Dan Donovan and his aunts, longtime Westport arts and history advocates Eve Potts and Marion Morra.
Westport Rotary Club stalwart Rick Benson, recent Staples High School graduate James Dobin-Smith, and Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin. (All photos/Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)
(Photo/Jo Shields Sherman)
Former Staples High School principal John Dodig and his husband Rodger Lawrence get ready for the sunset. (Photo/Susan Garment)
The rains have moved on. The heat is nowhere as bad as Phoenix, Houston or Greece.
Which means: We’re on for our 10th annual “06880” blog party!
We’re all set for 6 p.m. at South Beach — the alcohol-is-fine-except-no-glass-bottles end, furthest from the cannons.
This is a bring-your-own-food-and-beverages event. If you’ve got something extra to share, feel free!
Bring a beach chair. And we can always use folding tables.
“06880” provides the rest: a chance to meet commenters and lurkers. Each year we welcome old-timers, newcomers, politicians and normal human beings. It’s a chance to talk, laugh and trade stories about this wild, wacky and only slightly dysfunctional town we share and love.
See you tonight!
We’ll be just to the left of this jetty (near the boat and kayak launch). Without the car, though, (Photo/Linda Gramatky Smith)
It’s been a while since we checked in with our ospreys.
Carolyn Doan visited the Fresh Market raptors on Saturday. She reports:
“I found mom on the very top of a neighboring pine tree. She was giving herself full view of the action around her.
“To her left, the first of her 3 chicks had fledged and was enjoying space away from his sisters. To her right, 2 female nestlings were front and center in the nest, getting ready for their first flight. It may happen this week!”
Speaking of our fine feathered friends: “Birdbrain” is not a compliment.
But for the past few years, birds have been bright enough to build nests on top of a fire alarm signal box in the Playhouse Condominiums parking garage.
It’s warm. It’s protected from both weather and predators. And because they’re birds, “home” is a lot easier to access than residents who battle the shopping center traffic every day.
Still, bringing a chick into the world is not easy. In years past, the condo’s cleaning crew has dismantled the nest; other times, the parents abandoned it.
But this year, all’s well in birdland.
The Playhouse Condos proudly announces its newest resident:
Chick, atop the fire alarm box. (Photo/Dick Truitt)
On Saturday, the Westport Community Gardens held an open house.
Dozens of residents of all ages flocked to the Hyde Lane oasis. They toured the 100-plus plots; marveled at the wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers grown there; enjoyed the pergola and bocce court, and toured the Long Lots Preserve that rings the plots.
Gardeners shared tips — and some of their bounty too.
Enjoying the Westport Community Gardens… (Photo/Lou Weinberg)
Last week, members of Club203 enjoyed art classes at the museum. The next Club203 art class is August 14 (6 p.m.).
The organization — Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities — is just one of several MoCA Gives Back partner groups.
The goal of the MoCA program is to offer art experiences to all, through high-quality programming, and strong outreach to under-resourced populations.
MoCA Gives Back is successful, thanks to dedicated volunteers and instructors.
An exhibition on August 27 will showcase works created by MoCA Gives Back participants.
Meanwhile, Friday night’s MoCA Some Noise: Open Mic Night offered performers a chance to share poetry, readings and acoustic music in the gallery. More are planned.
But that gives us 4 days for the weather to clear before Thursday’s 9th annual “06880” blog party.
We’re all set for 6 p.m (July 20). The site is Compo Beach — the alcohol-is-okay South Beach, by the trees (the opposite end from the cannons).
Bring your own food, beverages (no glass bottles!), beach chairs and blankets. We can always use a folding table too.
Our blog party is a community gathering – a chance to meet and mingle with the diverse “06880” community (both online and real). It’s fun, un-fancy, and free!
We extend a special welcome to all our new “06880” readers. And those who have never come to our bash. See you July 20!
Patti and Doug Brill and friends say: “Come to the blog party!”
Longtime Westporter Bernard Dorogusker died on June 29, with his family at his side. He was 97.
The Bronx native was born to immigrant parents. Times were not easy, but he and his 2 siblings experienced a full New York City childhood. He helped in his father’s store, and sold comics on the corner and hot dogs at Yankee Stadium. At 13, he attended the 1939 World’s Fair.
Bernie served in the Army in the European Theatre under General George S. Patton, Jr.
After his service he attended RCNY and the RCA Institutes for post graduate work in radio and electrical engineering. He loved everything about computers, instrumentation and technology, and started his career building computers at IBM.
