Tag Archives: NYC Marathon

Roundup: Community Garden, Dog Fest, More Marathon …

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The Westport Community Gardens are one of our town’s true hidden gems.

Located just south of Long Lots Elementary School, they’re more than a place to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers — though the dozens of plots are great for that.

It’s also (as the name says) a true community. Gardeners trade tips, bounty and gossip. They socialize, and throw parties. They nurture the soil, and friendships.

A few openings may come up soon. Some more may be available next spring. Westport residents and Westport town employees are eligible. To get on the waitlist, click here.

Remember: The early bird gets the worm.

Taking a quick break at the Westport Community Gardens.

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Among the winners at yesterday’s Dog Festival: Oliver, with best trick. He did a few sits, downs and shakes. His grand finale was a “big baby”: He jumped into owner Scott Martin’s arms.

Afterward, he posed (below) with Scott Martin, and kids Cody and Emrys Martin.

Missed all the action? What a bitch!

But the next Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Dog Fest is less than a year away. In 2022, it returns to its regular spring slot.

(Photo/Kelsey Martin)

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Yesterday’s Roundup highlighted Todd Suchotliff. A newcomer to town, he’ll be running during next Sunday’s New York Marathon — through Westport. It’s a fundraiser for his mother, who died of leukemia 9 years ago tomorrow.

He created a Google Sheet — with mile markers and approximate times — for people to sign up to run or cheer for each mile along the route. He will start at 9 a.m., and plans to run an 8:42 mile pace.

For more information, email coachtoddwestport@gmail.com. To donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, click here.

Todd Suchotliff and his kids.

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Bamboo grows wild — and rapidly — in Westport.

I wrote about it in 2013. It continues today, as this “Westport … Naturally” photo from Narrow Rocks Road, off South Compo, shows.

(Photo/June Rose Whittaker)

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And finally … happy 74th birthday to Laura Nyro. The singer/songwriter made many great recordings. But she’s best known for the many artists that had great success covering her tunes.

JC Martin adds: “Laura lived in Danbury for many years, and recorded some of her last material in a studio she built on her property. It was one of the first studios to have a separate floor for the drummer, detached from the rest of the band. For ‘Mother’s Spiritual’ she brought in Todd Rundgren to help produce some of those songs, along with her friend and Danbury neighbor Felix Cavaliere.

“She died of ovarian cancer in Danbury in 1997, at 49. Her ashes were scattered beneath a maple tree on the grounds of her house.”

The Marathon Hits Home

Westporter Eric Beller spent all year preparing to run in the New York City Marathon.

Instead, he spent today here in town.

But he was hardly idle. Here’s his report:

I went through Compo and Saugatuck Shores looking to help those in need. I thought it would be good to give back today,  since the marathon was cancelled. My friends with whom I trained and I wanted to give back to our community.

After searching the neighborhoods for a while, I saw a home in Saugatuck where clothing and home goods covered most of the front yard. I knocked on the door and met the owner, a woman about 75 years old. She said she had not seen anyone since she got back to her home on Wednesday.

I called Mary Money, a friend of mine from the Unitarian Church.  She called Jim Keenan, Pam Peacock and Matthew.  They all came to the house.

I also recruited 4 friends who, along with my wife Elizabeth, are presently doing the woman’s laundry.

We got the woman to a safe and warm home this evening in Westport.  We are working with the Senior Center for follow-up, and to arrange a dumpster to be delivered to her home.  We plan on going back next Saturday to dispose of most of the contents inside her home, as they are completely soaked. The task could take all day.

With the simple idea of giving back, I managed to recruit 10 other volunteers. This speaks to the generosity of our community in times of need.

A small part of the great damage on Saugatuck Shores. (Photos/Inklings staff)