Roundup: Daffodils, Outdoor Sculpture, Antisemitism & Allies …

Posted on November 10, 2025 | 15 comments

You know all those daffodils that make Westport look so beautiful every spring?

They didn’t just fall from the sky.

They weren’t even planted randomly.

They’re part of a years-long project. Debra Kandrak — the energetic visionary behind it — says: “Once again fall is upon us. Before the weather gets too cold, we need to plant daffodils all around town for our traditional community-wide event called ‘Paint the Town Yellow!’

“I started this years ago to remember loved ones who have passed on, including our fur babies.

“It has been well received over the years. Residents, businesses and local community groups participate, and for that I say thank you. So let’s keep the tradition going and plant more!”

Daffodils have already been planted in many areas, like traffic islands, the Minute Man Monument, Compo Beach, and (of course) Willowbrook Cemetery.

More can be planted just about anywhere. A great place is the edge of your property, by a road,

This is a great time of year. And there’s only a few months until spring.

Daffodils on Riverside Avenue. (Photo/Debra Kandrak)

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Speaking of how good Westport looks: The outdoor sculptures just keep coming.

“Queen of Hearts” — the newest addition — will be dedicated on Wednesday (3 p.m.), at the Senior Center.

Artist Carole Eisner will share the inspiration behind her work — one of hundreds of sculptures and paintings showcased in parks, museums and gardens throughout the Northeast.

Suzanne Sheridan will sing a song she wrote specially for the occasion.

The Westport Arts Advisory Committee is — as always — behind the outdoor art project, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Center for Senior Activities.

“Queen of Hearts” by Carole Eisner, at the Senior Center.

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Quietly but consistently, the Westport Library’s Common Ground Initiative has been offering programs that enhance positive, respectful and constructive conversations on challenging and/or controversial issues.

Up next this Thursday: a “Community Conversation on Understanding Jewish Identity, Antisemitism, and Allyship” (November 13, 7 to 8:30 p.m.).

Project Shema — a training and support organization — will lead a presentation and Q-and-A that provides historical and modern realities of antisemitism, emphasizing its evolving expression in contemporary culture and politics.

The evening will provide “an accessible but powerful introduction to the historical and modern realities of antisemitism, with an emphasis on its evolving expression in contemporary culture and politics. By creating space for collective reflection and inquiry, the evening aims to foster a shared vocabulary and a common starting point for deeper community dialogue.”

The goal is to promote a better understanding of the effects and impacts of antisemitism, to strengthen allyship for and within the Jewish community, to gain a greater appreciation of different lived experiences, and to increase awareness, promote empathy, and encourage dialogue.

“Allyship” is a key element of the Common Ground event. Everyone is welcome, including Westport residents of all faiths, families, clergy members, and anyone who wants to learn more about antisemitism in an open and welcoming environment.

The event is free. For more information, click here.

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SNAP benefit reductions during the government shutdown have caused long lines at local food pantries.

Quickly, AWARE (Assisting Women through Action, Resources & Education) high school students took action.

AWARE clubs in Fairfield County — including  Staples and Weston — organized a food drive.

They collected kid-friendly snacks, pasta, peanut butter and other pantry staples. Volunteers then gathered for a joint packing event to assemble bags for families served by Homes with Hope.

Residents can continue to support Homes with Hope, and built on the AWARE students’ efforts. Food donations can be dropped off at the Gillespie Center (Jesup Road, behind Barnes & Noble) any time. Click here to donate cash, enabling Homes with Hope to purchase food.

AWARE students, with bags for the Homes with Hope food pantry.

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Congratulations to Dylan Mogelof!

The Staples High School swim and dive team sophomore made waves last week, breaking a 26-year-old diving record at the CIAC Class “LL” (extra large schools) state championship.

She scored 456.50 points on the 1-meter, 11-dive event, surpassing the previous record of 452.75 set in 1999 by Corey Pagnotta. Her performance earned All-LL State and All-America honors.

Teammates Mikaela Snow and Avery Nissenson also qualified for the LL meet.

