Plenty of “06880” readers remember Westport’s original library: a gift from Morris Jesup. Built in 1908 on the corner of the Post Road (then called State Street) and Main Street, its original name was the Morris K. Jesup Memorial Library. He died just 4 months before its dedication, after donating both the land and $5,000 for construction. (Today it’s just east of the downtown Starbucks; the coffee shop occupies part of a 1950s addition.)
Many other readers moved here after the Library moved across the street in 1986, onto landfill by the Saugatuck River. (The present library was “transformed” from the first building there; it reopened in 2019, a few months before COVID shut it down.)
No matter how long they’ve lived here though, more than 2 dozen readers knew that the “Open To All” sign shown in last week’s Photo Challenge was part of the lintel hanging over the main door to Jesup’s library. (Click here to see.)
It stopped serving as the entrance after that ’50s renovation, causing reader Suzanne Wilson to note the irony of “Open To All” over a closed door.
But she joins Bob Grant, Martin Gitlin, Jeff Jacobs, Lawrence Zlatin, Robert Mitchell, Katherine Golomb, Sandra Rothenberg, Richard Hyman, Cindy Zuckerbrod, David Sampson, Lois Himes, Scott Brodie, Rosalie Kaye, Stephen Axthelm, Andrew Colabella, Clark Thiemann, Michael Calise, Patty Gabal, Mary Annn Batsell, Linda Amos, Rindy Higgins, Pete Powell, Fred Cantor, Janice Strizever, Bruce Salvo, Jeanine Esposito and Barb Sherburne as Westporters who, at least occasionally, take their nose out of a book (or their ears off a cellphone), and look up at the architecture that surrounds us.
This week’s Photo Challenge is one of 2 similar images, sent a few days apart. So I know it’s not too obscure.
Bill Ryan sent one; here’s the other. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
Yesterday — the middle of the Westport Library’s 3-day VersoFest — included a keynote speech by Michael Jai White.
The actor/writer/producer/martial artist/former Westport personal trainer described his upbringing in Bridgeport, his career in the movie industry, and his quest to bring a full-scale, state-of-the-art, employing-hundreds studio and production facility to Connecticut.
“I was not put on this earth to make a billion dollars,” he told the crowd. “I’m here to share a billion dollars.”
Michael Jai White (Photo/Dan Woog)
Another highlight from yesterday: the announcement that Tammy Winser is the winner of the contest to design a cover for Verso Studios’ new record label
It’s the first label for any library, anywhere in the country. Music will be produced at the Westport Library’s high-tech studio.
Tammy’s work was chosen from dozens of entries. Here it is:
Meanwhile, all the album covers entered in the contest were shown on the Library’s big screen, prior to the big reveal:
Westport’s Sunrise Club gathered (in early morning hail) at grungy I-95 Exit 17.
Sixteen members (and 3 spouses) collected 17 large bags of trash, along the roadside and ramps. Their haul included liquor bottles, masks, bumpers — and a passport. Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department hauled it away.
Numerous passing drivers honked, and gave thumb’s-up. Now all they have to do is stop tossing liquor bottles, masks and passports out their windows.
Sunrise Rotary members Bruce Fritz and Paul Keblish clean up Charles Street …
Last month, the state General Assembly suspended Connecticut’s 25-cent gas tax. They also added a second “Sales Tax-Free Week” to the annual summer holiday.
The spring “Sales Tax-Free Week” begins today (Sunday, April 10). It runs through Saturday (April 16).
This week, sales of clothing and footwear costing less than $100 will not be subject to sales tax.
And finally … the Westport Library’s VersoFest ends tonight, with what is sure to be a kick-ass performance by Selwyn Birchwood. If you haven’t yet heard of the rising blues artist — you will. Click here for more information, and tickets.
For decades, the only way to cross from one side of the Saugatuck train station railroad tracks to the other was through a dark, grungy, water-dripping pedestrian tunnel.
Westporters were used to it. First-time visitors were appalled.
In 2015, a partnership between the Westport Police Department — they’re in charge of railroad parking — and the Westport Arts Center, with gifts from Bill Scheffler and his wife Ann Sheffer, Robin Tauck, the late Gordon Joseloff and others, turned the sometimes-scary passageway into a stunning art gallery.
Westport native and noted artist Miggs Burroughs created 16 LED-lit lightboxes. Each continued a lenticular image that combined one from a 100-year-old postcard of Westport’s past, with a current shot of the same scene.
