Saugatuck was Westport’s first commercial and residential center.
In the 1830s, when we broke away from Norwalk, Weston and Fairfield it was a thriving place, with wharves, businesses, factories, churches, schools and farms.
So why did our town fathers choose the name “Westport,” instead of “Saugatuck”?
The story I always heard is that a state representative did not like being called “the legislator from Succotash” in Hartford.
Other reasons: it was a simple description of a port west of Fairfield; it was an acknowledgment that the new town was more than just Saugatuck, and that a new name symbolized a fresh start.
A section of Robert Lambdin’s “Saugatuck in the 19th Century” mural. It hung for many years in the Saugatuck branch of Westport Bank & Trust, on the corner of Charles and Franklin Streets.
And that, I thought, was that.
But Jeff Van Gelder — a native Westporter, and Staples High School graduate — recently unearthed a New York Times story from December 2, 1923.
“Leading citizens,” the paper says, launched a “Back to Saugatuck” movement, to restore the original, distinctive name.
There was only one other Saugatuck in the world, they argued (in Michigan — named by a former resident of our town). However, there were 18 other Westports in the US, and 22 around the world.
That caused “onfusion of the mails and the long-distance telephone calls intended for the different Westports,” the Times reported.
The Connecticut Westport — population nearly 5,000 — claimed “the largest and most noted art colony in the United States.” It boasted “a dozen different industrial plants.” And it recently completed a Young Men’s Christian Association, thanks to a $300,000 gift from E.T. Bedford.
Westport’s brand-new YMCA.
“Saugatuck,” the Times said, came from an Indian word “Sauki-tuk,” which meant “outlet from a tidal river.”
The “agitation for the restoration of the town’s old name” was led by John Adams Thayer. It was supported by Professor Harry M. Ayres, who was a member of the Connecticut Legislature, “and many othe prominent citizens who believe the community will benefit by such a change.”
But that seems to be the high water mark for the proposal. The Times did not report on it again.
We had been Westport for 88 years.
Now — 101 years later — we still are.
A detail from Lambdin’s mural shows the Bridge Street (now Cribari) Bridge.
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
With snow predicted tomorrow (Thursday), the Westport Farmers’ Market has canceled this week’s session.
“This decision is incredibly difficult to make,” director Lori Cochran says. “We understand the negative impact it has on our vendors and yoru kitchens.
“Be we need to put the safety of our vendors and you foremost.”
Operation Warm Hug — the Farmers’ Market coat drive — will take place next Thursday (February 13).
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Still on: tomorrow’s open house charrette, to view and discuss plans for Westport’s proposed public safety complex (Thursday, February 6; 7 p.m., Senior Center).
The project — involving the Police and Fire Departments, and Emergency Medical Services — is in the conceptual and feasibility stage.
An architectural presentation will be followed by discussions and feedback opportunities.
Ever wished you could snag an invite to Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak’s house?
I’ve never gotten one. But thanks to the New York Times, I — and anyone else on the planet with internet — can check out a few highlights.
“At Home with Craig Melvin” shows a few rooms. The new NBC “Today” host reveals how the family landed in Westport (it was midway between New York and Bristol, Connecticut, where she works for ESPN), and near a train station.
He talks about their strong relationship with the town (youth sports coaching, PTA, etc.).
And he shows off his grandmother’s beloved chair, and his own candle-making equipment.
Click here for a tour of Craig and Lindsay’s home. (Hat tip: Bill Dedman)
Craig Melvin’s chair, vinyl and more. (Photo/Tony Cenicola for The New York Times)
Club203 celebrated Valentine’s Day early last night.
With a bit of mini-golf.
At their monthly party — hosted by MoCA CT — members made their own golf visors, played a few rounds, enjoyed sweet treats, and mixed and mingled at high-top tables. was treated to some Valentine Birdie Fun tonight – when Mini Golf Party Events brought the party to us at MOCA-CT!”
“Our hearts are filled with gratitude for our team of volunteers,” says Club203 co-founder Stacie Curran.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
Fun for all: Club203 at MoCA CT.
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Earthplace is ready for the rest of winter.
And spring.
Upcoming at the non-profit science, conservation and education center:
Woodland Egg Hunt: (April 18 & 19; hourly slots from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m.; $25 per child): A nature hunt for eggs, meet a live rabbit (and egg-laying animals), and create spring-themed crafts.
Toast to the Trees: Afternoon Beer Tasting and Kids Activities
(April 26, 4 to 6 p.m.; $35 adults 21+; $15 child). Arbor Day special. Explore the trails while sipping craft vrews. Kids have fun too. End with beer, food trucks, lawn games and a campfire with s’mores.