Mogelof’s record came under new Staples swim and dive coach Grace Slama. Next up for her: This week’s state open championship.

To learn more about Staples’ girls (fall) and boys (winter) swim and dive teams, email head coach Mike Anderson: swimmike@usa.net.

Dylan Mogelof

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Congratulations too to Staples cross country runner Sarah Bogdan. The Wreckers’ first runner since 2016 to qualify for the New England Championship, she ran a great race and finished 6th, at Vermont’s Thetford Academy. Click here, then scroll down for a video.

Sarah Bogdan, at the New England Championships. (Photo courtesy of MySportsResults.com)

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Speaking still of sports: It’s a big week for 2 Staples teams.

Both field hockey and boys soccer compete in the state tournament semifinals tomorrow.

Coach Ian Tapsall’s field hockey girls — seeded #1 in the state “L” tourney — take on #4 Fairfield Ludlowe Tuesday, 4 p.m. at Brien McMahon High School.

Coach Liam Witham’s soccer boys — #4 in the “LL” competition — meet #9 Hall-West Hartford at Newtown on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Good luck to both teams!

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This afternoon at the Fairfield Library (Monday, 4 p.m.), Ukraine Aid International founders and team members offer “Stories of Connection: Connecticut the Donetsk Region, Building Bridges of Hope Together.”

Our state, and the Donetsk oblast in Ukraine, have built powerful partnerships. Behind it is UAI — created by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer, backed by many local residents.

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Despite the existence of a fence, it can be confusing to know where dogs are allowed on leash, or off leash, at Compo Beach — and where they are not allowed at all.

Fortunately, the Parks & Recreation Department has posted a clear, aerial map showing the 3 different areas:

Unfortunately, it hangs too high for dogs to see it.

But at least they can read the sign.

(Photos/DinkinESH Fotografix)

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Speaking of Compo: A few yards away, this was the scene on a basketball court:

(Photo/Tammy Barry)

Some people must have time on their hands.

Way too much time.

As anyone who has ever tried to move one of those benches knows: They’re heavy!

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows a Cooper’s hawk, on Diane Lowman’s deck.

She did not have to snap her photo quickly. The bird sat on the railing — posing — for nearly 30 minutes. “What a treat!” Diane says.

(Photo/Diane Lowman)

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And finally … when you saw the name of the sculpture being dedicated at the Senior Center this week (item near the top of this Roundup), you had to know this song was coming:

 (Arts, sports, the beach … it’s your usual mix of Westport stories, in the Roundup. If you enjoy this daily feature — and who doesn’t? — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Environment, Library, religion, Sports, Staples HS

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Staples Class Of 2025: By The Numbers

Posted on November 10, 2025 | 1 comment

The vast majority of Staples High School’s Class of 2025 graduates — 93.4% — headed to 4-year colleges.

Another 2.0% are in 2-year colleges. 1.4% took a gap year; 0.6% went to a college prep school; 1.0% are employed; 0.7% are engaged in career education, transition or other higher education; 0.4% entered the military. Just 0.4% were undecided, or had no reported plans.

The 5 most popular colleges for Class of 2025 graduates were the University of Connecticut (21 students, including Storrs and branches), Tulane University (11) and the Universities of Maryland, Michigan and Vermont (10 each).

Nearly 1 in 3 intended to study business or economics.

Those are some of the many takeaways from a 26-page report, presented Thursday to the Board of Education by director of school counseling William Plunkett. He was assisted by Sandra Zeigler, Staples’ college and career center coordinator,

The Class of 2025 graduated 6 months ago. Where are they now? (Photo/Ryan Allen)

While Westport-centric, the report noted national trends toward “increased pressures on colleges and scrutiny over holistic review practices, a growing emphasis on career readiness and fit to major, shifting values around higher education, the proliferation of AI, and further changes to standardized testing policies.”

Of the 93.4% enrolled in 4-year colleges, students applied to 369 different institutions — from nearby Fairfield University, to faraway Western Australia University. This fall, they enrolled in 153 of them.

