Family members and friends gathered yesterday at his Greens Farms home, to celebrate the longtime resident and civic volunteer.
Rotarians, pickleball players, town officials and others offered best wishes, traded stories, and said “thank you” to one of Westport’s most admired citizens.
Johanna Keyser Rossi “spotted” at least 10 nymphs the other day, walking along the railing on top of the Riverwalk bridge.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
Soon, she says, they will be everywhere.
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This week — just in time for the holiday’s heavy pedestrian and bike traffic — the new solar-powered crossing signals went live, on Compo Road South near Longshore and Compo Parkway.
Let’s hope it helps people crossing the street. And helps drivers slow down!
Speaking of the fireworks: We can’t say it often, or strongly, enough — but our Parks & Recreation Department staff rocks.
After working tirelessly to make our celebration a success — from parking, to picking up garbage throughout the long day — members of the maintenance crew did not take a break.
The moment the last flare faded, and folks began leaving Compo, the guest services and maintenance crews swung into action.
By 5 a.m., the beach was pristine. You’d never that 10,000 people had picnicked, partied, drank and danced just 7 hours earlier.
It’s an astonishing, herculean job — and they do it every year.
Thanks to all who helped, to their supervisors, and to Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri.
Now it’s up to the rest of us to keep Compo looking good, and trash-free.
Just after dawn, the day after the fireworks. Photo/Andrew Colabella
The Democratic Town Committee meets July 15 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) to officially nominate their candidates for town boards and commissons, in November’s election.
The session is open to the public. However, only DTC members can vote.
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Sure, it’s in Norwalk.
But Westporters have been getting flyers announcing the opening of the new Wegmans.
The 92,000-square foot store opens July 23 at 675 Connecticut Avenue, near Richards Avenue.
Shoppers who know the grocery-and-more chain from outlets in 8 Northeastern states rave about it.
Westporters will surely check it out. Will they shop there regularly?
And if the do, will Wegmans eat Stew Leonard’s — our own, smaller local icon — lunch?
Yesterday evening’s brief — but strong — winds downed at least one tree, and with it utility wires.
It was, appropriately, on Timber Lane.
(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
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Interested in collecting art — but clueless about where to start? Experienced, but eager to know more?
MoCA CT is presenting a series of panel discussions on the topic. They’re designed for a broad audience, from complete newcomers to seasoned collectors.
The next session — “Building and Managing Your Collection” — is July 10 (5:30 p.m.). Click here to register.
There will be no referendum on Long Lots Elementary School.
Toni Simonetti had 14 days to collect 2,015 signatures — 10% of all eligible voters in the most recent election. She hoped to slash the proposed $103,190,124 expenditure for a new school to $90 million.
Yesterday was the petition deadline. Only 71 signatures were turned in. The drive was 1,944 signatures short.
Planning will proceed for a new Long Lots, without a referendum.
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Good news!
The most recent bacteria tests for Compo and Burying Hill came back negative yesterday. The beaches have reopened.
Whew!
Everyone back in the water! (Photo/Rowene Weems)
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Tickets are selling well for Wednesday’s fireworks show at Compo Beach — aka Westport’s Best Party of the Year. Only a small number remain.
A few residents have asked about this year’s price increase, the first in several years.
Westport PAL — the longtime co-sponsor, and beneficiary of the fundraiser — explains that costs have risen dramatically for everything: the barge, insurance, and the fireworks themselves.
Melissa and Doug Bernstein generously underwrite part of the costs, as they’ve done for years. Without their help, PAL would net only about $2,000.
Proceeds helps fund PAL programs that serve programs that serve thousands of youngsters each year, plus the Longshore skating rink and college scholarships. Click here to learn more about PAL.
Tickets (cash or check) are available at the Parks & Recreation Commission office at Longshore (near the golf course first tee) during office hours, and any time at the Westport police station on Jesup Road.
Westport’s greatest party returns July 2. (Photo/Elissa Moses)
Our second “06880” Instagram Live yesterday was certainly lively.
Dave Briggs and Dan Woog explored the “Don’t Kill the Old Mill” campaign, in support of Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
And we did it from the communal table, inside the very popular Hillspoint Road spot.
We were joined by several OMG notables, including owner Graziano Ricco of Romanacci’s; Jim Hood and Ian Warburg of the non-profit Soundview Empowerment Alliance, owner of the 106-year-old building, Matthew Mandell of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, and Chris Tait, an Old Mill neighbor and staunch supporter.
They explained what OMG means to the neighborhood. We took questions from viewers too.
The Levitt Pavilion offers 2 free shows, and 1 other, this weekend.
The Tom Petty Project kicks things off tonight (Friday, 7:30 p.m.). All free tickets have been claimed, but returned tickets will be redistributed at the box office before the show.
