“I love a snow day with my kids. However, it becomes quite an obstacle when my children and I have to walk to school each morning, and the town neglects to plow our sidewalk on Easton Road right by Coleytown Elementary.
“We live a 4-minute walk to CES, and do our part to alleviate traffic and try to save the environment by walking to school in almost all weather conditions.
“However, the town seems to forget about plowing our sidewalk for days (and yes, this is the town’s responsibility; the sidewalk in front of our home has been plowed on our dime — we know the rules), causing us to trudge through snow on our way to school or risk our lives walking the white line on Easton Road.
“My neighbors and I have called several times. Sidewalks near schools should be a priority!”
Jay Gatsby was larger than life. So was his creator, F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Next week, you’ve got a chance to watch “Gatsby in Connecticut: The Untold Story” on the much-larger-than-life Westport Library Trefz Forum screen.
Robert Steven Williams’ documentary chronicling F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald’s time in Westport, and its impact on his classic novel — with Sam Waterston as the writer, and voiceover by Keir Dullea — will be shown on February 9 (7 p.m.).
The New Yorker selection as one of the best movies of 2020 will be followed by a discussion with director Williams and executive producer Richard “Deej” Webb, author of the film’s companion book “Boats Against the Current.”
The Fairfield County Hunt Club has a new general manager. Mario DiPreta will oversee the staff of nearly 100, a membership of almost 200 families, and be responsible for long-term planning, dining, socializing and athletics, including nationally recognized horseback competitions.
Most recently, DiPreta was CEO and general manager of the prestigious West Side Tennis Club & Forest Hills Stadium. He has a degree in culinary arts. His 11-year-old daughter competes in regional equestrian events.
Outgoing CEO Carla Nelson was rewarded with an honorary FCHC membership. She joined the club in 1985 as a pastry and line chef, then took over as general manager 8 years later.
To learn more about the Fairfield County Hunt Club, click here.
Westporters celebrated. Soon, we can all celebrate even more.
Martin’s wife Laurie reports that the bench is at the Parks & Recreation maintenance facility, awaiting a more secure installation.
“Debbie Detmer (Parks & Rec administrative assistant) has been amazing,” Laurie reports.
Yesterday, the women met at the site. Debbie brought signage (photo below), attached to a stake. So soon — when a crew delivers the bench back to the beach — they’ll know exactly where it goes.
Walter Mondale led quite a life. His death yesterday, at 93, resonated deeply with Andy Meyers.
In 1979, the Staples High School senior took part in a Washington internship program created and administered by social studies teacher Dave Harrison. Meyers worked with Vice President Walter Mondale.
He continued his association long after Mondale left the Carter administration. This morning Meyers — now living in Wilton — said, “He should be an inspiration to all of us to dedicate our lives to making the world a better place for humans to live together.”
Andy Meyers (left) and another staffer in Berlin, New Hampshire in the summer of 1983, in the very early days of preparing for the New Hampshire primary. Walter Mondale went on to win the Democratic nomination for president in 1984, but lost badly to incumbent Ronald Reagan.
A Westport native, Staples High graduate and mother of students currently in the Westport schools writes this open letter to town officials:
“I am very very concerned about the uptick in coronavirus cases.
“I have spoken to at least 7 families in the last week that had COVID over the last 2-3 weeks. I have no doubt that with the amount of people who traveled last week and shared photos of all the places they were visiting (and not everyone was fully vaccinated), that we will have a big spike over the next 2 weeks.
“I am concerned about kids playing sports over the next 2 weeks as well.
“The families that caught it have very similar symptoms: fever, weakness, chills, cough for over 2 weeks. It needs to be emphasized by everyone in Westport that we will have another super-spreader again if we continue not adhering to the guidelines, and everyone starts going back to normal. We are not on the other side of this virus yet.
“I encourage you and the town leadership to send emails daily about this rise in cases, and emphasize that people need to get tested and quarantine.”
Got excess prescription pain relievers, stimulants, tranquilizers or sedatives lying around the house? Maybe some vape pens?
