Tag Archives: SCA Crowley

Roundup: More Snow, Board Of Ed Conversation Postponed, Alzheimer’s Support Group Forms …

Posted on February 25, 2026 | 6 comments

After a professional development day, winter break, then 2 more blizzard snow days, Westport schools were finally back in session this morning.

It did not start out well.

A parent of a student reports, “Cars were driving 5 miles an hour on the way to school. Many were sliding all over the place. Scary!”

A Staples High School senior adds, “Wild school opening. 4 students in my first period class. Roads covered in snow. Couldn’t see the center line on the Post Road.”

The good news is: The sun will peek through this afternoon. The temperature will be about 40.

The bad news: Snow showers are predicted, Sunday through Tuesday.

Car and school bus navigate snow-covered roads very carefully this morning. (Photo/Dayle Brownstein)

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The Board of Education “Community Conversation” scheduled for noon today at the Westport Library has been postponed.

A new date will be announced soon.

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And 2 delays: The Senior Center will open at 10:30 a.m. today, 2 hours late.

The Westport Library opens at 11 a.m.

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Residents caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia often feel alone.

There’s help available. The Residence at Westport and Westport Library are collaborating on a monthly support group, with professional facilitators.

It’s a chance to share stories with others who understand the challenges, in a safe and supportive environment.

Educational presentations may be provided, and participants will help choose discussion topics.

It meets the second Tuesday of every month (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Westport Library). No RSVPs are necessary; it’s a drop-in group.

Questions? Email mledney@residencewestport.com.

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For the second time this winter, SCA Crowley lent a clean-up hand.

The property management firm and Penna Construction — both longtime Westport-based firms — lent vehicles and crews yesterday night. Together, they cleared some of the snow that remained on downtown streets and sidewalks.

It takes a village. Thanks, SCA and Penna, for helping make ours a little less treacherous!

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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Also downtown: S’mores — courtesy of Nômade — are a winter Holiday Stroll favorite.

But they made an appearance yesterday, on the Main Street sidewalk.

And you thought nothing good would come out of that blizzard …

Who wants s’mores? (Photo/Sal Liccione)

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Many Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play reading selections are contemporary works.

The next one is a classic — and an encore presentation.

“The Subject Was Roses” — winner of the 1965 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and a Tony Award for Best Play — comes to the storied stage on Monday (March 2, 7 p.m.).

It was produced at the Playhouse in 1966, then again in 1982.

“Roses” is set in May of 1946. As World War II draws to an end, a young soldier returns to the Bronx apartment where he was raised. Hoping his homecoming will repair his parents’ troubled marriage, he presses for small acts of reconciliation, only to expose years of resentment and emotional distance. As tensions rise, the family confronts the truth of their relationships and the life they share.

Tickets are $35. Click here to purchase, and for more information. 

Etai Benson stars in “The Subject Was Roses.”

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Cohl Katz loves her Smith Corona typewriter.

But it jammed up — and she has no idea who can fix it.

If you know a typewriter repair person — or can do it yourself — email cohlita@yahoo.com.

Who knows — she may write a nice thank-you note on it!

Kids: Do you know what this is?

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Dogs in a Pile — the 20-somethings band with “old souls and limitless chops,”  brings their psychedelic-tinged jazz/funk/rock to the Levitt Pavilion on July 17.

Touring is in their blood: They’ve averaged 130 shows a year since 2022.

Tickets go on sale Friday (February 27, 10 a.m.). Click here to purchase, and for more information.


Dogs in a Pile

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From Dogs in a Pile to a red-tailed hawk in a tree … here’s today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo:

  (Photo/Todd Ehrlich)

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And finally … on this date in 1873, 4 years before the invention of the phonograph, Enrico Caruso — the most popular operatic tenor of the early 20th century, and the first great recording star — was born. He died in 1921, at 48, from peritonitis.

(Where else but “06880” can you find Dogs in a Pile and Enrico Caruso in the same place? There’s lot more every day too, on your hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work. Thanks!) 

