Autumn in Winslow Park … (Photo/Dayle Brownstein)
… and the Library Riverwalk … (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
… and Haskins Preserve … (Photo/Tomoko Meth)
… and near the beach, Owenoke … (Photo/John Maloney)
… and of course, classic Saugatuck Church (Photo/Molly Alger)
Posted in Beach, Downtown, Pic of the Day, religion, Weather
Tagged Haskins Preserve, Library riverwalk, Owenoke, Saugatuck Congregational Church, Winslow Park
One view of Winslow Park …
… and another … (Photos/Mark Mathias)
… and a third …
… and fourth (Photos/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
As Westport’s selectperson’s race ramps up, “06880” is there.
This afternoon (4 p.m.), Dan Woog and TV journalist Dave Briggs take their InstagramLive camera into the political arena. We’ll chat with Republican-endorsed candidates Don O’Day and Andrea Moore. It’s the first in a series we’ll do, with all those running.
Find us @06880danwoog at 4 today. We’ll take your questions, and listen to your comments.
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Westport Rotary Club LobsterFest tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday), at 10 a.m.
Rotary officials sent an incorrect link, which was posted yesterday. Here’s how to get tickets tomorrow morning, starting at 10: Click here, then follow the prompts.
Get ’em before they sell out!
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Invaders have returned to Winslow Park.
This time though, it’s not spotted lanternflies.
It’s stuffed animals.
Yesterday morning, alert “06880” reader Mark Mathias spotted 4 of them.
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
Mark has no idea where they came from. Perhaps, he says, they’re friends of the stuffed animal at Trader Joe’s. (It’s “hidden” in the store. If a child finds it and brings it to the front, he or she is rewarded with candy or a sticker.)
There are many mysteries in Westport. (Including at Winslow — for example, the oddly symmetrical, strangely placed slightly creepy hill near the entrance.)
If you’ve got any info — or even a theory — about these stuffed animals, click “Comments” below.
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On Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, Westport resident Stew Leonard Jr. threw out the first pitch, against the Minnesota Twins. It was a perfect strike.
The supermarket mogul wore a custom jersey, courtesy of the Yanks, emblazoned with #38 and “Stewie.”
It honored his toddler son, Stew Leonard III, who drowned in 1989. Stewie would have been 38 this year.
Stew was selected for the honor of throwing out the first pitch by Yankees sponsor Mike’s Amazing, in recognition of his quick action in saving a choking crew member at the WPIX Channel 11 studio on August 1.
Mayor Adams declared yesterday “Stew Leonard Day” in New York, in honor of his heroics. Click here or below for the Instagram. (Hat tip: Susan Farley)
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Speaking of sports: Staples High School football is just beginning its new season. They’ve got a new coach, Matty Jacowleff.
But some things don’t change. This afternoon, the program hosts its 6th annual Murph Challenge.
It’s a culmination of their summer fundraising, for both the football program and the Catch a Lift Fund (the non-profit that helps post-9/11 combat-injured veterans regain mental and physical health).
The event begins at 4:30 p.m., with Catch a Lift veteran Andy Smith talking to the players about sacrifice, resilience and commitment.
Then the athletes take on the Murph Challenge. It includes a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another mile run. (With a modified version for linemen!)
Everyone is invited to Paul Lane Field, to listen to Smith’s talk, and watch the Wreckers take on the Murph. Donations are welcome by Venmo: @Staples-Gridiron.
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Westport Police made 11 custodial arrests, in the 2 weeks between July 30 and August 12.
Five New York City males, ages 31, 18, 18, 17 and 15, were charged with forgery, and conspiracy to commit forgery, after attempting to pass counterfeit bills at local businesses. The 31-year-old was also charged with risk of injury to a minor.
A 38-year-old Milford man was charged with larceny, criminal attempt and conspiracy to commit larceny, and failure to appear, after officers responded at 3:44 a.m. to a report from a homeowner that someone had entered and searched her unlocked vehicle, parked in her driveway. A nearby resident reported that items had been stolen from his unlocked vehicle too. An officer observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the middle of the road on an adjacent street. The operator fled, but at the same time another man was seen walking toward the vehicle. He admitted to entering the unlocked vehicles. He was unable to post a $10,000 bond. The second suspect’s identity is still under investigation.
A 28-year-old Bridgeport woman was charged with larceny, after complaints from 3 residents regarding missing jewelry from their homes. An investigation revealed that all 3 employed the same cleaning service. An employee of the service was pawning the jewelry. She was unable to post a $250,000 bond.
A 25-year-old Old Greenwich woman was charged with larceny, after shoplifting $14,651 worth of goods at Michells. She was released on a $10,000 bond.
A 41-year-old Stamford man was charge with larceny, after a report that jewelry valued at $10,000 was missing from a home. The suspect worked for a company that provided service at the victim’s home. He was released on a $25,000 bond.
