Early voting for president started yesterday in Connecticut. I spent the previous evening a few feet from the man who may be the next Vice President of the United States.
The reception — at Governor Lamont’s (very large) home — was the 4th time this year I’ve been to a political event.
Their vibes mirror the ups and downs of this very tight — and critically important — election season.
The first was the “3 Presidents” at Radio City Music Hall, in March.
I’d seen Bill Clinton and Barack Obama before. I’d never seen President Biden.
Stephen Colbert (left) interviews Presidents Biden, Obama and Clinton.
I had great seats — about 18 rows from the stage, dead center. Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer warmed up the crowd. Then came the first lady, and the entire Biden clan (including Hunter).
Talent included Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo and Lea Michele.
MC Mindy Kaling joked about why people would pay up to $500,000 a ticket (that was not my seat) to support someone who wants to raise their taxes.
As expected, Obama was the rock star. Clinton was raspy. Biden mumbled a bit but made no gaffes, and was fully engaged.
It was remarkable to see them together, but at the same time seemed very natural and oddly reassuring. Their affection for each other – fighting similar ideological battles, but also occupying a unique position in the world – came through strongly.
Barack Obama, with Joe Biden.
I expected only rah-rah stuff. But Stephen Colbert asked interesting, even provocative questions. There were a couple of softballs, but he did not shy away from Israel/Gaza, and Biden’s age.
It was a very different scene 3 months later, at an LGBTQ event at the Manhattan Club.
It had been scheduled a while earlier, for the night after the presidential debate. No one could have known beforehand what a disaster for Biden that turned out to be.
His fumblingly geriatric performance was, well, the elephant in the room.
The president’s voice was more robust than the night before. He read well from a teleprompter. He had a bit more energy.
President Biden, at the Manhattan Club.
But the podium was placed close to the wing, so he did not have far to shuffle out on stage. The energy in the room was low.
The highlight of the night was Biden’s introduction, by Sir Elton John. Much to everyone’s disappointment, he did not sing.
Sir Elton John, behind the presidential seal.
A Sunday afternoon last month could not have been more different.
The crowd was more diverse in age and race than the previous 2 events. Once again, I had great seats — just behind the $1,000,000 contributors, dead center.
The energy was sky-high, even before Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Porter came on stage.
The vice president gave her basic stump speech. But she delivered it with poise and passion, and the reaction was electric — a far cry from Biden’s talks.
In just 3 months, the race had turned on its head. The first crowd was excited, primarily by a former president. The second was dutiful. This was pulsating.
Vice President Kamala Harris, at Cipriani Wall Street.
The venue for vice presidential candidate Tim Walz 2 days ago was much more intimate: about 200 people, on Lamont’s back country Greenwich patio.
Governor Walz was much more relaxed than in his debate with JD Vance earlier this month. He spoke easily about topics ranging from gun violence and reproductive rights to the economy, and repeated his now-famous line about the importance of getting along with one another: “Mind your own damn business.”
He also described his genuine friendship with the Connecticut politicians gathered there: Governor Lamont, Senators Murphy and Blumenthal, Representatives Hayes and Courtney.
(Noting that Hayes — who is in a tough re-election race in the 5th District — has been National Teacher of the Year, while he was “only” a finalist for State Teacher of the Year, Walz said, “It’s easier to become Governor of Minnesota than Teacher of the Year.)
Governor Tim Walz, on Sunday. (All photos/Dan Woog)
The Westporters and others gathered there listened raptly to Walz’s remarks. He gave the crowd “the assignment”: Don’t let up over the next 2 weeks, in the run-up to yet another razor-thin election.
The crowd laughed appreciatively when he said, “If the universe has any type of justice as that moral curve bends, we’ll win Georgia by 1 vote. And it will be Jimmy Carter’s.”
The political landscape is very different from the first event I went to, just 7 months ago.
