Saturday marked 20 years since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. From Westport to the West Coast, ceremonies recalled that tragic day.
Here’s another 9/11 story. Though a couple of days old, it’s still timely.
And timeless.
A new memorial in Fairfield honors the nearly 3,000 victims killed, at 3 separate sites. It’s housed at historic Oak Lawn Cemetery & Arboretum — a 100-acre site where people have remembered loved ones for more than 150 years.
The new memorial — a pair of 9-foot granite towers atop a pentagon-shaped granite base, with a rock engraved with “Let’s Roll” that honors the heroes of Flight 93 — is impressive.
Oak Lawn cemetery’s granite towers. (Screenshot courtesy of News12 Connecticut).
So are the trees along the walkway. A cemetery board member visited the 9/11 site in New York, gathered acorns, brought them to his home nursery and raised the trees.
It’s all the handiwork of Dean Powers — Oak Lawn’s longtime groundskeeper (and native Westporter).
Bronson Hawley called Powers “very, very dedicated (and) hardworking.” The cemetery board member told News12 Connecticut: “He worked here literally 7 days a week. He saw this site and he said, ‘boy this is great and I’d like to do something to memorialize the victims,'” says Hawley.
Rock and trees at Oak Lawn Cemetery. (Screen shot courtesy of News12 Connecticut)
Powers never saw the finished work. He died of cancer in June last year. He was 69.
“Dean started designing maybe 3 years ago. He literally worked on those designs until the day he died. It was just amazing,” says Hawley.
Powers prepped the site, cleared it, planted bushes and moved trees. He even stood in the pouring rain, to watch how water flowed there.
Powers gave another gift too: His estate is paying for the cost of the memorial.
Previously, he paid for the granite. He had selected it himself, from a Vermont quarry.
A dedication ceremony this week will feature Jed Glick. He’s the brother of one of the men who rushed the cockpit of Flight 93. They prevented the hijacked plane from crashing into the US Capitol.
Dean Powers
“Powers” is a common name. But it’s special in Westport. Dean Powers’ grandfather is the namesake of Powers Court, the official address of the Westport Country Playhouse.
His mother Eunice taught in Westport schools for many years, and played piano at the Unitarian Church.
His family did not seek fame or fortune. Instead they found satisfaction in doing their absolute best, all the time. They worked hard, and took no shortcuts.
Just like the heroes of Flight 93 — and so many others — now honored, thanks to Dean Powers, at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield.
Bob Davis — an epic Little League umpire, longtime Norwalk Hospital and PTA volunteer and world traveler — died September 4. He was 93 years old.
He and his wife Agnes lived in Westport for 50 years, before moving to Florida in 2015. Click here for their “06880” sendoff.
He became president of his high school class, Eagle Scout, quarterback for the undefeated Jefferson High School football team, manager for the wrestling and track teams, and secretary-treasurer for the Letterman’s Club, while working as an usher, clerk, and soda jerk. The achievement of which he was most proud of, however, was winning the American Legion Eighth Grade Medal, which he bragged about his entire life.
Bob joined the Navy right out of high school in 1946, in time to qualify for the GI Bill upon discharge. He became an Electronic Technician Second Class. Stationed in Long Beach, California, he saw the Spruce Goose’s one and only flight.
He attended Pennsylvania State University studying electrical engineering. but in 1951 he was recalled to the Navy during the Korean conflict. He was stationed in Philadelphia, where he said he did little except rack up tips as a carhop, attend night classes at Temple University, and abuse his off-base privileges to hustle fellow sailors for 25-cent delivery fees on Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.
After discharge, he graduated in 1955. At Penn State his roommate introduced him to Agnes Paler. He proposed on their first date. It took 4 years, but they were married in April 1955. They had 5 children and lived in a tiny house in Wickliffe, Ohio, until it was apparent that the children would only grow larger and take up more space.
Bob Davis
Bob was working for Bailey Meter’ss advertising department, but his creative potential lead him to advertising positions with Babcock & Wilcox and then a job offer from Al Ries at the “Mad Men” era advertising agency Ries Cappiello Colwell in New York City. This opportunity, combined with the need for more room for his family, led to a move to Westport in 1965.
