Grand Central Terminal’s enormous clock is a central meeting place.
So is the clock in New Canaan’s downtown.
Tomorrow, Westport will have its own clock. And its own easy-to-meet-up spot.
The handsome new addition — at the corner of Main and Elm Streets, where one-way Main Street becomes two-way near Gap — is a gift from the Westport Downtown Association. The flower bed at the site will be enhanced too.
Two views of the new clock.
The WDA is paying for the purchase, installation, insurance, maintenance and repairs.
The clock arrived recently. The site is being prepared today. Installation is set for tomorrow.
Just in time for the Westport Downtown Association/”06880″ Holiday Stroll on Saturday, it’s one more attraction for the 5th annual event (4 to 7 p.m.). Besides selfies with Santa and the town’s favorite piglet, visitors can take photos with the newest downtown attraction.
The clock is “a beautiful addition to Westport,” WDA president Maxx Crowley notes. Black with gold trim, and two-sided — saying “Town of Westport” and “1835,” the year of our founding — it fits in with the lampposts currently downtown, and is designed in the same style as the Grand Central clock.
Ready for installation.
“This isn’t just a clock. It is a symbol,” Crowley adds.
“It’s a symbol of our past, our progress, and our promise to future generations.
A symbol of the timeless charm that makes Westport more than a destination, it makes it home.”
Crowley — a lifelong Westporter — calls the clock “one of the greatest honors of my service” as Downtown Association president.
“It represents the elegance of old New England town centers, the character that defines our community, and the pride we feel every time we walk through our downtown.
“It will stand as a daily reminder that Westport’s story is still being written — and we are all a part of it.
The clock aligns with the WDA’s mission to beautify and enliven the town. They string the holiday lights and season greenery, and sponsor major events like the Fine Arts Festival, Westoberfest — and Saturday’s Stroll.
The clock will be installed here tomorrow.
Crowley says, “a project of this significance is never accomplished alone. Our thanks go to former selectwomen Jen Tooker, Andrea Moore and Candice Savin; and Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich and assistant town attorney Eileen Lavigne, whose leadership, support, and enthusiasm helped make this vision a reality.
“Enormous gratitude also goes to Jimmy Izzo of Izzo Electric and Marc Bolduc of Guinta Bolduc Masonry, whose craftsmanship and dedication brought the clock to life with extraordinary care.”
Crowley also thanks “the remarkable WDA board and team. Your passion for Westport is visible in every detail of this project.
“As Westport comes together this weekend, strolling, celebrating and sharing in the joy of the season, a new symbol of community pride will take its place. With every moment spent beneath it, this clock will remind us why Westport is such a special place to gather, shop, celebrate, and call home.”
Grand Central Terminal’s enormous clock is a central meeting place.
So is the clock in New Canaan’s downtown.
Soon, Westport will have its own clock. And its own easy-to-meet-up spot.
The handsome new addition — at the corner of Main and Elm Streets, where one-way Main Street becomes 2-way near Gap — is a gift from the Westport Downtown Association. The flower bed currently at the site will be enhanced too.
Two views of the new clock.
The WDA will pay for the purchase, installation, insurance, maintenance and repairs.
The clock will be “a beautiful addition to Westport,” WDA president Maxx Crowley says. Black with gold trim, and 2 sided — saying “Town of Westport” and “1835,” the year of our founding — it fits in with the lampposts currently downtown, and is designed in the same style as the Grand Central clock.
One more land-use approval, and another easement, are still required. Crowley expects the clock to be ready for dedication at the DMA/”06880″ Holiday Stroll (save the date: Saturday, December 6, 4 to 7 p.m.).
Site of the new clock.
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Westport’s Human Services Department, in partnership with Homes with Hope and the Westport Housing Authority, is monitoring the federal government shutdown, and its potential impact on residents who rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Human Services officials say, “We understand this may cause concern for families and individuals managing limited resources. You are not alone. Westport’s strong network of community partners is here to help ensure no one goes without food or essential support.”
Officials note:
SNAP benefits already loaded onto EBT cards remain available through October 31.
