Last night was — once again — Westport’s Best Party of the Year.
Ten thousand of so people crammed Compo Beach for several hours of parties, picnics, strolling, socializing, and — no matter what our individual political bents — celebrating our town and country the way it’s been done for nearly 250 years.
But those fireworks don’t just fall from the sky. (Metaphorically, at least.)
It takes a town-wide effort to put on that show.
Who, exactly, spent months making sure that last night went off with a bang?
Westport PAL: For more than half a century, they’ve organized the event. The small volunteer organization punches far above its weight. This is their major fundraiser of the year, enabling them to help thousands of youngsters with athletic programs and scholarships — and the entire town, with the Longshore skating rink. (If you enjoyed the fireworks, but did not purchase a beach ticket, you can still contribute. Just click here.)
Melissa and Doug Bernstein: The longtime Westporters are known both for their eponymous toy company, and their staunch support of many groups and activities in town. Their financial contribution relieves the PAL of many expenses, so they can direct even more of the proceeds back to kids.
Westport Parks & Recreation Department: From distributing tickets, directing traffic into and out of the beach, providing guest services and lifeguards at the event, offering all kinds of unseen logistical support — and, crucially, picking up prodigious amounts of trash all day long, then through the night after the show so that Compo looks pristine when the sun rose this morning — Parks & Rec plays a huge (and largely unappreciated) role.
That trash does not pick itself up. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Westport Police Department: Getting hundreds of cars into and out of the beach — on 2 access roads — is no small feat. Our police do it brilliantly. Throughout the event, they make sure that thousands of people feel (and are) safe.
Westport Fire Department: In countless ways — seen and unseen — the Fire Department helps the event run smoothly. And despite all the precautions, these are fireworks we’re talking about. It’s great to have these professional men and women on the scene.
Westport Emergency Medical Services: What can go wrong when thousands of people gather in one spot (and party hard)? Plenty. EMS is on the scene, with personnel, ambulances, and their always reassuring, very professional presence.
Community Emergency Response Team: These often-overlooked volunteers provide extra helping hands whenever and wherever they’re needed. They’re trained in disaster assistance. But CERT is one more reason last night turned out so well.
Town of Westport: From the Selectwoman’s office to Public Works — and I’m sure many other departments — we would not have fireworks without Town Hall. There are plenty of moving parts to a party like this one, and a ton of employees work behind the scenes to make sure all those parts keep moving.
Doug Bernstein (5th from left) handed Police Chief Foti Koskinas the ceremonial first fireworks ticket. Also part of the townwide effort (from left): Parks & Rec operations director Carmen Roda, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, PAL president Craig Bergamo, Melissa Bernstein, Parks & Rec interim director Rick Giunta and Lieut. Matthew Gouveia. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Sure, it’s easy to complain. All the good spots were reserved by 8 a.m.! There was trash piled next to the garbage cans! It took 45 minutes to get out of the parking lot!
But who cares?
We had a glorious Independence Day celebration — and it’s not even July 4th yet.
Hundreds of people worked hard to make yesterday great. We owe them our profound thanks.
It was definitely a blast.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Parks & Recreation Department operations director Carm Roda, checking in at yesterday’s fireworks. (Photo/Dan Woog)
A sign on a house being renovated on Soundview Drive advertises the Summer Stroll. Sponsored by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association, it will be — just like yesterday — a time to party on the beach exit road, without cars.
Mark July 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: live music, kids’ activities, food and fun!
(Photo/Sunil Hirani)
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The Compo Beach pickleball courts are still relatively new.
But they’re getting an upgrade:
(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Next up: the skate park?!
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The Westport Library begins its new fiscal year by welcoming 3 new board members.
Longtime member Pat Wieser starts her first full term as president. She stepped in for immediate past president Barrie Rosen earlier this year.
Bob Boroujerdi now serves as senior vice president, and Ben Chan as treasurer. Melissa Banks continues as secretary.
Other executive team members who return are finance chair Scott Bennewitz, new governance and nominations chair Martina Sze, and new development co-chairs Randy Herbertson and Mark Silverstein.
Stefano Pacifico and Sheila Ward roll off the board at the completion of their terms.
Joining the board for 2024-25 are attorney and community activist Sheri Gordon, leadership expert Kathleen Guion, and nonprofit executive and consultant Liza Van Gundy.
Westport Library board. Top row (from left): Ben Chan, Andrea Berkley, Peter Zakowich, Jay Norris, Bob Boroujerdi, Randy Herbertson, Jeremy Price, Scott Bennewitz. Bottom: Kathleen Guion, Andrew Wilk, Pat Wieser, Sheri Gordon, Melissa Banks, Martina Sze.
If you wonder what sparked the idea for a Broadway musical, check out “They Made It a Musical” at the Westport Country Playhouse (4 performances, July 18- 20).
The show features anecdotes about the origins of recent hits (“Hamilton,” “Titanic”) and classics (“Fiddler on the Roof,” “Oklahoma!,” while a cast of six Broadway performers celebrate the legendary songs.
Creator/director Laurence Maslon is a Broadway historian. For more information and tickets, click here.
