Tag Archives: Westport Museum for History & Culture

Roundup: Al Fiore Services, Frank Pepe’s Pizza, Assumption’s Lights …

Posted on December 9, 2025 | Leave a comment

Visitation for Al Fiore —Westport’s former police chief, who died Saturday — will take place this Thursday (December 11, 4 to 7 p.m., Harding Funeral Home).

A funeral Mass will be held Friday (December 12, 11 .m., Assumption Church).

Al Fiore

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Frank Pepe’s pizzas are coming to Westport.

The iconic New Haven restaurant will open its 18th location this summer. The Italian apizza place takes over the spot previously occupied by an Indian eatery, The Naan.

It’s a full circle moment. Before The Naan and Kibberia (Mediterranean), the first tenant in the space was John’s Best Pizza.

The closest Frank Pepe Pizza Napoletana right now is in Fairfield. There are 7 in Connecticut, with others in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland and Florida.

There will be 90 seats, and takeout too.

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Add one more display to Westport’s Christmas lights.

Assumption Church lit theirs Sunday night — the building, as well as the handsome tree beside it.

(Photo/Mary Sikorski)

Slow down and admire the lights.

Or enjoy while stuck in a long line of traffic…

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Also Sunday: Birchwood Country Club’s annual Gingerbread Brunch.

The family buffet was followed by decorating. Each youngster got their own basic gingerbread house, and decorations.

The crowd of 125 had a great time. These are gingerbread houses that will not be re-gifted.

Or used as doorstops. (Hat tip: Mel Sokotch)

Lookin’ good!

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The Pop Shop holiday market returns Saturday to the Westport Museum for History & Culture (December 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Among the items sold by the 25 vendors: global accessories and gifts, vintage jewelry with a modern twist, antique treasures, women’s clothing, treats for dogs, and tableware.

The Honey Bee Flower Truck will be there too, with wreaths, winter arrangements and  holiday botanicals.

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Alert “06880” reader Rick Leonard noticed some changes at Fred’s Car Wash, just over the line in Southport.

A full dumpster and cones in the parking lot; vacuum hoses pulled.

He dug a bit, and learned that Fred’s is becoming Russell Speeder’s. That’s similar to transformation of the one just over the other line, on Westport Ave in Norwalk.

The Speeder’s chain has nearly 100 locations, in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey — and Missouri and Nebraska.

Fred’s Car Wash — soon to be Speeder’s. (Photo/Rick Leonard)

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The deadline for submissions to Mo\CA CT’s high school art show has been extended. The new final date is February 13.

The 11th annual high school exhibition is “The Sound of Us: Youth Culture Now.” It coincides with the Westport Public Art Collections’ exhibition, “Art, Jazz + the Blues.”

The exhibition explores the effects of contemporary music on today’s youth culture. Music is a catalyst for conversation, inspiring political awareness and mobilizing youth-led movements. It influences how young people speak, what they stand for, and how they connect with one another.

Students will be prompted to select a song from 2020 to today, and create a work of art that shows its effects on youth culture through fashion, social interactions, speech, education, political alertness and activism, or life in general.

Click here for the application, and more information.

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Comedy comes to the VFW this Friday (December 12, 8 p.m.).

Joe Pontillo stars in a Christmas show — “or whatever you celebrate.” Click here for tickets, and more information.

Joe Pontillo

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Speaking of the VFW: This week’s Jazz at the Post (December 11) there features guitarist Ed Cherry. He performed with Dizzy Gillespie from 1978 until shortly before Gillespie’s death in 1993, winning a Grammy together for “Live at Royal Festival Hall.

Cherry will be joined by bassist Matt Dwonszyk, saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall, and Jason Tiemann.

Shows are 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. Guest chef Dan Frye serves a buffet with chicken piccata, seared tuna, broccoli, rice and dessert starting at 7. Click here for tickets.

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Longtime local orthodontist Dr. Steven Scher died at his Weston home, with his wife Susan at his side. He was 82. .

The Brooklyn native graduated from Brooklyn College. He served 2 years in the US Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, then earned his orthodontic certificate from New York University, graduating at the top of his class.

He opened a practice in Westport where, his family says, “he touched the hearts and teeth of countless members of the community.”

Steven loved tennis, golf, skiing the Rocky Mountains, and vacationing in the sun — all with his family. He was a fixture at the sports events of his children and grandchildren.

Steven is survived by his wife Susan; their children Peter (Lesley) and Alexander (Dylan); his children Jon (Robyn) and Lara (Mike) from his first marriage to Joan; sister, Gloria (Gerald, and grandchildren Scarlett, Brooke, Jordan, Jake and Astrid.

A celebration of Steven’s life will be held at Temple Israel tomorrow (Wednesday, December 10, 11 a.m.). Donations in his name can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Steven Scher

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Baby, it’s cold outside.

That includes Winslow Park.

But at least in “Westport … Naturally” image, the sun is shining.

(Photo/Duane Cohen)

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And finally … the news about Fred’s Car Wash got us thinking about …

(A reminder this holiday season: “06880” is supported by readers like you! Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to Westport’s hyper-local blog. Thank you — and happy holidays!)

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Roundup: Fireworks Traffic, Fireworks Photos …

Posted on July 1, 2025 | 10 comments

Today is July 1.

Tomorrow — 2 day ahead of the holiday — the annual PAL fireworks will light the sky over Compo Beach. It’s Westport’s biggest and best party of the year.

It also has a major impact on traffic.

The beach closes to the public at 4 p.m. Only vehicles with fireworks passes hanging from their rearview mirrors can stay in the parking lot. The beach reopens to ticket holders no later than 5 p.m.

Access to the fireworks is through Compo Road South only. Hillspoint Road south of Greens Farms Road will be closed to through traffic.

