Fore!
The Longshore golf course and driving range open for the season this Friday (April 3).
That’s good news. Even better: There’s a new reservation system, new carts, enhancements to communication, and continued course improvements.
The ForeUp reservation service will provide a more user-friendly interface for booking and managing tee times.
Booking begins tomorrow (Thursday, 6:30 a.m.). Tee time booking windows remain 5 days in advance, starting at 6:30 a.m.
Golfers should check their email for a message from ForeUp, with details on setting up an online booking account. That includes a credit card, as no-show fees will be enforced.
Also new: electric lithium-ion Club Car carts. They’re equipped with GPS technology, allowing golfers to have distances available on the course.
A new phone system will be introduced too, to cut down on the general information phone calls going into the pro shop. The website remains the most easily accessible place for info on pricing, tee times, instruction and more.
Westport residents wishing to purchase or renew a golf handpass can do it online or at the Parks & Recreation office in Longshore (weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Almost open! (Dave Dellinger)
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The Westport Police Department has joined a statewide distracted driving enforcement campaign, and public awareness initiative.
Both run all month, as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Law enforcement agencies across Connecticut will ramp up distracted driving enforcement efforts. The focus is on identifying and citing drivers who text, use electronic handheld devices, or otherwise divert their attention from the road.
In 2023 alone, 5,202 crashes involving distracted driving resulted in 12 fatalities and 78 serious injuries.
Tips to avoid distracted driving:
• Pull over safely if you need to text or make a call.
• Ask a passenger to manage navigation or messages.
• Avoid checking social media while driving.
• Limit interaction with in-vehicle technology. Program
navigation or music before starting your trip.
• Use your phone’s “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature, or
silence notifications to reduce the temptation to check your device.
Distracted driving? Conditions sure don’t look dangerous.
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Two saves in one week, both worth noting:
Yesterday, Westport Police Officer Bernie Kelley assisted Westport Animal Control Officer Peter Reid in the rescue of a baby great horned owl at Longshore.
The bird was transported to Wildlife in Crisis for treatment of a small wound. If re-nesting proves feasible, it will be attempted. Residents interested in contributing towards the owlet’s care — or that of many other locally rescued and abandoned wildlife can click here.
Officer Bernie Kelley with owlet.
Last Thursday, Westport Police Officer Daniel Lovallo responded to a roaming dog near I-95. The rottweiler was transported to Westport Animal Control, and received Westport Animal Shelter Advocates-funded care the next day.
She has been named Dottie, and is loved by the Westport Animal Control officers and WASA volunteers. No microchip was located and no owner has claimed her, so she is available for adoption. If interested, call WASA (203-557-0361), or email wasa1@optonline.net.
WASA will help with veterinary care. Residents interested in donating to that cause can click here.
Dottie the rottie.
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The Jazz Society of Fairfield County presents the wildly popular “Jazz at the Post” series. Every Thursday night, they bring musicians — some internationally famous — to VFW Post 399, for 2 great shows. The price is low; the talent level very, very high.
But Jazz FC does much more. Among their projects: outreach and scholarships.
To fund those endeavors, they’re sponsoring a “Jazz Cruise by the Saugatuck” (April 23, 6 to 10 p.m.). NOTE: It’s at the VFW, not actually on the river.
Over 25 award-winning artists will jam. There’s a silent auction and lavish dinner too. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Congratulations to Harry McLaughlin and Eva Slossberg!
The Staples High School seniors were honored Monday, at the Connecticut Association of Schools’ 31st annual High School Arts Banquet.
Harry McLaughlin (visual arts) and Eva (music and theater) were selected by Staples faculty members for their outstanding achievement, dedication, and impact within their disciplines.
The evening included a keynote address about how the arts shape identity, give voice to personal expression and create lasting impact, and a performance by Rubyfruit, a University of Connecticut a cappella group that promotes women’s empowerment through music.
Harry McLaughlin and Eva Slossberg.
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Congratulations too to Staples seniors Justin Halky, Ford Epstein, Patricio Garcia and Kai Schwartz.
The students in Stacey Delmhorst’s Financial Decision Making course placed 2nd at the Tuesday’s state finals of the National Personal Finance Challenge.
