For 56 years, Westport’s World War I Doughboy statue — J. Clinton Shepherd’s memorial to all those who served in “the war to end all wars” — stood on Post Road East, opposite what is now Pizza Lyfe and One River art school.
Dedicated 95 years ago — on November 11, 1930 — it was moved to a more appropriate location, on Veterans Green opposite Town Hall, in 1986.
For a while, small Veterans Day ceremonies were held on the Post Road median, as traffic whizzed by. This was the scene in 1967:
(Photo courtesy of Christopher Maroc)
Now the ceremony is held inside, at Town Hall. It begins on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
With a much larger crowd.
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The Pulitzer Prize- and MacArthur “genius grant”-winning photojournalist and author — and 1991 Staples High School graduate — joins those illustrious previous winners, as the 2025 recipient of the International Rescue Committee’s Freedom Award.
It is given annually to “individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions in support of the global refugee crisis, and saving and improving the lives of the most vulnerable populations around the world.”
On assignment for The New York Times, National Geographic and other publications, Addario has documented conflicts and humanitarian crises across Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Darfur, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Syria, and Ukraine.
Her powerful images have brought global attention to the experiences of civilians — especially women and girls — caught in crossfires.
“Love + War,” a documentary on her career, recently premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.
Lynsey Addario captured this dramatic shot, of desperate Libyan refugees in a boat off the coast of Italy. (Photo/Lynsey Addario)
Since its opening a year ago, Big Y has done much to be part of the community.
On Tuesday — Veterans Day — they’ll do more. All military veterans, and current servicemembers, will get get 10% off their order. Plus a free reusable bag.
Just use your Big Y membership, and tell the cashier you’re eligible.
From Arnie’s Place to Akihabara: Westport native Benjamin Boas grew up feeding quarters into arcade machines, then petitioned his school for Japanese classes to read the Japanese comics behind the games.
The Brown University graduate moved to Japan nearly 20 years ago, spent time writing the descriptions for Japanese anime on Netflix, and published a comic about learning Japanese from comics.
He’s back in Fairfield County on November 23 (1:15 p.m., Rowayton Community Center). Boas will keynote the Japan Society of Fairfield County’s annual meeting, telling the full‑circle story that started in a Westport arcade. Click here for more information.
Benjamin Boas’ book.
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To all moms of 6th grade girls: the Westport chapter of the National Charity League is looking for new members.
The NCL fosters mother-daughter relationships through a 6 year program of community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.
NCL Westport includes over 275 women and daughters in grades 7-12, and provides volunteer support to more than 30 local non-profits. Click here for details, or email nclwmembership@gmail.com.
And finally … Al Hirt, the great trumpeter, was born on this date in 1922. He died in 1999, age 76.
(We don’t want to blow our own horn, but “06880” is your hyper-local source for news, features, events, history, photos, and so much more. If you like our work, please click here to support it. Thanks!)
Dorothy Curran has lived in Westport since 1977. She served on the boards of the Westport Library (trustee; co-chair, River of Names community capital campaign) and Westport Woman’s Club (past president, chair/co-chair, many Yankee Doodle Fairs). She is also a past president of the former Westport Historical Society.
Today, Dorothy recalls the “Monday Painters.” The group began here 60 yeas ago — and is still active. Dorothy has been a member for over a decade. She writes:
In the early 1900’s, Westport was becoming a haven for artists of all kinds: illustrators, cartoonists, sculptors, authors, journalists, actors and musicians.
Many were Midwesterners, who had moved to New York to work in the nascent publishing, advertising and performing arts industries.
They married, started families, and were drawn to Westport by its beaches and countryside; its Fine Arts Theater showing foreign films; its rail proximity to Manhattan; its affordable farmhouses and barns for studios, and the congenial culture, good company and collaborative opportunities offered by fellow artists.
One of Westport’s early artists was James Earle Fraser, at work here on a bust of Theodore Roosevelt in his Coleytown studio. Fraser also designed the buffalo nickel, and the sculpture of a Native American slumped over a tired horse.
This was America’s golden age of representational art and illustration. In Westport’s artists’ colony, “sketch groups” and “sketch classes,” with live models, sprung up naturally.
The goal was to hone skills, enjoy professional camaraderie, share the costs of models, and trade job opportunities.
Around 1967, artist Joey Tate organize the “Monday Painters” group. Members included Elizabeth Gaynor, who in the early 1960s already hosted a sketch group in the basement of her Southport home, with live models. Tate and Gaynor met at Bambi Linn’s Westport ballet class. Discovering a mutual love of painting, they joined forces.