June grads applied to an average of 8.12 colleges each. The overall acceptance rate of 61.5% was, the report says — Staples’ highest in over a decade.

Plunkett’s report says that “while national acceptance rates at the most selective colleges remain low, Staples students continue, by and large, to be accepted at rates at or above the national average.”

While the school counseling department encourages students to “broaden their thinking around fit and selectivity,” over half of “highly regarded colleges with favorable acceptance rates for students” appear in the best-selling book “Dream School.”

The report adds, “we remain mindful of the intense pressure many of our students and families face within the context of an ever-evolving, complex landscape of college admissions and highly competitive school and community.”

Other statistics:

  • The colleges with the most applications: UConn (140), Indiana (83), Penn State (73), Wisconsin (66) and Colorado (62).
  • 54% of ’25 grads are attending private schools; 43% are at public institutions. 3% study internationally.
  • The mean composite ACT score was 29.1. The SAT mean total was 1239. The mean Advanced Placement score as 4.3, with 97% scoring 3 (out of 5) or higher.
  • A total of 607 students — 84% of all those enrolled in AP courses — took the AP exam.
  • Staples is among the top 10 schools in the state for participation in University of Connecticut Early College Experience courses.
  • 54% of seniors completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). 28% applied for local or community scholarships.

  • Intended areas of study include business and economics (32%), social sciences (20%), STEM (16%), undecided (15%), health and life sciences (10%), and humanities and the arts (7%).
  • The top 5 individual majors are business, undecided, psychology, communications and political science.
  • 14% of students in the Class of ’25 said they intended to play an intercollegiate sport. 6% said they applied to a visual or performing arts program.
  • 43% of students submitted test scores to all college. 26% submitted to some colleges. 31% did not submit test scores to any college.

The report also included quotes from graduates, about the college process. Students said:

Try not to get caught up in competing with other people when applying to schools. It adds so much stress and at the end of the day the decision is only meant to satisfy yourself.

Work on college applications a little at a time and don’t get overwhelmed with trying to make it “perfect,” just make sure it sounds like you.

Self-care! Take a bath, listen to music, do things that make you happy in between moments of hard work and stress.

Just try to remember your grades and test scores don’t define who you are and at the end of the day everything turns out good for you as long as you show up and put your best work in with effort.

Plan ahead, get started over the summer, and set boundaries about when you talk about plans, be willing to tell people you don’t want to discuss them at this time.

Click here for a video of student voices.

Click here for the full report.

(Photo/Ryan Allen)

(“06880” regularly covers education in Westport — at all levels, and from all angles. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Pic Of The Day #3126

Posted on November 9, 2025 | 1 comment

Sherwood Island State Park model planes (Photo/Susan Garment)

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Photo Challenge #567

Posted on November 9, 2025 | 20 comments

Compo Road South is one of Westport’s most traveled streets.

Drivers slow down as they approach the stop sign at Soundview Drive, before South Compo turns into Hillspoint Road.

Coming the other direction, they still drive slowly. (Hopefully.)

Still, only 5 readers (Dan Vener, Andrew Colabella, Matt Murray, Seth Schachter and Sal Liccione)recognized last week’s Photo Challenge — John Maloney’s image of a rounded, orange-ish door, set among a lattice fence — as #324.

Click here to see. And check it out the next time you’re near the beach.

Here is this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this probably-outlived-its-usefulness scene, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!) 

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Roundup: Kittens, Constitution, Rowing Club …

Posted on November 9, 2025 | 7 comments

Earlier this year, an abandoned tiger-striped cat set up residence in a Westport resident’s garage.

Town animal control officer Peter Reid reached out to long-time Westport Animal Shelter Advocates volunteer Sandy Young to assist with trapping.

WASA is the volunteer group for Westport Animal Control. The cat was trapped, and set up in Young’s home as a foster.

While recuperating, it gave birth to 5 kittens.  She’s been a loving and protective mother, but now it is time for the 2-month-old young ones to find homes.

