This weekend marks the 249th anniversary of the Battle of Compo Hill.
On Friday, “06880” flashed back to that historic 4-day event. It began when 26 ships carrying 1,850 British soldiers anchored off Compo Beach.
The troops marched to Danbury, burned an arsenal there, then — on their way back — were attacked by patriots, not far from where the Minute Man monument now memorializes the fight.
That caused Ed Davis to flash back 49 years. He writes:
“During the 1970s and ’80s I did Revolutionary War reenactments.
“We recreated De Lancey’s Brigade, a loyalist group based in the New York area. We would team up with other re-enacting groups (British, loyalist, American “rebels,” French, Native American). We were proud of our authenticity.
“To tell the truth, it was fun to play the ‘bad guy’ (we got to ‘die’ more). During the Bicentennial in 1976 we had a lot of events, some with over 4,000 participants.
“We had a lot of adventures, and I have a lot of stories (I met the woman who became my wife after an event in South Carolina).
“But the most fun were the small, local events like Compo, the Norwalk Oyster Festival, the Battle of Ridgefield, the various firefighter parades in Westchester and Putnum Counties, etc.
“Compo was one of the battles we got to ‘win’ (the Minute Men did chase the British back to the sea, but they were leaving anyhow).
“Since this battle was in Westport, I rode my motorcycle to the event in full uniform, my musket strapped to the back of the bike. It was a little unreal storming the same beach in full uniform that I grew up on in swim trunks.”
British troops return to Compo Beach, in 1976 …
… and show their firepower. (Photos courtesy of Ed Davis)
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The final step in the 2026-27 budget process — approval by the Representative Town Meeting — takes place May 4 and 5 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
The first night, the RTM considers the town budget. On the second, they’ll vote on the Board of Education request.
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Dozens of Westporters celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, with free seedlings.
The Tree Board gave away ninebark, black gum and witch hazel varieties, in the back of Town Hall.
We won’t see the full results for years.
But the wait — along with the generosity of the Tree Board, and the work of our neighbors — will be worth it.
Tree Board seedling giveaway. (Photo/Eric Bosch)
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More civic pride: As part of yesterday’s Parks & Recreation Department Clean Up Westport Day, the Westport Rotary Club and Sunrise Rotary worked together yesterday, cleaning up all around I-95 Exit 17 — the entrance and exit ramps, and nearby parking lot.
There was plenty to do. But — like Rotarians everywhere — they were all smiles doing it.
Rotarians clean up, by the highway. (Photo/Anil Nair)
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Part of the Parks & Recreation Department’s great Kickoff to Summer event — featuring food, touch-a-truck, bouncy houses, a climbing wall, face painting, helicopter rides and more (May 23, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) — is an unveiling of the new mural next to the concession stand.
Right now, they’re looking for help with the installation. It begins the first weekend in May.
Anyone 12 and over is welcome. It’s another family-friendly activity. If interested, email pkoskinas@westportct.gov.
Luke Bernier’s mural will soon be hung at Compo Beach.
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The public’s fascination with artificial intelligence continues.
So does the Westport Library’s exploration of it.
On Tuesday (April 28, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.), national broadcaster (and Westport resident) Dave Briggs returns for another deep dive into that rapidly revolving world.
He’s joined by Daron Acemoglu, a well-known economist who specializes in technology’s impact on the labor market. Their topic is a hot one: job displacement.
Anthropic founder Dario Amodei said recently that 50% of entry-level white collar jobs will be eliminated, and unemployment could spike as high as 20%, in the next years.
What does Acemoglu think? Briggs will make sure to ask.
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Sure, it’s a rainy weekend.
But Greens Farms Garden Club members are busily (and happily!) digging in the dirt.
They’re getting ready for their annual plant sale. This year’s event is Saturday, May 16 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.), at Sherman Green on the Post Road in Fairfield.
They’re selling perennials, annuals — and “some surprises”!
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After decades of getting ready for the 7:30 a.m. bell, retired teachers have the luxury of sleeping in.
But former Staples High School educators find a variety of ways to stay active and engaged. They lead full, interesting lives.
Every so often they get together (though a bit later than 7:30) to compare notes, and talk about their lives then and now.
They call themselves ROMEOs: Retired Old Men Eating Out.
How many of these legendary teachers do you recognize?
Clockwise from lower left: Stan Rhodes, Toby Watson, Al Jolley, Bruce McFadden, Dave Deitch, John Pepe, Jim Honeycutt, Bob Selverstone, Ed Bludnicki, Brian Kelley, Jeff Lea, Werner Liepolt, Pete Van Hagen.
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The Westport chapter of Business Network International — the largest in Connecticut — invites local business professionals to experience “the power of referral-based growth.” Visitor’s Day is Thursday, May 7 (7 to 9 a.m., United Methodist Church of Westport & Weston).
Along with coffee and baked goods, guests get an inside look at how a structured referral system can generate consistent, high-quality business.
The chapter currently offers a limited number of seats for professionals in select categories: estate planning/elder law, home health/senior care, business attorney, HVAC, roofer, event/wedding planner and travel advisor.
To register, or for questions, call 203-314-5091 or email 21belenski@gmail.com. For the full membership list, click here.
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“Food is one of the last areas where real bipartisan work gets done.”
That was message Thursday, at the Y’s Men’s weekly meeting.
Consumer Reports food policy chief Brian Ronholm told the group that CR’s independent funding lets him fire off “snippy emails” to the Food & Drug Administration, without worrying about angering industry or government funders.
Regulators now often come to CR first, sometimes even timing enforcement pushes like “Operation Stork Speed,” on heavy metals in infant formula, to CR’s investigations, using their data as a catalyst for action.
The discussion was led by Jen Shecter, CR’s vice president and chief content officer, who lives in Weston.
From left: Brian Ronholm, Consumer Reports reporter Paris Martineau, senior manager Sana Mujahid, Jen Shecter. (Photo/Ted Horowitz)
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It’s fern time!
As life emerges this (and every) spring, ferns are part of the parade.
Lou Weinberg captured today’s “Westport … Naturally” vernal image.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
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And finally … in honor of the ROMEOs (former Westport teachers who call themselves Retired Old Men Eating Out — story above), here’s an appropriate song.
So where are all the retired women?
Probably having a great time at home, with their husbands out of the house.
(Romeo and Juliet came to a tragic end. If you want “06880” to stay alive, please make a tax-deductible contribution by clicking here. Thank you all!)
