When Jen Swetzoff told her 9-year-old son to read a story about body odor — part of a new magazine she’s launching for kids — he was grossed out.
But he checked it out.
And he was — well, engrossed.
Jen Swetzoff
Swetzoff — a Westport mom with a background at the Council of Foreign Relations, travel writing for Frommer’s and editing for a geopolitical consulting firm, and who moved here from New York during the pandemic (though she and her husband had been planning a suburban move before it hit) — hopes more 9- to 14-year-olds will be engrossed by stories about hair care, living with ADHD, young athletes and activists, divorced parents, food, celebrities, gender, and moving to a new town.
Those are some of the features in the first issue of Anyway. A new print — yes, print — magazine, its goal is to use fun, engaging stories about health, well-being and culture to help young people know that their feelings and experiences are a normal part of growing up.
COVID, lockdown drills, climate change, social media pressure — it’s not easy being a kid these days.
Jen and Keeley McNamara — a longtime friend, certified nurse midwife and health educator — realized that although puberty starts earlier now, there was no “trusted media brand” for boys and girls to access information.
Anyway magazine: coming soon!
But why print? Doesn’t it make more sense to reach this wired/wireless generation on a screen?
“Kids are on screens so much,” Jen says. “They just gloss over what they see; it doesn’t sink in.”
Meanwhile, schools are encouraging students to read any kind of printed material. Feedback from teachers has been very encouraging.
Besides, “kids like getting mail. And they like having something they can hold and look at, and go back to again and again.”
One story on hair …
A Kickstarter drive generated enough interest to print the first issue. It’s at the printer right now. In addition to the homes of young readers, Anyway will be distributed to places like kids’ stores, and doctors’ and orthodontists’ offices.
A web launch in December will draw more attraction to the magazine.
Jen thinks she and Keeley have hit the sweet spot for 9- to 14-year-olds.
Even with — or because of? — stories like the one on body odor.
(Click here for the Anyway website. Click here for the Kickstarter website (the only way now to receive copies or subscribe right now.) Click here for the Instagram.)
… and another on ADHD.
(“06880” covers all of Westport — for all ages. To help support your hyper-local blog, please click here.)
Phone calls from a demented human being to police departments around the state — while many were honoring 2 slain officers at a Rentschler Field ceremony — forced high-level security measures.
At Staples High School, nearly 2,000 students and scores of staff members went into lockdown. At nearby Bedford Middle School, a “shelter in place” order was given.
Nearly an hour after Staples High School went into lockdown Friday morning, an ambulance and police car sat outside the building. (Photo/Jim Honeycutt)
Officials — rightly — erred on the side of caution. Before the lockdown was lifted, armed officers checked every room.
With police weapons visible to students and staff, superintendent of school Thomas Scarice asked teachers were to focus the rest of the day on the social/emotional needs of students. Emotional support was available for anyone who needed it.
Welcome to America, 2022.
That afternoon, longtime Westporter (and Staples High School graduate) Stacie Curran wrote:
“Once again (and sadly), please publicly recognize all of our teachers, staff, administrators, and our incredible police force for their attention, their dedication, their care and brave protection our children through this lockdown.”
Stacie is right. Scarice, his staff, and administrators at Staples and Bedford acted swiftly and decisively. Police officers were on the scene quickly. Working with Staples’ school resource officer, they believed soon that the call was a hoax.
Still, they made absolutely certain that the school was safe. Meanwhile, Westport’s Emergency Medical Services were on hand, standing by if needed.
The response and collaboration of all involved was impressive. As Stacie notes, we owe thanks to all of Friday’s Unsung Heroes, for keeping our community secure.
(To nominate an Unsung Hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com)
(“06880 celebrates an Unsung Hero every Wednesday. To help support this and all other featus, please click here.)
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, “06880” shines a light on one of our lesser known — but crucially important — local organizations.
The Breast Cancer Emergency Aid Foundation is a grassroots, volunteer-driven non profit. It was founded in 2006 by 2 breast cancer patients, one of whom lost her battle.
They wanted to make a difference for other people undergoing treatment — especially those less fortunate — by focusing on patients.
While they were glad that much funding goes to research, education and finding a cure, too little money is available for the day-to-day, non-medical, financial issues breast cancer patients experience as they go through treatment.
BCEAF provides grants of up to $500 a year for non-medical expenses, like rent, utilities, transportation, prostheses, specialty bras and babysitting.
Insurmountable bills pile up — in addition to the sickness, anxiety, depression and pain associated with treatment and surgery.
Some patients are unable to work during treatment. Others lack medical insurance. Unmanageable finances can be a barrier to beginning or continuing treatment.