This led to a decades long engineering career at the Perkin Elmer Corporation. He worked on government projects, including instrumentation for aircraft and the Hubble Space Telescope.
He met his wife, Barbara Helen Zepko, at Perkin-Elmer. They married in 1959, settling down to start a family near Compo Beach.
Bernie’s passion for all things sports included racing cars, skiing and sailing. In the early 1960s he turned in his iconic Austin Healey to focus on One Design competitive sailing.
Bernie was fascinated by wind patterns, aerodynamics and sail performance, and spent years studying data and research.
Cedar Point Yacht Club became his second love (after his family), and Bernie and his Thistle #1124, “Zelda III,” were a fixture of an award-winning fleet for many, many years.
He was instrumental in growing various fleets at the club, and was a master technical scorekeeper for all things racing at CPYC. After decades of successful racing he retired his boat, and became principal race officer for the cruising fleet. The cruising class honors him every year with the Bernie Dorogusker Trophy for every division in their Wednesday night series.
Bernie also was instrumental in publishing a book on Cedar Point’s history.
Seth Vanbeever honored him with a social media post. Seth wrote:
“35 years ago I was in the junior sailing program at Cedar Point. I wanted to race on the big boats, the cruising class, in the Wednesday night series. No one wanted to take a 12-year-old on the boat.
“I went to the race committee and asked if they needed any help. Bernie, who was in his 60s, said, ‘Shuuuuur’ in his New York accet.
“Bernie didn’t put me to work. He taught me to how to do race committee. He took me under his wing (while explaining Bernoulli’s principle) for the next several years.
“I did race committee on Wednesday nights, raced Thistles on the weekends with Bernie and Walt Stuebner. We even sailed in the Frostbite Series at Essex Yacht Club.
“these two men taught me a tremendous amount about the sport of sailing. I will always remember Bernie.”
Bernie is survived by his wife Barbara of Trumbull; daughters Robin of Boxford, Massachusetts and Laurie of Trumbull; grandsons Erik and Alex Weisensee; brother Alvin, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Renie Zinsmeister.
A graveside service with military honors will be held this Friday (July 21, 11 a.m., Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield). A memorial service at the Cedar Point Yacht Club will take place at a later date.
And finally … Andre Watts died last week, at his Bloomington, Indiana home. He was 77, and suffered from prostate cancer.
The New York Times called him “a pianist whose mighty technique and magnetic charm awed audiences and made him one of the first Black superstars in classical music.”
He was “an old-world virtuoso — his idol was the composer and showman Franz Liszt — with a knack for electricity and emotion. He sometimes hummed, stomped his feet and bobbed his head while he played, and some critics faulted him for excess. But his charisma and his technical powers were unquestioned, which helped fuel his rise to the world’s top concert halls.” Click here for a full obituary.
(If you enjoy our decade of osprey coverage — or anything else “06880” does — please consider a contribution. Just click here — and thank you!).
Posted onJuly 13, 2023|Comments Off on Roundup: Community Gardens Bounty, “06880” Party, Pink Aid Golf …
It’s one of the joys of summer here: eating veggies picked — literally — straight from the garden.
This Saturday, Westport Community Gardens celebrates 20 years by hosting a giveaway garden pop-up stand.
On July 15 (10 a.m. to noon; Hyde Lane just south of Long Lots Elementary School), gardeners share their bounty — vegetables, herbs and flowers — from the summer harvest.
You can also take a tour of all 120 plots (plus the pergola, community tables, bocce court and adjacent Long Lots Preserve).
To learn more about the Westport Community Gardens, click here.
Bounty from the Westport Community Gardens.
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The annual “06880″ party is just a week away.
And if you’re reading this: You’re invited.
Next Thursday (July 20, 6 p.m.) is the day and time. The far end of Compo’s South Beach — away from the cannons, near the boat and kayak launch — is the place. (Still confused? See the aerial view below.)
The blue arrow marks the “06880” party spot.
Every member of the “06880″ (as in, this website) community is invited. We welcome frequent commenters and lurkers. Folks who have lived here all their lives, and those who moved here yesterday. People who want the Cribari bridge to stay the same, those who want a new one, and everyone in between. (Don’t worry: The party is a politics-free zone.)
The tagline for “06880″ is “Where Westport meets the world.” Next Thursday, that world comes to Compo.
Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. (If you bring extras to share with others, we won’t say no). Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.
There’s no charge. It’s a “fun-raiser,” not a fundraiser.
