And the answers to last week’s Photo Challenge were simple.
“The Duck!” many readers said. A few shortened it to just “Duck.”
They were right. Mary Lou Roels’ image of a sign that said “A good drinking place is a good place to be” — a direct quote from that famed drinker, Benjamin Franklin — hangs oveer the bar. (Click here to see.)
Susan Iseman, Seth Braunstein, Susan Weingarten, Jane Nordli, Sal Liccione, Diane Silfen, Andrew Colabella, Wendy Schaefer, Arthur Hayes, Brian Schwartz, Will Gibson, Karen Como, Janice Strizever, Martha Witte, Rachel Halperin, Jonathan McClure and Diana Pils Marino all have spent enough time at the Duck to quickly answer our not-so-difficult Photo Challenge.
Then they went right back to drinking.
This week’s Challenge includes a cell tower. There are plenty of those in town. But which one can be seen not far from this intriguing light fixture?
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Scott Smith)
(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!)
That — well, the Black Duck, anyway — was the site of last week’s Photo Challenge.
The cropped photo, showing only the door and a crooked window (click here to see) threw off our readers. Most guessed Wakeman Town Farm.
Lee Scharfstein and Jennifer Piseck had their ducks in a row. Well done!
Meanwhile, f you know where today’s Photo Challenge is, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
(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!)
Some people never make it past the Black Duck dining room (or bar).
But those who venture further know there are alligators (crocodiles?) on the dock in back.
The seldom-seen-unless-you’re-there reptiles were the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge (click here to see).
Richard Stein, Howard Potter, Mark Soboslai, Andrew Colabella, Jamie Walsh, Jonathan McClure, Martha Witte, Nathan Greenbaum and Lisa Hayes have all spent time there.
We won’t ask for stories. But we will over congratulations on identifying the Challenge.
Here is this week’s. If you know where in Westport you’d see it, click “Comments” below.
The state Department of Transportation is working on the Cribari Bridge from 10 a.m. through noon today.
They plan intermittent openings and closings. Police officers will be stationed on both sides of the bridge — with one at Post Road West/Wilton Road/Riverside Avenue, and one on Post Road East/Imperial Avenue — to assist with traffic, as it is diverted to the Post Road.
Traffic congestion will be heavy. Drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible.
The Cribari Bridge will be closed intermittently through noon today. (Photo/Adam Goldberg)
The Westport Weston Family YMCA had a split decision this week.
The Planning & Zoning Commission agreed to their requests to increase the capacity of their Mahackeno camp from 360 youngsters to 400, and for 1 more hour of morning practice for the Water Rats swim team.
No whistles may be used at the pool, and someone must be available 24/7 in case of neighbors’ concerns.
But the board denied a request for extended hours for the splash pad and large slide.
Lou Kitchner has had some great bands, during his 16-year career as a beloved Westport music teacher.
But none ever received a 99 score (out of 100) at the Fantastic Festival — an adjudicated event — until this year’s Bedford Middle School Wind Ensemble.
They’re also his first concert band to win 1st place. They beat out 65 bands from 4 states for that honor.
Lou told parents: “A professional trumpet player with a degree in performance commented she has never heard a band at this age, this good. She said, ‘your band puts high school bands to shame. I cannot believe they are middle schoolers and can play like this.’ She went on to compliment their tone, style, mechanics and musicality.”
Congratulations, Lou and all the musicians. Staples High School looks forward to hearing you play! (Hat tip: Maggie Gomez)
The Bedford Middle School wind ensemble. Director Lou Kitchner is in the back row, center.
The newest Staples Tuition Grants named award honors Dick and Paula Leonard.
For decades, they were fixtures in the Westport community. As a long-time English teacher at Staples High School, president of the Westport Education Association and a labor lawyer, Dick inspired educational excellence for generations of Westport students.
A successful real estate broker, Paula gave generously of her time in many ways. She helped lead construction of the Westport Senior Center and convert the original Saugatuck Elementary School into The Saugatuck, providing moderate income housing to aging town residents.
Paula Leonard died last month. A celebration of her life is set for June 25 (3 p.m., Senior Center).
The award commemorates the spirit of community and volunteerism that Paula and Dick embodied. Click here to donate; click here for the Staples Tuition Grants home page.