“Oklahoma!”‘s route to Broadway began with this show, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
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These wild animals in front of the Furniture on Consignment II store next to Bar Lupa are not exactly “Westport … Naturally” material.
And finally … on this date in 1890, Idaho was admitted as the 43rd US state.
(Whether you live now in Westport, Idaho, or anywhere else: If you have a connection here, then “06880” is your online home. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Spectacular weather, a great vibe on a crowded beach, enough food to feed an army (though far better than any mess hall), and a sea of red, white and blue provided a perfect backdrop for last night’s 2-days-early 4th of July fireworks.
Westport PAL, Melissa and Doug Bernstein, Parks & Recreation — and everyone else who helped — threw what is always our town’s best party of the year.
And this one was right up there with the best of the best.
Here are some images from the day. Stay tuned for a second set later today.
Compo Beach, from the air. Can you find yourself? (Drone photo/Charlie Scott)
A small part of the large crowd. (Photo/Amy Saperstein)
Young families already know the drill ,,,
… and so do those who have been here a while.
Relaxing, a bit away from the crowd.
Stacie Curran and Jim Izzo.
Lifeguards had a long day. Downtime was always welcome.
Cornhole was fun too, at Old Mill Beach.
Camp Compo artwork. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Mom and daughter: red, white and blue.
Westport PAL president Corporal Craig Bergamo. flanked by PAL representatives Duke Saltus (left) and Andrew Colabella.
… and the view from the water. (Photo courtesy of Linda Mezzullo)
Cool stuff for sale. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Flags and guns, for sale. (All photos/Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)
The view from Longshore. (Photo/Amy Buckman)
The finale! (Photo/Matt Murray)
(“0688o” celebrates Westport, every day and in every way. But we can’t do it without readers’ support. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
The final ticket was just taken for tonight’s fireworks.
Don’t even think of heading to Compo Beach without one.
Folks with tickets, meanwhile, began preparing early for tonight’s fun.
This was Compo Beach at 8 a.m.:
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
Not far away was this scene. (Photo/Abby Gordon-Tolan)
Meanwhile, “06880” reader James Morgan offered these thoughts, in a comment posted earlier today:
“Here we go again, the yearly whine fest from people who assume everybody that doesn’t behave like them is somehow an entitled interloper with no sense of community mindfulness.
“I’m not going this year, but can’t help but feel compelled to share a few observations:
“It’s a Tuesday ahead of what is going to be a long weekend. There are not going to be hordes of people trying to enjoy the beach such that any of these set ups are going to prevent them from doing so. In fact, because of Westport’s decision to schedule away from busy weekend days, this is never an issue.
“Also, because it’s a Tuesday, the world around us is in full swing, with parents working and kids in camp. Preventing people from setting up early would only create more chaos for a major part of our community that don’t have the luxury of sauntering over later in the afternoon
“If you doubt the community spirit of the groups that set up early, come back in the late afternoon. The best of Westport is on display when the beach is full, and I’ve never heard a single story of people fighting over territory or crossing boundaries, or anything else. Instead, it’s sharing drinks and snacks, catching up, making new friends, and appreciating how lucky we are to live in this town
“Oh, and if you are able to make it down to the beach in some capacity during the day today, I’d recommend spending less time worrying about what other people are doing, and more time grateful that life has afforded you the ability to do that.
“That’s certainly my plan when I head over for a run and quick dip later this morning.”
At 6 a.m., the first spots were already reserved for tonight’s fireworks.
(Photo/Pam Kesselman)
This was the scene at 6:30:
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
At 6:40, there was this:
(Photo/Susie Kowalsky)
Ghost encampments will continue to sprout all morning long.
Some will be normal, considerate-of-neighbor-sized. Others will be the Compo Beach equivalent of McMansions.
The upside: The trend of setting up for a party ahead of time has lessened the traffic trying to enter the beach the moment it opens to ticket-holders, at around 4:30 or 5.
NOTE: As of 7:30 a.m., only 15 tickets for tonight’s show remained. They’re being sold today at police headquarters on Jesup Road only.
Organic Krush — the property they were replacing — vociferously said “not true!”
It was. But it took 2 years for it to happen.
The sign is now up. The targeted opening date is the end of this month.
(Photo courtesy of WestportMoms)
As “06880” reported in early June — and WestportMoms alluded to yesterday, in the Sweetgreen announcement — Just Salad is likely to replace Salsa Fresca “before the end of the year.”
Brooks Corner — the 23,945-square foot retail and office complex in the heart of downtown Westport — has been sold.
ARC — a Concord, Massachusetts-based real estate acquisition, development and management firm — bought the property from Westfair Inc., the Brooks family company.
The purchase price was $12,750,000.
Brooks Corner is anchored by Brooks Brothers (no relation to the family that built it), and Lux Bond & Green.
Brooks Corner
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There was no wind, rain or any other precipitating factor.
But a large tree fell just before 9 a.m. yesterday on Easton Road, near Coleytown Elementary School.
Branches hit a car driving past. The driver veered into a stone wall. There were no reported injuries.
More than 50 Eversource customers lost power.
(Photo/Mark Mathias)
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The Residence at Westport is a senior living community.
