Right now, 3 athletic fields in Westport have lights: Staples’ Paul Lane Field, Greens Farms Elementary School, and PJ Romano Field behind Saugatuck Elementary School
Will there be more?
The Planning & Zoning Commission’s Recreation Sub-committee meets December 4 (12 noon, Zoom), to review and discuss a draft text covering lighted athletic fields on town-owned public school property.
The public may comment during the meeting. To comment before the session, email PandZ@westportct.gov.
The nighttime crowd at this fall’s Staples Homecoming football game. (Photo/Luca Caniato)
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Amng the items on the agenda of a joint meeting of the Representative Town Meeting Finance, Parks & Recreation, Transit and Public Works Committees (November 26, 7:30 p.m., Zoom):
A request by the director of Public Works to approve a $110,000 appropriation for the analysis, design and preparation of construction documents for traffic signal and pedestrian improvements in Saugatuck, between Bridge Street and Charles Street.
The proposal includes replacement of the Saugatuck fire station traffic light, and bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Neighbors and Newcomers of Westport has partnered with Wreathing for Community.
Volunteers created over a dozen handsome winter wreaths. They’ll be donated to local organizations, charitable events and individuals in town, as recognition for for their kindness and good deeds.
Who gets them?
“06880” readers can nominate an organization or community member to receive a wreath. Email Faith Sargent: whimsicalredheadcrafts@gmail.com.
You can also email her to donate materials for future projects, or arrange an event for your organization or group.
Neighbors and Newcomers take a break from wreath-making.
Club203 was “on strike” last night. Members of Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities made pre-Thanksgiving “turkeys,” with a party at Nutmeg Bowling in Fairfield.
Friends, volunteers, fun and food had everyone ”rolling” in new friendships.
Next up: Club203’s holiday bash, December 11 at VFW Post 399. For more information, click here.
Ukraine Aid International — the non-profit founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer, which has spent nearly 3 years delivering supplies and services to residents and officials in besieged cities in that war-torn nation — has planned a holiday celebration.
It’s both an action-packed evening, and a fundraiser. Proceeds will be earmarked for Ukrainian children, as another harsh winter begins.
The December 8 event (1 to 5 p.m., Redline Restorations, Black Rock) includes food and drinks, holiday activities, kids’ crafts, antique cars, and updates from Marshall Mayer’s recent trip to the front. Click here for details.
Ukraine Aid International
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Westport Police made 5 custodial arrests between November 13 and 20.
A 58-year-old Waterbury man was arrested for larceny and criminal mischief. he allegedly entered Kai Yoga, stole money, then removed the security camera. He was arraigned on a $175,000 bond.
A 36-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with identity theft and violation of probation, following an investigation into a fraudulent check for $6,613.32, drawn in December 2020. He was held in lieu of an $80,000 bond.
A 34-year-old Stamford man was charged with larceny, criminal mischief and simple trespass, on a complaint by Bank of America of theft of parts of the exterior irrigation system.
A 53-year-old Bridgeport man was arrested on an active re-arrest warrant, after being stopped for a motor vehicle violation.
A 28-year-old Bridgeport woman was charged with failure to appear, after an active re-arrest warrant was discovered following a stop for a motor vehicle violation.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 13 citations
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 6
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 4
Traveling unreasonably fast: 3
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
Failure to halt possession of alcohol by a minor: 1
Speeding: 1
Failure to renew registration: 1
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Failure to display lights: 1
Improper stop: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
One arrest this week was for an adult who failed to halt possession of alcohol by a minor.
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Barbara Young, a former Westporter and noted athlete, died last week in Massachusetts. She was 91.
She achieved tremendous success in a variety of sports, including tennis, field hockey, baseball, basketball, platform tennis and golf.
Barbara played for the Chicago Colleens and Kenosha Comets in the All-American Girls’ Professional Baseball League, later made famous in “A League of Their Own.”
