You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, Bob Dylan astutely noted.
I’ll add: You don’t need to be a congregant to know that last week’s Photo Challenge showed the weather vane atop Saugatuck Church. (Click here for the photo.)
The white building set behind a broad green lawn is one of Westport’s most recognizable landmarks. (Never mind that it wasn’t always there; in 1950, it moved diagonally from its previous site where — among other events — meetings led to Westport’s official founding in 1835.)
Anyone driving by (and stopped at the Myrtle Avenue light) has time to gaze at the church — and its weather vane.
Morley Boyd, Diane Bosch, Seth Schachter, Robert Mitchell and Andrew Colabella all knew exactly where.
And — in a rarity for our Photo Challenge — there were no wrong guesses.
Will there be any this week? If you know where in Westport you’d see this sight, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Sandy Rothenberg)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
The Westport Fire Department responded yesterday afternoon to a house fire on Tarone Drive. One resident was injured, and taken to Norwalk Hospital.
The WPD reminds everyone to ensure they have working smoke detectors in their homes.
Dayling Savings Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Move your clocks forward one hour! Whenever you change your clocks, remember to change your batteries!
================================================
More than half a century after graduating from Staples High School, I made my Players debut.
I was a guest speller last night in their production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
It was short-lived. I got knocked out on my first word: kumis. As I sure as heck did not know, the fermented milk drink from Central and East Asia is spelled not with a “c,” but with a “k.” (It’s also known as koumis or kumyz, neither of which I would have gotten either.)
Yours truly being given a loser’s prize by Mitch Mahoney (Yusef Abdallah), after failing in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
My fellow guest spellers — 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Staples principal Stafford Thomas and Bedford Acting Group director Ryan Smith — lasted longer than I did.
Neither of them won, either. (Spoiler alert: No guest speller has ever won, in the history of the Broadway show. It’s rigged!)
“Older” spellers (from left) Stafford Thomas, Dan Woog, Jen Tooker and Ryan Smith, on stage with the Staples cast, who are much better spellers (and actors).
But boy, did we have fun. Thank you, Players directors David Roth and Kerry Long, for the invitation. And great job Players, making us all feel welcome!
The show continues today (Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, March 9, 2 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Leaf Coneybear (Cooper Gusick, center) entertains Staples principal Stafford Thomas and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker. (All photos/Kerry Long)
Chef Brian Lewis — whose OKO and The Cottage are Westport favorites — was recently named a semifinalist for the James Beard Award (“Best Chef Northeast” category).
Now he’s introducing a new dining experience.
The OKO-KASE menu includes Popcorn Dashi Lions Mane, Hokkaido Uni, Osetra Caviar, Bread and Butter Lobster, Passion Fruit and Stracciatella
Black Truffle Chawanmushi.
That’s followed by a selection of nigiri sushi, hand rolls, and flavorful dishes like Chili-Lime King Crab Hand Roll, St. Canut Pork Belly with Walnut Miso and Fermented Apple Butter, and Yuzu White Chocolate Huckleberry Kiss.
The price is $200 per guest; $75 sake pairing per guest. Reservations (203-557-8404) require 48-hour notice, and a $50 deposit per guest.
Westport escaped major damage in yesterday’s high winds.
Residents of Hickory Drive were not as lucky, however. Power went out when a tree took down live wires.
(Photo/Ron Poserina)
Winds continue today, 20 to 30 mph, with occasional gusts over 40. The temperature will be in the mid 40s.
The week ahead looks good. Tuesday could see 60 degrees.
=================================================
Last year, Rach’s Hope Walk the Extra Mile raised more than $20,000. The funds helped the non-profit that supports families with critically ill children in the ICU with an additional 100 nights of hotel stays, so parents can rest and recharge while staying close to their kids.
Rach’s Hope — which honors Rachel Doran, the Staples High School graduate and rising Cornell University senior, who died after developin a rare reaction to common medications — is getting ready for their 6th annual Rach’s Hope PJ Gala.
(Rachel was a talented Staples Players costume designer, and founded a pajama company.)
The date is Saturday, March 29 (7 to 11 p.m., FTC, Fairfield). Click here for tickets.
Festivities include an open bar with Tito’s cocktails, beer, wine and prosecco; heavy appetizers and desserts by AMG Catering; live music kicked off by Westport’s own Michael Cantor and Frog Salon, plus Rach’s Hope’s signature band, Ellis Island — and live and silent auctions too.
The Staples High School freshman was the only 9th grader in the entire country to win the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy annual Civics Challenge His entry was Crafting Change: The Art of Lawmaking in Congress.
The Civics Challenge is a very competitive national contest open to students in grades 6 through 12. Participants demonstrate civics knowledge through essays, short videos or original songs.
Tucker — one of just 10 winners nationwide — earned a $500 prize.
And the admiration of everyone who mourns the loss of civics education in America today.
Speaking of education: Adam Shapiro recently spent 2 days at Greens Farms Academy.
The noted actor (“The Bear,” “Never Have I Ever,” “Waitress”)was the school’s 2025 Hartwell Visiting Artist.