A few tickets are still available, at various prices, for tomorrow’s Disco Biscuits cconcert (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.).
Artemis takes the stage Sunday (7 p.m.), for a free show.
Edwin A. Audley — a former Westport Police captain, and founder of the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service — died last month in Winter Haven, Florida. He was 87.
The Westport native graduated from Staples High School in 1955. He served in the Army from 1955 to 1958, then joined the Army Reserves as a senior aircraft mechanic until 1962.
Ed joined the Westport Police Department in 1961. He was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, inspector, then captain in 1990. He retired in 1993.
Ed founded the WVEMS in 1979. He became an Emergency Medical Technician instructor in 1987.
In Florida, Ed was president of the Winter Haven Rose Society.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; brother Harry Audley (Pat), daughters Kimberly, Susan Palmer (Mark) and Victoria; 4 grandchildren, 5 great- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 12 (Assumption Church, 10 a.m.).
Click here to leave online condolences. Donations can be made to the Edwin Audley Scholarship Fund, c/o Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, 50 Jesup Rd. Westport, CT 06880.
Ed Audley
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Former Westporter Priscilla Boyle died last Friday, surrounded by her family. She was 96.
She graduated from Lesley College, then taught kindergarten in Watertown, Massachusetts for 9 years before marrying Charles Boyle in 1958. They moved to Westport in 1963, and raised 3 children here.
Priscilla was involved with tennis, the Weston Field Club and bridge.
She was an active member of Assumption Church for over 6 decades. She shared her faith through Eucharistic Ministry, prayer groups, book clubs and as a catechism teacher, with a special dedication to preparing children for their First Communion.
Later, Priscilla became a welcoming presence at the Westport YMCA as a receptionist.
Priscilla was predeceased by her husband and her siblings Mary Alice Connolly, James W. Scanlan, Anne T. “Nancy” Batal and Francis V. Scanlan. al.
She is survived by her children Charles “Chip,” Susan Improta (Paul), and Elizabeth Boyle; grandsons Kenneth and Philip Improta, sister-in-law Alice Scanlan, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of Priscilla’s life will be held at Assumption Church on July 15 (11 a.m.). In lieu of flowers, donations in Priscilla’s memory may be made to Smile Train.
Priscilla Boyle
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June is ending the way it began: with plenty of colors.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” yellow-and-green scene is from Whitney Street.
And finally … Mick Ralphs — the Mott the Hoople and Bad Company guitarist/ songwriter — died. He was 81, and had bedridden after suffering a stroke in 2016. Click here for a full obituary.
(You’re in good company if you support “06880” with a tax-deductible contribute. Please click here. And thank you!)
For nearly 50 years, Bloodroot has served delicious vegan food — spiced with healthy amounts of feminist ideology, and a side helping of social justice-type books — in a funky, you’ve-got-to-know-it-to-get-there spot on Bridgeport’s Black Rock Harbor.
Co-founder and longtime Westporter Selma Miriam died in February, 2 weeks short of 90.
But Bloodroot lives on. It’s gotten plenty of national attention. (Just the other day, it was mentioned on Brian Lehrer’s WNYC show as a restaurant well worth taking a detour to.)
On the other end of the political spectrum: This bus — part of the “Take Back Connecticut” tour — drew plenty of attention, as it drove through Westport yesterday.
Here’s one view, in front of Splash car wash. Images include the flag raising at Iwo Jima, Martin Luther King, Donald Trump after the assassination attempt, and — oddly — John F. Kennedy, just before he was killed in Dallas.
“The Edge of Water” by Olufunke Grace Bankole, “O Sinners” by Nicole Cuffy and “Rabbit Moon” by Jennifer Haigh are finalists for the 2025 Westport Prize for Literature.
It is awarded annually, to honor an original work of literary fiction that is both relevant and timeless.
This year’s winner will be honored at The Westport Library on November 6. The conversation with the winning author will be moderated by The Yale Review editor Meghan O’Rourke.
This is the third year for the $10,000 prize. The first grant went novelist Zadie Smith for “The Fraud.” The 2024 recipient was Alejandro Puyana, for his debut novel, “Freedom is a Feast.”
Submissions for the 2025 prize were read and vetted by nearly 50 volunteer readers. The best-reviewed manuscripts advance to the jury, which will select the winner.
(“06880” is your hyper-local source for news, information, features, and lots more. We rely on support from readers like you. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
Tucked near the basketball courts at Compo Beach sits a park that for years has served as a haven for Westport’s skaters.
But today, cracks are showing — literally and figuratively.
Wooden ramps are rotting. Nails come loose. And while the energy of the local skate community remains strong, the park itself struggles to keep up.
Skate park ramp …
Seamus Brannigan, a Staples High School junior, has enjoyed skating for years. Yet he recognizes the park’s issues.