She is a member of 3 Halls of Fame: at Dean Junior College (for tennis), the Connecticut Golf Association HOF, and in a “Women in Baseball” exhibit at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Barbara also won the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance Gold Key Award.
Barbara was a New England girls champion tennis player, and went on play #1 on the Dean Junior College men’s team. She was also a Westport women’s champ.
At Dean, she also played field hockey. In the 1960s, she played semi-pro basketball.
She was ranked among the Top 10 platform tennis players in the nation.
After receiving a set of golf clubs from her husband for Mother’s Day, she took up the game. She was a 6-time Connecticut women’s champion, and an 8-time state senior champ, along with New England senior crowns. Barbara continues her success in North Carolina.
At the Highland Country Club in Attleboro, Massachusetts, well into her 80s, she was the second-ranked female member by handicap.
Barbara is survived by her children, Janet Young See of Mansfield, Massachusetts and Lawrence of Baltimore, and grandchildren Christopher and Andrew Young, and Jason and Brian See. She was predeceased byher children Donna and Scott.
A celebration of life will be held in January, in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Click here to send online condolences.
Barbara Parks Young
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A great blue heron showed up recently at Burying Hill Beach.
And Johanna Keyser Rossi was there, to snap this image for “Westport … Naturally.”
There was a lot to choose from last night in Westport.
Mike Birbiglia was at the Playhouse. Sustainable Westport sponsored a talk on making our town more walkable and bikeable.
Doris Kearns Goodwin captivated a sold-out crowd at the Westport Library. In an easy but wide-ranging, deep and educational conversation with former NBC anchor Brian Williams, she offered insights into the American presidency, her husband Richard’s role in our history, and her own place in all of it.
The event celebrated a new partnership between the Library and the Remarkable Theater. Details will be announced soon.
At a private reception afterward at Remarkable Theater founder Doug Tirola’s house — hosted by his wife Kristen — their son Cooper and friends Ben Seidman, Ava Waldman and Caroline Motyl joined Williams in reading from the historic speech Richard Goodwin wrote for President Lyndon Johnson, introducing civil rights legislation in 1965 after “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama.
Then everyone sang a song by Kearns Goodwin’s favorite group, the Platters: “The Great Pretender.”
Doris Kearns Goodwin, Brian Williams and Staples High School graduates Ava Waldman and Caroline Motyl, singing together. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Also last night, 150 tech and entrepreneurial types gathered on the La Plage patio at Longshore, for Startup Westport‘s summer social.
There was high energy at that event (and all the others). The public/private Startup Westport partnership brings together many of the town’s most creative innovators.
If I missed something else, my apologies. There was just too much going on.
And it was all good.
Startup Westport founders and officials, at La Plage. (Photo/Noah Fenn)
Also last night: the monthly Representative Town Meeting session.
Members voted 29-4 against a petition to reject a new Board of Selectwomen regulation, which prohibits access to the Westport Community Gardens near Long Lots Elementary School from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. during school days.
The RTM also voted 30-2 against modifying the hours of access.
The regulation — passed last month by the selectwomen — is effective immediately.
It took 10 innings. But Rhys Jamali’s single, driving in Luke Oakley, gave the Staples High School baseball team a thrilling 4-2 state tournament semifinal win over archrival Fairfield Warde yesterday, in Waterbury.
The victory vaults the Wreckers into the Connecticut “LL” (extra large schools) championship game. They’ll shoot for their 3rd title since 2017 on Friday or Saturday (to be determined), at Middletown’s Palmer Field.
#19-seed Staples’ foe in that game is #4 Amity. The Wreckers fell to the Woodbridge school 6-2, earlier in the season.
Revenge will be on coach Jack McFarland’s team’s mind, as it was yesterday. Warde (ranked #2 in LL this year, and the 2-time defending state champion) ended Staples’ title hopes 2-1 last year in the final — also in 10 innings.
Andrew Oppenheimer pitched 9 strong innings yesterday. Mason Tobias got the win in relief, pitching out of a 10th-inning jam.
There’s another Staples team vying for a state championship too: boys rugby.
