It is difficult to read an article about Creative Candles (4/18, Star Magazine, "Candlemaker basking in the glow") with no mention of the founding of this unique endeavor by Nancy and Duane Benton. In the turbulent 1960s in a little, dark, historic building behind Kelly’s Bar on Pennsylvania, they had this idea. From scratch, they got together the tanks, kettles, steam pipes, racks and molds and began the candle making, creating original shapes and fragrances.

This unique environment attracted people from everywhere, making friends with the gracious, interesting Bentons. Many of the young people who inhabited the area were employed in the candle making, and even children were welcome to dip their own creations (with supervision, of course). At Christmastime, candle purchases were always accompanied with sprigs of holly for decoration. This was an important part of the history of Westport.