One of the “06880” podcast’s favorite guests is Tom Scarice.
Westport’s superintendent of schools is honest, direct, articulate and informative. He speaks in complete paragraphs, uses relatable analogies, understands this town — and clearly loves his job.
Midway through his third year at the helm, he dropped by the Westport Library’s Verso Studios recently.
We spoke about our schools’ climate and culture; COVID, and its after-effects; his goals, and how to measure them; the growing school population, and its impacts; redistricting, and the overwhelming pressures students feel today.
Click below for the latest “06880” podcast. You’ll learn a lot!
This afternoon, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice sent this note to Westport families:
Last week, there was a school-related incident in which students became ill after ingesting what appeared to be candy. This is a terrifying sign of the times and a traumatic experience for the students and families involved. Last night at the Board of Education meeting, I made a statement on this matter.
I am not at liberty to share additional information and details about this specific incident due to federal laws that protect student privacy. Additionally, I cannot compromise the outcomes of ongoing investigations regarding this issue.
However, I can take this as an opportunity to advance parent education on this topic, and to implore those who care for children to be vigilant about candy, chocolate, and other foods that could contain substances that may pose a health and safety risk to our children.
On January 10, 2023, retail cannabis sales will become legal in Connecticut. As a result, we expect cannabis to be more accessible in the community, making the necessity of our awareness and vigilance even more important.
As members of the Westport Prevention Coalition, the Westport Public Schools is collaborating with community agencies to raise awareness about the risks associated with the legalization of cannabis and its potential impact on children and adolescents.
In light of this recent incident, I want to emphasize to families that it is especially important for those caring for our youngest students to remind their children not to consume candy, chocolate, or other food from unknown sources. Children could become very ill, sometimes with fatal consequences, from consuming foods containing drugs or other potentially harmful substances.
In addition, all families should remind their children of the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and that there can be serious school-related and criminal consequences for possessing, selling, or distributing drugs and alcohol on school grounds or at school-sponsored events. To be sure, the school district strictly prohibits the possession, sale, distribution, use, and consumption of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vapor products, and certain other substances on school grounds, on school buses, at school-sponsored activities, and at certain times outside of school. However, the reality is that these substances still exist in our community, and we must continue to educate our children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
This education must now include ensuring that our youngest children understand the importance of avoiding candy, chocolate, and other foods that they find at school, on a school bus, or somewhere else in the community, or that is offered to them by someone they do not know or do not know well.
Please click this link for additional information on this topic from the Westport Prevention Coalition and WPS Supervisor of Health Services, Sue Levasseur.
I encourage you to discuss this important topic with your children. To assist you in these conversations, I am attaching factsheets prepared by the Westport Prevention Coalition (www.westporttogether.org/prevention-coalition). More information on this important topic can be found by clicking here.
If you have any questions or would like support from school staff around this issue, please reach out to your child’s building principal who can share appropriate school resources.
The next step in the plan to create a new zoning district in Saugatuck — part of the proposed Hamlet at Saugatuck project — is a Westport Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing. It’s set for Wednesday (November 2, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
Speaking of Saugatuck: “06880” announced a few days ago that Saugatuck Provisions will be moving into the former Fleishers Craft Butchery.
But our little morsel was nothing compared to the meal Stephanie Webster delivered.
Her CTBites — the go-to platform for all things foodie in the state — has a full report on the new venture.
She describes the “culinary power team” of Chef (and Staples High School graduate) Matt Storch and Susan McConnell — both of the highly regarded Match Burger Lobster and Match — along with Jimmy Bloom (Copps Island Oysters) and butcher Paul Nessel (well known from his Craft Butchery days across Riverside Avenue).
Stephanie calls Saugatuck Provisions “a new concept offering customers a curated selection of the very best ingredients from the land, sea and grocery, enabling guests to create beautiful restaurant quality meals at home.”
