Tag Archives: OK To Delay

Roundup: Voting, Smartphones, Music …

Posted on October 9, 2025 | 2 comments

Hard to believe, but voting for town officials begins in just 11 days.

Here’s the early voting schedule, at the Town Hall auditorium:

DATE                                    VOTING HOURS
Monday, October 20              10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 21               10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 22        10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 23            10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 24                 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 25             10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 26               10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, October 27              10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 28              8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29        10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 30            8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 31                 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 1           10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 2             10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

ELECTION DAY: Click here for your polling place.

DATE:                                     VOTING HOURS
November 4                            6:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.

SAME DAY REGISTRATION: If you are new to Westport, or have not registered before.

To register, you must show identification that includes your name and Westport address (for example, a driver’s license, current utility bill, check or Social Security card).

You can register online at voterregistration.ct.gov, at the DMV, at the Registrars Office (Town Hall Room 107) or, mail your registration card by October 17.

If you miss this registration deadline, Westport offers registration every day at Town Hall in the auditorium during the early voting period (above). Registrants will be able to cast their ballot at that time.

Registration also available on Election Day (November 4) at the Town Hall auditorium from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can register and vote during that time. Be prepared to show proof of identity and residency.

PS: Don’t know your voting district? Click here.

The American ritual begins again soon.

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“OK To Delay” — the group urging parents to protect middle schoolers from smartphones and social media — kicks off fall with a coffee-and-conversation event tomorrow (October 10, 10 a.m., Make Modern, 180 Post Road East). Lyfe Café will provide the light bites.

 

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Wheels2U is known for its rides between home and the train station.

But there’s more to Saugatuck than just the railroad. There are restaurants, shops, fitness studios, kayaks and more.

Now, the Westport Transit District and Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce invite residents to take Wheels2U to “savor Saugatuck.”

The service is available weekdays between 4 and 9:30 p.m. Rides are $2 each way, for pickup at your door.

Wheels2U is also available from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m., and 4 to 9:30 p.m., to go between anywhere in Westport and the station.

Click here for more information on Wheels2U. Your first five rides are free the first time you download the Wheels2U app.

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Speaking of Saugatuck: Most places, you’d pay big buck$ to hear a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer play.

In Westport, it’s just $15.

And you’ll be sitting about 5 feet away.

Mark Naftalin — a keyboardist with the original Paul Butterfield Blues Band —  brings his magic to the VFW on November 1 (6:30 doors, 7:30 music).

He’ll be joined by Connecticut Blues Hall of Fame member Paul Gabriel, Connecticut Blues Challenge winner Mark Zaretsky, plus Nick Longo and Paul Opalach.

Pay in cash at the door. It doesn’t get more down home than that.

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Intensity has opened new platform tennis (paddle) courts.

They’ll celebrate with a free opening night party on October 17. There’s a 6 p.m. round robin (sign up here to play), then an exhibition match with local pros at 7:30.

The event includes food, drinks, a raffle and photos.

Intensity is just over the Norwalk line, at 490 Westport Avenue. Questions? Call 203-853-7727.

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“Live from Lincoln Center” executive producer — and longtime Westport resident — Andrew Wilk addressed a large Senior Center crowd on Tuesday.

He detailed the creation of his award-winning PBS special “Simple Gifts.” The program was organized by the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston, whose officer John Brandt led the conversation.

(Photo/Dave Matlow)

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Westport resident Louis D’Onofrio has just published “The Ultimate Short Story Collection.”

Some were inspired by Westport, and New England. They offer “reflections on current world events, and the comforting chaos of home…. (They) celebrate the power of perspective, the magic in the mundane, and the connections that quietly bind us all.” Click here to order, and for more information.

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The weather has finally turned autumnal.

But earlier this week — and for much of the fall — it’s felt positively summerish.

Nico Eisenberger was at Burying Hill Beach on Tuesday. He reports: “There was a good showing from the High Tide Club today.

“The only requirement to join is that you show up to swim at high tide, sometimes. No initiation. No fee.  Everyone is free to do as they please. We’re open to new members!”

PS: The forecast today is sunny, with a high of 60.

Burying Hill High Tide Club. (Photo/Nico Eisenberger)

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Speaking of the beach (and summer): The Parks & Recreation Department has announced a winner for its mural painting contest.

Luke Bernier’s work was selected. He is a junior at Staples High.

It will be painted on the side of the Hook’d/Bluestone concession building, facing west.

