Tag Archives: Tony McDowell

Roundup: Soccer Coach Hearing; Library, MoCA, VFW Events …

Posted on September 8, 2025 | 7 comments

Eight months after his contract was not renewed, former Staples High School boys soccer freshman coach Chris O’Dell will finally receive a hearing.

The Board of Education meets this Friday (9 a.m., Town Hall auditorium), to consider his appeal.

In addition to serving nearly 20 years as a freshman and assistant coach, O’Dell is a former Staples captain. He played on the state champion 1993 squad.

O’Dell says, “I am asking and expecting that Board members Lee Goldstein and Dorrie Horden recuse themselves from my hearing. They each have a relationship with the family behind the allegations. It obviously renders them incapable of making an impartial decision in my case.

“I am also asking that Kevin Christie not recuse himself from my hearing. I have only met him once, for 2 minutes at a social function. There is absolutely no reason for Mr. Christie to recuse himself from my hearing.”

Christie did recuse himself from the May BOE appeal hearing by Russell Oost-Lievense. The contract of Staples’ former head coach was also not renewed, by superintendent of school Thomas Scarice. Oost-Lievense has sued the BOE, after they upheld Scarice’s recommendation. 

O’Dell says, “I look forward to this opportunity to clear my name.” In addition to coaching, he owns The O’Dell Group, a design-build collaborative specializing in residential construction.

Chris O’Dell

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The Westport Library’s Verso University — a series of high-level classes, workshops and lectures — opens soon, for the fall “semester.”

A special symposium — “AI and Us” — explores the implications of artificial intelligence across legal, civic, creative, business, healthcare and technological spheres. Multiple perspectives range from policymakers and technologists to journalists and academics. It’s set for Saturday, October 11 (12 noon to 5:30 p.m.). Click here for details, and to register.

Other courses include:

  • “Astrology for the Advanced Beginner” (3 weekly sessions starting Thursday, September 11, 2 to 3 pm).
  • “Ask a Pediatric Specialist” (3 monthly sessions starting Tuesday, September 16, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.).
  • “Grace Farms Art and Architecture Tour” (September 17, 12:45 to 2 p.m.).
  • “Kickoff to Fall: Happy Hour Cooking Class” (September 19, 4 to 5:30 p.m.).
  • “Visual Storytelling: Develop Your Photographic Vision” (3 weekly sessions starting Thursday, October 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m.).

There is a nominal fee for most classes, from $15 to $25 per course. “Ask a Pediatric Specialist is free. Click here, then scroll down to the calendar for more information, and registration.

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“Endless Summer/Forever Friends/Long Live the Arts” — an evening of art, music, food and beverages, and intriguing conversation, all benefiting MoCA CT — is set for Saturday, September 20.

Tickets are $80 for members (gift included), and $100 for non-members (1-year membership included). Click here for more information, and to purchase.

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Board members celebrated Tony McDowell’s retirement as Earthplace executive director this past weekend, at Compo Beach.

The popular administrator stepped down recently, after 12 years at the helm of the environmental and sustainability non-profit.

Earthplace board chair Mo Tooker (far right) reads a proclamation for the town of Westport. Tony McDowell is 2nd from right. (Hat tip and photo/Matthew Mandell)

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Speaking of shoreline celebrations: The Compo Beach Improvement Association held their annual block party yesterday evening.

The weather cleared, and dozens of families celebrated the end of summer (and a bit of quiet to their neighborhood). Old Mill Grocery & Deli — an around-the-corner favorite — catered.

Adults chatted. Kids played. Dogs roamed.

And this scene caught “06880” photographer Laurie Sorensen’s eye:

(Photo/Laurie Sorensen)

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Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department is branching out.

Into comedy.

They’re a sponsor of a September 20 comedy show at VFW Post 399.

The 8 p.m. show is headlined by Sean Donnelly, of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”

Click here for more information, and tickets. (Hat tip: Les Dinkin)

Sean Donnelly

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Heavy equipment is in place at the Compo Beach Soundview parking lot. That’s a staging area for renovation of the tidal gates and pedestrian paths at Sherwood Mill Pond, near Compo Cove.

