May was Mental Health Awareness Month. But the topic is important 12 months a year.
In the latest installment of our “Mental Health Matters” series, Timothy Schmutte — a Westport resident, clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine — and his wife Elenee Argentinis focus on mental health issues faced by people age 50 and older.
Names and details have been modified, to protect privacy. Timothy and Elenee write:
About 1/4 of Westport’s population is over age 60.
According to a 2025 report on healthy aging in Connecticut, Westport was among the healthiest towns, with lower rates of various chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Additionally, more Westport seniors were employed in the last year (31%) than the state average for those aged 65+ years (22%).
Nonetheless, around 6% of Westport seniors have a substance use disorder. 27% live with significant anxiety; 29% with depression.
Despite being one of the wealthiest towns in the state, roughly 15% of Westport seniors live in poverty, or are considered low-income.
Modern medicine enables many people to live into their 80s and 90s. What does it mean that many people are living into late adulthood?
This phase of life has evolved into several distinct stages. During people’s 50s and 60s, many work and family changes occur.
Jobs and careers may conclude. Children may move out. Long-term marriages or committed relationships may end. Health concerns emerge.
For some people, mid- and later adulthood can be a rebirth. New vocations are discovered, new love interests are found, new friends are made.
Often though, these chapters begin with transitions that bring grief, loss, and fear of the unknown.
Therapy can help patients acknowledge and verbalize their loss or pain, and transition into healthy thoughts and actions. Cognitive behavioral techniques include challenging thinking errors about how life may never be as great as it once was. Acceptance and commitment therapy can help people identify what they can control, and move their lives forward.
Westport has a very active Senior Center — and groups like the Y’s Men (whose Hoot Owls, pictured above, sang there), offering activities for retired and semi-retired people. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
I’ve worked with a few executives who are starting to feel burnout they’ve never felt before. Symptoms like sleeplessness, aggravation, excessive drinking or taking sedatives to sleep can be signs that it’s time to make a change. Sometimes parents struggle with their child’s pre-college academics, getting nervous about where their child will go and feeling sad that they will soon leave home.
Often in “mid-life” people can feel like they are being bombarded by several major changes at once. Their own parents can become ill, kids reach college age and careers end, all at once. The 50s can feel like a “when it rains, it pours” period of life.
As adults reach their 60s and 70s health issues can crop up. Social isolation can set in, as peers and family members die or move away.
Two memorable clients included a woman who developed anxiety while living alone that made her too fearful to leave her home and take public transportation. We used exposure therapy to get her back on the bus and back into life.
Another female client experienced rapid onset of an aggressive neuro-motor disease, and faced her own mortality in just a couple of years. She sought coping skills to take control of the parts of her life that she could, and do everything she could to feel a sense of control, like making end-of-life plans, and doing activities she had wanted to do with her family while she was still able.
The seventh decade and beyond can bring cognitive changes, including the risk of dementia and personality changes as the brain ages. Mobility may be reduced, with aging joints, pain and surgeries.
Sleep quality tends to decline with age as well, which can impair cognitive function and affect mood. In cases like these, I often work with social services providers to help people maintain independent living, or make decisions about where they can live their lives most fully as they age.
Older adult health can be more complex, as people develop multiple health conditions and may take several medications to treat them. Sometimes symptoms that appear to be mental health-related may be caused by an underlying medical condition, or be a side effect of an existing medication. We work closely with physicians to ferret this out.
The period of 30-40 years after age 50 is like living an entire second lifetime. It can be a phase of freedom, self-actualization and discovery, but it often comes with hardship. This life phase includes changes in family structure, work, social connections and health.
Each decade brings new challenges that we should all be aware of, for ourselves or as we watch aging grandparents, parents, and members of our community.
Spotting and acting on signs of struggle can alleviate unnecessary sufferingm and unlock new possibilities well into our later years.
