Less than 2 weeks ago, “06880” reported on the drive to save “Elvira’s” — the Old Mill deli/market that camethisclose to being sold to a developer.
Since then, the team working feverishly to preserve the community institution has made great progress.
The end is in sight. But they still need help.
Last week, the group needed an additional $325,000 to acquire the property. They quickly raised $125,000.
Three days ago at a fundraiser, several donors offered $100,000 — as a matching grant. If others contribute that amount, the $325,000 goal will be reached.
But the deadline is soon: March 31. As in, this coming Thursday.
Committee members (from left) Ian Warburg, Jim Hood and Emily Ashken Zobl, outside the property they hope the community will help buy.
The group is creating a non-profit foundation. It will administer the Old Mill Grocery and Deli — and, as part of its mission, offer training and employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
One of the leaders behind the challenge grant is Bill Loftus, and his Coastal Bridge Advisors investment firm.
He says, “We are proud to be the first corporate donor in the effort to save Elvira Mae’s. It’s such an important part of Westport’s history and beach culture. We simply must save this neighborhood gem. I hope other Westport businesses will join us.”
Bill Loftus (4th from left) hosted a fundraiser at his Coastal Bridge Advisors office on Wilton Road — and then pledged funding to help save the Old Mill Grocery.
Committee member Emily Ashken Zobl says, “We are so grateful to Billy and his team for promoting this challenge grant. I grew up with Elvira’s, and have so many wonderful memories. I want my kids and their kids to be able to do the same.”
Member Ian Warburg notes, “This is such an innovative way to help us reach our goal. It means every $250 someone from the community donates becomes $500.”
Everyone donating $250 or more will be included in a digital history, on permanent display inside the market.
Chris Tait adds, “People always wonder what happened to great places once they’re gone and it’s too late. That’s why we’re shouting from the rooftops Once people hear about the opportunity to save something special, they’re in.”
Whether called Old Mill Grocery, Kenny’s, Elvira’s or Joey’s by the Shore, the Hillspoint Road market/deli has served the neighborhood — and town — since the 1920s.
Jim Hood says, “We are incredibly grateful for the community’s generous support. Now we’re asking for one last push to make sure our effort succeeds.”
Hood and other team members will be at the market today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to meet potential donors and answer questions.
They’ll have coffee and donuts — but they’ll have to buy them elsewhere, and bring them in.
For the great stuff, we have to wait for Old Mill Grocery & Deli to open.
Fingers crossed.
(For the Old Mill Grocery website, click here. To donate online, click here or use the QR code below. To request a wire transfer form or donate by check, click here. Questions about donating? Email savelvirasmarket@gmail.com.)
QR code for donations to save the Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
Does someone really love this year? Or do they just want other people to know they were here, before — soon — their message gets washed away. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
The other night, our Pic of the Day showed the Staples High School foyer. A large tile representation of the school seal greets everyone who walks through the front door. It’s pretty cool (and special).
(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
It’s an intricate seal. Where does something like this come from? (The design, not the tiles.)
Scott Brodie — a 1970 graduate, now an ophthalmologist practicing in Manhattan — knows. He writes:
“As I remember it, the seal was created by Dieges & Clust, the jewelry firm that manufactured Staples class rings back in the 1960s. The rings featured a standing Minute Man on one side, reminiscent of the kneeling statue that had long been a Westport icon.
“This seal was on the other side.
“At one point, I think during the 1969-70 school year, Dieges & Clust provided principal Jim Calkins with a framed copy of the seal, and an explanation of the iconography.
“The grapevine (upper left) is taken from the Connecticut state seal and flag; the bridge over water (upper right) recalls the Saugatuck River. Together, these features localize the school in Westport.
“The chipped stone arrowhead (lower left) recalls the original Native American inhabitants of the region; the cannon and pile of cannonballs recall the town’s Revolutionary War heritage (as do the cannons at Compo Beach, which recall the the British landing preparatory to a march and raid that destroyed a Continental ammunition store in Danbury).
“The stylized letter ‘S’ in the center signifies the name of the school. The burning torch bears the flame of knowledge. The year 1885 was thought to represent the founding of the school.
“The motto ‘Respect for Life’ was conjured out of thin air by the jeweler’s designers. (At the time, with the Vietnam war raging, it conveyed a hint of anti-war sentiment.)
