Tag Archives: New York Yankees

Roundup: Don O’Day, Stew Leonard, Staples Football …

Posted on August 14, 2025 | 12 comments

As Westport’s selectperson’s race ramps up, “06880” is there.

This afternoon (4 p.m.), Dan Woog and TV journalist Dave Briggs take their InstagramLive camera into the political arena. We’ll chat with Republican-endorsed candidates Don O’Day and Andrea Moore. It’s the first in a series we’ll do, with all those running.

Find us @06880danwoog at 4 today. We’ll take your questions, and listen to your comments.

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Westport Rotary Club LobsterFest tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday), at 10 a.m.

Rotary officials sent an incorrect link, which was posted yesterday. Here’s how to get tickets tomorrow morning, starting at 10: Click here, then follow the prompts.

Get ’em before they sell out!

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Invaders have returned to Winslow Park.

This time though, it’s not spotted lanternflies.

It’s stuffed animals.

Yesterday morning, alert “06880” reader Mark Mathias spotted 4 of them.

(Photo/Mark Mathias)

Mark has no idea where they came from. Perhaps, he says, they’re friends of the stuffed animal at Trader Joe’s. (It’s “hidden” in the store. If a child finds it and brings it to the front, he or she is rewarded with candy or a sticker.)

There are many mysteries in Westport. (Including at Winslow — for example, the oddly symmetrical, strangely placed slightly creepy hill near the entrance.)

If you’ve got any info — or even a theory — about these stuffed animals, click “Comments” below.

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On Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, Westport resident Stew Leonard Jr. threw out the first pitch, against the Minnesota Twins. It was a perfect strike.

The supermarket mogul wore a custom jersey, courtesy of the Yanks, emblazoned with #38 and “Stewie.”

It honored his toddler son, Stew Leonard III, who drowned in 1989. Stewie would have been 38 this year.

Stew was selected for the honor of throwing out the first pitch by Yankees sponsor Mike’s Amazing, in recognition of his quick action in saving a choking crew member at the WPIX Channel 11 studio on August 1.

Mayor Adams declared yesterday “Stew Leonard Day” in New York, in honor of his heroics. Click here or below for the Instagram. (Hat tip: Susan Farley)

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Speaking of sports: Staples High School football is just beginning its new season. They’ve got a new coach, Matty Jacowleff.

But some things don’t change. This afternoon, the program hosts its 6th annual Murph Challenge.

It’s a culmination of their summer fundraising, for both the football program and the Catch a Lift Fund (the non-profit that helps post-9/11 combat-injured veterans regain mental and physical health).

The event begins at 4:30 p.m., with Catch a Lift veteran Andy Smith talking to the players about sacrifice, resilience and commitment.

Then the athletes take on the Murph Challenge. It includes a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another mile run. (With a modified version for linemen!)

Everyone is invited to Paul Lane Field, to listen to Smith’s talk, and watch the Wreckers take on the Murph. Donations are welcome by Venmo: @Staples-Gridiron.

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Westport Police made 11 custodial arrests, in the 2 weeks between July 30 and August 12.

Five New York City males, ages 31, 18, 18, 17 and 15, were charged with forgery, and conspiracy to commit forgery, after attempting to pass counterfeit bills at local businesses. The 31-year-old was also charged with risk of injury to a minor.

A 38-year-old Milford man was charged with larceny, criminal attempt and conspiracy to commit larceny, and failure to appear, after officers responded at 3:44 a.m. to a report from a homeowner that someone had entered and searched her unlocked vehicle, parked in her driveway. A nearby resident reported that items had been stolen from his unlocked vehicle too. An officer observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the middle of the road on an adjacent street. The operator fled, but at the same time another man was seen walking toward the vehicle. He admitted to entering the unlocked vehicles. He was unable to post a $10,000 bond.  The second suspect’s identity is still under investigation.

A 28-year-old Bridgeport woman was charged with larceny, after complaints from 3 residents regarding missing jewelry from their homes. An investigation revealed that all 3 employed the same cleaning service. An employee of the service was pawning the jewelry. She was unable to post a $250,000 bond.

A 25-year-old Old Greenwich woman was charged with larceny, after shoplifting $14,651 worth of goods at Michells. She was released on a $10,000 bond.

A 41-year-old Stamford man was charge with larceny, after a report that jewelry valued at $10,000 was missing from a home. The suspect worked for a company that provided service at the victim’s home. He was released on a $25,000 bond.

A 43-year-old Westport man was charged with criminal possession of a firearm. He was ineligible to possess the Taurus .357 magnum handgun. He was unable to post a $100,000 bond.

A 59-year-old Stratford man was charged with failure to appear. He was released on a $10,000 bond.

