Mark “Chubby” Lane — beloved by Westporters in the 1960s and ’70s as the Compo Beach concessionaire, and owner of the Chubby Lane’s restaurant on the Post Road — died earlier this month in Naples, Florida.
When he ran the hamburger stand at the beach — located where the volleyball courts are now — Chubby (who was actually not heavy at all) introduced innovations like walkie-talkie orders and delivery (employees tied balloons to patrons’ umbrellas to indicate their location), and fried chicken to augment the standard concession fare.
Employees (and I was one of them) wore blue button-down shirts, navy Bermuda shorts and high knee socks. We hated the uniform, but loved the job. Chubby was an understanding and very fair boss. His $1.25 per hour wage in 1969 seemed quite fair.
His restaurant — where Willows Pediatrics is now, next to the Westport Inn and across from ASF — offered the first $1 hamburger in town. The meat for both the restaurant and beach stand was excellent. It was ground daily at Charpentier’s butcher shop across from Chubby’s (today it’s Border Grille).
Before retiring to Florida, Chubby and his wife lived in Delaware.
Details on survivors and services are unavailable. Chubby’s brother, longtime Staples High School football coach Paul Lane, died last year, at 93.
The Long Lots Preserve is one step closer to reality.
But the ecologically important, sustainably sound and very natural project around the perimeter of the Westport Community Garden needs our help.
Under the direction of Lou Weinberg — and with the help of many volunteers and businesses — neglected public open space, overrun with invasive plants and pests, is being turned into a native New England environmental oasis.
The project includes the removal of non-native plants. Then comes dense planting with native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. They attract and sustain hundreds of year-round and migrating organisms. including the endangered monarch butterfly and native mason bees.
If the Long Lots Preserve gets $7,500 from at least 70 people, Sustainable Connecticut will match it with $7,500 more.
All money raised will purchase plants at wholesale cost. All deductions are tax-deductible.
Click here to donate online, and for more information. Checks can be mailed to Long Lots Preserve, 1630 Post Road East, Unit 129, Westport, CT 06880.
PS: Partners include Connecticut Audubon, Aspetuck Land Trust, Earthplace, Bartlett Tree Experts, AJ Penna & Son, Robbie Guimond, SIR Development, Southwest Conservation District, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Service Forestry Program, Community Gardens members, many private citizens and 2 Staples High School interns.
The Long Lots preserve weed suppression team (from left0: Lou Weinberg, Darryle Kowalsky, Frank Rosen, Julie O’Grady, Andrew Coleman.
New England Hemp Farm has transitioned from its Brooks Corner store, to an online and wholesale business.
But you can still buy its full line of products — for yourself and your pet. They’ve partnered with Earth Animal, on Post Road East.
CEO Matt Bannon says, “Since humans and their pets both have an endocannabinoid system and suffer from similar conditions such as inflammation, anxiety, autoimmune and sleep cycle issues, this is a unique opportunity to keep a local presence.”
It’s a great fit for several reasons. “Earth Animal is committed to a health and wellness philosophy for pets and humans. They’re friendly and welcoming people who allow us to provide all of our products to clients who prefer to shop in-person. And this allows us to support another business right here in town.
When classes resume Tuesday, the Westport Police Department will increase traffic enforcement in school zones. Officers will look for drivers on cell phones, speeding and disregarding bus signals.
The department says: “We urge commuters to allow extra time, as they will be sharing the roads with school buses making frequent stops, as well as children who will be walking and/or biking to school. Obey the school bus laws, which include slowing down and preparing to stop for yellow flashing school bus lights and stopping for red flashing school bus lights.”
They urge parents to discuss safety with their children — and with young or inexperienced drivers at home.
I got 2 emails within half an hour yesterday. As Westporters return from summer trips, and we head into even busier traffic times, both are worth noting.
Shelly Sherman writes: “Please emphasize the need for cars to slow down. and stop at crosswalks on Compo Road South. More than once I’ve had to sprint across with my dogs to avoid being run over by cars speeding to ???
