Seven years ago, Westport resident Debra Kandrak had an idea: Paint the town yellow.
Today, her one-woman crusade pays off beautifully.
Every autumn, she uses a wide variety of outlets — social media, emails, “06880” — to encourage Westporters to plant daffodils.
She brings her message to friends, strangers, businesses, and town organizations and committees. Her message is simple: Plant bulbs.
Every spring around this time, we are blessed with the results of her — and their — work.
Once again, the gorgeous yellow flowers are everywhere.
From neighborhoods like Greens Farms to the Westport Library, around mailboxes and street signs, by the Cribari Bridge, in traffic islands and at the entrances to Staples High and Bedford Middle Schools, Debra’s yeowoman efforts pay off for all of us.
As perennials, each year brings more and more explosions of color.
And every spring, Debra says, she finds flowers in areas she had not seen before. Here’s what she found today:
One stretch of Morningside Drive South …
… and another.
Lansdowne Condominiums, Post Road East.
Hillandale Road
Green’s Farms Church.
Compo Beach
Charcoal Hill Road. (All photos/Debra Kandrak)
Of course, daffodils bloomed even before Debra’s crusade.
The flowers lining the front of Willowbrook Cemetery on Main Street have delighted everyone passing by for years.
Here’s a bonus photo, from Claudia Sherwood Servidio:
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
We’re happy to feature more spring-in-Westport photos. Email them to 06880blog@gmail.com.
After the winter we’ve had, it’s time to celebrate a new season!
(“06880” regularly features Westport’s beauty — in words and images. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
You know all those daffodils that make Westport look so beautiful every spring?
They didn’t just fall from the sky.
They weren’t even planted randomly.
They’re part of a years-long project. Debra Kandrak — the energetic visionary behind it — says: “Once again fall is upon us. Before the weather gets too cold, we need to plant daffodils all around town for our traditional community-wide event called ‘Paint the Town Yellow!’
“I started this years ago to remember loved ones who have passed on, including our fur babies.
“It has been well received over the years. Residents, businesses and local community groups participate, and for that I say thank you. So let’s keep the tradition going and plant more!”
Daffodils have already been planted in many areas, like traffic islands, the Minute Man Monument, Compo Beach, and (of course) Willowbrook Cemetery.
More can be planted just about anywhere. A great place is the edge of your property, by a road,
This is a great time of year. And there’s only a few months until spring.
Daffodils on Riverside Avenue. (Photo/Debra Kandrak)
Speaking of how good Westport looks: The outdoor sculptures just keep coming.
“Queen of Hearts” — the newest addition — will be dedicated on Wednesday (3 p.m.), at the Senior Center.
Artist Carole Eisner will share the inspiration behind her work — one of hundreds of sculptures and paintings showcased in parks, museums and gardens throughout the Northeast.
Suzanne Sheridan will sing a song she wrote specially for the occasion.
The Westport Arts Advisory Committee is — as always — behind the outdoor art project, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Center for Senior Activities.
“Queen of Hearts” by Carole Eisner, at the Senior Center.
Quietly but consistently, the Westport Library’s Common Ground Initiative has been offering programs that enhance positive, respectful and constructive conversations on challenging and/or controversial issues.
Up next this Thursday: a “Community Conversation on Understanding Jewish Identity, Antisemitism, and Allyship” (November 13, 7 to 8:30 p.m.).
Project Shema — a training and support organization — will lead a presentation and Q-and-A that provides historical and modern realities of antisemitism, emphasizing its evolving expression in contemporary culture and politics.
The evening will provide “an accessible but powerful introduction to the historical and modern realities of antisemitism, with an emphasis on its evolving expression in contemporary culture and politics. By creating space for collective reflection and inquiry, the evening aims to foster a shared vocabulary and a common starting point for deeper community dialogue.”
The goal is to promote a better understanding of the effects and impacts of antisemitism, to strengthen allyship for and within the Jewish community, to gain a greater appreciation of different lived experiences, and to increase awareness, promote empathy, and encourage dialogue.
