Devices have been placed at various points downtown.
Results will be posted, when available.
Meanwhile, here’s an early finding: There’s a lot of traffic these days.
Traffic survey device at Post Road East and Myrtle Avenue. (Photo/Sal Liccione)
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Tragedy was averted at 8:30 p.m. Friday night. A northbound SUV driver on Newtown Turnpike went into the woods. The vehicle caught fire, but he was pulled out by a neighbor.
A nearby resident notes that young children live in the area. “The road is very dangerous, because drivers who use it as a cut-through speed by.”
The Fire and Police Departments, and EMTs, were on the scene. Eversource responded quickly, and replaced the downed power line.
LymanAID — the huge party thanking Westporters for their support of our sister city in Ukraine — has a booth at the Yankee Doodle Fair.
Stop by today and tomorrow to learn about the big event. It’s Sunday, July 9, 1 p.m. until dusk, at the Ukrainian-American Club, Post Road in Southport next to northbound I-95 Exit 19 entrance ramp.
There’s music, food, drinks, and much more. And it’s free — though there will be opportunities to help support Lyman through raffles, a treasure sale, Yankee auction, coffee table book pull, plant sale, “LymanADE” stand and more.
VIP tickets are available too. Click here to register, and for more details.
Katya Wauchope, at the LymanAID booth at the Yankee Doodle Fair.
Davide — the new Church Lane pop-up — is a year-old brand. Its first retail outlet features its second collection ever.
Davide (pronounced dah-vee-day) is the brainchild of Joseph Davide Tacopina. A Westport native (and son of one of President Trump’s attorneys), he attended Cheshire Academy and met students from around the world.
Inspired by his father’s ownership of several Italian soccer clubs, Tacopina’s collection blends “athletic culture” with pieces inspired by Marlon Brando and Lake Como. There is plenty of loose-flowing linen and silk.
The 24-year-old designer is self-taught. He chose Westport as the site of his first pop-up because it’s his home. He hopes to take it global.
Real Estate University — the school for aspiring (and current) real estate professionals, founded in 2005 by Karena Piedmont — has moved from Norwalk to Saugatuck.
The move felt right. She’s already trained scores of Westport realtors over the years. Classes are both in-person and via Zoom.
The address is “Saugatuck Lofts, 101 Franklin Street” — the exposed brick, co-working space in a former grain facility at the Westport Metro-North station, as you take a right at the end of Railroad Place. It’s literally “steps from the train,” for students who travel that way.
“There’s so much synergy here,” Piedmont says. “I share space with real estate attorneys and other professionals. I love being part of a community of like-minded, hard-working small business owners. I wish I moved here years ago.”
“And I love hearing and seeing the trains pass.”
There’s one more bonus: She’s also just a few steps away from “The Benjamin“: the Airbnb she owns at 35 Franklin Avenue.
Saugatuck Lofts
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Also new: the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s director of gymnastics.
Former USA national team gymnast Bryon Knox brings over 40 years of competition. coaching and program development to his new role.
Most recently, he was head gymnastics coach at Southern Connecticut State University. Before that, he led the University of Bridgeport to 6 straight NCAA Division II national championships.
Byron coached 70 USA Gymnastics/All-Americans, and 150 scholar-athletes. He is a former USA women’s national team coach.
He has been with the Y part-time since October, coaching the competitive girls team and instructing coaches. Click here for more information on the Y’s gymnastics program.
Rob Docters’ new book — “Ethics and Hidden Greed: Your Defense Against Unethical Strategies and Violations of Trust” — answers questions like, “How do we protect ourselves and our business interests from the unethical behaviors of others? Why doesn’t intuition serve as the best guide for detecting unethical strategies?”
The 1975 Staples High School graduate hopes to make people more aware of (and armed against) scams, as well as choosing more ethical choices themselves. (A strong animal rights activist, he covers the brutality of boiling lobsters alive).
Charles McGillion-Moore of Westport helped Norwalk’s Maritime Rowing Club to a national championship in the Men’s Under-15 Coxed Quad, at least weekend’s 28th USRowing Youth National Championship in Sarasota, Florida.
