Category Archives: Weather

Pic Of The Day #3234

A flock in flight? No! Look closely: They’re huddled in the snow, on the shore of Bermuda Lagoon. Crazy, right?! (Photo/Sara Kempner)

Unsung Heroes #423

Two days after the Blizzard of 2026, this one’s a no-brainer.

Our Department of Public Works was all over that snow.

Manning 17 trucks — each filled with 8 tons of sand and salt — they cleared over 120 miles of town streets, making multiple trips over 48 hours.

They’re also responsible for clearing 24 miles of sidewalks, though that will take longer.

Before the first flakes fell, they even took time to record this video, explaining what they do, and how they do it.

First responders were on high alert too. They were ready for anything, and everything.

As soon as the snow stopped falling, firefighters fanned out. They began shoveling around hydrants. It’s a job residents should do — but our Fire Department makes certain it gets done.

Here’s a typical scene, from Center Street:

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

Bottom line: We knew there would be a blizzard.

It came.

But thanks to our amazing Highway Department, DPW and Fire Department, we’re already back close to normal.

Our entire town’s hats are off to you, for your amazing work.

Now get some rest!

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PS: This just in from Kevin Desjardins, moments before we posted the story above:

“I’d like to nominate all the people who have taken time to plow a path (no matter how small) along the sidewalks in front of their houses.

“While residents are not obligated to do so, this act of kindness for the community is greatly appreciated, and provides temporary safe walking conditions until the DPW crews can finish clearing the sidewalks.

“It’s acts like these that make me feel like  🎶 We’re all in this together 🎶…. even if it is just my morning commute to work!”

Myrtle Avenue sidewalk. (Photo/Kevin Desjardins)

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Scarice: Apologies For This Morning’s Decision

Westport Public Schools were open on time today, after a 12-day hiatus due to a professional development day, winter break, and 2 blizzard-related cancellations.

It did not go well. A dawn snowfall made driving and walking treacherous.

Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice has done something rare in the school cancellation/delay/carry-on-as-usual world: He has taken ownership for the decision.

And apologized. He says:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I regret not calling for a delay, and the resulting difficulty and hardship this caused many of our families, faculty, and staff.

While I rely on professional guidance to inform these early-morning calls, the responsibility is mine.

This morning’s drive to school. (Photo/Dayle Brownstein)

Some families have asked what information I had at 4 a.m., so I want to share it to give context of the decision-making, not to offer excuses. The responsibility for the call is mine.

At that time, our consulting meteorologist indicated that data suggested the likelihood of a coating to 1 inch of snow along the shoreline, which led to regular openings for all neighboring shoreline districts.

In addition, Public Works expressed a high level of confidence that roads had been heavily salted over the past several days and crews were prepared. Based on this information, I made the decision to start on time.

Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.

In hindsight, a 2-hour delay would have been the better decision for students, staff and families. I am sorry for the difficulty this caused, particularly for those who experienced challenging travel conditions, and for the buses that missed stops or ran excessively late.

I want to thank everyone who stepped in across the district to support student arrivals and classrooms as faculty arrived. I also want to thank our buildings and maintenance teams for clearing and salting our lots, and our bus drivers for their professionalism this morning.

Thank you for your patience, your partnership, and for taking care on the roads today.

Roundup: More Snow, Board Of Ed Conversation Postponed, Alzheimer’s Support Group Forms …

After a professional development day, winter break, then 2 more blizzard snow days, Westport schools were finally back in session this morning.

It did not start out well.

A parent of a student reports, “Cars were driving 5 miles an hour on the way to school. Many were sliding all over the place. Scary!”

A Staples High School senior adds, “Wild school opening. 4 students in my first period class. Roads covered in snow. Couldn’t see the center line on the Post Road.”

The good news is: The sun will peek through this afternoon. The temperature will be about 40.

The bad news: Snow showers are predicted, Sunday through Tuesday.

Car and school bus navigate snow-covered roads very carefully this morning. (Photo/Dayle Brownstein)

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The Board of Education “Community Conversation” scheduled for noon today at the Westport Library has been postponed.

A new date will be announced soon.

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And 2 delays: The Senior Center will open at 10:30 a.m. today, 2 hours late.

The Westport Library opens at 11 a.m.

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Residents caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia often feel alone.

There’s help available. The Residence at Westport and Westport Library are collaborating on a monthly support group, with professional facilitators.

It’s a chance to share stories with others who understand the challenges, in a safe and supportive environment.

Educational presentations may be provided, and participants will help choose discussion topics.

It meets the second Tuesday of every month (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Westport Library). No RSVPs are necessary; it’s a drop-in group.

