Cindy Shumate — Westport’s garden designer extraordinaire — passes along this environmental warning from Paul Sztremer, the contractor in charge of planting and maintenance at beautiful Prospect Gardens in Greens Farms:
“There is a new, very destructive insect out there.
“It’s called box tree moth (or simply boxwood moth). Once settled within boxwood plants it can devour them within a short period of time, causing unsightly defoliation or even their demise.
“We will be on the vigilant lookout for them this season. I recommend you keep a look out as well. They can cause costly damage if missed or ignored.
The silver lining is that, just like the fairly new spotted lanterfly, they can be eradicated easily with almost any insecticide, if spotted in time (before they cause major damage).”
Cindy says they travel 3 to 6 miles a year.
“Boxwood is a favorite foundational plant in many Westport gardens. It would be devastating if this invasive pest would settle in here,” she says.
The silver lining is that, just like the fairly new Spotted Lanterfly insect, they can be eradicated easily with almost any insecticide, if spotted in time (before they cause major damage).
Click here for more information.
Box tree moth
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The new CNN mini-series about Martha Stewart has prompted many Westporters to mine their Martha memories.
Among them: This 1991 interview on Miggs Burroughs’ cable access TV show. It’s a classic:
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Andrew Marchand — the 1991 Staples High School graduate who, Poynter.org says, “probably breaks more sports media news than anyone in the business” — is leaving his longtime post at the New York Post.
His new home: The Athletic.
The New York Times — The Athletic’s owner — calls Marchand “a leading reporter at the intersection of sports media, television rights, talent and business for years.”
The former Mets and Yankees beat writer’s scoops include Joe Buck and Troy Aikman leaving Fox Sports for ESPN; the Apple deals involving MLB and MLS; Al Michaels’ shift from NBC to Amazon; Tom Brady’s stunning deal with Fox, and and the NFL making more than $100 billion on their new TV deals,
At Staples, Marchand played varsity soccer. (Hat tip: Bill Kutik)
Andrew Marchand
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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between January 24 and 31.
A woman was arrested for larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, forgery and conspiracy to commit forgery after a $560 check was stolen. She allegedly deposited it fraudulently in a bank account, for $5,500.
A man was arrested on a failure to appear warrant.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
- Traveling unreasonably fast: 15 citations
- Failure to comply with state traffic control signals: 8
- Failure to comply with state traffic control regulations: 6
- Speeding: 3
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
- Failure to obey stop sign: 2
- Failure to register a commercial vehicle: 2
- School zone violation: 1
- Distracted driving: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle under suspension/alcohol: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
- Failure to renew registration: 1
- Operating a motor vehicle without tint inspection: 1
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Fetch Rescue announces 2 events this weekend.
This Saturday (noon to 2 p.m., Feather & Fringe, 252 Post Road East) there’s a “fetch rescue” puppy adoption.
Sunday (12:30 to 2 p.m., Choice Pet, Compo Acres Shopping Center) brings another puppy adoption event, plus a free “Puppy 101” training session.
Questions? Email jessie@fetch-rescue.com.
This dog may not be up for adoption this weekend. But many others will be.
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The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce held a joint meeting with the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce last night, at Jacob’s Pickles in the SoNo Collection.
It was a great chance to meet and greet — and enjoy a very cool new Southern comfort cuisine-themed restaurant.
(Photo/Matthew Mandell)
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La Plage is well known for its romantic waterside views.
That’s especially true on Valentine’s Day.
To celebrate, the Longshore restaurant offers a 3-course prix fixe menu.
Click here for the $95 per person menu. Reservations are required: 203-684-6232.
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Terry Tannen’s exhibit “Awakenings” — on view at The Westport Library through March 12 — is a collection of sunrise photographs taken over Sherwood Mill Pond.
“This series is a tribute to the last year of my beloved husband Charles Tannen’s life,” Terry says.
“Chuck was an avid lover of nature, photography and adventure. As his fight with Parkinson’s progressed, our goal became finding the beauty in what was in our present moment, in gratitude. Thus, ‘Awakenings.’”
An artist’s reception is set for February 12 (6 p.m.).
Untitled (Terry Tannen)
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One of the 2 people killed in 3-vehicle accident early Friday morning on I-95 in Fairfield was 75-year-old William Foster.
Better known as Billy, he was the front man and lead singer with Billy and the Showmen.
The band was popular throughout the tri-state region, and appeared often at the Levitt Pavilion. Click here for a full obituary. (Hat tip: MaryLou Roels)
Billy Foster
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Laurie Sorensen describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo:
“On Wednesday I was so lucky to enjoy lunch at Rive Bistro. The food was delicious as always, but the ducks just outside the window were the best entertainment. Amazing to watch them diving for their lunch!”
(Photo/Laurie Sorensen)
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And finally … on this date in 1896, “La Bohème” premiered in Turin. The conductor was 30-year-old Arturo Toscanini.
(“06880” is where Westport meets the world: from the Lower East Side to France, and everywhere else. Please help us continue our hyper-local — yet global — work. Just click here. Thank you!)
Today’s 
Finally, under “Hot Tip,” the Post offers 