Right now, it’s a big, empty space. Here’s what it will look like next year:

Very cool, Luke. Congratulatons!

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The Suzuki School is more than just violins.

Their next concert (October 24, 7 p.m.) features jazz pianist/cellist Julian Shively and vocalist Emma McDonald. The evening blends jazz, R&B and neo-soul. click here for tickets, and more information.

Julian Shively and Emma McDonald.

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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between October 1 and 7.

A 19-year-old Stamford woman was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without a license and failure to drive in the proper lane, following a crash on Beachside Avenue. The vehicle had been stolen from the Greens Farms railroad station, with the key fob left inside. A juvenile was also charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny, and released in the custody of a parent.

A 22-year-old Waterbury man was charged with identity theft and conspiracy to commit larceny, following a complaint that 2 checks had been intercepted from the mail, and altered. He was held on a $25,000 bond.

A 45-year-old Westport man was charged with disorderly conduct, following a complaint of a verbal argument that escalated into physical contact.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Speeding in a school zone: 2 citations
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
  • Passing a standing school bus: 1
  • Distracted driving: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
  • Unsafe backing: 1
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
  • Improper use of markers: 1

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Lee Wrubel died at his Westport home on Tuesday, surrounded by his wife and children. He was 61.

The Staten Island native earned a BA from Lafayette College, an MD/MPH from Tufts University, an MBA from Columbia University, and a Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University.

His professional life was dedicated to transforming healthcare, most notably with Foundation Medical Partners, a venture firm he co-founded with the Cleveland Clinic, and most recently as global co-leader of Egon Zehnder’s Global Healthcare Research and Development practice.

His family says, “Lee valued intellectual curiosity, creating and collecting photography, and a good espresso. His happiest times were spent with his family, whether walking to Compo Beach, traveling the globe, or engaging in conversation over a great meal, by the fireplace, or on the back patio. He was their rock and will continue to be their north star.”

Dr. Wrubel is survived by his wife of 33 years Michele; children Alec (Molly Kandarian) of Los Angeles and Brooke of New York, mother Evelyn, and his brothers Eric and Austin. He was predeceased by his father George.

Funeral services will be held at The Community Synagogue in Westport tomorrow (Friday, October 10, 2 p.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or The Community Synagogue.

Lee Wrubel

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Another day, another “Westport … Naturally” spider photo.

Fernando Silva writes: “There are 3 orb-weavers below our climbing hydrangea with huge, incredible webs. This cross orb-weaver posed so nicely at the corner of its web, camouflaged in a brittle bloom, I had to send it in.

“Spiders won’t win traditional beauty contests anytime soon. But considering Halloween is around the corner, it felt appropriate.”

(Photo/Fernando Silva)

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And finally … Chris Dreja died recently in London. He was 78.

A rhythm and bass guitarist, and founding member of the Yardbirds, he was not as well known as other members of the group, like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

But he was here in Westport in October of 1966, when the Yardbirds gave a memorable concert at Staples High School. Here’s a story about that show. Click below for some of the songs he played on.

(Early voting begins soon — as “06880” notes above. We’ll continue to cover all the Westport races closely. That’s the way we roll. But we can’t do it without you. Please click here to support us. Thanks!)

2 Comments

Posted in Beach, Obituaries, Saugatuck, Transportation

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Roundup: Compo Closed To Swimmers ;OK To Delay Book Club Meets …

Posted on July 10, 2025 | 19 comments

Compo Beach and Weston’s Bisceglie Pond are closed for swimming, due to elevated baceria levels.

Swimming will remain prohibited until samples come back within acceptable levels. Those will be taken on Monday.

Burying Hill and Old Mill Beaches, as well as Sherwood Island State Park, are all open for swimming. Compo is open for all other activities except swimming.

No swimming at Compo until at least Tuesday.

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It’s summer. But “OK To Delay” — the group urging parents to protect middle schoolers from smartphones and social media — is not delaying their efforts.

Next Thursday (July 17, 7:30 p.m., on the sand near the playground), they’ll host “Books on the Beach 203” event, at Compo.

Westport moms, educators and community members will discuss Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation.” It examines the role of “phone-based childhoods” in the youth mental health crisis,

The conversation will touch on the challenges modern families face, and how families can work together to overcome them. RSVP: oktodelaywestport@gmail.com.

