Sure, there was a little early morning rain, then a cloudy morning. But by mid-afternoon they were gone. The sun shone brightly. And the blue sky turned red at dusk — perfect colors for Independence Day.
Sure, the barge was late. But it finally got there, and dropped anchor in its traditional spot, opposite the Compo Beach lifeguard shack.
And sure, 10,000 or so little kids, teenagers, families and everyone else celebrated America’s birthday the way we have for decades.
With fireworks, food and fun.
(Photo/Judith Katz)
There is no better day in Westport. Thanks from all who were there, to all who helped make it possible.
Lifeguard director Danilo Sierra (2nd from right) and his crew.
Parks & Rec handles countless tasks …
… including clean-up. At dawn today, the beach will be spotless.
Firefighters are out in force — just in case.
Sue Pfister and friend ovesee the Old Mill Beach parking lot.
Captain America, aka RTM member Andrew Colabella.
Stacie Curran and Dee Hychko.
Cheryl with her friend’s baby, Towner. (Photo/Laureen Haynes)
Doug and Melissa Bernstein sold their toy company. But they still sponsor the fireworks — helping Westport PAL raise needed funds.
A small part of the large crowd. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
A patriotic soccer fashion statement …
… and a patriotic statement of a different kind.
What’s not to smile about?
Lookin’ solid!
Terry, Laurie, Eamon and Seamus Brannigan.
Red, white and blue ice cream.
There are parties up and down Soundview Drive. But only one has a life-size outdoor chess set.
Smiling on the seawall …
… and hanging out on the lifeguard chair.
Dinner is served!
Lifeguard photo opp, while patrolling the beach.
Nowhere to park … (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
… but the barge found a nice spot.
From left: Former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, Nicole Tooker, 1st Selecctwoman Jen Tooker, former 2nd Selectman Charlie Haberstroh, RTM member Jimmy Izzo.
The money shot. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
Packing up, then heading home. (Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)
Your parties and picnics; you and your friends hanging out; your kids running around — however you celebrate, we hope you’ll share with our online community.
We’re less interested in shots of the actual fireworks — sorry, but they all tend to look the same — than in people. Faces, smiles, flags —email them to 06880blog@gmail.com, by 10 p.m. tonight (the end of the fireworks show).
Enjoy the show! Then share it with all the rest of us. Thank you!
A great shot from last year. (Photo/Jennifer Kobetitsch)
Last night, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) unanimously approved a proposal by Chris Tait and Andrew Colabella to name the pickleball courts there in honor of Tom Lowrie.
It’s a fitting tribute to the man who has done more to promote the sport in Westport than anyone.
And who turns 97 tomorrow. Happy birthday, and congratulations, Tom!
Tom Lowrie (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
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The Planning & Zoning Commission begins its 65-day deliberation period of The Hamlet at Saugatuck this Monday (July 7, 6 p.m., Zoom).
It’s a work session. The public can observe, but not participate.
Hamlet’s 65-day period begins.
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Alicia Murphy is making the most of her summer internship with Wakeman Town Farm.
A rising senior at the University of Mary Washington, she is majoring in environmental science. Her concentration is in sustainability and soil science.
Growing up in a small town in rural Indiana, Alicia received an extensive agricultural education throughout high school. But she realized how destructive and unsustainable traditional farming practices really are.
At WTF she developed an interest in the newest garden. Recently reclaimed as a part of the farm, the land has suffered a significant degree of soil compaction and topsoil degradation, making it difficult for plants to thrive.
Alicia’s goal is to create a plan for sustainable, long-lasting remediation.
On July 16 (2 p.m., Tim’s Kitchen), she’ll describe her summer work, soil restoration, small-scale sustainable practices, and solutions for compacted and depleted farmland. The public is invited.
Mike Borchetta — a 1961 Staples High School graduate who, in a long music industry career, worked with Glen Campbell, the Beach Boys and Four Seasons, Dusty Springfield and Wayne Newton — died recently. He was 84.
According to Nashville Post, his resume in Los Angeles and Nashville included stints as president of Lofton Creek Records, Broken Bow, Capitol, RCA, Mercury, Philips Records and Rebel Engine.
