The theme of this truck — seen often around town, and here yesterday at Sherwood Island State Park — is safety. But doesn’t it look a bit, um, unsafe? (Photo/Chris Grimm)
Our “06880” tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.”
I’ll post pretty much any story, so long as there is a Westport (Connecticut — not New York, Massachusetts or Ireland) connection.
I do not, however, post clickbait-type stories — those that includes Westport in a list of “Best Beaches in New England,” say, or Westporters in “Top White Collar Criminal Lawyers.”
Usually, that is.
Once in a while, readers send something so bizarre it just screams to be posted.
That’s the case with a story from the website Only In Your State, in the categories “Connecticut/Trips/Winter.”
I don’t know how or why Ann Sheffer and Larry Bartimer found that website and/or article, but both forwarded it to me.
“The Cozy Town in Connecticut That Comes Alive Under a Blanket of Snow” is the torturous headline that would normally have caused me to stop reading right there.
Except, of course, that the cozy-yet-alive-in-winter town is ours.
Here’s a sample of the Westport that writer Lisa Sammons — or the AI-generated robot pretending to be her — offers up to the world:
Winter getaways in the Nutmeg State don’t get much better than a trip to Westport. This affluent Fairfield County town has the most ocean and river waterfront in the state, and there’s a lot to do here. We love it in the wintertime!
Directly under “We love it in the wintertime!,” this photo lacked both a caption and even one snowflake.
I’m not sure what our miles of “ocean” and river waterfront (a claim from the Discover Westport website) has to do with winter fun, but let’s plow on.
The downtown area has a great variety of shops and restaurants.
Of course, the river itself offers amazingly scenic views.
There’s something so peaceful about walking alongside a body of water, isn’t there?
Um, yes.
Westport receives an average of 28 inches of snowfall a year.
This isn’t as much as the state’s snowier areas, but it is in line with the national average, and means you’ll have at least a few days of white winter wonderland life here each year.
It’s a Westport custom to wear colorful clothes while shoveling.
Unfortunately, last year’s snowfall was about 27 inches below average.
There are dozens of historic properties here, and a few officially-designated historic districts.
Now we’re getting somewhere.
The Taylortown Salt Marsh is such a scenic place for a stroll, and wonderful for bird-watching.
Ah, yes! The Taylortown Salt Marsh — located just inches from the new 16-unit apartment complex rising at the Wilton Road/Kings Highway North intersection.
I don’t know about you, but the Taylortown Salt Marsh is the first place I take out-of-town friends who visit. Nothing beats strolling and bird-watching on that famous Kings Highway bridge.
Taylortown Salt marsh, as seen on Only In Your State. Come for the strolling and bird-watching; stay for the Invasive Plant Removal Wildlife Restoration Project.
After noting that Sherwood Island State Park is “most popular now as a summertime destination thanks to its wonderful beach,” Only In Your State adds “it’s an excellent place for a walk or jog at any time of year. Visiting a beach in winter is a great way to beat the crowds.”
Channeling my inner 16-year-old, I say, “whatever.”
Perhaps you’re wondering where to stay, when visiting Westport’s winter wonderland. Lisa suggests:
If you need a perfect place to stay in Westport, CT, I love the look of this sunny apartment that’s just minutes from the beach.
The VRBO listing of that property — Sasco Mill on the Post Road, at the Southport town line — promises “panoramic views and breathtaking surroundings, including endless flora and fauna.”
There is 1 bedroom, with a queen bed. Miraculously, it “sleeps 4.”
The kitchen is described as “small and quaint.” One can only imagine.
The “small and quaint” kitchen.
So there you have it. “The Cozy Town in Connecticut That Comes Alive Under a Blanket of Snow.”
Now all we need is that blanket.
(“06880” is “where Westport meets the world.” If you enjoy this hyper-local, 24/7/365 coverage of our town, please support our work. Just click here — and thank you!)
The Westporter Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation thanks the community for their generous donation: nearly 1 ton of coats and other winter items.
Special thanks go to volunteer coordinator Anna Rycenga, Staples Service League of Boys, the Westport Public Schools, and many town employees who supported the project.
Firefighters and friends, ready to head to Bridgeport.
