Hmmm…what’s a good 97th birthday gift for a longtime Westporter?
How about having the Compo Beach pickleball courts named in your honor?!
That very appropriate idea is edging closer to reality.
Last week, the Parks & Recreation Commission unanimously approved the idea of honoring Tom Lowrie. The man who has done more than anyone else to promote the sport in Westport stepped down as the town’s “Pickleball Ambassador” in April.
Yesterday, the Board of Selectwomen gave the resolution their unanimous okay too.
The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Parks & Recreation Committee considers the idea — co-sponsored by Andrew Colabella and Chris Tait — tonight (6 p.m., Zoom).
If they approve it — and it would require a stunning kind of stupid not to — the item moves on to the full RTM, this coming Tuesday (July 2, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall).
That would be well deserved.
And perfect timing.
Tom Lowrie turns 97 years young on July 3 — the very next day.
(Photo/Pam Einarsen)
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Westport’s Sidewalk Sale. has something for everyone.
Including retailers who don’t have a sidewalk downtown.
The popular Westport Downtown Association event — set for tomorrow (Friday) through Sunday on Main Street, Elm Street, Church Lane, Post Road East and Sconset Square — also features booths for men’s and women’s apparel stores that are located outside the area.
There are other vendors too. Like Huntington Learning Center, which offers a chance to win a free academic evalatuion.
And Salon Nash. Owner Felicia Catale will provide haircuts for men and women ($35). Children’s cuts are just $20.
Click here for a list of dozens of downtown participating stores, and their promotions — along with other vendors and retailers.
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A reminder: Dave Briggs and Dan Woog host another Instagram Live today (3 p.m., Thursday).
We’ll be at Old Mill Grocery & Deli, talking with representatives from the owner (Soundview Empowerment Alliance) and operator (Romanacci).
Our Instagram is 0688danwoog. See you on social media!
(Photo/Dave Dellinger)
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Sure, it was hot hot HOT yesterday.
And — ugh! — Compo Beach was closed to swimming, due to high bacteria counts.
But the dozens of kids at Camp Compo still got wet.
The Westport Fire Department rode to the rescue. They opened a hydrant, and the campers splashed quickly and happily through the spray.
In fact, they’ll probably remember that “swim” long after they’ve forgotten all their other dips in the Sound.
Thanks to the WFD (and Parks & Recreation Department) for this simple — and simply fun — solution.
(Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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Earthplace’s July programming includes plenty of fun, educational and just plain cool activities, for kids, adults and entire families. They include:
- Weekend Hike: Sunday Morning Ramble (July 13, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
- Pick Your Own Bouquet (July 13, 1-2 p.m.; July 27, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.)
- Brooks ‘n’ Bugs (July 15, 1-2:30 p.m.)
- Kids Night Out: Nature Detecctive (July 25, 6-9 p.m.)
- Nature Theater: Vernal Pool Party (July 26, August 3, 1-3 p.m.)
- Foraging & Cooking with Wild Food (July 19, 10 a.m.)
- Summertime Foraging (July 27, 1-2:30 p.m.).
Click here for more information, and registration.
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TAP Strength has launched a new program, with a special niche.
Designed specifically for teens and young adults who are neurodivergent, it focuses on building strength, improving posture and boosting confidence — all in a fun, supportive and inclusive environment.
Led by Certified Personal Trainers who hold Autism Exercise Specialist credentials through the American College of Sports Medicine, the program’s expert coaching and personalized support help each participant move better, feel stronger, and thrive — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Highlights include:
- Body Awareness Assessments
- Functional Fitness and Breathwork
- Posture and Movement Education
- Mindfulness and Confidence Strategies
- 1-on-1 or Small Group Sessions
Parent Stacie Curran says, “My son Dylan has been training at TAP for years. His body awareness, posture and confidence have all improved tremendously. He absolutely loves the TAP trainers. It’s a consistently fun, positive environment where he feels seen and supported.”
The first session is free. To learn more or schedule an assessment, email info@tapstrength.com or click here.
Working out and having fun at TAP Strength.
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If you access “06880” on a desktop or laptop, you may have noticed our new header (photo at the top of the page).
It was taken by Gregg Jacobs, as he went fishing recently. If you are on a mobile device, here’s what you’re missing:
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Southern Fried brings their “hot and crispy classic rock, blues and R&B” to the Weston History & Culture Center this Sunday (5:30 p.m.).