As vice president of promotion at Curb Records from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, Borchetta played a key role in signing of Tim McGraw.
Much earlier, as a Staples student, he brought Bo Diddley, Harvey & the Moonglows and Dave “Baby” Cortez to town.
Borchetta and his wife Martha also bred and trained thoroughbred horses. He is survived too by his children Scott, Adelle, Chris and Angela, all of whom are in the music industry. Scott started his own label — and discovered a 16-year-old Taylor Swift.
Details for a service have not yet been announced.
Mike Borchetta
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” scene comes from hen-pecked Greens Farms:
And finally … in honor of Mike Borchetta (obituary above):
(Today is hump day. And fireworks day. And — as always — a day to support “06880,” your hyper-local, 24/7/365 blog. Please click here — and thank you!)
Tomorrow — 2 day ahead of the holiday — the annual PAL fireworks will light the sky over Compo Beach. It’s Westport’s biggest and best party of the year.
It also has a major impact on traffic.
The beach closes to the public at 4 p.m. Only vehicles with fireworks passes hanging from their rearview mirrors can stay in the parking lot. The beach reopens to ticket holders no later than 5 p.m.
Access to the fireworks is through Compo Road South only. Hillspoint Road south of Greens Farms Road will be closed to through traffic.
Uber, Lyft and taxi services will drop riders off where Soundview Drive runs into Compo Road South. However, return service will not be possible until 11 p.m., due to one-way traffic exiting the beach. There will be delays of an hour or so after the fireworks end (approximately 9:30 to 9:45) for residents return to the Compo Beach area from elsewhere, and for anyone picking up people at the beach.
The fireworks are sponsored by Melissa and Doug Bernstein, and are an important fundraiser for Westport PAL. A few tickets remain, at the Parks & Recreation Department office in Longshore (during business hours), and the police station.
The traffic is worth it. (Photo/Elissa Moses)
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Speaking of the fireworks: Please send us your photos tomorrow!
Your parties and picnics; you and your friends hanging out, and your kids running around — however you celebrate, we hope you’ll share with our online community.
We’re less interested in shots of the actual fireworks — sorry, but they all tend to look the same — than in people. Faces, smiles, flags — email them to 06880blog@gmail.com, by 10 p.m. (the end of the fireworks show).
Thanks. It takes a village, and we’re glad you’re part of ours.
Jennifer Kobetitsch sent this last year. Let’s see what you’ve got!
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And now … the moment you’ve been waiting for: the winners of the Great Duck Race.
Westport Sunrise Rotary — which thanks to the event will distribute about $100,000 in grants and scholarships next year — announces the champions.
There’s a new president too. Senior vice president Robert Boroujerdi succeeds Pat Wieser. She remains a board member member, while Krishna Patel takes over as senior vice president.
Other officers include treasurer Ben Chan, secretary Sheri Gordon, Finance Committee chair Scott Bennewitz, Governance and Nominations Committee chair Martina Sze, and Development Committee chair Mark Silverstein.
Boroujerdi is a former partner at Goldman Sachs. He later joined Third Point, an institutional asset manager, as the head of markets. He and his family live in Westport.
Leaving the board are longtime members Andrea Berkely, Randy Herbertson, Celeste La Croix, Jay Norris and Andrew Wilk.
Charise and her husband Justin co-founded Saugatuck Financial, where she headed up daily operations and growth initiatives for more than a decade. She continues to lead business development, marketing and strategic initiatives. The couple live in Westport, with their 2 children.
Corgel is an experienced business executive. He has been involved with several non-profits since retiring in 2013, after serving in key managerial roles with global responsbility at IBM. He and his wife Chris have lived in Westport for more than 35 years.
Travlos is s a capital markets specialist, investor and entrepreneur with deep experience across technology, media, industrial and consumer sectors. She moved to Westport in 2000 with her daughter, and now lives here with her black labrador Robert.