Shapiro presented at student assemblies, delivered a keynote to parents on “Cultivating Creativity,” coached the Middle School cast of “Frozen Jr.,” and shared his stories and advice about building a career in the arts.
Click here to read more about Shapiro’s visit. Click below for a highlight reel:
Speaking of school: Congratulations too to Weston High School’s robotics team!
They won the engineering design Innovate Champion Award at the state robotics championship recently.
That earned them a spot at the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas in May. Good luck to the squad: Emily Arias, Angela Zhao, Joshua Miranda and Cooper Schleef.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong — an early opponent, with counterparts across the country, of some of President Trump’s first funding cuts — is the guest at the Democratic Women of Westport’s annual Souper Luncheon.
The event is March 28 (11:30 a.m.). The DWW invites the public to join the AG, and learn more about his work on behalf of state residents. To RSVP, email dww06880@gmail.com.
On April 22, the Democratic Women sponsor a forum with Yale Law School professor Paul Kahn, author of Democracy in Our America: Can We Still Govern Ourselves? He’ll be joined in conversation by the Representative Town Meeting’s current and former moderators, Jeff Wieser and Velma Heller.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong.
================================================
Saugatuck Congregational Church host’s Connecticut’s first “Music for Food” concert (March 16, 3 p.m.), with classical pianist Emma Tahmizian.
The Bulgarian musician debuted internationally at age 11, at a concert series in Moscow. She has performed and recorded regularly, since winning the 1977 Robert Schumann Competition.
The event is free, but donations are accepted. All proceeds benefit Homes with Hope, to support area residents facing food insecurity.
Emma Tahmizian
================================================
The Gallery @ Green’s Farms Church welcomes photographer Sally Harris, and her latest work: “The Colors and Culture of Oaxaca.”
The show runs from March 14 to May 14. An opening reception is March 14 (6 to 8 p.m.). For more information, click here.
Speaking of art: Brian Whelan’s work is always a highlight of our “06880” online gallery.
Now it’s on view at Trinity Church Wall Street, in New York.
“Holy City” is a series inspired by medieval artwork, contemporary expressionism, and Whelan’s Catholic roots. blending the temporal and the spiritual.
The 9-panel painting at the center of the exhibit depicts Christianity, Islam and Judaism existing in harmony, with houses of worship supporting and uplifting one another.
The exhibit is open through March 18. Click here for more information.
Speaking still of the arts: A large crowd learned a lot at Thursday’s Malloy Fund for the Arts’ presentation “Reimagined: Westport as an Arts Town, Past, Present and Future.”
Actor James Naughton moderated a panel, with Miggs Burroughs, Melissa Newman and Meloday James.
Ann Sheffer — a passionate arts advocate and philanthropist (and donor Susan Malloy’s niece), whose family’s contributions helped shape Westport’s cultural fabric — also spoke.
If you missed it: no worries. Just click below, to see the entire event.
The Westport Astronomical Society will be open from 1 a.m. to 3:40 a.m. (weather permitting) on March 14, to observe the total lunar eclipse.
In other WAS news, the next free online lecture features Sarah Elizabeth McCandless. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory navigation engineer discusses “Exploring an Icy World with Europa Clipper.”
This afternoon’s “Snowmen of Love” project — a ringing response to the antisemitic snowman discovered Sunday at Newman Poses Preserve — drew a spirited, creative, all-ages crowd to Saugatuck Congregational Church.
“06880” photographer Ryan Allen was there too. The Staples High School sophomore captured all the joy and fun of the day.
Despite just a couple of hours’ notice — and in the middle of a busy weekday afternoon — many Westporters showed up today, on the Saugatuck Congregational Church lawn.
Some were congregants; others were not. Some were in the prime of their snowman-making days; others were well past.
All went to work, turning last night’s snowfall into an even prettier site: “Snowmen of Love.”
That’s the name Rev. Kari Nicewander gave to a quickly conceived project.
The goal was to counter Sunday’s snowman of hate: a crude representation of Adolf Hitler — complete with swastika, mustache, and outstretched arm salute — at Newman Poses Preserve.
They had fun. They worked together. They drank hot chocolate.
And they sent a message to everyone passing by, on Post Road East: Our snowmen have hearts.
“Bring hats and gloves for the snowmen, signs/messages of love and peace, etc.,” the pastor says.
“Our snowmen will have hearts and outreached arms. Let’s fill the lawn and show the community what kind of humans we are. Please help share and get the word out. Each snowman represents another person standing up against hate.”
Today, snow covers the Saugatuck Church lawn. This afternoon, the town is invited there, to make “snowmen of love.”
This month, there are many somethings. For example:
Election Day Art Recess Camp (November 5): A creative day, for nursery school to 1st graders (9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.), or kindergartners through 5th graders (9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.).
East Coast Contemporary Ballet: (November 8, 7:30 p.m.): Pieces from 2019 onward, a new version of “Deconstructed,” and a world premiere.
Lunchtime Sound Bath Meditation with Hummingbird Healing Center (November 13, 12:30-1:30 p.m.).
Holiday Marketplace (November 15-16, noon-4 p.m.): Local artisans and vendors offer unique items.