Cocktails & Clams Fundraiser: Sunset Evening on the Sound (May 31, 5 to 7 p.m.). Harbor Watch benefit, at Copps Island Oysters in Norwalk. Unlimited raw bar, hors d’oeuvres, open bar, live band and silent auction.
Moth Ball (June 21, 8 to 11 p.m.). Observe nocturnal insects while sipping cocktails. Costumes are optional.
Click here for more information, including tickets.
Arbor Day at Earthplace.
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Gang of Four kicks off its farewell tour on April 18, at the Westport Library.
The pioneering band served a forerunner of the post-punk movement, fusing outspoken political messages with intense, percussive live set.
Tickets for the concert — an extension of VersoFest 2025 — are $55. Click here to purchase.
Tim “Journeys by DJ” Fielding, the founder of Brainiak Records, will spin tracks before the show.
Singer Jon King will be in the Trefz Forum earlier in the day for a conversation with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer (and Fairfield resident) Chris Frantz of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club) about his new book, To Hell with Poverty!: A Class Act: Inside the Gang of Four.”
The Staples boys basketball team rebounded (ho ho) from a rare loss to #1 St. Bernard’s on Saturday, with a 57-41 win over highly touted Fairfield Ludlowe, in Westport.
“06880” photographer/Staples sophomore Ryan Allen captured this great photo, of senior co-captain Charlie Bowman:
Posted onSeptember 9, 2024|Comments Off on Roundup: Justin Paul’s EGOT, Paralympics Bronze, NASCAR Silver …
Justin Paul got his EGOT!
The 2003 Staples High School graduate, and his writing partner Benj Pasek, joined the ultra-exclusive group yesterday.
Their Creative Arts Emmy for “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?,” from “Only Murders in the Building,” completes the prestigious 4-play.
They previously earned a Grammy for the cast album of “Dear Evan Hansen,” an Oscar for the “La La Land” song “City of Stars,” and 2 Tonys (for the score of “Dear Evan Hansen,” and as producers of “A Strange Loop”).
Only 19 other people have won EGOTs (for an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony). The list includes Richard Rogers, Helen Hayes, Rita Moreno, John Gielgud, Audrey Hepburn, Marvin Hamlisch, Mel Brooks, Mike Nichols, Whoopi Goldberg, and Sir Elton John.
So with his EGOT, we now have even more proof: Justin Paul is the GOAT! (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, with their earlier Grammy Awards.
Yesterday’s CT United Motorcycle Ride honored the victims and first responders of 9/11 in its traditional way.
The largest motorcycle ride in the state began at Sherwood Island State Park. Hundreds of riders headed south on I-95, then north on Route 33 up Riverside Avenue and Wilton Road. The ride continued through Wilton and 7 towns, before ending at Bridgeport’s Seaside Park.
It was quite a sight to see — and hear.
Bob Levy reports: “Police, firefighters and ordinary people were there to honor that day.
“My family was there. Each of us were glad and touched we were. My little granddaughters asked if they will have this every year.”
They sure will. And it’s an honor for our town to be the starting point.
Start of the CT United ride, at Sherwood Island State Park. (Photo/Bob Levy)
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The Paralympics ended with a bang for Matthew Torres.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rat swimmer won a bronze medal, as part of the US 4×100 mixed freestyle team.
It was Matthew’s 2nd Paralympics bronze. He earned his first 4 years ago, in Tokyo.
Matthew also raced this year in the 400 meter freestyle, where he finished 5th; the 100 meter backstroke (10th), and 100 meter freestyle (15th).
Matthew Torres in the water …
The Ansonia native was born with amniotic band syndrome. He is missing half his right leg, has deformities on both hands and moderate hearing loss.
He began swimming in 2008, after watching Michael Phelps at the Beijing Olympics. The rest is history.
Congratulations to Matthew; his teammates, friends and family, and his coaches at the Y and the national level. You made Westport proud! (Hat tips; Maggie Gomez, Christina Schwerin)
… and on the podium.
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Speaking of sports: Parker Kligerman tied his best career Xfinity Series finish in Atlanta Saturday.
The 2009 Staples High School graduate — perhaps the only former Wrecker to become a NASCAR driver — came in second, just behind winner Austin Hill.
Kligerman predicts a win is coming, for the Big Machine No. 48 crew. (Hat tip: Frank Rosen)
The other day, “06880” gave a shout-out to Ruben, at the Westport Post Office.
Less than a week later, here’s another. Denise Torve writes: “Last week I stopped in to the PO, took care of business, then headed to Trader Joe’s — only to discover my wallet was missing.