Zwick has more than 20 years’ experience in the nonprofit and education sectors. She serves as executive director of the Tuck Initiative on Workplace Inclusion at Dartmouth, and teaches courses on social impact at NYU. When she moved to Westport in 2020, her one demand was to live within walking distance of the Library.
Joe Lamp’l — aka “Joe Gardener” — spoke to a full house at the Westport Library last week, on ecological gardening for beauty and biodiversity.
The next day, he visited Greens Farms Garden Club’s “Growing for Good” vegetable gardens. Volunteers with the project grow organic vegetables, and donate them to Homes with Hope in Westport, and Bridgeport’s Mercy Learning Center.
Richard Orenstein was a significant benefactor of the Westport Museum for History & Culture.
On Sunday, friends unveiled a commemorative stone in his honor, near the front of the building.
He also donated generous to other organizations, here and in Sarasota, Florida — where he flew over 1,000 hours for Angel Flight, which provides free medical services.
In the weeks leading up to the July 27 event, we’ll post information on the great new tradition. All day long, the Compo Beach exit road will be closed to traffic, and open for live music, kids’ activities and games, food, community gathering and fun.
On our Instagram we’ll offer information on the bands that will play, times for the photo booth and face painting, food vendors, and everything else you need to make the day special.
Please follow the page, check out the reel, and add a comment if you’d like. If you’ve got any photos from last year, add them in!
The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to the town, from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. See you on July 27, at the Stroll!
Blau House & Gardens — the magnificent property high on a ridge off Bayberry Lane — is one of Westport’s true hidden gems.
The gardens were developed over 50 years by the late advertising entrepreneur, Barry Blau. The intimate series of interlocking garden rooms, incorporating native plants interspersed with a blend of exotics — surround a mid-century modern house designed by celebrated theatrical designer, Ralph Alswang.
Since 2017, Emily Blau and Robert Cohen — the BH&G stewards — have opened their special garden for events like signings by bestselling authors, children’s book readings, scavenger hunts, garden tours, horticultural classes and more.
Next up: “Music in the Garden.” Two concerts this summer — presented in collaboration with the Norwalk Symphony Orchetra — offer a chance to hear beautiful music, in an unparalleled setting.
The first is August 3, with the Quantum Leap String Quartet. The second is August 17, featuring Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet.
Both days begin with a garden tour, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. ($25). The music begins at 6 p.m., through 7:15 ($75). Picnicking in the gardens is encouraged.
Shuttles will run from the parking lot at Coleytown Elementary School. Click here for tickets.
Saturday’s Levitt Pavilion show — the Disco Biscuits’ 30th anniversary tour stop — included great celestial lighting, for the popular EDM/jam rock band.
For disco biscuits 30th anniversary tour stop!
Click here or below for an intriguing look at the “mother ship.”
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The New York Times gave plenty of coverage in yesterday’s “Vows” section to the marriage of Jackie Hornung and Ben Jacob.
Much of the story involved their dog, Little Bear Lumi. He’s social media famous. In fact, Jackie — who majored in psychology at Tulane University — handles his accounts full time.
The couple met as 11-year-olds at Camp Echo Lake. At 16 — more than a decade ago — they became a couple.
Another newspaper feature, another Westporter: Taking a break from tough topics, this weekend the Wall Street Journal asked: “What Do You Wear Though Your Partner Hates It?”
Westport’s assistant town attorney married Tim Ritchie on June 14, at Compo Beach.
They met “bravely” on Match, she says, in June 2020 — at the height of the pandemic.
The wedding took place in front of both partners’ immediate families. The officiant was very familiar: Eileen’s daughter Kat.
Eileen Lavigne and Tim Ritchie (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Cathy Talmadge’s family and friends gathered yesterday at Wakeman Town Farm.
A memorial garden was dedicated to WTF’s co-founder, committee member and treasurer. It honored her legacy of preservation, environmentalism and community involvement
Cathy — who was also a longtime Representative Town Meeting (RTM) member, civic volunteer and environmental advocate — died in January 2023.