But the mood is still the same, on both sides of the aisle: anxious, uncertain, fearful of what will happen if the other candidate wins.
It’s been intriguing to have seen those 4 events this year.
Two weeks from today — or, perhaps, days or weeks later — I’ll find out whether I was with the next president and vice president.
With Governor Lamont noting that “a home is more than a roof over your head; it’s a community,” Westport inaugurated 122 Wilton Road this morning.
The ceremony — attended by Congressman Jim Himes, other officials, and local housing advocates — marked the official welcome for the town’s newest apartments.
All 19 units are affordable, under a state formula. Residents will include “the working poor”: retail workers, landscapers and others who struggle to find housing in what many speakers noted is a national crisis.
Nearly 400 people applied for the 19 apartments, located at the Wilton Road/ Kings Highway North intersection.
While praising Westport as being “a welcoming town in a welcoming state,” Governor Lamont noted, “we have to do a lot more of this.”
Governor Lamont, speaking at 122 Wilton Road this morning. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Other speakers echoed that theme.
Connecticut Commissioner of Housing Seila Mosquera-Bruno — who came to the US as a single mother at the age of 24 — said that without housing assistance, she would have been unable to obtain a master’s degree in urban studies, or complete a fellowship at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
State Comptroller Sean Scanlon said that his parents divorced when he was 6. His mother had no car or education, but through assistance made sure he grew up in “every apartment in Guilford.”
“When we build housing, we build Connecticut,” said the man who “signs the checks” for projects like these.
The ceremony’s host, Helen McAlinden, president and CEO of Homes with Hope — the non-profit working to end homelessness, which oversees the project — greeted the 100 guests. She gave a special welcome to the families that have already begun moving into 122 Wilton Road.
The apartments were built by Richard Friedman, president of the Garden Homes Fund. The private foundation focuses on affordable housing.
Rev. Pete Powell also spoke. A founder of the Interfaith Housing Association — Homes with Hope’s predecessor — he reminded the audience that one of the first locations for Westport’s homeless shelter was at the Vigilant Firehouse (now OKO restaurant), a few hundred yards away on Wilton Road.
“This has been an unimaginable journey,” Powell said.
He cited the many men and women who have worked to alleviate housing in Westport in the 40 years since the IHA began, and were on hand to celebrate the opening of the new apartments.
Representative Jim Himes spoke of the importance of addressing housing shortages nationwide.
“If Westport can do 19 units, and every town does the same, we will move the needle,” the US congressman said.
After the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, Homes with Hope offered tours of the building.
Among the ribbon-cutters, from left: Rev. Pete Powell (bowtie), Interfaith Housing Association founder; State Representative Dominique Johnson (blue blazer), 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore (with scissors), Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden, Congressman Jim Himes, Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Governor Ned Lamont, Garden Homes Fund builder Richard Friedman. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto say:
Crews from the Connecticut Department of Transportation and contractors stayed at the site of the Fairfield Avenue Bridge throughout Friday night and continued working through the early hours of Saturday morning when additional equipment needed to remove the damaged bridge arrived.
Crews were able to complete demolition of the bridge by 12:30 p.m. today.
Following demolition, crews then began working to clean up all the debris and materials from the bridge off the highway. They also began making necessary repairs to the highway to ensure that it is safe for vehicular traffic.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation estimates that the northbound lanes of I-95 will reopen to vehicles by 8 p.m. tonight (Saturday).
All southbound lanes of the highway will remain closed to vehicles through the day on Sunday, May 5, because the pavement on this side of the highway was so damaged from the Thursday morning crash that those lanes need to be milled and repaved.
“Crews are making great progress in Norwalk and I am encouraged that we’ll have one side of I-95 open later tonight,” Governor Lamont said.
“Completely removing that bridge in less than 36 hours is an impressive feat and is credit to the hard work and dedication of the contractors and Connecticut Department of Transportation crews, who are pushing to get the entire highway fully reopened in both directions by Monday morning.”
