Pride Month is just a few hours old.
But already, Westport has a rainbow crosswalk.
Dr. Nikki Gorman (right) and Danielle Dobin, hard at work. Gorman and Galia Gichon are the crosswalk’s sponsors.
A hardy crew of 11 — including Selectwomen Jen Tooker and Andrea Moore; crosswalk sponsor Dr. Nikki Gorman; Public Works Department director Pete Ratkiewich; RTM members Harris Falk and Sal Liccione; Planning & Zoning commission chair Danielle Dobin; Westport Pride founder Brian McGunagle, and members Nicole Klein, Bethany Eppner and Geoff Gaspar — gathered at the Jesup Road/Taylor Place intersection at 5 a.m. today, to install the crosswalk.
Putting down the crosswalk, as the sun rose.
The selectwomen unanimously approved the installation, for the month of June. If it holds up under traffic, it will become permanent.
Ta da!
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Every Thursday is special at the Westport Farmers’ Market.
Starting next week, things will get even more so.
On June 9, the Market’s partnership with Grow-a-Row Westport begins again. The organization helps market goers fight food insecurity in the area, by donating wholesome, home grown produce.
Home gardeners drop off their fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at the Grow-a-Row Westport collection cooler, by the WFM information booth. Volunteers from Food Rescue US – Fairfield County bring the fresh produce to Fairfield County agencies serving food-insecure residents.
Last year, donated produce was shared among Westport Housing Authority’s 221 households, including seniors and children. It’s considered a luxury by many recipients.
The Westport Farmers’ Market takes place at the Imperial Avenue parking lot every Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through November.
Westporter Cornelia Olsen donated a huge rutabaga last year.
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The Democratic Town Committee’s slate of suggested candidates for November’s local elections has many familiar names.
But one of those names is in an unfamiliar slot.
The Nominations Committee has recommended these candidates to run for re-election: Lee Goldstein and Neil Phlllips (Board of Education); Paul Lebowitz (Planning & Zoning Commission); Jim Ezzes (Zoning Board of Appeals), and Nancy Dupier (Board of Finance).
The one surprise: Danielle Dobin, Planning & Zoning chair, was recommended to run for the Board of Finance.
Dobin — who has served on the P&Z since 2017 — is in the middle of her 2nd 4-year term. An attorney, she has a background in land use, real estate, acquisitions and business development.
The DTC will vote formally on the recommendations on July 18.
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Last weekend, 150 artists from around the country came to town, for the 50th annual Fine Arts Festival.
Soon, hundreds of local students will display their own works. They’re the Fine Arts Festival artists of the future.
The Westport Public Schools’ visual arts exhibition — SPARK — is on view June 8-11 at MoCA Westport. Works of students from pre-K through 12th grade will be on display.
New at SPARK this year is a special exhibit by Westport professional artist Mark Yurkiw: “Help Build the Bridge: Westport-France-Ukraine.” Constructed by Yurkiw, and adorned with art from students, the goal is to extend messages of good will to children in Westport’s sister cities.
A reception is set for June 11 (2 to 4 p.m.).
Artwork by Staples High School student Sophia Kuhner.
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Speaking of MoCA:
Connecticut Magazine’s June issue is out. It’s a guide to the state’s “hidden gem” museums.
MoCA is (of course) one of the 42 that are featured.
But it’s the only one on the cover:
Click here to view the entire issue.
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Sherwood Island State Park celebrates Trails Day this weekend with 4 great (and free) events.
Kayak paddle (Saturday, June 3; 9:30 a.m.; arrive by 9:15, east end of East Beach parking lot). Bring your own kayak, canoe or other paddlecraft, plus a pump/bailer; life vest and whistle or horn are required. Bring waterproof binoculars for spotting birds, and/or a waterproof camera. It’s a long carry over the beach, so bring a kayak cart with wide wheels for sand if you have one.
Butterfly walk (Saturday, June 3; 2 p.m., Nature Center). Michele Sorensen leads an exploration of the gardens and natural areas of caterpillars, skippers, moths and butterflies. Bring binoculars, and a camera. Children are welcome (ages 4 and up).
Nature walk (Saturday, June 3; 2 p.m., Nature Center). Walk the beach; discover habitats, inhabitants and special features like the 9/11 Memorial, model airport, wetlands and pine forest).
Horseshoe crab walk (Sunday, June 4; 11 a.m., Nature Center). Be prepared to wade in shallow water. Learn about crabs’ distinctive biology, life cycle, medical uses and conservation needs.
Archaeology walk (Sunday, June 4; 1 p.m., Nature Center). Archaeologists Dawn Brown and Ernie Wiegand will highlight points of interest, terrain, and examine traces of past inhabitants of Sherwood Island, from 1000 BC to the 1940s, including Native American, early settlers and onion farmers. Artifacts, maps, old photos and recent recoveries will be used.
Click here for more information all all events.
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Among Westport’s many hidden gems, Blau House & Gardens may be the most unknown of all.
Located at the end of Bayberry Ridge — a narrow, rutted road off Bayberry — the house was designed by theatrical stage set designer Ralph Alswang. It’s set between towering great oaks.
The grand gardens — by advertising executive Barry Blau — were created in response to the house. They incorporate native plants interspersed with a blend of exotics. They must be seen to be believed.
On June 11, you’ll get your chance.
“The Last Lallapaloosa” includes a host of activities.
Planting ceremony: Native rosebud trees; 9 a.m.; free (maximum 40 people)
Tour of Blau Gardens: 10 a.m.; $20 per person (maximum 36 people)
Book reading and signing of “Pinkalicious: Fairy House” by author/ illustrator Victoria Kann: 11 a.m.; $15 per child (maximum 25 children). Each child received 2 Pinkalicious books; other activities include coloring, plant a bean to take home and watch grow; find the fairy houses in the garden.
Gentle yoga with Millie: 1 p.m.; $20 per person (maximum 20 people)
Book reading and signing of “The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea” by author/illustrator Guy Billout: 2:30 p.m.; $20 per child (maximum 20 children). Also: find a frog along the stream; plant a bean to take home and watch grow.
Tour of Blau Gardens: 4:30 p.m.; $20 per person (maximum 36 people)
Garden reception: 6 to 8 p.m.; $75 per person (maximum 50 people). Help create a Blau House & Garden future.
Click here to register (deadline: June 5), and for information on payment and shuttle transportation from Coleytown Elementary School.
A small part of Blau Gardens.
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Did you hear the one about the dozen comedians who are taking the stage to raise money for writers?
Not the striking TV writers in LA. This event — “Lit & Wit” — is for the Westport Writers’ Workshop outreach program. It provides free writing instruction to underserved populations and communities.
The event is June 7 (7 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club; $50 per ticket).
Click here for tickets. And enjoy Jerry Kuyper’s very witty lit-minded logo below.
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Longtime Westporter Marty Resnick casts off this week, on a month-long sailing voyage to Portsmouth, England. His crew mates are Roger Townsend and Gareth Thomas.
Fair winds!
Marty Resnick (left) and crew. (Photo and hat tip/Tom Roth)
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Wendy Levy loves Burying Hill Beach.
She often finds a fresh way at looking at the water, sand, pier, marshes, tidal pools — and of course, the “burying hill” at the Greens Farms oasis.
Her photos often find their way to our “Westport … Naturally” feature. Here iis today’s image:
(Photo/Wendy Levy)
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And finally … today is June 1.
That means one thing:
(Celebrate June with a donation to “06880.” Please click here — and thank you!)
