New concessionaire Nikki Glekas will soon open “The Sandbar” at Compo Beach.
She replaces the much-reviled “Hook’d” (which in its final death throe year rebranded itself as something like “Bluestone”).
Hook’d was preceded by the much-loved Joey Romeo, whose “Joey’s by the Shore” spent about 3 decades as everything a beach food stand should be.
Before all those, of course, was “Chubby’s.”
Concessionaire Chubby Lane operated at the beach entrance, where the volleyball courts are now.
You could park in front, without a beach sticker.
The screen doors slammed. The smell of burgers and fries was intoxicating.
Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, this was summer in Westport.
Nikki Glekas stands on broad shoulders. She’s got big shoes to fill.
Here’s wishing her a warm, Chubby’s and Joey’s welcome to Compo.
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Effective today (May 15), the use of hand-held and backpack gas-powered leaf blowers is prohibited. The ban is effective through October 15.
Conservation Department director Colin Kelly says, “Let’s keep up the efforts to follow this ordinance. Let us know by email or letter if a property is using a prohibited blower. We will follow up by reviewing each complaint and sending educational materials to those who are not adhering to the ordinance.”
Contact the Conservation Office by email at leafblowercomplaints@westportct.gov, or write Conservation Department, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880.
This is also the time of year for beach water testing.
But long closures — like those seen last year — may be a thing of the past.
Aspetuck Health District and the town of Westport will begin Monday, with enhanced testing and reporting protocols.
The Health District will collect samples every Monday morning from Compo and Burying Hill Beaches. They will go to the Department of Public Health Laboratory in Rocky Hill for analysis.
If bacteria levels are high, the water will be closed for swimming and other water activities. The water will be immediately resampled, and sent to the City of Stamford Laboratory for analysis.
This decreases turnaround time. and enable officials to lift closures faster than in previous years.
“Safety is our top priority. says Aspetuck Health District director of health Luci Bango.
“Beach water is sampled weekly during the season to monitor harmful bacteria or the potential presence of pathogens. These tests help us decide when to close waters for swimming and other water activities, to reduce the risk of illnesses like gastrointestinal distress, skin rashes, or ear infection.”
Elevated bacterial levels in water bodies can occur during excessive heat or rainfall.
Burying Hill Beach, last summer. (Photo/Seth Schachter)
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Hundreds of dogs — and even more humans — will enjoy this Sunday’s Dog Festival at Winslow Park.
It’s fun for everyone. But note: Parking is not available at the Westport Country Playhouse. That lot is reserved for attendees of a youth ballet performance, and patrons of Gabriele’s Steakhouse.
Businesses west of the Mobil station on Post Road East will open their parking lots for festival attendees. Saugatuck Congregational Church is available beginning at noon,, after services.
Parking locations will be marked with signs along Post Road.
Meanwhile, WTF has put together a list of items to support their work — everything from plant labels and markers to garden seeders. Click here to order via Amazon.
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Congratulations, Sophie Rossman!
The 2021 Staples High School and NYU Tisch Drama graduate is making her Off-Broadway debut in “Dad Don’t Read This.” The show, at the St. Luke’s Theatre, has been extended to May 29.
The coming-of-age story centers on 4 teenage girls navigating friendship, identity, and the confusing transition into adulthood. Set during a series of suburban sleepovers, it’s both humorous and emotionally honest. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Sophie Rossman, in “Dad Don’t Read This.”
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Speaking of debuts: Sara Robbin is a former attorney. She spent over a decade as a writing professor at Fordham Law School before finding her niche assisting students with college essays.
Now the Westporter adds “screenwriter” to her resume. “Pinky Swear” premiered Monday at the Angelika Theater, as part of the Big Apple Film Festival.
It offers a window into the complex emotions fame causes for children. The film was inspired by Sara’s acting experiences with her daughter Chloe, a Bedford Middle School student, who is part of the cast.
The role of a “crazy stage mom” is played by Westport native Ashley Schoff Iglehart, a former child actor. Her daughter Harper, a 10th grade Staples Player, assisted on set.
The cast and crew, including Chloe Robbin (3rd from left), Ashley Schoff Iglehart (in black, behind her), and Sarah Robbin (blue).