“I went straight back to the PO, fingers crossed, to see Ruben waving the wallet when he saw me come in. He was a lifesaver, given what was in it.
“He had also already posted on Facebook that I had left something there. So thank you Ruben — and thank you Dan for your positive, good news posts!”
They celebrated Friday, with a Saugatuck Rowing Club bash. The event included dinner, dancing, a silent auction, tributes to founder Jessica Bram and former executive director Valerie Ann Leff, and a special storytelling session.
Funds raised will help underwrite WWW’s outreach programs serving underrepresented populations, like the Bigelow Senior Center, Moms of Children with Disabilities, and STAR.
Westport Writers’ Workshop founder Jessica Bram, and executive director Blake Schnirring.
Yesterday’s New York Times‘ “Found in the Files” feature — a weekly look at something from the newspaper’s clippings library — focused on Alan Abel.
The longtime Westporter was known for his hoaxes — including convincing the Times to print his obituary, even though he was very much alive.
The “Files” story focused on Abel’s first big effort, in 1959, about a non-existent non-profit called the Society for Indecency to Naked Animals. Its mission was to clothe dogs, cats, horses, cows and others, to protect children from lewdness.
Click here for the full Times story. (Hat tip: Les Dinkin)
Alan Abel, with a (supposed) copy of the Society for Indecency to Naked Animals newsletter.
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Westport native and longtime resident Janet Aley died peacefully at home on July 21. She was 98.
Her family calls her “a kind, warm, intelligent, creative person, with a twinkle in her eye and a whimsical sense of humor. She loved life: family, friends, children, pets, nature, art, music, and travels with her family. She found wonder and joy in wordplay, poetry, song, and the view out her back window.”
Janet attended Westport schools, then graduated in 1944 from the Thomas School in Rowayton.
As a student at Bedford Elementary, she was one of several children chosen by WPA artist Robert Lambdin to pose for the 3-part mural, “The Spirit of Adventure” that still hangs outside the auditorium of what is now Town Hall. Janet holds a tennis racquet on the right.
After Black Mountain College in North Carolina, she became the society editor of the Westport Town Crier.
She left in 1948 to join an American Youth Hostel group in the Netherlands, repairing roads bombed in World War II.
Following her marriage in 1948 to Robert Jonathan Aley, Janet worked for 7 years in the promotion merchandising department at Look Magazine. She refused the job of department head in favor of motherhood. The family moved to Westport in 1960.
Janet volunteered for or served on the boards of many organizations, including PTAs, Intercommunity Camp, the Interfaith Housing Program, the Arts Council, and the Westport-Weston Counseling Service, primarily in producing publicity and newsletters. For many years, she also volunteered with the oral history program of the Westport Historical Society.
After her husband died suddenly in 1974, Janet returned to work — first in the selectman’s office, then in the Planning & Zoning Department. From 1983 to ’88 she was an assistant town clerk and secretary for the Planning & Zoning Commission in Weston.
She retired in 1988 and joined the Democratic Women of Westport, where she was co-president. She received the organization’s Silver Donkey Award, and regularly rode with DWW in the Memorial Day Parade.
Janet is survived by her children Jennifer Aley (Steve Gold), Judith Aley, Judson (Maria Cheung) and Jonathan (Ellen Louer); grandchildren Nathanael Jonathan Ranson, Ruby Alice Ranson and Dylan Tam (Alex McClaren).
In addition to her husband, she was pre-deceased by her daughter Judy’s husband Paul Ranson, and her brother Charles Harvey Ramsey.
Services will be held September 21 (Saugatuck Congregational Church, 1:30 p.m). Donations in Janet’s name can be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Homes with Hope or PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society).
And finally … Otis Redding was born on this day, in 1941. He died in a plane crash just 26 years later.
The Macon, Georgia native quit school at 15 to support his family, working with Little Richard’s band. Over the next decade he became an international star.
But his biggest fame came after his death.
(“Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” became the first posthumous #1 record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. He then received many other honors, including 2 Grammys, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame,[5] and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
(Since 2009 — without missing a day — “06880” has been your hyper-local source for news, information, features, photos and more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Comments Off on Roundup: Justin Paul’s EGOT, Paralympics Bronze, NASCAR Silver …
Lux was also the last name of a much-loved Long Lots science teacher.
Yesterday — nearly 2 decades after his death — Norbert Lux got a shout-out in the New York Times.
Melissa Kirsch — who writes the paper’s “Morning” newsletter every Saturday — wrote about tomorrow’s eclipse.
She said:
The first time I heard of an eclipse, I was in sixth grade. My science teacher, too aptly named Mr. Lux (“light,” in Latin), described the mechanics of the event, but what stayed with me, an anxious child, was not the idea of a world plunged into daytime darkness but the risk of permanent retinal damage posed by looking directly at the eclipse.
