Tag Archives: David Griswold

Roundup: Fence Rule, Curio Cottage, New Orleans …

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Echoing similar legislation in communities across the country, the Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4-2 yesterday to approve legislation mandating that the “finished” side of a fence must face outward.

In other words: Homeowners will see the cross beams, while neighbors — or passersby on a street, if that’s the case — will see smooth pickets.

In addition to esthetics, there is a safety reason. Fence supports can make it easier to climb over.

The regulation takes effect next month. It is not retroactive.

The “bad” side of a fence (shown) here must now face the property of whoever built it.

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Curious — okay, frantic –about where to buy last-minute gifts?

The Curio Cottage Thrift Shop is open today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday), from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Curio Thrift Shop is the cute white cottage, operated by the Westport Woman’s Club next to their handsome home 44 Imperial Avenue.

The Curio Cottage is filled with affordable, unique holiday items, in addition to its usual inventory of thrift treasures.

The Curio Cottage opened in 1999. It has contributed over $500,000 in support of the Woman’s Club’s direct grants and services to non-profit organizations and charities throughout Fairfield County.

PS: There is plenty of free parking. NOTE: They accept cash and checks only (no credit cards).

The Curio Cottage looks small. But wait till you see what’s inside.

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Last week, artist Brian Whelan — a frequent contributor to the “06880” online art gallery — and his wife Wendy Roseberry celebrated their 15th anniversary in New Orleans.

They booked dinner at the new Chemin à la Mer restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel on the Mississippi River. Word got around management that they were from Connecticut.

That brought David Griswold — the restaurant’s assistant manager — to the table.

The former manager of Mystic Market told the couple about his new adventures in the Big Easy, and caught up on all the news here since his move last September.

“David made sure we had a gorgeous meal,” Wendy says. And he sends his best to his many friends, and former customers, here.

David Griswold says hi from New Orleans. (Photo/Wendy Roseberry)

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Attorneys and staff members at Westport’s FLB Law recently stuffed backpacks with holiday treats, pancake mix, syrup, a book, toys and toothbrush kit — for underserved area kids. The gifts were distributed through Filling in the Blanks.

“FLB Law’s culture is rooted in community,” says FLB lawyer Matthias Sportini,  “While many of us serve on boards and volunteer individually, gathering together to give back as firm was especially meaningful. It adds something special to the holiday season.”

FLB attorneys and staff members take a break from stuffing backpacks.

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It’s winter (though not particularly) cold in Westport. That hardly stops dogs from romping at Compo. As today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows, they’re enjoying their 6-month off-leash days at the beach.

(Photo/Cathy Malkin)

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And finally … on this date in 1903, the Wright brothers made the first controlled powered, heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

David Griswold Moves On

Three years ago, David Griswold moved to Westport.

For months he commuted to Old Saybrook. That was the closest Mystic Market location to here. It was where he learned to manage the Westport store.

It opened in 2019, in the old Blu Parrot/Jasmine/Arrow space. It took a while, but the market — with eat-in and takeout foods, baked goods, coffee and more — has become a vital part of the Saugatuck scene.

Mystic Market serves the community in a variety of ways. And one of the main reasons for its visibility and vibe is Griswold.

The manager has a fascinating back story. He grew up in a military family. He went to 10 schools, before graduating from a fine arts academy.

Then he trained in ballet, and did a conservatorship with the American Ballet Theatre. He danced with Alice Cooper, and at Madison Square Garden for the New York Liberty.

David Griswold: ballet dancer …

After that, came … the US Army.

Griswold was a diesel mechanic in Afghanistan and Kuwait. He was also in charge of morale-building, getting soldiers out of their barracks to mix and mingle. During the service he finished his degree in business management.

… and service member.

All of those experiences — arts, problem solving, team building — served him well as he helped grow Mystic Market in Westport.

Now he’s moving on to a new adventure. Griswold writes:

“It’s time to say farewell.

“Sometimes we reach a point where we need to move on from where we started. We feel like we’re at a standstill, and we crave some change and adventure. You can’t always wait for the perfect time. Sometimes, you have to dare to do it because life is too short to wonder what could’ve been. Or sometimes, like in this case, life offers you a better opportunity.

“Here I am again. Finding myself in a familiar feeling I have experienced throughout my life. The moment life has come for me again to be picked up by the wind, move away and start completely over.

“So it’s with great sadness that I am stepping down from my roles as general manager and district manager at Mystic Market. I’m taking a new position in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

David Griswold (far left) with his Mystic Market team.

“While I am very excited for this new adventure, it is unfortunately happing much faster then I had anticipated. I start on September 10, so my last day at work was this past Friday.

“This position has defined and consumed my life for the past few years. It was my second home, my passion, my community. I took great pride in the market. I sacrificed so much of my own free time and happiness for her, so I can’t quite explain the pain and sadness I’m feeling letting her go. But it’s time.

“I always get a strange feeling when I leave a place. Like I’ll not only miss the people I love, but I will miss the person I have become in this time and place. Because eventually I will move on and change, even if it’s ever so slight and never be this way ever again.

“The unsettling mix of sadness and joy feeling I’m experiencing, I try to tell myself is normal. Leaving somewhere you grew to love for something new feels wrong, but I have to just know that it’s for the best, and that it’s time to let go, walk away, pass the baton, give my blessings and move on to my next chapter in life.

“I want to thank everyone I have met since moving here for welcoming me into your community, teaching me so much and making me a stronger man then the one I was when I moved here. I am truly grateful.

“I can only hope I brought some joy or good to your life as well. I would like wish everyone a fond farewell. It has been a pleasure serving you Westport. I hope you won’t forget me.”