A brilliant autumn afternon at Compo Beach was the scene yesterday for a solemn first anniversary remembrance of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel.
(Photo/Ken Schwarz)
101 chairs symbolized the Israelis still held hostage. Attendees — some of whom march weekly to remember them — vowed to continue their vigils as long as necessary.
Veterans Green was packed yesterday with air-cooled car owners, their admirers — and of course, the vehicles themselves.
The 11th annual event was sponsored by the Small Car Company, the show raised money for the Bridgeport Arts & Cultural Council.
Peter Bush — the voice of “Coffee & Carburetors” — called the action. Auto tech high school students were on hand to learn (and have fun).
The event included awards, food and art exhibits.
(Photos/Sarathi Roy)
Westport-based Small Car Company — a club for air-cool aficionados — is loosely connected to the car dealership of the same name. It was located on Post Road West, diagonally across from Kings Highway Elementary School. Most recently, it was the site of Carvana.
The Westport Public Schools have embraced the concept of “growth mindset” — continuous developing through learning.
A special “Ignite Learning with a Growth Mindset” workshop (October 16, Westport Library) will allow the broader community to support students and staff on this journey.
Participants will learn how the beliefs we hold about our abilities shape our lives in significant ways, and how to apply this knowledge to support both their own success and that of their children.
“Growth mindset is not just about academic achievement. It’s a life skill that can benefit everyone,” says CJ Shamas, co-chair of the district’s Growth Mindset initiative.
“This workshop will provide practical strategies for embracing challenges, persisting in the face of setbacks, and viewing effort as the path to mastery.”
VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 marks the season on Saturday, October 19 (5 to 8 p.m.), with a Chili Cook-off.
The public is invited to the event, which includes a DJ, drink specials, prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and of course many varieties of all-you-can-eat chili.
And finally … in honor of yesterday’s air-cooled car event (story above):
(We hate to “bug” you. But remember: “06880” relies on reader support. If you enjoy our work, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
The Long Lots School Building Committee holds a special meeting this Tuesday September 26, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A ).
The agenda includes 15 minutes of public comment and/or questions regarding the feasibility study project, followed by a work session with the design team for project status updates, review and discussion. The public can attend the work session, but not participate.
The Long Lots School Building Committee will continue to discuss plans at its Tuesday meeting.
Another meeting of note: The Joint Committee of the Historic District Commission and Architectural Review Board will hold a public Zoom meeting on October 3 (7 p.m.). to review and comment on the proposed redevelopment of Parker Harding Plaza.
The notice says, “Comments offered at the meeting will be considered in anticipation of further zoning review and approvals.”
Meanwhile, in the other direction, Old Dominion ripped it up at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
The multi-award-winning Nashville-based band is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Brad Tursi. Westporters know him as a 1997 graduate of Staples High School — and a former soccer star for the state finalist Wreckers.
Brad Tursi (left) with Old Dominion at Mohegan Sun. (Photo/Tom Scarice)
Here’s a truly cool event: Small Car Company’s annual Air-Cooled Charity Car Show on October 8 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Veterans Green; free, and family-friendly).
It’s a benefit to raise funds and awareness for 2 non-profits: Northeast Community Cycles (which provides bikes free of charge to underprivileged children) and the Bikeport Co-Op (a program where youth earn bikes by attending bike safety and maintenance courses, and performing volunteer hours with local organizations).
The show features dozens of vintage Porsches, Volkswagens, Corvairs and other rare and special air-cooled cars and motorcycles from around the tri-state area.
In conjunction with the classic car show, Small Car Company has partnered with Westport’s Total Training & Endurance for a bike tour, starting and finishing at Veterans Green. The $40 per rider cost includes a post-ride meal. Funds benefit Northeast Community Cycles and Bikeport Co-Op.
Small Car Company does other good work too — for example, hosting students who attend skilled trade auto-technology schools in a “Mentors & Motors” program during the show.
Students meet and learn from experienced mentors from many sectors of the automotive industry, including historic restoration, modern production automotive repair, sales, design, and photography.
The Gridiron Club has announced its 2023 inductees for the Staples High School Wall of Fame.