Bob thrived in the cutthroat world of industrial advertising, producing award-winning campaigns for Texas Gulf and Uniroyal, among others. He drafted his children to work for him on Sundays in Manhattan, stuffing envelopes and scar-inducing fishing lures into plastic boxes for an advertising campaign. He paid them only 25 cents an hour, and they had to buy their own lunches at Horn & Hardart.
In 1973, Bob accepted a job at Perkin-Elmer in Norwalk, reducing his train ride to a much shorter commute, and affording him additional time to volunteer even more.
In 1983 Bob was asked by Perkin-Elmer to manage their Beijing office.. He jumped at the chance (without clearing it first with Agnes). They spent 2 1/2 there. To blend in with the population Bob rode his bicycle everywhere, but as a Kenny Rogers lookalike in a cowboy hat, it was difficult.
He and Agnes considered this an adventure of a lifetime, and forged many deep friendships . They traveled extensively through China and East Asia, and learned all they could about Chinese culture. They signed up to learn Mandarin Chinese but ended up teaching English instead.
Bob was well respected by the Chinese people he met and worked with because of his integrity, honesty and fairness.
Bob was recalled back to the United States in 1985 and settled in Fairfield with Agnes. He worked for Perkin-Elmer in Norwalk until 1989, when he became their support manager in Germany. In 1992 they returned to Connecticut and resettled in Westport.
Bob retired in 1992, but did not slow down. He started International Hosts Unlimited, chauffeuring Perkin-Elmer clients to and from airports and hotels.
He retired (again) in 1996 to focus on volunteer service, including editorial assistant for the Perkin-Elmer Retiree Club newsletter.
In both Ohio and Connecticut, Bob devoted tens of thousands of hours to volunteer work. He served on the Wickliffe School Board, including president. In Westport he was an unsuccessful Democratic sacrificial candidate for the Board of Education in 1979, finishing “a lousy fifth.: Bob was also a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader.
For 21 years, Bob volunteered with the Norwalk Schools Mentor Program, as well as at Norwalk Hospital, transporting wheelchair patients and providing snacks and a smile.
But Bob’s longest and favorite stretch of volunteering was as an umpire for the Westport Little League. He umpired up to 91 games per year for 41 years. He continued into his 80s.
Bob Davis, umpire.
Bob earned the Fairfield County Sportsman of the Year Award in 2010 as the longest-serving umpire in the Westport Little League. He trained wannabe umpires, and never accepted pay. Many Little Leaguers considered him to be a “real umpire” and admired him for his fairness and his deep knowledge of the rules (especially 9.01c).
Bob is survived by Agnes, his wife of 66 years; his brother Reed (Lynn) of Graham, North Carolina; daughters Nancy Shwartz of Danbury, and Mary Lou of The Villages, Florida; sons Ed (Linda) Davis of Hollister, California, John (Ellen) Davis of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Rick (Beth) Davis of Newtown, Connecticut; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Bob was predeceased by a sister, Nancy Elizabeth; brothers, Tom and Joe, and son-in-law Jeff Shwartz.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held in Connecticut at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Westport Little League, the Norwalk Schools Mentor Program, or Norwalk Hospital.
A rash of car break-ins and thefts is bad enough. Yesterday, a different crime was committed: an alleged robbery, just before noon on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
A man approached a couple quickly from behind, Westport Police say. The suspect walked in step with the male victim, allegedly brandishing a knife, threatening the female and demanding to be brought to the couple’s car.
The woman darted across the Post Road to escape. Her husband followed, and flagged down a patrol officer driving by. The suspect fled toward Jesup Green
A detailed description of the suspect was relayed to all officers. Patrol units flooded the area. During a search of the area, a member of the Westport Fire Department said he had seen a suspect fitting the description across from Playhouse Square.
Officers quickly James S. Cummings, 41, of Bridgeport. He was identified by the victims as the man who accosted them on the bridge. A knife was found in his possession.
