Category Archives: Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge #578

Posted on January 25, 2026 | 9 comments

Yikes!

In the excitement of today’s “snowpocalypse” — aka “a pretty good snowfall” — I forgot to post this week’s Photo Challenge.

It’s the first screw-up since I started the Sunday feature, more than 10 years ago. My bad.

Last week’s showed dozens of bottles, behind what looked like a restaurant bar. (Click here to see.)

It’s a testament to Westport’s diverse dining scene that readers guessed 6 different spots.

But Seth Braunstein’s shot showed the one at the Bridge at Saugatuck.

Pam Kopack, Peggy O’Halloran, Elaine Marino, Dave Eason, Rachel Sara Halperin and Polly Sykes all knew the right answer.

On today’s snowy, stay-inside day: I’ll drink to that!

And I’ll also — belatedly — post this week’s challenge. Complete with (of course) snow.

If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Diane Lowman)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Posted in Photo Challenge, Restaurants

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Photo Challenge #577

Posted on January 18, 2026 | 15 comments

Hardware stores are often the heart of their community.

They’re places to go for supplies of all kinds, sure — for the inside and outside of homes, lawncare and more.

But they’re also places to get advice, chat with knowledgeable owners and staff, and feel — well, at home.

Westport is lucky to have had several that were much more than just “stores.”

Welch’s and Hartmann’s on Main Street were legendary. The Izzos’ Crossroads Ace Hardware next to Coffee An’ (now The Grapevine liquor store) took their place, and served Westport for decades.

Our go-to now is Westport Hardware & Fireplace Shop, in the plaza next to Cava (across from Fresh Market).

The second, nail-shaped “T” in its logo was the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge (click here to see). 

I thought many readers would confuse it with the Tesla “T.” But you’re too sharp for that.

Nineteen got the right answer. Not one fell for the Musk trap (which sounds like something Westport Hardware should stock).

A couple of comments included shout-outs to Bear (who is actually a dog, and — when he’s not roaming the store — sits quietly behind the counter).

One reader noted that Westport Hardware shares a strip mall with the unrelated Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys.

Congratulations to Bill Downey, Brian Taylor, Sal Liccione, Arthur Hayes, Andrew Colabella, Gabby Velez, Jonathan Alloy, Wendy Schaefer, Seth Schachter, Lisa Hayes, Jerry Kuyper, John McKinney, Seth Braunstein, Jeff Loechner, Clark Thiemann, Peter Dennigan Sinnott, Beth Berkowitz, Colleen Williams and Dede McDowell.

You all “nailed” last week’s Photo Challenge.

Will this week’s be as easy? If you know where in Westport you would see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Seth Braunstein)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Posted in Local business, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #576

Posted on January 11, 2026 | 25 comments

We started 2026 off with a gimme.

Our first Photo Challenge of the new year showed a tray of delicious chocolate frosted, powdered and plain donuts, on a counter.

It could only be Coffee An’.

The Westport institution is beloved by many.

A record 48 readers knew exactly where to find Marina Drasnin’s photo. (Click here to see.)

And — like visitors to the Main Street store — the correct responses came from a mix of regulars and newcomers.

Congratulations to Sandra Howard, Pat Saviano, Seth Braunstein, Todd Ehrlich, Dave Eason, Matt Murray, Barbara Mathias, Lynn Wilson, Sal Liccione, Joan Lipson, Dan Vener, Ed Simek, Matt McGrath, Mike Hibbard, Mickey Herbst, Chris Swan, Rob Hauck, Dan Ashley, Bryan Schwartz, Rachel Sara Halperin, Pete Powell, Seth Schachter, Steve Stein, Andrew Colabella, Suzanne Atkins, Linda Vita Velez, Fred Levin, Rick Benson, Sharon Yules, Jack Krayson, Janine Scotti, Patty Lynch, Evin Dubrow, Jalna Jaeger, Richard Hyman, Katie Phillis, Jonathan McClure, Ann Franzen, Robert Mitchell, Regi Kendig, Christy Charise, Alex Knopp, Ryan Heemeyer, Deb Alderson, Linda Pomerantz Novis, Cat Malkin, Bobbi Essagof and Barbara Wong.

You all earned yourselves an extra treat today.

In fact, the only disagreement was on the punctuation of the donut shop.

Readers called it Coffee ‘An, Coffee An and Coffee And.

For the record, it’s Coffee An’.

An’ it’s delicious.

Our second Photo Challenge of the Year is (moderately) harder. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Susan Garment)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Posted in Local business, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #575

Posted on January 4, 2026 | 54 comments

There are many places you might find a sardine can — or a representation of one. That was the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge (click here to see).

There are the seafood places: Superior, Fjord Fish Market.

And other food spots: Stiles, Gold’s. Black Duck.

One reader even guessed Urban Outfitters.

The correct response though, was Westfair Fish & Chips.

Tucked in the back of Westfair Center — with just a few tables, but a very active takeout business — the spot is one of Westport’s hidden jewels.

Dan Vener and Andrew Colabella both nailed it.

I thought more readers would. But maybe — coming a few days after Christmas — they were still in ham and egg nog mode.

Still, for those who enjoy the Feast of the Seven Fishes …

Anyway — continuing our culinary theme — here is today’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Marina Drasnin)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Photo Challenge #574

Posted on December 28, 2025 | 11 comments

There are many brick structures in Westport.

