Tag Archives: Compo Beach

Roundup: Beaches Closed, Bocelli Here, Wires Down …

Excessive rainfall — more than 1.5 inches — over the past 24 hours has closed Compo, Burying Hill and Old Mill Beaches to swimming.

Swimming can resume tomorrow (Thursday), pending no further weather events.

(Photo/Seth Schachter)

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After many months in the headlines, the Downtown Plan Implementation Committee has gone silent.

And the link on the town website to the Downtown Master Plan no longer works. It is now listed as “Private.”

In January, 1st Selectman Kevin Christie removed Randy Herbertson from his position as chair.

Christie told “06880”: “I have not yet named a new chair for DPIC. Regarding the website, we’re aware of the issue and are looking into it.”

DPIC had spent a long time working on parking plans, including lot renovations, changes to time limits, an app to track open spots, and the possibilities of meters and a deck. Member Matthew Mandell says, “A lot of work has been done. A lot of work is still on the table. We’d like to be able to move forward.”

Part of the DPIC Master Plan, when it was live on the town website.

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Only a few tickets remain — at $108 and $157 — for Matteo Bocelli’s Levitt Pavilion concert Friday night.

But tomorrow afternoon, you can see him for free.

He won’t be in concert. But it will be a very entertaining evening nonetheless.

The internationally acclaimed Italian pop artist will be at the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum (Thursday, July 9, 4 p.m.). He and Connoisseur Medi radio host Jon Kamal will talk about music, the creative process, and the story behind his Falling in Love Tour.

It’s a different stage for the son of tenor Andrea Bocelli. Matteo made his live debut at 18, in Rome’s Colosseum, and has performed all over the world since.

Tomorrow, he receives the inaugural Rock the Walls Award. The non-profit brings musicians and artists together to support survivors and end the silence around domestic abuse.

Click here to register (required).

Matteo Bocelli

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At mid-afternoon yesterday, Bob Weingarten sent this update on Saturday’s powerful storm, which left hundreds of residents without power:

“Our electric came on this morning, along with others on Hillandale Road and Morningside Drive South.

“I’m not sure of Hillandale and Center Street.  The intersection is blocked off because of tree parts with wires (hopefully not electric) — embedded within the logs and branches.”

At 7 a.m. today, Eversource reported only 570 outages in the entire state of Connecticut. Power has been restored to all Westport and Weston customers.

(Photo/Bob Weingarten)

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Wakeman Town Farm’s biggest event of the summer — their annual Family Fun Day — takes place Saturday, July 18 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

The day includes hands-on activities (crafts, story time, hair tinsel, garden planting, bubble show, and more) entertainment, farm fun, and food.

The day is dedicated to longtime WTF supporter Pete Romano. His generosity and enthusiasm were legendary — as was his smile while serving ice cream. In his memory, sponsors Al’s Angels, LandTech, Gault and Saugatuck Sweets will provide free ice cream for all.

Click here for tickets.

Wakeman Town Farm Family Fun Day.

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Curious about polo? And/or about the Fairfield County Hunt Club?

You’re invited to a day-long exhibition on Saturday, July 26 (gates open at 11 a.m.).

In addition to matches, there are vendors, food and drinks. Tickets are $15, at the gate. VIP tickets are available by Venmo: @fchcpolo.

Questions? Email HuntClubPolo@gmail.com.

Polo comes to Westport.

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Local author Lori Miller Kase (“The Accident”) leads a 2-part fiction writing workshop for teens (July 20 and 22, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Westport Library).

The free sessions help both experienced and aspiring writers generate ideas for new work, and offer inspiration to those with short stories or novels in progress.

Click here to register, and for more information.

Lori Miller Kase

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Faded is the Crimson — a Grateful Dead tribute band — takes the stage next, in the Weston History & Cultural Center’s “Music at the Barn” summer concert series.

The show — reprising the Dead’s 1981 live acoustic double album “Reckoning” — is July 26 (5:30 p.m.). Guests are invited to bring a lawn chair, picnic, and bottle of wine,

Tickets ($15 members, $20 non-members; children 12 and under free) are available at the door or online.

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The “Career Coach” will be in the Westport Library parking lot on Thursday, July 16 for a session on “Intro to AI: Job Seeker Strategies.”

It returns August 20, with Tips for Resume and Cover Letter.

There are 2 sessions ( 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) each day; both are 2 hours long. Registrants can choose one.