Other top finishes by Westport and Weston rowers include Men’s Youth U-16 Coxed Quad, 4th place (Adam Turner and Matthew Lupinacci); Women’s Youth U-17 Quad, 6th place (Mina Leon); Men’s Youth U-17 Quad, 7th place (Jack Cushman); Women’s Youth U-15 Coxed Quad, 8th place (Syke Coats); Men’s Youth U-16 Coxed Quad, 12th place (Fox Parker), and Men’s Youth U-16 Eight, 18th place (Simon Meyers).
The regatta marked the final high school event for Maritime’s seniors, including Dan Kleeger and Lilly Murphy of Westport, and Justin Sun of Weston.
And finally … on this day in 1994, Los Angeles police chased OJ Simpson’s Ford Bronco for an hour and half. He finally gave up, and was arrested for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog — and a non-profit. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
The Yankee Doodle Fair — the way we know that’s true — is almost all set up.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
The annual fundraiser for (and at) the Westport Woman’s Club on Imperial Avenue opens Thursday, at 6 p.m. It continues Friday night, and throughout the weekend.
Neil Gaiman, author of “American Gods,” “Coraline” and “The Sandman,” is coming to Westport.
He’s the keynote speaker at StoryFest 2023. The 6th edition of StoryFest, the Westport Library’s annual celebration of reading, writing, ideas and community, will be held October 20-22.
Gaiman headlines opening night. The weekend includes panel discussions and other events, with authors Angie Kim, Gabino Iglesias, Stephen Graham Jones, Caroline Kepnes, Eric LaRocca, Josh Malerman and more.
Free registration for the keynote address begins June 20. The complete lineup and schedule for StoryFest 2023 will be announced this summer.
The largest literary festival in Connecticut and one of the biggest in New England, StoryFest drew more than 800 participants and 40 authors to the Library last year,
This year’s StoryFest keynote doubles as the Fall 2023 Malloy Lecture in the Arts,. The spring edition featured artist and former Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler.
The Malloy Lecture in the Arts, delivered free to the public since 2002 thanks to the generosity of Westport artist Susan Malloy, highlight individuals who have had significant cultural influence and whose work has enhanced the understanding and appreciation of the arts.
Neil Gaiman
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The Saugatuck Rowing Club Junior Rowing program showed well last Sunday, at the USRowing Youth Nationals in Sarasota, Florida.
The largest Youth Nationals ever drew over 4,000 athletes from 225 clubs and schools. Saugatuck Rowing Club sent 12 boats.
The women’s U17 4+ A boat, including Clementine Kirt, Carolina Proctor and Alice Frascella of Wesptort, and Hannah Makmale of Weston), helped SRC defend its championships for the third year in a row.
In a thrilling finish, the Saugatuck 4+ B boat including Rylie Cordella and Olivia Saw of Westport, and Anne Studnicky of Weston, took silver, giving the club the top 2 spots.
Earning bronze: the men’s U17 4+ boat, with Westley Dick and Tommy Wright of Westport, and Daniel Lee and Davis Evans of Weston), along with the men’s U16 8+ boat, with Westporters Elena Nasar, Daniel Arava, Jack Mello, Liam Wiegand and Alex Proctor (Westport).
Saugatuck Rowing Club’s U-17 4+A boat national champions (from left): Coach Cody Silvester, Alice Frascella, Carolina Proctor, Madeline Casano, Clementine Kirt, Hannah Makmale.
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Congratulations too to Derek Amlicke.
The Staples High School pole vaulter won the New England championship, clearing 14′ 3″ in Bangor, Maine.
Earlier this year, he set a new Staples record: 15′ 2″.
On July 2, State Representative Dominique Johnson will fiddle while while Westport celebrates.
The legislator — whose 143rd district includes part of our town — brings her bluegrass instrument to First Folk Sunday (VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, 12:30 p.m.).
Johnson began playing violin at 2 years old in a Suzuki program. She discovered bluegrass through her grandfather’s family in Kentucky.
