Our 2nd annual Soundview Summer Stroll is on tomorrow.
A few showers should not dampen the fun. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Soundview Drive — the beach exit road — will be closed to traffic.
The street will be filled with live music, kids’ activities (face painting, chalking, etc.), a photo booth, food and more. We welcome everyone to walk, stroll, Rollerblade, and enjoy Westport at its best.
The Soundview Summer Stroll is offered free of charge, by “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. See you there!
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Westport Police can’t say it enough: Don’t leave your keys in your car.
Especially if it’s a Bentley.
One was taken Thursday, from the Westport Country Playhouse parking lot. between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Police are reviewing surveillance tape.
Not necessarily the stolen vehicle.
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Want clean water, and a thriving Long Island Sound? And a chance at prizes worth over $1,000?
All you need is a kayak, paddleboard or canoe — and a place to launch from.
Between August 1 and 10, paddlers of all experience levels can join the 10th annual “Paddle for the Sound.”
Paddle at your own pace, from any location. Track your miles, and submit your progress.
All proceeds from registration fees (and any other team or friends fundraising) will support Save the Sound’s work to protect the Sound and its rivers, restore vital habitats, fight climate change, and preserve the lands that sustain the region’s wildlife and communities.
Long Island Sound is home to over 100 plant species, 1,200 invertebrates, and 170 fish species. Birds and wildlife make their homes along its shores and islands. It’s important to the regional economy, and a great resource for swimming, fishing, paddling and connecting with nature.
It faces serious threats from pollution, habitat loss and warming waters, which Save the Sound works to solve.
Paddlers will compete for prize packages worth more than $1,000, based on total distance paddled.
And finally … today is a musical birthday bonanza. Darlene Love turns 84. Mick Jagger is 82. Bobby Hebb, Dobie Gray and Brenton Wood were all born on July 26 too.
Rather than single any one entertainer out, I’ll honor another anniversary. On this date in 1775, the office that later became the US Post Office was established by the Second Continental Congress. Benjamin Franklin was named our first Postmaster General.
PS: Alex Chilton was just 16 years old when he sang lead on this #1 hit. He and the rest of the Box Tops did not even pretend they were faking it on this show.
All Westporters are invited to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community, in a townwide vigil following the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington this week.
The gathering is set for Jesup Green this Tuesday (May 27, 6:30 p.m.).
The Planning & Zoning Commission continues its discussion of the Hamlet at Saugatuck project on June 2 (6 p.m.; live streamed on www.westportct.gov ; also on Optimum Channel 79 and Zoom link, with meeting ID 849 2904 0375 and passcode 521369).
The Representative Town Meeting’s first review of the Long Lots Elementary School building project — with updated plans, elevations, financial information and timing requirements for the upcoming funding and appropriation — takes place at their June 3 session (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium).
The RTM Finance Committee then meets June 10 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall room 201) to discuss a request to appropriate $98.8 million for construction of the new Long Lots School.
And on June 11 (7 p.m., Town Hall Room 201), the RTM Environment Committee follows up on an earlier discussion regarding a possible ordinance banning new artificial turf athletic fields.
It may not feel like it — but this weekend marks the official opening of town beaches.
Also — just in time for beach openings — Save the Sound has released its 2024 grades of 200 Long Island Sound beaches, including Connecticut, and Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Water quality is graded in 4 categories, based on pollutants found in dry and wet periods.
The report is released every 2 years. Three in Westport dropped from both 2020 and 2022.
During that period, Compo Beach declined from A, to B+, and now B-.
Burying Hill dropped from 2 consecutive A+s, to the current C+.
Sherwood Island remains at B+, after ratings of A+ and B+.
Meanwhile, everything — including lifeguard chairs — is in place for Westport’s Memorial Day weekend beach openings.
(Photo/Totney Benson)
Now all we need are people.
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A state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind gelato and sorbet machine is enjoying a “soft” launch at the Westport Library.
The Solato machine is like a Keurig coffee maker (but cooler). Choose your pod — 2 are featured each day — and watch as a Library Café worker slides it into the machine.
A minute later: There’s your gelato or sorbet, made specially for you.
Gelato flavors include banana maple, vanilla bean, coffee, salted caramel and dark chocolate, and mango and strawberry sorbet, plus frozen yogurt. All are locally sourced, and free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
Keurig cups are criticized as wasteful, because they’re single use. The Solato pods double as the serving dish. And each is served with a wooden — not plastic — spoon.