Downtown, Compo Beach, Longshore, the station itself — all are displayed in fascinating then-and-now fashion. It’s a much more welcoming “Welcome to Westport.”
One view — or rather, two — of downtown, at the train station.
Now there’s another lightbox nearby — on the station wall itself. And this one even says “Welcome.”
Miggs and the WPD worked with renowned lighting designer Gary Novasel to create a custom LED light panel.
The image changes from a view of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge to a beach scene.
Those 2 iconic views of Westport now greet visitors. It’s one more way to let them know we’re glad they’re here.
And residents coming off the train will be happy to know they’re home too.
From left: Officer Shawn Sembler, Police Chief Foti Koskinas, lenticular image creator Miggs Burroughs, lightbox lighting director Gary Novasel, Deputy Police Chief Sam Arciola.
The 1st quarter of 2022 is in the books. That means it’s time for some real estate stats.
Westport had 86 house closings, a 25% decrease from a year ago but
still the 2nd-most number of closings for this period since 2006.
The average house closing price of $2.2 million was the highest for the quarter in the past 2 decades. The average closed price per square foot rose to $509, up 23% from a year ago.
Reflecting high demand and low inventory, houses in the quarter sold on average for 102% of the list price — the 4th straight quarter that average has been over 100%
Eight-five Westport houses were pending (properties with signed contracts) on March 31. That’s down slightly from the end of March 2021, but still high by historical measure. (Hat tip: Rose Marie Colletti, Brown Harris Stevens)
This Bluewater Hill home is on the market for $12 million.
Two years ago, Westport Farmers’ Market started its #Who Grows Your Food” campaign. The goal was to expand people’s knowledge of what farmers look like, to gain more support foro local agriculture.
Anne Burmeister and Ashley Skatoff offered to help. They lent their photographer lenses and creativity, capturing the essence of the farmers while creating an intimate story that eaters could follow along with.
Last fall, the Farmers’ Market partnered with MoCA Westport. Dozens of Burmeister and Skatoff’s stunning photographs became part of an art exhibit called “Between the Ground and the Sky.”
Now, those 52 photos from over 15 farms are available for purchase.
Each 18″ x 27″ original print (23″ x 32″ with border) is $500. All are signed and dated by the artist. The print includes information about the farm and photo, plus text created by the artist for the display at MoCA. The certificate is signed by the farmer.
All proceeds support WFM programming. Purchased photos may be picked up at the first 3 markets of the season: May 12, 19 and May 26.
Arbor Day is near — and the Westport Tree Board is ready. Among the events throughout the month:
Saturday, April 23 (10:30 a.m. to noon, Jesup Green, free): The Tree Board and Westport Book Shop celebrate Earth Day with a fun event to promote reading for all ages, with attention also on the value of trees. Interactive family-friendly activities involving reading and early learning; educational materials and a native tree sapling giveaway, courtesy of Bartlett Tree Company.
Friday April 29 (Arbor Day, 3 to 4 p.m., Town Hall, free): The Tree Board hosts their annual native sapling giveaway, plus brochures and advice from professional associations on tree-related topics, from site selection to proper maintenance. Native saplings for giveaway are donated by Bartlett Tree.
Saturday, April 30 (3 to 4 p.m., Earthplace): The Tree Board hosts a live discussion and free information session with a tree professional on the basics of tree planting and maintenance, including selection, mulching, pruning, pest management and more. Native tree saplings, courtesy of Bartlett, will be available while they last.
As part of Arbor Day, Earthplace also hosts a “Toast To The Trees” family event 4 to 6 p.m.), with kids’ activities and s’mores, handmade pizza, beverages for adults and kids, plus a “tree walk” tour. Click here to purchase tickets.
Beginning mid-April, the Tree Board and Westport Library will create a “StoryWalk” at the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum (2 Woodside Lane). The featured book is “Be a Tree!” For more information, click here.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice offered a video update yesterday. He covered 4 areas:
The 5-year capital forecast to bring all schools — especially Long Lots and Coleytown Elementary — up to the district’s standards.
The uptick in the COVID Omicron sub-variant.
The Westport Public Schools’ ongoing equity study.
Ukrainian refugees. Scarice notes that Westport has already welcomed some to town, and any student settling here will be accommodated — as will all refugees from anywhere who come to Westport. He asks anyone with any information on refugees in Westport to call his office: 203-341-1025.
