From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — like every Thursday from May to November — the Imperial Avenue parking lot will be filled with shoppers.
Moms with strollers, seniors with walkers, folks who work downtown — and everyone else — will find the ripest berries, freshest sourdough, sweetest honey, tastiest mushrooms and most fragrant flowers around.
(Photo/Quinn Fitts)
They’ll buy produce, meat and dog food, for home. They’ll get lunch too: pizza, Thai food, empanadas.
They’ll listen to music. They’ll learn about local non-profits. They’ll even get their knives sharpened.
A small part of the big scene. (Photo/Matt Murray)
It’s a farmer’s market on steroids (organic ones, of course). (Just kidding!)
And it’s been going for 20 years.
From humble beginnings in the Westport Country Playhouse (thank you, Paul Newman and Michel Nischan) to its much larger, but still down home and funky, version today, the Farmers’ Market is one of our town’s true gems.
It doesn’t magically appear, Brigadoon-like every Thursday. (Don’t forget the winter version, every week at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center, from November through March.)
Fatto a Mano, at the indoor Farmers’ Market.
The Westport Farmers’ Market blooms because of hard work. Executive director Lori Cochran and her small staff do a spectacular job — behind the scenes 6 days a week, then front and center on Thursday.
The volunteers and musicians deserve a huge hand too.
But of course the Farmers’ Market would be nothing without its dozens of farmers and other vendors. From their fields, kitchens, beehives and other work spaces, to the Imperial Avenue and Gilbertie’s stalls: Thank you!
You are our unsung — but much admired and important — heroes of this (and every) week.
Executive director Lori Cochran, with Fire Chief (and Farmers’ Market regular) Nick Marsan.
(“06880” is proud to honor Unsung Heroes — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog.)
Just in time for today’s Westport Farmers’ Market (Thursday, Imperial Avenue parking lot, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), there’s a fresh look and expanded offerings for their very popular “Get Growing” children’s programs.
With more young visitors than ever, the WFM has added new (and sturdy) tables and chairs, creating a welcoming space for creativity and learning.
Since starting on a blanket 7 years ago, the kids’ area has grown steadily. A Drew Friedman Foundation donation has made several upgrades — and the entire program — possible.
Get Growing’s hands-on activities keep children engaged, while helping them connect with local farmers, businesses and the greater community.
Weekly craft sessions help children understand the importance of supporting small, sustainable farms, as they explore and express their creativity.
Programming over the coming weeks includes:
Kids’ yoga
Create Grow Flow – Sound bath and Reiki
Mud & Nature Kitchen – Hands-on outdoor play
Earth place activities
Apple Blossom and Housatonic Valley Waldorf School programming.
When there is not a guest host, Mae Farrell will continue to lead creative fun, through arts and crafts projects.
Several area organizations are preparing for a large-scale mass casualty drill.
The September 16 event (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) will test the ability of local Emergency Medical Services, hospitals and volunteer organizations — including the Community Emergency Response Team, Medical Reserve Corps, American Red Cross and State Animal Rescue Team — to respond to and manage a simulated disaster scenario.
Members of the Westport Astronomical Society’s amateur radio station K1WAS will join the Connecticut Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Aspetuck and Trumbull Health Districts, and area police, fire and EMS groups in the drill.
Sherwood Island State Park will be part of the “incident command.”
The 2022 Staples High School graduate — now a senior, and a star on the Johns Hopkins University soccer team — is one of just 20 student-athletes nationwide chosen for the 2025-26 Fall Allstate NACDA Good Works Team. The honor recognizes exceptional community service.
Scotty is fundraising chair for Baltimore Scores in STEM. The program provides scholarships and mentorships to students pursuing education in science, technology, engineering or math.
Scotty — a dean’s list student majoring in neuroscience — is also a research assistant at Johns Hopkins’ Department of Pediatrics and Center for Psychedelics and Consciousness Research.
