Is it quiet yet?
Today is the day Westport’s gas-powered leaf blower ban goes into effect.
From now until October 15, handheld and backpack leaf blowers may not be used. Make sure your landscapers and neighbors know. Click here for the full ordinance.
Need an electric blower? You can borrow one from the Westport Library of Things!
PS: If you see a violation, email ckelly@westportct.gov, or write: Conservation Department, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880. (Hat tip: Liz Milwe)
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The war in Ukraine has been pushed off the front pages, by other world events.
But for residents there — including Westport’s sister city of Lyman — the situation remains very, very real.
Ukraine Aid International — the organization founded by Westporters Brian and Marshall Mayer, which helped connect our town with our friends in Donetsk — report that Russia is putting more pressure on the front, while attempting to open a new front on the northern border.
With the recent US aid package, 1 million Czech artillery shells, new German air defense systems and more — plus the expected delivery of F-16 fighter planes to Ukraine, the Mayers are optimistic.
In Lyman specifically, they have not seen any movement in the front line, despite stepped-up attacks.
A new Westport project to aid Lyman will be announced soon. In the meantime, aid to Lyman is always needed.
To donate by credit card, click here; click the “I want to support” box; then select “Westport — Lyman Sister City.” Scroll down on the Donate page for other options: mail, wire transfer and Venmo.
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The Wakeman Town Farm farm stand opens June 8.
Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October, it’s open. Regular items include fresh organic produce, microgreens, honey and flower bouquets grown on the Farm, pls WTF logowear.
Rotating local artisanal products include organic coffee, bread, pastries, extra virgin olive oils, gourmet balsamic vinegars and salsas.
It’s a fun family outing. Other attractions include the Farm’s flower and vegetable gardens, visits with the animals, and chats with the farmers.
Wakeman Town Farm farm stand.
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As a non-profit focused on community building, the Westport Weston Family YMCA knows the importance of innovative ideas and collaborative projects.
Those things doesn’t just happen, of course. So on June 4, the Y’ will host a “Pollinator” cross-networking event.
Local non-profits, and the Y’s Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund’s grant recipients, will gather for a working lunch.
Attendees will discuss topics like digital marketing, volunteer recruitment, grant writing, fundraising, operational efficiencies and strategic planning.
The guest list is by invitation only. To learn more, contact Kate Guthrie, the Y’s director of development: 203-571-6043; kguthrie@westporty.org.
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Speaking of the Y: Congratulations to their masters swim team.
For the second straight year, they won the Masters National Championship, in Fort Lauderdale last weekend. Former Westport Y swimmers, now living in Florida and New Jersey, joined the local team for the meet.
The women crushed the competition with 1501 points, far ahead of second place finisher Greater Cincinnati (1041). The men’s team finished third with 1123 points, behind Cincinnati 1372.
Joan Campbell, formerly of Westport, was the team inspiration. At age 94, she swam 9 individual events and 2 relays. She won all of them, racking up 81 points.
Kristin Gary, previously a Westport Water Rat age grouper, won all 9 individual events, worth 72 points. She broke Y national records in the 100 and 200 backstroke.
Current Westport residents had a strong showing too. Tait Michael won 5 individual events, and broke the national record in the 100 freestyle.
Pam Henry-Moss defended her national title in the 50 breast stroke. Lauren Fabian won the 200 butterfly, while Nancy Saipe, in her first YMCA nationals, swam 10 individual events.
On the men’s side, longtime Westport resident Michael Laux and former Staples High School girls swim coach, won all 7 of his individual events. Matthew Rossi captured the 100 butterfly. Russell Greenberg, in his first Y Nationals (and one year after major heart surgery), swam 4 individual events and 4 relays.
Jeff Sargent who marshaled the Connecticut squad; Cheryl Kupan, originally from Westport, organized the Florida contingent. Both contributed important points to the Y team’s total too.
Westport Y masters swimmers, at the national championship.
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Congratulations too to Sandra Long.
The longtime Westport resident and LinkedIn expert has just published a new book.
“Jumpstart Your LinkedIn Profile: 67 Actionable Tips” is a great complement to her previous books about the professional networking site.
It can be read in less than an hour. But Sandra’s ideas can be benefits for years to come.
Click here to order, and for more information.
In addition to writing, Sandra Long offers LinkedIn training to individuals and organizations.
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For the 3rd Roundup in a row, we’re highlighting Bruce Becker.
In addition to noting his work reimagining the Brutalist former Armstrong Rubber/Pirelli headquarters in New Haven into the Hotel Marcel (“the greenest hotel in America,” CNN says) and his appointment by President Biden to the US Commission of Fine Arts, “06880” just learned that the Becker + Becker president is the subject of a video.
Westport architect John Rountree’s son Ben — a 2009 Staples High School graduate — made a short film about Becker’s Hotel Marcel project.
It was entered into the American Institute of Architects’ film challenge. It was selected as one of 10 finalists, out of 140 submissions. Click below to watch:
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Kathleen Mitchell, a 25-year resident of Westport, died peacefully on April 18. She was 81 years old, and had suffered from health issues for several years.
The Medway, Massachusetts native received an associates degree from Becker College in 1962. She worked in Boston for the Chamber of Commerce, then moved to New York City.
In 1975, Kathi and Bob Mitchell met on a plane. They married a year later. She had a career in marketing and communications, working for Hilton Hotels International and Meetings and Conventions magazine, where she ran trade shows for the travel industry.
Her true passion was decorating. She studied at the New York School of Interior Design. Kathi also loved dogs, flowers, cabaret singing and shopping. Her family says, “Those who knew her remember a bright, friendly, talented person who always lit up a room.”
In addition to her husband, Kathi is survived by her sisters, Ellie Fenton of Mesa, Arizona, and Carol Devine of Harwich, Massachusetts.
A memorial service will be held at Saugatuck Congregational Church this Saturday (May 18, 2 p.m.). Donations in her name may be made to the church.
Kathi Mitchell
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Claudia Sherwood Servidio has the perfect caption for today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, captured near Cross Highway: “Bambi and Thumper.”
(Photo/Claudia Sherwood Servidio)
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And finally … on this day in 1905, Las Vegas was founded in the Nevada desert, when 110 acres of land next to to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks were auctioned off. The city was incorporated in 1911.
(Viva “06880”! If Elvis were here, he’d say: “Don’t be cruel. Support your local blog.” We won’t hound you any more. But please: Click here. Thank you!)
