Kelly Spearen has always loved working with his hands.
During his years at Bedford Junior High and Staples High School, he spent time with carpenters. He was accepted to helicopter and airborne Ranger school. In 1975 he joined Westport Center Service, and as general manager built its automotive department from scratch.
In the 1980s he got into metalworking. His wrought-iron hardware pieces were bought by L.L. Bean and Stew Leonard’s.
Kelly then created bigger sculptures. A private customer bought his 22-foot Eiffel Tower. Another purchased a giant question mark. With the advent of Facebook, he found customers as far away as California and Germany.
“Marilyn,” by Kelly Spearen. (Photo/Jo Ann MIller)
Many of his works can be found in front and back yards all over Westport.
Kelly recently had neck surgery. His many friends and fans wish him a speedy recovery. (Hat tip: Carl Addison Swanson)
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La Plage is more popular than ever.
Now there are even more options to dine there.
The Longshore restaurant has expanded to 7 days a week. Lunch is served weekdays from noon to 2:30 p.m., with brunch on weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is weekdays from 4 to 10 p.m., weekends from 4 to 11 p.m.
On Mother’s Day (May 14, noon to 7 p.m.), chef Frederic Kleffer will offer a 3-course prix fixe menu, showcasing New England coastal cuisine. It’s $85 per person, $45 for young adults. Click here for reservations, or call 203-684-6232.
And don’t forget: The “Restaurants” tab at the top and side of the “06880” home page offers quick links to a variety of Westport restaurants.
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Driving around Westport, we see all kinds of regulars: the woman who rollerblades along Greens Farms Road without a helmet or pads, oblivious to traffic. The young guy on the Post Road, who pops wheelies on his bike.
They’ve been joined recently by this guy. He works out very intently on the sidewalks and crosswalks of downtown.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
If you haven’t seen him yet: Just wait. You will.
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Melissa Crouch Chang describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” image as “Something in my backyard in the cherry/plum family.”
Call it what you will … it’s gorgeous!
(Photo/Melissa Crouch Chang)
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And finally … believe it or not, tomorrow is International Louie Louie Day.
It honors one of the most famous/infamous songs in rock ‘n’ roll history (and is the birthday of composer Richard Berry).
As for the lyrics … well, you’re on your own.
(Here’s something everyone understands: “06880” relies on reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
See him nearly every day!
We see Nick at GG & Joe’s and not long afterward find him walking on the Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen bridge walking towards town again. I think he must have a twin. LOL. He says walking 15 miles a day helps relieve his back pain.
The woman who rollerblades on Greens Farms is a hazard to other traffic (cars, bikes, pedestrians) along with putting herself at risk. She seems to not care if you suggest being safer (even a patrol officer says she does not wish to respond). Unfortunately, she will cause an accident and no one will have a positive outcome.
The guy with the weights, my friend and I ran by him on a run and when we stopped at a stop light he said some really disturbing things. I don’t know if he was talking to himself or to us but it was bad.
The lady rollerblading on Greens Farms Road appears earnest and intrepid, if somewhat reckless. The gentleman power walking downtown appears to be working hard to get attention. I applaud their commitment to exercise, but I wish the lady would avoid peril and the gentleman avoid publicity!
Indeed, we have purchased five (5) sculptures from Master Spearen and would have more if arthritis had not slowed him down. We wish our VET, friend and neighbor the best of fast recoveries.
Keep Westport weird. Nice to see some unique unusual folks around town instead of the Stepford Wives and Tom Cruise wanna-bees.
What an odd thread. I know I’ve been seeing the rollerblader since I’ve lived here, which is twenty-seven years. I’ve never noticed her blading unsafely and, if she’s in the middle of the lane, it probably discourages people in cars from unsafely trying to squeeze past. But I have thought she’s taking her life in her hands, as bad as people drive around here.
Was inside CVS today and I heard some very loud music (boombox worthy) – it was Mr. Hand weights . Kinda rude, kinda weird. Whatever.