It took over 2 years and hundreds of hours for volunteers, interns and farmers to amend the soil, eliminate weeds, and turn a fallowo piece of propety across the street from the Farm into a thriving cut-flower garden.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Westport poet laureate Donna Disch, and friends Amy Ancel and Tony McDowell were among the speakers.
Cathy’s daughter Callie said her mother’s “happy place was always in her garden, under the sun, srrounded by the wild beauty she helped nurture.
“She had an incredible eye for plants, and the kind of green thumb that could bring anything back to life.
“She didn’t just garden; she communed with the plants. She was usually covered head to toe in dirt, with the biggest grin on her face.
“And usually, yes, a solid case of posion ivy.”
Cathy Talmadge Memorial Garden. (Photo/Andrew Colabella)
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Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs have done it again.
On Friday, the television journalists recorded a riveting “Sanity” podcast with Joe Walsh.
The former Tea Party co-founder-turned-Democrat (as of last week) spoke candidly about the state of his former Republican Party, his differences with Democrats, and the importance of a “big tent” that covers a variety of views.
Alisyn and Dave both worked at Fox News. Their questions about Joe’s appearances there — including interviews with Alisyn — are particularly fascinating.
Click here or below to view their podcast. It’s a half hour well worth watching.
Were you there, and want to see it again? (With the chance this time to pause for the highlights — even though you still have no idea which duck is yours.)
Sunrise Rotary Club member Mark Mathias taped the entire 8 minute-plus race. Click here or below to see.
“06880” readers love Claudia Sherwood Servidio’s. A relative newcomer to Westport, the professional photographer captures the beauty and natural wonder of our town with a discerning and special eye.
Claudia spends most summer on the Greek island of Lemnos, in the Aegean Sea.
On Friday she had a show there of her underwater photos. Here’s one:
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
Looks like a great show. How about another project: “Underwater Westport”?
On Thursday, the Jazz Society of Fairfield County awarded 2 $5,000 scholarships, to graduating high school seniors who will pursue a career in jazz performance, composition and/or jazz education.
They grants honor longtime saxophonist, educator and supporter of the non-profit’s Thursday night “Jazz at the Post” series.
Liana Nash (Kolbe Cathedral High School) studies music with the KEYS (Kids Empowered by Your Support) program in Bridgeport, which provides free lessons to students whose families cannot afford them. She sings in the KEYS choir, plays cello in its orchestra, and is a vocalist and pianist in its jazz band.
This summer she will intern at KEYS Summer Camp. In the fall she will study music education at Western Connecticut State University.
Maxwell Crook is a saxophonist from Ridgefield. He earned the Outstanding Soloist award at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington competition, and participated in the Western Connecticut State University Honors Festival.
He will double major in jazz performance and music production/composition at Loyola University in New Orleans.
In addition to their scholarships, Liana and Maxwell performed with a quartet of renowned musicians at last Thursday’s Jazz at the Post.
Liana Nash and Maxwell Crooks, at Thursday’s Jazz at the Post.
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Sure, today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature shows milkweed at Sherwood Island State Park.
But, photographer Marcia Falk wonders: Can you spot the bee?
And finally … in honor of Claudia Sherwood Servidio’s underwater photo exhibit (story above):
(What a weekend! And it’s only half over. If you’re enjoying it — and our coverage of it — please click here to support our work. Thank you. Now enjoy the rest of the day.)
There will be no referendum on Long Lots Elementary School.
Toni Simonetti had 14 days to collect 2,015 signatures — 10% of all eligible voters in the most recent election. She hoped to slash the proposed $103,190,124 expenditure for a new school to $90 million.
Yesterday was the petition deadline. Only 71 signatures were turned in. The drive was 1,944 signatures short.
Planning will proceed for a new Long Lots, without a referendum.
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Good news!
The most recent bacteria tests for Compo and Burying Hill came back negative yesterday. The beaches have reopened.
Whew!
Everyone back in the water! (Photo/Rowene Weems)
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Tickets are selling well for Wednesday’s fireworks show at Compo Beach — aka Westport’s Best Party of the Year. Only a small number remain.
A few residents have asked about this year’s price increase, the first in several years.
