Friends of Sherwood Island plan a great “Trails Day Weekend” for early June.
And you don’t have to be a member to join the fun.
Kayak Paddle: Survey Terrapins and Birds in the Marsh (June 7, 8:30 a.m., end of East Beach parking lot). Count diamondback terrapins (with a guide), and document birds using iNaturalist.
Bring your own kayak, canoe or other paddlecraft, life vest and whistle/horn (required by state boating regulations), and kayak cart if you have one. Optional: waterproof binoculars for spotting birds, and/or a waterproof camera. Free; registration requested.
Butterfly Walk (June 7, 12 noon, Nature Center). Join Michele Sorensen to explore the gardens and natural areas in search of caterpillars, skippers, moths and butterflies.
Bring binoculars and a camera or smartphone, to learn to report your findings on iNaturalist. Children are welcome. Free; registration requested.
A Walk Through Historical & Archaeological Time (June 8, 1 p.m., Nature Center).
A family-friendly, educational walk on the Sherwood Island History Trail, led by archaeologists. Start at the Ice Age, when Long Island Sound was formed. Examine traces of past inhabitants of Sherwood Island, from Native Americans in 1000 BC to onion farmers of the 1940s. Artifacts, maps, old photos and recent recoveries bring the island’s past inhabitants to life. Free; registration requested.
Beach to Beach Walk (June 8, 3 p.m., Nature Center). Discover habitats, inhabitants and special features, including the 9/11 Memorial, model airport, wetlands and pine forest. Free; registration requested.
Shewood Island State Park: 232 acres of prime real estate, right here in Westport.
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More environmental news: Aspetuck Land Trust and Wild Ones present a “Lunch & Learn” webinar, “Creating Beautifully Designed Food Forests for Migrating Birds” (May 30, noon to 1 p.m.).
Eva Monheim discusses edible forest gardens — intentionally created, self-sustaining ecosystems that provide food and other resources for humans and wildlife — and proper plant selection.
Aspetuck Land Trust and Wild Ones members can register for free; $10 for non-members.
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Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer.
And — right on cue — today marked the first unfriendly and unethical “saving” of a Compo Beach picnic table.
At 8 a.m.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
A reminder — more gentle than it deserves: Those notices on the top of each table that “Picnic Tables May Not Be Reserved” are not there for decorative purposes only.
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Despite losing 3-0 to St. Joseph in the FCIAC tournament quarterfinals this weekend, the Staples baseball team are champions.
They showed up en masse to support, and buddy with, the Westport Challenger baseball team.
It was a great event for all. Now it’s on to the state tournament. Go Wreckers!
Staples baseball coach Jack McFarland (2nd from left), his team and the Challenger athletes.
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Last week’s Westport Library spring book sale was one of its biggest indoor sales ever.
But it wouldn’t have been possible without all the volunteers, book donors and patrons who participated.
Westport Book Sale Ventures says is grateful “for the scores of dedicated volunteers who commit their time, energy and enthusiasm to processing the tens of thousands of books and other media our community generously donates each year, and to the scores more volunteers who help set up and operate our 4-day sales.”
The organizers add a shoutout to volunteers from M&T Bank, Westport Rotary and Sunrise Rotary, the Y’s Men, Staples High School’s SLOBs and SLOGs, and the National Charity League.
Proceeds from the book sales support the non-profit’s dual missions: to provide employment and volunteer opportunities for adults with disabilities, while raising funds for the Westport Library.
Since opening the Westport Book Shop on Road, Westport Book Sale Ventures has provided over 10,500 hours of employment and job training for more than a dozen adults with differing abilities, at the store and in their eBay online sales operation. They’ve contributed over $200,000 to the Westport Library too.
Library Book Sale collage.
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Sourcery — a VC deal and startup trend newsletter and podcast — is a must-read-and-listen in the industry.
Founder Molly O’Shea is a 2014 Staples High School graduate. She’s always on the lookout for interesting interviews.
No suprise: From time to time, they’re fellow alums.
The most recent is Whop CTO Jack Sharkey. The 2018 SHS grad’s platform connects buyers and sellers in the digital economy, focusing on influencers and content creators.
With a million customers and 3,000 sellers, Whop has facilitated $100 million in transactions.
Molly and Jack gave nice shoutouts at the start and end to Westport, and their alma mater. You can click the Sourcery link here, or click on the video below.
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Saturday’s Roundup noted the compelling presentation by Dmitry Kamensky on Friday. The Ukrainian law professor met a small group at Larry and Mary-Lou Weisman’s house, where he described the dire situation in his war-torn nation.
But Professor Kamensky also talked about the strength and will of his countrymen.
And he must have been bolstered by the show of support from the Westporters, whom he met through his work on constitutional law with Larry Weisman and Ken Bernhard.
Not to mention, the beautiful bouquet — in Ukrainian colors — arranged by Mary-Lou Weisman.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature highlights the first sighting of baby swans on Lee’s Pond this year.
Kevin Gasvoda was there, as Mom and Dad took their 7 new ones out for a swim.
(Photo/Kevin Gasvoda)
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And finally … for all who gave their lives, so that we could be here today: We honor and salute you.
Well, the signs on the picnic tables are decorative if there are no consequences to ignoring them.
Does any official/officer come by every hour in the mornings with a trash bag to remove what’s been used to reserve them?
Just wondering … not suggesting.
Why the outrage over a saved picnic table when it’s absurd how everyone acts for the fireworks and few seem to care. That’s “saving” beyond any reasonable argument.