The service is available to people who are exploring career opportunities, actively looking for a job, or seeking additional part-time employment. Click here to reserve a spot.

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Westport resident Isabel Moskowitz — a founder and past president of TCS — died Monday. She was 74.

A pioneer in the financial services industry, Isabel built a distinguished career at a time when few women held leadership roles in the field. She led her own brokerage firm, advocated fiercely for her clients, and helped open doors for women who followed.

In addition to her other roles at TCS, she served for decades on the board of directors, chaired many committees, and supported the synagogue in ways both visible and quiet. She also held leadership roles with Federation, ORT and other Jewish organizations, working to strengthen Jewish life locally and beyond.

Her obituary says, “She was happiest when bringing people together, especially around the holiday table, where she welcomed family and friends with extraordinary food, warmth and care. She gave generously of herself through her love, advice, support, guidance, thoughtfulness and steady presence. She had a sharp wit, a beautiful spirit, and a strength and resolve that made her a true force — in her family, her work, and her community.”

Isabel is survived by her husband Steve; her daughter and son-in-law, Alyssa and Josh Gold; her brother Michael Price; her stepchildren Alan (Michelle) Moskowitz and Dana Moskowitz, and her granddaughters Abigail Gold, and Naomi, Zoe, and Dafne Moskowitz.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Thursday, July 9, 11 a.m., TCS).

Donations in Isabel’s memory may be made to TCS or the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital.

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Sherwood Island State Park punches way above its weight, in our daily “Westport … Naturally” series.

Today we feature a sharp-looking black swallowtail butterfly, courtesy of Clarence Hayes:

(Photo/Clarence Hayes)

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And finally … in honor of our “Westport … Naturally” image above:

(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — and where you get the full version of this beautiful song. What a blog! If you enjoy our 24/7/365 service, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

Roundup: America, 250 Years Young …

The Westport Garden Club’s “most red white and blue” floral arrangement ever is their gift to the town, for America’s 250th birthday.

Created by members Janice Yost and Andrea Cross, the beautiful and festive flowers are watched over by Westport’s iconic patriot: the Minute Man!

Hooray for the red white and blue!

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Compo will never be as crowded as it is for the fireworks.

But don’t count out today.

Between the actual July 4th holiday and the heat, Westport’s flagship beach will see plenty of action.

By 8:30 this morning, South Beach — the area with grills and tables — was already nearly full.

(Photo/Karen Como)

Remember: Unlike the fireworks, there is no reserving spots. You can’t put your stuff down on a picnic table, then head home for a few hours and expect it to be yours when you return.

Play fair! Think of others! It says “No Reserving Tables” right there ON the tables!

Meanwhile, today’s temperature is expected to be a little better than yesterday, with a high of “only” 94.

Tomorrow, it drops to 84.

And on Monday — are you sitting down? — the high is forecast to be just a frigid 79.

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Listen up!

Just in time for America’s birthday, the Westport Library’s Verso Studios has produced  a song tribute: “Hey Hey Hey Happy 250th Birthday USA.”

The uplifting, non-political tune’s lyrics, music and vibe were all created by Verso Studios advisory board member Les Dinkin. He worked with studio producer Travis Bell to polish the song, through dozens of iterations.

They used Verso’s free media resources, including AI toolkits. Click here to listen.

The cover of the Library’s semiquincentennial record.

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Pete Ratkiewich’s long tenure as Public Works director was supposed to end yesterday.

But the job is 24/7/365. In his final hours, he had to deal with an important issue: Both transfer station compactors went down, with electrical problems.

That could have been disastrous. The July 4 holiday weekend brings major trash.

The situation was so dire, one refuse company emailed its customers that because the town could not work on repairs until Monday — and did not know how long it would take — that the company would not pick up trash on Monday, and would adjust its schedule accordingly.

No worries!

At 6:55 a.m. today, Ratkiewich emailed “06880”: “We did have to close early yesterday. We were able to get one compactor working again by the end of the day, so we will be open again on Monday.”

That’s one more reason to thank you for your service, Pete. Thanks too to everyone at Public Works.

Now everyone can go back to celebrating America’s birthday.

And making trash. (Hat tip: Seth Schachter)

Back in action! (Photo/David Meth)

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It’s bad enough that FIFA has stripped stadiums of the names of all corporations that are not official World Cup sponsors.