Speaking of Westport Public Schools: Horace Lewis was the beloved head custodian at Staples High School, and served the district for 3 decades. He suffered a stroke shortly after retiring last summer, and died in December.
Classrooms, hallways, teaching kitchens, storage areas, auditorium, gym, fieldhouse, cafeteria, library, TV studio, boilers and HVAC systems — Horace kept them all sparkling and working. Despite a stressful job, staff and students knew Horace as the walkie-talkie carrying, most cheerful custodian.
Over the years, countless students (and parents) enlisted Horace’s help after leaving coats, backpacks, sporting equipment and phones at school. Even after his official retirement, Horace stayed on to help the schools cope with COVID cleaning requirements.
To honor Horace’s legacy of hard work, service to others and positive outlook, Staples Tuition Grants has created a scholarship in his name. The first need-based award will be offered this year. Click here to donate to this special fund.
Among the most impressive parts of Westport Country Playhouse’s production of “Next to Normal”: the set.
Like everything that appears on the Playhouse stage, it was constructed by the in-house production staff — with help from Jake Krasniewicz, assistant box office manager.
But that’s not his only side gig.
The Stratford native plays bass, ukulele, guitar, banjo and synthesizer. At Berklee College of Music he studied film scoring.
After graduating, Jake spent time in Boston’s music scene. When he returned to Connecticut, he formed Drop Party. The band plays an amalgam of genres, and call their style “a way to access emotions without sounding like radio music.”
Drop Party is part of this weekend’s Westport Library VersoFest. On Sunday (April 10, 7 p.m.), they open for Selwyn Birchwood.
What does all this have to do with building the set? After college, Jake helped out at his father’s welding shop. The Playhouse technical director recruited the assistant box office manager to help with the extensive welding needed for the “Next to Normal” set.
He particularly enjoys funk. But it seems “heavy metal” is also one of Jake’s outlets. (Hat Tip: Bruce Miller)
Jake Krasniewicz takes a break from ticket sales and music,, to help create the “Next to Normal” set.
There’s always something going on Westport — and much of it flies under the radar. And I do mean “radar.”
Last Saturday, over 100 automotive enthusiasts and industry leaders filled
the Autostrada facility — formerly the Steinway piano showroom — to kick off the Piston Foundation’s 2022 season.
Attendees came from across the US and Europe. They heard the non-profit
foundation lay out its mission to “bring more young people into the collector car industry so the craftspeople who built this American touchstone can transfer their skills to a new generation.”
The site included a “collection of exotic automobiles.” A silent auction raised funds for students and apprentices to pursue careers in automotive craft, restoration specialties and service.
Staples High School seniors Sophie Alcyone and Alexandra Maskoff were honored this week, at the 27th annual High School Arts Awards ceremony.
Selected by the Staples staff, Sophie was recognized for visual art, Maskoff for music. The event was sponsored by the Connecticut Association of Schools.
With spring arriving fitfully, Jonathan Alloy offers 2 “Westport … Naturally” photo.
He writes: “My wife Sarah hung a pretty seasonal wreath on our front door, which real birds used to build a real nest — now complete with real eggs! Robins perhaps?”
And finally … the Westport Library’s VersoFest (see story above) and Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz present an intriguing concert tonight (7 p.m.). Headliners are Enid Ze and Daniprobably. Click below for a sneak listen; click here for ticket information, and more.
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We begin our 3rd year of this feature with what may be a first: needlepoint. That’s more proof — not that any was needed — of the versatility and range of our hundreds of contributors.
As always, we appreciate everyone’s submissions. This gallery is open to all readers. Whatever your age and level of experience — professional or amateur, young or old. In every medium. On every topic.
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 dwoog@optonline.net. Share your work with the world!
“Rejuvenation” (Brian Whelan)
“Let’s Kiss and Make Up” — needlepoint (Diane Yormark)
“Genders as Seen in the Bible” (Steve Stein)
Untitled (Jo Ann Miller)
“Once More, With Feeling” (Lawrence Weisman)
“New Jersey From the 103rd Floor” (Penny Pearlman)
When he began teaching US History Honors, Drew Coyne had never heard of National History Day.
After 7 years participating in National History Day, he is now Connecticut’s Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year.
Some may think of National History Day as a high school project covering a few weeks each year. But as part of the US History Honors curriculum, Coyne and his colleagues weave the competition into their full-year curriculum.
