One day — sooner rather than later, hopefully — the Compo Beach snack bar will open.
A new concessionaire replaces Joey’s by the Shore. After 31 years, there will be a new look and feel to the familiar brick building.
It seems like it’s always been there, smack in the middle of the boardwalk. But for most of its existence, that was actually part of the bathhouses.
The concession stand was located a few yards north — where the volleyball courts are now. Low-slung and wooden, it had even more of a “beach shack” feel than the current one.
And because there were a few parking spaces in front — just before the drop-off area where the Soundview exit road begins — anyone could drive up and walk in. You didn’t need a beach sticker.
(Photo courtesy of Liz Doyle Boyd)
Working at Chubby’s was a coveted job. I was hired the summer after 10th grade. Despite the dorky uniform (blue button-down shirt, dark blue shorts, high socks), I had a blast.
I loved my co-workers. I got free food. I was at the beach. Life did not get better than that.
PS: A few years earlier, Chubby pioneered “delivery.” Employees wandered up and down the sand. They called in orders by walkie-talkie, and tied a ribbon on the customer’s chair. Someone else then brought the order.
That service was gone by the time I worked there. Maybe the new concessionaire can bring it back?
BONUS FEATURE:Chubby’s beach success led to a year-round restaurant on Post Road East. It’s now the site of Willows Pediatrics, next to the Westport Inn.
Chubby Lane’s featured the first $1 hamburger in town — with meat from Charpentier’s butcher across the street (now Border Grille) — and killer onion rings. I worked there also, wearing that same ridiculous outfit.
I had a blast there too.
This is actually the Bantam Restaurant, a predecessor of Chubby Lane’s. But when he owned it, it looked the same.
Posted onMay 29, 2020|Comments Off on Ssaugatuck Rowing Club Pulls Together In Pandemic
The boats are out of the water. The Boathouse restaurant has served only curbside and takeout meals. Yet despite the pandemic, the Saugatuck Rowing Club has been almost as busy as ever.
In true rise-to-the-challenge fashion, as soon as management realized closure was imminent, they reacted. They created website with a video library and daily livestream and Zoom classes.
Members had a choice: continue paying dues (if possible) for access to the “virtual club” site, or freezing their membership. Paying dues would allow the club to continue paying staff. Over 50 employees are being paid during the shudown, thanks to many members and owner Howard Winklevoss.
Saugatuck Rowing Club (Drone photo/Ward French)
US Rowing cancelled all regattas through June, which devastated dozens of young rowers. Parents had paid all racing fees in advance. But instead of requesting refunds, they donated the entire sum — $12,000 — to Feed the Frontline, a program that supports healthcare and other essential employees, while providing work to area restaurants.
Of course, like many restaurants The Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club was itself struggling. After reading an “06880” story about meal trains — SRC’s Diana Kuen had an idea: give food directly to Norwalk Hospital.
She sent an email to club members. In 3 days she raised over $8,500 — enabling The Boathouse to prepare 160 meals a week for the hospital.
Delivering Boathouse meals to Norwalk Hospital.
Kuen thanks the Saugatuck Rowing Club’s generous members — and the greater Westport community — for their contributions of over $20,000 to help feed healthcare workers, and keep local restaurants (including their own) afloat.
As for rowing itself: That’s continuing too (virtually). The 5-straight national champion junior girls and other teams are training on their own at home. Many have their own indoor machines. For those who do not, the club lent 65 ergometer rowing machines, and 12 erg bikes.
Ahead: next month’s online national event.
Meanwhile, with Connecticut restaurants reopening, The Boathouse offers outdoor dining. The view is great.
And — because privately owned boats are allowed on the water — you’ll see the welcome sight of rowers gracefully (and powerfully) plying the river once again.
The Saugatuck Rowing Club has weathered the pandemic. As always, everyone there is a winner.