I couldn’t believe I was permitted proximity to this much peril, this much responsibility over my safety. One glance skyward and I could damage my eyesight forever. Why was I just learning about this now?
Norbert Lux
Staples High School Class of 1975 graduate Doug Davidoff spotted the Times piece, on SHS ’77 grad Dawn McCabe’s Facebook page.
“I’m glad Mr.Lux made it to the New York Times,” Doug writes. “He would have so enjoyed the eclipse on Monday.”
Doug adds: “As Mr. Lux taught, don’t look directly at the sun. It might cause permanent retinal damage and harm your eyesight forever!”
The weather report for tomorrow is “partly cloudy.” Unfortunately, there may not be all the “lux” we need to appreciate the show of nature Mr. Lux taught so well.
(For Melissa Kirsch’s entire story on the eclipse, click here.)
The Westport Weston Family YMCA offers many services, for many people.
But for nearly a year — ever since the previous café operator left — if you’re hungry after a workout or swim, you’re out of luck.
Ditto if you want to hang out over a meal or coffee with a friend, or while you wait for your kid. Every employee has to bring their lunch, too.
Fortunately, a new operator takes over soon. And not just anyone.
The Porch at Christie’s will open a Y outpost sometime in mid-March. Items will come from both the popular bakery/deli/community center on Cross Highway, and Sweet P Bakery. Both were founded by Bill and Andrea Pecoriello.
And — true to the Christie’s and Sweet P missions — the Y café will offer training and jobs to adults with disabilities.
“We are very excited for this partnership with the Y, and the expanded impact we’ll have on creating jobs in the community,” the Pecoriellos say.
In related news, The Porch and Sweet P Bakery are now a single non-profit, working together on job training and meaningful employment for adults with disabilities.
Every Sunday, Westporters join others nationwide in a “Run For Their Lives” march. They carry signs supporting the safe return of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, after the October 7 terrorist attack.
Yesterday’s event included a walk on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
To be added to the WhatsApp group for notification of upcoming marches, click here.
“Run For Their Lives” marchers yesterday, on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. (Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
Sal Liccione spotted this sign yesterday, on Elm Street at Church Lane:
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
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Calling all seniors!
Mozaic Senior Life — formerly Jewish Senior Services, whose board includes Westporters Ellen Berenyi, Nancy Magida, Ed Friedland, Alan Phillips and Ken Wirfel, and which serves many local residents — is hosting a free community-wide “SHARE” event.
The acronym stands for Senior Health And Resource Expo. A variety of senior care organizations will gather April 7 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 4200 Park Avenue, Bridgeport).
They’ll provide information, resources and insights into care available for elders throughout lower Fairfield County.
Westport Museum for History & Culture executive director Ramin Ganeshram is also a cookbook author.
On February 20 — 2 days before George Washington’s birthday — the New York Times’ Cooking blog published a recipe she adapted for hoecakes, a favorite of the first president
It included a background paragraph by Ganeshram, noting the background of the dish, and — with a nod to Washington’s dental issues and his wealth — the quality of cornmeal used. (Hat tip: Werner Liepolt)
Hoecakes (Photo/Matt Taylor-Gross for the New York Times)
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Westporters are used to deer.
We know when one leaps out in front of our car, 2 or 3 more will follow.
Our “Westport … Naturally” feature has included shots of 5 or 6 at a time, in one yard.
But Johanna Keyser Rossi counted more than 20 on Saturday, at Sherwood Island State Park.
I count 16 in this “Westport … Naturally” photo. Though they are very adept at blending in.
Every Sunday, the New York Times real estate section features 3 homes around the country. All sell for the same price, so readers can compare and contrast.
Tomorrow’s edition includes 3 homes for around $1.995 million. One is in Ocean Grove, New Jersey; another is in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The third is on Old Hill Road. Not only that — it was one of the 4 homes on our “Historic Homes of 06880” house tour last month.
The writeup of the 3-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath 1707 Colonial on a 0.8-acre lot says:
“While this Fairfield County home has been expanded since it was constructed in the early 18th century, the owners have taken care to preserve and even augment its character: An early 1990s addition, for example, was built using repurposed materials from a circa 1850 home.
“The property is close to the center of town, about a 5-minute drive from popular shopping and dining centers, and 10 minutes from the well-ranked public Staples High School. Driving to Hartford or Midtown Manhattan can take an hour and a half or more than two hours, depending on traffic.
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between December 20-27.