“This area of Westport has so many runners, walkers and bikers, it’s amazing more people haven’t been hurt. Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way — but I’d not want to test that theory every morning.”
Carol Sampson describes another danger, in a different part of town:
“Despite the sign saying ‘State Law Yield to Pedestrians’ at Post Road and Bay Street, it is clear from my experience today that few people actually stop. (One did, but the others whizzed by.) What is wrong with drivers in this town?”
Hmmm…let me think…
Entitled? Distracted? Selfish? What have I missed?
It’s a beautiful day. Just don’t try to cross the Post Road here. (Photo/Carol Sampson)
Staples High School Class of 2012 graduate Sam Reiner met Mallory Silliere 2 years ago this month, on a dating app.
On their second date, he took her kayaking on the Saugatuck River. They pulled up to the Black Duck for lunch. It’s remained one of their favorite dates.
Last Saturday, Sam proposed to Mallory — on the dock behind the Duck.
A small group of family and friends helped celebrate.
Wedding plans are TBD. It may not be at everyone’s favorite dive bar. But there are still bachelor and bachelorette parties to plan …
Last month, “06880” reported on the Wings4Peace national art-and-gun safety awareness project.
Yesterday, artist Darcy Hicks provided an update. She says:
“Today marks 3 months since the Uvalde massacre. This morning, part 2 of the Wings4Peace message reminds communities everywhere to remember those children – and all children who are affected by gun violence.
“Last night, people across the country put out the second set of wings, which say ‘in America,’ making the message so far, ‘Peace in America…’
“Each month on the 24th the sentence grows, with the mission to inspire people to take action against gun violence. Art has always inspired societal change.”
Speaking of back-to-school (see above): Are you ready for winter and spring break?
Builders Beyond Borders is already planning service trips to Ecuador. To learn more, students and families are invited to a pair of open houses: this Sunday (August 28, 3:30 to 5 p.m.) and September 14 (6 to 7:30 p.m.) at the B3 office (66 Fort Point Street, Norwalk). RSVP here.
The other day, Tricia Freeman headed down the internet rabbit hole. She ended up at a 1950 New Yorker story about Ernest Hemingway.
In the piece by Lillian Ross, the author has just arrived in New York, heading to Europe. There are 2 Westport references, starting with:
“Where I like it is out West in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and I like Cuba and Paris and around Venice,” (Hemingway) said. “Westport gives me the horrors.”
Is that Westport, Connecticut? With so many of them in the world — and so many non-East Coast places mentioned in the quote — who knows?
But the second one narrows it down:
“Hunting is sort of a good life,” Hemingway said. “Better than Westport or Bronxville, I think.”
That’s it.
Besides his long friendship with the late author A.E. Hotchner, did Papa Hemingway have any connection at all with our town?
If you know — or think you do, click “Comments” below. And if you want to read the entire (long) New Yorker piece, click here.
cARTie — Connecticut’s first (and only) non-profit mobile art museum bus — bridges inequities in education and arts access across the state.
Each year, they exhibit a juried art show of diverse high school student art. It’s interactive, designed to inspire young students and families.
Several current and former Staples students have exhibited with cARTie.
This year’s event is Sunday, September 18 (3-5 p.m., Westport Museum of History & Culture). The afternoon includes “paint and sip,” live music, a silent auction and raffle, awards and food. Click here for more on cARTie.
“13” opened on Broadway in 2008. That makes the musical — about a New York boy whose upcoming bar mitzvah is upended by his parents’ divorce, and his move with his mother to Indiana — 14 years old.
But it lives on. “13” — the movie, starring Debra Messing and Rhea Perlman — debuted on Netflix earlier this month. The cast includes a host of young teenagers. dancing and singing about becoming a man, middle school, crushes and first kisses.