But before the machines could get going last week, there was one special task: moving the sun.

Brian Suter captured that dramatic moment:

(Photo/Brian Suter)

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Always-observant Johanna Keyser Rossi offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” image, from the Westport Library Riverwalk. She writes:

“This is a first for me: seeing a turtle come out of the water at very low tide, looking in the mud for food. He was eating either a marine worm or a small fish.”

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … speaking of turtles, Mark Volman — co-founder of the pop group with that name — died Friday in Nashville. He was 78, and had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2000. Click here for a full obituary.

(“06880” and you: happy together. “06880” and your support of this hyper-local blog: even happier! Please click here to put a smile on all our faces, with a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you :))

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Posted in Arts, Library, Sports, Staples HS, Totally random

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Amee Borys: New Earthplace Director Has Deep Roots

Posted on July 15, 2025 | 3 comments

Amee Borys — a longtime Earthplace professional — is the new leader of Westport’s nature education and conservation non-profit.

The first female to head Earthplace in its 65-year history — including its previous incarnations as The Nature Center and the Mid-Fairfield County Youth Museum — she begins her role as executive director today.

Borys served as Earthplace’s director of early childhood education from 2015 to 2023, after stints as assistant director of Earthplace preschool, summer camp counselor and classroom teacher.

She was instrumental in expanding Earthplace’s offerings, including establishing the After School Enrichment Program, Nest Infant and Toddler Program, and Little Wreckers classroom at Staples High School.

Borys’ Earthplace connection began nearly 2 decades ago, as a parent. Her 2 children attended Earthplace preschool, after-school programs, and summer camps. Their early experiences inspired them to pursue careers in environmental biology and science education.

New Earthplace executive director Amee Borys (right) and her predecessor, Tony McDowell.

The new executive director replaces Tony McDowell. He announced his retirement earlier this year, after more than a decade at the helm.

“I’m honored to follow in Tony’s footsteps,” Borys says. “His dedication to Earthplace laid a strong foundation, and I’m excited to build on that legacy in the years ahead.”

Borys holds a 6th-year certificate in educational leadership. Earthplace says, “Her background in strategic planning, program development and community engagement, combined with her passion for environmental education and commitment to inclusive programming, makes her the ideal leader to further Earthplace’s mission, and strengthen its role as a vital environmental and educational resource for the region.

“Under Tony’s leadership, Earthplace has seen remarkable growth in both financial stability and program offerings,” adds Mo Tooker, chair of the Earthplace board of directors. “Amee is eager to advance the Earthplace vision with her deep expertise and passion.”

McDowell says, “I am confident that Earthplace is in a strong position for continued success under Amee’s leadership. I look forward to supporting the next chapter by focusing on capital projects and the fundraising efforts that will allow us to grow our impact.”

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Posted in Environment

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After Eventful Earthplace Decade, Tony McDowell Steps Down

Posted on February 23, 2025 | 3 comments

A big change is coming to Earthplace.

But not quite yet.

After a decade at the helm, Tony McDowell is stepping down as executive director of the vibrant non-profit environmental and educational center.

He’ll transition into a volunteer role on the capital campaign committee, and work on improvement projects. Until a successor is chosen, he’ll stay on — and then work with the new director, to ensure a smooth handover.

Tony McDowell

McDowell’s leadership has “brought Earthplace into an exciting new chapter, leaving the organization in an incredibly strong position,” says board chair Mo Tooker.

“Under his guidance, Earthplace has experienced tremendous growth, both in financial health and programming.”

Among McDowell’s accomplishments:

  • The preschool and summer camp now accommodate working parents, with full-time programs for children ages 6 months to 5 years old.

  • Nature-based school programs include over 4,000 youngsters from Norwalk and Bridgeport.

Earthplace campers enjoy a downpour. (Photo/Jaime Bairaktaris)

  • Harbor Watch has come under the Earthplace umbrella. Environmental scientists expand their reach with water quality monitoring from Stamford to Milford, and lead the Long Island Sound Pathogen Monitoring Network with a testing lab and research teams stationed at Earthplace.