In the fall, students begin exploring various topics and interests that correspond with each year’s theme (this year students focus on “Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences”).
Drew Coyne
After topics are narrowed, students conduct in-depth primary and secondary research. By the spring, student projects are showcased on a variety of mediums: exhibits, essays, performances, documentaries and websites. Each project pushes students to synthesize and analyze information, while developing connections between the past and present.
It’s a challenging, intellectual process. And though Coyne is the teacher, he knows the greatest success comes because it’s a student-driven process.
Coyne’s students have found success by digging deeper into history, going beyond typical topics like “Washington at Valley Forge” or “Lincoln at Gettysburg.” He encourages them to explore under-covered chapters in American history, then find overlooked or under-researched figures and events.
That’s just the start. Students conduct extensive scholarly research, arrange interviews, follow leads, and adapt as they grapple with new ideas.
This year, 2 students were interested in the women’s rights movement that shaped the United States in the mid-20th century. Along the way, they learned about Phyllis Schlafly. They studied how she aligned traditional housewives with conservative politicians and evangelical Christians to stymy ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Students then explored Schlafly’s legacy, including how it has shaped contemporary female political figures, including Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett.
Talia Varsano and Annika Reddy with “Cold War Debate, Diiplomacy, and the Creation of the Polio Vaccine: Successes, Failures, and Consequencs.” (Missing: Tessa Tobias)
Coyne was thrilled by their work – but urged them to also engage with multiple perspectives on the topic to formulate their argument. Soon enough — after struggling to hear back from a number of leads — the girls proudly gave Coyne the news: Gloria Steinem’s office was on board for an interview.
Another group focused on Nancy Ward, a Cherokee leader who advocated for peaceful coexistence with European Americans, then later in life fought for retention of tribal lands. When the students learned a musical (“Nanyehi – The Story of Nancy Ward”) was being developed about her life, they connected with Becky Hobbs, the 5th-granddaughter of Nancy Ward. Hobbs told the NHD team about her work composing, playwriting, and directing the music — while also shedding a unique light onto Ward’s diplomatic legacy. In addition, the students connected with Nick Sweet, the co-director of the musical, who further advanced the students’ understanding of the topic.
A third group is exploring the development of the Salk and Sabin vaccines. Students uncovered the debate and scientific diplomacy that existed between American and Soviet scientists as they fought to eradicate polio, despite the Cold War raging at the time. Six decades later, relations between the two nations are again tense – and once again, a virus is on the loose. Coyne’s students are working to tie all those strands together.
Avery Mueller and Sam Petrosino with ““The Annexation of Hawaii: Debate, Diplomacy, and the Creation of an Imperial United States: Successes, Failures, and Consequences.”
Coyne and his colleagues have had many successes — even during a pandemic. Last year, 18 students took 13 out of 27 places at the Connecticut History Day state contest, including 3 first-place finishes. Zack Brody then placed 3rd at the national event, for his research into cigarette advertising and its long-term implications. Jeffrey Pogue earned a George Washington History Prize for his 10-minute performance on Thomas Paine. Sebastian Miller also won the award for Outstanding Entry Related to Communication in History.
This year there were 15 awards at the regional contest, including sweeps in 4 categories. The statewide event is April 30. Regional winners include:
Group Exhibit: 1st place, “Cold War Debate, Diplomacy and the Creation of the Polio Vaccine (Talia Varsano, Annika Reddy, Tessa Tobias); 2nd place, “Debate and Diplomacy of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act” (Lucie Nivaud, Isabella Rivel, Kaya Law); 3rd place, “Dr. Ralph Bunche: Debate and Diplomacy in the Partition of Israel (Defne Merih Anya Nair).
Individual Exhibit: 1st place, “1939-41: Should the US Enter World War II?” (Dagny Dahl); 2nd place, “The Canadian Caper” (Benjamin Rimm); 3rd place, “Racism in America’s Abortion Debate” (Iva Radman).
Group Website: “The Panther 21” (Maia Freeman, Scarlett Gerber); 2nd place, “The US-Soviet Cultural Agreement of 1958” (Tessa Cassell, Jolie Gefen, Elise Eisenberger); 3rd place, “Why Abortion is a Never-Ending Debate” (Catherine Hassell, Adela Ardrey).
