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!)
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.
(“06880 is your hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work. Thank you.)
Debra Kandrak’s one-woman crusade to paint the town yellow is paying off beautifully.
Every autumn for 4 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:
Near the police station.
Jesup Road
Imperial Avenue.
Compo Beach.
Sherwood Island Connector.
Weston Road, near Cross Highway.
Nevada Hitchcock Garden, Weston Road and Cross Highway.
Debra Kandrak’s adopt-a-spot, on Prospect Road and Greens Farms Road.
Debra Kandrak’s own Greens Farms barn …
… and her garden.
(“06880” is often inspired by Westport’s beauty. If you’re inspired by our hyper-local blog, please click here to contribute. Thank you!)
For 21 years, Stacie Curran and friends have ridden in the CT United Ride. The largest motorcycle ride in Connecticut pays tribute to the victims and first responders of 9/11.
Yesterday’s event took place on the actual date: September 11. Before the start at Sherwood Island, the group met at Stacie’s house:
The entire group — hundreds strong — gathered at the state park:
(Photo/Tom Lowrie)
Soon — with a police escort from several towns — they headed onto I-95. Their route of remembrance took them to Exit 17, Riverside Avenue, Wilton Road, and through 8 other Fairfield County towns.
Every year, the arrival of spring in Westport is heralded by the “Daffodil Mile” — the long, winding rows of daffodils at Willowbrook Cemetery on Main Street.
Daffodil Mile, at Willowbrook Cemetery … (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
For the past few years, daffodils have also bloomed throughout the rest of Westport. On Prospect Road, in Saugatuck, in traffic islands everywhere, the week of yellow flowers brings smiles to Westporters sick and tired of snow and slush.
Greens Farms Road, at Prospect Road.
Those daffodils don’t just fall from the sky (to mix metaphors). They’re the product of plenty of planning — and planting.
“Paint the Town Yellow” is a project begun 4 years ago by Debra Kandrak. This fall — prime daffodil-planting time — she encourages everyone, of all ages, to plant “around our neighborhoods, around street signs, mailbox posts, in front of your business, in front of the Police and Fire Departments.” She’d love for schools to be involved too.
This year’s theme is “plant in memory of a loved one lost.”
The easiest way to plant, Debra says, is to dig a trench and pop the bulbs in (pointy side up). Costco sells 50 bulbs for $13.99.
After you plant, email the location to debra.kandrak@raveis.com. She’ll come around next spring, and take photos.
The New York Times says that this November’s Metropolitan Opera staged premiere of “The Hours” is “New York City’s opera event of the fall.”
In addition to renowned soprano Renée Fleming, it stars Kelli O’Hara. The Times calls the Westport resident “a Tony Award-decorated musical theater actress with opera bona fides (even at the Met, where she was a standout as Despina in Mozart’s ‘Così Fan Tutte’).”
That’s part of the intro to an interview published yesterday with Fleming, O’Hara and Joyce DiDonato.
Click here for the full (and very interesting) piece.
Kelli O’Hara (Photo/Thea Traff for New York Times)
Every Staples High School reunion is a cause for celebration and remembrance.
COVID caused the Class of 1980 to wait an extra 2 years to gather for their 40th. But as they got together last month (and shook their heads that they’re all now 60 years old, or about to be) they turned their thoughts to classmate Susan Lloyd.
The popular, always-active native Westporter was diagnosed with cancer as a senior. She passed away while at Colgate University. Her parents and friends created the Susan Fund in her honor. For 4 decades, it has provided important educational scholarships to Fairfield County students diagnosed with cancer.
Ten years ago, the reunion class raised $2,300 for the Susan Fund. This year, they contributed $5,500.
Kelly Frey Pollard — Susan’s good friend, and a Susan Fund board member — created a beautiful display, with letters from classmates to Susan and her family during her battle with cancer. Classmates were encouraged to take their letters home, as mementoes.
Over 130 alumni attended the reunion. A 45th is planned for 2025 — with another contribution to the Susan Fund. To find out, more follow the “Staples Class 1980” Facebook page, or email Amy Potts: amy@aapk.com,
The Class of 1980 display, of cards and letters sent to Susan Lloyd.