As of 7:20 p.m. Saturday night, the entire Fairfield Avenue overpass in Norwalk had been removed.
“I continue to be thankful to the CTDOT crews and contractors who are working as hard as they can to get this highway reopened,” Commissioner Eucalitto said. “They made great progress today and I remain optimistic that we will meet our Monday morning deadline. I ask the public to remain patient with the ongoing traffic congestion and to continue using alternate routes and public transportation throughout the weekend.”
“I remain completely impressed with the response from our Norwalk Fire Department, Norwalk Police Department, and the State of Connecticut, including Governor Lamont’s Office, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and our State Police,” Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said. “The fact that there were no injuries from the accident and that crews are working incredibly quickly to remove the bridge so we can reopen I-95 in both directions as soon as possible is a testament to Governor Lamont’s leadership and the high level of collaboration between each agency and level of government. I also want to thank our Norwalk residents and business community for their patience, as I know these temporary closures have been a complete inconvenience to their lives.”
The final summer meet-up for Club 203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — is Monday (August 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m.) at MoCA. The evening includes a chance to make art.
Season 2 begins September 20. Details will be announced soon. Click here for more information on the club.
As crabbers flock nightly to Sherwood Mill Pond and Old Mill Beach, they’ve lost one species: horseshoe crabs.
Yesterday, Governor Lamont signed a bill banning the harvest of horseshoe crabs in Connecticut waters.
The legislation was sought by advocates who say that the population in Long Island Sound has plummeted in recent years. Thousands of horseshoe crabs are captured each year, often for use by fishermen as bait in traps to catch whelk and eels.
Many are also captured by the biomedical industry, which uses blood from horseshoe crabs for vaccine research.
The population decline has also raised concerns from organizations dedicated to the conservation of birds, who say that migratory shorebirds like the red knot rely on horseshoe crab eggs for food during their annual migration to the Arctic.
New Jersey, Delaware and South Carolina have adopted similar bans.
Compo Beach horseshoe crab (Photo/Lauri Weiser)
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One of the most enjoyable sites for a fundraiser is the main pavilion at Sherwood Island State Park.
That’s the site for Shorefest. Set for September 8 (6 to 9 p.m.), it’s the only time of the year guests can stay at the park past sunset.
The evening includes food, live jazz piano, a silent auction (and of course, a Sherwood Island sunset).
Catering by Westfair Fish & Chips includes lobster, steak, salmon or vegetarian, plus appetizers, salad, dessert and beverages. Burgers and hot dogs are available for youngsters.
All proceeds support the habitat restoration, education and advocacy work of Friends of Sherwood Island State Park. Click here for tickets, and more information.
MoCA’s annual benefit — set for September 30 (7 p.m.) — has a special theme: “The Surrealist Soirée.”
The evening includes imaginative décor, avant-garde performers, a DJ, auction, and catering by Marcia Selden. Guests are encouraged to “dress creatively in line with the evening’s surrealist theme.” Click here for tickets, and more information.
Rosie Lundberg of Westport won gold recently, in the women’s U19 4+ race at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Paris.
Two other SRC athletes competed as well. Fairfielderes Ella Casano placed 4th in the women’s U19 8+, while Fairfield’s George Bentley was 5th in the mens’ U19 4+. Both are coxwsains.
The World competition followed SRC’s strong performance at the US Rowing Summer Nationals in Ohio last month.
Rosie Lundberg (center) and her Saugatuck Rowing Club gold medal-winning teammates. (Photo/Row2k)
If you’ve always wondered about “Uncovering the Non-Spherical Shapes of Bodies Beyond Neptune,” you’re in luck!
Darin Ragozzine — associate professor at Brigham Young University — will discuss that exact topic on next Tuesday (August 15, 8 p.m.), through the Westport Astronomical Society’s free science lecture series.
