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There’s a slight time change for today’s Support Ukraine rally on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge in downtown Westport.
The event — created quickly this week, in response to President Zelensky’s call for a global peace rally — begins at 11:30 a.m. this morning (Saturday). The event runs through 1 p.m.
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The long-rumored subdivision of one of Westport’s last remaining large residential open spaces is moving forward.
The first agenda item on the Planning & Zoning Commission’s April 4 meeting (7 p.m., Zoom) is an application for 6 building lots at 109 Morningside Drive South. That’s the property owned by the Kowalsky Family, off Clapboard Hill Road.
109 Morningside Drive South
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In the early days of the pandemic — when everyone hungered for human interaction, and Zoom was a novelty — Stan Witkow organized a virtual Bingo game.
Each week, players from Westport — and around the globe — competed. The winner donated his or her winnings to any charity of his or her choice.
In 2 years, players raised more than $20,000 for COVID-related non-profits.
The game continues. Now though, the weekly pool will support Ukrainian relief efforts. Witkow and friends created a list of reliable organizations from which winners can choose. So far, nearly $1,000 has gone to help Ukraine.
New players are welcome. Email stan@witkow.com.
A screenshot from the virtual Bingo game.
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We can never have enough osprey photos. And Carolyn Doan is one of the best photographers of our favorite raptors.
She took this shot this week, at the nest by Fresh Market. It’s a scene we’ll never tire of:
(Photo/Carolyn Doan)
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Wakeman Town Farm welcomes Easter with its 5th annual “EGGstravaganza.”
On Saturday April 9 (10 to 11;30 a.m.), families can bring egg baskets to WTF. Two hunts (ages 4 and under, and 5 and up) kick off the morning, followed by egg-themed games, story time readings, photos with Big Bunn and visits to the farm’s real animals.
New this year: Families can “adopt” a chicken, and meet and name it there.
Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Easter at Wakeman Town Farm,
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Speaking of Easter: If there’s a holiday ahead, Winslow Park Animal Hospital is ready.
Here’s the scene in front of the Post Road East clinic:
(Photo/Molly Alger)
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The next holiday after Easter is … Arbor Day.
Earthplace celebrates with “A Toast to the Trees” on April 30 (4 to 6 p.m.).
There’s a trail walk, campfire, pizza, kids crafts, s’mores and (I guess this is the “toast” part) beer tastings. Click here for tickets.
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With in-person performances back at the Westport Country Playhouse, there’s a great need for … ushers.
They perform important tasks: greeting patrons, scanning tickets, distributing programs, answering questions and more.
Ushers must be at least 18, unless accompanied by a guardian who will usher with them. Ushers are paired to work together as a team. Dress code is white shirts and black skirts/pants.
For more information contact Kelly Richards Mikolasy, house manager: krichards@westportplayhouse.org; 203-571-1296.
Where’s my seat? Ushers know! (Photo/Robert Benson)
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Cloud Nine — a new designer consignment shop at 339 Main Street (next to Coffee An’) — celebrates its arrival with a special event on March 30.
That day, 10% of all proceeds go to AWARE. That great non-profit assists women through action, resources and education.]
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Last fall, the Westport Woman’s Club put out a call to non-profits needing assistance.
Dozens responded.
A few days ago, 29 organizations got their wish. The WWC handed out $39,000 in grants, to:
Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders; Bridgeport Rescue Mission; Burroughs Community Center; Caroline House; Center for Family Justice; Child Advocates of Southwestern Connecticut; Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer; Circle of Friends; CLASP Homes; Domestic Violence Crisis Center; ElderHouse; Family & Children’s Agency; Food Rescue US; Help for Kids; Homes with Hope; Human Services Council/Children’s Connection; Malta House; Person-to-Person; Positive Directions; REACH Youth Program at Bridgeport Hospital; Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut; St. Catherine Center for Special Needs; Sweet P Bakery; The Rowan Center; VFW; Westport Department of Human Services Family and Elderly Programs; Westport Community Theatre; Women’s Mentoring Network.
The Westport Woman’s Club has been helping others since 1907. Here’s to the next 115 years!
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Today’s colorful “Westport … Naturally” photo comes courtesy of Jeanine Esposito. She writes:
“A cardinal couple (who mate for life) joined lots of other newcomers in searching for a place to make a nest for their family in Westport. This is from our Beechwood window, on Weston Road.”
(Photo/Jeanine Esposito)
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And finally … you knew it was coming. To celebrate the opening of Cloud Nine, next to Coffee An’ (story above):
For the three decades, the view from our house at 114 South Morningside Drive overlooked Kowalsky’s farm. I wish there was a way for the town to buy the property, and keep it as open space!
Another iconic Westport viewshed bites the dust. If only this could have become a part of the Aspetuck Land Trust’s Green Corridor. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think I read that the Kowalsky’s weren’t interested in having that conversation.
If Greens Farms residents are worried about Muddy Brook overflowing its banks, imagine what rainwater handling and filtering capacity will be lost as six mega-houses press their impervious fingerprints into this former pasture and farmland. My history-loving and environmentally-sensitive heart hurts.
Town should buy the Kowalsky property and build affordable housing on it.
My guess is that the neighbors would prefer another half dozen generic McMansions….
Plenty of rich people overlook that property with the means to buy it and keep it as abandoned farmland.
David, You are absolutely correct! The three homes on South Morningside that overlook the farm will drop in value as the view will change from farmland to roof tops!
I would imagine that neighbors predominantly feel the way the people who have left comments here feel. Nobody benefits from overbuilding and destroying natural vistas and open space. That is, except the various people with financial interests in that overbuilding,
Now that Dan has brought the potential plight of this lovely and irreplaceable open space to the attention of a broader Westport community, it would seem to me that people with experience preserving natural spaces may begin (or continue, if they’ve begun already) to raise the requisite money and political support to do exactly this.
I don’t have the requisite intricate knowledge, yet it would seem to me to be a matter of providing the Kowalsky’s with most, or all, of the money they would be getting from developing their property. A multi pronged effort of fundraising, along with interventions by non-profit land preservation organizations might be in order.
And, perhaps, raising the political temperature by building awareness further. Not to mention presenting all the reasons Westport’s interests can only be supported by preserving and maintaining both our heritage and our green spaces.
Overburdening the environment which supports us all, harms us all.
Lamenting doesn’t do much. Building consensus, along with a war chest, might.
Thank you for the write up, Dan! Especially loved the music reference!
Best,
Cindy
Cloud Nine Designer Consignments