  • Facility upgrades include a new amphitheater, Harbor Watch lab and research vessel, pond teaching platform, and interpretive signs for visitors to 84 acres of walking trails.

  • Operating revenue has more than doubled in 10 years. Cash reserves have more than quadrupled.

McDowell’s new focus will be on fundraising, donor stewardship, and program and exhibit development for a new environmental science center.

“I am proud of all we’ve accomplished over the past ten years, and I am confident that Earthplace is in a strong position for continued success,” he says.

“I look forward to supporting the organization’s next chapter, focusing on the capital projects and fundraising that will help us continue to thrive.”

For more information about Earthplace, click here. For more information about the executive director search, and to nominate candidates, email s.pollmann@earthplace.org.

A small section of Earthplace’s 82 acres. (Photos/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

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Posted in Environment, Organizations

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Earthplace: Environmental Center Sponsors Fall Bash

Posted on October 2, 2019 | 2 comments

One day last winter, Diana Mashia walked into Earthplace to drop off her kids for a vacation nature program.

She and a staff naturalist began chatting about environmental issues. When executive director Tony McDowell heard that Mashia had an impressive command of the issues Earthplace cares about — science, conservation and education — he did what any good leader does: He asked her to help.

Last month, Mashia — who already was active managing Sustainable Westport‘s social media — joined the Earthplace board. She focuses on the organization’s zero waste initiative, and community engagement.

Diana Mashia (Photo/Tomira Wilcox Photography)

It might seem an unusual passion for a woman who started her career as an equity research analyst. But as Mashia moved into venture capital finance, she specialized in consumers and innovation. She then founded a consulting practice, working with VC firms and startups.

Mashia certainly walks the talk. In addition to her day job and volunteer activities, she’s working on a master’s degree in management and innovation at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She’s studying the intersection of public/private partnerships and sustainability.

“I’m a big proponent of community-building, volunteerism and engagement,” Mashia — who finds time to also be a Daisy troop leader, and dance with a local company — says.

She knows that — for all its wonderful work — Earthplace has a relatively low profile in town.

Earthplace summer campers enjoyed a downpour. (Photo/Jaime Bairaktaris)

“This is my passion project,” she says of her board activity. “Tony and his team really explore relevance in program. I love their basic idea: that humans are part of the natural world.

“We all exist in nature. But modern life often leaves us disconnected from the physical world. Being stewards for the environment, and creating better awareness, allows us to connect. It has positive impacts on human health and well-being.”

She believes it is particularly important to educate children to be stewards and leaders. They need to be inspired to seek innovative solutions to environmental problems. Mashia is “proud to live in a community that actively thinks about and finds local solutions” to those issues.

However, she notes, many Westporters think of Earthplace as primarily a pre-school, Mashia — whose own children are 6 and 3 — says.

They may not know about its environmental education and after-school programs, 60-acre sanctuary with walking trails, birds of prey exhibit and scholarships, or that it us home to Harbor Watch, the water quality project.

An Earthplace owl.

So Mashia is excited to pass along word of Earthplace’s Woodside Bash and Festival.

The big fundraiser is a 2-day event. It kicks off this Saturday (October 5, 7 to 10 p.m.) with an adults-only party. There’s a harvest dinner, open bar, live band, DJ, a “haunted trail” and the very popular mechanical bull.

Sunday (October 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) is for families. Traditional fall activities include an apple slingshot, donut-on-a-tree, pool of corn, climbing wall, food trucks, animal encounters and more.

Either day — or both — are excellent opportunities to support Earthplace (and, if you haven’t already been there, discover its wonders).

Like Diana Mashia, you might even end up as a passionate volunteer.

The earth would thank you.

(For more information and tickets, click here.)

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Posted in Children, Environment, Organizations

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LobsterFest: Old Tradition Embraces New Recycling

Posted on September 15, 2019 | 2 comments

The Westport Rotary Club‘s LobsterFest is a great Westport tradition.

