Roundup: Taste Of Westport, Sherwood Island, Staples Robotics …

One of Westport’s favorite nights is back, and celebrating a milestone.

With a twist.

The 20th annual Taste of Westport returns Wednesday, June 3. As they’ve done for 20 years, the area’s top restaurants and mixologists will host an evening of great food, drinks and community — all for a wonderful cause.

The fundraiser benefits CLASP Homes. All proceeds help provide group homes and 24/7/365 services for adults with autism and developmental disabilities.

The twist: With the Inn at Longshore — its longtime home — undergoing renovations, the event moves to the Fairfield County Hunt Club.

It’s an intimate setting, with the same — but always fresh — superb food, signature cocktails and fine wines.

Tickets go on sale today. Click here to purchase, and for more information. (Note another tradition: They always sell out quickly.)

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The Sherwood Island pavilion — one of the most popular meeting spots at Connecticut’s first state park — will be closed all year.

Maybe longer.

Alert “06880” reader Allan Siegert noticed the pavilion was closed effective January 16 “until further notice.” The Y’s Men of Westport & Weston, of which he is a member, uses it for their annual meeting, and other gatherings.

Park supervisor Cailtin Munson told him: “Unfortunately at this time, we really don’t have any information to share with you. The pavilion is closed until further notice while we undergo assessments for repairs, and we do not anticipate it to reopen for the remainder of 2026.

“While we are hopeful to have it reopened for the 2027 recreation, no information is available to provide an update for a re-opening date, so a timeline does not exist at this moment which is why it is listed as closed until further notice.

“As the Park Supervisor for Sherwood Island, I have the most up to date information regarding the pavilion, however, I still encourage you to also utilize the deep.stateparks@ct.gov email for questions you may have, as some inquiries may get routed to an alternate contact depending on the nature of your questions.

“Sherwood Island does have a smaller picnic shelter near the east beach bath house that is now reservable between May 1sr and September 30th through Reserve America, which may be an option for your gatherings.”

Sherwood island pavilion.

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Congratulations to the Staples High School robotics team!

Competing recently their first aerial drone competition, the club placed first overall.

They also took 2nd place in both the Autonomous Flight and Teamwork categories.

The results qualify them for the Northeast Dragonfly regional competition in West Virginia.

They look forward to continuing to improve their skills in piloting, programming and teamwork as we prepare for higher-level competitions.

Of course, there are expenses like equipment and travel. The robotics team’s goal is $2,000. They’ve set up a GoFundMe page, and encourage residents to help support their efforts. Click here to contribute, and for more information.

Staples High School robotics team.

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On Tuesday, MoCA\CT opened their doors wide, hosting a special “speakeasy” night for Club203.

Members of Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities enjoyed casino games, jazz led by talented Staples High School musicians, tasty bites by Calise’s Deli, and art with MoCA (making dice and playing cards).

The current “Art, Jazz + the Blues” exhibit lent a special flavor to the night.

Club203 thanks all who made the evening great — especially, during this Volunteer Appreciation Month, the many volunteers who do so much!

Club 203’s speakeasy night, at MoCA\CT. (Photo/Stacie Curran)

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Comcast continues to wire Westport.

The cable, internet, phone and wireless provider plans to connect nearly 12,000 homes and businesses to their Xfinity network, which currently serves more than 64 million customers.

Click here for details on timelines and service availability. Comcast expects to complete the Westport project by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, here’s a typical scene. Bob Weingarten spotted it at Hillandale Road and Morningside Drive South.

But it’s repeated all over.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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Westporter Tony Kiniry — executive director of Bridgeport-based nonprofit Recovery Community Development — described his organization’s work and impact at Tuesday’s Westport Rotary Club meeting.

The non-profit buys and renovates abandoned homes, then provides housing for up to 12 people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction in each.

RCD runs 3 houses in the Bridgeport area. A fourth is planned for Norwalk.

Residents pay a low monthly rent, and stay as long as necessary.

Tony Kiniry, at Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting. (Hat tip and photo/ Dave Matlow)

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The Weston Public Library’s Photography Club semi-annual exhibit is open right now, in the community room.

The theme is “Street Life.” A reception is set for April 25 (1 to 3 p.m.). It runs through May 27.

“NYC Intersection” by Susan Urbania is on display at the Weston Public Library.

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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between April 1 and 7.

A 29-year-old Mount Vernon, New York man was charged with reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, reckless endangerment and illegal window tinting. In January an officer was alerted by a license plate reader that there was an active warrant for a passing vehicle’s owner. The vehicle exited a Saugatuck train station parking lot, then engaged in a pursuit on Riverside Avenue that included driving through a work zone, off the shoulder, jumping a curb and sidewalk, then over a retaining wall into a private parking lot. The pursuit was discontinued, but after the suspect was incarcerated in Westchester County, New York, he was extradited to Connecticut. He was held on a $35,000 bond.

A 20-year-old Fairfield woman was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs (under 21 years of age) and evading responsibility, following a motor vehicle accident in the parking lot of 100 Post Road East. She allegedly struck a fence, support structure and sign, then rove away and nearly struck another car, before parking extremely close to an adjacent car. She was released on a $1,000 bond.

A 27-year-old Brooklyn woman was charged with larceny, identity theft, criminal investigation, forgery, and conspiracy to commit those crimes, after a complaint that a check had been intercepted and altered. She was held on a $50,000 bond.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

• Texting while driving: 34 citations (part of a statewide crackdown this month)
• Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 7
• Distracted driving: 6
• Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 5
• Speeding in a school zone: 3
• Traveling unreasonably fast: 3
• Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
• Speeding: 2
• Following too closely: 2
• Failure to renew registration: 2
• Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
• Improper use of markers: 2
• Evading responsibility: 1
• Failure to obey stop sign: 1
• Failure to register a commercial vehicle: 1
• Failure to cancel registration within 10 days: 1

Westport Police issued 34 citations for texting while driving. 

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Sure, it’s April 9. But some folks here woke up to frost today.

The birds, though, are singing as they always do this time of year. And if the weather is good enough for them — as it is for this blue jay, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — it’s good enough for us.

(Photo/Richard Fogel)

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And finally … in honor of the bird in the image above:

(Don’t text and drive! But any other time, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to “06880.” Your support will keep the police reports — and everything else — coming. Thank you!)