Tag Archives: Victoria Kann

Roundup: Vote, Be Cybersafe, Don’t Speed …

3 ways to vote — starting now!

Connecticut’s 2026 election is underway.

There are 3 ways to cast ballots.

Absentee Ballot
To have a ballot mailed directly to you, click here. Online Absentee Ballot Application.

Vote Early In Person
Early voting at Town Hall runs from now through November 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) on Tuesday and Thursday, October 27 and 29.

Vote on Election Day
All 5 Westport polling locations are open Tuesday, November 3, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

  • Saugatuck Elementary School
  • Greens Farms Elementary School
  • Coleytown Middle School
  • Long Lots Elementary School
  • Westport Library

Not sure where you vote? Look up your polling location here.

For more information, click here or click here.

That’s one way of looking at things.

 

CYBERSECURITY: 3 WAYS TO STAY SAFE

“06880” has posted several pieces recently about cybersecurity. (Reminder: We were hacked — big time — a couple of weeks ago.)

Each time, we’ve sung the praises of tech god Sam Disraelly.

Now, have a chance to learn how to prevent damage by bad guys — and to meet Sam, one of the real good guys.

The event is next Tuesday (October 27, 6 p.m., VFW Post 399). It’s hosted by (of all groups) the Wilton Drum Hill chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (who only had to worry about Benedict Arnold).

But that’s not all.

Soon, Sam will team up with the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, for a pair of Verso University “Lunch and Learn” sessions at the Westport Library.

Both are at noon, on November 13 and December 11. The first topic is “AI for Small Businesses“; the second builds on that one, for “Next Steps” (though previous attendance is not required).

No technical background required. The Library says: “Bring your lunch, your questions, and a real task you’d like help with.”

Sam Disraelly

PINKALICIOUS halloween

Halloween’s color is orange.

But this Sunday (October 25, 2 to 3 p.m.), the holiday turns pink.

Westport “Pinkalicious” author Victoria Kann will read her new book, “Snickerdoodle.” It’s a family-friendly event, with books available for purchase and signing.

Then comes trick-or-treating on Jesup Green. Westport Animal Shelters Advocates will join the fun. Guests can bring items from their wish list to donate.

Email (kids.westportlibrary@gmail.com) a photo of your dog dressed in costume, for possible inclusion in a slideshow.

 

EVERLASTING EVERGREEN SEWER WORK

As anyone who has tried to take the Evergreen Avenue shortcut knows, you can’t get to Myrtle Avenue from there.

As part of ongoing work, homes on that road were connected to temporary water a few weeks ago.

Now, digging has begun on Evergreen Parkway. They’ll go about 100 feet a day. That involves digging a trench navigating around gas, sewer, roots, rocks and other buried stuff; laying the pipe, then covering it all up, including an asphalt patch on the road.

Once the water main is installed, it is pressure tested for leaks. When the main is secure, workers dig up the road again and connect every house to it.

There is no estimated date for completion.

Evergreen work. (Hat tip and photo/Mark Mathias)

SKELETON SAYS: SLOW DOWN!

Today’s featured Halloween home decoration doubles as an important warning to all drivers on Compo Road North, near Cross Highway:

(Photo/Diane Bosch)

vince mcmahon crash: charges dropped

Speaking of speeding: In July of 2025 WWE co-founder Vince McMahon was involved in a high-speed accident on the Merritt Parkway, in Westport.

Driving northbound near Exit 20 (formerly Exit 41) at a speed of 110 to 115 miles an hour, the 79-year-old Greenwich resident slammed his Bentley Continental GT into the back of a BMW. He caromed off a guardrail, then continued driving before a Connecticut state trooper pulled him over.

The WWE owner told the officer he was in a hurry to get to his granddaughter’s birthday. Click here or below for a dashcam video.

He received a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving and following too closely, and was released at the scene on a $500 bond. In October, he was granted accelerated rehabilitation for one year, on the condition he make a charitable contribution.

On Thursday, a judge dismissed the charges completely.

McMahon’s lawyer, Mark Sherman, said, “As we’ve maintained in this case, not every car accident is a crime and Mr. McMahon is grateful to the court for this quick dismissal.” (Hat tip: Bill Dedman)

food drive saturday at the y

Members of the National Charity League Westport chapter volunteer at — and donate food and clothes to — Person to Person.

Now, they’ve organized a food collection event, to benefit clients of the Norwalk nonprofit. It’s this Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

Most-needed items include hearty soups, pasta and sauces, peanut butter and jelly, dried and canned beans, cold cereal, oatmeal, snack and granola bars, rice (1-pound boxes), mac and cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, pancake mix, and shelf-stable milk.

“COLOSSI” AT MOCA: WHAT IT ALL MEANS

Visitors are flocking to MoCA\CT, for Rick Schaefer’s monumental charcoal drawings.

