It’s not Amity Island.
But this was the scene this morning at Burying Hill Beach:
(Photo/Seth Schachter)
Seth Schachter — who made the early morning discovery — searched AI for information.
It says, “based on the shape and markings in your photo, this appears to be a juvenile smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis), which is one of the most common small sharks found in Long Island Sound.”
He notes that it’s a baby; the photo makes it look larger than it is.
Seagulls were picking at it. Seth guesses that high tide will carry it back into the water.
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Wakeman Town Farm is a place of wonder for many youngsters.
And for plenty of others, from nearby communities.
This summer, Wakeman Town Farm welcomed young campers from around the area for a week of discovery, connection and hands-on learning.
With muddy boots, curious minds and big smiles, campers harvested fresh vegetables, met friendly animals, and explored composting, planting and regenerative farming practices.
Through WTF’s Room to Grow initiative, hundreds of students from Hall Neighborhood House, the McGivney Center and Horizons embraced every opportunity to learn, explore, and grow — for free.
The Room to Grow Fund was launched at the 2025 Harvest Fest gala. Generous donors, and the Westport Woman’s Club and Town Fair Tire Foundation, provide added support.
It’s one of several Wakeman Town Farm initiatives that connect young people from neighboring communities with nature, fresh food, and the lifelong benefits of land stewardship.
Fun at Wakeman Town Farm.
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Westport resident Carl Wistreich is the son of Holocaust survivors from Poland and Germany. Pursuing a career in business and law, he achieved the financial security his grandparents had in their respective countries, before making the lifesaving decision to leave it all (including close relatives) behind.
Finally, in his 50s, Wistreich had time to read family memoirs describing miraculous stories of survival. He realized the stories his parents rarely spoke about needed to be shared.
The result — My Lethal Obsession, a novel about ruin, resilience and rebirth, of one family and the Jewish people as a whole — will be published September 1. The next day — September 2 (7 p.m), Wistreich launches his book at the Westport Library, in a conversation with Temple Israel’s Rabbi Michael Friedman. An audience Q-and-A and book signing will follow. Click here for more information.
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KEYS is a brilliant acronym.
It stands for Kids Empowered by Your Support — which is exactly what the Bridgeport non-profit does and is.
Each year they offer free music lessons, summer camps and instruments, to 600 youngsters in 21 schools.
A front lawn party this Sunday (August 2, 4 to 6 p.m., 53 Compo Beach Road) will introduce guests to the organization, including volunteer, donation and support opportunities.
Park at Compo Beach. Bring a lawn chair if you’d like. Learn more about KEYS –and enjoy their very “empowered” jazz group, who will perform live. For more information, email KanikaTaylor@hotmail.com.
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Grammy Award-winning trumpeter/composer/arranger Michael Mossman has done it all.
After apprenticing as a youngster with jazz legends Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and others, he took center stage as music director for Blue Note Records’ “boy band”, Out of the Blue. Mossman went on to be a key performer in Latin jazz, working with the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra and others.
He returns this Thursday for “Jazz at the Post” (July 30, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 6:45; VFW Post 399).
He’ll play with pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Alex Ayala, percussionist Carly Moldonado, drummer Vince Cherico and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Westport resident Jean Schiavone died July 14.
The Newton, Massachusetts native trained as a secretary at Katherine Gibbs in Boston. She married Paul in 1052. The family moved to Westport in 1966.
Jean loved Compo Beach, and raising her children here. She was a parishioner and volunteer at St. Luke Church for over 60 years, working with the Friendly Visitor Program, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Sacred Heart St. Anthony’s School, and St. Luke Women’s Guild. She also cared for the altar linens.
Jean was predeceased by her husband and siblings Peg Davis, Dick McLellan, Ruth Vlass (Gordon) and Tom McLellan. She is survived by her children Dr, Karen Edwards (Lawrence), Joseph (Kan), Paula Bruns (Robert), Nancy Schiavone (Norman Schulman) and Barbara Pinkerton (Steven); grandchildren Katherine Bernard (Scott), Benjamin Bruns (Christina) Timothy Bruns (Eleni) Emily Schulman (David Stone), Peter Schulman, Molly Edwards, Alison Pinkerton, Michael Pinkerton, and great-grandchildren Alice Bernard, Elijah Bruns, Noah Bruns, Lucia Bruns and Anais Stone; sisters-in-law Sally McLellan and Betty McLellan; brother-in-law Gene Davis, and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will take place at Harding Funeral Home this Thursday (July 30, 9:30 to 10;30 a.m.). A funeral mass for Paul and Jean will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Luke Church.
Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Matthew 25 Fund at St. Luke Church, which provides food and assistance to individuals and families in need.
Jean Schiavone
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Mourning doves build nests in many places.
Including man-made structures.
These 2 chicks — the subjects of today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature — look as happy as if they were just hatched in, say, a tree or bush somewhere.
Hey — none of us has any control over where we’re born.
(Photo/Rob Jackson)
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And finally … happy 36th birthday, Soulja Boy!
(“06880” is the soundtrack to your Westport life. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!