“Sam,” by Monday Painters member Susan Kloepfer.
At first the artists met at Constance Kiermaier’s studio. After a fire destroyed it, and with funding from Tate and Gaynor, the group moved to a former ping pong ballfactory on Riverside Avenue.
Access to the 2nd floor space was outdoors, via a fire escape and wooden stairs. One day, the stairs collapsed. The building was condemned, prompting another move.
Next, the group reconvened in another factory building: the 19th-century Lees Manufacturing (cotton twine) site, converted recently into The Mill condominiums on Richmondville Avenue.
“Seated Man Savoring Summer,” by Monday Painters member Dorothy Curran.
From the mid-1980s to 1997, the Monday Painters moved once more: to the Westport Arts Center, housed in the then-closed Greens Farms Elementary School.
Tate, Betty Petschek and Sally Vance opened their shared studio to group members Gaynor, Paul Heifetz, Gamal Eleish, Judy Kamerschen, Andy Neilly, Charlie Reid, Marianne Rothballer and Gene Wilder.
When a rising student population led Westport to reclaim the school, Gaynor hosted the group at her ballet studio. She did so for nearly 3 decades, until her death last December at 95.
More than a decade earlier, Mollie Donovan and Ellen Naftalin mounted a special exhibit at the Westport Historical Society. Gaynor and noted artist Howard Munce helped curate “The Sketch Class: A Westport Tradition.”
“Jonathan Henken,” by Monday Painters member Jo Ann Davidson. (Images courtesy of Diane Parrish)
Today — thanks to the generosity of Green’s Farms Congregational Church; the initiative of artist and congregation member Jo Ann Davidson, and the leadership of artists Christy Gallagher and Marty Fleischman, the “Monday Painters” — now nearing their 6th decade, and in their 6th home as a group — continue painting together in Westport.
Want to see what they’re up to? Green’s Farms Church hosts an artists’ reception this Friday (November 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m.). The exhibit is on display through November 30.
(Prospective new Monday Painters members are always welcome. Email DorothyECurran@aol.com.)
(“06880” often covers Westport’s arts scene of yesterday and today, in all its shapes and forms. If you enjoy coverage like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
A high speed chase that startled Westporters this afternoon began with the armed robbery of an armored car driver in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot, next to Trader Joe’s.
Just after 12:30 p.m., police received a 911 call that 2 suspects, dressed all in black, had accosted the driver after he retrieved a cash deposit from inside the bank.
The suspect vehicle had reportedly parked alongside the victim’s van. One of the suspects pointed what was described by the victim as a revolver-style weapon at
him, while the second took him to the ground to gain control of the bank bag.
During the struggle, the victim’s deposit bag, firearm, keys, phone and a
scanner were taken from him.
The Wells Fargo Westport branch.
An eyewitness who had exited the bank shouted for help. Panicked, the suspects
dropped the bank bag and phone, but made off with his firearm, scanner and keys.
The witness said that the suspects drove at him in what he believed was an attempt to strike him, before leaving the parking lot. A description of the individuals and their vehicle was provided to responding officers.
Multiple units immediately began circling the location of the incident from
several directions. The suspect vehicle was located by an officer, traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Compo Road South and making a left turn on to Greens Farms Road.
Attempts to signal the vehicle to stop were ignored. The suspects proceeded east on Greens Farms Road, then south on Hillspoint Road to Compo Road South.
Officers were briefly unable to maintain visual contact due to the excessive speeds and reckless maneuvering of the suspects.
As it approached the intersection with Greens Farms Road, officers used stop sticks to strike the vehicle’s tires and slow its pace.
Other units then brought the vehicle to a controlled stop on
Greens Farms Road, just east of the Hales Road overpass.
Two suspects were quickly taken into custody, one while attempting to flee on foot and a second while seated inside the car. An initial search of the vehicle yielded neither of the reported stolen items nor firearms.
Believing these items had been discarded during the pursuit, all available
Westport and mutual aid units began a systematic search of the suspects’
path of travel, utilizing several officers and evidence recovery canines.
The handgun stolen from the victim was located on Hillspoint Road, near the
Hales Road intersection.
The stolen set of keys was recovered a short distance south of that item.
The stolen scanner was recovered on Compo Road South, near the Baron’s property.
The weapon used during the commission of the robbery has not yet been recovered.
At this time the suspect’s weapon used in the commission of this crime has
not been located. It is believed to have been discarded in the Hillspoint/Compo
Beach/Compo Road South area.
This weapon was reported by one of the suspects to be a facsimile firearm; however, that has not been definitively confirmed by the investigation.