And finally, musical giant Robbie Robertson died yesterday in Los Angeles, after a long illness.
The lead guitarist and chief songwriter for The Band — the seminal Americana folk/rock/country/gospel group (including 4 Canadians, and only 1 American) — was 81.
The New York Times obituary quotes him: “I wanted to write music that felt like it could’ve been written 50 years ago, tomorrow, yesterday — that had this lost-in-time quality.” Click here for the full story.
(From Westport to Neptune and beyond, “06880” is your hyper-local blog — and a non-profit. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Every Democrat on the ballot in the “06880” area appears to have won double-digit victories last night.
With 95% of the vote reported, unofficial results show:
Ceci Maher halted Toni Boucher’s attempt to reclaim her former 26th Distrct State Senate seat. She leads, 57% to 43%.
Jonathan Steinberg won his 7th consecutive race for 136th District State representative. He leads Alma Sarelli, 69%-31%.
Dominique Johnson captured the open 143rd District State Representative seat. She is ahead, 57% to 43%.
Lisa Wexler retained her Probate Judge seat over Patricia Zucaro by a wide margin.
4th District US Congressman Jim Himes returns to Washington. He is ahead of Jayme Stevenson, 59% to 41%.
In statewide races, Governor Ned Lamont was re-elected over Bob Stefanowski (currently 55-44%), and Senator Richard Blumenthal was re-elected over Leora Levy (57-43).
In addition, a referendum question to allow the General Assembly to consider early voting passed, 59% to 41.
Turnout in Westport was approximately 57% of registered voters.
Former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe moderated the discussion. Asked about affordable housing, the Democratic incumbent said that local communities need to take the lead.
Traffic is a problem in the state, Lamont said — and entrance/exit ramps on highways are the source of the greatest congestion. He also noted that train bridges were not build for high-speed rail traffic, and cause slowdowns.
With unemployment very low in Connecticut, Lamont said there is a job for everyone who wants one. Though recession headwinds are ahead, he said, the state is in good shape.
The governor also noted that Connecticut has the largest unfunded pension debt in the country. However, he said, his administration has reduced interest debt, saving $400 million in interest payments.
Lamont also recalled that he met his wife Annie in Westport. (Reporting by Dave Matlow)
Governor Ned Lamont and former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, at yesterday’s Y’s Men event at the Westport Library. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
Dozens of rescue vehicles — helicopters, tanks, ambulances, you name it — converged on Sherwood Island State Park yesterday.
Fortunately, it was just a drill.
Local and regional authorities and incident management teams shared knowledge, and demonstrated technology for Connecticut politicians and other services. The event was organized by the state Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, for the 14-town area.
!st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan represented Westport.
Among the activities:
This bomb squad robot has X-ray vision, and can shoot projectiles.
There was plenty of pomp yesterday, when Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest.
There was also plenty of music.
Staples High School Class of 1966 graduate Paul Gambaccini is a longtime music journalist. Based in London, he also hosts of “Her Majesty’s Music” on the BBC.
Gambaccini was interviewed by NPR, about the songs that “inspired and defined” the late queen. Click here to listen. (Hat tip: Mary Ann Meyer)
Pumpkin spice lattes and muffins have been here since around Independence Day.
Now it’s time for “Fall Pumpkin Centerpieces.”
That’s the title of a session at Wakeman Town Farm (October 4, 6:30 p.m.). Chryse Terrill will instruct attendees on how to create a fall harvest centerpiece inside a pumpkin. Some materials will be harvested from WTF’s gardens.
Of course, everyone can take home their work of art. Click here to register.
This Thursday’s Jazz at the Post (September 22, 7 and 8:30 p.m. shows, 6:30 p.m. dinner, 465 Riverside Avenue, $10 cover) is a feast for local music lovers.
“Jazz Rabbi” Greg Wall brings world-class Gospel pianist, choir director, bandleader — and local legend — Chris Coogan to VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399.
