Minnesota has been through a lot lately.
Tonight (Friday, 6:30 p.m), a candlelight “solidarity vigil” is planned, by Saugatuck Congregational Church.
Everyone — all towns, all religions — is invited to join, on the front stops. Bring candles, if possible.
The vigil will last half an hour. The church will be open, for attendees who wish to place candles in the windows.
Saugatuck Congregational Church (Photo/Jonathan Prager)
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The Flowerfall — the beloved Post Road East shop that for years has provided Westporters with beautiful floral arrangements for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, and many other occasions (plus countless boutonnieres and wrist corsages for proms) — has closed.
Stacy Bass sends along this announcement, posted on social media: “Cyrus & Julie have retired. Thank you for your patronage, and for choosing us. It has been a pleasure. The shop is closed.”
A dozen years ago, “06880” gave a shout-out to Cyrus. In the Comments section, Kim Crowther Manning described her first encounter with him:
“What a wonderful, kind, generous and talented man Cyrus is! I will never go to any other florist ever again…. He is a true artist.
“He was hard at work, surrounded by bits of stems, leaves and heads of flowers, scissors, hot glue and wire. He told me at first that he wouldn’t have the time to create a corsage for me, but then had his son (I think it’s his son?) show me an extra one he had made that was in a box in the refrigerated room behind is workstation which was stacked with probably 30 other boxes of corsages and boutonnières waiting for pick-up. Even that room was like a museum full of his beautiful work.
“I joked that if I bought this corsage it would be the most expensive corsage ever, considering that I had already spent $30 on another one elsewhere. With that Cyrus said “oh, I can’t let you do that” and took $5 off his price.
“I was ready to buy it as is and leave him to his work, but he took it out of the box and began walking around the shop looking for flowers he could add to match my son’s prom date’s dress. He brought the corsage and the other flowers he chose back to his workstation and began to recreate the corsage, turning what was already a work of art into a masterpiece!
“While he worked we chatted about his shop and his clients. It was very easy to see his passion for his work. He told me he hadn’t slept the night before because he was worrying about how he would get everything done – he puts so much care into each piece he creates that it takes time and he gets overwhelmed sometimes.
“But he wasn’t complaining. He said, ‘this is how I know things are good – when I can’t sleep I know I’m doing well.'”
Cyrus at The Flowerfall, in 2013.
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Whether you’re a Patriots or Seahawks fan — or just want a fun Super Bowl vibe, complete with a 22-foot video wall — The Clubhouse wants you.
The sports bar/restaurant/event space near the Southport line invites all sports fans — and everyone else — for the February 8 game.
Looking for a more private, yet immersive, experience? Simulator bays are available, by reservation.
Prefer to watch at home? Takeout meals and more are available, for game day pickup.
Click here to reserve a dining room table or simulator bay, or order takeout.
Football, at The Clubhouse.
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There’s a new header on our “06880” home page (above — or click here, if you’re on our app). The full, uncropped version is below.
The frozen Saugatuck River photo comes courtesy of William Weiss.
Let’s hope we can swap in a new — and warmer — one soon.
(Photo/William Weiss)
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Speaking of the weather, a reminder: Clear the snow off your car’s roof!
It’s not just better for your car’s gas mileage and handling.
And it’s not just courteous for the drivers behind you.
It’s also the law!
Seen yesterday, on North Avenue. (Photo/Richard Fogel)
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Speaking yet again of the weather: This igloo on Tamarac Road caught several “06880” readers’ eyes:
(Photo/Tom Cook)
At first glance, it looks like a clever, creative use of time and energy.
But we also wonder about its adherence to town regulations.
Is it a legal ADU, or some other type of structure? Does it have the required building permits? Is it within the proper setback? Was a wetlands study conducted? Has the fire marshal checked it for exits? Is it ADA-compliant? Might it be considered a blight property?
So many questions … so few answers …
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Speaking (still!) of the weather: With daytime temperatures far below freezing, last Sunday’s snow ain’t going anywhere, anytime soon.
(Nor will they. Today’s high is predicted to be 20. Tonight’s low will be … are you ready? … 1 degree.)
Readers continue to sent photo of their (least) favorite piles. This one’s at Saugatuck Elementary School:
(Photo/Rindy Higgins)
And here is Burying Hill Beach:
(Photo/Patricia Auber)
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Speaking of (heaping) snow piles: Here’s another.
It qualifies as our “Westport … Naturally” feature, because it includes a dog.
King (or, in Daisy’s case Queen) of the Mountain, anyone?