Over 300 volunteers serve 2,400 lobsters, 300 steaks, 1,600 ears of corn, and plenty of raw oysters to 1,200 ticketholders.

Though the goal is great — proceeds support more than 30 local organizations, plus international Rotary projects — it can be an environmental mess.

At the end of the event, there’s a lot of trash.

Where are you — well, all those volunteers — gonna put all those lobster and oyster shells, steak bones and husks, not to mention thousands of knives, forks, paper plates and napkins?

Don’t worry! These folks think of everything.

This year’s event — set for Saturday, September 21 (3 to 7 p.m., Compo Beach) — is environmentally friendly. Thanks to a partnership with Sustainable Westport, LobsterFest focuses as much on recycling as on raising money for charity.

Tony McDowell — Rotarian, former Fest chair and now a member of the organizing team — explains that this year’s feast picks up where other town local initiatives like the Maker Faire left off.

Last spring, that townwide event recycled in a big way. Every garbage can was labeled for the different type of trash to be deposited in it. Greens Farms Elementary School does the same thing, in their cafeteria.

Greens Farms El offers 3 choices for waste:

LobsterFest will do it too. A company will haul away lobster shells, and compostable plates, trays and cups. Almost all waste will be reused.

But not all. Some plastic knives and forks remain from last year. Moving forward, the event will use all corn-based utensils.

The red trays are plastic. But they’re reused every year.

LobsterFest is a fun, family event. Kids’ activities include the Melissa & Doug children’s tent. The Hot Rubber Monkey Band returns too.

A $60 ticket includes two 1-and-a-quarter-pound lobsters, or a 14-ounce New York strip steak, plus corn, cole slaw, bread and butter, potato salad, peppermint patties, and all the beer or wine you can drink. There’s also a $10 menu for children 12 and under.

Tickets are available only in advance. Click here to order online. They can also be purchased at Joey’s by the Shore, or from any Rotary Club member.

NOTE: The Westport Rotary LobsterFest is different from the Westport Lobster Festival, sponsored by Westport Lifestyles magazine. That event is September 28, at the Fairfield County Hunt Club; it includes a polo match and balloon festival.

No word yet on how much they’ll recycle their lobster shells, utensils and trays.

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Posted in Beach, Categories, Environment, Organizations, People

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Tony McDowell Takes Earthplace Helm

Posted on October 14, 2013 | 1 comment

Tony McDowell has spent his professional career in marketing and business development. His paper and forest product companies have emphasized sustainable development. But his most recent job was based in upstate New York. He commuted 3 hours every Monday, then stayed there all week.

His new commute is way better: 6 minutes.

McDowell is the new executive director of Earthplace. It’s a great fit, he says — and not just because, after moving to Westport in 1987, he, his wife and 2 sons were frequent visitors to the environmental center.

Tony McDowell

Tony McDowell

A year ago, McDowell decided to shift his focus to non-profit management. He’d always been interested in environmental education and social issues — he was a founding board member of Stepping Stones Museum, board president of the Child Guidance Center, an advisor to Builders Beyond Borders and served on humanitarian missions to Haiti and Swaziland — and was an avid hiker and sailor.

He asked CEOs of non-profits for advice and insights. He networked. Then, last spring, Jeff Wieser — head of Homes With Hope — told McDowell about Earthplace. When the organization needed a new leader, he was one of the first to apply.

McDowell says that as Earthplace looks for fresh ideas — and the best ways to “deliver more value to the community” — his background in marketing is a great fit.

One example is Harbor Watch. Though the program — which monitors water quality in harbors, rivers, streams and estuaries here and in surrounding communities — has been part of Earthplace since 1993, few people know it.

EarthplaceMcDowell’s challenge is to “identify the needs of the community, and communicate the value of our programs to a variety of audiences.” Most people associate Earthplace with its nursery school,  he says. “That’s great — but we also have high school and adult programs. There’s a lot more that goes on here. We need to get the word out about everything.”

McDowell begins work today. The staff and board are “very excited,” he says.

He is too. And that 6-minute commute is just one reason why.

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Posted in Environment, Organizations, People

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