The Solato machine was donated by Lisa Weitzman and Howard Edelstein.
Gelato, on demand. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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The Westport Country Playhouse is more than a venue for plays.
It’s a concert hall. A site for script readings. And — this summer — it’s a movei theater.
Five classic films from the 1950s through ’70s will be screened:
“Roman Holiday” (June 18, 7 p.m.)
“Singin’ in the Rain” (July 14, 7 p.m.)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (August 6, 6 p.m.)
Ruben said a woman came in with her family of 5. She had paid $160 for each — $800 total.
Like every passport applicant, she still had to pay the $35 USPS fee, and the $130 filing fee, for each. But she could have prepared all the information herself, at the USPS website.
Beware! And while you’re at it: continue to hand all your mail to the post office clerks. You still can’t trust the drop box: Thieves still are fishing for checks there.
A flower garden in memory of Cathy Talmadge — a founder and longtime friend of Wakeman Town Farm — will be dedicated across the street from there on June 28 (1:30 p.m.).
The longtime Representative Town Meeting member, civic volunteer and environmental advocate died in January 2023.
First selectwoman Jen Tooker and Westport poet laureate Donna Disch will speak. Friends are invited to share memories. RSVP: nancyp311@gmail.com
Cathy Talmadge, at Wakeman Town Farm.
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Joe Lamp’l — aka “Joe Gardener” — presents “Digging Deeper: Ecological Gardening for Beauty and Biodiversity” on June 23 (7 p.m., Westport Library).
The final event of Sustainable Westport’s “Your Yard, Our Climate” initiative, it will help residents transform outdoor spaces into eco-friendly havens. Topics include soil health, reducing lawn size, minimizing chemical use, and the significance of native versus invasive plants.
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Chabad of Westport’s first-ever Community Golf Outing (June 30, Great River Golf Club, Milford) is notable for 2 reasons.
The entire community is welcome.
And IDF soldiers will be special guests, offering “an opportunity to show support and solidarity with Israel.”
Golfers (and non-golfing guests) will enjoy on-course snacks and refreshments; lunch; a cocktail/dinner reception; raffles and giveaweays, and a $25,000 hole-in-one prize.
Westport music teacher Jenny Ong invites the town to the annual Children’s Piano Spring Concert June 1 (elementary 9:15 a.m., advanced 10:45 a.m., Faust Harrison Pianos, Fairfield).
The event, showing young pianists from Westport and nearby, raises funds for the Connecticut chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association. RSVP: jennyong.music@gmail.com.
Part of Jenny Ong’s recital.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo follows up on the lifeguard image above.
Compo Beach looks empty now. But it won’t be for long — or for the next few months.
And finally … in honor of Paul Newman’s “return” to the Westport Country Playhouse (story above):
(It’s a holiday weekend. But “06880” never rests. We’re here for you, 24/7/365. If you appreciate our coverage of all things Westport, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Westport’s great end-of-school-year/start-of-summer tradition — Staples High School’s Pops Concert at the Levitt Pavilion — is back!
This year’s show is Friday, June 7 (lawn opens at 6 p.m.; concert at 7; BYO chair; food trucks on site). The always sold-out event features the Staples Symphonic Orchestra and Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orphenians, Choralaires and other small group ensembles.
Once again, media personality David Pogue will serve as the warm, welcoming emcee.
Tickets are free, but a suggested donation of $15 per ticket is suggested to offset the production costs.
Tickets are available at staplesmusic.org beginning next Wednesday, May 29 at 9 a.m.: first-come, first-served! In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be performed in the Staples High School auditorium at 70 North Avenue, where tickets will be honored.
This year’s graphic was designed by Staples senior Shivali Kanthan.
Since they began in 2007, Westport Animal Shelter Advocates has watched with dismay as the number of abandoned animals her grows.
Recently, a little puppy was left in a shopping bag near the Volvo dealership.
WASA brought it up to date on vet care. After an adoption process involving an application, meet and greets and a home visit, it was adopted by a loving family.
On Wednesday, WASA was notified of 3 kittens abandoned in a box at the transfer station. They were kept safe there by long-time employee Bud Valiante.
WASA arrived quickly. The kittens were examined, vaccinated, treated for tick infestations, and are now in the care of a skilled and wonderful WASA volunteer.
They are about six weeks old, and doing very well
Interested adopters should call WASA (203-557-0361), or email wasa1@optonline.net.