The musicians met almost 10 years ago. They share a deep spiritual attachment to American music that digs deep into its roots, and extends up from there.
Joining in are John Mobilio and Jim Royle, both longtime rhythm-mates of Coogans.
Reservations are strongly suggested: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
Saturday’s Westport Country Playhouse gala — the first in-person benefit in 3 years — lived up to its hype.
Broadway star Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler in “Hamilton”) headlined the event, with a high-energy concert of Broadway pop and soul music, backed by a 7-piece band.
Attendees also enjoyed a pre-show cocktail party, live auction and after-party with a DJ and dancing.
Renee Elise Goldsberry and her band, at the Playhouse. (Photo/Coppola Photography)
Former Westporter Ellen Wisser died Friday in Norwalk. She was 92.
The Brooklyn native attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts with classmates and friends Grace Kelly and Vince Edwards. At Brooklyn College she met her future husband and lifetime love, Allen Wisser, who had already performed with the Broadway show “Showboat”‘s national tour.
After they married Ellen taught at James Madison High School in Brooklyn.
Ellen and Allen moved their young family to Westport in 1960. Ellen continued commuting to Brooklyn, then began teaching English, speech and drama at Harding High School in Bridgeport. She also produced and directed the annual school play, influencing the lives of many teachers and students, who continued to stay in touch for decades.
Ellen was active in the Bridgeport, Connecticut and National Educational Associations. She ran for the NEA presidency in 1976. She was an advocate of the women’s liberation movement at the local and national levels.
Ellen changed careers in her 50’s, attending Bridgeport Law (now the Quinnipiac School of Law). She then practiced family and worker’s compensation law until age 88. Ellen recently survived 3 different types of cancer, forcing her retirement, and defeated unbeatable odds.
She was predeceased by her husband, grandson Tyler Wisser and brother Marvin Borenstein. She is survived by her children, Dr. Jamie R. Wisser (Natalie), Kerry M. Wisser (Debbie), R. Ilise Gold (Fritz Heilbron); grandchildren Davin Gold, Alanna Dayton, Evan Wisser, Caitlyn Wisser, Ryan Wisser; great grandchildren Jack, Sam and Beck Dayton, Claire and Penelope Wisser; sister-in-law Gladys Floch, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held today (Tuesday, September 20, 1 p.m., Abraham L. Green & Son Funeral Home, Fairfield), with interment following at Temple Israel Cemetery in Norwalk.
Roger Ratchford died earlier this month, at 88. He was a teacher, golf coach, and advocate for people with disabilities.
The Norwalk native was raised mostly by his mother, with the help of the large Hungarian side of his family. Though she died when he was 13, Roger went on to become valedictorian of his class at Fairfield Prep. To supplement a tuition scholarship to the College of the Holy Cross, he worked afternoon shifts at Worcester Quilting Company.
After graduating he returned to Prep to teach Latin, classical Greek, French and English, and coach the golf team for 40 years. He was inducted into the Prep Athletic Hall of Fame, was named National High School Golf Coach of the Year, and held a national record for wins.
Roger was also one of the first to bring American high school students to the French Alps for homestays with French families. He strongly felt that immersion was the best way to master a language.
Until the end of his life, heh could recite by memory passages from Homer’s “Odyssey” — in the original Greek. He was proud of his work helping the nuns at the Convent of St. Birgitta in the proper pronunciation of Latin chants.
But Roger felt his greatest legacy was improving opportunities for people with disabilities. Inspired by his son Mike, he and his wife Gail became actively involved in the growth of STAR, Inc.
He lobbied for the closure of Mansfield Training Center in 1993, and advocated for a shift to group homes and the full integration of people with disabilities into the community. Two-time president of STAR, he was named Volunteer of the Year by the ARC of CT in 1988.
He was a walking encyclopedia of Norwalk history, and was proud of the Ratchfords’ long legacy in this town, from the Ratchford Hotel & Saloon in the first part of the 20th century, to his Aunt Helen’s tenure as a teacher at Norwalk High.