Uber, Lyft and taxi services will drop riders off where Soundview Drive runs into Compo Road South. However, return service will not be possible until 11 p.m., due to one-way traffic exiting the beach. There will be delays of an hour or so after the fireworks end (approximately 9:30 to 9:45) for residents return to the Compo Beach area from elsewhere, and for anyone picking up people at the beach.

The fireworks are sponsored by Melissa and Doug Bernstein, and are an important fundraiser for Westport PAL. A few tickets remain, at the Parks & Recreation Department office in Longshore (during business hours), and the police station.

The traffic is worth it. (Photo/Elissa Moses)

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Speaking of the fireworks: Please send us your photos tomorrow!

Your parties and picnics; you and your friends hanging out, and your kids running around — however you celebrate, we hope you’ll share with our online community.

We’re less interested in shots of the actual fireworks — sorry, but they all tend to look the same — than in people. Faces, smiles, flags — email them to 06880blog@gmail.com, by 10 p.m. (the end of the fireworks show).

Thanks. It takes a village, and we’re glad you’re part of ours.

Jennifer Kobetitsch sent this last year. Let’s see what you’ve got!

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And now … the moment you’ve been waiting for: the winners of the Great Duck Race.

Westport Sunrise Rotary — which thanks to the event will distribute about $100,000 in grants and scholarships next year — announces the champions.

Congratulations to:

  • Sharon Rychilk ($5,000 1st prize)
  • Bruce Fritz ($1,000)
  • Ellen Swisher ($500)
  • Brian Stern ($500)
  • Angelo Termine ($500)
  • Gimbels Pon ($500)
  • Ian Gorman ($500)
  • Courtney Mullen ($500)
  • Tim Kelly ($500)
  • Sylvia Galambos ($500)

They are very lucky ducks!

The race is on! (Photo/Mark Mathias)

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The Westport Library Board of Trustees, welcomes 4 new members: Christy Charise, James Corgel, Darcy Travlos and Ashley Zwick.

There’s a new president too. Senior vice president Robert Boroujerdi succeeds Pat Wieser. She remains a board member member, while Krishna Patel takes over as senior vice president.

Other officers include treasurer Ben Chan, secretary Sheri Gordon, Finance Committee chair Scott Bennewitz, Governance and Nominations Committee chair Martina Sze, and Development Committee chair Mark Silverstein.

Boroujerdi is a former partner at Goldman Sachs. He later joined Third Point, an institutional asset manager, as the head of markets. He and his family live in Westport.

Leaving the board are longtime members Andrea Berkely, Randy Herbertson, Celeste La Croix, Jay Norris and Andrew Wilk.

Charise and her husband Justin co-founded Saugatuck Financial, where she headed up daily operations and growth initiatives for more than a decade. She continues to lead business development, marketing and strategic initiatives. The couple live in Westport, with their 2 children.

Corgel is an experienced business executive. He has been involved with several non-profits since retiring in 2013, after serving in key managerial roles with global responsbility at IBM. He and his wife Chris have lived in Westport for more than 35 years.

Travlos is s a capital markets specialist, investor and entrepreneur with deep experience across technology, media, industrial and consumer sectors. She moved to Westport in 2000 with her daughter, and now lives here with her black labrador Robert.

Zwick has more than 20 years’ experience in the nonprofit and education sectors. She serves as executive director of the Tuck Initiative on Workplace Inclusion at Dartmouth, and teaches courses on social impact at NYU. When she moved to Westport in 2020, her one demand was to live within walking distance of the Library.

New trustees at the Westport Library.

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Joe Lamp’l — aka “Joe Gardener” — spoke to a full house at the Westport Library last week, on ecological gardening for beauty and biodiversity.

The next day, he visited Greens Farms Garden Club’s “Growing for Good” vegetable gardens. Volunteers with the project grow organic vegetables, and donate them to Homes with Hope in Westport, and Bridgeport’s Mercy Learning Center.

He was awed by Prospect Gardens, and their generosity to the program,  Click here to learn about the Greens Farms Garden Club, and Growing for Good. 

Greens Farms Garden Club.

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Richard Orenstein was a significant benefactor of the Westport Museum for History & Culture.

On Sunday, friends unveiled a commemorative stone in his honor, near the front of the building.

He also donated generous to other organizations, here and in Sarasota, Florida — where he flew over 1,000 hours for Angel Flight, which provides free medical services.

(Photo/Nick Pisarro Jr.)

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Today’s “06880 … Naturally” photo from Compo Beach is very, um, interesting.

So interesting, in fact, that we invite you to write your own caption. Click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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And finally … on this date in 1908, SOS was adopted as the international distress signal.

(No, we’re not in distress — but “06880” does rely on the support of readers like you. If you get a chance, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Posted in Beach, Environment, Westport life

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Roundup: Candlelight Concert, Leslye Headland, Board of Ed …

Posted on December 14, 2024 | 8 comments

For the 84th year in a row, the Staples High School Music Department presented its gift to the town: the Candlelight Concert.

Performances continue today, at 3 and 8 p.m. All tickets were already claimed, weeks ago.

Tomorrow’s “06880” will offer a full photographic portrait of the very special event. Here is one scene, from early last night:

(Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

 

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New York Times chief theater critic Jesse Green gave a rave review to “Cult of Love,” the new show that opened Thursday at the Helen Hayes Theater.

He likes the “rip-roaring home-for-the-holidays dramedy” for its plot, direction, music and more.

He also praises playwright Leslye Headland. This is the 1999 Staples High School graduate’s Broadway debut. But she’s earned kudos before, as a playwright, screenwriter and director (“Bachelorette,” “Sleeping With Other People,” “Russian Doll,” “The Acolyte”).

“Cult of Love” is Headland’s final work in a series called “Seven Deadly Plays.” Inspired by the 7 deadly sins, this one is about pride. It was first staged in Los Angeles in 2018.