WEstport Police also issued these citations:

  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 17 citations
  • Driving while texting: 12
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 12
  • Speeding: 4
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 4
  • Distracted driving: 3
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 3
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehcile: 3
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
  • Texting while driving (2nd offense): 2
  • Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 2
  • Possession of a vicious/barking dog: 1
  • Permitting a dog to roam: 1
  • Following too closely: 1
  • Failure to grant right of way: 1
  • Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
  • Failure to drive right: 1
  • Improper stop: 1
  • Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
  • Failure to renew registration: 1
  • Failure to carry driver’s license: 1

A citation was issued for a vicious/barking dog. This is not it.

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The Planning & Zoning Commission meets in executive session at 4 p.m. today, at the law office f Berchem Moses.

There is one agenda item: “Discussion of pending litigation, Roan Development Ventures LLC v. Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Westport, for property at 601, 606, and 609 Riverside Ave, 91 and 96 Franklin St, 2 and 16 Railroad Place (The Hamlet at Saugatuck).”

It is the first of many such discussions, following the filing of a lawsuit against the P&Z by the developer, following denial of its proposed Saugatuck project.

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Speaking of public hearings: The Planning & Zoning Department says that scammers have contacted residents regarding zoning and/or public hearing applications.

The bad guys falsely claim that a “public hearing fee” must be paid directly to them before an application can proceed.

The town of Westport will never request payment fees through phone calls, texts, emails or payment apps like Venmo, Zelle or CashApp.

All official fees are paid directly to the town through established, secure payment methods.

Scammers may use official-sounding titles, fake letterheads, or spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate.

If you receive a suspicious request:

  1. Do not provide personal or financial information.
  2. Do not send payment.
  3. Contact the  P&Z Department immediately (203 341-1030) to verify the legitimacy of any request.
  4. Report the incident to the Westport Police Department: 203- 341-6000.

Don’t fall for a “public hearing fee” scam!

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Little Pub @ Dunville’s is hosting a new original music series.

On the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month (7 p.m.), local singer-songwriters take the stage. The next one is August 26.

There is no cover, though ordering a drink and food is encouraged. The program is curated by Westport resident and musician Erik Moses. 

Melissa Capezio, this week at Little Pub @ Dunville’s. (Hat tip and photo/Matthew Mandell)

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The other day, “06880” published a photo of parking signs downtown.

They showed new 2-hour limits (down from 3) on several streets. (Parking lots are not affected.)

The signs said the limits were in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. — even though the new regulation does not start until 8 .m.

In fact the erroneous signs had already been changed, by the town Highway Department.

They were clearly way ahead of “06880.”

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Speaking of downtown: The public is invited to his year’s free Japanese Fall Festival (Saturday, September 6, 1-4 p.m., Jesup Geen).

The family-friendly festival is sponsored by the Japan Society of Fairfield County. It features taiko drum performances, brief plays of Japanese folk tales, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional dancing.

Taiko drums, at the Japanese Fall Festival.

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We’ve reported on the success of the Fairfield Little League team — regional champs, now competing in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvan — several times, because pitcher Ben Herbst is the son of a Staples grad, nephew of another, and grandson of Mickey and Candace Herbst.

But there are other reasons to root for our neighbors, too.

Jennifer (Zeoli) Curley is a 1996 Staples graduate. Her son Colin is on the team — and her husband Tom is one of the coaches.

Britt (Horton) Dunlap is a 1999 Staples grad. Her son Boden is on the squad too.

Fairfield won their first game in Williamsport last night. They play tomorrow night (Friday, 7 p.m.) against Hawaii. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Here’s hoping they go at least as far as the 2013 Westport team — World Series finalists! (Hat tip: Chuck Haberstroh)

Boden Dunlap, Ben Herbst and Colin Curley are all in this photo.

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Pam Docters describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo: “Gorgeous contrast of the blue sky and the white hydrangeas on Saugatuck Shores!”

(Photo/Pam Docters)

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And finally … you may have predicted this, from the Police Reports (above):

(Winslow Park, Staples football, Westport police — a few of the things that make our town special, all together in one Roundup. If you enjoy features like this, please click here to support us. Thanks!)

12 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Police, Restaurants, Sports

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Sweet P At Yankee Stadium: A Grand Slam!

Posted on March 22, 2025 | 18 comments

A year ago, Sweet P Bakery was selling “Colossal Cookies” at The Porch.

They were big, soft and delicious. Everyone loved them. But the small Cross Highway deli was — admit it — the minor leagues.

This month, Sweet P Bakery owners Bill and Andrea Pecoriello got called up to the Majors.

That’s not a metaphor.

Thursday is opening day at Yankee Stadium. And — along with Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Anthony Volpe — fans will cheer for Sweet P’s sweet & salty, chocolate chip and M&M cookies.

Sooooo good!

They’ll join Bobby Flay, The Halal Guys, Benihana and other legendary purveyors at the famed ballpark’s concession stands and luxury suites.

As often happens in sports, the call-up came quickly — after years of hard work.

