There’s a lot going on today.
The beach will be jammed. Folks deck themselves out in red-white-and-blue. There are cookouts, picnics, and flags galore.
“06880” wants to show the world what a Westport Independence Day (5 days early) looks like. Please send photos — of your kids, your decorations, your dog — to 06880blog@gmail.com. Deadline is 10 p.m. tonight.
Be creative — and have fun!
NOTE: Please stay away from actual photos of fireworks. They pretty much all look the same.
Happy birthday, America!
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Speaking of fireworks:
Tonight, Soundview Drive will be closed to traffic. Thousands of Westporters will stroll up and down the beach exit road. It’s party time!
And — just in time for Westport’s biggest bash — a new sculpture has been installed in a Soundview yard.
It’s drawn stares — and raves — from passersby. Today, many more will see it for the first time.
Among the comments overheard:
- “Wow! I never noticed the sculpture in that garden before!”
- “Is she the goddess of the sea?
- “Is she Medusa, but not have snakes?”
- “She’s the captain’s wife, waiting for him to return.”
- “No, she’s the captain’s wife, waiting for her to return.”
- “Compo Beach mama will protect my grandson.”
- “Is she an Indian goddess?”
- “Why couldn’t they just get a natural tree?”
- “I have tears in my eyes.”
(Photo/John McKinney)
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Speaking still of the fireworks:
All is ready, in many ways. When you gotta go …
(Photos/Dinkin Fotografix)
Here’s hoping we haven’t, um, wiped out United Site Service’s entire inventory.
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Compo Beach will look great tonight (except for the port-a-potties).
Burying Hill … not so much.
An “06880” reader sends this photo —
— and writes:
“This looks like a tort waiting to happen.
“The bottom rail is rusted and snapped off the cement step, with no support.
“Folks like the beach ‘rustic.’ I’m sure they don’t like unsafe/dangerous.”
And, the reader adds: “The showers need attention too. And other things.”
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Westport’s rainbow crosswalk — installed at 5 a.m. June 1 on Jesup Road and Taylor Place, in honor of Pride month — is showing signs of wear.
But a new crosswalk will replace it soon. And — because honoring the LGBTQ+ community has no end date — it will be permanent.
Yesterday morning, the Board of Selectwomen unanimously approved the new downtown feature.
It will be funded entirely by donations. Material used for the new installation will be thermally fused to the asphalt, which Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich says ensures durability for up to 10 years.
The same material has been used previously on Main Street, as well as by Norwalk for their rainbow crosswalk.
The design will feature 2 white bars, with colored panels representing the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community in between.
Dr. Nikki Gorman, who sponsored the June crosswalk with Galia Gichon, hard at work installing it earlier this month.
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Today marks the 92nd birthday of the Westport Country Playhouse.
On this day in 1931, the curtain rose on “The Streets of New York.” Dorothy Gish starred, and a new era in American theater was born.
Nearly a century later, the historic institution is in dire straits. Here’s the birthday greeting the Playhouse sent yesterday:
“Tomorrow the Playhouse celebrates 92 years of creating theater and entertainment for all ages right here in Westport!
“Now we need your help to ensure we’re here for another 92 years of vibrant arts programming for our community. Please join us in helping us raise an immediate and necessary $2,000,000 by July 31.
“We’re 10% there and every bit counts — click to give $92 in honor of our birthday or any amount to help save your Playhouse!”
Gloria Swanson arrives at the Westport Country Playhouse (1961).
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Lowell Weicker died yesterday, at 92.
The Connecticut Mirror’s obituary begins:
Lowell P. Weicker Jr., who swaggered through three terms as Connecticut’s last Republican senator, challenging Richard Nixon over Watergate and the GOP’s rightward shift under Ronald Reagan, then willed the state’s income tax into existence in a second act as a third-party governor, died Wednesday.
He did not have much to do with Westport, beyond representing us in the US House of Representative for 1 term and the Senate for 3, and serving as governor for 1 term.
But he was a towering figure — both politically and physically — for much of his life.
And, as a moderate, socially progressive Northeast Republican, he was part of a party branch that is now virtually extinct.
Weicker was “a fierce defender of abortion rights, the separation of church and state, and funding for social services, oceanic exploration and AIDS research.” He also co-authored the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In Connecticut, his legacy — proposing and passing a state income tax — endures today.
Click here for the full CT Mirror obituary of this fascinating man.
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Timing is everything.
LifeBridge — the Bridgeport non-profit that offers behavioral health services, youth development and asset-building resources for underserved families — scheduled its annual fundraising gala for tonight at the Inn at Longshore.
When they learned the fireworks were set for the same night, they adjusted the timing so guests could get to and from the event without getting stuck in traffic. The new start time is 4 p.m.
Of course, attendees can stay to watch the pyrotechnics after the program ends, at 7:30.
The gala includes the premiere of a documentary featuring Bridgeport middle school youth involved in LifeBridge’s Mural Club. They designed and painted a 100-foot mural on the side of their building on Fairfield Avenue. It’s based on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s concept of a “beloved community,” part of his 6 Principles of Nonviolence.
LifreBridge hopes to serve more youth, in response to soaring demand. To donate, text the word “Beloved” to 53555.
LifeBridge mural.
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There was animal drama earlier this week.
Eagle-eyed Westport Library patrons spotted a baby deer trapped on a narrow stretch of rocky shoreline, on the west bank of the Saugatuck River.
(Photo/Keith Styrcula)
Keith Styrcula and Mike Loparo drove across the bridge, to see if they could help unite it with its mother.
Animal Control and the Westport Fire Department responded to calls from residents.
Firefighters had to leave for another call — but returned as soon as they could.
Joe Saponare of Animal Control was there the entire time. With persistence and ingenuity, he eventually got the baby up to land, across from Assumption Church.
Congratulations to Joe, and all who helped in any way.
Part of the rescue effort. (Photo courtesy of Joe Loparo)
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Eugene Gans of Westport died Monday, at Norwalk Hospital. He was 93.
The New York City native loved his career and colleagues in R&D at Hoffman-LaRoche, Richardson-Vicks and Medicis.
Gene is survived by his wife of 70 years, Roslyn Gans; daughter Lois Gans Kemp (Lee), grandson Steven Kemp, and family and friends. He was predeceased by his son Steven Gans.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday, June 29, 11 a.m., Abraham L. Green & Son Funeral Home, Fairfield, CT). Shiva will be observed at the Gans residence in Westport. For more information and to share an online message, click here.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Westport Senior Center, 21 Imperial Ave. Westport, CT 06880 or the Westport Library.
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Clearly, today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo was not taken this morning.
(Photo/Cathy Malkin)
If it had been, you’d see dozens of ghost chairs, tables and tents lining the sand.
And before you yap “Dogs are not allowed on the beach!” — look carefully.
Honey, Daisy, Yogi Bear and Bailey are not actually on the beach.
Happy fireworks!
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And finally … on this day in 1956 President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act, officially creating the United States Interstate Highway System.
Sure, it’s now possible to drive the entire length and breadth of the country without stopping for a red light. But today, at least one part of it — I-95 in Connecticut — can be called …
(Today — before celebrating the red, white and blue — consider sending a little green “06880”‘s way. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