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Posted in Downtown, Education, Entertainment, Library, Weather, Westport Country Playhouse

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Roundup: Downtown Cleanup, CT Business, VersoFest Heartbreaker …

Posted on February 5, 2026 | 12 comments

It takes a village — to clean a village.

With an enormous amount of snow, and temperatures remaining well below freezing, cleaning up from the January 25 storm was difficult.

Plowed, congealed piles made walking and parking difficult downtown.

So on Tuesday night, SCA Crowley — led by vice president Maxx Crowley, president of the Westport Downtown Association — joined forces with Westport’s Department of Public Works team.

SCA spent 3 hours on Main Street removing snow.

It was then hauled away by DPW director Peter Ratkiewich’s crew, led by superintendent Joe Izzo and crew captain Dave Smith. Public Works followed up by salting roads and sidewalks.

It’s much easier to park now — which means it’s far easier to drive and walk, too. Thanks to all who helped!

One view of the Main Street cleanup …

… and another. (Hat tip and photos/Andrew Colabella)

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“Your State, Your Business” — a 3-part event bringing 3 of Connecticut’s constitutional officers to Westport to discuss issues regarding the state and how they relate to business (and residents) is coming to town.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce and Westport Library are collaborating on the series.

It kicks off on March 5 with Comptroller Sean Scanlon. Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas follows on March 19. Attorney General William Tong is the final speaker, April 2. All sessions begin at 11 a.m.

Each event includes a presentation by the officer, a moderated discussion, and questions from the audience. It’s free, but registration is required.

For more information, including registration, click here.  

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Heartbreaker!

Tom Petty won’t be at this year’s VersoFest.

But his daughter will be.

Adria Petty — a noted producer and music video director — will be at the Westport Library on March 28 (3 p.m.). She’ll discuss her father’s legacy, with music and technology pioneer Sam Hendel.

Petty works as a managing partner at the Tom Petty estate with her family and the remaining members of Tom Petty’s band and operations team, preserving their archive of 40 years of American music.

She has directed videos for recording artists like Beyonce, Coldplay and Rihanna. She has also done commercial spots for brands such as Lancôme, Target, Converse, Hershey’s, McDonald’s and more. 

Her appearance is one of many free events, at the 5th annual VersoFest. Click here for the full lineup.

Adria Petty

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A reminder: Friends of the Senior Center are sponsoring their 25th annual Super Bowl tailgate party this Sunday (February 8, 1 p.m.).

All ages are welcome to enjoy hot dogs, chips and dessert, plus a chance to meet Staples High School’s championship boys soccer and rugby teams.

PAL and Staples cheerleaders will perform.

And there’s a “guess the final score” contest, with prizes.

All ages are invited. Registration required by noon Sunday: 203-341-5098.

The state champion “futbol” team will be at the Senior Center football Super Bowl party on February 8. (Photo/John Walker)

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Shoot for the stars!

The Westport Astronomical Society is introducing a new STEM opportunity for students in grades 9-12. It’s run through the Northeast Occultation Network (NEON).

Participants will learn to operate telescopes, observe and capture astronomical data from asteroid occultations, and contribute to professional astronomy research under the training of astrophysicist Dr. Kevin Green of the University of New Haven.

Students will work with the WAS team to collect, analyze and submit research-grade data to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

There are 3 options, based on course length and cost. Click here for more information.

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I know less than nothing about dog shows.

So when alert “06880” reader Chris Grimm sent me a video clip about Gryphon (click here), I had to ask for details.

Turns out that’s his dog. He competes in agility.

His partner — Chris’, not Gryphon’s — handles the dog during runs. The Westminster Kennel Club hosts a big agility trial — the Westminster Masters Agility Championship — which ended Tuesday night.

Gryphon’s Standard run begins at the 12:00 mark in the video below.

Chris reports: “He froze a bit at the weave polls and Leslie took a spill by the tunnel, but Gryphon did a great job of finishing.”

In the video below, Gryphon’s jumpers run starts after 12:30. “Except for wandering off to say hello, it was a good run,” Chris says. “I can’t believe he got his Q for that.

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Congratulations to Jessica Bram!

The founder of Westport Writers’ Workshop, and noted memoir and creative nonfiction workshop instructor, has just practiced what she preaches.

