“06880” readers love Rowene Weems’ photos. She has a keen eye for the beauty of our town. Flowers, sunsets, the Levitt Pavilion— her camera and composition make those scenes come alive in special and compelling ways.
Rowene also has a great eye for people. As she travels around town, she captures some of the men and women who work — mostly unseen — to make Westport what it is.
She does not know their back stories. She tries not to interrupt too much. A woman once chastised Rowene for taking photos of workers on her property. “Time is money!” she said.
Last spring, “06880” featured some of those images. They’re part of a book she’s creating about workers everywhere, from her travels around the US and world.
It’s time for another look, at more of the men and women who make our town all that it is. Today, let’s appreciate them anew.
Anthony, in his truck …
… and digging a gas line.
Janine, a delightful server at La Plage.
Wood working on Jesup Road.
A friendly, efficient team of Optimum workers …
… starting a job …
… with plenty of cable …
… and time for a quick break …
,,, before finishing up (All photos/Rowene Weems)
(Photos are a big part of “06880” — but just one. If you enjoy this blog, please click here to contribute.)
This classic Saugatuck Congregational Church photo is from a few days ago. It’s still beautiful – but the leaves won’t stay for long. (Photo/Jennifer Johnson)
Veterans Day was special for Christine Quinn Antal.
The 1994 Staples High School graduate and former Army lawyer, and her husband Mark, a former decorated Green Beret, formed an organization — Task Force Antal — that has helped Afghanistan allies escape the Taliban, and provided humanitarian aid to soldiers in Ukraine.
Dozens of veterans help, knowing the couple cuts through red tape and delivers what they promise quickly and efficiently.
For Veterans Day, the “Today” show produced a live segment with the couple, their daughters, and a veterans organization that honored them. Click here for that inspiring story.
Christine and Mark also participated in Bedford Middlel School’s 8th grade Veterans Day event. They spoke powerfully about their work, and inspired the youngsters in Christine’s hometown. (Hat tipis: Kerry Long, Kate Tarrant)
Christine Quinn and Mark Antal, in a screenshot from yesterday’s “Today” show.
Here’s a chance to do so with Board of Education members.
A community forum is set for November 15 (noon to 1:30 p.m., Westport Library).
Former RTM moderator Velma Heller will facilitate a conversation, on any topics related to our local schools. It should be a very interesting dialogue.
Just in time for the holidays, the Westport Farmers’ Market moves indoors.
Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center once again hosts the winter market. It opens November 17 and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday (except Thanksgiving) through March 9.
Vendors will fill 3 heated greenhouses with high-quality locally grown or raised fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, milk, baked and prepared foods, and handmade items,
The Farmers’ Market kicks off the season with a celebration. Bubble & Brew and Parlor Pizza will set up their trucks outside the greenhouses. Luke Molina will play music and Mae Farrell will entertain the kids with a nature-inspired theme.
As Batman fans around the world mourn the death of Kevin Conroy — the character’s distinctive voice on television, in movies and video games — Staples High School graduates remember him as a classmate and friend.
The 1973 alum starred in several Staples Players productions, including “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Crucible.”
He was Sky Masterson too in “Guys and Dolls.” Opening night was 50 years ago yesterday — the same date as last night’s premiere of the same show.
Eric Bosch sent along these photos of Kevin Conroy, from the Staples yearbook:
That’s the provocative subtitle of a Zoom discussion set for Monday (November 14, 7:30 p.m.).
Sponsored by the Democratic Women of Westport, with the title “Who is My Neighbor?,” the event features Nancy Gagnier. She’s part of the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, a non-profit with the goal of building a suburban community free of racial segregation in housing and community involvement.
For more information, and to access the link, email dww06880@gmail.com.
Three years ago, “06880” honored Charlotte — the longtime Balducci’s cashier known as “Charle” — as an Unsung Hero.
The “Comments” page quickly filled with more praise for her.
Now, Susan Weingarten reports, she was recently in a very bad automobile accident. Her car was totaled.
The good news: After recuperating at her Orange home, she is back at the store. Susan encourages all Charle’s friends to stay by and say “welcome back!”
The Weston Police Commission’s choice of Citizen of the Year is a no-brainer.
