Remember the time Queen Elizabeth II visited Westport?
Neither do I.
But check out the internet:
Queen Elizabeth II visited Westport, Connecticut in 1954. Some people who were there remember the event, and the Remarkable Theater in Westport honored her with a showing of “The Queen.”
That’s a remarkable statement. And not just because the Remarkable Theater did not exist until 66 years later.
It’s remarkable because it did not happen.
And even more remarkable because artificial intelligence says it did.
Queen Elizabeth, circa 1954.
Local resident Gary Shure is on vacation this week. The other day he drove through Westport, New Zealand — the scenic South Island town that is one of about 2 dozen Westports scattered around the world.
He Googled the queen, and Westport CT. AI — which now appears at the top of many Google searches — quickly returned the utter nonsense that a year after her coronation, Queen Elizabeth II came to our town.
It’s much more likely that the new queen visited our New Zealand counterpart. They’re part of the British Commonwealth, after all.
The United States, meanwhile, fought a famous war to get away from the royal family.
Welcome to Westport, New Zealand, that is.
What Google — the non-AI version of it, anyway — does say is that the Remarkable Theater did show the movie “The Queen” in September 2022, shortly after the long-reigning monarch’s death.
Artificial intelligence is good for many things.
But it remains just that: artificial.
Meanwhile, remember the time King George came to Westport, and had tea with George Washington at Marvin Tavern?
That was a remarkable day in our town’s history, for “shure.”
Queen Elizabeth II, in Westport, Connecticut. (Photo courtesy of News12).
(“06880” is “where Westport meets the world” — with real, non-artificial news. If you appreciate human journalism, please click here to support us with a contribution. Thank you!)
Staples Orphenians have shared their music with audiences all over the world. They’ve particiated in global educational events too.
This June, the elite high school choral group heads to the Spain Choral Festival
To ensure that every singer can particiapte, they’re hosting a “Cabaret Olé” fundraiser.
The March 30 event (6 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church) features members of
grammy-nominated VOCES8 and other Broadway stars, along with tapas, other light bites and a silent auction.
Funds raised will also support the VOCES8 Foundation, which is developing an educational music hub in the Westport area.
Speaking of the arts: Less than 2 weeks remain for high school seniors to apply for $5,000 worth of scholarships.
The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center grants go to students with financial need who want to pursue an arts education at any level — university, community college or an arts school. All Westport 12th graders are eligible, no matter where they currently attend school.
The DFCAC is funding the scholarships. It was founded by Friedman — the downtown property owner, restauranteur (Onion Alley, Cobb’s Mill Inn, Stonehenge Inn) and philanthropist whose first wife Bobbie was an accomplished artist.
The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center also sponsors workshops and projects for students. The center is administered by Nick Visconti, Friedman’s longtime business partner.
To apply, students who currently participate in art classes or art activities should send up to 8 digital images (JPEGs) of their work. It can be any medium — photography, painting, sculpture, drawing, digital art, or other.
Applicants should also submit a statement of up to 300 words describing the value of art in their life, and the world at large.
Send images and the statement (or any questions) to info@DrewFriedmanCommunityArtsCenter.org (subject line: “2025 Scholarship”). The deadline is February 28.
2024 Drew Friedman Scholarship winners Chloe Hackett and Mia Vindola (holding checks) with (from left) DFCAC co-directors Miggs Burroughs and Nick Visconti, and First Selectwoman Jen Tooker.
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Speaking still of the arts: The Westport Country Playhouse and Westport Hardware may seem to have little in common.
But they’ve teamed up on a special “buy one, get one free” offer for the upcoming production of “Native Gardens.”
The show’s theme is “good fences make good neighbors (or do they?)” — and of course Westport Hardware sells every type of garden accessory imaginable.
For more information, and tickets, click here, or call the box office (203-227-4177). Use or mention the prmoo code “COMMUNITYBOGO.”
Fences — common to the Westport Country Playhouse and Westport Hardware.
The 2009 Staples High School basketball star — who went on to earn Division III National Player of the Year honors at the University of Rochester — has had a long professional career in Israel.
On Thursday, his Maccabi Tel Aviv team won the prestigious Israeli Cup.
Click here to read all about his pro career. (Hat tip: Chuck Haberstroh)
John DiBartolomeo
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Speaking of sports: DiBartolomeo’s fellow 2009 Staples graduate Parker Kligerman won his 4th-ever NASCAR Truck Series race this week, an event leading up to the Daytona 500.
But he was disqualified an hour later. His truck failed ride height checks, and was too low in the rear. His team said they’d appeal.
