On Wednesday, our Roundup reported that a couple of days earlier, a Westporter had found a large, heavy sign at Schlaet’s Point. It honored a dog, and had apparently been placed on Cockenoe Island. The man who found it figured it floated away during last weekend’s storm.
He hauled it to the benches near where Soundview Drive meets Hillspoint and South Compo Roads. He hoped someone connected to the sign would see the “06880” item.
Someone did!
Yesterday, the Bell family wrote, “To the reader who found Ollie’s sign: From the bottom of our hearts, our utmost gratitude for spotting and then dragging our memorial to the top of the beach.
“Oliver enjoyed all things Westport and for the sign to float from Cockenoe to Compo Beach, another favorite Ollie place, is nothing short of a miracle. If it wasn’t for ‘06880,’ we would have never known!
“When we picked our memorial up last evening, we stood in awe at the stones – even a purple gemstone – that were perfectly placed on top in his honor.
So to those who read Ollie’s’ memorial and placed stones – purple and plain – on top, and to the ‘06880’ reader who gave it a second home, Oliver’s story of life in Westport truly has a perfect epilogue. He couldn’t have lived in a better place.”
That’s the whole idea of this blog: to bring our community together, in ways both planned and serendipitous.
To our readers and neighbors: Keep doing good things, no matter how small.
Your deeds can ripple far and wide. Even beyond Cockenoe Island.
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Westport’s newest outdoor artwork is already drawing attention — and praise.
“The Couple” was installed this week at Riverside Park. It was donated to the town by longtime Westporter, arts patron and philanthropist Susan Malloy, who died in 2015, at 91. Sculptor William King died the same year, at 90.
For 10 years, “The Couple” lived at Earthplace. Malloy’s family, and the Westport Arts Advisory Committee, felt it would be more visible and accessible on Riverside Avenue.
Malloy’s granddaughter Meredith, son Timon, and niece Ann Sheffer and her husband Bill Scheffler made the conservation and relocation of the sculpture possible. The Parks & Recreation Commission helped with the installation.
Sheffer said, “I love the idea of weddings in front of ‘The Couple.'” A public dedication of the sculpture will take place in October.
“The Couple,” at Riverside Park.
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If you have an inefficient — but still working — dehumidifier, Eversource will recycle it, at no cost. Plus, you’ll get $30 bck.
The date is tomorrow (Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Home Depot, 90 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull). Click here to register. (Hat tip: Dick Lowenstein)
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Last night’s free Levitt Pavilion concert, featuring Borboletta’s tribute to Santana, has been rescheduled to September 17. Click here for details.
The rest of the weekend lineup remains the same (and sounds like fun):
- Tonight (Friday, August 21): The Machine Performs Pink Floyd (7 p.m.; tickets)
- Saturday, August 22: Frank Mastrone & Friends (7:30 p.m.; free)
- Sunday, August 22: Andy Frasco & the UN, and Kitchen Dwellers with special guests Magoo (5 p.m.; tickets).
Click here for more information, and tickets.
Frank Mastrone
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Speaking of music: Sure, the Heida Hermanns International Music Competition is 3 months away.
But — as the name says — it’s an international event. So the Museum of Contemporary Art\Connecticut wants you to know about it now.
Plus, this year marks the 50th annual showcase of virtuosity, artistry and musical expression.
Three exceptional pianists from across the globe have been chosen to compete. The winner receives $20,000, and a solo recital engagement. Second and third prizes are $10,000 and $5,00o respectively.
This year’s finalists are Matthew Figel, Juhee Lim, Daria Podorozhnova. They hail from the US, South Korea and Russia, respectively.
Each will debut a commissioned work by composer Samuel Adams. To learn more about them, click here.
For ticket to the final competition, and more information, click here.
From left: Matthew Figel, Juhee Lim, Daria Podorozhnova.
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Wasp nests can be both frightening, and cool.
Just look at today’s “Westport … Naturally” image below.
And if you think it resembles someone, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Marie Gross)
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And finally … on this date in 1959, President Eisenhower signed an executive order proclaiming Hawaii the 50th state.
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world. Wherever you are — here, Hawaii, or any other spot — if you enjoy our hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