Cummings was charged with attempt to commit robbery in the 1st degree, attempt at larceny in the 3rd degree, carrying a dangerous weapon, and threatening in the 2nd degree. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.
Here’s the latest on one of Westport’s greatest, and so-glad-it’s-back-after-COVID, traditions: the Rotary Club’s Lobsterfest.
A crowd of 1,500 is expected this Saturday (September 18, 3 to 7 p.m.), for a townwide party.
Fewer than 80 tickets remain. You can get them at Hook’d by the Sound (Compo Beach concession stand), or by emailing leslie2of8@gmail.com. They’re $70 each, for either 2 lobsters or a 14-ounce steak.
Plus lots more, of course. Volunteers and Rotarians will cook and serve 2,500 lobsters, great steaks and a raw bar. They’ll serve beer and win (with a Tito’s scotch tasting). Plus there’s a great band, and plenty of kids’ activities (including magic shows, and an antique fire engine to climb on).
COVID protocols include 30% more tables, further apart, and fewer seats per tables. Masks are optional, but recommended when spacing is not possible.
There’s also a drive-through option, for guests who choose to party elsewhere.
As well as an exhibition tent, and a kickoff for Rotary’s Afghan relief resettlement project.
Volunteers are still needed! To help, click here or email lobsterfestvolunteers@gmail.com
As the sun set on Lobster Fest in 2016, no one wanted to leave.
Burying Hill’s High Tide Club has been around a long time.
Not as long as the venerable beach perhaps. But its members have seen — and swum in — more than their share of incoming and outgoing tides.
Membership skews older. But recently an influx of younger swimmers has waded into the water. They’ve enjoyed the social gatherings too, while forming one of Westport’s most fun, under-the-radar groups.
Nico Eisenberger reports that at high tide yesterday — just after 4 p.m. — members brought food and drinks to celebrate another great season.
High Tide Club: It’s not just about swimming. (Photo/Nico Eisenberger)
The late summer weather was perfect. The camaraderie was strong. Nico says he and his wife “feel blessed to have this place, and these fun and funky folks, as part of our daily lives here.”
Yesterday’s Westport Kiwanis Club Minuteman Triathlon was another success.
The family-friendly event at Compo Beach included a jetty-to-jetty swim, and short bike and running courses throughout the flat neighborhood streets. It was perfect for first-timers, and families that race together.
It was advertised as open to all abilities, and that was true.
MyTeamTriumph was out in force. The organization helps children, teens, adults and veterans with disabilities who otherwise could not participate in endurance events like triathlons and road races.
Volunteer “angels” take “captains” out on the water in special inflatables. They assist with wheelchairs for the biking and running parts too.
There were plenty of smiles yesterday at the Minuteman Triathlon. And regardless of times, everyone was a winner.
MyTeamTriumph captains and angels. (Photo/Peter Swift)
Munich has Oktoberfest. Westport has Westoberfest.
Now we’ve also got Oaktoberfest.
Okay, there’s no drinking, drinking games or lederhosen. But the October 4 event (7 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm) is still worth checking out.
Sponsored by Westport’s Tree Board, it’s a chance to learn about all the good things trees do in our yards — and how to return the favor, by caring for them.
Attendees receive free samplings, too.
Panelists include Mary Ellen Lemay (Aspetuck Land Trust), Danica Doroski (Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection), Doug Williams (Bartlett Tree Experts), and Tree Board members.
Jesup Green is the site of this Saturday’s free, outdoor Japanese Fall Festival (September 18, 2-4 p.m.). The event — sponsored by the Japan Society of Fairfield County — features taiko drummers, an Okinawan dance performance, a live play of the Japanese folktale “Tanabata” (“Star-crossed Lovers”), traditional Bon dancing, Japanese calligraphy and a craft activity to make dance hats.
The Question Box — “06880”‘s newest feature — is a hit.
Where does the name Compo come from? Who tags Canada geese? When did Carvel open?
These are all legit questions. I — and our online community of avid Westporters — do our best to answer them.
But those are not the only questions I get.