Of course, you can’t get 40 kids to actually sing and dance in a movie. So Jason Robert Brown — who adapted the film from his own original music and lyrics — recruited 8 actual 13- and 14-year-old to provide vocals for the big number.
And — this being musical theater-crazy Westport — 2 of those teenagers are from right here.
Andrew Maskoff and Ari Sklar met at Coleytown Middle School. Andrew wrote the script for a short film, for the 2021 Coleytown Company Revue. He and Ari spent hours editing it in the piano room at Ari’s house.
During breaks, they tore through every Broadway score on the shelf, Dan says. (He’s an actor, along with a rabbi and cantor; his wife Shirah is a rabbi/cantor too.)
From left: Dan Sklar and Ari Sklar. They performed together last fall in Music Theater of Connecticut’s “Falsettolands.”
“It was amazing to watch these kindred spirits make music together,” Dan notes. “They’re 2 years apart in school, so Ari can’t wait to meet up with him at Staples next fall.” (Andrew — a member of Staples Players — will be a sophomore this fall. Ari is a rising 8th grader.)
Neither knew that the other had sent an audition tape to Brown’s request for backup vocalists.
Ari and Dan were the first people to arrive at the New York studio last summer. The next singer was Andrew. The boys stared at each other in disbelief.
When Brown showed up, he had an impish grin. He knew they would know each other. He had wanted their meeting to be a surprise.
Ari Sklar and Andrew Maskoff, during a break from recording “13.”
The boys were “pros in the studio,” Sklar says. “It was a power session of over 8 hours.
“Jason and Georgia Stitt (his wife, and a noted composer and music director) couldn’t have been kinder to the kids. Jason is a mensch of the first order. He even gave a shout-out to them all in a blog post (click here).
Backup vocalists for “13” include Ari Sklar (5th from left) and Andrew Maskoff (far right).
“13” had special relevance for Ari. While singing backup vocals for the movie, he was preparing for his own bar mitzvah, held this summer in Israel.
Mazeltov to both him and Andrew!
(Click below for a clip from “13.” Actor Eli Golden is lip synching; vocals for all the others was recorded by Andrew Maskoff, Ari Sklar and 6 others.)
(“06880” provides news of arts, entertainment, culture, kids — and much more — thanks to reader support. Please click here to help.)
Three of the best things about Westport — young people, art, and the Farmers’ Market — joined forces with a fourth yesterday: Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center.
The 100-year-old business was the site of an awards ceremony for the WFM’s annual Young Shoots photography contest. The goal is to capture the “energy, beauty and delights” of the Market.
This year’s drew the most entrants ever. Yesterday at Gilbertie’s, all shots were framed and exhibited. Winners were announced, and given their awards: cash from the Drew Friedman Foundation ($100 for first place, $50 for second), and MoCA of Westport art class certificates. Sugar & Olives provided refreshments.
These images were the “pick of the crop”!
Ages 5 to 9:
1st place: Aaron Slomich, “Sharpen Up”
“Sharpen Up” (Aaron Slomich)
2nd place: Juliette Newshel, “Tiny Tomatoes”
“Tiny Tomatoes” (Juliette Newshel)
Ages 10 to 14:
1st place: Mirabelle Choe, “Color Wheel”
“Color Wheel” (Mirabelle Choe)
2nd place: Rachel Pontoriero, “Fairy Stool”
“Fairy Stools” (Rachel Pontoriero)
Ages 15 to 18
1st place: Alex Sod, “Bifrost”
“Bifrost” (Alex Sod)
2nd place: Calista Finkelstein, “Heading Home”
“Heading Home” (Calista Fineklstein)
(“06880” grows thanks to reader support. Please click here to donate.)
Among the Westport Farmers’ Market “Young Shoots” winners (from left): Alex Sod, Calista Finkelstein, Rachel Pontoriero.
But for the other half — anyone using the women’s bathroom at Compo Beach — it’s gorgeous.
Alert “06880” reader/pleased restroom user Karen Como writes: “This was 2 p.m. this past Saturday. Really clean!
