Alisyn Camerota is a journalist, author and CNN correspondent.
She has anchored the morning show “New Day,” co-hosted the afternoon edition of “CNN Newsroom,” and hosted “CNN Tonight.” Before CNN, she worked at Fox News.
She has won 2 Emmys, and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award. Her first novel, “Amanda Wakes Up,” was chosen by NPR a one of the best books of the year.
Alisyn is — equally notably — a Westport resident, and very active in our community.
The other day she and I sat on the Westport Library stage, for “06880: The Podcast.” We chatted about her career, politics, her new memoir “Combat Love,” and Westport.
Click below for a fascinating insider’s view on all:
Half a century ago, the Westport housewife opened The Market Basket in a corner of The Common Market, on Main Street (near where Kerri Rosenthal is now). Featuring antiques on consignment, and the creations of local bakers and cooks, it launched the careers of several local residents. (Click here for details.)
Westporters — and viewers across America — will be reminded of (or learn about) those days this Sunday (January 28, 9 p.m.). CNN debuts the first 2 of a 4-part original series: “The Many Lives of Martha Stewart.”
The second part airs February 4.
Among the residents interviewed for the show: Sarah Kerstin Gross. She has spent 40 years as owner of Cabbages & Kings Catering, C&K Take Away and, most recently, C&K Community Kitchen.
Gross was there when Stewart launched her own career, cooking Tassajara breads, honey challahs, cookies and chocolate covered bunnies for Lawrence Olivier and others out of her parents’ Greens Farms Road kitchen — around the corner from what became Stewart’s famed Turkey Hill home.
Martha Stewart and her husband Andy, at their Turkey Hill home.
“I schlepped the food there in my parents’ station wagon,” Gross recalls.
“The shop was fabulous. It recreated her kitchen in compact form, with a stove and hangingcopper pots.
“We were all cooking illegally out of our homes before there were cottage laws, and lying when confronted by the Health Department, on Martha’s behalf. She was and is defiant.”
Also interviewed about the early catering years: Westport native and event planner Louise Felix, and former Westport author Elizabeth Hawes, who collaborated with Stewart.
Former Westporter, now Fairfield and Maine-based Brooke Dojny, award winning food journalist and cookbook author, joined Stewart later, helping with catering. She reflected on her time as a recipe developer for Stewart’s first book.
Not on camera but part of the local mix then were Vicky Negrin, a Stewart catering chef who was also responsible for the handwritten text of the Gnomes books, and all hand-written copy for Hay Day’s labeling (now Balducci’s); Audrey Doniger, famous for her Market Basket lemon squares; Dale Lamberty, who created legendary Easter egg panoramas and delectable baked goods, then went on to found the Great Cakes bakery, and Ujala Shu, who made Indian specialties and later ran her own catering business.
Doniger told “06880” yesterday that Stewart had “a knack for picking out people who needed to work, and who really ‘got her.'”
Recently divorced, and with 4 young children, Doniger was one of Stewart’s early suppliers. When Doniger switched from “homemade” to a Cuisinart, in order to fulfill more orders, Stewart tasted the difference.
She handed Doniger a wad of bills, and told her to teach herself how to use a Cuisinart to make cookies that tasted as if they were homemade.
Martha Stewart (right) catering, back in the day.
“It was a very special time for her to launch her catering business, using many of us,” Gross says.
“And it was important to all of us who had our beginnings there. Prepared food like that did not exist around here. To use local talent to mix and match like that still is a brilliant idea.”
All of those women rose from the 60 people who responded to a single ad Stewart placed in the Westport News, soliciting bakers and chefs for The Market Basket.
How many will be mentioned in Sunday’s CNN story (click here for details)? We’ll have to tune in to see.
But wait! That’s not enough. Martha Stewart will be back again, after CNN!
Netflix is also working on a show on the entertaining mogul. It’s due out later this year.
With his calm demeanor, commitment to equality and constant outreach to the public, Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas has earned the respect of all Westporters.
This coming week, the entire country will share in our pride.
“Champions for Change” — CNN’s week-long series highlighting “bright examples of humanity who give hope and inspiration” — returns for a 6th year tomorrow. On Saturday, September 24 (8 p.m.), Dr. Sanjay Gupta hosts an hour-long special featuring all 12 champions.
One of them is Chief Foti.