Individual Website: 1st place, “The Peaceful End of the Apartheid Era” (Samantha Sheldon); 2nd place, “Minamata’s Fight for Justice” (Lucia Wang); 3rd place, “The Cuban Missile Crisis” (Matthew Delman).
There were 2 winners in the Group Documentary category: 1st place, “Nixon’s Visit to China” (Maxim Piterbarg, Curtis Sullivan) and 3rd place, “James Brown: A Civil Rights Musical Diplomat” (Paige Miller, Emma Schorr, Carley McGarry — judges were very impressed that the students found and interviewed James Brown’s daughter.)
Coyne began his Westport teaching career at Coleytown and Bedford Middle Schools. He credits his colleagues, the Westport Public Schools, and of course his students, for helping him become Connecticut’s Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year.
Emma Schorr, Carley McGarry and Paige Miller show off their documentary on “James Brown – A Civil Rights Diplomat: Debates, Successes, Failures, and Consequences.”
Posted onApril 8, 2022|Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #1817
Led Zeppelin fans were on a stairway to heaven tonight.
Lez Zeppelin — an all-female tribute band — kicked off this weekend’s VersoFest at the Westport Library tonight.
There’s much more ahead, for fans of all kinds of music. A series of workshops and panels on songwriting, audio production and more, is set for tomorrow and Sunday afternoons.
There are more concerts both evenings, and a Westport Library Verso Studios album launch party Saturday at 6 p.m. Click here for a full schedule, and more details.
Longtime Westporter and active volunteer Betty Cabral died yesterday. She was 84.
Born to Italian immigrants John Palmer (Palmieri) and Rosa Pagliaro Palmer, she loved her childhood surrounded by colorful characters on Richmondville Avenue. Her family worked at the nearby mill, and built homes near each other where they raised chickens, grew vegetables, had fruit trees, made wine, and celebrated life.
She was an enthusiastic Staples High School cheerleader, and an excellent student. After graduating in 1955, she met her soul mate Joe Cabral at Central Connecticut State College, where both earned advanced teaching degrees.
They married and raised their children, Susan Cabral Hiltz (Harry) and Kevin Cabral (Laura).
Betty and Joe founded The Hair Place in 1968. It was a successful mom-and-pop business for decades, and they forged lifelong friendships there.
Betty Cabral
After Joe died when she was in her early 40s, Betty ran the salon business, and built a life for herself and her children in the community and Assumption Church. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters, and an active liturgical participant.
In her neighborhood everyone was welcome to Halloween celebrations, teen hangout sessions and summer pool parties.
She was a gourmet Italian cook, a professional-level seamstress and a baker. Considered a close family member to many friends and relatives, she snapped pictures at weddings, baby showers, birthdays and holiday celebrations.
Betty helped many people make sense of the world. She always had a kind word, steady demeanor, touch of the hand, and a nudge in the right direction.
She is survived by her 2 children; grandchildren Hayden, Logan, Lianna, Hailey, Payton, Amy, Kate, Chevy, Nathan, Emily, James and Thomas; brother Carlo (Marcey); nephew Michael Palmer and his family; several godchildren; cousins; scores of friends, and her devoted dog Mitzy.
A funeral will be held Tuesday (April 12, 10 a.m.) at Assumption Church for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Willowbrook Cemetery 395 Main Street Westport, CT. There are no calling hours.
Condolences for the family may be left online here. In lieu of flowers, contribution in memory of Betty may be made to Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.
Michael Gilbertie was busy on Facebook’s Westport pages recently. He posted photos of major fires from our past. There were 2 in the same Sconset Square (then called Sherwood Square) shopping center.
One was the Carousel Toy Store:
The other was the Paint Bucket:
(Photos courtesy of Michael Gilbertie)
Remarkably, it was the 2nd fire for Carousel. It had relocated to Sherwood Square after burning to the ground in Compo Acres Shopping Center (where Solidcore is now).
Those were not the only big blazes in local history. Others included the Klaff’s block on the Post Road (across from the downtown Starbucks); Westport Lanes bowling alley (today it’s BevMax), Long Lots Junior High School, and the furniture store on Main Street (now The Gap).
The worst fire in the past decade or so was the 2011 fire at Saugatuck Congregational Church. Heroic work by the Westport Fire Department, and neighboring towns — plus fireproofing, done a few years earlier — saved the building, where Westport’s town charter was born.
In fact, it’s the Fire Department’s ongoing work, including inspections and education — that have kept our town so safe since the 1970s.
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