Back in the day, women accused of witchcraft would be thrown into water. If they sank, they were innocent. If they stayed on the surface, they were guilty.
Looks like we had a couple of real witches in the water off Compo Beach yesterday!
(Photo/Karen Como)
Meanwhile, few hours later, and a few yards away, there was this:
“06880” was honored this summer to tell the story of Wynston Browne. The non-speaking autistic Staples High School student had made spectacular progress in just a few months, using a spelling board — a low-tech communication device.
Three months later, Wynston continues his astonishing growth. Now Westport Lifestyle magazine has taken notice.
For the latest on Wynston, click here. It should be must-reading for everyone, everywhere.
Wynston Browne and his communication partner, Elisa Feinman, He chatted with customers at The Porch.
The Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rats swim team are winners in the pool.
And out of it too.
This Saturday (November 5, 8 a.m. to noon), they’ll help neighbors in need. The Water Rats are sponsoring a food drive (plus non-perishable items) for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
the Water Rats Swim Team in their food drive benefiting the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. The need is great: Pantry requests are double what they were last year.
You don’t even have to get out of your car. Just pull into the YMCA loop, and swimmers will take your donations. See below for suggested items.
This week’s Jazz at the Post show is “the most ambitious program so far” at the VFW location (Thursday, November 3, 465 Riverside Avenue; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.).
Grammy nominees Antonio Hart and Mike Mossman join veteran jazz warriors and recording artists pianist David Morgan, Ron Carter’s personal bassist Boots Maleson, drum master Tim Horner and the “Jazz Rabbi,” saxophonist Greg Wall, for 2 sets of jazz classics. Sextet arrangements are by Michael Mossman.
The repertoire features tunes by Miles Davis, Jimmy Heath, Duke Ellington and Duke Jordan.
Reservations are strongly suggested: Jazzatthepost@gmail.com
Antonio Hart
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This year’s fall foliage is the finest in years. Consider this Halloween-colored beauty on Cross Highway — perfect for today’s post-Halloween “Westport … Naturally feature:
Phone calls from a demented human being to police departments around the state — while many were honoring 2 slain officers at a Rentschler Field ceremony — forced high-level security measures.
At Staples High School, nearly 2,000 students and scores of staff members went into lockdown. At nearby Bedford Middle School, a “shelter in place” order was given.
Nearly an hour after Staples High School went into lockdown Friday morning, an ambulance and police car sat outside the building. (Photo/Jim Honeycutt)
Officials — rightly — erred on the side of caution. Before the lockdown was lifted, armed officers checked every room.
With police weapons visible to students and staff, superintendent of school Thomas Scarice asked teachers were to focus the rest of the day on the social/emotional needs of students. Emotional support was available for anyone who needed it.
Welcome to America, 2022.
That afternoon, longtime Westporter (and Staples High School graduate) Stacie Curran wrote:
“Once again (and sadly), please publicly recognize all of our teachers, staff, administrators, and our incredible police force for their attention, their dedication, their care and brave protection our children through this lockdown.”
Stacie is right. Scarice, his staff, and administrators at Staples and Bedford acted swiftly and decisively. Police officers were on the scene quickly. Working with Staples’ school resource officer, they believed soon that the call was a hoax.
Still, they made absolutely certain that the school was safe. Meanwhile, Westport’s Emergency Medical Services were on hand, standing by if needed.
The response and collaboration of all involved was impressive. As Stacie notes, we owe thanks to all of Friday’s Unsung Heroes, for keeping our community secure.
(To nominate an Unsung Hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com)
(“06880 celebrates an Unsung Hero every Wednesday. To help support this and all other featus, please click here.)
In the aftermath of this morning’s lockdown at Staples High School, and a “shelter in place” order at Bedford Middle School, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice provided this information:
This morning the Westport Police received a phone call indicating a potential threat at Staples High School. Although we have since learned that multiple schools across the state received the same threat, at the time, the response protocol warranted a thorough onsite evaluation of Staples, including an armed room by room threat assessment.
