06880

Roundup: Memorial Day Grand Marshal, Beach Stickers, Church Lane …

Posted on April 24, 2021 | 9 comments

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Plans are underway for a traditional Memorial Day parade. And there’s no better tradition than the grand marshal.

This year’s honor goes to Nicholas Rossi. The 98-year-old World War II veteran has captured the hearts of Westporters since moving here several years ago, to live with his son, daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren.

The Oyster Bay, Long Island native was a 4-sport (football, basketball, baseball, track) high school athlete.

After graduation in 1940, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. His flight crew was part of the 305^th Bombardment Group of the 364^th Squadron, assigned to the 8^th Air Force Bomber Command in England. A technical sergeant, Rossi flew multiple bombing missions as a B-17 gunner over occupied central Europe.

He was discharged in March 1945, but remained in Liege, Belgium after the war. As a civilian, he was employed by the government to work with the American Graves Registration Command, locating and identifying unrecovered dead military personnel.

Rossi married in 1956 and raised 5 children (Paul, Christine, Caren, Carla and Peter) in the house he built in Mill Neck, New York. Since moving to Westport, he has gotten involved in the town. When his grandchildren were at Staples High School, he attended their many plays, concerts and athletic events.

Congratulations, Mr. Rossi, on this great honor. See you at the parade!

Nicholas Rossi

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This is the week for everyone to enjoy Compo and Old Mill Beaches.

Next Saturday (May 1), parking stickers (“emblems”) are required to enter. For Burying Hill Beach, the date is May 29.

Click here to log in; choose “Memberships,” then type “Vehicle” in the search box. Parking emblems may take a week to 10 days to arrive by mail.

Forgot your login and/or password? Email recreation@westportct.gov or call 203-341-5152.

This driver has plenty of beach stickers.

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Church Lane is once again closed for outdoor dining. And the Westport Downtown Association is doing its part to make the area even more alluring.

They’re producing 40 nights of dinner music, starting April 30. Every Friday and Saturday, from 6 to 9 p.m., area musicians will play. They’re paying gigs. Funds come from sponsorships, and a GoFundMe page.

The WDA will also add lights, outlining details on the Patagonia building and beyond.

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Jeff Seaver waited in line this morning, for the hazardous waste drop-off at the Greens Farms railroad station.

He was not alone. There were 70 cars in line.

But the line moved quickly, Jeff says. “Volunteers worked their tails off. Westport at its best.”

They collected a lot of waste. Which means there’s a lot that is no longer hazardous, at home.

(Photo/Jeff Seaver)

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Folks are buzzing about Wakeman Town Farm’s next event (May 8, 12 noon, Zoom). It’s “The Wonderful World of Honeybees” — a look at why they’re essential, and the microcosm that is the hive.

Shelby Schulman studied environmental science and anthropology at the University of North Carolina. Her introduction to bees came as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guinea.

As WTF notes, “bees are behind a third of all the food we eat, including fruits, vegetables, chocolate, nuts and coffee.” Click here for tickets ($10).

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Westporter Ken Goldberg owns AFC Urgent Care, a walk-in medical center near the Department of Motor Vehicles in Norwalk.

They do COVID testing (PCR and rapid); they take most all insurances, and they have a doctor who does a brief telemed screening beforehand. Patients then come to be swabbed in their car.

AFC Urgent Care also provides Moderna vaccines. Appointments can be made easily and directly, by phone (203-845-9100). Click here for more information.

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“06880” has followed the saga of 19 Soundview Drive — the century-old home that evaded the wrecking ball this spring (though there are rumors it may still be demolished in the fall).

Yesterday, Patricia McMahon spotted this sign on the house. Whatever happens to the property, someone has a great sense of humor.

(Photo/Patricia McMahon)

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There’s always something to smile about at Compo Beach. Here’s Erica Davis’ message for the day:

(Photo/Amy Saperstein)

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And finally … Les McKeown, lead singer for the Bay City Rollers, died on Tuesday. He was 65. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)

9 Comments

Posted in Beach, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Local business, Westport life

Tagged Church Lane, Compo Beach, Memorial Day parade, Nicholas Rossi, Westport Downtown Association

06ArtArt0 — Week 57 Gallery

Posted on April 24, 2021 | 1 comment

Nearly every submission to this week’s art gallery shows nature, in all its splendor.