But they’ve adopted our town’s youngsters as a cause.
From now through August 31, they’re collecting backpacks and school supplies, to support students in need.
Items can be dropped off in the lobby. The Residence is at 1141 Post Road East, opposite Greens Farms Elementary School.
Westport Rotary Club outgoing president Kenny Epstein passed the gavel to new president Goldie James at the annual traditional dinner on Friday, at Ned Dimes Marina.
Over 70 members ate lobsters, watched the new board sworn in, and enjoyed awards and gifts, as Rotary rang in its 101st year.
Kenny Epstein passes the gavel to Goldie James. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
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Ewen Rainer grew up in New Jersey. Jennifer Leigh is from the Branford area. They now live in Charleston, South Carolina.
They planned a religious wedding in Italy. But they wanted a civil one in the US, before heading overseas.
What better place than Westport?
But where? And who would perform it?
They got a list of justices of the peace from Town Hall. They chose Andrew Colabella, based on his close associations with Westport.
In May, the Representative Town Meeting member performed the ceremony on Veterans Green. A dinner, with family members who could not travel overseas, followed at Saugatuck Rowing Club.
The couple is back in the States. They’ve got great memories of Italy — and Westport.
Justice of the peace Andrew Colabella (left), with Ewen Rainer and Jennifer Leigh.
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Wondering how space environments threaten exoplanet habitability?
Dr. Ofer Cohen — an associate professor at the University of Massaschusetts -Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology — answers that question July 16 (8 p.m.), in a free Westport Astronomical Society webinar.
Posted onJuly 2, 2024|Comments Off on Westporter Saves Greek Seagrass
Claudia Sherwood Servidio writes:
I have lived in Westport for 3 years.
I have marveled at a town with water all around. I appreciate having Long Island Sound and the Saugatuck River within walking distance from my home.
Saugatuck River, near Parker Harding Plaza.
I am currently on Lemnos Island, Greece, where I have spent several months every summer for the past 25 years. I free dive, and take underwater photos.
Over that time I have seen changes in the water, including less sea life. This is not just in Lemnos, but all over the planet. It makes me feel both unsettled and motivated.
Claudia Sherwood Servidio, in Lemnos, Greece. (Contributed photo)
Last year I reached out to a Greek non-profit, Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation. I spoke to director Anastasia Miliou, the scientific director of this NGO who is also the Greek Ambassador to the EU for Sustainable Fisheries & Marine Policy.
I spent my winter in Westport communicating virtuallywith the AIMC. Lemnos — the 8th largest island in Greece — has many key resources to protect, including seagrass. They agreed to an expedition to Lemnos in September 2024, based on fundraising.
Mediterranean seagrass (posidonia oceanica near Lemnos).
There is a striking difference between the waters of Long Island Sound where I swim until November, and the North Aegean blue-green waters in Lemnos.
Yet grasses also grow in the Sound, in areas like bays, estuaries and coastal waters. They also hold carbon in their roots.
Seagrass habitats throughout the world are endangered. They need our protection.
Saugatuck River, near downtown.
Seagrasses are amazing plants that are carbon sinks for the planet, even more efficient in storing carbon than the rainforests of the world. Seagrass contributes to the oxygenation of the oceans, prevents coastal erosion, and provides shelter to invertebrate and fish species as well as plants.
Swimming in the Aegean Sea, near Lemnos.
They affect the ecological balance of sea life. When these beds are damaged from anchors or other human destructive behavior, they release the “blue cardon” in their roots into the atmosphere. It can take up to 100 years to regenerate these seagrass beds.
Our pilot program planned for September will bring a research boat and scientific crew to map the seagrass around the entire coast of Lemnos, and do a pilot monitoring of carbon.
Carbon monitoring.
The data collected will be used to create marine conservation programs to share with the community: fisherman, local students, volunteers and tourists. It will create awareness of the importance of protecting seagrass and biodiversity
“Citizen science” is a term used for the community getting involved in their own environment, collecting data and working on projects that offer information that can be useful to scientists.
It educates the population, helps the community understand the scientific process, and creates a sense of well-being and empowerment. Schools also participate in these research activities, as part of their curriculums.
The seagrass map to be created by the institute’s underwater robots will help boats know where their anchors are safe to drop, and not disturb the carbon stored underwater by the seagrass roots.
I formed a non-profit in Fairfield County with a group of Greek-Americans: Lemnos Marine Conservation. We re raising funds through GoFundMe, corporate sponsors interested in green initiatives, and non-profit organizations.
We hope to raise $100,000. The expedition’s cost of $60,000 for 110 days includes 18 researchers, the boat and scientific equipment.
The other $40,000 is to start an educational marine conservation center on the island for locals and tourists, and to share information throughout Europe the US with marine science authorities, such as Rutgers University.
We also plan to create a seagrass and marine conservation prototype to share with other Greek islands.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center in New York is also working with us to develop programs based on climate mitigation, and understanding the spiritual connection between man and nature
If you feel the passion that we do for marine conservation, please click here for our GoFundMe page, and share with others.
We are all in this together. Sometimes grass roots (seagrass roots!) is the best resource.
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