Category Archives: Beach

Pic Of The Day #1521

Posted on June 17, 2021 | Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #1521

Today was graduation for Staples High School’s Class of 2021. Before the ceremony, a group of seniors gathered at Compo Beach. Their parents captured the moment. (Photo/Doris Ghitelman)

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Save The Date: “06880” Blog Party Is July 15!

Posted on June 17, 2021 | 5 comments

It’s been waaaaaay too long.

Two years ago, lightning knocked out our annual “06880” blog party.

Last year COVID kept us all home.

But that’s all in the rear view mirror. Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 15 — the day one of summer’s best traditions returns.

If you’re reading this, you’re part of the great “06880” online community.

Which means you’re invited.

We’ll gather at 6 p.m. at Compo Beach — specifically, alcohol-is-okay South Beach, by the trees (the opposite end from the cannons).

Bring your own food, beverages (no glass bottles, though!), beach chairs and blankets.

A blog party is a true community gathering. It’s a chance to meet and mingle with the diverse “06880” community (both online and real). It’s fun, un-fancy, and free (unless you don’t have a sticker — but closer to the date, we’ll try to arrange rides).

This year’s blog party will be better than ever.

You read it here first.

A few fun folks at a pre-COVID, pre-thunderstorm “06880” party.

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Pic Of The Day #1520

Posted on June 16, 2021 | Comments Off on Pic Of The Day #1520

Compo Beach jetty (Photo/Eric Taylor)

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Pic Of The Day #1519

Posted on June 15, 2021 | 1 comment

Burying Hill Beach (Photo/Daniel Johnson)

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Pic Of The Day #1517

Posted on June 13, 2021 | 2 comments

Future Staples High School stars, at Compo Beach (Photo/Ed Simek)

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Photo Challenge #337

Posted on June 13, 2021 | 17 comments

One reader called it “another fabulous crown jewel.” Another said it was a “fabulous spot for a nice party.”

“It” is the small clubhouse at Ned Dimes Marina. Separating scores of boats from the parking lot by the softball field, the low wooden building can be lost in Compo Beach’s beauty.

But it really is a gem. It’s a spot to sit, rest and people-watch. It’s shaded and breezy.

And — though many Westporters don’t know this — the clubhouse is also available to rent, for a modest-compared-to-most-places fee.

Fred Cantor, Lee Ann Bollert, Diane Silfen, Andrew Colabella, Rich Stein, Louis Weinberg, Thomas Siebrasse, Marc Isaacs, Michael Calise, Jonathan McClure and Sue Kane all identified last week’s Photo Challenge, a reflective-type shot by Dinkin Fotografix. (Click here to see.)

So who was Ned Dimes?

He was a former All-New England soccer player at Wesleyan University, B-24 World War II pilot, and Yale Law graduate who practiced his entire career in Westport.

In his 55 years here he was elected to the Board of Finance (18 years, 14 as chair); served as president of the Westport Pension Board; was on the Representative Town Meeting, Recreation Commission, Public Site & Building Committee and Planning and Zoning Commission (alternate), and was a YMCA trustee.

Dimes also chaired Saugatuck Congregational Church’s board of trustees, and was a deacon. He spent 50 years as a Saugatuck Hose Company #4 member (as well as their attorney and trustee).

He also belonged to the Minuteman and South Norwalk Boat Clubs — more reasons (among many) that our “crown jewel” marina is named for Ned Dimes. He died in 2005, age 82.

Meanwhile — away from the beach — if you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/JC Martin)

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Roundup: Fireworks, Juneteenth, Gold’s …

Posted on June 13, 2021 | Comments Off on Roundup: Fireworks, Juneteenth, Gold’s …

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There are no 4th of July fireworks in Westport this year.

But there were pyrotechnics off Compo last night.

A private party — and anyone else down there around 10 — enjoyed a brief display. As in colonial (okay, pre-pandemic) days, they were launched from a barge offshore.

The event was legit. Police inspected the operation earlier in the evening.

But it sure surprised plenty of folks around town, who heard it.

And their dogs.

Fireworks off Compo Beach last night.

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The Westport Museum of History & Culture honors Juneteenth — the commemoration of the end of slavery in the US — with a special walking program on Westport’s African American history.