Paula and Dick Leonard.
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Rindy Higgins was inspired by yesterday’s “06880” story on the Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Committee, and their work to help a Syrian family find a home in Stratford.
The longtime Westporter works with the extended family of 11. She helped get household supplies, offered job ideas, and provided tutoring and love. She’s especially excited at the great progress made by their 6-year-old.
She notes that the 16-, 14- and 11-year-olds need pro bono tutors in math, reading and English. Volunteers can email 06880blog@gmail.com; I’ll pass your information on to Rindy.
Volunteer tutors are needed for 3 Syrian younsters.
Club 203 wrapped up its fantastic first year yesterday, with karaoke at the Westport Library.
The social organization for adults with disabilities welcomed dozens of partiers. CRUMBL Cookies donated goodies, MoCA took care of the art, CTFSN presented on taking new friendships to the next level, and volunteers made everyone feel welcome.
Club 203 kicks up again in September. Click here for more information.
Club 203 karaoke at the Westport Library. (Photo/Stacie Curran)
As if traffic wasn’t bad enough yesterday — the Cribari Bridge was stuck in the “open” position for a while — this supposedly licensed driver ignored the “One Way/Do Not Enter” sign, plus 2 lines of cars facing him, to cause chaos on Main Street.
(Photo/Jamie Walsh)
We’re used to seeing occasional wrong-way automobile drivers. We seldom see wrong-way truckers.
Jamie Walsh describes what happened around 2:30 p.m.: A state trooper pulled the driver over. Cars had to back up onto the Post Road to let the truck pass.
The trooper followed him with lights on, presumably to a safer location to continue their conversation.
Perhaps the trooper could say: “Don’t you know? There’s a cut-through in Parker Harding Plaza!”
Work on the Evergreen Avenue sewer system between Myrtle Avenue and Washington Avenue begins July 5, and runs through August 4. Through traffic will be detoured from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Evergreen Avenue will be open to the residents of the area.
Markings are made for the Evergreen Avenue sewer project. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
The 2nd annual Westport Pride drag show is set for tomorrow (Saturday, June 17, 5 to 8 p.m., MoCA Westport).
“Light Up the Night” is family friendly. The evening includes neon face painting, hair and makeup services, a photo booth, custom pizzas and cocktails.
The show itself begins at 6 p.m. MC Desmond reads from their book “Be Amazing: A History of Pride.” After 3 performers, there’s a Q-and-A about their journeys.
Kevin Mashia died Wednesday, at his Norwalk home. He was 54, and began his career at Westport Tile & Design, using his creativity and eye for design well. He then moved on to Hastings Tile.
Kevin is survived by his parents, Richard and Martha; his sister Stephanie, niece Sydney, and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial is set for Tuesday, June 20 (10 a.m., Assumption Church). The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home on Monday (June 19, 4 to 7 p.m.). Click here to leave online condolences. Contributions in Kevin’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Kevin Mashia
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“Westport … Naturally” has been swamped with dozens of deer photos.
This is the only one, though, that includes a “dear” little kid.
Yash Lorenzato got acquainted with 2 fawns, in his North Bulkley Avenue yard.
Westport’s Independence Day fireworks come early this year.
The best party in town is set for Thursday, June 29. The site — as always — is Compo Beach.
The Westport Police Athletic League and Parks & Recreation do the heavy lifting. The event is sponsored — once again — by longtime Westport residents (and veteran fireworks goers) Melissa and Doug Bernstein.
“This is our favorite time of year in Westport, seeing this amazing community gather together for such a joy-filled event,” they say.
Ticket sales begin on June 1 at the Westport Police station (50 Jesup Road) and Parks & Recreation office (in Longshore Park).
Tickets ($50 per car) are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Proceeds benefit Westport PAL, and their programs serving thousands of youngsters.
Middle row: Craig Bergamo, Westport PAL president hands Doug Bernstein the first fireworks ticket. Enjoying the Compo Beach scene are (front, left to right): Parks & Rec director Jen Fava, PAL fireworks chair Emma Rojas, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Melissa Bernstein. Top: Deputy Police Chief Ryan Paulsson, Police Chief Foti Koskinas. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Perfect weather drew a large crowd to yesterday’s Westport Farmers’ Market.