“Allyship” is a key element of the Common Ground event. Everyone is welcome, including Westport residents of all faiths, families, clergy members, and anyone who wants to learn more about antisemitism in an open and welcoming environment.
SNAP benefit reductions during the government shutdown have caused long lines at local food pantries.
Quickly, AWARE (Assisting Women through Action, Resources & Education) high school students took action.
AWARE clubs in Fairfield County — including Staples and Weston — organized a food drive.
They collected kid-friendly snacks, pasta, peanut butter and other pantry staples. Volunteers then gathered for a joint packing event to assemble bags for families served by Homes with Hope.
The Staples High School swim and dive team sophomore made waves last week, breaking a 26-year-old diving record at the CIAC Class “LL” (extra large schools) state championship.
She scored 456.50 points on the 1-meter, 11-dive event, surpassing the previous record of 452.75 set in 1999 by Corey Pagnotta. Her performance earned All-LL State and All-America honors.
Teammates Mikaela Snow and Avery Nissenson also qualified for the LL meet.
Mogelof’s record came under new Staples swim and dive coach Grace Slama. Next up for her: This week’s state open championship.
To learn more about Staples’ girls (fall) and boys (winter) swim and dive teams, email head coach Mike Anderson: swimmike@usa.net.
Congratulations too to Staples cross country runner Sarah Bogdan. The Wreckers’ first runner since 2016 to qualify for the New England Championship, she ran a great race and finished 6th, at Vermont’s Thetford Academy. Click here, then scroll down for a video.
Sarah Bogdan, at the New England Championships. (Photo courtesy of MySportsResults.com)
Speaking still of sports: It’s a big week for 2 Staples teams.
Both field hockey and boys soccer compete in the state tournament semifinals tomorrow.
Coach Ian Tapsall’s field hockey girls — seeded #1 in the state “L” tourney — take on #4 Fairfield Ludlowe Tuesday, 4 p.m. at Brien McMahon High School.
Coach Liam Witham’s soccer boys — #4 in the “LL” competition — meet #9 Hall-West Hartford at Newtown on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
This afternoon at the Fairfield Library (Monday, 4 p.m.), Ukraine Aid International founders and team members offer “Stories of Connection: Connecticut the Donetsk Region, Building Bridges of Hope Together.”
Our state, and the Donetsk oblast in Ukraine, have built powerful partnerships. Behind it is UAI — created by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer, backed by many local residents.
Despite the existence of a fence, it can be confusing to know where dogs are allowed on leash, or off leash, at Compo Beach — and where they are not allowed at all.
Fortunately, the Parks & Recreation Department has posted a clear, aerial map showing the 3 different areas:
Unfortunately, it hangs too high for dogs to see it.
But at least they can read the sign.
(Photos/DinkinESH Fotografix)
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Speaking of Compo: A few yards away, this was the scene on a basketball court:
(Photo/Tammy Barry)
Some people must have time on their hands.
Way too much time.
As anyone who has ever tried to move one of those benches knows: They’re heavy!
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows a Cooper’s hawk, on Diane Lowman’s deck.
She did not have to snap her photo quickly. The bird sat on the railing — posing — for nearly 30 minutes. “What a treat!” Diane says.
And finally … when you saw the name of the sculpture being dedicated at the Senior Center this week (item near the top of this Roundup), you had to know this song was coming:
(Arts, sports, the beach … it’s your usual mix of Westport stories, in the Roundup. If you enjoy this daily feature — and who doesn’t? — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
A few years earlier she started a memory garden on her property, in honor of loved ones lost.
Daffodils were among the first to bloom, each spring. The yellow bulbs are beautiful — and a welcome sign that new life everywhere is about to explode.
Debra already had hundreds of the flowers. She knew and loved Willowbrook Cemetery’s display on Main Street too.
