Category Archives: Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge #308

Posted on November 22, 2020 | 8 comments

Last week’s Photo Challenge took readers on a romp around town.

From Sasco Creek and Kowalsky Farm to Winslow Park, Canal Street, Earthplace, White Barn Theater and a slew of preserves (Haskins, Newman-Poses, Leonard Schine), readers tried to identify exactly where the trees, flowers and plants in Chip Stephens’ photo could be found.

The answer — after a couple of hints from yours truly — is: Partrick Wetlands.

That’s the good-sized property off Wilton Road, not far from the Y and the Red Barn. Developers have had their eyes on it for a while. So far, it’s remained undeveloped.

Just like — surprise! — so much else in Westport, as readers noted in the list above.

Click here to enjoy this often-overlooked, but always appreciated, untouched property. And congratulations to Wendy Crowther: the first (and only) reader to nail the challenge.

Here’s this week’s image. It could have been taken anywhere in Westport — but where is it exactly? If you know, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Tom Lowrie)

8 Comments

Posted in Environment, Photo Challenge

Photo Challenge #307

Posted on November 15, 2020 | 38 comments

Some people think a Photo Challenge is unfair because it shows an obscure part of Westport. Others get made because it’s a spot they’ve never seen.

To which I say: Suck it up. That’s why it’s a Photo “Challenge,” not a “Slam Dunk.” This isn’t intramural sports. Not everyone gets a trophy.

But I knew when I posted last week’s shot that it was totallyunfair. There was no way 50% of my readers would have any idea where to find Molly Alger’s image.

It was the ladies room at Fresh Market.

I couldn’t resist. It was a nice photo (click here to see). And — as John Kelly pointed out in the comments — Albert Ellis often asked his patients, “Where did you get the idea that life is fair?”

Susan Iseman was first with the correct answer. She was also last. No one else knew (though a few readers guessed it was a women’s room somewhere).

Who knew there are flowers in those places? Not I. And not half of my readers.

I will spare you a shot of a urinal for that half. Instead, here is this week’s Photo Challenge — back to 100% of our audience. If you know where in Westport it is, click “Comments” below.

And if you don’t know: I don’t care. Life is not fair.

(Photo/Chip Stephens)

38 Comments

Posted in Local business, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #306

Posted on November 8, 2020 | 8 comments

Most Photo Challenges show just a snippet of a building or other Westport scene. Readers figure out the big picture, from a very small one.

Last week’s challenge showed a very big picture” Michael Tomashefsky’s gorgeous fall image of woods, a river, and a picture-perfect bridge. (Click here to see.)

Normally, a photo like this would be easy to identify. But this was — as one reader called it — “the hidden bridge.” Another described it as “the bridge to nowhere.”

At one point, it probably led somewhere. But now it’s in the woods. It crosses the Aspetuck River near Lyons Plains Road, near the Coleytown Road fork.

Congrats to the “06880” readers who recognized it: Andrew Colabella, Rich Stein, Iain Bruce, Karen Como, Bill Coley, Bobbie Herman, Cheryl Mayer and Bill Shaner.

Bill Coley — yes, one of those Coleys — wrote:

I think it resulted from a repositioning of Lyons Plains Road to its current position. At the time it was probably decided that it was too expensive to tear down the old bridge.

I wonder how long ago the road was moved to its current location. It had to be well before the 1950’s. I remember going by it frequently in the late ’50s. The area was very overgrown even then. Possibly a WPA project during the Depression?

This week’s Photo Challenge may be less fair than usual. But in the words of Bill Gates: “Life is not fair. Get used to it.”

(Photo/Molly Alger)

8 Comments

Posted in Environment, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #305

Posted on November 1, 2020 | 20 comments

Burying Hill Beach does not get many visitors.

But it sure gets a lot of love.

The small, sometimes eroding spit of sand, with its gentle (burying) hill and marshes separating it from Sherwood Island State Park, is a favored spot for all who know it.

In fact, someone painted “One Love” on the low wall near the entrance. That was the subject of Andrew Colabella’s image in last week’s Photo Challenge. (Click here to see.)

Bob Grant, Fred Cantor, Cheryl McKenna, Seth Schachter, Bruce Salvo, Ed Simek, Michael Calise, Arline Gertzoff, Lynn Untermeyer Miller, Will Luedke and Amy Schneider all quickly identified the location.

If you did not recognize it — or have never been to Burying Hill Beach — what are you waiting for?!

This week’s Photo Challenge may be the most beautiful one ever. Michael Tomashefsky’s shot could be many places in Westport. But if you know exactly where you’d see this autumn scene, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Michael Tomashefsky)

20 Comments

Posted in Beach, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #304

Posted on October 25, 2020 | 15 comments

There were many ways to describe last week’s Photo Challenge.

The steps leading to the Saugatuck River by the library. The east side of the river. South of the downtown bridge. Next to the lower parking lot. A kayak launch site. The place where ducks sunbathe.

