Just a few days after Passover, the Israeli flag that hung outside Mark Scheck’s house was torn down .
All that remains of the flag.
Mark says 2 new flags will go back up. Along with a security camera.
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Another day, another rescue by Peter Reid.
Julie Loparo sends this latest story, about Westport’s animal control officer:
“At a time when local wildlife are dealing with the effect of habitat destruction due to rampant and unchecked clear cutting of trees and demolition of green space, it is not surprising that our wildlife mothers need to think outside of the box for safe lodging.
“Last week Peter (who wears another hat as intake director for Wildlife in Crisis) received a call from a resident. She calmly said there was an opossum residing in her home.
“Officer Reid responded quickly. He found the opossum — a mother with a full pouch of babies — taking a respite in the home owner’s cat tree.
“Officer Reid safely and humanely moved entire cat tree outside, and placed water and opossum nutrition near it.
“By the next morning, the mother opossum had found a new — hopefully safe — spot for shelter.
“We thank the local resident for not panicking, and instead of calling a ‘pest control’ service, contacting Animal Control Officer Reid. We also thank him too, for once again providing another wildlife rescue.
“Of course, we would be remiss not to thank our friend the opossum, who single-handedly (or single-pawedly) can devour 5,000 ticks a year, while acting as a natural pest controller in our yarda.
“Like mother opossum, we humans have to think outside the box sometimes, to live peacefully and humanely with our wildlife friends.”
Safe opossum. (Photo courtesy of Julie Loparo)
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Two follow-ups to yesterday’s Roundup item on the striking art print recently posted on the Compo Beach lifeguard shack.
Stacy Bass reports that the artist is Julie Headland.
It’s part of the Westporter’s “I’m Fine” project. Julie explains on her website:
“In early 2020 the world was succumbing to a pandemic, and my husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Friends and neighbors continually checked in and kindly asked: ‘How are you?’
“I was numb, and typically answered: ‘I’m fine.”
“One day as the words left my mouth, I had an epiphany. My world was collapsing, but the brave little girl inside knew she must overcome and survive.
“Thus, the I’M FINE Project was born. The little girl in each piece inspires us to take heart and overcome the world.
“In time these playful parodies gave rise to both public and private comments by strangers expressing their own personal struggles. That is when I realized the I’M FINE Project was also a way to amuse and encourage others who were suffering.
“I am deeply aware of the pain and struggle in the world, and I do not wish to make light of suffering. But I have an optimistic aesthetic, which I am keen to convey with as much wit and whimsy as I can muster.”
Meanwhile, evidence that Headland’s work is truly Westport-based comes from a close-up photo, of the larger work.
Matt Murray’s image shows clearly something many viewers may have missed:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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Speaking of Compo Beach: A new memorial there honors Max Harper. The Staples High School senior died in September.
Visitors to the stone — located near the cannons, not far from where a memorial service drew hundreds of classmates and friends last fall — have left rocks, flowers, a baseball hat and more, as tributes.
(Photo/Pam Docters)
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Speaking still of Compo: There are plenty of less permanent sights on and offshore, too.
You might see a proposal or wedding. A pop-up water polo practice. Rupert Murdoch’s old yacht.
And, this past weekend, a guy shucking oysters for 2 women, at a working bar.
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
Just another day at the beach …
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Lynda Bluestein’s legendary life has been captured in a documentary.
“Other Side” tells the story of the last months of her life. The longtime Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport member won a landmark legal case allowing her, as an out-of-state resident to take advantage of Vermont’s medical aid in dying law.
The film will be shown at the Westport Library on June 29 (1:30 p.m.). Seating is limited. Click here to register.
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Birchwood Country Club’s Easter brunch drew 160 people. Among them: a number of children, who participated in an Easter egg hunt.
Golfers were happy to cede their tee times for the special event.
Birchwood general manager Danny Jones explains the rules.
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Pam Docters offers today’s “Westport … Naturally” image from Compo Road South, near Longshore, and writes: “While big bursts of color from the cherry trees, dogwoods and forsythias grab all the attention, I love the smaller flowers in all their glory.”
(Photo/Pam Docters)
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And finally … I had never heard of Mac Gayden before yesterday.
But the musician — who died on Wednesday in Nashville at 83, from complications of Parkinson’s — had an intriguing resume.
He co-wrote “Everlasting Love” — a Top 40 hit in 4 straight decades — and played guitar on Bob Dylan’s “Absolutely Sweet Marie.” Click here for his obituary.
(Please click here to support “06880” with a tax-deductible contribution. You’ll absolutely have our everlasting love. Thank you!)
A true Westport treasure, Peter Reed always responds humanely and quickly when called…the hero this time is the “resident” who made the call to Peter and saved the possum and her babies.
Thanks, “Resident”and thanks, Peter.
That’s REID, of course.
Julie Headland is a town treasure and I have thoroughly enjoyed her encouraging “I’m fine” series along with her portraits of my three children. Thank you for sharing your art at Compo, Julie!