Pics Of The Day #1341

Posted on December 18, 2020 | 1 comment

Yesterday marked the last night of Hanukkah …. (Photo/Amy Schneider)

… and meanwhile, someone put a Christmas tree in the middle of Sherwood Island Mill Pond (Photo/Matt Murray)

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Friday Flashback #223

Posted on December 18, 2020 | 7 comments

This month, Anthropologie is decorated for the holidays. Even — especially? — in these COVID times, the old Tudor building looks inviting and warm.

But for most of its life, the handsome structure at Westport’s major downtown intersection was the YMCA.

Built by E.T. Bedford in 1923 to replace the Westport Hotel, the new Y featured reading and writing rooms, pool tables and bowling alleys.

A year later — during what seems to be late fall or early spring — this is what the YMCA looked like.

(Photo courtesy of Seth Schachter)

There was plenty of parking. A small sign at the top of the photo warned trolley conductors to go slowly.

The Y did not occupy the entire building. The far eastern portion — the section closest to Church Lane — housed Westport’s downtown fire department. If you click on or hover over the image to enlarge it, you can see the bay doors.

Judging by this photo, fire trucks had no problem roaring through downtown traffic en route to calls.

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Roundup: Fleet Feet’s Restaurants, Candlelight Concert, More

Posted on December 18, 2020 | Comments Off on Roundup: Fleet Feet’s Restaurants, Candlelight Concert, More

Looking for something to do on Saturday downtown?

Head to the Savvy + Grace Christmas tree. Child nutrition program Filling in the Blanks will sell reflective metal tags, which can hold a personal message or name to hang onto to the tree!  They’ll also collect 15-ounce soup cans.

Around the corner, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet will play in the pick-up circle outside Bedford Square on Elm Street, then move to Brooks Corner (1 to 3 p.m.)

Don’t forget to look at (and vote for) store window displays. Over 40 stores are vying for titles, in several categories. Click here for more information.

The Savvy + Grace tree.

Speaking of downtown: Like many retailers, Fleet Feet has been impacted by the pandemic.

But during the holiday season, the Sconset Square running shoe store is thinking about its neighbors — Westport’s restaurants.

So any customer who buys a $100 Fleet Feet gift card in the store gets a $20 gift card to a local eatery.

They’re open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays 8 to 11 a.m. (appointment only), and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What a great idea. Run on down to get yours! (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)

 

As of yesterday, Westport had 839 cumulative cases of COVID-19 (772 confirmed, 67 suspected). That’s up 53 from the previous week — and the rate more than doubled from that previous week, when it was up by 25.

There were no coronavirus deaths in Westport over the past 7 days. Total deaths since the start of the pandemic are 25.

Click here for full statewide statistics.

I know everyone is busy this weekend with tons of holiday open houses, carol sings and other festive gatherings. (In our dreams…)

But don’t forget tomorrow’s Staples High School Candlelight Concert (Saturday, December 19, 7:30 p.m.). The 80th annual gift to the town is fully virtual this year. It includes many wonderful choral, orchestra and band selections, as well as cool interviews with current and past music instructors, alumni — even legends George Weigle and John Hanulik’s kids.

Click here for the free link. Then sit back and enjoy a memorable show.

More Staples news:  Louisa D’Amore has been recognized for outstanding achievement. She is one of 4 national recipients of the Italian Language Foundation’s Teacher Recognition Award.

Brava!

Louisa D’Amore

And finally … to get you in the Candlelight Concert mood, here’s this gem from 2015:

 

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Pics Of The Day #1340

Posted on December 17, 2020 | 3 comments

The first snow of the season:

Compo Cove (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)

A serene scene near King’s Highway (Photo/Rowene Weems)

Audrey Hertzel’s pup Ellie Mae — who turned 1 just 2 days ago — enjoys the snowy holiday decorations. (Photo/Audrey Hertzel)

Henry on the Cub Cadet (Photo/Brian McGunagle)

Wilkinson girls wake up to a snow day near Old Road (Photo/Carolyn Wilkinson)

Off to work — or play (Photo/Lauri Weiser)

Lansdowne gazebo (Photo/Lauri Weiser)

Pair of chairs (Photo/Lauri Weiser)

No outdoor dining today (Photo/Ellen Wentworth)

A job awaits (Photo/Lauri Weiser)

The scene last night near Long Lots Elementary School

 

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Roundup: Bowtie Cinema, Leveling The Field, Melissa & Doug, More

Posted on December 17, 2020 | 1 comment

Movie theaters — remember them?! — are back.