The incident began at 9:10 a.m. Westport’s Emergency Communications Center received a call from a person reporting an active shooter inside Staples High School.
The patrol and detective divisions as well as officers in administrative rolls immediately went to the school. As officers were responding they contacted the School Resource Officer, who said there was no indication of a problem at the location.
Despite the possibility of a hoax, the high school was placed on lockdown. Police proceeded as if there was an active threat.
Because police weapons were visible to students and staff, teachers were asked to focus on the social/emotional needs of students for the rest of the day. Emotional support was available for anyone who needed it.
Scarice added, “While this evaluation was conducted, all of the other schools in Westport were supported with an onsite police presence and put into place appropriate safety protocols.
“We are grateful for the swift response of our police department and the communication between the schools and WPD in handling this matter.
Nearly an hour after Staples High School went into lockdown this morning, an ambulance and police car sat outside the building. (Photo/Jim Honeycutt)
Connecticut is not the only state targeted for fake threats.
According to a Washington Post article last month — sent today to “06880” by reader Tracy Porosoff — “a troubling scenario” is happening in schools across the country. The story begins:
A call comes in about a shooting at the school. Someone has a gun. Police respond, only to discover the report was a hoax.
More than a dozen schools in Minnesota were targeted with “swatting” incidents, reports of a false shooter or mass-casualty event. Threats in Denver forced the city to shut down all 25 of its public library branches, and an area high school to cancel classes Wednesday amid a surge of hoaxes reported at schools across the state. A Texas teen was arrested for calling in a fake threat to a campus as a “joke,” prompting a warning from Fort Worth police against school hoaxes.
The calls are part of a trend that is disrupting school days, prompting lockdowns and further traumatizing communities already on edge. Although these threats are fake, the menace of real violence looms just months after a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers at a Uvalde, Tex., elementary school…
Schools in 14 states — Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia — have reported swatting incidents since Sept. 13, according to the national group of school resource officers.
Westport Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice joined members of Westport10 — the civic and social organization of Black men and their families — for a tour of the Westport Library yesterday.
The group — founded by Library trustee Jay Norris — was very impressed with the innovative building, and inspired by Scarice’s vision for Westport schools.
At yesterday’s Westport Library event, front row (from left): Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice, Board of Education member Kevin Christie, Roy Anderson, Alie Diagne, Eric Freeman. Back row: Ryan Smith, Dale Mauldin, Abdul Ngnoumen, Jay Norris, Ted Parker.
From now through 12:30 p.m. today (Saturday), the Westport Tree Board is giving them away. It’s part of “Oaktober,” at the Westport Book Shop fall festival. The festival runs until noon.
Westport Tree Board member Ed Picard offers an oak sapling to Dylan Rosen. (Photo/Frank Rosen)
The United Methodist Church of Westport and Weston wants to make it easy for everyone. On Saturday, October 29 (2 to 4 p.m.), they’ll host their annual (and very popular) “Trunk or Treat.”
The parking lot will be filled with 30 car trunks, decorated for Halloween. Kids (up to age 12) can pick up candy and other goodies.
It’s free for the community — but there’s a chance to give back too. The church is collecting canned goods for the Person to Person food pantry. A donation of 5 cans of food per child attending is requested.
All are welcome at the United Methodist Church, 49 Weston Road — throughout the year, and of course at “Trunk or Treat.” (Photo/Dan Woog)
The next big event after Halloween is Election Day.
Absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall Room 105 on weekdays (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except this Monday, Columbus Day.) Ballots are also available online; click here.
It’s been just over a year since beloved Westporter Jonathan Greenfield died of ALS. He had just turned 50.
Greenfield dedicated the last years of his life to building Breathe 4 ALS, with his wife Iris. The non-profit had 2 missions: raising money for genetic ALS research, and spreading awareness of the Wim Hof method of breathwork and cold therapy. It greatly improved Greenfield’s life, as he battled ALS.
