Sherwood Island’s 9/11 Memorial is not the only Westport site attracting Canada geese — and the concern of residents dealing with droppings. An alert “06880” reader writes:
While walking at Compo Beach, I can’t help noticing the goose poop that is everywhere — especially on the walkway behind the brick walls, and on the grounds across from the playground.
I think we need a goose patrol to clean up the walks. Though I appreciate the wildlife, I can’t help thinking that since dogs and other animals are not allowed inside the gates, something needs to be done to control the geese.
I don’t know what the answer is, but I do know that the goose poop makes walking treacherous. I’ll leave it all (not the poop, sorry) in your good hands!
“06880” readers: This is a question that’s bedeviled outdoor enthusiasts for years. What’s the answer? Is there one? Click “06880,” to give us the scoop on poop.
Seagulls can be pretty, or a pain. Canada geese don’t bring too much to the party.
It took exactly one day from the opening of school for the first drivers to race by, totally ignoring a stopped bus and causing an accident.
A Greens Farms Elementary school bus pulled up to the Regents Park curb around 3:40 p.m. this afternoon. The stop sign was extended, yet cars in the opposite (westbound) direction roared past.
The driver honked. One car hit its brakes. But the 2 cars behind were going so fast, they could not stop. The result: a 3-car rear-end collision that sent one person to the hospital.
Police and fire trucks responded quickly. Still, it was quite an experience for at least one kindergartner, whose parents described the scene.
Two of the vehicles in this afternoon’s Post Road East crash.
There are 2 issues here. One is the law: When a school bus is stopped, all drivers must stop too. That’s a no-brainer. The safety of our kids trumps your need to get wherever you are late going.
The second issue is that this section of the Post Road — Regents Park, Balducci’s, and nearby areas — has become increasingly hazardous. Condo residents believe it’s just a matter of time before a tragedy occurs.
There are no stop signs, lights or crosswalks. But there are 2 active driveways and parking lots on opposite sides of the highly trafficked 4-lane street, with cars often exceeding 40 miles an hour.
Interestingly, a police car was parked this morning in the Zaniac parking lot, monitoring this situation during the school bus pickup.
Residents of Regents Park (right) worry constantly about this dangerous stretch of the Post Road. (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)
Traffic will not get better. Last night, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans for a 4-story, 94-unit rental property not far away: on Post Road East, opposite Crate & Barrel.
On the other hand, the proposal includes affordable housing units that will help the town earn a 4-year moratorium on complying with the state’s 8-30g statute.
Fred Hellerman — an often unnoticed but hugely influential folk singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer — died yesterday at his Weston home. He was 89, and had been in failing health for several months.
In 1948, Hellerman joined with Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert and Lee Hays to form the Weavers. Their renditions of songs like “Rock Island Line,” “Midnight Special,” “On Top of Old Smokey,” “If I Had a Hammer,” “Kisses Sweeter than Wine” and “Wimoweh” were key to a national folk revival — and directly influenced many who followed, including Bob Dylan. the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary.
In 1950, “Goodnight Irene” was #1 for an astonishing 13 weeks.
That same year — in part because of Hellerman and Seeger’s involvement with left-wing groups during the 1930s and ’40s — the Weavers were swept up in the McCarthy era Red Scare.
From right: Fred Hellerman, Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert and Pete Seeger.
Blacklisted, they were unable to perform in concerts, or on radio or TV. They broke up in 1952, but in December 1955 reunited for a legendary (and sold out) Carnegie Hall concert.
The Weavers continued (with a few personnel changes) through 1964. They released more than 25 albums during their time together.
Their Thanksgiving reunion concert in 1980, and a 2nd appearance 7 months later at Seeger’s Clearwater Festival, brought them back into the public eye. A 1982 documentary, “Wasn’t That a Time!” secured their place in music history. (It also inspired the 2003 parody, “A Mighty Wind.”)
The Weavers in 1980. Fred Hellerman is at right.
Hellerman’s roots in the folk world ran deep. He performed with Woody Guthrie — and produced his son Arlo’s classic (and very long) epic “Alice’s Restaurant.”
Hellerman produced many more songs, working on some in his home studio on Goodhill Road.
I first met Fred when he was an Oscar’s regular. (He earned a spot on that legendary back-wall mural.) We continued our coffee conversations years later at Great Cakes.
Fred Hellerman
I knew instantly he was one of the truly good guys. But it took many years before I realized what a huge name he was, and what he’d accomplished on the music scene. He would not offer too many stories — yet when I asked, he had some great ones. (Particularly about Dylan.)
Fred and I were of different generations. We shared many of the same political sentiments, though. I learned a lot from him.
I’m honored to have known this talented and genuine man, who shared his music with the world.
And I’m proud to have called him a friend.
(Fred Hellerman is survived by his wife, Susan Lardner, and his sons Simeon and Caleb. A memorial service — with music — will be held at a date to be determined.)
As summer winds down — admit it, with school starting yesterday it’s over — let’s look back at the original Compo Beach concessions stand.
(Photo courtesy of Paul Ehrisman)
This 1933 photo shows the forerunner of what many longtime Westporters remember as “Chubby Lane’s.” The food stand was located where the volleyball courts are now. Beach stickers were not needed for parking.
For the past 20 years, Joey Romeo has taken Compo (and Longshore’s) food service to new levels. But if you recall Chubby’s — or “Louis Stone’s Compo Beach Pavilion” — click “Comments” below, and share memories.
Earlier this summer, A Better Chance was on the hunt for host families.
The wonderful program brings students from underserved schools to Westport, to attend Staples and become part of our community.
But it was having a tough time attracting families to give the ABC scholars a weekend and vacation home away from their new home.