“I would like to nominate Margarita, the cleaning lady who works really hard all week as an Unsung Hero. She is always in there, mopping with disinfectant too.”
So, from 50% of all Compo beachgoers — no, all of us: Thank you!
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com)
(“06880” salutes as heroes all our donors. Please click here to help support this blog.)
Following up on Sunday’s “06880” post about the tables outside the new Nômade restaurant — including a photo of only 3, when it was Tavern on Main — owner Ciara Webster sent this undated shot, of 6 tables:
She adds: “We use smaller tables in order to give a safe walkway and clear access, and to support our neighboring business.
“Our umbrellas are the exact same height. They may appear bigger because they are vented so they don’t cause injury on a windy day by turning inside out. We made sure that they do not block any signs.
“That being said, I love the suggestion to keep them closed until people sit. That was a super idea, and we plan on doing this going forward.”
It’s unclear when Tavern on Main first put tables on Main Street. Here’s a shot from 2014, without them:
Including Westport. The more we know about them — and the potential for overdoses — the better equipped we are to help.
In conjunction with International Overdose Awareness Day, Positive Directions is sponsoring free life-saving naloxone-Narcan training for interested residents. It’s at the Westport Library (August 31, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.).
Training will include how to recognize an overdose, and administer the drugs. Each participant will receive a free Narcan kit.
Space is limited. Click here to register. For more information on the Westport Prevention Coalition, cljck here.
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Schlaet’s Point — the waters between the Compo Beach Soundview/Hillspoint jetty, and Old Mill Beach — is known for many things: gorgeous views, fishing and disappearing islands, to name three.
Swimming and water sports — not so much.
But the Staples High School water polo team is set up a portable training court there. As they’ve done in past years, they use it for pre-season training.
(Photo/Karen Como)
We’re not sure how treacherous that part of the Sound is. We do know this, though: The Wreckers will rock this season!
Last month, Oscar Edelman was part of the US U-18 basketball team that finished first at the Maccabi Games in Israel. More than 600 players from across the country tried out for the American squad, which went undefeated at the “Jewish Olympics.”
It was quite a trip. Edelman had a bar mitzvah ceremony there (along with over 100 other athletes), while the opening ceremony was attended by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Naftali Bennet.
Yesterday, the 6-7 Greens Farms Academy rising senior was honored by his hometown.
RTM District 1 representative Matthew Mandell arranged the ceremony. Local and state dignitaries presented certificates.
Oscar Edelman, with state and town officials, yesterday at Town Hall. He’s the tall basketball player.
Earlier this month, “06880” reported on Chris Kelly’s training regimen. In preparation for the upcoming Leadville Trail 100 — a 100-miler in the Colorado Rockies, climbing and dipping through nearly 16,000 feet of elevation — he ran up and down Compo Hill.
Fifty times.
The race was last Sunday. Chris’ goal was 25 hours.
He did it — with 8 minutes to spare.
Congratulations, Chris! You earned your prize: a large belt buckle.
PS: Because this is “06880: Where Westport meets the world,” there is of course another connection. Local resident Chris Barnett also finished the great, grueling event.
Chris Kelly (2nd from left) with his crew, after finishing the Leadville Trail 100. He doesn’t even look tired!
An “06880” reader is worried that Westporters are not worried enough about the current drought. Fairfield County is currently in Stage 2 — not as severe as eastern Connecticut, but our cup is not exactly running over either.
In an attempt to keep the dry conditions front and center: If you’ve got any photos to serve as visual reminders of what’s going on, please email them to 06880blog@gmail.com.
It’s almost back to school time. (Cue the applause/groans/forehead slaps).
That means it’s look-for-good-kids’-programs time too. Wakeman Town farm offers hands-on activities for ages “0 to 14.” They include “learning about our furry friends, planting and eating fresh veggies, pollinators, compost, and other activities.” Click here for details.
Eager students in Wakeman Town Farm’s “Cooking Around the Globe” class.
