A couple of days ago, Compo’s South Beach was hit with an infestation of spotted lanternflies.
They were everywhere, by the thousands.
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department told a caller that they have sprayed.
Those lanternflies are ferocious.
In just a day or so, they’d already decimated some of the bark.
Look closely at the photo. The bark is already decimated.
(Hat tip and photos/Ken Schwartz)
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More environmental news: Though yesterday was gorgeous (and the last full day of summer), the near-full moon and high tide brought flooding at Quentin Road by Compo Beach Road.
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
An odd-looking scene, for sure.
But perhaps something that will soon be the new normal?
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Speaking (still) of the environment — as autumn has us thinking about trees and leaves — “06880” reader (and former federal attorney) Scooter Swanson cites Connecticut case law that finds “property owners have the right to trim branches or roots of a neighbor that encroaches onto their property up to the property line.”
There is no applicable state or local ordinance regarding such issue, he adds
Swanson notes that he is not licensed in Connecticut. “This is merely informative and not intended as legal advice,” he says.
Trees and property lines can become neighbor issues in Westport. (Photo/Roger Wolfe)
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The Levitt Pavilion’s summer series continued last night — the last full day of summer — with Tower of Power.
(Photo/Susan Garment)
Shows continue into the fall. One of the highlights: Westport native Brad Tursi — Old Dominion’s lead guitarist/vocalist — appears on October 12, with his own band. Click here for full Levitt details.
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Nearby, across the parking lot, yesterday’s StoryFest panels featured a couple of Westport-bred authors.
Caroline Wolff was part of the “Thriller!” event (photo below). Chris Knapp spoke on “Incorporating History: Past, Present and Future.”
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
StoryFest ’24 is dedicated to Sybil Steinberg, longtime Westport Library advocate, friend, and creator of “Sybil’s List” book recommendations.
State Representative Jonathan Steinberg remembered and honored his mother yesterday (photo below).
The largest literary festival in Connecticut ends today. Click here for a list of all that’s happening.
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With Halloween near, the Westport Country Playhouse presents “Ghost Stories and Legends” (October 10, 7 p.m.).
The event — part of the Barnstormer Series in the barn (under candlelight!) — is an evening of classic stories of the supernatural, with Broadway’s John Rapson.
He’ll present a special version of his solo show of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” along with other with other ghostly tales.
Rapson says, “I guarantee laughs, chills and thrills. Just try not to lose your head…”
Tickets are $20. To purchase, and for more information, click here.
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All women — and men — are invited to a special event, as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Authors Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola — a therapist and expert on coercive control — and divorce coach Amy Polacko will discuss their new book, “Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld.”
It’s set for October 8 (7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport).
“Framed” exposes how domestic abuse victims are treated in the legal system, using stories from women around the world.
The talk will focus on red flags to look for in relationships, what is coercive control, the crisis in family courts, and how to protect oneself.
The event is sponsored by the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force and Rock the Walls, a non-profit offering help to victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
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In the aftermath of Westport resident Tim Lewis’ death in July from pancreatic cancer — at 58, just a month shy of his 23rd wedding anniversary — his family and friends have set up a non-profit foundation.
They say: “While Tim’s life was shortened, his purpose and passion were always strong and his desire to help others defined much of his life.
“Tim balanced a demanding career with a tireless devotion to his family. He loved his wife and and kids deeply and actively. Tim was famous for coordinating play dates, soccer schedules, date night, violin and drum lessons, all while ordering fall clothing for the kids (to their chagrin) and making high-stakes work conference calls.
“He was a memory-making mastermind, relentless in his pursuit of family time through neighborhood walks, vacation hikes, and beach dinners. Even when it was just sitting at the kitchen table doing puzzles, being with family was the life experience Tim most valued.
“Our goal is to help other people and families struggling with the particularly challenging diagnosis of pancreatic cancer through research, clinical trials, and support.
Click here for details, and to donate.
Tim Lewis
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On Thursday, the Longshore Ladies Nine Hole Golfers held their annual charity event at Longshore.
The women once again chose the Westport Woman’s Club food closet as their beneficiary.
They collected 4 grocery carts of food donations, and nearly $1,000 in cash.
Golfers’ donations, at the Westport Woman’s Club.
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At another golf event last week, the inaugural “Shank it for Shea” golf event drew a great turnout to Birchwood Country Club.
Significant funds were raised to advance Long QT Syndrome research and improve treatment options for those affected — including Mark and Kira Greenfield’s daughter Shea.
The event builds on 2 previous fundraisers. Both were dance-oriented, and were called “Shake it for Shea.”
The Greenfields are onto something. They do great work — and they do it with smiles. Perhaps the next one may be for skateboarders: “Shred it for Shea.”
For more details on their “Hearts in Harmony” Foundation, click here.
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Despite spotted lanternflies and sunshine flooding (stories above), there continue to be beautiful scenes by the shore.
Matt Murray sends this gorgeous heron shot, for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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And finally … today is the first day of fall.
Plenty of Westporters think it’s the best season of the year. But it is so transient.
Enjoy every day of it!
(Fall, winter, spring, summer — “06880” is here for you. Please click this link, to support our 24/7/366 work. Thank you!)
That heron shot is JUST GORGEOUS!
I left Tim’s photo on my coffee table. We coached together. He cheered me on, he lent me his pool to throw a party for my neighboring kids going through a lot of family turmoil. I will leave Tim’s photo close by to remind me of his example, I will strive to live up to his legacy!
I found three Lantern Fly nymphs in my garden in early July. They were near and on the wild grape vine I had been nurturing. I was able to kill them, notify the state agency and notify my neighbors. I then pulled out the grape vine and disposed of it. I haven’t seen any since. I haven’t seen any Tree of Heaven in my immediate neighborhood, but there are wild grape vines. Lantern Flies particularly like Tree of Heaven and grape vines, in addition to many fruit and hard wood trees. If you have any Tree of Heaven or grape vines, please consider removing them – the devastation of the trees at the beach is frightening. We all need to do our part to keep them under control.
As we can see Dan this isn’t coming soon it’s already here.