MetLife is (through the finals there July 19) “New York New Jersey Stadium.” Levi’s is “San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.” Gillette is “Boston Stadium” — though it’s 30 miles from Foxboro.

But that pales in comparison to the new sign on the old Carvel.

It was quite a change 15 months ago, when the local owner balked at the cost of company-mandated renovations, and removed the decades-old logo.

But the new sign is even more generic than those on the World Cup venues.

(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

Even AI would be embarrassed to produce something like that.

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Diverse programming at the Westport Country Playhouse continues this fall.

Illusionist Michael Grandinetti brings his music/comedy — and of course magic — to the historic stage September 4 (8 p.m.).

He involves the audience in his levitation, teleportation and mind reading feats. Click here for tickets, and more information.

On September 24 (7 p.m.), Ailey II Dance comes to town.

That’s the famed troupe’s “next generation” of talent, brimming with Ailey’s trademark passion and creativity. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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It’s been 3 years.

But this season, the Staples Football Wall of Fame welcomes new members.

The Gridiron Club is seeking nominations for the prestigious honor. The deadline is July 31. The ceremony takes place September 10, at halftime of the home opener against Westhill.

To be considered, players must have graduated at least 10 years ago. Areas of distinction include on-field excellence, post-high school athletic achievement, program impact and legacy, current program involvement, and character and integrity.

Coaches, staff or community members who significantly impacted the Wreckers’ success and culture can also be nominated.

To make nominations, or for more information, email Gridiron Club board member Doug Pardon: DP@brigadecapital.com.


Staples Football Wall of Fame.

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The state Department of Transportation plans to replace traffic signals at dozens of intersections, from Norwalk to West Haven.

One Westport location is on the list: Post Road East, at Maple Avenue North and South.

A public information session is set for July 14 (6 p.m.). Click here for details.

Post Road East/Maple Avenue light. (Photo courtesy of Google Street View)

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“Westport … Naturally” honors July 4th with the closest “natural” red, white and blue photo we could find. Hey, we tried!

(Photo/Marina Drasnin)

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And finally … there are so many patriotic songs we could pick from.

This — from Phil Ochs — is one of my favorites.

And its words are as insightful and important as they were 60 years ago.

(America draws its strength from its people. “06880” relies on our readers. If you value local media, please click here to support our work. Thank you!) 

Westport’s Biggest, Best Blast!

The fireworks are always Westport’s hottest show of the year.

Yesterday, that was literally — not just figuratively — true.

But 100 degree temperatures didn’t stop over 10,000 folks from having a bang-up time.

The annual affair — sponsored by Melissa and Doug Bernstein, coordinated by the Parks & Recreation Department, with help from Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and a fundraiser for Westport PAL — was a chance to eat, drink, strut, stroll, socialize, swim, sparkle, twirl sparklers, and celebrate our country’s birth with family, friends, neighbors and strangers.

Hey: We only turn 250 once.

Bam!

Andrew Colabella and Samantha. (Photo/Susan Garment)

A tiny section of the huge crowd. 

Most folks set up their tent and chairs, then leave until late afternoon. Not this crew. They’re there all day — and love it.

A hectic day — but the lifeguards keep smiling.

The Parks & Rec Department outfitted employees in special shirts.

Parks & Rec director Erik Barbieri is everywhere, on his busiest day of the year.

The barge! (Photo/Jamie Walsh)

The red-white-and-blue theme extends to the US soccer team. Go get ’em, Christian Pulisic!

Police Department motorcycle crew, heading to Compo. (Photo/Connor Kilbourn)

Celebrating America, with (of course) guacamole. (Photo/Cathy Walker)

Popsicles for $1, on Compo Road South at Vani Court. Venmo accepted! (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

1st Selectman Kevin Christie, with Emergency Medical Service members. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

At 10 weeks old, perhaps the youngest fireworks-goer.

Stars, stripes and shovels. (Photo/Susan Garment)

Showing the flag offshore (Photo/Jamie Walsh)

Classic kids’ shot. (Photo/Susan Garment)

Compo Road South at Gault Avenue, 7 pm. That’s 2 miles away from Compo Beach. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

Even the tent is red white and blue.

Nothing better than hanging with friends.

Westport PAL president Corporal Craig Bergamo.

Some beach parties are indoors. But the patriotism is the same.

From right: fireworks sponsors Doug and Melissa Bernstein; Miggs Burroughs, who designed the Westport 250 logo.