A camera crew spent several days in Westport last month, filming interviews with him, other officers, town officials and Foti fans.
Among them: CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, a fellow Westporter. CNN says her “passion for law enforcement stems back to her time as a justice correspondent. Now she introduces us to a top cop in the state she calls home. Chief Foti Koskinas and his Westport, Connecticut police force are restoring faith in American law enforcement with innovative community involvement. The beloved local Chief immigrated to the US as a boy, speaking no English, and grew up to be a nationally esteemed law enforcement visionary.”
In addition to being part of the September 24 special, Foti’s piece airs twice: Wednesday, September 21 (during the 2 p.m. hour) and Friday, September 23 (during the 11 a.m. hour).
Alisyn will introduce both pieces during the newscast. It will likely be in the second half of the hour, after hard news.
Click here for CNN’s promo video. (Hat tip: Marshall Kiev)
Several readers have wondered about Westport real estate and personal property tax abatement or deferral (they’re due today — April 1. No fooling). I asked 1st Selectman Jim Marpe. He says:
For several weeks, our town (and others) have been exploring deferment alternatives for property owners who can demonstrate genuine hardship. This is still a work in process.
Among other things, the governor must take executive order steps to allow a local community the option to modify property tax payment penalties and deadlines. I have been in direct touch with Governor Lamont on this issue. In the meantime the April 1 quarterly tax payment date still remains, but as always, allows 30 days (until May 1) to pay without penalty.
I have not heard if utility companies plan to offer any special dispensation for hardship cases. Our Human Services Department regularly works with residents on utility payment plans if true need can be demonstrated.
In related news, Governor Lamont announced yesterday a 90-day grace period on mortgage payments, and a 60-day delay on foreclosures. Homeowners should contact their banks and/or mortgage companies for details.
Across the country, communities are coming together to ring bells in support of medical personnel and other frontline workers.
From 5:00 to 5:02 p.m. tonight, Westport families are asked to “joyously sound a bell, chime, bang pans, etc. as a reminder that while we may be physically separated, we remain united. Let’s make this a gesture of gratitude to all the people helping us overcome this present situation: the police department, fire department, first responders, town officials, teachers and healthcare workers, including the many Westport parents who leave their families to care for those in need at hospitals and medical offices.”
Greens Farms and Assumption Churches — and perhaps others — will join in. Ring them bells! (Hat tips: Jaclyn Lindsey-Noble and Staples High School PTA)
In addition, reader Mary Beth Stirling urges Westporters to fly the American flag. That — and donations to any organization that helps those in need — are both a show of support, and a way to teach children that whatever they can do (including staying home to protect lives) is a patriotic act.
Green’s Farms Congregational Church has a great bell to ring.
“06880” readers know Heather Bauer for her tips on eating healthy in restaurants.
Now the rest of America knows her as a COVID-19 survivor. The 42-year-old nutritionist/mother of 3/ runner of 15 marathons was in great health — until she attended a party, and got infected.
Two days ago — just a week after leaving Yale New Haven Hospital, where she spent 9 harrowing days — Heather told her story on CNN.
It’s a scary tale of fever, migraine headaches, a full body rash, even possible meningitis. It’s also a tale of great care, by a wonderful medical staff. Click below to watch. (Hat tip: Ben Sturner)
Patty Kondub’s great water aerobics classes have been beached by the coronavirus. So have dozens of other Westport Weston Family YMCA offerings, in strength training, yoga — you name it.
But members can still get exercise — on land, at home. There are offerings for all ages, in every imaginable category. Click here for info.
PS: Yesterday, I (coincidentally) got a call from the Y. They were just checking in on all members — seeing how we are, and what we need.
I really need to swim. But failing that, I’d like to say this: THANKS, Y! What a nice, friendly, community touch!
A motivational message from Patty Kondub.
Speaking of exercise, Kaia Yoga’s classes are now all online. Many are inexpensive. There are also free kids’ classes and meditations — great for parents looking for productive activities.
Kaia Yoga — which has long provided classes for Bridgeport school children –has been hit hard by the coronavirus. They employ over 70 teachers.
Speaking (again) of exercise, does anyone have an unused stationary bike they’re willing to sell? Asking for (ahem) a friend.
Every Westporter has a talent. Many are figuring out how to use their expertise to help others.
