Some Westporters were surprised that Compo Beach was closed to swimmers yesterday.
Others were not. Heavy rains — like the ones the night before (Wednesday) — often lead to closure.
“06880” reader and environmental activist Toni Simonetti wrote: “I learned something, thanks to Mark Cooper, director of health for the Aspetuck Health District.
“Swimming is closed at town beaches for 24 hours after a very heavy rainfall (as we all witnessed into the night yesterday). Because of the excessive runoff of surface water, and all it collects along the way, it ends up in Long Island Sound.
“In Westport it takes 3 tides, or 24 hours, to cleanse the water tidally.
“The 24-hour waiting period is state protocol. Norwalk and Fairfield, on either side of Westport, have longer water cleansing times. Mark thinks that’s because we benefit from the ebbs and flows of the clean Saugatuck River.
“Just another benefit to living in Westport!”
Serene. But not safe after a storm. (Photo/Sunil Hirani)
Speaking of that brief but intense storm: In addition to fouling our waters, it brought down power lines and trees.
But there were bright spots, amid the bad weather. Chris Vatis writes:
“Both Eversource line people and Gault electritians were on site within 1 1/2 hours after I reported the storm ripped both my meter and electricity pole attached to my house right off, leaving live wires all over my property.
“They worked diligently to restore it.
“I and we often complain about how much money we now pay for services. But both companies deserve praise for their excellent communication and lightning speed response to my plea for immediate help. I’m very impressed with both companies.”
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Also yesterday: No, you were not imagining things.
Traffic throughout town was worse than usual.
Way worse.
The culprit was a diesel fuel spill on I-95 southbound, between Exits 18 and 17.
As often happens, more spillage followed. Car and truck drivers got off the highway, and — in a futile attempt to move more quickly — clogged our main roads and side streets.
This Bridge Street scene was repeated at many other spots:
(Photo/Susan Garment)
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Speaking of drivers: We’re not sure how this accident occurred, but someone clipped the sign — in the middle of the traffic island at the Sherwood Island Connector, by the Post Road.
(Photo/Josh Berkowsky)
Coming from I-95, we’re now welcomed to “Estport.”
Bob Newhart — the supremely talented, always understated but very hilarious comedian who died yesterday at 94 — may not have had any connections to Westport. (Though I’m sure several commenters will note otherwise.)
But this much is certain: When he gave a speech at the Kennedy Center, upon accepting his Mark Twain Prize, he referenced a Westport icon: Paul Newman.
Click below, then fast forward to 4:13 when the story begins.
The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce held a “Business After Hours” event last night, at the Levitt Pavilion.
Members and town officials celebrated the outdoor theater’s 50th anniversary — and the Chamber’s 93rd year.
At the Chamber of Commerce event last night (from left): Paul Lebowitz, Planning & Zoning Commission chair; RTM member Jay Keenan; 2nd Selectwoman Andrea Moore; RTM member Sal Liccione; Chamber director Matthew Mandell; 3rd Selectwoman Candice Savin; 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker; RTM members Don O’Day and Melissa Levy. (Photo/Dan Woog
Her first novel, “The Neighbors’ Secret,” was named an American Fiction Award finalist, for pre-teen fiction.
Last year, the book was a Tassy Walden Award Finalist in 2023.
The novel takes middle school readers on “an adventure filled with puzzles, secrets, and unexpected twists,” press materials say.
“With her background as a litigation attorney and her passion for storytelling, Sussman weaves an intricate tale that keeps readers guessing until the very end.”
Diana Sussman
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Spotted lanternflies are back.
We fight them with traps and white vinegar.
But we’re not the only ones. Praying mantises are natural predators.
So — as today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo shows: Pray for mantises.
And finally … Dave Loggins died last week, in Nashville. He was 76.
The songwriter had only one hit of his own: “Please Come to Boston.” But he wrote songs for many other artists, including Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Wynonna Judd and Toby Keith.
Non-country music fans knew him too. He wrote the Masters golf tournament theme, a staple of spring sports telecasts for over 40 years. Click here for a full obituary.