Fall and Holiday Prep Workshops (various dates): Hands-on classes in basket weaving and ceramic multi-bowl building.
Click here for registration, and more information.
Meanwhile, Saugatuck Congregational Church has some interesting events too:
Drum Circle: A Journey for the Spirit(November 10, 3 p.m.): Drum to a common rhythm; tune in to yourself and others. Guided by an elder from Ecuador. No experience necessary. Bring a percussion instrument if you have one. Suggested donation: $10
Violins of Hope (November 17, 10:00 a.m.): Working with the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County, Saugatuck Church hosts a violin and cello of Violins of Hope, visit during the worship service. The instruments belonged to Jews before and during the Holocaust. The service includes performances by Amelie Bazile (Staples High School), Hannah Alexander (Western Connecticut State University) and our SCC director of music ministries Dr. Liang-Fang Chang.
Saugatuck Concert Series: (November 17, 3 p.m.): Rolf Schulte (violin) and Kayoung An (piano). Free; donations are welcome.
The Westport Country Playhouse’s “Script in Hand” season continues November 18 (7 p.m.) with a new play: “A Danger to Yourself and Others.”
It’s a “farcical look at navigating life with anxiety” — which we all seem to need right now. Click here for tickets, and more information.
================================================
Matt Panos sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” image, with this comment:
“I’ve never submitted a picture before, but then again I don’t live in Westport anymore.
“I was back in town for Staples High School’s Class of 1974 50th reunion. It was fabulous: ~120 classmates, of which about 117 do not live in Westport, descended upon our former hometown.
“As I headed back to Arizona, I took one last drive around and just had to snap a few photos. No trees in Phoenix like this one on Old Hill Road! It was a great weekend of memories.”
Usually, “The Bridge at Saugatuck is open” means the swing mechanism is in use, so a boat can pass through. Traffic delays mount.
Yesterday, “The Bridge at Saugatuck is open” was welcome news.
Westport’s newest restaurant — replacing Parker Mansion, which replaced the Mansion Clam House — welcomed diners, to rave reviews.
The new space — built by The O’Dell Group for owner Doug Pardon — includes a large downstairs bar, patio, upstairs tables, outdoor deck, and cabanas by the Saugatuck River.
The menu is eclectic. The vibe is fun. It’s one more reason Westport has reclaimed its role as one of the best restaurant towns in the state.
Cutting the ribbon at The Bridge at Saugatuck (from left): Timothy Pardon, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, owner Doug Pardon, general manager Isaac “Patrick” Camaro, executive chef Stephen Lewandowski, William Pardon, Conor Pardon.
Speaking of food: Among the many favorites at The Porch @ Christie’s: colossal cookies.
They come in 8 big flavors: chocolate chip, cookie butter, cookies & cream, halfsies, M&M, snickerdoodle with dulce de leche, sweet & salty, and triple chocolate.
But what if you don’t live around here?
No problem!
Sweet P Bakery — The Porch’s baker, and like the popular deli, an avid employer of people with disabilities — now ships their colossal cookies nationwide. Just click here, and follow the prompts.
Of course, if you do live here, head to to The Porch to taste the flavors, see a sample box, and snag a discount card.
Sweet!
(Photo/Abby Cole Photography)
===============================================
Every year at this time, the Westport Library celebrates UN Day with a Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Lecture. The namesake of our Post Road Bridge was also a founder and strong advocate of the United Nations Association-USA Southwest Connecticut Chapter (and a friend of former US Ambassador to the UN Eleanor Roosevelt).
This year’s event should be a great one. Jim Himes — Westport’s member of the US Congress, and the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence — will discuss international issues.
The event is on UN Day: Thursday, October 24 (7 p.m.).
It’s a fall festival, here in our weekly online art gallery.
But no matter what subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.
Age, level of experience, subject matter — there are no restrictions. Everyone is invited to contribute.
Email a jpeg to 06880blog@gmail.com. And remember: Please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.
“Autumn Leaves” (Duane Cohen)
“Life is Gourd” (Patricia McMahon)
“Morning Walk” — Photoshop-enhanced and composited digital photograph (Ken Runkel)
“A Lot of Susans” (Peter Barlow)
“End of Summer” — acrylic pouring on canvas, manipulated by blowing through a straw (Dorothy Robertshaw)
Untitled — on view at Westport River Gallery (S. Guccione)
“It’s Always Fun Hanging Out With Pals” — collage (Maj Kalfus)
“Islands in the Sea” — Newport, Rhode Island (Bruce Borner)
“Roar Lion Roar!” — charcoal with computer colorization (Aerin Lichtman, age 12)
Untitled (Tom Doran)
“The Tree of Knowledge: Pomegranate?” — watercolor. Artist Steve Stein writes, “In Exodus, the Tree of Knowledge fruit represents the mixing of good and evil together. The Forbidden Fruit was probably not apple — indigenous to Asia. Possibilities are thought to include pomegranate, fig, pear, quince, carob, etrog, apricot and tamarind — all indigenous to the Middle East.”
Untitled (Lawrence Weisman)
(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