It is hard to get good images of kittens for social media. But Staples High School Photography Club student Andrea Jaramillo and advisor Stacey Phelan organized a photo shoot.

Reid and WASA president Julie Loparo got the okay to use the Westport Police Department classroom. Club members Hazel Rossi, Elizabeth Stauder and Beatrice Schwabe joined Jaramillo and Phelan, to calm the babies and capture their best sides.

Interested in adopting them? (The kittens, not the girls.) Call 203-557-0361, or email wasa1@optonline.net. To support their care with a donation, click here.

During the photo shoot, and …

… one of the 5 kittens.

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Next month’s Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand show is very timely.

“What the Constitution Means to Me” takes center stage December 1 (7 p.m.).

At age 15, playwright Heidi Schreck earned her college tuition by competing in Constitutional debate competitions across the country. In this play that is “hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human,” she revisits her teenage self to explore how the document has shaped her family, her future — and our nation.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Black Friday shopping events — once confined to the day after Thanksgiving — has morphed into multi-day affairs (on both sides of the holiday).

Now, Sorelle Gallery takes things even further.

The Church Lane shop offers hundreds of original work, by local and national artists, at reduced prices.

The “Black Friday” sale has started already.

And it’s on through December 2.

Even better: A proportion of the proceeds will be donated to Sustainable CT.

Click here for details, and to view art on sale.

Ned Martin’s “Common Core” has been reduced from $13,100 to $5,000.

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Speaking of the holidays: The biggest toy drive in town returns next month.

The Westport Police Department, Police Athletic League and Westport Police Benevolent Association will once again collect new, unopened and unwrapped toys for all ages and genders — along with cash donations — in the ASF Sports parking lot.

The dates are Saturdays and Sundays, December 6-7 and 13-14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From December 1 on, there will be collection boxes at ASF, Westport Police headquarters on Jesup Road, Awesome Toys and Gifts, and the Toy Post.

Mark the dates. And start shopping!

Westport Police, PAL — and Yogi Bear — collected toys for underprivileged youngsters last year, at ASF. (Photo/Cat Malkin)

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The Saugatuck Rowing Club celebrated the 25th anniversary of its boathouse yesterday.

Owner Howard Winklevoss; his sons Cameron and Tyler, who began their Harvard and Olympic careers there, and founder James Mangan were among the many current and former rowers and coaches who joined in the festivities.

1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker offered her congratulations too, for SRC’s success in putting Westport on the “national and international” rowing map.

From left: Howard Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, James Mangan, Cameron Winklevoss. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Also last night: Over 400 people packed the Westport Library to celebrate 60 years of the Grateful Dead. The Spadtastics — a Darien tribute band who themselves have been playing together for 40 years — starred in the Trefz Forum.

The modified Supper & Soul concert-only show was sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and the Library. Three restaurants offered Dead- inspired drinks, with Basso creating the “Grapefruit Dead” gin-based concoction.

The Spadtastics, on stage. (Photo/Matthew Mandell)

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The Westport Project — the new fully sustainable home going up at 16 Westport Avenue — has just added a 9th episode to its video documentary series.

The shows — starring builder Chris O’Dell of the O’Dell Group design/build firm, and designer/actor Eva Amurri — have racked up hundreds of thousands of views.

The latest episode — featuring the appliances planned for the new home — should be of interest to all Aitoro fans. Who doesn’t love the Norwalk appliance store, known for its huge selections, customer service, and community service?

Click here or below to see.

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Speaking of the environment: Aspetuck Land Trust’s “Lunch & Learn” webinars are always intriguing. And educational.

The next one is “Mini-Forest Revolution: Rewilding our Communities for Climate Resilience” (November 20, 12 noon).

Mini-forests support hundreds of species, are many degrees cooler than its surroundings, soak up stormwater, take up spaces no bigger than a tennis court, and become maintenance free within a few years.

