Tag Archives: Old Hill Road

Roundup: Dogs, Chickens, Penguins …

Posted on March 25, 2026 | 5 comments

It’s no joke: April 1 is the date dogs are banned from Compo Beach.

Tomorrow — when the thermometer hits 65 — looks like the best day before next Wednesday for Fido’s final romp.

Until October 1.

Hey — that’s only 189 days away!

Enjoy it while you can! (Photo/Nancy Lally)

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What’s going down at the farm?

It’s better to ask: What isn’t?!

Wakeman Town Farm welcomes spring, with a host of activities for all ages. They include:

Maple Syrup Boil (this Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; free)
Farm classes, for all age students
Inclusive neurodiverse farmers’ program
Kids’ cooking classes (special session for homeschooling)
Summer camp
Adult workshops: tulips, cooking, chicken-keeping, flowers, needlework.

Click here for details, and registration.

Learn all about backyard chicken-keeping, at Wakeman Town Farm.

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Speaking of spring: As Westporters venture outside for spring cleaning, they’re finding plenty to do.

Including tidying up this stretch of Old Hill Road.

(Photo/Susan Garment)

Looks like quite a winter, in that part of town.

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Here’s some stop-the-presses info: Inklings News — Staples High School’s newspaper — has won a Gold Crown Award. That’s the highest given by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

The honor was for hybrid (print and web) news coverage.

This is the third time Inklings News has received this distinction, and the first in consecutive years.

Inklings News is also the only high school organization in New England to receive this recognition for both print and web coverage this year.

The award honors the work of last year’s (2024–’25) Inklings News web and paper staffs, including:

Editors-in-chief: Nina Bowens, Lily Hultgren
Creative cirectors: Alex Gaines, Olivia Signorile
Paper managing editors: Katherine Phelps, Mia Bomback, Angelina Matra
Associate paper managing editors: Cici Petrosinelli, Lily Rimm, Anna Kercher, Demi Sasson
Web managing editors: Rachel Olefson, Samantha Sandrew
Social Media Managers: Audrey Curtis, Poppy Harrington

Congratulations to all — including Inklings News advisors Joseph DelGobbo and Mary Elizabeth Fulco.

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Over 30 years ago, a concerned group of parents with learning disadvantaged children created a group called Our Vision. Their goal was to provide a rich, meaningful life for them, in a society that offered few programs to help.

Today, Our Vision members participate in summer, fall and winter Special Olympics games. Weekly training in track and field, swimming, bowling and bocce has resulted in many medals.

There are outings to community theater, pizza parties and dinner shows. Every Saturday, members take a bus to the Westport Weston Family YMCA, for sports and gym activities, swim training, social games, and arts and crafts projects.

Our Vision also participates in the Special Olympics fundraiser. This year’s event is April 11 (11 a.m., Jennings Beach, Fairfield). Anyone can participate (or, more warmly, cheer).

Donations can be made online here, or by check to “SOCT/Penguin Plunge,” 4 Cross Highway, Westport, CT 06880. Write “Our Vision/Peter Bradeen” on the memo line.

Peter Bradeen (right) and Penguin Plunge friends.

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The next Veterans Benefits Luncheon is tomorrow (Thursday, March 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), VFW Post 399).

It’s open to all veterans as part of an ongoing effort to check in on all veterans’ welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.

Representatives will answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.

RSVPs are encouraged (but not required). Email vfw399ct@gmail.com, and include the number of attendees, or call (203) 227-6796.

PS: If you’re not a veteran, but know one: Please pass the word!

VFW benefits luncheon.

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On Saturday, the Staples Service League of Boys (SLOBs) will help stock Homes with Hope’s Gillespie Center food pantry.

They’ll be at Big Y from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Most needed items include pasta and pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly, mac ‘n’ cheese, canned foods (tuna, chicken, salmon), and laundry detergent.

Can’t make it Saturday? Click here for the Amazon wish list. Goods are shipped directly to Homes with Hope.

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The Planning & Zoning Department warns that there are fake “invoices” coming from a false P&Z address.

They say: “Scammers are impersonating town officials regarding zoning and public hearing fees.

“The Town of Westport will never request payments via calls, texts, emails or apps (Venmo/Zelle/CashApp). Do not share personal info or send payment.

“Verify with P&Z (203-341-1030); report scams to the Westport Police non- emergency line (203-341-6000).”

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Frank Murgalo — who wrote the great memoir “My Mid-Life Crisis at 82” — should pack ’em in at his next author talk.