(Photo/Lauri Wieser)
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And finally … in honor of The Flowerfall, and to mourn its closure (story above):
(Digging out from all those piles of snow is hard! Much easier: Clicking here, to make a tax-deductible donation to “06880.” Whichever you pick: Thank you!)
Wow there’s gonna be more left wing performative outrage virtue signalling in Westport!? Kick out some tail lights!
Very sorry to see The Flowerfall has closed..What a shop!
Couldn’t agree more with Dave, very sad to see that Flowerfall has closed and wishing Cyrus, and Julie a healthy, happy retirement.
Question: With Border Patrol and ICE operating in every state in the union, yes even Democrat run states/cities, why is it only Minnesota that there’s so much chaos?
Answer: When local law enforcement cooperates with federal law enforcement and honors ICE detainers the criminal illegal aliens are arrested by ONE, or at most, TWO agents, safely and quietly at the courts, jails or prisons. When they don’t and release these criminals onto the street federal agents have no choice but to track them down and arrest them in the streets/buildings/homes. This takes SIXTEEN agents for each arrest and puts the criminal, the public, the agents and the “peaceful” protesters at risk. The chaos in Minnesota is born of the political agenda of the progressive wing of the Democratic party, period.
Why?: Two reasons. First the current far left controlling the Democratic party believes the path to power is to oppose President Trump at all costs and create chaos to blame on his policies, regardless of threat to American citizens or if his policies have merit, with the notable exceptions of Sen. John Fetterman and Rep. Dean Philips who are reasonable and will support policy over party. Second, unfettered illegal immigration, social program fraud and refusal to secure our elections is the progressive’s main strategy to obtain and keep power and continue the money laundering schemes they’ve entrenched in our government, like NGOs, to launder our tax dollars (with cooperation and participation of some Republicans as well). Follow the money. America thought we’re $38 trillion in debt due to excess government legitimate (however wasteful) spending but now it’s being revealed that the debt is due to our own Congress stealing trillions of our tax dollars. Doesn’t anyone wonder how someone who’s net worth is minimal becomes a multi-millionaire overnight while making $147,000/year in Congress? Wake up America. Don’t fall for the game. Focus on results and policy over personality and performative lies and spin.
Philip. the reason that the problem is in Minnesota is because thats where Pres Trump and DHS decided it would be – for now. The police chief in Minnesota has noted that his police force always worked hand in hand with the immigration officials, until this “surge” of late that is engineered to bring chaos. His team has taken hundreds of really bad guys off the streets in the last years with no incidents and no shooting. He said the actions of the current agents look like bad videos of policing 30 years ago. Did they need 5 or 6 agents to take the old man out of his house in robe and crocs? Or 6-7 agents to tackle Alex Pretti to his hands and knees and shoot him in the back? The reason there is a problem in Minnesota is because thats where we have a rouge paramilitary organization, backed by our President and his followers that are causing chaos, killing people, and blatantly lying about it. They are acting unlawfully and by their own account 85% of the people they have taken in to custody have zero criminal record. They are not rounding up the worst of the worst. They are assaulting US citizens. That’s why.
Lauren: Appreciate your comments although not accurate. 70% of the illegals arrested by ICE have criminal records beyond just the felony of crossing into the country illegally (which IS a crime). Your take on the situation isn’t borne out by the facts. As I said when federal officers are forced to arrest people in the street they have no choice but to protect themselves and the public by having enough officers present. As for the Good & Prettis of the world, if they stayed home, minded their own business, or remained peaceful and didn’t commit obstruction they’d be alive today. The chaos is on Walz and Frey for inciting the rioting. Sorry but I do not want any more American citizens sacrificed for the benefit of illegal aliens or the progressive agenda.
And the folks who WERE in their own homes and had their front doors broken down by battering rams without a signed judicial warrant? Is THAT okay with you?
While you’re at it, are you okay with apprehending, kidnapping and detaining 5 year old children? What possible justification could you come up with for that?
We need term limits for Senators, Congressmen, and Supreme Court Justices. No one should be in these roles for too long, let alone decades.
We need a real version of the Stock Act, not some toothless legislation that comes with a $200 penalty.
The concept of “by the people, for the people” was lost decades ago. About the only bi-partisan thing left is that politicians are all in the game for self enrichment – neither party really gives a crap about their constituents.
I bought my prom date’s corsage at the FlowerFall near 30 years ago. Every time I went back to Cyrus I knew I was not just getting pretty flowers, but a true work of floral artwork. And there was not a shop in town which had better, more authentic vibes when you walked in the door. I hope he’s able to deeply enjoy his retirement and know that he was appreciated and will be missed!
We loved FlowerFall. It was truly a special place