Naturally. It’s spring in Westport!

Each week — no matter what the season — we feature whatever suits your mood. Some of you are professionals; most are amateurs. Experience does not matter. We want all your art!

Student submissions are especially welcome. So are artists who have not submitted previously.

Email dwoog@optonline.net, to share your work with the world.

“Spring Blooms” (Amy Schneider)

Untitled (Werner Liepolt)

“Flower Drawing from Home Office” (Kate Grijns)

“Abbondanza” (Lucy Johnson)

Untitled (June Whittaker)

“Peppers” (Roseann Spengler)

“Persistence” (Pam Kesselman)

“Compo Sunset” (Penny Pearlman)

“The Mask” — taken in Greens Farms (Karen Weingarten)

1 Comment

Posted in Arts

Tagged Amy Schneider, Karen Weingarten, Luc Johnson, Pam Kesselman, Roseann Spengler, Werner Lipeolt

A Noble Barn

Posted on April 24, 2021 | 25 comments

A recent “06880” post about the decaying condition of the former Red Barn restaurant drew plenty of comments.

But it’s not the only barn that readers worry about.

Dave Wilson is concerned about Elmstead Lane. That’s the small street connecting South Turkey Hill and South Morningside, near Greens Farms Road.

Elmstead Lane barn (Photo courtesy of ConnecticutBarns.org)

It’s certainly historic.

Built in 1771 by the Andrews family — original settlers of West Parish — it was apparently spared by British General William Tryon, when he burned much of Fairfield 8 years later during the Revolutionary War.

The property was also home to Bessie Jennings, the Westporter whose historic tours (now memorialized as Jennings Trail) educated generations of children.

According to a website dedicated to historic Connecticut barns, its architecture is significant.

The New England barn or gable-front barn was the successor to the English barn and relies on a gable entry rather than an entry under the eaves. The gable front offers many practical advantages. Roofs drain off the sides, rather than flooding the dooryard.

With the main drive floor running parallel to the ridge, the size of the barn could be increased to accommodate larger herds by adding additional bays to the rear gable end.

Although it was seen by many as an improvement over the earlier side-entry English Barn, the New England barn did not replace its predecessor but rather coexisted with it, as both types continued to be built.

But the Elmstead barn has seen better days. As it celebrates its 250th anniversary, there may not be many more years left.

(Photos/Dave Wilson)

25 Comments

Posted in History, Real estate

Tagged barn, Dave Wilson, Elmstead Lane, General William Tryon

Pic Of The Day #1467

Posted on April 23, 2021 | Comments Off

Longshore golfers (Photo/Patricia McMahon)

Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #1467

Posted in Longshore, Pic of the Day, Sports

Tagged Longshore golf

Marpe’s COVID Update: Regulations Eased, But Vigilance Needed

Posted on April 23, 2021 | 4 comments

1st Selectman Jim Marpe issued this COVID update:

As of last Friday, the percentage of Westporters receiving at least the first COVID-19 vaccination dose is:

Age 65+: 93%
Ages 45-64: 83%
Ages 15-44: 50%

These vaccination statistics are encouraging. It is recommended that all residents who have not received the vaccine do so as soon as possible. Click here to find a provider near you, and book an appointment. To register for an appointment via telephone, call 877-918-2224.

Given the success of Connecticut’s vaccine rollout, Governor Lamont recently announced significant easing of COVID restrictions.

Effective May 1, all restaurants will be allowed to remain open until midnight. Beverage-only service outdoors will be permissible, and the 8-person limit on outdoor dining will be lifted.
Effective May 19, all remaining gathering restrictions will be lifted; however, masks will continue to be required in all indoor public settings where social distancing is not possible.

Westport municipal buildings remain open to the public by appointment. Residents are encouraged to continue accessing town services online. Members of the public may also schedule appointments for in-person meetings or other services that require additional assistance.

