One of the joys of the holiday season is admiring the decorations on so many Westport homes and lawns.
“06880” is ready to honor them, in a special photo story.
Want to show off your home? Or your neighbor’s, or friend’s?
Nighttime or daytime views — all are welcome.
Please send a jpeg today to 06880blog@gmail.com. Be sure to include the location. Thank you!
Standing guard on Sylvan Road. (Photo/Karen Como)
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From the early days of the pandemic, Ellin Spadone’s watercolors have inspired “06880” readers.
For good reason: Ellin is a pro.
She has exhibited widely, in galleries and shows. Her work is enjoyed in private collections throughout the country (and one of her Easter eggs was part of the White House celebration). She specializes in gardens, landscapes and still lifes.
Now, Ellin has taken some of her most engaging works — all of them posted on “06880” — and collected them into a book.
Each piece in “Corona Bules: An Artist’s Visual Journey” includes a detailed description or comment, by Ellin.
For example, “And Miles to Go” notes:
The title is inspired by Robert Frost’s lovely poem, “Stoppy by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” We had come so far in the fight against Covid, but we still had many challenges ahead.
Not only was the loss of our loved ones profound — but due to hosptial restrictions many families were denied the comfort of last goodbyes.
No clasped hands, no last loving farewell.
Ellin published her book privately. If enough “06880” readers show interest, she will make it available to them. Email ecspadone@gmail.com to learn more.
“And Miles To Go” (Ellin Spadone)
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The VFW Post 399 dredging project continues, at the Saugatuck River marina behind the club. Deeper access will allow the VFW to expand its services.
The work is unrelated to the larger Saugatuck River dredging. After years of discussion, it’s still in the planning stages.
(Photo/Stacie Curran)
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Attention youth hockey players: Learn from local experts!
Varsity coaches and players from Staples High School’s boys and girls co-op teams will host 3 Sunday clinics this winter, at the Westport PAL Longshore rink.
Open to grades 4-8, the sessions will include skill drills and small games.
The dates are January 5, and February 2 and 16 (8 to 9 a.m.).
Full equipment is required. To register, email Staples boys coach Matt Bohn: mbohn@westportps.org.
Hockey at the Westport PAL Longshore rink. (Photo/Larry Untermeyer)
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When we hear “beach,” we don’t often think: trees.
But — as today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo shows, they are as important a part of Compo as the sand, Sound and sun.
(Photo/Mary-Beth Murray)
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And finally … with several of today’s stories being about water (in many forms), we present:
(From arts to sports — and all over Westport — “06880” is your hyper-local source for news, events, insights and much more. If you enjoy our 24/7/365 coverage, please click here to donate. Thanks!)
According to the town the hold up with the Saugatuck River dredging project is trying to find a place to dump the material that is dredged. Why can’t we dump it wherever the VFW material is going???
Unfortunately dredging – though plainly necessary in this case – isn’t something which could be considered environmentally friendly. Originally, the toxic dredging material from the Saugatuck River was going to be dumped in Sherwood Island State Park. However, it appears the optics of that were deemed problematic. Of course, there’s always Baron’s South. That’s the site of the football field size pile of dirty fill (asbestos, asphalt, rubber tires, concrete, plastic, steel, DDT breakdown components, etc.) that was illegally created by town officials a few years ago. Rather than taking responsibility for the dump and restoring that portion of the park, the town has doubled down and offered the contaminated site to the community gardeners. Apparently, no one in a position of leadership was troubled by the idea of residents growing food atop a documented toxic dump – and feeding it to their families. In that spirit, let’s add the PAH laced glop from the river and thus create more space for community gardening.
Beautiful Christmas lights at 50 Sylvan Road North indeed. Unfortunately, you will not see them next year as the owner has elected to subdivide the property with a builder who intends to put a large house in front of this one. Bah humbug!
It would seem fairly easy for Jen Tooker or our Operations Director to issue an update on the dredging of the Saugatuck River. Our U.S. Senators have, I think, addressed during the Biden Administration much of the cost with Federal Funds. The matter has been needing attention for probably more than 20 years. If there remain real problems, let’s learn of them and address them.