For more than 30 years, Mark Blake served the Weston Volunteer Fire Department and Weston Volunteer Emergency Medical Services. He was also a Westport EMS supervisor. Mark died in September, after a long battle with COVID.
A ceremony is set for Monday (November 14, 6 p.m., Weston Town Hall).
Among Mark’s many contributions to public safety: Weston’s Child Passenger Safety program. It offered training on the proper use of child car seats, and seats to those who needed them.
The public — including all of Mark’s friends and admirers — are invited to the event.
Mark Blake
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Ukraine has moved off the front pages.
But the war is very real to tens of millions of people who live there. And to friends and relatives, like Tatyana Hisxon of Westport.
She’s helping organize a fundraiser (December 2, 3 p.m. Carriage Barn Arts Centr, New Canaan).
The non-political event — called “Ukraine Fast Forward” — will showcase the country’s culture, arts and sciences.
All proceeds benefit Big Dreams Children’s Foundation. Long active with orphans and youngsters with disabilities, it now is helping kids and women affected by the fighting.
Raffle prizes include a private tour of the United Nations, and works by exhibiting artists.
Fall is the season of colors. This week, “06880” artists and photographers submitted some very colorful works, in several mediums.
This is your feature. All readers are invited to contribute. Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions.
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!
“Westport Red” (Rowene Weems)
Untitled (Karen Weingarten)
“All the Colors of the Rainbow” (June Rose Whittaker)
Photographer Mike Hibbard says of this Galapagos giant tortosie: “organic, free range and grass-fed — hands off!”
“Brooklyn” (Lawrence Weisman)
“Portugal” (Wendy Levy)
“Remembering Chagall: Tribe of Asher” (Steve Stein)
Westporters waited eagerly for Casa Me to open. The Italian restaurant in Sconset Square is now serving satisfied diners.
We waited for Saugatuck Provisions too. It sold its first steak, pork (and pasta) on Tuesday.
But several highly anticipated openings seem to have stalled. We’re twiddling our thumbs waiting for …
Amazon Fresh. The innovative grocery store — just pick up your stuff and walk out (after scanning your app, of course) — has not been worked on in months. The place looks abandoned (a very un-Amazon-like description).
Way back in February, The Original Pancake House announced a summer opening. They said they’d take over the 2nd floor space formerly occupied by Boca restaurant (and before that, Acqua). There are over 100 locations in 28 states and overseas. This will be the first in Connecticut. After months with no activity, it looks like work has finally begun. But there’s not even a “coming soon” link on the website.
In July, callers to a Post Road restaurant near Shearwater Coffee heard: “Hi! You’ve reached Pizza Lyfe, formerly Ignazio’s. We are remodeling, and will be back soon!” “Soon” is still on its website. Hungry potential diners wonder what’s taking so long. It was already set up as a pizza place, right?
Meanwhile, there is good news about Mexicue. The Main Street outpost of the New York, Washington and Stamford restaurants, mixing “street food sensibility” with fine dining, was announced in February. Nine months later, the website promises a November 16 opening.
(“06880” is your regular source of restaurant and retail news. Please click here to support our work.)
Kevin Conroy — the 1973 Staples High School graduate and former Staples Players star whose voice was the definitive Batman — died yesterday. He was 66 years old, and had battled cancer.
Conroy was Batman’s voice on the animated television series from 1992 to ’96. He continued with the character through 15 films, 400 TV episodes and 2 dozen video games.
“Kevin brought a light with him everywhere, whether in the recording booth giving it his all or feeding first-responders during 9/11 or making sure every fan who ever waited for him had a moment with their Batman,” said Paul Dini, producer of the animated show. ”A hero in every sense of the word.”
AP says:
Conroy) attended Juilliard and roomed with Robin Williams. After graduating, he toured with John Houseman’s acting group, the Acting Company. He performed in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Public Theater and in “Eastern Standard” on Broadway. At the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, he performed in “Hamlet.”
The 1980s production of “Eastern Standard,” in which Conroy played a TV producer secretly living with AIDS, had particular meaning to him. Conroy, who was gay, said at the time he was regularly attending funerals for friends who died of AIDS. He poured out his anguish nightly on stage.