Area residents are cautioned that it may eventually be located on private property. Officers will continue to maintain a heavy presence in these neighborhoods through the night and into the morning, attempting to find it.
Anyone finding the gun should not attempt to handle it. Contact the Westport Police Department immediately, so it can be safely collected.
Keith Greene, 32 years old of Waterbury, was arrested, and charged with:
• Robbery First Degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Robbery First Degree
• Theft of a Firearm
• Conspiracy to Commit Theft of a Firearm
• Larceny Second Degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Larceny Second Degree
• Illegal Transfer of a Firearm
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm
• Tampering with Evidence
• Interfering with an Officer
• Assault Second Degree with a Firearm
• Conspiracy to Commit Assault Second Degree with a Firearm
• Threatening First Degree
• Criminal Attempt to Commit Assault of a Police Officer
• Engaging Police in Pursuit
• Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Reckless Endangerment First Degree
• Possession of Narcotics.
His bond was set at $500,000. He was unable to post it, and remains in custody. He will be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court tomorrow.
Davon Younger, 33, of Bridgeport was charged with:
• Robbery First Degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Robbery First Degree
• Theft of a Firearm
• Conspiracy to Commit Theft of a Firearm
• Larceny Second Degree
• Conspiracy to Commit Larceny Second Degree
• Illegal Transfer of a Firearm
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm
• Tampering with Evidence
• Interfering with an Officer
• Assault Second Degree with a Firearm
• Conspiracy to Commit Assault Second Degree with a Firearm
• Threatening First Degree.
He is currently on parole, and will be remanded to the custody of the
Department of Corrections.
After nearly a century, the Westport Country Playhouse is finally presenting “The Importance of Being Earnest.” “06880” culture correspondent Robin Moyer Chung offers her insights on the classic play:
It’s widely hailed as Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece, officially subtitled “a trivial comedy for serious people,” written while he was on trial for homosexuality. Weeks into its run he was sent to prison for 2 years of hard labor.
Three years after his sentence ended, he died penniless in a Paris hotel, his last words being, “This wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. Either it goes or I do.” He was 46 years old.
Which may be the least funny way to introduce the comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Westport Country Playhouse, especially because the season is designed to inspire and uplift.
Kristen Hahn, Mark Silence, and Katy Tang.
The show centers around 2 wealthy bachelors who fall quickly and madly in love with 2 young — very young — women who both know in the deepest recesses of their callow hearts they could never consider marrying a man who isn’t named Earnest.
Victorian hilarity ensues.
Because the play is written for an audience from the turn of the century (the last century), newer audience-goers may find it a bit lengthy.
However, it’s an important play to see. And the Playhouse production, directed by Melissa Rain Anderson, is as taut as a 125-year-old comedy can be, with sprightly direction and good pacing.
Visually it’s a fun, frothy swirl of costumes (Annie Le), and sets “Like an illustrated pop book come to life,” artistic director Mark Shanahan aptly states of James Fenton’s design of the interior of a Victorian mansion.
An intricate set, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
Shanahan says, “Melissa Rain Anderson has worked at theaters all around the country. When I asked her if she would be interested, she said ‘It’s on my bucket list.’”
It was also on Westport’s bucket list as, crazily, this is the first time the show has played on WCP’s stage in its 95-year history.
Eagle-eyed onlookers may notice that the costumes are set in Edwardian times, allowing the costume designer a sleeker cut to the clothing. I take no umbrage in that, because I loved the dresses and I wouldn’t know the difference. If the inching to a more “modern” or “5 or 6 years later” time period offends you, then you know an enormous amount about history and theater and I hope that brings you a bit of solace.
When Le was designing her frocks and suits, she considered things other than their obvious theatricality. How will this dress look when twirling beneath rose petals? What habit of the wearer might inform the costume — something to twiddle? To touch?
Michael Raver and Anthony Michael Martinez. (All photos/Carol Rosegg)
Aside from the costumes, some of my favorite parts are when John Worthing carefully but courageously touches Gwendolyn’s curl. The witty barbs traded among Algernon and John in the first act, along with Lady Bracknell’s exquisite societal reasoning. And in Gwendolyn and Cicely’s delightful dialogue at the beginning of Act 2.
It’s these singular details which make the show fresh and contemporarily entertaining to modern theatergoers.
(Conversely, one of my less favorite things is Cicily’s voice. It’s a choice.)
There’s no denying the cast is having a blast onstage. As early as the first read, cast members were clapping and laughing along. Shanahan recalls, “it was a rare experience!”
As if to prove this, as I left WCP the cast was having lunch on the patio, laughing and chatting as though they were on the very un-Victorian Church Lane during happy hour.
