Welcome to the WRITE HERE: WESTPORT blog!

Town Hall: Why is the most important municipal building called a “hall”, as in town hall and city hall? The common image of a hall is that it is a corridor into which other rooms enter, not a destination onto itself. For that matter, and the same question, why use the word “hall” to describe Carnegie Hall and other such venues? This is what the visitor thought as he was invited to meet the Westport First Selectman, which only caused him to wonder what happened to calling the highest elected official “mayor”.

The Riverwalk: Following the directions on the recorded voicemail message, Emily parked and exited her car at the Jessup Green parking lot and stood for exactly five minutes without speaking to anyone. She knew she was being observed, probably from one of the large windows of the recently renovated Westport Library. The extortionist had told her to bring $5,000 in small unmarked bills or he would expose parts of her background she had thought had been forever buried. After the designated time had lapsed, she started in the direction of the Riverwalk adjacent to the Saugatuck River. Her dark mood was incompatible with the lovely grounds and park benches that enticed patrons and casual strollers to stop and enjoy. She paid no attention to either.

The proximity of the river, however, lured her to think of escaping from the despair encircling her. The water's shimmering reflections sporadically broken up with floating seagulls, captivated and then momentarily diluted the dread she felt moving toward the confrontation ahead with her past deeds.

The place........Library: The small child, not quite five years old, was skeptical, nervous and resistant to stepping through the library doors for the first time, He could see the cavernous hall ahead. The mother held his right hand as her other elbow hit the automatic door button. The doors parted beckoning them both to pass through. He hesitated, tightening his grip and paused before allowing himself to be slightly pulled forward. Within a few steps, his eyes glanced upwards at the lofty ceiling that overwhelmed everything at eye level. The inside temperature was cooler and more comfortable than the outside air, but his apprehension deactivated the effect. He had been told that he would love the new library, that it offered fun and learning, but he had his doubts that something this big could be the sanctuary he had been promised. He stopped walking, stood for a moment and tried to measure his reactions.......