“It’s gotten to a point where it is barely skateable,” he says. “The wooden ramps are falling apart, and the whole park needs to be replaced.”
For Brannigan and many others, skating is more than a sport. He also feels part of a strong group.
That sense of camaraderie might now be in danger.
“I love skating because it’s a place and a community where I can meet people with interests like mine. It’s a place where all people are welcome,” Brannigan says.
His solution: “a full concrete park like the one in Norwalk. It would last for decades.”
… and a wider view. (Photos/Katherine Phelps)
The idea of rebuilding the Compo skate park is not new. There’s already some funding in the Parks & Recreation Department budget for repairs. It’s about $10,000 annually, which does not stretch far.
Jesse Bauks, an English teacher at Staples and longtime advisor to the school’s Skate Club, has seen the park’s decline first hand. He too believes it’s time for a change.
“The skate park is falling apart — rotten wood, loose screws and nails — really just due to age and exposure to the elements,” Bauks says.
“There is a group of pickleball folks looking to expand their space, and the current location of the skate park makes for a good place for that to happen. So the future of this space as a skate park seems to be up in the air.”
Last year, Parks & Rec removed and rebuilt one of the large ramps with help from parks supervisor Mike West, thanks in part to $1,200 from student-led fundraisers.
However, Bauks says a more significant investment is necessary.
“To really rebuild the park — like they did in Norwalk — could cost anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million, depending on whether it’s done in wood or poured concrete,” he explains.
The Compo Beach skate park, in 2021.
Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri, who started in March, is aware of the skate park’s condition. He is open to conversations about its future.
While still settling into his role, Barbieri has already earned a reputation for listening, and understanding the importance of youth spaces.
While nothing definitive is yet planned, skaters are taking initiative by organizing, raising awareness, and pushing for change.
“A concrete park could serve Westport’s youth for decades,” Brannigan says.
“This is more than just a park — it’s our community.”
(“06880” covers issues of concern to Westporters of all ages. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Our skaters and our staffers thank you!)
Two of Westport’s most popular spots — downtown and Compo Beach — were where the action was yesterday.
Between the 52nd annual Fine Arts Festival and the 2nd-ever Kickoff to Summer, there was something for everyone. First, the Fest:
Watercolors, oil paintings, woodworking, sculptures, photos — all those mediums and more are on display this weekend, on Main and Elm Streets, and nearby Church Lane.
In its half century, the Westport Downtown Association event has become one of the top shows in the nation. This year, it drew 165 artists. Over 40 are first-timers here. Seven are from Westport.
Popular local photographer John Videler is a first-time Fine Arts Festival exhibitor. He’s selling scenes of Westport, and much more.
The Fine Arts Festival includes family activities like face painting, crafts, games, and dancing and photo ops.
Crafts for kids.
It’s a real festival, with wine and beer for adults, food vendors, and music. The show continues today (Sunday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) More information is available here.
The School of Rock rocks.
Here come (2 of) the judges: Miggs Burroughs and Sandy Pelletier.
Staples High School students show their work.
Dylan Curran and Captain Jillian Cabana keep everyone safe.
Westport photographer Nancy Breakstone, at her traditional spot near Anthropologie.
Music on the Main and Elm Streets corner. (All photos/Dan Woog)
The first arrivals: The view from Brooks Corner. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
Best in Show award winner: Kathryn Maher. She’s in Booth 18. (Photo/Brian Spurr)
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At the same time, dozens of families flocked to Compo Beach. “06880” intern Katherine Phelps reports:
Westport officially opened its brand-new, fully inclusive Compo Beach playground this week, in a very appropriate way: with children’s laughter.
The new play space’s inauguration was part of a day-long celebration sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department, complete with bouncy houses, food trucks and games.
The new playground replaces the popular structure first built in 1989, then refurbished in 2006.
It has been reimagined with inclusivity, safety and community spirit in mind. It features modern equipment designed for children of all abilities, including sensory elements, accessible play zones, and “mommy-and-me” swings that promote connection and bonding.
2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore noted the intergenerational nature of the project as “a coordination of a lot of different groups.
“It wasn’t just the town. It was such a great community project. I worked on this 18 years ago, the last time it was rebuilt. Now it’s incredible to see a new generation of young Westporters volunteering.”
From classic swings and towering play structures to a pretend ice cream truck that kids could not get enough of, the new Compo playground is designed for everyone.
Courtney Kornblum, at the opening with her young daughter, was excited about the new playground.
“It’s pretty remarkable,” Kornblum said. “There’s a lot more for younger ages now. The mommy-and-me swings and the drums — it really brings people together. You look around, and everyone’s smiling.”