A woman was arrested for evading responsibility (hit and run), failure to drive in the proper lane and failure to comply with passing on right rules following a motor vehicle accident at Saugatuck Avenue and I-95.
Police also issued these citations:
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 4 citations
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3
Improper use of markers: 2
Passing a standing school bus: 1
Beach of peace: 1
Disorderly conduct: 1
Criminal trespass: 1
Interfering with an officer: 1
Operating a motor vehicle with minimum insurance: 1
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
Peter Guy Tomasulo, a 1971 graduate of Staples High School, died peacefully among family on December 17, after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old, and lived in Stratford.
His family says, “Peter had a passion for sports, and a calling for leadership. He coached and played the majority of his life.”
After Staples, Peter continued playing soccer at Lyndon State College, where he captained the team. He met his wife, Kathleen Kenney, there. After their marriage they moved to Norwalk, then settled in Newtown.
Peter was predeceased by his wife. He is survived by his brother Edward, sister Kim Brown, son Brian, daughter Jillian Brookes (Stephen), and grandchildren Kate, Anderson, West and Elle.
A celebration of his life will be held later.
Peter Tomasulo
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Sure, Christmas Day is done.
But the 12 Days of Christmas continue.
And here, believe it or not — straight from the Saugatuck River — are 7 actual swans a-swimming.
Becky Keeler spotted, and captured, today’s very appropriate “Westport … Naturally” image.
And finally … today is the birthday of several noted musicians.
Felix Pappalardi (born 1939, died 1993):
Michael Nesmith (born 1942, died 2021):
Patti Smith (born 1946):
Jeff Lynne (born 1947):
It is also the birthday of Sean Hannity (born 1961):
(Gentle reminder: If you’re looking for a tax deduction before the end of 2023, please consider a donation to “06880.” Just click here. Thank you — and happy new year!)
It’s a journalistic tradition: At the end of each year, the New York Times publishes “The Year in Pictures.”
For a number of years, there’s been another tradition: The feature includes the work of Staples High School graduates Lynsey Addario (Class of 1991) and Tyler Hicks (’88). Both are Pulitzer Prize winners.
The tradition continues this year.
The very compelling Times section includes:
Dnipro, Ukraine, January 18. Lynsey Addario photographed Olha Afanasieva, 49, recovering in the hospital after sustaining serious injuries in a Russian strike on her apartment building. She and her husband were sitting at their kitchen table when the missile hit.
Lynsey said: “I was looking at her from the right-hand side and I was trying to photograph her eyes and the injuries, and it wasn’t coming together. Suddenly she turned and the other side of her face was a patchwork. It just spoke to me, and symbolized all of these lives and faces, and everything that has been torn in the country.”
Bakhmut, Ukraine, March 17. Tyler Hicks captured medics helping a Ukrainian soldier who was injured by shrapnel on the front line. The fight for the city, which Russia later captured, was one of the deadliest clashes in the war.
Bakhmut, Ukraine, May 19. Tyler Hicks’ shot showed the smoldering remains of Bakhmut, just days before Russia claimed victory there. It took the Kremlin almost a year and cost the lives of thousands of soldiers to capture the city.
Tyler said: “Despite having seen military photographs of the devastation of Bakhmut, to actually be in control of a drone and fly up to the edge of the city and see it, live, really solidified in my mind how much the city had been destroyed and how many lives had been lost in the process. It was personally quite shocking.”
Outside Makarivka, Ukraine, July 26. Tyler Hicks’ harrowing image shows the body of a Russian soldier in the Zaporizhzhia region, where Ukraine was waging a counteroffensive. In 2 months, Ukrainian troops had advanced less than 10 miles at any point along the region’s 100-mile front.
Tyler said: “I saw what I originally thought was just a uniform that had been discarded on the road, but on closer inspection I realized it was a body. There had been no effort made to move the body. He’d been run over so many times that he became impacted tot he point that the body had become part of the road.”
Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, September 14. In Lynsey Addario’s shot, aUkrainian soldier prepared to release a drone to fly over Russian-occupied territory in search of heavy weapons and air defense installations. In a counteroffensive often reliant on small advantages, a fleet of inexpensive drones provided one for the Ukrainians.
Lynsey explained: “When we approached the team of soldiers, they were hiding in the bushes. We heard Russian drones flying overhead, and it was terrifying. Most of the war at this point is fought by drone. There’s nothing you can do, just hope you are hidden well enough. The soldier released the drone and we ran back into the bushes.”
What Lynsey Addario and Tyler Hicks do is dangerous, remarkable, and very important. To see more work from their colleagues, click here.
I asked him how many Unsung Heroes he had nominated. Remember the old ’60s saying? “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”
Turns out, he used an alias.
