Do you boat, sail, paddle, row or cruise along the Saugatuck River?
If so, Connecticut’s Department of Transportation wants to hear from you.
They’ve posted a survey, as part of the Saugatuck River Waterway Study. The goal is to support planning efforts for infrastructure improvements, including the Saugatuck River railroad bridge.
Questions relate to a variety of river users, and planned activities within the next 20 years. It takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Click here for the survey.
Questions? Contact Erica Blonde: 857-208-8985, or eblonde@hntb.com.
Saugatuck River railroad bridge. (Photo/Doug Steinberg)
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Molly Alger writes: “When you read about the streets in town being repaired, you have an image of the old surface being torn up and a new surface put down over it.
‘On some streets the work is considerably more extensive — and grueling and challenging for town crews. Whitney Street is being widened, and the sidewalk widened and replaced (much needed). I am astonished to walk by the work every day.
“Huge boulders are being removed, broken up, and/or installed as walls along the road. Truly amazing efforts are being expended on this project.
“The men are rightly proud of their efforts and this project. They are upbeat, polite and attentive every day — and beyond any definition of ‘hard-working.’
“As a Whitney Street resident, ‘thank you’ is grossly insufficient acknowledgment of this grueling work.”
Working hard, on Whitney Street. (Photos/Molly Alger)
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The other day, “06880” posted a story about Ryan Smith.
The 2019 Staples High School graduate won the Vermont City Marathon — the first one he’d ever entered.
And his time qualified him for the Olympic trials.
Intrigued by Ryan’s success, an Instagrammer with the handle RedHot_Takes posted a breathless accounting of it.
Her reel is interesting. So were the comments.
For example: “This is the reason I haven’t sign up for a marathon. I don’t want to casually qualify for the Olympics.”
Click here or below for the reel. (Hat tip: John Nathan)
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Yesterday’s Roundup included an item about a new business coming to Compo Shopping Center.
Based on the photo below, I called it “Flora Aesthetics & Spa.” I noted that I could find nothing about it online, beyond a similarly named “Flora Aesthetics & Wellness” in Ventura, California.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
Reader Aini Rockwell pointed out that the business is actually “Elora,” not “Flora.”
Bingo!
Unfortunately, a quick Google search for that name was equally fruitless. This time I found 2 “Elora” aesthetics businesses.
One is in Cyprus. The other is in Qatar.
If anyone knows anything about this new Westport venture, click “Comments” below.
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Prospect Gardens — the spectacular 9-acre arboretum-style Greens Farms space featuring flowers, plants — is open to public twice a year. The next date is tomorrow (Sunday, May 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The event is a partnership with the National Garden Conservancy.
Main garden designers Cindy Shumate and Judy Gardner will there all day, telling stories and answering questions.
Greens Farms Garden Club members will explain how they plant, tend and harvest the 3-tiered vegetable garden. Last season, their harvest of over 1000 pounds was donated to local organizations that feed families in need.
The Staples high School Jazz Ensemble plays at 10:30 a.m. They’ll be fresh off an appearance last night, at New York’s Birdland Club.
Click here to register, and for more information. Walk-ins are welcome.
The Y’s Men and guests got a sneak preview yesterday.
Y’s Men and guests, at Prospect Gardens. (Photo/Susan Garment)
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Speaking of gardens: Volunteers from 2 clubs — Westport and Greens — lent their green thumbs yesterday to Susie’s House.
The gardeners ensured that everything looks stunning for today’s AWARE event, a fundraiser for Homes with Hope’s Compo Road North supportive housing for young women.
Garden work, at Susie’s House. (Photo/Kathie Motes Bennewitz)
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Summer is here!
A full moon and warm weather brought the grill and picnic crowd to Compo’s South Beach last night.
Nearly every table was taken.
(Photo/Patricia Auber)
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“John and Jen,” the musical co-written by Staples High School graduate and longtime Westporter Tom Greenwald over 30 years ago, is running now through June 7 at the Berkshire Theater Festival in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Tom will be part of a talkback tomorrow (Sunday, May 31, 2 p.m.). Click here for details, and tickets.
Tom Greenwald
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Allium is a great restaurant, on Railroad Place.
It gets its name from a gorgeous flower (also known as Star of Persia).
How beautiful? Here’s today’s “Westport … Naturally” image, taken at Compo Beach.
(Photo/J Ross)
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And finally … the DOT’s survey (story above) got us thinking about how many ways we roll on the river.
(“06880” is proud to be your hyper-local blog. We’re proud to bring you news, features, photos and much more, 24/7/365. And we’d be extra proud if you click here, to support our work. Thank you!)