Beyond the equipment itself, the event was a celebration of the teamwork that went into the renovation. Volunteers of all ages participated in the build. Former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, who was involved in the previous playground updates, was also part of this renovation.
“This playground has a lot of history for me,” he said. “I helped out when it was first built, and again in 2006. Last year, the Westport Rotary Club decided to make a major donation to the reconstruction. It was the perfect fit.”
Marpe noted that when he took his grandchildren to the previous structure, he felt as though something was just slightly off.
“I can’t wait to bring them now,” Marpe said. “There is just so much to do, and something for everyone. We wanted it to be as accessible as possible for every child to enjoy.”
Kids began enjoying it the moment the celebration ended.
And they will keep doing so until the next rebuild, a couple of decades from now.
After the playground celebration, kids headed over to the Kickoff to Summer, near the basketball courts.
Lifeguards (from left) Olivia Kuliga, Molly Whittle and Ella Harrington keep a close (and smiling) watch.
(All photos/Katherine Phelps)
Volunteers and kids say “cheese!” (Photo/David Klee)
There have been plenty of fireworks in Westport lately. Explosive topics have divided residents, in sharp ways.
But one set of fireworks everyone can agree on: Those celebrating our nation’s independence.
The 60+ year Westport PAL tradition honoring America’s 249th anniversary returns Wednesday, July 2 at (of course) Compo Beach.
The other day to mark on calendars is Monday, May 26. That’s when tickets go on sale at both the Westport Parks & Recreation office in Longshore, and the police station on Jesup Road.
Westport’s greatest party returns July 2. (Photo/Elissa Moses)
Tickets are $75 (cash or check), and help fund dozens of PAL programs throughout the year.
Long-time Westport residents and Staples graduates Melissa and Doug Bernstein are once again sponsoring the fireworks.
“This is our favorite time of year in Westport, seeing this amazing community gather together for such a joy-filled event,” the couple say.
Westport PAL president Craig Bergamo adds, “Westport PAL, in conjunction with the town, is honored to plan, coordinate and deliver another year of firework’s festivities. This is our largest fundraising event, and we appreciate the community’s continued support.”
Westport PAL president Craig Bergamo (2nd from right) hands the ceremonial 1st fireworks ticket to Doug Bernstein, at the newly refurbished Compo Beach playground. They’re joined by (front row, from right) Melissa Bernstein and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and Parks & Recreation and PAL officials.
The Parks & Recreation Department oversees 4 beaches*, 21 parks, and 14 athletic fields.
Each one — from the big boys like Winslow and Baron’s South, to teeny Machamux Park and the often-forgotten Burr Farms fields — has its passionate admirers.
And each one could use a bit (or a lot) of improvement.
Westport’s beaches, parks and athletic fields, displayed on an easel at Town Hall.
Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri took a first step toward understanding what Westporters want last night. He hosted the first Westport Parks Master Plan Community Workshop, at Town Hall.
Fifty residents heard two 2 consultants — BL Companies and Sports Facilities Advisors — discuss their work. They divided attendees into 2 groups, to provide initial input on what works well, what doesn’t, and what they’d like to see.
Westporters offered a wide range of comments. The consultants listened, asked questions, and took plenty of notes.
Still ahead: stakeholder interviews, an online survey, and workshops.
Nothing was decided last night. It won’t be, for a while.
But Barbieri wants Westporters to have their say. He wants to listen.
*Canal Beach on Saugatuck Shores is the one you may never have heard of.
Parks & Rec Erik Barbieri introduces last night’s Master Plan Community Workshop. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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The Hamlet at Saugatuck has spawned nearly as many meetings as it has opinions.
Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting (April 28, 6 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) will include a discussion on developer ROAN Ventures’ amended presentation. Public comment will follow.
Also ahead: the Conservation Commission on Wednesday (April 30, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) and Flood & Erosion Control Board (May 6, 7 p.m., Zoom).
To view documents, drawings and other material related to The Hamlet, click here, then scroll down.
Speaking of Saugatuck: VFW Post 399 — located just up Riverside Avenue from the proposed Hamlet project — dedicates its new marina this Sunday (April 27).
The 1:05 p.m. start is a nod to the Westport VFW’s 105th anniversary.
Speaking of which: With dredging of the new dock behind VFW Post 399 completed, those boats have made their last trip on the river.
But a new vessel is on the water. The Army Corps of Engineers has begun gathering data, to help with permits for the upcoming (larger, and government-funded) Saugatuck River dredging project.
So — for a while at least — the temporary Cribari Bridge openings will continue.
Army Corps vessel, passing through the Cribari Bridge. (Hat tip and photo/Robbie Guimond)
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As the Compo Beach playground rebuild nears the finish line, organizers want to make sure that everyone who wants to help, can.