To make a donation so WASA can continue its important work, click here.
Over 4,000 teams from more than 50 countries competed in the recent Wharton Investment Competition, sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania.
Using an online stock market simulator, they learn about strategy building, teamwork, communication, risk, diversification, company and industry analysis, and many other aspects of investing.
Upholding Westport’s hedge fund “capital” reputation, the Staples High School team placed second.
Congratulations to the young financiers (names in caption below):
From left: Eli Lesser, director, Wharton Global Youth Program; Andrew Rebello and Srish Popuri, Staples co-presidents; Alex Sod, founder; Mack Haymond, Henry Watson, Will Boberski, Sam Rossoni.
Kings Highway Elementary School officially opened its Outdoor Learning Center yesterday.
Superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice joined principal Tracey Carbone, vice principals Catherine Carmona and Jame’el Lawrence, PTA presidents Denise Acampora and Arielle Leighton, and past PTA president Jeni Bianco, for the ceremony.
The Outdoor Learning Center will be used for activities like reading, morning meetings, writing, snack breaks and more.
Students enjoy the Kings Highway Outdoor Learning Center.
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Congratulations too to the recipients of a Westport Green Building Award for Achievement in Sustainable Design and Construction. It goes to a Saugatuck Shores home damaged by a tornado in 2020, and rebuilt for resilience and sustainability.
The project team includes lead Patricia Miller of Residential Design; Marc and Joseph Fuscaldo of Fuscaldo Builders, and smart home designer Barry Reiner of InnerSpace Electronics.
The award, given by the town and Sustainable Westport, recognizes residential and commercial projects that make significant contributions to sustainability, and Westport’s future as a net zero community.
Click here for details of the Saugatuck Shores project.
To nominate a project for the Green Building Award, click here.
To learn more about how to make homes more sustainable, click here, then follow the link to “Guidance for Applicants.”
Celebrating the Green Building Award, on Saugatuck Shores.
This spring, the Westport Transit District updated its Wheels2U app. Users who downloaded it before March 26 need to update it. New riders are encouraged to download it now.
To thank everyone for downloading or updating, rides on Wheels2U are free for all riders next week (Monday through Friday, May 20-24). The normal $2 fare will be waived.
Click here for a link to the app, and more information.
Riders use the Wheels2U Westport app to request a pickup between 5:45 and 10 a.m., and between 4 9:30 p.m. for rides between the Westport or Greens Farms train platform and their front door. Pickups should be requested about 20 minutes before you would normally leave to drive to the station.
Wheels2U
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For underserved people with writing talent, finding resources is no laughing matter.
But “Lit & Wit” is. The comedy night fundraiser is a Westport Writers’ Workshop initiative to raise funds for pro bono writing workshops in underserved communities.
The brainchild of WWW writers Aline Weiller and Alyssa Katz, plus WEstport comedian Jerry Kuyper, it’s set for June 6 (7 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club).
Tickets are $55. More than a dozen top comedians will entertain guests (see below). The evening also includes snacks, a food truck (starting at 6 p.m.), cash bar, comedy trivia for prizes, and door prize gift basket. Click here for tickets, and more information.
And finally … Perry Como was born on this date, in 1912. He sold over 100 million records worldwide, and hosted a weekly musical variety television show, during a 50-plus-year career. He died in 2001, age 88.
(It’s the weekend, but “06880” never rests. Here’s another information-filled Roundup If you appreciate our hyper-local coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you)
Mark Amatrudo takes over, effective Monday. Deputy Chief Nicholas Marsan, recently named town emergency management director, will continue in his dual role as deputy chief.
Amatrudo is a third generation chief fire officer. He has served as a career and volunteer assistant chief, deputy chief and acting chief for almost 25 years, including as Westport’s interim deputy chief from 2005-07.
Amatrudo is an Emergency Medical Technician. He also holds the highest level of fire service certifications in various areas, including fire officer, fire service instructor and safety officer.
He served as a Connecticut Fire Academy Instructor for almost 30 years. He developed a course for the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, and spent years instructing at the National Fire Academy campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Among his awards are FEMA National Outstanding Citizen Corps Council Award, Connecticut Emergency Manager of the Year, Connecticut Fire Instructor of the Year, Connecticut Exchange Club Hero Award and Holmatro Rescue Award.
Amatrudo holds a BS degree from Stonehill College, and an Executive MBA from the University of New Haven.