The second annual Jonathan Greenfield Wim Hof Fundamentals Workshop is set for Sunday, October 16.
It’s limited to 30 participants, and is free for people living with ALS.
Jonathan was a photographer and filmmaker. He published a coffee table book, which is included as a gift with the ticket purchase ($225 donation).
People who cannot attend, but support the work with a $100 donation will receive the book as a thank you. Click here for tickets.
Dana Buckmir’s memoir, Everything Will Be Okay, is a cautionary tale of online dating and domestic violence. On October 12 (7 p.m.), the Connecticut native brings her story to The Westport Library for a conversation with Ann Rodwell-Lawton, associate director of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center.
The event, a collaboration between the Library, The Domestic Violence Crisis Center, and the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force, will be held in person, streamed live, and recorded.
“Domestic violence and abuse impacts thousands of people, especially women, each day, in every community,” says Kerri Gawreluk, programming associate at The Westport Library. “Dana’s ability to articulate her own personal story from a place of clarity, strength, and empowerment is truly inspiring, and we’re incredibly grateful to host her at the Library.”
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Westport 12-year-old Vivek Kanthan is now on the Kart Racing World Circuit in Italy.
The 50+-nation competition is very difficult. Karts have different tire compounds and specifications. Tracks are very fast and highly technical.
In the Rok Cup Italia Competition, Vivek finished as vice champion. He has qualified to represent the US in the World Championship Rok Superfinal in Lonato later this month. Good luck, Vivek!
And finally … on this day in 1956, Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history. (Just think: The MLB post-season is only beginning now, with wild card games.)
(Movies, sports, Election Day info … it’s all available on “06880.” Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
At the dawn of another school year, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice sent an update to residents.
Among the items: a new app for parents, called “WheresTheBus.” It’s a tool for parents to know when their child’s bus will arrive, with up-to-the-minute ETAs. It’s available on any Apple or Android device, and will go live sometime in September, after routes are firmly established.
As for COVID, Scarice says the risk “continues to change for the better,with protection from vaccines and growing immunity from prior infections. We will continue to follow guidance from the State Department of Public Health and the CDC on minimizing the effects of respiratory disease in school. Our focus this year will be on promoting vaccinations, monitoring symptoms and utilizing at-home self-testing.
“We continue to encourage all students, families and staff to stay up to date on vaccinations. COVID at-home self=test kits will be available to all families and staff, and their use is encouraged.”
When will my kid’s bus come? Check out WheresTheBus!
Mia Dillon first appeared at the Westport Country Playhouse in 1979. That’s more than a decade before Clay Singer was born. She’s had several Broadway credits, including “Our Town” with Paul Newman, and a Tony nomination for “Crimes of the Heart.”
But Singer — a 2013 Staples High School graduate, and former Staples player — has his own sterling resumé. Before finishing a recent national tour of “The Band’s Visit,” he appeared on his hometown Playhouse stage in “Romeo and Juliet” and “Man of La Mancha.”
Singer and Dillon share the stage in “4000 Miles,” the current Westport Playhouse production. It’s perfect casting.
Singer plays 21-year-old Leo, who finishes a cross-country bike trip by staying at the Greenwich Village apartment of his feisty 91-year-old grandmother Vera. Together they explore issues like age, family, love, sex and politics. They don’t always agree — but that’s what gives the show its punch, and its surprises.
It’s another Westport Country Playhouse hit, in a summer of them. The fact that the star is a local boy is an extra special treat.
Clay Singer and Mia Dillon in “4000 Miles.” (Photo/Carol Rosegg)
An “06880” reader writes: “I recently raised the red flag on my mailbox to alert my carrier that envelopes inside needed to be mailed.
“Within a matter of hours (before she showed up), a “red flag thief” stole the envelopes. They contained checks, and while the amounts were fairly small, the thief used them to steal nearly $10,000 from my checking account. Fortunately, my bank covered the loss.