Volunteers can now drop in for as much (or as little) time as they can give, today (Friday) or tomorrow. One hour, 2 — or an entire morning or afternoon — if it works for you, it works for them.
And you don’t have to sign up online (though if you want to, click here). You can just stop by the registration desk at the playground. They’ll put you to work.
“Every set of hands makes a huge difference,” they say. “We’re grateful for any time you can give.”
The new Compo Beach playground nears completion. (Drone photo/RB Benson)
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What do high school students think about their unique identity — shaped by race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more — and how that identity contributes to Westport’s character?
And how well do they express those fraught, yet important, ideas?
On Monday (6 p.m., Westport Library), the public gets a chance to hear from students themselves. The winners of TEAM Westport’s Teen Diversity Essay Contest will be announced.
They’ll accept their prize checks — and read their essays.
For over a dozen years, the ceremony has offered an inspiring window into the way today’s young people think, and view the world.
And how well they express those views.
If Monday is like many previous years, the answer will be: Very, very well.
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It’s not the biggest issue the Planning & Zoning Commission deals with (see Hamlet story above), but at a recent meeting they voted in favor of extending — for 2 more years — a special permit to allow the continued parking of First Student school buses at Coleytown and Bedford schools.
There seem to be no issues with using those spaces — and more, at the Greens Farms train station. And moving the parking away from Post Road East, behind the Mobil gas station opposite Playhouse Square, used by the previous vendor Dattco, has done wonders for afternoon traffic in that area.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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Just added to the Levitt Pavilion summer lineup:
Dark Star Orchestra (July 19). For over 20 years and 3,000 shows, they’ve continued the Grateful Dead’s live concert experience. Each set list is different; each reproduced the legendary band’s style and soundm while offering their own interpretations. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Josh Ritter & the Royal City Band, with Bhi Bhiman (August 20). Ritter is one of today’s most thought and prolific voices. The New York Times calls him “a linger of serious ideas and high-flown imagery.” Bhiman is also an acclaimed singer/ songwriter. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Westport’s Department of Human Services makes sure that all local families can. Each year at this time, they launch season fundraising efforts.
“In today’s economic climate, affordable childcare — especially in summer — is more than a convenience. It’s a necessity,” says director Elaine Daignault.
“Camp programs ensure children have access to safe, enriching experiencesl while allowing parents to maintain employment and financial stability.”
“Camps offer so much more than supervision,” adds youth and family specialist Annette D’Augelli. “It gives kids the chance to form friendships, build confidence, and create cherished memories in a supportive, structured environment. For parents — especially single-parent households — reliable, affordable care during summer break makes it possible to keep their jobs and put food on the table.”
A second program — the Ceremonies & Celebrations Fund — provides gift cards to income-eligible 8th and 12th grade graduates, so that families can mark important achievements with pride. Donations help purchase a graduation outfit, cover the cost of a celebratory meal, or simply allow families to honor their children’s hard work and milestones with dignity.
Click here to donate online, or mail a check to: Department of Human Services, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880. Questions? Call 203-341-1050, or email adaugelli@westportct.gov.
Summer camp is important for youngsters — and their working parents. (Photo/Jaime Bairaktaris)
One of Westport’s most popular traditions, the Minute Man Race — actually, a 10K run, 5K run, 5K walk and kids’ fun run, plus a Kids’ Zone with games and entertainment — returns this Sunday (April 27, Compo Beach, 8 a.m.).
There are prizes for top finishers in each age category, plus food trucks, beer, a DJ, bounce house and more. Beach stickers are not required.
All net proceeds benefit the Westport Young Woman’s League Grants program. Last year, they awarded $65,000 to 9 non-profits doing vital work across Fairfield County.
Speaking of outdoor fun: Westport Softball has drafted a big name to throw out the first pitch, at tomorrow’s opening day (Saturday, 9 a.m., Meyer Field, Compo Road North).
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker will do the honors, inaugurating the season for more than 130 playrs from pre-K through 8th grade.
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Content Studio has become one of Westport’s premier event spaces.
The Westport Downtown Association gathered there yesterday, for a combination social and informational meeting.
A few dozen businesses heard WDA president Maxx Crowley and his staff describe annual events like the Fine Arts Festival, Westoberfest and Holiday Stroll, and learned how — whatever their products or services — they can be part of the downtown community.
Westport Downtown Association president Maxx Crowley, onstage at Content Studio.
The important Australia and New Zealand holiday — honoring military members from those countries who served and died in wars around the world — grew out of the brutal Gallipoli battle, waged in Turkey during World War I.
That campaign is memorialized in one of Australia’s most famous songs. The message is anti-war — but the sacrifice of those soldiers comes through loud and clear.
(From Saugatuck to Australia, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. If you like our hyper-local coverage — and the way we tie it together globally — please click here to supporto us. Thank you!)