Speaking of student-athletes: TOPSoccer — the program for youngsters with physical or learning differences — returns for a fall season. It follows a successful reboot last spring.
Blake Serotta — a freshman player at Staples — leads the program, in conjunction with the Weston Soccer Club and Westport Soccer Association.
TOPSoccer is open to boys and girls in grades K-8. High schoolers are welcome as volunteers and buddies.
The program runs Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Morehouse Farm Park in Weston, from September 13 through October 25. Click here to register, and for more information. Questions? Email blake.serotta@gmail.com.
The Department of Public Works’ annual roadway crack seal program begins Friday. It will involved up to 10 miles of roads throughout town, and will last 2 weeks.
Traffic will not be detoured, but alternating 1-way flow will be used around the continually moving work zone. The roadways will be open for two-way traffic as the work crew progresses.
Crack sealing
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Singer/songwriter/2007 Staples High School graduate Drew Angus’ first single comes out tomorrow.
Drew says, “‘Patterns’ is self-reflection, an acknowledgement of bad habits and traps I’ve let myself fall into when the going gets tough and sticking through seems impossible.
“I think it’s a pretty universal feeling for a relationship in just beyond the infatuation phase. ‘Patterns’ also takes on another meaning for me: that of the completely independent artist knocked around plenty, but too stubborn to give up.
“Well, I can confirm I’ll be here making art and writing songs until the pen runs out of ink.”
The track includes drummer Fred Eltringham (Sheryl Crow) keyboardist Billy Justineau (Eric Church, Maggie Rose), and Drew on acoustic guitar, and lead and backing vocals.
For a decade, Circle of Care has hosted a 5K run/walk in Wilton. The event supports Connecticut families facing childhood cancer, with practical, emotional and financial help.
This year, the event moves to Sherwood Island State Park.
The timed 5K for runners and joggers, untimed walk for all abilities, and other activities for all ages takes place Sunday, September 28 (9 a.m.). To learn more and register, click here.
Former Westporter Douglas Moser has just published “James & Jim” — a “darkly comic thriller.”
Set in this area, and Manhattan’s “ruthless corporate towers,” it “plunges readers into the cutthroat world of management consulting in 2007 — just before the financial crash and tech revolution …. it’s a world where ambition turns deadly, success has a body count, and the rules are made to be broken.”
Moser was named artistic director of the Boston Post Road Stage Company in Fairfield and Westport at age 26. His adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” played sold out theaters for 2 years, and won the Connecticut Critics’ Circle Award. He has directed regionally and in New York, including an opera debut at Lincoln Center.
MaryEllen Hendricks is this month’s Westport Book Shop guest exhibitor.
The photos on display come from her book “Thin Places Project,” in which she captures “the spiritual dimensions of the physical world.” She uses antique lenses, toy cameras, and other old and new technologies.
A reception is set for September 20 (6 to 7:30 p.m.). All artwork is available for purchase.
And finally … congratulations to Drew Angus, on his new release “Patterns.”
He’s too young to remember, but:
(Whew! We crammed a ton o’ stuff in again today. But that’s how we roll. A Roundup of everything, every day. If you appreciate our hard work, please click here to support “06880.” Thanks!)
The new, wide Hillspoint Road sidewalk between Soundview Drive and Old Mill Beach was finished in time for the summer.
Except for one stretch, near Schlaet’s Point (the Compo jetty). Weeks later, it remains incomplete: an unlevel patch of dirt and gravel.
Several residents reached out to town officials.
The Department of Public Works is waiting for Eversource to set a push pole at the intersection of Hillspoint and Soundview, then adjust the guy wires so they are not a hazard to pedestrians.
They utility company must reset and reconfigure some wires in several places around the corner on Hillspoint.
Once that is done, the paving contractor will return.
In the meantime, a DPW crew was scheduled to add cold patch ramps today, to ease the transition on the sidewalk.
Harvest Fest is one of the best parties of the year.
Tickets are now on sale. But they go fast!