Featured speaker Hannah Lewis has planted 7 mini-forests in Bridgeport. She’ll soon add the biggest one in New England. Click here to register, and for more information.


A typical mini-forest.

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A new artist has been added to George Barrett and Brian Keane‘s show at the Westport Library next Sunday (November 16, 2 p.m.).

Sarah Gross is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter. She has performed with Zach Bryan, and won Jimmy Fallon’s “Battle of the Instant Songwriters.”

Barrett — the 1973 Staples High School graduate (and former Orphenian) who grew up here in a home filled with classical, folk, rock, blues and jazz; whose influences include Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Sting and Norah Jones, and whose new album, “Rearrange Things,” is released this month — will be joined by Grammy-winning musician/composer/producer (and Staples ’71 grad) Brian Keane, plus other guests.

Before the show, Barrett and Keane will chat about their unique life journeys and unexpected reunion. The conversation will be hosted by “06880”‘s Dan Woog, who has known both for over 50 years.

It’s a fundraiser for the Library. Tickets are $20. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

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Congratulations to Lina Elwood. The Westport resident and Hopkins School sophomore is a winner in the Music Teachers National Association Piano Competition. She’ll move on to compete in the next round: the Eastern Division. Those winners move on to the national finals.

Lina has won top prizes at numerous state, regional and international competitions. She has also played with the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra and Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.

Lina Elwood

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Long-time Westport resident Edith Zwick Evans (formerly Edith Shufro) died on March 22 in Hamden. She was 99.

Edie was born into a Jewish family in Vienna in 1925. Her family fractured when the Nazis annexed Austria in 1938. Her mother and a sister died in Treblinka.

A year after the arrival of the Nazis, Edie escaped Austria on a Kindertransport train to the Netherlands. She was taken to England and lived there until 1943, when she sailed to the US in the midst of the war.

Edie earned a bachelor’s degree at Antioch College, and a master’s in social work at Columbia University. A friend from Antioch introduced her to Arnold Shufro, a textile salesman in New York City.

They married and moved from Manhattan to Westport after their first 2 children were born. They raised three children on Crestwood Road.

Edie regularly attended French club luncheons with Westport friends and studied sculpture at the Silvermine Arts Center in New Canaan with Stanley Bleifeld, of the National Academy of Design. I

n the mid-1970s Edie returned to part-time social worker at High Meadows School in Hamden.

Eventually she and Arnold divorced, and Edie married Robert Evans. The couple became innkeepers at the Sedgwick Inn and restaurant in Berlin, New York.

After Bob died, Edie lived in Williamstown, Massachusetts, then spent her final decade at the Whitney Center in Hamden.

Edie is survived by her daughters Cathy and Carol Shufro. Her son Mark died of a chronic illness in 2022. Her grandchild Sarah Shufro Mandelkern died as a child. Edie’s survivors include daughter-in-law Lisa Kerpen Shufro, 6 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

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Most of our “Westport … Naturally” feature photos of deer show them in profile. The creatures seldom engage with humans.

But today’s image — by Dana Kuyper, from Over Rock Lane, off Compo Road South — shows this one staring straight at the camera.

They’re so handsome. Until they start devouring our plants.

(Photo/Dana Kuyper)

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And finally … today is the birthday of Mary Travers, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame. The beautiful woman with the beautiful voice — who was born in 1936, and died in 2009 at 72, from leukemia — had many Westport connections.

(“06880” is where Westport meets the world. Mary Travers was part of our Westport world too. If you enjoy connections like these — or just our daily songs — please click here to support us. Thanks!)

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Posted in Entertainment, Environment, Local business, Westport Country Playhouse

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Y’s Women: Active, Fun, And Under The Radar

Posted on November 9, 2025 | 5 comments

Everyone knows the Y’s Men.

The 550-member group of retirees (and semi-retirees) enjoys speakers, social events, dozens of activities, and volunteer efforts.

Less well known are the Y’s Women.

They’ve been around for 33 years. They too are an active, fun group.

They are not affiliated with the Y’s Men (although many Y’s Women are wives or widows of members).