The play focuses on 4 adult children of one family and their partners, coming home for a contentious holiday gathering.

Green writes: “Though ‘Cult of Love,’ like many unhappy family reunion plays, draws big buckets of humor from the toxic brew of religion and repression, those buckets also draw blood.

“Headland knows just how to get there, suggesting deep familiarity with the territory. But she also has a gift for complication and construction, as was already evident in “Bachelorette,” her Bridezillas Gone Wild breakthrough play of 2010…. Loading pattern on pattern — a holiday-season design don’t for most — is for her an opportunity to dizzy us down to hell.”

Click here for the full Times review. Click here for more information about “Cult of Love.” (Hat tip: Tommy Greenwald)

Leslye Headland

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This is a very busy time of year.

But if you still need something to do, check out this calendar (courtesy of Westport’s Department of Human Services):

Today (Saturday, December 14, 1 to 3:30 p.m.): Gingerbread Cookie Decorating,  Westport Museum for History & Culture ($15 per pair)

Today and tomorrow (December 14-15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Westport Police and PAL toy drive at ASF, Awesome Toys and The Toy Post

December 17 (3 to 5 p.m.): Ornament Making, Westport Museum for History & Culture ($5 entry includes hot cocoa and all materials for group of 2)

December 18, 19, 20, 21 (7 p.m.): “Together at the Table”: Family dinner and “A Sherlock Carol,” Westport Country Playhouse

December 19 (4:30 p.m.): Lighthouse and Holiday Movie Night, Toquet Hall

December 19 (1:15 p.m.): Play With Your Food table reading, Westport Senior Center

December 19 (2:30 p.m.): The Jazz Rabbi, with guitarist Paul Bollenback, Westport Senior Center

December 20 (7 p.m.): “The Nightmare Before Christmas” drop-by movie night, Toquet Hall

December 20, 21, 22: 1940s Christmas by Candlelight Tours of the Coley House; $25 advanced tickets required; click here

December 27 (5 to 11 p.m.): Alumni Night, Toquet Hall (free)

Toquet Hall is one of many places with activities this month.

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The Board of Education’s Policy Committee meets Wednesday (December 18, 9 a.m., Town Hall Room 307), with a wide-ranging agenda.

They’ll discuss the first reading of possible revisions to graduation requirements; admission to the Westport Public Schools at or before age 5 and assignment to grade levels; and student attendance, truancy and chronic absenteeism.

The committee will also discuss health concerns “such as lice,” and a possible new civility policy.

meanwhile, the Long Lots School Building Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed to Wednesday (December 18, 6 p.m., Town Hall Room 307/309. The agenda has not yet been posted.


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Speaking of schools: All month long, Kings Highway Elementary School students have collected gifts for their annual Holiday Bear drive.

Each year, the Connecticut Education Foundation’s Holiday Bear provides gifts for children whose families face financial or other hardships.

The KHS Caring Council helped package 25 Holiday Bear bags.

Meanwhile, yesterday the school helped raise funds for Connecticut Children’s Hospital.

Students also wore pajamas as part of a statewide spirit day.

It’s been an eventful month for Kings Highway!

A few of Kings Highway’s many holiday bags.

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John McKinney is the newest member of the Connecticut Mirror’s board of directors.

The Mirror is state’s non-profit, non-partisan, digital source for public policy, government and politcal news.

McKinney — a descendant of Westport’s famed Bedford family — is also a trustee of the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

The former State Senate minority leader and a Republican candidate for governor, he was appointed by Governor Ned Lamont to the Liquor Control Commission in 2021.

McKinney serves on the advisory board of Operation Hope, a homeless shelter in Fairfield. He and his family help provide housing and care for people with AIDS through the Stewart B. McKinney Foundation. It is named for his father, the longtime US Congressman from Westport’s district.

John McKinney

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The quiet geometry of a Compo Beach low tide highlights today’s “Westport … Naturally” image.

(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)

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And finally … on this date in 1819,  Alabama became the 22nd US state.

(Whether you’re here in Westport, way down in Alabama, or anywhere else, “06880” is your hyper-local source for news, events and much more. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Education, Media, Staples HS

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Roundup: Shonda Rhimes, Bill Clinton, RAWW Women …

Posted on November 10, 2024 | 4 comments

While many Westporters relaxed in yesterday’s still-spectacular fall weather, plenty of others volunteered in a variety of ways — all for Homes with Hope.

A well-supported food drive at Stop & Shop helped restock the food pantry, now located at Sasco Creek Village while the Gillespie Center is being renovated.

(From left) Clodagh McAlinden, Pete Wolgast, Katharine Murray, Paris Looney — Homes with Hope and Sunrise Rotary Club volunteers at Stop & Shop.

With the Sunrise Rotary Club, Westport Police Department and Builders Beyond Borders taking the lead, over 350 bags of food and personal hygiene items were donated by shoppers.

Police Chief Foti Koskinas, with Police Department and other volunteers, help restock the Homes with Hope food pantry.

Over at 122 Wilton Road — Homes with Hope’s newest affordable housing site — volunteers from Green’s Farms Church planted tulips and daffodils.

Green’s Farms Church volunteers, at 122 Wilton Road.

Teenagers from Staples Service League of Boys (SLOBs) showed up in force at the Linxweiler House. They did a massive fall clean-up at the HWH property on Post Road East. 

SLOBs clean up at Linxweiler House.

Finally, members of American Institute for Foreign Study’s au pair division in Stamford spent the morning cleaning up leaves at the Bacharach Community — Homes with Hope’s emergency housing for women and children, on Wassell Lane.

AIFS Au Pair in America volunteers, at the Bacharach Community.