A “blog party” — the “06880” version of a block party.
See you next Thursday!
(PS: Because “06880” is now a non-profit, Westport Parks & Rec allows a limited number of out-of-towners without beach stickers. Please email 06880blog@gmail.com to be put on the list. First come, first served!)
The “Play4PinkAid” fundraiser — with your choice of golf, tennis, pickleball, canasta or mah jongg — is set for Wilton’s Rolling Hills Country Club (Monday, July 24).
But there are plenty of Westport connections.
Jarret Prussin and Brian Falik are running the event. Jarret’s wife Courtney is Pink Aid’s co-president.
And of course, many Westporters have long been involved with the non-profit, which offers compassionate support and emergency financial assistance to patients in treatment for breast cancer, supporting families during a critical time.
“Play4PinkAid” is a day-long event, with lunch, dinner and drinks. Susan Hess, founder of women’s golf wear brand Golftini will share her personal connection to breast cancer, and how she is paying it forward.
A few foursomes as well as several tennis and pickle spots remain. Click here to register, and for more information.
The players on Westport’s 12u Little League team were just 2 years old when our town’s boys made it all the way to the World Series national championship game.
Now they’re embarking on their own road to Williamsport.
Westport takes on Fairfield National — their fiercest rivals — in Connecticut’s District 2 championship contest this Friday (July 14, 5:30 p.m., Unity Park, Trumbull).
There’s nothing better than a summer baseball game like this. Play ball!
Jack Klinge is a true friend of the Senior Center.
Last night at the Ned Dimes Marina, the Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities honored and thanked him for more than 20 years of service.
The retired executive — and current RTM member, and Westport Public Schools substitute teacher — is stepping down as president. He’ll remain (thankfully and happily) a Friends board member.
Jack Klinge, flanked by Sue Pfister and Wendy Petty, the former and current Senior Center directors, respectively. (Photo and hat tip/Diane Bosch)
Otis & the Hurricanes storm onto the Weston History & Culture Center’s lawn.
Their Sunday, July 23 show (5 p.m.) is part of the 8th annual “Music at the Barn” series. Attendees can bring a picnic dinner, beverages and lawn chair.
Otis & the Hurricanes play American roots rock, influenced by Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Little Feat, Alan Toussaint, Delbert McClinton abd Chuck Berry.
Otis Cross has opened for and played with James Montgomery, Mark Naftalin, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and Buckwheat Zydeco.
Also on-site: a kids’ crafting table, lawn games, and the Daniel E. Offutt, III Sculpture Garden.
Tickets ($15 members, $20 non-members, children under 12 free) are available at the show or online.
And finally … you don’t have to be a Mensa member to have guessed who today’s featured artists are:
(From actual turtles to The Turtles, you can read about it all on “06880.” If you appreciate our coverage, please consider a donation. Just click here — and thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Community Gardens Bounty, “06880” Party, Pink Aid Golf …
“Shoah” — Hebrew for “catastrophe” — refers today to the killing of nearly 6 million Jews and others by Nazi Germany and its collaborators.
This evening (Monday, July 10, 7 p.m., Westport Library), Sam Gustman — associate dean and chief technology officer at the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation and USC Libraries, discusses “Humanity Through Technology.”
Founded by Steven Spielberg in 1994, the foundation is the world’s largest collection of video testimonies about the Shoah. It is used for research, education, and outreach for the betterment of humankind.
Shoah collects testimonies, develops innovative research and educational materials for schools, universities, and museums. Gustman will demonstrate AI, video streaming, search, and learning management system technologies.
The event is sponsored by the Library, and the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
This year’s “06880” blog party is just 10 days away.
The date is Thursday, July 20 (6 p.m). The site is Compo Beach — the alcohol-is-okay South Beach, by the trees (the opposite end from the cannons).
Bring your own food, beverages (no glass bottles!), beach chairs and blankets.
Our blog party is a true community gathering – a chance to meet and mingle with the diverse “06880” community (both online and real). It’s fun, un-fancy, and free!
We extend a special welcome to all our new “06880” readers. And those who have never come to our bash. See you July 20!
A small part of the large crowd. (Photo/Dennis Jackson)
The 2013 Staples High School and 2017 University of Virginia graduate — one of the greatest runners in Connecticut history placed 5th at Saturday’s USA National Track & Field 1500 meter championship in Eugene, Oregon. His time was 3:35.99.
He missed being one of the top 3 to advance to the World Championships in Budapest next month by only half a second. But his time equates to a 3:51 mile.
