In Episode 4 of “What’s Next in Weston,” 1st Selectwoman Sam Nestor interviews Police Chief Ed Henion.
He speaks about a new hire, the rest of his force, community involvement, school resource officers, and more. Click below to learn everything you always wanted to know about the Weston Police Department.
Congratulations — we have a winner!
An “06880” reader bid $1,500. She’ll receive an oil painting, painted by an artist in Marigny, Westport’s sister city in France.
Our friends overseas donated it, as part of our fundraiser for our other sister city: Lyman, Ukraine. Together, Westport and Marigny are helping the besieged city recover from Russian occupation.
The need is great, for building supplies, generators and a water filtration system. We set a goal of $250,000. So far we’ve raised over $186,000. Please help us hit that mark!
Please click here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other tax-deductible donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo). You can also donate directly, via Stripe (click here).
This Marigny scene raised $1,500 for Lyman, Ukraine.
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(Photo/Richard Webb)
Yes, this is a Rolls-Royce.
Yes, it’s parked in the fire lane at Stop & Shop.
And yes, those are Hermès gift bags on the front seats, in a color scheme to match the top of the Very Important Vehicle.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image takes us behind Jr’s Deli & Grille, on the Saugatuck River.
Sure, it’s frigid.
Unless you’re a duck.
(Photo/William Whitmal)
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And finally … Happy Boxing Day!
(Wondering how to celebrate Boxing Day? Please click here, for a donation to “06880.” Thank you!)
Tons of building supplies, dozens of generators and a water filtration system are ready to be trucked to Lyman — a devastated town in Ukraine — thanks to the generosity of more than 575 Westporters and their friends. We’ve raised nearly $250,000, in less than a week.
But first came Christmas.
And — with help from all those “06880” folks — our new sister city had a Christmas too.
At 7 a.m. yesterday in Kharkiv, Brian Mayer — the Westporter who co-founded Ukraine Aid International — picked up 400 fresh holiday meals, all homemade and bagged.
Then he added 491 gifts, donated by children in Hamburg, Germany.
He got in a van. He arrived in Lyman at 12:30 p.m.
Dressed as Santa, he helped deliver all those meals to the elderly and infirm, at the central square.
Then he went door to door, handing out all those presents, to every child left in Lyman.
Residents were stunned. They’d heard that Westport was sending aid. But this immediate, impactful Christmas Day surprise was extra special.
Brian sent photos and videos, throughout the planning process, the ride from Kharkiv to Lyman, and the distribution.
He asked for no publicity yesterday, though. He did not want to jeopardize the safety of residents.
Even — especially — on Christmas Day.
Our drive to help our sister city was set to end yesterday. We set a goal of $250,000.
We’re close. But we’re not there yet.
Now that you see a small bit of what we can do, please help us hit that $250,000 mark.
Please click here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other tax-deductible donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo). You can also donate directly, via Stripe (click here).
Now click here, for this great video, shot by Brian Mayer and Liz Olegov. It was compiled and created by Clyde and Katya Wauchope, who have worked tirelessly to make our sister city project a success.
PS: Though the Christmas gifts came from German children, they were reminiscent of Westport’s connection with our sister city of Marigny-le-Louzon, France. In the years after World War II, we — well, the men, women and children living here then — sent presents to children there. Each bore the name of an individual recipient.
The citizens of Marigny never forgot us. Now — three-quarters of a century later — they join us in our efforts to help Lyman. Next month, when the French mayor gives his annual new year’s address to the town, he’ll describe our partnership, and ask for their help. Merci, Marigny!
Stalactites, looking out at the Compo Bach marina point, underneath and behind the jetty wall. (Photo/Andrew Colabella and Viviana Vasiu)
Cold Compo Christmas — Soundview Drive jetty … (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
… and a closeup. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
Staples High School graduate Jesse Liotta writes:
My dad Jerry passed away in 2018, at 85. I never wrote him an obituary.
This Christmas, he would turn 90. I wrote this to honor him, on Christmas Day.
My dad passed suddenly. At the time, I didn’t have the capacity to do anything besides mourn with my friends and family.
