Bratwurst, sausages, pretzels, pizza, beer and other beverages — plus live music, and a fantastic view of the river — was on tap yesterday, at The Bridge at Saugatuck.
The riverside restaurant celebrated its first anniversary with an Oktoberfest celebration that drew hundreds of Westporters, of all ages.
Here’s to many more!
The Bridge at Saugatuck is the wurst. And the best!
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One more Oktoberfest scene — at another restaurant — from a typical fall Saturday afternoon in Westport:
(Photo/Ferdinand Jahnel)
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Today (Sunday) is the date for the Levitt Pavilion’s rescheduled Mihali festival.
The Twiddle co-founder returns to Westport with his “reggae, roots rock and riverside vibes” — and full band.
He’s joined by progressive funk powerhouse Night Zero. The event begins with local high octane jam rock band Residual Groove making their Levitt debut.
The gates and food trucks open at 4 p.m.; the show begins at 4:30. Tickets are still available online and at the door.
Mihali
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Just across the river from the Levitt, there’s always something interesting at Michael Chait’s studio.
Next up at the 11 Riverside Avenue 2nd floor space: Explore how graphic design shapes American culture, and learn how to incorporate creativity into your journaling (October 15, 6:30 p.m.). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Michael Chait
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Totney Benson spotted this guy supervising part of the Sherwood Mill Pond tidal gate renovation project.
(Photo/Totney Benson)
“I hope it’s not a harbinger of how long it will take to complete,” she says.
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The recent “Shank it & Serve it For Shea fundraiser, at Birchwood Country Club. raised $80,00.
Combined with last year’s event — plus 3 “Shake it For Shea” galas — the total amount raised for research to find better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for Long QT Syndrome is over $1.4 million.
In Long QT, the heart’s electrical system takes longer than usual to recharge between beats. Patients like Shea Greenfield are at risk of fainting, seizures, cardiac arrest and sudden death.
Congratulations to Shea’s parents, Mark and Kira, for their unstinting efforts on behalf of Long QT Syndrome sufferers, and their families, everywhere.
“Serving it for Shea,” at Birchwood.
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Westport resident Marcia Marshall died peacefully on September 24. She was 86.
The Bridgeport native graduated from Southern Connecticut State College.
Marcia was a retired customer service representative from People’s Bank. She was a ballet dancer in her youth, and appreciated music, dance and theater throughout her life.
She was a voracious reader, and loved crossword puzzles and spending time with family and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Thomas Marshall. She is survived by their daughters Marykate Marshall, Anne Eszlari (Edward) and Susan Marshall, and grandchildren Jessica and Thomas Gladu; Jeffrey, Shannon and Eric Eszlari; and Nicholas and Christopher Dostilio; great-grandchildren Isabella, Aidan and Liam, and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral is set for September 30 (10 a.m., Assumption Church) for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery on Greens Farms Road, The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home on September 29 from 4-7 p.m. Condolences may be left online at http://www.hardingfuneral.com. Contribution in memory of Marcia in lieu flowers may be made to Westport Volunteer EMS.
Marcia Marshall
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Richard Fogel spotted — and captured — today’s “Westport … Naturally” image, in the Hillspoint area.
(Photo/Richard Fogel)
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And finally … Robert “Rabbit” Jaramillo died last month in Colorado, of congestive heart failure. He was 78.
His band, Cannibal & the Headhunters, were one-hit wonders with “Land of 1,000 Dances.” They performed with the Temptations, Righteous Brothers, Marvin Gaye and the Rolling Stones. The Beatles asked them to be an opening act for their second US tour.
But they never had another hit. Jaramillo became a railroad signal maintainer, and sang gospel in his Pentecostal church. Click here for his fascinating obituary.
(“06880” is not a one-hit wonder. We’re here every day — 24/7/365 — and we have been, since 2009. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
One of my clients was in Cyrkle, a one hit wonder, and were an opening act for the Beatles! Red Rubber Ball was a catchy tune and Tom Dawes went on to do many advertising jingles.
Didn’t they do the song “Turn down Day?” If so, that was a hit too.
Kudos to The Bridge at Saugatuck for initiating what will hopefully a great October tradition in this great spot…
Let’s work on making sure we’re not eating brats and drinking beer under a future CT Department of Transportation temporary bridge in that idyllic location as CTDOT gears up their 3+ year Cribari Bridge replacement and I-95 Access Road project.
What? I-95 access road? I don’t recall hearing about that.
In February 2024 Tooker released $4,000,000 to the CT Department of Transportation to replace the William F. Cribari Bridge.
For decades Westporters have resisted the replacement because CTDOT has insisted that they must allow all traffic from I-95 to use the replacement bridge.
In the 1980’s First Selectman Hauhuth pointed out that allowing tractor trailers on local roads would destroy residential Westport.
Selectman Marpe, more recently, stopped CTDOT be insisting they show a plan that satisfied Westport residents before releasing the funds Tooker allowed at the same WestCOG meeting where she authorized Roan (The Hamlet) to apply in the name of Westport for $12,000,000 in brownfields grants.
There is no legal way that Westport can restrict truck traffic from Greens Farms Road. Creating an access road from Exits 18 and 19 into Saugatuck and onto Rt 136 to East Norwalk is exactly CTDOT’s current long range, dream plan.
It is supported by the Coalition for Westport, a group that includes lawyers and developers who have benefitted from commercial development in Westport.
More information than you probably wanted to know:
Several local politicians and advocates for replacing the Cribari Bridge claim that tractor trailers can be prohibited. That flies in the face of Connecticut law… here are the conditions that must be met to restrict traffic:
“Roadway must be located geographically such that it is not a viable through truck route.
“Roadway must be town owned along the entire length.
“No portion of roadway may be a state highway.
“Limited access highway ramp must not connect along any segment of roadway.
“Entire roadway must be located within the city/town limits.
https://portal.ct.gov/dot/osta/through-trucks-and-prohibitions
Greens Farms Road is a viable truck route, has always been.
The town of Westport does not and has refused ownership of the thruway connector and Rt 136.
Comnnecticut Special Service Road 476 (the Sherwood Island Connector) is state owned.
Exits 18 and 19 are limited highway access ramps.
Greens Farms Road begins in Fairfield and continues into Westport.
In other words: replace the Cribari Bridge and you will get all the I-95 traffic you can’t handle.