Several “06880” readers want to know: How did the American oystercatchers — whose nests are protected on Compo’s South Beach — fare during the fireworks?
Jess Esposito-Halka — coastal water bird technician with Audubon Connecticut — reports: “Overall, the event went well. Everyone we chatted with was happy to know we were there to monitor the birds, and most were respectful of keeping their distance from the fence line.
“A couple of drone issues were resolved as the evening went on. No birds were injured.
“The actual display was quite traumatic for the chick, who was left alone while the parents fled the area. But all was okay after the display’s finale, and the parents returned.
“I went back yesterday morning to check in. The parents and chick were resting along the lower fence line, likely exhausted from the late night.
“Six fish crows were causing some disturbance due to some trash inside the fenced area, I removed it this morning before I left.”
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Speaking of the environment: Nikola Freeman writes with a message about a very common invasive plant — the tree of heaven — and the very invasive spotted lanternflies that feed on it.
In his yard, and throughout his neighborhood, Nikola saw them everywhere.
“Now is a great time to take action,” Nikola says. “The flies are still small and grouped together.
“Spray the flies with vinegar to kill them off, and cut down as many of these weeds as possible whenever you see them. This helps take their food source away.”
Spotted lanternflies on tree of heaven, at Winslow Park last year. (Photo/Michael Mossman)
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Accessory dwelling units are now legal.
What to know more about these detached structures, which open Westport’s housing stock to residents looking to downsize, those who cannot afford to rent larger homes, and those who want to move into a smaller place on their own property, while renting out their larger home? (They’re also great for au pairs and nannies.)
A Westport Library program (July 10, 7 p.m.) features Sheri Koones in conversation with Danielle Dobin, former Planning & Zoning Commission chair.
Koones’ book, “ADUs: The Perfect Housing Solution,” profiles 25 attractive, well-designed and energy efficient ADUs across North America.
Click here for more information.
Accessory dwelling unit, on Greens Farms Road.
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Sunday morning will be a quiet time at Compo Beach — especially compared to Tuesday’s fireworks, and today’s (dependent on the weather) holiday crowd.
But it’s the perfect spot for the summer 8:30 a.m. community worship service. This week’s host is the United Methodist church of Westport and Weston, led by Rev. Heather Sinclair.
Pivot Ministries — a faith-based residential treatment program in Bridgeport and Norwalk — will provide inspiring music and testimonies. An offering will be collected to support their ministry.
Services run every Sunday through August 18, each week hosted by one of four churches: Green’s Farms Congregational, Norfield Congregational, Saugatuck Congregational Church and UMC.
A beach pass is not needed; tell the gate attendant you are there for worship. Bring a beach chair. Dress is casual. All are welcome.
Rev. Heather Sinclair leads a Sunday beach service last year.
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Speaking of Compo Beach: By yesterday morning — just hours after the last blast — Parks & Recreation crews had cleaned every pizza box, flip-flop, tent and table left behind.
It’s a remarkable transformation. And it meant that couples like this one could go back to enjoying the sun and sand, without sharing their space with 10,000 other people.
(Photo/Pam Kesselman)
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Google says there are 42,998 Subway locations worldwide.
It would have been just 1 shy of 43,000, but the Westport location closed a couple of years ago. (It’s now Savvy Smoker. Go figure.)
But there’s one fewer Subway on that list. The Southport location, a few yards over the border — where Westport teenagers and others craving a turkey, tuna or other have had to go — closed Monday.
The nearest one now is on Route 1 in Norwalk, near Marshalls, Truly Greek and the Staples office supply store.
Southport Subway. (Hat tip and photo/Seth Schachter)
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Jolantha — Weston’s favorite pig — celebrates today. Looking red, white and cute!
(Photo/Hans Wilhelm)
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Photographer Julie O’Connor is the Westport Book Shop exhibitor for July. A reception is set for July 17 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
Julie O’Connor
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Ruth Hartmann Kaufman — a longtime Westport resident, and former Staples High School teacher — died last month. She was 93.
The Passau, Germany native arrived with her family in June 1938 through Ellis Island. She lived in Troy and Albany, New York from 1938 until 1948, when she received a scholarship to Cornell University.
After graduating she married Arthur Kaufman. They were together for 77 years ,and married for 72.
Ruth earned a master’s degree from New York University in 1970. That year she began teaching new and somewhat controversial courses at Staples High School: Values Clarification, Family Relations, and Human Sexuality.
She continued teaching for more than 2 decades at Staples with her mentor and friend, Robert Selverstone.
Her family calls Ruth “a good teacher, listener and friend to hundreds of young students as they flourished in their lives, relationships, ambitions and personal development.”
After teaching at Staples she became a travel agent. She explored the world with her husband, visiting cities, forests and countries on every continent.
She enjoyed tennis, rollerblading, skiing, hiking and baking desserts. Ruth and Arthur moved to Seattle in 2000, joining their daughter and grandchildren for another 25 years of hiking in the Pacific Northwest.
Ruth was grateful for the beauty of Westport all her life and spoke warmly of her many friends, the town’s beautiful beaches, and her family’s homes on West Ambler Road, High Point Road, and Covlee Drive.
Ruth is survived by her husband; their children Kenneth, Ronald, Douglas, Theodore and Catherine, and 18 grandchildren. Ruth’s family can be reached by email: Ron@RonKaufman.com.
Ruth Kaufman
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It’s Fresh Market osprey time again at “Westport … Naturally.”
Nearly every photo we’ve run has shown a color close-up of the magnificent raptors.
This one is different.
But still majestic.
(Photo/William Weiss)
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And finally … in honor of the upcoming forum on accessory dwelling units (story above):
Bonus local connection: The animation above was created by Westport’s own Jeff Scher.
(Our blog is a very, very, very fine blog. To help keep it going, please donate by clicking here. Thank you!)
As a public service announcement, for those on the east side of Westport craving a Subway sub, there is one in Fairfield at 1996 Post Road between Fairfield Florist and School of Rock and two buildings past Geronimo. Plenty of parking around back. Haven’t been in years but pretty sure it is still there.
Is the beach available for religious services free to the organizing organization? Anyone may enter by saying they are attending the service, but what is the policy for admitting a religious organization for getting a permit? Is there a limit to how many cars may enter the beach for the services? What is the charge to the religious organization when all other non-residents must purchase a beach pass?
WTF? The houses aren’t big enough here in Westport without adding an ADU to your backyard. I would think there might be “coverage” issues with any construction but then again, P&Z looks the other way on most issues.
Hi Dan. Nikola is my wife, aka Niki! She’s out fighting the good fight trying to get rid of trees of heaven and their lantern fly nests. That’s a fine photo of lantern flies in Winslow Park but without one of her photos of a tree of heaven, it’s hard to get the point across – everyone should try to remove these weed trees when they see them. That will go far to help reduce the number of lantern flies! But thanks for posting – every bit helps. Happy 4th!