That makes him even more of a jerk. Coming on the heels of my discovery of a couple of other aliases — some plausible-sounding like “Will Leach,” others clearly fake — I feel like a jerk, too.
I trust “06880” readers. I do not require verification to post comments. I only ask that people use full, real names.
I spend a ton of time on all aspects of “06880.” Monitoring comments for civility and accuracy is one of them. Monitoring them for honesty should not be part of the deal.
I’ve asked before: Please be nice. Please don’t abuse the Comments section. If you have something to say, have the guts to say it publicly, under your real name.
That shouldn’t be too much to ask. Obviously though it is, because I just did.
“06880” welcomes your comments. Please have the courtesy — and guts — to use your real name.
The New York Times’ “Morning” newsletter just published their most memorable photos of the year.
The very first one was taken by 1991 Staples High School graduate — and Pulitzer Prize/MacArthur “genius grant” award winner — Lynsey Addario.
(Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)
The caption says:
“Millions of people fled Ukraine in the early weeks of Russia’s invasion, seeking refuge in other countries. Desperate families shoved their way onto a train leaving the capital, Kyiv, in early March.”
Click here for more of the Times’ top images. (Hat tip: Susan Leone)
Meanwhile, the Times’ other photo feature — the more extended “Year in Pictures” — includes more than half a dozen images from Addario and Tyler Hicks, her colleague who is also a Pulitzer winner and Staples grad (Class of 1988).
The first in the chronological list is from January 19. It’s a shot by Hicks of a Ukrainian soldier at a frontline position. “The world watched nervously as Western countries warned that Russia was preparing to attack Ukraine at any moment,” the caption says.
(Photo/Tyler Hicks for the New York Times)
There was also this harrowing photo of a dead Russian soldier near Kharkiv, as Ukrainian troops defender their land in the first days of the invasion.
(Photo/Tyler Hicks for The New York Times)
“The Year in Pictures” includes this explanatory quote from Hicks:
There was no way to know if you would run into Russian soldiers. I decided to get out of the car and walk to make sure we weren’t going to drive up to any surprises. There was snow on the ground and I wasn’t sure what I was going to find, but I eventually came upon several Russian soldiers who had been killed. I took the photos as quickly as I could because the area where I was working was exposed, and then I got back to cover.
There’s also this iconic shot by Addario, immediately after Russian mortar fire killed a family trying to flee Irpin, near Kyiv. The photo drew worldwide attention to the horrors of Russia’s invasion:
(Photo/Lynsey Addario for the New York Times)
Addario explains:
I was photographing along a civilian evacuation route and was in the actual attack. The shell landed between us. The woman and her two children and the church volunteer were killed. I was just lucky the blast went the other direction and not toward me.
Click here and scroll down, for many more photos by Hicks and Addario (and others). (Hat tip: Evan Stein)
Speaking of Ukraine: It’s now a few days after Christmas. But the good feelings from Westport’s holiday gift to our sister city of Lyman, Ukraine still linger.
Click below for a brief video — just posted to YouTube’s “Sister Cities Westport Lyman Marigny” channel:
The total amount raised now by our town (and friends and relatives of Westporters) is $209,300. We are closing in on our goal of $250,000.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to Lyman through Ukraine Aid International. Pleaseclick here. Click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other tax-deductible donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo). You can also donate directly, via Stripe (click here).
Westport Police report no custodial arrests between December 21 and 28. With the cold weather, traffic was light too. These were the only citations issued:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
Following too closely: 2
Speeding: 1
Evading responsibility: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Failure to drive in proper lane: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Failure to carry certificate of registration/insurance: 1
Failure to obey control signal: 1
Violation of any traffic commission regulation: 1.
The end of the year is the perfect time for Westport Town Farm to announce programs for the new year.
“Parent and Me” returns, from January through March. Classes include outdoor time for feeding animals, followed by age-appropriate crafts, games or stories inside the Farmhouse.
Families transitioning out of “Parent and Me” enjoy “Toddler Sprouts” (ages 3-5, Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.).
A new program — “Tiny Farmers Playdate” — begins in January (Wednesdays, 9 a.m.). Taking place in the Farmhouse, it’s geared toward ages of 0 -18 months.
A new “Rugged Bear Wilderness Club” runs after school. Youngsters ages 11-14 will develop outdoors skills like fire-making, orienteering, using basic hand tools, simple first aid, pitching a tent and being challenged in nature. The club begins February 9.
Spots are also available in the “Fantastic Farmhands” elementary school program.
WTF also runs an MLK Jr. Vacation Day Camp on January 16.
Click here for more information, or email education.wakemantownfarm.org.
