Between its sloping floor, river view, frequently flooded parking lot and basic but down home menu, “the Duck” never pretended to be anything other than what it was: Westport’s favorite (okay, only) dive bar.
One view of the Black Duck … (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
For decades, the former barge — which always seems ready to sink, yet somehow remains afloat — never changed.
… and another. (Photo/John Videler for VidelerPhotography)
But the age of AI is here.
And it’s everywhere. Including the Duck.
Last weekend, longtime Westporter Scott Smith, his son Cole Prowitt-Smith and Cole’s girlfriend headed to Saugatuck.
She’s from out of town. Cole wanted to show her a genuine Westport landmark.
They sat outside, on the covered deck. As Scott enjoyed the classic view of the Saugatuck River under the I-95 bridge — with action at the boat ramp across the water, and listening to trains rumbling past — Cole showed him the menu.
It was a new design. Scott says, “perhaps I wouldn’t have picked up on it. But since Cole is a Gen Zer working in New York, and very much involved with AI, he pointed out some glaring absurdities with the photos on the cover.”
Black Duck menu. (Photo/Scott Smith)
As he looked closely, Scott saw that every image was “a horrid example of the AI-enshittification of our commerce and culture.”
The small second floor had been transformed into something grand. Ditto the bar.
The outdoor deck had umbrellas, like Longshore.
The sun was setting — to the north! — across what looked like a wide bay.
And, Scott wondered, What happened to I-95?!
The sun sets to the north, across an impossibly wide Saugatuck River. And why, Scott asks, is one couple sitting oddly behind the backs of others?
“The Black Duck has its own beauty and history, right down to the slanted floorboards,” Scott says. “How anyone could sign off on this faux design is beyond me.
“Truth in advertising may no longer be a thing. But how do you square this AI-feverish depiction when you’re sitting in the real Duck?
“You have to laugh. But it’s not really funny.”
(“06880” regularly covers Westport’s restaurant scene — in all its forms. If you enjoy this, or any other features on “06880,” please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
And the answers to last week’s Photo Challenge were simple.
“The Duck!” many readers said. A few shortened it to just “Duck.”
They were right. Mary Lou Roels’ image of a sign that said “A good drinking place is a good place to be” — a direct quote from that famed drinker, Benjamin Franklin — hangs oveer the bar. (Click here to see.)
Susan Iseman, Seth Braunstein, Susan Weingarten, Jane Nordli, Sal Liccione, Diane Silfen, Andrew Colabella, Wendy Schaefer, Arthur Hayes, Brian Schwartz, Will Gibson, Karen Como, Janice Strizever, Martha Witte, Rachel Halperin, Jonathan McClure and Diana Pils Marino all have spent enough time at the Duck to quickly answer our not-so-difficult Photo Challenge.
Then they went right back to drinking.
This week’s Challenge includes a cell tower. There are plenty of those in town. But which one can be seen not far from this intriguing light fixture?
If you know where in Westport you’d see this, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Scott Smith)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
That — well, the Black Duck, anyway — was the site of last week’s Photo Challenge.
The cropped photo, showing only the door and a crooked window (click here to see) threw off our readers. Most guessed Wakeman Town Farm.
Lee Scharfstein and Jennifer Piseck had their ducks in a row. Well done!
Meanwhile, f you know where today’s Photo Challenge is, click “Comments” below.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
(Every Sunday, “06880” hosts this Photo Challenge. We challenge you too to support your hyper-local blog. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
Some people never make it past the Black Duck dining room (or bar).
But those who venture further know there are alligators (crocodiles?) on the dock in back.
The seldom-seen-unless-you’re-there reptiles were the subject of last week’s Photo Challenge (click here to see).
Richard Stein, Howard Potter, Mark Soboslai, Andrew Colabella, Jamie Walsh, Jonathan McClure, Martha Witte, Nathan Greenbaum and Lisa Hayes have all spent time there.
We won’t ask for stories. But we will over congratulations on identifying the Challenge.
Here is this week’s. If you know where in Westport you’d see it, click “Comments” below.
The state Department of Transportation is working on the Cribari Bridge from 10 a.m. through noon today.
They plan intermittent openings and closings. Police officers will be stationed on both sides of the bridge — with one at Post Road West/Wilton Road/Riverside Avenue, and one on Post Road East/Imperial Avenue — to assist with traffic, as it is diverted to the Post Road.
Traffic congestion will be heavy. Drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible.
The Cribari Bridge will be closed intermittently through noon today. (Photo/Adam Goldberg)
The Westport Weston Family YMCA had a split decision this week.
The Planning & Zoning Commission agreed to their requests to increase the capacity of their Mahackeno camp from 360 youngsters to 400, and for 1 more hour of morning practice for the Water Rats swim team.
