Tag Archives: The Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club

Roundup: Budgets, Boathouse, Big Air …

Posted on February 18, 2026 | 3 comments

It’s budget time.

But before the Board of Finance discusses and votes to spend hundreds of millions of dollars, they want to hear from you.

Questions? Concerns? Just want to chat with a member?

Board of Finance “office hours” are this Thursday (February 19), in the Westport Library’s Room 213. Two sessions — 10 to 11 a.m., and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. — ensure that just about any resident who wants to be heard, will be.

On March 4, the 1st selectman and Board of Education will informally present their budgets. On March 9 (BOE) and 10 (town), the BOF will conduct formal hearings.

Click here for the full Board of Education budget. 

Click here for the full 1st selectman’s town budget.

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The Boathouse is one of Westport’s most interesting restaurants.

It’s got a great seafood-and-more menu. The vibe is classy, but relaxed. The view of the Saugatuck River — especially from tables on the outdoor deck — can’t be beat.

The one downside: The only way to the 2nd-floor dining area is through the Saugatuck Rowing Club entrance, past the locker rooms and fitness center.

People finishing their workouts mingle with those about to dine.

That may soon be solved. On Monday (February 23, 6 p.m., Zoom), the Rowing Club will ask the Planning & Zoning Commission for a permit, to build a separate entrance. It would be located on the parking lot side.

The Boathouse restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the Saugatuck Rowing Club.

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Some — okay, many — Westporters are spending the schools’ winter break on ski slopes or beaches.

Fun. But also a bit, well, ordinary.

Rob Simmelkjaer and his daughters run with a different crowd.

They’re in Kaptagat, Kenya. Eliud Kipchoge — the greatest marathoner of all time — runs (ho ho) the Global Sports Camp there. Over 25 world class distance runners are training there now.

They were joined by Rob, Julia (a Staples High School junior) and Annika (a Coleytown Middle School 7th grader). 

It was a business trip (of sorts) for Rob. The CEO of New York Road Runners, he told brought his team along.

He did not specify to “06880” whether that was his management team, or racing team.

This being the Road Runners, perhaps they’re the same.

Eliud Kipchoge, with Annika and Julia Simmelkjaer.

Rob Simmelkjaer, in Kenya.

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Speaking of sports: Congratulations to Mac Forehand!

The US Olympic team freestyle skier Mac Forehand —  a Southport native, and son of Staples High School 1976 graduate Ray Forehand — earned a silver medal in Livigno, Italy yesterday.

He lost by just .25 of a second in the men’s freeski big air, to Norwegian Tormod Frostad.

NBC Sports reports: “Forehand nailed a pair of triple cork 2160s — one switch (95.00) and one regular with nose butter (98.25) — for 193.25 points and briefly jumped into 1st place, one point clear of Frostad with only the Norwegian left to drop. But Frostad answered in the clutch, retaking the lead, and the gold.

“‘I knew I had to one-up one of the tricks and I deliberated with my coaches for like five minutes at the top about what I should do,’ Forehand said. ‘The level of tricks I’ve been doing tonight were insane. … The top five guys all landed insane tricks that would win any other contest day.’

“While Forehand’s tricks featured more rotation, Frostad’s edge came in his technicality: nose-butter takeoffs, high-difficulty grabs and unique, sideway rotations that force blind landings — the kind of details judges heavily reward.”

Click here for the full story. Click here for the video. (Hat tips: Dan Donovan and Elaine Marino) 

Screenshot from NBC Sports.

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Most Westporters love most things about Trader Joe’s.

It is definitely a different experience than Stop & Shop, Big Y and Whole Foods.

And it’s an experience that shoppers at Trader Joe’ses around the country can relate to.

Comedian Nate Meeker sure can. Click here or below for his take.

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Anne Bernier took this otherworldly-looking photo on Monday:

Where was it? Antarctica? Greenland?

Nope.

Compo Beach.

The massive block of snow — over 6 feet, she guesses — in a bizarre shape was balanced on one ice sliver.

Here’s a more recognizable view:

(Photos/Anne Bernier)

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Mushrooms are on the menu next month.