But she wanted to see thousands more, all over town. And fall was the right time to plant them.
She started a campaign, called “Paint the Town Yellow.” With support from “06880,” she asked residents, business owners and town officials to participate.
They did — in spades.
Every spring since, Westport has been awash in daffodils. Seeing them on roadsides, in front of businesses, and nearly everywhere else, we can’t help but smile.
Debra does too. And she thinks of her memory garden.
Last September, when Staples High School senior Max Harper died, Debra suggested that daffodils be planted in his memory.
Half a year later, we see the fruits of their labors. New daffodils are joining older perennials, to the joy of us all.
Near the Longshore golf course 1st tee.
In front of the Parks & Recreation office, also at Longshore.
Grace Salmon Park …
… and nearby, on Compo Road South.
North Avenue, across from Staples. (Photo/Jennifer Kobetitsch)
One view of Willowbrook Cemetery, off Main Street … (Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
(As Debra Kandrak and many others paint the town yellow, please click here to send some green to “06880.” Your donation helps us spring ahead, in our daily coverage of Westport. Thank you!)
For some reason, the YouTube link to the Westport Library’s “Battle of the Sexes” — the subject of this morning’s lead story — did not come through for some readers.
If you could not access it, try below. Let’s hope this works!
Debra Kandrak is the woman behind the very successful “Paint the Town Yellow” project.
She writes: “On Friday, during my daily walk at Compo Beach, I came upon the memorial service for Max Harper — a young man taken tragically too soon.
“It was a beautiful tribute in his honor, with hundreds of people in attendance.
“So today I ask everyone to plant yellow daffodils in Max’s memory. (You may recall that the theme for ‘Paint the Town Yellow’ is to honor loved ones
“Let’s plant them all over town: around street signs, stop signs, mailbox posts, at the entrance to Staples and in front of the school.
“Let’s make this a community event. Email me (debra.kandrak@raveis.com) where you are going to plant, so I can post photos next spring for his family to see how much this community cares.
“I would like to see an explosion of yellow daffodils all around town in the spring, in honor of Max. This will be a beautiful tribute, and may give his family some peace.”
A large crowd packed Paul Lane Field last night, for the opening game of Staples’ football season.
(Photo/Luca Caniato)
The state champion Wreckers picked up right where they left off last fall, hammering non-league Hamden 48-7. Junior quarterback Nick Weil threw 5 touchdown passes.
Many attendees — including those not yet in Staples — wore “Play for Max” buttons.
(Photo/Bianca Jonas)
The buttons — honoring senior Max Harper, who died Wednesday in a dirt bike accident — were made Friday in the Staples library, by students.
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
On Thursday and Friday, therapy dogs were available at Staples, to help students cope with the tragedy.
The dogs have been welcome fixtures at Staples at other times of stress. As shown below, they are always happy to help.
The Matsiko World Orphan Choir — 24 gifted and spirited teenagers — wind up their 2024 American tour, singing and dancing to songs from their native Africa — with a free concert on September 19 (Bedford Middle School, 7:30 p.m.).
It’s a gift to Westport from an anonymous benefactor, intended to expand the audience’s musical and cultural horizons.
Matsiko means “hope” in Ugandan. The Choir performs to help thousands of children attain a brighter future. Proceeds from the tour and merchandise sales support the organization’s worldwide educational programs for orphans.
The Matsiko World Orphan Choir has performed at the White House, US Capitol, Disneyland, Mount Rushmore and the Rose Bowl.
After Westport they head to Yale University, then Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Click here for free tickets, and more information.
On October 7 (Fire Engine Pizza Company, 768 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.), the Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation sponsors an important event.
There’s fun, food, and valuable information, to support awareness and celebrate survivors.
Casting for Awareness — a non-profit that provides free fly-fishing wellness retreats for women with breast cancer — will receive up to 20% of the total sales at the restaurant that day.
Fire Engine Pizza Company is a great place. And there’s no better cause.