A 43-year-old Westport man was charged with criminal possession of a firearm. He was ineligible to possess the Taurus .357 magnum handgun. He was unable to post a $100,000 bond.
A 59-year-old Stratford man was charged with failure to appear. He was released on a $10,000 bond.
WEstport Police also issued these citations:
A citation was issued for a vicious/barking dog. This is not it.
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The Planning & Zoning Commission meets in executive session at 4 p.m. today, at the law office f Berchem Moses.
There is one agenda item: “Discussion of pending litigation, Roan Development Ventures LLC v. Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Westport, for property at 601, 606, and 609 Riverside Ave, 91 and 96 Franklin St, 2 and 16 Railroad Place (The Hamlet at Saugatuck).”
It is the first of many such discussions, following the filing of a lawsuit against the P&Z by the developer, following denial of its proposed Saugatuck project.
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Speaking of public hearings: The Planning & Zoning Department says that scammers have contacted residents regarding zoning and/or public hearing applications.
The bad guys falsely claim that a “public hearing fee” must be paid directly to them before an application can proceed.
The town of Westport will never request payment fees through phone calls, texts, emails or payment apps like Venmo, Zelle or CashApp.
All official fees are paid directly to the town through established, secure payment methods.
Scammers may use official-sounding titles, fake letterheads, or spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate.
If you receive a suspicious request:
Don’t fall for a “public hearing fee” scam!
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Little Pub @ Dunville’s is hosting a new original music series.
On the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month (7 p.m.), local singer-songwriters take the stage. The next one is August 26.
There is no cover, though ordering a drink and food is encouraged. The program is curated by Westport resident and musician Erik Moses.
Melissa Capezio, this week at Little Pub @ Dunville’s. (Hat tip and photo/Matthew Mandell)
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The other day, “06880” published a photo of parking signs downtown.
They showed new 2-hour limits (down from 3) on several streets. (Parking lots are not affected.)
The signs said the limits were in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. — even though the new regulation does not start until 8 .m.
In fact the erroneous signs had already been changed, by the town Highway Department.
They were clearly way ahead of “06880.”
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Speaking of downtown: The public is invited to his year’s free Japanese Fall Festival (Saturday, September 6, 1-4 p.m., Jesup Geen).
The family-friendly festival is sponsored by the Japan Society of Fairfield County. It features taiko drum performances, brief plays of Japanese folk tales, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional dancing.
Taiko drums, at the Japanese Fall Festival.
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We’ve reported on the success of the Fairfield Little League team — regional champs, now competing in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvan — several times, because pitcher Ben Herbst is the son of a Staples grad, nephew of another, and grandson of Mickey and Candace Herbst.
But there are other reasons to root for our neighbors, too.
Jennifer (Zeoli) Curley is a 1996 Staples graduate. Her son Colin is on the team — and her husband Tom is one of the coaches.
Britt (Horton) Dunlap is a 1999 Staples grad. Her son Boden is on the squad too.
Fairfield won their first game in Williamsport last night. They play tomorrow night (Friday, 7 p.m.) against Hawaii. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Here’s hoping they go at least as far as the 2013 Westport team — World Series finalists! (Hat tip: Chuck Haberstroh)
Boden Dunlap, Ben Herbst and Colin Curley are all in this photo.
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Pam Docters describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo: “Gorgeous contrast of the blue sky and the white hydrangeas on Saugatuck Shores!”
(Photo/Pam Docters)
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And finally … you may have predicted this, from the Police Reports (above):
(Winslow Park, Staples football, Westport police — a few of the things that make our town special, all together in one Roundup. If you enjoy features like this, please click here to support us. Thanks!)
Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
The first 7 answers to last week’s Photo Challenge were incorrect.
Burying Hill Beach? Camp Mahackeno? More than half a dozen guesses missed what I thought was a slam dunk: the out-of-place-looking hill in Winslow Park, halfway between Compo Road North and the Playhouse parking lot.
But then you came through.
Eighteen readers nailed it. Several remarked on the oddness of the topography. One called it “funny”; another, “creepy.” (Click here to see.)
The hill might not be natural. One theory is that it’s built on remains of the mansion — later, a sanitarium — that anchored the property from the 1850s through the 1970s.
Whether or not that’s true, congratulations to Leigh Gage, Jerry Kuyper, Tom Talmadge, Regi Kendig, Karen deMille, Andrew Colabella, Cat Malkin, Chip Stephens, Daniel Maya, Sal Liccione, Sally VanDevanter, Dan Ashley, Brooks Sumberg, Robert Grodman, Duane Cohen, Mary Stewart, Matt McGrath and Sally Palmer.
You weren’t first. But you were right.
