The Slice is nice.
And it’s back for a 13th year.
The Slice of Saugatuck — an afternoon of food, music, bouncy houses, sidewalk strolling and more — is set for Saturday, September 6 (2 to 5 p.m.).
Over 40 businesses — and 2,000 attendees — participate in the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce event
New this year: tables for non-profits. They’ll hand out tasty samples too.
Among the bands at 7 locations are the very popular Otis and the Hurricanes, and Silver Steel.
Beer gardens (with wine too) will be located on Bridge Square and Railroad Place.
The price is $15 for adults, $5 for children under 13; age 5 and under are free. Tickets are on sale at the Slice, beginning at 1:50 p.m.
Since the Slice began, the Chamber has donated $54,000 to the Gillespie Center food pantry. This year’s goal: $60,000.
For more information (including a map), click here.
Tutti’s is one of many popular Slice restaurants. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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The Sherwood Mill Cove tide gate project — including repair of 2 gates and a spillway, plus reconstruction of a wooden pier and the seawall — begins shortly after Labor Day.
It will continue through Memorial Day.
Ten spaces in the Old Mill parking lot, and 20 spots in the Compo Beach Soundview lot, will be used for staging.
The work is conducted in coordination with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Repairs begin soon, at Sherwood Mill Pond. (Photo/Judith Katz)
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Speaking of the water: As the weather starts to cool, we won’t have to worry about beach closures due to contaminated water.
But next year, we won’t have to worry about extended closings, either.
Parks & Recreation Department director Erik Barbieri looked at the state testing schedule — which sometimes meant the town had to wait 5 days for a result — and knew there had to be a better way.
He found one. Starting with the most recent closure, and moving forward, re-testing will be done on a much more timely basis, with labs that are closer.
Details will follow next spring. In the meantime: Thank you, Erik!
This sign may be seen less often next year. (Photo/Seth Schachter)
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Want to see all the classes, meetings and special events offered next month at Wakeman Town Farm?
Here they are:
For information about any of them (or all!), click here, then scroll down.
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Speaking of fall activities: Westport PAL football is offering a new flag football program, for high school boys and girls.
It’s part of the NFL Flag program, so every participant receives an NFL flag jersey and flag set.
Teams are coached by the players. Games are Saturday afternoons and evenings; practice days will be determined. The sites are Staples High, and PJ Romano Field.
The cost is $275, and includes professional referees. Registration closes September 15. Games begin the week of September 20. Click here to signup. Questions? Email westportpalfootball@gmail.com.
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The next Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand playreading is a darkly funny, deeply moving new play: “The One Good Thing or ‘Are Ya Patrick Swayze?'”
It’s September 8 (7 p.m.).
Script in Hand curator and Playhouse artistic director Mark Shanahan calls it “a beautifully crafted, intimate, 2-character play full of Irish wit, emotional depth, and the kind of quiet revelations that stay with you long after the curtain falls.”
Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Carlos Capellán writes: “We moved to town a few years ago, and did not know about Richard Scarry’s connection to Westport. (Click here for that back story.)
“I have a very old copy of ‘What Do People Do All Day’ from my childhood. The title page shows the sign for the Remarkable Book Shop.” (The author of the 1968 classic, and many other beloved books, lived here for a while. He was friendly with Esther Kramer, owner of the beloved Main Street book store — now Eleish van Breems — and her husband Sidney, who was the author’s representative.)
Check out the lower right.
Carlos adds: “My children love our beat-up old copy held together with tape, and while reading it to them one night I made one more small Westport discovery. In one story, Betsy Bear mails a birthday letter to her grandma. The bottom right of the page shows the letter being postmarked. Right above it is a letter addressed ‘To Humphfrey Girls, Westport.’
“So, one more Westport easter egg in Scarry’s books. But also a small mystery: The spelling of ‘Humphfrey’ is unusual. Maybe some old-timers remember this family, and maybe even their connection to Richard Scarry?”
“06880” readers often come through. If you’ve got an answer, click “Comments” below.
Check out the letter above the one to “Granda Bear,” also lower right.
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Drivers cutting between North Avenue and Roseville Road know there are always interesting signs on Pumpkin Hill Road.
They’re “Signs of Happiness” — that’s what the sign nearby says.
The current array honors the first day of school. All 8 in Westport — plus Stepping Stones Preschool — are included.
(Photo/Ed Simek)
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Speaking of the beginning of school: Since its here, you’ll be seeing lots of cars decorated like this around town:
(Photo/Mary Sikorski)
It’s a decades-long tradition … but only for senior girls.
We’re not sure how or when it started.
But if you see a senior driving this car, honk!
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Speaking of cars: The Board of Assessment Appeals meets September 17 (6 to 7 p.m., Town Hall Room 201), to hear appeals of motor vehicle assessments for the 2024 grand list.
Residents should drive there in the vehicle they are appealing.
You wanna assess me how much for this?!
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Back to the first day of school … Westport Police offer these safety tips, for parents to share with their children:
- Get to the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. (Parents, this one’s on you!)
- When the bus is coming, stand at least 3 giant steps away from the curb.
- Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it is okay before getting the bus.
- If you must cross the street in front of the bus, be sure the driver can see you, and you can see the driver.
- When getting off, be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps are not caught in the handrails or doors.
- Never walk behind the bus.
- Walk at least 3 giant steps away from the side of the bus.
- If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver. Don’t try to pick it up, because the driver may not be able to see you.
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Kevin Burke — called “one of the greatest living Celtic fiddlers” by the New York Times — headlines First Folk Sunday on September 7 (12:30 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club).
When Staples High School graduate Wendy Newton owned Irish music-focused Green Linnet Records, she released several of his records.
Suzanne Sheridan — the founder of First Folk Sundays — and her wife Rozanne Gates heard one of Kevin’s CDs, while visiting Wendy in Northampton. Wendy helped arrange his appearance here.
“In the realm of Irish fiddle musicians, that’s like saying Yo-Yo Ma will be playing in Westport,” Rozanne says.
He’ll be joined by John Brennan. The rock guitarist has played with Graham Nash, Chris Hillman and Poco.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Kevin Burke (left) and John Brennan.
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We run plenty of interesting photos in our “Westport … Naturally” daily feature.
This may be one of the most intriguing — and coolest — ever.
Johanna Keyser Rossi explains: “For the past few summers a big spider shows up in the same area on our front porch. Scary looking, but fascinating.”
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … if you know “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” you understand how brilliantly Pete Seeger’s lyrics come full circle.
Turns out, he didn’t actually write all of them.
Joe Hickerson — a singer, songwriter, and the lead archivist for folk music at the Library of Congress for more than 25 years — actually gave Seeger the last 2 (very important) verses.
Hickerson died earlier this month in Oregon, at 89. According to his New York Times obituary:, he is responsible for:
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards, every one.
When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?
and
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Gone to flowers, every one.
When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?
Who knew?! (Hat tip: Michael Taylor)
(You can come full circle too: from reading and enjoying “06880,” to helping others do the same. Just click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution. Peace!)
Once again I write to acknowledge the work of our new Parks & Recreation Director, Erik Barbieri, respecting addressing beach closures. It is amazing how one person, showing initiative, can make a difference. Thank you Erik. Keep up the good work. Our parks need a skilled and committed leader. You appear to be just that.
I was also going to note that Erik Barbieri seems to be doing some good steps in the early days in his role. Good job! Now, how about a new concession vendor?
…. and the new garden location…