Questions? Email mledney@residencewestport.com.

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For the second time this winter, SCA Crowley lent a clean-up hand.

The property management firm and Penna Construction — both longtime Westport-based firms — lent vehicles and crews yesterday night. Together, they cleared some of the snow that remained on downtown streets and sidewalks.

It takes a village. Thanks, SCA and Penna, for helping make ours a little less treacherous!

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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Also downtown: S’mores — courtesy of Nômade — are a winter Holiday Stroll favorite.

But they made an appearance yesterday, on the Main Street sidewalk.

And you thought nothing good would come out of that blizzard …

Who wants s’mores? (Photo/Sal Liccione)

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Many Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand play reading selections are contemporary works.

The next one is a classic — and an encore presentation.

“The Subject Was Roses” — winner of the 1965 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and a Tony Award for Best Play — comes to the storied stage on Monday (March 2, 7 p.m.).

It was produced at the Playhouse in 1966, then again in 1982.

“Roses” is set in May of 1946. As World War II draws to an end, a young soldier returns to the Bronx apartment where he was raised. Hoping his homecoming will repair his parents’ troubled marriage, he presses for small acts of reconciliation, only to expose years of resentment and emotional distance. As tensions rise, the family confronts the truth of their relationships and the life they share.

Tickets are $35. Click here to purchase, and for more information. 

Etai Benson stars in “The Subject Was Roses.”

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Cohl Katz loves her Smith Corona typewriter.

But it jammed up — and she has no idea who can fix it.

If you know a typewriter repair person — or can do it yourself — email cohlita@yahoo.com.

Who knows — she may write a nice thank-you note on it!

Kids: Do you know what this is?

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Dogs in a Pile — the 20-somethings band with “old souls and limitless chops,”  brings their psychedelic-tinged jazz/funk/rock to the Levitt Pavilion on July 17.

Touring is in their blood: They’ve averaged 130 shows a year since 2022.

Tickets go on sale Friday (February 27, 10 a.m.). Click here to purchase, and for more information.


Dogs in a Pile

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From Dogs in a Pile to a red-tailed hawk in a tree … here’s today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo:

  (Photo/Todd Ehrlich)

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And finally … on this date in 1873, 4 years before the invention of the phonograph, Enrico Caruso — the most popular operatic tenor of the early 20th century, and the first great recording star — was born. He died in 1921, at 48, from peritonitis.

(Where else but “06880” can you find Dogs in a Pile and Enrico Caruso in the same place? There’s lot more every day too, on your hyper-local blog. Please click here to support our work. Thanks!) 

Pics Of The Day #3233

One indoor view of the Blizzard of 2026 … (Photo/Judith Katz)

… and feeling a Buddha-like calm (Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

 

Roundup: Cribari Bridge Zoom, Library Opening, Senior Center Closed …

A reminder: Tonight (Tuesday, 7 p.m.), there is a Zoom meeting (click here for the link) about the Cribari Bridge.

Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members from Districts 1, 4 and 9 will lead the discussion.

The session was organized by District 1 rep Matthew Mandell. All Westport residents — from every district — are welcome to join.

Cribari Bridge (Drone photo/Alex O’Brien)

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24 hours later: How has the town handled the Blizzard of 2026?

Very, very well.

With residents staying off the roads for most of yesterday, plowing proceeded quickly. Many sidewalks have been cleared too.

Of course, that plowed snow had to go somewhere.

Church Lane and Elm Street.

There will be huge piles, for a while. That makes driving — and crossing streets — difficult.

Be careful. Be smart. Be safe.

And — of course — be courteous!

Elm Street, at Main Street. (Photos/Sal Liccione)

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In other blizzard news: The Westport Library will open today (Tuesday) at 12 noon. That will give them (and their employees) a little more time to dig out.

They remind patrons: “Our digital library remains open 24/7, with access to a wide variety of materials including e-books, e-audiobooks, music, movies and TV shows, magazines, and more. And while you’re online, be sure to check out our many resource guides.”

Outside the Westport Library. (Photo/Molly Alger)

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Meanwhile, the Senior Center will be closed again today.

It reopens tomorrow (Wednesday).

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If you’ve been to an Artists Collective of Westport pop-up show reception, you know a few things.

The works are very creative, wildly eclectic, and always thought-provoking. The energy level is high. The artists are eager to chat. And the food and drink is free.

The next one is next Tuesday (March 3, 6 to 8 p.m., Sheffer Barn at the Westport Country Playhouse). Broadway music conductor and composer Caren Cole will play.