(“06880” is all about community building — and community support. If you find stories like this helpful, please consider clicking here to support this hyper-local blog. ThaRecognink you!)
High Point Road is the longest cul-de-sac in Westport.
It’s also the street I grew up on.
It was quite a place. Nearly every home — about 70, by the time they were all built — had 2 or 3 kids, all around my sisters’ and my ages.
We rode bikes, played in yards (and in the “circle” at the end), wandered in and out of houses. Someone’s mother fed us dinner. Then we were outside again.
Staples High School was just over the hill, on the west side of the street. We took over the athletic fields as our own.
High Point is still filled with children. It’s still a great place to grow up.
Some of the original 1950s homes remain. But many others have been torn down.
From the time Dave Matlow began photographing houses set to be demolished, and the time he stopped 6 years ago, 14 High Point homes fell to the wrecking ball. Others have been razed since.
There’s one less place to get vapes and other paraphernalia — plus, according to police reports. joints, canisters of THC flower, cannabis resin and edibles — in town today.
The Savvy Smoker — a scourge of neighbors, and an unwelcome neighbor of fashion designer Christian Soriano, who opened a store in the same Post Road East mini-plaza, back when Subway occupied the space — has closed.
All signage has been removed. (Hat tip: Christian Hunter)
Scores of Westporters took advantage of nice weather — and a special invitation — to tour Prospect Gardens yesterday.
The magnificent 9-acre arboretum-style Greens Farms space is open to the public only twice a year.
Main garden designers Cindy Shumate and Judy Gardner were there all day, telling stories and answering questions.
Greens Farms Garden Club members explained how they plant, tend and harvest the 3-tiered vegetable garden. Last season, their harvest of over 1000 pounds was donated to local organizations that feed families in need.
The next public event is set for September.
One view of Prospect Gardens …
… and another. (Photos/Candice Cardenas)
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We’ve got a new header photo for “06880.” William Weiss took this great image of Ned Dimes Marina:
Kerri Kenney-Silver is an actress, comedian, writer, singer, and musician. As Trudy on “Reno 911!” she was nominated for 4 Emmys. She was the only female cast member on MTV’s “The State,” she’s been on “Superstore,” “2 Broke Girls,” “Love” and “The Ellen Show,” and she fronted the all-female rock band Cake Like.
Kerri is also a 1988 Staples High School graduate.
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal profiled her. She notes the first time she felt noticed — in 4th grade, when she teased a substitute teacher — as well as feeling “miserable and inadequate” in middle school.
Staples was different. She discovered Players — the theater company. “I knew immediately I fit in,” she says.
Looking both ways — and keeping their young ones together — these Canada geese parents look just like Westport moms and dads, out with their kids at Compo Beach.
Well, not “just like.” Those outfits are sadly lacking in aura.
And finally … following up on the news about Savvy Smoker (story above):
(From pot to pizza, “06880” has the local business scene covered. If you enjoy these daily Roundups — or any other feature of our hyper-local blog — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
They offer young riders independence. They save parents the hassle of driving.
Yet few young people — or adults — know e-xactly what’s legal. Or where.
This spring, members of the Westport Youth Commission’s E-bike Safety and Awareness group created a poster awareness campaign.
There are 2 goals. The first is to educate young riders on safe e-bike operating practices.
The second is to educate parents on which e-bikes their children are allowed to ride.
The first stage of the project has begun: a poster campaign targeting parents and youth alike.
One poster …
The Youth Commission has collaborated with the Police Department and Walk Bike Westport on this.
Three posters alert bike users to new laws; direct them to a website built by a member of New Canaan’s youth commission that addresses the issue, and educates bike purchasers about basic e-bike safe riding practices.
… a second …
The posters are being provided to doctors’ offices, schools, bike stores and the media. Yard signs are also being distributed .
The YAC has already begun discussing future plans. This fall, they’ll host biking events to promote e-bike safety and awareness.
But starting right now, remember: Ride safely. And legally.
… and third.
