white. The interior and exterior are spruced up. There is still, however, no parking.
The 1967 Staples High School graduate (Ellen Barker, then) found this photo —
— and wrote:
“My mother is driving her first car. Her sister Lyn is beside her; my grandparents in the back seat. I don’t know who is sitting on the back.
“The DeMeo family had that house above the store, built in 1922 along with the little store at the edge of the road and the house next door for my grandfather’s brother Luco DeMeo. Julia M. Gault co-signed for the loan.” (The DeMeos house has also been rehabilitated lately.)
“Many years later, when my Aunt Palma was still living there but had fallen on hard times, I went to the Gaults, who were having their 150th anniversary celebration at the Westport Historical Society where I was working, and asked them to help fix up her 90-year-old furnace to get her through the winter.
“I showed them how their grandmother had helped start the DeMeo family. Not only did they fix the furnace; they also put in a bunch of oil. No charge.
“My grandfather Samuel DeMeo emigrated from Italy. My grandmother Carolyn (Carrie) Chappa was born here.
“Grandpa had a nursery on the corner of Sunrise and Saugatuck Avenue, where the duplex is now.
“He also had a beautiful greenhouse, where I spent many hours watching him poke holes and plant seeds in soil. That gave rise to his store in the photo: SAM DE MEO FLORIST.
“I still have the hand-whittled poker he used to plant his flowers. It’s a treasure of days gone by.”
What’s going in the new building?
That’s up to the owner. Current zoning allows almost any retail use, from another catering kitchen or gallery to a law office, or an artist’s or interior designer’s studio.
Or — who knows — perhaps a florist.
BONUS PHOTO: Andrew Colabella found this 1940 photo of Ellen Naftalin’s mother, Ellen DeMeo, at “Westport’s finest & most modern non-synthetic dry cleaning plant: not far away, on Railroad Place.” The owner was Joel Strauss.
(If you enjoy our weekly flashbacks — or our coverage of Saugatuck, or anything else — please consider a contribution to “06880.” Just click here — and thank you!)
The Westport Country Playhouse’s annual benefit gala is always star-studded.
This year’s event will be studded with 3 Westport and Weston stars.
And all are Tony Award winners.
Staples High School Class of 2003 graduate Justin Paul — creator of “Dear Evan Hansen,” “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman” (and also an Oscar, Grammy and Oliver Award honoree) headlines the exciting evening of music,
He’ll be joined by Kelli O’Hara (“The Light in the Piazza,” “The King and I,” “South Pacific,” “Days of Wine and Roses”) and James Naughton (“City of Angels,” “Chicago,” director of the Playhouse’s “Our Town”).
The show includes talented Broadway performers, from Paul’s past projects and other award-winning Broadway musicals. The full list of special guests will be announced soon.
In keeping with the local-but-internationally-talented angle, the gala is directed by Staples High School Class of 2012 Caley Beretta (Disney Theatrical Productions).
“An Evening with Justin Paul and Friends, with Kelli O’Hara and James Naughton” is set for Saturday, September 9 (8 p.m.).
A limited number of $1,000 tickets are available; a post-show reception with the stars is included. Call 203-571-1291, or email cmackay@westportplayhouse.org.
Soon, bread (baked daily) — and danishes, cinnamon rolls and the like — will be front and center, at the now-vacant Compo Acres Shopping Center storefront.
Cobs Bread is moving in. A sign announces: ” We’re hiring!”
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
The “artisan bread” chain has over 700 franchises in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, with a smaller presence in the US.
Two other Connecticut locations are Stamford and Greenwich. Click here for the company website (and the menu).
Max Saperstein is a rising junior at Staples High School.
He’s also the youngest person honored as a guest exhibitor at the Westport Book Shop.
Max is showing a variety of photographs, ranger from the Westport Farmers’ Market to Italy, and places in between.
Inspired by nature and architecture, Max seeks to capture beauty wherever he finds it.
He is photography director at Inklings, the school paper, a silver medal winner in the Westport PTA’s 2023 Reflections art contest, and earned special recognition in the Congressional Institute’s Congressional Art Competition.
Max’s photography will be on exhibit at the Book Shop through August 31. All work on display is available for purchase.
He will use the proceeds to support a philanthropic photography project, “Max’s Magic.” He takes portraits of children who face challenging situations, then transforms them into images of superheroes, sports stars or movie characters.
Max Saperstein with his photos, at the Westport Book Shop.
Just added to the Levitt Pavilion calendar: “Max Weinberg’s Jukebox.” The ticketed show is set for October 5 (7:30 p.m.).
In the interactive experience, Weinberg invites audience members to create the set list — in real time — for his 4-piece band.
The “menu” of 300 songs includes the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and more.
And speaking of The Boss: Weinberg has been the driving rhythmic force behind the E Street Band for 43 years. In 2014, he and the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
He is well known too for his 17-year gig as the bandleader and comedic foil to Conan O’Brien, leading his namesake band on “NBC’s Late Night” and “The Tonight Show.”
Weinberg has played with James Brown, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, BB King, Tony Bennett, Ringo Starr, John Fogerty, Stevie Winwood, Isaac Hayes and Sheryl Crow.
How has Bridgeport’s Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater become one of the most popular music venues in the state?
Last night, Howard Saffan — the owner, developer and president — told a large Westport Library crowd how he’s attracted large crowds, with headliners like the Beach Boys, Temptations, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, the Four Tops, Rod Stewart, Jackson Browne, Santana and more.
The event was sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
Howard Saffan at the Westport Library. (Photo/Tom Lowrie)
And finally … in honor of Justin Paul’s upcoming appearance at the Westport Country Playhouse annual benefit gala, here are 3 of his “greatest hits”:
(“06880” has covered Justin Paul — and the Westport Country Playhouse — since we began, 14 years ago. We’ll keep doing it. But we need your help. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Westport is proud of its business and restaurant environment.
We’re proud to be a welcoming community.
Now 3 organizations are putting that pride front and center — in the window of any establishment that wants to say: “We’re in!”
Westport Pride — the town’s LGBTQ+ organization — has partnered with the Westport Downtown Association and Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Their new “All Are Welcome Here” campaign encourages businesses, restaurants and offices to show support, solidarity and allyship with the LGBTQ+ community.
Participants can proudly display an “All Are Welcome Here” sticker in a visible location. That signals their commitment to providing a welcoming, safe experience for everyone.
“We believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness,” says Brian McGunagle, founder of Westport Pride.
“By participating in the ‘All Are Welcome Here’ campaign, businesses and establishments in Westport can actively demonstrate their commitment to these values, and contribute to a more inclusive community.”
Interested businesses can click here, then completing the online form. Participants will receive a link to a short training video to educate employees on LGBTQ+ inclusivity and sensitivity.
Each business will receive an “All Are Welcome Here” sticker to display prominently.
There is a nominal fee of $10 to participate in the program.
All businesses, regardless of size or type, are invited to join the campaign. (Full disclosure: I am a board member of Westport Pride.)
For more information on Westport Pride, click here. Questions? Email westportctpride@gmail.com.
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