Officers Ned Batlin and David Perez — 2 of the many keeping the beach safe. (All photos Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)

(Photo/DinkinESH Fotografix)

(Photo/Jay Babina)

Sporting a limited edition Westport Fireworks T-shirt by Pip Party Co. and Honey Pie Children’s Boutique. (Photo/Jennifer Shields)

(Photo/Susan Garment)

(Photo/Eric Bosch)

(Photo/Susan Garment)

The money shot — from the water. (Photo/Linda Mezzullo)

Fireworks Prep Continues …

… but we’re done posting photos of the tent/beach chair/banquet table encampments that have taken over Compo Beach.

Instead, there’s this message, in the water off Soundview Drive …

(Photo/Sunil Hirani)

… and these Camp Compo campers, enjoying the (very) hot day in a (very) timeless way …

(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

… and our great Emergency Medical Service, ready for anything (including heatstroke) …

(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

… and this, of a much more serene Burying Hill Beach.

(Photo/Drew Coyne)

NOTE: If you’re thinking of watching the fireworks from there: Nice try.

Burying Hill will be closed. There are not enough town employees to staff it. All hands are needed at Compo.

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Okay, I lied. Here’s one more saving-space photo.  I had to include it, because of the over-the-top yellow police caution tape.

Do NOT mess with these guys!

(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

Pics Of The Day #3359

One view of Monday strawberry moon … (Photo/Neil Katz)

… and another … (Photo/Eileen Lavigne)

 

Friday Flashback #509

All right kids: Sit down. You want to hear something crazy?

Back in the day — the last millennium — we did not have cellphones. 

If we were out somewhere — say, Compo Beach — we could not text our parents: “Pick me up.” 

We would have to use this device (below). It was called a pay phone.

Compo Beach, 1983. (Photo/Arthur Nager)

We would say — politely — “Mom, can you please come pick me up?”

Then we would wait. We had no screens to scroll through, until our mothers — not Uber — arrived.

I think we talked to each other. Or looked at the sky.

Somehow, we managed.

Phone calls cost a dime.

There was nothing more fun than walking by, sticking your hand in the coin return, and finding money.

Then again, that was when people still used cash.

A lot has changed. But look again at the photo.

Except for the long-gone pay phone — and the now-locked doors at the back of the bathhouse — a lot has not changed.

That’s part of the magic of Compo Beach. If you’re growing up here now: Enjoy it.

And maybe one day you’ll tell your grandchildren what it was like to text for a ride.

(NOTE: Click here for photographer Arthur Nager’s website. For archival prints, email artnager@gmail.com.)

(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

Roundup: Songs, Yachts, Cats …

The word is out: The VFW is Westport’s new hot place for entertainment.

From tribute bands to comedy, the club on at the Riverside/Saugatuck avenue fork — with a killer view of the Saugatuck River — is a great spot to chill with friends, have a drink and some bar food, and do it all without breaking the bank.

This Saturday (June 27; 6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m.) you can do it with a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.

Mark Naftalin — the Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s keyboardist, and a longtime Westport resident — plays piano.

And he’s bringing along some A-list friends.

Connecticut Blue Hall of Famer Paul Gabriel (guitar and vocals), Connecticut  Blues Challenge winner Mark Zaretsky (harmonica and vocals), bassist Paul Opalach, drummer Nick Longo and special guest Washboard Slim (washboard and vocals) will rock the house.

It’s just $20 — cash at the door.

The VFW asks for a 1-drink minimum — “even if it’s only a soda.”

A small price to pay, to hear some legit Hall of Fame sounds.

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Speaking of music: Walrus Alley celebrated both Father’s Day and the first day of summer yesterday, with live music outside.

(Photo/Susan Garment)

The alley was there long before the restaurant. But it’s a great place for a show.

Then again, so is Church Lane, Bedford Square, Jesup Green … just about any place downtown.

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A yacht anchored near the Compo Beach shore — just a few yards beyond the buoy — has gotten Westporters wondering: Who owns it? And: Why is it there? 

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

This is hardly the first yacht to attract attention.

In the 1960s — when he was wooing Westporter Mia Farrow — Frank Sinatra moored offshore.

Eric Clapton was rumored to have dropped anchor there twice, in 2009 and 2010.

In 2021, Rosehearty — Rupert Murdoch’s former 185-foot vessel, which he sold to a Westporter — drew admiring glances (and a few lucky visitors from the mainland).

