Homeward Bound
A sailing boat sails home Wednesday evening off of Compo Beach. WestportLocal.com photo
Cooling Off during the Dog Days of Summer
With the dog days of summer coming to a close in the coming two weeks, local teens found a way to cool off in the Saugatuck - another rite of passage for generations of Westporters. WestportLocal.com photo
Bear 211 Struck, Killed in Easton; Driver Flees
Photo by Grace Chiang, June 23rd, Coleytown neighborhood. Fairfield and Westchester County’s famous travelling black bear, “Bear 211”, was reported by the Easton Police Department as struck by a car and killed yesterday on Route 136. The driver fled the scene. Bear 211 was known for sauntering through many local backyards, at one point approaching a gardener and gently placing a paw on them before walking away. Westport Police officers and animal control personnel assisted in tracking the bear and assuring its safety when reported by residents. The bear could be seen in yards as far away as northern Westchester County before heading back to the southern Fairfield County this week. A fan of bird seed, vacant barbecues, dipping in small pools and ponds, or the occasional rest on a hammock - the bear’s death, and driver’s fleeing - has communities rallying to find justice and to protect future wildlife.
Easton Police Department Press ReleaseBear Struck by Motor Vehicle
On July 26, 2021, at about 6:19 pm the Easton Police Department received a report of a black bear being struck by a motor vehicle on Rt. 136 west of Wilson Road. Upon arrival officers found a bear that was suffering from serious injuries and had to be put down. DEEP was notified and responded for the removal of the bear. The striking vehicle left the scene before arrival of the officers.
The bear was approximately 125 pounds and bore CT DEEP Tags #211.
Chief Richard Doyle
Westport Police Department, Stop and Shop, Announce Food Drive on Saturday
Westport Police Department Release
The Westport Police Department, in conjunction with the local Super Stop & Shop, will be hosting a food drive on Saturday July 31, 2021, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. All donations will directly support Homes with Hope, the Gillespie Center Homeless Shelter, and the Gillespie Center’s food pantry. Your donations will help to provide meals to the Gillespie Center’s residents, those who are at risk of homelessness, and community members in need. We ask for your support and generosity to help make this food drive a success.
Homes with Hope is a Westport based organization that for the last thirty-seven years has been dedicated to ending homelessness in Fairfield County by creating independent living opportunities for its clients. The Gillespie Center is a homeless shelter for single men and women that typically operates at 100% capacity. Your donations will help provide meals to those who this organization serves.
Westport Police officers and volunteers will accept non-perishable food items as well as cash donations in front of the Super Stop & Shop grocery store, which is located at 1790 Post Road East, Westport, CT on Saturday, July 31, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Suggested Items to Donate:
Canned Meats, Tuna, Salmon, Spam, Pasta, Pasta Sauces, Chili, Hot/Cold Cereal, Canned Fruit, Canned & Dry Soups, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Mac & Cheese, Rice, Granola Bars, Pancake Mix, Syrup, and Mayonnaise
If you would like to more information about Homes with Hope, please go to: www.hwhct.org
Homes with Hope maintains an IRS 501-c3 status, so all contributions are tax deductible.
We would like to take a moment to thank Super Stop & Shop for hosting this food drive as well as all the generous donors who continue to support the important work of Homes with Hope.
True Riverside Dining
A local doe enjoys supper in the shallows of the Saugatuck River alongside Main Street this evening, just past Gorham Island. WestportLocal.com photo
Sunny the Duck Returns ahead of Sunrise Rotary’s Great Duck Race
Maya El Sheik stands alongside Sunny, a nearly two-story tall inflatable rubber duck aptly named by the Westport Sunrise Rotary. Sunny historically would be launched by volunteers and anchored in the Saugatuck River, however after several years of topples and flips - Sunny is now securely anchored to Jesup Green. The duck advertises the local club’s Great Duck Race, during which people can purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win up to $5,000. Typically each ticket number would match up to a duck that’s dumped into the Saugatuck River - the winning duck winning the prize. However due to COVID-19 precautions, the club will instead host the drawing virtually on August 6th. Tickets and more information can be found on their website, westportsunriserotary.org
A Westport Summer Rite of Passage: Exploring Seymour Rock
Campers at Longshore Sailing School took part in a Westport rite of passage: sailing their catamarans to Seymour Rock off of Bluff Point, and beaching them to explore the rock and cool off with a swim. WestportLocal.com photo
Designer, Westporter Christian Siriano Hosts Art Show at Downtown Boutique
Fashion designer and Westporter Christian Siriano (left) spoke with Westport Second Selectwomen Jen Tooker (right) as he hosted an art show at 9 Sconset Square’s Swoon home furnishing boutique. Siriano is a recent addition to Westport, moving to the community just prior to the pandemic lockdowns in February 2020. Siriano grew to international fame after winning Project Runway’s fourth series, now designing for international community members - like Michelle Obama or Lady Gaga - in addition to interiors and home furnishings. His art show today displayed another artistic side of the designer, with his large paintings and sketches filling the downtown Westport storefront as an intimate crowd stood amongst them. To learn more about Siriano and his art, visit christiansiriano.com. WestportLocal.com photo
Community Gallery: Wakeman Town Farm’s First Sustainable Goods Eco Market
Wakeman Town Farm held their first ever Sustainable Goods Eco Market today at their Cross Highway community farm. Vendors, artists, and farm animals dotted the property with homemade and eco-conscious goods for sale, as well as local organizations working to make a difference for the environment. Wakeman Town Farm is a non-profit organization that operates the homestead farm and gardens, which have been around for over one hundred years in the northern section of Westport. To learn more about Wakeman Town Farm, visit their website: wakemantownfarm.org
Click to enlarge gallery. All photos by WestportLocal.com
Our Woven Community Sells Handmade Accessories while Supporting Refugee Artists
Artists with Our Woven Community speak with customers at the Wakeman Town Farm Sustainable Goods Market this afternoon. The Bridgeport-based Burroughs Center, who organizes the program, describes it as “a Burroughs program that provides local resettled refugee women the opportunity to become self-sufficient leaders and become empowered with entrepreneurial skills and economic opportunity.” Handmade goods included purses, laptop cases, wallets, and clothing items - with 100% of the sales going to the artists and program expenses. More information or goods can be found at their website: burroughscenter.org. WestportLocal.com photo