The 1969 Vietnam Moratorium protest on the Post Road downtown — during Scott Brodie’s senior year — included hundreds of Staples High School students. Photo/Adrian Hlynka)
“The design was never discussed or debated at the time, but was quickly adopted by the school and has been in use ever since.”
I have no idea how Scott knows the Dieges & Clust back story. But I do know this: The 1885 date is wrong.
Staples High School was founded in 1884. The cornerstone for the original building on Riverside Avenue was laid in April that year; classes began that fall in nearby National Hall, until the school was ready.
The first graduating class was 1886. It consisted of 6 girls. (The boys were off working on farms or in factories.)
So “1885” means nothing. Who will tell Diegs & Clust?
More importantly: Whatever happened to school rings? I haven’t seen one since 1885 1970.
A rally in support of the Ukrainian people, and against Russian aggression, is set for tomorrow (Saturday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown.
A rally earlier this month drew hundreds of attendees. This will be smaller, but no doubt just as heartfelt.
Georgians have suffered under Russian rule. Earlier this month, these natives of that nation showed solidarity with Ukrainians on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Susan Woog Wagner)
Speaking of Ukraine: The world owes Lynsey Addario a huge debt of thanks.
The Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Fellow-winning New York Times photojournalist — and, not for nothing, a 1991 Staples High School graduate — has taken some of the most riveting photos in the month since Russia invaded Ukraine. Her images have opened billions of eyes to the horrors of this war.
Yesterday, Lynsey returned home — to her home in London, anyway. Her family there — and her parents, Westporters Phillip and Camille, and her 3 sisters spread across the US — are grateful for her safe return.
Lauren, Lynsey, Lisa and Lesley Addario — the 4 sisters.
So far, we’ve heard — from various Jersey Mike’s communications — that they are “closed permanently” (front door) and “temporarily closed for renovation” (social media).
“06880” reader Jason Stiber used the company’s “Support” function to ask if they were closing the Westport location.
The response, from “Kristin” of the Customer Relations Team at Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. in Manasquan (New Jersey, of course) was: “The store is relocating. That is all the information we have at this time. Please feel free to check back for updated information.”
So that’s a third option. Almost as difficult as deciding what to order there …
“06880” reader James Grogan asks: “What are the best places — coffee shops, areas of the Library, etc. — in Westport (and surrounding areas) with Wi-Fi to get work done? I have a fully remote job, and want to change my routine.”
I’m sure he’s not the only one. If you’ve got a favorite spot — and don’t mind sharing it — click “Comments” below.
When the power went out during Tropical Storm Isais in 2020, Westporters took advantage of the library’s WiFi al fresco — masked and socially distanced, of course. (Photo/Miggs Burroughs)
That’s the name of the peer-to-peer social support group for LGBTQ youth (and their allies), ages 12 to 19. It’s part of Kids in Crisis, the Greenwich-based social service organization.
Meetings take place every Monday from 5 to 7 p.m., at Toquet Hall. Two adults are always present, And there is food!
Questions? Email program coordinator Joe Belisle: lighthouse@kidsincrisis.org.
The Westport Police Department earned national recognition for its work in helping donate more than 200 previously used ballistic vests and helmets to Ukrainian fighters.
They — along with departments in Brookfield, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull and Wilton, plus Western Connecticut State University — joined the effort.
Police1 — a national website — highlighted the donations as its Photo of the Week:
Donated vests and helmets: Police1’s Photo of the Week.
Connectalent — the Westport-based recruiting company that places female talent and increases diversity within companies, –has just received B-Corp certification from B Lab.
Connectalent qualifies as a full-service recruiting agency that aims to solve a social issue through its work serving an underserved population of candidates — a group that faces chronic discrimination in a particular market, which includes job discrimination based on gender.
Years ago Jeff Manchester met Mehmet Sezgin, a potential banking partner, in Istanbul.
They discovered a connection: Jeff graduated from Staples High School in 1985, Five years earlier, Mehmet was a Turkish exchange student there.
Jeff Manchester
Jeff moved back to Westport several years ago. Mehmet is now in Miami. But they’re collaborating on a project with global implications. It’s a way for American credit card users to raise money to help Ukraine, through purchases at 20,000 retailers and restaurants — including several here in town. It aids Ukrainian merchants too.
