You Snooze, You Lose alert: LobsterFest returns to Compo Beach on Saturday, September 19.
Tickets go on sale at noon today (Tuesday, August 18). Click here at 12 — and be quick. They sell out fast.
LobsterFest is a fun-filled day, with over 1,500 guests, plenty of food, live entertainment, kids’ activities, booths and much more.
The Westport Rotary Club event generates over $400,000, all of which goes to local charities and international projects.
Over 250 volunteers help make it all happen. Tasks range from light duty to heavy lifting. Set-up is Friday, September 18; Saturday shifts are 2:30 to 4:45 p.m., and 4:30 to 7. Clean-up crews help out on Sunday, September 20.
NOTE: There is a special need for strong people (18 years and older) for the lobster cooker and cracker jobs.
Click here for more details, and to sign up.
Volunteers who would like to eat lobster or steak and enjoy beverages should buy a LobsterFest ticket. There are beverages, hamburgers and hot dogs available at no cost for volunteers who do not buy a ticket.
The money shot. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of tickets: Westoberfest’s are on sale now.
The October 3 Westport Downtown Association event has more beer than ever.
From 1 to 5 p.m., Elm Street will be filled with over 50 beers from more than 20 breweries.
Plus wineries, food, live entertainment and family fun. Click here for early bird pries.
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And … one more set of tickets, on sale this morning (Tuesday), beginning at 10 a.m.: the Westport Library’s 27th annual “Booked for the Evening.”
This year’s signature fundraising event (October 28) features award-winning director, actress, choreographer and producer Debbie Allen.
She’ll be in conversation with Shonda Rhimes. The noted TV creator, producer, author, CEO of global media company Shondaland — and a Westporter — was the 2022 “Booked” honoree.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Debbie Allen (Photo/Marvin Joseph for the Washington Post)
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As Democratic registrar of voters Deborah Greenberg steps down from her post, the party is seeking a replacement.
Registrar is a part-time elected official responsible for administering all local, state and federal elections. The annual salary is $52,086. There is a $750 transaction allowance, a $6,000 stipend for primaries; a $10,000 stipend for each November election, and a small daily stipend for conferences.
Interviews take place between August 31 and September 1. Email Andrew Nevas (abnevas@gmail.com) with interest.
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“The End of Oak Street” opened earlier this month.
The science fiction survival film is set in Flowervale, Michigan. But a few real residents of the end of Oak Street — the one in Westport, off Clinton Avenue — went to see it the other day.
End of Oak Street residents (from left): Mark Shannon, Kenny Wildstein, Karen Kleine, Barbara Ryan, Edward Boyle, Trish Boyle, Eileen Ludy, Jay Ludy.
That’s not the only Westport connection. The movie stars Anne Hathaway, who lived here for several years.
Though not on Oak Street.
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Dozens of Staples High School football players gathered at Paul Lane Field last week for the 7th annual Murph Challenge.
It was the culmination of their summer fundraising for the Catch a Lift Fund (the non-profit that helps post-9/11 combat-injured veterans regain mental and physical health).
The workout honors US Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael Murphy, killed in Afghanistan in 2005.
Over the last few weeks the 100 or so athletes in the football program raised money individually, did team lemonade stands, and prepared for a tough workout.
Coach Matty Jacowleff and the Gridiron Club reiterate the message of both physical and mental fitness, and a team first mentality — the same spirit carried by the veterans served through Catch A Lift.
The event began with US Army Sergeant Jason Smith talking to the players about sacrifice, resilience and commitment.
Sgt. Jason Smith
Then the athletes took on the Murph Challenge. It included a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and another mile run.
The 2026 season begins next month.
Staples players, coaches and Catch A Lift officials, at Paul Lane Field. (Photos/Adam Vengrow)
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Speaking of Staples: We’re proud of all our 2026 graduates.
And we get it: So are you.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
But come on! This is mid-August.
Your kid graduated more than 2 months ago. He or she is either already in college, or has one foot out the door.
It’s time to stop being proud. Start looking ahead.
And proud families of seniors: Order your Class of 2027 sign now.
June will be here before you know it.
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Speaking of Staples grads: It was a Westport reunion, on the Appalachian Trail.
Class of 1982 alum Jon Atwood is hiking the 2,198-mile route, from Maine to Georgia. His son Finn joined him for part of the journey.
Jon’s classmate and longtime friend Chris DiVecchio met them in New York. He did not look like he was ready to hike the entire trail. (Hat tip: Dan Donovan)
From left: Finn Atwood, Chris DiVecchio, Jon Atwood.
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If you thought the New York Knicks’ NBA championship was exciting … well, just wait for tonight’s Compo Beach Men’s Summer Basketball League tourney.
It’s down to the final 4 teams. (And the semifinals have been moved to the Staples fieldhouse, due to lighting issues at Compo). Tip-off is 7 p.m., with the finals at 8.
One semi pits Team Clachko — with recent Wrecker grads Sam Clachko, Derek and Cody Sale, Caleb Tobias, Matty Corrigan and Griffin Kass — against Team Raus.
The other semi features defending champ Team Schur, against Team Dymond. Staples alumni on the court include Jordan Schur, Charlie Stoebe, and Aaron and Josh Shapiro, plus PAL travel coach Jamill Powell and former RTM member Noah Hammond.
Spectators are welcome.
Compo Beach summer league action.
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Westport children’s author Nicole O’Connor is launching the 3rd book in her “Kiera and Lamby” travel-themed picture book series.
It’s based on stories she told her daughter during the pandemic, inspiring her to dream about traveling the world. In each books Kiera and her stuffed lamb take a magic blanket to a different city: New York, Madrid, and now Tokyo). They explore famous landmarks and try new foods, in a playful, accessible way.
The launch includes a book signing and Japan-themed craft (origami ice cream bookmarks!) at Momu: Sunday, August 30 (1 to 3 p.m).
From Tokyo to Momu — with ice cream!
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The latest addition to Riverside Park is this concrete pad.
We’re not sure if it’s for a bench, memorial, or something else. Like checked it out (see photo below), but did not act like a little kid. She left no paw prints.
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
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The Village Voice called Dave Stryker “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years.” He was voted one of the Top Jazz Guitarists in the 2025 Downbeat Critics and Readers Polls — for the 15th time.
This Thursday (August 20, shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner service at 6:45; VFW Post 399), he headlines Jazz at the Post.
Stryker is joined by bassist Marcus McLaurine, pianist David Berkman, drummer Steve Johns and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Clouds are part of nature too.
Eric Bosch captured this write-your-own-“Westport … Naturally”-caption scene the other day at Compo Beach.
(Photo/Eric Bosch)
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And finally … on this date in 1868, French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovered helium.
(Supporting “06880” is no laughing matter. We rely on readers like you to help us do what we do, 24/7/365. Please click here to help. And thank you for putting a smile on our face.)