(For a free 3-day pass to the Saugatuck Rowing Club’s online workout library and livestreams, click here. Questions? Email dkuen@saugatuckrowing.com)
A welcome sight. (Photo/Diana Kuen)
Comments Off on Ssaugatuck Rowing Club Pulls Together In Pandemic
Looking for a list of open restaurants and delis — those with outdoor dining, along with takeout and delivery?
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce has you covered.
They maintain an up-to-date list. Click here for their website. As of this morning, the list included Arezzo, Bartaco, The Boathouse, Calise’s Market, Granola Bar, GG & Joe (the new acai bowl spot in Parker Harding Plaza, near TD Bank), Joe’s Pizza, Little Barn, The Naan, Pearl at Longshore, Rive Bistro, Rizzuto’s, Romanacci Xpress, Spotted Horse, Viva Zapata and The Whelk.
The Chamber site also includes FAQs, applications, and rules and regulations for restaurant owners.
There’s also this: a great new logo. It was created by (of course!) Westport’s go-to graphic designer, Miggs Burroughs.
On the long list of things people really, really want, then never look at again after wearing them once, the only thing less than a wedding dress is a graduation gown.
Except now. That goofy, floor-length outfit could save a life.
As healthcare workers lack personal protective equipment in the fight against COVID-19, they grab anything they can think of. Even trash bags.
Graduation gowns are a lot more effective than that. They cover legs and arms, and offer easy zipper access.
The Gowns4Good program provides graduation gowns to the men and women who desperately need them. Whether yours from years ago is gathering dust somewhere, or yours is spanking new for that less-than-raucous, socially distant 2020 ceremony: It can help.
Just click here. Fill out a short form. Select a medical facility from the dropdown list (pro tip: the closest to Westport is Stamford Hospital). Submit.
You’ll get an email back, with instructions on how to ship your gown.
Whether you graduated first in your class or last, you know: This is a very smart idea! (Hat tip: Becky Acselrod)
Despite the cigar smoke, these gowns will be useful.
Talk about “burying the lede”!
At the bottom of an email sent yesterday announcing new outdoor hours for The Whelk (Tuesday through Saturday, 4 to 8 p.m.), and the opening of a new Kawa Ni patio in “the next few days,” there was this momentous news from Bill Taibe’s group:
“With the seismic change that is happening in the world, we look at this as an opportunity to pivot and grow. Over the next few weeks Jesup Hall will evolve into Don Memo.
“While it is bittersweet to say goodbye to Jesup Hall, it is so exciting to create this new concept and be able to bring what we love about this cuisine and culture to downtown Westport. See you soon!”
“06880” will keep you posted. One thing is for sure: Don Memo won’t have to worry about creating outdoor seating. The patio in front of the old stone building next to Restoration Hardware — Westport’s original Town Hall — is already perfect.
Jesup Hall, soon to be Don Memo, aka the old Town Hall.
Westport’s Parks & Rec Department is posting clever new signs at their facilities around town.
Good thing they didn’t try to spell out “Recreation.”
If you wander by Jeff Franzel’s Saugatuck Island house any Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m., you may hear him playing piano.
But you don’t have to live here to hear Jeff. His listeners span the globe, via Facebook Live. They suggest themes; he improvises. Original songs, plus those by Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Thelonious Monk, Count Basie, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish — he plays them all.
And very well. The Westport native has quite a resume. He’s played piano for the Hues Corporation (“Rock the Boat”), Les Brown, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme and Bob Hope. He wrote hits like “Don’t Rush Me” for Taylor Dayne, and others for the Temptations, NSYNC, Shawn Colvin, Josh Groban, Placido Domingo and Clay Aiken. He mentors songwriters around the world, and brings some to his Songwriting Academy, at his home.
Intrigued? You’re in luck: Today is Thursday. Click here at 5 p.m., for Jeff’s 10th concert.
Jeff Franzel
Looking for a good read — and podcast? Persona’s Rob Simmelkjaer interviews Westporter Emily Liebert. Her 6th novel, “Perfectly Famous,” will be published June 2.