(“06880” regularly reports on Westport’s youth. Our future is in good hands. And this blog’s is too, thanks to reader support. If you’d like to help with a contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
David Pogue’s wife Nicki woke him up to describe her dream: He’d written a book about Apple’s first 50 years.
Nah, he said. That anniversary had already come and gone.
But in the morning, he checked. The computer giant’s half-century mark was still 2 years away.
“Just enough time to write a book!” Pogue says.
A 600-page book, befitting the company’s business, technological and social impact on the globe over the past 5 decades.
No one was more suited to research and write the sprawling story than Pogue.
David Pogue (Photo/Jesse Ditmar)
He spent 13 years as a MacWorld correspondent, and another 13 as a New York Times tech writer.
He produced 2 enormously popular book series on Apple products: “Dummies” and “Missing Manuals.”
Pogue has spent a career exploring and explaining interesting topics: as a “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent (his current gig); a PBS “Nova” star; writing for Scientific American, and more.
(In an earlier life he was a Broadway conductor. You get the idea: Pogue is very curious, and very clever.)
Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 2, 7 p.m., Westport Library) Pogue returns to town, for an author talk.
The Trefz Forum is fitting. During his 2 decades here, he was deeply involved in the community. Among his many activities, he was a frequent Library speaker, panelist and moderator.
David Pogue, in the Westport Library’s “I geek …” campaign. (Photo/Pamela Einarsen)
The other day, Pogue chatted with “06880” about his book: “Apple: The First 50 Years.”
He speaks enthusiastically about many subjects. He’s especially animated about Apple.
Pogue cites their hallmarks — “beauty, elegance and simplicity.” And, he adds, “as a company, their support for equity, inclusion, LGBTQ rights, the environment is insane.”
He bought his first Apple in 1984, as a Yale University senior. College students could purchase the just-released Mac at half price. (“Brilliant marketing,” Pogue notes. “You stick with your first platform the rest of your life.”)
He lifted the computer out of the box, by its handles. He began drawing with MacPaint.
He’s been an Apple fan ever since.
The original Macintosh, with a monitor, floppy drive, keyboard and mouse.
In the early days, it was “David vs. Goliath,” Pogue recalls. Macs struggled, with 2% market share.
But, he adds, though Apple users like him paid more, “we thought we had better taste. The menu was simple. The text looked elegant. We felt very tribal.”
All these years later, that love for the product persists. Readers have posted hundreds of photos of Pogue’s book, next to their beloved desktops and laptops (and smartphones, watches and AirPods).
They wouldn’t do that for a book about Dells, or Androids.
About that book: After Nicki’s dream — and his realization that Apple was only 48 years old — Pogue went to work.
His first job was convincing company executives to grant access to current employees — including CEO Tim Cook, his top team, leading designers, and anyone else.
That wasn’t something they regularly did. Or even seldom.
But they trusted Pogue.
They gave him access not only to their employees, but to their archives in Cupertino, California.
And they agreed to his rule: Apple would have no editorial control over the content.
Evolution of the Apple logo.
He interviewed 150 Apple employees — present and past.
They told him a lot.
He learned about the Apple car. A “gorgeous,” fully electric vehicle, with 4 facing reclining seats, “world class” sound, and windows that acted as screens, it was 10 years — and $10 billion — in the making.
In 2024, the company killed it. It’s a story few know.
“No one would speak about it,” Pogue says. “But I found one guy who spilled the beans.”
Much of what the author found reinforced his belief that Apple’s insistence on excellence was more than corporate shoulder-patting.
During the development of Face ID, for example, they wanted to make sure it worked flawlessly.
On “Makeup Mondays” employees were encouraged to wear wigs, grow and suddenly shave beards, and otherwise attempt to fool prototypes. They tested it at bikers’ rallies and twins’ conferences.
“A home run would have been okay,” Pogue notes. “But they went for a grand slam.”
Why is a book about a tech company important?
