Roundup: Farmers’ Market Pots, Free Art, Life Beyond Earth …

Posted on November 4, 2025 | 3 comments

One more reminder: Today is Election Day!

Candidates — and their relatives — were out early at polling places around Westport. This was the scene at 6:20 a.m. at the Westport Library, where District 9 votes:

(Photo/Dan Woog)

Polls are open until 8 p.m. Click here (or look below) for your district, and where you vote.

Of course, “06880” will report the results tonight, as soon as they are available.

The check-in process is easy, and quick. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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New this week at the Farmer’s Market: pot.

Pippa Bell Ader’s pots, to be clear. And her friends’ pots, at the Silvermine School of  Art.

Just make a donation to the Green Village Initiative — the Bridgeport-based urban gardening and farming non-profit — at the Thursday market (November 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot).

As thanks, you’ll get a pot.

In which you can store whatever you wish.

Make a donation; get a pot.

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The 18th annual AmFab Open Studios — celebrating Bridgeport’s thriving creative community — is a free event (November 8-9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), offering visitors the chance to explore studios, learn about artist’s processes, and purchase original works.

Among the artists with ties to Westport are Jay Petrow, Eric Chiang, Holly Hawthorn, Kelly Rossetti, Joe Floto, Janet Slom, Janine Brown, Joanie Landau and Dale Najarian.

Other activities include live music, gourmet cookies, an art museum bus for kids and families, a build-your-own-notebook workshop, raffle, and food and coat drive for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.

Click here for full details. Follow on Instagram:@amfabarts.

Janine Brown’s bioplastic and crocheted wire vessels.

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The always-interesting Westport Astronomical Society’s free online lecture series continues November 18 (8 p.m., Zoom and YouTube).

MIT Professor Sara Seager will speak on “From Lab to Cosmos: 3 Frontiers in the Search for Signs of Life Beyond Earth.”

A MacArthur “genius grant” recipient, her ground-breaking research ranges from the foundation of exoplanet atmospheres and innovative theories about life on other worlds, to development of novel space mission concepts. She currently leads the Morning Star Missions to Venus to search for signs of life (or life itself) in the Venus clouds.

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Yesterday’s Roundup announced the Staples Service League of Boys’ 3-v-3 basketball fundraiser. Proceeds go to Staples Tuition Grants — a very worthy cause for the teens — in memory of their friend Perrin Delorey.

The November 21 event (6 p.m.) includes pizza. Registration is $25 per participant; Venmo @jhgillman.

But you don’t have to play hoops — or even go — to help. Businesses that donate by November 15 (click here) will be included in the event posters. Their names will also be included in an email to all 275+ SLOBS, and an Instagram post.

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Some changes are in store for this week’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday; 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. shows; dinner at 7; VFW Post 399).

Reserved seating returns. So are dinner reservations for ticket holders.

Thursday’s featured artist is drummer Steve Johns. He’s joined by vocalist and vibist Mone Croft, guitarist John Hart, pianist Greg Murphy, bassist Joris Teepe, and saxophonist Greg Wall.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Staples High School Class of 1969 graduate Thomas Krygier died peacefully on October 17, with his daughters by his side. He had battled health conditions for several years. He was 74.

Growing up he played hockey on Bulkley Pond, and lifeguarded at Compo Beach. He captained the football, ice hockey and baseball teams before tearing his ACL as a senior.

Tom was the first member of his family to attend college. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Southern Connecticut State University, and a master’s of art from Fairfield University.

Tom worked at Burndy Corporation in Norwalk, then moved on to multi-national corporations in California and North Carolina. He ran national sales divisions, selling electronic connectors for the aviation and biotech industries as well as the US military.

He moved home to help when his father fell ill, then back again to help his mother after he retired.

Tom worked at Longshore, as a junior golf instructor. He got a hole-in-one at that course too.

He loved working outside, walking at Compo Beach, bird and deer hunting, salt and freshwater fishing, riding bikes, skiing, and riding his motorcycle up the California coast (until he broke his collarbone).

Tom is survived by his daughters Erin and Wendy, and granddaughter Hana. His memorial service will be held Saturday (November 8, 2025, 11 a.m., Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, Fairfield).

Friends and family are invited to a 1 p.m. at the Westport VFW.

Tom Krygier

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image is as beautiful as it gets.

(Photo/Dayle Brownstein)

Dayle Brownstein snapped it through the large windows at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.