Westporter Mike Loparo was a frequent customer at The Porch, the Pecoriello’s business. It began as an outgrowth of Sweet P, the couple’s non-profit bakery that offers training and employment for adults with disabilities.

Loparo’s day job is vice president of retail, marketing and licensing at Legends Hospitality. The company runs food, beverage, merchandise and retail operations at professional and college stadiums around the country.

Why, he asked, aren’t Sweet P’s cookies at Yankee Stadium?

Why not indeed? the Pecoriellos asked. Get us a meeting!

Andrea and Bill Pecoriello.

Last July, Loparo delivered cookies to Robert Flowers, the stadium’s new executive chef.

He loved them. He also loved Sweet P’s mission, working with people with disabilities.

A lot of non-profit food companies have great stories, Flowers said. Not a lot have great products too.

From late August through the World Series, Sweet P supplied cookies for dessert carts in luxury suites. A small card on the cart described the company’s work.

The cookies were always fresh. Loparo hand-delivered them every day.

Legends brought Sweet P on, for the 2025 season. Last week they were showcased — along with returning and new food companies — at the Yankees’ big media day.

All of Sweet P’s bakers were there. Major TV station and key social media influencers interviewed them about their cookies. They were eager to talk about their products — and the way Sweet P helped them find employment, make friends, and enriched their lives.

Telling the Sweet P story for TV.

Stadium executives, even other chefs, jostled to have photos taken with the Sweet P employees.

The added demand for Sweet P cookies will likely lead to more employment opportunities.

The Pecoriellos get several calls a week from parents with adult children with disabilities who like baking. Sweet P may now be able to teach even more of them those skills — along with others, like packng and shipping.

Sweet P has a 3,000-square foot commercial kitchen in Norwalk, with a loading dock.

“We can handle whatever the Yankees throw at us,” Andrea says confidently.

Getting ready, at Yankee Stadium.

This is a feel-good, up-to-the-majors story for sure. “It’s literally a home run,” Andrea says.

But unlike one about a big league ballplayer, this might have a different ending.

As good as Aaron Judge is, he can only play for one team at a time.

Legends executives have already started talking with the Pecoriellos about supplying cookies to other stadiums around the country. A major hotel in Boston is interested too.

What a grand slam that would be!

(Sweet P’s Colossal Cookies will be available at Yankee Stadium concourses by Sections 121 and 211. To learn more about Sweet P — and order online — click here. To learn more about Yankee Stadium food services, click here.)

(Play ball! “06880” often highlights local businesses, non-profits — and the many Westporters doing good things, here and everywhere. If you enjoy these stories, please click here to support our work.)

18 Comments

Posted in Local business, Sports

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The Yankees May Not Win The World Series. But Last Night, They Proved They Are World Champs.

Posted on October 30, 2024 | 10 comments

Some people love the New York Yankees. Some hate them.

This story will make even the most rabid Boston Red Sox fan say: “Go Yanks!”

Last Friday, Sara Deren — founder and CEO of Experience Camps, the Westport-based program for youngsters who have lost parents or siblings — got an email from a Fairfield mom.

Her son Declan has spent 4 years at Experience Camps. She wanted to know if anyone, anywhere could give Declan a chance to go to the World Series.

The mom wrote:

Declan and his dad Matt never missed a Yankee game. The Yankees were a humungous part of Declan’s life with Matt. They watched all the games and did everything Yankee together.

When Matt’s life was tragically cut short, Declan found life unbearable. At 9 years old, his grief was so deep it was as if his heart was ripped out of his chest. 

The Yankees’ making it to the World Series has been unexpectedly healing for Declan. I can’t quite explain it. I never realized the tremendous role the Yankees play in Declan’s grief.

Sara contacted some people at the Yankees. She met them in June, when the Yankees honored Experience Camps.

The next day, Declan and his older brother had tickets to Game 4.

Sara went to Declan’s house on Sunday. Pretending to interview him for social about his dad and the Yankees, she surprised him by telling him he was going to the World Series. (Click here for the video.)

Declan discusses his dad, for social media.

On Tuesday, the 14-year-old was at Yankee Stadium. He wore a photo of his dad around his neck — and a smile as wide as the outfield fence (even before the team won).

Declan, with his dad …

What could be better?

Well, he caught a ball during batting practice!

Declan, with his batting practice ball.

10 Comments

Posted in Sports, Teenagers

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Wait Until You Read About Waite Hoyt

Posted on March 22, 2024 | 17 comments

Waite Hoyt was a vaudeville song-and-dance man, who performed with Mae West.

He drank champagne with Al Capone, went to a drag show with J. Edgar Hoover, and worked as an undertaker.

Among the first members of Alcoholics Anonymous — and one of the first to speak publicly about his battle with the disease — he was sober for the next 45 years.

Waite Hoyt was also a star pitcher on the 1927 New York Yankees. Many call that “Murderers Row” team with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig the best baseball team ever.