“Two and a half billion — billion — people are carrying an Apple device right now,” Pogue says. “That’s 31% of every man, woman and child on earth.”
But they would not be here without “the greatest corporate turnaround in history.” During co-founder Steve Jobs’ 11 years away, Apple suffered a “long, dismal decline.” In 1996 they had 50 different Mac models, and 12 ad agencies.
At one point, 2 Apple attorneys sued each other in trademark court.
Six weeks from bankruptcy, Jobs returned. He pared the models down to 4, the ad agencies to just 1 (the “Think Different” campaign). Within a year, Jobs had righted the ship.
But none of that was foreordained. Jobs never finished college. He had no business training. His Apple III, Lisa and NeXT computers all failed.
Then came a stunning stream of successes: iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iMovie. Pogue tells that story too.
Apple’s impact on the world is profound, and indelible. Take just one product: the smartphone.
“It launched AirBnb, DoorDash, Tindr. It also led to depression, loneliness, a rise in teen suicides.”
Yet with so many products, Apple “established beauty and simplicity as hallmarks,” Pogue says. “Other companies try to emulate them.” Few can.
A sample of Apple products.
They’re a leader in other ways too. With 9,000 parts suppliers around the globe, Apple can — and does — change entire industries.
When it told its power cord manufacturer to stop using a toxic chemical, they complied. “No one ever asked before,” the supplier said.
Now, all power cords — for everyone — are made that way.
So what’s ahead? Other companies — Bell Telephone, General Electric, IBM — once ruled their industry. Nothing lasts forever.
Yet “Apple has an unbelievably long runway of failure before they’re doomed,” Pogue says.
“Two and a half billion people are locked in. It’s expensive and painful to switch to a different platform. In the meantime, Apple has the best engineers in the world.
“And the biggest bank account.”
(For more information on David Pogue’s talk tomorrow at the Westport Library, click here. For more information on his book “Apple: The First 50 Years,” click here.)
(“06880” regularly covers technology, cool people, intriguing ideas, the Library — and, like today, their intersection. If you appreciate this hyper-local blog, please click here to support us. Thank you!)
The “baron’s mansion” — the building at the crest of a hill on Baron’s South, the largely overrun park between Compo Road South and Imperial Avenue — was the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)
Built in the 1950s for Baron Walter Langer von Langendorff — the perfume executive behind Golden Shadows, for whom his home was named — it is hardly a “mansion.”
And anyone who has been inside, and seen the linoleum flooring and green wallpaper — knows that taste is, um, subjective.
But the building — and his property, bought by the town 30 years ago, still undeveloped — have long been part of Westport’s history, and imagination.
The park — though not his “mansion,” and other buildings — are open to the public, from dawn to dark. If you’ve never hiked the property, it’s worth a visit.
Dave Eason, Morley Boyd, Lisa Hayes, Sal Liccione, Paul Cahill, Matt McGrath, Seth Braunstein, Seth Schachter, Andrew Colabella, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Martha Witte and Dana Kuyper have obviously all been there. They correctly identified last week’s Photo Challenge.
What about this week’s? If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
(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!)
A recent announcement by the town of work on the Cross Highway bridge over that small stream — which they called “Dead Man’s Brook” — got Robert Mitchell wondering.
He’d known it as “Deadman.” As “06880” has noted previously, it’s named for a long-ago family with that unfortunate surname — not, as one would assume, for one unfortunate deceased individual.
Mitchell wrote town engineer Keith Wilberg. He promptly (and fully) replied: “FEMA publications use Dead Man’s Brook. As I spend a lot of my time in the FEMA regulation world, I tend to use FEMA’s nomenclature.
“However, the US Geological Survey also has a naming convention, based on the Geographic Naming Information Service. They use Deadman Brook.
“I’m not sure if one outranks the other. But again, as I spend a whole lot of my time, as does Planning & Zoning, in FEMA world, I tend to use their naming.”