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Finally. At last!
The moment we’ve all been waiting for.
A gaping Westport need will soon be filled.
Not a moment too soon … a nail salon will open in town!
(Photo/Stephanie Mastocciolo)
I’m sure customers will flock there.
But where will they go on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday …?
Personally, I think it’s too early for Halloween decorations.
Or even pumpkin spice latte.
But Costco thinks this is a fine time to roll out their Christmas goods.
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
On second thought: Why not?
There are only 102 days left before Santa arrives.
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Well-known former Westporter Stephen Kaye died September 2. He was 86.
The Boston-area native, who graduated from Harvard Business School and MIT, and was a 1st lieutenant in the US Army Quartermaster Corps. lived in Westport for over 50 years. His family says he was known as “funny, smart, kind, caring, quirky and unique. Steve lived his life with energy and positivity. A passionate sailor, his boat ‘Forever Young’ expressed his outlook and vigor. Steve was an avid skier of groomed blue runs, a black belt in martial arts, always made new friends at the gym and was a ping-pong player with an overpowering serve.”
After working for Procter & Gamble, Gillette and other advertising, packaging and consulting firms, he founded Steve Kaye New Products in 1977. He built it into a successful firm, working with Fortune 500 as well as entrepreneurial companies.
He helped create Huggies diapers, the “Got Milk” campaign, chocolate-covered Oreos and other products of the 1980s and ’90s.
For the past 11 years Steve was an adjunct professor of marketing and sales at Sacred Heart University and Housatonic Community College.
Steve is survived by his life partner of over 30 years, Linda Arenson of Westport; son Bruce (Misael Rodriguez) of Milford; daughter Joan Garbow (Ralph) of Ridgefield; son Peter Kaye (Andrea Mazur) of Chevy Chase, Maryland; grandchildren Ben and Julia Garbow and Sally and Margot Kaye; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Kenny Wexler of Brookline, Massachusetts, and cousins Stanley and Enid Shulman of Brookline.
Donations in Steve’s honor can be made to Congregation Shir Shalom of Westchester and Fairfield Counties, 46 Peaceable St., Ridgefield, CT 06877.
Steve Kaye
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Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate Dave Kingsley died September 4, from complications of lymphoma.
He and his wife Kathy settled in Newtown in 1986, where they raised 2 daughters.
Dave’s love for fishing, boating and sailing where cultivate during his youth on Long Island Sound. He particularly enjoyed bone-fishing in the Bahamas.
Dave played basketball, baseball and softball into adulthood. He found great joy in watching his daughters play sports, coaching several of their youth basketball teams.
He was a voracious reader, full of knowledge gained through his life as a builder, designer, contractor and business owner. He designed, built and remodeled homes and businesses in Connecticut and New York, including his own home.
One of his proudest achievements was the renovation of an old building on the Fairfield Hills campus, transforming a staff dining room and library at the former psychiatric hospital into a brewery.
Dave is survived by his wife Kathy; daughters Emma of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Caroline of Sausalito, California; sisters Karen of Wallingford, Patricia of San Diego, Mary Ann of Severna Park, Maryland, plus nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life is set for tomorrow (Sunday, September 15, 3 p.m., at his brewery), followed by a funeral Monday (September 16, 10:30 a.m., Saint Rose of Lima Church, Newtown).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Newtown Youth & Family Services.
Dave Kingsley
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature introduces its first-ever black crown night heron.
Debra Kandrak’s one-woman crusade to paint the town yellow is paying off beautifully.
Every autumn for 5 years, she has used a wide variety of outlets — social media, emails, and of course “06880” — to encourage Westporters to plant daffodils.
She brings her message to friends, strangers, town organizations and committees and businesses.
Her ask is simple: “Paint the Town Yellow.”
Every spring around this time, we are blessed with the results of her — and their — work.
This year, the gorgeous yellow flowers are everywhere.