Wakeman Town Farms hosts a cooking class (March 10, 7 p.m.; $125; BYOB), centered on the fungi.

Chef Genee Habansky of Herbaceous Catering will showcase varieties like blue oysters, hen of the woods, shiitakes and lions mane, while preparing (and tasting) dishes such as mushroom parmigiana, fricassee, mushroom “crab cakes” and crispy chicken-fried mushrooms.

Attendees will learn techniques, flavor pairing, and how to make mushrooms the star of the plate. Click here for details, and to register.

Edible? (Photo/Peter Gold)

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The Levitt Pavilion just added another ticketed event.

Eggy — the Connecticut-based jam band — returns to the outdoor stage July 11.

Their Levitt Pavilion roots run deep. Eggy first performed in 2016, as part of the Blues, Views & BBQ Festival. They returned in 2019, and played to a full house 2 years later.

In 2022 Eggy was part of the sold-out Twiddle Festival. This year marks their first headline appearance.

But wait! There’s more! $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to Backline Care. The non-profit offer mental health and wellness resources for music industry professionals and their families.

Tickets go on sale Friday (February 20, 10 a.m.). Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Eggy

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Longtime Westport resident, softball star and youth coach Michael Calise died February 9, surrounded by his family, in Gilbert, Arizona, where he had retired. He was 87.

A proud US Marine, he served as a tank crewman and rifle range coach. After his discharge he worked as an electrician for Tarala in Norwalk.

He dedicated many hours to mentoring young athletes. He coached St. Luke’s CYO basketball; the Westport Little League Jaguars, leading them to 3 town championships, and the Westport Babe Ruth League Schaefer’s Sporting Goods team, guiding them to 2 titles. He was twice named Babe Ruth League head All-Star coach.

Mike also enjoyed a distinguished softball career. He was inducted into the Connecticut ASA Hall of Fame, and recognized by the Sportsmen of Westport. A Senior Softball world champion and Connecticut ASA state champion in 1962, he earned multiple batting titles and MVP honors as a player.

He spent much of his career with Sonny’s softball team, contributing to a remarkable 120–10 season. He also played with Chatham Oaks and Laurels AC, and competed in several world tournaments.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Carol Valiante Calise; children Michael Calise, Debbie Wohlforth, Dominick Calise and Grace Hodges; grandchildren Michael Calise (Samantha), Heather Hohimer (Stephen), Christy Leon (Matt), Christopher Wohlforth (Christina), Erika Calise, Caitlin Hodges (Zach), Anthony Calise and Nicholas Hodges; great-grandchildren Cameron, Austin, Madison, Troy, Wyatt, Dylan, Harper and Blake; great-great-grandchild Makayla, and sister Katherine Calise.

He was predeceased by his brother Douglas Winton, and son-in-law Bruce Hodges, who shared a special bond with him.

A funeral Mass is set for All Saints Catholic Church in Mesa, Arizona, on February 27, 2026 (10 a.m.).

Michael Calise

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With temperatures in the 40s — and rain ahead — the Saugatuck River won’t be frozen too much longer.

But it was on Monday. And Rowene Weems snapped this shadowy shot, for our “Westport … Naturally” daily feature.

(Photo/Rowene Weems)

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And finally … in honor of the Simmelkjaers’ trip to Kenya, and the great Eliud Kipchoge, of course we give you:

(There’s only one Bruce Springsteen. There’s only one “06880” too. Since he’s got plenty of money, but we rely on reader support, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

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Posted in Beach, Restaurants, Sports, Staples HS, Weather

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Ssaugatuck Rowing Club Pulls Together In Pandemic

Posted on May 29, 2020 | Comments Off on Ssaugatuck Rowing Club Pulls Together In Pandemic

The boats are out of the water. The Boathouse restaurant has served only curbside and takeout meals. Yet despite the pandemic, the Saugatuck Rowing Club has been almost as busy as ever.

In true rise-to-the-challenge fashion, as soon as management realized closure was imminent, they reacted. They created website with a video library and daily livestream and Zoom classes.