Her new memoir, “West End Avenue,” has just been published.

Amazon describes it:

A young girl’s world is upended when her divorced mother of 3 marries a widowed father of 4.

Set against the backdrop of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, this evocative memoir traces the uneasy transformation of a blended household – where strangers become siblings bound by shared trauma, quiet acts of loyalty, and the unspoken bonds forged in childhood.

Click here for more information, and to order.

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Orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Conaway was this week’s Westport Rotary Club guest speaker. Among his topics: the growing role of robotics in his specialty.

Dr. William Conaway (Photo/Dave Matlow)

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Westport Police made 4 custodial arrests between January 28 and February 3.

A 28-year-old Westport man was charged with interfering with an officer, following a complaint that he verbally threated an employee at Whole Foods. He fled, but was located nearby, and taken into custody based on repeated resistance to requests to stay away from the store.

A 64-year-old Hamden man was charged with larceny and criminal trespass, following an investigation into the theft of $110.31 of energy drinks from Stop & Shop. He had been formally warned earlier not to return to the store. He was held on a $25,000 bond.

A 53-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with failure to appear, after panhandling on the I-95 northbound ramp. He was held on a $25,000 bond.

A 28-year-old Westport man was charged with failure to appear, after being held in Pennsylvania on an unrelated matter. He was held on a $15,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Texting while driving: 14 citations
  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 11
  • Failure to renew registration: 11
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 7
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 7
  • Distracted driving: 2
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
  • Speeding in a school zone, 2nd offense: 1
  • Speeding in a school zone: 1
  • Speeding: 1
  • Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
  • Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
  • Failure to grant right of way: 1
  • Improper turn: 1
  • Unsafe backing: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
  • Violation of readable license plates: 1
  • Failure to return license plates: 1
  • Improper use of markers: 1
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
  • Failure to reinstate license within 60 days: 1
  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1

Lots of license plate citations recently. That’s no laughing matter.

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Because the heaviest snow usually falls during in February, Indigenous tribes of the North and East called this month’s full moon the “snow moon.”

When it rose the other day, there was indeed snow on the ground — from January.

Candice Cardenas snapped today’s “Westport … Naturally” image above Old Road.

(Photo/Candice Cardenas)

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And finally … in honor of Tom Petty’s daughter’s appearance at VersoFest (story above):

(From dog shows to outer space, “06880” is “where Westport meets the world.” If you’re a part of our online community — and you’re reading this, so you are — please click here to support us. Thanks!)

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Posted in Downtown, Library, Police, Politics, Weather

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Newcomers (And Oldtimers): Prepare Your Home For Winter

Posted on October 3, 2024 | 11 comments

With the arrival of fall, can winter be far behind?*

And with so many new homeowners in Westport — many of them former New York apartment dwellers — there is a lot to learn about property maintenance.

SCA Crowley — longtime Fairfield County residential and commercial property managers — know everything about preparing a home for cold weather.

Here — courtesy of vice president Maxxwell Crowley — are some of the most important tips. 

NOTE: You don’t have to be a new homeowner to read these. Everyone can learn something from them.

√ Make sure your irrigation system is winterized.

√ Schedule your plumber to turn off all exterior spigots, as well as any water lines that are exposed or on walls with no insulation (a garage, for example).

√ When temperatures drop into the teens and there’s high wind chill, SCA Crowley recommends keeping faucets on a drip to ensure pipes do not freeze — especially in older homes with poor insulation,

√ Once all the leaves have fallen, make sure to clean your gutters. This is a tedious, dangerous task so consider hiring it  out to a professional. If you do it yourself, make sure someone is below you to support the ladder. This should be performed at least 3 times a year, to avoid clogging and potential leaks into your home.

Gutter cleaning.

√ Contact your local HVAC technician to service your system as you transition from air conditioning to heat. Keep all rooms at a warm set point (68-72 degrees). If areas of the home (like a basement) do not have heat, consider insulating those areas or hooking up a space heater for cold snaps. This is especially important if the basement has waterlines.

