Tag Archives: Japan Society of Fairfield County

Roundup: Brian’s Kitchen, Hungry Pots, Lime Rock Racing …

The correct day, but incorrect date, was posted yesterday for former superintendent of schools Dr. Elliott Landon’s funeral.

It is tomorrow: Monday, September 4, 10 a.m., at Temple Israel.

Dr. Elliott Landon

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Today’s grand opening of the Daniel E. Offutt III Education Center at Weston’s Lachat Town Farm will be special.

The morning includes tours of the new facility and a pancake breakfast (from now until noon), plus hayrides, pony rides, a blacksmith demonstration live music, children’s book reading, and visits with the farm’s goats and bunnies.

The $4 million center includes a large gathering spce with stone fireplace, art studio, classroom — and Brian’s Kitchen, a demonstration space honoring Brian Gordon.

At Staples High School, Brian was president of his Class of 1987, and a basketball star. He went on to become president of his ’91 class at the University of Pennsylvania too.

When he, his wife Kristy and daughters Molly and Drew moved to Weston, he became active there too. As 2nd Selectman Brian vigorously supported Lachat Town Farm. He particularly enjoyed Music at the Meadow, and other special events, with his family.

Cooking was one of Brian’s passions. He delighted his family and friends with culinary treats. He rarely used a recipe, believing that cooking was an expression of love and caring, and should be joyful and creative.

Brian’s Kitchen will continue his legacy of good food, good times and good fun. Click here to read more about Brian’s life, and his contributions to Weston.

Brian Gordon, at work.

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Right now, there are 4 Hungry Pots in the world: Danbury, Wethersfield, Manchester, and Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

Soon, there will be a fifth.

A sign at the former Panera Bread — across from Shake Shack — announced its arrival.

It’s an “all you can eat Korean BBQ and Hot Pot.”

The website says: “We offer different variety of fresh quality meats seafood and vegetable to provide our guests with an enjoyable dining experience and authentic atmosphere. Customer service is our top priority when it comes to our customers. It is a perfect place for family gatherings, birthday parties and other events. We are passionate to bring a new unique dining experience for our new customer.

“The owner and all staff in Hungry Pot will greet you with the warmest welcome, whether you are a habitual patron or come for the first time. We have made painstaking efforts to create the tidiest and cleanest dining place, and guarantee you with friendly and timely service. All of your demands and feelings will be cared in our restaurant.

“We pick ingredients carefully and use only the freshest and natural ones to prepare every dish.”

No date has been set for opening.

(Photo and hat tip/Dan Vener)

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Holes have been dug, and stakes posted along the path from Old Mill to Compo Cove.

Are new trees next for Sherwood Mill Pond? Stay tuned …

(Photo/Molly Alger)

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Frank Rosen headed to Lime Rock Park yesterday, and spotted 3 fellow Westporters.

He was spectating. But they were all racing.

One of the trio was a (relatively rare) female driver, Lexy Barlow (below). She’s a 2018 Staples High School graduate.

The others were Joe Fuller (below) …

… and Josh Lewis (silver #812, below):

It’s great that Westport was well represented at Lime Rock. Our 3 drivers are following in the footsteps — er, slipstream — of our town’s most famous race car driver of all time.

A guy named Paul Newman.

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The Japan Society of Fairfield County invites everyone to a Fall Festival next Sunday, (September 10, 1 to 4 p.m., Jesup Green).

The family-friendly event includes taiko drum performances, live plays of Japanese folk tales, martial arts demonstrations and traditional dancing.

Click here for more information.

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The Westport Book Shop’s featured artist this month is Maj Kalfus.

She’ll exhibit several digital compositions. Her paintings and drawings are influenced by an extensive career in the fashion industry. All work on display is available for purchase.

Maj teaches art in Westport and Weston, as well as the Silvermine Arts Center. She is a member of The Artists Collective of Westport.

Maj Kalfus, with her exhibited work.

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Nature photographer and Westport Community Gardens director Lou Weinberg contributes today’s great “Westport … Naturally image.”

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

He adds this context:

“Dragonflies love to be photographed. This one cracked a broad smile for me.

“Dragonflies are a great control on the mosquito population. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.

“The Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve provide great habitat and food for these critters. They are part of the incredible biodiversity supported by our model of suburban open-space environmental rehabilitation.”

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And finally … Jimmy Buffett died Friday. He was 76.

The New York Times calls him a “singer, songwriter, author, sailor and entrepreneur whose roguish brand of island escapism on hits like ‘Margaritaville and ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ made him something of a latter-day folk hero, especially among his devoted following of so-called Parrot Heads.”

Click here for a full obituary. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites. Jimmy Buffett always made me smile.

(Today, “06880” is “where Westport meets Margaritaville.” If you enjoy our musical tribute — or any of our other daily selections, or anything else on this blog — please consider a contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)

Roundup: Robbery, High Tide, Triathlon …

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A rash of car break-ins and thefts is bad enough. Yesterday, a different crime was committed: an alleged robbery, just before noon on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.