“Every team was amazing!” says HWH president and CEO Helen McAlinden. “What an incredible help, on this beautiful fall day.”

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The Westport Library’s Holiday Shop is open.

The annual event — located on the main level, and now spilling into the Writing Center — includes scarves, hats and gloves (many handmade); humorous socks; unique dish towels; notebooks, journals and planners; handmade desert bells and other decorative items like paper lanterns, felt baskets, planters and birdhouses; snow globes; jewelry; festive candles; games; puzzles; toys; art supplies, and novelty items for kids.

Library Store purchases are tax-free. Proceeds support Library services and programs.

Manager Heli Stagg shows off a small part of the Library’s Holiday Shop, in the Writing Center off the main floor. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Shonda Rhimes is bicoastal.

But the TV producer/screenwriter/Shondaland founder won’t have far to go for her November 22 gig (8 p.m).

The Westport resident will be at the Palace Theater in Stamford, for a chat with Bill Clinton. They’ll chat about his new memoir “Citizen”; his post-presidency life; the 2024 election, and his reflections on the world today.

(The former president has an equally short commute that night. He’ll be coming from nearby Chappaqua, New York.)

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Bill Clinton and Shonda Rhimes

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On Thursday, the Rockin’ Alts Women of Westport — aka RAWW — hosted a happy hour at Romanacci’s.

Thirty professional women in alternative investments — hedge funds, private markets, venture capital and more – attended. The event was sponsored by Westport-based FoundHer, a recruiting firm specializing in placing return-to-work women in the workplace.

Founder Rachel Markus invites women in alternative finance to join RAWW. For more information, email RachelMarkus10@gmail.com.

Local women interested in returning to work in the financial industry can email jsilver@foundherllc.com and rknapp@foundherllc.com.

RAWW and FoundHer members, at Romanacci’s.

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Next up for Club203: bowling!

Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities heads to Nutmeg Bowling in Fairfield on November 21 (6:30 to 8 p.m.).

The social evening includes pizza (and shoes at no extra cost). As always with Club203, MoCA CT provides an art table.

Parents and guardians are welcome to stay at Nutmeg, and enjoy the cash bar.

A year-long Club203 membership is $100, and includes 10 monthly events. Individual events are $20 each. Click here to join — and let the good times “roll.”

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Want to learn more about your old books? Head to Tail Books will be at the Westport Museum for History & Culture November 16 to evaluate vintage books.

Registration is open for 30-minute appointments with Michele Wan, proprietor of the Westport-based specialists in rare and collectible books. She’ll offer informal analyses of hand press-era texts, modern first editions and more (up to 5 items). The fee is $75. To register, click here.

Michele Wan

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Most days, the Westport Library’s youngest patrons hang out in the second floor children’s room.

It’s warm, welcoming, and always fun.

Yesterday morning, kids took over the Trefz Forum. “Miss Sara’s Music Room” filled the big space, with instruments, rhythm — and (of course) fun.

(Photo/Rob Feakins)

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Staples High School Class of 1958 graduate Alan Dolge died on October 25. He was 84.

The Westport native graduated from Franklin & Marshall College. He was a naval aviator for 22 years. After moving from active duty to reserves, he flew for Trans World Airlines. He retired at age 60, after 33 years, in 2000.

After retirement, he served his community as a conservationist, working alongside the Delaware Highlands Conservancy to protect the Poconos. He was also president of his homeowners’ association for 10 years. He helped found the United Way of Pike County, which he served as president.

Alan is survived by his wife of 34 years, Pamela Dolge, his daughters with Carole Dolge, Kelly (James) Smith and Ginger (Paul) Wolford; grandchildren Shannon, Kendall (Connor Mahaffey), Jonathan, Hailey and Joshua; great-granddaughter Juniper; and brothers Chuck and Tracy.

A funeral is set

He will be buried with military honors at 12:30 p.m. on November 18 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Alan’s memory may be made to VALOR Clinic Foundation, which serves veterans.

Alan Dolge

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Jo Ann Miller reminds “06880” readers that today is the 249th birthday of the US Marine Corps.

Her father served proudly for 37 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant general (3 Stars). He was one of only two pilots to fly combat missions in World War II (Midway), Korea and Vietnam.  His wing men included astronaut and Senator John Glenn, and Ted Williams. He was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010, with Neil Armstrong.

Semper Fi!

(From Bill Clinton and the US Marine Corps to Shonda Rhimes and our amazing library, “06880” is where Westport meets the world. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Children, Library, Obituaries, Politics

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Roundup: Sigrid Schultz, Charley Rochlin, Rachel Doran …

Posted on September 18, 2024 | 2 comments

Sigrid Schultz has been remembered — belatedly — in her longtime hometown of Westport, with a parking lot named in her honor.

But there is a lot more to her story than that.

Serving as the Chicago Tribune’s Berlin bureau chief from 1926 to 1941, Schultz masked her intense loathing for the Nazis in order to cultivate contacts at the highest level of the Third Reich. Among her many accomplishments, Schultz interviewed Adolf Hitler several times. She also fearlessly cast a barb at Hermann Göring for his failed attempt to have her arrested.

She boldly covered the persecution of Jews, was one of the first to report on abuses at the German concentration camps, and was once called “Hitler’s greatest enemy.”

Yet for all her accomplishments, Schultz’s story is largely untold.

Vanessa Johnston is working on a documentary film about her. It will explore her extraordinary career, from her heady days as a young reporter covering the Weimar Republic, to her writing in secret under an alias to avoid Nazi censors, on through her anguish at seeing the Buchenwald concentration camp, then her relatively obscure life in Westport. 

Tomorrow (Thursday, September 19, 7 p.m., Westport Museum for History & Culture), Johnston will preview her unfinished film. There’s a talkback with the producer, and a look at a one-night-only display of artifacts owned by Schultz.