Several new vendors, plenty of old favorites, and fresh food, herbs and more make this the most exciting year yet, for the 18-year-old institution.
It runs every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Imperial Avenue parking lot, through mid-November.
Among the attractions yesterday in the photo below: samples from Alma Mexican food, dished out by their Staples High School interns (from left): Whitman Teplica, Cole Lieberman, Ben Douglas and (preparing a tostada) Steve Divino.
The baseball star — who led his 2013 team to the Little League World Series championship game, then was a 4-year Staples High School starter who paced his 2019 team to the FCIAC championship, and was named Gatorade State Player of the Year — just graduated from Duke University.
Before he did, he capped off his Blue Devil baseball career (during Asian American Heritage Month) with a story for the Duke athletic department. He wrote eloquently about how his heritage shaped his life — both athletically and musically.
Click here for Chad’s insightful, introspective story. (Hat tip: Steve McCoy)
This Sunday (May 21), the Bloomin’ Metric Bicycle Tour roars through town.
From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., riders will head out from Sherwood Island State Park. There are 4 distances — 25, 40, 75 and 100 kilometers — and 4 different routes.
So be aware: There will be even more bike riders than usual, all over town.
The Westport Library unveils 3 new exhibitions for spring. They highlight the work of Connecticut artists Nancy Moore and Charles Douthat, and “the art of the album” with a display related to the Chicago blues.
All three exhibits run through August 8: Moore’s “Women Telling Stories” in the Sheffer Gallery, Douthat’s “Three Seasons” in the South Gallery, and “Chicago Blues” in the Jesup Gallery.
An event and reception June 4 (2 to 4 p.m.) celebrates the exhibit with a talk between Moore and noted Westport artist Miggs Burroughs at 3.
Douthat comes to the Library June 14 (6 p.m.) for a reception and talk with Burroughs.
Chicago Blues features albums from the collection of Westporters Ellen and Mark Naftalin, the American blues keyboardist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in 2015. It includes album covers of important original blues musicians.
Click here for more information on the artists and exhibits.
The Black Duck women-in-the-men’s-bathroom-photo story continues to have, um, legs.
In the wake of yesterday’s story — in which Duck founder and former owner Pete Aitkin gave the back story — Brad French sent “06880” a photo of himself with Mary Scully, one of the 2 lovely bartenders.
It was taken at Compo Beach.
And what happened to the great-looking couple?
They got married.
The story continues …
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Coming up at Earthplace:
Wildflower ID: Stroll through the gardens and meadow with a naturalist. (Sunday, May 21, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., $10 per person; register here).
Family Campfire: Earthplace provides the marshmallows and s’mores; bring your own sticks. Meet an animal ambassador; participate in a guided activity. (Friday, June 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m., member families $30, non-member families $40; register here).
Foraging 101: An Earthplace naturalist leads an introductory class on sustainable foraging for wild salad greens and pungent ingredients, including a walk. (Sunday, June 11, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., $10 person; register here).
Group Canoe Paddle: Search the Saugatuck River for egrets, ospreys, ducks, shorebirds and more. Canoes, paddles and personal flotation devices are included. One canoe each trip is reserved for participants and families with special needs. (Sunday, June 18, 2 time slots: 10 a.m. to noon, and 2-4 p.m.; click here for fees and more details, including scholarships for income-eligible residents).
Adult Crafting Night: Bring your adult beverages; use natural crafting materials guided by staff. Unwind while creating beautiful decorations or useful health and beauty products to take home. (Thursday, June 29, 6 to 8 p.m.; $45 per adult member; $50 per adult non-member; register here).
The Westport Weston Family YMCA is ready for their first Holi Color Festival.
People of all backgrounds are invited to the traditional Indian celebration of colors and unity, It’s Saturday, June 3 (10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mahackeno Outdooro Center).
Holi symbolizes the triumph of good over bad, the arrival of spring, the joy of friendship, and equality for all.
The event features activities for all ages, including color play (throwing non-toxic organic colors), BollyX (a Bollywood-style dance class), traditional Indian food, henna, face painting and bounce house.
Westport Y CEO Anjali McCormick grew up in India, and has fond memories of playing Holi as a child.