First Folk Sunday is a popular new folk series featuring Suzanne Sheridan (vocals and guitar), Bob Cooper (keyboards). and guest artists.
There is a $10 music charge. Brunch, plus a make-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar and Mimosas are extra.
Last week, members of the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force and the student-led Staples High School Sexual Assault Awareness and Self Defense Club attended a private female self-defense training session at Fit Club Jiu-Jitsu in Fairfield.
The group practiced defensive tactics and learned practical skills, including situational awareness and how to avid potentially risky situations.
Instruction came from Fit Club owner/coach Joe Oppedisano, Staff Corporal Michael Ruttenber (Westport Police Department) Rob Curcio (Weston Police Department) and Detective Beth Leetch (Fairfield Police).
Trainers and trainees.
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Westport Sunrise Rotary and Westport Country Playhouse Staff teamed up to help visitors at the SCP’s recent open house have fun playing”Toss the
Duck into the Bucket.”
It was a great promotion for Sunrise Rotary’s Great Duck Race (June 24, Jesup Green). Click here for details.
Promoting the Great Duck Race, at the Playhouse. From left: Mike Hibbard (duck), Giovanni Orozlo, Joe Watson, Chris Conte, Erin Reynolds. (Photo/Ashley Sweet)
Cedar waxwings are today’s “Westport .. Naturally” feature.
They’re also, as Westport Community Gardens director/photographer extraordinaire Lou Weinberg explains, “the bandits of the bird world. With their black masks and paintbrush tails, these beauties travel in flocks and love the serviceberry tree.”
He adds: “If you love birds, plant serviceberry and other native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. Nature wins!”
Okay, now we know summer is just around the corner.
The Westport Woman’s Club has announced the dates for the Yankee Doodle Fair.
The decades-in-fact-almost-a-century-old tradition returns Fathers Day weekend. From Thursday, June 15 through Sunday, June 18, the grounds and parking lot on Imperial Avenue will transform from a staid club into a carnival, for “kids” of all ages.
Profits support charities throughout Fairfield County, need-based scholarships to Staples High School students, and the Woman’s Club food closet.
Among the rides: a carousel, Flying Dumbo, Dizzy Dragon, Frog Hopper, Scrambler, Cliff Hanger, Zero Gravity and Expo Wheel. Unlimited ride wristbands make things easy (and inexpensive).
Entertainment includes rock and country/bluegrass bands. There are raffle prizes and a “take a chance” tent.
Plus of course a food court with hamburgers, hot dogs, Greek food, Good Humor ice cream, baked goods — and beer and wine.
Last year, proceeds helped the WWC fund $300,000 for a new Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services ambulance.
The greatest show on earth (or at least, in Westport). (Photo/Lee Scharfstein)
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Another sign of summer: The Wakeman Town Farm farm stand opens June 10.
Running every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 28, the stand features fresh organic produce and flower bouquets from the Farm, WTF honey and logo wear, plus local artisanal products like organic coffee, bread, pastries, extra virgin olive oils, gourmet balsamic vinegars and salsas.
BMW of Darien is the summer and fall sponsor of the Wakeman Town Farm farm stand. The dealership will also serve as a lead sponsor of WTF’s annual fundraiser, Harvest Fest.
And if you don’t know — as I did not — what is replacing the Sunglass Hut, read this breathless press release from the Laguna Beach-based jewelry brand (which for some reason does not use a capital letter in its name):
“When gorjana Westport officially opens its doors, shoppers will be immersed in a welcoming coastal bungalow inspired by co-founders Gorjana Reidel and Jason Griffin Reidel’s Southern California roots. Light wood finishes, a crystal quartz chandelier, three sparkling window pendants and a hand-dipped Lauren Williams Tapestry inspired by the iconic Laguna Beach coastline create the perfect backdrop to gorjana’s elevated yet effortless designs.
“Located in a beautifully restored historic building along bustling Main Street, the store will bring together the best of Southern California with the charming history of Westport right in the heart of the coastal city. gorjana Westport is the perfect shopping destination for out-of-towners and locals alike.