Click here for tickets ($5 for members, $10 for non-members). Proceeds support the museum’s exhibitions, programs and research.

Sigrid Schultz

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It’s almost one year since Hamas assaulted Israeli villages, and took hundreds of people hostage.

A group of Westporters will remember them on Sunday October 6 (12 to 3 p.m., Compo Beach).

The event will include words, songs, and 101 chairs — one for each of the remaining hostages.

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Veterans of Foreign Wars Joseph J. Clinton Post 399’s 51st straight monthly Red Cross Blood Drive honors lance corporal Charles Rochlin, of the Marine Corps.

The 2003 Staples High School graduate spent 7 months in Iraq. He was on leave in Westport when he died in an automobile accident.

The blood drive is this Friday (September 20, noon to 5 p.m.).

Click here for an appointment; use sponsor code VFWWESTPORT. You can also call 800-733-2767.

LCPL Charley Rochlin

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CraftWestport returns to the Staples High School fieldhouse November 2-3. Over 175 vendors kick off the holiday shopping season, with thousands of products in mediums like ceramics, textiles, woodworking, jewelry, glass art and more.

Plus food items like bourbon-barrel aged maple syrup, hand-painted chocolates, teas, honey, cheese spreads, curds, baked goods, and skincare products, soaps, candles, etc.

All-weekend admission is $11; seniors $10, children 12-18 $5, children under 12 are free. Click here for more details. CraftWestport is presented by the Westport Young Woman’s League.

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The one good thing that has come out of the death of Rachel Doran — the 2015 Staples High School graduate who died just before her senior year at Cornell University after a rare reaction to common medication — is Rach’s Hope.

The non-profit provides nutritious food, lodging, transportation and encouragement to family members when a child is in intensive care.

Well, there’s one other good thing: community participating in “Walk the Extra Mile … for Rach’s Hope.”

The 4th annual event is Sunday, October 6 (Compo Beach Ned Dimes Marina, 3 p.m.).

The day includes community spirit, fresh air, a fun beach walk, live music by Ellis Island Acoustic, the Pizza Pie Wagon truck, wine and beer courtesy of Greens Farms Spirit Shop, and Rach’s signature black and white cookies.

All are welcome. Click here for tickets, and more information.

Rachel Doran

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A clarification on yesterday’s Roundup post about CLASP’s “Music Through the Decades” benefit (October 18, Fairfield Theatre Company).

Band Central — the great entertainment — is not “the CLASP house group.”

Band Central is made up of very talented professional  musicians. At different times, members have played with very high-powered groups — including the Rolling Stones.

Band Central was created to unite a community of non-profits, musicians, donors, and audience members through themed music concerts. They’ve raised $6 million for over 60 Fairfield County organizations, and produced more than 150 events.

The October 18 show will raise funds to support CLASP’s clients, with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A 6:30 p.m. pre-party includes light bites from Blue + Berries and Little Pub. The main event kicks off at 7:30.

Guests are encouraged to dress in the fashion of their favorite decade.

Tickets are $45 in person at the FTC office, $54 online or by phone (203-319-1404).

Band Central

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Yesterday’s Westport Rotary Club lunch speaker was Amit Oren.

A clinical psychiatrist at the Yale Department of Psychology with a private practice, she spoke about her work as lead psychologist at Mountain Seed Foundation. It provides healing camps in places like the Austrian Alps for veterans of foreign wars who are suffering from trauma or war loss, and their families.

The week-long program includes physical activities like mountain climbing, zip lining, nature walks and art therapy.

Amit Oren (Photo/Ellin Curley)

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On Sunday night, Alex Sherman was walking his dog near Compo Road South.

Alex got to hear Peter Frampton’s concert (for free).

Plus, he spotted this cool-looking owl on Baker Street. It’s a great image, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Alex Sherman)

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And finally … in the midst of one of the most polarized times in American history, today is National Respect Day.

(If you respect “06880” — or even just like it a little bit — please consider a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. Just click here. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Entertainment, History, Politics

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Saugatuck Church, Westport Museum Honor Juneteenth

Posted on June 21, 2024 | 6 comments

During the Civil War, over 80% of eligible Black men in Connecticut enlisted in 2 “Colored” infantry units.

On Wednesday — Juneteenth, honoring the final end of slavery in the US, when emancipation finally came for 250,000 people in Texas — the Saugatuck Congregational Church and Westport Museum for History & Culture honored those Black Connecticut soldiers.

There was a Westport connection. Their commander, Lt. Louis McDonough, is buried at the church’s Evergreen Cemetery.

McDonough and his men in the 29th Regiment were part of efforts to enforce the freedom of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. That event led to the enactment of the national holiday, nearly 160 years later.

The men from Westport who were part of the 29th were Samuel Benson, Thomas Benson, James Burns, John Frye, Thomas Gregory, Frank Jackson, Joseph H. Jackson, William H. Jackson, William H. Johnson (1st), William H. Johnson (2nd), John Thompson, Charles C. Williams and Charles Yan Tross.

All were privates, except Lt. McDonough and musician Frank Jackson.

The Evergreen Cemetery memorial was unveiled by local veteran Sgt. First Class Buyile Rani, Connecticut Army National Guard (Retired). His participation was organized by Westport’s VFW Post 399/American Legion Post 63.