But that’s not all. Wilberg added: “Thus I use Sasco Creek, and the state Department of Transporation uses Sasco Brook. Same water body; we’re just debating about what to call it.”
Then — on a roll — he said, “Our office has considered seeing if there is interest in changing the name of Pussy Willow Brook back to Compo Creek, which show up on very old maps and in some old texts. Not sure why or when it was changed, but I think the name Compo Creek would be more appropriate, and I am surprised there is not a creek so named.”
Deadman Brook runs from the north end of Westport, through downtown. At the Levitt Pavilion, it empties into the Saugatuck River. The Imperial Avenue footbridge crosses it . (Photo/John Maloney)
Things are blooming at Blau House & Gardens. The mid-century modern home on Bayberry Lane — designed by noted theater and set designer Ralph Alswang — was just added to the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places.
Next weekend, the space sponsors s readings of “Garden of Earthly Delights,” by Connecticut playwright Steven Otfinoski. Inspired by the legendary Naumkeag estate, these performances capture the shared spirit of ambition, artistry and preservation defining both historic properties.
The first — June 6, at Blau House & Gardens — includes an outdoor staged reading, talkback, reception, guided tour, and shuttle to and from Coleytown Elementary School.
The next day (June 7), there’s a more formal reading, with music and visuals, at the Westport Country Playhouse’s Lucille Lortel White Barn.
Josh Malerman brought his “From Bird Box to the Stage: A Live Horror Experience” to the Westport Library.
The immersive horror performance based on his new novel, “Incidents Around the House” combined a radio play, concert and stage production.
Josh Malerman and friends, on the Westport Library stage. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
And — nearly 40 years after winning a wiffleball contest, with the prize of an hour of air time on Staples radio station WWPT — G & and the Bones reunited last night.
With Staples Class of 1988 musicians Peter Doolittle, Jem Sollinger and Will O’Toole reuniting from as near as Weston and as far as Idaho, the band rocked Little Pub @ Dunville’s. The crowd included old friends, and others who had no idea of the back story.
The “Billy Bash” was a tribute to the friends’ “band manager” Bill Westcott, who died in 2024.
Guitarist Peter Doolittle (left) and singer Jem Sollinger (right), at Little Pub. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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There’s just a week left to see “Art, Jazz + The Blues.” MoCA\CT’s colorful, tuneful show ends June 7.
Just a couple of weeks later, the next exhibit opens. “Looking for History: Rich Shaefer, Ellen Harvey and Michael Borders” is a series of solo presentations that examine how histories — personal, local and national — are pictured, preserved, and contested.
As the US marks our 250th anniversary in 2026, the exhibitions invite visitors into conversations about the narratives and forces that have shaped our nation.
Shaefer’s “Colossi” anchors the full season. Harvey’s “The Disappointed Tourist” is featured June 25 to August 2, followed by Borders’ “Connecticut Industry” (August 13 through November 15).
MoCA’s executive director Robin Jaffee Frank says, “By bringing these artists together, we invite visitors to consider the distance between our founding ideals and our current reality — and how the choices we make today will shape the future of our democracy. MoCA\CT offers a contemplative space where we can safely engage with historical memory, the topics of our time, and one another.”
First we reported on Ryan Smith’s victory in the Vermont City Marathon — his first 26.2-mile race ever.
Yesterday, we followed up with a fan’s Instagram post about it. (Spoiler alert: Ryan’s time qualifies him for the US Olympic team marathon trials.)
Now here’s the story from Ryan himself. He posted it on Substack. It’s a great piece, and you don’t have to be a track geek to love it. Click here to read.
Viva Zapata has been the site of many events, during its 50-plus years in Westport.
Parties, reunions, wedding receptions, post-funeral gatherings … the Mexican restaurant has seen it all.
Except a book launch.
That changes this Thursday (June 4). At 5 p.m., Westport author Annalise Osborne celebrates her new book, “Hold On For Dear Life,” at everyone’s favorite Riverside Avenue spot. The official publication date is tomorrow.