All were correct. Yet no one mentioned the Riverwalk specifically, or the Taylor Place parking lot by name.

Still, it was obvious. Bob Weingarten’s image showed the concrete steps and the adjacent seawall that no one ever uses, but everyone loves to look at as they sit or stroll near the Westport Library. (Click here to see.)

Nearly 2 dozen readers — including a few first-time respondents — knew the site. Congratulations to Tom Ryan, Chip Stephens, Staci Hebel, Will Luedke, Jerry Kuyper, Mark Taglia, Elaine Marino, Michelle Scher Saunders, Andrew Colabella, Stephanie Ross, Michael Calise, Morley Boyd, Richard Hyman, Gina Ryan, Rosalie Kaye, Jo Kirsch, Jonathan McClure, Bruce Salvo, Amy Schneider, Jo Ann Flaum, Fred Rubin and Suzanne Raboy.

Now, where would you find this week’s Photo Challenge? If you know, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

15 Comments

Posted in Downtown, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #303

Posted on October 18, 2020 | 25 comments

Who knew where last week’s photo of a carved owl was? (Click here to see.)

Susan Iseman, Jennifer Piseck and Elaine Marino, that’s “who.”

It’s at Earthplace. It’s just one small part of a magnificent, sometimes overlooked Westport facility. If you haven’t been to the science, conservation and education center off off Stony Brook Road, click here — then check it out in person.

This week’s Photo Challenge shows a different bit of nature. If you know where in Westport you’d see this watery scene, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

25 Comments

Posted in Environment, Organizations, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #302

Posted on October 11, 2020 | 6 comments

Last week’s futuristic-looking photo actually showed part of the Kings Highway Elementary School playground. Elaine Marino, Andrew Colabella and Seth Schachter all knew exactly where that was.

But a second part of the challenge was to identify a sequence of numbers on the equipment: 23, 19, 17, 13, 11, 7, 5, 2. (Click here for the photo.)

Elaine, Andrew, Lynn Philip and James Weisz nailed it: They are all prime numbers.

I learned something. 2 is included — the only even prime number — because it is (duh) divisible only by 1 and itself.

Meanwhile, “who” can identify this week’s Photo Challenge? Click comments below.

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

6 Comments

Posted in Education, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #301

Posted on October 4, 2020 | 9 comments

Last week’s Photo Challenge was fun.

For decades, Howard Munce’s whimsical “star sculpture” has entertained downtown shoppers, strollers and picnickers — yes, they exist — on the eastern bank of the Saugatuck River. (Click here to see.)

It’s part of the Parker Harding Plaza sidewalk, near the footbridge over the marsh. It’s not far from Rye Ridge Deli — Oscar’s, when the sculpture was created — so the picnic table nearby is welcome.

Stephanie Ehrman, Seth Schachter, Pat Saviano, Elaine Marino, Joan Nevin, Amy Schneider, Lynn Untermeyer Miller and Tammy Barry all recognized the artwork with ease.

This week’s Photo Challenge is fun too — and probably tougher. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

And if you know what the numbers represent, let me know. I have no idea!

(Photo/Mark Mathias)

9 Comments

Posted in Arts, Downtown, Photo Challenge

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Photo Challenge #300

Posted on September 27, 2020 | 10 comments

It’s impossible to miss: Heading toward Fairfield on the Post Road, the side of the 5 Guys building comes into view, just past the old IHOP/now a nail salon opposite the fire station.

But only one reader — Seth Braunstein — knew that last week’s Photo Challenge of a grungy, peeling wall was the same 5 Guys sight.

Click here to see. And you’ll agree that whoever owns the building should immediately send 5 guys — or however many it takes — to clean up that eyesore.

Today’s Photo Challenge is much prettier. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

10 Comments

Posted in Photo Challenge, Restaurants

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Photo Challenge #299

Posted on September 20, 2020 | 8 comments

Last week’s Photo Challenge gave readers a sporting chance.

Sportsmen Dave Harrison, Rich Stein, Dan Vener, Tom Wall and Andrew Colabella all knew that Werner Liepolt’s shot showed the small field next to the original Saugatuck Elementary School on Bridge Street (now senior housing).

Give credit to Fred Cantor too, whose cryptic comment (“home field advantage”) references both Liepolt’s home next to the field, and the fact that Fred has an apartment at The Saugatuck himself.

Donna Hansen kicked herself for guessing it was the softball field behind Town Hall — though she attended Saugatuck El, and lived around the corner on South Compo. Click here for the image — and all the wrong guesses too.

If you thought last week’s photo was a bit unkempt (like Darcy Sledge and Wendy Cusick, both of whom commented about invasive vines), you probably won’t like this week’s challenge either.

But it’s pretty recognizable. If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.

(Photo/Hal Hutchison)

8 Comments

Posted in Education, Photo Challenge, Sports

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