√ Contact your landscaper to do a fall clean-up of the property: removing leaves, pruning shrubs, and prepping the lawn for the winter ahead. This might not sound important, but it is critical — especially if you want your garden and lawn to grow back healthy next season.

Fall lawn care pays dividends in the spring.

√ If you have a pool, make sure to contact your contractor to empty and winterize it.

√ If you have time clocks for exterior lighting, adjust the on/off times. It will get darker earlier.

√ If your property is on septic, make sure to clean your tank before it gets too cold and the ground freezes, if your clean-out is not already exposed above ground. Cleaning a septic tank should be a routine item all homeowners do annually or semi-annually, depending on use and size of the home.

√ If you move to a warmer state during winter and your home will not be occupied, consider hiring a property manager or trusted friend to keep an eye on your home. No matter how new the house is, issues can arise. Having someone available will help — and help your piece of mind.

A property manager or friend can prevent headaches.

√ One item not as critical, but important: Make sure to store or protect patio furniture, to ensure it stays in good condition. Consider sending your patio cushions and umbrella canopies for winter cleaning and storage. This helps maintain the life of your outdoor living investment, and ensures they are clean next spring.

*No.

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Storing outdoor furniture.

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Posted in Real estate

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Who You Gonna Call? 15 Generations Of Westporters.

Posted on November 4, 2022 | 2 comments

Peter Jennings’ family has been here for 11 generations.

Maxx Crowley — a 4th-generation Westporter — is, by comparison, a new arrival.

For years, the 2 families’ businesses have been friendly rivals — and sometimes partners — in the property management field.

Now they’ve joined forces. A recent merger created a new firm that offers a wide range of services — leasing, maintenance, bookkeeping and more — to commercial and residential owners from Westchester to Hartford.

But they’ll still concentrate on — and be headquartered in — Westport.

SCA Crowley trucks and team outside one of their properties: the 55 Greens Farms Road office complex.

After 28 yeas with the HK Group, Jennings started his own firm, Bayberry Property Management, in 2009. He eventually serviced, and served as a broker for, 80 buildings.

SCA Crowley — the business formed by Maxx’s father Steve — recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Steve started as a real estate broker, but soon realized that property owners wanted leaf removal, snow shoveling, landscaping, pothole fixing, painting and many other services.

COVID sparked a change in SCA’s real estate management. Homeowners moving from Manhattan and Brooklyn needed help learning about irrigation systems, hot water heaters and pools, and jobs like power-washing patios. The company — whose clients already included Playhouse Square, MoCA Westport, office buildings, medical centers and Homes with Hope facilities — expanded their residential property portfolio.

(From left): Bobby, Steve and Maxx Crowley.

SCA and Bayberry had been friendly for a while. They referred customers to each other’s services.

Now, Crowley says, their combined operations will be even more seamless.

“We’re a Swiss army knife,” Jennings adds.

The merged company will be called SCA Crowley Real Estate Services. (“Steve won the coin toss,” Maxx Crowley jokes.)

Peter Jennings

The only change, Jennings adds, is the purchase of new logowear and business cards.

The new firm’s offices will be on Kings Highway North, near Main Street. Its trucks will be at Riverside Avenue.

Though properties extend from White Plains to Hartford, it will still be a “mom-and-pop” company.

Plus other family members.

Maxx Crowley works with his siblings Bobby and Judy.  Jennings is joined by his sister Karen, daughter Katie, and sister-in-law Beth.

Both families will continue to contribute to Westport, in non-property management ways too. Steve Crowley is a longtime volunteer with many civic causes. Maxx Crowley is president of the Westport Downtown Association. Jennings is the Green’s Farms Congregational Church historian.

After 15 combined generations, the Jennings and Crowley family histories continue.

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Posted in Local business, Real estate

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Roundup: Kentucky Aid, Urgent Care, Arnie’s Place …

Posted on December 19, 2021 | 1 comment

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On the last Sunday before Christmas, Main Street is packed today with almost-last-minute shoppers.

While buying gifts for friends and loved ones, Steve Crowley hopes we’ll think about everyone in Kentucky whose holidays — and lives — were upended by last week’s tornadoes.

