J.C. Martin 9/19/21 J.C. Martin 9/19/21

Westport Rotary's Lobsterfest a “Smashing Success” Once Again

The 2021 Rotary Lobsterfest, arguably Westport's biggest party of the year, was held Saturday at Compo Beach on a beautiful September afternoon under sunny blue skies.

The event, which sold out completely once again for it's 10th year and was limited only by it's attendance permit and how many lobsters could be cooked per hour. They served 2,400 lobsters, 330 steaks and 325 children's dinners. Fresh clams and oysters on the half shell were offered by Norwalk's Copp's Island Oysters.

A small army of volunteers, including town officials and those aspiring to become town officials, kept the beer and wine flowing and tables cleared. Families enjoyed great entertainment for their children, and craft spirits for the adults. Live music kept dancers on their feet. All and all, another lively and successful event for the community by the the Westport Rotary - which raised more that $100,000 (final figures not yet available) for their programs and charities.

Click on any photo to enlarge.   Photos by J.C. Martin for the WestportLocalPress.com

James Bairaktaris 9/14/21 James Bairaktaris 9/14/21

Local Runners Pick up the Baton for The Great American Relay from Boston to California

`Volunteer runners began their journey to Westport at Bridgeport Fire Department. Pictured are: J Lucas, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Konstanty, Lisa Goldstein, Karla Cohen, Lauren Leppla, Kenji Ogawa, and Lead Runner Ken Gallagher. (contributed photo/no order)`

Beginning on September 11th to honor those lost to the World Trade Center attacks, the Great American Relay is making its way from Boston to Santa Monica, California to raise money for first responders and members of the military.

`Volunteer runners make their way towards Westport with The Great American Relay batons.`

Monday’s schedule brought the relay from Branford, Connecticut to the World Trade Center Memorial in Lower Manhattan in ten separate stages - with stages 26 and 27 connecting at Westport Fire Department Headquarters at around 10:30 yesterday morning.

Local runners who volunteered to carry the baton from Bridgeport Fire Department Headquarters to its handoff in Westport were: J Lucas, Nancy Wilson, Kelly Konstanty, Lisa Goldstein, Karla Cohen, Lauren Leppla, Kenji Ogawa, and Lead Runner Ken Gallagher. The group handed the baton off to Barbara Campbell, Elizabeth Hofmann, and Lead Runner Jeffrey Wollman who carried it to Darien’s hand-off point.

In total, 58 runners helped get the baton from Branford to the World Trade Center Memorial by Monday night.

This morning the red baton will continue its journey West - with an expected arrival at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s City Hall late tonight with the help of several dozen more volunteers. By the time the baton reaches that West Coast - it will have traveled through 415 stages totaling 3,500 miles for nearly 40 days with the help of hundreds of volunteer runners.

To learn more about The Great American Relay or to find a stage to run with, click here: greatamericanrelay.com