The novel is about idealism, hubris and resilience — and the long, difficult work of finding your way back to why you started.
“In the summer of 2017, Charlie, Jack, and Nik leave MIT believing they can change how the world moves money. Within months, they are exactly the kind of company that gets written about. Within two years, they are nearly destroyed by it.”
Dr. Dale Atkins’ books like “Dear Deer” and “The Turquoise Butterfly” help young readers and their families navigate big emotions, build resilience, and connect more deeply with the world.
Next Sunday (June 7, 2 p.m.), the “Today Show” expert and psychologist comes to the Westport Library, for a conversation with trustee Liza Van Gundy on Atkins’ children’s books,
They’ll explore how storytelling can support children and families through challenges, from managing anxiety and embracing change to fostering empathy and strengthening intergenerational bonds.
The “Career Coach” will be in the Westport Library parking lot on Thursday, June 18 (April 9), for a session on “Intro to Excel” — the popular business spreadsheet.
There are 2 sessions ( 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) each day; both are 2 hours long. Registrants can choose one.
The service is available to people who are exploring career opportunities, actively looking for a job, or seeking additional part-time employment. Click here to reserve a spot.
Yesterday’s gusty winds brought down a North Avenue tree, on the sharp curve between Northridge Road and Charcoal Hill Road.
(Photo courtesy of Town of Westport)
Johanna Shields reports that it took more than 6 hours — from early afternoon until 7:20 p.m. — for an Eversource truck to arrive.
They then had to wait for the rest of the crew, before replacing the pole and rehanging the wires.
It was a long afternoon and night, for customers on North Avenue and side streets.
Eversource crew member Sylvester waits for his colleagues to arrive. (Photo/Johanna Shields)
Meanwhile, the second straight unseasonably cool weekend saw the Compo Beach entrance crew decked out in warm jackets. No t-shirts or shorts yesterday.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
Today will be cloudy, with temperatures in the low 70s. That’s the start of the week too. By Wednesday though, we’ll see highs in the mid to upper 80s.
Former Staples High School soccer star Eloy Rodriguez died May 20. He was 68.
A native of Lima, Peru, he came to the US when he was 6. He quickly made himself at home, with his winning personality.
He earned a master’s degree in finance from Southern Connecticut State University. Eloy worked in management for beverage companies, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Snapple.
He loved his family, friends, soccer, New York sports teams and a good story.
Eloy is survived by his sister Rocio Casey, brother Poncho, and nieces and nephews Ryann, Susanna, Holly, Jack and Emma.
An afternoon of remembrance and reminiscence is set for VFW Post 399 on June 27 (1 to 5 p.m.). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Dianna Broady offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, and says, “I thought that some Westporters would appreciate seeing a bird that a lot of people don’t think of as beautiful. This big tom struts for his ladies in our yard, and sometimes roosts in the big maple over the pond.”
And finally … speaking of Dead Man’s/Deadman Brook (story above):
(From Main Street to Doheny, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. If you enjoy our daily Roundups — or feature stories, photos, music and more — please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
Caroline Banks is a senior at Staples High School. She is a soprano in the Staples Choralaires ensemble, and an honors music student.
She is also organizing a fundraiser for KEYS Music — Kids Empowered by Your Support — a nonprofit that has provided free music education to Bridgeport students since 2004. Caroline writes:
“06880” has recognized 433 Unsung Heroes.
i propose Sung Heroes #1: the Westport music teachers.
Westport has a deep bench of musical talent. Beyond the (at least) 9 Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winners who have lived here, hundreds of Westport students have music in their DNA before it ever appears in their curriculum.
That was not me. Everything I know about music, I learned from Westport Public School music teachers and Dianna Betit, my voice coach.
Caroline Banks (right) and friend Lily Franklin, before this month’s Staples spring concert.
