Tag Archives: cross country skiing

Roundup: Cross Country Skiing, S’mores, Hoops …

Alert “06880” reader and outdoor enthusiast Merri Mueller sends this message to people who like to walk in the snow at Longshore:

“The cross country skiing community in Westport lives for snow days. Whoever gets out there first, makes the first tracks. Then we all follow, nurturing and enjoying each other’s tracks.

“Please do not stomp in the fresh made tracks with your boots. It ruins it for all of us. You can make your own boot prints next to the tracks.”

Cross country ski tracks at Longshore. Boot tracks are beside them. (Photo/Merri Mueller)

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Speaking of snow: Nômade’s s’mores are a much-loved Holiday Stroll treat.

But they’re not just for early December.

Yesterday — in the wake of our first big snowfall — s’mores were on the menu outside the Main Street restaurant.

Plenty of passersby were happy to dig in.

(Photo/Sal Liccione)

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The Staples High School boys basketball team has roared out to a 3-0 start.

They’re favorites to repeat as FCIAC (league) champions, and contend for the state title.

But the Wreckers — under coach Dave Goldshore — also honor their past.

A highlight of every season is the annual alumni game. This one is set for tonight (Monday, 7:30 p.m.).

The turnout is always strong. The competitive spirit — and stories — are legendary.

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Christmas is over. So we can’t show a “Westport … Naturally” image of dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh.

But we can show Charlie doing it.

(Photo/Robin Jaffee Frank)

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And finally … on this date in 1890, up to 300 Lakota people were killed, and 51 wounded, by US Army soldiers in the Wounded Knee Massacre. Thirty-one  soldiers died, and 33 were wounded. “Wounded Knee” has become a rallying cry for Native American rights.

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Pic Of The Day #3175

Cross country skiing at Longshore (Photo/Susan Garment)

Pic Of The Day #2857

Cross country skiing at Sherwood Island State Park (Photo/Michelle Colman)

Pics Of The Day #2833

Scenes from our snowfall;

Wilton Road … (Photo copyright/Ted Horowitz)

… a Whitney Street window … (Photo/Molly Alger)

… and outside, on Whitney Street … (Photo/Molly Alger)

… with cross country skiing, at Sherwood Island State Park (Photo/Rob Grodman)

 

Roundup: COVID Testing, Cortez Refuse, Cross Country Skis, More


This was the scene yesterday at St. Vincent’s Health Services on Long Lots Road.

With COVID cases rising — locally, statewide and nationally — and the holidays near, demand for testing increases too.

(Photo/Randy Ford)


The after this season’s first snowfall, Katherine Calise found “an absolute angel.”

The path to her trash can had not yet been shoveled. Her recyclables were far away. Yet her collector — Chino Cortez, of Cortez Refuse — took out a shovel, and cleared a path to her cans.

“He is the kindest person — all around, the nicest person you could meet,” she says. “In the summer he sprays the garbage cans so you will not get sick.”

Others agree. On social media, they say he takes away Christmas trees, makes sure the cans are safely stored in the wind, and texts customers if they forget to put the trash out.

Chino also does cleanups and dump runs. You can email him at cortezrefuseservice@yahoo.com, or call 203-522-1250.


Among its many charms, Westport offers many spots for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Longshore is a particular favorite.

While most snowshoers make parallel tracks to those laid down by cross country skiers, some don’t. Rick Yu reminds all to stay in their own lanes!

Down to the sea, by snowshoe and ski. (Photo/John Kantor)


And finally … the other day I posted the Royal Guardsmen’s “Snoopy’s Christmas” song, and wondered why I haven’t heard it this year.

Here’s another lost classic that deserves to stay in the rotation. It’s from 1958 — but it never gets old.