As a career coach, Jaki Suter helps clients write or refresh resumes. With so many people suddenly facing job losses, she’s doing her part: offering a “free resume refresh” to 30 Westport and Weston residents.
She’ll work with you to highlight skills and accomplishments; include new positions and details, and eliminate irrelevant details.
All you need is an existing resume no more than 5 years old. You’ll work by phone. Jaki will produce an updated resume, including a round of revisions and a final document.
To be one of the first 30 local residents, email jaki@sutergroup.com (subject line: “Free Resume Refresh”).
Jennifer Hrbek reports that she and Westport psychiatrist Dr. Mohamed Elsamra are helping raise $50,000 to buy 4 ventilators, to be donated to local hospitals. Click here to contribute.
Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich notes that transfer station personnel cannot assist with bulky waste. Do not bring those items to the station.
In addition, with the increase in cardboard due to online ordering, all boxes should be flattened, stacked and tied.
Tissues and gloves are being placed in recycling bins. They are not recyclable, and must be placed in the regular trash bin.
Due to the increased amount of glass containers, recycling bins are too heavy for workers to lift. For the time being, residents should separate glass into a smaller container, or put all recycling in smaller containers so workers can lift them.
Transfer station
Greens Farms Academy head of school Bob Whelan has gained fame — and respect — for his great snow day videos.
It’s a little tougher to pull off a clever coronavirus video. But the popular, people-first educator did.
This morning he channeled Fred Rogers, for the school’s youngest learners. Bob — whose career before education was fronting the band Angry Salad — sang for his students.
He reminded them he (and the school) were still there for them. Then, in true Mr. Rogers fashion he asked them to keep him apprised of big events, like birthdays and lost teeth.
You don’t have to be a kid — or go to GFA — to love this one.
Miriam Young writes, “As one of many COVID positive people in Westport, I hope you can tell other positive readers about efforts to collect plasma from recovered patients.”
She sent a link to a story on how plasma might help people still fighting off infection (or, preemptively, those at high risk of infection).
When Westporter John Rizzi read that a TV remote can be 20 times dirtier than your toilet, he got worried. You can’t clean it well, without taking it all apart.
But he devised a solution: cover it in plastic wrap. It takes 2 seconds; it protects the device — and you can replace the wrap over and over again.
And finally, you don’t have to be a Kopite to love this song (and video!):
That’s the headline on a CNN story posted yesterday to its website.
The piece — about the effect of the new tax law on high property tax states like Connecticut — was illustrated by a stock photo that seems to show Westport.
Whether that’s our town or not, there’s no denying that residents here have been hit hard — along with our counterparts in places like New York, New Jersey and Illinois.
The CNN story concludes with this assessment from a local realtor:
While many towns in Connecticut also have relatively high property taxes, some towns further up the Long Island Sound — like Westport or Fairfield — have lower bills than Westchester and are still a commutable distance from Manhattan.
“In Westchester County — towns like Larchmont, Rye, Mamaroneck — the taxes are crazy high,” says Mary Ellen Gallagher, a real estate agent and partner of Compass Westport Team KMS Partners in Connecticut.
“Younger people can’t afford those taxes and are looking [in Connecticut] where you get more house and pay less taxes, but you’re further from New York.”
She says for many luxury buyers, taxes don’t always play into their decision to buy a new home, but can be a deterrent for those looking to move up to a larger and pricier home.
“I think it is hurting the luxury market,” says Gallagher. “Because people aren’t trading up.”
(Click here for the full CNN story. Hat tip: Seth Van Beever.)
A few minutes ago, Michael Smerconish interviewed TEAM Westport chair Harold Bailey on his TV show. The segment was long, detailed, fair and balanced.
And — before it ended — the host invited the eventual essay winner to come on the show.
(That should spur entrants from Westport high school students! Interested? Click here for details. To view the segment on the CNN website, click here.)
(Hat tips: Lyn Hogan. Barbara Wanamaker and Lisa Metz)
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.
Among them: CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, a fellow Westporter. CNN says her “passion for law enforcement stems back to her time as a justice correspondent. Now she introduces us to a top cop in the state she calls home. Chief Foti Koskinas and his Westport, Connecticut police force are restoring faith in American law enforcement with innovative community involvement. The beloved local Chief immigrated to the US as a boy, speaking no English, and grew up to be a nationally esteemed law enforcement visionary.”