The June 19 event (2 to 3:30 p.m.). features guides, who will share stories of the area’s Black community from colonial times through today. It’s based on the museum’s exhibit “Remembered: The History of African Americans in Westport.”

Space is limited to 10 people per tour. Reservations ($10 each) are required, Click here to purchase.

Meanwhile, this Tuesday (June 15, 6 p.m.), the museum will showcase objects related to Black history. It’s part of their Tuesday Treasures program, showcasing objects from the collection not normally on public view.

To watch live and ask questions, visit their Facebook page or YouTube channel.

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For over 60 years, Gold’s Delicatessen has been Westport’s go-to place for pastrami, bagels and lox and more.

And though it did a healthy takeout business over the past 15 months, there’s no surer sign that Westport is back from COVID than this: Gold’s indoor tables are once again open.

So go. Have breakfast or lunch. Sit and schmooze. Just like in 2019.

Or 1959.

Gold’s is back! (Photo/Toby Burns)

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It’s one thing to have a national champion rowing team.

It’s astonishing to have two — and both in the same age group.

That’s what Saugatuck Rowing Club did yesterday. Both girls U-17 teams — 4+ and 8+ won the US Rowing Youth Nationals in Sarasota, Florida.

Congratulations to 8+ rowers Mia Kirkorsky (coxswain), and rowers Claudia Chadwick, Elisabeth Chadwick, Hannah Clemens, Maia Freeman, Isabella Furman, Jane Leahy, Janna Moore and Lauren Schramm. All except Isabell and Lauren are from Westport.

In the 4+ boat: Westporters Victoria Bazarko and Rosie Lundberg, plus Ella Casano, Kelly Kennedy and Alexandra Cowan.

Coaches are Gordon Getsinger, Anna Yamamoto and Mike O’’Hara.

Look for them all back soon, on the river. You’ll know who they are by the gold glinting off the sun.

Saugatuck Rowing Club’s U17 8+ boat: national champs!

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What’s better than a dinner of Pizza Pete’s homemade pies at Wakeman Town Farm with the family?

The same event — but without the kids. (C’mon — admit it!)

An adults-only event — yes, there’s wine — is set for Thursday, June 24 (7 p.m.). The outdoor event includes individual pizzas from Skinny Pines’ Jeff Borofsky, a bottle from The Grapevine, and live music. Click here for details, and tickets.

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Comedy returns to the Remarkable Theater screen this Tuesday (June 15, 8:30 p.m.). “Bridesmaids” tops the bill. Click here for tickets and more information.

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Jocelyn & Chris — their siblings, so I guess they don’t need last names — entertained an appreciative MoCA Westport crowd Friday night.

The outdoor concert was part of their summer-long concert series. Next: a classical piano concert by Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung (Friday, June 25). They’re married, BTW. Click here for tickets and more information.

Jocelyn & Chris entertain at MoCA Westport. (Photo/Maddy Martin)

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“Westport … Naturally” gets lots of gorgeous shots. This is not one of them.

Sherwood Island (Photo/Molly Alger)

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And finally … missing sit-down meals at Gold’s is not anything like what Charles Dickens’ orphans went through. Still, it’s not celebrate the return of the popular deli’s glorious food.

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Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Environment, History, Restaurants, Sports

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Pic Of The Day #1516

Posted on June 12, 2021 | 3 comments

Hauling in a colorful boat (Photo/Gene Borio)

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Westport Opens Up

Posted on June 11, 2021 | 12 comments

Alert “06880” reader — and longtime Westport observer — Tom Lowrie is intrigued by open spaces.

There’s a lot more of it here than we realize.

The other day, Tom did a deep dive into untouched territory.

Here’s an index he found. It’s accurate as of December 28, 2020. (It’s also about as random as can be.)

As Westport “opens up” after the pandemic, it’s good to know there are places to go without even a whiff of indoor fear.

Haskins Preserve – an underappreciated town jewel. (Photo/Krista Gelev)

The guide also helps the 672 newcomers who have moved here during COVID. One of the driving forces to leave Manhattan and Brookyn is a desire for more space.

Recent arrivals, oldtimers, ex-pats: We’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s your favorite open space? Any surprises on the list? Any that have been missed? Any you’ve never heard of?

Click “Comments’ below. Then we’ll see you — out and about.

