Tag Archives: Hunter Peterson

Roundup: Downtown Book Shop, Sidewalks, Retail …

Is there any local organization Miggs Burroughs does not help?

The noted Westport artist — whose roots here go back to elementary school, and whose artistic career took off in his 20s with a Time magazine cover and US postage stamp — has created 4 limited edition lenticular artworks, to be auctioned at the Westport Book Shop’s March benefit.

Miggs’ “Icons of Justice, Courage, Innovation, and Style” are on exhibit at the Jesup Road store through the end of February.

Everyone is invited to a reception for Miggs and the exhibit on February 19 (6 p.m.).

As for the benefit: It’s March 13 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library).

Since early 2021, the Westport Book Shop has provided over 8,750 hours of paid employment and job training for more than a dozen people with disabilities.

They learn workplace skills transferable to other retail environments, and enjoy frequent, everyday interactions with the community.

Over that time, thanks to sales, the Book Shop has provided more than $200,000 of support to The Westport Library.

The fundraisers will build on that financial foundation, and help grow the employment program.

The evening includes live music, light bites and beverages, a paddle raise, and live and silents auction of unique books, vinyl, artworks and experiences.

Auction items include 2 copies of “The New Yorker in Westport” by Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley; signed copies of Rod Serling’s book “Patterns,” and Amor Towles’ “Rules of Civility”; tickets and tours of local attractions, and more.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

Miggs Burroughs, at the Westport Book Shop.

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Shame on Shell!

A Westport ordinance says that businesses must clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours.

Our last snowfall was a week ago.

This was the scene yesterday, on the sidewalk in front of the Shell gas station opposite the Westport Country Playhouse entrance:

Sure, it’s a lot harder to remove now.

But it should have been done the first time.

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Speaking of ice: The Westport Fire Department has been notified of a hydrant issue downtown, near GG & Joe’s.

It is leaking, forming ice on the sidewalk and street. Aquarion is working to fix it.

Leaking hydrant. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)

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Speaking of downtown: 2nd Street opens February 7..

The second-hand clothes and accessories store moves into space vacated by The Loft, next to Shoe-Inn.

Their first Connecticut location — one of about 50 nationwide — opened last year, in New Haven.

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Meanwhile, across the street Timothy Oulton is closing March 31.

The UK-based furniture and home accessories firm is 2 doors from Oka. That British furniture store closed last summer.

Next door is Mexicue. That 2nd-floor restaurant shut down in December.

 

Timothy Oulton (Photo/Sal Liccione)

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Hunter Peterson — the Staples High School graduate and shellfisherman who was profiled  yesterday on “06880” — has a new Instagram account.

You can follow him @saugatuck_oyster_company.

One of Hunter Peterson’s crabs.

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“Westport … Naturally” has received lots of Sherwood Island photos recently.

Looks like Connecticut’s first state park has been discovered — after nearly a century — but more than a few local residents.

There’s a lot there to explore. And — as Rob Grodman’s image shows — winter is as good a time as any to do it.

(Photo/Rob Grodman)

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And finally … today is the birthday of Lewis Carroll. He was born in 1832, and died in 1898.

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Hunter Peterson’s Shellfishing Life

Few things in Hunter Peterson’s life are more satisfying than shellfishing.

The Westport native began at any early age. “It’s so rewarding being outdoors,  harvesting things with your own hands,” he says.

“You feel self-reliant, cooking what you caught for yourself and people you love.”

Those sound like the words of a weathered oldtimer. But Hunter is in his mid-20s. He graduated from Staples High School in 2017.

Since then he’s been a volunteer firefighter here, and in New Hampshire. He’s worked as a deckhand on fishing boats, and in oyster farms.

Hunter Peterson

All along, he fished and crabbed.

Now Hunter has taken his passion to a new level. Last year he began meeting groups at Compo Beach, Canal Beach and the Saugatuck River. He shows them how to stand on shore or wade into the water, and harvest oysters, clams and blue crabs.

Wielding rakes for quahogs, traps for blue crabs and bare hands for picking oysters off rocks, he passes on his knowledge and excitement.

One of Hunter Peterson’s crabs …

His eager students are all ages.

“It’s a great family activity — especially with blue crabs, which you can catch completely from shore,” Hunter notes. “You don’t need to go into chest-deep water, with waders.”

Some people in his groups have fished for a long time. Others never did, but are intrigued by the time-honored New England activity.

There is an even mix between males and females.

… and a clam.

Hunter’s shell-fishing interest has taken him beyond the water. Last month he joined Westport’s Shellfish Commission. Members monitor water quality, look out for the town’s natural shellfish beds, and protect our important resources.

This year, he has a booth at the Westport Winter Farmers’ market. In addition to selling shellfish, he enjoys educating people about the bounty.

Hunter Peterson’s booth, at the Indoor Westport Farmers’ Market.

Hunter’s future plans include possible raw bar catering, and spring trout fishing trips on the Aspetuck River.

Meanwhile, he hopes to start a shellfish farm. He is taking a state course, while exploring a 10-acre lease in Long Island Sound

(For more information, text Hunter Peterson at 203-803-5006, or follow him on Instagram: @saugatuck_oyster_company)

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Relaxing, after a successful day.