Longtime jUNe Day hospitality chair, poll worker, RTM member, proud Staples High School graduate and avid “06880” reader and commenter Arline Gertzoff died peacefully yestrday morning at St. Vincent’s Hospital.
She had been diagnosed recently with esophogeal cancer.
Her friend Jennifer Johnson called her “a lifetime Westporter, and truly a citizen of the world. She was a proud, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat,” but also “a champion of democracy and international understanding.”
She had many friends across the political aisle too. She was serving her third term as a District 3 member on Westport’s non-partisan Representative Town Meeting.
In her 25 years as hospitality chair for Westport’s jUNe Day, she promoted world peace through friendly interaction between UN visitors and their local hosts.
She spent 20 years as an Election Day poll worker, through the Westport League of Women Voters.
Arline also served many years as co-chair of the Community Outreach Committee of the Westport Democratic Town Committee (from which she received the 2016 Dora Stuttman Campaign Leadership Award). She was a longtime member of the board of the Democratic Women of Westport.
DTC chair Mark Friedman said, “Arline devoted her life to service and to community.Through her work in education, politics and civic organizations, she strengthened the fabric of our civil society and touched the lives of people in Westport and around the world…..
“Arline created a family of friends and admirers and imbued her friendships with insight, wit and love.”
Bagpipes played, colleagues saluted, and hundreds of mourners grieved yesterday, as Mark Blake was laid to rest.
Mark Blake leaves St. Matthew Church for the last time …
The beloved Westport Emergency Medical Services crew chief and Weston EMS volunteer died last week, after a long battle with COVID. After a funeral at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk he was buried in Westport’s Willowbrook Cemetery.
“A servant on earth, now a servant in heaven,” one admirer said.
… as friends and colleagues pay tribute. (Photos/Andrew Colabella)
They’ll continue through the day she leaves the place she loves, on Imperial Avenue.
I was fortunate to interview Sue on my “06880” podcast at the Westport Library last February. To get a sense of what she means to Westport — and to enjoy her energy, wisdom, enormous commitment and lively sense of humor — click here, then scroll down to February 18.
The saga of 233 Hillspoint Road — aka “The Blue House” — may be nearing an end.
For more than 2 years, construction of a large home to replace Positano restaurant has been halted, due to permit violations. The structure has been wrapped in blue construction material ever since.
This summer, the Zoning Board of Appeals reached a settlement with the owners.
This morning, lumber was delivered to the site.
Ah, progress! (Hat tip: Totney Benson)
Lumber at 233 Hillspoint Road (Photo/Totney Benson)
“The Furniture on Consignment outlet on the Post Road near Izzo’s and Castle Wine is a junk heap, and a blight on the whole area.
“I believe that residents of Regents Park across the road have tried to do something, without success. I think the same may be true of Castle Wine, which is next door.
“Surely the town must have regulations on the books which enable it to address issues like this.”
Furniture on Consignment
Well … click here for a copy of Westport’s “anti-blight provisions.”
Is the consignment store simply showcasing its merchandise? Or is it “dilapidated”?
Positive Directions is taking its October 6 Open House & Wellness Fair in a very positive direction.
The event (3 to 6 p.m., 90 Post Road West) includes free behavioral health and blood pressure screenings, a “sensory café,” prevention awareness activities and more. For more information, click here.
The next “Andrew Wilk Presents …” is a musical highlight.
The Emmy Award-winning TV, film, music and media producer (and longtime executive producer of Live From Lincoln Center) brings American String Quartet violinist Peter Winograd and celebrated pianist Rohan De Silva to the Westport Library on October 16 (2 p.m.).
They’ll perform — and also answer questions from Wilk. Click here for more information, and to register for a seat in the Trefz Forum.
Badass Bagels, out of Sugar + Olives, definitely lives up to its name.
But what about Westport’s other “hole foods”: donuts?
Not so much.
There are 3 Dunkin’ Donutses in town, but most people go there for coffee. Coffee An’s great donuts share space with muffins and crullers. Donut Crazy offers crazy good donuts, but unless you want your arteries immediately blocked, you can only go there once a month.
