Tag Archives: Addison Moore

Roundup: Script In Hand, Home Demolitions …

Posted on December 31, 2025 | 1 comment

Two-time Tony Award winner Judith Ivey highlights the next Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play reading.

“The Pancake Club” — a new comedy directed by Playhouse artistic director Mark Shanahan — is set for January 12 (7 p.m.).

Ivey plays Brenda, a waitress at a small-town diner where a group of senior men regularly meet. As Brenda struggles with the sudden death of her oldest friend, members squabble over the eulogy, the widow refuses to grieve, a mysterious stranger threatens the town’s equilibrium, and Brenda’s only daughter teeters on the brink of a meltdown. Brenda wonders: Does anybody ever truly grow up?

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Judith Ivey

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The Historic District Commission meets January 13 (7 p.m., Zoom).

The agenda includes a vote on the partial demolition, renovation and addition to the main home, and demolition of a detached garage, with a new garage constructed, at 296 Main Street.

The HDC will also vote on whether to oppose demolition permits, and require the full 180-day delay, for these properties:

  • 19 Turkey Hill Road North
  • 11 Dogwood Lane
  • 10 Mary jane Lane
  • 10 Twin Falls Lane
  • 5 Over Rock Lane
  • 17 Adams Farm Road
  • 9 Berkeley Road.

They will vote too on whether to rescind adoption of the motion to oppose the issuance of a demolition permit for 11 Beachside Commons, which was adopted December 9.

11 Beachside Commons

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Up | Next Teens — the county-wide teen volunteer organization founded by Addison Moore, when the recently elected Representative Town Meeting member was a Staples High School student (just a few years ago) — partnered with Big Y to host a holiday food drive.

They collected a few hundred pounds of food, pantry staples, and essential items like diapers, laundry detergent, dish soap and personal care products, for Homes with Hope’s Gillespie Center. 

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Peter “PJ” Boehm Jr. died Saturday at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport.

He graduated in May from the University of Miami Herbert Business School, with a double major in finance and economics. He was a 2021 graduate of Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

His obituary describes PJ as “fun-loving, generous, deeply kind and endlessly curious. With confidence and authenticity, he treated everyone with warmth and humility. His boundless energy infected his wide circle of friends.”

He loved boating with his father Peter, traveling with his mother Mary Kate, and his yellow lab Bella.

PJ is also survived by grandmother, Marilyn Klemish; uncles William Klemish Jr. (Lori), John Klemish (partner Dani Fernandez) and Michael Klemish (Sue), and aunts Christine Walker (John), JoAnnBoehm, and Jacquelyn Steedle. 

Friends may call Friday (January 2, 4 to 7 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday (January 3, 11 a.m.).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Connecticut Humane Society.

PJ Boehm

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows Booler’s Point, in the fog.

I’ve lived in Westport my whole life, and never heard of “Booler’s Point.”

According to photographer Michael Tomashefsky — who found it on Google Maps — that’s the spit of land jutting into the Saugatuck River, between Grace Salmon Park and the Levitt Pavilion.

Here’s what it looks like, in Monday’s fog. And if anyone knows who Booler was, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Michael Tomashefsky)

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And finally … Diana Ross rings in 2026 tonight, at Times Square. Other performers include Ciara, LE SSERAFIM, Little Big Town and Maren Morris.

Beginning in 1929 though, and continuing for half a century, Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians’ “Auld Lang Syne” was the way millions of Americans — live, and first listening to radio, then watching on TV — celebrated New Year’s Eve.

The intro to Lombardo’s 1947 Decca Records version is still played in Times Square, immediately following the ball drop.

So — for auld lang syne’s (time gone by) sake — we present:

(Happy New Year! Whatever your plans, you’ve still got a few hours to donate to “06880” — and take a tax deduction for 2025 too. Please click here. And then celebrate!)

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Posted in Obituaries, Westport Country Playhouse

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Jack Klinge, Addison Moore: Old And New RTM Members Look Behind And Ahead [UPDATE]

Posted on December 3, 2025 | 4 comments

NOTE: This morning’s story called Jack Klinge the oldest member of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting.

He turns 87 in January. That makes him 11 months younger than Dick Lowenstein, who will be 88 in February. Klinge is the longest-serving member, however.

When Addison Moore was born in 2005, Jack Klinge was in his 5th term on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM).