The Planning & Zoning Commission does not often debate recreation.
But they do weigh in on issues involving town property. So 2 items of interest to many Westporters — the concession stand operator at Compo Beach and Longshore, and lights on 2 athletic fields — were on their agenda last night.
Nearly 100 people logged on to the virtual meeting. Over the course of 4 hours the P&Z unanimously endorsed Nikki Glekas to run “The Sandbar,” and heard the pros and cons of 4 70-foot poles at the Wakeman and PJ Romano synthetic turf fields.
Glekas — owner of Westport-based NG Entertainment — was enthusiastically recommended by Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri.
She said that her beach menu would be both “family friendly” and “a bit upscale,” ranging from smashburgers, chicken tenders and french fries to fresh salads, gyros and souvlaki.
The Compo Beach concession opens soon. (Photo/JD Dworkow)
She would offer catering too — for fireworks parties, for example — and make The Sandbar a “destination.”
With little discussion, the P&Z voted unanimously in favor of Glekas, for Compo, the Longshore pavilion and golf course halfway house.
With Barbieri and Glekas hoping to be operational by Memorial Day weekend, and Board of Finance approval coming 48 hours earlier, the contract now goes to the Board of Selectpersons on May 21 for final approval.
The field lighting proposal drew much more comment, from commissioners and the public.
Citing increased participant numbers, gender equity, the effects on Staples sports and the need to maintain the quality of grass fields by limiting play there, Barbieri, Parks & Rec superintendent Carm Roda and Staples High School athletic director VJ Sarullo called the need for lit fields “urgent.”
Wakeman B, near Bedford Middle School, is currently unlit. PJ Romano, behind Saugatuck Elementary, utilizes temporary lights. The third lit field in town, at Greens Farms Elementary, is used for softball.
Wakeman B field.
The town officials, and Mike Mahoney of Musco Sports Lighting, who has worked with Westport previously, emphasized LED technology, which eliminates the “spillover” of previous generation lights; automatic turnoff, to prevent not-permitted use, and noise restrictions. The lights would comply with Connecticut Dark Sky standards.
Roda promised to pull the permits of any organizations abusing the system.
Dozens of residents emailed public comments before the meeting. But the majority of public speakers — while emphasizing their support for youth sports — questioned certain aspects of the proposal.
Many live near Wakeman Field. the focus of most of the speakers.
Concerns included the effects of lights and noise on neighboring properties; the proposed 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. cutoffs; the effects of night games and practices on youngsters’ bedtimes, and use by adult teams and for-profit organizations.
The tone of the discussion was respectful. Many of the neighbors asked for revisions or “a better solution,” and requested a meeting at the Wakeman site.
The P&Z took no vote. Discussion, including public comment, will continue May 18 (6 p.m., Zoom), and again on June 1.
A new community garden at Burr Farms. At least 2 synthetic turf fields. Some upgrades to Compo Beach and Winslow Park. A dedicated maintenance facility.
Those were some of the key “Phase I” recommendations for Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, offered last night as part of the new Parks Master Plan.
The Town Hall event was the third public session for BL Companies, the consultants who have undertaken an independent review of the town’s beaches, parks and playing fields.
Thirty residents — including a number of elected officials — heard Dominick Celtruda offer a “10,000-foot” view of current facilities and operations, and 3 phases for the future.
Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri, last night at Town Hall. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Specifically, Phase I priorities involve:
Infrastructure upgrades, including maintenance; a multi-purpose field at the Doubleday complex, and a minimum of 2 synthetic fields. BL Companies urges a balance between natural grass and artificial turf surfaces.
The Community Garden at Burr Farms would share space with a 50 x 70 multi-purpose athletic field, as well as restroom facilities for gardeners and field users.
Upgraded trails and a dedicated dog area at Winslow Park.
At Compo Beach: Upgraded pickleball (site TBD), a relocated skate park, reconfigured internal circulation, and dune restoration.
Phase II would include Baron’s South — for example upgraded access, vegetation management, removal of invasives, and a small percentage of space dedicated to semi-active recreation.
Phase III would focus on Luciano Park, Jesup Green, other parks, and the Town Hall athletic fields.
Celtruda emphasized that these are recommendations only. Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri noted that while BL offers important insights, he “may not necessarily agree” with all of the recommendations, or their timing.