Thousands of drivers on the Sherwood Island Connector have been stunned at the extent and speed of clear-cutting around the state Department of Transportation maintenance facility behind Walgreens.
Residents of the area — especially around Hillandale Road — are horrified. They wonder what will happen now that dozens of noise-shielding trees are gone.
One view, with the Sherwood Island Connector on the left …
The work occurred quickly, soon after permission was granted to construct a new building at the site.
Former Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin notes: “Sadly, state owned land is not subject to local zoning laws in Connecticut. The state is immune from following local zoning laws, and often does not notify the town of work.
“Connecticut communities really only exercise control over town-owned land. The state can do anything it wants essentially with this lot — and all the train parking lots too.”
… and another, from Hillandale Road. (Photos/Matt Snow)
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In June of 2021, years of controversy and lawsuits ended when — after long negotiations between the Planning & Zoning Commission, the developer and neighbors — the P&Z voted 5-0 to allow an apartment complex between Lincoln and Cross Streets, off Post Road West.
The proposed 6-story, 81-unit development was scaled back to 68 units. It was redesigned almost completely, eliminating a section that would tower over homes on Riverside Avenue. Fire safety and parking concerns were addressed to the satisfaction of Westport’s fire marshal.
And the developer would include 30% affordable housing.
But for nearly 4 years — after dilapidated housing was torn down — the land stood vacant.
Finally — following a change in ownership — the project has begun.
Enough new residents have come to town — and enough older ones have forgotten about the controversy — that almost daily, someone emails “06880” wondering about the construction.
The first element to go up — elevator shafts — made it look particularly spooky.
Lighthouse Living — the developer — did not respond to repeated emailed requests for comment.
Reached by phone, a representative in the leasing department said there would be studios, and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments. She thinks occupancy is about a year away.
Apartment construction, from Post Road West. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Speaking of new developments: After hackers disrupted, and ultimately canceled, Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, there was talk that the Hamlet at Saugatuck application — next on the agenda — would be added to the P&Z’s next session.
But the agenda for that meeting (April 21, 6 p.m., virtual at www.westportct.gov), does not include the controversial project.
Commissioners will discuss an indoor racquet sport facility at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, a modification of the site plan for 785 Post Road East (behind New Country Toyota), and an application to continue parking school buses for 2 more years at Coleytown Elementary and Middle Schools, and Bedford Middle School.
The P&Z had already planned for public input into the Hamlet proposal at its April 28 meeting. That agenda has not yet been published.
And the Hamlet will be discussed at the Architectural Review Board meeting. It’s set for April 22 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 309).
Speaking still of developments: The land proposed for Summit Saugatuck’s new 157-unit housing complex on Hiawatha Lane Extension was clear-cut yesterday.
Carolanne Curry — a longtime opponent, and founder of the Save Our Saugatuck group that battled unsuccessfully against the development for nearly a decade — says, “There was no notice from anyone, or the town, that action has begun again.”
Cleared land, on Hiawatha Lane Extension. (Photo/Carolanne Curry)
Those are 2 products he can’t get anywhere else in the world. And they’ll be hit hard, if President Trump follows through on his threatened tariffs.
Yesterday, he entire country — at least, those who listen to NPR’s “Morning Edition” — heard the Westport native, and 2nd-generation CEO of the eponymous tri-state grocery store chain, discuss the impact of tariffs on his customers, his employees, and Stew Leonard’s’ bottom line.
Stew Leonard Jr. (Photo courtesy/Westchester Magazine)
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The first of 3 public workshops for the Westport Parks Master Plan is set for April 24 (6:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
Residents can meet the consultants, learn more about the planning process, and offer feedback.
The presentation will be available within a week, on the Parks & Recreation Department website. Additional workshops will be held in the summer and fall.
The Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play reading is “Paris.”
The “fierce, funny and subtle look at working-class America” is set for Monday, (April 14, 7 p.m.).
Playhouse artistic director and Script in Hand curator Mark Shanahan calls it “a powerful, beautifully written play about the deep need to be seen, tackling issues of race, commerce, community, and invisibility in a small town workplace.”
The play is about one of the only Black people in Paris, Vermont. When she is hired at a store off the interstate selling everything from baby carrots to lawnmowers, she understands a new kind of isolation. “Paris” offers insights into invisibility, low pay, and how it feels to work on your feet 10 hours a day.
Tickets are $30. To purchase, and for more detailsclick here.
Hillary Fisher plays the lead role in “Paris.”
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The Weston Volunteer Fire Department is buying $215,000 worth of PFAS-free turnout gear.
Funds come entirely through their Benevolent Fund, which is supported by private donations.
PFAS are man-made chemicals that were used to make gear resistant to heat and water. Eesearch now shows that these “forever chemicals” build up in the body. They are linked to serious health concerns like cancer, hormone disruption and immune system problems.