Steve — the owner of SCA Crowley Real Estate Services — has swung into action. He got a logo (courtesy of Miggs Burroughs) with the words “America Lends a Hand.” He ordered dozens of t-shirts, with the design.

Marty Rogers produced a sign. It’s in front of Vineyard Vines all day today, where Steve and his sons are selling the shirts, in return for donations to the Western Kentucky Relief Fund. 100% of all contributions go directly there.

In the midst of everything, stop in front of Vineyard Vines to help out. And, Steve says, if you can’t be there, send a tax-deductible check made out to “Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund,” c/o Public Protection Cabinet, 500 Metro Streeet, 218 NC, Frankfort, KY 40601.

Steve Crowley (right) and sons, selling t-shirts outside Vineyard Vines today.

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As the Omicron variant surges, and COVID cases soar, the Urgent Care center on Post Road East — which offers rapid testing i– has been swamped with patients.

As Bob Weingarten notes,  the line of cars there “has replaced the normal line at Starbucks” across the street.  .

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

Hey: If there’s an accident at Urgent Care, at least you won’t go far for treatment.

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Marty Greenberg lives on the Saugatuck River, across from the Rowing club. Last night around 8:30, the “floating Christmas team” passed by, for the second time.

“What a sight! What a treat!” Marty says. “it’s a unique Westport thrill.”

Floating Christmas tree, across from the Saugatuck Rowing Club. (Photo/Marty Greenberg)

Readers: If you’ve got photos — or any other info on the floating Christmas tree, like when it will next ride the river — click “Comments” below.

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Sure, this is one of the busiest weeks of the year. But if you get a chance, stop in to the Westport Library’s Verso Studios holiday open house tomorrow (Monday, December 20, 7 p.m.).

The creative staff will show off their podcast, mixing and mastering equipment.  They’ll answer questions about audio and video creation, editing and post-production, including training courses.

Registration is requested, for planning purposes. Click here to RSVP, and learn more.

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Speaking of the library: Longtime and beloved Westport artist Roe Halper’s acrylic paintings will be on display there from January 5 to March 7.

There’s a reception January 13, and an artist’s talk February 10. Both begin at 7 p.m..

COVID got you worried? Contact Roe for a private viewing: http://www.roehalperart.com.

“Orange” (Roe Halper)

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Speaking of the Library: It can’t run without volunteers. Betty Lou Cummings was one of its staunchest.

She served many other organizations, including her fall festival baby, the Applel Festival. She was a Representative Town Meeting member, as well as a 2nd selectwoman.

Yesterday, Betty Lou and her husband Tom celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. It was the same day I — and so many other Westporters — got their classic Christmas card, filled with photos of children, grandchildren, and random others.

Happy anniversary — and Merry Christmas — to one of our town’s favorite couples!

Betty Lou and Tom Cummings.

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Meanwhile, across Jesup Green from the Library, the Westport Book Shop continues to fill an important niche.

And the used book store does it with panache. Here’s their current sign:

(Photo/David Meth)

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Here’s a last-minute gift idea for anyone who remembers hours spent at Arnie’s Place arcade (or dreams about paying their taxes in pennies, as Arnie did).

Virginia Wong — the Westport native and entrepreneur who spent many happy hours at the controversial (to parents and town officials) and joyful (to kids) Post Road video arcade (now Ulta) — has reanimated the iconic graphic from Arnie Kaye’s long-running campaign to open, and stay open.

“I Support Arntie’s” t-shirts come in 4 colors. They’re perfect for any ’80s Westport kid.

Click here to order. But hurry! Tomorrow (Monday, December 20) is the cutoff for Christmas delivery.

“I Support Arnie’s” t-shirt, in pink.

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If you haven’t been to Compo Beach lately, you’ve missed serene winter “Westport … Naturally” scenes like this:

(Photo/Jonathan Prager)

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And finally … Edith Piaf was born on this day, in 1915. The French singer-songwriter. She died in 1963, just 47 years old. But she left quite a legacy behind.

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Posted in Arts, Downtown, Library, Local business, Local politics, Looking back, Media

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