Last night, Moore — now 20 years old just began his first term on the town’s legislative body. He’s the youngest member ever elected.

Klinge — who turns 87 next month — is still at it. Now in his 15th term, he’s the second oldest member (and longest serving). Dick Lowenstein is 11 months older.

On Monday they sat together at the Westport Library. Klinge had plenty of advice for the newcomer.

Moore was eager to listen.

Addison Moore and Jack Klinge. (Photo/Dan Woog)

But Klinge wanted to hear from Moore too.

Both understand the meaning of the first word in “Representative Town Meeting.” Westport residents span every age group. All voices need to be heard.

Klinge and his wife Jeanne moved to Westport in 1966. They bought a home for $32,500 (“$100,000 got you a mansion,” he says), and raised 3 children. All are Staples High School graduates.

After a career commuting to General Foods and Topps — followed by a stint with Major League Marketing at The Mill on Richmondville Avenue — Klinge retired in 1997.

He mentored an 8-year-old boy, with whom he is still in touch. He substitute taught at Staples and the middle schools.

And the same year he retired — at the suggestion of his friend Marion Potter —  he ran for the RTM.

Klinge had little idea how the town operated. He listened, and learned.

Jack Klinge and Addison Moore, at an October candidates’ forum. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Moore — born 8 years after Klinge’s first election — is a 10-year Westporter, and a 2022 Staples graduate.

He served on several youth advisory boards — including Human Services, the Westport Library, Toquet Hall and MoCA\CT — and founded Up Next Teens, a non-profit that grew to hundreds of Fairfield County youths addressing food insecurity.

As a junior at Lafayette College, he continued to seek ways to be involved in his home town. (He is on campus Tuesdays through Thursdays; much of his education is remote.)

Someone suggested he run for the RTM. It seemed far-fetched — until it didn’t.

He knocked on hundreds of doors, and beat an incumbent en route to one of 4 District 9 seats.

“Listen. Observe. Absorb,” Klinge tells Moore. “Learn all you can. Sort out who makes sense, who doesn’t, and what makes sense to you. Your time to talk will come. When it comes, speak from your heart and head.”

Jack Klinge speaks.

But, he adds, “Be succinct. And don’t talk unless you have something to say.” Klinge cites the words of former member (and police chief) Ron Malone: “Everything has been said. But not everyone has said it yet.”

Klinge also says, “Be yourself. Don’t sell yourself out. Make your decision, then stand by it. I’ve been outvoted 35-1. That’s okay.”

Klinge learned about the town by talking with department heads, residents and fellow RTM members. Ever since, he has enjoyed dealing with town issues, projects and problems.

Talking to all constituents is important, Klinge reiterates. It’s great that Moore has the ear of new, young residents. But there are 5,000 seniors in town too, he says. Their concerns and issues are also important.

Among Klinge’s proudest achievements: advocating for schools, helping the Senior Center relocate to its current location at Baron’s South, and helping create workable policies for dogs on the beach.

Right now, Moore is in his own early learning phase. He too is meeting as many people as he can.

Among the issues he’d like to address: making the town safer and more accessible, and expanding the Wheels2U transportation system.

Addison Moore, helping distribute food last winter.

The RTM has evolved since Klinge’s first term, nearly 30 years ago. There are more women and younger residents. (Three of the 4 District 4 members — including now-veteran Andrew Colabella — are in their 30s.

However, Klinge cautions, some RTMers ran just because of one issue close to their hearts. He urges members to be “town-oriented, not cause-oriented.”

One issue that will impact the entire town is the redevelopment of Saugatuck. Klinge hopes that there are enough “energetic, smart, creative, think-outside-the-box problem solvers” on the RTM to address that complex topic with wisdom and foresight.

Moore, meanwhile acknowledges the importance of longtime members like Klinge.

“They have an amazing level of experience,” the youngest RTMer says. “I want to keep learning from them about the past, and how things work. They can help me know about what went into decisions that were made earlier.”

Last year, Klinge helped the RTM celebrate its 75th anniversary by producing a booklet about its long history. He urges Moore to read it.

It gives a great sense of the Representative Town Meeting’s first 3/4 of a century — its big issues and votes, and its quirks too.

For example, certain members have certain seats.

“I’m a little nervous about sitting in the wrong spot,” Moore admits.