 

A young boy (front) added a light touch to Wednesday’s ceremony honoring Westport’s Black Civil War soldiers, at Evergreen Cemetery. From left: Sgt. 1st Class Buyile Rani; Saugatuck Church pastor Kari Nicewander;  Dr. Vera Rhimes, Saugatuck Church council member; Westport Museum director Ramin Ganeshram; VFW quartermaster Lt. Cmdr. Phil Delgado. (Photo/Mark Mathias)

left-to-right IDs – SGT 1st Class Buyile Rani CT Army National Guard (Retired), Saugatuck Congregational Church Pastor Kari Nicewander, Vera P. Rhimes, Westport Museum Executive Director Ramin Ganeshram, LCDR Phil Delgado U.S. Navy (Retired)

VFW quartermaster Phil Delgado, Lt. Commander, US Navy (Retired) said, “The veteran community is honored to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifices of the 29th Infantry on Juneteenth. Dedicating a plaque serves as a reminder of the progress made in pursuit of justice and equality for all.”

Saugatuck Church Pastor Kari Nicewander offered a prayer. Saugatuck Church was a meeting place when the town of Westport was incorporated in 1835. The church is partnering with the Westport Museum to shine a light on local history, like Westport’s connection to Juneteenth.

The Museum also sponsored Black history walking tours, and screened the film “The 29th Connecticut Regiment and the Fight for Freedom.” Click below to see the video.

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Posted in History

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Roundup: Jewish Vending Machine, NY Knicks, Coney Island …

Posted on March 24, 2024 | 5 comments

Clover Farms (now Stew Leonard’s) had a milk vending machine on Riverside Avenue. Il Pastaficio has a machine that sells fresh pasta — the first in the world, owner Federico Perandin says.

So it should be no a surprise that Temple Israel has launched the world’s first Jewish vending machine.

But it is.

Rabbi Michael S. Friedman calls the machine “a one-stop shop for living a Jewish life. It puts Jewish rituals in easy reach, providing a simple yet profound way to engage with Jewish tradition.”

The machine vends a variety  of Jewish items, from Shabbat candles and mezuzah scrolls to Israeli snacks.

Assistant Rabbi Zachary Plesent adds, “At Temple Israel, we’re not just embracing innovation; we’re making it a tangible part of our community. This Jewish vending machine physically manifests our commitment to making Jewish tradition accessible to everyone.”

Everyone is invited to see and enjoy the Jewish vending machine. It’s inside the building, near the stairs.

Rabbi Michael Friedman, with the world’s first Jewish vending machine.

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Last weekend, the New York Knicks came to the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

Okay, actually it was a Jr. Knicks youth basketball clinic for young Y players, in collaboration with the Westport PAL.

Still, it was a great chance for kids to dribble and shoot with the Jr. Knicks’ best.

And legend John Starks was there, talking with kids, signing autographs and posing for photos.

As a Jr. Knicks affiliate, the Westport Y will host similar programs in the future.

John Starks (baseball cap, gray sweatshirt) and friends, last weekend at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

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“Along the Lines” — the Connecticut Department of Transportation podcast — recently hosted Matt Pentz.

The Norwalk Transit District CEO discussed “micro-transit” — including its place in Westport. (Norwalk Transit operates Westport’s buss.) Click here to listen. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)

 

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If you love remember and/or love Coney Island — and who doesn’t? — you’ll enjoy Robin Jaffee Frank’s 2-part look at the historic site.

On April 4 and 11 (6:30 p.m.), she’ll be at the Westport Museum for History & Culture. Her talks are in conjunction with the museum’s “Playful Pastimes” exhibit.

Building on Frank’s exhibition and book “Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland,” Frank will explore Coney Island’s appeal as a subject for artists and filmmakers, from the Civil War to today.

“Their visions of Coney Island imagined the future and later recalled the past, conveying changing ideas about leisure, and exploring the mixing of people of different races, ethnicities, classes, and sexual orientations, transcending social boundaries,” Frank says.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

The cover of Robin Jaffee Frank’s book.

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Three of Artists Collective of Westport member Béatrice Crane-Baker’s works have been chosen for a Connecticut Center for Contemporary Printmaking show in Norwalk. It runs from June through August.

When it closes some of the prints may go the Litho Werkstatt in Berlin, part of a swap arrangement between the German  gallery and the printmaking non-profit.

Monoprint (Béatrice Crane-Baker)

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Barry Kresch provides today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.

He says “She thought hanging out on my porch was just ducky on yesterday’s rainy Saturday.”

(Photo/Barry Kresch)

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And finally … when you saw “Coney Island,” you knew this was coming, right?

(Whether you’re from Brooklyn, or you’re a Westport native, or landed here from anywhere else: You’re part of this “06880” online community. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Media, religion, Sports, Transportation, YMCA

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RTM Invocation: Museum Director’s Strong Words

Posted on February 15, 2024 | 35 comments

By tradition, every Representative Town Meeting session opens with an invocation.

The invited speaker — sometimes a clergyperson, more often not — makes a few remarks about the RTM, democracy, the town, whatever.

They fall somewhere on the scale from uplifting to innocuous. An invocation to a group like the RTM traditionally takes “the form of a prayer, a recitation of an inspirational message or a quiet time of guided contemplation,” a web search says.

Tuesday night’s invocation was hardly innocuous.

Ramin Ganeshram — executive director of the Westport Museum for History & Culture — began the Zoom meeting by noting that her building, Town Hall and the entire town sit on tribal lands of the Paugussett people.

Recognizing that this RTM meeting would discuss funding for a new Long Lots Elementary School, she expressed pride that Westport dedicates resources to a “world-class school system.”

Screenshot of Ramin Ganeshram, from Tuesday’s RTM meeting.

Citing the need for collaboration and “truth in history,” Ganeshram described attacks by “conservatives and liberals” on local committees and institutions during the recent school debate, whether “based on facts or not.”

The Westport Museum for History & Culture is also “no stranger to civil discourse,” she said.

Seven years ago, Ganeshram explained, the board decided to “evolve from aggrandizing the genteel past of Westport’s founding fathers,” to “exhibits and programs that uplift erased narratives.”

The “reward” was “public harassment that ranges from thinly veiled racism and libel on the local gossip blog, to attempts to leverage town agencies to close the museum, or change its management.”

