The longtime and very energetic Senior Center member is not on a computer. So how about sending her birthday wishes the old-fashioned way? (Kids: That means a card and stamp.)
Isabel’s address is 19 Hills Lane, Westport, CT 06880. Let’s fill her mailbox this week!
Isabel Boardman
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Staples High School Class of 1992 graduate Melissa Kirsch has a tasty story in yesterday’s New York Times Morning report.
She uses an end-of-summer (rather than High Holy Days-are-near) hook, to describe her own challah baking experiences.
It took years for the Memorial Day parade and 4th of July fireworks to become Westport institutions.
It’s taken LobsterFest just about 10.
The Westport Rotary Club’s mega-fundraiser has become one of the hottest tickets (on an always-perfect mid-September Saturday).
There’s something (lobsters, oysters, steak, burgers, beer, wine, soda, music, kids’ stuff) for everyone. What began as an event for Rotarians and their friends has become a party for folks of all ages. This year’s LobsterFest drew more families, with more young kids, than ever.
The goal was to raise $200,000 — for the Rotary Club to distribute to many worthy causes, in Fairfield County and around the globe.
If the lines of cars and crowds are any indication, they made it.
And if the smiles and full stomachs are any indication of what the event means to Westport — well, mark your calendars now for Lobsterfest 2023!
The money shot.
Quick service, with big smiles.
You can’t have lobster without clams.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker helped pour some cold ones …
… as did this bipartisan crew of Planning & Zoning chair Danielle Dobin, and 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore.
There were plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. (“Liquid Death” is of course sparkling water.)
LobsterFest drew older Westporters …
… and several generations …
… and members of Norwalk Rotary too.
The band played on …
… and Mr. Bumbles played to the kids’ crowd.
Volunteers from Sustainable Westport made sure that nearly every bit of trash was recycled properly.
Hook’d provided the ice cream. Their sign, though, was a bit of wishful thinking.
This sign covered all the bases …
… while this one was great for the Westport Rotary Club, not so great for anyone without a ticket. (All photos/Dan Woog)
(Like LobsterFest, “06880” serves the entire community. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
A new (and free) support group — “Alternatives to Suicide: Navigating the Darkness Together” — launches October 4. The group meets Tuesdays (7 p.m., 90 Post Road West).
Sponsored by Positive Directions, it’s a safe, non-clinical and peer-led space where people 18 and older can talk openly and non-judgmentally. about suicide thoughts, attempts or experiences like self-harm.
Positive Directions says, “We do not assume suicidal thoughts are connected to mental illness, and you do not need to be experiencing a current crisis to attend. No referrals or connection to mental health services is needed.
People are welcome to show up to a meeting, or call 203-227-7644 or email akernan@positivedirections.org for more information.
Today’s LobsterFest will draw 1,500 people to Compo Beach. There are lobsters, steaks, beer, wine — and plenty of waste.
The sponsoring Westport Rotary Club is on it. Lobster shells will be recycled (after de-banding); bottles are recyclable, and there’s plenty of composting.
An added element: Sustainable Westport will host informational stations throughout the event. Attendees can learn all about our town’s Zero Weaste and Net Zero initiatives, and how they can help.
Lobsterfest is always a good time. Today, it’s educational too.
Sustainable Westport’s waste stations, at last week’s Slice of Saugatuck.
Last month, “06880” reported on the kerfuffle involving outdoor tables at Nômade (the new Main Street restaurant replacing Tavern on Main) and Savvy + Grace (the gifts-and-more store on the street level, underneath the eatery).
Shoppers have had a narrow path to the store – until yesterday.
In 13 years of publishing “06880,” I’ve posted dozens of photos of entitled drivers. This is the first one of an entitled bicyclist:
With his calm demeanor, commitment to equality and constant outreach to the public, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas has earned the respect of all Westporters.
This coming week, the entire country will share in our pride.
“Champions for Change” — CNN’s week-long series highlighting “bright examples of humanity who give hope and inspiration” — returns for a 6th year tomorrow. On Saturday, September 24 (8 p.m.), Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts an hour-long special featuring all 12 champions.
One of them is Chief Foti.
A camera crew spent several days in Westport last month, filming interviews with him, other officers, town officials and Foti fans.
Among them: CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, a fellow Westporter. CNN says her “passion for law enforcement stems back to her time as a justice correspondent. Now she introduces us to a top cop in the state she calls home. Chief Foti Koskinas and his Westport, Connecticut police force are restoring faith in American law enforcement with innovative community involvement. The beloved local Chief immigrated to the US as a boy, speaking no English, and grew up to be a nationally esteemed law enforcement visionary.”
In addition to being part of the September 24 special, Foti’s piece airs twice: Wednesday, September 21 (during the 2 p.m. hour) and Friday, September 23 (during the 11 a.m. hour).
Alisyn will introduce both pieces during the newscast. It will likely be in the second half of the hour, after hard news.
Click here for CNN’s promo video. (Hat tip: Marshall Kiev)
Two timely events — the death of Queen Elizabeth, and the coming Jewish High Holy Days — inspired artists this week.