The Wreckers trounced Trumbull 55-17 earlier this week. That sets up their title match: Saturday (June 8) vs. longtime rival Greenwich, at Southern Connecticut State University. The time has not yet been determined.
Staples High School boys rugby team.
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Young patients love reading books in the Village Pediatrics waiting room.
Then they go outside on the “Story Walk,” and read more.
The newest addition will also interest their parents (and grandparents). “The Pronoun Book” explains gender-neutral pronouns to men and women people who may not have grown up with them.
The display was installed recently by Village Pediatrics’ Staples High School senior interns, Stella Libman and Sophie Lubis.
This is the medical practice’s 12th year of participation in the internship program. It’s a way to introduce graduating seniors to the world of pediatrics and child development.
Village’s founder Dr. Nikki Gorman enjoys seeing her former interns around town. And, she proudly notes, her first — Emily Harris — is becoming a pediatrician herself. She trained at one of the premier programs, Boston Children’s Hospital.
Village Pediatrics interns Stella Libman and Sophie Lubis with “The Pronoun Book” on the Story Walk.
Speaking of youth sports: Twice a day, Maxx Crowley walks his dog at PJ Romano Field.
Sunrises and sunsets are always different. But one thing seldom changes: There is trash everywhere.
This was the scene Monday night:
That’s bad. But — compared with what I sometimes see at Wakeman Fields — PJ is almost pristine.
Come on, coaches. Parents. And especially, young athletes.
You can do better than this.
A lot better.
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Marcy Sansolo — the one-woman wunderkind behind the “What Up Westport” Facebook group — is at it again.
She and Lisa Marriott are spearheading a drive to collect new underwear for Norwalk’s Open Doors Shelter (this Saturday, June 8, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot). It’s a small item, but something every shelter needs.
Any type of new underwear for women and children is great. The shelter requests boxer briefs for men.
Can’t make it Saturday? Lisa will pick items up, or accept them at her Town Hall office. You can also send them to her via Amazon. For details, email lsmarriott@gmail.com.
The sender wrote: “You just narrowly missed hitting me and my dog while driving what I assume is a blue BMW, going up Thomas from Imperial. License plate ‘06880.’
“It was so close and so egregious that the car in the oncoming lane swerved onto the grass side, got out of his car, and motioned that you were CRAZY.
“Blog aside, be a better community resident and stop speeding. You clearly were!”
As regular readers know, “06880” is a longtime advocate for safer streets. You can imagine my surprise at this email, because:
I don’t drive a blue BMW.
I was not on Thomas Road.
My license plate is not “06880.”
When I protested, the emailer replied that he had been told by 2 witnesses that I was the driver — presumably, because of the license plate.
I am happy to take the blame for anything I get or do wrong on this blog.
But please don’t come after me for a car I don’t drive, or a license plate I don’t own.
Not my license plate — or my windshield.
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Quick: What kind of business is Squeeze?
A juice bar? Retailer of stress balls? Dating app?
Nope. It’s a “massage service destination.”
The newest location opens June 28, in the Fresh Market shopping center.
Promotional materials say, “Squeeze was created to disrupt an outdated industry by providing consumers an accessible, stress-free, and personalized massage experience….
“(In) a prime location surrounded by fitness studios, shops and food & drink offerings, the opening of Squeeze provides a one-stop-shop for health and wellness needs. The 1,838 square-foot shop boasts a modern yet sophisticated design, which features six treatment rooms. The ambiance at Squeeze is carefully crafted to foster a relaxing setting, promoting comfort, and enhancing the overall well-being of its guests.
“With its personalized app-based approach, each massage is tailored to the customer’s liking including pressure, music, lighting and the ability to tap a ‘ready button’ letting the therapist know to return in-room to begin the massage. Guests are also able to set preferences around what body areas to focus on, pressure, oil or lotion and more.”
Squeeze also offers deep tissue, heat therapy, percussion therapy and aromatherapy.”
