Roundup: Longshore Beach, Sand Castle, Ice Cream …

Scott Smith writes:

“A recent ‘06880’ post showing a rocky Compo Beach of a century ago makes me realize that in these parts having a sandy beach to enjoy is a conscious act — one that requires proper land-use decisions and ongoing upkeep.

“With all the talk about the forthcoming Longshore improvement plan and anticipated dredging of the Saugatuck River, I also wonder: Wouldn’t the shoreline adjacent to Longshore pool, hard by ER Strait Marina, make a dandy children’s beach for Westport families?”

Here’s a recent view:

It did not always look like this. Here’s an illustration from the private Longshore Beach & Country Club brochure:

Don’t believe an illustration? Check out a 1934 aerial view. Longshore is at the bottom (Hendricks Point is the far left; the beach area, just below the pool, is the second white area from the left. The Compo marina is at the lower right:

More recently, we see:

Beaches are constantly eroding. Sand is redistributed all the time.

But Scott is right. As Longshore is reimagined, let’s not forget the “long shore.”

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Speaking of sand: In this era of videogames, TikTok and 24/7/365 streaming, there’s something refreshing about this photo:

11-year-old Ben Kiev spent yesterday building this sand castle at Compo Beach.

And he seems to be smart enough to have chosen a site far enough from the tide so that it could last — at least, a while.

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There’s a new ice cream shop in town.

Gofer Ice Cream opened recently at 1240 Post Road East. It takes over the former Silver Ribbon location, in the same strip mall as Fortuna’s and Greens Farms Spirit Shop (and not far from Carvel, which has been around since ice cream was invented).

Gofer features premium hard and soft serve ice cream, plant-based and fat-free options, smoothies, cakes and more.

Gofer’s other locations include Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Riverside, Stamford and Wilton.

As their website notes, “It’s always a good day to Gofer ice cream.”

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Among the nearly 3,000 attendees enjoying music, food and fellowship at yesterday’s Puerto Rican Day parade in Hartford: Westporter Ifeseyi Gayle.

An elected member of our Board of Assessment Appeals, she also co-chairs the Westport Democratic Town Committee’s outreach group.

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And — because these are the dog days of summer — “Westport … Naturally” presents:

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And finally … Happy 59th birthday to Tori Amos:

 

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