The most expensive residential sale in town history began with a soccer jersey.
John Raus — an agent with Berkshire Hathaway — and his wife were at the Compo Beach playground, with their young children.
He saw a girl wearing an Arsenal shirt. He’s a fan of the London team, so he chatted with her parents.
One thing led to another — including an introduction by them to the couple who would eventually buy 5 lots on Beachside Avenue.
The $54 million total price encompasses plenty of history. The properties at 120 and 122 Beachside Avenue were once owned by Phil Donohue and Marlo Thomas.
122 Beachside Avenue
The one at 26 Beachside — adjacent to Burying Hill Beach — was previously owned by Harvey Weinstein. In 2012, it was the site of a fundraiser for President Obama.
The presidential motorcade at Harvey Weinstein’s Beachside Avenue house, in 2012. (Photo/White House pool)
All the properties are waterfront, on Long Island Sound.
128 Beachside Avenue
The seller last month was the Bentley family. The buyer’s names have not been disclosed.
However, Raus says, “Westport couldn’t be getting a better family to join this community. They are very humble, very easy-going.”
They will use their properties — 13.2 acres at 120-128 Beachside (including homes, a pool and tennis court), and 3.3 acres at 26 Beachside (where the old Weinstein house was demolished 5 years ago) — for their extended family.
Westport will get something else: $135,000 in conveyance taxes.
The state of Connecticut gets even more: $1.185 million.
The Leslie Clarke team at Compass represented the Bentleys for the sale of 120-128 Beachside Avenue. Compass realtor Deirdre Andreoli represented the Bentleys for 26 Beachside Avenue.
(“06880” covers the Westport waterfront — literally and figuratively. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Longtime Westporter Scott Smith is a trenchant observer of local life. He writes:
I’m all for the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, among other personal freedoms afforded to us Americans.
That said, when it comes to the privilege of owning private property, I also think there should be some measure of public accountability and social responsibility that go along with those enshrined rights.
I say this to ask: What reason would someone who owns a strip of roadside land along Long Island Sound have to install dense landscaping that blocks the rest of us from enjoying these beautiful coastal views? Aesthetics? Erosion control? Security?
I speak of a stretch along Beachside Avenue that has been planted chock-a-block with arbor vitae and other shrubbery.
New plantings on Beachside Avenue. (Photo/Scott Smith)
But I don’t mean to single out a few property owners on this public road, as I see examples of such “privacy screens’ along other scenic Soundside drives, all of which make Westport a wonderful place to live and visit.
Hillspoint Road, between Compo and Old Mill Beaches.
I would add that this stretch of Westport’s fabled Gold Coast is adjacent to the former home of the Bedford family, which bestowed upon our community several school buildings, a firehouse, the original Y, and Camp Mahackeno, among other lasting civic gifts. (I’ve heard they also opened the private gardens of their Gilded Age estate to townspeople on occasion.)
Why rob us of such a precious public view, and why now and for many years to come? It may not be against the law, but it strikes me as against the common good.
Just asking, and saying.
(“06880” frequently posts “Opinion” pieces — along with news, events, features on residents of all ages and businesses of all types, and much more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
For more than 2 decades, Westporters knew Phil Donahue and his wife Marlo Thomas as Beachside Avenue neighbors.
Most Americans knew him instead as an intelligent, innovative, provocative and compelling TV talk show host. His nearly 7,000 episodes earned 20 Emmy Awards, and drew audiences of 8 million. There was a waiting list of 18 months for studio tickets.
Donahue died yesterday, at his Upper East side home. He was 88.
Phil Donahue
Four decades ago, when Westport formed a “Homeless People’s Committee” — which led to the town’s first soup kitchen, and has evolved into today’s Homes with Hope — Donahue featured it on his show. He called it “an example of an affluent town with a social conscience.”
Years later, he was at the Westport Library, showing a documentary he produced on the Iraq war.
A fight nearly erupted, in the SRO crowd.
Then-director Maxine Bleiweis — wedged against a wall — grew worried.
Finally, she recalls, Donahue — “in his best talk show host voice” — defused tensions by saying, “I think this is the part of the program where we all hold hands and sing ‘Kumbaya.’”