Not by a long shot.
Readers seem to think I know everything. Or they think I am the reference desk at the Westport Library. Or that it’s easier to ask me than Google. Or Siri.
Sure, the “06880” tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.” Welcome to mine.
Enjoy this sampling of some of the emails I’ve gotten over the past couple of months. They are 100% real. You can’t make this stuff up.
Well, youcan. I can’t.
Which Westport restaurants have invested in HEP filters?
I’m having a hard time finding an NPR station. Any suggestions?
Is Phil & Tim’s Good Humor truck still in business?
I once ran a photo of Phil & Tom’s (not Tim’s) ice cream truck. I did not follow their career after that.
I saw your story about the Staples High School Class of 1977. Please send a list of students from that class.
Can you connect me with any British mystery writers living in the area?
I have an old Staples High megaphone. Do you know who would want it?
I need a tutor in public speaking for my daughter.
Someone takes down all the notices in the common area of my condo. What can I do?
Do you have the recipe for the seafood salad at Peter’s Weston Market?
There is a drone above my house. Is it the police?
Whose drone? How the !@#$%^& would I know?
Levitt Pavilion tickets are sold out. Will they release more?
Could you ask the appropriate state legislators to start fixing the Saugatuck bridge while the traffic is light during COVID?
Please let me know how to get in touch with Christopher Plummer.
I was in a Kings Highway production of “Twelfth Night” in 1970. Do any photos or articles exist regarding this event?
I can’t log on to the library website. Can you contact them, and ask them to get in touch with me?
Does the Farmer’s Market allow dogs?
There was an electronics repair service on Riverside Avenue in the early 1970s. I spent a lot of time there, and became an electrical engineer. His kindness altered my life, but I can’t remember his name, or the shop’s. Do you?
What cemetery is [name redacted — an artist] buried in? His granddaughter is visiting, and we want to find his gravesite.
All of a sudden I’m a cemetery expert? (Photo/Justin Cheng)
I wonder if you might have a picture from the start of the 1970 Thistle championship at Cedar Point Yacht Club.
Where can I drop off extra Halloween candy?
Traffic is much worse on the Post Road. Can you do something about it?
As I sit here making meals during COVID-19, I wonder how many more of us were taught to sew by Mrs. Narramor at Bedford Junior High. Are you able to find out?
I know you are always super busy, but I would consider it a great favor if you could find out what class my mother [name redacted] was in at Staples?
Do you know why the Minuteman statue does not have his Christmas hat on? Many of us look forward to it every year.
The Minute Man, in “hattier” days.
Why is the new South Beach bathroom closed during winter?
[From a realtor]: We are having a large event here at a new listing. It will be a very special broker open, and I would love to get a little buzz going about it. Can you give me a call and we can discuss details?
I want a high quality photo of the original Westport Pizzeria on Main Street. Where can I get one?
It’s very strange that my weather app shows Westport with an unhealthy air quality: 172. New York’s air quality index is 90. What’s that about?
How many electric vehicles were sold in Connecticut in 2016, 2017 and 2018?
In the 1970s I can’t remember which year exactly, but I took a belly dancing class with others. We performed at Longshore. I know there was an article about it in the Westport News. I was just wondering if there was a way you could find it. It’s just a fun memory for me.
How often has Westport had a Category 2 storm with winds over 90 mph?
I spotted this parrot in the tree behind my place [photo attached]. Lost pet? Indigenous? Any ideas?
I’ll be 75 this June, and been reminiscing about Westport. I lived there for only 3 years, but I enjoyed Staples, Class of 1963. Do you have any information about a lovely family for whom I babysat, mostly in the summers, until I left for college? Their surname was [redcacted], and their delightful kids names were [redacted]. I have a blank as to the address. In my old age I feel like touching base, as the parents and kids and I got along so well. If you can give me a lead as to their wheerabouts, I’d really appreciate it. There might be a good story in this too.
My father passed away [name redacted], and I need to write an obituary. We are fuzzy about his Staples football career. He played in [year redacted]. Any info you can find that would help such as his position, record for the years he played and what records he holds would be appreciated. The obit is due this Friday. Thank you.
