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Yellow And Blue For Newtown
In the aftermath of the Newtown tragedy, it’s hard to know what to say or do. Our hearts are so heavy. Our words sound so hollow. Leave it to youngsters to lead the way. Sally McGee — a 7th grader at...
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Warmed By Candlelight
Celebration and solemnity mixed together last night at Staples. The high school’s 72nd annual Candlelight Concert provided not only its traditional joy, pageantry and warmth, but also a chance for...
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Scenes From Newtown’s Neighbor
Today in Westport, flags flew at half-staff. This one stood outside police headquarters: A short walk away on the Post Road Bridge, a group that for several years has protested US wars added a plea for...
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Reflections: John Blyberg
John Blyberg graduated from Staples in 1992. Today, he posted these thoughts on Facebook: This morning dawned on 20 sets of parents who are being driven to madness by grief. They will live the rest of...
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The Crisis Center
Karl Decker spent 40 years as a Staples English instructor. In “retirement,” he’s a very active photographer and writer. Karl lives in Monroe, not far from Newtown. Today, he volunteered at the crisis...
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Wendy’s Flower
On Thursday — the day before the Newtown madness — “06880″ reader Wendy Crowther sent this simple photo from her garden: I liked it. But I wondered how I could use it on my blog. Today, it’s perfect....
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Cannon Candles
Westport native and 1981 Staples graduate Jeb Backus is the senior program director at a local YMCA. Sandy Hook is next door. As a coach and athlete in several Fairfield County sports organizations,...
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Reflections: Tom Kretsch
Tom Kretsch is a Westport photographer and soccer referee. He retired a few years ago, after a long career as an educator in Norwalk. Tom grew up in Newtown. Last June, he and his high school...
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What’s Next? Westporters Meet On Monday
Congressman Jim Himes will join what seems to be a large group in Westport tomorrow (Monday, December 17, 11 a.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church). The meeting is a spontaneous reaction to Friday’s...
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John Dodig’s Message
Staples High School principal John Dodig addressed all students and staff this morning — the 1st day back after a difficult weekend. He said: Good morning everyone. I want to say a few things about the...
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Reflections: Rick Davis
Rick Davis is a native Westporter: Saugatuck Elementary School Class of 1975, Bedford Junior High 1978, Staples ’81. Now he lives in Newtown — near the police station and cemetery, right on the town...
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Walking Proudly With The Honans
Tom Carey’s family moved to Newtown around 1950. Pat’s family — the Honans — have been there since the 1800s. Tom and Pat Carey, 35 years ago in Newtown. Tom and Pat were married 35 years ago in...
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Remarkable Miggs
Westport artist Miggs Burroughs took a photo collage posted on “06880″ yesterday — one I found on Facebook — and turned it into a simple, but very powerful, message: Look. Think. Then pass it on....
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Hearing Stories, Healing Hearts: An Educator’s Astonishing Story
The moment Staples High School guidance counselors heard about Friday’s shootings in Newtown, they offered to help. Two days later, the entire staff — including the school psychologist and social...
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Dave Stalling: The NRA Doesn’t Kill People (But They Sure Do Their Part)
No matter what you thought when you saw the headline above — fist-pumping agreement, or blood-boiling anger — read this about the author of today’s post. He’s a Westporter — but his back story may...
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Jennifer Huettner, And The Adam Lanza She Knew
Like everyone else, Jennifer Huettner agonized last Friday. As the news from Newtown went from awful to unfathomable, she had special reason to worry. Jennifer is Staples High School’s beloved,...
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“I Am Justin’s Mother”: The Complexity of Mental Illness
John and Sophie are longtime Westporters. In the late 1990s their son Justin was a Staples athlete — and Block “S” winner. Today he lives in a group home. His life has been shattered by mental illness...
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RTM May Tackle Guns
Westport’s RTM — the Representative Town Meeting — usually tackles local topics. Our elected officials debate and vote on budgets, contracts and sewers. Sometimes they decide huge Westport questions....
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The Eigens’ Shells Of Hope
Last month, tragedy struck Newtown’s children. Over the holiday, Westport children responded. Max, Sam and Jack Eigen, wearing their necklaces. Visiting Florida, Max, Jack and Sam Eigen — 11, 9 and 7...
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