They know, but it bears repeating: 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!
“Across the Pond” (Artist Amy Schneider’s reaction to the death of the Queen)
“Getting Ready for the High Holydays” (Steve Stein)
“Peck’s Ledge Light” — the lighthouse seen from Compo Beach (Peter Barlow)
“Say Hello to Susan” (Botanical sculpture and photo by Mike Hibbard)
A new student at Bedford Middle School, already interested in the world around him, he took on the challenging of learning a difficult language.
At Staples High, Zachary fed his passions for history and international relations. He joined the Model UN, Debate, Mock Trial and Junior State clubs. He took Advanced Placement courses: European History with Carol Kaye, US History with Eric Mongirdis, Economics with Drew Coyne.
And he continued to study Mandarin.
His teacher, Chris Fray, also speaks Russian. He learned the language while working on a fishing trawler there.
Zachary Rybchin
During Zachary’s sophomore year, Fray told the class about a US State Department program. The National Security Language Initiative for Youth began in 2006, as a way to encourage teenagers to learn Arabic, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Mandarin, Persian, Russian and Turkish — languages critical to our security, The government covers all costs.
Zachary went through the rigorous application for the Russian program. He wrote essays, and sat for interviews. Finally, out of thousands of applicants, he was one of 400 accepted.
But COVID struck that spring. The summer program was scratched.
He applied again in 2021. Again he was accepted. Again, the pandemic forced its cancelation.
The third time was the charm — almost. Because of the invasion of Ukraine, the State Department did not send students to Russia.
Instead, they went to Latvia. The Baltic nation shook off decades of Russian rule in 1991. But many Russian speakers remain.
Zachary lived with two of them. They spoke no English. When he arrived, he spoke no Russian.
Zachary Rybchin with his host mother (and her cat) on his last night in Latvia.
It was not easy. But through intensive daily classes — including work with an individual university partner — Zachary and his 19 fellow participants learned.
They also learned about Latvian history and culture. They explored the beautiful city of Riga, and beyond (including a trip to “secret” Soviet-era bunkers).
It was a great, educational and important 7 weeks — one absolutely worth waiting 3 years for.
Zachary Rybchin (back row, center) and his group in the Latvian Parliament. They met and talked with an MP there.
Now how will he retain the language skills he’s learned?
Zachary is young for his grade. So instead of heading directly to college, he’s taking a gap year in Israel. There are more Russian speakers there than in the US, he notes.
Next year, he’ll begin classes at historic St. Andrews University in Scotland. He’ll continue his Russian studies there.
And then?
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Zachary says. “There are so many career paths. Give me a few years. I’ll let you know.”
A new school year has begun. Middle school students have plenty of opportunities to learn and grow.
But shop class is not one of them.
For many years, Westport boys took wood shop, metal shop and mechanical drawing. Girls studied home economics (cooking and sewing).
Classes went coed in the 1970s. Ninth graders moved to Staples High School in 1983; middle schools replaced junior highs, and shop and home ec fell out of favor.
This Saturday Evening Post cover — drawn by Stevan Dohanos — is one reminder of those days.
The Westport artist used local boys — and Bedford Junior High (now Saugatuck Elementary School) — as models.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski addressed a large crowd at the Westport Library yesterday.
The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston sponsored the event, Former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe moderated.
Stefanowski described his youth in New Haven, in a home shared with his grandparents and students from Southern Connecticut State College.
Regarding the 2020 election, the GOP candidate said: It’s over. It was not stolen. It’s time to move forward. If Donald Trump is found guilty of anything, he should pay the consequences.
Connecticut is the 2nd highest taxed state in the nation, he noted, adding that as head of a company he had to chip away at unnecessary costs. Executives earning $30 million to $40 million were upset about losing company cars. Shareholders paid for those perks, Stefanowski said.
Who pays for excesses in state government? Taxpayers, he continued.
On Monday (September 19, 1 p.m. Westport Library), Governor Ned Lamont will speak. The Y’s Men sponsor that event too. (Reporting by Dave Matlow)
Bob Stefanowski at the Westport LIbrary. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
Conservation Director Alicia Mozian is retiring, effective October 1.
A town employee since 1986, she began her career as a planning aide in the Planning & Zoning Department. Other posts included conservation analyst, zoning inspector and planning assistant. She was appointed Conservation director in 2001.
Mozian says she is “grateful to have served a community that is so engaged and proactive in environmental affairs. Their enthusiasm both challenged and inspired me to do my very best every day to help protect the many natural resources whose care we have been entrusted to protect.
“I have worked hard to balance the rights of the property owner with the need for environmental protection, and I’m proud of my department in achieving this goal. I also want to thank the many volunteers who have supported and continue to support our department’s mission and foster good stewardship practices of not only our wetland and water resources but also the environment in general.”
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker promoted Colin Kelly to replace Mozian.
Jez Benton is a very interesting Westporter. He summited Mount Everest in 2005, and has since had a notable career in leadership development.