Residents can make appointments for Town Hall business. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)

Governor Lamont’s declaration for remote public meetings remains in effect through May 20. Town officials are monitoring changes to the declaration, and legislation that might allow in-person “hybrid meetings” (with both in-person and remote participation). In the meantime, public meetings will continue to be conducted via Zoom.

Planning continues for opening or expanding town amenities and activities:

The Senior Center and Toquet Hall are planning for possible outdoor and limited indoor programming in late spring or early summer.
As of May 1, parking emblems will be required on all vehicles to enter Compo and Old Mill Beach parking lots, and on May 29 for Burying Hill Beach. Parking emblem purchases must be made online at www.westportrecreation.com. Daily parking for non-residents will be allowed this summer at Compo Beach and Burying Hill Beach. Visit www.westportrecreation.com for daily parking rates.
The Parks & Recreation Department and Selectman’s Office continue to plan for a Memorial Day parade. July 4th fireworks are still under consideration, pending further guidance from the state.

Bill Vornkahl looks forward to a 2021 Memorial Day parade. (Photo/Carmine Picarello)

The Parks and Recreation Department is preparing to open its facilities, and plans to offer programs not available last summer due to COVID.
Longshore golf course is open for play, as are several tennis locations. The Compo Beach pickleball courts, skatepark facility, platform tennis, Compo basketball courts and playgrounds are open as well.
The Board of Selectmen approved the closure of Church Lane, for expanded outdoor dining.
The Levitt Pavilion is planning its season, to be held in compliance with COVID considerations related to outdoor venues.
Today, Progressive Diagnostics opened a same-day public testing site at the Saugatuck railroad station parking loto adjacent to Exit 17 on Saugatuck Avenue. Services are available weekdays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Saturdays (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

Plans for townwide reopening and a “return to normal” are encouraging, but we should be cautiously optimistic. According to the state Department of Public Health, 122 municipalities out of 169 (including Westport) remain in the highest COVID alert level (red). This is cause for concern, though more recent daily statistics indicate a downward curve in the spread.

It is also important to understand that being vaccinated does not prevent individuals from being COVID positive and transmitting the virus. Ccontinue to remain informed, and balance COVID safety with personal priorities for physical and mental well-being. This includes being empathetic to those around you, and the individual choices they make.

I encourage those who are vaccinated to be respectful of those who are not, or have differing opinions about the current guidelines and status of the pandemic. Westport town officials will continue to follow and employ science experts’ advice and guidance, so that all in our community will be safe and healthy.

Despite rising vaccination rates, masks continue to be important.

4 Comments

Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Local politics

Tagged 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, Compo Beach, COVID-19, Levitt Pavilion

Friday Flashback #241

Posted on April 23, 2021 | 4 comments

As Main Street enjoys a renaissance — gelato shops! Sundance! something to replace Banana Republic and Bobby Q’s! — it’s worth looking back at what our main downtown drag used to look like.

No, not half a century ago, with stores like Selective Eye, the African Room and Mark’s Place. I’m talking the turn of the century. Last century.

This 1901 Sanborn map was posted to social media by William Weiss. It describes what types of stores were where, as the 20th century began.

On the west side of Main Street — where the Saugatuck River lapped up against the backs of shops — there were a couple of laundries, several “meat” places, a paint shop, drug store, bakery, cobbler, flour and feed story, lumber store, and an enormous coal yard.

The east side of Main Street included a barber, tailor, and more butchers and grocery stores.

And that’s just in the block between the Post Road (State Street) and Elm Street. (Just like today though, a few storefronts sat vacant.)

Click on or hover over to enlarge.

The Riverside Inn was aptly named. It sat right on the river, about where Starbucks is now.

Across Main Street was the Westport Hotel (misspelled on the map). Two decades later that became the YMCA; today it’s Anthropologie.

The primary occupant of Church Lane was a horse shed. That later became a fire station. Now it’s Bedford Square.

Anyone predictions of what a Sanborn map of downtown Westport in, say, 2101 would look like?