“Now, this is a spiritual experience,” she writes.

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And finally … in honor of the Westport Astronomical Society’s upcoming “Life Beyond Earth” talk:

(Did you vote today? That’s the most important thing. Way down the list — but hopefully you can get to it — is clicking here to support “06880,” your blog that will report tonight’s results. Thank you!)

 

 

3 Comments

Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Local politics, Obituaries

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Vote! Your Town Depends On It. And On You.

Posted on November 4, 2025 | 8 comments

Good morning!

It’s 5 a.m. If you didn’t cast a ballot during the 2 weeks of early voting, you’ve got 14 hours — starting at 6 a.m., running until 8 p.m. — to do so.

Click here (or look below) for your district, and where you vote.

Why should you vote? After all, this is “just” a local election.

In fact, in our daily lives, local elections affect us in ways that state and national elections do not.

Traffic. Saugatuck development. Affordable housing. Schools. Beaches. The mill rate. Bike lanes. Sewer lines. Longshore. Accessory dwelling units. The Police and Fire Departments. Parking. Outdoor dining. Setbacks. Trees. Transit. Blight. Old Mill Grocery. The Cribari Bridge.

Those are just some of the issues that local officials deal with every day.

And if they can’t make decisions about them directly, they can help influence the outcomes with other stakeholders.

On the ballot this year are the Board of Selectpersons; Boards of Education, Finance and Assessment Appeals; Planning & Zoning Commission; Zoning Board of Appeals, and Representative Town Meeting (RTM).

If you’ve ever paid taxes, driven on our streets, been involved in our schools, gone to a beach, needed a permit of some sort to do something — or done, basically, anything else in Westport — the men and women on those boards and commissions have had a direct role in your experiences.

And — except for the 1st selectperson — they are all volunteers.

They give an insane amount of time to serve our town. The least you can do is spend a few minutes selecting who you want to do it.

Here is a sample ballot. It shows one of the 9 RTM districts. NOTE: There are 2 sides to the ballot. Fill out both sides.

For information on all candidates — including those running for RTM in your district — click here; then fill in your address on the right.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: For the Board of Selectpersons, if the Democratic or Republican candidates win, the next highest vote getter for 1st Selectman becomes the 3rd Selectman.

If the Independent Party candidate (on the ballot without a running mate) wins, the other 2 candidates for 1st Selectman become 2nd and 3rd Selectman, in the order of their vote totals.

Also: The Board of Education consists today of 4 Democrats, 2 Republicans and 1 unaffiliated member. Two Democrats and the unaffiliated member are in the midst of their 4-year terms, and are not up for re-election.

On the ballot this year are 3 Democrats (1 party-endorsed incumbent, 2 petitioning candidates) and 4 Republicans (all party-endorsed; 1 is an incumbent). In addition, a Republican is running as a write-in candidate.

By Town Charter, the Board of Education can have only a bare majority (4 members) of one party on the 7-member board. That means that only 2 of the 3 Democrats could be seated. If Democrats are the top 3 vote-getters, the Republican with the next highest vote total after the Republican leader would be seated.

To read the Board of Selectpersons’ candidates’ most recent “Where We Stand” responses to “06880” questions, click here. Then scroll to the bottom for their previous 4 responses.

To read the Board of Education candidates’ most recent “Where We Stand” responses to “06880” questions, click here. Then scroll to the bottom for their previous 4 responses.

To read the Planning & Zoning Commission candidates’ most recent “Where We Stand” responses to “06880” questions, click here. Then scroll to the bottom for their previous 4 responses.

 

8 Comments

Posted in Local politics

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Pics Of The Day #3120

Posted on November 3, 2025 | 1 comment

Saugatuck River, by Ford Road … (Photo/Tomoko Meth)

… and Nash’s Pond, from Pequot Trail (Photo/Susan Garment)

1 Comment

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Scarice: Follow Up Info On Coleytown Incident

Posted on November 3, 2025 | 2 comments

A few minutes ago, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice sent this message to Westport Public Schools parents and guardians:

As we conclude the day, I want to provide a brief follow-up to my earlier message regarding this morning’s reported threat to Coleytown Elementary School.

As shared earlier, at approximately 7:45 a.m., the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 text message reporting a bomb threat to CES. Shortly thereafter, the Westport Police Department contacted district administration, and our established safety protocols were immediately implemented, no small task during the height of morning transportation.