For more information about the Weston Volunteer Fire Department or the current initiative, email contactus@wvfd.com.
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Our long wait is open.
At last, Westport will have its 9,294th nail spa.
The confusingly named Monday Nail Spa — which will be open more than 1 day per week — is now open.
It replaces Massage Envy. Perhaps Monday’s slogan should be: “Can’t get a massage? At least get your nails done!”
The latest addition to the Levitt Pavilion summer calendar: The Wood Brothers.
The noted roots music band — hailed as “freethinking songwriters, road warriors and community builders” — come to town on August 10. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today (Friday). Click here to purchase, and for more details.
Andrew Neilly, Jr. — former president and CEO of the book publisher John Wiley & Sons — died peacefully on February 4 at his Weston, Connecticut home. He was 101.
The Baltimore native joined the Army in World War II. He graduated from the University of Rochester in 1947.
He was hired that year by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. in 1947. He married Janet Dayton. They raised their family in Weston, and lived there for over 60 years.
In 1971 Andrew became the first non-family member to be named president of Wiley. In 1979 he was named CEO. He served as vice chairman of the trustees until his retirement in 1995.
He entertained many well-known authors and publishers in Weston, where they discussed the role they should play in advancing education across the globe.
Andrew was elected chair of the Association of American Publishers, and president of the International Publishers Association — the first American to hold that position.
He was a trustee of the University of Rochester for many years. He and Janet established a deanship, and a lecture series that draws a diverse range of authors On March 6, flags were lowered to half-staff at the university, in his honor.
Andrew was a longtime member of Saugatuck Congregational Church. He was on several boards, and served as a deacon. He worked with Rev. Theodore Hoskins to establish Hoskins Place, an emergency shelter for women, and with Dr. James Gillespie to establish the Gillespie Center, an emergency shelter for men.
He loved painting watercolors, and studied under Charles Reid at the Silvermine Arts Center. His paintings were exhibited in many shows.
He is survived by Janet, his wife of 76; children Susan, Thomas (Jennifer) and Sarah (Carlos Paulino), 3 grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Saugatuck Congregational Church on June 21 (11 a.m.). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Homes with Hope or Saugatuck Congregational Church.
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Beach parking emblems (oldtimers call them “stickers”) are available for purchase — online and in the Parks & Recreation Department office — for Westport and Weston residents starting this Thursday (March 20), at 9 a.m. There is no limit for Westport and Weston residents. Click here for fees.
Beach parking emblem sales for non-residents begin tomorrow (Wednesday, March 19), at 9 a.m. The fee is $545, plus sales tax. There is a limit of 450 for the season — first come, first served.
If you bought emblems or registered for programs in previous seasons, your online account is already set up. Click here to log in. Then select “Memberships,” and follow the prompts.
If you have not bought emblems or registered for programs previously, click here. Then click the “Purchase Now” icon on the right.
Emblems will be mailed in 14-21 business days. They are not required until May 1.
If you forget your login or password, do not create another account. Select the proper “forget” button on the login page. For further help, email recreation@westportct.gov.
Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Beach stickers go on sale this week. (Photo/Mark Marcus)
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The Planning & Zoning Commission’s discussion of The Hamlet at Saugatuck proposal continues next Monday (March 24, 6 p.m., Zoom).
The specific agenda item is for “special permit/coastal site plan approval for a mix of non-residential, hotel and residential uses as part of an integrated site development, for property located in the General Business District/Saugatuck Marina” area.
Click here for details on The Hamlet at Saugatuck’s proposal.
A view of The Hamlet at Saugatuck, from the Saugatuck River.
Staples High School’s Asian Students Association is raising funds to provide menstrual hygiene products to women who face challenges accessing those basic necessities. The World Bank estimates that number as high as 500 million women.
There is a local need too. The Staples group’s goal is to raise $1,000 for Homes with Hope. The non-profit runs Westport homeless shelter and food pantry (whose shelves include hygiene products).
The club is a part of Dear Asian Youth, a youth-led, global non-profit that promotes solidarity with other marginalized communities, and equality and equity. Click here to donate, and for more information.
Speaking of Staples: Mark DeRosa’s teaches drawing and animation classes there, along with an after-school comic book course called Graphicus that publishes an annual anthology.
Last weekend they presented their work at Southern Connecticut State University’s Indie Comics Creator Con. It drew over 175 creators from around the country, and included panels and discussions about making and publishing comics.
DeRosa’s students saw first hand the impact their creations have on comic fans of all ages. They were buoyed by guest appearances from 2 principals: Staples’ Stafford Thomas, and Bedford Middle School’s Adam Rosen.
