For 46 years, Rick Benson has lived at the top of Compo Hill
For the last 11 of those years, he has watched as 233 Hillspoint Road — the property at the bottom, diagonally across from Old Mill Grocery — has been the scene of a long-running drama.
Positano restaurant closed, and was demolished. A new home was planned. Construction stalled. It sat for years, a blue Tyvek-swathed eyesore.
233 Hillspoint Road, in February 2024. (Photo/Totney Benson)
Last year, building began again. Soon, it stopped again.
Soon, Benson will be able to see the finished product.
In early November, he’ll be the new owner of 223 Hillspoint.
“When I find a problem I can solve, I try to do it,” Benson told “06880” yesterday, by phone. He’s in France, celebrating his 78th birthday.
Just before he left, he learned that a foreclosure auction — postponed from September — would be held this past Thursday. He quickly got ready.
There was one other bidder: the lenders, looking to recoup their investment.
Benson had a different motivation: to end “this 11-year nightmare.”
Construction halted again, this past July.
He’s motivated by more than neighborly interest. He’s been a builder since 1981. He’s constructed over 60 homes in Westport, and many condos.
He knows his way around a building site. And architectural plans.
What he’s acquired is a partially completed exterior: the view that’s visible to the hundreds of people passing by every day.
Inside, there’s almost nothing: some frames, temporary stairs, virtually no mechanicals.
“Basically, we’re starting from scratch,” Benson said.
To make things as painless as possible for neighbors — and get the completed home on the market by spring — Benson will make very few changes.
(He does hope to replace the windows on the beach side, which don’t open, with ones that do.)
The view from Old Mill Beach.
“I watched the decay and slow progress for a decade,” Benson noted. “I want this to be a complement to the neighborhood.”
There is “some market risk,” he admitted. But he is confident it will sell.
In the meantime, he said, “if anyone wants to make an offer, we’re happy to talk.”
Plans for the finished product.
(“06880 regularly reports on real estate, our beaches — and, occasionally, their intersection. If you appreciate stories like this, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
From the fractured national political landscape to fraught local controversies, folks are on edge.
But hey — it’s the holidays!
Let’s put aside our differences. Let’s slow down. Let’s appreciate, with delight and gratefulness, all the brightness in our lives.
Including our neighbors, who go out of their way to light up the lives of all who pass by.
Whatever their views, on whatever we will argue about after the new year.
West Parish Road (Photo/Kristen Habacht)
North Avenue, across from Staples High School. (Photo/Jennifer Kobetitsch)
Timber Lane. off Roseville Road. (Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
A special message, on Compo Road North. (Photo/Eric Bosch)
This 18th-century one-horse open sleigh was a gift from A.E. Hotchner’s wife, when Rick Benson bought the author’s family home. Rick restored it to its present 21st-century beauty. It’s parked now on Compo Hill. (Photo/Rick Benson)
Dogs are joyful: As of October 1, they are allowed back at Compo Beach.
But the other day, longtime Westporters Stefani Cohen and Cathy Malkin noticed a young child crying, afraid of the dogs.
The women kept their pets at a distance. But several other owners allowed their dogs to run up to the family. Upset and frustrated, they left the beach.
Stefani and Cathy see that scene often, at other places too like sports events and outdoor restaurants. Up to 20% of the population — adults as well as children — have some fear of dogs.
Now they’re presenting an online workshop about it (Tuesday, October 17, 7 p.m.). The material is appropriate for all ages. It covers an understanding of cynophobia, strategies to face that fear, ways to stay safe around dogs, and the importance of noticing a dog’s body language to tell when to interact and when to stay away.
In addition to anyone fearful of dogs, the webinar is aimed at therapists, dog professionals, educators and parents.
The cost is $27. Click here to register, and for more information.
A fun sight — but not for everyone. (Photo/Dan Johnson)
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Melissa & Doug — the beloved toy company founded by Melissa and Doug Bernstein in 1988, in their Westport basement and his parents’ nearby garage — has been sold.
