Tag Archives: Diane Meyer Lowman

Roundup: David Pogue & Titanic, SHS Grad Video, Wrong Way Entrance Ramps …

Posted on June 21, 2023 | 7 comments

As the search continues for the submersible, lost in the Atlantic Ocean during a dive to the wreck of Titanic, media outlets cite David Pogue’s report on the company catering to the ultra-rich.

Last November, the Westporter and “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent described his own dive — and the warnings that preceded it. “06880” wrote about that now-noteworthy segment.

Our piece included a link to his broadcast:

There was a link to his “Unsung Science” podcast too. Click here, then scroll down for his 2-part series on his experience with the vessel.

This week, Pogue has been quoted in print and broadcast media outlets around the world. He has become the world’s go-to expert, both from personal and professional experience.

Here’s his report, from CBS:

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Missed the Staples High School Class of 2023 graduation last week?

Maybe you were there, and want to see it not from behind your cellphone camera lens?

Or perhaps you’d like to show it off to grandparents, siblings or anyone else who could not make it to Paul Lane Field?

Jim Honeycutt did his usual spectacular job of recording the event, then turning it into a video for the whole world to see.

Click below to see it all: processional, recessional, and everything in between.

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Large red and technologically advanced “Wrong Way” signs will be installed soon at the northbound and southbound I-95 Exit 17 entrances.

They’re part of a statewide program to cut down on head-on collisions — often fatal — resulting from drivers entering highway exits.

The state Department of Transportation has identified 236 high-risk ramps. Many are like Exit 17, where the on- and off-ramps are in close proximity. The highest priority goes to ramps that are near to places that serve alcohol.

The new signs will include cameras that identify when cars drive the wrong way. When that happens, lights flash.

The signs will also notify the closest state police barracks, and DOT Highway Operations Center.

I-95 Exit 17 on- and off-ramps are right next to each other.

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Speaking of traffic: The Westport Sunrise Rotary’s annual Great Duck Race is this Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The Taylor parking lot (between Jesup Green and the Saugatuck River) will be closed beginning Friday evening.

Also this weekend: the downtown Sidewalk Sale (Friday through Sunday). Expect extra traffic — both vehicular and pedestrian.

Oblivious to the upcoming closing of the Taylor parking lot. (Photo/Mary Sikorski)

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Since 2019, Wakeman Town Farm, Earthplace and the Westport Garden Club have promoted Westport’s “Pollinator Pathway.” It’s part of an area-wide effort to restore and connect habitats for ecologically crucial pollinators.

This Saturday (June 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), the group has organized a second annual Pollinator Pathway tour. It features 2 private and 4 public gardens. Other Fairfield and Westchester County towns are also involved.

Westport locations include:

4 Deepwood Lane
Earthplace
Prospect Gardens (13 Prospect Road)
Sherwood Island State Park Nature Center
Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve
Wakeman Town Farm

All sites except Earthplace will have guides and/or gardeners on hand to answer questions, and provide information about plant choice and best practices to support biodiversity using earth-friendly practices for healthier lawns and gardens.

Earthplace will be a self-directed tour.

Click here for more information on participating gardens, and an interactive map with descriptions, photographs, and directions. Click here for a list of Northeast native pollinator plants.

Part of the Sherwood Island State Park Pollinator Pathway. (Photo/Kelle Ruden)

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A few days after the end of the legislative session, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg addressed the Westport Rotary Club at yesterday’s weekly meeting.

“We hope Connecticut can get back to where it was pre-pandemic,” Steinberg said, referring to the local economy. Election initiatives such as early voting and new election technology, and sensible gun reform, are other priorities for Governor Lamong.

The legislator also discussed Westport’s crippling traffic. He said, “We need to do more work on improving traffic in Westport, We have no choice not to.”

Though a proposal to levy highway tolls failed in the past few years, Steinberg hopes to keep the issue alive. He says it could help alleviate congestion.

State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Photo and hat tip/Dave Matlow)

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At 57 Diane Meyer Lowman set off on a life-changing adventure: a “senior year abroad” studying in the MA program at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon.