This is gorjana’s 49th location, but only the second in Connecticut. The first was in Greenwich.
Two weeks ago, a college student named Emily posted a TikTok. She wanted to give a hand-painted romantic gift to a classmate she had a crush on, but needed her followers to give her confidence.
Replying to @Mikala Walker the highly anticipated cupdate: I didnt get a chance to package it up all cute, but I was too excited I couldn’t wait any longer💛🌼#fyp#foryou#wlw#wlwtiktok#dandelions
MoCA Westport just hired its first-ever director of performing arts.
Kristen Young knows MoCA well. She’s worked there for 3 years, most recently as its music associate. She created the Music at MoCA concert series, bringing a diverse range of emerging and established artists to the museum.
In her expanded role Young will curate all performing arts experiences, fostering collaborations with music programs across the region, and providing music education opportunities.
Young holds a master’s in violin performance and a graduate certificate in arts management and entrepreneurship from the University of Oklahoma, and a bachelor’s in music management from the University of Delaware.
Kristen Young (Photo/Nina Capozzi Photography)
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Speaking of music: Jazz at the Post favorite Melissa Newman returns this Thursday (May 25; shows at 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner begins at 7; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; $15 cover; reservations: JazzatthePost@gmail.com).
The Westporter will be joined by guitarist Tony Lombardozzi, bassist Phil Bowler and drummer Bobby Leonard.
Saugatuck Congregational Church song leader Anthony DeLuco hosts a recital at the church on June 10 (4 p.m.). It’s a fundraiser, to support his attendance at an intensive vocal workshop this summer in Salzburg, Austria.
DeLuco is a young Western Connecticut State University graduate (with many honors and awards). He’s in his second year as a high school teacher.
He’ll play works by Mozart, Schubert, Schumann and more. Donations can be made at the recital or by clicking on this GoFundMe link.
Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup announced the delivery of 2 trash trucks and 2 police cars to Westport’s new sister city: Lyman, Ukraine.
Katya Wauchope took yesterday’s videos and photos from Brian Mayer, and created this important report of the day. As mayor Alexander Victoravich Zuravlov notes, this was the most pressing need for his town.
The first announcement of VersoFest 2023 is a big one.
The Smithereens headline the Friday, March 31 concert at the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum.
Joining the Smithereens as lead vocalist that night: Marshall Crenshaw.
The opening act is Americana musician Amilia K Spicer, fresh off a rave review from NPR. Miriam Linna DJs the night, with 45s from one of the most revered record collections anywhere.
VersoFest is a multi-day music and media festival/conference, born at the Library’s Verso Studios.
The festival opens Thursday, March 30, and continues with a full slate of programs and workshops Saturday and Sunday, April 1-2. Famed producer Steve Lillywhite delivers the keynote Saturday afternoon.
Founded in New Jersey in 1980, The Smithereens have created electrifying, original rock ‘n’ roll for 42 years. Their take-no-prisoners, East Coast roots-rock sound was inspired by Buddy Holly, The Who, Nick Lowe and The Move.
They were in heavy rotation on MTV, and appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Saturday Night Live.” The Smithereens have performed at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Radio City Music Hall, and internationally from Europe to Australia. Tourmates include Tom Petty, Squeeze, the Pretenders, Lou Reed and the Ramones.
Tickets for the show are $40; click here to purchase. Click here for more information on the Smithereens, and VersoFest.
The Smithereens, with Marshall Crenshaw (white vest).
Westport Police report 2 custodial arrests between January 12 and 18.
One was a follow-up on a previous incident on Center Street where an individual was acting erratically, drinking motor oil. and yelling at officers. While fighting with the officers, the suspect punched them in their heads, causing one to fall and break his wrist. He referred to officers with derogatory names, and made threatening statements concerning officers and their families. He was charged with assault on a public safety officer, and threatening.
The second arrest came after damage to property owned by the Westport Housing Authority, caused by driving on grass. He was charged with criminal mischief.