If the shutdown continues, November benefits will not be issued, and balances may be inaccessible until federal operations resume.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services will share updates at ct.gov/dss. Follow DSS on Facebookand Twitter.
End Hunger CT provides advocacy and support: endhungerct.org EHC SNAP Hotline: 866 – 974- SNAP
Local food resources include:
Homes with Hope – Gillespie Center: (45 Jesup Road; 203-226-1661; www.hwhct.org. Community kitchen: Lunch (12 p.m.) and dinner (5 p.m.) daily.
Food Pantry: Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 1:30 to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 1:30 to 6 p.m.
Westport Women’s Club Food Pantry: Access through Westport Human Services, 203-341-1050; humansrv@westportct.gov
Westport Center for Senior Activities: www.westportcsa.org; Daily weekday lunch, and home-delivered meals; contact Paulina Przybysz, 203-341-5097.
Westport Public Schools Free & Reduced Lunch: click here to apply; Also available: Filling in the Blanks meal program; click here.
Person-to-Person Mobile Food Pantry: Monthly distribution in Westport; www.p2pHelps.org.
Need help right now? Call 211 for 24/7 food, housing and social service support statewide.
For support or questions, contact Westport Department of Human Services; 203-341-1050; humansrv@westportct.gov.
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Jim Abbott — the pitcher who, though born without a right hand, rose to Major League Baseball stardom (and threw a no-hitter) — wowed the full crowd Friday night, at the Westport Library.
A screening of the ESPN documentary “Southpaw: The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott” — produced by Westporter Jeremy Schaap — was followed by a conversation with journalist Schaap, ESPN senior producer Mike Farrell, and Westport’s own Dave Briggs.
From left: Dave Briggs, Jim Abbott, Mike Farrell, Jeremy Schaap.
They talked about life, overcoming adversity, and baseball. It was an emotional experience for all.
Abbott answered every question. And afterward he signed every autograph, and posed for every selfie.
Jim Abbott, with a young fan. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Missed it — or want to see it again? Click here or below, for the Library’s video.
Speaking of sports: Two Staples teams play for FCIAC (league) championships this week.
The 2nd-ranked boys soccer team faces #1 Greenwich tomorrow (Monday, 6 p.m., Fairfield Warde High). The Cardinals are one of only 2 teams to defeat the Wreckers this year.
Celebrating after the 1-0 semifinal victory over Stamford. (Photo/Gavin Whitaker)
The top-seeded and undefeated (18-0) field hockey team meets #2 Darien on Thursday (5 p.m., Greenwich High). Staples topped Fairfield Ludlowe 4-1 yesterday, earning a chance to defend their FCIAC crown. The Wreckers and Blue Wave have won the last 8 league titles, and one of them will take it again.
The 2025 Staples field hockey team.
Staples’ girls soccer team camethisclose to making it 3 FCIAC finalists. They fell in penalty kicks (5-4) to Greenwich, after regulation time and overtime ended 2-2 on Friday at Fairfield Ludlowe.
For decades, UN Day in Westport was a chance to celebrate our town’s long ties to the United Nations.
These days, our country’s relationship with the world body — whose headquarters are just an hour away — is controversial, and fraught.
Still, as always, the flags of dozens of member nations flew this weekend on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
Steinkraus Cohen — a longtime Westporter — dedicated her life to service and hospitality. Through jUNe Day and other events, she brought tens of thousands of international visitors to Westport. In 1965, she established the tradition of flying flags from the bridge that now bears her name. This year marks its 60th anniversary.
Through the first 6 days of early voting, 5.03% of eligible Westport voters have cast ballots.
The breakdown:
Democrats: 585 of 7,953 eligible voters (7.36%)
Republicans: 137 of 3,338 eligible voters (4.10%)
Unaffiliated: 230 of 7,581 eligible voters (3.03%)
Early voting continues today (Sunday), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
The early voting schedule this coming week, also at Town Hall:
Monday, October 27 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 28 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, October 30 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, October 31 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 1 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 2 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The next “Supper & Soul” concert features the Spadtastics.