In 1980, Conroy moved to Los Angeles, began acting in soap operas and booked appearances on TV series including “Cheers,” “Tour of Duty” and “Murphy Brown.” In 1991, when casting director Andrea Romano was scouting her lead actor for “Batman: The Animated Series,” she went through hundreds of auditions before Conroy came in. He was there on a friend’s recommendation — and cast immediately.
In 2016 — when the New York Times profiled Conroy — “06880” posted this story:
In the eight-decade history of Batman, no one played the Dark Knight more.
For over 20 years, the 1973 Staples High School graduate has lent his “deeply charming, yet virile voice” to 9 Batman TV series, 12 animated movies and 7 video games. No other actor has played Batman for so long, or been as closely identified with him.
Today, the New York Times finally took notice.
Kevin Conroy (Photo/Ben Esner for NY Times)
The Arts section features a full-length story on Conroy — who, it should be noted, is hardly a 1-trick Batman. The Juilliard alum also toured nationally with “Deathtrap,” appeared on the soap opera “Another World,” played Laertes in the New York Shakespeare Festival, acted on Broadway, and was a regular on “Ohara” and “Tour of Duty.”
But it’s as Batman he’s best known, and that’s the Times hook. Jeff Muskus writes:
He has logged the most screen time of anyone in the comic-book vigilante’s 77-year history — without ever showing his face onscreen for the role. Still, his voice, deep and resonant, has defined the character for fans who grew up with his shows, and again for those devouring his three Arkham video games.
“It’s so much fun as an actor to sink your teeth into,” Mr. Conroy, 60, said over lunch in New York’s theater district. “Calling it animation doesn’t do it justice. It’s more like mythology.”
The story notes that “school plays” — aka Staples Players — provided Conroy with a home, away from his dysfunctional family (he lived some of the time with friends).
Muskus concludes:
Unlike Batman, Mr. Conroy has managed to resolve much of his childhood trauma. First, he sought a modicum of financial stability….He saved during his stage and Los Angeles days, flipping houses on both coasts, and supported and made peace with his parents in their final years. “I was able to speak for my father at his funeral and sing for my mother at hers,” he said.
Mr. Conroy said he’s grateful for his long-running second act. “I’ve been really fortunate to have gotten Batman, because he’s a character that’s just evolved,” he said. “It’s just been a character where you can ride that wave for 24 years. Keeping him alive, keeping him from getting just dark and boring and broody, is the challenge.”
Click here to read the full New York Times story. Click here for the Times’ selection of Conroy’s standout Batman performances.
There’s a good reason why Westport schools are in session on Veterans Day.
It’s a chance for students to learn the meaning of the holiday. Some classes have special discussions. Some buildings hold special assemblies.
At Greens Farms Elementary School, youngsters hear from veterans themselves. Some served in long-ago wars. Others — including the father of at least 2 current students — are serving now.
Greens Farms School principal Kevin Cazzetta welcomes Lieutenant Commander Ryan Weddle, father of students Ben and John. He has served in the US Navy since 2008, with deployments to Guantanamo, Afghanistan and Qatar.
Each year, teachers organize a ceremony. Several dozen servicemen and women are honored. This year, nearly two dozen took the stage.
Veterans on stage. The “Missing Man” table in front is decorated with symbols representing missing family members (rose), love for country (red ribbon), tears shed for those lost (salt), missing soldiers 9inverted) glass and hope (lit candle).
They were serenaded with songs of all the armed forces branches — including, this year, the new Space Force tune.
The Greens Farms PtA sponsors a reception too.
GFS 3rd grade teacher Karen Frawley (right) with her mother Doris Serbu Seipel. She is a first lieutenant in the Air Force Nurse Corps, and a captain in the New York State National Guard.
“It’s the best assembly of the year, every year,” says longtime music teacher Suzanne Sherman Propp. “It’s really heartwarming.”
Greens Farms 3rd graders are ready.
She helped organize the event, with colleagues Amy Murtagh, Karen Frawley, Dan Seek, Jason Hubball, Catherine Vanech and Lisa Doran.
Greens Farms Elementary School 3rd grade teachers (from left): Karen Frawley, Catherine Vanech, Amy Murtagh, Jason Hubball.