However, Ganeshram said, those efforts were “fruitless,” because the museum is a private institution.

“We are not vulnerable to the tools of the anti-equity playbook: persistent FOIA requests, interruptions of public meetings, or a right to be disruptive on premises,” she said.

The Museum will remain “trustworthy” specifically because it is not beholden to public money. “We can objectively act where town institutions cannot.”

While “parents try to shut down BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and other people of color) social studies classes, or lobby to remove LGBTQ books,” the director said that museum exhibits highlight events like past unfair housing practices.

“A feel-good-only approach to history is not accurate history,” Ganeshram said. “It is not the job of people in the present to seek absolution for deeds of the past.”

Returning to the theme of the RTM meeting — an appropriation for a new school — Ganeshram said that Generation Z “is “not afraid to call out white privilege, antisemitism, misogyny, bias or genocide. They refuse forgiveness for enslaving town fathers because ‘that’s just the way things were.’

“We must be able to act without fear of scapegoating or attack,” she concluded, and urged RTM members to view the Westport Museum as “flag bearers for truth in history.”

“You can’t just ‘like’ the idea of the museum. You have to support it.”

Jimmy Izzo was one of several RTM members taken aback by Ganeshram’s comments.

Yesterday morning, the District 3 representative told “06880”: “I went to bed last night a bit confused by Ramin’s invocation. At first I was a bit angry, that one would use the forum, not inspire but to bash our community.

“I woke up this morning feeling a bit sorry for her. My family on both sides came to the United States with nothing. Like many immigrants, they worked for everything they have.

“My grandfather on my father’s side worked 2 jobs, raised 13 kids. At 14 when he landed in the United States, he worked the railroad for $1 a day. No unions. No vacation pay. Ten hours a day, 6 days a week.

“To him, this was all about ‘opportunity.’ Last night’s invocation could have been about ‘opportunity’ for Ramin and her privately funded museum.

Jimmy Izzo

“History is not always pretty. But it is not all bad either. We can take both the ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ and grow from it. History in a lot of ways is like our democracy: a constant work in progress.

“The founding families of Westport provided my immigrant family the opportunity to provide for their families. The Leeses, Nashes, Gaults, Sherwoods, Bedfords and others all employed Irish, Polish, Italian and other immigrants.

“To bypass the history of our founding families, donors, and people who care deeply about our community and charity, in my opinion is not a good path to take when ‘adding’ a deeper dive of Westport history.

“I love the First Amendment right of free speech. Last night, with a big RTM audience, a great opportunity to utilize ‘free speech’ to include community was missed.

“There is room for all history in our community: the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We should embrace all sides, learn, and grow as a community.

“Being positive at the podium with an open mind of filling up the glass is never a bad thing.”

I asked Ganeshram for a comment, and to explain why she thought it was important to say what she did.

Westport Museum board chair Greg Porretta responded: “On behalf of the board and staff at Westport Museum, thank you for bringing to light the inquiries from our public officials about the RTM invocation delivered by our Executive Director on February 13. We believe it reaffirms the need for our mission to reveal facts of history and encourage inclusion of all those who have gone before — particularly marginalized communities and especially in public forums where they have been historically barred.”

(Click here to view Ramin Ganeshram’s RTM invocation. It begins at 2:16.)

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Posted in Local politics, Organizations

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History Museum Bricks: An “06880” Apology

Posted on January 6, 2024 | 13 comments

Yesterday, in an “Opinion” piece, “06880” reader Jamie Walsh stated that in the process of creating a new walkway, the Westport Museum for History & Culture had eliminated the personalized bricks donated in a fundraising drive a decade or so ago.

In fact, the Museum kept all the bricks, and reinstalled them alongside a new path, beginning on Avery Place.

Personalized bricks line the new pathway.

The post has been removed.

“06880” apologizes to the Westport Museum for History & Culture, and invites readers to see the bricks — and exhibits — for themselves.

Close-up view of the bricks. (Photo/David Krasne)

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Posted in Organizations

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Roundup: Chamber’s 1st Citizens, Civil War, Staples Graduation …

Posted on June 9, 2023 | 11 comments

A capacity crowd (including namesakes Rev. John and Judyth Branson) filled Christ & Holy Trinity Church’s Branson Hall last night, for the annual 1st Citizen Award dinner.

The 7th annual event — sponsored by the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, but the first held since the pandemic — honored Westport Library director Bill Harmer, CastleKeepAdvisors founder and CEO Charlie Haberstroh, and 4 student entrepreneurs: Marley Brown, Akhila Kooma, Addison Moore and Jamie Semaya.

Charlie Haberstroh (center) and his family.

The theme of the evening — echoed by Chamber director Matthew Mandell and keynote speaker US Senator Richard Blumenthal — was “giving back to the community.”

Westport Library director Bill Harmer speaks. Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce director Matthew Mandell is at left.

All 6 honorees have done that in major ways. And all expressed thanks that the communities of Westport and Weston have inspired, and enabled them, to do so.

Keynote speaker Senator Richard Blumental. (All photos/Dan Woog)

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Also last night: the opening of a new exhibit at the Westport Museum for History & Culture.

“Reluctant Liberators: Westport in the Civil War” was curated by students. Staples High School junior Talia Moskowitz took the lead, as part of an independent study project.

She got help from the museum’s high school interns: Amelia Gura, Devan Patel and Oscar Scher (Staples), Stephanie Field (Weston) and Tess Innes (Wilton).

The exhibit includes information on early Westporters like the Toquet, Coley and Ketchum families, and an exploration of racial issues during that time.

It runs through November 11.

Talia Moskowitz, at the Westport Museum for History & Culture exhibit.

