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Westport Means Business.
That’s the name of a Westport Library/Town of Westport-sponsored panel on June 3 (7 p.m., at the Library or via Zoom).
2nd Selectwoman Jen Tooker will lead a discussion with 3 great — and very different — local businesses.
Sam Gault of Gault Energy, Dr. EJ Zebro (TAP Strength Lab) and Gina Porcello (GG & Joe) will share “Stories from the Pandemic.” They’ll describe what they learned, how they survived — and how they’re thriving.
Click here to register.
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Speaking of business:
Westport photographer Nancy Breakstone lives a few minutes from Rive Bistro. It’s her go-to spot.
Yesterday she met a friend for drinks, at 5. Her husband was set to meet Nancy there for dinner, afterward.
But despite a dozen outdoor tables on the plaza — plus under a tent — Nancy called him and said: No go. The restaurant was booked solid. The waitress advised calling 3 days ahead.
That augurs well for outdoor dining in Westport this summer. Bon appétit!
Outdoor dining at Rive Bistro, on the water. The plaza tables have been filled, as well as the always-popular deck.
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Westport’s spring paving program is underway.
The Library and Senior Center parking lots are already done. Paving will continue through mid-June on these roads:
- Railroad Place
- Franklin Street
- Ferry Lane
- Partrick Road
- Clinton Avenue
- Saxon Lane
- Timber Lane
- Moss Ledge
- Dawn Drive
- Greens Farms Road
- Maple Avenue North
Once those are done, several school properties will be paved:
- Greens Farms Elementary
- Long Lots Elementary (partial repaving)
- Bedford Middle School entrance and Wakeman Farm Road
- Coleytown Elementary
That project is a collaborative effort with the Westport Public Schools.
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Getting into Cornell University is hard enough. Graduating in the top 1% of one of its undergrad colleges is insanely difficult.
But Isabelle Amlicke did it. The Staples High School Class of 2017 alum earned recognition as a Merrill Presidential Scholar for that achievement.
Isabelle was deeply involved with Cornell Sustainability Consultants. No word on what’s ahead. But we’re sure it will be impressive! (Hat tip: Cecily Gans)
Isabelle Amlicke
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Speaking of Staples: 4 juniors have earned Superior Achievement in Writing awards. The honor comes from the prestigious National Council of Teachers of English.
Caroline Coffey, Matthew Genser, Maya Markus-Malone and Talia Perkins
were honored as among the best student writers in the nation. In addition to submitting a piece of “best writing,” contest entrants were asked to craft a piece in any genre that took readers inside a community that is important to them, and convey the beauty they see within it.
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Speaking of education: On Monday night, the Bedford Middle School team got together. They celebrate their win at the Connecticut Science Olympiad Tournament, and watched the national event.
Coaches Arthur Ellis, Daniel Cortright and Kathryn Nicholas received special recognition. Congratulations to all!
Sisters Annam Olasewere, Anwara Olasewere, and Ayaan Olasewere are part of Bedford’s state champion Science Olympiad team. All paced in the top 3 of their events.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo shows black swallowtails at Sherwood Island State Park:
(Photo/Elena Nasereddin)
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And finally … legendary Muscle Shoals drummer Jerry Roger Hawkins died last week. He was 75, and had suffered from numerous illnesses.
Producer Jerry Wexler called him “the greatest drummer of all time.”
Hawkins — a member of both the Swampers and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section session groups — played on hits like “Respect,” ” “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “Mustang Sally.” As great as those songs are, listen again. Without Hawkins’ drumming, they’d have a lot less respect. Click here for a full obituary.
Mustang Sally fabulous 👏👏
Aretha Franklin’s drummer was Roger Hawkins, not Jerry Hawkins.
Yep. I’ve corrected my error. Thanks.
Speaking of paving!
Why can’t one of our selectmen lean on the state to finish paving Post Road between the Saugatuck river bridge and Imperial Ave! This section of pavement would have a hard time qualifying as a horse & buggy road complete with canyon potholes! What an embarasment for Westport!
Thanks Dan for posting Hawkins’ Rolling Stone obituary and I encourage your readers to view the Muscle Shoals documentary, free to watch on YouTube. The obit also reminds us that Hawkins played on Wilson Pickett’s cover version of “Hey Jude,” suggested by and featuring a blazing slide guitar cameo by the yet-unknown Duane Allman. This powerhouse rendition is better than a double-latte with a shot of Red Bull, and also a free listen on YT.
Had a wonderful post birthday lunch today outside at Rive Bistro with a friend. No reservation, but all tables full. Delightful place to eat on water!
What an demeaning “title” is “Westport Means Business.” Back in the fifties, the then President of GM said: “The Business of America is Business.” It was as repulsive a slogan for our country as it is for our town. Westport and America are, thank God, so very much more than the businesses for which each provides a free and encouraging stage.