“Connecticut’s premier tribute act” comes to the Westport Library November 8 (7 p.m.). They’ll play 2 full sets, recreating a show from the 1970s.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s Supper & Soul series usually incudes a pre-show dinner, and post-concert drinks.
Due to the length of this event, there is no dinner. But attendees can enjoy a “Dead-inspired” drink before or after the music, at Basso, Massi Co, Spotted Horse or Walrus Alley.
Speaking of the Chamber of Commerce: Their annual Halloween window painting contest took place yesterday.
Young artists were busy all over town. Winners will be announced this week.
Hard at work — and looking spooky.
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The Weston History & Culture Center’s new interactive exhibit — “Weston at Work” — explores the town’s agriculture, manufacturing and textile past.
Kids can card wool, weave on a loom, and use a rope and pulley to raise a hay bale. Immigrants, people of African descent, women and children who helped put Weston to work are included in the show.
The WH&CC also offers a guided tour of Coley House, to see life in the 1940s. There are 3 exhibits in the Visitors center too: “Twelve Stories of Weston History,” “Images of a Forgotten Village: Valley Forge” (now underneath the Saugatuck Reservoir), and “May I Have This Dance?” (ragtime music).
Raising a hay bale, at the Weston History & Culture Center.
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MoCA CT has received a $5,000 grant from the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center. Funds will support the museum’s teen council and youth educational programs.
Pictured left to right below: MoCA’s Maggie Farrell, Peter Saverine, Pamela Hovland and Janice Egan; Drew Friedman Community Arts Center board member Miggs Burroughs, and MoCA;s Sue Donato.
Former Westporter J. Gilbert Plantinga died peacefully at his New Paltz, New York home last week, after a long battle with esophageal cancer. He was 73.
Known in Westport by his given name John, he taught himself guitar at 13. That passion shaped the rest of his life.
In 1969, while still in high school, he hitchhiked to Woodstock. According to family lore, he spent the night before the festival camping out with Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters.
After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Bridgeport with a B.A. in music, he later pursued a master’s degree (ABD) at New York University.
A jazz guitarist and composer, Gilbert taught both privately and at NYU.
In midlife, he turned his creative energy toward photography and fine-art printing. Through his New Paltz business, Uptown Light Photo Graphics, Gilbert became a trusted collaborator to photographers across the Hudson Valley and beyond. His own work appeared in numerous exhibitions.
His obituary says, “A member of Mensa, Gilbert was as brilliant and curious as he was stubborn and prickly. Although he wrestled with addiction for much of his life, in his later years he found strength and purpose through service — both as a deacon at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, New York, and through helping others find their way to sobriety.”
Gilbert is survived by his children, Kate Plantinga Mulzet (Joe) and Ben Plantinga; ex-wife and best friend MaryJo Martin; sister Prill Boyle (Michael), and nephews Gabriel Bach and Everett Boyle. He was predeceased by his former wife Slade Ingram Plantinga.
A celebration of life will be held on November 22 (11 a.m.) at the Reformed Church of New Paltz.
Gilbert Plantinga
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You never know what you’ll see at Sherwood Island State Park.
Yesterday morning, it was 2 riders on horseback.
Dixie O’Brien captured the moment, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
For good reason: their membership included more than retailers. Real estate, financial services, marketing, tutoring — all those firms were helped by the non-profit, whose mission is to promote the economic interests of the entire downtown business community.
But now the WDA is expanding. They’re not changing their name. But they are serving organizations beyond the Main Street/Elm Street/Church Lane/nearby Post Road East footprint.
Across the west bank of the Saugatuck River, and into Saugatuck; from Playhouse Square and the Compo Shopping Centers; as far east as The Clubhouse near Southport, the Westport Downtown Association offers perks to members.
They take part in digital marketing campaigns. They have booths and a presence at events like the Fine Arts Festival, Westoberfest, Sidewalk Sales and the Holiday Stroll. And they tap into the skills and expertise of the WDA’s staff.
The goal is to show that downtown Westport is alive and thriving.
And that there’s more to Westport than just the relatively small downtown.
“We help everyone feel more a part of the community,” says WDA president Maxx Crowley.
Though a couple of miles from Main Street, Naturino is part of the Westport Downtown Association.