The September 13 food-and-wine event (6 p.m.) is Wakeman Town Farm’s biggest fundraiser.
There’s great seasonal fare by local farmers and chefs, wine and cocktails, live music, an auction (including private chef dinners in WTF’s Tim’s Kitchen, VIP trips, a stay at Watch Hill’s Ocean House resort and a wine wall, and a paddle raise for the new Farm on the Go program.
Speaking of farms: This Friday is the deadline for submission to the Westport Farmers’ Market’s “Young Shoots” photo contest.
So there’s one more day for photographers ages 5-18 to shoot images: this Thursday (August 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot).
The contest — with cash prizes, in 3 age groups — is a partnership between the Westport Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center. Click here for details.
What’s the competition? Here are a few of the submissions so far:
Zoe Monschein — the 2024 Greens Farms Academy valedictorian — is a physics and applied math double major at the University of California – Berkeley.
But those are not her only talents.
The other day, at the 17th annual Women’s Major Softball Championship hosted by the fabled Stratford Brakettes, Zoe — a rightfielder for the Junior Brakettes — won the batting title, with a remarkable .636 average. She was also named to the All-Tournament team.
Though Zoe does not play softball for the Cal Bears, the tournament featured a number of NCAA Division I players.
Congratulations, Zoe! (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)
Zoe Monschein
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Last weekend might have been the nicest of the summer in Westport.
Just about everyone headed to beaches, pools, or out on the Sound.
So did many non-humans — including today’s “Westport … Naturally” featured gull, enjoying a dip at Bluff Point.
And finally … on this date in 1962, Marilyn Monroe is found dead at her Los Angeles home, from a drug overdose. She was 36.
(From handicap access and sidewalks to Harvest Fest and the Farmers’ Market, “06880” is here for you: 24/7/365. If you enjoy our coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Today — and every Thursday — shoppers flood the Westport Farmers’ Market. Over 2 decades it’s earned a county-wide reputation for stocking the freshest berries, veggies, eggs, tomatoes, and anything else that can be grown locally.
Along with Mexican and Thai food, pizza, bagels, baked goods, dog treats, honey, mushrooms — and live entertainment, knife sharpening, and much more.
Plus swordfish, tuna and other seafood. It’s direct from the source. Sustainable. And — thanks to an innovative program — portions of each sale go right back to boats working the Northeast waters.
Oceans 180 by Nordic Fish complements the WFM’s mission: to provide fresh, local, healthy and seasonal food, while increasing awareness, knowledge and support for local producers focused on sustainable and healthy growing practices.
Jardar Nygaard
The creation of Jardar Nygaard — well known to area residents through his businesses, Fjord Fisheries and Nordic Fish — Oceans 180 bridges the gap between local seafood producers and farmers’ markets. (Besides Westport, they work with Fairfield and Greenwich.)
They provide the freshest seasfood directly from the source, while easing the financial uncertainty faced by every fishing vessel.
Nygaard is passionate about fishing. A native of Norway who moved with his family to Seattle at age 4 — how about those fishing chops? — he’s been in the business since he was 16. He opened his first store 2 years later, in 1990.
In his early years with Fjord Fisheries — which he ran with his family — Nygaard learned from experts, at Fulton Fish Market.
After selling Fjord in 2012 Nygaard got into oyster farming. His next venture, Nordic Fish in Fairfield, attracted many loyal Westport customers.
Seafood lovers are thrilled to see him back in town, at the Farmers’ Market. They know the quality of his products.
Oceans 180, at the Westport Farmers’ Market.
But they don’t always know the back story to his stall.
“Oceans 180” refers to the distance his fresh fish come from: no more than approximately 180 miles, from Maine to Delaware.
They may also not know that Nygaard pays producers the current market price upfront, upon delivery. That eliminates two of the most challenging parts of the fishing industry: delays and guesswork.
In addition, Oceans 180 caps their gross margins. They return any revenue above the cap directly to their producers, as bonus payouts after each market closes.