This is not your father, the Staples football player.
All over town, open space is vanishing. Part of the Belta and Pabst properties on Bayberry Lane will be developed; so, apparently, will the Kowalsky land on Clapboard Hill.
But a relatively large bit of greenery sits undisturbed on the corner of Partrick and Crawford Roads. It’s been there for decades.
The open space — complete with a bench — was last week’s Photo Challenge. Marilyn Heffers, Alex Wennberg, Cathy Barnett and Derek Fuchs all knew exactly where it was. (Click here to see.)
Which raises a couple of interesting questions: It looks like a militia training ground — was that the original use?
How has it remained undisturbed?
And — only slightly off-topic — where does the odd name “Partrick” come from?
Now here is this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
Barnes & Noble is not the only building being renovated in that part of town.
Across the street — at 1111 Post Rd East, the former TD Bank (and before that many others) — is finally being reconstructed. It’s been closed since 2018.
No word yet on what will go in there. My guess: a nail salon. Or a bank. (Hat tip: Bob Weingarten)
The event — a collaboration with the Westport Farmers’ Market — included the “Between the Ground and the Sky” exhibition, food and drinks, live music and nature-inspired art activities, like planting herbs in the new garden and creating reusable tote bags.
Or — as the little girl in the photo below is doin — just having fun.
Posted onSeptember 12, 2021|Comments Off on Rush Of Events Fills Chamber’s Fall
The pandemic played havoc with our lives.
Not to mention the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s calendar of events.
A host of town activities — from Slice of Saugatuck and the Dog Festival to the Halloween Window Painting Contest — were postponed at least once.
Now they’re coming back. And the schedule is jam-packed.
On tap:
Slice of Saugatuck (Saturday, September 25): A walkable, eatable (tons of restaurant samples!), family-friendly and fun afternoon, in Westport’s funkiest neighborhood.
Westport Dog Festival (Sunday, October 10): Obstacle courses, K-9 demonstrations, vendors and more at Winslow Park. Make sure Fido brings you there!
First Selectman Candidates Forum – Tuesday, October 12: Get informed about the future of Westport, live at the Library.
Restaurant Week (October 19-31): So many great places to eat, we need more than an actual “week.”
Halloween Window Painting Contest (Saturday, October 23): Kids decorate downtown — and compete for prizes.
The Slice of Saugatuck will be back soon. (Photo/Terry Cosgrave)
While those events were put on hold the past 18 months, the Chamber helped the community cope in other ways.
“COVID hit our businesses hard, especially restaurants,” says director Matthew Mandell.
“The Chamber created a Take Out initiative, with a video and our BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) campaign to promote outdoor dining. We also ran an hour-long livestream variety show in the middle of the lockdown, to support ur retail stores. We had to think totally out of the box, and I believe we did.
“People needed things to do that were safe, but still felt normal. We organized the first drive-in concert in the state, beating established music venues to the punch. We sold out all 10 of our concerts.
“When the time is right, we hope go back inside the Library for our Supper & Soul series.”
The beat goes on. And the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce seems to have hardly missed a beat.
Comments Off on Rush Of Events Fills Chamber’s Fall
Today’s reading of names at New York’s 9/11 Memorial honored victims from around the world. It had a bit of a Westport feel, though. Andrew Colabella was one of the readers — and a featured singer was fellow Westporter Kelli O’Hara. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
Motorcycles mass before the start of the CT Ride United this morning, at Sherwood Island State Park. The event honored victims and first responder of 9/11. (Photo/Penny Pearlman)
David Squires reports: “This morning at I-95 Exit 18, I stood with many strangers with a lump in my throat, as thousands of motorcycles roared past on their trek of remembrance. I was heart warmed and saddened at this milestone. Flags, peace signs, waves and rumbling vibrations passed before me and through me. It seemed like “a good thing.” (Photo/David Squires)
An American flag framed the motorcyclists — a reminder of the attack on that fateful day. (Photo/JC Martin)
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