Speaking of back to school: Staples High School rising freshman Paige Foran is getting ready by running a pet supply/food drive. It’s tomorrow (Thursday, August 25, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., PetSmart, 525 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk).
The drive benefits the Connecticut Humane Society.
Donors can leave these items: newspapers (without inserts), paper towels, large garbage and Ziploc bags, Bounce dryer sheets, new or like-new machine-washable towels and blankets, HE laundry detergent, new or like-new pet beds, sound machines, clay cat litters, cat toys (no catnip!), cat carriers, wand toys, new litter boxes, laser pointers, new cardboard cat scratchers and litter scoops, Kong toys, slow feeder bowls, Nylabones, soft training treats, dog toys, collars and leashes, Pupperoni, Beggin’ STrips, Carefresh bedding, Yesterday’s news litter, small animal and bird toys, Oxbow small animal food, Snuggle safe heat discs, miracle nipples, 4 Paws Easy Feeder, Royal Canin baby cat food, Breeder’s Edge kitten formula, kitten bottles, adult dog and cat food, soft dog treats, cat treats, bird and small animal food.
Tomorrow night’s Jazz @ The Post (Thursday, August 25, sets at 7 and 8:30 p.m.) features the Ben Williams Jazz All-Stars. The band includes Brian Glassman, Mitch Schecter, Aaron Alexander and “Jazz Rabbi” Greg Wall.
Williams and Wall first met in 1978. They became close friends and even closer musical comrades, playing all styles and at all available venues. At the New England Conservatory of Music they started a roots jazz project that evolved into the Bourbon Street Bass Band, and jump-started their national touring career.
Later, as the Hi-Tops, Williams and Wall worked together in hard bop and avant garde.
Glassman, Schecter and Alexander have also played with Wall and Williams, over several decades.
There’s a $10 cover, and dinner from 6:30 on from chef Derek Furino. Reservations are strongly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Ben Williams
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Spam email I stopped reading after the first couple of lines:
“Hi Dan, I hope this finds you well! I’ve stumbled across a few of your past articles, and I think you’d be very interested in hearing about our upcoming eBike conversion kit launch.”
Fall sports begin this week at Staples High School. Confident seniors, anxious freshmen — and every athlete in between — will get ready for challenging, intense, fun, uncertain and (hopefully) winning seasons.
Zoe Simonte has played field hockey since elementary school. She’s been on Westport PAL and Staples teams. She loves the sport.
Zoe Simonte, in action for Staples.
But this year, she won’t wear the Wrecker blue and white. A rising senior, she’s decided not to play.
Instead, she’ll teach field hockey to others. She’ll work with the PAL youth program — and with Hearts4Hockey, a program she started for teens and young adults with special needs and neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Last year, right before school started, Zoe was injured. Thirty stitches kept her off the field for much of the year. On the sidelines, helping others — and receiving encouragement in return from teammates and coaches — she realized something very important.
“I got more out of that than actually playing,” Zoe says. “I got into JV games at the end of the season, but it wasn’t the same.”
Around this time last year, Zoe had started what became Hearts4Hockey. Friends who had children with special needs encouraged her to help out on Friday nights, in a Stamford sports program.
There was no field hockey, so Zoe introduced it. Using soft sticks and hockey balls, she taught passing and shooting skills in an easy-going way. Games were always fun.
Zoe Simonte offers instruction — and encouragement.
She adapted the program to each individual’s physical or cognitive and developmental challenges — while always emphasizing peer interaction.
There were sometimes 30 participants. Zoe got help from friends, relatives, players’ parents, and the sports facility’s owner. Even her dog got involved.
The program melded 2 of Zoe’s passions: movement, and helping others.
“My goal is to create an environment where each person feels empowered to try new things without fear of being judged,” she explains.
“That’s what Ian (Tapsall, the Staples head coach) and other coaches taught me. I want to share that, and help others feel they are enough as they are.”
