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!)
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.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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)
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.
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.
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)
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).
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)
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.).
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!)
Posted onNovember 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!)
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.”
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.
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.
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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Merle Spiegel is 
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.