“I’ve had the same seat for 28 years,” Klinge notes.

Left unsaid: That’s 8 years longer than Moore has been alive.

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Roundup: Election Follow-Ups, Cribari Bridge, Legacy Project …

Posted on November 8, 2025 | 2 comments

Westport was just a few voters shy of 50% turnout, in this year’s local election.

49.8% of eligible voters went to the polls, or returned absentee ballots. That’s higher than both the 36% average for the state, and the 43% of Westporters who voted in the last selectperson election, in 2021.

In this “blue wave” election, Westport was one of 29 Connecticut municipalities whose Town or City Hall flipped from Republican to Democratic control.

Turnout was lowest in the 2 biggest cities: less than 7% in Hartford, and less than 5% in Bridgeport. Neither had a major race on the ballot.

Turnout was steady on Tuesday in Westport. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Speaking of the election: Westport 10 — the networking and social club for Black men — has grown to many more members from its founders.

Yesterday’s monthly “First Friday” lunch at Sushi Jin was extra special.

Nearly 3 dozen Westport 10 members celebrated with Kevin Christie and Addison Moore.

Christie is the newly elected 1st selectman, and was an original member. Moore — the youngest person ever elected to Westport’s Representative Town Meeting – is the son of another Westport 10 member, Adam Moore.

Westport 10 members (from left): Frank Wood, Craig Melvin, Alexander Mejia, Kevin Christie, Anil Nair (kneeling), Jay Norris, Rob Simmelkjaer, Harold Bailey Jr.

Westport 10 at Sushi Jin. In the center of the front row (arms crossed, tan pants) is Addison Moore. On the right next to him is his father, Adam Moore.

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Speaking still of the election: When a local one is determined by less than 0.5% — or 20 votes or less — state statutes allow for a recount (officially, a “recanvass”).

The Board of Education candidate declined the offer. But losing candidates in 3 Representative Town Meeting districts — 1, 2 and 9 — accepted it.

The recanvass takes place Monday (November 10, 1 p.m., Town Hall Room 201).

All ballots will be rerun through the town’s new “mega-tabulator.” On Election Day, the new machine counted all 3,000-plus early votes in 1 hour.

RTM District 9 candidates on Tuesday, outside the Westport Library polling place. That district is one of 3 whose votes will be “recanvassed” on Monday.

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Less than a year ago, it looked like the Cribari Bridge lights — a beloved tradition for 25 years — would be dark that holiday season.

But thanks to the Westport PAL, and a group of determined residents, businesses and organizations, new lights were bought and strung.

And then, in a joyful ceremony, they were lit.

They’ll be back again this year. Provided, that is, that PAL covers the cost of a substantial number of replacement lights.

The organization is seeking donations to defray the costs of lighting the bridge, and to continue funding scholarships for deserving students.

Businesses and family names will be featured on a large sign near the span. To help, call PAL trustee Emma Rojas at 203-571-7505, or email emmacrojas83@gmail.com.

Let there be lights. And there were! (Photo/Andrea Moore)

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There are plenty of young people in Westport. Many older ones too.

But there have been few opportunities for real interaction between the 2 group.

Now there is.

The Legacy Project connects high school students with older adults, to build one-on-one relationships across generations.

Each student will meet individually with a participating adult to listen, learn, and help document their unique life story.

The stories will be compiled and published in a book that celebrates the wisdom, experiences and legacies of Westporters.

Meetings will take place in one of the participant’s homes, the Westport Library, or another agreed-upon spot, every 2 weeks this fall.

Interested? Contact Stella DiGeronimo, who is heading up the project at Staples High School (stella.digeronimo@icloud.com), or Rozanne Gates (contact@thelegacyprojectusa.com).

Everyone has a story to share.

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As “Love+War” — the new documentary about Lynsey Addario’s career and life — streams on Hulu, The Guardian has just posted an in-depth, interactive and photo-filled interview with the Pulitzer Prize- and MacArthur “genius grant”-winning (and 1991 Staples High School graduate).

Click here to read. (Hat tip: Bonnie Erickson)

Ukrainian soldiers trying to save the father of a family of 4 — the only one at that moment who still had a pulse — moments after being hit by a mortar while trying to flee Irpin, near Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)

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Longtime Westport resident Stefanina Carusone died peacefully on Tuesday, surrounded by her family. She was 78.