Financial support for non-medical needs alleviates some of the crippling financial burden, and enables patients to continue with treatment.
Since 2007, BCEAF has provided over $950,000 in aid to 2,184 patients — thank in part to the generous support of Pink Aid, over the past 10 years.
BCEAF raises funds without a big fundraiser. For more information and to help, click here.
The other day, “06880” highlighted Staples High School graduate/former teacher/current resident Amanda Parrish Morgan’s new book. “Stroller” is — as its title suggests — a cultural, historical and memoir-infused look at an everyday object that has become suffused with symbolic importance, on way too many levels.
Great minds think alike.
The New Yorker magazine’s Peter Baker has just weighed in on “Stroller.” He likes it — and he adds his own thoughts on the subject.
Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Wynne Bohonnon)
Amanda Parrish Morgan, her kids and a stroller in Grand Central Terminal.
Vanish Media Systems — Mark Motyl’s Westport company that designs and builds large-screen TVs that disappear when not in use — hosts viewing parties for movies, and big events like Julia Marino’s Olympic snowboard competition.
This past Sunday morning, it hosted a live event from Africa.
The live celebration of Ugandan culture — dance, music, conversation, food, humor, you name it — was done via a video link with the Tender Talents Magnet School there. Every moment — and all its colors, energy, joy and sound — was broadcast on Vanish Media’s impressively clear 10-foot, 4k-quality screen.
The Uganda event, on Vanish Media System’s 110-inch TV..
Attendees also had a chance to speak with students, and the founder of Tender Talents. Speaking in their second or third language, they took part in a moving Q-and-A session that touched on issues of race, culture, and the divisions and commonalities between people.
The event was organized by Creative Connections, a Norwalk cultural education organization celebrating its 30th year fostering communication between students around the world.
You won’t yawn through this one: On Friday (October 28, noon to 1 p.m.), Positive Directions offers a free webinar on “Sleep Routines and the Impact of Technology.”
Representatives from the Yale University Mood Disorder Research Program discuss the pros and cons of technology, and offer advice on how to help youngsters streamline their routines.
For nearly 30 years, Jill Franke has led exercise classes at the YMCA and Senior Center.
An aerobics, group and aqua fitness instructor, she helps members and clients achieve their goals.
Some are initially afraid to work out. Jill proudly watches them turn into “beautiful butterflies,” she says.
It’s an apt metaphor. She does exactly the same at home, with caterpillars. Jill nurtures them, as they turn into beautiful — and actual — monarch butterflies.
Her hobby began six years ago. She helps the eggs grow, from a milkweed plant to microscopic caterpillars. Jill watches as they eat for two weeks, getting “big and fat.”
The start: tiny eggs.
They climb to the top of her cage, hang by their feet for 1 to 2 weeks, then spend 24 to 48 hours turning into butterflies. Their wings are wet, and they are “exhausted” from the transformation.
They walk around the cage, drying their wings. After 1 or 2 days, Jill releases them. The day must be warm (the heat helps them fly), with little wind.
In past years, Jill released 25 monarchs. This year, she has freed only 15. “Builders have been ripping out milkweed,” she explains. “Pesticides hurt too.”
To help the cause, Jill worked with Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield. She and a landscaper planted thousands of milkweed seeds. It’s a beautiful spot.
During COVID, groups met there to meditate. They continue still.
Jill feels a “spiritual connection” to monarchs — an endangered species. The other day, an injured butterfly landed at her feet. She fed it sugar water until it felt better, then watched it rise away.
Jill Franke releases a monarch butterfly.
“I’m passionate about helping them survive. I’m glad I can play a part,” she says. “It’s a miracle.”
When monarchs fly off, Jill adds, she feels as if she is watching an “ancestor.” Then, she says, “I trust them. They’re watching over me.”
In late October, most butterflies are gone. There are few plants, like zinnias, to feed on. Now, she spends more time with her human friends.
Monarchs need plants to thrive.
“I’m a helper,” she says. “When it’s helping people reach their fitness and nutrition goals, I get the same satisfaction as watching caterpillars turn into gorgeous butterflies.”
Some of her success stories fly away. Some stay on earth, and return for more classes.
Insect or human, all are important parts of Jill Franke’s world.
Coming soon to Saugatuck: Original Craft Butchery co-owner Paul Nessel will reopen — with a new business — in the former Fleishers Craft Butchery space on Riverside Avenue, across from Saugatuck Sweets.
The target date for “Saugatuck Provisions” is a few weeks. (Hat tip: JD Dworkow)
Paul Nessel (Photo courtesy of Modern Farmer magazine)
Somehow I missed last week’s Bravocon video of Christian Siriano judging the looks of “Real Housewives” cast members.