“Apparently this is a widespread problem nationwide, and not a new one. The thieves often use chemicals to change information on the checks. They can also use the checks as a starting point for identity fraud (such as creation of fake ID).
“One wonders if a local criminal gang drives cars (or rides bikes) through the streets of Westport looking for raised red flags.
“In the future, needless to say, I won’t use my mailbox to mail checks. Sadly, that kind of old world charm and trust needs to be relegated to history :(”
The reader added this PS, a few hours later:
“I just told my mail carrier what happened. She was glad I told her, because on Tuesday she discovered no mail in 12 boxes on her route, despite the red flags raised. She also mentioned a case involving a Westport resident whose stolen check from the mailbox was used for a $30,000 fraud.
“Finally, she said that blue boxes aren’t always safe either. Thieves can slide a sticky mousetrap-type sheet inside (on a piece of wire), to pull out mail that way. Good grief.”
Internationally known (and local resident) photographer Stephen Wilkes is gearing up for his “Visualizing Time” exhibition at the Westport Library — and opening reception September 8, followed by a conversation with Stacy Bass.
But the National Geographic contributor took time out this week to appear on “Good Morning America.” Wilkes talked about how his photographs document climate change. Click below for the intriguing clip:
In other Library news: Verso Studios is steaming up with the Westport Farmers’ Market. They’ll bring original Connecticut talent to the Thursday music performances at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
With Verso Studios curating, singer/songwriter/troubadour Frank Critelli and Friends will be playing next Thursday (September 1). The Sawtellesfollow on October 13.
It’s no joke: Tickets are going fast for “Stand Up for Homes With Hope.”
The popular fundraiser — a night of comedy at Fairfield University’s Quick Center — returns live after 2 un-funny COVID years. (The virtual events were, of course, quite fun.)
This year’s lead comic is Pat McGann. A rising star who began stand-up comedy at the age of 31 (after realizing he was not very good at selling packaging), his appeal stems from his quick wit and relatable takes on family life and marriage.
The event is Saturday, October 15. Tickets are $200 and $150 (including a reception with cocktails, light supper and music) and $75 (wine before the curtain). Click here for tickets. For sponsorship information, click here.
Longtime Westporter Pete Noonan — one of the founders of the town’s girls soccer program — died peacefully Tuesday, at his Las Vegas home. He was 90 years old.
The Massachusetts native was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School.
His professional life as an engineer and management consultant led him, among many diverse engagements, to the Apollo space project, and Taiwan to consult on modernizing the island’s national rail system. He also worked on the merger of the American and National Football Leagues, to create today’s NFL.
He was a proponent of the Theory of Constraints, and was instrumental in its adoption by many corporations. In later years he took the entrepreneurial plunge with a pistachio farm in Argentina, leveraging the expertise he acquired from his many agricultural consulting assignments.
He loved classical music, opera and Shakespeare, and collected Shona sculpture and modern Chinese ink painting. His trained tenor voice was heard in opera and choral performances, turned heads in church, and turned lights on in houses as he organized annual family and neighborhood Christmas caroling.
He was an avid and competitive sailor, and loved soccer. He became passionately involved in soccer as his children grew with the game. He coached and refereed in the Westport Soccer Association — and served as its inaugural president, giving countless hours to not only his children but thousands of others. He was especially instrumental in the early development of competitive soccer for girls and women.
He was a lifelong Boston sports fan, but particularly loved the Red Sox (and enjoyed bantering with his 2 Yankee-loving sons).
He was committed to education and exceptionally proud of the academic, athletic, and professional accomplishments of his 5 children. He was well read and versed in a variety of subjects, including economics, politics the arts and sports.