Henry Wynne is on the right, wearing yellow.
The field included the top 12 milers in the US — including 2 Olympians.
Wynne — who won the NCAA championship in the mile, and is a 3-time high school national champ — is sponsored by Brooks.
Click below for the exciting race. (Hat tip: Reess Kennedy)
Jared Frank — a 2002 graduate of Staples High School, and then of and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts — writes about art and architecture. He designs original furniture, and creates bespoke environments.
His interiors have been featured in Vogue, Dwell, Elle Décor and the Los Angeles Times.
Now a new book includes a chapter on his own home, Casa Larissa. “The New Antiquarians: At Home with Young Collectors,” is “an inspiring compendium of idiosyncratic interiors assembled around eclectic collections of objects with life and history.” Jared is proud to be among peers who also “brazenly blend the old with the new, . . . employ serious knowledge with humor and wit, and consider vintage and historical objects through the lens of contemporary values.”
Jared Frank, in a page from “The New Antiquarians.”
Saturday’s Roundup noted that beginning with the 2024-25 school year, the kindergarten age cutoff changes from December 31 that school year to September 1, so that any student entering kindergarten must already be 5 years old. (Interestingly, it’s called HB 06880.)
State Senator Ceci Maher checked in with “06880” (the blog). She notes: “A waiver available in HB 5003 allows parents whose children are not age 5 by the September 1 to be admitted to kindergarten upon written request, and assessment of the child by principal or certified staff to ensure admission is developmentally appropriate.”
We’re not sure exactly how this weekend accident happened. But it looks like 2 cars were trying to turn at the same time, at the Franklin Street/Charles Street intersection.
On Saturday morning, over 60 members of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston ventured to a third town.
Westporter Deej Web led a walking tour of historic Southport. He knows his stuff: He’s a member of the Pequot Library board of directors, its historian — and a former history teacher.
Among the topics: the role of Southport in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I and the rum runners of Prohibition, along with its historic harbor, onion fields, taverns, and the slave and China trades.
Y’s Men in Southport. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)
Wildlife photographer and Westport Community Gardens director Lou Weinberg offers today’s compelling “Westport … Naturally” photo. He says:
“Red squirrels love eating black walnuts in the Long Lots Preserve.
“During the summer, American red squirrels collect and hide seeds and nuts so they have food storage during the lean winter times. Sometimes they forget to dig up the seeds. This benefits their local habitat because the squirrels are unintentionally planting trees in new places.
Posted onJuly 2, 2023|Comments Off on Save The Date! “06880” Blog Party Is July 20!
If you’re reading this, you’re part of the great “06880” online community.
Which means you’re invited to our 9th annual “blog party.”
The date is Thursday, July 20. We’ll gather at 6 p.m. at Compo Beach — specifically, alcohol-is-okay South Beach, by the trees (the opposite end from the cannons).
Bring your own food, beverages (no glass bottles, though!), beach chairs and blankets.
The first 9 years were great successes*. They were true community gatherings– chances to meet and mingle with the diverse “06880” community (both online and real). It’s fun, un-fancy, and free!
We extend a special welcome to all our new “06880” readers. And those who have never come to our bash.
This year’s blog party will be better than ever.
I can’t give away any secrets, though. You’ll just have to show up, and see for yourself.
*Except for the rainout. And the heat. And COVID.
“06880” party: The view from above. (Drone photo/JC Martin)
NOTE: The “06880” blog party is free. But we rely entirely on donations to keep writing (and partying.) Please click here to help!
Comments Off on Save The Date! “06880” Blog Party Is July 20!
The idea is simple: I pick a date. I get a permit from the Parks & Recreation Department. I announce it a few times on the blog
And our “06880” community does the rest.
It’s an organic event. Everyone brings food, drinks and beach chairs.
A small part of the 150 or so guests. The table on the right held swag for the guests (with thanks to Savvy + Grace, the Main Street gift shop).
Folks who have lived here for 70 years, and others who have been here for 7 weeks (literally), mix and mingle. (Special shout-out to 93-year-old Tom Lowrie!)
A small part of the large crowd. (Photo/Dennis Jackson)
Politicians (of both parties) chat with people who want to tell them a thing or two — and others with no idea who they are.
Ann Sheffer and Bill Scheffler live much of the year in California and New York. But they came to the “06880” party too. And yes, that’s 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker on the left, photobombing the shot.