Police issued the following citations:
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 8
Traveling unreasonably fast: 4
Misuse of plates: 4
Failure to obey control signal: 4
Speeding: 2
Distracted driving: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 2
Failure to display plates: 2
Failure to renew registration: 2
Violation of any traffic control regulation: 2
Insurance coverage fails minimum requirements: 2
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 1
Driving with out-of-state plates after 30 days: 1
Disobeying the signal of an officer: 1.
One arrest began when a suspect was drinking motor oil.
In other Westport Police news, the department yesterday conducted unannounced inspections of businesses that sell tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes. The goal was determine compliance with state laws prohibiting sales to anyone under 21.
Remember how much fun the Yankee Doodle Fair was? Of course!
Remember how the sponsors — the Westport Woman’s Club — told you it was a fundraiser for important local causes? Of course not!
But it was. It always is.
The WWC has just announced their 2023 grant recipients. Thanks to your generosity — well, your purchase of ride tickets, games of chance and food — these non-profits will share $41,000:
Burroughs Community Center
Cancer Care
Child Advocates of Southwestern Connecticut
Circle of Care for Families of Children with Cancer
Circle of Friends Connecticut
CLASP Homes
Domestic Violence Crisis Center
ElderHouse
Family & Children’s Agency
Food Rescue US
Hall Neighborhood House
Homes with Hope
Horizons at Norwalk Community College
Human Services Council/Children’s Connection
Liberation Recovery for Life Programs
Malta House
My Team Triumph – Connecticut
Norwalk Housing Foundation
Person to Person
Positive Directions
Regional Hospice and Home Care Western Connecticut
St. Catherine Center for Special Needs
Suzuki Music School
Urban Impact of Black Rock
VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399.
See you at the fair!
These kids helped raise $41,000 for charity. (Photo/Stephanie Mastocciolo)
On the heels of yesterday’s delivery of 2 police vehicles and 2 trash trucks to our new sister city, Katya Wauchope — a key member of the group that worked to raise $252,000 in 19 days for the war-torn town — sent a photo of her latest project:
It’s one of many camouflage hats she’s knitting for the Lyman police.
“Ukrainians are used to having their grandmas knit hats, socks and mittens for their family,” Katya — a native of that country — says.
“So I decided to be the town grandma!”
She began knitting last month. So far, she’s made nearly 2 dozen.
Against all odds, a group of residents continues to battle the Hiawatha Lane/Summit Saugatuck development. They write:
“Our historic, working-class, single-family neighborhood became the sacrificial lamb of Westport. Due to their lack of proper planning, the town of Westport had failed to meet their mandated 8-30g [affordable housing] quota, and allowing this project to go forward would remedy that oversight, so the rest of Westport would not be burdened.
“Please note: Our objection has to do with size, scale, environmental issues, traffic, pedestrian safety, and EMS access issues. Our objection to this development has nothing to do with permitting affordable housing, as that is acknowledged and recognized as the historic and existing strong community identifier and profile that is Old Saugatuck.
“Having taken our objections as far as we could through Town of Westport channels, we had to secure legal services from an attorney to fight this dangerous development in court… which is extremely costly. But we must Save Old Saugatuck.
“We have received contributions from very supportive neighbors and friends, and that has enabled us to begin this challenging legal process. We are forever grateful for their help. However, the battle is not over, and we desperately need further contributions to see this chapter through successfully.
“The court ruling has the potential to be a historic and ground-breaking (no pun intended!) ruling… we believe it is worth the effort to preserve the integrity and beauty of this historic neighborhood. After 20 years – we don’t want to give up!”
They created a GoFundMe page, to raise legal fees. Click here for the Save Old Saugatuck website.
Artist’s rendering of the proposed 187-unit apartment complex on Hiawatha Lane.
Business Networking International’s Westport chapter invites professionals to an open networking session (7 to 7:30 a.m.) and Visitor’s Day (7:30 to 9 a.m.) next Thursday (January 26, United Methodist Church, 49 Weston Road).
The organization — which is limited to one professional per category — has openings in these categories: LinkedIn expert, counseling services or psychotherapist, home security, HVAC, photographer, caterer or bakery, florist, event/wedding planner, home inspector, moving company, travel/tour operator, automotive repair, landscaper, electrician, payroll, product development firm/inventor, IP attorney, consumer products company and professional writer.