This week, he launched a video podcast. Jez interviews 6 CEOs, as they hike a mountain together. It’s called “Route to the Top” (get it?), and was filmed entirely by Jez on his iPhone.
His first guest is Neal Katyal, former Solicitor General of the US. Now a partner in a law firm, he talks about lessons learned while arguing cases in front of the Supreme Court.
Click below for that initial episode. Others will be available on LinkedIn (10 minutes), and Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts (full 45 minutes). (Hat tip: Meghan Bell)
On September 29, nearly 600 people will gather at Mitchells in Westport for the 12th annual Pinkchella.
The event — the first in-person gathering since COVID — is PinkAid’s big fundraiser. The Coachella-themed luncheon includes fashion, food, music and more.
Among the auction items: a stay at the One & Only resort in Montenegro, use of a private jet and courtside seats at a Milwaukee Bucks game with the team owner, a trip to French Polynesia.
The auction goes live September 22. It’s open to all; you don’t have to attend the event to bid. Click here for more information and — on September 22 — to bid.
Breast cancer survivors will walk the runway at a “Celebration of Life” fashion show, as Pink Aid honors their experience, and the people in their lives who helped along the way.
Since 2011, Pink Aid has granted $6.6 million to support programs that provide diagnostic testing, wigs, recovery garments, meals, childcare, transportation to treatment, integrative services, education, survivorship programs and personal expenses for patients undergoing treatment.
They fund programs at hospitals, national non-profits and smaller grassroots organizations. They work to make sure everyone gets proper treatment regardless of financial barriers. They’ve helped breast cancer patients in 30 states; their goal is to “turn 50 states pink.”
For more information on Pinkchella, and tickets, click here.
For the past 12 months, a generous gift from an anonymous donor ensured free admission to MoCA galleries for everyone.
Fees resume October 16. MoCA officials says: “We are committed to keeping our admission fees low, so that the power of art to educate, enrich and build connections between us continues to be accessible to all. As a non-profit organization, we rely on admissions fees to help fund all of our programs.
“If you have financial need for free admission for yourself or for your family, please email us at info@mocawestport.org.”
Meanwhile, MoCA announces their first Open Mic Night (October 20, 5 to 7 p.m.). It’s an outdoor event, where poets, slam poets and musicians come together not as opponents, but as performers sharing their stories, passions and talents.
To perform, click here to register, pay a $5 fee and complete this form by October 17. Each poem or song must be original (multiple poems or songs are allowed within time frame); memorization is not required. Performers must be in high school or older.
There’s no charge for audience members, but advance registration is requested; click here.
Aarti Khosla’s “Give a Little Love” campaign is in full gear.
For the 3rd year in a row, the owner of Le Rouge Chocolates hopes to donate a chocolate heart to every Westport Public Schools employee.
It’s a townwide campaign. For $8 each, customers can sponsor a heart for one Westport teacher. To donate one or more chocolate hearts online, click here.
Aarti hand-delivers the treats to each building. This was the scene at Coleytown Middle School:
Speaking of schools: Staples High musicians Delaney McGee (trumpet) and Witt Lindau (drums) have received All-National honors. They were selected by video audition, from the top music students in the country.
In November they will participate in the National Association for Music Education honors orchestra and “modern band” (rock band) respectively.
Jason Capozucca (bassoon) and Ana Jahnel (tenor saxophone) were selected as alternates,
Witt Lindau (Photo courtesy of Staples Wreckers Instagram)
There’s always something to learn at the Senior Center.
The other day it was electric vehicles.
Dawn Henry and Barry Kresch of the EV Club of Connecticut led an informational session on the value and joys of driving an electric vehicle. Five were on display outside.
Barry Kresch discusses electric vehicles, at the Senior Center. (Photo/Pippa Bell Ader)
Salon Nash owner Felicia Catale offers a free wash and blow dry — plus discounts on Mary Kay products — on October 10 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Her salon is at 179 Post Road West, in Nash’s Corner plaza.
It’s still mid-September. But Election Day will be here before you know it.
On November 2 (Westport Library, 7 p.m.), Westport’s League of Woman Voters sponsors a debate with candidates for the state Senate and House of Representatives, and probate judge.
“06880” readers are invited to send questions in advance. The email address is lwvwestport@yahoo.com.
If you’re like me, you probably get 2 or 3 advertising mailers a week, filled with discount coupons. Many are for home improvements — new bathroom (“in a day!”), gutter work, driveway paving and the like.
Also: duct cleaning. One company advertises in all of them. I see this photo everywhere:
I couldn’t figure out what was so weird about it.
Then I realized: He’s doing a pretty poor job of it. I want the guy who cleans my ducts to be watching what he’s doing — not giving me a come-on look.
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Among them: CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, a fellow Westporter. CNN says her “passion for law enforcement stems back to her time as a justice correspondent. Now she introduces us to a top cop in the state she calls home. Chief Foti Koskinas and his Westport, Connecticut police force are restoring faith in American law enforcement with innovative community involvement. The beloved local Chief immigrated to the US as a boy, speaking no English, and grew up to be a nationally esteemed law enforcement visionary.”