Residents have long been prohibited from using school property when classes are in session.
Most Westporters know to stay clear of most schools.
But there have been exceptions.
A longstanding agreement has allowed people with plots to use the Westport Community Gardens at the south end of the Long Lots campus — separated from the school by a parking lot — all day, except from 8 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m., when students arrive and depart.
The Wakeman fields, north of Bedford Middle School, are a popular spot for dog walkers (and walkers without dogs) all day long.
The Wakeman Fields, adjacent to Bedford Middle School (not shown, on the left), are popular spots all day long.
The PJ Romano track between Saugatuck and Kings Highway Elementary Schools is occasionally used by joggers.
On Wednesday night, the Parks & Recreation Commission voted 5-0 to tighten restrictions.
If the Board of Selectwomen approve, all recreational facilities on all Westport public school properties will be off-limits to anyone who is not a student, staff member or invited guest between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. whenever school is in session.
The PJ Romano track, between Saugatuck Elementary School (bottom left) and Kings Highway Elementary is sometimes used by joggers during school hours.
The policy is an attempt to standardize times for all 8 schools, and eliminate what had been gray or undefined areas around the meaning of “school grounds.”
Enforcement will be done by school security guards and, if necessary, school resource officers.
Access to the Westport Community Garden would be restricted, if the Board of Selectwomen endorse the Parks & Recreation Commission proposal.
Everyone in Westport knows how great Mimi Greenlee is.
Now the rest of the state will too.
The veteran (decades!), superbly organized, always energetic, constantly encouraging, ever smiling Westport Library Book Sale volunteer will be honored by the Friends of Connecticut Libraries June 10. She’ll receive their Individual Achievement Award, for her lifetime of work.
Over the years, Mimi has co-chaired book sales; trained and supervised scores of volunteers, and managed inventory. These days, she manages the flow of donations to the Westport Book Shop.
Congratulations, Mimi, on this latest “chapter” in your life!
Mimi Greenlee, surrounded by donations.
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Speaking of books: Tommy Greenwald’s “Game Changer” has just won a 2023 Nutmeg Award, in the Middle School division.
The 1979 Staples High School graduate’s novel about the aftermath of a hard hit on the football field was selected for the Connecticut Library Association and Connecticut Association of School Librarians honor by a committee of children’s librarians and school library media specialists.
Westport Police made 1 custodial arrest between May 10 and 17.
A man was charged with reckless endangerment and breach of peace, following a report that a passenger in a vehicle on Post Road East was pointing a gun at another vehicle.
Police also issued the following citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 12 citations
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 9
Improper use of markers: 8
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 6
Failure to comply with traffic control signals: 4
Distracted driving, not cell phone: 3
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 3
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
Failure to register a commercial vehicle: 2
Unreadable plates: 2
Failure to renew registration: 2
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
No passing zone: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
School zone violation: 1
Following too closely: 1
Improper turn: 1
Theft of plates: 1
Failure to display plates: 1
Drive safely everywhere — especially in school zones.
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When Clark Thiemann’s 6-year-old daughter took a tumble on the pock-marked, dangerous track at PJ Romano Field, behind Saugatuck Elementary School, she told her father: “You need to tell someone to fix this!”
Clark sent this photo to “06880”:
He’s not the first to do so.
On March 19, I ran a similar photo. Another reader had also written, noting “at least 19 cracks” in the surface.
She said she had been told a year and a half ago that it would be an easy repair, and that funds were already in the budget. The facility is managed by Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department.
The Westport Public Schools search for a new Greens Farms Elementary School principal took them — literally — around the world.
On July 1, Brian Byrne takes over from Kevin Cazzetta, who will retire.
Byrne is currently serves as the elementary principal at South Korea’s Seoul International School. Previously, he was elementary school assistant principal at the International School of Beijing and the Shanghai Community International School.
His career began closer to home. He taught 4th grade at Toquam Magnet School in Stamford, then served as the district’s curriculum associate for elementary mathematics.
Byrne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing from Indiana University, and a Master of Science in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport.