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Emmy-winning CNN correspondent Gayle Young is a native Westporter. Her journalism career began as a Westport News writer. She was Connecticut’s finalist for NASA’s Journalist in Space competition.

She’s just published a memoir, “Update: Reporting From an Ancient Land.”

There is plenty about her adventures reporting from the Middle East at the start of the first Gulf War; her work as CNN bureau chief in Cairo and Rome; her award-winning documentaries as a writer and producer for National Geographic Film & Television, and her career as head of multimedia production at the World Bank.

There is also quite a bit about growing up here.

Whether in South Africa for the election of Nelson Mandela, or with Moama Gadhafi and Yassir Arafat, she was always grateful to come home.

She writes too about how helpful Westport officials were in the 1990s, when she was gathering documents to adopt her baby daughter from a Russian orphanage orphanage.

“Update” is available on Amazon, Kindle, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble. To learn more, click here.

Gayle Young

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Speaking of journalism: The New York Times real estate section regularly runs “Renters”: stories of regular people, as they seek a rental that suits their needs, lifestyles (and bank accounts).

The most recent piece highlights Patricia Brennecke, a retired teacher who had to move from a great place in Oakland. She found — miraculously, to anyone familiar with Bay Area housing — an equally great spot in Emeryville.

The cross-continental Westport angle? “Imagine my surprise,” says Steve Doig — who emailed it to me — when I realized the story I was reading was about my classmate!”

Both he and Patricia graduated together, in Staples High School’s Class of 1966.

Once again, our “06880” tagline — “Where Westport Meets the World” — is true. Click here to read the full story.

Patricia Brennecke (Photo courtesy of NY Times)

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Yesterday’s Roundup highlighted the dollar-for-dollar-match fundraising drive on now — through July 31 — at Earthplace.

Every donation goes toward animals: their feeding, medical care and enrichment activities. (To contribute and learn more about Earthplace, click here.)

Meanwhile, if you need a little tug on your heartstrings before you donate: Check out the great video here, or below.

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Congratulations to The Hive!

The non-profit — started and nurtured by longtime Westporters Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito, to “deepen community connections through the arts dialogue, ideas and transformation” — was honored with a US Senate certificate of special recognition.

It included information about the couple’s Beechwood Salons in Westport, and their continuing work with arts organizations across Fairfield County.

Senator Richard Blumenthal presented the honor last weekend, at The Hive’s digs.

From left: Senator Richard Blumenthal, Frederic Chiu, Jeanine Esposito. (Screenshot courtesy of News12 Connecticut).

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Bill Dedman spotted this sign at Stop & Shop …

(Photo/Bill Dedman)

… and writes: “Shucks! Another joy of summer disappearing. Remember the days when, as soon as school let out, we kids rode our bikes down to the grocery to shuck corn.”

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Another sign of summer: Sure, you can play soccer on grass. Or artificial turf.

But there is something special about beach soccer.

These guys — from the O’Dell Group, and others — know it. Amy Schneider captured their early-morning session, at Compo.

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between June 25 and July 9.

A 57-year-old Bridgeport man was arresed for driving under the influence, failure to drive right and operating a motor vehicle without a license, following a complaint of an intoxicated man in a resident’s yard who refused to leave. He did so before police arrived, but he was stopped on Greens Farms Road near Valley Road.

A 50-year-old New Milford woman was arrested on an active re-arrest warrant, for failure to appear.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 8 citations
  • Failure to renew registration: 7
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 5
  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5
  • Driving while texting: 4
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 4
  • Improper use of markers: 3
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
  • Failure to grant right of way: 2
  • Driving under the influence: 1
  • Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
  • Improper entry/exit on a limited access highway: 1
  • Transporting a child without restraints: 1
  • Following too closely: 1
  • Unsafe backing: 2
  • Failure to drive right: 1
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
  • Failure to return plates: 1

Always look behind when backing up!

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Robert Horne — a former member of Westport Boards of Finance and Tax Review — died June 28, after a lengthy illness. He was 86.

The UK native earned a degree in chemical engineering from Cambridge, and an MBA from Harvard. He held leadership positions at ICI, Digital Equipment Corporation and Nortel, and was president and CEO of BioCad.

After his public service in Westport, he helped shape the city of Johns Creek, Georgia. Robert enjoyed sailing, water sports and skiing.

He is survived by his wife Ann; sons Mark and Adam; daughter Hannah, and grandchildren Ayden, Addison, Morgan, Paige and Luke.