Evan Feldman is changing that — one freshly made mini-doughnut at a time.
Evan Feldman’s donuts.
The University of Michigan graduate spent 10 years in finance. He didn’t love it though, and when the 2008 economic crisis hit, he took a severance package.
His wife was an occupational therapist; he stayed home to raise their child, and consulted on the side.
One year turned into four. Then … it was time to make the donuts.
Feldman’s father had taught him to cook. His brother was a chef. His in-laws owned a New York food business.
Most importantly, he had a sweet tooth.
Donuts were becomingtrendy. But unlike another early 2010s food craze — cupcakes — Feldman thought they had staying power.
“Donuts are always around,” he notes. “Every culture has a version of fried dough.”
He opened a Doughnuttery pop-up shop in Chelsea Market, figuring 3 to 6 months. Customers loved watching the batter turn into a sugary mini-donut. The aroma was intoxicating.
The market offered Feldman a permanent spot.
The business grew. His brother joined to run catering and events, with a mobile donut-making machine at places like Bryant Park and music festivals.
They opened in the Plaza Hotel food court, and the Turnstyle Underground Marketplace on Columbus Circle.
Customers asked about opening franchises in their hometowns. Doughnuttery launched 3, in Virginia, Wisconsin and Arizona.
COVID hit small businesses like mini-donut shops hard. Two of the franchises folded. The Plaza did not reopen its food court.
But Doughnuttery is rising. Feldman recently opened another store, in Long Island’s Roosevelt Field mall.
A Doughnuttery store.
Four years ago, the Feldmans moved to Westport. A Rockland County native, he’d always wanted a house, lawn and garage; he loved hiking and the water too. His wife had friends in Weston.
Westport, he says, has been “magical.”
Doughnuttery has not yet popped up here. But he’s looking for opportunities.
Feldman is friendly with Badass Bagels’ Jennifer Balin. They might work something out.
He’s donated donuts to his kids’ schools, Coleytown Middle and Kings Highway Elementary.
Evan Feldman, on the cover of a New York Daily News story.
Because his donuts are made to order, there are not many left over. But when a company ordered 15,000 a day (to entice workers back to their offices), Feldman spent a couple of weeks dropping off hundreds at the Gillespie Center.
“They thought I was crazy,” he says. (Insert your own “Donut Crazy” joke here.)
Last weekend, the Doughnuttery mobile machine traveled to Bridgeport’s Sound on Sound music festival.
It’s in demand too for events like weddings and bar mitzvahs — any place mini-donuts can be made, hot and fresh, in front of people’s eyes (and noses).
Catering, courtesy of Doughnuttery.
That includes hotel rooms.
“We’re Kim Kardashian’s favorite donuts,” Feldman says proudly. “She asked us to make donuts in her hotel room, before a gala. We made them for her, and all her entourage.”
Susan L. Pfister — the only director the Westport Center for Senior Activities has known at its Imperial Avenue home — has announced her retirement.
She leaves the post she has made an enormous mark on, effective January 1.
Sue Pfister
Pfister has spent 35 years with Westport’s Department of Human Services. She was hired in 1987, after graduating from Sacred Heart University with a bachelor’s in social work.
She earned a master’s in social work at Fordham University, and dedicated her career to supporting Westport senior citizens.
The Senior Center had humble beginnings, and no permanent home. It bounced between the YMCA, Greens Farms Elementary School, Longshore and Staples High School.
Pfister helped lead construction of the Imperial Avenue facility in 2004, ahead of schedule and under budget. She also oversaw the 2016 expansion.
Westport’s Senior Center serves hundreds of people daily, thanks in large part to Pfister’s expertise and administration. “Sue’s Café” is just one honor. It was named in recognition of her establishment of the daily congregate meal program, complete with its own chef.
Westporters of all ages — along with town officials, and her colleagues around the state — admire Pfister’s creativity, resourcefulness and inclusive vision.
Sue Pfister (seated, right), at her beloved Senior Center.