New York Yankee teammates Waite Hoyt and Babe Ruth.

Hoyt was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969 — the same year as Stan Musial and Roy Campanella.

Although everyone remembers Ruth, Gehrig, Musial and Campanella, Waite Hoyt has been largely forgotten.

But he’s the subject of a great new book by Westport author Tim Manners. “Schoolboy: The Untold Journey of a Yankees Hero” is out just in time for the start of a new baseball season.

Like most others, Manners — who describes his baseball fandom as “between casual and avid” — had never heard of Hoyt.

Then one day, more than a year after he’d started working with Chris Hoyt at Westport’s Glendinning Company, his colleague casually said, “My father was a Hall of Fame pitcher with the Yankees.”

Manners Googled “Waite Hoyt.” He was astonished to learn about his life, on and off the diamond.

And equally amazed that a man who spent 21 years in the major leagues, played in 6 World Series, won 3, and in that famous ’27 year led all of baseball with a . 759 winning percentage, is now basically unknown.

(Except in Cincinnati. More on that later.)

Manners grew up in the Cranbury section of Norwalk, but considered Westport “my town.” He spent hours in the Library, then worked in PR in a Post Road office with Staples High School graduate Rick Leonard, doing business-to-business marketing.

That evolved into a magazine aimed at marketers. He then joined Glendinning, the Weston Road marketing firm, as a writer.

That’s where he met Chris Hoyt — and learned about Waite.

Tim Manners (Photo/Michael Chait)

Hoyt’s baseball career fascinated Manners. But so did every other aspect of his life.

His father was a vaudevillian (and baseball fan). His mother, by contrast, was “very prim and proper.”

Before joining the Yankees, Hoyt was the youngest player ever signed to a professional contract. (He got a $5 bonus.)

Just 15 (hence his “Schoolboy” nickname), he spent 3 years in the minors. Those were “rough and tumble” years, Manners says. Players cleared rocks from fields. Locker rooms lacked showers. Alcohol and women were everywhere.

To make extra money, Hoyt got a job as a funeral director. One day, when he was scheduled to both play for the Yankees and bury someone, he packed a body in the back of his car and drove to the park. He pitched, then finished his work.

After retirement, Hoyt was one of the first former players to become a sportscaster.

Prior to that, athletes were considered “too dumb and inarticulate” for the job, Manners says.

Hoyt demolished that stereotype. His Cincinnati Reds broadcasts were so entertaining — particularly his story-telling between innings and during rain delays — that listeners who heard them and are still alive, continue to revere him.

Waite Hoyt, at the radio mic.

At his Hall of Fame induction speech, Hoyt expressed one regret: that he had not become a journalist.

“Unfulfilled dreams resonate with a lot of people,” Manners says. “But just think of the number of journalists who wish they had been athletes!”

Yet “Schoolboy” would not have been written, without a bit of luck.

Four years ago — 2 weeks after COVID struck — Manners visited Chris Hoyt in Arizona. Hoyt showed Manners some of his dad’s memorabilia. Manners asked if there was any more.

A couple of weeks later, 8 large boxes arrived at Manners’ home, off Compo Road South.

He worried there might not be much worthwhile.

But as he dug through the letters, photos, news clippings, diaries and notes, he found plastic binders filled with transcripts of interviews Hoyt had done years earlier with his niece.

Suddenly, Manners realized, he could write not a biography, but a memoir. Waite Hoyt’s story would be told in his own voice.

Waite Hoyt, in action.

An agent helped sell the proposal to the University of Nebraska Press — one of the top baseball book publishers in the country.

“Schoolboy” will be published officially on April 1. It’s already shipping on Amazon.

The audience, Manners says, is baseball fans. But it’s also a very human story.

“There’s a bit of the ‘road not taken’ in it, which resonates with people,” the author says.

“And of course, his battle with alcohol is also very important.”

(When Hoyt was broadcasting, one of the Reds’ sponsors was the Burger Brewing Company. When he went public about his alcoholism, Hoyt was sure he would be fired. But the company stood by him.

(“He was an alcoholic who promoted beer on the radio,” Manners notes. “He made it work.”)

Early feedback has been great (particularly from Cincinnati readers).

Bob Costas loved it too. He enjoyed an advance copy so much, he sent several paragraphs. What was intended to be a blurb turned into the foreword.

Manners is ready now for the interview circuit. He hopes for some local events, perhaps at the Library and Barnes & Noble.

It could make a great movie too, in the right hands.

Perhaps it could be called “Waite Hoyt: Field (And Vaudeville Stage) (And Funeral Home) of Dreams.”

17 Comments

Posted in Media, Sports

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Roundup: ABC, Easter Eggs, Yankees …

Posted on April 2, 2023 | 3 comments

Last night’s A Better Chance of Westport “Dream Event” was everything a fundraising gala should be.