Brian Byrne
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Remarkable progress has been made in treating heart valve disease.
Breakthroughs in non-surgical technology means open heart surgery is no longer required.
Next Tuesday, at the 3rd “Andrew Wilk Presents: The Westport Library Medical Series,” Dr. Robert Altbaum provides an overview of the anatomy of heart valves. Dr. Chirag Shah discusses aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Attendees will learn about the newest treatment options. Click herefor more information.
Steely Dan is not coming to the Weston History & Culture Center.
But Logical Pretzel — a Steely Dan cover band — is.
They’ll open the 8th annual outdoor summer concert series, “Music at the Barn,” on Sunday, June 4. Doors open at 5 p.m. for food, history, crafts and fun; the music begins at 5:30.
Tony’s Pizza Napolitano truck provides food. Concert-goers should bring a lawn chair and beverages. Click here for tickets and more information.
Giovanna “Jennie” Caiati– part of the Nistico family that opened Saugatuck’s beloved Arrow restaurant — died peacefully Tuesday, surrounded by family. She was 94.
Born to Frank and Giovanna Nistico, originally from of Reggio Calabria, Italy, she was just 13 when she and her mother opened the first Arrow.
Their tiny space at the “arrow” point of Saugatuck Avenue and Franklin Street quickly became a community staple. In a short time, their business grew into a 180-seat “home away from home” for generations of Westporters.
Later, Jennie’s love of flowers led her to open Blossoms Plus, a florist and event planning company. Her creative flair and passion for design caught the eye of Westport residents like Martha Steward, Joanne Woodward, Donna Summer and Rodney Dangerfield, who became loyal clients.
Jennie loved to travel. She was an avid cruise enthusiast, going anywhere with her sister-in-law Helene Nistico and best friend Lorraine. She also enjoyed casinos, and dining out.
Her family says, “Her door was always open, and she frequently said, ‘You don’t need an invitation’ to stop by for coffee. She playing word searches and gin rummy, and spent time in the garden.
“But more than anything, ‘Granny’ valued family. She was the consummate ‘giving tree.'”
Jennie was predeceased by her husband Dominick Caiati, and 6 siblings: Pauline Bottone, Lily Bottone, Rose Pascarelli, and Joseph, Louis and Frank Nistico. She is survived by her children Darlene Pianka (Stephen), Dominick (Erin) and Lorenzo; grandchildren Milissa Malloy (Matthew), Lauren Flory (Richard), Lorenzo Caiati Jr.; Kayla, Nicole and Victoria Caiati, and Jack McElreath, and great-grandchildren Connor, Bryce, Parker, Brynn, and Luke.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held tomorrow (Friday May 19, 10 a.m., Assumption Church). Interment will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery. Click here to leave online condolences.
Linda Doyle shares these stunning azaleas, lilacs, clematis and red honeysuckle plants “coexisting and enticing pollinators up on Rocky Ridge.” They’re perfect for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Last week’s Photo Challenge was one of those I’m-sure-I’ve-seen-this-somewhere-before images. (Click here to see.)
Nearly every Westporter has been to PJ Romano Field (or, for those of an earlier vintage, Doubleday Field).
You may have gone to play, or watch, a football or lacrosse (or, years ago, soccer) game there. You may have run on the track. You may have had gym class there, at Saugatuck or Kings Highway Elementary School (or, before that, Bedford Middle or Junior High School).
Once upon a time, the at the northeast corner of the field was used for events: meetings, cookouts and the like.
Then it became a Westport Police Athletic League storage facility. For the last few years, it’s been unused.
The PAL hopes to rebuild it, into a more functional and better used facility. (You can donate to the cause; just click here!)
Bob Grant, Clark Thiemann, Andrew Colabella and Pam Romano were the only readers who recognized the lines, decorative features (and chipped paint) of the PAL clubhouse. Well played!
Now on to this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
(If you enjoy our Photo Challenge every Sunday, please consider a contribution to “06880.” Just click here — and thank you!)