It’s mid-July. Time to get tickets for the fall LobsterFest!
In fact, it may soon be too late. The Westport Rotary Club’s mega-fundraiser sells out very quickly.
This year’s event is September 23 (3 to 7 p.m., Compo Beach). As usual always, Rotary offers 2 1.25-pound lobsters or a 14-ounce New York strip steak; corn, cole slaw, potato salad and bread.
Plus of course live music; kids’ games and activities; unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks, and a cash raw bar.
It’s one of Westport’s best parties. The timing is perfect, at the start of a new school year. The weather is wonderful. The food and entertainment are plentiful.
And the money raised helps Rotary support a wide array of great causes.
That’s “Paddle for the Sound” — not (this time) paddleball.
For 9 days (July 29 to August 6), the 8th annual Save the Sound fundraiser draws people of all ages for a leisure paddle — or a kayak, stand up paddle board (SUP) and canoe competition.
Participants track their distances paddled, while raising funds to protect Long Island Sound and its rivers, restore local ecosystems, fight climate change, and save endangered lands.
They’ll take screenshots of the distance on each excursion, and send it to the Paddle for the Sound team to compile results. Prizes are awarded for total distance paddled, and most funds raised.
It’s really just an inch long. But Molly Alger captured it perfectly — on the outside of her kitchen window — for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … Tony Bennett died this morning in New York. He was 96.
The New York Times called him “a singer whose melodic clarity, jazz-influenced phrasing, audience-embracing persona and warm, deceptively simple interpretations of musical standards helped spread the American songbook around the world and won him generations of fans.”
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. He continued to perform and record, however. His last public performance was in August that year, with Lady Gaga at Radio City Music Hall. Click here for a full obituary.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — and a non-profit. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
1. The Memorial Day was a huge success for everyone. One of the many highlights was the Westport Police Athletic League float, featuring RTM member/PAL booster Andrew Colabella as a Revolutionary War “Minute Man.”
The float also included 4 large pots of geraniums, and an American flag.
Unfortunately, when the float was parked at Saugatuck Elementary School after the parade, someone took the flowers and flag. They must have thought no one else wanted them.
But the plants were borrowed from a local nursery. Unless they are returned, the PAL — a non-profit — must pay for them. (You can keep the flag!). Just email acolabella@westportct.gov, or emmarojas83@gmail.com. Or drop them off at the PAL clubhouse at PJ Romano Field. No questions asked.
Or this version:
2. There’s one in every crowd.
Thousands of people loved the Memorial Day parade. One of the highlights was the Westport PAL float, featuring RTM member/PAL booster Andrew Colabella as a Revolutionary War “Minute Man.”
But — and this is hard to believe, but welcome to 2023 — when the float was parked a few hours later at Saugatuck Elementary School, some asshat stole 4 beautiful pots of geraniums. Plus an American flag, which was zip-tied to the trailer.
It doesn’t get lower than that.
Stealing from a non-profit, which now must pay for the plants it borrowed from a local nursery.
Unbelievable.
However, there is one good part of this story.
“PAL” stands for Police Athletic League.
That’s right: Police Athletic League.
They’re coming to get you.
The PAL float, before the items went missing/were stolen.
STG celebrated its 80th year last night at the high school auditorium. The organization awarded $405,000 in scholarships to 119 graduating seniors and students already in college.
That’s the highest amount ever.
The average grant is $3,400 — $650 more than STG’s 10-year average. It helps with 15% of net need. That’s not enough to fill the aggregate net need of $2.7 million.
But STG provides more than the federal government, which awards $312,000 in Pell grants.
The money goes to students with demonstrated financial need. Nearly 450 people donated to the general fund this year, or to named or endowed awards that honor Staples’ history — and support its future.
To learn more about Staples Tuition Grants, click here.
Staples Tuition Grants recipients last night, in the courtyard. (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
On June 6 (2 p.m.), the Westport Library’s Verso University launches an exploration of some of our best.
Connecticut Art Trail president and longtime Westport resident Carey Weber begins the program with an overview of the organization’s mission and member museums.
Future programs will focus on the Housatonic Museum of Art (July 12) and Weir Farm, the only national park service site dedicated to American painting (August 2).