Roger was predeceased by his wife. He is survived by 3 children and 1 grandchild. His family is indebted to Dorrean, Sharon Mack, and her staff for their loving care during hospice.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday (September 22, 2 pm, St. Mary’s Church, Norwalk. A Celebration of Life will be held at Fairfield Prep some time in October. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to STAR Lighting the Way.
Michael Szeto describes today’s “Westport … Naturally”photo:
“We are infested with deer in Westport, since they lack natural predators and we are not allowed to hunt them. A herd of 5 or 6 deer constantly roams through my backyard.
“But yesterday was a first for me. I saw 2 bucks butting heads in my back yard, apparently fighting for territorial dominance. They don’t seem to realize that I own the land, not them.”
The Hamlet at Saugatuck — a retail/residential/hotel/marina plan that would reimagine the neighborhood between the train station and I-95 bridge — got its first Planning & Zoning Commission hearing last night.
Representatives from ROAN Ventures — the local developers — and their architectural, environmental, traffic and legal partners began their application for text and map amendments. Both are needed to begin remediation efforts of the contaminated land, followed by construction.
The hour-long presentation included a video, maps, and conceptual artists’ renderings. The actual design process has not yet begun.
Applicants addressed issues like traffic, with solutions that include underground parking, and working with the state to synchronize lights. They also noted that 50% of the land will be open space.
Commission members and residents had mixed reactions. There praised the thoughtfulness of the planning and the depth of the presentation, and questioned density and traffic.
No action was taken. The P&Z will continue its discussion on October 3.
A conceptual view of the Hamlet at Saugatuck project, from the river.
In less than 2 months, Connecticut will elect a governor.
If you don’t know anything about the candidates — or do, and want to ask a question — you don’t have to go far.
The Y’s Men of Westport and Weston has partnered with the Westport Library to host 2 forums. Both are in the Trefz Forum.
This Thursday (September 15, 10 a.m.), Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski speaks, and takes questions. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ned Lamont does the same next Monday (September 19, 1 p.m.). Both visits will also be livestreamed.
Click here to register for either or both session, in-person or via livestream. Attendees should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start.
(Graphic courtesy of Connecticut Education Association)
A Better Chance of Westport’s 21st year is off to a rousing start.
New resident directors, 7 multi-talented scholars, and a chance to really be part of (and give back to) the community after 2 COVID years has energized Glendarcy House, the program’s North Avenue home.
The scholars — in grades 9 through 12 — are engaged in a range of activities, at Staples High School and beyond. Because they are not allowed to drive, they need rides after school and in early evenings.
Community volunteers have always come through. To help transport — and get to know — these great young men, and for more information, email abcwestportrides@gmail.com.
On Sunday, Jeff Manchester took his kids to the 9/11 Memorial.
Not the one at Sherwood Island State Park, though. Jeff is drawn to the one at Oak Lawn Cemetery & Arboretum, off Bronson Road. It’s a 100-acre site where people have remembered loved ones for more than 150 years.
The memorial is a pair of 9-foot granite towers atop a pentagon-shaped granite base. A rock engraved with “Let’s Roll” honors the heroes of Flight 93.
Dedicated last September, it was designed by Dean Powers, a native Westporter and Oak Lawn’s longtime groundskeeper.
He never saw it completed. He died of cancer in 2020.
Click here for the back story on the monument, and Dean’s remarkable contributions to it.
If you’re involved with a non-profit organization, read on.
The Westport Woman’s Club is accepting grant proposals for 2022-2023. Click here for more information, and the form.
Requests for projects that will make a difference in the community may be in the form of funds, or a one-time use of the Westport Woman’s Clubhouse for an event. Grants go each year to organizations in education, health and safety-related programs, and the arts.