(Robin Moyer Chung covers culture — just part of our hyper-local, 24/7/365 blog. If you enjoy what we do, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The Westport Fire Department has again partnered with Bridgeport Rescue Mission, for the 3rd annual Share the Warmth Coat Drive.
Fire Chief Nick Marsan says, “A coat may seem simple. But it’s essential for many children and adults in nearby communities.”
Donations of clean new or gently used winter coats, hats, mittens, gloves and snow suits can be donated through November 30 at:
Westport Fire Headquarters
Westport Senior Center
Westport Town Hall
Coleytown Elementary School
Long Lots Elementary School
Kings Highway Elementary School.
Lieutenant Rob Lenois, president of the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation, notes, “This drive allows us to give back and ease the burdens on local families. Last year, thanks to the generosity of this community, we distributed over 1,400 coats.”
Fire Department coat drive, 2023.
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Speaking of helping out: This Monday (November 10) is Shake Shack’s “Donation Day.”
From 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., mention “Donation Day” at the register, or use the promo code “Donate” on the Shack app, web or checkout kiosk. The restaurant will donate 25% of your total meal purchase to the VFW.
Bring your appetite!
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Got brown water? Low water pressure?
Don’t panic. Aquarion is conducting routine water main flushing today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday), between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The affected area includes Imperial Avenue, Bridge Street, and Compo Road South.
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On the agenda for the November 19 Conservation Commission meeting (7 p.m.; Town Hall auditorium; livestreamed on www.westportct.gov and Optimum Channel 79): a public hearing on an application for 1 Glendinning Place (off Weston Road, adjacent to the former Bridgewater headquarters).
The application is to construct 15 housing units in 10 buildings, with onsite septic systems and stormwater management systems. The existing office and surface parking will remain. Click here to view the application materials.
Plans for 1 Glendinning Place.
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Another town meeting: the Blight Prevention Board. The November 13 (5 p.m., Zoom) session will include old business, involving these properties:
6 Clifford Lane
38 Old Hill Road
7 Bedford Drive
20 Center Street
36 Hiawatha Lane.
One new property will be discussed: 15 Gorham Avenue.
Chabad of Westport’s next Candid Conversations Series event is compelling.
Former hostages Maya and Itay Regev, and their father Ilan Regev, will share their story of survival, courage and resilience on November 19 (7:30 p.m.). Attendees will get a firsthand account of their captivity and journey home.
Saugatuck Congregational Church’s free concert series continues this Sunday (November 9, 3 p.m.), with works by Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, performed by the Solstice Piano Trio.
The public is invited.
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Deadheads: Listen up!
Saturday’s “Supper & Soul” concert features the Spadtastics.
“Connecticut’s premier tribute act” comes to the Westport Library November 8 (7 p.m.). They’ll play 2 full sets, recreating a show from the 1970s.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s Supper & Soul series usually incudes a pre-show dinner, and post-concert drinks.
Due to the length of this event, there is no dinner. But attendees can enjoy a “Dead-inspired” drink before or after the music, at Basso, Massi Co, Spotted Horse or Walrus Alley.
Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between October 29 and November 4.
A 37-year-old Bronx man was charged with identity theft (21 counts), forgery, illegal possession of a personal identification information access device, criminal attempt to commit larceny, and failure to appear, following an investigation into a September 2024 report of someone attempting to cash a fraudulent check at TD Bank. It was determined that he was involved in additional incidents of bank/check fraud, using personal information of victims. He was held on $130,000 bond.
A 64-year-old Hamden man was charged with criminal trespass and interfering with an officer, after a trespassing complaint. A Stop & Shop manager recognized the man as someone who had been formally warned not to return to the store. During the investigation, he provided officers with an incorrect name and date of birth. A computer check showed him to the subject of an active arrest warrant, and 3 other failure to appear warrants.
A 31-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with violation of probation, and held on $100,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Driving while texting: 4 citations
Failure to obey stop sign: 3
Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
Disorderly conduct: 2
Permitting a minor to possess alcohol: 1
Failure to halt alcohol possession by a minor: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Breach of peace: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
Violation of license class: 1
Failure to notify DMV of address change: 1
Two adults were charged with alcohol violations involving teenagers.
(The election is over. Westport goes on. And “06880” will continue to cover every part of our ttown, 24/7/365 — just as we have since 2009. If you like our work, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
There was drama: 3rd-party, petitioning and write-in candidates. Three current or recent Democrats, endorsed by 3 different parties. Some intra-party scuffling. A few sharp elbows thrown, publicly and behind the scenes.