And finally … it will be a while before we get 400,000 people together in one place.
Or even 40.
But the Youngbloods’ message is as relevant today as it was more than half a century (!) ago.
The Staples High School Class of 2020 will not have a traditional graduation. Instead, on June 11 they’ll take part in a car parade.
But one Westporter wants to make sure they know the entire town is thinking of them. She’s created a “Wall of Wishes.”
She delivered blank posters to ASF Sports & Outdoors and Saugatuck Sweets. Everyone is invited to write a message, quote, or words of encouragement to the graduates (bring your own sharpie!).
“Let them know they are not alone, and there is so much more out there,” Kelly — whose son AJ is one of those seniors — says.
“It will get better. They will to be stronger from this — even though it doesn’t seem so right now.”
Kelly will post the messages along the route for the grads to see. She and I will find a way to share them on “06880” too.
If you have any questions — or prefer to email your wishes — send them to wallofwishes2020@gmail.com. The deadline is next Friday (June 5).
As Connecticut reopens, we can once again shop until we drop. (Or our mask falls off.) We can go to restaurants. (Sort of.)
Soon we can once again get our hair cut, styled and/or colored. And our nails done.
What we can’t do — at least for a while — is go to a gym. The Y, fitness centers, spin studios — all are too dangerous for our hot, sweaty, once-toned and possibly now-COVID-carrying bodies.
Westporters have adapted in a number of ways. We’ve livestreamed workout videos. We’ve jogged, walked and biked on suddenly empty streets. We’ve climbed walls. (Okay, that’s only figurative. But still…)
Those fortunate enough to have the foresight to already own a Peloton bike* were lucky. Those who suddenly realized they wanted one were out of luck. Thought there’s an actual store selling real bikes on Main Street, it closed in mid-March. Online orders were backed up for weeks.
It’s one thing to ride a Peloton bike at home. Sure, you’re linked up with an instructor and fellow bikers. But a group of Westport moms wanted more.
In the early days of the shutdown, Maria Mulvehill and a few friends — all with Pelotons — started texting. They wanted motivation and accountability to main their physical (and mental) health.
That text chain got many on the bike and moving even when they did not want to, Maria says.
Suzanne Slade — the mother of 4, all under the age of 7 — loves her Peloton group.
As friends pulled in friends, the texts also connected women who did not know each other. They cheer each other on, through messages and the leaderboard.
One woman will post that she’s doing a certain ride, at a certain time. Others join if they can. They see each other on screen. As they ride — sometimes racing, other times just keeping each other company — they “high-five.”
Later, they catch up by text.
The group branched out too. They shared stories about baking bread, coping with kids, and how they cry during rides when the instructor says something poignant or emotional.
Suzanne Slade is homeschooling 4 youngsters — all under 7. The Peloton community helped her maintain her health and fitness. “Knowing that I’m riding alongside other local mamas is motivating,” she says. “It would be easy to skip a ride. Knowing that others are showing up keeps me accountable.”
Julia Felleman calls her Peloton “a sanity saver. Thirty to 45 minutes to myself amidst 3 kids, homeschooling 2 of them, and a full-time job.”
Julie Felleman gets ready to rdie.
The best part? “I’ve gained a new text thread of 15 amazing moms. Some were strangers, but now I call them part of my mom-tribe. They motivate me (and my husband) to get on the bike and work out — even if it’s just to burn more calories for that extra cookie or cocktail. This crew of ladies is amazing!”
Vicky Powers adds that despite being apart, it feels like the group is together as they ride. She knew only a handful of the women when she started. “Now I have a whole new group of friends!”
Tally Jacobs says the group has given her things she was missing: “connection to friends, laughs at our group texts, scheduled exercise.”
It is also a chance to “make something positive out of this mess. When else would I get up to work out before my kids go to ‘school’?”
The leaderboard on a recent ride. Seven Westport women joined in.