Community groups should submit their proposals by October 31 to Westport Woman’s Club, Attention: Community Service Grants, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.
For more information, call 203-227-4240.
Organizations can apply for a one-time use of Bedford Hall at the Westport Woman’s Club.
Like many Staples High School reunions, the Class of 1971’s fell victim to COVID.
Organizers Bonnie Housner Erickson, Tucker Sweitzer and Joanne Romano-Csonka felt the 50th was too big to let pass. So — a year later — the reunion is on (September 30-October 2).
Bonnie and her crew want to make sure “all classmates feel like they matter,” even though some may not have felt that back then. The organizers sought to “remind them they were an integral part of a life-changing period in history.”
In keeping with the late ’60s/early ’70s zeitgeist, they wanted to create an environment of peace and harmony, with “no hierarchy, no difference in status.”
The theme is “Welcome Home” — and the website (hey, this is 2022, not 1971) may be the best for any reunion class, ever. Click here to see.
Bonnie spent hours designing it. Much of it is class-specific of course. But the 1971 flashbacks and photos will interest many people, whether or not they (or their parents) were even alive then.
The reunion itself will feature peace signs, and memories of hangouts like the Ice Cream Parlor and beach. Music is supplied by the Reunion Band — featuring ’71 alums Brian Keane, Michael Mugrage, Bill Sims, Rob and Julie Aldworth McClenathan, Dave Barton and Bonnie Erickson — who rocked the Levitt Pavilion in 2019, the Class of ’70 reunion several weeks ago, and the Class of ’72 reunion last weekend.
Screenshot, Staples High school Class of 1971 reunion website home page.
And finally … Ramsey Lewis — a towering jazz figure for over 50 years — died yesterday in Chicago. He was 87.
His trio hit the pop charts a few times in the 1960s. In 2007 the National Endowment for the Arts named him a Jazz Master, the nation’s highest honor for a jazz musician.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. To support our efforts, please click here.)
Galvanized by news that the Supreme Court seems poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, 500 people gathered in downtown Westport today.
The crowd on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge included women and men; girls and boys; parents, grandparents and grandchildren, and Governor Lamont, Senator Blumenthal and Congressman Himes.
A portion of the crowd, near the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. Congressman Jim Himes (center, behind the blonde woman) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (right, blue jacket) mingled with attendees.
They held signs. They chanted. They cheered when passing drivers honked in support.
They listened intently to speakers — not just politicians, but two obstetricians, and women with close experience with illegal abortions.
Educator Joy Colon addresses the crowd. Signs held up behind describe resources to help women in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Lamont — who will sign a first-in-the-nation bill protecting medical providers and patients seeking abortion care here, and expanding the type of practitioners eligible to perform abortion-related care in the state — noted that the downtown bridge is the site of many rallies. He called it “the conscience of Connecticut.”
“Keep your hands off our women, our doctors, our justice,” he warned those seeking to curtail abortion rights.
Lamont introduced State Representative Matt Blumenthal, who was a driving force behind the new Connecticut law, also spoke.
Blumenthal introduced his father. The US senator said he was “proud to be in this fight for decades.”
The crowd included many young people — including boys.
Himes said that people who “claim to be conservative want to overturn 50 years of settled law.” He praised 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker — standing at the front of the crowd — as a Republican ally.
(From left): Governor Lamont and Senator Blumenthal listen to Congressman Jim Himes.
Rally organizer Darcy Hicks then noted that it was time for women to speak.
Rally organizer Darcy Hicks
Dr. Janet Lefkowitz — a Westport native, Staples High School graduate, and prominent OB/GYN and assistant professor at Brown University who provides abortion care in Southern states — recounted her difficult experiences in Mississippi and Alabama. She did not become a doctor to get involved in politics, she said — but it has become part of her patient care.