And finally … on this date in 1764, the city of St. Louis was established in Spanish Louisiana (now Missouri).
(If it happens in Westport, Connecticut — or Westport, New Zealand — you’ll read about it on “06880.” If you enjoy our hyper-local coverage, with a global twist, please click here. Thank you!)
Ben Casparius — believed to be the first Staples High School graduate to pitch in the Major Leagues — now has the chance to do even better.
He’s on the Los Angeles’ Dodgers’ World Series roster.
Despite his stellar performances since being called up from the minors in August, the 2017 SHS grad’s Series status was not a grand slam. Two injured pitchers might have returned, leaving him on the bench but unable to play.
But the former University of Connecticut star is on LA’s 26-man roster.
That’s great for Casparius. And not so great for all the “06880” New York Yankee fans, who now have at least one reason to cheer for the Dodgers. (Hat tip: Jeff Mitchell)
Ben Casparius, with the National League Championship Series trophy.
There are many ways to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
One of the biggest is Pink Aid’s “Pink After Dark.”
Thursday’s event — hosted generously, as always, by Mitchells of Westport — raised over $1.4 million.
Thanks to its many supporters, Pink Aid will help thousands of breast cancer patients pay bills, get to treatment, keep the lights on, and put food on the table.
Honorees and others spoke eloquently about their own experiences with breast cancer, and Pink Aid’s importance to them personally.
Civil rights activist Ben Crump discussed health equity, and Pink Aid’s work helping the underserved breast cancer patients get the care they need, and provide for their families.
Shelenna McKissick moved the large crowd when she told how Pink Aid helped her and her family during her most difficult moments.
Motivational fitness guru Stacey Griffith had everyone on their feet, when she described her own breast cancer journey, and urged: Never give up!
Another highlight was the Celebration of Life Warrior Fashion Show, featuring breast cancer Warriors.
That’s less than a week to stock up on pounds of candy for trick-or-treaters.
Or tons, if you live by Compo Beach.
Here’s a sneak preview of that popular area:
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
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Though we think so at times, Westport is not the center of the universe.
And we are hardly the only Westport in it.
Longtime residents may remember the “Westports of the World” conventions. Every couple of years, a Westport — in Massachusetts, perhaps, or Ireland — would host a celebration for the others.
We haven’t had one in a while.
But Maya Mandell is doing her bit.
The 2014 Staples alumna finished her master’s in film producing at London’s Goldsmiths University. Before graduation ceremonies this January, she set out for Down Under.
She made a special stop in Westport, New Zealand.
It’s the furthest Westport from Westport, Connecticut. But it may have the coolest sign of any Westport in the world.
And finally … Phil Lesh, the legendary Grateful Dead bassist, died yesterday. He was 84. Click here for a full obituary.
(A great weekend begins and ends with “06880.” As always, we rely ono reader support to inform, entertain, inspire and occasionally provoke our readers. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker discusses that important financial document — what it is, how it’s grown, how it helps fund town services, and what it all means to residents — on the latest “Westport … What’s Happening?” podcast.
Click below to listen. The series is sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
Just in time for the Super Bowl, the Westport Police Department and Westport Sunrise Rotary Club are sponsoring a “Souper Bowl of Caring” food drive. All donations support Homes with Hope, and Westport’s Department of Human Services food pantries.
Non-perishable foods can be brought to Stop & Shop this Saturday (February 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Can’t make it then? Hammer & Nails — the new men’s grooming lounge at 606 Post Road East — is accepting food donations all week long.
And — because “06880” truly is “Where Westport meets the world” — here is another local story from Antarctica. Bill Kutik writes:
“I love adventure travel. I just rode an expedition ship from the southern tip of South America, hugging the coast of Antarctica, and finishing near the southern tip of New Zealand.
“It took 30 days to get from the Western Hemisphere to the Eastern Hemisphere under the bottom of the earth. Despite being upside down the whole time, we didn’t fall off once!
“An intrepid hiker (and founding editor of Backpacker magazine in 1972), I had to tour New Zealand’s famous mountains used in the movies Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Power of the Dog.’ Here’s a photo of me from Fiordland National Park on the southwest coast (fresh from the helicopter).
Bill Kutik above Doubtful Bay.
“But my heart was captured by this eager, welcoming sign outside Westport, New Zealand. It’s a former port town — just like us.”
Expanding our horizons even beyond Antarctica: “Our galaxy was a quasar.”
