Massimo Tullio has spent more than 25 years in hospitality.
He grew up in New Canaan, in a family with southern Italian roots. After working with wineries, and making Norwalk’s Fat Cat Pie Company a destination, he helped open The Whelk in 2012. Connecticut Magazine named it the Best New Restaurant, and it earned many other honors. He also helped open Kawa Ni nearby.
In early 2025 Massimo took over The Whelk completely, and turned the fomrer Don Memo downtown into Massi Co.
It was no whim. He spent the spring training in Italy, learning all about Neapolitan pizza. It’s been one of Westport’s hottest restaurants for the past year.
The other day, Massimo walked a few yards over to the Westport Library. We chatted about all things food-related. Click here or below, for our mouth-watering conversation.
One of Westport’s favorite restaurants will soon become a different favorite spot.
On August 16, Don Memo will serve its last meal. In early September, it reopens as Massi Co.
Named after owner Massimo Tullio, and backed by the Don Memo oand Whelk team, the new restaurant in the iconic stone building (Westport’s original Town Hall) will feature a “deeply personal Italian-American” concept
It will include Neapolitan brick oven pizzas, house-made pastas and craft cocktails. Chef Zach Hinman is in charge of the kitchen. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)
Massimo Tullio (Photo courtesy of The Connecticut Edit)
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For as long as the Merritt Parkway has existed — nearly 90 years — Westport has had 2 exits: 41 and 42.
Soon, they’ll be gone.
In their place will be Exits 20 and 21.
The new numbers conform to federal standards, which mandate that exits show the approximate mileage from a starting point. With the Merritt, that’s the New York border.
New signs will be installed on the parkway beginning July 28. There will also be signs noting the “old exit” numbers. They’ll be in place for at least 2 years.
Other state highways have already been renumbered. The “Connecticut Turnpike” (I-95) will follow, either next year or in 2027.
So say goodbye to the Exit 42 cluster****. Soon, it will be the mess at Exit 21.
And Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department wants to make sure no one misses out on any action. For example:
Beach volleyball:Middle and high schoolers, all levels. Led by Brendan Giolitto, Staples High School coach.
Youth tennis (including peewees): All levels; fundamentals, technique and match play.
Swim lessons: Beginners and advanced; Stroke development, water safety and confidence.
Football skills and drills: Non-contact; focusing on speed, agility and position-specific drills. Led by LST Pro staff.
Baseball: Hitting, fielding, base running and teamwork; led by LST, in partnership with Westport Little League.
Tot N’ Play Camp: A week of sports, crafts, beach time and class camp, for pre-schoolers. Flexible scheduling, with a focus on friendship, teamwork and adventure.
Skyhaws Volleyball: Fundamentals like passing, setting, hitting and serving, in a fun, beginner-friendly environment.
Next Generation Skateboarding: From beginners to advanced: skate and shred safely and confidently.
The Grit Ninja: Obstacle courses challenge youngsters physically and mentally; build strength, agility and grit in an exciting, supportive setting.
Squirt & Parent ‘n’ Me programs: Introduce little ones to soccer, t-ball, lacrosse, track and field and more, with a helping hand. Build confidence and coordination in a playful, comforting environment.
Outdoor Fitness with Andrew Berman: An invigorating bodyweight workout class at Compo Beach. Focus on strength, balance and mobility, in a beautiful setting.
Jay Schadler is a noted journalist, photographer and artist.
For more than 3 decades he traveled the world as a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, “20/20,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America,” National Geographic TV and others. His work has been featured too on Bravo and Discovery.
His new gig: podcaster, with Verso Studios at the Westport Library. Through intimate interviews, he tells stories of Westporters’ life transitions.
Many names are familiar. The 5 episodes in Season 1 include living a life with no memory, with Doug and Patti Brill; the grief of loss and the gift of love with Jenny and Anthony Capalbo; a new heart and a new life with Gerardo Lambert; turning tragedy into legacy with Jim Kudzo, and exploring talent and opportunity with Andrew Wilk.
In Westport, Paul Newman’s home overlooked the Aspetuck River. His New York apartment has a view of Central Park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. (Photo/Evan Joseph Studios, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal)
Hitch & the Giddyup are heading to Weston. Yee haw!
The country/bluegrass/soulful American band plays at “Music at the Barn” — the Weston History & Culture Center’s outdoor summer series — on July 27 (5:30 p.m.).
Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members; children under 12; click here or purchase there. Bring a lawn chair, food and drinks (no food truck!).
Francesca “Franny” Cenatiempo died at home, surrounded by her family. She was 33, and hahd battled cancer.
Francesca was born on July 4th, 1992 to Carmine and Sandra. At age 7 she was enrolled in Saint Catherine Academy; then as an adult, at Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs.
She loved school and her program, and was celebrated, cared for and loved by the staff. She was surrounded by friends who reciprocated her unique love. At Saint Catherine Francesca met her longtime caregiver, Sonia Vielot, who became an integral part of her family.
Her obituary says, “Francesca had a gift for deeply touching the lives of everyone she met. She greeted people with open arms, accompanied by the biggest hug and an unforgettable smile. Her laughter echoed everywhere she went, as she saw the beauty and joy in every person and part of this world. She was a pasta lover, a Disney fanatic, and had an eye for all the cute boys. She enjoyed music, dancing, and splashing around at the beach.”
Francesca is survived by her loving parents, Carmine and Sandra Calise Cenatiempo; siblings CJ and Charlotte Cenatiempo; grandparents Michael Calise, Sally Palmer and Barbara Mehle; aunts and uncles Filippo and Pina Cenatiempo, Leonardo Cenatiempo, Alfredo and Rosa Cenatiempo, Stefano Cenatiempo, Giulio and Gabby Cenatiempo, Catherine and Don Lawson, Maria and Jon O’Herron, Bettina and Michael Colleen, and Frank and Robin Calise, and many cousins.
A celebration of her life is set for tomorrow (July 12, 11 a.m., St. Francis of Assisi, Weston). Donations may be made in her name to Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs. Condolences for the family may be left online.
Francesca Cenatiempo
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Frances Mande — a Westporter for nearly 70 years — died Wednesday. She was 103.
Born in Russia in 1922, she came to Brooklyn with her family when she was 7. She and her husband Irving met when she was 17, and married when she was 19.
Fran and Irv moved to Westport in 1956. They raised 3 children in the house where she lived until passing. The couple traveled the world together, until Irv’s death in 2006.
Fran loved attending shows at the Westport Country Playhouse, and taking her children and grandchildren to Compo Beach and Mario’s restaurant. She was a regular at the Senior Center, Westport Library and Levitt Pavilion.
She also enjoyed the Westport Road Runners program. Her photo was in the Westport News after finishing a 10-mile race, in her 70s.
After “06880” wished her a happy birthday last month, she was lifted up by emails from readers.
A funeral is set for Sunday (July 13, 10 a.m., Temple Israel of Westport). Shiva will be held at her home. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Westport Library or Westport Senior Center.
Like any good mother, this one fed her little one:
Johanna Keyser Rossi — who took today’s spectacular “Westport … Naturally” image near Fresh Market — reports, “She fed him for a long time. So I assume there is only one baby osprey.”
And finally … in honor of the new Merritt Parkway numbering system: This is the closest I could get.
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