From left: Stafford Thomas Jr., son Stafford Thomas III, Dinuka Periyapperuma, Archie Kobetitsch, Will Hebel.
Congressman Jim Himes has scheduled in-person town hall meetings for this Saturday in Norwalk (10 a.m.) and Fairfield (1 p.m.), along with a telephone town hall on Monday, March 24 (7:30 p.m.).
Westport Country Playhouse artistic director Mark Shanahan is in rehearsal for “Theatre People.” The adaptation of the Hungarian play — set in 1948, in a Newport mansion — opens March 25.
But that’s not Shanahan’s only Hungarian connection. A play he adapted —Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” — is currently on stage there.
“I’m told that even in another country and another language, the audience still gasps at the big reveal,” Shanahan says.
From blowing bebop with the Charles Mingus Band to improvising with Anthony Braxton, Michael Rabinowitz has changed conceptions of what a bassoon can do.
Local jazz fans can hear him — and bassist Rich Zurkowskir, pianist Roberta Piket, drummer David Alvarez and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall — this Thursday (March 20) at Jazz at the Post (VFW Post 399).
Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Dinner service starts at 7. The music cover is $20 ($15, veterans and students). Click here for tickets.
Local experts will share insights on enhancing “lifespan and health span.” The first event (March 26, 6 p.m.) continues a conversation between TAP founder Dr. EJ Zebro and Jennifer Boyd, begun during their sold-out Westport Farmers’ Market session.
A team from Rhone will offer performance-driven gear. Register by email: info@tapstrength.com.
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Longtime Westport resident Malcolm Doak died peacefully at his home in Spring, Texas on January 27, surrounded by family. He was 95.
He joined Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Hackensack (New Jersey) High School).
While studying at Rutgers University, Malcolm was accepted into the USAir Force flight school. In 1952 he received his wings and married Vivian, the love of his life.
During the Korean War he served with distinction. Malcolm then transitioned to civilian aviation, while remaining active in the Air Force Reserves.
He entered corporate aviation as a pilot for IBM. He then served Wayfarer Ketch Corporation as chief pilot and director of flight operations. Owned by the Rockefeller brothers, Wayfarer Ketch allowed multiple companies to own their own aircraft, while pooling the resources of pilots, mechanics,
Malcolm flew Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, and led the first commercial flight into China after President Nixon normalized relations.
He finished his career at American Express as vice president of flight operations. Malcolm served as USAF academy liaison officer for the state of Connecticut, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Malcolm and Vivian moved their 5 children to Westport in 1964. The couple donated time and money to the Westport Public Library, Westport Country Playhouse, Scouting, the Westport Weston Family Y and environmental organizations.
He enjoyed jogging and biking, then sculleld on the Saugatuck River into his 80s.
He is survived by his children Kathi of New York City; Lisa Lyne (James) of Spring, Texas; Ivy (Tim Montler) of Denton, Texas; Robin Neyrey of Spring, and Malcolm (Carole Ann) of Kirby, Vermont; 7 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, and 3 great-grand children; 3 half sisters, and 1 step-sister. His wife Vivian Doak died in 2021.
Malcolm Doak
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There’s a late winter chill on the Saugatuck River. But — as they do in all weather, all year long, and as today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows — Saugatuck Rowing Club athletes are ready to work.
And finally … happy 55th birthday to Queen Latifah!
(If today’s “06880” helps you get your beach sticker — hey, that’s what we’re here for. We’re your hyper-local blog, 24/7/365. Don’t thank us — just click here to support our work! Much appreciated.)
For a great summer gathering, Compo’s South Beach is almost perfect.
The long swath of sand from the cannons to the kayak launch is filled with grills and picnic tables. Sunsets are gorgeous.
All we’re missing are fire pits.
Ta da!
Tomorrow night, the Parks & Recreation Commission hears a request from the Parks & Rec Department to offer fire pit rentals there, from May 1 through September 30.
A portable fire pit. This may not be the type our Parks & Recreation Department buys. And this sure is not a beach scene.
“It’s a natural addition to the amenities there,” explains Carmen Roda, Parks & Rec operations manager.
Two portable fire pits would be available to residents by reservation 7 days a week, from 4 to 10 p.m.
Users will be responsible for providing the wood (no pellets!) and starters.
Beach staff will monitor usage. At 10 p.m. they’ll cool the fire pits down, load them on golf carts, and store them securely.
Fire marshal Terry Dunn and the Westport Police Department were consulted, and support the initiative. Parks & Rec employees will be trained in fire pit usage.
The proposed fee is $150 a night.
(The Parks & Recreation Commission meeting is tomorrow — Wednesday, March 19 — at 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. The agenda also includes updates on the Parks Master Plan and Longshore Improvement Master Plan, and reports from the Golf, Racquets and Parks Advisory Committees.)
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