4 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Friday Flashback

Tagged Sanborn map, Westport Hotel

Roundup: Friday – P&Z, CBD, Kelp …

Posted on April 23, 2021 | 2 comments

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Last night, the Planning & Zoning Commission approved new regulations regarding accessory apartments (units in a principal dwelling) and “accessory dwelling units” (those in attached structures).

As “06880” reported earlier this month, the new rules will open up our housing stock. They could add a small number of affordable housing units, and provide added income for residents going through life changes — the loss of a job, say, or divorce, or those whose children have moved away and who want to move into a smaller place on their own property, while renting out their larger home.

Also last night, Neil Cohn moved from alternate to full member of the P&Z, He replaces Greg Rutstein, who resigned Wednesday due to increased business responsibilities in a new job. Both are Democrats.

Rutstein praised chair Danielle Dobin, his fellow commissioners and Planning & Zoning Department head Mary Young. Noting that the board faces many important decisions, he said, “I want to make sure that I allow others who have the time to carefully consider these issues to serve the town that I love so dearly.”

Dobin said, “In 3 short years, Greg has had a meaningful impact on Westport. He worked tirelessly to make the P&Z more efficient — cutting through red tape, and saving residents and businesses time and fees. His insightful questions, positive energy and good humor will be deeply missed by all of us.

“We warmly welcome Neil Cohn, one of our longstanding alternate commissioners in Greg’s place. Through his work chairing the Economic Growth Subcommittee, which he founded, Neil is playing an integral part in ensuring P&Z regulations promote a vibrant Westport.”

Neil Cohn

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Westport men and women can shop for CBD at 2 downtown stores literally around the corner from each other.

But what about man’s best friend?

We got that too.

Local resident Joseph Sequenzia just launched an all-natural hemp-derived CBD dog treat. YUP PUP is part of a growing interest in pet wellness. The CEO says that dogs experience anxiety relief from CBD — a chemical compound in cannabis — along with health benefits like joint pain, digestion and healthy coats.

His mission is to “treat our pets to the same health and happiness they treat us to,” Sequenzia says. YUP PUP comes in Tasty Bacon Treats, Peanut Butter Bites and Savory Salmon Snacks. For more information, click here.

Joseph Sequenzia and his family — including dogs Wally and Otto.

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Yesterday was Earth Day. But New England Kelp Harvest Week runs all the way through Sunday.

Local restaurants and shops from Greenwich to Westerly, Rhode Island are participating in the first-ever event celebrating our region’s most sustainable crop: sugar kelp.

Kelp requires no fertilizers or fresh water to grow, and absorbs carbon trapped in the sea. Westporters can support local farms and restaurants, and fight climate change — all in one meal.

Food and beverages featuring kelp are available at The Whelk, Kawa Ni, OKO, Don Memo and The Cottage. To experiment in your own kitchen, buy local dried kelp at Fjord Fish Market.

The festival’s Instagram account offers food and beverage ideas, and information about kelp. Click here for a list of all participating restaurants, breweries, cafes and shops. Click here for links to virtual events. (Hat tip: Craig D.B. Patton)

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Ospreys love Westport. But for years, the platform to the right of the Burying Hill Beach entrance road has been vacant. It’s been speculated that it is too low for ospreys’ tastes.

But at least one pair thinks it’s fine. The platform in the New Creek saltmarsh was busy yesterday, with new occupants building their nest.

Perhaps — like other newcomers to town — they realized that in a tight real estate market, sometimes you have to grab whatever property is available.

(Photo/Chris Swan)

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For decades, Walter and Naiad Einsel painted in their Victorian farmhouse, across from Greens Farms Elementary School. Two of Westport’s most noted artists, they documented their nearly 5-decade romance with clever “Art from the Heart” valentines.

Long ago, in 1947 — 6 years before they married – Walter painted Naiad’s portrait.

Bob and Karen Weingarten bought the painting in 2016. It hung in their Greens Farms home. Now they’ve donated it to the Westport Public Art Collections.

WestPAC works hang all over town. Perhaps this one is destined for Greens Farms El.