She learned a lot.

She wrote a lot too.

Her memoir –“The Undiscovered Country: Seeing Myself Through Shakespeare’s Eyes” — will be published in September.

Diane details her “transformative experiences, both personal and academic,” as she immerses herself in the world of Shakespeare. She learns as much about herself as she does about the Bard.

“Undiscovered Country” is available for pre-order. Click here for details.

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Former Westport resident Patricia Lane Willett died unexpectedly on June 8. She was 83, and lived in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Her family calls her “a devoted wife for nearly 6 decades to William H. Willett, a loving mother of 5, a loyal friend, an active philanthropist, and an extraordinary hostess. Pat embraced life with boundless energy, a competitive spirit, and a knack for timely humor.

“Her infectious smile, unwavering desire to please, and unmatched passion for entertaining ensured that every gathering she hosted was unforgettable and filled with laughter.

“She possessed a remarkable ability to spoil her cherished grandchildren, showering them with affection, Nana kisses, and indulgences that will forever hold a special place in their hearts. Pat’s dedication to philanthropy revealed her depth of competitive spirit as she tirelessly pursued charitable goals, all the while expressing immense gratitude for those who supported and shared in her endeavors.”

Patricia was preceded in death by her siblings Mary, Judy, Linda, Joe, Paul, Chubby, Greg, and daughter-in-law Shannon Willett. She is survived by her husband; children Wendy Sellers (Rick), Chris Willett, Jeff Willett (Lisa), Brad Willett (Jennifer) and Elizabeth Johnson; sister Joanne Lane; 16 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering donations in Pat’s memory to Autism Speaks, a cause close to her heart.

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In our never-ending quest to bring unusual flora and fauna to “Westport … Naturally,” we offer this cactus:

(Photo/Ken Yormark)

It’s courtesy of Ken Yormark’s garden, on Saugatuck Shores.

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And finally … summer arrives soon (at 10:57 a.m., to be exact). So shouldn’t it be warmer?

I had thousands of songs to choose from today. This tiny smattering popped into my head.

(You can have fun all summer long with “06880.” But please don’t forget to support us with a contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

7 Comments

Posted in Arts, Environment, Media, Politics, Staples HS, Transportation

Tagged David Pogue, Diane Meyer Lowman, I-95 Exit 17, Pollinator Pathway, Staples High School Class of 2023, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Titanic, Westport Rotary Club

Roundup: Horace Lewis Funeral, Skating, Trash …

Posted on January 5, 2022 | 4 comments

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Services will be held this Saturday (January 8) for Horace Lewis. The beloved head custodian at Staples High School — and before that at Coleytown Middle School — died last month of complications from COVID, following a stroke. He was 62 years old.

The family will receive visitors from 10 to 11 a.m. at Kingdom Life Christian Church, 597 Naugatuck Avenue in Milford. The funeral service follows, at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Union Cemetery in Stratford.

Horace Lewis

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Larry Aasen’s family has sent along his official obituary. Here are more details, on one of Westport’s most remarkable residents:

Larry Aasen died on Sunday, January 2, at Norwalk Hospital. He was 99 years old. The cause of death was complications of COVID-19.

Larry and his wife Martha married in 1954. They moved to Westport in 1963. Martha died in October 2020, at 90.

Larry was born in a log house on a farm near Gardner, ND, on December 5, 1922, during a heavy snowstorm. There was no electricity, running water or central heating. His grandparents were immigrants from Norway.

He attended North Dakota State University from 1941 to 1943, then entered the U.S. Army. Larry rose to sergeant in the 13th Airborne Division. After training in North Carolina, he was sent to France during World War II. His job was cryptographer, encoding and decoding secret messages. His division had 20-person gliders. Their mission was to drop behind enemy lines and destroy anything of value.

One year after his 1946 discharge, Larry received a journalism degree from the University of North Dakota. He added a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University in 1949.

Larry moved to New York, where he began his career as a journalist for McGraw-Hill trade publications. He spent 14 years with New York Life Insurance, rising to vice president of public relations, then 20 years with the Better Vision Institute on campaigns urging Americans to get their eyes checked.