Born in Formicola, Italy, and a seamstress by trade, Stefana worked at Pepperidge Farm for 20 years. She was known for her home-cooked meals, and her crocheted blankets, hats and scarves.

She and her husband Fausto raised 3 sons: Salvatore, Fausto Jr. and Steven. She had 3 daughters-in-law — Sarah, Rachel and Athena, and 5 grandchildren: Madeline, Eugenio (Gino), Lia, Isa and Christian, who she enjoyed spoiling.

A funeral is set for November 12 (10 a.m., Assumption Church). Entombment will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Harding Funeral Home on November 11 (5 to 8 p.m.).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation in her memory. Condolences for the Carusone family may be left online at www.hardingfuneral.com.

Stefana Carusone

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured photo is an a stunning, painting-like scene from Winslow Park, from the very talented Rowene Weems:

(Photo/Rowene Weems)

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And finally … on this date in 1889, Montana was admitted as the 41st state.

(Whether you live in Westport or Montana — or Weston or Manhattan, or anywhere else: Thanks for being part of our “06880” community. And thanks for clicking here, to support our work!)

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Posted in Local politics, Obituaries, Politics, Saugatuck, Staples HS

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“06880” Podcast: Addison Moore

Posted on August 11, 2025 | 4 comments

Addison Moore is the youngest guest we’ve ever had on our “06880” podcast.

He’s also one of the most interesting.

A 2023 Staples High School graduate, and a rising senior at Lafayette College, Addison started one of Fairfield County’s largest youth community service groups.

He is living proof that young people today do care about much more than themselves (and their phones).

Now Addison is taking his activism one step further. He’s planning a run for the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) — the youngest candidate ever.

The other day, Addison stopped by the Westport Library, to chat about his love for this town, his service to it, and his future here. Click below to hear his well-spoken, passionate insights.

 

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In The Year 2225

Posted on January 15, 2025 | 7 comments

Self-driving boats at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.

Starbucks’ 9th drive-through lane.

CVS’ world record-length receipt.

A “Hunger Games” competition for Westport’s last parking spot.

Possible topics for “06880”‘s April Fools story? But it’s only mid-January….

Nope. They’re the inventions of Addison Moore. A 2023 Staples High School graduate, and the winner of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Young Entrepreneur award — now a pre-law student at Lafayette College — he is “a proud Westport resident.”

For the past 8 years, he’s created a positive impact in his home town. From organizing a drive-in movie night as a freshman, to launching Feed Fairfield County (300 teens provided food for more than 10,000 residents) to founding Up | Next (the state’s largest teen-led group), Addiso has focused on community building.

Addison Moore (Photo/Analise Draghi)

But he also has a sense of humor.

Last year — as Westport grappled with political and social divisions, and other challenges — Addison searched for a way to help.

“I love this town with all my heart,” Addison says. “Westport has brought me so much joy and belonging. I felt compelled to give back in a meaningful way.”

He thought abut dropping off cookies in mailboxes, or organizing a collaborative art piece.

They were good ideas. Yet he wanted something more fun and creative.

The result: a satirical newspaper, imagining his home town in the future.

He hoped people would smile, while realizing what an amazing community this is.

(Photo/Jodie Brooke Aujla)

“Westport 2225” was a labor of love. Addison spent weeks writing stories and designing the layout. He printed 1,000 copies on his home printer, along with an explanatory letter (each of which he signed personally).

He and several friends rolled up each newspaper, tied them with bows, and spent one very cold night driving around Westport.

It took till 2 a.m., but they slipped them into mailboxes all over town. (Probably illegal, but shhh...).

His adventure did not stop there. Addison posted an Instagram video about the project, including delivery scenes. Click below to see:

Over the next few months, Addison says, he’ll roll out new initiatives and projects to hopefuly “spark meaningful change, and bring people together in Westport.”

For sneak peeks, more information, and to help, follow his Instagram: @addison._moore. (Note the period before the underscore in the address; without it, you’ll follow a girl with the same name.)

PS: If you were not one of the lucky 1,000 recipients of Addison’s paper — no problem.

He’s got you covered. Just click here to see.

(“06880” reports often on the accomplishments of Westport teens [and others of all ages]. If you enjoy our coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Downtown, Local business, Totally random

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