The Westport Woman’s Club big clothing tag sale is next month. They’re getting ready — which means, they need items to sell.
Tax-deductible donations of new or gently-worn women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, and accessories like shoes, handbags, scarves, hats and jewelry, can be dropped off weekdays (9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m.) at the WWC (44 Imperial Avenue).
Funds raised from this clothing tag sale support the town food closet, local charities throughout Fairfield County, and student scholarships.
The clothing tag sale is set for October 28-29 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and October 30 (noon to 3 p.m.). For more information, call 203-227-4240 or email wwc@westportwomansclub.org.
Longtime Westporter Geoffrey Hooper died last week. He was 87 years old.
He was born in Victoria, British Columbia. After serving in the Canadian Air Force he met his first wife, Jeannette Lauzon, and moved to Connecticut to work for his father-in-law at Stamford Typesetting Corporation. In 1976 he bought the company with a partner, Frank DeBartolo.
At Stamford Type Geoff was a force to be reckoned with as a typesetter, salesman, accountant, proofreader and generous employer. He loved taking clients out charter fishing from Old Saybrook, and delivering bags of bluefish fillets to clients and friends. As the business changed from linotype to computers to desktop publishing and scanning, he kept up with all the new technologies.
When his children were growing up in Westport, Geoff was active in the Westport Community Theater and other acting groups.
After retiring in 2008 he spent most of his time at his favorite place: home. Geoff was a talented gardener who always grew too many seedlings, but was happy to share them with family and friends. He enjoyed reading, cooking, traveling, theatergoing, and the YMCA’s water aerobics classes.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Suzy; his brother Murray (Barbara); his children and their partners Debbie (Norman), Lynne (Gary), Geoff Jr. (Susan) and Kenneth (Kim); his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brother- and sister-in-law, Ken Solomon and Janice Lakey, and many other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a cause of your choice.
Last March, 3 dolphins hung out for a few days in Bermuda Lagoon, by Saugatuck Shores.
Westport architect Peter Cadoux did not see them. In all his years has boating on Long Island Sound, in fact, he has not seen a single dolphin.
Yesterday he made up for that. Peter was awed by a pod of about 100 dolphins, cavorting a couple of miles off Smithtown Bay. That’s almost directly across the water from Westport.
Here’s a close-up, for today’s fascinating “Westport … Naturally” feature:
(Without “06880,” would you know there were dolphins right off our coast? Please click here, to help us continue to bring you all the stories of where Westport meets the world.)
It’s early October. Fall will soon hit full force, with a spectacular array of colors. It’s Westport’s most gorgeous time of year — rivaled only by spring, 6 months from now.
As the leaves turn, Debra Kandrak is thinking about daffodils.
It’s time, she says, to “paint the town yellow.”
Rotary at Church Lane and Myrtle Avenue (Photo/Dan Woog)
Kandrak is the woman behind the town’s 4th annual daffodil-planting project. Her efforts over the past 3 years have resulted in an explosion of flowers, from neighborhoods like Greens Farms to the Westport Library, Cribari Bridge, traffic island and the entrances to Staples High and Bedford Middle Schools.
Groups like the Westport Garden Club and National Charity League have helped. But Kandrak is the driving force, helping the project, um, flower.
This year’s theme is “In Memory of a Loved One Lost.” Kandrak encourages Westporters to plant flowers to honor those who died in the pandemic — or any other time.
Kandrak also hopes to plant a Memory Garden for Layla Malon, the young child killed last June. She is looking for ideas for an appropriate site.
Meanwhile, she urges Westporters to plant daffodils wherever they can. Sites include roadsides in front of homes, around mailboxes and street signs, in front of businesses, or anywhere else needing a pop of color.
(Photo/Scott Smith)
Kandrak’s goal is for Westport to have an annual Daffodil Festival, like Nantucket’s.
For now, please email debra.kandrak@raveis.com. Let her know where you’ve planted your flowers. Next spring — just 6 months from now — she’ll take a photo.
Sherwood Island Connector, at the Post Road. (Photos courtesy of Debra Kandrak)
After last fall’s 2nd annual “Paint the Town Yellow” campaign, organizers were pleased.