Former Bedford Middle School math teacher Salpi Tokatlian (right) with her granddaughter, GFS 2nd grader Ella, and husband Sgt. Matthew Charles Tokatlian, US Army 1968-71. He served in Vietnam, and earned a Sharpshooter Medal.
(Hat tip and all photos: Suzanne Sherman Propp)
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Reess Kennedy is a software engineer and tech entrepreneur.
As a sideline, the Staples High School Class of 2000 graduate studies innovation history — especially involving late 19th-century American entrepreneurs.
Think John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Plus Morris Ketchum Jesup.
Morris Jesup, and his very impressive mustache.
A September “Friday Flashback” on Jesup caught Reess’ eye. He read with interest that the founder of the Westport Library (and namesake of our town green) was also a major benefactor of the American Museum of Natural History. (He also commissioned a 5-year anthropological expedition to Alaska and Siberia, which is why the northernmost piece of Greenland is named Cape Morris Jesup).
The next month Reess was at the New York museum’s American wing, exploring its labyrinth of oil paintings.
He found a work he remembered from college art history: “Fur Traders Descending the Missouri” (George Caleb Bingham, 1845). A few days later, opening an old textbook to learn more about the work, he noticed a credit line: the “Morris K. Jesup Fund, 1933.”
“Fur Traders Descending the Missouri”
Digging into the Met’s database, he learned Jesup was associated with an astonishing 313 pieces of art: paintings, sculptures, decorative boxes, you name it.
He’s returned to the Met’s American Wing since then, proud of the impact someone from his hometown had on the space.
Reess Kennedy, at the Met.
Reess adds: “Maybe it’s just getting older and appreciating everything more. Maybe it’s that I spend so much time on my small laptop screen nstead of in these grand galleries.
“But I also think it’s the deep lesson of the pandemic: We shouldn’t take for granted that we’ll always have permission to get our eyes inches from the brush strokes of these beautiful masterpieces. It’s such a wonderful gift.”
And how few people know that the donor is a long-ago Westporter, whose name we remember only for a bust in our library, and a bit of green space nearby.
BONUS FEATURE:Reess offers more information on Morris Jesup, his fund and the Met.
He offered significant financial support to Frederic Edwin Church, a Hartford-born artist whose work is featured in the American Gallery.
Jesup’s generosity helped Church produce his masterwork “The Parthenon.” It was bequeathed to the museum by Jesup’s wife.
Thanks too to Reess, for uncovering this great photo of Morris Jesup, and his dog:
(Pretty cool, right? To keep stories like these coming, please support “06880.” Click here to contribute.)
All around town today, flags fly proudly to honor our veterans.
Matt Murray captured this inspiring view this morning, on Compo Cove:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
A reminder: Today’s Town Hall ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m, The Community Band will play; speakers include 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Staples High School senior Tyler Clark; the Westport Police Honor Guard, American Legion Post 63 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399 wilk participate too.
Good news for supporters of A Better Chance of Westport, and fans of Millie Rae’s.
On November 17, 20% of all sales will be donated to ABC — the great program that provides educational opportunities here to academically-gifted and highly motivated young men of color.
It’s a great way to buy holiday gifts and decorations, jewelry and more. Plus: wine and nibbles will be served from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
This first-ever MoCA Film Salon features 2 highly acclaimed documentaries about the art world.
“Jay Myself” is a behind-the-scenes documentary about photographer/ artist Jay Maisel — directed by renowned photographer and Westporter Stephen Wilkes). It’s set for December 10 (3 p.m.) A conversation with Wilkes follows the screening.
“The Art of Making It” (December 11, 3 p.m.) examines the lives of 17 young artists navigating emerging careers in the contemporary art world. It screens
Tickets ($20 for one show, $30 for both) include complimentary light bites. Drinks and cocktails will be available for purchase. Click here for tickets, and more information.
And Finally … Joe Tarsia died last week in Pennsylvania. He was 88.
You may not know his name, but you’re heard his work. A recording engineer, he was a key developer of what the New York Times calls “the lush, fervent blend of soul, disco and funk known as the Sound of Philadelphia.” Click here for a full obituary.
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