She says:
I’m honored to have had the opportunity to spend my entire career with the Town of Westport. Westport truly values and recognizes the important role seniors play in the community.
I send heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the various administrations, boards and commissions, town departments and staff, instructors and volunteers, and most importantly, my staff for supporting me throughout my career. I will always call Westport my home away from home.
The Westport Senior Center.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker adds:
Westport residents, and in particular our seniors and their families and caregivers, have been blessed with Sue’s presence. Through her due diligence and oversight, the Senior Center has become a crown jewel of Westport, offering comprehensive programs that enhance the lives of seniors and create countless opportunities for seniors and volunteers to enjoy friendships and daily enrichment.
Sue always has the best interests of those she cared for at the forefront. Her considerate nature and calm demeanor, coupled with a no-nonsense management style has been an enormous asset to this community.
On a personal level, when my mom and dad moved to town, my dad became enamored of the Center and its many activities. It was Sue and her staff who were sincerely welcoming and hands-on in helping with a difficult life transition for him.
I know she is the same with all her beloved seniors. Sue took the lead without fanfare – she just did it – and with a smile on her face. Of course, Sue will be sorely missed as the Senior Center director. But I also know that she will continue to be in service to others as she enters a new chapter in her life. We wish her only health and happiness in her retirement.
Carl Frey blew out birthday candles with (from right) his wife Iris, and Senior Center director Sue Pfister.
Human Services director Elaine Daignault notes:
Sue has a penchant for quick-thinking, organization, and collaboration, playing a critical role in the town’s emergency response efforts through countless storms and public health emergencies. She and her team offered essential respite and support by feeding, housing, and comforting emergency workers and residents during significant nor’easter storm events like Hurricanes Sandy, Irene and Isais, and the COVID19 pandemic.
Sue’s energy and dedication are inspirational. Her drive and compassion for others have been a tremendous source of reassurance to me, and those that she has helped along the way.
I am very grateful for her camaraderie and friendship, and I wish her a well-deserved retirement where she’ll continue to spread light and hope to others.
As Westport plans major capital projects — a renovation or new Long Lots Elementary School, reimagining of Longshore and others — the Board of Finance does not want to reinvent the wheel.
A special meeting on October 3 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A) has only one agenda item: “Preparation workshop for the upcoming School and Town Building Program.'”
The board will listen to and question former Finance Board members, and officials who served Westport during the most recent major Westport building program (1998-2008, including Staples High and Bedford Middle Schools).
The public is invited. If there is time, they can ask questions.
Other workshops will be scheduled at later dates.
Westport has begun planning next steps for Long Lots Elementary School. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
Storm clouds did not detract from yesterday evening’s Tashlich ceremony, at Compo Beach.
Members of The Conservative Synagogue gathered for the traditional rite. On the first day of Rosh Hashana, Jews symbolically casting away sins by tossing pieces of bread in the water.
We’re lucky indeed. We’re getting much-needed rain. And gorgeous rainbows that follow.
Saturday was special in Stamford — and in Staples Players’ history.
The award-winning high school troupe added another professional page to their overflowing scrapbook. They performed at a benefit concert for Orchestra Lumos (formerly the Stamford Symphony) at the Palace Theater.
Well, not just “performed.” Players shared the stage with actor/director Mari Friedman, who paid tribute to 3 great composers: Marvin Hamlisch, Stephen Sondheim and Michel Legrand.
Staples Players perform “I Hope I Get It” from “A Chorus Line” …
Friedman spent several hours rehearsing with the high schoolers. “She was fantastic with them, and they loved her,” says Players co-director David Roth.
… and dance to “I Hope I Get It” at the Orchestra Lumos benefit.
The invitation came from Halmisch’s widow Terre Blair. She saw a Players production of “A Chorus Line” — her husband’s work — and was “blown away.”
Maria Friedman thanks the audience, with Staples Players behind her.