The Appalachian Mountain Club’s Westport Fairfield County Group will “Skate Through New Zealand.”
That’s the topic of their January 10 meeting (Saugatuck Congregational Church; appetizers, wine, dinner at 6:15 p.m.; presentation 7:30 p.m.; members $10, non-members $15).
Speaker Geoffrey Saunders has been skateboarding since he was 10. He lived in New Zealand for a year as an exchange student, and has returned 4 times. He skateboarded 400 miles through North Island, raising funds for Wildlife in Crisis, and will discuss his many adventures.
Reservations not required, but please RSVP: easasso7@icloud.com.
Kevin Conroy — the 1973 Staples High School graduate and former Staples Players star whose voice was the definitive Batman — died yesterday. He was 66 years old, and had battled cancer.
Conroy was Batman’s voice on the animated television series from 1992 to ’96. He continued with the character through 15 films, 400 TV episodes and 2 dozen video games.
“Kevin brought a light with him everywhere, whether in the recording booth giving it his all or feeding first-responders during 9/11 or making sure every fan who ever waited for him had a moment with their Batman,” said Paul Dini, producer of the animated show. ”A hero in every sense of the word.”
AP says:
Conroy) attended Juilliard and roomed with Robin Williams. After graduating, he toured with John Houseman’s acting group, the Acting Company. He performed in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Public Theater and in “Eastern Standard” on Broadway. At the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California, he performed in “Hamlet.”
The 1980s production of “Eastern Standard,” in which Conroy played a TV producer secretly living with AIDS, had particular meaning to him. Conroy, who was gay, said at the time he was regularly attending funerals for friends who died of AIDS. He poured out his anguish nightly on stage.
In 1980, Conroy moved to Los Angeles, began acting in soap operas and booked appearances on TV series including “Cheers,” “Tour of Duty” and “Murphy Brown.” In 1991, when casting director Andrea Romano was scouting her lead actor for “Batman: The Animated Series,” she went through hundreds of auditions before Conroy came in. He was there on a friend’s recommendation — and cast immediately.
In 2016 — when the New York Times profiled Conroy — “06880” posted this story:
In the eight-decade history of Batman, no one played the Dark Knight more.
For over 20 years, the 1973 Staples High School graduate has lent his “deeply charming, yet virile voice” to 9 Batman TV series, 12 animated movies and 7 video games. No other actor has played Batman for so long, or been as closely identified with him.
Today, the New York Times finally took notice.
Kevin Conroy (Photo/Ben Esner for NY Times)
The Arts section features a full-length story on Conroy — who, it should be noted, is hardly a 1-trick Batman. The Juilliard alum also toured nationally with “Deathtrap,” appeared on the soap opera “Another World,” played Laertes in the New York Shakespeare Festival, acted on Broadway, and was a regular on “Ohara” and “Tour of Duty.”
But it’s as Batman he’s best known, and that’s the Times hook. Jeff Muskus writes:
He has logged the most screen time of anyone in the comic-book vigilante’s 77-year history — without ever showing his face onscreen for the role. Still, his voice, deep and resonant, has defined the character for fans who grew up with his shows, and again for those devouring his three Arkham video games.
“It’s so much fun as an actor to sink your teeth into,” Mr. Conroy, 60, said over lunch in New York’s theater district. “Calling it animation doesn’t do it justice. It’s more like mythology.”
The story notes that “school plays” — aka Staples Players — provided Conroy with a home, away from his dysfunctional family (he lived some of the time with friends).
Muskus concludes:
Unlike Batman, Mr. Conroy has managed to resolve much of his childhood trauma. First, he sought a modicum of financial stability….He saved during his stage and Los Angeles days, flipping houses on both coasts, and supported and made peace with his parents in their final years. “I was able to speak for my father at his funeral and sing for my mother at hers,” he said.
Mr. Conroy said he’s grateful for his long-running second act. “I’ve been really fortunate to have gotten Batman, because he’s a character that’s just evolved,” he said. “It’s just been a character where you can ride that wave for 24 years. Keeping him alive, keeping him from getting just dark and boring and broody, is the challenge.”
Click here to read the full New York Times story. Click here for the Times’ selection of Conroy’s standout Batman performances.
Lynsey Addario’s photo of a family killed on the street in Ukraine horrified the world.
“06880” has reported on the reaction, and the back story. Yesterday, Lynsey — a 1991 Staples High School graduate — described it herself, on the New York Times’ “The Daily” podcast. Click here to listen to her fascinating, important words. (Hat tips: Tommy Greenwald, Lee Feldman, Susan Woog Wagner)
Ukrainian soldiers do what they can, moments after a mortar attack on civilians on the streets of Irpin, near Kyiv. (Photo/Lynsey Addario for The New York Times)
Speaking of Ukraine: Irene Braziler is a native of that country. She’s spent the last 17 years in Westport; her sons Jake and Sam are in school here.