No whistles may be used at the pool, and someone must be available 24/7 in case of neighbors’ concerns.
But the board denied a request for extended hours for the splash pad and large slide.
Lou Kitchner has had some great bands, during his 16-year career as a beloved Westport music teacher.
But none ever received a 99 score (out of 100) at the Fantastic Festival — an adjudicated event — until this year’s Bedford Middle School Wind Ensemble.
They’re also his first concert band to win 1st place. They beat out 65 bands from 4 states for that honor.
Lou told parents: “A professional trumpet player with a degree in performance commented she has never heard a band at this age, this good. She said, ‘your band puts high school bands to shame. I cannot believe they are middle schoolers and can play like this.’ She went on to compliment their tone, style, mechanics and musicality.”
Congratulations, Lou and all the musicians. Staples High School looks forward to hearing you play! (Hat tip: Maggie Gomez)
The Bedford Middle School wind ensemble. Director Lou Kitchner is in the back row, center.
The newest Staples Tuition Grants named award honors Dick and Paula Leonard.
For decades, they were fixtures in the Westport community. As a long-time English teacher at Staples High School, president of the Westport Education Association and a labor lawyer, Dick inspired educational excellence for generations of Westport students.
A successful real estate broker, Paula gave generously of her time in many ways. She helped lead construction of the Westport Senior Center and convert the original Saugatuck Elementary School into The Saugatuck, providing moderate income housing to aging town residents.
Paula Leonard died last month. A celebration of her life is set for June 25 (3 p.m., Senior Center).
The award commemorates the spirit of community and volunteerism that Paula and Dick embodied. Click here to donate; click here for the Staples Tuition Grants home page.
Paula and Dick Leonard.
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Rindy Higgins was inspired by yesterday’s “06880” story on the Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Committee, and their work to help a Syrian family find a home in Stratford.
The longtime Westporter works with the extended family of 11. She helped get household supplies, offered job ideas, and provided tutoring and love. She’s especially excited at the great progress made by their 6-year-old.
She notes that the 16-, 14- and 11-year-olds need pro bono tutors in math, reading and English. Volunteers can email 06880blog@gmail.com; I’ll pass your information on to Rindy.
Volunteer tutors are needed for 3 Syrian younsters.
Club 203 wrapped up its fantastic first year yesterday, with karaoke at the Westport Library.
The social organization for adults with disabilities welcomed dozens of partiers. CRUMBL Cookies donated goodies, MoCA took care of the art, CTFSN presented on taking new friendships to the next level, and volunteers made everyone feel welcome.
Club 203 kicks up again in September. Click here for more information.
Club 203 karaoke at the Westport Library. (Photo/Stacie Curran)
As if traffic wasn’t bad enough yesterday — the Cribari Bridge was stuck in the “open” position for a while — this supposedly licensed driver ignored the “One Way/Do Not Enter” sign, plus 2 lines of cars facing him, to cause chaos on Main Street.
(Photo/Jamie Walsh)
We’re used to seeing occasional wrong-way automobile drivers. We seldom see wrong-way truckers.
Jamie Walsh describes what happened around 2:30 p.m.: A state trooper pulled the driver over. Cars had to back up onto the Post Road to let the truck pass.
The trooper followed him with lights on, presumably to a safer location to continue their conversation.
Perhaps the trooper could say: “Don’t you know? There’s a cut-through in Parker Harding Plaza!”
Work on the Evergreen Avenue sewer system between Myrtle Avenue and Washington Avenue begins July 5, and runs through August 4. Through traffic will be detoured from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Evergreen Avenue will be open to the residents of the area.
Markings are made for the Evergreen Avenue sewer project. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
The 2nd annual Westport Pride drag show is set for tomorrow (Saturday, June 17, 5 to 8 p.m., MoCA Westport).
“Light Up the Night” is family friendly. The evening includes neon face painting, hair and makeup services, a photo booth, custom pizzas and cocktails.
The show itself begins at 6 p.m. MC Desmond reads from their book “Be Amazing: A History of Pride.” After 3 performers, there’s a Q-and-A about their journeys.
Kevin Mashia died Wednesday, at his Norwalk home. He was 54, and began his career at Westport Tile & Design, using his creativity and eye for design well. He then moved on to Hastings Tile.
Kevin is survived by his parents, Richard and Martha; his sister Stephanie, niece Sydney, and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial is set for Tuesday, June 20 (10 a.m., Assumption Church). The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home on Monday (June 19, 4 to 7 p.m.). Click here to leave online condolences. Contributions in Kevin’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Kevin Mashia
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“Westport … Naturally” has been swamped with dozens of deer photos.
This is the only one, though, that includes a “dear” little kid.
Yash Lorenzato got acquainted with 2 fawns, in his North Bulkley Avenue yard.
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