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Speaking of Staples: Can’t make it to graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2023? Live far away? Or you couldn’t snag a ticket?

No problem.

Next Tuesday’s ceremony (6 p.m., football field) will be livestreamed. Click here for the link.

It’s also be available on Optimum Channel 78. Enjoy!

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As the end of school nears, here’s an important reminder: Not every family here can afford the camps and enrichment programs many take for granted.

Westport’s Department of Human Services can help.

Last summer, 58 income-qualified youth, from 32 families, participated in the department’s campership program.

This year, the number may be higher.

Human Services director Elaine Daignault encourages residents who can, to contribute. Online donations can be made to the “DHS Campership Fund” (click here), or mailed to 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.

For more information — including how to qualify for a campership — email youth and family specialist Annette D’Augelli: 203-341-1050; adaugelli@westportct.gov.

Summer Camp has been part of growing up for decades. In 1953, Westport artist Stevan Dohanos used Camp Mahackeno for this Saturday Evening Post cover.

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Tomorrow marks the start of Wakeman Town Farm’s farm stand.

Open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., it features fresh produce, fresh-cut flower bouquets, WTF logowear and honey, and products from local vendors like artisan baked goods, extra virgin olive oils, gourmet balsamic vinegars, Chaga mushroom elixirs, homemade salsas and more.

The gardens are open. It’s also a chance to see the animals, and chat with farmers.

PS: This week: limited amounts of country and roasted garlic sourdough, multigrain pan loafs, focaccina minis, olive-Focaccia and bomboloni Nutella.

Wakeman Town Farm farm stand.

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When it comes to powerful adjectives and action verbs, no one beats the New York Post. 

Yesterday’s story on the the future of Phil Donohue and Marlo Thomas’ former Beachside Avenue home begins:

A Connecticut “Gold Coast” mansion sold by talk show pioneer Phil Donahue for $25 million is to be be bulldozed by its current owners who say it is falling apart and overrun by vermin.

The once-palatial Tudor on Westport’s most exclusive avenue has become a home for rats and raccoons with a caving-in roof, its new owner Peggy Reiner claims.

She is involved in a bid to tear down the 8,500 square foot manse after building a 20,000 square foot beach-view home with a commanding prospect of Long Island Sound in front of it.

The long story describes the history of the current property, and others nearby.

It also calls “06880” a “popular gossipy and newsy blog.”

Nice. But we’ll stick with “where Westport meets the world.”

Click here for the full Post story. (The “06880” mention comes near the end.)

The New York Post story includes this Google Earth photo of Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas’ “vermin”-filled old house (rear), and the 20,000-plus square foot home that replaced it.

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The recent haze from Canada’s wildfires prompts this message, from Westport’s Office of Emergency Management:

Daycare providers, summer camps and older residents should subscribe to the Air Quality Index . It is fast, easy and provides important daily information. The link includes ground-level ozone, its health effects, what to do on a high ozone day, and how to reduce ground level ozone in your backyard.

Learn how to cope with days like this. Subscribe to the AQI. (Photo/Charlie Scott)

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Speaking of air quality: Neighbors & Newcomers has postponed today’s year-end party (scheduled for Compo Beach), due to the outdoor conditions.

A new date will be announced soon.

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Speaking of health: Both the federal and state governments have declared an official end to the COVID public health emergency.

What does that mean for testing, vaccines, insurance coverage and more? Click here for a full report from CT Mirror.

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When Judy Auber Jahnel saw a tiny insect she could not identify, she emailed a photo to the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension.

They told her it was a spotted lanternfly nymph — quite different looking from the mature one she’s familiar with. they look quite different.

She sent this link to “06880,” in the hopes that readers will learn about them — and the damage that spotted lanternfly nymphs and adults can cause.

Spotted lanternfly nymph. (Photo/Judy Auber Jahnel)

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There must be a back story to this.

Stupid parking tricks, at the Westport train station. (Photo/Jeremy Deutsch)

And we’d sure like to hear it. Click “Comments” below.

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Everyone shops at the Westport Farmers’ Market.

Including the town’s 1st selectwoman and police chief.

Jen Tooker and Foti Koskinas were part of yesterday’s crowd.

The market runs every Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Imperial Avenue parking lot.

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Yesterday’s Roundup posed a question: What’s up with the Photoshopped figure on top of the Westport Country Playhouse photo I posted on “06880” a couple of days ago.

It took about 12 minutes to find the answer.

Miggs Burroughs — Westport’s graphic artist/photographer extraordinaire, who has worked with nearly every organization in town — Photoshopped Ann Sheffer on the roof of the building, several years ago.

It was a gift from the Playhouse to her, for her many years of service and support.

In fact, Ann — one of our town’s most philanthropic residents — spent one summer, back in the day, as an usher there.

Decades later, she made it onto the roof.

And now the mystery is solved.

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Also yesterday, our Roundup gave an incorrect date for this weekend’s “Last Lollapaloosa” at Blau House & Gardens.

The correct day for the Bayberry Ridge event is Sunday, June 11.

The day includes tours of the magnificent property, yoga, children’s book readings, a reception and more.

Click here to register (deadline: June 5), and for information on payment and shuttle transportation from Coleytown Elementary School.

A view of the Blau gardens.

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David Vita spotted this handsome hawk yesterday. It poses proudly, for its “Westport … Naturally” close-up.

(Photo/David Vita)

David adds: “This made me think about all the animals that had to breathe this foul air the past days.”

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And finally … George Winston, the new age pianist (he called it “rural folk piano”) died Sunday in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He was 74, and had been ill with cancer.

Click here for a full obituary.

(“06880” will cover Staples’ graduation — as we do with every big town activity, and many small ones. Please help us keep doing it. Click here to contribute — and thank you!)

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Posted in Environment, Real estate, Staples HS, Westport Country Playhouse

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