A celebration of Rober’s life is set for July 26 (2 p.m., Lanier Village Estate chapel, Gainesville, Georgia). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LVE Samaritan Fund.

Robert Horne

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Beach plums are blooming — beautifully — near Old Mill Beach.

They’re so beautiful, they’re today’s featured “Westport … Naturally” image.

They look good enough to eat, right off the screen!

(Photo/Judith Katz)

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And finally … on this date in 1553, Lady Jane Grey took the throne of England.

(It’s okay to delay giving your child a smartphone. But delaying support of “06880,” your hyper-local blog? Nah! If you enjoy anything we do, 24/7/365, please donate by clicking here. Thanks!)

 

19 Comments

Posted in Arts, Beach, Environment, Obituaries, Police

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“OK To Delay Explains Mission; Sponsors “Device Fair” Today

Posted on May 8, 2025 | 3 comments

Many Westporters have seen yard signs that say “OK to Delay.” 

They’re the work of a group advocating to push back the age at which children begin using cellphones and social media. Organizers say: 

We recognize that there may be some confusion among some community members about our mission.

“Our goal is to unite parents who share a growing concern about the effects of early and excessive use of smartphones and social media. We’re dedicated to building a community of informed parents who are choosing to delay giving their kids smartphones, and to push back against the troubling trends we’re seeing in teen mental health. We believe that phone-free schools are an important piece of this puzzle.

“Our mission is rooted in community, and we feel lucky to live in a town filled with dedicated parents and educators. We welcome respectful conversations, and we aim to be approachable and inclusive.

“This is a non-shaming movement. We welcome families at all stages of technology use. It’s about learning how to delay and, eventually, how to help our kids use technology with healthy boundaries in the world we live in today.

“We don’t expect perfection in how we carry out this mission, or in our kids. But we do believe that, as adults, we have a responsibility to protect our children from the mental health impacts of smartphones and social media.

“To learn more, plese join us at any of our meetings or events, email us at oktodelay@gmail.com, or follow us on Instagram at @OKtoDelayWestport.”

OK to Delay is sponsoring an “Alternative Device Fair” this afternoon (Thursday, May 8, 2 to 6 p.m., Westport Library). A variety of non-smartphone brands — with the basic functionality of cellphones, but with fewer distractions — will show their products.

Dumber smartphones on display at today’s Ok to Delay “Alternative Device Fair.”

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Posted in Children, Library, technology, Teenagers

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[OPINION] Staples Students Are Not “Social Media-Addicted Zombies”

Posted on May 7, 2025 | 25 comments

On Tuesday night, the Board of Education held a listening session. The topic was a proposed “bell to bell” smartphone ban at Staples High School. Several speakers referenced the “Ok to Delay” group. 

A Staples parent, who has spent many years serving on PTAs and other youth-oriented boards, is concerned with the tone that group has tken.

She worries that the movement will impact her younger children if her family does not join in, which is why she asked for anonymity. She writes:

The name and educational mission attached to “OK to Delay” is innocuous. It implies that it is “OK” to delay your young children’s technology and social media use.

“OK” in our vernacular typically connotes a personal choice. As an educational resource for parents navigating a technologically advanced society, this mission is admirable. It is supported by many elementary and middle school parents, even those with older teens.

Highlighting the pros and cons, the realities and myths is useful, in light of many findings about technology, and children’s health and safety.

The mission of this organization, based on its own literature and website, is to “protect middle school from smartphones and social media.”

Since Ok to Delay could not achieve its goals at our already phone-free middle schools, the group decided to lobby at the high school level.

Staples parents are typically represented by our PTA, whose executive board made a unanimous recommendation against a bell-to-bell ban at Staples. They cited many valid reasons, which have already been covered on “06880.”

Rather than stating to the high school parents who approached them that the high school is outside of their purview, and that they defer to our own parent organization on this issue, Ok to Delay opted to help wage a battle against the Staples PTA.

Staples High School. (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)

Where has this battle occurred? Ironically, on social media.

Ok to Delay has begun, through its Instagram campaign and anonymous online petition, to label the Staples students as having a crisis they are trying to help solve.

Even their recent Instagram post encouraging parents to come to the townwide meeting to discuss the topic is filled with false impressions of Staples students.

“Want to see our Staples (or future Staples) students focused on learning and socializing while in school. Us too!” As opposed to what?

Staples has a phone-free classroom policy. With some exceptions when teachers do not enforce the ban, Staples students are inside their classrooms learning.