In the nationwide competition, student teams analyze case studies and respond to complex financial scenarios involving budgeting, saving, investing and managing risk.
From left: Ford Epstein, Patricio Garcia, Kai Schwartz, Justin Halky.
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Scott Brodie has lived in New York for decades.
But the 1970 Staples graduate grew up here. He visited his parents regularly; his mother Esther died less than a year ago, at 98.
So Scott was intrigued to read in yesterday’s Roundup that one of the homes the Historic District Commission will discuss on April 9, for a demolition permit, is 48 Burr Farms Road — a few houses down from the one his parents built in the 1950s.
He writes: “The house is one of about a dozen cookie-cutter split levels built by Norman Shapiro, who first developed the northern half of the road in the early 1950s.
“Over the years these have been either heavily modified, or torn down to make room for much larger houses. Indeed, #48 has been for many years pretty much the only one of these original houses in essentially its original state:
48 Burr Farms Road
“Only the few folks with long memories and a historically-trained eye can ‘see’ the bones of the original splits in the other, heavily-modified buildings. For example, here is #43:
43 Burr Farms Road
“The dormers, porch and front-facing gable are all add-ons. The original garage with flat ‘sun deck’ survives, but was made into living space, with a new garage added at far left.
” expect the Commission will find little or no historical value in #48 — perhaps the last of its kind. Thus, the end of an era.”
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Nearly 100 Westport Rotary Club members and guests gathered Tuesday, to honor Win Allen.
The longtime, 93-year-old Westporter was celebrated for his service to, and leadership of, the organization. Marty Helman, a Rotary International trustee, came from Maine for the event.
The ceremony included a performance by Diego Carniero, a Rotary International Peace Ambassador, and acclaimed Ecuadorean cellist.
Win Allen (2nd from left) with (from left) Marty Helman, Rotary International trustee; Rick Benson of Westport and Billy Roberts of Massachusetts, past district governors.
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Westport Police made 5 custodial arrests between March 27 and 31.
A 29-year-old Manchester man as charged with larceny, burglary and criminal mischief, and conspiracy to commit those crimes, following an investigation into a September burglary at Westport Auto Repair. Two doors were pried open by suspects, who tried to steal the ATM but ultimately took 2 cash registers. They contained $1,000 in cash; damages were $4,800. He was held on a $50,000 bond.
A 28-year-old Bronx man was charged with larceny, after a complaint from Mike’s Factory Direct. After an online order for $33,136 worth of massage chairs was picked up by a man driving a U-Haul truck in November, the credit card company complained of fraud. The man was released on a $50,000 bond.
A 32-year-old Hamden man was charged with larceny, after 17 sets of tire and rim sets, worth over $30,000, were stolen in January from Maserati of Westport. He was released on a $50,000 bond.
A 54-year-old Middlebury man was charged with operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and failure to drive in the proper lane, after his vehicle struck one that was parked and unoccupied on River Lane. He was released on a $100 bond.
A 69-year-old Norwalk man was charged with disorderly conduct, after an early morning argument between 2 friends in a home about the quality of food being served turned physical. He was held on a $5,000 bond.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 12 citations
- Texting while driving: 8
- Failure to renew registration: 8
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
- Tinted window glass violation: 2
- Passing a standing school bus: 1
- Speeding in a school zone: 1
- Reckless driving: 1
- Speeding: 1
- Distracted driving: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
Tinted windows must follow state laws.
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Yogi Bear stars in today’s “Westport .. Naturally” photo.
His friend Cat Malkin said yesterday: “When I broke the news that we couldn’t walk on the beach today he replied, “Is this some kind of April Fool’s joke?’”
“Sadly, for us it’s not. Until October.”
Yogi Bear (Photo/Cat Malkin)
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And finally … on this date in 1968, “2001: A Space Odyssey” premiered at the Uptown Theater in Washington.
(“06880” has been your window on Westport almost since 2001. We launched in 2009. Whether you’ve enjoyed us all along, or just found us yesterday: thanks. And please click here to support us!)
Whitney and Roseville. Thete is a stop sign that many drivers disregard. Thr speeding on Roseville and on small Whitney is crazy