But the day after — yesterday — was quite different. Comments made, publicly and privately, were gracious and warm.
Those on the losing end congratulated the winners, and wished them well. Winners thanked losers for stepping up, and advocating well for their issues. (For a few comments from both sides, click here and here.)
Bipartisanship at its best: Last night, after a long Board of Finance meeting, elected officials and town finance director Gary Conrad headed to Spotted Horse to celebrate the end of chair Lee Caney’s 16 years of service. They also toasted Mike Keller, who served 1 term. 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker toasted both.
That’s not always the way things go after an election. Just look at Washington.
Westport is not Washington.
But recently — not necessarily in the campaign, but around several issues leading up to it — we’ve acted at times like it is.
So let’s all of us — public officials and private citizens — take this post-election period as a time to re-set.
Let’s follow yesterday’s lead, of candidates on both sides.
Let’s pledge to address our differences civilly.
Let’s talk calmly about options and alternatives before and during the decision-making process — not yell throughout, and continue yelling after.
Let’s enter dialogues and debates with the mindset that we all want what’s best for Westport — today, and tomorrow.
We will not always agree on what “best” means. But collaboration and compromise — 2 words missing for a while in the capital, and lately in this town — are not dirty words.
In fact, they’re the basis of democracy.
From left: 1st selectman hopefuls Kevin Christie, David Rosenwaks and Don O’Day, with former 1st selectman Jim Marpe, at Wakeman Town Farm’s Harvest Fest. (Photos/Dan Woog)
So: Hail to the victors. Thanks to the vanquished.
We need all of you.
And you need all of us.
See you November 17 at Town Hall, for the swearing-in ceremony of our new selectpersons, boards and RTM.
Posted onNovember 6, 2025|Comments Off on “Les Miserables”: Staples Players Bring It Home
Throughout its near-70-year history, Staples Players has staged many Broadway blockbusters.
“Mamma Mia!” “West Side Story.” “Cabaret.” The list is long, and impressive.
But this month’s fall production may be the most blockbuster-est of all.
The curtain rises November 13 on “Les Misérables.”
Audiences know and love the second-longest running musical in the world: the non-stop songs, compelling story, complex staging and elaborate costumes.
Not many high school troupes would tackle it.
Then again, not many high school troupes are Staples Players.
Seamus Brannigan (center), with revolutionary students.
“We wanted to pick a show that would not only be a big community event for Westport, but also excite the students,” says Kerry Long, co-director with David Roth.
“They’ve been interested in doing it for years. We have a great group of upperclassmen, and knew they could handle the challenge of such an epic show.”
Players last staged “Les Mis” as a 2008 summer show. Long and Roth have been waiting ever since for the right group to produce it as a fall mainstage.
The cast and crew are excited. Many have read Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel. They know the characters, and the history of “Les Mis”‘s different productions.
“They were thrilled to be given the opportunity to take on these characters,” says Long. “The enthusiasm has carried the show throughout the rehearsal process.”
The “Lovely Ladies” with Fantine (Cat Betit).
With so many moving parts — all the characters, all that music — there is a lot to learn. “They have risen to the challenge tenfold,” Long praises. “But they’ve definitely worked hard to do so.”
There are a lot of cast members working hard: 74. That’s larger than nearly any other Players production.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” Long notes. A mechanized turntable helps crew members move from scene to scene.
Roth and Long say that show will appeal to families. The student edition is 45 minutes shorter than the 3-hour Broadway version (without intermission). But it retains all the action and memorable songs from the original. “You won’t know what’s missing,” Long promises.
She adds that although non-stop action will engage young audience members, because there are gun battles and deaths, it is not aimed at very young children.
Cooper Gusick in “Master of the House.” (All photos/Kerry Long)
Though most of those in the Staples auditorium are familiar with “Les Mis,” anyone who is not will marvel at how the themes of a story written over 160 years ago can be so fresh today.
“Les Misérables” is sure to join the list of epic Staples Players productions.
And, like so many others, there’s more to the story than just what’s on stage.
At another time of upheaval in history, Players is conducting a food drive for Westport’s Homes with Hope, and Bridgeport’s Community Food Pantry.
There will be collection boxes in the lobby for non-perishable food items, and personal care goods like shampoo, toiletries and feminine hygiene products.
(“Les Misérables” will be performed November 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m.; November 15 and 22 at 7:30 p.m., and November 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 2:30 p.m. Click here for tickets, and more information.)
(“06880” regularly covers Staples Players — and the rest of Westport’s arts and entertainment scene. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Comments Off on “Les Miserables”: Staples Players Bring It Home
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Believing these items had been discarded during the pursuit, all available