This Saturday (April 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), the Westport Police Department invites will collect them, at the Senior Center (21 Imperial Avenue). It’s part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
It’s free anonymous — no questions asked.
The collection site cannot accept liquids, needs or sharps — only pills or patches. Click here for the disposal of vape pens. For more information, click here.
There’s a year-round collection bin at Westport police headquarters. Prescription drugs can be disposed of at any time there.
The Westport Library’s Verso Studios will host 2 film camps for teens this summer. Documentary Filmmaking will be led by documentary filmmaker Mick Davie (National Geographic, Discovery Channel, History, Channel, CNN, NBC), while TV News Reporting is run by former ABC News journalist Jay Schadler.
The 5-week Filmmaking program runs June 21 through July 22. It includes 3 two-hour virtual workshops each week, 1-on-1 virtual sessions with Mick, and additional instruction on editing and technical issues with experts in film and television.
It is limited to 24 students, working in teams of 3 or 4. Their finished products — short documentary films — will be available on the Library’s YouTube channel.
finished product will be a short documentary film that will be uploaded to the Library’s YouTube channel.
The 4-week TV News Reporting camp (also limited to 24 students) runs July 12 to August 5. With virtual and live classes, it culminates in a newscast with video stories found, developed, shot and edited by participants.
Attention all restaurant owners! Winfield Street Coffee owner Breno Donatti sends along news that the Small Business Administration is administering $28.6 billion in pandemic funds to small restaurants, caterers, food trucks and others hit hard by the pandemic.
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is a streamlined process. Click here for details.
Small restaurants like Winfield Street Coffee are eligible for federal COVID relief funds.
A special webinar this Thursday (April 22, 5:30 p.m.) brings viewers — from anywhere in the world — to Westport. The topic F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald’s summer here.
Robert Steven Williams — director of “Gatsby in Connecticut,” one of the New Yorker’s best films of 2020 — will talk about the author’s background; an overview of Westport in the 1920s (Prohibition was not always prohibitive), and the town’s influence on The Great Gatsby. He’ll share video clips too, and never-before-seen photos of Westport and New York from the ’20s.
Williams hosts a Q-and-A afterward too. Click here for tickets. (They include access to the full replay for one week.) (Hat tip: Dennis Jackson)
“Gatsby in Connecticut” is garnering plenty of attention. The New Yorker called the film about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Westport sojourn “one of the best of 2020.” Thanks to Amazon Prime, plenty of folks have seen — and enjoyed — it.
F. Scott and Zelda arrived here in the early days of Prohibition. From all indications, Westporters paid about as much attention to the booze ban as my generation did to weed laws.
Apparently, our town had a long history with drink. Seth Schachter found this postcard from 1912. Liquor was legal. But it looks like Westport went way beyond a drink or two.
And no, this is not just any “West Port.” The message on the other side is postmarked here.
COVID has caused many organizations to move meetings online.
You can’t do that with a hiking club, though. So the Y’s Men group has adapted. They meet in smaller numbers now. They maintain strict social distance — 8 feet, just to be sure. They wear masks when they assemble.
But they still get their exercise. And their miles.
Twice a week, Chris Lewis leads 10 to 15 hikers. He knows all the trails, throughout the county.
Wednesday hikes are 2 hours long. Friday’s are more strenuous, and can take up to 3. Only heavy rain or extremely slippery conditions stop the Y’s Men.
In addition, “walkers” meet nearly every day. They avoid difficult trail conditions.
This may not be the Y’s Men’s motto. But it should be: “COVID? Take a hike!”
(Hat tip: Michael Hehenberger)
A recent hike at Trout Brook Preserve, owned and managed by Aspetuck Land Trust. Tom Johnson (3rd from left) is a Y’s Men hiker and ALT member. (Photo/Sal Mollica)
Dave Briggs is one of the best interviewers around. He brings out the best in his subjects, in a relaxed, fun and insightful way. His Instagram Live chats are always intriguing.
