You can’t say there’s nothing to do in Westport.
Yesterday afternoon, a couple of thousand folks strolled and ate their way through Slice of Saugatuck, sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Yesterday evening, Wakeman Town Farm’s Harvest Fest drew — as always — a capacity crowd.
The food stations were as spectacular as the views of the gardens, and the community vibe. It’s one of Westport’s best parties of the year (with a kick-ass band).
(Photos/Dan Woog
Yesterday, Westport Emergency Medical Services hosted their own fundraiser, at Cedar Point Yacht Club.
That event, called “Band Aid” — get it? — also had all the ingredients needed for success: food, drinks, music, and tons of people enjoying themselves.
(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)
And of course, the Westport Country Playhouse’s annual fundraising gala, featuring Kirstin Chinoweth, was a sold-sold, super-smash success.
But wait! There’s more!
Tonight, Peter Frampton comes alive at the Levitt Pavilion.
If you missed all the fun — or you had such a good time, you want more — get ready for next weekend.
Westoberfest — sponsored by the Westport Downtown Association — rocks Elm Street on Saturday (September 21, 2 to 5 p.m.).
Saturday afternoon and evening (3 to 7 p.m.), the Westport Rotary Club’s LobsterFest packs Compo Beach.
See you there!
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Felicia Sale invites “06880” readers to join Restore, in the fight against breast cancer.
As co-owner of the Post Road East wellness center offering cryotherapy, IV drips, infrared saunas and more, she has witnessed the profound impact the disease has on individuals and families.
Last year, her own life was forever changed when she was diagnosed with a non-invasive, early stage breast cancer confined to the milk ducts.
She was lucky. It turned out to be atypical/abnormal cells, but the journey to that discovery was very challenging.
Felicia underwent a bilateral mastectomy, a decision that was both physically and emotionally demanding.
She had not realized how many people in Westport had been affected by the disease until she went through it herself.
Felicia says, “I want to thank Pink Aid, and all the women in Westport who helped me navigate this journey. You know who you are. Your support was my strength, and I wouldn’t have been able to move forward without you.”
To pay it forward, she is forming a team for Making Strides Against Cancer, the October 20 walk-and-more at Sherwood Island State Park (9 a.m. to noon).
“This is a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community, have fun, and make a difference,” Felicia says.
Click here to join the Restore team, or make a donation.
As a special incentive, anyone donating $50 or more will receive a free core service at Restore. This includes a whole body cryo, infrared sauna session, red light therapy or compression therapy.
You’ll get a team t-shirt, too.
And the knowledge that you are “making strides” to make a difference, in the fight against breast cancer.
Felicia Sale
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Westport will soon have a new poet laureate.
Donna Disch succeeds Jessica Noyes McEntee, in the 2-year post. The public is invited to meet (and hear) the new laureate this Tuesday (September 17, 4 p.m., Westport Library).
The Westport Arts Committee and 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker will lead the event.
Disch is a 24-year Westport resident. She earned an MFA at Vermont College, and has participated in poetry workshops for more than 20 years.
Her poems have been published in the Aspen Anthology, Poetry East and Charleston Magazine, among others. A former high school English teacher, she loves working with children. Disch looks forward to taking more poetry into our schools.
McEntee, her predecessor, worked closely with the Westport Public Art Collections Committee, adding poetry to artworks hanging in schools and Town Hall.
A poem of hers can been seen alongside the Passages sculpture recently installed at Pasacreta Park on the river. McEntee ran poetry workshops at Westport’s Center for Senior Activities, MoCA CT and the Library.
Donna Disch
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Luca Lombardo is perfect — 13-for-13 — as the extra points kicker for Boston College’s football team.
The 2022 Staples High School graduate is a 5-11, 174-pound junior, in his second year with the Eagles.
He kicked for Staples as a senior, after spending much of his youth as a soccer player. He was on Beachside’s MLS Next academy team, which prohibits members from playing high school soccer. (Hat tip: Dave Briggs)
Luca Lombardo
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Orange meets green on Saturday, October 5.
From 10:30 a.m. to noon that day, Westport Book Shop, Earthplace and the Westport Tree Board are sponsoring a kids’ “Paint Pumpkins on Jesup Green” event. There will be “special animal visits,” too.
Youngsters are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.
Ready for painting. (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
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It’s a “flying fingers folk fest.”
The Flying Fingers Jug Band returns to First Folk Sunday on October 6 (12:30 p.m., Saugatuck Rowing Club). They were hit last year, and are back by popular demand.
The FFJB will be joined by singer/guitarist/First Folk Sunday mastermind Suzanne Sheridan.
The band features an eclectic mix of instruments, including washboard, string bass, jug, dobro, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, kazoo, mouth harp and stove pipe.
They “fuse the energy of post-Prohibition revelry, the vocal harmonies of bluegrass, and the authenticity of a juke joint.” Former Westonite David Barron plays banjo and mandolin.
They have appeared in some of New York’s coolest taverns, and made their national TV debut on the Food Network’s “The Kitchen.”
Click here for tickets. The music cover charge is $15. Table service is available for brunch or lunch, along with cocktails and beverages.
For more information on First Folk Sunday, click here or call 203-984-7562.
Flying Fingers Jug Band
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Lou Weinberg sends along today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo — and a plea. He says:
“This rough-legged hawk was hunting a red squirrel in the Long Lots Preserve, surrounding the Westport Community Gardens.
“It moved so intently, disregarding my presence for the most part, and focused on the hunt. It was incredible to watch.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
“The variety of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in the Long Lots Preserve makes it possible for nature to do its thing.
“The base of the food chain there (plants, insects) is very strong, and supplies energy all the way up to top level predators like this hawk. A healthy population of top-level predators keeps our ecosystems in balance.
“This rich, green open space is incredibly important to keeping our environment healthy through carbon sequestering, water retention and recycling, oxygen generation, temperature cooling, nutrient cycling and habitat supply.
“It would be incredibly disappointing to compromise this open space, especially considering the rapid pace of development and lack of open space on this side of town.
“It provides a wonderful opportunity for residents to take a break, slow down and appreciate the healing qualities of nature. What is being created here provides a phenomenal opportunity for environmental education for our children.
“Over a dozen local businesses and organizations have donated in-kind services to create this preserve. Over 100 people have donated tens of thousands of dollars to make the Long Lots Preserve a reality.
“Protecting this open space will benefit the town for generations. In a world where the environment is falling apart at the seams, this is an absolute model of suburban open space environmental rehabilitation.”
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And finally … Cannonball Adderley, the famed saxophonist and bandleader, was born on this date in 1928. He died in 1975, age 46, following a stroke.
Mercy, mercy, mercy!
(“Mercy me!” I hear you say. “How can I support ‘06880’?” It’s easy! Just click here, to make a tax-deductible contribution. We thank you!)