“Nothing is set in stone,” he noted. His department, and the Parks & Recreation Commission, will continue to assess the report.
As we prepare for another beach season — and Old Mill Grocery & Deli gets ready for its busiest time of year — we’re reminded of the history of the 107-year-old market/community center.
We’ve posted many photos of past iterations — particularly when Ken Montgomery owned it. Here’s a rare photo of the man himself:
Here’s one of our favorites, from the very early days:
(Photos courtesy of Christopher Maroc)
It shows how much has changed on Compo Hill.
And how little has really changed, at one of Westport’s favorite institutions.
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
What is the concession contract at Compo Beach, the Longshore pavilion and Longshore halfway house worth?
$8,333 a month in year one of a 3-year contract; $9,166 per month the second year, and $10,000 the third. That works out to about $100,000, $110,000 and $120,000 a year.
The terms were worked out between the Parks & Recreation Department and NG Entertainment, a Westport-based company owned by Nikki Glekas.
On Wednesday (6 p.m., livestream), the Planning & Zoning Commission discusses the lease. They’re involved because Compo and Longshore are public property.
Glekas’ business could sell alcohol at the halfway house, and from a roaming golf cart.
The contract would begin May 15, and end November 15, 2029 (the last day of that golf season.
Two 2-year extension options could be exercised, at the town’s discretion.
After the P&Z, the contract goes to the Boards of Finance and Selectpersons for final approval.
A mural may not be all that’s new at the beach this year. A local concessionaire may replace Hook’d. The town bought out that company’s lease earlier this year. (Photo/Carm Roda)
The weather cleared beautifully yesterday — just in time for the opening of the outdoor Westport Farmers’ Market.
The 20th opening, in fact. That’s quite a milestone.
The Imperial Avenue parking lot was packed. And it will be, every Thursday between now and November, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you’ve never been: Go! From fresh produce, breads, baked goods, meats and seafood to flowers, dog treats and food trucks for lunch — plus live music, knife sharpening and much more — the Farmers’ Market has something for everyone.
And if you’re a regular — see you there!
(Photos/Susan Garment)
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Also yesterday: the always-inspiring A Better Chance of Westport “Dream Event.”
For a quarter century, the local chapter of the national non-profit has brought academically gifted and highly motivated teenagers of color to town. They live together, attend Staples, are supported by Westport volunteers — and give back at least as much as they get, to the community.
Last night, at the spectacular House Up on the Hill in Norwalk, ABC celebrated 2 graduating seniors, and 1 longtime volunteer.
Souleye Kebe and Vincent Vega are graduating, after 4 years in the program. After loving introductions by their host families, both spoke eloquently and movingly about their time at ABC’s Glendarcy House, at Staples and in Westport.
Souleye — who is a student representative on the Board of Education, president of Student Council, a member of the high school’s award-winning We the People team, and was the “Wrecker Bob” mascot at football games — talked about the impact his July 4th birthday had on his passion for democracy. He will attend Northwestern University.
Vincent — a talented baseball player — described the 4 families that have been central to his life: the one he was born into; his ABC “brothers”; his baseball team, and his 2 host families.
Both scholars received standing ovations for their words, and their contributions to their school and adopted town.
Souleye Kebe and Vincent Vega.
Maggie Gomez — a math teacher, who serves as both the liaison between Staples and A Better Chance, and with her husband Felix is a host parent — received ABC’s Community Award. She too spoke about the importance of the program, to all who are involved.
Your next chance to give is Monday (May 11, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Avenue). The drive is sponsored by the WWC and American Red Cross.
To make an appointment, click here; enter Westport in the “Zip/Sponsor Code” box. Or call 800-REDCROSS.
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department hosts a free Tennis Festival this Saturday (May 9, 12 to 4 p.m., Longshore).
The afternoon includes free adult and junior lessons (12-2 p.m.), a fast serve contest, hitting for prizes, adult and junior point play (2-4 p.m.), food trucks and a raffle.
On this date in 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II in Europe.
Released right around that time, this is widely considered the ultimate homecoming anthem.
(Every day, “06880” takes you on a journey — with many emotions — through Westport’s past and present. If you appreciate this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
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