We did it our way. We had dinners in his honor, toasted him over Italian meals, screened his favorite films and shared countless memories of his jolliness, warmth, talent and huge heart.
This holiday season, I am writing the obituary I wasn’t able to write 5 years ago.
Jerry and Jesse Liotta, in younger years …
Jerry Liotta was born in Brooklyn in 1932 to a loving and supportive family led by his parents Salvatore and Josephine Liotta. He had vivid, beautiful memories growing up with his brothers Chuck and Franklin, and sister Marion.
Jerry was creative at a young age. It seemed he was destined to become an artist across many mediums. He enrolled in a special high school in downtown Manhattan to nurture his creative ideas and exuberance.
Jerry Liotta
Jerry went into theater at Adelphi University, and ended up in the advertising industry in New York City. Later he moved to Connecticut, gave up the media industry and made a new career for himself as a decorative artist.
He loved making people’s lives more beautiful, whether by painting them something in their home, or pointing out something in the world that he found beautiful.
Jerry loved to cook and eat. He hosted unforgettable dinner parties, and most
enjoyed the company of his friends and family. Jerry also loved movies.
Throughout my childhood he showed me the films that raised him; “The Thief of Baghdad,” “Gunga Din,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
He was a romantic. He always let the magic of movies sweep him up and into a new world. My daughter was born a year and a half ago. I look forward to sharing these with her, and talking about her grandfather.
… and older.
Jerry would want us all to remember that love goes on. Soon after he passed, we
unearthed a holiday note he had written to his wife Robin, from years before. It felt like he was talking to us from the other side of time.
It read: “I wish it could be forever! I love you! Maybe it will be. Happy Holidays, Jerry.”
Happy 90th Birthday, Dad. I will love you until the end of time!
Love,
Jesse Liotta
When most of us are on Railroad Place, we’re intent on something.
Getting to the train. Heading for dinner at Tarantino, Harvest, Romanacci or Allium. Shopping.
If you take the time to look up at #16, you’ll see an old, diamond-shaped window, underneath a wooden gable. (Click here to see.)
Mark Pocius, Robert Mitchell, Bob Weingarten, John Terpening, Gloria Gouveia, Diane Silfen, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Chip Stephens and Andrew Colabella all look up enough to have nailed it, as last week’s Photo Challenge.
I asked if anyone knew the back story to the unique shape.
John wondered whether the window was installed “in a way that allows it to open/pivot in the center in the hopes of inviting hot air to escape through the upper half, while inviting cooler air to enter through the bottom half, thereby creating a ‘primitive’ form of ventilation.”
Gloria Bobbie noted: “They were known as ‘witch windows’ in Colonial times, because witches couldn’t fly with their broomsticks through them. Many of them are found in Vermont.” She added a helpful Wikipedia link.
This week’s Photo Challenge should be an easy one — if you’re an alert “06880” reader. If you know where in Westport you’d see the image below, click “Comments.”
PS: Merry Christmas to all Photo Challengers!
(Photo/Eric Bosch)
Less than 24 hours remain, to reach our goal of $250,000!
That would help rebuild every home and apartment in Lyman — our Ukrainian sister city — that can be salvaged. It would give them each a generator. It would provide a water filtration system for the town. (Click here for the first story about Westport and Lyman, with important details.)
It would get them through a dark, dangerous winter. Those brave, embattled men, women and children need to know that they are not alone.
They already know that Westport has their back. They are very, very grateful for what we’ve done.
Westporter Brian Mayer (right) and his on-the-ground support team of Richard von Groeling and Liz Olegov flank Lyman Mayor Oleksandr Zhuravlyov. Brian, Richard and Liz wear protective equipment, because they’ve just been outside. The Ukrainian and Lyman flags will soon be joined by one from Westport.
Now, on Christmas Day, let’s give them everything they need.
$250,000 sounds like a lot. But it breaks down to just $10 for every resident of Westport.
Can you spare that? If not, no worries. Someone who can, will cover you. Right?
Just click here for the credit card “Donate” button. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” You can also scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.) Or you can donate directly, via Stripe (click here).