Speaking of the Library: Registration is underway for kids’ summer programs. They include:
Summer Reading Fun: Children of all ages (and their grown-ups) are invited to read anything, any time, anywhere. For every 100 minutes read, kids can decorate a sun for display in the library. 500 minutes earns a Shake Shack treat. And 1,000 minutes gets you a free book, to keep. Click here for details.
Summer Learning Clubsintegrate math, literacy and STEAM activities into a thematic approach. Each class blends inquiry, design, research, writing and the arts. Click here for grade levels and dates.
Camp Explorereturns for its 4th year of STEAM exploration. They include Microbit Makery (June 27-29; grades 6-8); African Mask Making (July 10-12; grades 5-6); Jewelry Making (Novel Necklaces) (July 25; grades 6-8); Matica Arts (August 8-10; grades 6-8). A Matica Circus performance (August 8; 10 a.m.) is open to all. Click here for details.
Iyaba Ibo Mandingo leads the African mask making class.
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Save the Sound is sponsoring a beach cleanup at Sherwood Island State Park.
It’s this Saturday (June 3, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; just east of the Nature Center). Staff members will be there, to talk about STS’ “CT Cleanup” effort.
Emmy-nominated composer/pianist Steve Sandberg headlines tomorrow’s Jazz at the Post (Thursday, June 1; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner from 7 p.m.; $15 cover).
His original music blends classical, world music and jazz. He’ll be joined by 7-time Grammy winner bassist Jay Anderson, fiery drummer Tim Horner, and saxophonist Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall.
Shows have sold out early. Email JazzatthePost@gmail.com for reservations.
The informal group of vintage VW and Porsche owners — the brainchild of former Westporters Tom Truitt and Dave Abelow, and named for a Post Road West dealership (now Carvan) that in the late 1960s sold more Volkswagens than any other in the US — helped partner Total Training & Endurance with Northeast Community Cycles. The deal brings the 10-year-old bicycle charity to Westport.
Their mission is to provide safe, refurbished bicycles to underprivileged children and adults in Fairfield County — at no charge. Like Total Training & Endurance, Northeast Community Cycles is all about community outreach and self-empowerment through the cycling.
The Small Car Company, meanwhile, has introduced a bicycle program to reach out to youngsters in need of direction. The goal is to create passion and responsibility through ownership of personal transportation.
Meanwhile, the organization is planning a bike tour October 8. The charity ride (hosted by TT&E) will raise awareness of and money for bicycle ownership for those with less means.
Last night’s Fashionably Westport benefit drew hundreds of guests to the Westport Library — and raised thousands of dollars for Homes with Hope.
The Westport Downtown Association-sponsored event featured over 60 models, in apparel from 21 local stores. Their hair and makeup was done by 6 salons.
A ton of work by tons of folks made last night a success. Thanks to all who pitched in, for fun and — more importantly — helping people in need of shelter and food.
The Westport Library’s Trefz Forum became a runway for the night.
First Selectwoman Jen Tooker and social media influencer Zac Mathias pose, before their star turns as models.
Andrew Colabella, Viviana Vasiu and Diane Lowman look sharp.
Not models — but they could have been. (All photos/Dan Woog)
As the calendar sprints (or slogs) toward spring, The Joggers Club offers this incentive: a free trial membership in March. For information, email TheJoggersClub@gmail.com.
The group — which emphasizes fun and friendship, for all levels — offers:
Fun Runs: Every Saturday 8 a.m. at Compo Beach; $50 for the season, and a free Brooks running shirt for all new members. Each run is followed by coffee and treats from McDonald’s and Village Bagels.
Track Nights: Every Thursday, 6:15 p.m., Norwalk High School (included in membership)
Running Camp (Sundays, April 23 to June 11, 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Staples High School track; kindergarten through 8th grade; $75 for members, $125 for non-members; only 10 spots left).
The Joggers Club also notes these upcoming races:
25k Boston Build-up.
United Airlines NYC Half: Run across Times Square and loop Central Park — with no cars.
Minute Man 10k: A Joggers Club favorite. The most beautiful course in New England; help support the great Westport Young Woman’s League.
Club 203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — celebrates St. Patrick’s Day at The Porch @ Christie’s (March 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m.).
It’s a perfect place. The Cross Highway spot has always offered training and employment to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — and all pastries come from Sweet P Bakery, which does the same.
Click here for more information on this month’s party.
Future Frogmen is a non-profit organization that empowers high school and college students to be ocean ambassadors and future leaders. Through experiential learning, communication, action, leadership and exploration, they generate public awareness about the ocean and deepen the connection between people and nature.