The rhythm of my 13 years of WPS music education will be familiar to many:
Kindergarten–2nd grade: I was shy and intimidated by performing. But music was embedded throughout our school day, so I sang because everyone else did. Each December, we performed at the Long Lots holiday sing-along. My mom still remembers the chorus to “A mi burro.”
3rd grade: Our whole class began the recorder. I enthusiastically practiced at home, which terrified our dog.
4th grade: Signed up for orchestra (violin) and chorus. 7:25 am rehearsals several times per week.
5th–6th grade: Played clarinet. Marched in the Memorial Day parade with Bedford Middle School Band.
7th grade–present: Committed to chorus, and developed my soprano range.
Throughout there were fall, holiday and spring concerts, and 4 Candlelight performances. On June 5, I’ll walk onto the Levitt Pavilion stage to sing with the Choralaires at the Pops concert for the final time before graduation.
Signs honoring all senior music students line the Staples entrance.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about who helped me along the way. My music teachers showed up with real craft, a lot of patience, and the genuine belief that music belongs to every student — not just the ones who were born into it.
So in the spirit of this blog’s Unsung Heroes, I’d like to give some long-overdue recognition to my “Sung Heroes”:
Former teachers Ann Hadden, Betsy Tucker and Luke Rosenberg;
Current Staples High School choral director Lauren Pine
Dianna Betit, who has been a supportive presence in my life for the past 3 years.
Like us, Bridgeport students can get an excellent music education. They have a chorus, and can join a jazz band or orchestra. They have performed at venues like the Bijou Theatre, and events like the Bridgeport Jazz Fest. Last fall, KEYS orchestra students performed on instruments that survived the Holocaust as part of the “Violins of Hope” program.
Staples (right) and Bridgeport concert programs.
What’s different is not the quality of the program — it’s who pays for it, and how many students can access it at all.
The opportunity gap between Westport and Bridgeport is clear by the numbers:
Westport Public Schools employs 28 music teachers for a district of roughly 5,000 students.
Bridgeport Public Schools serves roughly 20,000 students — 4 times the size — with approximately 45 music teacher positions, not all of which were filled this past year. That works out to around 450 students per music teacher.
Bridgeport students receive 19% less per pupil than other Fairfield County students, and 12% less than the CT state average.
KEYS has spent 22 years filling that gap, serving over 6,800 Bridgeport students since 2004, entirely through private donations and grants.
They receive no funding from Bridgeport Public Schools — even though they operate as a pull-out enrichment program in over 20 schools during the school day. In 2024 they delivered 12,753 hours of music instruction, maintained an average 5-year relationship with each of their high school students, and saw 100% of their seniors graduate.
The 41 professional teaching artists on the KEYS faculty are the peers of my teachers in Westport — skilled, dedicated educators who show up every day with the same belief that music belongs to every child.
This spring, I’m raising funds for KEYS as a tribute to my own music teachers — paying it forward in their honor to support their professional colleagues in Bridgeport.
Next fall I’ll head to Wesleyan, where I hope to keep singing. My voice was built in Westport classrooms and in private lessons with a teacher who believed it was worth developing.
The best way I know to thank all of them is to make sure the teachers 8 miles away — doing the same work, with the same commitment — have what they need to keep doing it.
If a Westport music teacher changed your life, consider naming them in the comments below. Hopefully, they will see it and feel appreciated!
And consider honoring them by donating to KEYS. On the donation page, there is a space to donate in honor of another. If you include their email address, your honoree will receive a note.
(“Students Speak” is a regular “06880” feature. Any student living or studying in Westport or Weston can submit a piece. Email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this local blog, click here.)
Staples conductors at the 2025 Candlelight concert (from left): Carrie Mascaro (orchestra), Caitlin Serpliss and Kevin Mazzarella (band), Jen Brima (orchestra), Lauren Pine (choral). (Photo/Dan Woog)
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… and third.
Why is a book about a tech company important?