That’s the topic for the next Westport Astronomical Society lecture. This one — with Professor Joshua Tan of LaGuardia Community College — is live, in the WAS classroom (February 21, 8 p.m.).
This will be Tan’s third appearance at the Astronomical Society. An optical astronomer, he studies short-period binary millisecond pulsars, open problems in binary modeling, neutron star physics, and 3-body dynamics.
Each year, Westport middle and high school students rock the National History Day competition.
They do it thanks to beyond-the-call help from their teachers — and extra attention from community members, who help students through the research and writing process.
Dr. Lauren Francese, townwide social studies coordinator, invites community members to help in a new capacity this year: as judges in the Fairfield County regional competition (Saturday, March 18, Sacred Heart University).
Judges do not need to be history or education experts. What’s needed is engaged, empathetic feedback to students on their papers, websites, museum exhibits, performances, and documentaries). Training is provided to all volunteers the morning of the event.
The keyboardist — who has toured and recorded with David Bowie, George Michael and Rod Stewart, and served as musical director for Kennedy Center extravaganzas — headlines this Thursday’s Jazz at the Post (February 9, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.; $15 cover).
Hey will be joined by Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall, Dave Richards and Jason Tiemann. Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com.
After 2 weeks, bagels are still sitting on High Gate Road.
Chris Grimm reports on the scene, off Maple Avenue South: “The 2 piles have been joined by a smaller, breakaway third pile, to the left, while a few to the far left seem to be trying to flee. Behind the larger pile to the right seem to be a large number of casualties.”
The “06880” tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.”
The theme of this story is “Where the Westports of the world meet.”
Every few year from 1985 to 2010, an organization called Westports of the World sponsored gatherings of representatives from towns called Westport. There are at least 25 spread around the planet, as close as Massachusetts and as far as New Zealand.
Now, the Westport in County Mayo, Ireland is reviving the idea.
Westport, Ireland’s version of the William Cribari/Bridge Street Bridge.
The timing is perfect. Next September, the Irish Westport celebrates its 250th birthday.
(By comparison, 250 years ago our Westport was not even a concept. Saugatuck was part of Norwalk. Greens Farms was part of Fairfield. Of course, we were still a decade away from forming our own country.)
County Mayo has planned 4 days of Westports of the World fun. There’s a tour of the town followed by “a cuppa in one of the many cafes,” formal meetings, banquets, a traditional Irish music show, live theater, tours of the area, religious services — and of course a pub crawl.
All Westporters — in the 25-plus Westports, all over the world — are invited.
(“Westports of the World” will be held September 14-17, 2017. For more information, email dlangan@mayococo.ie. To learn more about Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, click here.)
A scene from Westport, County Mayo. In Westport, Connecticut this would be a Teardown of the Day.
The “06880” tagline is “Where Westport Meets the World.”
You can’t get much further from Westport in this world than New Zealand.
But wait! What about Westport, New Zealand?
Vin Donnelly
Vin Donnelly counts as a very alert “06880” reader. The other day he was in China — also very far from Westport.
He was on business, missing his Westport greatly. Searching online for something hometown-related, he stumbled on our hometown.
Hey, any port in a storm.
Vin’s Westport is also on the coast, on South Island.
And a river runs through it.
But that’s not where the similarities end. For a while, Vin said, he thought “06880” was a blog about his Westport.
For example, the local paper is called…the Westport News.
Recent headlines include:
“Fitness centre tops 400 members”
“Bakers battle for perfect pie”
“10 drink drivers in court” (They ranged in age from 20 to 75. One was “almost three times the legal limit.” Click here for details.)
Downtown Westport. The tall building on the left is the Municipal Chambers. I could not tell whether the stores on the right are chains, or mums-and-pops.
Westport is also — according to a New Zealand website — “home to world-class painters, sculptors, potters, wood carvers and other artists.”
Galleries, studios, workshops and craft co-operatives dot the area. Artists use high-quality, locally sourced tree burls for wood turning.
For all I know, there was even a Fine Arts Festival in the other Westport last weekend. On second thought, I doubt it. It’s mid-winter.
Vin asked me about life in our Westport. He’s never been to the US. The only Americans he knows are those he picks up as they hitchhike around New Zealand.
Another connection! I pick up hitchhikers too. Although the last one was back in the Carter administration.
So, for all those wanting to see more of Westport, New Zealand — whether here in “06880” or, like Vin himself, stuck in China — here are a few more photos.
Westport’s beach. This was taken early in the day, before the New Yorkers arrived.
We have hills. They have cliffs.
Westport, New Zealand has a bit more open space than Westport, Connecticut.
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