Congratulations to former players DJ Stefkovich (2006), Brian Levine (’06), Josh Kozel (’08), Matt Kelly (’09), Rob Gau (’11), James Frusciante (’13), Joey Zelkowitz (’13), Declan O’Keefe, plus Staples assistant principal James Farnen and Westport PAL football president and former PAL coach Carmen Roda.
Congratulations to all! The ceremony takes place November 3, at halftime of the Wreckers’ game against Trumbull.
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Speaking of sports: The 10th annual Westport Police Benevolent Association Golf Tournament is October 23, at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull.
It’s a scramble format. Funds raised go to college scholarships for PBA members, as well as 2 to Staples High seniors who will pursue degrees in law enforcement.
The day includes raffles, and prizes for longest drive, closest to pin, closest to line, and the winning foursome.
Checks ($250 for one participant, $1,000 for a foursome) can be sent to Westport PBA Scholarship Fund, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880. Questions? Call 203-803-0215, or email jlauria@westportct.gov.
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Eleven Staples High School seniors have qualified as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
Congratulations to Emerson Briggs, Leigh Foran, Dania Hemdan, Peter Loranger, Ellen Ou, Surya Rao, Jameson Russell, Ella Tobben, Elizabeth Turner, Darren T Weng and Gabriel Weng.
Fewer than 1 percent of the over 1.5 million students who took the PSAT/NMSQT qualifying exam will compete for 7,140 National Merit scholarships, worth more than $28 million.
National Merit semifinalists (from left): Leigh Foran, Emerson Briggs, Elizabeth Turner, Peter Loranger, Dania Hemdan, Jameson Russell, Surya Rao, Darren Weng, Gabriel Weng, Ellen Ou. Missing: Ella Tobben.
On Thursday, the former Bridgewater CEO announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania US Senate seat held by Democrat Bob Casey.
The Republican — born and raised near Pittsburgh — laid out his bona fides as a “7th-generation Pennsylvanian.”
But he also maintains a home on Beachside Avenue. And, critics say, that’s where he spends most of his time.
On Monday, as he sought the endorse of Doug Mastriano — the losing gubernatorial nominee last fall, who had considered a Senate run himself — flight records show that a plane co-owned by McCormick flew from Bridgeport to Harrisburg at 8:28 a.m. It returned to Connecticut that afternoon.
Click here for the Politico story. (Hat tip: Allan Siegert)
Sorelle Gallery’s next exhibition, “A Million Possibilities,” features new works by Connecticut artist Sofie Swann. It opens Friday (September 29), with a reception no Saturday (September 30, 3 to 5 p.m.).
Born in Iran, Swann’s abstract paintings are centered around her emotional response to experiences and memories, particularly her struggle to find a place to call home after being forced to leave Iran and immigrate to the US. For more information, click here.
Artwork by Sofie Swann.
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Jay Babina earned “06880” fame as the founder/curator/mastermind of the great, creative and very wide-ranging Westport Tech Museum.
Today he returns as a contributing photographer for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
1. The Memorial Day was a huge success for everyone. One of the many highlights was the Westport Police Athletic League float, featuring RTM member/PAL booster Andrew Colabella as a Revolutionary War “Minute Man.”
The float also included 4 large pots of geraniums, and an American flag.
Unfortunately, when the float was parked at Saugatuck Elementary School after the parade, someone took the flowers and flag. They must have thought no one else wanted them.
But the plants were borrowed from a local nursery. Unless they are returned, the PAL — a non-profit — must pay for them. (You can keep the flag!). Just email acolabella@westportct.gov, or emmarojas83@gmail.com. Or drop them off at the PAL clubhouse at PJ Romano Field. No questions asked.
Or this version:
2. There’s one in every crowd.
Thousands of people loved the Memorial Day parade. One of the highlights was the Westport PAL float, featuring RTM member/PAL booster Andrew Colabella as a Revolutionary War “Minute Man.”
But — and this is hard to believe, but welcome to 2023 — when the float was parked a few hours later at Saugatuck Elementary School, some asshat stole 4 beautiful pots of geraniums. Plus an American flag, which was zip-tied to the trailer.
It doesn’t get lower than that.
Stealing from a non-profit, which now must pay for the plants it borrowed from a local nursery.
Unbelievable.
However, there is one good part of this story.
