Westport will be hoppin’ on Saturday.
In addition to the Sunrise Rotary Club’s Great Duck Race (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jesup Green; the race begins at 1), we’ll play host to the 59th annual jUNe Day.
300 guests — UN staffers and their families, from around the world — will spend the day here.
They’ll get breakfast and a gift at Jesup Green in the morning. There’s a brief welcoming ceremony. Then they’re free to take part in the Great Duck Race; shop downtown; join hosts for tennis, golf or swimming at Longshore; tour Earthplace and Wakeman Town Farm, and of course enjoy Compo Beach.
There’s also a soccer game (UN team vs. Westport Knights) at PJ Romano Field (11:30 a.m.).
Click here for details on jUNe Day.
FUN FACT: jUNe Day was a special project of Ruth Steinkraus Cohen, founder of the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut. Every year, flags of our UN guests and other countries flew on the Post Road bridge.
Now, the bridge from which those flags will fly is named in her honor.
Happy jUNe Day! (Photo/Jeff Simon)
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Jay Schadler is a veteran journalist, photographer and artist. He has traveled the world as a correspondent and anchor for ABC News, “20/20,” “Nightline,” “Good Morning America,” National Geographic TV, Bravo, Discovery and more.
Now he’s launching a new podcast at the Westport Library’s Verso Studios.
And he wants us to be a part of it.
“Turning Point with Jay Schadler” debuts later this year. It will focus on the life transitions — big and small, subtle and monumental — of Westporters of all stripes.
Each podcast will focus on a different story. Schadler will interview the guests.
Right now, he’s searching for great personal stories. He wants to hear about life transitions: a career change, new discovery, a challenge faced or a hurdle overcome.
The story can be ongoing — a struggle that continues. He’s looking for soaring triumphs and bitter disappointments. ents, most soaring triumphs, and more.
If interested, click here; scroll down, then fill out the form.
Jay Schadler
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Sunday worship at Compo Beach returns this Sunday (June 30, 8:30 a.m., near the cannons). Saugatuck Congregational Church will lead the service.
It continues every Sunday through August 18. Green’s Farms Congregational Church, the United Methodist Church of Westport-Weston and Norfield Congregational Church will rotate with Saugatuck as hosts each week.
All are welcome. A beach sticker is not necessary; tell the gate attendant that you’re there for the church service.
The dress code is casual; flip flops and nice shorts are fine. Bring your own beach chair!
Sunday morning worship, at Compo Beach.
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Yesterday’s Roundup reported that the Longshore lap pool had reopened.
Several readers reported it was closed.
We are told that sand got in the filter. Parks & Recreation Department guest services say it will be open today.
But it doesn’t hurt to call ahead: 203-341-5073.
The pool is one of Longshore’s most popular attractions.
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We’ve all heard horror stories about thefts from mailboxes.
But private ones are not the only ones victimized.
Bad guys steal checks from big blue US Postal Services boxes.
Even the one right outside the main post office.
So heed this sign:
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
Open the door. Take a few steps inside. (It’s open 24/7.)
Better to be safe than sorry.
Though it is astonishing that our world has come to this.
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It’s near the end of Pride Month. And Independence Day is just around the corner.
One home on North Avenue, near Long Lots Road, has both celebrations covered.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between June 19 and 26.
A 49-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal possession of a controlled substance (ecstasy), evading responsibility and following too closely, following a 7 p.m. hit-and-run accident at Greens Farms Road and Compo Road South.
A 47-year-old Leigh Acres, Florida woman was arrest for assault and criminal mischief, following a complaint of domestic violence. The complainant said that the woman, an ex-spouse was waiting for them on the street, then began assaulting them and throwing their cellphone on the ground.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5 citations
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 4
- Operating a motor vehicle while under suspension: 3
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
- Driving while texting: 2
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to grant right of way: 1
- Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
- Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Improper rear marker: 1
- Failure to appear: 1
Stop signs are there for a reason.
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Elizabeth Levitt Hirsch — the daughter of Levitt Pavilion benefactors Mortimer and Mimi Levitt, who spent summers in Westport, and served for a decade as head of the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, died in her Los Angeles home on May 26. She was 72, and suffered from ovarian cancer.
Liz studied music history at Scripps College. Following graduation in 1974 she was hired by Elektra/Asylum, Bearsville and ABC Records, where she worked with artists including Chaka Khan, Stephen Bishop and Tom Petty.
As a philanthropist she supported a wide range of nonprofits dedicated to music, the arts and social justice.
As president of the Levitt Foundation she championed its mission to strengthen the social fabric of communities and foster equity, diversity and inclusion, through free outdoor concerts attended by more than 800,000 people each year, in more than 50 cities across the US.
Liz also served on the boards of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Joffrey Ballet, Center Dance Arts, and My Friend’s Place.
In 2018, the Liberty Hill Foundation honored Liz with a lifetime achievement award alongside Congressman John Lewis. She gave a memorable speech about the power of music and performing arts in community-building. (
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, or to the Westport Levitt Pavilion. Click here for a full obituary. Hat tip: Adam Starr)
Liz Levitt Hirsch
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Today, a dragonfly makes its first appearance as as “Westport … Naturally” subject.
Today’s subject is — unlike most subjects in this series — much larger than life.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … speaking of the US Postal Service (story above):
(Sure, “06880” appreciates readers’ donations. But you don’t have to rely on the US mail. There’s Venmo, PayPal, Zelle too. Please click here for options. And thank you!)
Thanks for letting folks know about June Day this weekend. Our group (the United Nations Association of Southwestern CT) is expecting guests from 43 different countries. Come see the ceremony at 10:30 at Jesup Green. We’re doing a photo booth with a giant globe you carry on your shoulder. And something new this year is a small non-profit marketplace featuring Our Woven Community from Burroughs Community Center and Nuba Arts and the Westport Book Store. Each group serves people in need. So come to meet international visitors and stay for the Duck Race!
I called the Longshore pool yesterday evening to confirm it was open. I was told it was open yesterday but closed early because of thunder.
We were told that 3 feet around a mail truck was government property and you could be arrested for trespass should the carrier decide 😱
Stop signs are not a suggestion. Double yellow lines mean no passing. Driving on Greens Farms Road you stand a good chance of being passed just before the driver blows through the three way stop for the train station/post office. There are also spots where the speed is reduced to 20 mph because of blind curves. So many dangerous drivers all over town. Pay attention people! Your accident may also involve your family.
The US Postal Inspection Service, under which mail theft is theoretically dealt with, should be ashamed when they see handwritten signs such as this one. Oddly, none of the tips the USPIS provides for countering your mail’s theft involve not using blue collection boxes, nor not placing outgoing mail in your personal mailbox. Tampering with either of these is a felony under 18 U.S. Code § 1708. If you’re caught.
Odd as it seems, we take the dog for a walk and then mail from the Westport USPS office (as shown) nearly every night. Seeing the sign, I finally put a sign of my own: “If you don’t want us to use the mail box container, why don’t you remove it.” Greens Farms night box has a guard where nothing can get down or through it. BTW, I fell victim to theft from our mailbox and the FBI told me that USPIS is better than they are on such matters bit the USPS needs a total overall. From old trucks, to stolen mail to slow mail.