The monthly WDA newsletter — recently revamped and reimagined by marketing and communications director Brian Spurr — offers information on sales, upcoming events all over town and more.
It’s a great way, Crowley says, for a small business like Naturino Kids Shoes — in the shopping plaza next to Big Y — to spread the word about special offers.
Other businesses outside the downtown footprint that the WDA works with include Winged Monkey, Hammer & Nails, Stifel wealth management, Cobs Bead, Blossom + Stem, Millie Rae’s, Scout & Molly’s, Splash of Pink, The Post, and a variety of fitness studios and hair salons.
Recently, the WDA partnered with Content Studio — Chirag Shah’s event space on Riverside Avenue — for a meet-and-greet, networking, here’s-who-we-are social.
Even members without a location downtown can participate in WDA events.
Stylist Felicia Catale set up a chair and gave haircuts during this summer’s Sidewalk Sales.
Felicia Catale set up a “mobile salon” during this Sidewalk Sale. (Photo/Dan Woog)
And Pierluigi Mazzella brought an espresso cart from Fatto a Mano, to the delight of thirsty shoppers.
The Westport Downtown Association isn’t changing their name again.
But even if you’re not a downtown business, organization or shopper: They’re there for you.
(To learn more about the Westport Downtown Association, click here.)
(“06880” covers every aspect of the local business scene. But we rely on our readers’ support to do it — and to help all our coverage. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Bag after plastic bag lie next to the Parker Harding Plaza trash compactor. Most are full. Some spill their contents — food, papers, garbage — onto the pavement.
Reaction is swift: What’s wrong with the Westport Downtown Association (or the town itself)? How can they let that happen?
As is often the case, this is not a black-and-white (trash bag) story. There’s more to it than meets the eye (and nose).
A large reason for the mess lies with a few merchants. Every WDA member who pays to use the refuse service gets a key to the compactor — and instructions on how to use it.
But not every employee follows the rules. Hauling trash from a store or restaurant to the compactor is not a pleasant task. For whatever reason, some don’t open the bins. They just leave the bags next to it.
That has a predictable effect. The next employee — perhaps well-intentioned — sees trash next to the compactor. He or she assumes it is full. Why check? They just leave their bags too.
There is a second predictable effect. All it takes is for one bird or varmint to get into the trash. That’s their nature — especially if it’s not sealed tightly.
Their critter friends quickly gather. They finish dinner, then leave without cleaning up.
Ninety percent of the time when trash piles up, the compactor is only 1/4 full, says WDA president Maxx Crowley.
That’s not only unsightly and smelly — it’s costly. The refuse company charges more whenever they have to pick up the bags (and more) by hand.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
To stem the abuse, the Downtown Association will soon begin going through trash dumped outside. They’ll determine who the offender is, and fine them.
Repeat offenders will be reported to the Aspetuck Health District. They want to keep downtown clean too.
Merchants are not the only offenders. Residents sometimes use the compactors as their own personal trash cans.
They may not realize the compactors are private. They may know, but not care. Perhaps the transfer station is closed. Perhaps it’s open, but they don’t want to drive there.
Whatever the reason, Westporters (and, probably, out-of-towners) have no problem dumping trash bags — and bicycles, furniture and more — next to the bins.
A Westport Downtown Association contractor cleans up some of the large pieces of trash left by the compactor.
The WDA does not want to be the trash mafia, Crowley notes.
Their goal is to “create a beautiful downtown environment,” the president says.
At their own expense, they put out and water flower baskets in warm months, blow leaves in the fall, and wrap downtown with holiday decor and trees in winter.
The WDA has teamed up with Employment Is For Everyone — the collaboration between the town and its Commission on People with Disabilities — to create an ambassador program that helps keep downtown clean and welcoming.
“Our team will continue to do everything we can to keep the trash area clean,” Crowley says. “We hope everyone will work with us, to help.”
With the arrival of fall, can winter be far behind?*
And with so many new homeowners in Westport — many of them former New York apartment dwellers — there is a lot to learn about property maintenance.
SCA Crowley — longtime Fairfield County residential and commercial property managers — know everything about preparing a home for cold weather.