Westport PAL — the longtime co-sponsor, and beneficiary of the fundraiser — explains that costs have risen dramatically for everything: the barge, insurance, and the fireworks themselves.
Melissa and Doug Bernstein generously underwrite part of the costs, as they’ve done for years. Without their help, PAL would net only about $2,000.
Proceeds helps fund PAL programs that serve programs that serve thousands of youngsters each year, plus the Longshore skating rink and college scholarships. Click here to learn more about PAL.
Tickets (cash or check) are available at the Parks & Recreation Commission office at Longshore (near the golf course first tee) during office hours, and any time at the Westport police station on Jesup Road.
Westport’s greatest party returns July 2. (Photo/Elissa Moses)
Our second “06880” Instagram Live yesterday was certainly lively.
Dave Briggs and Dan Woog explored the “Don’t Kill the Old Mill” campaign, in support of Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
And we did it from the communal table, inside the very popular Hillspoint Road spot.
We were joined by several OMG notables, including owner Graziano Ricco of Romanacci’s; Jim Hood and Ian Warburg of the non-profit Soundview Empowerment Alliance, owner of the 106-year-old building, Matthew Mandell of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, and Chris Tait, an Old Mill neighbor and staunch supporter.
They explained what OMG means to the neighborhood. We took questions from viewers too.
The Levitt Pavilion offers 2 free shows, and 1 other, this weekend.
The Tom Petty Project kicks things off tonight (Friday, 7:30 p.m.). All free tickets have been claimed, but returned tickets will be redistributed at the box office before the show.
A few tickets are still available, at various prices, for tomorrow’s Disco Biscuits cconcert (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.).
Artemis takes the stage Sunday (7 p.m.), for a free show.
Edwin A. Audley — a former Westport Police captain, and founder of the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service — died last month in Winter Haven, Florida. He was 87.
The Westport native graduated from Staples High School in 1955. He served in the Army from 1955 to 1958, then joined the Army Reserves as a senior aircraft mechanic until 1962.
Ed joined the Westport Police Department in 1961. He was promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, inspector, then captain in 1990. He retired in 1993.
Ed founded the WVEMS in 1979. He became an Emergency Medical Technician instructor in 1987.
In Florida, Ed was president of the Winter Haven Rose Society.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; brother Harry Audley (Pat), daughters Kimberly, Susan Palmer (Mark) and Victoria; 4 grandchildren, 5 great- grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 12 (Assumption Church, 10 a.m.).
Click here to leave online condolences. Donations can be made to the Edwin Audley Scholarship Fund, c/o Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, 50 Jesup Rd. Westport, CT 06880.
Ed Audley
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Former Westporter Priscilla Boyle died last Friday, surrounded by her family. She was 96.
She graduated from Lesley College, then taught kindergarten in Watertown, Massachusetts for 9 years before marrying Charles Boyle in 1958. They moved to Westport in 1963, and raised 3 children here.
Priscilla was involved with tennis, the Weston Field Club and bridge.
She was an active member of Assumption Church for over 6 decades. She shared her faith through Eucharistic Ministry, prayer groups, book clubs and as a catechism teacher, with a special dedication to preparing children for their First Communion.
Later, Priscilla became a welcoming presence at the Westport YMCA as a receptionist.
Priscilla was predeceased by her husband and her siblings Mary Alice Connolly, James W. Scanlan, Anne T. “Nancy” Batal and Francis V. Scanlan. al.
She is survived by her children Charles “Chip,” Susan Improta (Paul), and Elizabeth Boyle; grandsons Kenneth and Philip Improta, sister-in-law Alice Scanlan, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of Priscilla’s life will be held at Assumption Church on July 15 (11 a.m.). In lieu of flowers, donations in Priscilla’s memory may be made to Smile Train.
Priscilla Boyle
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June is ending the way it began: with plenty of colors.
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” yellow-and-green scene is from Whitney Street.
And finally … Mick Ralphs — the Mott the Hoople and Bad Company guitarist/ songwriter — died. He was 81, and had bedridden after suffering a stroke in 2016. Click here for a full obituary.
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