“Yesterday I looked outside to find 3 goats in my Clover Lane yard. When Animal Control walked over I asked if they escaped from Wakeman Town Farm, which is not that close, but not far.
“He said they came from a neighbor’s house on Victoria Lane. It took a while, but they wrangled one of them. I snapped a photo of the other two.
“I asked if it’s legal to keep them. The man from Animal Control said he would have a talk with the neighbors.”
(Where else but “06880” would you learn that drinking motor oil could lead to an arrest? Please click here to keep stories like that one coming. Thank you!)
Posted onJune 18, 2022|Comments Off on A Pretty Fair Night
The first night of the Yankee Doodle Fair — on Thursday — was great.
Kids swarmed the annual event at the Westport Woman’s Club grounds, on Imperial Avenue. It’s a harbinger of summer. It’s old-fashioned. It’s fun.
But last night was off the charts. Perfect weather, the end of school (next week doesn’t really count), and the start of the weekend helped attract record crowds.
Here are a few scenes from the 2022 Yankee Doodle Fair.
Though really, this iconic Westport event is timeless.
For $1 a ticket, take a chance on whichever you prize you want. They range from Neil Diamond 50th anniversary concert gear and an authentic Louisiana alligator head, to tool kits, handbags and gift certificates galore.
What’s a fair without music? (All photos/Gloria Smithson)
The Yankee Doodle Fair continues at 44 Imperial Avenue today (Saturday, now through 10 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.).
(“06880” is completely reader-supported. Please click here to donate.)
For decades, Westport kids have marked the end of the school year by an event having nothing to do with teachers or books.
The Yankee Doodle Fair roars into town either days before, or days after, the final bell rings. It’s as reliable a start to summer as any tradition could be.
The last 2 years have been different. COVID canceled the event in 2020; last year, it was pushed from June to September.
But now the Yankee Doodle Fair is back. It opened last night; it continues tonight (Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.), tomorrow (Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.), and Sunday (1 to 5 p.m.), on the Westport Woman Club’s Imperial Avenue grounds
As always, it’s a major fundraiser for the WWC.
And — as these photos from Yankee Doodle Fairs past show — it’s major fun.
A classic carousel, at the Yankee Doodle Fair.
This is noted writer Parke Cummings. He may have walked over from his home on the corner of South Compo and Bridge Street.
Marjorie Teuscher and her son Phil. Her husband — a doctor — owned real estate downtown, including the building that was most recently Tavern on Main. Phil — now all grown up — still lives in Westport.
Pam Blackburn — who sent these photos from her father, George — is shown here with her sister Perii and their mom, Jessica Patton Barkentin.
The Yankee Doodle Fair, as shown in the August 11, 1947 issue of Life Magazine.
Before the Westport Woman’s Club bought their Imperial Avenue clubhouse (and parking lot next door), the Yankee Doodle Fair was held on Jesup Green. This shows National Hall (then Fairfield Furniture) in the background, across the river.
BONUS RIDE:In the final season of “I Love Lucy” — after the Ricardos and Mertzes moved to Westport — Lucy and Ethel celebrated a fanciful “Yankee Doodle Day.” The poster about the Yankee Doodle celebration read: “Statue Dedication at Jessup (sic) Green.”
The new boys basketball coach at Staples High School is a familiar face.
Assistant coach Dave Goldshore replaces head coach Colin Devine. The 15-year veteran stepped down, to pursue administrative opportunities.
Goldshore — a former basketball star and quarterback at Horace Greeley High in Chappaqua, New York — got the coaching bug as University of Michigan student manager during the “Fab Five” era.
He cites the influence of his own high school coaches, for helping shape his values. “It’s an honor to give back,” says Goldshore, who began assisting Devine in 2017.
“I have big shoes to fill,” he notes. His goal is to “continue building a program that prides itself on class, competitive spirit and community.”
