Monthly Archives: March 2018

Pic Of The Day #348

Posted on March 31, 2018 | 8 comments

The Easter Bunny hopped down the Post Road earlier this afternoon. (Photo/Hannah Hall)

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Posted in Pic of the Day, Transportation

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Happy 90th, Shirley Mellor!

Posted on March 31, 2018 | 5 comments

From across town and across the country — and from Westport’s artistic present and past — over 100 folks paid tribute today to Shirley Mellor.

The former owner of beloved Max’s Art Supplies — the Post Road store described by Miggs Burroughs as “our town square for artists” — turns 90.

As in, 90 years young.

Shirley Mellor (Photo/Lynn U. Miller)

Though she closed Max’s 4 years ago, she still does yoga 3 times a week. She still tells wonderful stories, and dispenses excellent advice. And she still has countless friends and admirers.

They — and many family members, including a great-granddaughter — honored Shirley at the Westport Woman’s Club this afternoon. Among the attendees were longtime Max’s employees Nina Royce, Rita Engelbardt and Jay Cimbak.

The speeches were heartfelt. The love in the room was palpable.

And Shirley looked fantastic.

Just like old times.

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Posted in Arts, Downtown, Local business, People

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Barnes & Noble Celebrates Easter And Passover

Posted on March 31, 2018 | 3 comments

 

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Posted in Local business, Totally random

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Any Way You Slice It, Julian’s Closes

Posted on March 31, 2018 | 18 comments

Today is the final day to vote for your favorite pizza place in Westport.

But there’s one less contender than when the contest began.

Monday was is the final day for Julian’s, the brick oven pizzeria on Riverside Avenue.

An employee at the Post Road East location — which remains open — says the reason for the closing was a huge rent increase.

Sounds like the scourge of downtown has spread to Saugatuck.

At the 2016 Slice of Saugatuck, the line to sample Julian’s pizza ran past Parker Mansion.

18 Comments

Posted in Restaurants, Saugatuck

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Jane Green Bakes Cakes For Apes. Now You Can Too.

Posted on March 31, 2018 | 3 comments

In 2014, Sophie Pollmann — a Swedish-German woman who’d lived in rainy England for 16 years — finally took the advice of her friend, Westporter Jill Johnson Mann.

Sophie Pollmann

Jill convinced Sophie that this is a great place to live. The charity Sophie works for — International Animal Rescue — offered her a job as US director.

She and her husband sold their 11-acre home in Kent, and moved with their 3 kids to the cozy Compo Beach neighborhood.

The only problem: Sophie had to leave her beloved chickens behind.

Problem solved: Jill’s friend — best-selling author — Jane Green kept chickens. Plus, she’d moved here from England too.

The women hit it off. They share an office. Jane has MCed an IAR event for Sophie.

Jane Green

And now Jane is pulling out her well-worn oven mitts, and helping out with Cakes for Apes.

The idea is simple: You bake a cake (or cakes). You sell them to friends, family and colleagues. The money goes to IAR’s orangutan project in West Borneo.

The organization — which (of course) encourages the use of locally sourced, natural, sustainable and fair trade ingredients in all cakes — makes it especially simple. They offer thousands of recipes online.

When you sign up, you get a fundraising pack. It’s filled with ideas for successful bake sales. (Or — you can’t take the England out of  Sophie and Jane — a tea party.)

So where does Jane Green fit in? She’s one of many celebrities who have donated recipes. Hers is a lemon and almond tart.

Cakes for Apes will be held April 23-30. But you can start planning for this jolly good project now.

(For more information, call Sophie: 203-919-7386. To sign up for Cakes For Apes, click here.)

Orangutans, at the IAR rescue center.

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Posted in Environment, Organizations, People

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Pic Of The Day #347

Posted on March 30, 2018 | 1 comment

I-95 bridge (Photo/Peter Barlow)

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Posted in Pic of the Day, Saugatuck, Transportation

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We’re Not Sure What’s Right. But This Is Definitely Wrong.