Also very successful: the Hackett family’s gently used sports equipment drive.
They collected gear for Leveling the Playing Field — a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged youngsters.
Like the firefighters, the Hacketts thank the community for their outpouring of support.
Bill, Gina, Alex and Daisy Hackett, with donated sports equipment.
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“The Wiz” is being revived on Broadway.
Of course, there’s a Westport connection.
Actually, two.
The original script was by Bill Brown, a longtime resident.
And the revival is co-produced by Ari Edelson.
After he starred with Staples Players — including directing the groundbreaking production of “Falsettos” — the 1994 alum graduated from both Yale and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
He’s gone on to fame as a producer and director in the US and Europe.
Performances begin March 29. Click here for more information. (Hat tips: David Roth, Kerry Long)
A few years ago, Ari Edelson was honored with a Westport Arts Center Horizon Award. (Photo/Emily Hamilton Laux)
Staples High School senior Jackson Cregan has made history.
Already an Eagle Scout, he received the Boy Scouts of America’s highest conservation award. He is only the third Scout so honored in Connecticut, in 108 years.
Jackson got the Distinguished Conservation Service Award for completing 2 projects, and earning 13 natural science and conservation merit badges.
For his first project, he restored and created new dunes at Sherwood Island State Park. Jackson planted over 6,000 square feet of beach grass to do so, to prevent erosion.
His other project created a 17,000-square foot pollinator pathway. Jackson replaced invasive plants with native ones.
Congratulations, Jackson!
Jackson Cregan, at Sherwood Island State Park.
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Most Westporters spent yesterday scurrying around. With only 2 days until Christmas, it was a hectic — not a holly, jolly — time.
But “most” is not all.
At Compo Beach, a group of friends had plenty of time for football:
Meanwhile, not far away — despite air temperature of 27 degrees — a couple lounged in the water.
(Photos/Deirdre O’Farrelly)
Their dog had a different idea.
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To honor actor Paxton Whitehead, who died earlier this year, Westport Country Playhouse re-released “A Merry Little Christmas Carol,” a radio drama from 2020.
Whitehead — who performed the role of Ebenezer Scrooge — had graced the Playhouse stage many times previously.
The re-release includes an introduction by incoming artistic director Mark Shanahan, highlighting Whitehead and his career in the performing arts.
Speaking of music: Yesterday’s “06880” preview of CLASP‘s “Rockin’ Halloween Bash” (October 20, Fairfield Theatre Company) — a benefit for the organization providing group homes and other services for people with autism and intellectual disabilities — included incorrect information about the music.
CLASP now says that the danceable, great rock from artists like Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, Journey, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, Aretha Franklin and more will be provided by Stephanie Harrison (powerhouse leader of the band Fake ID), Anthony Gadaleta, Crispin Cioe (Westport saxophonist who toured with the Stones), Pat Marafiote, Marcos Torres Jr. (Cosmic Jibaros), and Rob Fried, Band Central founder.
The pre-party starts in the FTC gallery at 6:30 p.m., with light bites. Click here for tickets, and other information.
MDSolarSciences is a Westport sunscreen and skincare brand.
On Tuesday (August 22), CEO Renee Plato and employees will travel around Fairfield County, to donate sunscreens to lifeguards, fire and police departments, and others. They’ll also offer advice and tips on sunscreen application techniques, and the role sun protection plays in maintaining healthy skin.
The event begins in Westport.
MDSolarSciences says: Sunscreen is important!
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On Wednesday, members and guests of the Y’s Men of Westport & Weston toured Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza and Prospect Park. It was part of the group’s New York historic walking tour series.
Tomorrow (Sunday, August 20, 2 p.m.), high school sophomore and Connecticut Entomological Society member Lukas Keras leads a bug walk in Sherwood Island State Park’s West Woods.
Lukas looks forward to inspiring visitors to love the natural world as much as he does. Entrance to the state park is free for vehicles with Connecticut license plates.
Jerry Moss — the “M” in A&M records, the label behind the Carpenters, the Police, Janet Jackson, Peter Frampton and (the “A” in the name) Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass — died this week in Los Angeles. He was 88.
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