It’s the start of a great new tradition.
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department invites everyone to a “Kickoff to Summer party” this Saturday (May 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Compo Beach).
They’ve partnered with the Police and Fire Departments, EMS and Public Works for touch-a-truck and safety demonstrations.
Kids’ activities will be run by Longshore Sailing School, and golf and tennis instructors. There’s face painting and an obstacle course too.
There will be food trucks on site. Everyone will receive a raffle ticket, with a chance at 4 great prizes.
Everyone is invited back at 8 p.m., for a movie night.
It’s all free. Everyone is welcome (but no pets, please!).
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Yesterday’s capacity crowd at The Inn at Longshore spanned all ages. Many were longtime Westporters; some moved here a year or two ago.
The cuisine included Italian, seafood, Southern, dumplings, steak — and plenty of desserts. A variety of vendors poured drinks.
There were enough auction items to satisfy every wish (and price point). The Bar Car Band played all night long.
Gabriele’s Steakhouse (foreground) was one of many serving stations at last night’s Taste of Westport.
The 18th annual Taste of Westport was — as always — one of the best fundraisers of the year.
CLASP Homes — the non-profit that provides care, support and services to adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities — was the beneficiary of all that generosity.
If you’ve never been to the Taste of Westport: Don’t miss it next year.
If you were there last night: Well, you know you don’t need to eat anything more for a while.
PS: Thanks to all the food and drink providers: Grumpy Dumpling, Pastaficio, Jose Cuevo, Little Pub, La Plage, Magic Pie Co., Mrs. London’s Bakery, Nordic Fish, Nômade, Rive Bistro, Rizzuto’s, Romanacci Pizza Bar, Sono 1420, Tarantino, Walrus Alley, Zucca Gastrobar, Artisan, Aspetuck Brew Lab, Black Bear Wines & Spirits, Baldanza Schoolhouse, Bridgewater Chocolate, Boathouse, Chopin Vodka, Cold Fusion, Don Memo, Dunville’s, Ferrer Miranda, Freixenet, Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse, Greer Southern Table, Coramino Tequila and Gruel Brittania.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker (center) is flanked by former 1st Selectman Jim Marpe, and his wife Mary Ellen. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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Speaking of summer: Yesterday’s Roundup noted that the ice cream stand at The Porch at Christie’s will be open this Memorial Day weekend, starting at noon on Saturday.
They’re still trying to figure out the best hours. If you’ve got suggestions, email lindsay@lindsayshandmade.com.
Opening soon!
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Members of VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, Sons of August Matthias American Legion Post 63 and the American Legion Auxiliary, joined together this week to unveil their Memorial Day parade banner.
All 3 groups will march together on Monday.
Then they got to work on their float. The theme is a secret — but they encourage all Westporters to come to the parade, and see it.
Membership in the American Legion or women’s Auxiliary is just $20, with proof of a family member who actively served in the military.
Members memorialize their loved one, carry on his or her story, and remember the ultimate sacrifice of over 2.5 million Americans, who helped us be the free nation we are today. For more information, email Andrew Colabella: acolabellartm4@gmail.com.
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Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between May 15 and 22.
A 47-year-old Westport woman was arrested for disorderly conduct, violation of a protective order, assault and threatening, following a domestic violence incident.
A 36-year-old Leonia, New Jersey man was arrested for identity theft and larceny, after a complaint by a Westporter that a check for $25,000 had been taken from a residential mailbox, altered and cashed.
A 52-year-old Norwalk man was arrested for failure to appear.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 5 citations
- Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5
- Following too closely: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 2
- Evading responsibility, with injury: 1
- Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
- Passing in a no-passing zone: 1
- Driving while texting: 1
- Distracted driving: 1
- Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
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“When Merrily We Roll Along” opened on Broadway 43 years ago, it ran for just 16 performances.
A revival opened last year, and became a huge hit.
What happened?
“Tend Your Dream: An Oral History of ‘Merrily We Roll Along'” explores the long, strange route from theatrical flop to beloved classic.
The video was conceived by Westporter Tommy Greenwald, a longtime veteran of the Broadway marketing and ad scene. Greenwald — a 1979 Staples High School graduate — also served as creative director.
The video (below) includes original cast member Jim Walton, plus critics Ben Brantley and Frank Rich, actors Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and others.
Besides Greenwald’s project, “Merrily” has other Westport connections.
Three decades before he wrote its music and lyrics, Stephen Sondheim was a Westport Country Playhouse apprentice.
And Staples Players has produced the show twice, including 2002. That year, Groff’s part — composer Franklin Shepard — was played by Justin Paul.
After graduating that spring, Paul went on to an actual — and noted — composing career of his own. With Benj Pasek, he’s written (among others) “Dear Evan Hansen,” “The Greatest Showman” and “La La Land.”
Justin Paul (right) in Staples Players’ “Merrily We Roll Along.” (Photo/Kerry Long)
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Red squirrels are having a great time in the Long Lots Preserve.
Lou Weinberg — who shot today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — says: “This one decided to nest, store food or do both in one of the hollowed-out logs.
“An abundance of black walnuts in the preserve helps support the healthy red squirrel population.”
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
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And finally … on this date in 1829 in Vienna, Cyrill Demian received a patent for the accordion.
(Summer is near — and as always, “06880” will tell you everything you need to know. We rely on our readers to help do it. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