Jeff has over 25 years experience in the “payments space,” as an executive vice president and the leader of card programs at GE Money. He’s now in charge of business development at myGini. The company that helps banks and financial institutions provide loyalty programs and personalized promotions to customers.
When a consumer downloads the Worthy app on their phone, and enrolls their Mastercard or Visa credit or debit cards, whenever they dine or shop at a participating merchant, they get cash back — and cash will be sent to UNICEF for Ukrainian children too.
For example, one Westport merchant — Iganzio’s — offers 4% cash back: 2% to the purchaser, 2% to the charity.
Ignazio’s Pizza helps customers earn cash back — and help Ukrainian children.
Other Westport participants include
Capuli
Finalmente
Julian’s
Mexica
Pane e Bene
Romanacci
Rye Ridge Deli
Shake Shack
Via Sforza
Village Bagels
Vineyard Vines
In addition, for any Ukrainian-owned small business in the US that joins myGini’s network to offer cash back to American cardholders, myGini will waive set-up and marketing fees. myGini will also match that merchant’s total amount given as cash back to consumers, and donate it to UNICEF USA.
It’s a win-win-win: for consumers, merchants, and (especially) Ukrainian children.
Thanks to Jeff Manchester and fellow Staples alum Mehmet Sezgin, myGini is pure genius.
Westport teardowns happen so often, they’re not news.
This one might be.
A 5,400-square foot, 5-bedroom, 4 1/2-bathroom 1930 Tudor at 36 Green Acre Lane — well known by visitors to nearby Haskins Preserve — will be demolished soon. A 180-day waiting period set by the Historic District Commission has expired.
The sign on Jersey Mike’s says “Permanently Closed.” A couple of screen shots on social media show the Westport location as “Temporarily Closed for Renovation.” The app and website list it along with all the others as open.
Meanwhile, the phone rings there, but no one answers.
It’s late March. April 15 — Tax Day — is closer than you think.
Help is closer than you think too — at least, for preparing your forms.
No-cost, full-service tax preparation assistance is available, with special attention to seniors and low- to moderate-income households.
The program — offered by Westport’s Department of Human Services, through VITA/IRS volunteers — includes both personal counseling by appointment at Town Hall and the Senior Center, and virtually through a secure website.
Counseling at Town Hall is available Mondays (1 to 6 p.m.) and the Senior Center (Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.). Appointments are required; call 860-590-8910.
The free Tax Assistance Program is available to all individual filers regardless of income or age. Last year, more than 5,000 returns were prepared and filed – almost all electronically – by the counselor group that services Westport. Federal refunds totaling $4,500,000 were received by clients..
Staples High School Class of 1972 graduates Tom McCann and his wife Mary-Jo Birtwell McCann live on Nantucket now.
But they’re helping Ukraine relief efforts. And they invite Westporters to participate.
For the past 10 days, Mary-Jo shopped and shipped for items to send to 2 refugee centers in Poland. Next week, Tom and 4 others from the island will head to those centers, to assist personally.
Financial support is needed for the mission. Venmo this link, or send a check to: Tom McCann, 35 Hummock Pond Road, Nantucket, MA 02554.
Bob Knoebel — longtime Westport YMCA aquatics director and Water Rats coach — now lives in Idaho. The other day, he traveled east and visited with his own Staples High School swim coach from 51 years ago, Bruce Gardiner.
Bruce is retired, after a long career as director of admissions at Lehigh University. Bob posted a photo on Facebook, adding: “Thanking you properly for being a fantastic coach, and apologizing for the awkward, tongue-tied thank you I delivered at the banquet as team captain in 1971.”
Bob Knoebel (left) and Bruce Gardiner, at Lehigh University.
Bob also sends along an update on his godson Enrique, profiled 4 years ago on “06880”:
He’s graduating from Bates College in May with a double major in economics and Latin American studies, and landed a job at First Republic Bank in San Francisco.
In the Small World Department: He worked remotely from campus this year for native Westporters and Water Rats David and Danny Platow who are at a New York branch of First Republic.
Bob had nothing to do with it, though. Enrique was linked to them by his boss, after interning for her last summer in San Francisco.
Staples just wrapped up a very successful World Language Week.
Each day began with music related to the Language of the Day — Spanish, French, German, Italian, Latin and Mandarin. Morning announcements (including the Pledge of Allegiance) were made by students, in the language of the day.
