Yesterday’s brief but heavy rain inspired several “06880” photographers.
Here’s what they saw:
Clouds roll in over Compo’s South Beach (Photo/Eileen Lavigne Flug)
Rain over Sherwood Mill Pond … (Photo/Matt Murray)
… and Longshore. (Photo/Tanya Sprague LaClair)
Rainbow at the YMCA … (Photo/Hana Jones)
… and at Wakeman Field. (Photo/Luca Caniato)
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Last night’s rain also forced the cancellation of the Levitt Pavilion’s headline act, Theo Kandell. It’s been rescheduled for Saturday, August 5.
But to show his appreciation for everyone who stayed despite the downpour, he serenaded them with 3 acoustic songs on the upper terrace.
The opening act — Staples High School graduate Michael Cantor and his band — was delayed. But they eventually played, to great applause.
Theo Kandell’s “private” set on the Levitt terrace. (Photo and hat tip/ Matthew Mandell)
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The Westport Community Gardens near Long Lots Elementary School is 20 years old.
The town’s arts heritage stretches back 100 years.
On Saturday, August 5 (all day: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), the Gardens celebrate that arts legacy.
“Art in the Garden” is a day of enjoying the natural beauty of the Gardens — and a chance for everyone to make art, or take photos, there.
The event is a collaboration with the Artists Collective of Westport.
Children are welcome. For more information on the Westport Community Gardens, click here.
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Every year the Westport Police Department, in conjunction with the Public Works Department and Aspetuck Health District, conducts a safety inspection of garbage and septic vehicles that do business in town.
This week, it took place at the Imperial Avenue parking lot. Approximately 70 trucks passed the inspection, allowing them to use town facilities.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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A few hours ago — at 2 a.m., to be exact — Westporter John Sharian began running the Pemi Loop in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
His goal is to raise awareness of — and donations for — Frontline Healing Foundation. The non-profit supports the unmet addiction and PTSD needs of servicemembers.
The 30-mile loop includes 10,000 feet of vertical elevation.
This is not part of a large event. It’s Sharian’s solo desire to highlight the foundation’s work, and the many people they heal.
His goal is $10,000. Click here now — as he’s in the mountains — to help.
PS: This is not Sharian’s first rodeo (or run). Last year he completed the Presidential Peaks solo.
John Sharian
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Businessman/private equity manager/former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry is a longtime Beachside Avenue resident.
He did not get to be a billionaire by passing up investment opportunties.
In 2021 he paid $17.5 million for a 20-acre property — with a century-old home, boathouse, pool and pool house, tennis court and more, just around the corner in Fairfield. Like his Westport property, it’s right on the water.
The property had been abandoned. Taxes were nearly $600,000 a year. (“Could you imagine?” Lasry said.)
So — to preserve its history, and keep it from condominium-minded developers — he subdivided it into 7 plots. He built a private road, and remodeled the main house. It’s 18,000 square feet, with a 6-car garage.
It just sold for $9.375 million, to a trust related to actor Jensen Ackles (“Supernatural”).
The 1923 Tudor boathouse, meanwhile, sold for $8 million.
Lasry’s daughter Emma spent $5 million for a vacant parcel. Four more parcels remain, listed at $4.5 million to $7.5 million.
That info, and more — including the history of the previously abandoned multi-million-dollar house, and photos of the renovation — are part of a Wall Street Journal story. Click here to read it. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
Marc Lasry’s 20-acre Fairfield property, with its main house (left-center) and boathouse. (Photo/Borgatta for Wall Street Journal)
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Bridgeport’s Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater has become one of the most popular music venues in the state.
Just this year it’s hosted the Beach Boys, Temptations, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, the Four Tops, Rod Stewart, Jackson Browne, Santana and more.
On August 3 (7 p.m., Westport Library), Howard Saffan — owner, developer and president — offers an insider’s look at the entertainment facility.
He’ll describe how he converted a traditional stadium into a noted amphitheater, and a performance home to superstars.
Wine and cheese will be served. The event is sponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston.
