Save the Sound has just released grades for more than 200 Connecticut, Long Island and New York state beaches.
Local and regional health departments collect fecal indicator bacteria samples during the swimming months. High counts of fecal indicator bacteria and related pathogens can make people sick, and can be associated with untreated sewage or polluted storm water entering the waters at or near a beach.
Rain often brings polluted storm water to Long Island Sound beaches. Precipitation in the area from May to August 2021 — the period covered by the ratings — were the highest recorded since 2003, when the project began.
And the results:
- Burying Hill Beach: A+
- Sherwood Island State Park: A
- Compo Beach: B+
- Old Mill: “Not found.”
Click here for the full report.
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Next week, Staples Tuition Grants will hand out $400,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors and current college students.
That’s a lot of money. It’s the result of a lot of donations and fundraising.
One of those efforts is this weekend, during the Westport Fine Arts Festival. STG has a booth on Main Street, by J. Crew. For $10, you can guess the number of blue and white (naturally) jellybeans in the jar.
The jar will then appear at the Memorial Day parade, and will be at Summer Shopping Day in front of Manna Toast on June 18.
Winners get part of the prize, and gift certificates to local restaurants. The bulk of the money helps fund STG grants. The contest ends June 22.
How many jellybeans? Start counting!
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As noted above, this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), downtown will hum with the 49th annual Westport Fine Arts Festival.
The weekend after that (Saturday, June 4, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.), the Sorelle Gallery on Church Lane hosts artists Julia Contacessi and Michele Poirier-Mozzone for their new “Light Affects” show, with an opening reception.
Click here to learn more.
Julia Contacessi and Michele Poirier-Mozzone.
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Irises are in season. And this beauty in a roadside Owenoke garden is perfect for a “Westport … Naturally” close-up.
(Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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Despite the heaviest summer rain since Save the Sound started its beach rating system, Westport’s waters got pretty good grades (see story above).
Whew!
Old Mill: “Not found.”
Does this mean they found no bacteria in the water at Old Mill Beach, or that the testers couldn’t find Old Mill Beach?