The venue was exciting (Pinstripes at the SoNo Collection). There was plenty of food, but no sit-down dinner, so there everyone mingled. Silent auction items were fresh, and fun.

Best of all: The speeches were few, but deeply meaningful. Several alumni of the program — which brings students of color from underserved schools to Westport, where they attend Staples High School and give back to the community as much as they get — returned for the 20th annual event.

ABC grads live all across the country now. They’re establishing (or in the middle of!) their own careers, starting their own families.

But nearly a dozen of them spent yesterday at Glendarcy House, speaking with and mentoring the current scholars (who also were guests at the gala).

Three — Savion Agard (Staples Class of 2007, Cornell University ’11), Luis Cruz (SHS ’15, Boston College ’19) and Adrian Belvitt (SHS ’16, Colgate University ’20) — spoke passionately about the generosity of Westporters, and the impact the program made on them.

Yet it was clear from the night that A Better Chance makes at least a strong impact on our community.

To learn more about ABC (and donate), click here.

A Better Chance of Westport alumni, at last night’s Dream Event fundraiser. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Yesterday’s United Methodist Church Easter Egg hunt was so much fun, they’re doing it again — today (Sunday, 2 p.m., 49 Weston Road).

Everyone is invited to “Rabbit Hill.” (Yes, that’s the legit name. The previous owner of the property was Robert Lawson — author/illustrator of the beloved children’s series.)

Yesterday’s United Methodist Church Easter Egg hunt.

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The New York Yankees are winners, on and off the field.

They’ve arranged for a portion of ticket sales from their June games against the Texas Rangers to benefit Pink Aid.

For more than a decade, the organization has provided support, resources and emergency financial assistance to underserved breast cancer patients and their families. Pink Aid has helped more than 20,000 patients throughout Connecticut and 38 other states.

The games are June 23 (7:05 p.m.), 24 (4:05 p.m.) and 25 (1:35 p.m.). Tickets include 1 hot dog, a drink and baseball cap. Click here to reserve a seat.

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Steve Lillywhite —  whose record producing credits include the Rolling Stones, U2, the Dave Matthew Band, Phish, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, the Psychedelic Furs, XTC, Morrissey, the Pogues, Guster, the Killers and more — regaled a large VersoFest crowd yesterday with tales from his long career.

The conversation — with Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club founder Chris Frantz — was one of the highlights of Day 3 of the music-and-media Westport Library event.

Among Lillywhite’s remarks: Our Weston neighbor Keith Richards is one of the “most bohemian people” he know. The Rolling Stone guitarist may wake up at 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. “It doesn’t matter. He’s good with that.”

Steve Lillywhite, Chris Frantz, and some of the record producer’s work, at the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum. (Photo and hat tip/Dinkin Fotografix)

In the evening Frantz interviewed Richard Butler, lead singer of the Psychedelic Furs (and now an accomplished artist).

That session also served as this year’s Malloy Lecture on the Arts.

Richard Butler and Chris Frantz (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

Also at VersoFest yesterday: A workshop on the Grateful Dead’s 1974 wall of sound, with a 1/20th-to-scale working version. The model was led by its creator, former Weston resident Anthony Coscia.

Attendees made their own speakers, after learning about the evolution of sound and the need for better amplification for larger and larger venues in the 1960s.

The Wall of Sound, and workshop participants. (Photo and hat tip/Matthew Mandell)

VersoFest concludes today (Sunday), with a record fair and panel, workshops on audio and hip hop, an Alice Cooper documentary and artifacts exhibit, the Wall of Sound scale model, and more. Click here for a full schedule.

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Easter and Passover are almost here, so let’s think about … Mother’s Day!

It’s May 14. And Wakeman Town Farm offers handmade bouquets (not, they emphasize, “supermarket flowers.”

Each spring bouquet comes in a Mason jar tied with gray leather criss-cross cord, designed by Sarah Shaw Floral Design exclusively for WTF.

Orders will be taken through May 3. Pickup is Saturday, May 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Farm

A portion of the proceeds supports Wakeman Town Farm programs. Click here to order.

Say it with flowers.

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The Democratic Women of Westport’s Souper Luncheon is a decades-long tradition.

On Friday, they celebrated with a twist. Pippa Adler and Dawn Sullivan —  who coordinate Sustainable Westport’s Zero Food Waste Challenge — helped them create a planet-friendly event.

The pair told the DWW to avoid plastic water bottles and plastic wrap (use pitchers, real glasses and aluminum foil). No disposable plates — just old-fashioned glass or ceramic ones.

Paper napkins were okay if they were compostable — and the compost bag should be nearby, for any (minimal) food waste.

DWW ordered branded refillable mugs made partly out of wheat straw (a wheat byproduct that typically gets treated as waste). Guests were encouraged to use them as part of Sustainable Westport’s “Refill Not Landfill” program at local coffee shops.

There were even reusable magnetic name tags.