But Stephanie Ostroff caught it.
She sent a link to “06880.” Click below to watch — particularly at the 4:30 mark, when he talks about Westport, his new store here, and the possibility of a “Real Housewives of Westport.”
The longtime Westporter and always-eager civic volunteer celebrated his 75th birthday. It was also the 77th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter — an organization supported from the start by Rotary International, of which Benson is a proud, active and long-serving member.
Throughout his 33 years in Rotary, he has taken on many roles. He and his wife Totney have also given generously.
So generously, that they are one of only 3 couples from Connecticut to achieve membership in Rotary’s Arch Klumph Society. They’re in the Trustee’s Circle, for gifts of $250,000 to $499,999.
Oh, yeah: yesterday was also the 34th anniversary of a promise Rotary made to the children of the world: to eradicate wild polio. In that time, the disease has gone from 350,000 cases globally to only 29 cases this year, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Happy birthday, Rick. And thanks, Rick and Totney, for all you do, in Westport and around the planet. (Hat tip: Mark Mathias)
Rick and Totney Benson, with Rotary officials in Kampala, Uganda.
For more than 2 decades, the US Drug Enforcement Administration has run a “Drug Take Back Day” program. Over 16 million pounds of prescription medicines have been removed from circulation.
This Saturday (October 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Westport Police Department again partners in this effort. Medications can be dropped off at the Senior Center, on Imperial Avenue. The event is free, and anonymous; no questions are asked.
Liquids or needles cannot be accepted; only pills or patches. Vape pens are accepted if the batteries are removed.
A year-round collection bin is available in the lobby of police headquarters on Jesup Road. For more information, click here.
This week’s “Jazz at the Post” features guitarist Bob DeVos. He’s joined by Dan Kostelnik on bass, drummer Steve Johns, and of course Greg Wall, Westport’s own “Jazz Rabbi” saxophonist.
There are 2 sets on Thursday (October 27, VFW Post 399, 465 Riverside Avenue): 7:30 and 8:40 p.m. Dinner is available from 7 p.m. on. For reservations, email jazzatthepost@gmail.com.
This past weekend’s Staples High School boys basketball fundraiser was a great success. Kids of all ages participated, helping raise funds for a players’ lounge, video equipment and pre-season camp.
The second part of the fundraiser — a virtual silent auction — runs through this coming Friday (October 28). Items include Knicks, Broadway and Stephen Colbert tickets; autographed basketballs; a lesson with a varsity player, and more. Click here for details, and bids.
Taking a break during the Staples basketball fundraiser: Nicholas Fey, Jackson Shapiro and Ryder Shapiro,
Former Westporter John Preston died earlier this month, at 75.
The Michigan native met his future wife Janet at the University of Michigan. They married in 1970.
He attended the Department of Defense Language Institute, and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1975.
He and his family lived in Westport for nearly 2 decades. They raised 3 children and had many friends here.
John spent 21 years at The Seagram Company, rising to senior vice president and treasurer. In 2004 he and Janet moved to Miami where he spent 14 years at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as vice president of finance and administration. She died in 2016.
He moved in 2020 to Portland, Oregon to be closer to his son and daughter, and their families. He moved to Wilmette, Illinois, shortly before his death.
John was an avid golfer, voracious reader and lifelong lover of speaking Spanish..
John is survived by his three children Regan, Lilly and Wells; their spouses Jordan, Nik, and Chrissy; granddaughters, Maylin, Marlowe, Daphne, Oona and June; and siblings Susan Root, Thomas Preston and Sarah Linthicum.
A memorial will be held December 3 in Wilmette, Illinois. Click here for details.
Over 100 years ago, women of both political parties worked together to provide women the right to vote. Westporters played a big role. (Click here for the back story.)
Now, in 2022, a bipartisan effort involving women voters is underway here.
Recently, Wilton resident Pamela Hovland was asked to write a letter to the editor for a political candidate.
She decided to do something more impactful: submit a non-partisan statement from women, to women. Those signatures would mean much more, she thought, than a letter signed by only one voter.
Pamela thought of the suffragists, and her own role designing a series of commemorative 19th Amendment “I voted” stickers for the 2020 election. The state of Connecticut printed and distributed 6 million of them, celebrating various women of that era. She repurposed them for her 2022 letter (below).
Pamela reached out to women and girls in Wilton. They covered a range of ages and political affiliations — but all are united around women’s equality.
Westporter Jessica Hill heard about the initiative. She asked if a similar letter could be circulated here. Pamela said, of course!