(Whether you’re from Westport — or Boston, Denver, LA or anywhere else — if you enjoy “06880,” please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
The last time we checked in with Ryan Peterson, he had just helped Jane Green turn her dream of a free (and free-wheeling) book lending library into reality.
The 2018 Staples High School graduate rebuilt the internationally best-selling author’s cargo tricycle into the Remarkable Bookcycle.
For the past 4 years, the 3-wheeled contraption — painted pink like Westport’s late, lamented Remarkable Book Shop, and with the beloved store’s “dancing man” logo on the side — has traveled around town.
It’s been parked on Main Street and Church Lane. It will spend this summer at Compo Beach, near the Soundview parking lot.
(Photo/Judith Shaw)
Now Ryan — who graduated last year from Fairfield University — has a new project.
This one’s on water, not land.
Ryan created “Westport Wave,” a Facebook group for boat owners (and anyone else who wishes they were).
It’s a place to post photos, ask questions, and share information. Think yacht club, without the dues.
Ryan has been a Long Island Sound boater, with friends and family, since he was 7.
He loves the water. “Boating opens the door to activities like fishing and water sports,” he says.
“But it also provides what I call a ‘mental factory reset.'”
He is involved with boats even when he’s not on the Sound. As with the Bookcycle, he brings life to older vessels.
In college he bought a 1979 McKee Craft Center Console, then spent 2 years restoring it. The project helped him realize the importance of sharing his passion — and knowledge — with others.
Westport Wave has started slowly. There are 70 members, but besides a few postings for things like free fenders, a referral for a marina mechanic who makes “house calls” — and someone selling a 1979 Viking 35c convertible for $65,000 — there is not much action.
Yet.
That’s fine. Every boat owner knows they must navigate the channel slowly and carefully.
But once they get out on the open water — well, the sky’s the limit.
(To join Westport Wave, click here. Owners of all size boats — and those who simply enjoy boating — are welcome.)
(Ahoy! “06880” shore would like your help. Please click here to support Westport’s hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
On Saturday, Westporters received their municipal tax bills.
They’re driven, of course, by the mill rate.
In this week’s edition of “Westport … What’s Happening,: 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker discusses that mill rate. How does it affect property owners? How does it compare with neighboring towns?
Click below to listen. The podcast is a service of the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston.
Animal Control officer Peter Reid had a busy Friday.
Both highlight the need for residents to be more careful about what they toss in their yard, and use to handle “pests.”
On Friday he fielded a call about a groundhog in distress. Its head had become stuck in a discarded peanut butter jar.
Groundhog with a peanut butter jar …
Peter wrapped the trapped creature in a towel, and carefully removed the jar. The groundhog ran happily away.
Later that Friday, he received a call about a robin caught in a trap that was placed in a yard, perhaps to capture a chipmunk, squirrel or mouse.
… and robin, snared in a trap.
Peter freed the bird. Wildlife in Crisis is now caring for its broken leg.
Julie Loparo — a longtime local animal advocate — says, “In both instances, human carelessness caused great duress. We can do better. And I am very appreciative of a responsive town Animal Control, and having such a great resource such as Wildlife in Crisis in our back yard.”
A rescue of a different sort took place yesterday. Jonathan Prager reports:
“A boat was stranded on a sandbar between Compo Beach and Longshore for the better part of an hour.
“After the ‘women and children’ were successfully evacuated by a passing motorboat, TowBoat US arrived to push the boat safely to the nearest yacht basin.
“It’s nice to know recreational boaters enjoy the Sound with ample support.”
Club 203 — Westport’s social club for adults with disabilities — plans an exciting summer.
“Art Explorations” at MoCA are set for July 10 and August 14 (6 to 7:30 p.m.; $10). It’s a chance to relax, create art, hang out with friends and meet new ones. Click here for details and registration.
Members are also invited to a book club at the Fairfield Library. It meets every other Tuesday (4 to 5 p.m.). Email club203ct@gmail.com for details.
And finally … in honor of one of Friday’s animal rescues (story above):
(Westporters are grateful for Wildlife in Crisis. Please support it. And while you’re at it — please support “06880” too. Just click here — and thank you!)
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When their ball ended up in Long Island Sound this afternoon, it looked like the end of fun for 2 boys …
