Last week’s Photo Challenge showed a place everyone is dying to get into:
Harding Funeral Home.
(Ba-dum-ching!)
John McCarthy, Gloria Gouveia, Morley Boyd, Elaine Marino, Diane Silfen, Edward Bloch and Mary Ann Batsell all knew that the decorative metal railing in Eve Potts’ photo = leads to one of the last places that — contrary to the first paragraph, but also absolutely true — you want to go. (Click here to see,)
This week’s livelier Photo Challenge is below. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Ellen Wentworth)
(Here’s a challenge: Please support “06880.” Click here to help!)
Yesterday’s gorgeous weather brought crowds outdoors, everywhere in Westport.
Including Burying Hill Beach.
Even in summer, there’s usually space there to spread out. But the small Greens Farms spot was filled yesterday, with a large group enjoying the spectacular view, from atop the hill.
And — because it’s after October 1 — they brought their dogs.
One of the town’s most popular shows — CraftWestport — returns November 5 and 6. It’s been on hiatus since COVID.
As always, the Staples High School fieldhouse will be filled with fashions, accessories, jewelry, home décor, furniture, photography, fine art, ceramics, glass, metal, wood, mixed media, skincare products, soaps, candles and more.
Gourmet specialties boutique featuring: bourbon-barrel aged maple syrup, hand-painted chocolates, teas and honey, cheese spreads, curds and baked goods.
CraftWestport brings more than 175 contemporary craftspeople and modern makers from across the country, to Connecticut’s largest indoor fine crafts festival. Net proceeds from admission fees are distributed to local charitable agencies by the Westport Young Woman’s League,.
For more information, including hours and admission, click here.
Alan Fiore’s new song has just dropped — and it may be his best ever.
The 2021 Staples High School graduate now studies at Berklee College of Music. If he keeps making music like this, he could become one of their most famed alums ever.
Click here for your favorite platform. Click below for the YouTube version.
Eight years ago, “06880” reported that Long Lots Elementary School teacher Jenn Giannino had donated a kidney to Sammy Brownlow — a former kindergarten student, when Jen had taught at Unquowa School. (Click here to read.
It was a hell of a story.
Anna & Raven thought so too.
The radio personalities featured it Friday on their show — in the “Helluva Story” segment.
Eight years later, it’s a story still worth telling. Click here to listen.
The Remarkable Theater provided incorrect information yesterday for their kids-friendly Halloween weekend double feature.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest” will be shown on the Imperial Avenue parking lot big screen on Sunday, October 30 — not the day before. Gates open at 5 p.m.; the films begin at 6.
That’s actually a triple feature day. A very adult film — “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” — follows at 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 8.
I’m curious why there is a staircase leading down to the Saugatuck River, at the Riverwalk near the Library. Did people used to swim (or bathe?) in it? (Tracy Porosoff)
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
I don’t know, Tracy. I’ve often wondered, though.
And I’ve wondered when was the last time anyone used it.
There are 2 ancient-looking doors on the west side of Saugatuck Avenue, just north of the railway overpass. They’re unmarked, and wouldn’t make any sense to have there with the traffic whizzing by. One is on the 2nd floor, so they probably pre-date the road there. Any idea what they were for? (Marc Frankel)
No. But I’m sure some longtime Saugatuck residents do. And — to be honest — I’ve never noticed them. The next time I’m stuck in traffic there, I’ll look.
The photo above brings up my own question: Why do so many drivers not believe the 10′ 11″ warning sign on the Saugatuck Avenue bridge?
If I drove a truck for a living — or rented a U-Haul, and was responsible for damages — I like to think I’d be a bit more aware than all of those ding-dongs who suddenly come to a screeching, roof-less halt.
And a related query: Why are there so many fewer accidents on the similarly low railroad bridge on South Compo? Does it have something to do with coming off I-95 onto Saugatuck Avenue, and still being in highway mode? Are there not enough warning signs? We may not be able to solve many world problems, but this one seems like it could be fixed.
Or at least cut down to, say, only one accident a month.
My Alvord children and I have just learned there is an Alvord Beach here. Where is it? For which ancestor is it named? And can we claim ownership? We’ve always wanted a private beach. (Lynn Flaster [Alvord] Paul
I know the answer!
Well, part of it, anyway.
Alvord Beach is the official name of the sandy area at Sherwood Island State Park.
I have no idea which Alvord it’s named for, unfortunately. But for the very interesting back story of Connecticut’s first state park, click here.
I’d like to know about the Lees family — early Westport industrialists.
They have a big cemetery plot at Willowbrook, with gravestones goin back centuries, plus an extension with more recent family members buried across the way.