The outdoor show is part of their Music at the Barn summer series. Bring a lawn chair, BYOB and picnic (no food truck). Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for others; children 12 and under free.
Other Music at the Barn concerts are July 27, August 3 and September 7 (1 p.m.).
The Weston History & Culture Center also offers interactive tours of historic Coley House, and information about the forgotten village of Valley Forge, the Weston Meteorite, and the history of ragtime dance. Click here for more information.
Enjoying Music at the Barn.
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The Westport Woman’s Club is looking for a very organized person to serve as office manager. Qualifications include strong experience in Microsoft Office and proficiency with QuickBooks Online or similar accounting skills; the ability to multitask, and good people skills to interact with members and the public.
Hoursare weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Send resumes to wwc@westportwomansclub.org.
A great place to work.
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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between June 18 and 25.
A 35-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with larceny, after a complaint was made about construction work that had not been completed, despite being paid $20,500.
A 45-year-old Southbury man was charged with reckless driving. At 6:40 a.m. on May 27, an off-duty officer wintessed a driver passing vehicles in no passing zones, and at stop sign. Once at work, he identified the operator, who agreed to come to the Westport police station to be issued a misdemeanor summons. He failed to appear, and a warrant was issued.
A 38-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with disorderly conduct and violation of a protective order, following a domestic violence investigation.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Disorderly conduct: 2 citations
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
- Following too closely: 2
- Burglary: 1
- Larceny: 1
- Interfering with an emergency call: 1
- Transporting a chld without restraints: 1
- Assault on an elderly victim: 1
- Face protection/motorcycle: 1
- Operating a motorcycle without insurance: 1
- Operating a motorcycle without endorsement: 1
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 1
- Failure to insure a motor vehicle: 1
- Failure to obey stop sign: 1.
Put your kid in a car seat. Or get a ticket.
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Longtime Westport resident Agnes Davis died on June 17 in Florida — what would have been her late husband Bob’s 97th birthday. She was 102.
After graduating from high school in Pennsylvania at 16, she went to business school, then returned to Republic Steel as a proud, ahead-of-her-time career woman.
Her brother’s roommate, Bob, proposed to her on their first date. Though 6 years older, she accepted. They moved to Westport in 1965, where they raised 5 children.
Agnes was active in the Newcomers Club, Westport Garden Club, Westport Woman’s Club, and a gourmet group. She volunteered with the Saugatuck Elementary School PTA and as a Cub Scout den mother, and played Mrs. Claus to Bob’s Santa Claus at Perkin Elmer.
Agnes started a 15-year volunteer stint at Norwalk Hospital at age 75. Channel 12 honored her as a Hometown Hero, for her dedication.
Agnes worked at Nancy Strong’s Slimnastics and Hastings Real Estate before moving to Beijing in 1983 at age 61, after Bob accepted a job at Perkin Elmer’s China office. She embraced the Chinese society, culture and people, and traveled alone multiple times across China for work. Her thousands of photographs recorded everyday Chinese life and children.
In 1985 Agnes and Bob returned from China, then moved to Uberlingen, Germany in 1989. They traveled extensively in Europe. She self-published a book about her China experience. Years later, Agnes found a copy at the Westport Library Book Sale.
Back in Westport, she entertained over 600 visitors from 46 countries.
Agnes and Bob bought a home in The Villages, Florida in 2011, and moved their fulltime. He died in 2021.
Agnes is survived by her children Ed (Linda) of Hollister, California, Nancy Shwartz of Danbury, Mary Lou of The Villages, John (Ellen) of Raleigh, and Rick (Beth) of Newtown; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; her sisters Delores Allick of Palm Springs, California and Eileen Novak of California, Pennsylvania. Agnes was predeceased by her sister, Lenora Zanolli, brother- law George Paler, and son-in-law, Jeff Shwartz.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Norwalk Hospital or the Westport Woman’s Club. A celebration of Agnes and Bob’s lives will be held at the Westport Country Playhouse in late August.
(To read an “06880” story about the Davis family’s time in Westport, click here.)
Agnes Davis
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Westport’s beaches were closed to swimming earlier this week.
Perhaps that’s why — in today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo — these guys have decided to stay on shore, between Old Mill and Compo.
(Photo/Scott Sidell)
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And finally … another former teen idol has died. Bobby Sherman was 81. Click here for a full obituary.
(Another day, another Roundup chock full of news, events and competely random stuff. If you enjoy this daily feature — or anything else on “06880” — please click here to support us. Thanks!)