Here — courtesy of vice president Maxxwell Crowley — are some of the most important tips.
NOTE: You don’t have to be a new homeowner to read these. Everyone can learn something from them.
√ Make sure your irrigation system is winterized.
√ Schedule your plumber to turn off all exterior spigots, as well as any water lines that are exposed or on walls with no insulation (a garage, for example).
√ When temperatures drop into the teens and there’s high wind chill, SCA Crowley recommends keeping faucets on a drip to ensure pipes do not freeze — especially in older homes with poor insulation,
√ Once all the leaves have fallen, make sure to clean your gutters. This is a tedious, dangerous task so consider hiring it out to a professional. If you do it yourself, make sure someone is below you to support the ladder. This should be performed at least 3 times a year, to avoid clogging and potential leaks into your home.
Gutter cleaning.
√ Contact your local HVAC technician to service your system as you transition from air conditioning to heat. Keep all rooms at a warm set point (68-72 degrees). If areas of the home (like a basement) do not have heat, consider insulating those areas or hooking up a space heater for cold snaps. This is especially important if the basement has waterlines.
√ Contact your landscaper to do a fall clean-up of the property: removing leaves, pruning shrubs, and prepping the lawn for the winter ahead. This might not sound important, but it is critical — especially if you want your garden and lawn to grow back healthy next season.
Fall lawn care pays dividends in the spring.
√ If you have a pool, make sure to contact your contractor to empty and winterize it.
√ If you have time clocks for exterior lighting, adjust the on/off times. It will get darker earlier.
√ If your property is on septic, make sure to clean your tank before it gets too cold and the ground freezes, if your clean-out is not already exposed above ground. Cleaning a septic tank should be a routine item all homeowners do annually or semi-annually, depending on use and size of the home.
√ If you move to a warmer state during winter and your home will not be occupied, consider hiring a property manager or trusted friend to keep an eye on your home. No matter how new the house is, issues can arise. Having someone available will help — and help your piece of mind.
A property manager or friend can prevent headaches.
√ One item not as critical, but important: Make sure to store or protect patio furniture, to ensure it stays in good condition. Consider sending your patio cushions and umbrella canopies for winter cleaning and storage. This helps maintain the life of your outdoor living investment, and ensures they are clean next spring.
*No.
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Every Main Street landlord (and their tenant) is responsible for cleaning the sidewalk in front of their property.
Once a week, a town street sweeper clears the road.
That’s it.
If you’re wondering why parts of downtown look a bit grotty, there’s your answer.
But if you’ve noticed a change recently, there’s a reason.
Dylan Curran.
The 2020 Staples High School graduate is the first “Downtown Ambassador.” That’s the new position created by the Westport Downtown Association, in collaboration with the town’s Department of Human Services.
Since May, Dylan has been responsible for keeping Main Street clean. But he’s also the WDA’s public face, bringing smiles to shoppers and shop owners with his broad smile and optimistic attitude.
Dylan Curran: Looking good, while making Westport look good.
The project is part of Westport’s Employment is for Everyone” (E4E) program. A collaboration between the town and its Commission People with Disabilities, the goal is encourage and support local businesses to recruit, hire and advance people with disabilities, while creating a disability-friendly, inclusive culture throughout Westport.
The Downtown Ambassador program is funded by the Westport Downtown Association.
Every Monday and Friday, Dylan patrols Main Street. Armed with a bucket and trash stick, he gets right to work.
“It gives individuals a chance for employment, and there’s no better stage for that than downtown,” says WDA president Maxxwell Crowley.
“Everyone sees how hard-working, dedicated and personable someone like Dylan is, and how much he cares for the town. He’s already become a familiar face.”
From left: Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley, Downtown Ambassador Dylan Curran, WDA operations employee Sean, and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker. She connected Crowley with Human Services director Elaine Daignault, for the E4E program.
The WDA might add another day to the schedule, and hire at least one more Downtown Ambassador.
“It’s a win-win-win,” Crowley says.
Main Street looks much better. Dylan has a job he enjoys. And everyone who sees the ambassador — working hard and smiling — smiles right back.