Spin Master announced yesterday that they bought the Wilton-based firm for $950 million.
Spin Master was attracted by Melissa & Doug’s trusted brand of early childhood toys, and timeless products. They are sustainable wooden toys, without screens. Last year’s net sales were $490 million.
Click here for the full story.(Hat tip: David Loffredo)
Some Bridgeport artists are in serious straits. Lynn Flint is doing what she can to help.
She’s running a 1-day estate sale at her home. Proceeds will help them meet immediate needs, including rent, food, fuel and art materials.
A member of the Bridgeport arts community will be there, offering information on the arts (who will have their own open studios in November).
So I am having an experimental one day only estate sale in the ground level area of my home since I am handicapped and can no longer run up and down stairs.
It’s Saturday, October 26 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), on Belaire Drive. A sign on Saugatuck Avenue (near the Norwalk border) will direct art lovers to the sale.
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In just over one year, Club 203 has become one of Westport’s most important non-profit organizations.
Yesterday, the Westport Rotary Club learned about the town’s social club for adults with disabilities from co-founders Stacie Curran and Sharuna Mahesh. They told moving stories of the need for such a group — and the joy and bonds created at every monthly meeting.
A host of Westport groups and businesses have hosted Club 203 activities, in a town-wide showing of interest and support.
Stacie Curran (left) and Sharuna Mahesh of Club 203, at yesterday’s Westport Rotary Club meeting. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
Rick Benson — one of Westport’s more energetic and productive members since joining in 1989 — recently received a huge honor.
In Toronto, Rick was recognized with a zonal Donald MacRae Peace Award. It celebrates members who demonstrate the advancement of international goodwill, understanding and peace through peacemaking efforts or humanitarian activity of international significance.
Rick is a previous recipient of local, district and zone honors — and the Rotary International Service Above Self Award, in 2020.
Rick Benson, his wife Totney, and his Donald MacRae Peace Award.
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STAR Inc. and Voices Center for Resilience present a special program: “A 22-Year Journey from 9/11 to Today: Helping Families and Communities Prepare for Emergencies” next Wednesday (October 18, 7 p.m., Westport Library).
Mary Fetchet — founding Director of Voices Center for Resilience — lives in New Canaan. Her son Brad died in the September 11 attacks.
She will share her personal experience and perspective on preparing communities in advance of a tragedy.
A panel discussion about emergency management in Westport will include 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, emergency management director and Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marsan, Deputy Police Chief Ryan Paulsson, Human Services director Elaine Daignault, and state Department of Emergency Services representative Robert Kenny.
Attendees will receive a tip sheet and emergency management packet.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” Saugatuck River photo comes from Sunny Sherman.
Her words are as meaningful as her picture: “It’s hard to forget the horrors happening in Israel right now. But I thought you and your readers might like to enjoy (unfiltered) what I am blessed to see almost nightly.”
Dan Donovan and his aunts, longtime Westport arts and history advocates Eve Potts and Marion Morra.
Westport Rotary Club stalwart Rick Benson, recent Staples High School graduate James Dobin-Smith, and Planning & Zoning Commission chair Danielle Dobin. (All photos/Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)
(Photo/Jo Shields Sherman)
Former Staples High School principal John Dodig and his husband Rodger Lawrence get ready for the sunset. (Photo/Susan Garment)
Coming soon to Saugatuck: Original Craft Butchery co-owner Paul Nessel will reopen — with a new business — in the former Fleishers Craft Butchery space on Riverside Avenue, across from Saugatuck Sweets.
The target date for “Saugatuck Provisions” is a few weeks. (Hat tip: JD Dworkow)
Paul Nessel (Photo courtesy of Modern Farmer magazine)
Somehow I missed last week’s Bravocon video of Christian Siriano judging the looks of “Real Housewives” cast members.
But Stephanie Ostroff caught it.
