“Caroling Crawl” — a Saugatuck tradition — continues this Saturday (December 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.).
Staples High School’s elite a cappella group the Orphenians will entertain diners at several restaurants, in the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event.
They’ll start at the Saugatuck Rowing Club’s Boathouse, then make their rounds at other restaurants around Riverside Avenue, Railroad Place and the rest of the neighborhood, ending at the Little Pub at Dunville’s.
Add that to the list of specials on Saturday’s menu!
Staples Orphenians’ Caroling Crawl.
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Speaking of Christmas in Saugatuck: Startup Westport — the public/private partnershp for tech entrepreneurs and innovators — chose a perfect location for their holiday party.
Nearly 150 people gathered at Content Studio — Chirag Shah and Jay Norris’ Saugatuck Avenue production studio/meeting/media location — to celebrate the season.
Startup Westport events are always high-energy, with plenty of creative men and women sharing ideas and networking.
Throw in food, drinks, and a DJ, and it was one of the organization’s best events in their very busy 2 years.
Some of the many attendees enjoying yesterday’s Startup Westport holidy party, at Content Studio.
Startup Westport co-founder Jay Norris and his wife Crystal. They celebrated both the party, and her birthday.
A memorial service for Dick Fincher — the Tree Board chair, Earthplace and Staples Tuition Grants board member, and church vestryman, who died October 31 at 86 — will be held Saturday, December 28, at 11;30 a.m. at Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
A reception will follow. The public is invited to attend.
Dick Fincher
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16 teams of Staples High School students and Westport Police officers hurled balls at each other Monday, in the annual Westport Youth Commission dodgeball tournament.
The event — held in the Staples fieldhouse — has 2 important rules. Each team must include 1 cop. And no aiming at heads.
Otherwise, is a night for ducking, diving, and of course dodging.
Staples’ Teen Awareness Group co-sponsored the tourney. Entry fees help fund their projects.
The Dodge-a-Cop champs! From left: James Penny, Anthony Armentano, Charles Clark, Casey Bag, Nicholas Weil, Officer Mike Davis. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
Margery Fisher — a longtime Coleytown Middle School librarian, children’s book author and the wife of noted illustrated Leonard Everett Fisher — died peacefully at home on Friday. She was 94.
After majoring in mathematics and earning Phi Beta Kappa honors at Mount Holyoke College, Margery was recruited by IBM to teach at their school in New York City.
She soon became a system service representative, one of the very few women in the IBM business machine program and pioneering computer path.
While at IBM she met and married her husband of 71 years. She and Leonard moved to New Haven. IBM transferred Margery to its office there. For the next several years she serviced IBM’s growing business machine products, from industrial computers installed in hardware stores and grocery stores to the United States Navy’s first atomic submarine, the USS Nautilus.
Margery left IBM prior to the birth of their children. After moving to Westport she earned a master’s degree in library science at Southern Connecticut State University.
She served as Coleytown Middle School’s librarian for 25 years, retiring in 1995.
Margery was the author of 2 children’s books, for which her husband provided the illustrations: “But Not Our Daddy” and “One and One.”
Margery continued her interest in children’s literature after retiring. She joined the Bank Street College Book Committee, creating, editing and publishing world-wide yearly lists of the best in North American children’s literature.
Margery and Leonard lived in Westport for more than 68 years. They traveled the world together from England (33 times) to the Panama Canal, Italy, Russia, Egypt, China, Hawaii, Normandy and Maine.
Margery is survived by her children Julie Fisher (Robert Aldoroty), Susan Fisher Plotner, and James Fisher (Pamela Viglielmo); grandchildren Lauren, Michael, Samuel, Jordan, Gregory and Danielle, and her sister Betty Meskin Pincus.
Donations in Margery and Leonard’s name can be made to the “Margery & Leonard Everett Fisher Endowment for Children’s Books in the Arts,” c/o Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880.
Margery Fisher
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Longtime Westport arts community member and philanthropist Gary Cosgrave died peacefully on Monday. He was 82.
A graduate of Mamaroneck (New York) High School, Gary did not go to college because he suffered from undiagnosed dyslexia. Nevertheless, he achieved remarkable business success.
After the passing of his father, Paul, Gary took over the family business, PROGroup, and as chair and CEO turned it into a conglomerate of 5 businesses: Pro Hardware. Garden Master and Farm Mart, as well an advertising agency and distribution business.