And I’m not just saying that because I was a recent guest.
Today (Wednesday, January 6, 4 p.m.), he’ll chat with David Waldman. They’ll talk about the commercial realtor’s work developing Bedford Square and the west bank of the Saugatuck River, bringing Barnes & Noble downtown, and much more.
Head to @WestportMagazine on Instagram. You’ll be entertained — and learn a lot.
“Gatsby in Connecticut: The Untold Story” is ready for prime time.
Or at least, Amazon Prime.
The 70-minute movie by Robert Steven Williams — starring Sam Waterston and Keir Dullea, covering F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald’s formative summer in Westport — is available on the streaming service.
The New Yorker called it one of the best films of 2020. Click here, and judge for yourself. (Hat tip: David Meth)
David Tarqueno died on December 24 at Norwalk Hospital, from complications of COVID-19. He was 61 years old.
His obituary says, “David left behind an incredible number of friends who loved him. His personality was like no other. His presence could light up a room. His smile, his laughter and his humor will remain with every heart he touched.
“David loved fishing — he was out there every fishing season opening day. Nature and animals were an important part of his life. He was devoted to his family and friends. That devotion was selfless, his trust boundless, and love endless.”
The Staples High School graduate is survived by his parents, Joseph and Marianne Tarqueno; sister Lisa Tarqueno-Crawford; brother Peter Tarqueno, and his beloved dog Harry.
David Tarqueno
And finally … today, the Electoral College meets. Will Vice President Pence do what Joe Biden did as vice president 4 years ago (and Al Gore, George H.W. Bush and many others before him), affirming the legitimate winner of the election 2 months earlier?
Or will American democracy be launched into a parallel universe, one in which lunacy rules and losers’ temper tantrums make us the laughingstock of the world?
The New Yorker has named its 36 best films of 2020.
Checking in at #30: “Gatsby in Connecticut.”
The magazine writes:
In this engaging rabbit-hole documentary, a nonprofessional filmmaker [Robert Steven Williams] pursues his obsession with “The Great Gatsby,” tracing key elements of Fitzgerald’s story to Westport, Connecticut—and connecting with a writer who published a related report in The New Yorker.
Appearing on any Top Films list a great accomplishment. But this is doubly impressive: It’s the New Yorker.
And it includes all releases this past year. Not just independent films. Not just documentaries. Every movie you could have streamed anywhere, or seen in a theater (for the 2 months in early 2020 when there were such things).
Congratulations, Robert! F. Scott, Zelda, Jay, Nick and Daisy would be proud.
(Click here for the full New Yorker story. Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)
“All Things Warm” is the name of Westport VFW Post 399’s winter drive. They’re collecting new and gently used warm clothing and blankets, for veterans their families.
Coats, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, sweaters, thermals, winter socks, pajamas, boots — if it’s warm, they want it.
Drop-offs are accepted at the VFW Post (465 Riverside Avenue, at the Saugatuck Avenue split) through December 19.
VFW on Riverside Avenue
Emma Dantas — a Staples High School senior — is co-president of the Yale New Haven Hospital Junior Board. The institution is on the front lines fighting COVID. They need our help — and you can do it in a guilty-pleasure way.
Just buy lunch or dinner at Shake Shack in Westport, Darien or New Haven this Monday (December 7) between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Use the code “DONATION” at checkout — on the app, online or in person.
25% of the price of your order will go to Yale New Haven Hospital. It’s incredibly easy — and important. Tasty, too!
(Photo courtesy of Westport Patch)
And finally … on this date in 1933, the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified. It repealed the 18th Amendment — in other words, it ended Prohibition.
Plenty of songs lamented the decade-plus ban on alcohol. Among the most famous: Bessie Smith’s 1928 “Me and My Gin,” and Louis Armstrong’s 1929 “Knockin’ a Jug,” with Jack Teagarden. The latter is one of the first major recorded collaborations of black and white musicians — and its title comes from an empty gallon of whiskey Armstrong saw in the studio. It was full when the session started.
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