Goldshore has been Staples’ defensive coordinator. Offensively, his philosophy is to “empower kids to pay to their strengths.” He also calls himself “a big culture guy,” in areas like spirit and accountability.
A Westport resident since 2004, nd president of a technology staffing firm, Goldshore calls it “an honor and privilege to represent Staples basketball in my town.”
For a while, a homemade anti-Biden sign greeted visitors coming off Merritt Parkway Exit 42, at the entrance to a driveway on Main Street, between St. George Place and Wassell Lane.
Now there’s a newer, more aggressive one:
(Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
It’s clear the homeowner doesn’t like our president.
I wonder who he voted for, though. Once the January 6 hearings are over, I’ll try to figure out who that “guy that put America first” could possibly be.
Seen at last night’s Yankee Doodle Fair: the Westport 9U district travel baseball team.
(Photo/Stephanie Mastocciolo)
The fair continues tonight (Friday, 6 to 10 p.m.), tomorrow (Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.), and Sunday (1 to 5 p.m.), at the Westport Woman’s Club grounds by the Imperial Avenue parking lot.
Saugatuck Rowing Club had a successful week at the USRowing National Youth Championships in Sarasota, Florida.
The U17 4+ squad (Madeline Casano) Anne Cuesta, Ella Hecker, Hannah Makmale, Maddiel Speller) defender the club’s national title.
The U17 8+ (Rosie Lundberg, Victoria Bazarko, Claudia Chadwick, Alexandra Cowan, Maia Freeman, Leighton Davis, Mia Kirkorsky, Phoebe Bryan and Charlotte Seymour) took bronze, while the girls’ first and second varsity 8s placed 7th and 8th, respectively.
The boys’ first varsity 8 finished 6th. The U16 8+ was 6th, the 2V 8+ took 7th, and U17 4+ 7th, and the U17 4x 17th.
Saugatuck Rowing Club’s national champion U17 4+ team (from left): Maddie Speller, Anna Cuesta, Hannah Makmale, Ella Hecker, Madeline Casano.
And finally … in honor of the Westport Woman’s Club’s signature fundraiser, running tonight through Sunday (story above), here are 2 very different tunes:
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For all its beauty and promise of summer, June is a frazzling time for Westport parents.
There are thousands of end-of-school activities, end-of-sports activities, get-ready-for-camp activities. There’s no time to stop and smell the roses, let alone tend the rest of the garden.
But all that takes a back seat on Fathers Day weekend (sorry, dads!).
It’s Yankee Doodle Fair time. Knocked out twice by COVID (and back, to much joy, last September), the Westport Woman’s Club fundraiser returns to its traditional dates this year.
A timeless scene. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The Fair — on the Woman’s Club grounds at 44 Imperial Avenue — runs this Thursday and Friday (June 16 and 17) from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday’s hours are 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday’s final day is 1 to 5 p.m.
(Photo/JP Vellotti)
Among the highlights: a carousel, Flying Dumbo, Dizzy Dragon, Frog Hopper, Scrambler, Cliff Hanger, Zero Gravity and Expo Wheel. One-price, unlimited-ride wristbands make the process hassle-free.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
Other attractions include sand art, a bake sale, music (rock, country and bluegrass), raffles (prizes: $1,000, $500, and a gold-and-diamond necklace), and a “take a chance” tent with a ton of prizes.
(Photo/Joel Triesman)
Food court offerings range from burgers and dogs to Greek delights, waffles and ice cream. Beer and wine too (though not for the kids).
(Photo/Dan Woog)
As much fun as the Yankee Doodle Fair is, it’s serious business for the Westport Woman’s Club. Funds raised support an array of programs and grants, from a food pantry and help for organizations serving women, children, people with special needs and much more, to scholarships for graduating seniors.
This year, the WWC donated to $300,000 to Westport’s Emergency Medical Services. That pays for a much-needed new ambulance.
Between the good Westport Woman’s Clubs good works, and all the fun the Yankee Doodle Fair offers, it’s a win-win for all.
See you at the Fair!
The Yankee Doodle Fair (Drone photo/Ryan Collins)
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