The gallery is then open March 4-8 (noon to 4 p.m.). An artist talk (on inspiration, medium, process and more) is set for March 8 (4 p.m.).

This show features works by members who recently joined the Collective:
Laura Appelman, Peggy Dembicer, Tim Eaton, Ira Hara, Julie Hicks, Tom Kretsch, Shelly Lowenstein, Paula Morgan, Erwin Ong, Butch Quick,
Jodi Rabinowitz, Elizabeth Hiltz Thomas, Michael Tomashefsky and Rowene Weems. (Some of those names are familiar to “06880” readers, for their wonderful photos.)

Untitled (Rowene Weems)

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Pianist Ted Rosenthal has performed worldwide as a soloist, with his trio, and with greats including Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods, and James Moody.

He joins a quintet — bassist Martin Wind, drummer Tim Horner, trumpeter Alex Norris and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall — this Thursday, for Jazz at the Post (February 26; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7; VFW Post 399).  Click here for tickets, and more information.

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With all the snow, we need a bird photo to remind us that spring is not far away.

At least, we hope not.

Outstanding wildlife photographer Lou Weinberg snapped this mourning dove, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(And yes, it’s “mourning” — not “morning.” The name comes comes from its melancholy coos. But it’s not a sound of grief — it’s a courtship call from the male.)

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

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And finally … happy 79th birthday to Rupert Holmes.

We’ll drink to that!

(If you like piña coladas: Great! If you like “06880”: Even better! The next step: Please click here, and support our work.  We’ll toast you with Champagne.)

 

Pic Of The Day #3232

Blizzard of 2026: Bulkley Avenue North (Photo/Anne von Herrmann)

A Blizzard Of Photos: Part 3

Congratulations, Westport!

We made it through the Blizzard of 2026.

Of course, it will take time to clean up all that snow. (Schools are closed tomorrow — c’mon kids, get out there and shovel!)

The town was as quiet as it’s ever been today. Nearly everyone heeded pleas to stay off the roads. Public and private crews worked long and hard, plowing roads and driveways. (C’mon, residents — lend a hand with the sidewalks and fire hydrants!)

Things will start edging closer to normal tomorrow. But for now, here’s another look at what the snow and wind wrought.

Lila, on Wilton Road (Photo copyright/Ted Horowitz)

Post Road, 3 pm (Photo/Michael Chait)

Main Street (Photo/David Martin)

Snowbound on Violet Lane (Photo/Morley Boyd)

The wind wrecked this door, at the Bridge Square Dunkin’ Donuts (Photo/Whitmal Cooper)

(Photo/Tom Lowrie)

(Photo/Jay Petrow)

(Photo/Richard Jaffe)

(Photo/Jeff Ruden)

(Photo/Carl McNair)

(Photo/Mary Sikorski)

(Photo/Yulee Aronson)

Mobile on a porch, in a whiteout (Photo/Pamela Kesselman)

 

A Blizzard Of Photos: Part 2

Off Guyer Road (Photo/Alison Freeland)

One view of Church Lane … (Photo/Sal Liccione)

… and another (Photo/Sal Liccione)

Tufted titmouse takes shelter in rhododendron (Photo/Wendy Crowther)

Cross Highway, 11 pm last night — just the beginning (Photo/Mark Yurkiw)

(Photo/Nancy Axthelm)

Weston, near Bayberry Lane (Photo/Michael Bud)

(Photo/Diane Lowman)

Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Photo/Sal Liccione)

Highland Road (Photo/Ellen Wentworth)

No feeding today — off Morningside Drive North (Photo/Jilda Manikas)

 

(Photo/Luisa Francoeur)

Long may it wave! (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

Meanwhile: It will take quite a while to get rid of all that snow.

Unless of course, you’re Mark Mathias. He did it in just 2 minutes and 10 seconds! Watch below …

 

A Blizzard Of Photos

Westport’s Emergency Operations Center says: “Roads are hazardous. Stay off the streets to allow plowing and emergency access. A parking ban is in effect. Avoid non-essential travel.” 

So what can you do? Enjoy these photos!

And stay warm and dry.

Saugatuck Shores (Photo/Rindy Higgins)

Whitney Street, last night (Photo/Molly Alger)

Main Street, last night (Tomoko Meth)

Jamie Walsh says, “Not even a blizzard stops Birds of Prey from a hearty breakfast.”

(Photo/Diane Lowman)

Off Cross Highway, last night (Claudia Sherwood Servidio)

Japanese maple (Photo/Susan Garment)

Off Whitney Street (Photo/Richard Fogel)

Kitchen window (Photo/Susan Garment)