Summer Services Return to Compo Beach after 18 Months
After nearly two years, the Compo Beach summer services returned this morning as members of different local church parishes enjoy the morning air along the coastline. Each week is hosted by one of six churches in Westport or Weston, with sound equipment being donated by Saugatuck Congregational Church. The services are open to all, and are held each Sunday morning at 8:30 at the Compo Beach cannons. Beach chairs and flip flops not provided. Photo by Mark Mathias for The Westport Local Press.
“Lighting Up Main Street” Made a Reality by Donations and a Staples Junior
Sam Eigan, a rising Junior at Staples High School, wrestles string lights onto a street lamp this afternoon as part of the Westport Downtown Association’s “Lighting Up Main Street” beautification initiative. The project’s GoFundMe met its goal through local supporters, funding the lights and labor to get them in place. The lights could already be seen lighting up Church Lane, and tonight, the lower section of Main Street.
Community Gallery: Westport Farmers’ Market
Westport Local Press photos. Click to enlarge gallery.
Tough Choices at the Westport Farmers’ Market
Tomatoes filled a table at the Westport Farmers’ Market today as dozens filed into the tent to get their pick of the locally-grown produce.
Hunt Club’s June Benefit Show Continues through Saturday
A rider remains in the ring this morning at the Fairfield County Hunt Club’s Annual June Benefit Show. The show includes hunters and jumpers, in addition to classes for riders - with prizes up to $30,000 for Grand Prix participants. The show is open to the public on the Long Lots Road property, giving guests a look into the history of the Hunt Club as it celebrates nearly 100 years of horsemanship in Westport.
Moon Rises over Long Island as Last Boats head Home
Tonight’s sunset over the Long Island Sound filled the skies with pastel pinks and purples as the nearly full moon rose.
Three Yeas for “Coach Paul Lane Field” at Staples; Board of Selectmen Approve and Move Item to RTM
During their Board of Selectmen meeting this morning, First Selectman Jim Marpe, Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and Third Selectwoman Melissa Kane approved the name “Coach Paul Lane Field” for Staples High School’s football field. The decision now passes to the RTM, who will ultimately be responsible for the final “yea” or “nay”. Lane lead Staples High School to many hard-fought victories during a three decade span as coach and physical education educator, in addition to serving as a mentor to generations of Westporters. The naming comes as bittersweet to the community, as “Coach” passed away last week at the age of 93. Staples Wreckers Gridiron Club officer Jim Adrian spoke at today’s meeting in support of the naming of the field, saying that Lane had a positive affect on all of Westport - and that Lane knew the renaming was a possibility - as over one thousand supporters signed an online petition to push the agenda item. Selectwoman Melissa Kane added “his reputation and his style has stood the test of time for Westporters.”
Country Playhouse Opens their Doors on 90th Anniversary for One Night Only Comedy Show Screening
Westport Country Playhouse opens its Jason Robards Theatre for a one-night only screening of a virtual production on its 90th anniversary, June 29. Contributed photo. Westport Country Playhouse Press ReleaseWestport Country Playhouse, closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic, will kick-off its 90th anniversary year by bringing patrons back into its Jason Robards Theatre for a one-night-only virtual production of the new comedy, “Tiny House,” projected on a big screen mounted above the stage. The in-person screening will be on Tuesday, June 29, at 7 p.m. The virtual production will also be available on-demand, from June 29 through July 18. “Tiny House” was filmed using digital technology during early spring when pandemic safety concerns and social distancing prevented producing a live show.
Exactly 90 years ago to the day, the Playhouse first opened its doors when Weston residents Lawrence Langner and his wife Armina Marshall founded the historic theater on June 29, 1931. Since then, the Playhouse has produced over 800 plays, some of which have transferred to Broadway.
Tickets for the in-person screening on June 29 are $20; general admission, seating on a first-come, first-served basis. All in-person patrons will attest to being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or willing to provide a negative PCR test result time stamped within 36 hours of the performance time. Covid-19 health and safety protocols, including capacity restrictions and mask-wearing, will be observed.
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Current virtual performance ticketholders who want to instead attend the in-person screening may exchange their tickets by calling the Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177.
In “Tiny House,” fireworks fly when family, friends, and quirky neighbors come together for a Fourth of July barbecue at the off-the-grid, isolated mountain paradise of a young, urban couple. The comedy is written by Michael Gotch and directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.
“Tiny House” running time is approximately 100 minutes, including an intermission between the two acts. Appropriate for ages 14 and up. More information on “Tiny House” at: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/tinyhouse/
The Playhouse’s 2021 Season continues with “Doubt: A Parable,” the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, playing November 2 through November 21. Two HD video productions from the Playhouse archives will stream on-demand, beginning with the musical, “Man of La Mancha” (2018), from August 23 through September 5, and another TBA, from September 13 - 26. Script in Hand playreadings will play October 19 – 24, and December 14 – 19; titles to be announced. All 2021 Playhouse events are listed at: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/whats-on/
2021 Season Sponsor is the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation. Production Sponsor is Barbara Samuelson. 2021 Season Media Sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio.
All play titles, artists, dates, and formats are subject to change.
To purchase tickets, visit westportplayhouse.org, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
Saturday Announced as jUNe Day as 100 Guests Explore Westport
Town of Westport Press ReleaseThe annual jUNe Day celebration will take place on Saturday, June 26 in Westport, when the United Nations Association of Southwestern Connecticut (UNA-SW-CT) and the Town of Westport will host approximately 100 guests from the United Nations. In honor of the day, the flags of many of the 193 member countries of the United Nations will fly on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge this weekend.
The public is invited to attend the opening ceremony to be held outdoors on Jesup Green at 10:30 a.m. and welcome the international guests. First Selectman Jim Marpe and UNA President Bill Hass will welcome the guests, and jUNe Day Chairperson Michaela MacColl will outline the Day’s activities.
This year’s United Nations guest of honor is Mr. Christian Saunders, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Department of Operational Support, who will offer brief remarks and read a special message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The annual jUNe Day celebration was established in 1965 by the late Ruth Steinkraus Cohen, the founder of the UN Association of Southwestern Connecticut, in observance of the signing of the UN charter on June 26, 1945. Her goal was to honor the work of the United Nations and promote world peace and international understanding through hospitality.
On jUNe Day, United Nations staff and representatives from Governments around the world and their families will participate in a variety of sporting and recreational activities. Due to the pandemic, there has been a reduction in the number of options previously available to our guests. However, they will have access to Compo Beach and the town pools at Longshore Park, tennis, golf at the Longshore Golf Course, and a nature walk and visit to Earthplace. Guests are also encouraged to visit the sidewalk sale on Main Street near Jesup Green and consider having lunch at any one of Westport’s restaurants.
To volunteer, please contact Ms. Andrea Dostal at 203-526-3275 or Andreasusa@yahoo.com. For more information, please contact Bill Hass at (203) 454-7685.
Police: Sidewalk Sales Close Main Street Saturday
Westport Police Department Press ReleaseThe Westport Downtown Merchants Association will be holding its sidewalk sale this Saturday, June 26th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This event will necessitate the closure of Main Street between Post Road East and Avery Place as well as Elm Street between Main Street and the Baldwin Lot from 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM on Saturday, June 26th. These road closures will result in traffic congestion downtown and increased pedestrian traffic.
Motorists should expect delays in the center of town due to these closures. The Police Department asks that pedestrians utilize the marked crosswalks and motorists use extra caution while driving through the area.