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When the Westport Weston Family YMCA received permits for its new facility off Wilton Road, town officials insisted on certain restrictions.
One was a Planning & Zoning Commission limit of 12,500 members.
The Y has now reached that limit. They’ll institute a waitlist.
“Given that the mission of our Y is to welcome and serve all who walk through our doors, we are sorry to disappoint potential new members who want to belong to our vibrant community,” says CEO Anjali McCormick.
She assures current and future members, “we remain committed to providing you with the best experience possible.”
Members head to the Y all day, every day. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of the Y: Their 45th annual Point to Point Open Water Swim Race begins at 8 a.m. on July 28.
The 1-mile charity event draws swimmers to Compo Beach from across the Northeast.
All proceeds support the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s aquatics programs, including swim lessons and water safety training for children and adults.
Pre-registration is $60; the day-of-race fee is $75. The kids’ race is $15. Registration includes a swim cap, t-shirt and timing chip.
The top finishers earn prizes. To register and learn more, click here.
For many years, Judith Marks-White’s “The Light Touch” and “In Other Words” columns were required reading in the Westport News. Both won writing awards — as did many other stories by the talented local writer.
She died peacefully yesterday at Norwalk Hospital, surrounded by her family. The wife of the late artist/illustrator Morton Rosenfeld was 84.
Born on March 21, 1940 in Passaic, New Jersey, she attended Prospect Hill Country Day School in Newark, and Vassar College.
She then began her professional life in New York, at Time-Life Books.
In 1972 Judith moved to Westport. She soon became the humor columnist of the local paper. She also wrote for national magazines and newspapers.
She contributed to many children’s publications and “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” and wrote 2 novels. She received awards for both fiction and nonfiction.
Judith spent many years as an adjunct professor of English at Norwalk Community College, where she was named Teacher of the Year. In addition, she led writing workshops.
She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Andrew), and grandchildren Andrew and Caroline.
Funeral services will be held Monday (June 17, 1 p.m., Temple Shalom, Norwalk). Burial will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport.
Shiva will be held Monday (June 17, 4-8 p.m.) and Tuesday (June 18, 1-4 and 5-8 p.m.) at the home of Debbie Richman and Jeffrey Selden in Weston.
In lieu of flowers contributions in Judith’s memory may be made to the Westport Library.
Judith Marks-White
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Longshore Sailing School cares about the water — and the coast.
On Saturday, June 29 (9:30 to 11 a.m.), they’re sponsoring a coastal cleanup.
Kayaks are free — provided kayakers remove garbage and debris from the shoreline and Saugatuck River.
Even in an eco-conscious town like ours, there’s plenty of trash.
Longshore Sailing School has run similar events in the fast, with great success.
Click here to register; use the code “cleanup” at checkout. Bring your own gloves!
Longshore Sailing School kayaks, waiting to clean the coast. (Photo/Anne Bernier
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Three Westporters were honored at the 19th annual “40 Under 40 of Fairfield County” awards ceremony, presented by Westfair Business Journal.
Congratulations to Maxx Crowley of SCA Crowley Real Estate (and president of the Westport Downtown Association); Susannah Crowley of Bumble (now with TikTok — and not related to Maxx), and Mathias Sportini, a partner at FLB Law.
Over 100 nominees, all under the age of 40, were submitted by Chambers of Commerce and businesses in Fairfield County. The 3 local winners were nominated by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
From left: Maxx Crowley, Mathias Sportini, Susannah Crowley and Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell.
Karlin Gray is not a soccer player. But like Mia Hamm, she grew up as a shy “military brat,” moving every year or two, and found great friends along the way. Coincidentally, she graduated from the same high school as Mia.
Now Karlin — a Westport resident — has written a graphic novel about the soccer star.
“Mia and Friends” follows a group of young women who made history at the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Aimed at readers ages 7-10, it will be published August 27. Click here for more information, including a sneak peek.
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George Barrett — the 1973 Staples High School graduate who in his long life has sung with the Orphenians, played varsity soccer at Brown University, taught at Horace Mann, served as CEO of Cardinal Health, and last year returned to his longtime love of singing with the release of his first record — is now working on his second.