The grandmother’s beautiful Italianate Victorian house set back on Main Street was in disrepair for many years, but looks well kept up now. Amazing to think that property goes all the way back. (Jeanne Reed)
“06880” has written several times about the Lees family, with great input from Mary Palmieri Gai Jack Whittle. Here are some excerpts:
Lees Pond, Lees Dam and Lees Lane, all in the Richmondville area, are part of the Lees family.
Lees Dam (Photo/Scott Smith)
Lees Manufacturing Company – they ran the cotton twine mill on Richmondville Avenur – was founded in 1814 by John Lees, who was born in 1787 in England, and perhaps a brother Thomas Lees was also a founder. John Lees was married to Martha (b. 1793). They are shown living in Westport in the 1850 US census, with their two youngest sons, George and Henry.
Edward M. Lees (Courtesy of Dale Call)
Edward M. Lees (born c. 1832) appeared in both the 1860 and 1870 US censuses with his wife Caroline. In the 1860 census Edward’s occupation was “blacksmith,” while in the 1870 census it was “law student.” Edward was appointed postmaster for Westport on April 7, 1867. He died in 1909, and is buried alongside his wife in Willowbrook cemetery.
Edward Lees also fought in the Civil War. He joined Fairfield’s 17th regiment too, ending the war as a 2nd lieutenant in Company K. He was wounded at Gettysburg, and captured at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
As far as precise Main Street Westport addresses of the Lees are concerned, Robert Lees (b. 1855) and his wife Lucy lived “on Main street near Myrtle Ave” in Westport in the 1919 Westport City Directory. Robert’s occupation was listed as “cotton twine manufacturing.”
Robert died around 1919 but Lucy continued to live in Westport, with her address listed as “171 Main St.” beginning with the 1925 Westport City Directory and continuing through the 1933 directory (when Lucy was 83 or so; she may have died soon thereafter). (NOTE: Street numbers may have been renumbered at some point.)
Meanwhile, beginning with the 1910 census John A. Lees (b. 1875) and his wife Margaret Sniffen Lees lived next door at 169 Main Street, along with their son John A. Lees Jr. (b. 1905). According to the 1917 City directory John A Lees Sr. was the president of Lees Manufacturing, and Charles Sniffen (his wife’s father? brother?) was shown as the manager. Sniffen Lane was developed much later, near Richmondville Avenue.
The Mill on Richmondville Avenue is now being converted into luxury housing.
John A. Lees Sr. and Margaret moved into Lucy Lees’ house after she died, because they are shown living at 171 Main St. in the 1940 census. At that point John A. Lees Jr. was married (Jane) and from 1931 – 1939 living at 193 Main Street.
John A. Lees Jr. (who also ran the company) and Jane eventually moved to Turkey Hill Road South in the 1950s. John A. Lees Jr. died on April 24, 1966.
The old Lees House at 257 Main State was (finally) restored by the owner. The last Lees in Westport — a woman who never married — lived there until she was in her 90s.
Westport Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice joined members of Westport10 — the civic and social organization of Black men and their families — for a tour of the Westport Library yesterday.
The group — founded by Library trustee Jay Norris — was very impressed with the innovative building, and inspired by Scarice’s vision for Westport schools.
At yesterday’s Westport Library event, front row (from left): Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice, Board of Education member Kevin Christie, Roy Anderson, Alie Diagne, Eric Freeman. Back row: Ryan Smith, Dale Mauldin, Abdul Ngnoumen, Jay Norris, Ted Parker.
From now through 12:30 p.m. today (Saturday), the Westport Tree Board is giving them away. It’s part of “Oaktober,” at the Westport Book Shop fall festival. The festival runs until noon.
Westport Tree Board member Ed Picard offers an oak sapling to Dylan Rosen. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
The United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston wants to make it easy for everyone. On Saturday, October 29 (2 to 4 p.m.), they’ll host their annual (and very popular) “Trunk or Treat.”
The parking lot will be filled with 30 car trunks, decorated for Halloween. Kids (up to age 12) can pick up candy and other goodies.
It’s free for the community — but there’s a chance to give back too. The church is collecting canned goods for the Person to Person food pantry. A donation of 5 cans of food per child attending is requested.
All are welcome at the United Methodist Church, 49 Weston Road — throughout the year, and of course at “Trunk or Treat.” (Photo/Dan Woog)
The next big event after Halloween is Election Day.
Absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall Room 105 on weekdays (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except this Monday, Columbus Day.) Ballots are also available online; click here.
It’s been just over a year since beloved Westporter Jonathan Greenfield died of ALS. He had just turned 50.
Greenfield dedicated the last years of his life to building Breathe 4 ALS, with his wife Iris. The non-profit had 2 missions: raising money for genetic ALS research, and spreading awareness of the Wim Hof method of breathwork and cold therapy. It greatly improved Greenfield’s life, as he battled ALS.