This year’s guest was Secretary of the State (and Norwalk resident) Stephanie Thomas. She discussed her first few months in office, encouraged advocacy for important issues — plugged green businesses.

Democratic Women of Westport members Sherry Gordon, Candice Savin and Lee Goldstein, with magnetic name tags.

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Longtime Westporter Rita Leyden died last month, at 85.

private family ceremony on Compo Beach to honor Tom and Rita Leyden, their four granddaughters walked across Soundview Drive toward Fairfield Avenue in a familiar style.

On Thursday, family members gathered at Compo Beach to honor her and her late husband Tom.

Afterwards, their 4 granddaughters walked across Soundview Drive, toward the Leydens’ Fairfield Avenue home of nearly 55 years, in familiar fashion.

(From left): Abby Paul, Dahlia Leyden, Megan Paul, Livy Leyden.

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André DeShields — a Tony Award winner for “Hadestown”– highlights a Westport Country Playhouse Sunday Symposium, following the April 16 matinee of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” He’ll discuss the significance and history of the Tony Award-winning show.

DeShields was an original Broadway cast member of “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” He also performed on its 1982 television broadcast and won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement.

The Symposium is free, and open to the public (click here to register). It will begin around 5 p.m. Performance tickets are not needed to attend.

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For years, TAP Strength has been many things to (and for) many people.

The downtown center offers personal training, soft tissue therapy, injury prevention, injury recovery, circuit training, performance coaching, mobility and stretching. They also just hosted CPR classes for Westport EMS.

Now they’ve added yoga and sound bath classes.

The schedule includes a Wednesday night yoga class beginning April 12 (6 to 7 p.m.), and regular sound bath meditations..

To sign up for classes, performance coaching and therapy, or for more information, click here.

Questions? Email Nancy@tapstrength.com, or call 203-292-9353.

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Sorelle Gallery’s new exhibit, On View, opens Friday (April 7).

Three artists are featured: Linda Bigness, Tony Iadicicco and Nealy Hauschildt.

Their works ranges from Bigness’ floral encaustic paintings using beeswax, damar resin, and pigment, to Iadicicco’s work with thin layers of oil paint, and Hauschildt’s watercolor paper.

The show runs through April 29. Click here for more information.

Sorelle Gallery show.

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Jazz comes to MoCA Westport on April 21 (7 p.m.).

Sax player Eddie Barbash brings his unique sound — and string quartet — for the evening.

Tickets are $40; $25 for students and seniors. MoCA members receive a 15% discount. Click here to reserve.

Eddie Barbash

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Now that dogs are banned from the beach, dinosaurs may take over.

This one was spotted yesterday, at Compo. It’s the first one we’ve featured on “Westport … Naturally.”

Hey … once upon a time, they roamed the earth.

(Photo/Patricia McMahon)

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And finally … Keith Reid — the lyricist of “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” and many other deep and dramatic songs by Procol Harum — last week in London. He was 76, and had battled cancer.

(“

3 Comments

Posted in Arts, Environment, Library, Westport Country Playhouse

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Roundup: Yanks’ Bat Girl, Playhouse, Ireland …

Posted on June 30, 2021 | 3 comments

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Gwen Goldman McLoughlin’s star turn as New York Yankees’ bat girl — 60 years after the team rejected the 10-year-old’s request — has gotten plenty of national media attention. “06880” covered the inspiring story on Sunday.

One of the best pieces was in yesterday’s New York Times. Click here to read. Then click below for a tweet that will have you smiling all day.

Whether you love the Yanks or hate them, you gotta admit: This is pure class.

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Ninety years to the day after it first opened, the Westport Country Playhouse celebrated a new season last night.

The audience was COVID-limited in size. They enjoyed a recorded — not live — presentation of “Tiny House,” a clever comedy.

But — after last year’s remote-only season, and some decisions about how to present this year’s shows — there was a palpable sense of joy among last night’s theater-goers.

The Playhouse has survived one of the toughest times in its 9-decade history. They’ve got a full schedule of events this year (most remote, a few cabarets and such in person).

The doors were open again last night, exactly 90 years after the former tannery in an apple orchard began its run as one of America’s premier summer theaters.

Here’s wishing 90 more great years, to one of Westport’s greatest jewels!

Welcome back! (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Optimum will “dramatically reduce” upload speeds for new customers on July 12, according to published reports.

The Verge says that the cable company — owned by Altice — will slice some plans from 35 Mbps to 5 Mbps.

The change affects new customers serviced by Optimum’s non-fiber network. It will impact current subscribers only if they upgrade, downgrade or otherwise change their service. Download speeds should remain the same,

The change, Altice told The Verge, is to bring the plan  “in line with other ISPs and aligned with the industry.” (Click here for the Verge story; click here for a longer story from Ars Technica. Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)

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Concerts at the Levitt Pavilion is an Angus family tradition since they moved here in 1993. He grew up watching the Hall Family Band Night (and was part of Music for Children for a long time).