Language clubs raised awareness — and funds for less fortunate youngsters in other countries.
The Italian Club, for example, collected $400 for at-risk youths in Napoli. The club also offered Italian pins, bracelets, lanyards and Italian goodie bags. Grazie! (Hat tip: Bruno Guiduli)
Italian Club members outside the Staples cafeteria, with goodies (from left): Luca Caniato, Bruno Guiduli, David Sedrak, Amanda Rowan, Maisy Weber, Caroline Motyl.
In September, the Westport Unitarian Church high school youth group embarked on an intensive environmental initiative. The goal was to become more mindful of how everyday decisions profoundly affect the Earth.
That effort culminates next month in a trip to Alaska, to see the effects of climate change close up. Members hope to return both nourished by nature, and awakened to the realization that we live on an amazing planet that we often take for granted.
To help fund their trip, the youth group presents an “Afternoon of Music and Laughter.” It’s this Sunday (March 27, 2 p.m., both in-person at the Unitarian Church and via Zoom). The program includes vocal music, classical piano and guitar, comedy routines and more.
Tickets are $25 each. They’re available at the door, and online (click here).
Thomas Howard, a well-respected economist, lifelong adventurer and Westport resident, died last week while mountaineering in the Adirondacks. He was 63.
His family says, “Many will remember him for his deep morality, thoughtfulness, loving nature, intellectual capacity, generosity, and playful sense of humor.”
He was born in 1958 in Richmond, Virginia. At both the Highgate School in London and Hopkins School in New Haven he was an avid track and cross country runner, at one point setting the 10K record in Britain for his age group.
At Dartmouth College he studied math under John Kemeny. and became his teaching assistant. He completed an honors thesis exploring the equations and logic required to teach computers to talk. He earned a doctorate in economics from Yale University, where he expanded on an interest in econometrics and completed a dissertation on employment uncertainty under advisor Robert Shiller.
During his 40-plus year career Tom worked as a computer programmer for the Pentagon, a macroeconomist for Fuji Bank, and a consultant for Arthur D. Little and PIRA Energy. He was skilled in forecasting, econometrics, data analysis, and formulating options trading strategies. Other employers included Louis Dreyfus, Statoil and, most recently, the Department of Defense.
Tom was an accomplished mountaineer and hiker. He spent over 40 years climbing some of the most challenging mountains on the globe: ascending Mt. McKinley, Mt. Huascaran in Peru and Xixabangma Peak in the Himalayas, to name a few. He hiked the 273-mile Long Trail in Vermont and the entirety of the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail, from Maine to Georgia. In October 2021 he crossed the entire White Mountain Presidential Range in one day. Tom aspired to climb the second-highest mountain on all 7 continents. Hw finished the first part of this journey when he scaled Mt. Kenya in the fall of 2021.
Tom is survived by his wife, Zhu Zhang Howard (Julie), and daughters Gwendolyn and Madison Howard. He met Julie while working in New York; they married in 1993, and moved to Westport in 1997. He is also survived by his siblings Margaret Paar of Niantic; James Elbert of Wallingford; Amy Howard Chase of New Rochelle, New York; Mary Howard of Branford; Martha Howard of Guilford, and Emily Howard of Washington, DC, plus many nieces and nephews.
Visitation hours at the Courtyard Marriott, 474 Main Street, Norwalk will be tomorrow (Friday, March 25, 5-8 p.m.). A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, (March 26, 11 a.m., St. Luke Church), and can be viewed via livestream. A reception will follow to celebrate his life. Masks are recommended.
Today is pretty gray. Two days ago, dogs romped on Compo — as our “Westport … Naturally” feature shows. Their time is limited though. On April 1, they’re banned from the beach for 6 months.
And finally … in honor of Staples High’s World Language Week (story above), and the fundraising work of the school’s Italian Club, here’s a song everyone loves:
Plenty of focus has been put recently on diversity in employment. Town departments, Police and Fire, the schools — all are taking measures to be more inclusive in recruiting and hiring employees.
Another group is important too: those with disabilities.
Next Tuesday (March 29, 10:30 a.m.), First Selectwoman Jen Tooker kicks off a town-wide inclusive employment initiative.
Residents, businesses, employment service agencies and disability advocates are invited to the Town Hall event.