The model removes risk for producers. They are never asked to cover losses if margins fall short.
Ocean 180’s bonuses help take some of the uncertainty out of fishing.
“By prioritizing honesty and shared success, we build long-term relationships rooted in trust,” Nygaard says.
“Our producers are not just suppliers. They are partners in creating a more ethical and sustainable food system.”
Those partners supply seafood that Westporters love, like swordfish, tuna, steelhead salmon, steamers, sea scallops, black sea bass, halibut, oysters and clams.
Often, it’s just a day or two off the boat.
Fresh fish (and shellfish).
Nygaard is passionate about fishing. It has been his life, since he was a little boy in Norway.
Now he’s sharing that passion with Westport Farmers’ Market shoppers — and paying it forward, to his producers.
Marisa Longo grew up close to both sets of grandparents — geographically, and culinarily.
Even with a full-time job, her maternal grandmother cooked everything — pasta, bread, dessert — from scratch. Her maternal grandfather made wine.
Marisa’s paternal grandmother made hot lunch for everyone at Marisa’s parents’ clothing store. Every afternoon at 3, she brought espresso: hot in winter, iced in summer.
Marisa’s mother was also a great cook.
As they grew older, Marisa and her 3 sisters shared their grandparents’ and mother’s recipes. They added tweaks here and there, and tested them among themselves.
Marisa Lambert
In 2006 she — now Marisa Lambert — and her husband Thomas moved to Westport. He’s a partner in FLB Law on Riverside Avenue.
She’s an attorney too. Next month, their twins will enter Staples High School.
Food has always remained close to Marisa’s heart. She’s taken cooking classes, and is part of a cooking club that began with parents on her son’s baseball team.
Now she’s sharing her passion with a wider audience.
“Cooking Like Nonna” — a nod to the beloved Italian word for “grandma” — began a year ago. When Marisa shared it with a wider audience in January, it took off.
On Instagram and TikTok, she offers recipes with personal twists. Often rooted in her heritage — whether a slow-simmered Sunday sauce, pasta primavera or ricotta pancakes — her goal is to bring people together through food.
“Just like both my nonnas, and my mom did,” Marisa notes.
TikTok screenshot.
In addition to home cooking, she spotlights local restaurants and businesses. She has featured the “cozy comforts” of Tutti’s Ristorante and Fatto a Mano, and the fresh, healthy offerings aat Organika, among others.
“Cooking Like Nonna” has caught the eye of major brands and platforms. Appetito recently featured Marisa. Her cooking videos have been shared by Italian companies like Bono di Sicilia (the largest producer of certified EVOO in Sicily) and Mutti, a maker of tomato products since 1899.
Locatelli Cheese — even older, at 200-plus years — gave her a like.
Just as gratifying are comments from individual followers. A thank-you for Marisa’s stuffed zucchini recipe warms her heart. She knows she is following in her nonnas’ footsteps.
Marisa Lambert celebrates National Smoothie Day at Organika.
Like making a family dinner, being a content creator takes plenty of behind-the-scenes work. Marisa constantly tests, adjusts and modernizes her recipes.
The other day it was a microwavable asparagus dish, with Parmesan cheese and olive oil. “Old school recipes, with a modern twist,” she says.
Since going online, Marisa has discovered a “large and friendly community” of creators and foodies.
She also learned new skills — including video editing.
Marisa’s goal is to expand — first throughout Fairfield County and Connecticut, then around the tri-state region.
She’d like too to start an international segment. One friend from the Republic of Georgia, and another from Hungary, are inspiring her to add new dishes.
In the works: a 2-video series on the Westport Farmers’ Market. The first will focus on what’s available there; the second, on what she makes with those ingredients.
Though she now has an international audience — with some of her most avid followers living in Italy — Cooking Like Nonna remains a family affair.
Marisa began by sharing recipes with her sisters. She still does.
Her son and daughter help film her segments.