“PAL” stands for Police Athletic League.
That’s right: Police Athletic League.
They’re coming to get you.
The PAL float, before the items went missing/were stolen.
STG celebrated its 80th year last night at the high school auditorium. The organization awarded $405,000 in scholarships to 119 graduating seniors and students already in college.
That’s the highest amount ever.
The average grant is $3,400 — $650 more than STG’s 10-year average. It helps with 15% of net need. That’s not enough to fill the aggregate net need of $2.7 million.
But STG provides more than the federal government, which awards $312,000 in Pell grants.
The money goes to students with demonstrated financial need. Nearly 450 people donated to the general fund this year, or to named or endowed awards that honor Staples’ history — and support its future.
To learn more about Staples Tuition Grants, click here.
Staples Tuition Grants recipients last night, in the courtyard. (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
On June 6 (2 p.m.), the Westport Library’s Verso University launches an exploration of some of our best.
Connecticut Art Trail president and longtime Westport resident Carey Weber begins the program with an overview of the organization’s mission and member museums.
Future programs will focus on the Housatonic Museum of Art (July 12) and Weir Farm, the only national park service site dedicated to American painting (August 2).
Speaking of the Library: Registration is underway for kids’ summer programs. They include:
Summer Reading Fun: Children of all ages (and their grown-ups) are invited to read anything, any time, anywhere. For every 100 minutes read, kids can decorate a sun for display in the library. 500 minutes earns a Shake Shack treat. And 1,000 minutes gets you a free book, to keep. Click here for details.
Summer Learning Clubsintegrate math, literacy and STEAM activities into a thematic approach. Each class blends inquiry, design, research, writing and the arts. Click here for grade levels and dates.
Camp Explorereturns for its 4th year of STEAM exploration. They include Microbit Makery (June 27-29; grades 6-8); African Mask Making (July 10-12; grades 5-6); Jewelry Making (Novel Necklaces) (July 25; grades 6-8); Matica Arts (August 8-10; grades 6-8). A Matica Circus performance (August 8; 10 a.m.) is open to all. Click here for details.
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo leads the African mask making class.
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Save the Sound is sponsoring a beach cleanup at Sherwood Island State Park.
It’s this Saturday (June 3, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; just east of the Nature Center). Staff members will be there, to talk about STS’ “CT Cleanup” effort.
Emmy-nominated composer/pianist Steve Sandberg headlines tomorrow’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, June 1; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.; $15 cover).
His original music blends classical, world music and jazz. He’ll be joined by 7-time Grammy winner bassist Jay Anderson, fiery drummer Tim Horner, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Shows have sold out early. Email JazzatthePost@gmail.com for reservations.
The informal group of vintage VW and Porsche owners — the brainchild of former Westporters Tom Truitt and Dave Abelow, and named for a Post Road West dealership (now Carvan) that in the late 1960s sold more Volkswagens than any other in the US — helped partner Total Training & Endurance with Northeast Community Cycles. The deal brings the 10-year-old bicycle charity to Westport.
Their mission is to provide safe, refurbished bicycles to underprivileged children and adults in Fairfield County — at no charge. Like Total Training & Endurance, Northeast Community Cycles is all about community outreach and self-empowerment through the cycling.
The Small Car Company, meanwhile, has introduced a bicycle program to reach out to youngsters in need of direction. The goal is to create passion and responsibility through ownership of personal transportation.
Meanwhile, the organization is planning a bike tour October 8. The charity ride (hosted by TT&E) will raise awareness of and money for bicycle ownership for those with less means.
It was called the Small Car Company. But for several years in the late 1960s, the Westport dealership sold more Volkswagens than any other in the US.
The Small Car Company was a Post Road West landmark from the ’60s through the early ’80s. It later became Dragone Classic Motorcars. Today it’s Carvana — the used car dealer selling entirely online — and if that doesn’t say something about yesterday and today, I don’t know what does.
The Small Car Company lives on, though, as SmallCarCompany.org — which also shows how the world has evolved. The brainchild of former Westporters Tom Truitt and Dave Abelow, they’re an informal group of vintage VW and Porsche owners who meet to share their passion, trade information, and host driving rallies and shows.