For over 25 years Gary was an active member of Vistage, a worldwide business advisor group. After selling his business in 2011, Gary continued to mentor business executives and entrepreneurs, and was on the board of Soluxe Inc., parent company of Solomon Community Solar LLC.
Gary served for many years on the boards of the Westport Country Playhouse and MoCA CT. In 2012 he was honored by the Westport Art Center for his success as chair in stabilizing the group’s finances and developing a new strategic vision.
He was a major donor to the Southport School, an independent day school for cerebrodiverse children dealing with challenges like dyslexia, and to Seeds for Peace and Operation Smile.
An accomplished sailor and scuba diver, Gary threw himself into underwater photography. He built an impressive portfolio of stunning images that he published as books, sold and displayed widely. He co-authored a book, “Stop, Think and Dream: Be the Difference That Makes a Difference (Teens for Planet Earth),” empowering New York City teenagers.
Gary survived by his fiancé Dina Upton of Westport; son Terry Cosgrave of Colorado Springs, and grandchildren Michaela Patry, Lily Cosgrave, Isabell and Ella Rosenberg. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruby, daughter Tracey, and brothers Jack and Victor.
Gary’s ashes will be interred at his family plot at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan on February 8 (10:30 a.m.), followed by a celebration of his life at Rive Bistro (11:30 a.m.).
Claudia Sherwood Servidio — one of our very talented “Westport … Naturally” contributors — finds beauty everywhere.
She shot this image yesterday, at rainy Sherwood Island State Park:
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And finally … Robert Moses — the urban planner responsible for the construction of hundreds of highways, bridges, tunnels, playgrounds, beaches — and a World’s Fair — in and around New York, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse, was born on this day in 1888. He died in 1981.
(Holy Moses! If you appreciate “06880”‘s daily coverage of all things Westport, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The town of Westport has put out 2 Requests for Proposals. Both focus on downtown.
A July 29 RFP is titled “Public Engagement/Phase 2: Westport Downtown Plan.”
The Project Objective reads:
After completing a 2015 master plan for downtown Westport, the town of Westport created the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee to oversee its realization. The committee’s strategy and current progress can be seen at downtownwestportct.com.
Over the past several years, executional work has begun, and the first phase is in the construction funding approval stage. Recently, funding was approved to start the second planning and design work phase.
A critical component of this work is public engagement, which will inform both the initial design work and the vet designs before taking them before approval bodies. For objectivity, the Committee desires to hire an outside research partner to perform this work, which will be both qualitative and quantitative.
The deadline for bids was Wednesday.
Lots to do downtown. But where to park …?
Meanwhile, officials posted an RFP yesterday for a “2015 Parking Study Update and 2024 Feasibility Analysis for Structured Parking in Downtown.”
The overview says:
The town of Westport seeks a qualified professional to investigate the feasibility of creating a multi-level parking structure in one of 3 alternative locations in the downtown area, replacing existing surface parking and adding additional spaces to accommodate new and evolving re-development.
The study will include conceptual drawings, schematic plans, and illustrative renderings of possible solutions.
Where are those 3 areas?
One is the Baldwin parking lot off Elm Street, between Main Street and Church Lane.
The RFP notes: “The 2015 plan suggests that the town utilize a portion of the privately owned Avery Street [behind Cold Fusion] lot as part of the potential area available for a parking deck. The analysis should include the feasibility both with or without this private property being available.”
Baldwin lot plan.
The second proposed site is on Jesup Road, from the Gillespie Center to the area opposite the police station.
The RFP says: “The 2015 plan suggests that in addition to the town-owned lot … a portion of the private lots behind #100 and #126 Post Road East [behind Bank of America and environs], and #10 Bay St. be considered for a parking deck as well. The analysis should include the feasibility both with or without this private property being available.”
Jesup Road plan.
The third location to be considered is the lower lot behind the police station. It is accessible now from the area just before the upper Library lot, and at the foot of Jesup Road near Imperial Avenue.
An RFP note adds: “There is currently a needs analysis and feasibility study underway for creation of a combined Public Safety Center elsewhere in yown, implying that the police station may or may not be located at 20 Jesup Road in the future. The analysis should include the feasibility both with or without the Police Department being in this location.”
Police station plan.
