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!)
George Washington traveled through town several times. At Marvin’s Tavern on the Post Road near King’s Highway South the president declined the feast prepared for him, asking only for bread and milk. Yet in his diary he called it “not a good house.” Perhaps his wooden teeth bothered him that day.
William Howard Taft weighed over 330 pounds. If today’s kids keep being driven to school — and not even allowed to walk to the bus stop — they’ll look like “Big Bill” too.
Among the many women John F. Kennedy boinked was Marilyn Monroe. She was a summer resident of Westport. While there is no evidence that any presidential hanky-panky happened here, there is also none that it didn’t.