The club’s shows raise awareness — and funds — for local needs. Their focus is on youngsters in underserved areas who are interested in cars, but lack the resources to be introduced to automobile dealers and classic car owners.
Working with the Piston Foundation — a national organization — they help make connections.
This spring, for example, the Small Car Company brought 30 students from Bridgeport’s Bullard-Havens Technical High School’s auto technology program to the Malcolm Pray Achievement Center in Bedford, New York (including its private 4-story garage filled with classic autos), and then to a meeting with vintage repair mechanics.
Curran Volkswagen in Stratford — a dealership with Westport roots — has promised to hire some of the students from the program.
On October 9, the Small Car Company’s 7th annual Air-Cooled Classic Car Show & Fun(d) Raiser is set for Veterans Green.
Bullard-Havens’ students and teachers will be there.
Seen at Veteran’s Green, last year. (Photo/Sarathi Roy)
The week after, the Small Car Company will be back, as part of the Westport Downtown Association’s Westoberfest. showing off their classic cars and raising even more funds for youngsters who just need a bit of help to begin fulfilling careers.
Plenty of Westporters own Porsches, and other very cool (and air-cooled) cars. We’ve got plenty of vintage car owners and collectors too. For more information on the Small Car Company — and the chance to drive forward a new generation of youngsters looking for guidance, apprenticeships and a foothold in that fascinating world — email tom@smallcarcompany.org.
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David Pogue’s “CBS Sunday Morning” reports are always entertaining — and informative. If you’re not a regular viewer — you should be.
Yesterday’s was particularly educational. It was also quite local.
Our Westport neighbor explained the supply chain crisis — why so many goods are not on shelves, despite gluts — with an opening and closing at the Southport Diner.
Owner Tony Pertesis explains — in clear, direct diner-speak exactly why his customers can’t always count on things as basic as Gatorade and whipped butter. Pogue adds the rest.
Bottom line: Toilet paper hoarding is back. Just in time for the holidays. Click below to see:
Air-cooled cars stopped traffic along Myrtle Avenue yesterday. They vehicles were parked — and exhibited — on Veterans Green. Sponsored by the Small Car Company, the show raised money for Person-to-Person in Norwalk.
Westport-based Small Car Company — a club for air-cool aficionados — is loosely connected to the car dealership of the same name. It was located on Post Road West, diagonally across from Kings Highway Elementary School. Today we know it as Carvana.
Speaking of cars downtown: “06880’s” Entitled Parking feature has very high standards. We now only post photos of cars that take up 3 spaces (or more). Two spots is waaaaay too common.
But today is an exception. This is a true “2-fer”: a pair of cars, each hogging two parkin spaces in the Baldwin lot.
(Photo/Molly Alger)
Not too bad, you say?
Look at it this way. If everyone parked like that, the lot would have exactly half the capacity it does now.
It’s always important to give blood. Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 12, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., VFW, 465 Riverside Avenue) you can donate in honor of a Westporter.
The Charley with a Y Foundation is sponsoring the event. “Charley” was Marine LCPL Charles Rochlin. The 2003 Staples High School graduate spent 7 months in Iraq. He was on leave in Westport when he died in an automobile accident.
Click here for an appointment (use sponsor code VFWWestport), or call 1-800-733-2767.
Genevieve Bouchard — owner of Scout & Molly’s, the women’s clothing boutique in Playhouse Square — recently lost her mother, Chantal Haskew.
At her death, the frequent Westport visitor and talented artist was one of the longest living liver transplant patients in the US. She lived one-third of her life because in 1995 a stranger donated organs. Thanks to her liver, Chantal enjoyed the weddings of her 5 children, and the joys of her 8 grandchildren.
In honor of her mom — and all the organ donors out there — Scout & Molly’s is hosting a special shopping day. This Thursday (October 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), a portion of all sales will be donated to Donate Life America.
Transplant recipients will be there, telling stories of their second chances at life.
A few tickets remain for this Friday’s (October 15, Fairfield Theater Company) “Evening of Motown” benefit for CLASP Homes.
Band Central — “music with a purpose” — will perform America’s favorite hits. Proceeds support CLASP’s work. The Westport non-profit supports adults with autism and other intellectual disabilities, through group homes and enrichment programs.