On Saturday (October 24, 4 p.m.), the artist will discuss the historical, political and visual dimensions of his work.

He’ll be joined by Avon Theater executive director Peter Gistelinck, and artist/ educator/urban policy leader Rick Bell. MoCA director Robin Jaffee Frank will moderate.

Together, they will explore Shaefer’s “Colossi” series. His images of vast walls in open landscapes evoke ancient monuments, while addressing contemporary questions of borders, land use, security and environmental change.
The event is free, with support from the CORA Foundation. 

dave kardas band rocks the vfw

Blues, rock, jazz and original music fill VFW Post 399 this Friday (October 23, 6 to 8 p.m.).

The very popular Dave Kardas Band returns. Also on tap: happy hour drinks, and bar food.

 

at the vfw too: jazz @ the post

Pianist Brian Marsella returns to the VFW, for Thursday’s Jazz at the Post (October 22, 7 and 8:15 p.m.; dinner service at 6:15). The “psychedelic  Art Tatum” is joined by bassist Reid Taylor, drummer Brian Floody and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

 

obituary: carolyn landis

Westport resident Carolyn Landis died Friday. She was 87.

A graduate of the Bronx High School of Science and Barnard College, with a degree in zoology, she taught science in the New York City public schools. After moving to Connecticut, she became a technical science writer.

Carolyn was a voracious reader and tennis player. Later, water aerobics at the YMCA became a daily ritual, and a source of both exercise and friendship

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Alan; sons Eric (Johanna) of Rye, New Hampshire, and Mark (Deb) of New York, and grandchildren Beau (Katie Sweeney), Aaron, Justin (Maddie) and William (Emily).

A memorial service is set for Thursday (October 22, 2 p.m., Abraham L.
Green & Son Funeral Home, Fairfield). Contributions in Carolyn’s name can be
made to the Westport Library or Saint Jude’s.

Carolyn Landis

“WESTPORT … NATURALLY,” & SONG OF THE DAY

Some of the trees have turned, in Winslow Park.

But many others have not — as today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo sure shows.

(Photo/Dan Woog)

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And finally … in honor of the Westport Library’s Halloween Pinkalicious event (item above):

(Do you need a reason to click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to “06880”? Hey: You’re reading this far — today and every day. We’re here for you 24/7/365. Please support us. Thanks!) 

Roundup: Safer Streets, Suffragist, Slave Ship …

Westporters were pleased to see new blinking stop and warning signs at the dangerous Cross Highway/Bayberry Lane intersection.

That’s not the only safety measure that residents are talking about.

The equally treacherous Cross Highway/North Avenue intersection, just 1/4 mile away, has been improved dramatically by the reconstruction of the stone wall on the northeast corner.

The roads are still misaligned. But sight lines are now much improved.

An added bonus: The new stone wall looks good too.

Before it was rebuilt, the stone wall at Cross Highway and North Avenue prevented drivers from seeing other vehicles.

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As Kamala Harris is poised to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, historians point to the pioneering run by another Black female in 1972: Shirley Chisholm.

But she was not the first woman to run for president.

That distinction belonged to Veronica Woodhull. In addition to being the first female stockbroker on Wall Street, she made history in 1872 with her nomination by the new Equal Rights Party. Her running mate was Frederick Douglass.

Woodhull’s nomination was not taken seriously by much of the public. In addition to not being able to vote for herself — the 19th Amendment was not introduced until 1878, and took 42 years to be ratified — she was not yet 35, the minimum age to run for president.

The “06880” connection? Descendants of Woodhull live in Westport today, on Roseville Road.

Victoria Woodhull

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Attendees at the Westport Country Playhouse’s August 17 production of “Pinkalicious The Musical” will get more than just a fun musical adaptation of the popular children’s book.

They’ll also have a chance to meet Victoria Kann, the illustrator and author of the series — and get a signed book copy.

She’ll be there from 2 to 3 p.m., between the 1 and 4 p.m. shows. Click here for tickets to either performance, and more information.

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The 1839 slave revolt aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad is well known in Connecticut, where much of its court case took place.

In 1997, an opera about the event — incorporating African mythology, and musical genres like jazz, blues and skat, offering themes of social and racial justice — debuted in Chicago.

On August 11 (2 p.m.), an abridged production — “Opus for Peace” — will be produced at the Westport Library. They’re partnering with Southern Connecticut Rotary District 7980 and the Connecticut Lyric Opera.

The production is a collaboration with Harlem Opera Theater and Discovering Amistad. A full “Amistad” will be performed across Connecticut next May.

The August 11 event is free. Click here for more information.

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Some photographers try for years to capture an image of lightning.

Teenager Jay Babina nailed it last night, in his backyard near Long Lots Road:

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Speaking of skies: Did you miss the 88th convention of amateur telescope makers in Vermont?

