From the fractured national political landscape to fraught local controversies, folks are on edge.
But hey — it’s the holidays!
Let’s put aside our differences. Let’s slow down. Let’s appreciate, with delight and gratefulness, all the brightness in our lives.
Including our neighbors, who go out of their way to light up the lives of all who pass by.
Whatever their views, on whatever we will argue about after the new year.
West Parish Road (Photo/Kristen Habacht)
North Avenue, across from Staples High School. (Photo/Jennifer Kobetitsch)
Timber Lane. off Roseville Road. (Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
A special message, on Compo Road North. (Photo/Eric Bosch)
This 18th-century one-horse open sleigh was a gift from A.E. Hotchner’s wife, when Rick Benson bought the author’s family home. Rick restored it to its present 21st-century beauty. It’s parked now on Compo Hill. (Photo/Rick Benson)
A few commenters on recent “06880” stories about the Sherwood Mill pond tidal gates — and whether the town’s $5.58 million expenditure should compel the removal of the locked gates to Compo Cove, just beyond the project — have stated that Cove residents (and those from nearby Old Mill Beach) benefit from use of the parking lot, taking away space from residents with beach stickers.
An Old Mill resident sets the record straight.
“The 4 passes we are allocated have a price. We pay the Parks & Recreation Department $330 a year (summer season May 1 to September 30) for Old Mill.
“Two are assigned to a specific license plate at $115 each, plus $100 for the 2 guest passes.
“No spaces are reserved at the Old Mill lot. We can only hope there is a space to park if we go out for groceries on a summer weekend afternoon.
“A person needs a Westport Beach Pass, or one for Old Mill/Compo Cove. The reason is so police can identify the Old Mill/Cove resident cars.
“With the theft and illegal shellfishing, parking enforcement is part of the WPD’s efforts to identify clammers/oyster/crabbers’ vehicles (it is shocking how mch is stolen almost every spring, summer and fall nights).
“We have no option. My wife and I do not have a driveway, garage or yard to park in. We must use the lot at Old Mill.
“PS: I also pay $30 for a pass so I can drive into Compo (senior price).
“And don’t forget: We are assessed at a higher tax rate for being near Long Island Sound. Nothing is for free.”
Old Mill parking lot in April, 2019. It’s empty, because the lot had been closed for restriping.
But (except for Santa), no one may be busier than the Staples Orphenians.
The elite high school a cappella group sings anywhere, and everywhere. On Tuesday they entertained the Westport Rotary Club at their annual concert.
Director Lauren Pine brought 36 students to the luncheon meeting, at Green’s Farms Church.
Highlights included “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from the “Nutcracker Suite,” a rousing “Jingle Bells,” and their Condlelight Concert signature “Hallelujah Chorus.”
The schedule does not let up after New Year’s. In 2025, the Oprhenians head to Spain.
As the Rotarians know well, their audiences overseas will be in for a treat.
Orphenians with director Lauren Pine (front), at the Rotary Club meeting in Green’s Farms Church. (Photo/Ellin Curley)
“Cheese Fries & Chili Dips” — Weston native Chris Fuller’s one-man “hilarious and heartfelt story of a pro golfer’s bipolar journey to wellness” returns to the Westport Country Playhouse’s Lucille Lortel White Barn on January 3 and 4.
The 7:30 p.m. show is preceded by a wine and cheese party (6:30), compliments of Kindred Spirits.
The show is presented by the International Mental Health Foundation, with sponsorship from the Golf Performance Center.
Tickets are $25. Click here to purchase, and for more infromation.
The Westport Library inaugurated its new art gallery offerings last night, with an intriguing conversation.
The Sheffer Gallery now features Claudia Mengel’s “Alchemy of Light.”Her paintings were inspired by the mysticism at the heart of alchemy’s expression in the Middle Ages.
After an opening reception, she chatted about her work with Artists Collective of Westport co-founder Miggs Burroughs.
Claudia Mengel, Miggs Burroughs, and her work. (Photo copyright by Ted Horowitz)
And finally … the item about Orphenians (above) got us thinking about one of the numbers they performed. Theirs was a cappella. Here’s another version:
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Posted onDecember 9, 2020|Comments Off on Holiday Window Decorating Contest: Let The Games Begin!
Last year, Noya won the downtown holiday window decorating contest.
Can the jewelry design store on the west bank of the Saugatuck River defend its title?
It won’t be easy. This year’s contest has expanded. It’s now townwide. The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, as co-sponsor.
And instead of a judge’s vote, the 2020 champ will be chosen by residents and shoppers. Votes can be cast online. Some stores display a QR code in their windows, to vote by phone.
44 businesses are registered. They’ll compete in 4 categories: local independent retailers (“mom and pop”), national chains, restaurants/delis, and non-retail.
Competition begins today, and runs through December 21. You can vote once per category. Winners will be promoted on social media. The grand prize for most votes is a dinner for 4 at Don Memo.
Click here for a list of all participants — and to vote.
One of Noya’s windows. Will it win this year?
Comments Off on Holiday Window Decorating Contest: Let The Games Begin!
Last week’s “06880” story about downtown holiday decorations drew plenty of comments. Many readers recalled with fondness the ghosts of Christmases past. Main Street, they remembered, was alive with lights and garlands. It was a bright, magical winter wonderland.
That may have been true. But not in 1975.
On Christmas Day that year, Fred Cantor drove through town. He captured several scenes. The other day — sparked by the nostalgic debate — he unearthed those photos.
Snow had fallen earlier. The plowed, shoveled and congealed streets and sidewalks have that bleak midwinter look.
There’s nary a star, ornament or whimsical Santa on any pole. You don’t see any twinkling lights either.
The only wreaths are on Sport Mart (far left).
But the view of the Mobil station (now Vineyard Vines) brings back fond memories. Every year — a few days before Christmas — owners Gene and Mary Hallowell lowered the hydraulic lifts. They covered them with table cloths. Then they laid out a feast.
The party was supposed to be for loyal customers. But anyone could wander by for food and (of course) drink.
And everyone did.
Further down Main Street, Fred found this:
The Remarkable Book Shop hummed with activity at holiday time. It was the perfect place for gifts — there were toys, puzzles and trinkets, plus a joyfully eclectic collection of books, maps and whatnot — as well as a great spot for curling up in an easy chair to read, relax or just people-watch.
But the Remarkable Book Shop did not go all out with holiday decorations either. In fact, as Fred’s photo shows, in 1975 there were none.
One place did get into the holiday spirit.
And with good reason: The Corner Spirit Shop — on Wilton Road, at the Post Road West intersection — was one of the most visible spots in town.
Plus — then, as now — a liquor store hops at holiday time.
So of course they threw a couple of wreaths on their windows.
That’s what Westport looked like, 42 years ago this holiday season.
The Sport Mart is gone. Remarkable, too. And — as of a few weeks ago — the building that housed the Corner Spirit Shop is only a fond memory.
Just like some of those Christmas decorations of yore.
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