What do Staples students do at lunch or during free periods?  They socialize.

“Want to utilize the school day as an opportunity to have 8 less hours of social media and screen time?” This statement is meant to provoke.

It is not, like many things in our time of disinformation, an accurate picture of who the Staples students are.

They do not lack for learning time. And they are certainly not inside their high school for 8 hours glued to social media; they know they don’t have the time.

Staples High School high honors graduates, with principal Stafford Thomas (far right) and vice principal Pat Micinilio (far left).

Is it perfect at Staples? The PTA has stated very clearly there are ways to improve upon the current policy.

Superintendent Scarice let the pot boil over. Without decisive action on his own proposed phone ban, he has opened the door to activism and antagonization.

Worst of all, he has let Staples students be labeled as something they are not.

They are hard workers. They are learners. They are achievers. They apply to esteemed colleges. They win academic honors. They compete for state athletic titles. They put on tremendous musical performances.

They are your babysitters. They are your lifeguards. They work downtown. They are your interns. They pick up your Christmas trees. They bring innumerable hours of community service to our town. via SLOBs and the National Charity League.

They help our elderly and our underserved. They fill our food pantries. They work your birthday parties and your summer sports camps. They are your children’s friends’ siblings.

They aren’t social media addicted zombies. Their phones support many of these pursuits, academic and job-related. Their mental health, according to our own data, is improving.

Staples High School baseball players are role models for younger children …

They drive past your signs and know they are being judged.

And they know that suddenly, through all their work at Staples to become technologically responsible near-adults on the verge of the real world, that their families have prepared them for, our town and many residents within it have suddenly labeled them a “problem.”

High school is hard enough in 2025, without the labeling from other adults.

Be careful with our children, OK to Delay.  Don’t create a false narrative about the Staples students to serve your purposes. Don’t stereotype them to get your way.

… and entertain. Staples Players’ spring production was “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” (Photo/Kerry Long)

Educate; don’t agitate.

Consensus is not possible on this issue. The ban very well may take hold.

But caricaturing our kids in your campaign is not far off from the ills of social media you seek to protect your own kids from.

The Staples community must work together to solve the real, not globalized, issues within the high school.

(“06880” Opinion pages are open to all. To submit a piece, email 06880blog@gmail.com)

 

25 Comments

Posted in Education, Staples HS, technology, Teenagers

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Roundup: Library Lights, Kids’ Smartphones, Jazz Blowout …

Posted on March 23, 2025 | Comments Off on Roundup: Library Lights, Kids’ Smartphones, Jazz Blowout …

The Westport Library shines brightly every day.

Now it shines at night, too.

From April 3-6, VersoFest will bring visibility to the building. Local branding expert John Nunziato is helping our crown jewel become even more visible.

On Friday night, his vision came to (literal) light:

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

The palette ties in with the current branding.

In addition, Nunziato has been working with a local high school “street team” to support VersoFest marketing efforts. They’re generating excitement for the opening ceremony (April 5, 10 a.m.), as the Library attempts to become “the loudeset library in history” (#loudestlibrary).

The nighttime lights will remain through April 7.

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OK To Delay is not wasting any time.

The local chapter of the national organization for parents concerned about the effects of early and excessive use of social media and smartphones invites Westporters to 3 upcoming events.

The first, on April 8 (7 p.m., Long Lots Elementary School) is a viewing of “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition). Physician and filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston “takes a deeply personal approach into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction.”

On April 30 (7:3 p.m., The Wonder, 1200 Post Road East), OK To Delay national director Jessica Hirsch will discuss the challenges — and opportunities — of parenting in the digital age, plus collective actions to improve childhood.

Then, on May 8 (2 to 6 p.m., Westport Library), parents can see alternatives to smartphones. Vendors from a variety companies will demonstrate their products. Children are welcome!

OK To Delay organizers Erika Brunwasser, Nicole Glick and Becca Zipkin say, “We are inclusive, and we don’t believe in shaming.”

For more information, email OKtoDelayWestport@gmail.com, or follow on Instagram: @OkaytoDelayWestport.

Westporters say: It’s OK to delay!

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JazzFC can be forgiven for blowing their own horn.

But they’re proud to announce their 3rd Anniversary Birthday Blowout Bash.