By 8:15 a.m., families were notified of a 2-hour delayed start while the WPD, joined by the Stamford Police Bomb Squad and explosive detection K9 unit, conducted a comprehensive search of the building.

During this time, staff and students already on site were safely relocated to Coleytown Middle School, and CES buses en route were redirected to the same location.

Coleytown Elementary School. Rear: Coleytown Middle School.

At that point in time, CMS students were already en route to CMS or on campus. As a result, CMS was placed in a brief shelter-in-place as a precaution.

By 9:10 a.m., the WPD and their Stamford partners cleared the building, confirming that no explosive devices were found. CES was deemed safe, CES students returned later that morning between 10:45 and 11 a.m., and the CMS shelter-in-place was lifted.

Today’s tightly coordinated response resulted in a resolution of the incident in less than 90 minutes, while engaging 3 regional police departments (Stamford, Norwalk, and Fairfield, along with the Stamford Police Bomb Squad).

We were also supported on-site by Deputy Chiefs Ryan Paulsson and Dave Wolf of the Westport Police Department. Their professionalism and collaboration were exemplary and deeply appreciated.

Following the all-clear, both Coleytown Elementary and Coleytown Middle Schools convened their crisis response teams to review the morning’s events. Later, each school gathered their full faculties to debrief and reflect on the effectiveness of our response and the well-being of students and staff.

At CMS, Principal Janna Sirowich provided clear and compassionate communication throughout the morning.

At 8:25 a.m., she addressed all students and staff in the cafeteria and auditorium, explaining that while a threat had been made to CES, police determined it was not credible and that these actions were being taken as a precaution.  She reassured everyone that the shelter-in-place was precautionary, encouraged calm, and asked students to refrain from using cell phones and Chromebooks.

She made a follow-up intercom announcement later thanking students and staff for their cooperation and composure, and confirming that the shelter-in-place had been lifted and normal routines could resume. She also reminded students that support was available for anyone feeling uneasy.

As I shared this morning, while any such threat is deeply unsettling, today’s events once again demonstrated the strength of our safety protocols, the professionalism of our law enforcement partners, and the calm leadership of our building administrators, the professionalism of our staff and the maturity of our students.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our district and school leaders, the Westport Police Department, and our regional law enforcement partners for their coordinated and effective response. Most of all, I want to thank our students and families for their patience, trust, and support throughout the day.

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Posted in Education, Police

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Scarice: Update On Coleytown Elementary Incident

Posted on November 3, 2025 | 4 comments

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice offers this update on today’s incident, involving a reported threat at Coleytown Elementary  School:

At approximately 7:45 a.m., the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 text message reporting a bomb threat to Coleytown Elementary School.

Shortly thereafter, the Westport Police Department contacted district administration. We immediately implemented our established safety protocols, which is particularly challenging during morning transportation runs.

By 8:15 a.m., a message was sent to Coleytown Elementary families notifying them of a 2-hour delayed start while the WPD, supported by the Stamford Police Bomb Squad and their explosive detection K9 unit, conducted a search of the building.

During this time, staff and students who were already on site were safely relocated to Coleytown Middle School, in addition to any buses in route.  As a precaution, Coleytown Middle School was briefly placed under a shelter-in-place directive while the investigation was underway.

By 9:10 a.m., the WPD and their Stamford partners cleared the building, confirming that no explosive devices were found. Coleytown Elementary was deemed safe, and normal operations will resume, with students expected to arrive between 10:45 and 11:00 a.m. The CMS shelter-in-place was lifted.

The incident remains under investigation by the Westport Police Detective Bureau.

I want to express my deep appreciation for the professionalism and swift coordination of the WPD, the leadership of our building administrators, and the dedication of our faculty and support staff, whose actions ensured the safety of everyone involved.

I also want to commend our students, who responded calmly, respectfully, and with great maturity, reflecting the care and preparedness that define our school community.

While deeply troubling, our prior experiences, such as previous “swatting” incidents, have made us well-prepared to respond quickly and effectively, as was demonstrated this morning.

While any such threat is unsettling, today’s events clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of our emergency response protocols, the strength of our partnership with the WPD, and the remarkable composure of our staff, students, and building administrators.

Thank you for your continued trust, cooperation, and support.

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Posted in Education, Police

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Roundup: “06880” House Tour & Stroll, Election Day Signs & Stats, Lynsey & Darcy …

Posted on November 3, 2025 | 7 comments

Lovingly preserved homes and beautiful fall weather were the perfect combination for yesterday’s very educational, very high energy and very fun “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour.