Members had a choice: continue paying dues (if possible) for access to the “virtual club” site, or freezing their membership. Paying dues would allow the club to continue paying staff. Over 50 employees are being paid during the shudown, thanks to many members and owner Howard Winklevoss.

Saugatuck Rowing Club (Drone photo/Ward French)

US Rowing cancelled all regattas through June, which devastated dozens of young rowers. Parents had paid all racing fees in advance. But instead of requesting refunds, they donated the entire sum — $12,000 — to Feed the Frontline, a program that supports healthcare and other essential employees, while providing work to area restaurants.

Of course, like many restaurants The Boathouse at Saugatuck Rowing Club was  itself struggling. After reading an “06880” story about meal trains — SRC’s Diana Kuen had an idea: give food directly to Norwalk Hospital.

She sent an email to club members. In 3 days she raised over $8,500 — enabling The Boathouse to prepare 160 meals a week for the hospital.

Delivering Boathouse meals to Norwalk Hospital.

Kuen thanks the Saugatuck Rowing Club’s generous members — and the greater Westport community — for their contributions of over $20,000 to help feed healthcare workers, and keep local restaurants (including their own) afloat.

As for rowing itself: That’s continuing too (virtually). The 5-straight national champion junior girls and other teams are training on their own at home. Many have their own indoor machines. For those who do not, the club lent 65 ergometer rowing machines, and 12 erg bikes.

Ahead: next month’s online national event.

Meanwhile, with Connecticut restaurants reopening, The Boathouse offers outdoor dining. The view is great.

And — because privately owned boats are allowed on the water — you’ll see the welcome sight of rowers gracefully (and powerfully) plying the river once again.

The Saugatuck Rowing Club has weathered the pandemic. As always, everyone there is a winner.

(For a free 3-day pass to the Saugatuck Rowing Club’s online workout library and livestreams, click here. Questions? Email dkuen@saugatuckrowing.com)

A welcome sight. (Photo/Diana Kuen)

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Posted in Environment, Organizations, Restaurants, Saugatuck, Sports

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Restaurants Take Drastic Steps; Savvy + Grace Closes Temporarily

Posted on March 15, 2020 | 20 comments

First it was schools. Then the library, Town Hall and Y. Last night, it was the beaches and Compo playground.

Now, COVID-19 is rippling through our restaurants.

Yesterday, Bill Taibe closed his 3 restaurants — The Whelk, Kawa Ni and Jesup Hall — for in-house dining.

Takeout meals are available through curbside pick-up. If you can’t leave the house — or don’t want to — they’ll deliver. It may take some time how to do it, Taube says, “but we’ll figure it out. Everybody’s got to eat!

“We feel this is necessary in order to do our part to help stop the spread of this virus,” says the owner of 3 of Westport’s most popular dining spots.

“If there’s ever a time to tip, this is it,” he adds.

For the time being, the doors to The Whelk will be closed. (Photo courtesy of Our Town Crier)

While not closing, other restaurants are taking their own measures during the pandemic.

Pearl at Longshore — which recently hired a new chef, reworked the menu and remodeled the interior — has removed some tables, creating more distance between diners. They offer 10% off on takeout orders, and will bring it outside for pickup.

Pearl at Longshore has made changes….

In addition to also removing tables, offering curbside pick-up and delivery (within 3 miles), Rizzuto’s has removed items like flowers and salt and pepper shakers from all tables. They’re printing menus on lightweight paper for single use. too.

… and so has Rizzuto’s …

The Boathouse has added curbside pick-up, and will soon offer delivery.

… and the Boathouse, at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.

They — and every other restaurant in town — have strengthened existing health policies, and implemented new ones, such as washing hands upon arrival at work; before and after serving or removing food and beverages; before resetting tables, and after every customer interaction, including credit card processing. They’ve also expanded and enhanced their cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

Restaurants also encourage patrons to buy gift cards. They provide much-needed cash now — particularly for small, great places like Jeera Thai — and can be used whenever you feel comfortable going inside.

PS: It’s not just restaurants. Customers can call Calise’s Market (203-227-3257). They’ll put together hot foods, soups, sandwiches, cold cuts, homemade pizzas, drinks, snacks, milk, water, bread, eggs, butter, dry goods — whatever you want  — all for curbside service or delivery.