He was predeceased by his brother James E. Noonan and beloved daughter Clare Noonan Bolich. He is survived by his wife Eva Meder, brother Rev. Mark L. Noonan, former spouse Margaret Ryan Noonan, children Mary Alma, Michael, Mark and Diane Eichler, and granddaughters Olivia, Tess, Caleigh and Meghan.
Jeanne Harris — a former Representative Town Meeting member, and the wife of former RTM member Holton Harris, and also the mother of former RTM member Walter Harris — died in 2021. A celebration of her life will be held tomorrow (Saturday August 27, 2 to 5 p.m.) at the Westport Woman’s Club.
And finally … Jerry Allison, the drummer with Buddy Holly & the Crickets, died this week near Nashville. He was 82. Click here for a full obituary — and the very interesting back story to “That’ll Be the Day.”
(“06880” is a reader-supported blog. Please click here to contribute.)
Last night, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice said:
I am so sorry to send this message this evening. I just wish I had something magical to say that would console and comfort the heartache so many in our community feel in the aftermath of the massacre of young children in a Texas elementary school today.
But I do not. There is nothing I can say to ease that heartache. I can only feel that pain along with you. I have struggled since 6 p.m. this evening, trying to conjure up words of comfort. But for now, along with you, I just hurt.
However, I want to assure each member of our community that when the bell rings in the morning, we will be ready to receive our students, your children, with the care and responsibility that professional educators embody. Our team will be ready. Many of us will give an extra long hug to our own children this evening, even the teenagers, and again in the morning before we leave. But we will be ready.
This evening our director of psychological services, Dr. Valerie Babich, has mobilized, along with her team and the entire district administrative team, to provide guidance for each of our levels: elementary, middle and high school. I want to assure parents of young children that discussion of this topic will not be initiated at the elementary level. However, we are working at this moment to organize and provide guidance and resources so our faculty are ready in the morning.
Principals are working right now to plan how to disseminate information to teachers so that they are prepared to handle this in their classrooms. In the era of social media and young children with access to smartphones, we cannot be assured of protecting them from exposure to this horror. As a result, we are doing our best to equip our teachers to acknowledge their feelings, reassure them of their safety by reviewing all of the measures in place to keep our schools safe, while not talking about the unspeakable tragedy in our elementary schools.
Many children from all levels will question why this happened. There is no good answer to that question, and we will not try to answer it. But again, we will acknowledge feelings and reassure students of their safety at school by emphasizing the many measures we take to ensure safety.
Dr. Babich and her team will work this evening with the administration at our middle and high schools to plan an appropriate response and provide guidance to faculty and staff. In addition, by the end of the day tomorrow we will send out resources to families that guide parents through discussions on this topic with their children.
Finally, I have been in touch with our chief of police, Foti Koskinas. I have requested a police presence at all of our schools tomorrow, which he immediately honored. Our schools are not at risk, yet this collaboration and support with our local police department is reassuring for many in our community. We will continue to partner with our police department to maintain the highest of safety standards in our drills and protocols.
We will do our best tomorrow. We will be professionals and rise up to support our students. We all hurt right now, but when the bell rings in the morning, we will be ready.
Earlier this morning a student who missed their bus walked to the Dattco bus yard and requested a ride to Bedford Middle School. Personnel at the bus yard mobilized to provide transportation for this student.
Some time thereafter, personnel at the Dattco bus yard contacted the school district’s transportation coordinator to inform the coordinator about their plan to transport the student, but unfortunately provided incomplete and inaccurate information regarding the student’s identity and school. Our transportation coordinator immediately contacted the BMS and central office administration.
The administration then swiftly contacted our Westport Police Department School Security Officer (SSO) and School Resource Officer (SRO), and the Staples administration. After investigating to determine the identity and location of the student through video surveillance, our SRO discovered that the student was dropped off at Bedford Middle School, but then left the bus and walked towards Staples High School.
As a precaution, our SSO and SRO then sought additional resources from the Westport Police Department. Both schools were placed in a shelter-in-place.