Over 130 guests toured 2 properties on Greens Farms Road (both once owned by the Bedford family), and 2 other equally cool ones, on Long Lots Road and Wilton Road.

“06880” board members Dan Donovan and Bill Scheffler flank KMS Team at Compass members Mary Ellen Gallagher and Susan Seath, at 249 Greens Farms Road. Built by Edward T. Bedford, its interior is similar to the 1923 Westport YMCA building — which he endowed too.

Huge props to our friends at KMS Team at Compass, who helped organize the event, and provided historical background and other materials; Pat Shea of Coldwell Banker, who is involved with one of the Bedford homes, and the “06880” board of directors, who greeted visitors warmly and offered additional insights.

In a town filled with new construction, residents love to take a peek into homes that have stood for a century or two. There are many around — and we’ll show off 4 more great ones next year.

Totney and Rick Benson, admiring the Prohibition Era-bar at 209 Wilton Road. The young owners have renovated it with an eye toward its 155-year-old history.

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And speaking of “06880” activities: The 5th annual Holiday Stroll returns Saturday, December 6!

From 4 to 7 p.m., the Westport Downtown Association and “06880” present a now-traditional, action-packed and family-friendly kickoff to the holidays.

The Orphenians will sing. Santa and other characters will pose for photos. There’s a DJ, face painting, food, special deals for shoppers, and much more — including a dedication of the new WDA clock.

More details coming soon. But for now: Save the date!

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Tomorrow is Election Day. (Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Click here for information on candidates and polling places.)

Which means that on Wednesday, thousands of yard signs will be obsolete.

Most candidates do a good job of removing them, within the 48 hours required by law.

But what next?

Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members recycle theirs. Many run every 2 years; it’s a non-partisan body, so their signs just say their name and district.

Yet the signs for those running for boards and commissions — often on a ticket with others — are instantly outdated.

They might save the metal stands. The signs themselves are destined for landfill.

Unless someone has a better idea.

Can artwork be created, perhaps as a school project? Is there another use for them?

I have no idea. But “06880” can start a good discussion.

If you know a good use for thousands of suddenly useless yard signs, click “Comments” below.

Yard signs near the transfer station. Is that where they will all end up? (Photo/Matt Murray)

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Speaking of the election: Early voting ended yesterday. It was the first time in Connecticut, for local races.

After 2 weeks, 16.7% — 3,177 out of 19,020 eligible Westport voters — cast ballots.

The breakdown:

  • Democrats: 1,772 of 7,945 eligible voters (22.30%)
  • Republicans: 488 of 3,332 eligible voters (14.65%)
  • Unaffiliated: 899 of 7,588 eligible voters (11.85%)

Of course, how they voted will not be known until tomorrow night. “06880” will have the results when they are announced, some time after 8 p.m.

Lucia Scotti (left) came home yesterday from the University of Connecticut, to vote at Town Hall. She was joined by her parents, Janine and Pietro.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist (and 1991 Staples High School graduate) Lysney Addario’s new film, “Love+War” — a documentary about her work in conflicts around the globe — has gotten great reviews.

On “Weekend Edition,” she spoke with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe about the balance between her work and life. Click here to read the interview, and/or to listen. (Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)

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The Westport Book Shop’s guest exhibitor this month is well-known artist Darcy Hicks.

Specializing in metal leaf and oil paint, she is drawn to anything that reflects aggressive light.

Hicks is the director of education at the Norwalk Art Space, which provides free art and music education to low-income students. The Westport native earned a bachelor’s in fine arts from Smith College, a master’s of education from Lesley University, and an MFA in creative writing from Fairfield University.

A reception is set for November 12 (6 p.m.). All artwork on display is available for purchase. 25% of the proceeds will be donated to the Arbor Day Foundation, which has planted half a billion trees.

Darcy Hicks, with her work at the Westport Book Shop.

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Veterans Green was packed yesterday with air-cooled car owners, their admirers — and of course, the vehicles themselves.

The 12th annual event was sponsored by the Small Car Company,

Some of the many air-cooled cars on Veterans Green. (Photo/Susan Garment)

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Drivers taking advantage of this train station spot are going to have to wait a lot longer than 15 minutes.

(Photo/John McCarthy)

Donut Crazy closed in April.