Town of Westport

  • Compo Beach
  • Old Mill Beach
  • Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve
  • Burying Hill Beach
  • Longshore
  • Veterans Memorial Green
  • Jesup Green
  • Winslow Park
  • Levitt Pavilion/Riverwalk
  • Baron’s South
  • Grace K. Salmon Park

The view from Grace Salmon Park (Photo/Patricia McMahon)

  • Dr. William P. Teuscher Wetland Preserve
  • Imperial Avenue Lots
  • Imperial Park
  • Luciano Park
  • Stroffolino Park
  • Riverside Park
  • St. John Place/Myrtle Avenue Park
  • Eugene Pasacreta Park
  • Eloise A. Ray Park
  • Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum
  • Machamux Park

Machamux Park — one of the oldest sites in what is now Westport. (Photo by Fred Cantor)

  • Canal Green
  • Canal Beach
  • “Needle” Park (1 Main Street)
  • Town Hall Fields
  • Nevada Hitchcock Park
  • 90 Hillspoint Road Fields
  • Nistico Fields
  • Staples High School Fields
  • Wakeman Park
  • Coleytown Middle School Fields
  • Long Lots Elementary School Field
  • Greens Farms Elementary School Field
  • Saugatuck and Kings Highway Elementary School Fields (Doubleday and Romano)
  • Westport Community Gardens

State of Connecticut

  • Sherwood Island State Park
  • Saugatuck River Trout Management Area

Shewood Island State Park: 232 acres of prime real estate, right here in Westport.

Connecticut Audubon Society

  • H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve and Christmas Tree Farm
  • Meadow Restoration at Greens Farms Road

Aspetuck Land Trust

  • Haskins Preserve
  • Newman-Poses Preserve
  • Leonard Schine Preserve
  • Hilla Rebay Arboretum
  • Peter’s Gate Wetlands
  • Comstock Preserve
  • Eno Marsh Preserve
  • Guard Hill Preserve
  • Allen Salt Marsh
  • Talcot Wakeman Vineyard Wildlife Habitat
  • Taylortown Salt Marsh
  • Lees Canal Wetlands

Taylortown Marsh, near Kings Highway North and Wilton Road in downtown Westport. (Photo/Ed Simek)

Private

  • Earthplace
  • Partrick Open Space Preserve
  • Kowalsky “Peaceful Valley Farms”
  • Nyala Farms Corporation
  • Westport Weston Family YMCA Mahackeno Outdoor Center
  • Fairfield County Hunt Club
  • St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services
  • Birchwood Country Club
  • Greens Farms Academy Fields and Wetland

Cemeteries

  • Burying Hill Beach Colonial
  • Assumption Church
  • Christ & Holy Trinity and Assumption
  • Evergreen Avenue (Saugatuck Church)
  • Willowbrook

Willowbrook cemetery – with the remnants of Daffodil Mile.

  • Greens Farms Church (upper and lower)
  • Poplar Plains
  • Old Burial Ground at Kings Highway
  • Platt Burial Ground
  • Gray’s Creek
  • Compo Colonial

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Burying Hill Is Sound

Posted on June 10, 2021 | 4 comments

The 2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report was released this morning.  According to Save the Sound, 79% of the more than 200 Long Island Sound beaches earned “A” or “B” grades for water quality last year.

And there — listed in the Top 10 public beaches in Connecticut, based on water quality — is Westport’s own Burying Hill.

It and Stamford’s Quigley Beach were the only Fairfield County spots on the list.

Water quality at Burying Hill Beach is excellent. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

Key findings of Save the Sound’s 2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report include:

  • That still leaves 16% of Sound beaches with moderate to poor grades. meaning more work must be done to improve water quality and avoid beach closures.
  • Rain is the primary driver for water pollution at area beaches. Water quality failure rates doubled when it rained, even 48 hours later.
  • Rain causes water quality failure for several reasons, including stormwater runoff or sewer line overflow when communities depend on combined stormwater/sewer lines, or have aging sewer lines with undetected leaks.
  • Climate change will mean more rain for the region. It is crucial to invest in stormwater and sewage infrastructure to avoid more beach closures.

Click here for Save the Sound’s interactive maps, listing beach water quality. The full Beach Report can be downloaded from there too.

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