In 2012, Donahue and Thomas put their Westport property on the market, for $27.5 million.
It included:
Welcoming gates and a long drive
A 3-bedroom, 3-full and 2-half-bath Nantucket-style home with expansive water views
A separate 2-bedroom guest wing with a bath and private entrance
Another building on a pond, with a fully equipped gym and “hand-crafted, tropical-designed sauna”
A screened gazebo for “complete peaceful relaxation and bird watching”
Environmentally friendly features, ensuring “the least waterfront maintenance possible”
Sophisticated geo-thermal heating, a/c, electric, security and drainage systems “engineered toward the future”
Mahogany-framed, “wind-tested” windows.
The Beachside Avenue home owned by Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas. (Screenshot via Zillow)
When the couple left, Donahue donated 24 purple martin gourds to nearby Sherwood Island State Park.
If you’ve got a Phil Donahue story or memory, click “Comments.”
Here’s mine. Soon after the publication of my book Jocks: True Stories of America’s Gay Male Athletes, I was a guest on his show. The subject was LGBTQ people in sports.
The other guest was Bobby Valentine, former New York Mets manager and baseball star — who grew up in Stamford, and still lived there.
Before the show, and during breaks, Donahue and I talked about Westport. Valentine added his own recollections of playing baseball (and football) for Rippowam High School, against Staples.
Then the cameras rolled, and the TV host was all business.
Is there any place in Westport that Andrew Colabella doesn’t know?
He has correctly identified nearly every Photo Challenge of the past few years. (He did guess incorrectly several weeks ago. So did nearly everyone else though, too.)
Andrew was the first to nail last Sunday’s challenge. It was a tough one: a large rock, painted white with a red heart. (Click here to see.)
It’s there in plain sight: at the entrance to Beachside Common on Beachside Avenue, on the hill leading down to Burying Hill Beach.
But that’s a relatively out-of-the-way location. And unless you look closely — which you shouldn’t do, on that sharp curve — you’re likely to miss it.
Andrew doesn’t miss much. He was joined as last week’s Photo Challenge champ by Jeff Jacobs (who walks past it, so he’s off the vehicular hook), Judy Reid (a Greens Farms neighborhood resident), and Mary Ann Batsell.
This week’s challenge is similar: It’s in the grass, on the ground somewhere.
(Photo/Mark Yurkiw)
This is another tough one, so here’s a hint: It’s not near Burying Hill Beach.
Here’s another hint: Ask Andrew Colabella. I’m sure he knows.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Here’s another challenge: Please support “06880,” with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here to help. Thank you!)
A capacity crowd (including namesakes Rev. John and Judyth Branson) filled Christ & Holy Trinity Church’s Branson Hall last night, for the annual 1st Citizen Award dinner.
The 7th annual event — sponsored by the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, but the first held since the pandemic — honored Westport Library director Bill Harmer, CastleKeepAdvisors founder and CEO Charlie Haberstroh, and 4 student entrepreneurs: Marley Brown, Akhila Kooma, Addison Moore and Jamie Semaya.
Charlie Haberstroh (center) and his family.
The theme of the evening — echoed by Chamber director Matthew Mandell and keynote speaker US Senator Richard Blumenthal — was “giving back to the community.”
Westport Library director Bill Harmer speaks. Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell is at left.
All 6 honorees have done that in major ways. And all expressed thanks that the communities of Westport and Weston have inspired, and enabled them, to do so.
Keynote speaker Senator Richard Blumental. (All photos/Dan Woog)
“Reluctant Liberators: Westport in the Civil War” was curated by students. Staples High School junior Talia Moskowitz took the lead, as part of an independent study project.
She got help from the museum’s high school interns: Amelia Gura, Devan Patel and Oscar Scher (Staples), Stephanie Field (Weston) and Tess Innes (Wilton).
The exhibit includes information on early Westporters like the Toquet, Coley and Ketchum families, and an exploration of racial issues during that time.
It runs through November 11.
Talia Moskowitz, at the Westport Museum for History & Culture exhibit.
