This year’s official Connecticut 9/11 ceremony — held annually at Sherwood Island State Park’s memorial to the victims of that horrific day — is Wednesday, September 9. It starts at 5:30 p.m.
“06880” reported an incorrect date earlier. The event is held every year prior to September 11, to give families and friends a chance to attend the ceremony at Ground Zero on that date.
The 9/11 Living Memorial at Sherwood Island State Park.
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The Downtown Plan Implementation Committee continues its hiatus.
The September meeting has been canceled, for the 9th consecutive month. The DPIC last met on December 11, 2025.
In January, 1st Selectman Kevin Christie removed Randy Herbertson as chair. A replacement has not been named.
The link on the town website to the Downtown Master Plan still does not work. It is listed as “expired.”
In early July, Christie told “06880,” “we’re aware of the issue and are looking into it.”
Part of the DPIC Master Plan, when it was live on the town website.
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Just 4 days remain before “A Day in the Life of Westport.”
This Sunday (September 6), every Westporter can help create a unique portrait of the town. We’ll do it by taking a photograph that captures one real moment from our day.
Whether it’s a sunrise at Compo Beach, breakfast with family, volunteering at a community event, walking the dog, cheering from the sidelines or enjoying a quiet moment at home, every image will become part of a collective portrait of our town.
“A Day in the Life of Westport” is a collaboration between the Artists Collective of Westport, the League of Women Voters Westport, the David T. Langrock Foundation, and “06880.”
Inspired by the classic Life magazine photo essays documenting “A Day in the Life of America,” the project invites residents of every age to photograph one moment on Sunday, then submit it online with a brief caption describing what the image means to them.
Photos must be taken on Sunday, and sent by midnight to dayinthelife2026.artcall.org.
Each participant may submit up to 3 shots, each accompanied by a brief caption describing the moment. For more information and submission details, click here or email Westportphoto2026@gmail.com.
Just another day in the life of Westport.
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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 Saturday, September 19 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The Staples high School Jazz Ensemble plays at 10:30 a.m.
New this season: “en plein air” artists, sitting in the gardens with paints and easels.
Among other treats, visitors can enjoy tall yellow helenium sunflowers, white Queen Anne’s lace, purple asters and evergreens; the very full vegetable garden; apples, quince and grapes in the orchards; water lilies and lotus ponds in the frog ponds.
Click here to register, and for more information.
Prospect Gardens (Photos/Candice Cardenas)
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Like any good town gathering place, Jesup Green hosts a variety of events. Some are political. Some are social.
On September 19, it’s cultural. The Japan Society of Fairfield County sponsors its annual Aki Matsuri fall festival (1 to 4 p.m.; marketplace opens at 12:30).
The family-friendly fest features taiko drum performances, a Japanese folktale dramatization, martial arts, ikebana flower arranging, calligraphy, J-pop dance, traditional Obon dancing, and Japanese-related activities.
New this year: group calligraphy, and a food truck selling matcha, other specialty teas and baked goods.
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Speaking of Jesup Green: Since it opened 5 years ago, the Westport Book Shop across the road has featured artists of the month. They exhibit their work, and greet fans at a reception.
This month’s guest artist won’t do that.
George Hand Wright has been dead for 75 years.
But he’s perhaps the most famous Westport Book Shop artist ever. The longtime Westport resident was acclaimed nationally during his life (1872-1951).
Wright was a painter, illustrator and printmaker, and one of the early founders of Westport’s artistic community. His work appeared regularly in Scribner’s, Harper’s, Collier’s and The Saturday Evening Post. The Library of Congress holds over 100 of his illustrations.
The selected work is on loan from Ed Gerber. The Wright expert lives in (and has preserved) the artist’s former Westport home, on Cross Highway. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Wright’s nephew Frank Boylan was Gerber’s godfather.
A reception for Gerber, and Wright’s exhibit, is set for September 16 (6 p.m.). Copies of “George Hand Wright: An Artist’s Life Examined” — written by Kirsten M. Jensen, and underwritten by Gerber – will be available for putchase.
Ed Gerber, at the Westport Book Shop’s George Hand Wright exhibit.
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Westporters are an active bunch. Which means our bodies sometimes break down.
Westport Regenerative Orthopedics & Longevity is a new care facility in Westport.
Drs. Michael Cantor and Ilana Etelzon offer non-surgical options and advanced recovery technology for joint, tendon, muscle, back, neck and sciatic pain; sports and overuse injuries, and chronic and lingering issues.
Treatments include Regenexx procedures, PRP injections, bone marrow concentrate, MLS laser therapy, TenJet tendonitis treatment, hormones and peptide therapy, and IV vitamin drips.
Click here for more information.
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Positive Directions — The Center for Prevention and Counseling — has a new executive director.
Kim DiBella-Farber, who has spent over 20 years leading nonprofit organizations in Connecticut and nationally, returns to the state where she began her career.
For 55 years, Positive Directions has offered mental health, substance prevention and peer support services. For more information, click here.
Kim DiBella-Farber
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Long Island Sound sparkles, in today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
And — thanks to the Mobi-mat — people with mobility issues can make it all the way down the sand, to the shore.
(Photo/Pam Kesselman)
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And finally … speaking of the Prospect Gardens open house (story above):
(Mamas, papas, grandparents, children, people without kids — everyone! If you’re reading this, you’re part of our “06880” community. We welcome your support; please click here. Thanks!)