And although they (and their male counterparts) were founded at the Westport Weston Family YMCA, neither group is connected with the Y today.

Merle Spiegel is the group’s longtime communications chair. A 1965 Staples high School graduate whose mother was a Y’s Woman (and co-chair of their trips committee), Merle went on one to Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate near the Hudson River. She was hooked.

The other day, she talked about the organization. Members range from those who, like her, have deep roots in Westport, to women who moved here recently (often to be near grandchildren), and look to make friends and find community.

The Y’s Women meet twice a month, 11 a.m. on Mondays at Green’s Farms Congregational Church.

The Y’s Women’s spring luncheon.

Like the Y’s Men, the women boast an active speakers series. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Dr. Robert Altbaum and novelist Fiona Davis are recent guests. Soon to come: State Representative Jonathan Steinberg.

Sub-groups — books, movies, tai chi, mahjong, trivia, Scrabble, one dedicated to the New Yorker magazine — meet on their own. A “Solos” group, for women without partners, is very active too, including weekly summer potluck dinners at the beach.

Potluck dinner, at the beach.

One of the newest groups is “Jewels of Westport.” Led by Jilda Manikas, they’ve taken a backstage tour of the Westport Country Playhouse, and visited sculptures at town parks.

Y’s Women get out often, to art galleries, botanical gardens and more, up to 45 minutes away. Some members drive; their riders kick in for gas.

“This is an amazing group of women,” Spiegel says. “It’s a great way to learn, do interesting things and make friends.”

The Y’s Women welcome members from surrounding towns. For more information, click here.

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Pics Of The Day #2125

Posted on November 8, 2025 | Comments Off on Pics Of The Day #2125

Two more fall scenes: Old Mill Grocery & Deli …

… and the Longshore golf course (Photo/John Maloney)

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Roundup: Election Follow-Ups, Cribari Bridge, Legacy Project …

Posted on November 8, 2025 | 2 comments

Westport was just a few voters shy of 50% turnout, in this year’s local election.

49.8% of eligible voters went to the polls, or returned absentee ballots. That’s higher than both the 36% average for the state, and the 43% of Westporters who voted in the last selectperson election, in 2021.

In this “blue wave” election, Westport was one of 29 Connecticut municipalities whose Town or City Hall flipped from Republican to Democratic control.

Turnout was lowest in the 2 biggest cities: less than 7% in Hartford, and less than 5% in Bridgeport. Neither had a major race on the ballot.

Turnout was steady on Tuesday in Westport. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Speaking of the election: Westport 10 — the networking and social club for Black men — has grown to many more members from its founders.

Yesterday’s monthly “First Friday” lunch at Sushi Jin was extra special.

Nearly 3 dozen Westport 10 members celebrated with Kevin Christie and Addison Moore.

Christie is the newly elected 1st selectman, and was an original member. Moore — the youngest person ever elected to Westport’s Representative Town Meeting – is the son of another Westport 10 member, Adam Moore.

Westport 10 members (from left): Frank Wood, Craig Melvin, Alexander Mejia, Kevin Christie, Anil Nair (kneeling), Jay Norris, Rob Simmelkjaer, Harold Bailey Jr.

Westport 10 at Sushi Jin. In the center of the front row (arms crossed, tan pants) is Addison Moore. On the right next to him is his father, Adam Moore.

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Speaking still of the election: When a local one is determined by less than 0.5% — or 20 votes or less — state statutes allow for a recount (officially, a “recanvass”).

The Board of Education candidate declined the offer. But losing candidates in 3 Representative Town Meeting districts — 1, 2 and 9 — accepted it.

The recanvass takes place Monday (November 10, 1 p.m., Town Hall Room 201).

All ballots will be rerun through the town’s new “mega-tabulator.” On Election Day, the new machine counted all 3,000-plus early votes in 1 hour.

RTM District 9 candidates on Tuesday, outside the Westport Library polling place. That district is one of 3 whose votes will be “recanvassed” on Monday.