The venue is tailor-made: the Senior Center.

It’s April 7 (2:45 p.m.). Reservations are required: 203-341-5099.

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Cat Malkin thought the message at this gas station was rich.

“Seems more like the Taking Pump,” she says.

(Photo/Cat Malkin)

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You may not be ready for the Penguin Plunge (story above).

But these guys — neither humans nor penguins — took to the water this week, for an early spring swim.

Along the way, they ended up as our “Westport … Naturally” featured photo.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … 2 musical giants share a birthday.

Aretha Franklin was born on this date in 1942. She died in 2018.

Elton John was born in 1947. He’s still going strong.

(Speaking of spring cleaning: As you’re plowing through your to-do list, please don’t forget to click here, to help support “06880.” Our hyper-local blog depends on our readers. Thank you!)

5 Comments

Posted in Beach, Environment, Media, Staples HS

Tagged Frank Murgalo, Gas station, Homes With Hope, Inklings, Old Hill Road, Our Vision, Planning & Zoning Department, Senior Center, Staples Service League of Boys, VFW Post 399

Westport Mourns Staples Senior Killed In Motorbike Accident

Posted on September 11, 2024 | 4 comments

An 18-year-old riding a dirt bike was killed this afternoon, in a collision on Old Hill Road.

Maximilien Harper, a Staples High School senior, was riding south on Old Hill Road, just south of Partrick Road, shortly after 3 p.m.

The driver of a loaded dump truck traveling in the other direction tried to avoid the dirt bike, on a sharp corner. The truck veered off the road, hit several trees and rolled on its side.

Max was fatally injured in the collision.

The dump truck driver was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is under investigation by the Westport Police Detective Bureau and Westport Police Accident investigation Team, assisted by Fairfield Police Accident Investigation Team.

Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas extends the condolences of the department to Max’s family.

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Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice says:

“I truly don’t know how to start this message. These are among the hardest messages to deliver and process, as both a father and a member of the WPS community. Tonight, as I embrace and say goodnight to my 16-year-old son, my mind will be miles away.

“Max Harper’s loss is heartbreaking for our school and extended community. I know many of you will feel its impact in the days ahead.

“In moments like these, words just fall short. But what we can offer is our unwavering support to those affected by this tragedy, beginning with Max’s family. Please come together during this difficult time. Lean on one another, and extend compassion to those who are grieving.

“In order to ensure that our faculty and staff are fully prepared to appropriately receive our students tomorrow, Staples High School will operate on a 2-hour delay. All other schools will open at their normal times.

“The entire faculty will come together, grieve, and be provided guidance and language on how to support our students when they arrive, when they see them in Connections, and also throughout the day.

“For any students needing support prior to the opening of school, the Staples counseling staff will be available to provide support to individuals and small groups of students.

“Staples principal Stafford Thomas will send a follow up email this evening to the Staples families and staff outlining the plans for the day, beginning with the early morning support, and the measures put in place to support students.

“All athletic games will be canceled Thursday, but teams will be permitted to meet for light practices or team meetings in order to provide students a place to be with one another after school.

“Finally, as you say goodnight to your children and loved ones, remember this moment and how precious our time together truly is.”

With heartfelt sympathy,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools

4 Comments

Posted in Police, Staples HS, Teenagers

Tagged Max Harper, Old Hill Road

Part Of Old Hill Road Closed

Posted on September 11, 2024 | Comments Off

Old Hill Road is closed between Tall Trees Drive and Partrick Road.

Police are investigating a very serious accident there.

Drivers should avoid the entire area.

Comments Off on Part Of Old Hill Road Closed

Posted in Police

Tagged Old Hill Road

Pic Of The Day #1460

Posted on April 16, 2021 | 5 comments

Springtime, Old Hill Road (Photo/Robert Jacobs)

5 Comments

Posted in Pic of the Day

Tagged Old Hill Road, Springtime 2021

Pics Of The Day #1455

Posted on April 11, 2021 | 1 comment

The weekend in Westport. A beautiful Saturday …

These Park Lane trees were planted in 1960 (Photo/Elisabeth Keane)

Magnolia reflections on Post Road West (Photo/Amy Schneider)

… bracketed by Friday and Sunday clouds and fog.

