Happy 97th birthday, Tom Lowrie!
Family members and friends gathered yesterday at his Greens Farms home, to celebrate the longtime resident and civic volunteer.
Rotarians, pickleball players, town officials and others offered best wishes, traded stories, and said “thank you” to one of Westport’s most admired citizens.
Tom Lowrie (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Spotted lanternflies are back.
Johanna Keyser Rossi “spotted” at least 10 nymphs the other day, walking along the railing on top of the Riverwalk bridge.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
Soon, she says, they will be everywhere.
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This week — just in time for the holiday’s heavy pedestrian and bike traffic — the new solar-powered crossing signals went live, on Compo Road South near Longshore and Compo Parkway.
Let’s hope it helps people crossing the street. And helps drivers slow down!
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
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Speaking of the fireworks: We can’t say it often, or strongly, enough — but our Parks & Recreation Department staff rocks.
After working tirelessly to make our celebration a success — from parking, to picking up garbage throughout the long day — members of the maintenance crew did not take a break.
The moment the last flare faded, and folks began leaving Compo, the guest services and maintenance crews swung into action.
By 5 a.m., the beach was pristine. You’d never that 10,000 people had picnicked, partied, drank and danced just 7 hours earlier.
It’s an astonishing, herculean job — and they do it every year.
Thanks to all who helped, to their supervisors, and to Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri.
Now it’s up to the rest of us to keep Compo looking good, and trash-free.
Just after dawn, the day after the fireworks. Photo/Andrew Colabella
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The Point to Point Swim — one of Westport’s oldest, most popular and important maritime events — returns to Compo Beach on July 20.
The 46th annual 1-mile open water charity race draws swimmers from the tri-state area, and throughout New England.
All proceeds go to the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s aquatics safety program, including swim lessons.
Top finishers earn prizes. The fee ($60 now, $75 day of the race) includes a swim cap, t-shirt and timing chip. Click here for more details, and registration.
The Point-to-Point course.
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The Democratic Town Committee meets July 15 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium) to officially nominate their candidates for town boards and commissons, in November’s election.
The session is open to the public. However, only DTC members can vote.
Sure, it’s in Norwalk.
But Westporters have been getting flyers announcing the opening of the new Wegmans.
The 92,000-square foot store opens July 23 at 675 Connecticut Avenue, near Richards Avenue.
Shoppers who know the grocery-and-more chain from outlets in 8 Northeastern states rave about it.
Westporters will surely check it out. Will they shop there regularly?
And if the do, will Wegmans eat Stew Leonard’s — our own, smaller local icon — lunch?
Stay tuned! (Hat tip: Jonathan Alloy)
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Yesterday evening’s brief — but strong — winds downed at least one tree, and with it utility wires.
It was, appropriately, on Timber Lane.
(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
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Interested in collecting art — but clueless about where to start? Experienced, but eager to know more?
MoCA CT is presenting a series of panel discussions on the topic. They’re designed for a broad audience, from complete newcomers to seasoned collectors.
The next session — “Building and Managing Your Collection” — is July 10 (5:30 p.m.). Click here to register.
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What do you get when a night heron meets a heron sculpture?
You get today’s intriguing “Westport … Naturally” feature, direct from Burritts Landing:
(Photo/Ellen Bowen)
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And finally … Happy Birthday, America!
How much for just a T shirt?🇺🇸
Re spotted lantern fly nymphs – I found about 10 on my fig this week. I sprayed them with undiluted white vinegar, and haven’t seen one in two days. I’m keeping the spray bottle handy. Last year I got rid of my grapevines after I found the little buggers on them.
Dan – Thank you so much for posting Power and the Glory. Should be the national anthem. You continue to be a great treasure for this community.
Kudos to the beach crews who got our beach back in tip top shape! As they do every year!
Happy Birthday Tom! I wish we could’ve done that deal where you got more pickleball courts at Compo AND we got a new skatepark!
I actually shopped and grabbed a bite to eat at The Wegman’s in Columbia, Maryland this afternoon. Wegman’s has the best quality control I’ve ever seen in any store in my 78 years! I actually met Mr. Wegman a few times. He was born in March 1947, and I was born in June of 1947.
Which Mr. Wegman did you meet? Didn’t know you were from upstate NY. A bit surprising if you aren’t since they didn’t really expand outside of New York until 2000.
Personally, I go back to Wegmans buying Genny Cream Ale for $2.99/case in late 1970’s.
The Wegmans in Columbia, MD was my go to store before I moved here 3 years ago. It is a great one stop shopping experience. Great organic, gluten free & prepared food options as well as everything else. Thrilled it’s opening here.
I love Phil Ochs, so sad he had mental problems, he was so talented. I inherited a huge record collection from a good friend. It contained a Phil Ochs album, I don’t have an old fashion turn table, thus I’m giving away or selling them. I gave the Ochs album to my daughter and son in law, they are in their forties, and like all kinds of music. They were very pleased to get it, and already knew about Phil Ochs. I think he should be more well knowns, he wrote some incredible protest songs.