The second annual Jonathan Greenfield Wim Hof Fundamentals Workshop is set for Sunday, October 16.
It’s limited to 30 participants, and is free for people living with ALS.
Jonathan was a photographer and filmmaker. He published a coffee table book, which is included as a gift with the ticket purchase ($225 donation).
People who cannot attend, but support the work with a $100 donation will receive the book as a thank you. Click here for tickets.
Dana Buckmir’s memoir, Everything Will Be Okay, is a cautionary tale of online dating and domestic violence. On October 12 (7 p.m.), the Connecticut native brings her story to The Westport Library for a conversation with Ann Rodwell-Lawton, associate director of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center.
The event, a collaboration between the Library, The Domestic Violence Crisis Center, and the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force, will be held in person, streamed live, and recorded.
“Domestic violence and abuse impacts thousands of people, especially women, each day, in every community,” says Kerri Gawreluk, programming associate at The Westport Library. “Dana’s ability to articulate her own personal story from a place of clarity, strength, and empowerment is truly inspiring, and we’re incredibly grateful to host her at the Library.”
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Westport 12-year-old Vivek Kanthan is now on the Kart Racing World Circuit in Italy.
The 50+-nation competition is very difficult. Karts have different tire compounds and specifications. Tracks are very fast and highly technical.
In the Rok Cup Italia Competition, Vivek finished as vice champion. He has qualified to represent the US in the World Championship Rok Superfinal in Lonato later this month. Good luck, Vivek!
And finally … on this day in 1956, Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history. (Just think: The MLB post-season is only beginning now, with wild card games.)
(Movies, sports, Election Day info … it’s all available on “06880.” Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
A pair of bands (Times Square and klezmer), and 3 overseas water scenes, are part of this week’s online art gallery.
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, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage and (yes) needlepoint — whatever you’ve got, email it to 06880blog@gmail.com. Share your work with the world!
“Eric 1976” (Eric Bosch)
“Tanzania Great Migration” — Photographer Mike Hibbard says of his subjects: ““If we get across this crocodile-infested river we will have earned our stripes.”
Untitled (Sharon Paulsen)
“Subway Serenade Times Square” (Lawrence Weisman)
“An Old Time Klezmer Band” (Steve Stein)
“From the Aegean in Greece” (Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
Two of Westport’s most important town bodies meet on Monday nights.
This week, the Board of Education’s “banned books” kerfuffle grabbed the local (and Fox News national) spotlight.
But the Planning & Zoning Commission was busy too.
Recent action includes:
Allowing a change of use from “Group Home for Youth” to “Special Needs Housing,” and granting permission to renovate Susie’s Place, the Project Return building on Compo Road North, next to the Town Farm tennis courts. It will transition from an emergency shelter to supportive housing for young women ages 18 to 24.
With longer stays they’ll be able to access more services, including education, jobs and social work. And the building’s 6 units — owned and administered by Homes with Hope — will be added to Westport’s overall affordable housing stock.
Project Return’s “Susie’s House,” on North Compo Road.
Adopting a text amendment that will permit expansion and redevelopment of the current Westport Rehabilitation Complex (formerly “Mediplex”) on Post Road West, across Burr Street from Kings Highway Elementary School, into a medical facility specializing in the care of Alzheimer’s, dementia and/or other memory impairments.
The decision paves the way for conversion to a memory care facility with 68 patients, nearly half the 120 in the current nursing home. That will lead in turn to fewer staff members and visitors.
Westport Rehabilitation Complex.
Granting permission to Birchwood Country Club to build 3 pickleball courts. That’s down from the original 5 — and the location is further from neighbors than in the original plan.
The P&Z also discussed a larger project: The Hamlet at Saugatuck. That retail, residential, restaurant and hotel proposal requires a text and map amendment.
After a discussion of issues including height, the board did not vote. They’ll continue examining the plan at either their regular October 24 meeting, or a special session next month.
The longtime Westporter and noted historian had some home movies, from the 1930s. They were taken by the Kelly family at Compo Beach, and had been converted to DVD. Was I interested?
The 17-minute show was intriguing — though like any home movie of any time, it would be of far more interest if I actually knew who was in it. (It would have been better with a tripod too, and not shot directly into the sun. But hey …)
Compo Beach and Soundview look very familiar. Except for fewer rocks, it’s the same scenery as today.
Except for this screenshot.
It shows Schlaet’s Point at the northern end of the beach, where Soundview meets Hillspoint/South Compo.
But what do you notice that’s different, nearly 100 years ago? (I’m not talking about bathing suit styles.)
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