Roundup: Riko’s, Ducklings, Pools …

For decades, The Arrow was Westport’s go-to Italian restaurant.

Then — in shorter order — it became an Asian fusion eatery (Jasmine), a bar with music (Blu Parrot), and a food shop (Mystic Market).

Soon, it heads back to its roots.

Riko’s is the new tenant, on Charles Street near Saugatuck Avenue.

Featuring thin crust pies, including hot oil (think Colony Grille) and more, they’ve got 10 locations already, in Connecticut, Long Island, Massachusetts and Florida.

Area residents who know their Fairfield, Norwalk, Darien and Stamford restaurants rave about it.

Riko’s will be opening soon in Burlington, Vermont; Carolina Beach, North Carolina; and South Beach, Miami.

But the one in Saugatuck excites “06880” the most.

Coming soon. (Hat tip and photo/Dan Vener)

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Much of yesterday’s downtown action took place on Main Street, at the Fine Arts Festival.

But there was excitement on the other side of the Post Road too.

A mother duck had been sitting on her eggs, right there in the Tiffany flower box.

(Photo/Jamie Klein)

Passersby noticed, gawked, but gave her the privacy she needed.

Then, nearly a dozen ducklings hatched.

All of them — with Mom in the lead — got a police escort to the Saugatuck River.

(Photo/Lauren Siegert)

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Charlie Tirreno writes: “It’s nice to remember Nancy Coley on Memorial Day.

“She was in the Women’s Auxiliary of the VFW, and very involved creating the VFW float for many years.

“She used to hang a gigantic American flag over her lawn, and invite all the neighborhood for a cookout.

“People may also want to say their goodbyes to the Coley-Crossman house on Imperial Avenue, as it has a demolition notice on it.

“Her house is by the start of the parade route, at Saugatuck Elementary School. It’s 125 Riverside Avenue.”

The Coley-Crossman House at 125 Riverside Avenue, with a demolition notice. (Photo/Charlie Tirreno)

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While many Westporters enjoyed Compo Beach yesterday, Drew Angus headed west.

The singer/songwriter (and 2007 Staples High School graduate) opened for Mumford & Sons at the Greenwich Town Party.

The event was funded by Ray Dalio — who, as the founder of Bridgewater Associates, spent plenty of time in Westport — and other Greenwich residents.

But you didn’t have to brave I-95 yesterday to see Drew. He’s one of the featured musicians at Westport’s first-ever Soundview Summer Stroll.

Mark your calendars! It’s Sunday, July 28 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Soundview Drive — the beach exit road — will be closed to traffic. Besides music, there will be a photo booth, kids’ activities, food, and a great community vibe.

The Soundview Summer Stroll is co-sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association.

We — and Drew — will see you there!

Drew Angus (Hat tip and photo/Andrew Colabella)

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As the documentary “Below Surface” showed, AquaFit is much more than a pool fitness class.

The Westport Weston Family YMCA program is a true community. Members exercise together, form strong bonds, support each other — and support worthwhile causes too.

Yesterday morning, Sgt. Eduardo Hernandez — with 19 years of active duty in the US Army — addressed Patty Kondub’s class.

He thanked the AquaFitters, and VFW Post 399 Auxiliary — for their support.

Sgt. Eduardo Hernandez, on the pool deck with AquaFit instructors Patty Kondub and Joan Evon, and their Sunday class.

The Y has a collection box for energy bars, Gatorade, electrolytes blocks, beef jerky and water through June. It will be send to US Army Reserve Unit 411 Civil Affairs Battalion for their training at Fort Dix. Sgt. Hernandez commands the unit.

Donations can also be dropped off at, or sent to, VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, 465 Riverside Avenue through June.

During yesterday’s class, Ariel Levy (right, with her mother Doree) held up Patty Kondub’s signs, encouraging the AquaFitters.

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Uh oh.

The large Longshore pool was supposed to open yesterday. However, there is an issue with the filter that could require major repairs.

The goal is to have it fixed by June 24, when pool hours expand and lessons begin.

The other 2 small pools, for little kids, are open. (Hat tip: Michael Catarevas)

Michael Catarevas — shown here in 2021 — reports that the Longshore pool is closed. (Photo/Patrick Haggerty)

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If you missed the first showing of Homes with Hope’s 40th anniversary documentary: Don’t miss the next one.

It’s Sunday, June 9 (2 to 3:30 p.m., Christ & Holy Trinity Church’s Branson Hall).

The free event showcases the non-profit’s 4 decades of housing the homeless, feeding the hungry, and offering hope to neighbors whose lives are not as fortunate as others’.

Former Westporter Livio Sanchez’s documentary film uses interviews and archival material (including long-ago video), to trace Homes with Hope’s history, from a controversial concept (with plenty of NIMBY and it’s-not-our-problem opposition), through its move from a drafty firehouse to an old maintenance shed on Jesup Road (now the Gillespie Center), and its current array of multi-pronged programs.

Jim Gillespie’s family will be honored at the showing. He played a major role in the founding and development of the Interfaith Housing Association, the original iteration of Homes with Hope.

The Gillespie Center was named in his honor Dr. Gillespie, a clinical psychologist, was killed when struck by a car in France in 1988.

The Gillespie Center. Dr. Gillespie’s family will be on hand June 9, for the showing of a documentary on Homes with Hope’s first 40 years.

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Molly Alger does not want to be the skunk at today’s (Memorial Day) party.

But she — and many other Westporters — have noticed that the wood pile at the corner of Post Road East and Roseville Road continues to grow larger.

And more unsteady.

The once-neat piles are looking less orderly.

It’s tough enough navigating that stretch of Route 1, with all the construction. Now drivers have to creep past with one eye on the right side, hoping the logs won’t suddenly crash onto the road.

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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Every Artists Collective of Westport’s pop-up show is different. But the receptions are always the same: energetic, educational and fun.

The next one is June 11 (6 to 8 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse barn).

In addition to a wide array of great art, there’s food and entertainment (Chris Coogan on piano).

The exhibit then runs from June 12 to 15 (1 to 5 p.m). It ends with an artists’ talk June 15 (4 p.m.).

Featured artists include Robin Babbin, Lynn Carlson, Cris Dam. Laure Dunne, Carla Goldbert, Kathryn Gray, Jen Greely, Paul Larson, Nancy Moore, Tina Puckett, Ellen Schiffman and Tammy Winser.

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Speaking of art: Westport Collective member Janine White has a solo show now through July 11, at Silvermine Galleries in New Canaan. A reception is set for June 8 (5:30 p.m)..

Her work “harnesses home economics through kitchen chemistry and crafting, to critique ideas of domesticity.” Brown cooks all-natural bioplastics from ingredients found in a pantry, making material out of it, then crochets the pieces together.

Click here to learn more, and see examples of her work.

Janine Brown’s work.

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Johanna Keyser Rossi describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo:

“This monarch butterfly hitched a ride in a man’s car.

“It landed on his shoulder and stayed there, as he went inside the Y.

“A worker gave it some sugar water. It seemed weak, or just needed a rest, she said.

“It stayed inside the Y for over an hour. The worker brought it outside and put it on a bush, hoping it was ready to fly away.”

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … Richard Sherman died yesterday in Beverly Hills. He was 95.

You may not recognize the Oscar and Grammy Award winner.

But you sure know the songs he wrote. Click here for a full obituary.

(You know what would be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? If you’d click here to support “06880.” Mary Poppins, and your hyper-local blog, thank you.)