Future Frogmen have a new home. Save the Sound will now handle its archive of original environmental content, including videos, a blog and the “Blue Earth” podcast.
Save the Sound — a 50-year-old environmental action organization — will expand its own content creation efforts, launching a podcast series with the Westport Library’s Verso Studios. A 6-episode season will explore environmental issues challenging the Long Island Sound watershed.
Future Frogmen was founded by Richard Hyman, a local educator, conservationist, businessman and former crew member for Jacques Cousteau.
Broadway star (and Staples High School Class of 1982 graduate) Michael Hayden has been cast as Fredrik Egerman in the Pasadena Playhouse’s 50th anniversary production of “A Little Night Music.”
The production is part of the theater’s 6-month celebration of Stephen Sondheim.
Vibraphonist and composer Chris Dingman and his trio rock Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church’s Branson Hall next Saturday (March 11, 5 p.m.). They merge jazz and global influences in exciting ways.
Click here for tickets; they’re also available at the door.
Dexter Abrams and his dad Jason were fascinated by this swan yesterday.
Walking in Parker Harding Plaza, they stopped to watch her build a nest. Dexter snapped this “Westport … Naturally” photo. Just 9 years old, he’s our youngest contributor ever.
Father and son plan to watch the swan as she lays eggs, and hatches them — from a safe, respectful distance of course.
Save the Sound has just released grades for more than 200 Connecticut, Long Island and New York state beaches.
Local and regional health departments collect fecal indicator bacteria samples during the swimming months. High counts of fecal indicator bacteria and related pathogens can make people sick, and can be associated with untreated sewage or polluted storm water entering the waters at or near a beach.
Rain often brings polluted storm water to Long Island Sound beaches. Precipitation in the area from May to August 2021 — the period covered by the ratings — were the highest recorded since 2003, when the project began.
Next week, Staples Tuition Grants will hand out $400,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors and current college students.
That’s a lot of money. It’s the result of a lot of donations and fundraising.
One of those efforts is this weekend, during the Westport Fine Arts Festival. STG has a booth on Main Street, by J. Crew. For $10, you can guess the number of blue and white (naturally) jellybeans in the jar.
The jar will then appear at the Memorial Day parade, and will be at Summer Shopping Day in front of Manna Toast on June 18.
Winners get part of the prize, and gift certificates to local restaurants. The bulk of the money helps fund STG grants. The contest ends June 22.
The weekend after that (Saturday, June 4, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.), the Sorelle Gallery on Church Lane hosts artists Julia Contacessi and Michele Poirier-Mozzone for their new “Light Affects” show, with an opening reception.
Save the Sound’s annual Connecticut Cleanup begins at the end of August, and runs through October.
It’s the largest volunteer effort of its kind in Connecticut. Last year, 1,495 volunteers took 7,498 pounds of trash out of 133 miles of coasts and streams.
This year, Save the Sound is adding a crowdsourcing effort to discover new cleanup sites. Westport is one of 15 communities already on the list for an event.
Brian Keane is headed to the New England Music Hall of Fame.
The Emmy Award-winning film documentary composer — also a professional guitarist, film producer and Staples High School Class of 1971 graduate — joins a glittering case of 2021 inductees. They include the late Muddy Waters and his son, Mud Morganfield; blues greats James Cotton, James Montgomery and Duke Robillard, and John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band.
Connecticut Magazine features Keane this month. Click here for the full story. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
Brian Keane
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For the past couple of years, the state Department of Transportation has been removing trees, bushes and buffering hills from the northbound side of Merritt Parkway Exit 41, near the Westport Weston Family Y.
Now they’re putting stuff back. It won’t look the same as it did before.
But it won’t look the way it did recently, either.
Speaking of nature: The Westport Garden Club’s #FridayFlowers arrangements are always gorgeous. This week they had competition, though — they had to look good in a place that’s already beautiful.
They do.
Check out the photo below, from one of Westport’s hidden jewels: the Wadsworth Arboretum. The arrangement comes courtesy of Dottie Fincher and Susan Nettesheim.
Local to Market — the new artisan food-and-crafts store in the old Remarkable Book Shop — hosts a farm stand on their patio from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today (Saturday, July 31).
They feature Silverman’s Farm and Shaggy Coos farm. There’s fresh veggies including corn and peaches, fresh milk, and 2 local artists: pottery by Anna Aron and woodturnings by Dick Stein. A portion of all sales goes to charity.