Meanwhile, our online auction for an oil painting of Marigny — our other sister city in France, which joins us in helping Lyman — ends at 11:59 p.m. We began the bidding at $1,000. It is now up to $1,500. Email 06880blog@gmail.com, or click “Comments” to bid; you don’t need to fill out your real (but please include your email).
This Marigny scene is being auctioned to the highest bidder.
Westporters have been supremely generous so far. We are nearing our audacious — but crucial — $250,000 goal. Every dollar helps our sister city of Lyman. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Eversource earned props for putting crews on the road early during Friday’s wind and rain storm. The number of outages in Westport was halved throughout the day, from 700 or so to about 350.
Their performance since then has been less praise-worthy.
An “06880” reader wrote last night, just before midnight:
“I am spending the holidays with my 92-year-old homebound mom on Bayberry Ridge Road. Power has been out for the whole street since 4 a.m. Friday. Despite 40-plus hours elapsing, Eversource still has no projection for repair, citing ‘To Be Determined’ as the date when one inquires.
“They no longer even list Westport on the updated outage report, because over 99% of homes have power. This is cold comfort to residents on this street, who cannot get any information out of this vastly overpaid and underperforming public utility. With zero communication since the beginning, we worry that they’ve forgotten about us entirely.”
The reader responded at 1:04 a.m. that his power was back on. He doesn’t know if it was the result of his phone call, Tweet, or because they were about to do it anyway.
I’m keeping his complaint up though, because it’s not isolated. I’ve heard from other readers in the north end of Westport, who also had issues with Eversource.
Most seemed to understand the severity of the problem. What bothered them was Eversource’s lack of communication about when power was expected to return.
“We just want to be able to plan,” one reader said.
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Compare the situation in Lyman (top story above) with the behavior of one Very Entitled Driver downtown yesterday.
He ignored several “One Way/Do Not Enter” signs. He headed past all the cars, on 2 sides of the street, facing toward him.
Drivers stopped. One rolled down his window, and explained the driver was going the wrong way.
He couldn’t be bothered. Perhaps backing up was too difficult or time-consuming. Maybe doing so would be admitting wrongdoing, or a blow to his masculinity.
So he got out of his car. He had angry words with one of the right-way drivers.
Then he got back in his vehicle, swerved around a couple of cars, and kept driving.
All the way to the Post Road.
Very Entitled Driver — after already being told he is going the wrong way on Main Street.
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Also downtown: Our own Barnes & Noble was featured in the opening seconds of Yahoo News’ recent feature on the chain’s resurgence.
Young readers in particular have driven the opening of new (and newly designed) stores.
CEO James Daunt was interviewed by Dave Briggs. The Yahoo journalist knows what he’s talking about — he lives here in Westport, just a couple of miles from one of those slimmed-down, brighter, more open and less “library-looking” Barnes & Noble’s than the previous one.
Click here for the full Yahoo story.
Screenshot of the Yahoo story
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The Burying Hill High Tide Club has earned an “06880” mention — and props — for weekly swims at that Greens Farms beach, all the way through fall.
Now another group is earning even more awe (and raised eyebrows).
Nico Eisenberger reports: “This year we spawned a crazy cousin of the High Tide Club. Inspired by some of the hardy originals, and carried forward with an unreasonable and illogical vigor, is Club Plunge.
“We’ve done it every week since early November. It’s amazing and wonderful — and makes you think that maybe the extremophiles one sees on YouTube are really on to something.”
The group includes 8 regulars.
“We try to stay in for at least 3 minutes,” Nico says. “The screaming subsides after 1 minute, then picks up again after 2.”
No word on “weather” they ventured in yesterday.
Club Plunge at Burying Hill Beach.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows how a gifted decorator can transform beautiful plants and flowers into something even more stunning.
This is the holiday table at the home of Elena and Richard Nasereddin. She’s Catholic. He’s Muslim.
Both wish everyone in the “0688o” community — in Westport, and cyberspace — “happy holidays, and many blessings in the new year.”