Today’s Photo Challenge is a bit more artistic than most. The game is the same, though: If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Winslow Park (Photo/Mark Mathias)
Dr. Jay Walshon is the retired chair of emergency services at Milford Hospital, former New Haven County EMS director, and 3-time president of the American College of Emergency Physicians state chapter.
Dr. Jay Walshon
He is the creator, photographer and author of the “Eye See You” children’s books.
He enjoys photography, painting and sports, and plays and teaches pickleball.
A 40-year Westport resident whose 2 childrens went through the Westport school system, he writes:
Considering its crucial role, I thought it enlightening to review the Parks & Recreation Commission’s 2024 accomplishments.
Detailed examination reveals that the entirety was spent on approving charity events, park sculptures, fee increases (though without expense/revenue data), the Compo Beach playground, a tree identification program, school restrictions targeting gardeners and dogo walkers, and prohibiting non-residents (and casual Westport residents) from using our public pickleball courts – milquetoast actions at best, while numerous consequential issues remain unresolved, unevaluated, unconsidered.
These include:
The Compo Beack Skate Park comes under Park & Recreation Department purview. (Photo/Larry Silver)
The list is substantial.
For example, the Parks & Rec Department’s $862,670 appropriation request (a 4-year lease of 12 pieces of gas-powered equipment) — absent the Parks & Rec Commission’s involvement and approval — illustrates their lack of initiative and failure to lead on a substantive issue.
Despite ample 2024 opportunities, not once was this important issue agendized for examination. It was a conspicuous strategy to bypass public engagement. It was a missed opportunity to initiate the exploration of viable “green” alternatives, suggesting passive rejection by town leadership of Westport’s Net Zero resolution and objectives.
While the motivation for such neglect and issue censorship can be postulated, what’s undeniable is the glaring absence of prioritized goals and objectives to direct the Commission’s energies, against which its efforts can be judged.
As 2024 reveals, the PRC remains primarily rudderless and reactionary. Organizations lacking clearly identified goals and objectives are defined by reactionary decision-making, and become vulnerable to stagnation, inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and mediocrity.
Accomplishments are constrained to items placed onto the agenda – and restrained by the lack thereof. Achievements are determined by what is discussed.
Acceding to my request would not only immensely benefit our community; it would significantly increase resident interest, and exponentially magnify the satisfaction derived by serving on this important dommission.
Considering the many neglected issues, valuable time and capabilities are not being optimally utilized. Our PRC could have accomplished more – much more.
If manpower constraints are an impediment, resident volunteers and local expertise can be recruited. The energy and capability of the RTM’s sub-committees can be utilized. Educational forums with recognized experts can be scheduled, and best practice guidance obtained. But that takes leadership, planning, and willingness to accept public guidance.
Dr. Jay Walshon would like to see items like the Hook’d contract be part of the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda.
I made this appeal at the Parks & Recreation Commission’s January 15, meeting, and in writing.
Last week’s meeting proved it fell on deaf ears. While our golf and fireworks charity events do require approvals, continuing an entire action agenda subsumed by such is embarrassing.
Currently there are no means for residents to agendize topics for discussion. Contact information of our PRC commissioners (other than the chair) is unavailable – even to our town clerk – insulating them from meaningful resident discourse.
While residents may share concerns at the beginning of meetings, all dialogue is strictly restricted to an agenda rigidly controlled by Town Hall.
A publicly endorsed list of goals and objectives is essential for the Parks & Rec Commission to transparently initiate these necessary discussions in earnest, and make meaningful progress in a timely fashion.
Stagnation on these imperatives must not continue in 2025. Perpetuating the status quo must not be tolerated by the public, the RTM, or the PRC commissioners themselves.
Perhaps the PRC commissioners should be elected by Westport’s residents, and thereby become accountable to them rather than to the first selectperson. However, that requires a tedious Town Charter modification.
Immediately doable remedies include
1. The above issues should be immediately prioritized and agendized to permit resident engagement.
2. There should be a reasonable mechanism for residents to get issues onto the PRC agenda for official public discussion.
3. The PRC commissioners’ contact information must be available, to enable and encourage resident discourse.
Any town deserves better. Westport deserves better.
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“06880” asked Parks & Recreation Commission David Floyd for comment. Here is his response:
The “Opinion piece” criticizes the Parks & Recreation Commission for various alleged omissions to act, secret subversive actions, and a perceived inability to listen to citizens.
Unfortunately, the writer is mistaken in several instances regarding the conduct, actions and purview of the PRC. This is somewhat perplexing, considering his consistent presence at PRC meetings.
Section C30-2 of the Town Charter states, in its entirety [my emphasis]: “The Parks and Recreation Commission shall establish policy for the maintenance and use of parks, playgrounds, beaches, swimming areas, boat mooring areas, playfields, indoor recreation areas and other recreation areas and facilities owned or controlled by the Town, except those under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education. It shall recommend and approve regulations for the use of parks and recreational facilities for adoption by the Board of Selectmen. It shall cooperate with other Town officials, boards and commissions and with private and public organizations concerning recreational plans and facilities.”