$40 tickets include a pre-party with lite bites. Art by CLASP residents will be on display. Click here to purchase.
Congratulations to the Westport Soccer Association’s U-11 blue team. They played 4 games in one day, and won the Bethel Columbus Day tournament.
Top row (left to right): head coach Bardhl Limani, James Tansley, Luke Shiel, John Walker, Peter Shakos, Lochlann Treanor, Nicolas Barreto, assistant coach Jeffery Holl, Bottom: Mason Holl, Atticus Lavergne, Andrew Floto, Matthew Alfaro, Zylan Wang.
Nearly every holiday, “06880” runs a photo of Jolantha the Pig. For 20 years, the figure has sat — visibly and beloved — on Weston’s Kellogg Hill Road.
Of course, there’s a great back story. To learn more, click below:
The Residence at Westport — our first assisted living community — opened last summer, opposite Greens Farms Elementary School.
A second one is planned for the opposite side of town.
Maplewood Senior Living has proposed a 3-story facility for the former Dragone Classic Motorworks site, diagonally across from Kings Highway Elementary.
Site plan for the proposed assisted living facility. Post Road East is on the right; Kings Highway North and Ludlow Street are on the left.
The property has a long history with automobiles. It was for many years the home of the Small Car Company — for a while, the most successful Volkswagen dealer in the US. In 2018 it was rezoned to allow an electric car dealership (rumored to be Tesla).
The current tenant is Carvana, a used car dealer that sells entirely online. Nearby buildings include retail and residences, with 8 apartments.
The former Dragone property, and its neighbor, on Post Road West.
Maplewood’s corporate headquarters are on Gorham Island, off Parker Harding Plaza. They operate 15 senior living communities in 5 states. Other Connecticut locations include Southport, East Norwalk, Newtown, Darien, Bethel, Danbury and Orange.
Plans call 95 units: 49 for assisted living, 46 for memory and full care. Two of the assisted living units will be designated as affordable. The facility will be called Maplewood at Westport.
Artists’ rendering of Maplewood at Westport.
Because part of the property lies within the Kings Highway North Local Historic District, Maplewood and Landtech — the Saugatuck-based engineering and environmental firm — have worked with neighbors, and Westport’s Historic District Commission, since June.
Two “historic residences” — over 50 years old — will be preserved.
One house at 174 Post Road West will be relocated to 38 Kings Highway North.
The existing home at 38 Kings Highway North, with a rendering of the home that will be relocated from 174 Post Road West.
Another, at #172, will be moved slightly, and designated as affordable.
The new location of the house at 172 Post Road West.
Maplewood’s building will be tucked into the hill. Only the roof will be visible from Kings Highway. Landscaping and vegetation will be added to the site, and on some private property.
All contaminated soil — the legacy of decades as a car dealership — will be removed.
The proposal goes before the Flood & Erosion Control Board in March, with the Conservation Commission to follow. The target date for opening is late summer or early fall of 2022.
Posted onSeptember 14, 2015|Comments Off on Small Car Company Leaves Big Legacy
It was called the Small Car Company. But for several years in the late 1960s, the Westport dealership sold more Volkswagens than any other in the US.
The Small Car Company was a Post Road West landmark from the ’60s through the early ’80s. We know it today as Dragone Classic Motorcars.
Dragone — kitty-corner from Kings Highway Elementary School — sells antiques like a 1924 Marmon, 1941 Graham and 1970 Mercedes.
But this Saturday (September 19, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), it will be site of an informal, non-judged car show featuring classic Volkswagens, Porsches, Dune Buggies and other air-cooled vehicles. The free show is open to all car owners and air-cooled fans. If you’ve got memorabilia, bring it along.
The Small Car Company lives on — and not just this one Saturday. The show is sponsored by SmallCarCompany.org. For several years, this informal group of vintage VW and Porsche owners has gotten together to share their passion, trade information, and host driving rallies.
SmallCarCompany.org is the brainchild of Westporters Dave Abelow and Tom Truitt. They thank George and Manny Dragone for supporting the upcoming event — and honoring the dealership that, in its own way, once sold “classic” cars too.
(For more information, email info@smallcarcompany.org)
Comments Off on Small Car Company Leaves Big Legacy
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