The letter is a way of using collective voices to to speak out about “the sacred law of humanity” (a suffragists’ phrase).
So far, over 125 Westport women have signed on.
“At a time of political polarization, this letter is not about political affiliation,” Pamela notes.
“It is, rather, a united voice for equal rights from the people whose lives depend on it.”
A 92-year-old woman added her name. So did a young mother of 2 daughters. High school and college students have signed too.
“We’re all in this together,” Pamela says.
She is excited to see more names added to the letter every day. It is a public acknowledgment, Pamela says, that “we celebrate all that we are, and all that we can be.
“Much is written about voter fatigue and apathy. But the recent actions taking away reproductive healthcare have prompted many of us to find new ways to create community, and to feel empowered to ‘get back out there’ and demand what is rightfully ours.
“We all have our voice, our vote and our signatures. And we will one day be treated as equal citizens under the law.”
After the election the physical letter, with all signatures, will be donated to the Wilton Historical Society. “It will be proof that women in this community are committed to this cause, and that we are thankful for — and inspired to continue the hard work done by our suffragist role models,” Pamela says.
We believe this moment in time is not “politics as usual.”
We are inspired by Westport women who came before us – Republicans and Democrats alike – who rallied and door-knocked and wrote letters and took personal risks for over 7 decades in pursuit of the right to vote.
Today, more than 100 years after the 19th Amendment was added to our Constitution, women are still not equal under the law. This is both unethical and un-American. Overturning Roe v Wade was, quite simply, a violation of our dignity and human rights.
Join us in mobilizing the power of the collective to promote women’s issues in 2022. Issues that are personal, familial and community focused. Issues that include privacy and individual freedoms and the education, safety and well-being of our children. Issues that impact the identity and vitality of our town.
When we cast our ballots in November, we must vote for policies, candidates and parties that validate our equal status, shared values and the survival of our democracy. Throughout history and in societies across the globe, women have united against marginalization. Demanding that our elected officials stand up for the rights of more than half the population is fundamental to our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Committed to moving forward in our homes, our schools and workplaces, our village, our state and our country, we respectfully ask you, friends and neighbors from diverse political ideologies, to:
Recognize your power
Accept your responsibility
Vote in the best interests of yourself and your sisters, daughters, mothers, girlfriends and granddaughters.
As Westport suffragists Lillian Wald, Amelia Shaw MacDonald Cutler, Sara Buek Crawford, Anna Holden Mazzanovich, Laura Gardin Fraser, Rose O’Neill and others bravely did over 100 years ago, stand up for the women and girls you know and don’t yet know, in Westport and in destinations far from here.
Our causes are also theirs.
Women of Westport unite. And V O T E.
Westport women wishing to sign the letter should email Jessica Hill: jmbhill24@gmail.com.
Jesup Green was the site of an anti-racism rally yesterday.
Well – the movie version of one, anyway.
Local filmmaker/Staples High School graduate/former Westport Journal editor Jarret Liotta hopes to make sense of current events — racism, gun violence and cancel culture — with a new dark comedy short film, “Small Town Movie.”
Yesterday’s shoot was the final scene in the project. Liotta has worked on the movie for a month. He hopes to finish by the end of the year.
The script is timely. The intent, he says, is to “poke fun at everyone equally, regardless of their social or political views, and hopefully to give everyone a minor epiphany about themselves and the world we live in.”
Yesterday’s crew included Westporter Isabella Bullock, who served as assistant producer; director of photography Liam Hanley, and production assistant Joey Fassarella.
Liotta is producing the film “basically out of pocket.” Among his supporters: Ruth Mannes, executive director of MoCA Westport; longtime Westport resident Judy Hardy; Bob Saloomey, owner of S&S Dugout in Southport, and Kyle Overturf, manager of the Blue Trail Range in Wallingford.
For more information, email JarretLiotta@gmail.com.
Cast and crew at yesterday’s “rally against racism” movie shoot on Jesup Green. Jarret Liotta is at far right.
Meanwhile, a completed film — “The Candidate,” with Robert Redford — screens tomorrow at the Remarkable Theater. The timing is important: a week before Election Day.
The Imperial Avenue lot opens at 5 p.m. for tailgating. The movie begins at 6. Click here for tickets.
On Saturday, dozens of Westport youngsters painted Halloween scenes on store windows all over town.
They did the Senior Center too. That was the project of Greens Farms Elementary School Girl Scouts Troop 50588. The event was sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Lenny Lipton — the Cornell University college freshman who wrote the words to “Puff the Magic Dragon,” which his friend and fellow physics major Peter Yarrow later put to music — died this month in Los Angeles, of brain cancer. He was 82.
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