Nearly a decade ago, our Friday Flashback honored Stevan Dohanos.
Since then, we’ve welcomed an influx of new residents. Many Westporters today have never heard of Stevan Dohanos. Here’s a look back at that story, as timely today as then.
Stevan Dohanos is best known for his 123 Saturday Evening Post covers.
But the Westport illustrator was also a noted US stamp artist. He designed several dozen — the number varies, according to who’s counting — honoring a wide range of subjects, including American presidents, NATO and the statehoods of Alaska and Hawaii.
Dohanos also created Christmas stamps. In 1989, Westport served as that year’s official “first day of issue” post office.
Dohanos’ other holiday stamps ranged from the classical, like this 1969 scene …
… to the playful, like this in 1970…
… to the religious, in 1975:
Of course, Dohanos drew holiday scenes for the Saturday Evening Post too. This cover — from December 13, 1947 — is called “Rural Post Office at Christmas.” (The sign says “Georgetown.”)
As chair of the Stamp Advisory Committee, Dohanos oversaw the art design of more than 300 stamps. He was appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, and served under 7 presidents.
Stevan Dohanos died on July 4, 1994, at his Westport home. He was 87 years old.
(Hat tip: Paul Ehrismann)
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
Kris Hrisovulos has quite a resumé as Staples High School boys tennis coach.
In 14 years at the helm, he has won 8 state championships and 5 FCIAC titles.
He was a 2022 finalist for National High School Tennis Coach of the year; the ’22 State Coach of the Year, and ’19 Sportsman of the Year. The winningest coach in Wreckers’ boys tennis history, he is also a Staples High School grad. As a member of the Class of 1999, Hrisovulos starred in both tennis and soccer.
He is respected and admired by generations of players and parents. Now, however, he is fighting a decision by the school to not rehire him.
According to a GoFundMe page for donations to his legal representation, he is also battling to “clear his name from unjust accusations” that led to the administrative decisin.
“The legal expenses to defend himself already amount to almost four times the stipend volunteer coaches like Kris get at the school for their priceless contribution to the community,” the GoFundMe page says.
It adds: “The school has failed to provide any details — including the results of a thorough investigation, or if one ever took place — and it is therefore unclear what information is public and can be shared at this point.
“What we do know is the strength of Coach Kris’ character, professionalism, and love for tennis education …. (T)he outpouring of support from players, parents, and residents speaks volumes about his record, his character and contributions to the Westport community.”
Athletic director VJ Sarullo declined an “06880” request for comment.
Speaking of which: The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport invites everyone to a special meditative service in their Lyons Plains Road sanctuary this Friday (December 20, 7 to 8 p.m).
It is “a quiet, reflective time for those of us who need such space in the midst of so much activity.”
The UU church adds: “This time of year, with so many holidays and celebrations, can bring joy and excitement to many. At the same time, it can also bring up memories of friends and family who are gone; of the challenges in our lives we are facing; and of the long nights that bring on the winter blues. This time to come together will help to dispel these blues and bring light into our lives.”
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation also invites residents to the Christmas Eve service (December 24, 9 p.m.).
Speaking yet again of Christmas: Chabad Lubavitch of Westport is hosting a “Chinese Chanukah Party” at 5:30 p.m. that day.
There’s a good reason for the date: It’s also the first night of Chanukah.
The event includes a menorah lighting, fire show, latkes and donuts — and of course (because this is Christmas) Chinese food. Click here for more information.
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Speaking still of the holidays: Westport’s winter fundraising drive — to send children from our sister city of Lyman, Ukraine to a camp in the mountains, a respite from a third winter of war — continues slowly.
Our goal of $56,000 would enable 200 boys and girls to enjoy time together, with teachers and therapists, at Karabin. The sports, crafts, games and movies — along with schoolwork — takes place in a setting far removed from their hometown, a few miles from the Russian front.
Right now, Lyman’s youngster have been evacuated. The therapeutic camp is a chance to enjoy normalcy, with friends and trusted adults.
It costs about $280 to send one child to Karabin, for 10 days.