He was active in Westport’s civic life. He served 17 years on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM). Other volunteer activities include the Democratic Town Committee, Y’s Men and Rotary Club. He was an active member of the Saugatuck Congregational Church. In 2018, he served as grand marshal of the town’s Memorial Day parade

He wrote 4 books about his beloved North Dakota, including “North Dakota 100 Years Ago,” “Images of North Dakota” and “North Dakota Postcards 1900-1930.” “North Dakotans Never Give Up” was written when he was 97 years old.

Larry is survived by his children, David and Susan; son-in-law David Rutkin, and extended family members in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Because of the pandemic, there will be no funeral at this time. A memorial service will be held in the spring. His family requests that no flowers or gifts be sent to the Aasen residence. Instead, memorial gifts may be sent to Saugatuck Congregational Church (click here, or send to 245 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880).

Memorial Day 2018 grand marshal Larry Aasen and his wife Martha. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)

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This week’s weather is great for skating, at one of Westport’s 2 rinks.

That’s right. In addition to the Westport PAL Rink at Longshore, there’s another not far from downtown.

However, this one is private.

Josh Fass passed his love of hockey to his kids. Carter — a junior at Staples High School — plays on the boys varsity team. Lexie is a freshman; she skates for the Staples/Stamford co-op girls team. (The oldest is studying molecular and cellular biology in California.)

Creating a rink on their front lawn was a passion project last year, and a saving grace during the long COVID winter. The virus is still here — but thankfully, the rink is back.

The Fass family rink. (Photo/Mark Mathias)

A Westporter writes:

My husband and I have been doing a daily walk around our neighborhood. We see things that — well, shouldn’t be there.

So the other day we took a couple of bags with us. In just 20 minutes around the corner and back, we filled them (see photo below). We picked up something almost every 10 yards.

So here’s my “food (garbage) for thought”: Why does this happen in one of the wealthiest and most highly educated places in the country — in front of million dollar homes? I’m sure we wouldn’t see this on their living room floors.

In days to come, we’ll bring bigger bags. And maybe a truck, for the barbecue grill someone threw away.

A small portion of all the garbage collected.

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On Monday, “06880” reported on the cache of unopened tin cans Wendy Crowther found in a decaying Baron’s South tree.

Several readers speculated they might have been left there by a homeless person.

Wendy returned, and examined the labels. The oldest “Best By” date was February 28, 2017. Others were dated as late as 2022. A plastic jar of unopened peanut butter that rolled downhill from the rest had a “Best By” date of 2023.

Such dates dates typically range from 1 to 3 years, Wendy says. It’s hard to know who stashed the cans, and when. But, she adds, “No matter who, it’s a reminder that someone’s next meal may depend on the secrecy and integrity of a tree cavity, even here in Westport.”

Canned goods, in and near a Baron’s South tree. (Photo/Wendy Crowther)

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The Westport Book Shop starts the new year off with a different kind of Artist of the Month. Literary and visual artist Diane Meyer Lowman — our town’s poet laureate — offers 9 original haiku. Superimposed on a photo taken by Diane in Westport or close by, they’ll be exhibited in the store through January 31.

Lowman is a poet, author and essayist (click here to read). Her memoir Nothing But Blue was published in 2018. Shortly thereafter, she received her M.A. in Shakespeare Studies from the University of Birmingham.

Diane Meyer Lowman with her haiku, at the Westport Book Shop.

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Sarah Bloom Raskin is the leading candidate for vice chair of supervision at the Federal Reserve.

According to Axios, “By settling on Raskin, a former deputy Treasury secretary, for the powerful bank regulator position, [President] Biden is giving progressive senators like Elizabeth Warren a policy and personnel win on a position about which they care deeply.”

Raskin — a law professor at Duke University — served as a Federal Reserve governor before joining the Treasury Department under President Obama. She is married to Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland.

Why is this “06880”-worthy? She is the daughter of longtime Westporter Arlene Bloom and her late husband, Herb. (Hat tips: Mary Condon and Sheila Weiss)