Staples High School’s boys basketball team plays in its first state tournament final in — are you sitting down? — 86 years.
Tipoff is 6:15 p.m. (Sunday), at the Mohegan Sun arena. The Wreckers — seeded 7th in Division II — face #1 St. Bernard’s-Uncasville.
The game can be heard on WWPT-FM (90.3) and wwptfm.org. The expert announcing team includes seniors Jack Ginsburg and Colin Menninger.
You can watch it on the proprietary Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) website, but must subscribe ($11.99 a month; cancel anytime); click here for details.
Staples got to the finals with an astonishing 18-point, 4th-quarter comeback in the semifinals against Fairfield Warde.
The winning basket came after sophomore Adam Udell stole an inbounds pass, then calmly finished a layup.
Here’s a remarkable photo. It shows Udell scoring; a Warde player on the ground, after falling trying for the pass — and the scoreboard showing both the tied score, and the time left: 13.5 seconds.
(Photo/Michelle Garrity)
Meanwhile, I could not find a photo of the state championship 1937 team. But here’s one from the next winter (1938).
Legendary coach Roland Wachob is in the middle. The squad included George “Nooky” Powers, considered one of the greatest Staples athletes of all time.
1938 Staples High School basketball team. (Photo courtesy of “Staples High School: 120 Years of A+ Education,” by Dan Woog)
Townwide restriction on gas-powered leaf blowers begin May 15, and run through October 15.
The devices can only be used weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3.m., and not at all on Sundays or holidays. (Longer hours are allowed for homeowners doing their own yard work.)
Wakeman Town Farm wants to make Westporters (and their landscapers) aware.
To make some noise, they’re raffling off a state-of-the-art EGO electric leaf blower.
Tickets are $20 each. Proceeds benefit WTF’s educational and sustainability programs. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
The winner will be announced on (of course) Earth Day: April 22.
“I brought this topic a year and a half ago. I was told it would be an easy repair — and it had already been approved in the town budget.
“It never happened. So I’m asking again:
“Please repair PJ Romano Field.”
She sent along this message, from “a group of concerned moms”:
“The field — managed by Parks & Rec — should be a safe place for children. But it’s not. There are at least 19 cracks they can trip over.
One of the many large cracks at PJ Romano Field.
“Located between Kings Highway and Saugatuck Elementary Schools, it’s a great place for sports.
“Elementary school children love to ride scooters and bicycles. But they end up with scraped and bloody knees, hands and elbows, because of deep, big cracks. There’s a bigger accident waiting to happen.
“Spring is arriving. Kids will be coming out again. Please make it safe.”
Turnout was great at last night’s MoCA Westport opening reception. The new “Rainbow in the Dark” exhibition features 20 works of German contemporary artist Anselm Reyle, including a neon exhibition.
His works also include foil and strip paintings, and sculptures. Remnants of consumer society, discarded materials, symbols of urbanity, and industrial change are key.
“Rainbow in the Dark” is on view through May 28. Docent-led tours are held Thursdays at 1 p.m. Drop-in docent-led tours are available every Saturday and Sunday, including a Sunday drop-in interactive tour for families.
And “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson” is wholesome family entertainment.
The Coleytown Company production opens March 31 (7 p.m., Coleytown Middle School). Additional shows are April 1 (1 and 7 p.m.), and April 2 (1 p.m.). Click here for tickets.
Ellie Arber is Charon in Coleytown Company’s “Lightning Thief.”
The Circle of Friends’ 17th annual fundraising dinner will honor more than 150 local teen volunteers. All share friendships with people with special needs.
The event is April 23 (5:30 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club). There’s entertainment, and a special “Heart of Friendship” video.
The gala will take place Sunday, April 23 at 5:30 PM at the Westport Women’s Club, 44 Imperial Avenue, Westport, CT. Stephen Schwartz, [resident of Westport’s Promark Group, is the guest of honor.