In addition, Local to Market is looking for a store manager and sales associate. It’s a great chance to be part of the resurgence of Main Street — and help all kinds of local folks get to market (duh).
Email info@localtomarket.com for details.
The Local to Market patio opened recently, across from Cold Fusion.
Also downtown this afternoon: Jack Eigen will be selling his ice cream (featured recently on “06880”) in front of New England Hemp Farm, in Brooks Corner.
There’s a connection: Colin Bannon, the hemp store owner, is Jack’s Staples High School lacrosse coach.
Just one more way in which Westport coaches go the extra mile for their players.
After Thursday’s rain, a couple of deer appeared at Lori Lustig’s house. This one didn’t know whether to be scared of — or play with — their dog “Ollie.”
The 2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report was released this morning. According to Save the Sound, 79% of the more than 200 Long Island Sound beaches earned “A” or “B” grades for water quality last year.
And there — listed in the Top 10 public beaches in Connecticut, based on water quality — is Westport’s own Burying Hill.
It and Stamford’s Quigley Beach were the only Fairfield County spots on the list.
Water quality at Burying Hill Beach is excellent. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Key findings of Save the Sound’s 2021 Long Island Sound Beach Report include:
That still leaves 16% of Sound beaches with moderate to poor grades. meaning more work must be done to improve water quality and avoid beach closures.
Rain is the primary driver for water pollution at area beaches. Water quality failure rates doubled when it rained, even 48 hours later.
Rain causes water quality failure for several reasons, including stormwater runoff or sewer line overflow when communities depend on combined stormwater/sewer lines, or have aging sewer lines with undetected leaks.
Climate change will mean more rain for the region. It is crucial to invest in stormwater and sewage infrastructure to avoid more beach closures.
Click here for Save the Sound’s interactive maps, listing beach water quality. The full Beach Report can be downloaded from there too.
Elise Maclay — a poet, writer, foodie, elegant dresser and accomplished traveler — died peacefully January 5, in her Westport home by Long Island Sound. She was 95.
She spent her final days looking over the water, surrounded by family and with a photo of her beloved husband David at her side.
Elise attended the College of William & Mary on a full scholarship. She majored in English, graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and served as class poet until her death.
Elise had a successful early career in the heady Mad men days of advertising. She commuted to New York from Connecticut with 2 small children at home, gracefully navigating the mandatory 3-martini lunches in an otherwise male world.
She wrote copy for the prestigious BMW account — and once posed as the model for an ad she created, when the talent did not show up.
Elise Maclay
Elise’s poetry appeared in publications like Nature magazine. Her “Walk Softly” is often quoted by nature lovers.
She wrote 2 books of prose poems, and collaborated on 5 other books with artist Bev Doolittle.
Elise’s poetry, and interest in Native American, wildlife and nature themes, complements Doolittle’s “camouflage” art.
Elise sourced fine food locally, long before chefs used cilantro and kale. A carnivore, she enjoyed great food robustly. Her culinary taste and writing gifts led to another career. For over 25 years she was Connecticut Magazine’s food critic. She captured tastes, ambiance and the personalities and dreams of chefs.
The number of exquisite meals delivered to her home in recent months is a testament to the loyalty and gratitude of many chefs, young and old, whom she discovered and celebrated.
But her true passion was travel — preferably adventures to far and exotic locales — with her husband. She hiked Machu Picchu, explored the Himalayas and climbed Mt. Kenya in a blizzard.
She, her niece LeeLee and dear friend Fi explored the Caribbean islands, Italy and Portugal as recently as last February.
Closer to home, she was a beloved presence at her family’s summer home on Cape Cod. She walked the beaches, swam, read by the fire, and regaled generations of family and friends with adventures and cherished memories.
Her spirit is carried on by her son Gary Gibbs, his wife Kaija and their 4 children; stepson Bill Maclay, his wife Alex, and their 2 sons; stepson David Maclay Jr., his wife Juliet and their 2 sons; cousn Joyce Haun, and an extended network of neighbors, chefs and friends from all walks of life.
She was predeceased by her husband David, son Brian Gibbs and stepdaughter Sherry Maclay.
Elise would want all to know David’s final words, quoting Tennessee Williams: “Make voyages. Attempt them. There’s nothing else.”
Memorials will be held post-COVID in Westport and Chatham, Massachusetts.
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