But in terms of outdated signs, this one has nothing on Jesup Green.

A sign there indicated a Minnybus stop.

Nearly 40 years after the diesel bus made its last run.

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Get your game on!

SLOBs — the Staples Service League of Boys, a hard-working and very popular organization — hosts a 3-v-3 basketball fundraiser. Proceeds go to Staples Tuition Grants — a very worthy cause for the teens — in memory of their friend Perrin Delorey.

The November 21 event (6 p.m.) includes pizza. Registration is $25 per participant; Venmo @jhgillman.

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Jeff Lea — the winningest coach in Staples boys soccer history — has just won again.

The 2nd permanent head coach — who served in 1970, then from 1978 to 2002, and won 5 state championships plus 12 FCIAC titles en route to a 357-77-42 record — will be inducted on March 7, at the Doubletree in Bristol.

Lea’s selection brings to 12 the number of Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame inductees with Staples ties. They include Loeffler, Steve Baumann, Paul Hunter, Tim Hunter, Jim Kuhlmann, Kyle Martino, Ken Murphy, Kevin Murphy, Mark Noonan, Mike Noonan and Dan Woog.

Jeff Lea (far left), with members of the 1970 state championship team (from left): Tracy McIntosh, Fred Cantor, Neil Brickley, Steve McCoy.

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Josie McAllister took advantage of yesterday’s spectacular autumn weather to enjoy the Compo Beach jetty.

Her human friend Gwen Tutun was happy to record the moment, for “06880”‘s daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Gwen Tutun)

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And finally … that early darkness yesterday caught you by surprise, right?

It happens every year, when Daylight Savings ends justlikethat.

But don’t worry. Only 125 days until it begins again.

(“06880” is more than just a blog. We sponsor an annual house tours, 2 strolls a year, and a variety of good causes. But we can’t do it without you! Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Local business, Local politics, Real estate, Staples HS

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Coleytown El Delayed By “Non-Credible” Threat; Students Shelter In Place At CMS

Posted on November 3, 2025 | 2 comments

Coleytown Elementary School is operating on a  2-hour delay today, and Stepping Stones Preschool is closed, following a threat made concerning CES.

Students at nearby Coleytown Middle School were sheltering in place, in areas like the auditorium and cafeteria.

School officials told parents that while they do not believe the threat is credible, they are conducting a thorough review of CES. Students en route to Coleytown El were delivered to Coleytown Middle, where staff received and took care of them.

Coleytown Elementary School; in the background is Coleytown Middle School.

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Posted in Education

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Jimmy Kimmel, Ari Edelson, “Falsettos” — And Westport’s Brush With Censorship

Posted on November 3, 2025 | 22 comments

The Jimmy Kimmel controversy is only the latest in America’s long-running debate over how free “free speech” can and should be.

Ari Edelson has spent his career thinking about issues like that. After earning degrees at both Yale University and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the 1994 Staples High School graduate earned international fame as a producer and director in the US and Europe.

In 2008 Edelson took the helm of the renowned Jean Cocteau Repertory, and reimagined it as the Orchard Project. The unique endeavor grew rapidly. In 2015 it moved to Saratoga Springs, New York.

During 10-day-long residencies, companies and artists are provided room and board, staff support and technical resources.

The program hosts 8 to 12 projects at a time, supporting up to 40 projects every summer. Participants range from playwrights working alone on drafts, to full ensembles in large rehearsal spaces.

Most works are cutting-edge. Some skirt free-speech boundaries or norms.

This summer, Edelson was part of an ACLU panel on censorship in the theater. Part of his remarks were about “Falsettos.”

But he was not talking about the Broadway version of the Tony Award-winning show, with its savage and touching exploration of family, love, religion and AIDS. Edelson remembered the production 31 years ago in Westport.

The one that was censored by the Staples High School principal.

Keith Haring designed the “Falsettos” logo.

In 1994 Edelson — a senior, president of Staples Players (and, in his spare time, chair of the Staples Governing Board) — wanted to cap his high school career by directing his first show ever: a Studio Theater production of “Falsettos.” Like one of the characters in the show, he had had a bar mitzvah at the bedside of a dying relative.

Players director Al Pia helped him secure the rights. On a Monday morning, Pia told him Staples was chosen for the first amateur production anywhere of “Falsettos.” Despite its complex themes and demanding score, it would be entirely student-run, from direction and sets, to lighting and music. Edelson was ecstatic.