Fellow OB/GYN Dr. Shieva Ghofrany of Stamford said that people who are pro-choice “truly honor the living.” Noting that comprehensive sex education reduces unwanted pregnancies, she urged those who are pro-life to embrace education, maternal leave, and contraception.
Teacher and Trumbull Town Council member Joy Colon spoke of the impact of overturning Roe v. Wade on people of color. “People who look like me should not die because they don’t want to be pregnant,” she said.
Connecticut has taken a national lead in empowering youth voices.
Now Staples has taken a lead in making it happen.
This morning, the high school welcomed Governor Ned Lamont, Congressman Jim Himes and State Senator Will Haskell. They, and 2 members of the state Department of Education, outlined a new $1.5 million program — part of the national American Rescue Plan — that allocates $20,000 to 85 schools. Current students propose ideas for their building, then vote on which one to implement.
Then the adults sat back and listened, to a dozen student ideas.
Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice (far right) greets Governor Ned Lamont. Also at the event (from left): Congressman Jim Himes, State Senator Will Haskell and Staples High School principal Stafford Thomas.
Himes noted that while the federal government works “at scale” — allocating $6 trillion in COVID relief — it can’t understand the needs of individual communities. That’s where the “Voice4Change” program comes in.
It was an intriguing morning. Lamont, Himes and Haskell addressed the Staples students as intelligent, involved people. They did not talk down or pander; they did not try to score political points, often pointing out the bipartisan nature of COVID relief funds. They listened and took notes.
Lamont did give props to Connecticut as “an entrepreneur factory.” Why, he wondered, can’t some entrepreneurial ideas come from students?
“I’m all ears,” he said.
Governor Lamont at the podium.
Among the ideas: strengthened school security, including ID cards for student access to the building, and metal detectors; installing solar panels in the parking lot, as at Fairfield Warde High; and enhanced ties between Staples and neighboring, less affluent school districts.
Proposals are due to the state Department of Education by January 9. Each school will have its own ballot, for voting on March 11.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker offered to mentor students who have ideas. Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice challenged them to find sources to match the $20,000.
Staples High School students listen to ideas for Voice4Change.
Lamont had to leave for another engagement. But Himes, Haskell, the state Education reps, and town officials stuck around to chat.
It was a tossup who was more inspired: the students, or them.
Staples High School senior Natalie Bandura is the high school representative on the state Board of Education. She spoke to fellow students about the Voice4Change initiative. (Photos/Dan Woog)
The borders of State Representative Jonathan Steinberg’s 136th District have shifted slightly, though it still includes only Westport. He’s lost some area in the western part of town, and gained some voters in the east — all the way to the Fairfield town line.
State Representative Stephanie Thomas’ Norwalk-based 143rd District has changed significantly. She gained some additional voters in Westport and a large number of new voters in Norwalk. They replace Wilton, which has become an entirely new district.
(For more in-depth information on redistricting, click here, here, here and here. Hat tip: Peter Gold
The other day, Governor Ned Lamont stopped in downtown Westport.
He — and actress Eva Amurri, who lives a few steps from Main Street — visited local businesses, like Indigo Wellness, Kerri Rosenthal and The Toy Post.
Trailed by a camera crew, they shot a video to promote stores and services like those. Amurri has been a big booster of shopping local.
For Lamont, it was a homecoming of sorts. Years ago, he lived right here in Westport.
US Squash has honored 13 Staples High School squash team members as Scholar-Athletes. They earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher last year, while competing for the Wreckers.
Congratulations to Zachary Allen, Anna Diorio, Nicky Fabian, Sophie Fridland, Brian Fullenbaum, Joshua Jordan, Tucker Peters, Lorenzo Rinaldi, Ryan Salik, Ben Saxon, Rebecca Schussheim, Eli Shorrock and Lilly Weisz,
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” features one more turkey shot.
Perhaps “shot” is not the best word. At any rate, here are 2 of about 30 turkey vultures perched — a couple of days before Thanksgiving — near Long Lots Road.
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