Sherwood Island State Park (Photo/Amy Schneider)

Old Hill Road (Photo/Luisa Francoeur)

Compo Beach (Molly Alger)

1 Comment

Posted in Beach, Environment, Pic of the Day

Tagged 323 Post Road West, Compo Beach, Magnolia tree, Old Hill Road, Sherwood Island State Park

Photo Challenge #321

Posted on February 21, 2021 | 22 comments

Last week’s Presidents Day Photo Challenge fooled some of our most historic-minded Westporters.

Sure, in 1775 George Washington stopped (and slept) at the Disbrow Tavern, the site of the present-day Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He returned 5 years later.

A plaque marks the spot, by the elm tree where Church Lane meets Myrtle Avenue. But that’s not the marker that Kathie Motes Bennewitz’s image showed. (Click here to see.)

A similar plaque is partially hidden near the Christ & Holy Trinity (and Assumption Church) cemetery, on Kings Highway North. It’s across from the grassy area by Old Hill Road that, in Revolutionary times, served as a militia training and parade ground.

Elaine Marino, Bob Grant, Michael Calise and Morley Boyd all knew the correct location of this plaque.

Elaine also pointed out — to my great embarrassment — this was a previous Photo Challenge, in July 2018. (I really should read “06880,” right?)

During the Washington Bi-Centennial Celebration in 1932, the Compo Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a bronze plaque at the base of the tree.

The plaque on Kings Highway does not indicate who placed it there.

The downtown plaque is more weather-beaten than its cemetery counterpart. It says: “George Washington stopped for refreshments at this tavern, June 28, 1775.” It also has the bicentennial dates: “1732-1932.”

That Disbrow Tavern visit — and the next — were not the only 2 times Washington stopped (and slept) here. As president, he spent the night of November 11, 1789 at Captain Ozias Marvin’s tavern, at what is now the north side of Post Road West, opposite Kings Highway South.

Sarah Marvin and her daughters cooked up a presidential feast: loaves of brown bread and pies, vegetables from their farm, huge roasts.

Yet Washington asked for only a bowl of bread and milk. To add insult to injury, he wrote in his diary: It was “not a good house, though the people of it were disposed to do all they could to accommodate me.”

No matter. For years thereafter, Marvin Tavern was known as the Washington Inn.

But enough about yesterday. Here is today’s Photo Challenge. if you know where in Westport you would see it, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Molly Alger)

22 Comments

Posted in History, Photo Challenge, religion

Tagged Christ & Holy Trinity cemetery, Christ & Holy Trinity Church, Kings Highway North, Old Hill Road

Photo Challenge #187

Posted on July 29, 2018 | 12 comments

George Washington was born in 1732. Two hundred years later, Westport celebrated the bicentennial of his birth.

Nearly 100 years after that, he’s created a mini-controversy.

A couple of months ago, Jeff Manchester and his son were out riding bikes. They stopped at the little grass triangle at the intersection of Kings Highway North and Old Hill — across from the Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church cemetery — and discovered a plaque. Dedicated in 1932, it marked the 200th anniversary of our first president’s birth.

The image Jeff sent was last week’s photo challenge. Tom Ryan, Bob Grant and Jill Turner-Odice quickly got the answer.

But Elaine Marino and Bob Weingarten disagreed. They said the plaque can be found at Christ & Holy Trinity Church itself, on Myrtle Avenue.

Elaine offered proof: a 1959 Westport Town Crier article:

According to tradition, George Washington, while en route from Philadelphia to Boston to take command of the Continental Army, stopped at the old Disbrow Inn, which then stood on the present site of the church; he stood underneath the elm which grew before the door of the Inn as he drank from the water of the well close by. This tradition (which is well substantiated by subsequent historical research) marked the old elm as Westport’s oldest and most historic landmark. When the parish was established in 1860, the old tavern was demolished to make way for the church, but the tree was carefully preserved.

During the Washington Bi-Centennial Celebration in 1932, the Compo Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed their bronze plaque at the base of the tree.

The plaque Jeff and his son saw on Kings Highway doesn’t indicate who placed it there.

Nor does the one at Christ & Holy Trinity Church. Elaine headed there on Tuesday, and sent a photo.

The plaque is more weather-beaten than its cemetery counterpart. It says: “George Washington stopped for refreshments at this tavern, June 28, 1775.” It also has the bicentennial dates: “1732-1932.”

Too bad we can’t ask George Washington about the 2 plaques. He’d never tell a lie.

(Click here to see the plaque photo; scroll down for comments.)

Here’s this week’s photo challenge. It has nothing to do with George Washington. And there is no controversy over where it is.