From neighborhoods like Greens Farms to the Westport Library, around mailboxes and street signs, by the Cribari Bridge, in traffic islands and at the entrances to Staples High and Bedford Middle Schools, Debra’s yeowoman efforts pay off for all of us.
As perennials, each year brings more and more explosions of color. Here are just a few examples of Debra’s efforts:
Debra Kandrak’s driveway, in Greens Farms
Cross Highway and Bayberry Lane
Assumption Church
Saugatuck Elementary School
Adams Academy
Long Lots Road at Morningside Drive North
Parent Child Center, Hillspoint Road
Roseville Road
Exxon gas station, Post Road and Maple Lane South
Hockanum Road
Debra Kandrak’s own traffic island: Greens Farms and Prospect Roads (All photos/Debra Kandrak)
(“06880” is often inspired by Westport’s beauty. If you’re inspired by our hyper-local blog, please click here to contribute. Thank you!)
Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States.
In the days and weeks afterward, many Westporters offered help, in many ways. Among them: Westport Police officers Richard Failla, Phil Reisteri and Manny Sylvia.
Today, we remember their service, all those who lost their lives that day, and all those who continue to suffer, more than 2 decades later.
From left: Richard Failla, Phil Restieri and Manny Sylvia.
Manny Sylvia and Phil Restieri. (Photos courtesy of Andrew Colabella)
Debra Kandrak’s one-woman crusade to paint the town yellow has paid off handsomely.
Every autumn for 4 years, she has encouraged Westporters to plant daffodils.
Her message to friends, strangers, town organizations, committees and businesses is simple: “Paint the Town Yellow.”
Every spring, her work brightens our town. Tens of thousands of daffodils bloom, all over Westport.
Daffodils on the Sherwood Island Connector …
Well, it’s fall again.
Debra says: “All of this is possible because all of you made it happen. This little idea of mine has brought the community together in such a positive way. When you hear all the negative news, it’s so nice to see that if you have an idea and put it out to social media, you can make things happen. Getting others involved creates a real sense of community. We can all use a little positivity.
“Get your family, friends and neighbors involved. Have a ‘Paint the Town Yellow’ party! Get your children involved too. In the spring, show them the beautiful daffodils that they planted.
“Plant more daffodils! You can never have too many daffodils!”
PS: They are very hardy. And deer resistant!
Questions? Email Debra.Kandrak@Raveis.com.
… and Prospect Road.
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Rach’s Hope — the non-profit honoring the memory of 2015 Staples High School graduate Rachel Doran, which provides nutritious food, lodging, transportation and encouragement to family members when a child is in intensive care — is as active as Rachel herself was.
On Sunday, October 22 (3 p.m., Compo Beach), everyone is invited to join the 3rd annual “Walk the Extra Mile … For Rach’s Hope” event.
It’s a fun, community-wide beach walk, with live music, a gourmet pizza truck, wine and beer from Greens Farms Spirit Shop, and special Rach’s Hope swag.
Staples High School Class of 1975 graduate Doug Davidoff lived in Indianapolis from 1983 to 2006. He was a reporter for the Indianapolis News, a public relations consultant, and communications director for the Indiana Housing Finance Authority and the Indiana Democratic Party. He now lives in Bridgeport, where he is a public relations and editorial consultant.
Yesterday, his op-ed piece was printed in the Indianapolis Star. It’s a remembrance of his work for Governor Frank L. O’Bannon, who died in office 20 years ago, age 73.
Davidoff was communications director for the Indiana Democratic Party in 2000. O’Bannon’s re-election that year marked the last time a Democrat governed the Hoosier State.
Davidoff’s piece explains why he thinks Americans need more people like Frank O’Bannon in office today. Click here to read.
And finally … as we honor today the nearly 3,000 people murdered on September 11, 2001, those of us who were alive recall the awful days and weeks that followed.
Music helped soothe our sorrow. These 2 songs will always remind me of that terrible time, and the many friends and strangers we lost.
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