Some of the moms have never actually met. “But we’ve been texting, sharing and riding together for 10 weeks,” Maria says. “One day we’ll all get together in person for a glass of wine!”
Though gyms and cycle studios may open soon, the women will continue their home Peloton rides — and their group texts.
They’d like to connect with other local riders. Use the hashtag #westportrideson with your Pelaton account. Questions? Email mariaffreeman@gmil.com.
* Peloton is an internet-connected stationary bike. Riders download classes — live, or on-demand — through a large touchscreen between the handlebars.
Time for an osprey update! Carolyn Doan — who for several years has taken magnificent photos of the Fresh Market raptors — reports:
At first glance today I was excited to see the female, but also a bit worried. She looked disheveled, and was definitely having a bad feather day.
However, she stood on the edge of the nest looking inward and down. That’s a good sign that there are probably chicks in there.
As I watched, the male flew in to offer support. He spruced things up a bit by shifting around some outer sticks, and stayed for awhile. After making sure all was well, he flew off again — most likely in search of fish.
(Photos/Carolyn Doan)
I had a lovely conversation with the workers in the parking lot, who offered to call up to a co-worker on the roof to check for chicks.
I didn’t hear back from them, but they suspect there is a family due to lots of noise and the female calling downward — maybe to ask that the noise be kept to a minimum!
The good news: The Westport Library is not charging you for all those books, DVDs and other materials you borrowed right before COVID-19, and have been unable to return.
The better news: The library is almost ready to pick them up.
It’s Phase 1 of their multi-step process to reopen. Details — including dates — will be announced soon on the library website, and through their newsletter and social media channels.
Though the building is closed, digital resources — including e-books, audiobooks, streaming music and movies, story times with favorite librarians, author talks and more — are available 24/7.
Joe Biden wears a black mask. Many of us wear whatever we can find. Donald Trump does not wear one at all.
But if all of us — including the president — want to look really cool, we’d wear a Westport mask. You know — one with a map showing the Saugatuck River and Long Island Sound.
They’re 3 layers strong — 2 of cotton, 1 poly — with elastic loops for the ears. The price is $21.99 each, and they’re available through the Savvy + Grace website. The Main Street store is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for no- contact, curbside pickup. They also offer shipping.
Wear your Westport mask with pride! Shop local! And if you — or President Trump — need even more convincing, there’s this: Savvy + Grace’s masks are made right here in the USA.
Of all the businesses to open in Westport a month before COVID-19 struck, you’d think the least lucky would be Serendipity Labs.
It’s a co-working space. These days, the only office chatter is about how to keep people away from one.
But the folks who run the newly renovated, 23,000-square foot flexible workspace — with private offices, customizable team rooms and suites, plus meeting and event space at 55 Post Road West — want residents to know that as you get ready to leave your new office (aka “home”), they understand your concerns. They’ve got you covered.
Serendipity Labs’ “Workplace Transition Program” offers contact-less check-in and “continuous cleaning protocols.” There is “proper ventilation and air flow in all offices and common areas.” And, they claim, their workspace provides “60% more space per person than the competition.”
Private desks start at $299 a month. Drop-in plans begin at $49 a day. For more information, click here or call 203-293-0035.
And finally … like (hopefully) many of us, former Westporter Johnny Winter is “still alive and well.”
Westport was one of the early hot spots, in America’s coronavirus crisis.
We weathered our turn in the national spotlight. And — out of the spotlight — most of us have done what we needed to, to get back to whatever is normal these days.
Slowly, we — and the rest of the state — are reopening. It did not happen by accident. There’s still a long road ahead.
But, if you …
Wear a mask
Keep your distance
Encourage your kids/family members/friends to do the same
Still do all these things as you venture out to newly opened stores and restaurants, because you …
Know all this is not just about you, but everyone else around …
… then you are our Unsung Heroes of the Week.
And if you don’t, you’re not.
Looking out for themselves, and others. (Photo/Bob Weingarten)
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Those fortunate enough to have the foresight to already own a 