The Bow Tie “Ultimate Royale” multiplex on US 1 — just over the border in Norwalk — reopens tomorrow. Features include “Monster Hunter,” “The Croods,” “Wild Mountain Thyme,” “Elf,” The Midnight Sky,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Honest Thief” and “Tenet.”

The experience will be different than in pre-pandemic days. For example:

  • 100% reserved seating …
  • … but only 50% capacity
  • A temporary waiver of all advanced ticketing fees
  • Selling seats in an alternating pattern so each customer has an empty seat on either side
  • Contact-free purchasing of tickets and concession items
  • Mandatory face masks (unless eating or drinking at your seat)
  • Plexiglas barriers at box office and concession
  • Frequent cleaning
  • Limitations on restroom and lobby capacities.

You can also book a private movie party” for up to 20 guests.

No word on whether you will still pay $22 for a 10-pound box of Jujubes. (Hat tip: Mark Mathias)

Christmas caroling — remember that?! — returns to the Unitarian Church this Saturday (December 19, 3 to 4 p.m.).

It’s COVID-conscious of course: in the large parking lot, with masks and social distancing required.

In Unitarian spirit, there will be a mix of secular songs and Christmas carols. Everyone will use phone flashlights to sing “Silent Night” at dusk. Feel free to bring an instrument too!.

In the holiday spirit, if you want to join but don’t want to actually join people, email events@uuwestport.org for the Zoom link.

Not quite the Unitarian Church parking lot, but you get the idea.

Chloe Hackett is a Staples High School sophomore. She’s an athlete too.

As she and her family searched for a way to help others during the pandemic, they found Leveling the Playing Field. The non-profit seemed perfect.

It collect new and gently used sports and playground equipment, then distribute it to needy youth organizations. And it was founded by Syracuse University alums — Chloe’s parents’ alma mater.

“My sisters and I play field hockey, ice hockey and softball year round,” Chloe says.

“Sports have taught us teamwork, discipline, commitment, determination and how to compete. They’ve given us an after-school outlet, and the opportunity to make friends. We are fortunate to live in an amazing town with so many opportunities, access to a wide variety of sports and the equipment to play them.”

This weekend (Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20, 10 a.m. to noon, at The Granola Bar), the Hacketts are collecting donations.

Cleats, field hockey sticks, lacrosse equipment, bats, hockey skates, footballs, softball gloves — it will all make a difference. Click here for a full list of acceptable and non-acceptable items.

If you can’t make it this weekend, the Hacketts have your back. They’ll leave a box in front of the restaurant, and make pickups daily.

The Hackett girls already have donations! From left: Alex, Chloe, Daisy. (Photo/Julianne Mulvey)

Melissa & Doug — the international toy company, and the Westport couple named the Bernsteins behind it — keep a low profile.

The company (and the couple) do many good things, out of the limelight. Here’s one that deserves notice.

They’ve partnered with the Whole Foods, selling toys in stores and online. Between December 20-24, 1% of sales at Whole Foods will support Whole Kids Foundation’s child nutrition programs.

Stock up on good food and great toys. And help children eat well. Melissa & Doug — and kids you’ll never know — will thank you. (Hat tip: Johanna Rossi)

Westport abstract expressionist painter David Stephen Johnson made his European debut earlier this year.

To share in his good fortune — and do his part to help local first responders — from now through mid-January, he is donating all proceeds of his Works on Paper sales to Norwalk Hospital.

Click here for some of the Works on Paper that make original, thoughtful holiday gifts (and support the community).

More of Johnson’s pieces can be viewed at his Compo Beach studio, by (socially distanced) appointment. Email studio@davidstephenjohnson.com, or call 970- 376-5058.

To see other works, click here or follow hisInstagram page: @david.stephen.johnson.art.

David Stephen Johnson

And finally … on this date in 1865, Franz Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” premiered. The composer died nearly 40 years earlier, from either typhoid fever or syphilis. Just 31, he had composed more than 600 vocal works, 7 complete symphonies, sacred music and operas, along with piano and chamber music.