We’re not sure who owns this yacht. But we hope they enjoy their visit.

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Speaking of yachts: How about this beauty?

Jamie Walsh spotted it yesterday, leaving Ned Dimes Marina.

(Photo/Jamie Walsh)

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How did you spend Father’s Day?

This guy showed up without an invitation on Porter Lane, off Bayberry Lane:

(Photo/Bruce Porter)

And yes — that is a screen door separating the guest from the rest of the house.

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Speaking of animals: Longtime “06880” reader Anne Guglielmoni recently published a children’s picture book. The Curious Life of Vader: How it Began features a true story.

And it happened at the Fairfield Center train station.

That’s where, a while ago, Anne stumbled across a tiny, helpless black kitten. She rescued him, brought him home, and namied him Vader.

She wrote and illustrated his journey as a simple story for her 2 young nieces. Seeing the excitement on their faces every single time they turned the pages and saw the cat sparked her to share the message of compassion, kindness and courage with other children.

Click here to read more about — and order — “The Curious Life of Vader.”

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Karl Mergenthaler sends along today’s “Westport … Naturally” images — and the back story:

“My wife and I have been startled a few times this summer by an unexpected guest: a bobcat.

“It looks like a 20-pound tabby cat skulking across our backyard. Our neighbor Liz figured out what it’s doing: Her shed has become the nursery room for 3 kittens.

Female bobcat …

“Although I’ve spent most of my life in and around Westport, I’ve never personally seen a bobcat.  Deer (of course), foxes, coyotes, hawks … but this is my first bobcat sighting.

“Apparently, the local bobcat population has exploded. There are now an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 bobcats in Connecticut.

“Are they dangerous? It doesn’t seem so.

“My cursory Internet research suggests that bobcats rarely attack people. I’m pretty sure I’d rather not find out what it would do if it felt threatened, though.

“Bobcats don’t celebrate Father’s Day, apparently. Bobcat fathers do not stay with their babies. Bobcat mothers are single parents and raise their kittens entirely on their own. Male bobcats are solitary animals, and hit the road immediately after mating.”

… and kittens, hanging around the shed. (Photos/Liz Archibald)

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And finally … oops! We missed our Father’s Day song yesterday.

Here it is, a day late:

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Pic Of The Day #3325

Compo Beach, from the pavilion (Photo/John Maloney)

Community Garden, Athletic Fields, Upgrades In Parks Consultants’ Master Plan

A new community garden at Burr Farms. At least 2 synthetic turf fields. Some upgrades to Compo Beach and Winslow Park. A dedicated maintenance facility.

Those were some of the key “Phase I” recommendations for Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department, offered last night as part of the new Parks Master Plan.

The Town Hall event was the third public session for BL Companies, the consultants who have undertaken an independent review of the town’s beaches, parks and playing fields.

Thirty residents — including a number of elected officials — heard Dominick Celtruda offer a “10,000-foot” view of current facilities and operations, and 3 phases for the future.

Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri, last night at Town Hall. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Specifically, Phase I priorities involve:

  • Infrastructure upgrades, including maintenance; a multi-purpose field at the Doubleday complex, and a minimum of 2 synthetic fields. BL Companies urges a balance between natural grass and artificial turf surfaces.
  • The Community Garden at Burr Farms would share space with a 50 x 70 multi-purpose athletic field, as well as restroom facilities for gardeners and field users.
  • Upgraded trails and a dedicated dog area at Winslow Park.
  • At Compo Beach: Upgraded pickleball (site TBD), a relocated skate park, reconfigured internal circulation, and dune restoration.

Phase II would include Baron’s South — for example upgraded access, vegetation management, removal of invasives, and a small percentage of space dedicated to semi-active recreation.

Phase III would focus on Luciano Park, Jesup Green, other parks, and the Town Hall athletic fields.

Celtruda emphasized that these are recommendations only. Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri noted that while BL offers important insights, he “may not necessarily agree” with all of the recommendations, or their timing.

“Nothing is set in stone,” he noted. His department, and the Parks & Recreation Commission, will continue to assess the report.

Materials from last night’s meeting will be available soon on the Parks & Recreation Department website. The current draft of the Master Plan is available online here.

Cover of the Parks & Recreation Department Master Plan.

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Pic Of The Day #3305

Compo Beach, near Schlaet’s Point (Photo/Wendy Levy)