The old Patagonia/Westport Bank & Trust downtown. Greens Farms Elementary School.

And — the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge — the Compo Beach locker rooms, next to the (also brick) pavilion, and Hook’d concession stand. (Click here to see.)

Fred Cantor, Andrew Colabella, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Sal Liccione, Robert Mitchell, Jude Siegel and Linda Vita Velez all knew where those bricks stand.

They (the bricks) are in a lot better shape than those lockers, that’s for sure.

In keeping with our maritime theme, here is this week’s Photo Challenge.

If you know where in Westport you’d see it, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Bill Dedman)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

11 Comments

Posted in Beach, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #573

Posted on December 21, 2025 | 11 comments

Where in Westport would you see an official-looking sign that says “Beagle Xing” — complete with the image of an alert, about-to-cross beagle? (Click here to see.)

Fairfield County Hunt Club?

That’s a good guess — and the one favored by most responders to last week’s Photo Challenge.

But it’s wrong.

The location — one that only Jen Fridland knew — is the corner of Redcoat and Cavalry Roads, clear across town from the Hunt Club.

But neither Jen nor I — nor anyone else, it seems — knows the back story to the beagle sign. If you do, click “Comments” below.

And click “Comments” too if you know where in Westport you’d see this sight:

(Photo/Rachel Konstantin)

 

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Photo Challenge #572

Posted on December 14, 2025 | 13 comments

The Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum is one of Westport’s hidden jewels.

The 12-acre site on Woodside Lane, adjacent to Earthplace, is a tranquil spot with woods, trails, and a couple of picnic tables.

There’s a small wooden shed there too, with black shutters. Like the park, it too may be overlooked.

But Lou Mall, Andrew Colabella, Amy Schneider and Tony McDowell all knew it was the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see Susan Garment’s image.)

The first 3 of those readers must be Wadsworth Arboretum fans. McDowell of course is the recently retired executive director of Earthplace. So he’s definitely walked that property.

Congrats to that quartet. As for everyone else: Check out the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum. It’s worth a visit, any time of year.

We’re outdoors again, for the next Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this intriguing sign, click “Comments” below.

And if you know the “beagle” in the back story, please include that too. You don’t see signs like this every day.

(Photo/Mandy Lewitton)

13 Comments

Posted in Environment, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #571

Posted on December 7, 2025 | 9 comments

You don’t often see a Buddha-type figure sitting in the middle of a bar.

But it’s right there, at Rainbow Thai.

And more than a dozen “06880” readers nailed the Bridge Square restaurant, as the site of last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)

Congratulations to Robin Gusick, Seth Schachter, Susan Yules, Amy Schneider, Sal Liccione, Andrew Colabella, Will Gibson, Bridget La Rosa, Clark Thiemann, Beth Berkowitz, Pam Kesselman, Seth Braunstein, Michelle Garvey and Francesca Meilana.

We’ll drink to that!

Here is this week’s Photo Challenge:

(Photo/Susan Garment)

If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

HINT: It’s not an Accessory Dwelling Unit.

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

9 Comments

Posted in Photo Challenge, Restaurants

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Photo Challenge #570

Posted on November 30, 2025 | 26 comments

There’s a lot to love about Trader Joe’s.

And a lot to hate about its parking lot.

The clusterf***edness of the layout — the convergence of the entrance and exit (merging with traffic from Compo Acres shopping center); the narrow lanes; the shoppers walking through — is legendary.

The back of the lot is much calmer (though the exit that way, onto Compo Road South, is no prize).

Savvy customers know to park there — away from the chaos — and walk a few extra yards. You can leave via the Wells Fargo exit, then make a U-turn through the Exxon gas station if you need to.

Meanwhile, back there, Compo Acres management have put up a couple of quasi-helpful “Additional Parking” signs. They point to “Route 1 East” and “Route 1 West” — names by which no one ever calls the Post Road. (Click here to see.) 

Alfred Herman, Sal Liccione, Clark Thiemann, Seth Schachter, Dave Eason, Peggy O’Halloran, Andrew Colabella, Jonathan McClure and Martha Witte all know where those signs are. Congratulations — and stay safe!

Interestingly, our Trader Joe’s is not the only one with a teeth-gnashing parking lot. It seems to be a chain-wide thing.

In fact, the company’s lots are so notoriously bad, Food & Wine wrote an entire story about it. Click here to read.

We head back indoors for this week’s Photo Challenge. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Susan Garment)

(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

26 Comments

Posted in Local business, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #569

Posted on November 23, 2025 | 15 comments

When Ralph Sheffer served as Representative Town Meeting moderator — from 1959 to ’69 — the handsome building on the Myrtle Avenue hill was Bedford Elementary School.

For the past 40 years, it’s been Town Hall. Once a month, the RTM meets in its auditorium.

Sheffer — the RTM’s 5th moderator, and at the time its longest-serving leader — now has a place of honor there.

He’s remembered with an old-fashioned iron sign, on the right side of the lobby.

That was last week’s Photo Challenge. Andrew Colabella, Sal Liccione (both RTM veterans), Tom Feeley, Patty Strauss (longtime town clerk) and Lynn Untermeyer Miller knew exactly where it is. (Click here to see.)

Ann Sheffer emailed privately. She knew too. But as the daughter of the honoree, she thought it would not be fair to chime in.

This week’s Photo Challenge is open to everyone. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.”

(Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)

15 Comments

Posted in Local politics, Photo Challenge

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