Naiad Einsel, painted by Walter Einsel (1947)

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Westport resident Anne Boberski recently completed a video project for the Housatonic Museum of Art.

Available online, “See, Think, Wonder: Bridgeport” includes four 25-minute video episodes and a printable Teacher Toolkit. It’s designed to support curriculum in grades 5-8. Students examine maps, seals, artifacts and architecture, meet community leaders, and learn that history is local.

The art museum is on the Housatonic Community College campus. But anyone can click here to see “See, Think, Wonder: Bridgeport.”

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And finally … today in 1985, Coca-Cola changed its formula. The reaction to New Coke was swift, strong, and overwhelmingly negative. The original formula returned less than 3 months later.

2 Comments

Posted in Arts, Beach, Environment, Local business, Local politics, Restaurants

Tagged kelp, Naiad Einsel, Neil Cohn, ospreys, Planning & Zoning Commission, Walter Einsel, Westport Public Art Collections, Yup Pup

Levitt Announces Summer Plans — And A Big Name

Posted on April 23, 2021 | 5 comments

Social distancing, capacity limits and masks are on tap for the upcoming Levitt Pavilion season.

So is Bruce Hornsby.

For 45 years, the downtown complex offered over 50 nights of free entertainment a year. Funding comes primarily from sponsors, and one or two big-name ticketed concerts.

COVID knocked out last summer’s schedule. But the Levitt plans to be back this year. Schedules and precise policies will be announced on a rolling basis.

For now, here’s an event you can pencil in (and buy tickets for): Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers. The show is set for Monday, June 14 (7:30 p.m.).

The Noisemakers are the pianist’s newest group. He’s been a major figure on the music scene since 1986, when his band The Range’s “The Way It Is” went multi-platinum.

Bruce Hornsby (2nd from left) and the Noisemakers.

Since then Hornsby played keyboard for the Grateful Dead, wrote music for Spike Lee, and recorded jazz, bluegrass and contemporary classical music albums.

Tickets go on sale at noon on April 30, at the Levitt Pavilion website. They’ll be sold in pods of 2, 4 and 6.

That’s the way it is. Welcome back, Levitt!

The Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Claire Bangser)

5 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment

Tagged Bruce Hornsby, Levitt Pavilion

Nola Speaks. Her Clients Do Too.

Posted on April 23, 2021 | Comments Off

Nola Beldegreen was a champion college forensics team member. “I won trophies for public speaking the way other people competed in tennis,” she says.

But not until she took a Dale Carnegie course — while working for Glamour magazine — did she really learn to speak for herself.

She became a Carnegie instructor. It was still her avocation — by now she was in sales, traveling the globe for Gourmet magazine — but Nola realized the importance of the spoken word in business.

Nola Beldegreen

After she left Conde Nast to raise her 2 daughters, Westport neighbors recognized her talents. She helped them prepare for wedding toasts, job interviews, and any other type of public speaking.

She’s turned that into a business. Nola works with executives and students, in areas like talking points, presence, delivery, messaging through inflection, intonation, pauses, tone and nonverbal language.

Specifically, Nola covers areas like using stories to inspire, leave voicemails that sound professional, lead without sounding “bossy,” remember people’s names, and speak with certainty.

She helps them listen better too. “When you listen well, you know what you’re going to say next,” she notes.

Nola worked with an executive whose mind went blank when she was asked spontaneous questions, a high school student whose mother worried that his avoidance of eye contact — and lack of personality — would hurt him in college interviews, and shy people, who want to become better conversationalists. With everyone, the key is to find a speaking style that’s right for them.

During the pandemic she shifted from personal sessions that taught clients how to feel comfortable in face-to-face meetings, to Zoom sessions that taught them how to feel comfortable Zooming.

Nola worked with people who had lost jobs, and now had to interview without picking up on the verbal cues and body language they’d always been used to.

Many of her clients are young. College students, and those just starting out in the business world, often lack the conversational skills of previous generations.

“The text world is so different from other conversations,” Nola points out. “They need to know how to organize their thoughts and ideas, before they go into a meeting.”