(Photo/Maria Elena Nasereddin)
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And finally … Christmas music ends tonight. Whether that’s good or bad depends on your threshold for jinglyness.
But before we say goodbye (till next year) to Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Bobby Helms, Bing Crosby and Gene Autry, let’s tip our Santa hat to Johnny Marks.
He lived for many years on Green Acre Lane, off South Compo. He died in 1985 from complications of diabetes. His son still lives here.
Who was Johnny Marks?
Just the guy who wrote “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
And “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” “Run, Rudolph, Run.” “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.” And many others.
Not bad for a Jewish kid from Mount Vernon, New York.
Merry Christmas! Oy!
Posted in Beach, Downtown, Local business, Media, Politics, Transportation, Weather
Tagged Barnes & Noble, Burying Hill Beach, Dave Briggs, entitled drivers, Eversource, Lyman Ukraine, Yahoo News
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And one more present to unwrap this morning.
In 2021, those of us lucky enough to be at Darlene Love’s benefit concert for the Levitt Pavilion enjoyed a stunning show.
Just days before her 80th birthday, the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famer gave a concert for the ages.
She’s been doing it all her life. Including this still-talked about appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” 7 years ago.
So crank up the speakers. Hit it, Darlene! (Hat tip: Les Dinkin)
Frosty Christmas Eve morning (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Yesterday’s storm was tough on Westport. Power was out. It was cold. Our lives and routines were disrupted.
Now think of the 13,000 people in Lyman, Ukraine. When the Russians fled in October, after nearly 5 months of occupation, they left behind utter devastation. Over 150 of the 240 homes lacked roofs, windows, even walls. There was no electricity, water or heat.
That’s our new sister city. And we can help.
Our goal is to raise $250,000 — by tomorrow. Within 3 days, our partners on the ground — Ukraine Aid International (founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer) and Alex 21 can supply building materials to repair all those homes — plus a generator for each. And a water filtration system for the entire town.
Right now, we are near $160,000 — 60% of the way to our goal. There are 2 days left.
Sure, we’re in tough shape. A major storm, followed by frigid temperatures, right before Christmas is not fun.
But our sister city of Lyman has endured far more, for far longer. They need our help.
As Rev. Heather Sinclair of the United Methodist Church of Westport & Weston tells her congregation: “This is a great opportunity to put our prayers into action!”
Please click here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other tax-deductible donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo). You can also donate directly, via Stripe (click here).
PS: Don’t forget our fundraising auction. Our friends in Marigny, France — our other sister city — have provided an oil painting of their town. The highest bidder wins it. with all funds going to Lyman.
Click “Comments” with your bid (starting at $1,000). You do not have to use your real name — but be sure to include your email when prompted. The auction ends at 11:59 p.m. tonight.
This Marigny scene by Roger Potier is being auctioned to the highest bidder.
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It was a great year for Club 203
Now Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities gears up for an even bigger and better 2023.
Next up: a January 7 (7 to 8:30 p.m.) event at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
It’s an evening of fun and fitness. “Dress for the gym!” the organizers say.
For more information click here, and follow on Instagram: @club203_ct.
Fun at the Club 203 holiday party. (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)
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Nature is beautiful.
Even when it’s freezing.
Here’s a “Westport … Naturally” view of Molly Alger’s window, earlier this morning:
(Photo/Molly Alger)
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And finally … on this day in 1914, the World War I “Christmas truce” began.
According to Wikipedia:
In the week leading up to 25 December, French, German and British soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. In some areas, men from both sides ventured into no man’s land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to mingle and exchange food and souvenirs. There were joint burial ceremonies and prisoner swaps, while several meetings ended in carol-singing. Men played games of football with one another, creating one of the most memorable images of the truce. Hostilities continued in some sectors, while in others the sides settled on little more than arrangements to recover bodies.
The following year, a few units arranged ceasefires but the truces were not nearly as widespread as in 1914; this was, in part, due to strongly worded orders from commanders, prohibiting truces. Soldiers were no longer amenable to truce by 1916; the war had become increasingly bitter after the human losses suffered during the battles of 1915.
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