It’s listed for $999,999. That’s one of the least expensive properties in Westport today.
It was also one of the least expensive 70 years ago.
In 1956, it was a new build. Jerry Mande’s father wrote a check for $793.38. That covered his down payment.
The annual property tax was $36. Heating oil was $0.145 a gallon.
Those were the days.
Fillow Street was part of a new neighborhood. It sprouted near Fillow Flower Farm, off Clinton Avenue, and included nearby streets like Oak, Calumet, Loren and Sniffen (the latter 2 named for one man: Loren Sniffen).
Developers knew they were in the right place, at the right time. The baby boom was booming. Young families wanted the suburbs: a big home, space, good schools, amenities.
Westport sure offered amenities.
Compo Beach! Franklin Simon Shopping Center! A quick and pleasant drive on the Merritt!
And while some of those distances (2 minutes to Coleytown School, 5 minutes to the station) might be wishful thinking, the 58 minutes to Grand Central was not. Seven decades later, it takes at least 15 minutes longer. Ah, progress!
The marketing material did not hold back.
“The #1 location in the entire metropolitan area — perhaps in the entire country,” it said.
But, it added oddly, “With its awkward years of growth and inconvenience far behind, Westport stands today as the nation’s model suburban community.
“It boasts innumerable mansions in the $100,000 class and up. It abounds in many Fifth Avenue shops. It is famous for its art, theatrical and cultural centers.”
And beyond “incomparable Compo Beach … it’s endowed with priceless prestige — so vital in business and social success today.”
The homes themselves came in 2 models: “The Caddy” and “The New Englander.”
Features included finished recreation rooms, separate dining rooms, oversized garages, separate space for laundry, and leaders and gutters.
The neighborhood has stood the test of time. (The name — Flower Estates — is long forgotten, if it was ever used.)
The area is still one of the most family-friendly in Westport. It is walkable, bikeable, and filled with kids. (Especially, because of its compactness, at Halloween.)
Some original homes remain. (Though their number is dwindling.)
Jerry Mande hopes that the home he is selling is one of those. He’d like a family — not a developer — to treasure it, as his family has for 70 years.
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NBC announced this morning that the veteran host will succeed Hoda Kotb as an anchor on “Today.” The show has been a television staple for over 70 years.
He begins his new role, with Savannah Guthrie, on January 13.
Melvin has been the news anchor of “Today” since 2018, and co-hosts the 9 a.m. hour.
Craig Melvin
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Last night’s Westport Library conversation between billionaire financier/former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry, and fellow Westporter/TV personality Dave Briggs, was fascinating on many levels.
The chat ranged between politics (Lasry donated to Kamala Harris’ campaign), sports and more.
Lasry engaged well with the audience. He showed a humorous side — besides his investment genius.
Veterans Day is always special for VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399.
This year, it was extra special.
Susan Derkowski — the great-niece of Private Joseph J. Clinton, a fallen hero of World War I and the namesake of Westport’s Veterans of Foreign Wars post — drove 7 hours from Aldie, Virginia to pay tribute to her great-uncle’s legacy.
She was greeted by Phil Delgado — VFW Post 399 quartermaster, Lieutenant Commander, US Navy (retired) — and Patty Kondub, VFW Post 399 Auxiliary senior vice president.
Delgado gave her a tour of the Post. He told stories of servicemembers honored on its walls.
The group then visited Christ & Holy Trinity Cemetery, where Private Clinton rests. Killed in action in France just 4 days before the end of World War I, Joseph J. Clinton’s legacy remains a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by so many for freedom and peace.
Delgado says, “It was a powerful and emotional moment to witness a family member’s dedication to honoring a hero’s memory. Susan’s journey to Westport shows the lasting impact that servicemembers have on their families and our community.”
Susan Derkowski, at the Christ & Holy Trinity Cemetery of her great-uncle, Joseph J. Clinton.
Speaking of the VFW: Dredging continues at their Saugatuck River dock.
When completed, the private project will increase capacity, behind the Riverside Avenue building.
(Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Fillow Street residents are a tight-knit community. They enjoy a group text, to share news and views. They look out for each other. They wave, and say hello.
Recently though, one neighbor put up a sign:
“I find this so upsetting,” a resident emailed “06880.”
“The world is upside down right now. There is so much division and hatred. Today (Wednesday) is actually National Kindness Day. I wish people were more kind, especially in our little Westport neighborhoods.”
Staples and Darien — the #1 and #2-seeded teams, respectively — battle for the state class “L” (large schools) Connecticut championship this Saturday, at Wethersfield High School.
They are longtime rivals.
Since 2016, the Wreckers and Blue Wave have met 9 teams, in the FCIAC tournament and state finals.
Staples reached another final with an 11-1 shellacking of Fairfield Ludlowe, in the semifinals. That’s an astonishing score for a field hockey game — particularly for the state semis.
The Westporters — ranked #8 nationally — have lost only once this year. And it was to a team from 2 states away: Camden (New Jersey) Catholic.
Darien, meanwhile, has lost only twice. Both defeats were to Staples: 5-2 in the regular season, and 3-2 in a thrilling FCIAC overtime final.
Good luck to coach Ian Tapsall and his girls, as they look for their 6th state final. All have come since 2016.
The Westport Youth Commission and Staples High School’s Teen Awareness Group are preparing to dodge the cops.
They do it every year.
The annual Dodge-a-Cop event is actually a dodgeball tournament. Students make up their own teams — and one Westport Police officer is assigned to each.
The idea is to bring kids and cops together. And to raise funds for TAG.
It’s set for December 16, in the Staples fieldhouse.
Participants in last year’s Dodge-a-Cop event. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between October 30 and November 6.
A 44-year-old Westport man was charged with interfering with an officer and breach of peace, after a report that someone was assaulted while walking on the Main Street sidewalk. The suspect was allegedly intoxicated, and fought with officers as they tried to question him.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 7 citations
Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
Unsafe/improper passing: 2
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
Disorderly conduct: 1
Criminal trespass: 1
Reckless driving: 1
Traveling unreasonably fast in a school zone: 1
Driving while texting: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Operating a motor vehicle while under suspension: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
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Rotary District 79800 Governor Robert Friend spoke to an interested audience on Tuesday: The Westport Rotary Club.
He reminded Rotarians how they touch and improve lives, through projects like aid sent to state residents after recent floods, and a drive for food and supplies for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the south.
Friend started the Opus for Peace program, which promotes wellness and harmony through the arts. Westport Rotary’s production of the opera “Amistad” at the Westport Library was part of that initiative.
Alan Goldberg offers today’s unusual “Westport … Naturally” image.
(Photo/Alan Goldberg)
It’s unusual for his neighborhood, at least. Alan writes: “I found this guy in my backyard today. Blue Ribbon Drive (off North Avenue) is definitely not his usual stomping grounds.”
And finally … Aaron Copland was born on this date in 1900. The composer/ conductor — one of the giants of the American music scene — died in 1990.
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