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Less than a year ago, it looked like the Cribari Bridge lights — a beloved tradition for 25 years — would be dark that holiday season.

But thanks to the Westport PAL, and a group of determined residents, businesses and organizations, new lights were bought and strung.

And then, in a joyful ceremony, they were lit.

They’ll be back again this year. Provided, that is, that PAL covers the cost of a substantial number of replacement lights.

The organization is seeking donations to defray the costs of lighting the bridge, and to continue funding scholarships for deserving students.

Businesses and family names will be featured on a large sign near the span. To help, call PAL trustee Emma Rojas at 203-571-7505, or email emmacrojas83@gmail.com.

Let there be lights. And there were! (Photo/Andrea Moore)

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There are plenty of young people in Westport. Many older ones too.

But there have been few opportunities for real interaction between the 2 group.

Now there is.

The Legacy Project connects high school students with older adults, to build one-on-one relationships across generations.

Each student will meet individually with a participating adult to listen, learn, and help document their unique life story.

The stories will be compiled and published in a book that celebrates the wisdom, experiences and legacies of Westporters.

Meetings will take place in one of the participant’s homes, the Westport Library, or another agreed-upon spot, every 2 weeks this fall.

Interested? Contact Stella DiGeronimo, who is heading up the project at Staples High School (stella.digeronimo@icloud.com), or Rozanne Gates (contact@thelegacyprojectusa.com).

Everyone has a story to share.

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As “Love+War” — the new documentary about Lynsey Addario’s career and life — streams on Hulu, The Guardian has just posted an in-depth, interactive and photo-filled interview with the Pulitzer Prize- and MacArthur “genius grant”-winning (and 1991 Staples High School graduate).

Click here to read. (Hat tip: Bonnie Erickson)

Ukrainian soldiers trying to save the father of a family of 4 — the only one at that moment who still had a pulse — moments after being hit by a mortar while trying to flee Irpin, near Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)

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Longtime Westport resident Stefanina Carusone died peacefully on Tuesday, surrounded by her family. She was 78.

Born in Formicola, Italy, and a seamstress by trade, Stefana worked at Pepperidge Farm for 20 years. She was known for her home-cooked meals, and her crocheted blankets, hats and scarves.

She and her husband Fausto raised 3 sons: Salvatore, Fausto Jr. and Steven. She had 3 daughters-in-law — Sarah, Rachel and Athena, and 5 grandchildren: Madeline, Eugenio (Gino), Lia, Isa and Christian, who she enjoyed spoiling.

A funeral is set for November 12 (10 a.m., Assumption Church). Entombment will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Harding Funeral Home on November 11 (5 to 8 p.m.).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation in her memory. Condolences for the Carusone family may be left online at www.hardingfuneral.com.

Stefana Carusone

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo is an a stunning, painting-like scene from Winslow Park, from the very talented Rowene Weems:

(Photo/Rowene Weems)

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And finally … on this date in 1889, Montana was admitted as the 41st state.

(Whether you live in Westport or Montana — or Weston or Manhattan, or anywhere else: Thanks for being part of our “06880” community. And thanks for clicking here, to support our work!)

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Online Art Gallery #291

Posted on November 8, 2025 | Comments Off on Online Art Gallery #291

Veterans Day, baseball and fall — all are front and center in this week’s online art gallery.

As always, our “06880” artists offer unique perspectives, on a wide array of subjects.

And as always, no matter how young (or old) you are; what style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Please email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.

“For Our Country” — oil on canvas (Mary Madelyn Attanasio)

“The Amazin’ Mets” — 3D mixed media on paper, 12.5″ x 21″ (Charles Fazzino — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)

“From Genesis: The Story of Esau and Jacob” — watercolor (Steve Stein)

“Foot Bones” (Eric Bosch)

“Our 25-year-old Tree” (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (June Rose Whittaker)

“Mum’s the Word” (Fred Cantor)

“London Eye” (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)

“Jewels of the Ocean” (Mike Hibbard)

“Hound Dog” (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (Lawrence Weisman)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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Westporters Help Food Pantry Meet Surging Demand

Posted on November 8, 2025 | 3 comments

The halt in SNAP (food stamp) benefits for millions of American during the government shutdown has gotten plenty of media attention.

