An overflow crowd filled Assumption Church yesterday, to say goodbye to Pete Romano. He was a lifelong parishioner of the church around the corner from his Saugatuck roots.
The Staples High School graduate, generous philanthropist, and avid volunteer with organizations ranging from Westport PAL and Al’s Angels to Festival Italiano and Wakeman Town Farm was remembered for his willingness to help everyone, his strong friendships, and his ability to own any room he walked into.
Saugatuck and Westport were common themes at the service. Pete’s LandTech civil engineering firm is located just down the street from Assumption.
If you don’t — but would like to, in 2027 — check out “Sips & Sparks.”
The speed dating event is set for Thursday (February 19, 7 p.m., The Clubhouse). It includes a casual mixer kickoff, guided conversational ice-breakers, and a “simple matching system.” Mutual matches receive contact information the next day.
It’s advertised for singles in their 30s and 40s. But, organizers say, “if you’re slightly outside this range but feel you’d connect well with this group, you’re welcome to join.”
Another social event is geared to the LGBTQ (and allies!)
Westport Pride hosts their second Happy Hour of the year on March 5 (6 p.m., The Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club).
Organizers say, “We believe Pride isn’t just a month — it’s a year-round movement rooted in visibility, connection and care.” Click here for more information.
Volunteers will score submitted manuscripts. The best-reviewed books advance to a panel of judges, who will select the winner.
Click here for more information. (Westport residents only, please!)
=================================================
Speaking of the Library: Memoirist/essayist/critic Claire Dederer is the lastest addition to VersoFest.
She takes the Westport Library Saturday stage Saturday, March 28 (1 p.m.), chatting with journalist Hilarie M. Sheets.
Dederer’s most recent book — “Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma” — examines what happens when good art (writing, painting, film) is made by bad people.
Click here for information on Dederer’s talk. Click here for full details on VersoFest 2026, including appearances by Ani DiFranco, Wyclef Jean, Susanna Hoffs, The Thing and more.
Speaking of music: Jazz pianist (and Westport native) Jeff Franzel has toured with legends like Les Brown and The Hues Corporation, and accompanied Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Mel Tormé. He’s a Grammy-nominated star.
Jeff’s new trio has performed at clubs like The Bitter End. On February 28 (2 p.m.), they’ll be live — and free — at the Pequot Library.
Also appearing: Eva Slossberg, the Staples High School senior who has who has just been accepted into the Clive Davis School at NYU Tisch. Click here for more information.
Jeff Franzel
=================================================
It’s a longtime Westport question: How dressed up should I get for a fundraiser?
Here’s one you don’t have to worry about.
Rach’s Hope PJ Gala returns for a 7th year on March 28 (7 p.m., Fairfield Theater Company).
As the many attendees at the popular event have learned: It’s all about pajama chic.
Rach’s Hope hich honors Rachel Doran, a Staples High School graduate and rising Cornell University senior who died after developing a rare reaction to common medications. A Staples Players costume designer, she had already founded a pajama company. (That’s the PJ connection!)
The evening includes live music by Michael Cantor of Frog Salon and Fairfield’s favorite band Ellis Island, great appetizers and desserts by AMG Catering, an open bar, and live and silent auction experiences.
Funds raised support families with children facing extended ICU stays.
This pajama-chic evening blends cocktails, music, and meaning to raise critical funds for families with children facing extended ICU stays — a lasting legacy, created lovingly Rachel’s family and friends. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Rachel Doran
===============================================
Temperatures are slowly rising.
But the effects of the recent 2-week freeze remain.
This boat — at a private dock on Harbor Road, in Saugatuck Shores — did not make it. All that can be seen now is the flying bridge.
(Photo/Rob Jackson)
The good news: Temperatures will be in the mid-40s today, the high 30s tomorrow. Nighttime lows will be just below freezing.
Break out the sunscreen!
=================================================
“06880” gives a V-Day shout-out to the Learning Community Day School.
The pre-school staff began yesterday’s professional development day by creating valentines for folks at Homes with Hope’s Gillespie Center, and the Westport Center for Senior Activities.
On Friday night, Judy Collins came to the Westport Country Playhouse.
I headed to the historic theater, not knowing what to expect. I wanted to see the legendary singer/songwriter, whose songs were so important as I grew up.
But she’s 84 years old. Did she still have her voice, her energy, her marbles?
Others in the lobby before the show wondered the same thing.
We need not have worried. It was a fantastic evening.
Judy Collins told compelling stories, with wit and depth. She sang old songs and new ones, in a voice still beautiful and on-key. She laughed at her foibles, and brought us along on a journey through her life.
It was just Judy Collins on stage with a pianist and guitarist, for a wonderful 90 minutes. Brava!
Judy Collins, at the Westport Country Playhouse. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
================================================
Let’s tee it up for our veterans!
VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 and American Legion Post 63’s annual golf tournament is June 10 (9 a.m., Longshore Club Park). Funds raised will support local veterans and their families.
The day includes friendly competition, camaraderie, and giving back.
Registration for the shotgun scramble format ($150 per person) includes 18 holes, cart, putting contest, goody bag, prizes, and a BBQ lunch at the VFW.
For information on registration, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, click here or contact Patty Kondub: patty.kondub@gmail.com; 203-767-3778.
Longshore hosts the VFW and American Legion’s June 10 golf tournament. (Photo/Dave Dellinger)
================================================
Dan August is not yet 40 years old.
But the 2003 Staples High School graduate is well known in the sports industry.
Now Sports Business Journal has taken notice. The publication has named August — a former Staples High School tennis and track athlete, Dartmouth College graduate, and Los Angeles Rams executive — to its “40 Under 40” honor roll.
As executive vice president of consumer revenue and strategy, August oversees the Rams’ ticketing sales, service and operations, analytics, and all facets of game day, including stadium operations, guest experience, food and beverage, and retail. He also leads strategic initiatives.
August serves on the Rams’ leadership team. He joined the organization in 2016, after 8 years in the National Football League front office.
He and 39 others will be featured in the publication’s June 17 issue, and recognized at a November 22 Chelsea Piers gala.
Click here for more details. (Hat tip: Charlie Stoebe)
Dan August
================================================
Friday’s Pic of the Day showed a view from Covlee Beach. The tiny spot on Saugatuck Shores — just off Covlee Drive — may be Westport’s least known, and least exclusive beach.
Here’s a shot of the entrance:
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Peter Hirst lived there long ago. The 1968 Staples High School graduate is now a long-time Northern Californian. But he still keeps up with his hometown, via “06880.”
When and why, he wonders, did the original spelling — “Covelee” — morph into the very odd, and meaningless, “Covlee”?
Peter sends photographic proof. He helped his father place this metal sign on the beach shack, around 1955:
He sends this photo of a life ring too. Though at first glance it reads “Covlee,” it’s clear the strap hides the “E.”
Peter had a great time growing up there, with neighborhood kids like Lindy Hirst, Barbara Pryor, Murray Rosenberg, Chris Herman, Lucia Donnelly, Mickey Masterson, Lane Haviland, Bobby Rich and Martha Laslett.
His home was 12 Covelee Drive — he calls it “12 Cove Lee.” It looks very much the same today, though the garage is new.
But there are other newer and bigger houses, like the one on the left.
Maybe with all that construction, there wasn’t room for one more “E.”
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.