Through collaboration with the school and district administration, the student was then correctly identified, interviewed, and it was determined that the shelter-in-place could be lifted.
The administration is committed to identifying the breakdown of the Dattco bus yard communication and protocols in this incident.
Again, I have complete confidence that at no time were our students and staff in danger. Additionally, it is clear that the positive and collaborative relationship we enjoy with the Westport Police Department, and the swift actions of our Bedford and Staples administration, along with our transportation coordinator and central office administration, all contributed to the timely resolution of this matter.
The 1st quarter of 2022 is in the books. That means it’s time for some real estate stats.
Westport had 86 house closings, a 25% decrease from a year ago but
still the 2nd-most number of closings for this period since 2006.
The average house closing price of $2.2 million was the highest for the quarter in the past 2 decades. The average closed price per square foot rose to $509, up 23% from a year ago.
Reflecting high demand and low inventory, houses in the quarter sold on average for 102% of the list price — the 4th straight quarter that average has been over 100%
Eight-five Westport houses were pending (properties with signed contracts) on March 31. That’s down slightly from the end of March 2021, but still high by historical measure. (Hat tip: Rose Marie Colletti, Brown Harris Stevens)
This Bluewater Hill home is on the market for $12 million.
Two years ago, Westport Farmers’ Market started its #Who Grows Your Food” campaign. The goal was to expand people’s knowledge of what farmers look like, to gain more support foro local agriculture.
Anne Burmeister and Ashley Skatoff offered to help. They lent their photographer lenses and creativity, capturing the essence of the farmers while creating an intimate story that eaters could follow along with.
Last fall, the Farmers’ Market partnered with MoCA Westport. Dozens of Burmeister and Skatoff’s stunning photographs became part of an art exhibit called “Between the Ground and the Sky.”
Now, those 52 photos from over 15 farms are available for purchase.
Each 18″ x 27″ original print (23″ x 32″ with border) is $500. All are signed and dated by the artist. The print includes information about the farm and photo, plus text created by the artist for the display at MoCA. The certificate is signed by the farmer.
All proceeds support WFM programming. Purchased photos may be picked up at the first 3 markets of the season: May 12, 19 and May 26.
Arbor Day is near — and the Westport Tree Board is ready. Among the events throughout the month:
Saturday, April 23 (10:30 a.m. to noon, Jesup Green, free): The Tree Board and Westport Book Shop celebrate Earth Day with a fun event to promote reading for all ages, with attention also on the value of trees. Interactive family-friendly activities involving reading and early learning; educational materials and a native tree sapling giveaway, courtesy of Bartlett Tree Company.
Friday April 29 (Arbor Day, 3 to 4 p.m., Town Hall, free): The Tree Board hosts their annual native sapling giveaway, plus brochures and advice from professional associations on tree-related topics, from site selection to proper maintenance. Native saplings for giveaway are donated by Bartlett Tree.
Saturday, April 30 (3 to 4 p.m., Earthplace): The Tree Board hosts a live discussion and free information session with a tree professional on the basics of tree planting and maintenance, including selection, mulching, pruning, pest management and more. Native tree saplings, courtesy of Bartlett, will be available while they last.
As part of Arbor Day, Earthplace also hosts a “Toast To The Trees” family event 4 to 6 p.m.), with kids’ activities and s’mores, handmade pizza, beverages for adults and kids, plus a “tree walk” tour. Click here to purchase tickets.
Beginning mid-April, the Tree Board and Westport Library will create a “StoryWalk” at the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum (2 Woodside Lane). The featured book is “Be a Tree!” For more information, click here.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice offered a video update yesterday. He covered 4 areas:
The 5-year capital forecast to bring all schools — especially Long Lots and Coleytown Elementary — up to the district’s standards.
The uptick in the COVID Omicron sub-variant.
The Westport Public Schools’ ongoing equity study.
