For decades, Oscar’s was a fixture on Main Street.
When Lee Papageorge died in 2016, Westporters mourned the loss of a friend — and a great deli owner.
A year later, there was excitement when Rye Ridge Deli opened in that space.
Now, it’s changed hands.
Rye Ridge’s Westport location was sold to new owners in February. They have operated since, with a 4-month agreement to use the Rye Ridge name.
That’s ended. The new name is 159 Main.
Rye Ridge’s 2 other locations — in Stamford and Rye Brook, New York — remain open under that name.
(Photo/Steven Goldstein)
We hope the new owners will keep the mural on the back wall. Dating back to the 1980s, it shows a group of Oscar’s regulars — and Lee Papageorge.
A Rye Ridge waiter looks at Lee Papageorge, longtime Oscar’s owner. The mural was restored by Rye Ridge Deli. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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Henry Wynne continues to run toward the Olympics.
The 2013 Staples High School, 2017 University of Virginia graduate, and holder of many Connecticut and collegiate running records, finished third in the semi-final heat of the 1500 meters at the Olympic trials yesterday, at the University of Oregon. He ran a season-best 3:34.40.
That qualifies him for tomorrow’s (Monday) finals (8:47 p.m. EDT; NBC and Peacock) — and a spot on the US track team that will compete at the Olympics next month in Paris.
Also yesterday, another Westport athlete fell just short of her Olympic goals.
Annam Olasewere competed in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle trials in Indianapolis, and reached the semifinal of the former.
She’s got a fantastic future. A rising senior at Staples, who competes year-round for Chelsea Piers Athletic Club, she’s already committed to Stanford University for the 2025-26 school year.
Next stop: the 2028 Olympics, just down the California coast, in Los Angeles.
Annam Olasewere
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Compo Beach residents are used to drivers speeding down Bradley Street, and blowing past the stop sign at Danbury Avenue.
But they were stunned today as a car driven by a teenage boy, with another teen as his passenger, raced along Compo Road South, roared onto Bradley without stopping, then passed several vehicles in the other lane on its way to the beach.
Without stopping at Danbury Avenue, it turned left onto Compo Beach Road, slammed against a car driving past, drove off and continued into the beach.
The car that was hit …
The young driver was apprehended quickly. No one seemed injured.
But if anyone had been walking or biking on Bradley or Compo Beach Road, it could have been much, much worse.
Be careful out there — everyone!
… and the vehicle that hit it. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of the beach, here’s a new trend: Cars parking on the Hillspoint Road bridge over I-95.
Of the 6 cars in this photo, 4 are from out of state.
At first, it seems odd.
But apparently it’s the new way to avoid paying the daily out-of-town rate at Compo.
Signs warn that vehicles parked on Hillspoint between Schlaet’s Point and Old Mill, and at Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve, must have beach stickers.
There are no such signs this far north.
So folks park on the bridge, and hoof it to the beach.
On the one hand, it’s great that Compo is so attractive to out-of-towners.
And they should probably be applauded for creativity.
On the other hand …
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And speaking of dangerous behaviors (see above), Rob Jackson writes:
“I live in Saugatuck Shores, and drive to and from downtown on Route 136.
“With the onset of warmer weather, the electric scooter parade begins. There are some adults, but the majority are young teenagers.
“There is no bike lane, so these kids ride in the narrow strip between the traffic and the grass. It’s terrifying to see these young people, sans helmets, at times with headphones or earbuds, speeding along at 15-20 mph with cars, trucks, etc. blowing past a foot or two away. (The 35 mph speed limit seems to be only a suggestion)
“No helmets is downright lunacy. But the small diameter tires on these scooters (as opposed to a much larger bicycle tire) are an invitation for the first small rock to send the riding flying, possibly into a passing vehicle.
“I invite any parent to come watch their child navigate this roadway on their electric scooter. This isn’t Compo Beach or Saugatuck Island. It is a disaster in the making.”
Fun … until it isn’t.
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The Westport Weston Family YMCA marked its 100th annual meeting last week with a number of awards.
Honorees included Diane Dubovy Benke (Lee J. Edelstein Volunteer of the Year0; Robin Tauck (Legacy & Impact Award), and Kate Murray and Andrew Berkowitz (Youths of he Year).
Employee Recognition Awards went to James Leask, maintenance technician (Above & Beyond); Victoria Walters, lifeguard and swim instructor (Commitment to Mission); Alejandro Flores, maintenance technician (Relationship Champion), and Tina Turechek, digital marking manager (Rookie of the Year).
Robin Tauck (right) with Westport Y CEO Anjali McCormick.
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The Westport Library will be buzzing this afternoon.
The Hive — Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito’s new community-building project — brings an intriguing music-making event to the Trefz Forum stage (today, Sunday, 2 p.m.).
It’s called a “LID Session.” The acronym stands for “Lay It Down.”
Chiu — a world-renowned pianist, who lived for many years in Westport — has always been fascinated by the way pianos connects people of diverse ages, backgrounds and experiences.
He has invited local people to take a chance, and “Lay It Down” for an audience of fellow community members. The 6 who will perform range in age from 12 to 94.
“The playing doesn’t have to be perfect, and the audience doesn’t need to know how to play,” Chiu says.
“The shared experience creates connection for everyone.
Chiu will kick things by playing a short piece. Six guest pianists then take their turn on the Library’s special Yamaha Disklavier, which captures the performance for posterity.
To close, Chiu will lead a community conversation. (For more information, click here.)
Frederic Chiu, at the Westport Library.
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A good crowd headed to the Westport Observatory yesterday, for the start of ARRL Field Day.
The Westport Astronomical Society hosted the local meeting of a nationwide ham radio event.
Attendees young and old heard from ham operators, and got on the air themselves.
ARRL Field Day continues today (Sunday) through 8 p.m. at the observatory on 182 Bayberry Lane. For more information, click here.
Coleytown Middle School student Dylan Rosen learns about ham radio yesterday from Larry Reed (AB1JC), at the Westport Observatory. Dylan contacted a ham operator in Iowa — and the hams in Westport stopped to applaud. PS: Check out Dylan’s shirt!
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Sure, “Westport … Naturally” featured a turtle the other day.
But this shot — taken yesterday morning, at the Longshore stone wall on Compo Road South — is stop-the-presses-worthy.
Quite an interesting looking character. Worth waiting for, even if he does take his time walking the golf course.
(Photo/Peter Armstrong)
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And finally … on this date in 1713, French residents of Acadia were given one year to declare allegiance to Britain or leave Nova Scotia.
They did not pledge their allegiance. The result: a vibrant Cajun culture in Louisiana.
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