She sent a link to “06880.” Click below to watch — particularly at the 4:30 mark, when he talks about Westport, his new store here, and the possibility of a “Real Housewives of Westport.”
The longtime Westporter and always-eager civic volunteer celebrated his 75th birthday. It was also the 77th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter — an organization supported from the start by Rotary International, of which Benson is a proud, active and long-serving member.
Throughout his 33 years in Rotary, he has taken on many roles. He and his wife Totney have also given generously.
So generously, that they are one of only 3 couples from Connecticut to achieve membership in Rotary’s Arch Klumph Society. They’re in the Trustee’s Circle, for gifts of $250,000 to $499,999.
Oh, yeah: yesterday was also the 34th anniversary of a promise Rotary made to the children of the world: to eradicate wild polio. In that time, the disease has gone from 350,000 cases globally to only 29 cases this year, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Happy birthday, Rick. And thanks, Rick and Totney, for all you do, in Westport and around the planet. (Hat tip: Mark Mathias)
Rick and Totney Benson, with Rotary officials in Kampala, Uganda.
For more than 2 decades, the US Drug Enforcement Administration has run a “Drug Take Back Day” program. Over 16 million pounds of prescription medicines have been removed from circulation.
This Saturday (October 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Westport Police Department again partners in this effort. Medications can be dropped off at the Senior Center, on Imperial Avenue. The event is free, and anonymous; no questions are asked.
Liquids or needles cannot be accepted; only pills or patches. Vape pens are accepted if the batteries are removed.
A year-round collection bin is available in the lobby of police headquarters on Jesup Road. For more information, click here.
This week’s “Jazz at the Post” features guitarist Bob DeVos. He’s joined by Dan Kostelnik on bass, drummer Steve Johns, and of course Greg Wall, Westport’s own “Jazz Rabbi” saxophonist.
There are 2 sets on Thursday (October 27, VFW Post 399, 465 Riverside Avenue): 7:30 and 8:40 p.m. Dinner is available from 7 p.m. on. For reservations, email jazzatthepost@gmail.com.
This past weekend’s Staples High School boys basketball fundraiser was a great success. Kids of all ages participated, helping raise funds for a players’ lounge, video equipment and pre-season camp.
The second part of the fundraiser — a virtual silent auction — runs through this coming Friday (October 28). Items include Knicks, Broadway and Stephen Colbert tickets; autographed basketballs; a lesson with a varsity player, and more. Click here for details, and bids.
Taking a break during the Staples basketball fundraiser: Nicholas Fey, Jackson Shapiro and Ryder Shapiro,
Former Westporter John Preston died earlier this month, at 75.
The Michigan native met his future wife Janet at the University of Michigan. They married in 1970.
He attended the Department of Defense Language Institute, and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1975.
He and his family lived in Westport for nearly 2 decades. They raised 3 children and had many friends here.
John spent 21 years at The Seagram Company, rising to senior vice president and treasurer. In 2004 he and Janet moved to Miami where he spent 14 years at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as vice president of finance and administration. She died in 2016.
He moved in 2020 to Portland, Oregon to be closer to his son and daughter, and their families. He moved to Wilmette, Illinois, shortly before his death.
John was an avid golfer, voracious reader and lifelong lover of speaking Spanish..
John is survived by his three children Regan, Lilly and Wells; their spouses Jordan, Nik, and Chrissy; granddaughters, Maylin, Marlowe, Daphne, Oona and June; and siblings Susan Root, Thomas Preston and Sarah Linthicum.
A memorial will be held December 3 in Wilmette, Illinois. Click here for details.
Posted onAugust 16, 2022|Comments Off on Lobsterfest Funds Go Far: Rotarians Visit Africa Projects
You know all those great, fun events that Westport Rotary Club sponsors, like Lobsterfest?
You know how Rotarians say they’re fundraisers for worthwhile projects?
Well, they are.
Eight Westport Rotarians joined 17 others — including Rotarians from around the US — on an East African trip last month.