Posted on March 30, 2018 | 15 comments

It’s a never-ending debate: Green’s Farms (with an apostrophe) or Greens Farms (without)?

There’s even a sign that says Greensfarms.

But everyone agrees there was more than 1 farm.

Except this, on the Post Road near South Turkey Hill:

 

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Posted in Places, Totally random

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Friday Flashback #84

Posted on March 30, 2018 | 4 comments

Last weekend, this section of the Post Road was the site of a large rally protesting gun violence.

In years past, big crowds have gathered here for other events: A 1936 campaign speech by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. An anti-war demonstration in 1969. Welcoming home the Little League World Series heroes of 2013.

Most days though, it’s just the Post Road near Main Street.

(Photo courtesy of Paul Ehrismann)

Besides the cars, traffic light, lampposts on the far right — and the fact that Westport Bank & Trust is now Patagonia — little has changed in the 70 or so years since this photo was taken.

Let’s see what the next 7 decades bring.

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Posted in Downtown, Friday Flashback

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Vani Court’s New Buddy

Posted on March 30, 2018 | 12 comments

Alert “06880” reader Jonathan Greenfield loves Westport. These days, he loves it just a little bit more. He writes:

The residents of Vani Court exemplify the absolute best in neighborly values. They truly reflect all that’s wonderful in Westport.

That quiet street off South Compo — which still consists of many post-war Capes built for returning veterans in the 1940s — is where my rescue dog Buddy Holly ended up 2 days in a row after he pushed his way past my daughter, and through an open door.

My 9-year-old son gave chase. I grabbed a leash and ran to the car, as my 4-year-old daughter pointed the way.

I tried to obey the South Compo speed limit, but panic set in. My son and dog were nowhere to be found.

Buddy, at the beach.

We often include Vani Court on our daily walks. Maybe Buddy was there!

As I turned onto the road, I saw a commotion.

My son arrived out of nowhere — on a bike, which he’d gone home to retrieve. I got out of my car, and learned that 2 drivers had seen my son running along the road. They offered him a ride, to help. He declined, saying he could not get in a stranger’s car!

At the same time, residents on  Vani Court had come outside with their own dogs and treats, hoping to nab Buddy. He darted from one dog to the next, having a great time.

Tim Luciano came close to nabbing him. James McLaughlin tried to lure Buddy into his backyard.

The chase became exhausting. But when Jesse Daignault appeared with his dog Milo, Buddy took interest. With lightning fast hands, Jesse grabbed Buddy’s collar.

Victory! Jonathan Greenfield with Buddy, on Vani Court.

But Buddy was just getting started.

The next day — just as my youngest was leaving for preschool — Buddy pushed her aside. He was ready for another adventure.

This time I took a different approach. I followed him calmly, so I wouldn’t chase him away. He headed back to Vani Court.

Dan and Kelly Merton were out with their golden retrievers. Like a magnet, Buddy went to them. Another mini-circus developed.

Eventually Buddy headed back to our house. He wouldn’t come in though. My wife followed him back to Vani Court.

Soon, I got a text from my wife. Iris said, “Got him!” Melissa Wilson had come out with her dog. She and James McLaughlin lured Buddy into her backyard.

As soon as I got home, I called an invisible fence company. I’m also setting up dates to continue Buddy’s training, so he can run with us and be safely off leash.

We are extremely thankful for everyone who helped. Vani Court is such a special place.

It’s not just the charm of the postwar Capes. It’s the people. They so easily express what it’s like to be neighbors. Thank you!

Buddy, back home with Zach Greenfield.

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Posted in Environment, People, Places

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Pic Of The Day #346

Posted on March 29, 2018 | 18 comments

Rev. Alison Patton spotted this object this morning, on her daily walk. If you know what it is — or why it’s there — click “Comments” below. (Photo/Alison Patton)

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Posted in Downtown, Pic of the Day

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