There’s a lot of hoopla whenever a time capsule is buried.
Then time marches on. People forget about it.
The promised unearthing date passes unnoticed, for good reason: Everyone who would remember is dead, has no reason to remember (or can’t remember anything).
The Saugatuck Congregational Church’s bicentennial time capsule beat the odds. On Saturday — 50 years after interment, and just 2 months past the promised date of July 4, 2026 — it saw the light of day.
Church officials praised “the persistence, skill, heavy equipment, and remarkably good humor” of the AJ Penna & Son company. As the photo below shows, this was not a simple dig.
Even finding the time capsule was tough. The location left behind by the well-meaning folks who buried it was more of a *suggestion* than an actual map.
Penna employees Scott, Sal, Felix, Wilbert, Ed and Jeremy spent more than 5 hours searching for the capsule, then getting it out of the ground.
The AJ Penna heroes.
So what’s inside?
The big reveal takes place at Town Hall on October 10.
Saugatuck Church officials say, “After 50 years underground, we figure it can wait one more month!” (Hat tip: Lisa Tantillo)
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For a late summer day in the middle of a holiday weekend, there sure was a lot going on in town yesterday.
From midnight until 11:59 p.m., a couple of hundred residents took photos for the special “A Day in the Life of Westport” project.
They shot everything: family life, sports, home, the beach … you name it.
Homes with Hope used the occasion to gather several dozen volunteers and friends, for a giant shoot.
Rotarians, town and state officials, staff members — all gathered outside the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place men’s and women’s shelters, in the heart of downtown.
The result: a great snapshot of all the men and women who make this town — and this important organization — special.
Honoring Homes with Hope, on “A Day in the Life of Westport” (Photo/John Videler for VidelerPhotography)
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A couple of hours later, dozens of Westporters honored Velma Heller, on her 90th birthday.
They came from all over town, representing all of the longtime Westporter’s many town activities. Velma served on the Representative Town Meeting — and as its moderator — following a 31-year career with the Westport Public Schools, as reading specialist, Greens Farms Elementary School and Continuing Education principal, Bedford Middle School vice principal, and town-wide director of curriculum.
Now in her 10th decade, she remains active in — among other things — the League of Women Voters.
Velma has seen it all. Not much surprises her.
But she was surprised to learn that a tree has been planted, in her name and that of her late husband, fellow civic volunteer Gar Heller. It will grow and grace Grace Salmon Park, just a few steps from Velma’s home off Imperial Avenue.
Happy 90th, Velma, from your friends at “06880” — the blog, and the town!
Velma Heller: 90 years young! (Photo/Priscilla Long)
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Westport’s “4 Days of Service” — a townwide initiative to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 through volunteerism, generosity, and acts of kindness — begin tomorrow (Tuesday).
There are countless ways to get involved (click here for a full story). One of the most far-reaching is a food drive sponsored by the Representative Town Meeting.
Called “Julie’s Give Where You Live 9/11 Food Drive” — and named after former RTM member Julie Whamond — it benefits Homes with Hope’s food pantry.
Donations can be dropped off in the Town Hall lobby from tomorrow through Friday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
The most-needed items are canned black and pinto beans, pasta sauce, oatmeal, soup, ramen, canned corn and peas, jelly, mac ‘n’ cheese, and personal care items like deodorant, soap and everyday hygiene essentials.
Gift cards from Trader Joe’s, Stop & Shop and Walmart are welcome too.
To donate through Homes with Hope’s Amazon Wish List — with items delivered directly to the food pantry — click here.
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WestportNow.com was famous for their Teardown of the Day photos.
But they never ran one like this:
Yes, that’s Long Lots Elementary School.
In 2028, we can feature it in our “Then & Now” series.
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Party hosts often consider many factors, when choosing a date and time.
Greg Zola and Mark Leondires have only one consideration: low tide.
They organize an annual sandbar party, at Old Mill Beach.
The only time they can have it is at low tide. And the closer to a full moon, the better.
Yesterday afternoon was perfect timing.
Guests arrived with food, beach chairs — and shoes that could get sopping wet.
They had a great time.
They knew exactly when to leave, too: As soon as the sandbar started to disappear.
Party on the sandbar! (Photo/Totney Benson)
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Meanwhile, over at Compo’s Ned Dimes Marina, the Minuteman Yacht Club held their annual Commodore’s Reception.
Minuteman Yacht Club, at Ned Dimes Marina.
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Up next: “Summer’s Last Hurrah,” on September 17.
File this one under “There Must Be a Back Story, But We Don’t Know What It Is”:
(Photo/Susan Kowalsky)
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The Westport Winners — Westport’s Challenger Little League baseball program for youngsters with disabilities — kicked off their fall season yesterday, in perfect weather.
Loads of players were joined by many buddies. And local baseball legend Kevin Morton delivered Riko’s pizza to the field — all donated!
Play ball!
One Westport Winners scene …
… and another. (Photos/Beth Cody)
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Westport Book promises an action-packed September.
A new program has just launched: “Saturday Story Time for Kids.” Every week at 11 a.m., families are invited for reading fun.
The “Read a Book a Month Challenge” is for youngsters and adults. Everyone who buys a book at the store each month from now through June is invited to a year-end celebration.
An exhibit and book sale featuring the work of noted artist George Hand Wright is set for September 16 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
And the Short Story Club meets September 23 (6 p.m.). Commemorating Labor Day, they’ll discuss 3 stories about people and their jobs:
- “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street” by Herman Melville
- “The Passenger” by Marisa Silver
- “Gray Noise” by Charles Swift
Registration is required. Call 203-349-5141, or email RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org
And an after-hours music special features guitarist Warren Bloom (September 25, 6 to 8 p.m.).
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CLASP’s annual benefit is always a great time.
Band Central always entertains, with songs from the 1980s and ’90s.
This year, they’re adding a dance floor.
On October 15 (pre-party 6:30 p.m.; main event 7) hosts its fundraiser at Fairfield Theater Company. Ryebird and Saigon Snack Bar return with light bites.
Tickets are just $48 (all fees included). 100% of the proceeds benefit CLASP Homes. The non-profit provides care, support and services to adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Swimmers and the staff at the Longshore pool have a special bond.
On yesterday’s last day, Dorothy Robertshaw shared watermelon from her daughter’s garden.
(Photo/Dorothy Robertshaw)
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Improvement Movement made their Levitt Pavilion debut last month, headlining a free show.
This weekend, they made another debut: as the featured artist on “CBS Saturday Morning”‘s Saturday Sessions.
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One of the first things out-of-town visitors often remark on is the amount of greenery in Westport.
Because it surrounds us every day, we tend not to notice it.
Bobbi Essagof does. Here’s her photo, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” series:
(Photo/Bobbi Essagof)
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And finally … in honor of the unearthing of the Saugatuck Church time capsule (story above):
(If you have not yet supported “06880” with a tax-deductible contribution: Now is the time. It has come today! Please click here — and thank you!)