Some of Drew Angus’ most memorable Westport nights were with legends Nile Rodgers and Chic, John Fogerty, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, and most recently Bruce Hornsby. 

He remembers too when his grandmother brought panties to throw on stage for Tom Jones.

He’s seen great regional acts like Philly’s Low Cut Connie and Brooklyn’s Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds. He enjoyed some of the country’s best blues and rock acts at Blues Views & BBQ. One of his all-time favorites was a Latin zydeco band from California, Incendio. 

Drew long dreamed of playing on stage. He fulfilled that dream in 2018. It’s a stage I dreamt of playing as a kid and did for the first time in 2018

This Friday (July 2, 7:30 p.m.), Drew Angus is back. He’s joined by a 7-piece band, including Westport’s Russ Crain. They were fellow Class of 2007 Staples graduates.

They’ll play songs from Drew’s upcoming record, and familiar covers. It will be a special night for one of the Levitt’s favorite musicians — on both sides of the stage. (Click here for tickets, and more information.)

Drew Angus rocks.

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Work begins soon on the transformation of the old Barnes & Noble into a new grocery outlet — rumored to be Amazon Go. A construction trailer has moved into the parking lot.

Meanwhile, around the corner, work continues on the renovation of Greens Farms Congregational Church.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

Meanwhile, back near the former Barnes & Noble, there is no sign of action whatsoever at the abandoned Mobil Self-Serve. It closed nearly 3 years ago, and the site looks sorrier by the day.

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Last month’s Westport Fine Arts Festival was a cold washout.

Weston hopes for a better forecast for their own Fine Arts Festival. It’s July 17 and 18, on School Road.

The juried event includes over 100 artists working in painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceremics, wood and fine crafts, plus children’s activities, art demonstrations, musical guests and food trucks. Weston’s own Jose Feliciano performs live on Saturday.

Admission is free.

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Speaking of art: Sorelle Gallery’s next show is “Quiet Moments.” Works by contemporary coastal realist painter Daniel Pollera, and abstract artist Kelly Rossetti, are on display from July 10 through August 1.

A reception is set for July 10 (3 to 5 p.m.), in the Church Lane space. For more information, click here.

Works by Daniel Pollera and Kelly Rossetti.

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Yesterday’s “06880: The Podcast” upload featured Helen McAlinden. The CEO of Homes with Hope discussed homelessness and food insecurity in Fairfield County, with her well-known passion and trademark Irish brogue.

As it happens, she’s spending this week visiting relatives back home. She took time to send this photo of Westport — Westport, Ireland, that is.

Sure, and it brightens your day.

(Photo/Helen McAlinden)

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Speaking as we were of the water: Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo is from this side of the pond. I have no idea if there are horseshoe crabs in Ireland.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … speaking of Westport, Ireland: Matt Molloy of the Chieftains owns a pub and music venue there. It’s on a road whose name we share here in Connecticut: Bridge Street.

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Posted in Arts, Downtown, Entertainment, Local business, religion, Sports, technology, Westport Country Playhouse

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Now Bat Girling For The New York Yankees: Gwen Goldman!

Posted on June 27, 2021 | 14 comments

In 1961, Gwen Goldman was a 10-year-old girl living on Green Acre Lane. She wrote the New York Yankees, asking to be a bat girl.

On June 23 — exactly 60 years and 4 days ago — general manager Roy Haney replied.

He thanked her for her letter. But, he said:

While we agree with you that girls are certainly as capable of boys, and no dobut would be an attractive addition to the playing field, I am sure you can understand that in a game dominated by men a young lady such as yourself would feel out of place in a dugout.

I don’t know how Haney was so sure Gwen would “understand.” But she overcame her disappointment — and, probably, many other gender-based barriers — and went on to spend more than 30 years as a social worker.

Now married, Gwen Goldman McLoughlin retired in 2017 from Stepping Stones Preschool. She was highly regarded by her Westport Public Schools colleagues.

The other day, Gwen got another letter from the Yankees.

This came from the general manager too — the current one. Dated June 23, 2021 — exactly 60 years to the day after his predecessor’s — Brian Cashman noted that he was born 6 years after Haney had written.

But, Cashman said:

Here at the Yankees, we have championed to break down gender barriers in our industry. It is an ongoing commitment rooted in the belief that a woman belongs everywhere a man does, including the dugout. And despite the fact that 6 decades have passed since you first aspired to hold down the position as a New York Yankees Bat Girl, it is not too late to reward and recognize the ambition you showed in writing that letter to us as a 10-year-old girl.

So — noting that he has a daughter himself, and acknowledging that “some dreams take longer than they should to be realized” — Cashman invited Goldman to be the Yankees’ “honorary bat girl for the day” for tomorrow’s (Monday) game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Goldman — whose daughter Abby had sent Haney’s letter to Cashman — was both stunned and thrilled by the invitation.