The purpose was to visit remote sites of development and humanitarian Rotary grant projects, and meet Rotarians in Kenya and Uganda. Ratrians also pitched in with hands-on work.
Rick and Totney Benson, with Rotary officials in Kampala, Uganda.
Projects included 3 rural schools – two for water and sanitation projects, one for a new community resource center — plus a Masai village medical clinic, and a hospital and nursing school on the Uganda/ Congo border with 4 new ICU units.
They also stopped at national parks to enjoy wildlife in savanna and riverine environments, trekked with habituated gorillas, and enjoyed fellowship with 5 Rotary clubs.
The Africa trip was planned by Rick Benson, a 33-year Westport Rotarian. He has led or participated in many international humanitarian expeditions to Africa, India and Central America, and enjoys connections with Rotarians and clubs worldwide.
The trip combined passion for humanitarian service, intricate logistics and enormous energy. Some Rotarians called it life-changing.
During 3 weeks, the group covered more than 2,500 miles of the Rift Valley by small plane, and off-road heavy duty safari vehicles. Traveling from capital cities to remote areas of barren highlands, lush fertile valleys along the Nile and lakes like Victoria, and in sight of Mount Kenya, they stayed in mountaintop lodges, safari hotels and local guest houses.
An evening walk near Lake Naivasha, Kenya.
They assessed progress made, and future needs. For example, the pump associated with a deep bore hole well and storage tank that had been installed to serve over 2,500 people in 5 rural villages and schools recently broke. A new pump was needed. A quick response got water flowing again.
Another example was the Nambale Magnet School. It was founded by a Kenyan pastor who graduated from Yale Divinity School, to serve children orphaned during the AIDS epidemic.
Modeled on a magnet school in New Haven, it has developed since 2009 into an outstanding campus offering a home, safety and high-quality education for 400 students ages 3 to 13.
Schoolchildren in Kenya. (Photo/Gillian Anderson)
Rotary sponsorship has provided a deep water well, pump, water storage and distribution facilities, a gray water recycling system, a bio digestor to process animal and human waste into fertilizer, and a greenhouse and irrigation system. Still needed: whiteboards, computers, and an expanded network for classrooms.
In the remote forested area of southwest Uganda that is home to endangered mountain gorillas, the Bwindi Community Hospital was established in 2003 by American Rotarian doctor and missionary and his wife. They saw a need to help indigenous people who were displaced when the Impenetrable Forest Gorilla Reserve was established.
Westport Rotarians have led a project through which dozens of benefactors purchase and ship nearly $1 million worth of ICU and radiology equipment. Two shipping containers will be delivered and installed in coming months.
Rotarians wore COVID masks — to protect gorillas.
Westport Rotary last year distributed more than $185,000 to 36 local and regional programs. 25% was invested in international humanitarian projects, like those recently visited.
They’re always looking to raise more funds, for more help. Westport Rotary is gearing up now to beat last year’s fundraising record at LobsterFest. It’s September 17, at Compo Beach. Click here for tickets, and details on the lobster, steak, live music and children’s activities.
(“06880” is fully funded by readers. Please click here to help.)
One more natural wonder in Africa. (Photo/Lyla Steenbergen)
Comments Off on Lobsterfest Funds Go Far: Rotarians Visit Africa Projects
Today’s storm did not do the damage that was feared.
Approximately 756 customers were without power at the peak of the storm. Most were restored quickly. Isolated individual outages remain.
Meanwhile, Valerie Ann Leff sent this photo of her furnace room, in her home on a hill off Hillspoint Road.
She says: “The water hasn’t reached the finished wood floor, but when we walk across it it sounds like we’re walking on a dock. Every cleanup company around has long waiting lists, so we’re just bailing with a bucket and a big pitcher.”
(Photo/Valerie Ann Leff)
Meanwhile, this was the scene at Compo Beach:
(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
One more photo from today’s storm. This was on Bradley Lane:
Their office — across the Post Road from Design Within Reach — was where they created and marketed an array of healthy, protein-rich jerky snacks. From beef, chicken, turkey and pork to jalapeño, cracked pepper and everything bagel, it all happened in Westport.