An hour later, he was devastated. Principal Gloria Rakovic told him he could not do the show.

“The school had already been subject to controversies about sexual orientation,” Edelson recalls. “She didn’t want the school to be exposed to any more.”

His initial reaction: “You can’t tell me what to say.”

His second: “I’ll find a place to do it.”

Edelson went to a pay phone near the fieldhouse, and called his parents.

Then he called his rabbi, Robert Orkand.

“I wasn’t very religious,” Edelson says. “But I wanted him to know. He said he’d support any decision I made.”

Surreptitiously that afternoon, Edelson held auditions. Forty students — an enormous number for a small-cast show — were there.

The next morning, he posted the cast list. Meanwhile, an English teacher alerted the American Civil Liberties Union. The story was gaining attention.

That same day, the town’s interfaith clergy organization had a meeting with superintendent of schools Paul Kelleher. They told him they would support the students’ right to put on the show.

On Wednesday morning, Pia offered to introduce Edelson to Westport Country Playhouse artistic director Jim McKenzie. The Playhouse, he said, was eager to host “Falsettos.”

Westport Country Playhouse artistic director Jim McKenzie, and Ari Edelson. (Photo/Susan Warner)

That afternoon, the administrator in charge of theater told Edelson that the decision was reversed. He could produce the show at Staples.

Uncertain whether the school would change its mind again, or impose certain restrictions, he stuck with the Playhouse.

“I felt I was in a community that encouraged people to speak out,” he says. “I was trying to speak out for what I thought was right, and not be afraid.”

The 17-year-old could easily have avoided the problems he faced from adults who doubted his and his troupe’s ability to handle a show about homosexuality and religious faith.

The young ensemble could have avoided involvement too. John Newman had to juggle his duties as a baseball co-captain, while other actors and musicians were preparing for a European concert and orchestra tour.

“Falsettos” cast. Top (from left): Joelle Heise, Lindsay Meehan, Roby  Cygan. Middle: Joanna Bloomer, John Newman, Charles Carleton, Conor Loughridge. Front: Ari Edelson. (Photo/Susan Warner)

None needed to face questions from friends and parents about why they were so interested in learning about AIDS and gays (and bar mitzvahs).

But they did. And — empowered by community support — “Falsettos” had a 2-week run at the Westport Country Playhouse. It played to full houses, earned rave reviews, and left grown men and women in tears.

During rehearsals, the cast had been inspired by meeting and hearing the stories of AIDS patients at Bread & Roses, the Georgetown hospice. Edelson donated half the proceeds there. The other half went to the Mid-Fairfield County AIDS Project.

The director calls those months “a real learning experience, in a world we were only just learning about. We were 16 and 17 years old. We met optimistic characters, in a time of great uncertainty.”

From top: John Newman, Roby Cygan, Joanne Bloomer. (Photo/John Voorhees)

Not everyone agreed with the decision to produce “Falsettos.” Local media — the Westport News, Minuteman and Norwalk Hour — became “a town square for arguments about whether it was appropriate for kids to be telling these stories.”

It was appropriate then, Edelson believes. And now — more than 3 decades later — he believes it more than ever.

Ari Edelson (right) and Charles Carleton.

“To this day, nothing has been more inspirational, and foundational, in my life.”

Censorship had been defeated.

But in 2025, it remains an ever-present threat. Jimmy Kimmel was one of the most recent examples.

He won’t be the last.

(“06880” occasionally looks back at Westport life — to illuminate the present. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

 

22 Comments

Posted in Arts, Looking back, Staples HS, Teenagers

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Pic of The Day #3119

Posted on November 2, 2025 | 2 comments

A view of downtown, while trick-or-treating on Old Hill. (Photo/Jenny McGuinness)

2 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Pic of the Day

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Photo Challenge #566

Posted on November 2, 2025 | 6 comments

Sal Liccione was the first reader to answer last week’s Photo Challenge.

He was correct: JD Dworkow’s image showed the entrance to a small apartment building behind Jeera Thai and Finalmente restaurants, on the Post Road. The entrance is on Church Lane. (Click here to see.)

Sal should know. It’s behind his own apartment, opposite Bedford Square.

Two other readers — both of whom do not live in the area — knew the location too: Amy Schneider and Seth Schachter.

This week’s Photo Challenge shows a very different door. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/John Maloney)

6 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Photo Challenge, Real estate

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