A reminder: “06880” wants your fireworks photos!
Your parties and picnics; you and your friends hanging out; your kids running around — however you celebrate, we hope you’ll share with our online community.
We’re less interested in shots of the actual fireworks — sorry, but they all tend to look the same — than in people. Faces, smiles, flags — email them to 06880blog@gmail.com, by 10 p.m. tonight (the end of the fireworks show).
Enjoy the show! Then share it with all the rest of us. Thank you!
A great shot from last year. (Photo/Jennifer Kobetitsch)
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Speaking of Compo: This morning’s “06880” lead story focused on the Westport tradition of saving spots on the sand for the fireworks.
The weather may have deterred a few folks — though the slight rain is expected to end, with gradually decreasing clouds throughout the day.
But sure enough, this was the scene just after dawn this morning. Let the games begin!
(Photo/Cindy Nigro)
And here was the view, just before 9 a.m.:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
And 2 from 9:15:
(Photos/Amy Schneider)
Getting a bit aggressive, at 10:15 a.m.:
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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Speaking still of the beach: It’s official.
Last night, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) unanimously approved a proposal by Chris Tait and Andrew Colabella to name the pickleball courts there in honor of Tom Lowrie.
It’s a fitting tribute to the man who has done more to promote the sport in Westport than anyone.
And who turns 97 tomorrow. Happy birthday, and congratulations, Tom!
Tom Lowrie (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
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The Planning & Zoning Commission begins its 65-day deliberation period of The Hamlet at Saugatuck this Monday (July 7, 6 p.m., Zoom).
It’s a work session. The public can observe, but not participate.
Hamlet’s 65-day period begins.
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Alicia Murphy is making the most of her summer internship with Wakeman Town Farm.
A rising senior at the University of Mary Washington, she is majoring in environmental science. Her concentration is in sustainability and soil science.
Growing up in a small town in rural Indiana, Alicia received an extensive agricultural education throughout high school. But she realized how destructive and unsustainable traditional farming practices really are.
At WTF she developed an interest in the newest garden. Recently reclaimed as a part of the farm, the land has suffered a significant degree of soil compaction and topsoil degradation, making it difficult for plants to thrive.
Alicia’s goal is to create a plan for sustainable, long-lasting remediation.
On July 16 (2 p.m., Tim’s Kitchen), she’ll describe her summer work, soil restoration, small-scale sustainable practices, and solutions for compacted and depleted farmland. The public is invited.
Alicia Murphy, at Wakeman Town Farm.
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Mike Borchetta — a 1961 Staples High School graduate who, in a long music industry career, worked with Glen Campbell, the Beach Boys and Four Seasons, Dusty Springfield and Wayne Newton — died recently. He was 84.
According to Nashville Post, his resume in Los Angeles and Nashville included stints as president of Lofton Creek Records, Broken Bow, Capitol, RCA, Mercury, Philips Records and Rebel Engine.
As vice president of promotion at Curb Records from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, Borchetta played a key role in signing of Tim McGraw.
Much earlier, as a Staples student, he brought Bo Diddley, Harvey & the Moonglows and Dave “Baby” Cortez to town.
Borchetta and his wife Martha also bred and trained thoroughbred horses. He is survived too by his children Scott, Adelle, Chris and Angela, all of whom are in the music industry. Scott started his own label — and discovered a 16-year-old Taylor Swift.
Details for a service have not yet been announced.
Mike Borchetta
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene comes from hen-pecked Greens Farms:
(Photo/Jacque O’Brien)
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And finally … in honor of Mike Borchetta (obituary above):
(Today is hump day. And fireworks day. And — as always — a day to support “06880,” your hyper-local, 24/7/365 blog. Please click here — and thank you!)
I knew Mike Borchetta in 1959-1961 time period. However, I knew his parents much better. I’d ride my bike to Long Lots Junior High and stop at Borchetta’s Deli for a sandwich and buy some bubble gum. I would see his parents 3 or 4 times a week. I actually wrote Mike an email about four weeks ago, but never heard back. I want Mike’s family to know that the Borchetta family was the very best and they were a big part of my early years in Westport! RIP Mike Borchetta. My entire family knew the Borchetta family and both our families were a big part of the 1950s and 1960s in Westport.