Next store to the office, they operated a low-key retail outlet. It wasn’t an afterthought exactly, but it wasn’t front-and-center either.
Now though, there are some good reasons to take a field trip to Field Trip.
The jerky outlet has been transformed into a “general store/pantry.” It’s filled with specialty items, curated from the owners’ relationships and knowledge of exciting new products.
In addition to Field Trip items, they’re selling:
Bourbon aged barrel maple syrup
Jalapeño bacon salsa
Habanero sea salt
Texas olive oil
Bacon brittle
Ugly dried fruit
Caramels, licorice and ChiChi chocolates
Doux south pickles and mustards
1934 Bloody Mary mix
Coro salami
Bjorn corn
Bobby Sue’s nuts
Aina Kopi steak seasonings and mango habanero hot sauce(this is the only US location)
FOGO charcoal (only place in Westport.
And that’s just for starters.
If you still have a jones for jerky: Starting next week, Field Trip is selling their newest flavor: Gochujang Korean-style BBQ beef jerky. It’s being introduced here first, before a national rollout.
But wait! There’s more! Field Trip offers a 20% discount code to anyone mentioning a Dan Woog/”06880″ callout during the month of July.
Pippa Bell Ader uses solar power to heat and cool her home, heat her hot water pumps, and power her electric car.
Now the environmental advocate and Sustainable Westport member wants you to learn how.
This Tuesday (July 13, 3 to 6 p.m.), she invites everyone to her 62 Woodside Avenue home. She’ll show how you can make easy improvements yourself.
“In Connecticut, we have older homes — mine was built in 1929 — that use a lot of energy, especially for cooling and heating,” she says.
“The state has great incentives and financing for people who want to switch from fossil fuels to heat pumps. Pair heat pumps with solar to power and heat your entire home with clean energy. Driving an electric car powered by solar reduces our carbon footprint as well. I’m right on the cusp of being completely net zero.“
Learn all that — and more — on Tuesday. Plus there’s pizza. Made in a solar-powered oven, I’m sure.
Like many organizations, Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services had to suspend some operations during COVID. Among the casualties: the EMR/ EMT classes that were an important pipeline for new members.
And for careers. At least 14 volunteers went on to medical school; others became nurses, paramedics and physician assistants.
Classes will begin again in the fall. The cost — $1250 per EMT student, $750 per EMR student — includes classes, books, stethoscope and BP cuff. Most classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, with some Saturday days. The course begins September 21, and runs through January.
WVEM will reimburse for the cost of the class after members become part of the organization. Click here for more information.
Arlene Benson — mother of longtime Westport civic volunteer Rick Benson — died peacefully in East Norwalk on July 1. She was 98.
A member of Wheaton College’s Class of 1944, the Buffalo native moved to Fort Riley, Kansas, then Southern California shortly after her 1943 wedding, then back to Buffalo when her husband deployed to World War II in North Africa and Europe.
She shared Ontario cottages for many summers with her sister, their boys, and her mother, enjoying the beach, swimming, sailing and golf. She and her husband purchased condominium homes in Florida. She moved to Connecticut in late 2017 at age 94 to be closer to her son and grandson.
A member of the Garrett Club, Cherry Hill Country Club, Buffalo Canoe Club, and the Country Club of Buffalo, Arlene loved to host parties, travel to Europe, take cruises, play golf and bridge, and be with her family.
She will be remembered as a loving, generous, caring person, always with a smile, always with something nice to say, and always concerned about others more than herself.
Her passing is the end of an era. Her maternal grandfathers emigrated from Germany in 1905, started Mollenberg-Betz Machine Co, Inc. in 1910. Her husband joined the firm in 1946, rose to EVP and retired in 1986. The commercial air conditioning, refrigeration and service company is still family owned and managed in Buffalo, but she is the last of her generation.