As Zoe thought about how time-consuming club and Staples field hockey are (the Wreckers are a perennial state title contender, with all that involves), she realized that as much as she loves the sport, it was more for its connections to others than for actual competition.
As a freshman, she’d been welcomed and embraced by older players. She enjoyed good, personal relationships with Tapsall and others. Now, Zoe decided, she can give something back to younger people, and those with special needs.
Her parents, friends and coaches all supported her decision to not play this fall, and work instead with PAL and Hearts4Hockey.
Zoe Simonte and a happy Hearts4Hockey crew.
At a time when many seniors are focused on the college admissions process — without having any clear idea what they want to study — Zoe says her decision has helped her gauge what she might ultimately pursue.
“My mom said, ‘You really are a people person!'” Zoe laughed. “I hope I can do something in the future with that.”
Tickets went on sale this morning for Wakeman Town Farm’s 10th annual Harvest Fest. The “fun-raiser” is set for Saturday, September 10 (6 to 10 p.m.).
The always-sold out outdoor affair includes seasonal fare and drink, contributed by local farmers and rock star chefs
This year’s event is cocktail-party style, with tents and multiple food stations (no sit-down dinner) so guests can mix and mingle. When the stations close, there’s Champagne, dessert and a live auction — followed by dancing to a live band.
The online auction opens September 6. Click here for more information, and details.
Scenes from a previous Wakeman Town Farm Harvest Fest.
The Westport Library has added 5 new works to its collection. All are hung inside — and all are the works of 3 artists, all with Westport connections.
They include a piece donated by 1966 Staples High School graduate and internationally known artist Charles Joyner; an iconic image of Muhammad Ali donated by photographer Richard Frank, and 3 collages by Fred Otnes.
Joyner came to Westport in 1964 from North Carolina. He was 16 years old, part of the American Friends Service Committee’s “Southern Negro Student Program” which placed Southern Black students with Northern host families.
Joyner graduated from Staples High School in 1966. He’s spent the past 50-plus years as an artist, printmaker, photographer and college professor. His work has been shown across the US and Africa. This past spring his exhibit — “Charles Joyner: Stepping Out on Faith” was featured in the Library’s Sheffer Gallery.
“Stepping Out on Faith” (Charles Joyner)
Frank has lived in Westport for more than 30 years with his wife Leona, a painter and art teacher. In addition to many notable works, he documented the Library’s Transformation Project, completed in 2019. His 1969 Ali image is one of his most famous.
Otnes moved to Westport in 1953. He quickly became part of the town’s community of illustrators, working and living here until his death in 2015 at age 89.
The 2 paintings by Fred Otnes and the Joyner piece all hang in the Library’s mezzanine. The Otnes illustration is in a conference room, while the Ali image is located prominently in the 1st-floor stairwell.
The Westport Downtown Association’s 3rd annual Fitness & Health event returns on Saturday, September 18, on Main Street and nearby.
Fleet Freet, TAP Strength, Club Sweat, Pure Barre, Row House, The Dance Collective, Pause + Purpose, First Step and Kaia Yoga Center have already signed on. More details will be announced soon.
Also back: the 4th annual Westoberfest (Saturday, October 15, Elm Street). It’s a day of Oktoberfest-style entertainment. Local and regional craft breweries offer seasonal and classic pours, plus live music, plenty of food, market vendors and family-friendly activities. Click here for more information, and tickets.
But Suzuki Music School plans a fundraiser for September 16 — at the Yale golf course.
The non-profit serves many area youngsters, including those through the KEYS of Bridgeport program. They receive free music instruction and performance opportunities.
The event — one of the last chances to play golf at Yale, before a 2-year renovation — includes cart, food and beverages, prizes and live music.
Entry is $350 for a single player, $1200 for a foursome. For more information, click here.
And finally … Malvina Reynolds was born on this day, in 1900. You may not know the singer/songwriter/political activist’s name — but you probably know her music. She died in 1973.
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