As the end of school nears, here’s an important reminder: Not every family here can afford the camps and enrichment programs many take for granted.
Westport’s Department of Human Services can help.
Last summer, 58 income-qualified youth, from 32 families, participated in the department’s campership program.
This year, the number may be higher.
Human Services director Elaine Daignault encourages residents who can, to contribute. Online donations can be made to the “DHS Campership Fund” (click here), or mailed to 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.
For more information — including how to qualify for a campership — email youth and family specialist Annette D’Augelli: 203-341-1050; adaugelli@westportct.gov.
Summer Camp has been part of growing up for decades. In 1953, Westport artist Stevan Dohanos used Camp Mahackeno for this Saturday Evening Post cover.
Tomorrow marks the start of Wakeman Town Farm’s farm stand.
Open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., it features fresh produce, fresh-cut flower bouquets, WTF logowear and honey, and products from local vendors like artisan baked goods, extra virgin olive oils, gourmet balsamic vinegars, Chaga mushroom elixirs, homemade salsas and more.
The gardens are open. It’s also a chance to see the animals, and chat with farmers.
PS: This week: limited amounts of country and roasted garlic sourdough, multigrain pan loafs, focaccina minis, olive-Focaccia and bomboloni Nutella.
When it comes to powerful adjectives and action verbs, no one beats the New York Post.
Yesterday’s story on the the future of Phil Donohue and Marlo Thomas’ former Beachside Avenue home begins:
A Connecticut “Gold Coast” mansion sold by talk show pioneer Phil Donahue for $25 million is to be be bulldozed by its current owners who say it is falling apart and overrun by vermin.
The once-palatial Tudor on Westport’s most exclusive avenue has become a home for rats and raccoons with a caving-in roof, its new owner Peggy Reiner claims.
She is involved in a bid to tear down the 8,500 square foot manse after building a 20,000 square foot beach-view home with a commanding prospect of Long Island Sound in front of it.
The long story describes the history of the current property, and others nearby.
It also calls “06880” a “popular gossipy and newsy blog.”
Nice. But we’ll stick with “where Westport meets the world.”
Click here for the full Post story. (The “06880” mention comes near the end.)
The New York Post story includes this Google Earth photo of Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas’ “vermin”-filled old house (rear), and the 20,000-plus square foot home that replaced it.
The recent haze from Canada’s wildfires prompts this message, from Westport’s Office of Emergency Management:
Daycare providers, summer camps and older residents should subscribe to the Air Quality Index . It is fast, easy and provides important daily information. The link includes ground-level ozone, its health effects, what to do on a high ozone day, and how to reduce ground level ozone in your backyard.
Learn how to cope with days like this. Subscribe to the AQI. (Photo/Charlie Scott)
Yesterday’s Roundup posed a question: What’s up with the Photoshopped figure on top of the Westport Country Playhouse photo I posted on “06880” a couple of days ago.
It took about 12 minutes to find the answer.
Miggs Burroughs — Westport’s graphic artist/photographer extraordinaire, who has worked with nearly every organization in town — Photoshopped Ann Sheffer on the roof of the building, several years ago.
It was a gift from the Playhouse to her, for her many years of service and support.
In fact, Ann — one of our town’s most philanthropic residents — spent one summer, back in the day, as an usher there.
Decades later, she made it onto the roof.
And now the mystery is solved.
===============================================
Also yesterday, our Roundup gave an incorrect date for this weekend’s “Last Lollapaloosa” at Blau House & Gardens.
The correct day for the Bayberry Ridge event is Sunday, June 11.
The day includes tours of the magnificent property, yoga, children’s book readings, a reception and more.
Click here to register (deadline: June 5), and for information on payment and shuttle transportation from Coleytown Elementary School.
And finally … George Winston, the new age pianist (he called it “rural folk piano”) died Sunday in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He was 74, and had been ill with cancer.
(“06880” will cover Staples’ graduation — as we do with every big town activity, and many small ones. Please help us keep doing it. Click here to contribute — and thank you!)
Over the holidays, the alert and environmentally minded “06880” reader decided to take one of his favorite walks: from Burying Hill around the cove to Frost Point.
