Pristine views of Sherwood Mill Pond are back!
Fencing has been removed from the pedestrian pathway leading from the Old Mill parking lot to Compo Cove.
It was installed in December 2020, during water monitoring tests.
Signs warning against jumping into the pond near the tidal gates remain.
But the decades-old ritual — a rite of passage for many Westporters — still goes strong. (Hat tip: Oliver Radwan)
Fencing has been removed from Sherwood Mill Pond. The black poles remain. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Have you heard about Westport’s scavenger hunt?
Hidden around town are 18 pieces of art, all inspired by town monuments, buildings and more that are part of the bicentennial quilt.
It’s part of a display in the Westport Museum of History & Culture. The show — in conjunction with MoCA Westport and CAMP Gallery — features textiles and other quilt-inspired artifacts. The hunt runs through August 20. Click here for details. (Hat tip: Dave Matlow)
1st Selectwoman and Police Chief Foti Koskinas hunt for clues. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Happy 88th birthday to former 2nd Selectwoman, Apple Festival founder and organizer, super-involved and multi-tasked civic volunteer, and all-around wonder woman Betty Lou Cummings!
She celebrated yesterday with her husband Tom. Not pictured below: all her tens of thousands of Westport fans.
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When Cary Pierce was a student at Staples High School, he got his first big break.
Hall & Oates failed to appear for a 1985 concert at Longshore — to be fair, they never signed a contract — so Cary’s band, Pseudo Blue, entertained instead. (Click here to read all about that strange day in Westport history.)
Cary went on to graduate from Staples in 1987. He kept playing guitar, and singing.
For nearly 35 years, Cary and his Southern Methodist University classmate Jack O’Neill have fronted Jackopierce. The band has shared stages with Dave Matthews, Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett, Matchbox Twenty and Widespread Panic. They’ve performed in clubs and at colleges across America — and before 500,000 people at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Next Monday (August 15, 6 p.m.), Jackopierce comes to Milestone restaurant in Georgetown. The venue is small, so tickets will go quickly. Click here to purchase, and for more information.
No word on whether Hall & Oates will sit in too.
Jackopierce: Cary Pierce (right) and Jack O’Neill.
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Michael Scott crushed it.
The Staples High School Class of 2011 graduate — and star on the Wreckers state championship team — finished Juneau’s Ironman Alaska yesterday in an astonishing 10 hours, 18 minutes and 48 seconds.
He ignored stunning views to swim 2.4 miles in Auke Lake in 36:33. He biked 112 miles along the Glacier Highway in 5:49.09. Then he ran 26.2 miles through the lush Mendenhall Valley rainforest in 3:29:42.
That was good (great!) for 23rd place, out of 733 competitors — and 3rd out of 36, in his men’s age 25-29 age group.
Congratulations, Mikey. Now take a well=deserved rest!
Michael Scott
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Lifelong Westporter Anthony Gilbertie died last week, from complications of Parkinson’s. He was 84.
He was the 5th member of the Gilbertie family to serve on the RTM.
Anthony was devoted to Assumption Church, where he was a cantor for 13 years. Most recently, he was a US Postal Service carrier in Weston. Anthony enjoyed history, current events and the New York Yankees.
He was predeceased by all his siblings: John Jr, Mario, Linda Gilbertie-Bullard and Michael, and baby siblings Thomas and Gloria.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Diane Taylor-Gilbertie; children, Tom (Anne). Peter (Dee) and Nancy Gilbertie-Loshuk, and grandchildren Griffin Gilbertie, William Gilbertie, Thomas Gilbertie, Christopher Gilbertie and Jack Loshuk.
Anthony’s wake will be held Friday (August 12, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Harding Funeral Home). A Mass of Christian Burial will follow there at 11 a.m., followed by burial at Assumption Cemetery on Greens Farms Road. The family asks that all attendees wear masks, as some family members are immunocompromised.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Assumption Church or The Parkinson’s Foundation.
Anthony Gilbertie
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Longtime Westporter Jeanne Wylie Crist died last week. She was 99 years old.
Jeanne married her Albany high school sweetheart, Robert “Mike” Crist in 1947 after working with the Naval Department in New York City. Two sons were born there before they moved to Westport, where Karen was born in 1956.
They lived in Westport for nearly 50 years before moving to Lenox, Massachusetts to be close to their daughter in 2011, when Mike’s health faltered.
They were members of Saugatuck Congregational Church, loved walking Compo Beach and cherished many friends. In retirement they purchased a cottage on Lake Bomoseen in Vermont, where Mike had enjoyed his childhood. Jeanne and Mike also traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
Jeanne was preceded by Mike in 2011, and their son, Robert “Lee” Crist in 1983 and Jeffrey Crist in 2017. She is survived by her daughter Karen (Matthew Miller), grandchildren Chas (Ashley), Geoffrey (Michelle) and Kaylee Wylie, and great-grandchildren Charley, Nuala, Declan, Wylie and Penelope.
A graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Westport, where she will be interred with her beloved Mike and 2 sons. To share memories and stories click here,
Jeanne Wylie Crist
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Tracy Porosoff thinks this dramatic photo shows a wasp beetle eating a cicada at the Compo Beach baseball fence.
Whatever it is, it’s a perfect way to start off our “Westport … Naturally” week.
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
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And finally … speaking of Jackopierce (as we were above): Here’s a little preview of their Milestene show:
(Keep the music coming! Please click here to support “06880.”)
I think what this actually is is a cicada killer wasp stinging the cicada. I have seen this happen before. The cicada is not killed, but paralyzed to then be used to support the larva of the wasp. Look it up, it’s an interesting dynamic.
Congrats to Michael Scott for completing a tough IM course but I believe Dan recorded his bike time incorrectly ?
Correct! I added 4 hours to his bike time. Should be 5:49:09, not 9:49:09. Even more impressive. I’ve corrected it. Thanks, Dave.
What a fantastic line up! Great people and great improvements to Westport and honoring Anthony
I and many others are so very pleased that the chain link fence at the tidal gates has been removed. It was a source of strife and tension since that is such a special locale. Our thanks to this decision to return the area to its prior glory.
Don Bergmann
I am sad to read of the death of Anthony Gilbertie. He and I were classmates at (if memory serves) Bedford El and (certainly) BJHS. He was always a very steady and admirable guy. He treated his peers with affection and respect, and was himself so regarded. Condolences to his friends and family.