How about it, Westport? Can we raise $56,000, to ensure that 200 kids in our sister city enjoy time away from the terrors of the past 3 years?
Just click here. Under “Designation,” choose “Westport-Lyman sister city” from the dropdown menu. You can also choose a monthly or one-time donation. If you use the mail or Venmo option, please make a note: “For Westport-Lyman.”
Students from Weston’s sister city of Siversk, at the Karabin camp. Westport is raising funds for children from Lyman, our sister city.
The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee meeting set for this Thursday (December 19) has been canceled.
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Jazz at the Post ends the year with a bang!
Guitarist Paul Bollenback headlines this Thursday’s shows (December 19, 7:30 and 8:45 p..; dinner from 7; VFW Post 399; tickets $20, veterans and students $15).
He’ll be joined by bassist Bill Moring, drummer Rudy Royston and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
And finally … on this date in 1903, the Wright brothers made the first controlled powered, heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
(As noted above, every family has its own holiday tradition. Here’s one all can embrace: a year-end gift in support of “06880.” Please click here to start it off. Thank you!)
In anticipation of Christmas present — and in honor of Christmas past — today’s Friday Flashback reprises one of my favorites, from several years ago.
Taken from “Westport … A Special Place” — the wonderful photo book written and compiled by Eve Potts, and designed by Howard Munce — it shows Christmas 1888, “at the seaside estate that became Longshore.”
I wrote then: “I have no idea who any of these people are. But all have stories.
“What are their relationships with each other? Why is the plump guy at the lower left not looking at the camera? Is there an infant in the carriage? How come they all seem so solemn? (Even the “Merry Christmas” sign looks stern.) Are the kids on the top step planning something? Is the boy at the far left slyly pointing to the statute? Whose dog is it? Who knew that people in 1888 even had pets?”
The post drew a number of comments. Among them:
“Folks during the early days of photography had to sit still for a long period of time before the photograph could be taken, so it’s common to see people in images from bygone eras with serious expressions. I like to think this is the case here, and that they were actually in a jovial mood and broke into gales of laughter once the shutter had closed.” (Jimmy Franco)
“There may have been a recent death in the family. The wreaths on the windows and the garland around the ‘Merry Christmas’ sign seem far too dark (even in black and white) to have been greenery. And given that it’s the holidays and all the women are in black during an era when women’s clothing was often colorful.” (India Van Voorhees)
“There are theories as to why people didn’t smile in old photos. They range from the long exposure times to the fact that smiles were quite gnarly prior to dentistry and orthodontia. But most experts believe that smiling for photos simply wasn’t the style at the time – if you smiled in a photo, you looked silly. Portraits were considered serious affairs rather than mean to entertain. Smiling in photos didn’t begin until the early 1900s.
“I went back to Eve Potts’ book to take a closer look at this wonderful photo. I noticed the smallest hints of a smile on some of the faces. Perhaps it’s better stated that a few of the faces looked ‘pleasantly relaxed’ rather than stern.” (Wendy Crowther)
So: Any more thoughts? What else do you notice, or wish to add? Click “Comments” below.
And — 135 years after this photograph was taken — we will add the same wish: “Merry Christmas.”
(“06880” always appreciates readers’ comments — and support. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House and speech before Congress yesterday reminded Americans that Ukraine’s war against Russian occupation continues, even as media attention has waned.
Westporters don’t need that reminder.
Since we announced our “Building Bridges” campaign with our new sister city of Lyman on Monday, residents (and their families and friends) have raised $105,909. That’s an outstanding outpouring of generosity!
We need less than $145,000 more to reach our goal of $250,000. That will provide 150 homes ruined during the Russian occupation with new roofs, windows and more — plus a generator for every one. And a water filtration system for the entire devastated town.
We hope to reach that goal by Christmas (Sunday). Thanks to our partnership with Ukraine Aid International — a non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer — all material can be delivered 3 days later.
Pleaseclick here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other tax-deductible donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo). You can also donate directly, via Stripe (click here).
Support for the effort comes from Rabbi Michael Friedman of Temple Israel. He says:
“We are all inundated with requests for charitable contributions at this season of the year. Yet a personal call to help specific people in a specific city — even if it is very far away — gives our heartstrings a special tug. What a fabulous way to directly aid fellow human beings in dire need.”