Last Thursday, Irene left for Romania. She met longtime Ukrainian friends at the border, where she’s helped them with cars and accommodations as they make their way to safety.
A video shared by Irene’s Westport friend Kelly Haazen shows the women — after being attacked, leaving their husbands behind, heading to an unknown destination with no idea how long they’d be there — beaming with joy at the sight of their old friend Irene.
Irene has started a GoFundMe drive to provide support to hospitals in Ukraine, civilians like her friends, and many others in desperate need. Every dollar donated will directly impact refugees and medical aid efforts, through DirectRelief.org.
The media personality hosts a streaming show for Turner Sports during the first 2 rounds of the hoops classic.
“Fast Break” features Briggs, Kentucky legend Tony Delk, Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner, and former Northwestern player/sports betting expert Tim Doyle. There’s action from every game, analysis, and player and social media reaction.
Sure, Ken Jennings and Amy Schneider won over $1 million on “Jeopardy!” But could they do what Aalok Bhattacharya, Oliver Clachko and Thomas Sargent have done?
The Staples students — a junior and 2 seniors, respectively — took first place in last month’s regional History Bowl competition on Long Island.
They don’t just have to answer obscure questions (or, in “Jeopardy!”-speak, provide questions to answers). The History Bowl — run by former “Jeopardy!” champ David Madden — is buzzer-based. But there are toss-up questions, a lightning round, and besides, these are just high school students.
But — unlike Sam Cooke — Aalok, Oliver and Thomas know a lot about history. And not just our own. They know Roman history, European history, the history of philosophy — you name it, they know it.
And they practice it after school, with faculty advisor (and chemistry teacher) Dominick Messina. They work on questions and answers — and on being first to buzz the buzzer.
Staples’ win vaults them into the national competition, April 23-24 in Washington. They hope to raise $675 to help with the registration fee and travel expenses. History-minded Westporters — or anyone else — who can help sponsor them should email aalok.bhattacharya1@gmail.com.
History Bowl champs (from left): Thomas Sargent, Aalok Bhattacharya, Oliver Clachko.
The last couple weeks of “Kids Are Talking” — the online show hosted by local therapist Dr. Don Cohen — have been interesting.
In a partnership with Turning Point CT, an organization for young people in recovery from mental health and substance use issues, Mental Health Stigma took a close look at breaking stigmas. A subsequent Mental Health in the Mirror episode addressed eating disorders.
College Application Stress was created in partnership with Fairfield CARES. The discussion included advice from high school seniors on how to handle the admissions process, and gave a heads up to juniors about what’s ahead.
Last week’s Athletes and Mental Health discussed the physical and mental stresses of performing during COVID and beyond.
Tomorrow’s show centers on the War in Ukraine, with teens who have family and friends in that troubled region. State Senator Will Haskell is the guest ono March 31.
“BIG” — the acronym stands for “Believe, Inspire, Grow” — debuts in Westport at the Saugatuck Rowing Club’s Boathouse Restaurant, at noon.
BIG is a global woman’s empowerment community offering inspiration, community, and tools to move personal and professional lives forward. Members build relationships in a dynamic, supportive entrepreneurial community.
Melissa Bernstein — co-founder of toy company Melissa & Doug, and the mental health multi-media platform LifeLines — is the featured speaker.
Another longtime, much-loved, and COVID-affected event is back — at a new but important location.
CLASP Homes’ “Taste of Westport” fundraiser is set for June 15, at the newly renovated Inn at Longshore. As always, it’s a great (and tasty) evening filled with food and drinks from your local restaurants, music, and a silent auction. Mark your calendars; details to follow.
Westport resident — and internationally acclaimed photographer — Larry Silver has the lens pointed directly at him this month.
Fairfield University Art Museum presents 13 Ways of Looking at Landscape: Larry Silver’s Connecticut Photographs. The solo exhibition includes more than 80 works, and is on view from March 25 through June 18.
The exhibition brings together over 40 years of Silver’s work, made of and in this state. It opens with a lecture by guest curator Leslie K. Brown on March 24. For more information, click here.
“Sitting at Water’s Edge, Sherwood Island State Park, Westpor, 2014/2022,” archival inkjet print. Courtesy of Larry Silver and Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York.
Here’s a “Westport … Naturally” scene you don’t see every day: a red fox, sunning itself in Greens Farms. Elena Nasereddin captured this image on Monday.
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