It’s April 24 (6 to 10 p.m., VFW Post 399). Over 25 musicians — including  Melissa Newman, Giacomo Gates, David DeJesus, Mike Mossman, Greg Wall, Boots Maleson and Harvey S — are set to jam.

There’s a New Orleans-style dinner (of course), and silent auction too.

Proceeds benefit JazzFC young musician clinics, music college scholarships, and senior center outreach — all throughout Fairfield County.

Tickets are $125, $250 (including premium seating, JazzFC CD, 2 concert tickets and a JazzFC t-shirt or totebag), and $500 (all of the above, plus a 1-hour jazz listening session or improv lesson on any instrument, with Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall). Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Westport is filled with senior executives.

Many — well, at least some — are thinking about reframing their careers.

A free workshop on May 6 (6 p.m., Serendipity Labs, 55 Post Road West) can offer insights.

Mike Raleigh, founder of Graymatter — a networking, advocacy and support community of and for senior executives — hosts a workshop on “Thawing Out the Frozen Job Market and Taking Control of Your Career.

Topics include reframing your career mindset, strategizing for the third act, diversifying opportunities, and personal branding.

The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here.

Thinking about a career change? A May 6 workshop could help get your thinking on track. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

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Only one team can win the NCAA’s March Madness basketball tournament.

Only one won Friday night’s March Madness event at the Westport Weston Family YMCA, too.

But everyone — the middle schoolers who played, the Y junior board members who organized and helped, even a local non-profit were winners as well.

Thirty-three youngsters played 3-v-3 (with no adult coaches!). The actual tournament was livestreamed in the nearby Schine Room (with pizza and sodas), for players waiting their turn.

The top 2 teams donated their prize winnings to a non-profit of their choice.

Congratulations to the first place team: Lennox Van Kolken, Eli Moneyhon and
Andrew Freeman. They donated their share to Homes with Hope.

Runnersup were Tyler Talley, Ryan Tackman and Lucas Riera. They chose Livestrong at the YMCA — a program for cancer survivors — to receive their prize.

The event was conceived and executed by junior board director (and Staples High School junior Danny McHugh, with an assist from the Y team. Staples Service League of Boys (SLOBs) refereed. (Hat tip: Kristin McKinney)

From left: winners Lennox Van Kolken, Eli Moneyhon, Andrew Freeman; organizer Danny McHugh; runnersup Luca, Riera, Ryan Tackman, Tyler Talley.  (Photo/Dan McHugh)

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The curtain rises Tuesday, for the first preview of the Westport Country Playhouse production of “Theatre People.”

But you don’t have to wait 2 days for a preview (before the preview).

Westporter Bill Shakos — whose “What Do I Know?” podcast recently debuted — sat down with director Mark Shanahan, and several cast members.

They offered insights into the show, themselves, and more. Click below to listen. Click here for more information on “Theatre People.”

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Next up in the Wakeman Town Farm Dahlia Growing Series: a hands-on demonstration on dividing them for spring.

Master gardener Paul Rossi and farmer Dasha Horton lead the April 26 (10 a.m.) event. They’ll also cover where to source your dahlias, and how to start from cuttings.

Bring your own clumps. Starter kits will be on sale. Click here to register, and for more information.

Dahlias, duh.

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On Friday morning, Kings Highway Elementary School families participated in an early morning “Rise & Feed” event.

They made 25 lunches for Homes With Hope. Trader Joe’s generously donated the food.

Kings Highway PTA co-president Christina Royce and her daughters, with some of their lunch bags.

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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” image shows Riverside Park:

(Photo/Nancy Axthelm)

That’s today, anyway. In a couple of weeks, it will be bursting with color.

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And finally … in honor of the lighting of the Westport Library (story above):

(Sure, it’s Sunday. But as we do every day, 24/7/365, “06880” offers another Roundup, chock full o’ news you can use. We do it every day. All we ask is a bit of reader support. Please click here. Thanks!)

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OK To Delay: Westport Parents Find Strength In (Cellphone) Numbers

Posted on August 21, 2024 | 3 comments

The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 — and all the smartphones that soon followed — was not the direct reason for all the social ills it is blamed for today: teens and tweens’ increasing rates of depression, bullying and suicide; preoccupation with body image; decreasing ability to focus; weaker personal relationships; more time spent indoors, and higher rates of obesity; lowered standardized test scores, and more.

Blame for that is more specific: apps that are engineered to be addictive, especially for the developing brain.