All over Westporter, groups and individual gardeners had planted daffodils.
Now — as the bulbs sprout — they are really happy.
So are the rest of us — even those who don’t realize where so many beautiful flowers came from.
Prospect Road — with 7,000 daffodils — is particularly gorgeous. Melissa and John Ceriale invite anyone to clip a bouquet in front of #11, 13, 21 and 25, to give to someone who has been bullied — or stopped a bully. (Please take them from the road only — not the garden beyond the stone wall!)
Prospect Road
Also last fall, the National Charity League placed daffodils around the trees at the entrance to Staples High School.
Staples High School
Nearby, parents and children planted them in front of then Bedford Middle School entry drive too.
Bedford Middle School
The Westport Garden Club put daffodils around the Westport Library. “Paint the Town Yellow” organizer Debra Kandrak did the same in front of the pine trees along the William F. Cribari Bridge.
William F. Cribari Bridge
Other residents planted in front of their homes and around their neighborhood.
One Greens Farms scene …
… and another.
“Everywhere I drive, I see a burst of yellow. It makes me smile!” Debra says.
She wonders if one day Westport could have a Daffodil Festival.
Why not? It would sure make other towns green with envy.
Greens Farms Road, at Prospect …
… and the Sherwood Island Connector. (All photos/Debra Kandrak)
“Imagine driving through Westport and seeing thousands of daffodils around mailboxes, on the roadside, in front of stores,” she said. “It would be so pretty. And they can be in honor of loved ones, so they’re even more meaningful.”
She got commercial landlord David Waldman on board. Laurelrock and Northeast Horticulture, which maintain several traffic islands, joined in. So did the Westport Garden Club, town officials, businesses, and plenty of random Westporters.
A collage of daffodils.
As she drove around last spring — when the town was laid low by the coronavirus — Debra was heartened to see thousands of new daffodils.
The residents on Soundview Drive had planted hundreds of beautiful flowers along the beach exit road. Project Return planted them in front of their North Compo shelter. They sprouted in front of The Learning Community School on Hillspoint Road, at the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge, and at dozens of other spots, both public and private.
The Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown.
Now, Debra announced the 2nd annual “Paint the Town Yellow” campaign. This year’s theme: Every daffodil represents a stand against bullying.
“Bullying destroys lives,” Debra says. “It chips away at someone’s self-esteem. As you plant flowers with your children, teach them empathy, not excess.
“Our country is in turmoil. Let Westport, show the world that we practice kindness, compassion and empathy. We can do this!”
Debra asks residents, committees, businesses and the town of Westport to plant daffodils “in front of your home, around the mailbox post, by street signs, at your store or office — everywhere!”
She would love to see schools get involved. (Parents can donate daffodils, she suggests).
Sherwood Island Connector, at the Post Road. (Photos courtesy of Debra Kandrak)
Last spring, when we desperately needed to be uplifted, daffodils did the trick. No one knows what this spring will bring.
This is peak fall foliage time. The wonder of nature is on display all over town. It’s an amazing, spectacular, all-too-brief moment that makes us realize, yeah, Westport really is someplace special.
So why is Debra Kandrak thinking of daffodils?
The yellow bulbs are an early sign of spring. But they’re planted in autumn. Debra wants Westporters to plant thousands of them soon.
A while back, she started a memory garden on her property, in honor of loved ones lost.
She has hundreds of daffodils, and adds more each year. Just when winter seems to drag drearily on,up they pop. (And even if it snows again, they survive. They’re a lot tougher than they look!)
Debra would like to see daffodils everywhere — not just on her property, Willowbrook Cemetery and random other spots.
“Daffodil Mile” at Willowbrook Cemetery.
She’s started a campaign: “Paint the Town Yellow.” If residents, business owners and town officials participate, she says, “it would be a beautiful thing.”
Both literally and figuratively.
“Imagine driving through Westport and seeing thousands of daffodils around mailboxes, on the roadside, in front of stores,” she says. “It would be so pretty. And they can be in honor of loved ones, so they’re even more meaningful.”
She reached out to landlords David Waldman and Roger Leifer. They’re on board. So are Laurelrock and Northeast Horticulture, which maintain several traffic islands.
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