High School seniors from Staples High, Weston, Wilton and Greenwich will receive Fellowship Awards for their combined 4,000 “friendship volunteer hours”.
Circle of Friends is an all-volunteer organization that involves children teens and adults with special needs in a wide range of social programs and weekly play dates. Over 300 families are involved.
For reservations, sponsorship opportunities, ads in the virtual journal or more information, click here, call 203-293-8837 or email cof@circleoffriendsct.org.
And finally … I never heard of Jim Gordon. But his New York Times obituary is fascinating. It says:
Jim Gordon, a talented but troubled drummer who was ubiquitous in the recording studios of the 1960s and ’70s and who, as a member of Eric Clapton’s band Derek and the Dominos, helped write the romantic ballad “Layla” — but who suffered from schizophrenia and spent nearly 40 years in prison, convicted of murdering his mother — died on Monday in a prison medical facility in Vacaville, Calif. He was 77….
When people say that Jim Gordon is the greatest rock ’n’ roll drummer who ever lived,” Mr. Clapton wrote in “Clapton: The Autobiography” (2007), “I think it’s true, beyond anybody.
As a member of the talented “Wrecking Crew” group of Los Angeles studio musicians, he worked on recordings like John Lennon’s “Imagine,” George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass,” and the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds.” Click here for his full obituary.
(Good luck to the Staples boys basketball team. They’ve already proven themselves champions. You can be a champ too — just click here to contribute to “06880.” Thank you! PS: Go Wreckers!
Glenn Hightower — the educator, coach, church and civic volunteer, and avid athlete — died on January 1, 2017.
Today — nearly a year later — friends and family members remembered him at one of his favorite spots. “06880” reader Tom Kretsch reports:
Despite frigid temperatures, a warm group gathered at the former Bedford Middle School on Riverside Avenue (now Saugatuck Elementary School).
They unveiled a plaque mounted on a bench along the track where Glenn spent many hours coaching, running and leading his school community.
(Photo/Tom Kretsch)
His daughters Heather, Holly and Julie were there with their families. After brief remarks by fellow runner Pat Kennedy, Holly read a poem — “Success,” often attributed to Emerson — that was always on Glenn’s desk.
Then — spontaneously — others spoke about personal experiences with Glenn as a runner, parent, colleague or friend. Heather led the group in singing “Amazing Grace,” followed by a prayer from United Methodist Church minister Ed Horne.
Now, as people visit PJ Romano Field to exercise or watch their children play, they will pass this simple bench with a wonderful tribute to a true community leader.
Heather, Julie and Holly Hightower, on their father’s bench.
This morning, I posted a 1913-era postcard of the original Staples High School.
It shows what I called a bell tower — a feature I’d never seen before, in any photo or painting of the brick structure built in 1884 (and torn down in 1967).
Several commenters — calling it a “cupola” — debated whether or not it existed. Some thought it was actually part of another building, in the distance.
Alert “06880” reader Neil Brickley — who grew up in Westport, loves its history, and regularly accesses the University of Connecticut photo archives, which include a fascinating 1934 aerial survey of town — found this view.
Staples High School is the dark building near the center of the photo. It’s situated about where the Saugatuck Elementary School auditorium is today — just southeast of the track and athletic facilities (variously called PJ Romano Field and Doubleday Field) that are still there.
It doesn’t seem to show a cupola/bell tower/whatever. And it sure does not look like there’s any building behind it either.
However, a similar photo from a February, 1914 edition of the Westporter-Herald newspaper — sent by another reader — shows almost exactly the same view:
The same reader sent along another postcard of Staples. This one is from a later date — you can tell, because there are post-1914 cars, and the plantings are fuller.
Perhaps the bell tower/cupola actually did exist once, but was demolished or destroyed prior to 1934.
Or perhaps this photo, and the postcard, were both embellishments.
I’m reminded of another old postcard. This one shows Compo Beach, just after the turn of the (20th) century:
None — not one — of the formally dressed beach-goers and bathers looks up at what must be a very new-fangled flying machine.
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