No worries!

Westport Astronomical Society observatory director Bob Meadows will provide a full report on August 20 (8 p.m., WAS classroom, 182 Bayberry Lane).

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Get ready for the first-ever Summer Slam Jam 3-v-3 Tournament!

On Sunday, August 25 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), the Staples High School fieldhouse will be filled with young basketball players. The day includes games and shooting competitions.

The Staples boys basketball team and Westport PAL invite boys in grades 3 through 8 to showcase their skills, build friendships, and enjoy fun competition.

But there’s more than just basketball. Staples head coach Dave Goldshore and PAL basketball officials will lead an inspirational post-tourney talk.

Families are invited, to cheer on players, enjoy treats, and reconnect with neighbors.

To register a player and for more information, click here.

See you at the Summer Slam Jam 3-v-3 Tournament!

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The Westport Weston Family YMCA has announced the results of last Sunday’s 45th annual Point to Point Swim, at Compo Beach.

109 participants competed in the mile-long open water swim race. They ranged in age from 12 to 80.

The top 10 finishers, and their ages:1. Riley Twiss, 19, 20:04
2. Joe Benz, 34, 20:42
3. Maegan Grisanti, 15, 20:58
4. Brian Sandrib, 33, 21:27
5. Matthew Rossi, 56, 21:29
6. Aldar Su, 47, 22:02
7. Christopher Calby, 34, 22:18
8. Michael Stenman, 39, 22:27
9. Alexander Shakibnia, 37, 22:49
10. Parker Hayden, 45, 22:5.

Click here for all finishers.

Happy Point to Point swim finishers.

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Robert Taylor Gault — a well-known architect, known for his historic preservation work and service to the Westport Historical Society — died July 26 in Damariscotta, Maine. He was 83.

The son of Robert Franklin Gault and Helen (Taylor) Gault, he grew up in Westport and graduated from Staples High School in 1959.

He graduated from the University of Virginia’s architecture program in 1964.  He worked under Lawrence Michaels and Joseph Salerno, before establishing his own practice in 1980.

Robert’s work spanned Fairfield County. It included residential, commercial and institutional buildings, as well as historic restorations.

He was a 2-time award recipient from the Westport Historic District Commission. Robert also received 2 “Pride of Norwalk” awards.

His most challenging project was the restoration of the Bradley-Wheeler Barn for the Westport Historical Society, a 10-year project.

A longtime board member of the WHS, Robert served as its president at the time of the society’s first exhibition of historic artifacts. He spearheaded the casting and installation of a new bronze plaque for the cannons at Compo Beach, to replace the original that had been stolen. He also designed the map, bronze plaques and concrete mounts for the Jennings Trail, and oversaw the installation of each marker.

As a member of the Westport Historic District Commission, Robert was instrumental in the creation of the Kings Highway North Historic District.

In the 1960s, he was a member of the Common Interest Group that saved the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion from being demolished by the city of Norwalk.

He also served on the vestry of Christ and Holy Trinity Church for 4 terms, and was property chairman for 6 years. He oversaw the restoration of the painted chancel ceiling (sponsored by he and his wife); the interior plaster; the trompe l’oeil decoration of the interior, and the cast iron bell, tower, clock room and clockworks.

Robert and Nancy Louise Danforth were married at Christ and Holy Trinity in 1981.

In 1996 the family moved to Southbury, where Robert continued to advocate for historic preservation and land conservation, serving on the board of the Southbury Historical Society, and as director and property chairman of the Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden in neighboring Woodbury.

On July 14, 2010, Robert closed his architectural practice, 30 years to the day from its launch. He and Nancy moved to Waldoboro, Maine, where he made new friends and spent a joyful decade of retirement.

Robert was predeceased by his sister Carol Lane, and his beloved dog, Bonnie Lass. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Nancy; daughter Heather Gault (Michael Ruvalcaba); son Robert Gault; grandson Timothy Ruvalcaba, niece Helen Lane and nephew Dr. Michael Lane.

A celebration of life will be held September 28 (11 a.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Newcastle, Maine). Interment will follow at a later date in Westport.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Nature Conservancy, Attn.: Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203; St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 234, Newcastle, ME 04553; Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 290 Turnpike Road, Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581.

To share a memory or condolence, click here.

Robert Gault

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Westporters pay good money for snakeskin boots, pants, belts and more.

You could have picked up this snakeskin for free, though.

Molly Alger spotted it in her yard, and sent it along for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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And finally … Jay Babina not only contributed a great lightning photo (above). He also suggested today’s musical selection.

It was a #1 hit in 1966 — decades before he was born. But he loves ’60s music.

Thanks, Jay, for the image. And the song!

(Lightning strikes are rare. But “06880” appears regularly, several times a day. And we’ve been here for you every day, since 2009. If you enjoy our work, please click here to support us. Thanks!)