Also starring on Saturday: vocalists Ross Lekites (“The Tina Turner Musical”), Lewis Cleale (“The Book of Mormon”) — and Players alumni Camille Foisie and Nick Rossi,
From left: Lewis Cleale, Ros Lekites, Maria Friedman, Camille Foisie, Nick Rossi. (All photos/Kerry Long)
DJ Sixsmith cut his teeth — and honed his voice — at WWPT-FM. You can still hear the 2011 Staples High graduate giving the school station’s call letters at the top of every hour.
He’s now first senior manager for digital and social media at CNBC. Last week, he headed to California to interview Jay Leno — in the TV host’s iconic garage.
That makes sense. They were on YouTube Live, promoting Leno’s exclusive tour of SpaceX with Elon Musk — on the web series “Jay Leno’s Garage.”
Sixsmith gave fans the chance to ask Leno questions directly, and peek behind the curtain about the episode.
It went viral, when Musk himself commented on the video, on Twitter.
Sixsmith said on LinkedIn: “I love working for a company that is willing to let me run with new social and digital ideas like this one.”
Click below, for the full YouTube Live. (Hat tip: Mark Lassoff)
This week’s Jazz at the Post features Serbian guitar master Rale Micic; bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Steve Johns; of course the Jazz Rabbi, Greg Wall — and new start times for the 2 sets (7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; Thursday, September 29, VFW Joseph J Clinton Post 399, 465 Riverside Avenue). Dinner service begins at 7 p.m.
There is a $10 cover. Reservations are strongly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Rale Micic
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This is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. On Friday (September 30, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Westport Library), the Westport Prevention Coalition offers a free “Suicide Prevention Lunch and Learn.” It’s open to all residents, plus town employees, elected officials, commissioners and volunteers.
The Traveling School offers girls and non-binary students ages 15-18 a chance to see the world, build leadership skills, and grow personally. The semester-long program travels to Africa, South America and around the western US.
It’s nearly 20 years old, and boasts 450 alums. Students receive academic credit from their home schools, and stay on track to graduate. Nearly 60 percent receive financial support.
They host an open house on October 12 (6:30 p.m., Rowayton). For more information, click here or email admissions@travelingschool.com.
Longtime Wesetporter Salvatore Mastromatteo passed away peacefully earlier this month. He was 90 years old.
He worked many years for Arnold Bakery. Sal enjoyed time off by going to New York City, the movies, walking at the mall, and spending time with his family.
Sal is survived by nieces Claudia Bradley fiancé William Thomas) of Tamarac, Florida and Tammy (Vinny) Guarente of Beacon Falls; great-niece Angela Guarente (Joe Darrah); great-nephew Joe (Megan) Guarente, and great-great nieces Michaela Darrah and Izabella Guarente.
He was predeceased by his sister Annamay Bradley, with whom he shared a home with after the death of their mother.
His family thanks June Richardson (conservator), and the staff at the Westport Rehabilitation Complex and Long Ridge Acute Care, for taking great care of Sal.
Private services were held at Assumption-Greens Farms Cemetery.
Very appropriately, Jilda Manikas sent this “Westport … Naturally” photo of this insect on a screen door yesterday — Rosh Hashana, one of the Jewish High Holy Days.
Long time resident and prolific author Carl Addison Swanson writes:
I woke up Friday night to an animal whining and shrieking with a strange, terrifying sound. My neighbor confirmed it was a coyote who was sunning itself in his backyard the next day.
Since we have a small terrier. I called the game warden. He answered promptly and informatively.
He said that coyotes are now in a “transitory” period. The male and female leave the den, searching for food for the winter.
Do you know what to do when you see a coyote?
The awful sound I heard was coyotes taking down a deer in the woods bordering our back yard. They are afraid of humans. but “any animal under 20 pounds” should be supervised, he said.
If confronted, coyotes do not like loud noises. They will run.
I ordered an air horn. I intend to blast the hell out of their temporary “den.”
The warden said their permanent den is on Bayberry Lane. But because of construction , they are moving along while for the coming cold weather.
I live off North Avenue, near Bedford Middle School. Beware!
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A wonderful woman named Kikou answered the phone. She listened to the saga and said simply, “we can help.”