Sandra Calise-Cenatiempo reports they just stocked up on pasta, sauces and many canned goods. Tomorrow (Monday) they’ll start making dishes that can be frozen.

If you own a restaurant — or store — and would like “06880” readers to know what you’re doing, click “Comments” below.

But restaurants are not the only small businesses reeling from COVID-19.

Savvy + Grace — the great, locally own downtown unique gifts-and-more store — will close for a while. But only the doors.

Owner Annette Norton — Main Street’s biggest booster — says:

As a small business owner I have been grappling with how to handle this.

I am responsible for the rent, vendor bills, expenses, yet with all of the information I am collection, it pales in comparison with our community’s health. Therefore, I have decided to close until further notice.

I will be inside, alone, processing all of our new merchandise for spring. Which, by the way, allows me to offer curbside delivery and call-ins, or direct message me on Instagram for shipping: @savvyandgracewestport. You can also call the store: 203-221-0077.

My store has always been, and always will be, about putting my customers first. This too shall pass.

I just want to do what is responsible, given the information available. It has been my pleasure to serve this community, and I am committed to seeing this through.

See you soon. Stay healthy!

Savvy + Grace, a jewel on Main Street. (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

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Posted in Downtown, Local business, People, Restaurants, Saugatuck

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CT Bites

Posted on May 21, 2010 | 5 comments

CT bites.

No, it’s not a teenager’s lament on the lame life in the Land of Steady Habits.

CTBites.com is a blog — a clever, wide-ranging, sometimes-irreverent-but-always-interesting look at food in Fairfield County.

That’s food in all its forms.

There are pages on:

  • Eating In (recipes, cooking classes)
  • Eating Out (restaurants, food festivals and farm events, wine tastings, chef comings and goings)
  • Ingredients (ice cream names, green tips to reduce your carbon footprint)
  • Kids Bites (teaching children to cook; family-friendly joints)
  • Gadgets (onion goggles, coffee makers)
  • Food Talk (forums on the best pizza place, best bartenders, and everything in between)

CTBites is the brainchild of Stephanie Webster.  A New Yorker-turned-Seattleite, she’s lived in Westport for not quite 2 years.  But she’s already nailed our food scene.

She launched her blog last July, after realizing that — unless New York and Seattle — Fairfield County foodies did not frequent Yelp.

Or any other restaurant review blog.

In just 10 months, CTBites has grown “exponentially,” Stephanie says.  She’s added food-loving, good-writing friends as contributors.  They attract about 7,000 unique visitors a month — and it’s almost all by word of mouth.

Now, Stephanie says, she’s ready to turn her attention to really marketing — and monetizing — her blog.

The restaurant reviews are the initial draw for readers, and the most popular pages.  “We’re not the standard Patricia Brooks/New York Times reviews,” Stephanie notes.  “We get down to the nitty gritty.”

Readers like the blog’s community feel.  CT Bites has sponsored monthly prix fixe lunches, where contributors and foodies meet and mingle.

CTBites.com sponsored a prix fixe lunch at The Dressing Room.

So how is the food scene in Fairfield County?

“Considerably better than I thought,” Stephanie answers quickly.  “I like the hidden gems.  Places like Le Farm are excellent, but I also like places like Bereket.  It’s a Turkish restaurant behind a gas station in Bridgeport, and it looks like a complete dive.  But it’s just like being in Istanbul.

“This isn’t Manhattan, where you’ve got a great place every 2 blocks.  But there are plenty of good places around.”

Stephanie finds the the farm-to-table movement “exciting.”  She’s also excited by the recent move of John Holzwarth, former executive chef at The Dressing Room, to The Boathouse at the Saugatuck Rowing Club.

“People love that there’s something out there — a window on Fairfield County,” Stephanie says of her site.

“And it goes both ways.  Farmers and chefs like being part of the dialogue too.”

Stephanie Webster is happy to give them — and everyone else in Fairfield County who eats — something to chew on.

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Posted in People, Restaurants

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