Today is the first day of school.
On Sylvan Road North, motorcycle officer/PAL president/all-around good guy Craig Bergamo rode by.
He was doing a check of bus routes. But he took the time to stop, chat, and wish Dylan Rosen a great start to the year, as he begins 6th grade at Coleytown Middle School.
Dylan Rosen, his mom Barrie and Officer Craig Bergamo. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
And, in what has become one of our favorite “06880” traditions, Pam Long sends this photo of the first day, waiting for the bus at Juniper Road and Caccamo Lane.
(Photo/Pam Long)
Each year the faces change. Kids get older. They move on to a new school; younger ones take their place. But always, there are lots of them.
Meanwhile, this was the scene at Grouse Path and Woodcock Lane, off Newtown Turnpike:
(Photo/Elizabeth DeVoll)
All over town, kids are eager, excited, energetic — and perhaps a bit nervous too.
It’s all natural. For decades in Westport — and across the country — those emotions have not changed.
Good luck to all. Here’s to the best school year ever!
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Speaking of buses: Today also marks the first day of a contract with a new company: aptly named First Student.
The first couple of weeks back are an adjustment in every area — including transportation.
Here’s wishing all good things to First Student. Fortunately, many of the best drivers have been hired by the new company.
Managerially, many Westporters hope for an improvement over the previous provider.
The bar certainly is set low.
School buses, in the Imperial Avenue lot. (Photo/Amy Schneider)
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The Long Lots School Building Committee holds a special meeting this Thursday (August 31, 6 p.m., Town Hall Room 201). The agenda includes:
- Public Comment and/or questions regarding the project (15 minutes)
- Work session with the design team for project status updates and review. The public is welcome to attend the work session, but may not participate.
- Additional Public comment and/or questions regarding the project.
The Long Lots School Building Committee meets Thursday, at 6 p.m.
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Meanwhile, up in Weston Jolantha warns everyone that with school back in session: Drive carefully!
That sure is one “ham-some” guy behind the wheel.
(Photo/Hans Wilhelm)
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The package had a false return address. The letter inside was signed “Sam Elliott (not really, but you’ll get the 1976 movie reference).” The only clue to the sender is slim: It was mailed from Zip code 06376 (Old Lyme, Connecticut).
The note said: “A few years back you wrote about a lifeguard reunion, and that a former lifeguard brought along a vintage red jacket.” (Click here for that story.)
He was a lifeguard “50-plus years ago,” he said. And he too “forgot” to turn in his jacket.
He worked 6 days a week, 8 hours a day, for $1.25 an hour. (Shifts ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and noon to 8 p.m.)
It was a great job — especially uncrowded early mornings and late evenings. The sun rising or setting, with the waves lapping quietly, were “idyllic.”
Even today, the former guard wrote, hearing certain songs — “Black is Black,” “Summer in the City,” “See You in September” — brought him back to those days.
He’d kept his guard jacket for over 5 decades. Now, he said: “I entrust it to you for appropriate disposition — to the Recreation Department, the guard shack, a lifeguard groupie, etc.”
There — folded neatly underneath the note — was his vintage jacket.
The note ended:
“I just couldn’t put it in the textile recycling bin without giving it the possibility of one last trip to Compo Beach before summer’s end.”
Thank you, whoever you are. This weekend — the last of the season for the guards — I’ll bring it down to the shack you remember so well.
PS: That “Sam Elliott 1976 movie” comment? He starred in “Lifeguard.”
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Jazz at the Post has taken five this summer.
The Thursday night series resumes September 7.
But there’s a warmup act.
This Thursday (August 31, 6:30 p.m.), the Fairfield Museum hosts a free concert. Pianist (and Fairfield native) Jamie Saft headlines the show, with Steve LaSpina and Tim Horner.
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Speaking of music: Every picture tells a story.
But I sure can’t figure out the tale behind this photo.
I took it in the back parking lot at Saugatuck Congregation Church.
At any rate, if you are praying that someone found you’re music stand: You know where to find it.
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Recently, Bob Weingarten noticed many varieties of mushrooms on the lawn at Hillandale Road and Morningside Drive South.
He assembled some favorites for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature:
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And finally … in honor of the songs that — nearly 60 years later — still remind a former lifeguard of his idyllic days at Compo Beach (story above):
(Today the kids are back in class! Celebrate with a donation to “06880” — a great source for local education news. And, of course, lots else. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