She says, “This celebration unites people with different beliefs, cultural traditions and experiences in the vibrant colors of friendship, renewal and acceptance. At the Y we believe in creating spaces where people of all backgrounds can come together, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections. We invite everyone to join us as we strengthen the bonds that make our community truly exceptional.”
Moxie Salon & Beauty Bar invites the public to their grand opening May 25 (772 Post Road East, 3 p.m.).
From May 22-26, they offer:
● $19.99 blowouts for first time clients
● $20 off any color service
● $10 off haircuts
● $89 blowout and makeup
● 20% off hair extensions.
Owner Carrie Steele — a Greenwich teacher — offers 20% of all services to teachers, every day.
Moxie is a full-service hair salon. They have 17 locations in the tri-state area.
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Lynroy Henry — former assistant track coach at Staples High School — is still working with kids.
He sends word that the Open Doors Foundation is collecting donations for its summer camp.
Items needed are bikes, used sneakers, Mead notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, rulers, backpacks, laptops and electronics.
Donations can be dropped off at 10 Bay Street, by June 4.
Items can also be picked up weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Questions? Email lynroyhenry@gmail.com, or call 203-919-0921.
And finally … on this day in 1895, José Marti — the Cuban poet, philosopher, essayist, journalist, translator, professor and publisher, who helped liberate his country from Spain — was killed by Spanish troops. He was 42 years old.
(“06880” is a non-profit, dedicated to bringing our community together. Donations are tax-deductible. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The proposal to upgrade the Westport Inn has been pulled from the next Planning & Zoning Commission agenda. A public hearing has been postponed to September 12.
The first plan included hotel rooms and housing units. Housing was eliminated from subsequent plans.
The current proposal would redevelop the existing 116-room hotel to 85 rooms. Site improvements include addition landscaping, a new 3-story addition, demolition of the front building, minor additions to the rear building, pool, rear dining terrace, and driveway and parking improvements.
All application materials can be viewed here (scroll down for 1595 Post Road East).
Jennifer Howe Rosen headed to the Black Duck the other day. With live music, she thought it would be packed.
It wasn’t. She writes:
“Pre-COVID the Duck was packed with families, salty dogs, townies, tourists, and post-train business people.
“The Duck built a new deck, and refreshed the place. They managed to stay open during the worst of the pandemic.
“They are our local watering hole and burger/seafood destination. They have live music, boat access, and their signature tilt toward the river. It’s time to get back to our loyal, salty roots and frequent the Duck!”
Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, James Naughton, Eva Le Gallienne, Jack Klugman, Imogene Coca and Sandy Dennis are just a few of the actors who lived in Westport or Weston, and made the short trip to star on the Westport Country Playhouse stage.
Clay Singer too.
The 2013 Staples High School graduate and former Players star has already performed at the historic theater, in “Romeo and Juliet” and “Man of La Mancha.” He returns in the next WCP show, “4000 Miles.”
There are many reasons to love the Playhouse. Seeing homegrown — and excellent — talent is an added bonus. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Thursday night’s Levitt Pavilion show with the Kitchen Dwellers was a smash. They roared through classic bluegrass and psychedelia, with both rock riffs and acoustic flair.
The Grateful Web noted their appearance, calling the Levitt an “iconic venue.”
There’s plenty more ahead for the Levitt, including the July 29-30 Twiddle Festival. Click here for tickets and more information.
The Kitchen Dwellers crowd. (Photo/Marc W. Halpert)
Congratulations to Matthew Fleming. He just completed his Eagle Scout project.
The rising Staples High School senior built 2 picnic areas at Sherwood Island State Park. He dug holes, placed grills, planted 16 trees, hammered poles and added fencing.
Matthew calls the project a great lesson in leadership, finding and filling anew, and environmental stewardship.
Matthew Fleming (left) at work on his Eagle Scout project
“Cheese Fries & Froot Loops” — the funny, poignant solo show written and performed by Weston’s Chris Fuller, about this lifelong dream to play on the PGA Tour while living with bipolar manic disorder — has added a pair of benefit performances.
The July 23 and 24 shows (8 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club), will raise funds for the Artists Collective of Westport’s project to provide art supplies and instruction to underserved children.
Reservations (suggested donation: $15) can be made by email (aspetuck@optonline.net) or phone (203-349-8786).
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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