At least once a week, someone asks “06880”: What’s up with the Amazon Fresh store that was supposed to replace Barnes & Noble? Nothing has happened there for months.
We’re not the only town left in — literally — the dark.
An answer comes from The Real Deal. The New York real estate website says that since September, Amazon has not opened a new Fresh store. At least 7 locations appear to be completely built out, but unopened. Another 26 locations are like ours, with development halted.
There are “zombie stores” in several states.
The Real Deal explains:
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It’s cheaper for the company to keep the stores in place while not operating, rather than ditch the stores altogether. While the company is on the hook for rent, maintenance and taxes, shutting down a store could also force Amazon to pay a fee for a lease withdrawal or severance to hired employees.
Click here for the full story. In the meantime, if you want to give Amazon money for groceries, go to Whole Foods. They have not yet closed that part of their operations yet. (Hat tip: John McCarthy)
Yesterday’s innovative “Holiday Card” — actually, a series of large images projected on the front of Saugatuck Congregational Church, thanks to the AV team of Craig Patton and Mark Mathias — was even more stunning that anyone expected.
(Photo/Richard Hyman)
The show will be repeated tonight and tomorrow (weather permitting), from 5 to 8 p.m. The best viewing spot is probably the Colonial Green parking lot, across the street.
Jarret Liotta has many memories from his time in Los Angeles. Once, he attended a Passover Seder with Mel Brooks. The 1983 Staples High graduate quipped, “I didn’t know you were Jewish!”
Now — as Hanukkah collides with Christmas — Liotta is “proud to re-present a shot, low-quality video” he made back in those days.
He thinks Mel Brooks would have appreciated it.
Liotta’s latest film, “Small Town Movie,” is “a light comedy that explores racism, gun violence and the cancel culture.”
He calls this Christmas vs. Hanukkah piece “probably more controversial.”
The Westport Police have released arrest reports for the December 14-21 period.
Five people were detained in custody. The charges for each:
Conspiracy to commit larceny, interfering with a police officer, assault on public safety personnel.
Reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell a controlled substance.
Possession of burglar tools, conspiracy to commit larceny, criminal attempt to commit larceny, disobeying the signal of an officer, misuse of plates, reckless driving, failure to signal properly.
Manufacture or possession of burglar tools, conspiracy to commit larceny, attempt to commit larceny.
The following citations were issued:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 12
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 5
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
Violation of any traffic commission regulation: 4
Stop sign violation: 3
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 3
Insurance coverage fails minimum requirements: 2
Disorderly conduct: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions:1
Cell phone, 1st offense: 1
Failure to yield to a pedestrian: 1
Tinting windows: 1
Failure to keep plates readable: 1
Misuse of plates: 1
Failure to display lights: 1
One citation was issued last week for overly tinted windows.
The photo above provides a great segue to this item: Wheels2U is growing every day. Last month, the door-to-door ride service provided rides for over 2,300 people directly from their homes and offices, to and from the train station.
The service will take 2 brief holidays — December 26 and January 2 — before resuming full steam ahead.
For more information about Wheels2U, click here. For more information about the Westport Transit District’s services for the elderly and people with disabilities, click here.
And finally … on this day in 1808, Ludwig van Beethoven conducted and performed in Vienna, with the premiere of his 5th and 6th Symphonies, 4th Piano Concerto and Choral Fantasy.
With all the good-feel-y stories we’ve posted lately — nice folks aiding neighbors and strangers; churches and synagogues rushing to help after a fire, blahblahblah — it’s time to turn our attention to another side of the holidays.
An alert but anonymous “06880” reader describes an overheard conversation in a (fortunately) unnamed hair salon the other day:
If one more person tells me Merry Christmas, I’ll clobber them. I’m Jewish! Stop telling me Merry F—ing Christmas!
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We need less than $145,000 more to reach our goal of $250,000. That will provide 150 homes ruined during the Russian occupation with new roofs, windows and more — plus a generator for every one. And a water filtration system for the entire devastated town.