Meanwhile, the video for his newest song — “You’re Not Alone” — went live yesterday.
Recorded with the very talented Harmony Project, it’s a heartfelt ballad with a powerful message.
The video is equally stunning. And the beginning and end were filmed at Compo Beach — an important place in George’s life.
PS: George continues to work on his music with Brian Keane, the Grammy-winning and multi-talented 1971 Staples grad.
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MoCA CT’s next exhibition — “ColleCTomania” — includes over 140 Swiss posters from collector Tom Strong.
The New Haven-based graphic designer, photographer and collector has spent 60 years amassing, displaying and sharing his archive.
The exhibit runs June 27 through September 13. Click here for more information, and to RSVP for the opening reception (June 27, 6 p.m.).
Yesterday’s rain knocked out an important day of the Yankee Doodle Fair.
Sunny skies are predicted today. The fair — a major fundraiser for the Westport Woman’s Club — continues at their Imperial Avenue site this afternoon and evening (Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.), and tomorrow (Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.).
The rain also produced this gorgeous rainbow, looking southeast from Owenoke:
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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In recent days, “06880” has been inundated with deer photos, for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Lovely as they are (there are no images of them eating plants, trees and shrubs), we can’t run them all.
But we can’t resist this one:
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
After checking out the Terrain greenery — and seeing that venison is not on the café menu — this fawn managed to safely cross the Post Road.
Oh, dear!
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And finally … on this day in 1752, Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning is electricity.
(The Y has reached its max — but not “06880.” You can still support our work! Just click here. Thanks for your help.)
So does Maxx Crowley. But his means more than most: He’s president of the Westport Downtown Association.
Just 30 years old — and a native Westporter, from a noted local family — he plays a key role in the retail, restaurant and entertainment life of this town.
The other day, we chatted on the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum stage for the latest “06880” podcast. Click here for our wide-ranging (and very upbeat) conversation.
Peter Jennings’ family has been here for 11 generations.
Maxx Crowley — a 4th-generation Westporter — is, by comparison, a new arrival.
For years, the 2 families’ businesses have been friendly rivals — and sometimes partners — in the property management field.
Now they’ve joined forces. A recent merger created a new firm that offers a wide range of services — leasing, maintenance, bookkeeping and more — to commercial and residential owners from Westchester to Hartford.
But they’ll still concentrate on — and be headquartered in — Westport.
SCA Crowley trucks and team outside one of their properties: the 55 Greens Farms Road office complex.
After 28 yeas with the HK Group, Jennings started his own firm, Bayberry Property Management, in 2009. He eventually serviced, and served as a broker for, 80 buildings.
SCA Crowley — the business formed by Maxx’s father Steve — recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Steve started as a real estate broker, but soon realized that property owners wanted leaf removal, snow shoveling, landscaping, pothole fixing, painting and many other services.
COVID sparked a change in SCA’s real estate management. Homeowners moving from Manhattan and Brooklyn needed help learning about irrigation systems, hot water heaters and pools, and jobs like power-washing patios. The company — whose clients already included Playhouse Square, MoCA Westport, office buildings, medical centers and Homes with Hope facilities — expanded their residential property portfolio.
(From left): Bobby, Steve and Maxx Crowley.
SCA and Bayberry had been friendly for a while. They referred customers to each other’s services.
Now, Crowley says, their combined operations will be even more seamless.
The only change, Jennings adds, is the purchase of new logowear and business cards.
The new firm’s offices will be on Kings Highway North, near Main Street. Its trucks will be at Riverside Avenue.
Though properties extend from White Plains to Hartford, it will still be a “mom-and-pop” company.
Plus other family members.
Maxx Crowley works with his siblings Bobby and Judy. Jennings is joined by his sister Karen, daughter Katie, and sister-in-law Beth.
Both families will continue to contribute to Westport, in non-property management ways too. Steve Crowley is a longtime volunteer with many civic causes. Maxx Crowley is president of the Westport Downtown Association. Jennings is the Green’s Farms Congregational Church historian.
After 15 combined generations, the Jennings and Crowley family histories continue.
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