And of course, whenever she tweaks a recipe, cooks a meal or uplodads a new reel, Marisa thinks of her nonnas.
Yesterday, the Imperial Avenue parking lot was packed — as usual.
And — as they do every Thursday — the WFM put out a “Grow a Row” cooler.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
Grow-A-Row is a volunteer effort to grow and donate fresh produce.
Since 2020 members have planted, tended, harvested and collected nutritious donations of fresh fruits vegetables and herbs to benefit food-insecure people and families throughout Fairfield County.
So: Buy a little extra. Walk a few steps, and drop donations in the collection area at the center of the market.
Every week, let’s all help Grow-a-Row grow.
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Also yesterday: VFW Post 399’s monthly Veterans Benefits Luncheon.
The free event is open to all veterans. It’s part of the VFW’s effort to check in on their welfare, and connect them with the benefits and support they earned.
Representatives answer questions, and provide information on services and assistance available to veterans.
Yesterday’s veterans’ lunch, at the VFW. (Photo/Sal Liccione)
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A reader writes: “Last Thursday (July 10), around 2:55 p.m. I was walking my dog north on the southbound side of Compo Road South.
“I looked carefully at Baker Avenue. A car on Baker had its right turn signal on. The driver swiveled his head, and appeared to see me. Seeing several cars and cyclists heading south, I got ready to cross.
“The car slowly crept forward; then the driver accelerated into me. He must have been trying to pull out into the line of cars/
“I was hit, but my dog was okay. The driver rolled down his window and said, ‘I didn’t see you.’
“He slowly turned onto South Compo as though he would pull over, but took off. I am fairly certain I left a dent in the hood on the driver’s side.
“The car was a mid-range blue SUV (Toyota, Honda, etc.), with a faded American flag sticker. It had Connecticut plates. The driver was a male with white hair and blue eyes. An elderly woman was in the passenger seat.
“A woman and her adult son were in a pickup truck behind the offending vehicle. They got out to sit with me while I calmed down. I’ve forgotten their names, but I would love to reconnect with them. The woman said she lived by Longshore.
“I filed a police report and went to urgent care. If you have any information about the incident, please notify Officer Carr of the Westport Police Department.”
And finally … Connie Francis — the most popular female singer in the US between 1958 and the British Invasion — died Wednesday. She was 87. Click here for a full obituary.
PS: Westport connection: Former resident Neil Sedaka co-wrote her hits “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are.”
For years, a Westport Christmas Eve highlight has been José Feliciano singing at the Assumption Church service.
The Weston resident, Grammy-winning, multi-platinum international recording star — whose “Feliz Navidad” battles Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” for most beloved holiday tune — is a longtime Assumption parishioner.
Now — on the “eve” of the church’s 150th anniversary next year — he’s helping raise $1.3 million, to preserve and enhance the historic building.
A good chunk of those funds could be raised August 15. That evening, he hosts “Feliciano & Friends,” at the Westport Country Playhouse.
Besides an incomparable concert, the event includes an auction, with an autographed guitar crafted by Cuban luthier Miguel Compañy. It’s been part of Feliciano’s collection since 1969. Bidding starts at $5,000. Click here to participate.
General admission tickets includes concert seating and access to the raffle, auction and merchandise in the lobby..
VIP admission includes premium concert seating, and a post-show event with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse, plus a meet-and-greet with Feliciano and his Friends.
Speaking of entertainment: Sway Wild was last ight’s featured artist, at the Levitt Pavilion.
Susan Garment captured the evening — and the entire summer concert series — perfectly:
(Photo/Susan Garment)
Upcoming shows include Hopalong Andrew (Children’s Series; tomorrow, Tuesday, 7 p.m., free); I’m with Her, with Ken Pomeroy (Wednesday, July 16, 7 p.m.; ticketed); Nellie McKay Trio (Thursday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.; free), and Pete Muller & the Kindred Souls (Friday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.; free).
