As the first snowstorm in a couple of years headed to Westport yesterday, residents took to the grocery stores as if preparing for the Blizzard of ’88, Hurricane Katrina and The End of the World As We Know It, simultaneously.
This was the scene at Trader Joe’s:
If you survived this meteorological disaster, click “Comments” below.
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Speaking of snow: Jerry Kuyper calls this “the joy of the first 90 seconds of shoveling”:
(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)
And this was the scene on the Sherwood Island Connector, before plowing:
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
Here’s Cross Highway:
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
Snow showers and flurries are predicted through 1 p.m. today.
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In the wake of yesterday’s story about unleased dogs at Winslow Park, an alert “06880” reader writes about another favorite spot:
“On a walk through Longshore this morning, I encountered no less than half a dozen cases of dog owners leaving their pet’s droppings in little plastic bags, some prominently decorating the posts supporting the wooden roadside guard-rails. Quite pleasant.
After viewing 4 or 5 such transgressions, I came across this egregious scene. One or more selfish and inconsiderate dog owners designated this intersection as their official dog-doo drop off place.
In addition the half dozen doo bags I witnessed, I saw 3 or 4 unbagged transgressions along the way.
Winslow Park has long since gone to the dogs, and Compo Beach is a doggie domain for most of the spring, fall and winter.
We know that dogs are forbidden from the Longshore golf course at all times, so why not make Longshore a dog-free zone entirely?
The dog-culture aesthetic pictured above represents a strong argument for reserving Longshore as strictly human-friendly haven.
We should also consider the possibility of carving out a portion of Winslow Park as a “human only,” zone because is not a very welcome place for us non-dog-owning taxpayers!
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A couple of days before Snowmageddon, Les Dinkin captured this Compo Beach view, for our “Westport … Naturally” feature:
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
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And finally … in 1955, Marian Anderson becomes the first Black artist to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, in Giuseppe Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera.”
A decade and a half earlier, the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing to an integrated audience in Constitution Hall. Thanks to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson performed on Easter Sunday on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, before an integrated crowd of more than 75,000. Millions more listened by radio.
(What to do on a snowy day? Help support “06880.” Just click here — and thank you!)
Please let us not “pile on” , you should excuse the expression, against our beloved 4 legged companions. I, for one, greatly miss seeing our pups frolic in the sound during the summer. I wish we would reconsider our no dog policy altogether , and adopt the federal policy on national seashore . Dogs are permitted until 9 AM and at dusk daily , so they can romp early and late without disturbing humans . A few plastic bags is not a big deal. Yes, people should be considerate . So how about we place a few more garbage bins in the park to make it easier for everyone. As far as the original post , about safety , I think it would be wise to corral an area for small dogs to play off leash . New Canaan has that now . Let’s enjoy the snow for the brief time it is here and count our blessings . I’ll go back to snuggling now with Shaina & Yofi. They’re going to have so much fun today, jumping in the snow . They blend . Love, Lisa
I love dogs as much as the next person.. I have always had one but your idea of dogs being allowed during the beach season is unacceptable. The first thing all these dogs do when they are let loose is pee or deficate. You don’t pickup pee and many owners are so busy talking to others they don’t see their dog crapping.. so that’s left there! I see this everyday! Sorry I don’t want to put my blanket or have my kids run around in your dogs urine or worse.
what happened to backyards?
One of the biggest issues regarding full dog dropping’s plastic bags is the dearth of rubbish cans, especially at Winslow Park. There are only two cans available adjacent to the parking lot . Two cans for the entire park. Rediculous. I’ve heard the issue is access. Nonsense. I’ve observed trucks at the bottom of the meadow at the far side of the park and there is a paved walkway going up the hill towards that meadow area. There are available excess trash cans available all year at Longshore Park rubbish dumping area so that’s not an issue. I’d bet that the more cans available the fewer randomly tossed full dog bags.
Driving in and out of Longshore daily it is not uncommon to see dogs being walked on the golf course grass. The signs leading in are obvious but these entitled dog owners don’t think it applies to them. One person ( who I know lives in one of the course houses walks their dogs down the middle of fairways. Why doesn’t code enforcement ticket these scofflaws. It’s the only thing these folks understand. Golf rangers ride around all day during the season and need to report these violations.
The problem is not dogs. It’s HUMANS. We could have a TV series, “The Entitled Humans of Westport.” Dogs should be off leash ONLY IF they respond appropriately to voice commands, and never if they have a pattern of aggressive behavior. Humans need to carry the poop bag until they get to an appropriate trash receptacle. This is pretty easy human behavior . It is beyond comprehension why some don’t get it.
There is a concept for protecting our wilderness. The motto is, “Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.” There is, also, the concept of carry in, carry out. Either can apply to protecting and caring for Westport’s amazing assets. Do we really need more trash cans that need to be collected or can we all be responsible stewards and take our trash home and dispose of it in our own bins. Think about it. Happy New Year!
Pat Porio
We lived at 1 River Oaks Rd corner of Sherwood Island and Greens Farms. That light brings back my Staples and Downshifters days
Yes, I agree the problem lies more with the dog owners that the pets themselves. I cannot say how many times I am walking near the beach when a dirty-pawed pup jumps up onto my leg and it’s owner smiles as if to say, Oh, my incorrigible little baby. The same parent would not let their toddler climb into my lap and drool on me.
I think it’s fine to have one section of Compo for the dogs. It’s fun to watch them fetching balls in the water. But Winslow Park should be similarly divided so at least some of it remains for us humans. A nice walking path, perhaps? A (clean and pet-free) patch of grass where we can spread a blanket under a tree and let small children play? Some benches where we can sit without muddy paws resting on our knees? The park is big, a prime spot in downtown Westport. There is plenty of room for both a dog and a dog-free area.
It is almost as bad as the owners that say they have an emotional support dog, which is not the same as a service dog. The latter has legal support, the other does not.
I won’t get started on those that driver of a car/truck/SUV with Fido on their lap. It is dangerous to the dog and the owner.
A decade or so ago, a driver was killed one someone traveling the opposite direction on Greens Farms, had their dog in their lap and the drive crossed over the yellow lines resulting in a fatal accident.
I own two dogs and I won’t bring them to Winslow. It’s fetid and I don’t want to get into confrontations every time I go. The beach is another story.
No comment on the Trader Joe’s apocalypse line ?
Lol
Wait. So I live near Longshore and both my dog and myself need exercise, once around, on the paved road portion. During the winter, we walk along the outskirts of the longshore, mostly paved paths or edges. Not over putting greens or manicured sections. Is that ok during off season? We take out bagged poop with us (if it happens.) Our backyard is usually the target.
Please do not make that a dog free zone entirely.