A man approached a couple quickly from behind, Westport Police say. The suspect walked in step with the male victim, allegedly brandishing a knife, threatening the female and demanding to be brought to the couple’s car.

The woman darted across the Post Road to escape. Her husband followed, and flagged down a patrol officer driving by. The suspect fled toward Jesup Green

A detailed description of the suspect was relayed to all officers. Patrol units flooded the area. During a search of the area, a member of the Westport Fire Department said he had seen a suspect fitting the description across from Playhouse Square.

Officers quickly James S. Cummings, 41, of Bridgeport. He was identified by the victims as the man who accosted them on the bridge. A knife was found in his possession.

Cummings was charged with attempt to commit robbery in the 1st degree, attempt at larceny in the 3rd degree, carrying a dangerous weapon, and threatening in the 2nd degree. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

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Here’s the latest on one of Westport’s greatest, and so-glad-it’s-back-after-COVID, traditions: the Rotary Club’s Lobsterfest.

A crowd of 1,500 is expected this Saturday (September 18, 3 to 7 p.m.), for a townwide party.

Fewer than 80 tickets remain. You can get them at Hook’d by the Sound (Compo Beach concession stand), or by emailing leslie2of8@gmail.com. They’re $70 each, for either 2 lobsters or a 14-ounce steak.

Plus lots more, of course. Volunteers and Rotarians will cook and serve 2,500 lobsters, great steaks and a raw bar. They’ll serve beer and win (with a Tito’s scotch tasting). Plus there’s a great band, and plenty of kids’ activities (including magic shows, and an antique fire engine to climb on).

COVID protocols include 30% more tables, further apart, and fewer seats per tables. Masks are optional, but recommended when spacing is not possible.

There’s also a drive-through option, for guests who choose to party elsewhere.

As well as an exhibition tent, and a kickoff for Rotary’s Afghan relief resettlement project.

Volunteers are still needed! To help, click here or email lobsterfestvolunteers@gmail.com

As the sun set on Lobster Fest in 2016, no one wanted to leave.

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Burying Hill’s High Tide Club has been around a long time.

Not as long as the venerable beach perhaps. But its members have seen — and swum in — more than their share of incoming and outgoing tides.

Membership skews older. But recently an influx of younger swimmers has waded into the water. They’ve enjoyed the social gatherings too, while forming one of Westport’s most fun, under-the-radar groups.

Nico Eisenberger reports that at high tide yesterday — just after 4 p.m. — members brought food and drinks to celebrate another great season.

High Tide Club: It’s not just about swimming. (Photo/Nico Eisenberger)

The late summer weather was perfect. The camaraderie was strong. Nico says he and his wife “feel blessed to have this place, and these fun and funky folks, as part of our daily lives here.”

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Yesterday’s Westport Kiwanis Club Minuteman Triathlon was another success.

The family-friendly event at Compo Beach included a jetty-to-jetty swim, and short bike and running courses throughout the flat neighborhood streets. It was perfect for first-timers, and families that race together.

It was advertised as open to all abilities, and that was true.

MyTeamTriumph was out in force. The organization helps children, teens, adults and veterans with disabilities who otherwise could not participate in endurance events like triathlons and road races.

Volunteer “angels” take “captains” out on the water in special inflatables. They assist with wheelchairs for the biking and running parts too.

There were plenty of smiles yesterday at the Minuteman Triathlon. And regardless of times, everyone was a winner.

MyTeamTriumph captains and angels. (Photo/Peter Swift)

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Munich has Oktoberfest. Westport has Westoberfest.

Now we’ve also got Oaktoberfest.

Okay, there’s no drinking, drinking games or lederhosen. But the October 4 event (7 p.m., Wakeman Town Farm) is still worth checking out.

Sponsored by Westport’s Tree Board, it’s a chance to learn about all the good things trees do in our yards — and how to return the favor, by caring for them.

Attendees receive free samplings, too.

Panelists include Mary Ellen Lemay (Aspetuck Land Trust), Danica Doroski (Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection), Doug Williams (Bartlett Tree Experts), and Tree Board members.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

White oak tree at Kings Highway Elementary School.

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Jesup Green is the site of this Saturday’s free, outdoor Japanese Fall Festival (September 18, 2-4 p.m.). The event — sponsored by the Japan Society of Fairfield County — features taiko drummers, an Okinawan dance performance, a live play of the Japanese folktale “Tanabata” (“Star-crossed Lovers”), traditional Bon dancing, Japanese calligraphy and a craft activity to make dance hats.

Click here for details.

A scene from the 2019 Japan Fall Festival.

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“06880” has posted many stories and photos of “Gloria,” the oyster boat owned for years by the late Alan Sterling.

It was beached this summer in Gray’s Creek, between Compo Beach and Longshore.

Bruce McFadden has watched and — photographed — the craft for years. He wonders if this is its final resting place.

“Gloria” (Photo/Bruce McFadden)

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Linda Doyle was harvesting rhubarb for jam, when she spotted this guy in her garden. What a great way to start off the “Westport … Naturally” week!

(Photo/Linda Doyle)

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And finally … in honor of yesterday’s gathering at Burying Hill Beach (see story above):