Speaking of photography: The Westport Farmers’ Market Young Shoots photo contest is cooking along.
Photgraphers ages 5-18 can take shots every Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Imperial Avenuue parking lot. The deadline is August 8.
Local artists will judge the entries, by age group. There’s a show on August 20 at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center. Winners receive cash prizes.
Here’s one of the entries. It’s from Parker Toohey, in the 15-18-year-old division.
Parker sets a high standard. Fruits, vegetables, faces, action — let’s see what you’ve got!
Click here for details. The contest is a partnership between the Westport Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.
And finally … in honor of Westport mailboxes, and all they endure (story above):
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The Westport Farmers’ Market Young Shoots photo contest has begun.
Photgraphers ages 5-18 can take shots every Thursday (like today!), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Imperial Avenuue parking lot. The deadline is August 8.
Local artists will judge the entries, by age group. There’s a show on August 20 at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center. Winners receive cash prizes.
Here’s one of the first entries. It’s from Fielden Brelsford, in the 5-9-year-old category.
Fielden sets a high standard. Let’s see what you’ve got!
Staples High School athletic director VJ Sarullo has named Liam Witham as the 5th permanent head coach in Staples boys soccer 67-year history.
He succeeds Russell Oost-Lievense, whose contract was not renewed by superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice.
The London native played competitively for 15 years before transitioning to coaching, while pursuing his degree in sports fitness and coaching. He holds multiple respected soccer coaching certifications.
Following his playing career, he coached at the premier club FC Westchester and the University of Mount Saint Vincent. He also founded a private training organization.
Sarullo says, “Staples High School is proud to welcome Coach Witham to the Wrecker family. Throughout the interview process, Coach Witham distinguished himself with his genuine passion for working with student-athletes, his commitment to their growth both on and off the field and his clear vision for the future of our program. His leadership will build both immediate progress and sustained success. I look forward to working with Coach Witham in the years ahead.”
Liam Witham
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There was a lot going on at Compo Beach yesterday.
Visitors might be forgiven if they didn’t notice how nice the entrance looked.
But it didn’t just happen. Westport Garden Club volunteers were hard at work, making sure that fireworks-goers — and everyone who follows this holiday weekend — is greeted grandly.
Yesterday’s power outage at Post Road East and Myrtle Avenue seemed to come out of the blue.
But there was a good reason for it. A retired former Connecticut Light & Power director explains: “A little wind — actually just over 40 mph — but the real culprit is the very tall trees growing above the 3-phase primary.
“The company has been trimming its circuits on 4-year cycles for many decades, and patrolling all backbone primary circuits each of the 3 interim years between major cycle trims, looking for signs of trouble in any of the trees growing above the circuits.
“But in most parts of the country the utility trims all branches that are above these circuits, so there is nothing but blue sky above when standing beneath the circuits and looking up.
“Unfortunately, Westport historically denied trimming to that extent. So when a strong wind takes an overhanging tree limb, or sometimes an entire tree is uprooted, you get a major outage as occurred there Friday — keeping 597 customers out of power for hours.
“This brings back memories of major storm-related outages in town: Isaias (early August, 2020 when 97% of customers lost power, some for nearly 2 weeks!), Super Storm Sandy (October 2012), Snowtober Storm (Halloween 2011), Storm Irene (August 2011), March nor’easter (March 2010), Winter Double Nor’easter (mid-January 2006), “Perfect Storm” (late fall 1991), Hurricane Bob (August 1991), Hurricane Gloria (October 1985) … all had strong winds and with its tree cover, Westport was usually one of the worst towns in the state as measured by percentage of customers out of power at the peak of the storm.”
Eversource crews working on the outage (with tree cover above). (Photo/Mark Mathias)
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Speaking of the environment: We’re #1!
At least. Westport and Weston are in terms of electric vehicle ownership.
CT Mirror reports today that while just 2.7% of all vehicles in the state are electric, the figures are 10.4% and 10.1% respectively, for our 2 towns.
