The fuel dock at Ned Dimes Marina is gone!

A new (and temporary) look for the Ned Dimes Marina. (Photo/Ron Poserina Jr.)
It was removed — temporarily — as part of a project to replace the piers, wood dock and deck at the office and clubhouse.
The Parks & Recreation Department reports that, due to extreme winter conditions that impacted water and electrical service on the docks (as well as South Beach bathroom facilities), water service to the docks at Ned Dimes Marina will be restored by late May.
Electrical service will be delayed until sometime in June. Officials are working on a solution for boaters to be able to charge batteries starting in June, most likely on a temporary generator supply to the individual docks.
South Beach bathroom facilities cannot be opened until the project is done. completion. Temporary facilities will remain until the restrooms are opened.
Meanwhile, also over on South Beach, Parks & Rec is installing power. It will be used for special events like LobsterFest.
Security cameras may be added too.

Electrical trench on South Beach. (Photo/Dorothy Robertshaw)
Parks & Rec also notes issues with navigational aids at the entrance to the Saugatuck River channel.
Can 5 and Nun 6 are missing. Nun 8 and Can 9 are significantly off station. The Coast Guard has been notified, and will replace them as soon as possible.
==================================================
One of the most interesting properties in Westport is on the market.
And it’s the first time for it, in 65 years.
4 Sherwood Island Lane is a 7-bedroom, 6 1/2-bathroom, 6,215-square foot home — on a 20.85 acre lot.
You don’t see that very often these days.

4 Sherwood Island Lane
Located off the Sherwood Island Connector, south of I-95 on the way to Sherwood Island State Park, it’s been owned by the same family for nearly 7 decades.
There are no immediate neighbors — but plenty of birdlife and other nature.
The property includes 2 1940s 3-bedroom guesthouses with water views — plus a tennis court, indoor pool, pool house and formal gardens.
It’s listed for $15 million. Click here for more details, or to purchase. (Hat tip: David Loffredo).
=================================================
It’s important to plan for natural disasters.
It’s even more important to plan correctly.
The Western Connecticut Council of Governments is doing “resilience planning,” to inform hazard plans.
Efforts will lead to mitigation that can reduce loss of property and life due to floods, severe wind, winter storms, wildfires, droughts, extreme heat and earthquakes.
Residents can click here to take a 2-minute, 5-question online survey.

Damage from Hurricane Isaias on Grove Point Road. (Photo/John Kantor)
=================================================
A large crowd filled Clarendon Fine Art Thursday night, for a reception with Mr. Brainwash.
The French-born, Los Angeles based artist earned international prominence through the Bansky film “Exit Through the Gift Shop.”
The current exhibition reimagines Van Gogh’s most recognizable motifs through his signature fusion of street art, vibrant color, mixed media and layered cultural references
The show runs through May 3. For more information, click here.

Mr. Brainwash, with one of his works. (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)
=================================================
As summer arrives, Fleet Feet is racing ahead.
On the local running store’s calendar:
- Apex Performance Runner’s Workshop (April 27, 5 p.m.): New client specials and custom footwear fittings.
- Moms Who Move (May 6, 5 to 6:30 p.m.): Women-focused movement workshop
- Kane Summer Launch x Beastie Burger (May 11, 5 to 6:30 p.m.): Try on new Kane footwear; bites from Beastie Burger
Upcoming races include:
- Minute Man: April 26
- Breast Cancer Alliance 5k for Hope: May 3
- Weston Memorial Day 5: May 23
- Savin Rock Waves of Hope 5k: May 23
- Athletic Brewing Road Races: June 6-7
Click here for details. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)

===============================================
Congratulations to Staples High School’s We the People team.
Suzanne Kammerman’s class recently returned from national competition in Washington, where one group won the “Unit 4” award.
The competition is a congressional mock trial hearing. Students showed mastery of different parts of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, American history and the 3 branches of government. government. Participants are judged on their ability to understand, apply, and reasoning.
Unit 4 winners include Chloe Beitel, Mehmet Madigan, Lauren Potter and Leo Viner. All are juniors.

Staples’ We the People team, at the US Capitol.
==================================================
Congratulations too to Adelia Purcell!
The 2023 Staples High School graduate has just been selected as a Truman Scholar.
The College of William & Mary junior is one of 55 students nationally to receive the prestigious scholarship for aspiring public service leaders. Nearly 800 candidates were nominated.
Truman Scholars demonstrate “outstanding leadership potential, a commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector, and academic excellence.” Scholars receive funding for graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling, and internship and fellowship opportunities in the federal government.

Adelia Purcell
================================================
Bloodroot is gone.
But the beloved vegan/feminist Black Rock restaurant — co-founded 49 years ago by Westporter Selma Miriam, which closed in December — can live on.
In your home.
Some great items remain, in their online auction. Among them: tables, china, glassware, framed menus, feminist books and signed cookbooks and sculpture.
The entire library — of feminist and political hard and softcover books — is being sold as one lot, too.
The online auction ends in 4 days. Click here to see, and bid. (Hat tip: Carol Waxman)

Buy the Bloodroot library.
==================================================
“Bernstein’s Wall” — Westport filmmaker Doug Tirola and producer Susan Bedusa’s documentary about Leonard Bernstein, using TV interviews, news footage, home movies, audio clips and personal letters, to explore the legendary artist’s views on freedom, politics, creativity and more — had its US theatrical premiere yesterday, at New York’s Film Forum.
Click here for the New York Times’ review.

Leonard Bernstein
==================================================
Two memorial services are set for Janet Filling. The longtime Westport American Red Cross director, who also held important Red Cross posts at the state and national levels, died in February at 91.
A memorial mass will be held on June 1 (10 a.m., Fairfield University’s Egan Chapel). There will be informal reception afterward.
A celebration of life is slated for June 14 (2 p.m., Westport Library). The public is invited to both. Focusing on Janet’s deep roots and relationships in Westport, it is a time to share memories, stories and photos. Anyone wishing to speak, send a photo, or offer words though unable to attend, should email Janet’s son Greg: gfilling@gmail.com.

Janet Filling
=================================================
David Ohman is a native Californian. But he lived in Westport from 1992-98. He loved those years, and still considers it his “adopted home town.”
A photographer (some of whose images were featured on “06880” last month), he is a fan of Frames Magazine, an exquisitely printed London quarterly.
Recently, Frames interviewed him. He discussed portraiture, photojournalism, working with light on location, trusting spontaneity, and staying open to unexpected moments that seem to appear only for those who are truly paying attention.
After decades of making pictures, meeting people, telling stories, and navigating the transition from film to digital, Ohman still speaks about the camera with curiosity, gratitude and excitement.
Click here or below, for a fascinating and educational half hour.
PS: If you or a family member had portraits taken by Ohman in the 1990s, “06880” may have beautiful prints of your session. Email 06880blog@gmail.com with the name of the subject. We’ll check through the files that he very generously sent!
==================================================
And now, the first 2026 “Westport … Naturally” appearance for an Eastern tiger swallowtail:

(Photo/Bob Liftig)
==================================================
And finally … on this date in 1915, the Battle of Gallipoli began. One of the longest and bloodiest campaigns of World War I, it is a defining moment in Turkey’s history. It is also considered the beginning of Australian and New Zealand national consciousness. Today is Anzac Day, a national commemoration in both countries.
(Sure, it’s Saturday. But neither the Roundup nor “06880” takes weekends off. If you appreciate our 24/7/365 coverage of all things Westport, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