David Floyd
Public comment: PRC meetings are 100% open to the public, and do not limit the length or number of citizen comments. In fact, I have often been complimented (and criticized) for allowing citizens to speak at length about issues affecting our town’s parks and recreation resources — even permitting speakers to go on tangents.
By law, we are limited to discussing properly noticed agenda items as I announce at each meeting, but all citizens are welcome to address the PRC. The writer being a frequent, lengthy commenter. I forward emails to the commissioners, as is standard practice for appointed boards and commissions in Westport.
Transparency: Anyone who lived through the Longshore Capital Improvement Plan should recognize the level of transparency sought by the PRC. Fifteen months of plans, stakeholder meetings, public comments, open houses, public meetings. Decisions made in a public forum. All for the betterment of a park we all love and use extensively. Compo Playground, Art in the Parks, WestportMoms festival, and others further illustrate this bias for openness.
There will always be a prioritization of projects and adoption of policies. Every wish or desire cannot be acted upon.
As chair, I have chosen to focus the PRC on real world projects and issues we can solve (e.g., Longshore Plan, Compo Playground rebuild, smoking/vaping policy), and encouraging a “citizens first” attitude at Parks & Recreation Department. I do not apologize for that.
The Longshore Plan is a “real worldl project” for the Parks & Recreation Commission.
The absence of a P&R cirector and parks superintendent is an unprecedented situation never before faced by a PRC and P&R Department. It has presented challenges up and down the line, but the staff (top to bottom) have adapted, taken on additional responsibilities, and moved forward.
To this end, we have a new director starting. I look forward to working with him to adjust where needed.
Thank you to my fellow commissioners, the staff at the P&R Department, maintenance crews (P&R and golf) for your support and efforts every day.
(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all readers. And we could not do what we do without reader support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
One view near Willowbrook Cemetery in today’s snow …
… and another …
… and a third … (Photos/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
… and one view of Winslow Park …
… and another … (Photos/Patricia McMahon)
… and Scott Smith’s back yard (Photo/Scott Smith)
One view of Winslow Park, in today’s fog …
… and another (Photos/Wendy May)
Winslow Park (Photo/Pam Docters)
Today’s Friday Flashback comes courtesy of Pam Docters. She writes:
I took a great walking tour of Winslow Park last weekend. With mild temperatures and beautiful fall foliage, Nicole Carpenter, assistant director of the Westport Museum for History & Culture, took us through the fascinating history of the original Winslow House, then the construction and eventual destruction of the Westport Sanitarium.
Many old-time Westporters remember the Winslow House on the Post Road at Compo Road North, encircled by the original iron fence that still stands.
Westport Sanitarium, at the corner of Post Road East and Compo Road North. (Photo courtesy of Bob Gault, via Facebook)
Situated on 100 acres, the Sanitarium consisted of many buildings, including an immense greenhouse. It was the first building to burn down (allegedly by a vagrant, but I’ve always heard it was our own local teen hooligans).
Nicole pointed out where it is possible to still trace the buildings’ foundations, the “valley” where the manmade pond (for boating and fishing) was located, the hill composed of building remnants after they were burned down in the early 1970s, and even the original fire hydrant, inscribed with the year 1891.
Another view of the Sanitarium. (Photo courtesy of Bob Gault, via Facebook)
Although most patients seem to have been there to recover in the bucolic surroundings (their records are long gone), a few colorful histories from the early 1900s were recorded.
A cousin of the noted Vanderbilt family was committed for interacting with his imaginary friends. He later sued the Sanitarium for kidnapping, but the court ruled against him.
Another man was sent there in 1906 for firing his gun at invading “Redcoats” from his nearby home.
A woman was committed for setting fire to the Compo Inn to dispel spirits. She was later released, as it was determined she was suffering from grief following her husband’s recent death.
Contrary to local lore, there is no indication that lobotomies were performed there! Treatments were primarily psychotherapy, shock treatment, cold water baths, and activities like gardening.
The walking paths at Winslow Park are remnants of its days when patients walked the sanitarium grounds. (Photo/Pam Docters)
Thanks, Pam! Here’s a bit more background:
The original mansion was built by Henry Richard and Mary Fitch Winslow in 1853. He was a state senator and representative.
Named Compo House, the palatial home was surrounded by guesthouses, servants’ and gardeners’ quarters, and gorgeous gardens.
Winslow House, in its heyday.
Former president Millard Fillmore was a visitor. Extravagant fireworks were shot off there every July 4th.
By the early 1900s, it had become the Westport Sanitarium.
Richard Winslow’s Compo House.
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
Posted in Friday Flashback
Tagged Compo House, Richard Winslow, Westport Sanitarium, Winslow Park
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