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The First Storm: The Day After

Posted on December 17, 2020 | 6 comments

Predictions for heavy snow and high winds were spot on.

But Westport survived.

Of course. We’re 2020-battle tested, and ready for anything!

A tiny bit of color on Saugatuck Shores. (Photo/William Armstrong)

A mourning dove and his flakes. (Photo/Lou Weinberg)

Snow covers the patio — and sliding glass doors — outside “06880” headquarters. (Photo/Dan Woog)

 

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Bankside Condos To Rise On River

Posted on December 17, 2020 | 23 comments

To everyone’s surprise, one unintended consequence of COVID-19 has been a sizzling local real estate market.

Tucked into that surprise: A luxury condominium project that was given up for dead has roared back to life.

Bankside’s 12 units will rise soon on Wilton Avenue, at the site of the now-demolished Save the Children building. The design takes advantage of the Saugatuck River location. There is only one residence per floor — and stunning views.

Artist’s rendering of the Bankside condos.

Bankside began in 2013. David Waldman — the developer of Bedford Square, and many other local projects — joined with Greenfield Partners (whose offices are in nearby National Hall) to buy the Save the Children site.

Waldman and Greenfield hired Roger Ferris + Partners — the architectural firm that designed many new buildings on the river’s west bank — to bring their vision of a spectacular new development to life. It included a new office building, and a land swap to create a right-turn lane at the notorious Wilton Road/Post Road West bottleneck.

The office building was built — and has already been sold. But the 7-year residential slog included the town’s denial of the land swap, and a drying up of the luxury condo market.

A year ago Waldman, Greenfield and their investors were ready to sell that building site at a loss.

Then coronavirus struck. Suddenly the suburbs seemed more attractive than cities. The housing market changed dramatically.

Waldman found a new partner. He sold the land to Eric O’Brien — owner of the innovative New Haven building firm Urbane — but stayed on as part of the development group.

Work begins soon on Ferris’ design. Unlike most condos, 10 of the 12 units will share only floors and ceilings — no walls. Windows will look out on the river and downtown on one side, woods and hills on another. Patios of up to 800 square feet front the water.

The condos feature outdoor living on the river.

Ten of the units are 2,500 square feet, including 2 bedrooms and a den. The other 2 units are 3,400 square feet, with 3 bedrooms. Prices range from $2.25 million to $4.25 million.

Completion is scheduled for spring of 2022. Click here for more details.

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Pics Of The Day #1339

Posted on December 16, 2020 | 1 comment

The first storm of the season is here. Here’s the Compo Beach neighborhood. Enjoy!

(Photos/Betsy P. Kahn)

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Greatest. Snow Video. Ever!

Posted on December 16, 2020 | 4 comments

In his tenure as head of Greens Farms Academy, Bob Whelan has made some amazing Snow Day announcement videos.

Each time, he sets the bar higher for himself.

But now he’s exceeded even his own stratospheric expectations.

Earlier today, GFA families were treated to a work of genius. It was Michelangelo, Mozart and Messi, rolled into one.

Gather ’round the fire. Pop the popcorn. And click below to enjoy!

PS: Why is no one (except Whelan, in the intro) wearing masks?

It was shot in the fall of 2019. But — damn! — there was not a single snow day all last year.

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Snow Day!

Posted on December 16, 2020 | 2 comments

Yeah, we know it’s gonna snow tonight.

Now we know that Superintendent of Schools Tom Scarice does not subscribe to the let’s-wait-and-see school of snow closing thought.

He’s a realist — and he too really likes snow days. He writes:

With the strong likelihood of a major winter storm tomorrow, I would like to inform the school community that the Westport Public Schools will be closed Thursday, December 17.

This will be a traditional snow day which will be made up at the end of the school year. The schools will reopen Friday as scheduled. If the clean up efforts require a second day, Friday will be a full remote learning day.

The anticipation and excitement of a snow day is something that every child should experience. Soak it up.

As a fellow parent I feel the fleeting nature of time with my own children. The challenge of this year warrants a respite. Let this be Thursday.

The forecast calls for about a foot of fluffy snow to end by mid-morning.  Bundle them up and let them all (elementary through high school) get out and enjoy one of the few days a year that we get for winter fun in southern New England.

Stay safe and warm.

Winslow Park snow day, March 4, 2019. (Photo/Molly Alger)

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