Arlene is survived by her son Richard and his wife, Totney of Westport, CT, and her grandson Richard Betz Benson II (RB) of New York City. She was predeceased by her first husband James M. Benson, her older son James M. Benson, Jr., her sister Janice Betz Dedecker, and her second husband Robert Eckis.
A celebration of life reception will be held on Thursday July 15 (4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Greens Farms Congregational Church).
A memorial service will be held on September 8 un Buffalo, with private interment preceding in the church memorial garden. Donations may be made in her memory to: Westminster Presbyterian Church 724 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209 or the Westport Rotary Club Foundation, PO Box 741, Westport, CT 06881.
“Westport … Naturally” features a fantastic female monarch butterfly.
It paused on several of the flowers in Wendy Crowther’s garden. She was glad to see it, as monarchs are in drastic decline. “The more we can do to avoid herbicide use and provide a welcome habitat, the more we can help,” Wendy says.
Thanks to all who submitted photos of today’s Memorial Day parade and ceremony. I received hundreds, and can’t run them all.
Today meant a lot to Westporters. It touched our hearts. It made us think about who we are, and what we want to be. And it made us deeply proud of our neighbors, our community, and all who have sacrificed to make this day possible.
World War II veterans like Joe Schachter had a special place of honor … (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
… and there were several cars with them. (Photo/Molly Alger)
Navy veteran Rick Benson (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Leonard Everett Fisher (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
Bill Vornkahl — a Korean War veteran — has organized over 65 Westport Memorial Day parades. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Boy Scouts honor the flag. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
The Fire Department held its annual ceremony, honoring its members who have served. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
1st Selectman Jim Marpe leads the political contingent … (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
… and the Blue Jays follow. (Photo/Whitney D’Angelo)
The Westport Paddle Club’s float echoed this year’s parade theme: Honoring Women in the Military. The WPC won “Most Creative Float” honors. (Photo/Robbie Guimond)
A Revolutionary War soldier (with sunglasses), aka Miggs Burroughs. One youngster — who really needs to learn history — asked, “Is he a pirate?” (Photo/Dan Woog)
Besides publishing (and taking photos for) Westport Local Press and working as an educator Jaime Bairaktaris volunteers as an EMT. He marched proudly with them today — and wore out his shoes. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Remarkable Theater founder Doug Tirola (left) and Marine Corps veteran Michael Calise share a taste in shirt themes. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Last week’s Photo Challenge showed a close-up of a bit of the Compo Beach playground. It was kind of obvious, even though I cropped Patricia McMahon’s image as closely as I could. (Click here to see.)
But leave it to Rick Benson — who has forgotten more about Westport than I’ve ever known — to provide the back story:
This is a wheel from the original playground, taken down in April 1989 to make room for the first Robert Leathers Community Built playground.
When that wore out and the current one was built, this was relocated again to the “new playground.”
The “original playground” Rick refers to was actually just a monkey bar, swing set and whirligig adjacent to the basketball courts.
The plan for the first Leathers playground created an enormous controversy.
Playground opponents — no, that’s not an oxymoron — feared a ruined beach vista. They worried the swings and ladders would be a magnet for out-of-towners, or taken over by beer-drinking, pot-smoking, sex-having teenagers.
The playground controversy brought the first — and only — death threat of 1st selectwoman Marty Hauhuth’s tenure.
Anti-playground activists obtained a court injunction. (They were not playing around.)
As soon as it was lifted, construction began. It was a magical weekend.
The playground quickly became one of Westport’s prime attractions. It did not ruin the view; it enhanced it. And the only problem now is that on beautiful days, too many people use it.
Congratulations to (besides Rick) Rich Stein, Totney Benson, Andrew Colabella, Evan Stein, John Richers and James Weisz.
All knew where to find last week’s Photo Challenge. Even if they didn’t all know as much about it as Rick does.
How about this week’s puzzle? If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
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