“Employment Is For Everyone” is a collaboration between the Department of Human Services, the Commission on People with Disabilities and the local business community.
The goal is to encourage and support business in the recruitment, hiring, and advancement of people with disabilities in the workplace.
The Commission hopes to create a disability-friendly, inclusive culture by providing guidance and resources for employers and employees to get the support needed to succeed.
CPD chair Jim Ross says, “Westport already has several businesses successfully employing people with disabilities and embracing a disability-friendly and inclusive culture. These employment champions should be celebrated, and their best practices shared with the greater business community.”
Among those businesses: The Porch at Christie’s, and Stop & Shop. A group of Westporters is working right now to form a non-profit and buy the former Elvira’s/Joey’s by the Shore property by Old Mil Beach, and open a market that would offer training and employment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Porch hires people with disabilities. The bakery features items from Sweet P Bakery, which also employs members of the disability community.
Ross adds, “Countless qualified workers with disabilities are eager and ready to work. This population offers tremendous benefits to their colleagues and the businesses that they serve.”
With support from town and business leaders, the Commission has partnered with regional disability employment organizations to create an online platform. The “Employment Gateway” provides a job board, resource guide, and hands-on support for individuals and businesses seeking assistance in enhancing inclusivity among their workforces.
Tooker — who as 2nd selectwoman helped create the “Westport Means Business” and “Choose Westport” platforms — notes, “Studies show that employers who are disability-inclusive realize increased profits and greater consumer loyalty.”
And 5 women long involved in the Westport Public School’s special education program have suggested 3 people as Unsung Heroes, for their tremendous work in that field.
Kate Frascella, Kate Grijns, Sivan Hong, Becky Martin and Abby Tolan write:
Merrily Bodell, Stacie Curran and Sharuna Mahesh have actively served the special education community in our town for well over a decade. Principally they’ve been longtime leaders and members of the Special Education PTA, but they’ve also advocated for people with disabilities throughout our town.
They have forged a path forward full of opportunity and promise for all kids with disabilities in our schools, and after they graduate.
Sharuna Mahesh
SpEd PTA is a committee operating under the Westport PTA Council that meets monthly with Westport school district administrators.
SpEd PTA — comprised of parent representatives from each school, plus out-placed students — advocates for our students, communicates parental concerns, and conveys vital information from the administration to SpEd families.
In their time on SpEd PTA, which began when their children were in pre-school at Stepping Stones and continues nearly 16 years later, Merrily, Stacie and Sharuna have advocated passionately for their children and ours. Most recently, they played a key role establishing the transitions program “Connections” that keeps students in Westport after graduation in a job training and life skills program.
These women push for the improvement of services for SpEd students and the education of families new to special education through newsletters and programming, like “Understanding your IEP.” They have led dozens of monthly “Sip ‘n Chat” conversations for SpEd parents.
Merrily Bodell
They promote fun for our kids by establishing SpEd PTA’s Community Fun Day, promoting opportunities like Challenger Baseball, and working with many other local organizations to offer programs for kids with special needs.
All 3 women also devote considerable time to causes that create opportunities for children and adults with disabilities in Westport and beyond. Stacie and Sharuna are active with the Remarkable Theater; Sharuna also dedicates her talents to Westport Book Sale Ventures, both of which create work opportunities for people with disabilities.
Stacie serves on Westport’s Commission on People with Disabilities. Merrily is on the board of directors of School the World, a community-driven nonprofit committed to solving extreme poverty through the power of education.
Stacie Curran
Perhaps most importantly, all 3 have offered their constant hope, reassurance and advice to parents struggling with new diagnoses or challenges.
Becky Martin, current SpEd PTA co-chair, recalls wondering in a meeting if she should be pushing her child to accomplish more academically, given her challenges.
“Sharuna looked me in the eye and said, ‘always push.’ I still hear her saying that in the back of my mind sometime. I hold it as a constant reminder of my job as a parent of a child with challenges,” says Becky.
We will protect their children’s privacy, but they too should be recognized for their trailblazing and hard work that has led to better education and services for all of our children here in Westport.
Congratulations Merrily, Stacie and Sharuna. What a meaningful way to honor National Disability Awareness Month!
(To nominate an Unsung Hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com)
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“Employment Is For Everyone” is a collaboration between the Department of Human Services, the Commission on People with Disabilities and the local business community.