And cameras, which allow anyone to record anything, any time and anywhere. The front-facing camera — with the self-indulgent selfies that result — was a particularly powerful innovation.

Selfies may not be as innocuous as they seem.

A move to rein in smartphone use by young people has gained national momentum.

It has two prongs. One is to eliminate phones from schools. Greens Farms Academy will do that, beginning next month. The Westport Public Schools have begun discussions on it.

The second prong involves limiting the age at which children get their first phones.

And doing it in a community-wide way, so parents won’t feel guilt-tripped by their but-everyone-else-has-one-and-you’re-ruining-my-life-wailing/begging kids.

That second approach intrigues Erika Brunwasser.

Erika Brunwasser

The mother of 2 girls, ages 8 and 5, she’s on the cusp of dealing with those very important social and family issues.

The Westport resident’s full-time job is associate regional director of ADL Connecticut.

But she has a master’s degree in counseling and education. She spent 8 years — from 2009 to 2017 — as a counselor in New York city public and charter schools.

What she saw then — as smartphones evolved from time-saving, fun amenities to devices that rule our days — stunned, angered and terrified her.

“It’s completely changed the way kids socialize and engage with each other,” Brunwasser says.

As a counselor handling 500 students at Robert F. Wagner Middle School, Brunwasser says “every social-emotional issue came through me. There were so much social drama, with group texts, FaceTime, and everything else.”

That was in the mid-2010s. Now, she notes, “things are way worse.”

With her first-hand view of what was happening to other kids’ lives via clicks, tweets and likes, she and her husband have treaded carefully with their own children.

The parents don’t have phones at meals. Their daughters use iPads only on long drives.

A familiar scene.

A friend introduced Brunwasser to Ariella Feldman and Jessica Hirsch. They lead the Greenwich chapter of OK to Delay.

Founded in Darien, the group has a dozen chapters in Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, Ohio and Florida.

OK to Delay’s mission is to unite parents who are concerned about the effects of early and excessive use of social media and smartphones.

The goal is to to “build a community of informed and empowered parents who will delay giving their kids smartphones, and reverse the devastating trends we are seeing with teen mental health.”

The focus is on elementary and middle school parents and families — the ages when the discussions about when, where and how to use smartphones begin, and are most fraught.

In April, Brunwasser posted on Facebook’s Westport Front Porch page about Jonathan Haidt’s book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.”

Reaction was immediate. Two mothers of boys — Nicole Glick and Becca Zipkin — joined with Brunwasser to form a Westport chapter of OK to Delay.

Becca Zipkin and Nicole Glick.

Nearly every school in town now has an “ambassador.” They’re trained to give and lead informal talks, and help move the “delay” concept forward.

Okay to Delay is inclusive. “If you’ve given your kid a phone already, we want you to come to meetings,” Brunwasser says.

“There’s no shaming. You can learn about research, and how to set boundaries.” Simple ideas include phone-free meals, and leaving smartphones in the kitchen at night.

The whole point, she adds, is “to give childhood back to children. Being on Snapchat 24/7, looking at where your friends are and wondering why they didn’t invite you, is a horrible way to have an adolescence.”

A town-wide launch is set for Tuesday, September 17 (7:30 p.m., Westport Library). Attendees are asked to RSVP: OkaytoDelayWestport@gmail.com.

(For more information on OK to Delay, click here. To learn about the Westport chapter, email OKtoDelayWestport@gmail.com, or follow on Instagram: @OkaytoDelayWestport. To take their survey — Westport parents only, please! — click here.)

SMARTPHONE STATS:

  • 13-18-year-olds spend an average of 8 hours a day on screens. They receive an average of 237 notifications daily.
  • Since 2010, 18-25-year-olds have experienced a 92% increase in anxiety.
  • Suicide rates follow a similar trend: up 134% for girls ages 10-14, and 109% for boys since 2010.
  • Time spent face to face with friends has decreased by 50%, comparing Gen Z to the millennials before them.
  • 90% of girls and 50% of boys (in the UK) reported being sent explicit pictures of videos on social media or via text.
  • By age 13, 80% of girls are distorting the way they look online by using filters and special apps.
  • There is a direct relationship between the age at which a child is given a smartphone (between ages 6 and 18), and their mental health outcome by ages 18-25. Depression, suicide, self-image, depression, aggression, suicidal thoughts, low self-confidence, poor self-image, detachment and weak relationships all increase for every year younger a child receives a smartphone.

(Sources available upon request.)

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