Every Thursday, the Imperial Avenue parking lot teems with vendors offering fresh ways to prepare fresh food (and not just produce — there’s meat, baked goods and more). Musicians perform. It’s fun, funky and alive.
There’s a lot to do, and see. It’s a photographer’s paradise too.
Which is why, for nearly a decade, the WFM has run Young Shoots: a digital photography competition for students ages 5-18.
Local artists will judge the entries, by age group. There’s a show on August 20 at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center. Winners will be announced (and receive cash prizes).
New this year: Every week, a new photo will be featured on “06880” (and displayed at the Imperial Avenue market).
Take it from Miggs Burroughs, noted local artist and Young Shoots co-chair: “Not only does this contest give young talent an opportunity to shine like ripe tomatoes, but it nourishes the community with a feast of photographic goodness!”
Click here for details. The deadline is August 8. The contest is a partnership between the Westport Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.
There were honors galore, at the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s 101st annual meeting this week. They include:
Lee J. Edelstein Volunteer of the Year: Kristin McKinney
Allen Raymond Legacy & Impact Award: Rosemary Halstead
Edward T. Bedford Outstanding Youth Award, Dani Schwartz, Grant Slippen
Star Employee Recognition Awards:
Paul I. Becker Employee of the Year: Patrick Freeman
Above & Beyond: Victoria Walters
Commitment to Mission: Brian Ference
Relationship Champion: Alison Ligi
Rookie of the Year: Miles Grinnell
The event concluded with US Paralympic athlete Matthew Torres’ surprise appearance to present competitive swimming director Ellen Johnston with the Order of Ikkos. The prestigious honor is awarded by Olympic and Paralympic medalists to the coach or mentor who most influenced their success.
Ellen Johnston receives her Order of Ikkos from Matthew Torres. (Photo/Emily MacDaniel)
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Congratulations to Michael Ances!
The Staples High School graduate — and longtime Monroe Public Schools music teacher — is the district’s Teacher of the Year.
Ances — now serving as Masuk High band director — has taught in nearly every school in Monroe.
He goot his start as a 5th grade trumpet player, under the tutelage of Nick Mariconda at Saugatuck Elementary School.
Ances — who also serves as musical director and pit band conductor of the annual high school musical, and the district’s performing arts coordinator — has never forgotten his Westport roots.
In a long story in the Monroe Sun, Ances recalls playing at Radio City Music Hall with the Staples band.
And when Mariconda — who went on to lead the SHS band — retired, Ances and fellow trumpeters Andrew Wilmott and Jon Owens celebrated him with “Bugler’s Holiday, at the annual Westport Pops Concert.
One character tells another that there is a hierarchy of humanity: “#1 Lesbians; #2 Gay Men.”
Then he says: “Imagine a world without us. Clothing, interior design, hair, makeup, choreography, art, theatre, food, topiary. Basically, you’d be left with the gray, ugly world of Eastern Europe during the Cold War or, worse, the soul-searching blandness of, say, greater Westport, Connecticut.”
Despite — or perhaps because of — lines like that, it’s got a 4.6 rating on Amazon. (Hat tip: Amy Schneider)
Barn swallows fly quickly, in and out of the parking garage at the Riverside Avenue medical office complex. Every year, they nest above the lights.
Johanna Keyser Rossi caught one of the birds, in a rare still moment, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)
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And finally … Lou Christie died Wednesday, at his Pittsburgh home. The falsetto singer was 82.
Best known for his #1 song “Lightnin’ Strikes,” he had several other hits. His follow-up to “Lightin'” — “Rhapsody in the Rain” — was banned by many stations, due to its explicit lyrics about “making love in a storm.” (“And in this car, our love went much too far …”) You get the idea.
(It’s a hot weekend in Westport. But whatever the weather, “06880” is here — 24/7/365. If you appreciate our hyper-local coverage of our town, please click here to support our work. Thanks!
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