Just in time for today’s Westport Farmers’ Market (Thursday, Imperial Avenue parking lot, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), there’s a fresh look and expanded offerings for their very popular “Get Growing” children’s programs.
With more young visitors than ever, the WFM has added new (and sturdy) tables and chairs, creating a welcoming space for creativity and learning.
Since starting on a blanket 7 years ago, the kids’ area has grown steadily. A Drew Friedman Foundation donation has made several upgrades — and the entire program — possible.
Get Growing’s hands-on activities keep children engaged, while helping them connect with local farmers, businesses and the greater community.
Weekly craft sessions help children understand the importance of supporting small, sustainable farms, as they explore and express their creativity.
Programming over the coming weeks includes:
- Kids’ yoga
- Create Grow Flow – Sound bath and Reiki
- Mud & Nature Kitchen – Hands-on outdoor play
- Earth place activities
- Apple Blossom and Housatonic Valley Waldorf School programming.
When there is not a guest host, Mae Farrell will continue to lead creative fun, through arts and crafts projects.
For more information about Get Growing, or to learn about hosting a week of activities, click here.
Get Growing, at the Westport Farmers’ Market.
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Several area organizations are preparing for a large-scale mass casualty drill.
The September 16 event (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) will test the ability of local Emergency Medical Services, hospitals and volunteer organizations — including the Community Emergency Response Team, Medical Reserve Corps, American Red Cross and State Animal Rescue Team — to respond to and manage a simulated disaster scenario.
Members of the Westport Astronomical Society’s amateur radio station K1WAS will join the Connecticut Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Aspetuck and Trumbull Health Districts, and area police, fire and EMS groups in the drill.
Sherwood Island State Park will be part of the “incident command.”
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Congratulations to Scotty Coleman!
The 2022 Staples High School graduate — now a senior, and a star on the Johns Hopkins University soccer team — is one of just 20 student-athletes nationwide chosen for the 2025-26 Fall Allstate NACDA Good Works Team. The honor recognizes exceptional community service.
Scotty is fundraising chair for Baltimore Scores in STEM. The program provides scholarships and mentorships to students pursuing education in science, technology, engineering or math.
Scotty — a dean’s list student majoring in neuroscience — is also a research assistant at Johns Hopkins’ Department of Pediatrics and Center for Psychedelics and Consciousness Research.
Scotty Coleman
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Speaking of student-athletes: TOPSoccer — the program for youngsters with physical or learning differences — returns for a fall season. It follows a successful reboot last spring.
Blake Serotta — a freshman player at Staples — leads the program, in conjunction with the Weston Soccer Club and Westport Soccer Association.
TOPSoccer is open to boys and girls in grades K-8. High schoolers are welcome as volunteers and buddies.
The program runs Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Morehouse Farm Park in Weston, from September 13 through October 25. Click here to register, and for more information. Questions? Email blake.serotta@gmail.com.
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After years of searching for a solution to downtown parking, some random person found it.
And it’s so simple, I can’t believe it’s taken this long.
Just park two cars in every spot that’s lined for one!
Check it out:
(Photo/Diane Lowman)
Duh!
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Speaking of vehicles:
The Department of Public Works’ annual roadway crack seal program begins Friday. It will involved up to 10 miles of roads throughout town, and will last 2 weeks.
Traffic will not be detoured, but alternating 1-way flow will be used around the continually moving work zone. The roadways will be open for two-way traffic as the work crew progresses.
Crack sealing
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Singer/songwriter/2007 Staples High School graduate Drew Angus’ first single comes out tomorrow.
Drew says, “‘Patterns’ is self-reflection, an acknowledgement of bad habits and traps I’ve let myself fall into when the going gets tough and sticking through seems impossible.
“I think it’s a pretty universal feeling for a relationship in just beyond the infatuation phase. ‘Patterns’ also takes on another meaning for me: that of the completely independent artist knocked around plenty, but too stubborn to give up.
“Well, I can confirm I’ll be here making art and writing songs until the pen runs out of ink.”
The track includes drummer Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow) keyboardist Billy Justineau (Eric Church, Maggie Rose), and Drew on acoustic guitar, and lead and backing vocals.
Click here to download “Patterns,” on a variety of platforms. Click here for Drew’s upcoming tour dates. Click here for Drew Angus’ website.
Drew Angus
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For a decade, Circle of Care has hosted a 5K run/walk in Wilton. The event supports Connecticut families facing childhood cancer, with practical, emotional and financial help.
This year, the event moves to Sherwood Island State Park.
The timed 5K for runners and joggers, untimed walk for all abilities, and other activities for all ages takes place Sunday, September 28 (9 a.m.). To learn more and register, click here.
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Former Westporter Douglas Moser has just published “James & Jim” — a “darkly comic thriller.”
Set in this area, and Manhattan’s “ruthless corporate towers,” it “plunges readers into the cutthroat world of management consulting in 2007 — just before the financial crash and tech revolution …. it’s a world where ambition turns deadly, success has a body count, and the rules are made to be broken.”
Moser was named artistic director of the Boston Post Road Stage Company in Fairfield and Westport at age 26. His adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” played sold out theaters for 2 years, and won the Connecticut Critics’ Circle Award. He has directed regionally and in New York, including an opera debut at Lincoln Center.
Since then (and COVID), he’s focused on writing, coaching and teaching. For more information, click here.
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MaryEllen Hendricks is this month’s Westport Book Shop guest exhibitor.
The photos on display come from her book “Thin Places Project,” in which she captures “the spiritual dimensions of the physical world.” She uses antique lenses, toy cameras, and other old and new technologies.
A reception is set for September 20 (6 to 7:30 p.m.). All artwork is available for purchase.
MaryEllen Hendricks, at the Westport Book Shop.
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Westport Police made no custodial arrests between August 27 and September 1.
They issued these citations:
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 7 citations
- Driving while texting: 6
- Driving over the posted speed limit in a school zone: 3
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
- Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
- Passing a standing school bus: 1
- Texting, 2nd offense: 1
- Distracted driving: 1
- Transporting a child without restraints: 1
- Motorcycle infraction: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1.
Passing a standing school bus, and speeding in a school zone, are major infractions.
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For many Westporters, this is the best time of year.
The humidity is gone. The air is slightly cooler, but we still wear shorts (and no jacket). Sunshine is bountiful.
It’s not only people who feel that way. This guy was enjoying early September, at Ned Dimes Marina.
And he was happy to share his pleasant day with “Westport … Naturally” photographer Eric Bosch.
(Photo/Eric Bosch)
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And finally … congratulations to Drew Angus, on his new release “Patterns.”
He’s too young to remember, but:
(Whew! We crammed a ton o’ stuff in again today. But that’s how we roll. A Roundup of everything, every day. If you appreciate our hard work, please click here to support “06880.” Thanks!)
Is it a blue heron at the marina?
I believe the bird is an adult great blue heron
Everything old is new again like pieces of a puzzle impaled on my wall the pattern of my life and the puzzle that is me.