It’s exacerbated by rising prices for food (and other items) — and uncertainty over what’s ahead for health insurance.

The national press is filled with stories of long lines at overwhelmed food pantries. People in line — some for the first time ever — talk about uncertainty, fear, and the very real pocketbook choices they must make.

It’s a frightening problem everywhere.

Including Westport.

Homes with Hope — the 41-year-old non-profit dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness and food insecurity in Fairfield County — runs an important food pantry.

 

It’s well stocked, and has always served a steady clientele.

Last week saw a surge in visitors.

Last week also saw, Homes with Hope says, “the true power of community.”

Since November 1 — the day SNAP benefits stopped — the pantry at the Jesup Road Gillespie Center, behind Barnes & Noble, has seen a 70% increase in the number of individuals and families seeking assistance.

Stocking up, at the Gillespie Center food pantry.

In just 4 days Homes with Hope greeted nearly 400 people, representing nearly 1,200 adults and children. New faces appeared every day.

The aid they receive is essential. Clients are grateful that the pantry helps relieve stress and uncertainty — and with healthy food. (The pantry includes meat and perishable goods, along with non-perishables.)

To help serve the increased number of visitors, and reduce wait times, HwH has  introduced a “Grab & Go” program. Quick pick-ups of pre-packed essential and fresh items can save 2 to 3 hours in line.

“Grab & Go” food, outside the Gillespie Center.

Homes with Hope says, “This overwhelming demand was met with overwhelming generosity. We thank everyone who participated in recent food drives, dropped off donations at the Gillespie Center, contributed financially, or sent items from our Amazon Wish List.

“Our shelves are still fully stocked during a time of urgent need. Westport always steps up!”

Residents have generously shopped, using Homes with Hope’s Amazon wish list. Food is delivered quickly to Westport.

Homes with Hope also thanks food retail partners: CT Foodshare, Trader Joe’s, Food Rescue US, Fresh Market and Stew Leonard’s. Their contributions of fresh, healthy food enable HwH to meet rapidly growing needs. 

Pantry organizers are also grateful for the encouragement of local officials. Several visited this week — including 1st and 2nd Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore, and state legislators — and affirmed their strong commitment to helping address food insecurity in this area.

From left: Homes with Hope director of development Katharine Murray, State Senator Ceci Maher, HwH board chair Becky Martin, State Representatives Dominique Johnson and Jonathan Steinberg.

“This has been an unprecedented week,” Homes with Hope notes.

“We look forward to greater stability and clarity in the SNAP program moving forward. We remain committed to ensuring that every person who needs help will find a warm welcome — and a full bag of groceries.”

NOTE: Food donations can be dropped off any time. The Gillespie Center on Jesup Road is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to donate cash, enabling Homes with Hope to purchase food.

The pantry is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 1:30 to 4.30 p.m., and Thursday from 1:30 to 6 p.m.

Another way to help: Shop directly from Greens Farms Church’s Amazon Wish List (click here).

Homes with Hope’s Community Kitchen is open daily for lunch (12 noon) and dinner (5 p.m.). It is at the Gillespie Center on Jesup Road (behind Barnes & Noble). 

Homes with Hope staff members — including CEO and president Helen McAlinden — offer individual tours of their facility. Call McAlinden: 475-225-5292.

Volunteers are always welcome — in the food pantry, and to serve meals at the Gillespie Center.

Click here for the Homes with Hope website.

FURTHER NOTE: Governor Ned Lamont announced yesterday that all eligible Connecticut households that receive food assistance through SNAP will have full amounts for November transferred onto their EBT cards within the next several days.

State funding will fill the lapse in federal funding, if the US Department of Agriculture does not follow Thursday’s federal court order to provide full benefits for November. 

 

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