An audience Q-and-A will follow Saffan’s presentation. Here’s my question: “Is it difficult to market a performance space in Bridgeport that has ‘Hartford’ in its name?”
The Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater (in Bridgeport).
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After interviewing 9 candidates, the Democratic Town Committee has recommended Jeff Hammer to complete the Board of Finance position being vacated by Nancie Dupier. The long-time member is moving out of town.
Hammer is also recommended to run with Danielle Dobin this fall, for the BOF.
Hammer has spent 35 years in finance He has spent the past 4 1/2 years on Westport’s Pension Investment Committee.
The full DTC will vote on the recommendation next Monday (7:30 p.m., Zoom; click here for the link). Registered Democrats may nominate other candidates from the floor.
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Jerry Kuyper spotted — and photographed — today’s “06880” subject in the back yard of his Rayfield Road home.
Recent rains have “created a good environment for growth,” he notes.
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
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Judge Kevin O’Grady, formerly of Westport and Weston, died peacefully at the Jewish Senior Services facility in Bridgeport, after a long illness. Surrounded by his family, he was 76.
Kevin grew up in Manhattan and Westport, including summers at Old Mill Beach. He graduated from Fairfield Prep as a Merit Scholarship finalist. After graduating from Southampton College he spent 4 years traveling the world in the Merchant Marines. He then continued his education, graduating cum laude from Boston University School of Law.
He shared an office with Tony Slez in Westport, where he practiced for many years. In 1999 Kevin was elected probate judge for Westport and Weston. He served for most of 4 terms, until his retirement in 2013.
His family said he was “treasured for his humor, warmth and answers on all questions about plants, cars, home improvement and the law.’
Kevin is survived by his son Sean (Heather) and their children Molly and Dylan O’Grady of Northford, Connecticut; son TJ (Jenny) and their children Max and Isaac of Lutherville, Maryland; brothers Terence (Jenny) of Sandy Hook, and Martin (Julie) of Westport; nephews Terence O’Grady (Nancy) of Sandy Hook, John O’Grady (Christine) of Sandy Hook; Robert O’Grady (Natalia) of Vero Beach, Florida; niece Katherine Stromsky (Joseph) of Sandy Hook; niece Tara O’Grady of Jensen Beach, Florida; nephew Liam O’Grady of Westport; first wife Maureen; ex-wife Helen Fischer; stepdaughters Alison (Tobin), Nina (Liz) and Lauren (Katie) Lebwohl; grandchildren Levi, Josie, Theo and George of Madison, Wisconsin. as well as many great and great great nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his psister-in-law Jennifer (Skemp) O’Grady of Sandy Hook; cousin Mary Agatha (O’Grady) and her husband Patrick Savage of Toronto; and Father Martin O’Grady of Kinvara, Ireland.
Kevin will be buried along with other family at Assumption Cemetery in Westport. Friends and family may call at the Harding Funeral Home August 3 (4 to 8 p.m.) A funeral <ass will be held at Assumption Church on August 4 (10 a.m.), with a graveside service at 11:15 a.m. The family requests that donations in his memory be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation.
Judge Kevin O’Grady
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And finally … in honor of Jerry Kuyper’s photo (above):
(Feed your head! And feed “06880”! Please click here to contribute. Thank you.)
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Thanks for remembering Kevin and our Westport Community Gardens! So much listed today!!!!
Mushroom is Berkeley’s Polypore
Not Hen in the woods?
For those of us who knew Kevin he was a true Westport spirit. So reminiscent of what we had before our unprecedented growth. My condolences to the O’Grady family they have a lot to be proud of. May he rest in Peace.
Super guy and damn good judge. Handled two probates for me which were dicey and complicated.
The Riegel family built up the property in Fairfield in the 1920s. My grandfather who grew up in the area said that when their daughter got married there in the 1920s that the entertainment was Rudy Vallee which I guess was a big deal at the time.
not following how subdividing prevents condos? also that property is linked to a past lehman brothers exec.