Proposals are due September 5. Click here for the link to download the full RFP document; complete the form, then click “Submit.”
(“06880” covers all of downtown — from merchants and events, to parking and politics. But we can’t do it without reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
It’s a sure sign of summer: Beach parking emblems go on sale online, and in the Westport Parks & Recreation Department office, at 9 a.m. next Monday (March 11) for Westport and Weston residents. The number of sales to Westport and Weston residents is not limited, and they are not required until May 1.
Sales of emblems to people not living in Westport or Westonbegin online, and in the Parks & Rec office, at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13. A limit of 450 will be sold.
If you have purchased emblems or registered for Parks & Rec programs in prior seasons, you already have an online account established. Click here to log into your account. Then choose memberships; in the search box, type “Resident.” This brings all Westport resident vehicle packages to the top page. Weston residents should type “Weston” in search box.
After verification (Parks & Rec may request a copy of your current registration, or updated proof of residency), online purchases will be mailed to you. It may take 14-21 days.
Construction will begin soon on Summit Saugatuck’s 157-unit housing complex, on Hiawatha Lane Extension.
But residents of the neighborhood got a bit of relief recently, when plans for a 5-story, 42-unit affordable housing development nearby were withdrawn.
Cathy Walsh, applicant for the project and former Planning and Zoning Commission chair, withdrew the application last month, CT Insider reports.
However, the reprieve may be temporary. She said that she and Faustina Zucaro — owner of the property — will resubmit it later. Further details on the withdrawal or new submission were not available. Click here for the full story.
Plans for this 5-story, 42-unit housing complex have been withdrawn.
Many readers have asked about funeral services for Leonard Everett Fisher. The noted illustrator, longtime Westport volunteer and World War II veteran died last weekend, at 99.
His family says there will be no immediate service. However, they look forward to a public celebration of his life life close to or on his 100th birthday in June.
“06880” will provide details when they are finalized.
Leonard Everett Fisher (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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Connecticut’s presidential primary election is April 2.
But with the state finally embracing early voting, Westporters have 4 options besides that date to vote.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The only polling place is Town Hall. Do not go to your regular poll location!
Town Hall is open for early voting on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, March 26-30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (though not Good Friday, March 29), and on April 2 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For information regarding the primary, including how to vote by absentee ballot, click here.
WestportMoms’ 3rd annual Easter Egg Hunt is so big, there will be 2 of them.
The Saturday, March 23 event at Long Lots Elementary School (11:45 a.m. for ages 2-5; 12:30 p.m., kids 6+) includes art projects, cookie decorating, prizes, face painting, food trucks, games and more.
Bring the whole family, tell your friends, and come have fun with us!
Tickets are $20 per family. Click here to purchase.
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In 2005 I wrote and published “Staples High School: 120 Years of A+ Education.”
1,000 copies of the 390-page history of the school were printed. All sold, but a second printing was not financially viable.
From time to time, they show up on eBay. They usually cost about $75. (The original was $20.)
But the other day, proud 1992 Staples grad Evan Stein spotted a copy with an eye-popping price: $288.99.
“It must be autographed,” he said.
I’m not sure how the seller came up with that figure. But it’s perfect for anyone who would never pay $289 for a history of a high school.
The cheap edition of my Staples history book is in the upper left corner on eBay. The deluxe one is at the right.
FUN STAPLES HISTORY FACTOIDS:
The first graduating class was just 6 students. All were girls.
Wilbur Cross — future Yale professor, Connecticut governor and parkway namesake — was the second principal of Staples High School.
In the 1930s, Staples sponsored 2 rifle teams: one for boys, one for girls.
In 1954, Staples was the first Connecticut school to offer an Advanced Placement (AP) class.
In the 1970s, Staples was a national Ultimate Frisbee leader.
In 2001, senior Mariangela won both the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition and the Intel Science Talent Search. Each carried a $100,000 scholarship prize.
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Speaking of Staples: The high school has announced the names of its 20 high honors graduates, in the Class of 2024.
They are the seniors whose academic grade point average is in the top 4% of the class.
The high honors students will be celebrated this spring, at a special dinner at the school. They are:
Front row, from left: Connor Ng, Ellen Ou, Kaitlyn Seo, Kathryn Asiel, Defne Merih, Gabriela de Brito, Leigh Foran, Emerson Briggs, Neva Mermagen, Mabel Propper. Back row: Peter Loranger, Darren Weng, Gabriel Weng, Dyan Fiore, Courtlyn Crombie, Elizabeth Turner, Jeremy Rosenkranz, Eitan Eiger, Jameson Russell, Andrew Berkowitz.