The rocky promontory is named for one of the original Bankside Farmers — the first settlers of Greens Farms — but the attraction for Scott is something that came much later: a line of concrete pilings extending far out into the sand flats. He believes the scenic ruins were once a deep-water dock serving the Bedford estate.
Of course, he notes, the walk is possible only at low tide — not just to stay dry walking down the beach, but even to make it into the parking lot. The roadway is underwater at most high tides. Scott hopes that the jetty project — if it happens — also includes flood mitigation for the road and lot.
Burying Hill Beach entrance and parking lot at high tide.
Yet, he says, it looks like a big construction project is already underway nearby. A homeowner on Beachside Avenue is repairing the seawall. Huge boulders tumble across the sand, many well into the water line.
Boulders on the sand.
Scott says, “I’m all for homeowners keeping their property shipshape. But I also want to know that once the work is all done, Westporters will still have access to this beautiful stretch of beach. I take the graffiti on the seawall as an ominous sign.”
But leave time for the Slice of Saugatuck. The 9th annual event runs September 25, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Over 50 restaurants and stores will participate. Over 2,000 people will stroll the streets, snack on samples, enjoy music and kids activities, and learn more about the joys of Westport’s original town center.
This year’s footprint expands to include Riverside Realty (with a band in the parking lot), and the VFW and Westport Paddle Club across the street.
The Maker Faire area will once again be in Luciano Park.
There’s live music at 7 locations: Outside Chance, Silver Steel, Otis & the Hurricanes, The Howling Barncats, Elana Zarabi, Accidental Breakdown and School of Rock. Plus roving theatrical performances, and taekwando demonstrations.
New this year: boat rides, courtesy of Carefree Boat.
Two beer gardens (with wine — hey, this is Westport) are located on Bridge Square and Railroad Place. Many of restaurants will also offer specialty drinks indoors. Many will also hold special Saugatuck Happy Hours, with more food and drink after 5 p.m.
The price is again $15 per adult (with a two-for-$25 option). Kids under 13 remains $5; age 5 and under are free. Cash only!
The sponsoring Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has donated over $30,000 to the Gillespie Center’s food pantry, with proceeds from prior events.
For more information and a Slice of Saugatuck map, click here.
From Bridge Square to Railroad Place — and everywhere else — Slice of Saugatuck is packed. (Photo/Terry Cosgrave)
Dr. Scott Gottlieb’s new book will not be released until tomorrow. But — based on pre-orders — Uncontrolled Spread: Why COVID-19 Crushed Us and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic — is already a best-seller.
The book by the former FDA commissioner (and our Westport neighbor) describes how the coronavirus raced through our nation. Gottlieb had a front row seat: he was in regular contact with President Trump, key players in Congress, and the drug industry.
Meanwhile, new dangers lurk around every corner. Gottlieb addresses our preparations for the next virus. Are we ready?
Click here for more information, and to order his book.
Save the Children is no longer headquartered in Westport. But it maintains strong ties here.
On September 30 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library), they’re sponsoring an evening with Christina Baker Kline. The best-selling author will join STC’s CEO Janti Soeripto and chief strategy officer Mark Shriver to discuss what the organization is doing for vulnerable children, here and abroad.
The evening includes wine and hors d’oeuvres. To purchase tickets, click here. Questions? Email mleffel@savethechildren.org.
To many folks, it was an abstract image. Some may have realized it was a stone wall.
But to the elite subset of “06880” readers who specialize in figuring out each Sunday’s Photo Challenge, it was child’s play. They quickly identified its location on Beachside Avenue, just past the Greens Farms Academy entrance on the left heading toward Southport. (Click here to see.)
Don’t ask me how they do it. But kudos to Chris Swan, Andrew Colabella, John Richers, Seth Schachter, Judy Reid and Seth Braunstein, who once again rose to the challenge.
And surpassed it.
This week’s Challenge shows 2 culverts. Hint: They’re not the ones featured in a recent story about the culverts linking Sherwood Mill Pond to Burying Hill Beach.
If you know where in Westport you’d see this pair, click “Comments” below. Bonus points for identifying the body of water.
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!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