“It is my honor and my dream,” she said. “I will be there!”

Gwen Goldman McLoughlin gets the news she’ll be Yankees’ bat girl.

She’s not the only one excited by the honor. Pitcher Gerrit Cole says, “I only get to play 32 games a year. So the other 130, I’m working the dugout. I can show you all the sneaky routes and quick ways to get in, when you have to give the balls to the umpire, where you keep the bats in case their broken. I can help you out with the flow.”

Goldman’s star turn is the first for the Yanks’ HOPE (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) Week. For 12 years, the program has highlighted inspiring individual stories.

Speaking of inspiring: Click below for a great tweet from the Yankees.

EXTRA INNINGS: Because this is “06880” — “Where Westport meets the world” — there’s one more local connection to this story. I first heard about it from Julia Schorr, the team’s social media coordinator.

A lifelong Westporter, Julia graduated from Staples High School in 2016.

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Posted in Sports, Staples HS

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Crutches 4 Kids: Westporters’ Gift To The World

Posted on August 10, 2011 | 4 comments

How long have those crutches sat in your attic?

If you’re like most Westporters Americans:  quite a while.

We sprain an ankle or break a leg.  We use crutches, then get better.  But we can’t be bothered to recycle them, or even throw them out.  We keep them, for “whenever.”  It’s the way we roll.

Billions of people in the Third World — many of them kids — don’t have crutches.  But they need them a lot worse than we do.

In 2009, Westport natives Ken and Beth Shubin Stein, and Beth’s husband Chris Ahmad, did something about this paradox most of us never think about.  They formed Crutches 4 Kids.

Since their 1st event — a hugely successful crutch collection drive at Bedford Middle School — they’ve delivered crutches to needy youngsters around the globe.  That simple gift has transformed thousands of lives.

Tonight the trio will be honored by the New York Yankees.  In a pre-game, on-field ceremony, Ken, Beth and Chris will accept a Starter Athletics award for their efforts.

More importantly, they’ll get a nice check to continue their vital work.

The Crutches 4 Kids guys (and gal) come by their passion naturally.

Ken and Beth — twins who graduated from Staples in 1987 — come from a medical family.  Their father is a cardiologist, their mother a fertility specialist.  The extended Shubin Stein family has long believed in medical charity — and acted on their beliefs.

Beth is an attending orthopedic surgeon, specializing in sports surgery, at the world-renowned Hospital for Special Surgery.  She’s a graduate of Columbia Medical School.

Ken Shubin Stein

Ken graduated from Albert Einstein Medical School.  He’s now a founder and managing member of Spencer Capital, a value investing firm.

Beth’s husband Chris — a former Columbia soccer player — is an attending orthopedic surgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital.  He’s also the Yankees’ head team physician.

Ken has a home near Compo Beach.  Beth and Chris spend their summers here — and will soon move to Westport full time.

But all 3 know that life in Westport is not the real world.

“There are 3 huge groups that need crutches,” Ken says.

“Over a billion people live in areas so poor, like Africa and central India, that there’s no infrastructure for access to even basic medical care.

“There are places of violence, like Sierra Leone and southeast Asia, where kids are collateral damage.

“And there are natural disasters, like the earthquake in Haiti or tsunamis, where there’s a sudden need.”

Many medical problems — like getting medicine to AIDS patients — are almost impossible to solve.

Collecting and distributing crutches is not like that.

Beth Shubin Stein

“There are no barriers,” Ken says.  “There’s a massive supply of crutches over here, and a massive demand over there.  We hook them both up.  It’s very direct, and very impactful.”

Columbia and the Hospital for Special Surgery have been very supportive of Crutches 4 Kids.  But that early boost from Bedford — when guidance counselor Lisa Weitzman helped spearhead an enormous drive — showed the organization’s founders that their simple idea really could work.  More than a dozen drives, at other schools, have followed.

“This is so cool, for 3 reasons,” Ken explains.

“First, we teach kids about social service.  Whether it’s wealthy Westport or low-income Stamford, any American kid can help collect crutches — and help other kids around the world.  That’s a fantastic education.

“Second, we recycle.

“Third — and most importantly — we give the gift of mobility.  We help kids walk.

Chris Ahmad

“Doctors who worked in Haiti told me about kids who had legs amputated — Civil War-type medicine — because they had no other equipment.  There was no pain medicine; kids sat on the floor with bloody stumps.  Doctors I know were horrified and traumatized.  Giving crutches to kids like that is the least we can do.”

Being honored by the Yankees for their work is nice, Ken says.

But he cares more about the check.

“We’re on a shoestring budget.  Every dollar is important, to help us attract more donations and volunteers.”

And help clean out more attics, of more forgotten, unused crutches.

(Click here for more information about Crutches 4 Kids.)

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Posted in Children, Organizations, People

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