Ukrainian refugees. Scarice notes that Westport has already welcomed some to town, and any student settling here will be accommodated — as will all refugees from anywhere who come to Westport. He asks anyone with any information on refugees in Westport to call his office: 203-341-1025.
Speaking of Westport Public Schools: Horace Lewis was the beloved head custodian at Staples High School, and served the district for 3 decades. He suffered a stroke shortly after retiring last summer, and died in December.
Classrooms, hallways, teaching kitchens, storage areas, auditorium, gym, fieldhouse, cafeteria, library, TV studio, boilers and HVAC systems — Horace kept them all sparkling and working. Despite a stressful job, staff and students knew Horace as the walkie-talkie carrying, most cheerful custodian.
Over the years, countless students (and parents) enlisted Horace’s help after leaving coats, backpacks, sporting equipment and phones at school. Even after his official retirement, Horace stayed on to help the schools cope with COVID cleaning requirements.
To honor Horace’s legacy of hard work, service to others and positive outlook, Staples Tuition Grants has created a scholarship in his name. The first need-based award will be offered this year. Click here to donate to this special fund.
Among the most impressive parts of Westport Country Playhouse’s production of “Next to Normal”: the set.
Like everything that appears on the Playhouse stage, it was constructed by the in-house production staff — with help from Jake Krasniewicz, assistant box office manager.
But that’s not his only side gig.
The Stratford native plays bass, ukulele, guitar, banjo and synthesizer. At Berklee College of Music he studied film scoring.
After graduating, Jake spent time in Boston’s music scene. When he returned to Connecticut, he formed Drop Party. The band plays an amalgam of genres, and call their style “a way to access emotions without sounding like radio music.”
Drop Party is part of this weekend’s Westport Library VersoFest. On Sunday (April 10, 7 p.m.), they open for Selwyn Birchwood.
What does all this have to do with building the set? After college, Jake helped out at his father’s welding shop. The Playhouse technical director recruited the assistant box office manager to help with the extensive welding needed for the “Next to Normal” set.
He particularly enjoys funk. But it seems “heavy metal” is also one of Jake’s outlets. (Hat Tip: Bruce Miller)
Jake Krasniewicz takes a break from ticket sales and music,, to help create the “Next to Normal” set.
There’s always something going on Westport — and much of it flies under the radar. And I do mean “radar.”
Last Saturday, over 100 automotive enthusiasts and industry leaders filled
the Autostrada facility — formerly the Steinway piano showroom — to kick off the Piston Foundation’s 2022 season.
Attendees came from across the US and Europe. They heard the non-profit
foundation lay out its mission to “bring more young people into the collector car industry so the craftspeople who built this American touchstone can transfer their skills to a new generation.”
The site included a “collection of exotic automobiles.” A silent auction raised funds for students and apprentices to pursue careers in automotive craft, restoration specialties and service.
Staples High School seniors Sophie Alcyone and Alexandra Maskoff were honored this week, at the 27th annual High School Arts Awards ceremony.
Selected by the Staples staff, Sophie was recognized for visual art, Maskoff for music. The event was sponsored by the Connecticut Association of Schools.
With spring arriving fitfully, Jonathan Alloy offers 2 “Westport … Naturally” photo.
He writes: “My wife Sarah hung a pretty seasonal wreath on our front door, which real birds used to build a real nest — now complete with real eggs! Robins perhaps?”
And finally … the Westport Library’s VersoFest (see story above) and Talking Heads’ Chris Frantz present an intriguing concert tonight (7 p.m.). Headliners are Enid Ze and Daniprobably. Click below for a sneak listen; click here for ticket information, and more.
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Finally, I have been in touch with our chief of police, Foti Koskinas. I have requested a police presence at all of our schools tomorrow, which he immediately honored. Our schools are not at risk, yet this collaboration and support with our local police department is reassuring for many in our community. We will continue to partner with our police department to maintain the highest of safety standards in our drills and protocols.