The police chief talks with an old friend from Staples.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas (right) and Staples High School Class of ’79 classmate Terry Brannigan.
Party-goers introduce themselves to strangers, then recognize the names of frequent commenters and frequent photographers. Jack Backiel — one of the most frequent commenters of all — made a special trip up from Maryland, just to see the town he lived in decades ago (and still feels connected to).
Jack Backiel (right) and his longtime friend Dennis Jackson.
It was the 9th annual “06880” blog party. If you were there last night, you know all that already.
If you missed it: See you in 2023!
Staples High School 2020 graduate Dylan Curran.
PS: A tip of the “06880” hat to Parks & Rec for helping the event run so smoothly. Particular thanks to Luke in Guest Services, for toting tables and going out of his way to help.
Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley.
PPS: And thanks too to the weather gods. The predicted thunderstorms never came. In
It was not even as hot as predicted, and a soft breeze helped. Go figure.
Nicole Klein and Jerry Kuyper take a selfie with some random dude. (Photo/Matt Murray)
Dorothy and Jon Fox. Love her hat!
Warren Bloom entertains.
Michael Calise
The women of Westport. (Photo/Tom Lowrie)
From left: Judy and Jack Backiel, and Gloria Gouveia, enjoy some shade.
Mark Yurkiw has not forgotten his native Ukraine. (All photos/ Dan Woog, unless otherwise noted)
An added bonus: a spectacular sunset. (Photo/John Dodig)
Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for early this afternoon.
But the evening looks great. The temperature will start cooling off.
Which means: We’re on for our 9th annual “06880” blog party!
We’re still set for 6 p.m. at South Beach — the alcohol-is-fine-except-no-glass-bottles end, furthest from the cannons.
If it rains earlier, we’ll clear off the tables and benches. (If you’ve got an extra folding table, please bring one!)
This is a bring-your-own-food-and-beverages event. If you’ve got something extra to share, feel free!
“06880” provides the rest: a chance to meet commenters and lurkers. Each year we welcome old-timers, newcomers, politicians and normal human beings. It’s a chance to talk, laugh and trade stories about this wild, wacky and only slightly dysfunctional town we share and love.
See you tonight!
We’ll be just to the left of this jetty (near the boat and kayak launch). Without the car, though, (Photo/Linda Gramatky Smith)
This Thursday (July 21, 6 p.m.) is the day and time. The far end of Compo’s South Beach — away from the cannons, near the boat and kayak launch — is the place. (Still confused? See the aerial view below.)
The blue arrow marks the “06880” party spot.
Every member of the “06880″ (as in, this website) community is invited. We welcome frequent commenters and lurkers. Folks who have lived here all their lives, and those who moved here yesterday. People who want the Cribari bridge to stay the same, those who want a new one, and everyone in between. (Don’t worry: We keep the party a politics-free zone.)
The tagline for “06880″ is “Where Westport meets the world.” This Thursday, that world comes to Compo.
Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. (If you bring extras to share with others, we won’t say no). If you’ve got a folding table, we could use a few too 🙂
Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.
There’s no charge. It’s a “fun-raiser,” not a fundraiser.
A “blog party” — the “06880” version of a block party.
Posted onJuly 14, 2022|Comments Off on “06880” Blog Party: 1 Week Away!
The annual “06880″ party is just a week away.
And if you’re reading this: You’re invited.
Next Thursday (July 21, 6 p.m.) is the day and time. The far end of Compo’s South Beach — away from the cannons, near the boat and kayak launch — is the place. (Still confused? See the aerial view below.)
The blue arrow marks the “06880” party spot.
Every member of the “06880″ (as in, this website) community is invited. We welcome frequent commenters and lurkers. Folks who have lived here all their lives, and those who moved here yesterday. People who want the Cribari bridge to stay the same, those who want a new one, and everyone in between. (Don’t worry: We keep the party a politics-free zone.)
The tagline for “06880″ is “Where Westport meets the world.” Next Thursday, that world comes to Compo.
Please bring your own food, beverages, beach chairs and blankets. (If you bring extras to share with others, we won’t say no). Then mix, mingle and enjoy the evening with the “06880″ crowd.
There’s no charge. It’s a “fun-raiser,” not a fundraiser.
A “blog party” — the “06880” version of a block party.
See you next Thursday!
(PS: Because “06880” is now a non-profit, Westport Parks & Rec allows a limited number of out-of-towners without beach stickers. Please email 06880blog@gmail.com to be put on the list. First come, first served!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
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