Williams College is going to the NCAA D-III men’s basketball round of 16.
And they’re headed to Greensboro, North Carolina thanks to a Greens Farms Academy graduate.
Cole Prowitt-Smith finished a driving, double-clutch layup with less than 1 second to go last weekend, leading the Ephs to a dramatic 79-77 win at #5 Oswego State. It capped a 27-point night for the 6-4 senior. (His father, Scott Smith, writes frequently for “06880” on environmental issues.)
Williams faces Christopher Newport University on Friday.
Westport is proud of its rainbow crosswalk, on Jesup Road at Taylor Place.
Now, to make the area even more colorful, Westport Pride — the town’s LGBTQ organization — has joined the Parks & Recreation Department’s Adopt-a-Spot program.
Partnering with Tuliptree Site Design, a gay-owned, Norwalk-based design firm, Westport Pride is installing a pollinator pathway garden along the 100-foot Jesup Road median.
The garden will include native wildflowers, adding both color and a a habitat for native species downtown. Flowers will include daffodils, lupine, coneflower, primrose, coreopsis, spiked gayfeather, cornflower, daisies, poppy, phlox, butterfly milkweed and yarrow. The design will also incorporate spring bulbs
Planting was completed on Monday.
Tuliptree design director Michael Mushak and Westport Pride chair Brian McGunagle, at the rainbow crosswalk and pollinator pathway.
If you haven’t been to an Artists Collective of Westport pop-up gallery, you’re missing great shows.
The next one is March 13-17 (1 to 5 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse Sheffer Barn).
The opening reception — always packed and buzzing — is March 12 (6 to 8 p.m.). Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mark Naftalin will entertain on piano.
An artists’ talk is set for March 17 (4 p.m.).
Participating artists include Trace Burroughs, Linn Cassetta, Beatrice delPerugia, Charles Douthat, Cecilia Moy Fradet, Ronnie Gold, Ning Jia, David Stephen Johnson, Maj Kalfus, Karen Kalkstein, Robert Meyer and Jen Williams.
“Footloose The Musical” dances onto the Coleytown Middle School stage next month Tickets for the Coleytown Company show go on sale Friday.
The show — a stage and screen favorite for its celebration of youth, forgiveness and the power of music — is set for Friday, April 5 (7 p.m.), Saturday, April 6 (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.), and Sunday, April 7 (1 p.m.).
And finally … Today in 1836, a 13-day siege by an army of 3,000 Mexican troops ended when 187 Texas volunteers defending the Alamo were killed. The fort was captured.
(“06880” is your hyper-local, reader-supported blog. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
For over 60 years the Tri-Town Teachers Federal Credit Union has served educators in Westport, Weston and Wilton, plus many other Westport town employees.
Most recently, the credit union has been housed in the historic Godillot Carriage House. It’s on Jesup Road near Imperial Avenue — catty-corner from the police station.
The credit union is proud of their home — and the entire neighborhood. So they recently commissioned a painting of it circa 1882, when it was built.
Artist Jack Conti did plenty of research, to make sure he got the details right.
Alexis Godillot was an importer of French foods. He and his wife Julia expanded and improved his property, making it a showplace of the community.
Conti’s painting shows the property looking north across Deadman’s Brook, from Imperial Avenue.
The main house (yellow) sat on a knoll. Originally built in 1804 in Victorian stick style, by 1882 it had an attached greenhouse. The building is now occupied by the Smith Richardson Foundation.
The credit union is now housed in the carriage house — the red building next to the main house. It once included a stable.
The white cottage housed servants. It too had a greenhouse. The building — once the offices of the Westport Board of Education — is now occupied by the Sherwood & Garlick law firm.
The boathouse (red structure on the brook) served as a place to store small recreational boats. It was relocated elsewhere in Westport in the 1950s.
The Jesup Road neighborhood is now on the National Register of Historic Places. It looks much the same today.
Still, the credit union — the building in the center, in the photo above — is not stuck in the past.
On its roof now are solar panels.
And gone are the stables. They’ve been replaced by free charging stations, for drivers with electric vehicles.
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