Last year’s A Better Chance of Westport scholars.
I posted a story/plea. Board member Nancy Yates describes what happened next:
We received many inquiries from interested families after your post. Some decided that hosting might not be for them after all. But many others were enthusiastic about helping out in whatever role we could offer them.
We’re now fully manned with both primary and alternate host families for each of our 8 scholars, as well as a cadre of substitute families eager for an opportunity to fill in as needed.
That’s good news. But this is even better:
Ruben Guardado, speaking at ABC’s annual fundraising dinner.
The family who will serve as primary hosts for the new freshman whose lack of a host family prompted ABC’s request has a special connection with Ruben Guardado. He’s the former scholar whose photo was featured in the post.
Ruben was a mentor for their older son through a 4th grade book club 5 years ago. It was a very positive experience for Ruben and the young boy.
The son has just entered Staples. He’s now helping the ABC scholar acclimate to Westport.
Nancy says: “This is a perfect illustration of what you remark upon so often in your posts about ABC: The scholars give back to the Westport community, and make the town a better place.
“And now the town — which has shown it does indeed have a heart — is giving a hand up to a scholar who’s destined to repeat the cycle.”
If you’re like many Connecticut residents, when you hear of wildfires in the West you think, “What a shame.”
Then — if you’re like me — you move on to news of the next catastrophe.
Michael Kronick and Robert Yost are doing more. Much more.
Robert Yost
The pair — members of the Westport Fire Department — are actually fighting those fires.
They’re part of a 20-member Connecticut crew that’s battling the Black Fire in Idaho.
This is Yost’s 1st volunteer effort. Kronick, meanwhile, has served in the Western US several times, most recently last year in Northern California.
And that’s the key: It’s all volunteer. Westport’s firefighters are using their own vacation and time off to help save land and homes — and risking their own lives to do so.
Alert “06880” reader Steve Axthelm think that’s crazy.
“These 2 men are very courageous and generous,” he says.
“But don’t you think we as a town and community ought to sponsor them — at least in part — so they don’t have to use vacation or personal time to help out there? Wouldn’t it be a fair and appropriate contribution to the needs of our fellow Americans?”
It would indeed. If you’ve got an idea of how to make that happen, click “Comments” below.
Michael Kronick and Robert Yost are doing plenty. Helping them is the least we can do.
Posted onAugust 31, 2016|Comments Off on Saugatuck Rowers Represent
International rowing is no day at the beach.
As soon as Staples High School ended in June, 3 Saugatuck Rowing Club racers left for junior national team training camps.
After intense workouts, they were selected to represent the US at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The next competition began immediately: for seats in the boat. That continued almost until the starting gun, for what was billed as the largest world rowing championship ever.
Their hard work paid off. Harrison Burke and Kelsey McGinley took bronzes in the men’s and women’s junior 4+ and 4-, respectively. Grace McGinley placed 5th in the grand final of the women’s 8+ event. All are Staples students.
Kelsey McGinley (center) hugs her teammates after earning the women’s junior 4- bronze medal.
Then the fun began.
As soon as they secured their boats, rowers from the many competing countries converged in a “mosh pit” near the finish line grandstand, to trade gear.
The Westporters returned home with uniforms and more from Holland, Britain, Germany, Chile, South Africa and more.
Rowers who had just battled head to head — at the highest level — smiled at each other, happily negotiating trades. Fortunately for our kids, US gear was hot.
Harrison Burke (left) snapped selfies with other national rowing teams.
Saugatuck rowers rise before dawn and train on the icy river — then go back to hit the gym after school — for many reasons.
Earning a place on the national team is one.
Becoming friends with competitors from all over the world — earning respect, and sharing their uniforms — is another.
Congratulations, Harrison, Kelsey and Grace. You’ve done us — and yourselves — proud!
Lisa Hofmeister’s family had no history of food allergies. She was vaguely aware of concerns about kids and nuts, but never gave a thought to things like birthday party food.
A couple of years ago, Blake — then 3 1/2 — ate a peanut butter M&M. Two hours later, he was covered from head to toe in hives.
His Landmark Preschool teachers reacted calmly, quickly and professionally. EMTs used an EpiPen to control the reaction.
Since then, Lisa worries constantly about brownies and cupcakes. She reads the labels of every food item she buys.
Blake — who is allergic to peanuts, pistachios and cashews — is handling things well. On Halloween, the 5-year-old asks everyone handing out candy if it contains any of those nuts.
Landmark is 100% nut-free. Kings Highway Elementary — Blake’s new school — has a nut-free cafeteria table.
Lisa is realistic. “Parents worry that their kid will get hit crossing the street,” she says. “This is just one more worry.”
She also knows that actions speak louder than words. So she’s gotten involved in Food Allergy Research & Education, an educational, research and advocacy organization.
On Saturday, September 24 (1 to 4 p.m.), FARE sponsors a fundraising, awareness and community-building program at Sherwood Island State Park. Besides a half-mile walk, there will be face painting, relay races, carnival games, arts and crafts, a magician and live reggae music.
Participants run at FARE’s 2015 walk.
This is FARE’s only Connecticut event. Because it’s in our back yard — and free — Lisa hopes many Westporters will participate.
As a woman who never cared about food allergies until they struck home, Lisa knows that raising awareness is key.
It’s also hard.
“It’s scary that doctors don’t know what causes this, or why it’s increasing so rapidly,” Lisa says.
“It’s also too bad that this doesn’t have a scarier name. ‘Food allergy’ is fluffy. Maybe if it was called something different, more people would be more aware.”
(For more information — or to register for the September 24 event, or volunteer — click here.)
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