Rotary Club’s LobsterFest Returns to Compo Beach
Photo by Dave MatlowWestport Rotary Club’s LobsterFest returns this year to Compo Beach with an in-person event on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 3pm to 7pm, including a fresh catch of Maine lobsters and a new drive-through option. Around 1,200 ticket holders will dine by the water at the popular rain or shine event, Westport Rotary Club’s main fundraiser, which sells out every year. LobsterFest is a signature community event, an enjoyable way to support local philanthropic activities while celebrating the transition from Summer to Fall.
Westport Rotary Club’s 10th annual LobsterFest is live, in contrast with last year’s online-only fundraiser due to the pandemic. A new feature this year is a scheduled drive-through pick-up for guests who prefer to eat delicious lobsters and/or steak at home or at some less crowded part of the beach.
Click here for full event information
Funds earned from LobsterFest tickets and sponsorships enable Westport Rotary to award over 36 Charitable Giving grants to local nonprofits and support impactful humanitarian projects around the world. LobsterFest brings the Westport community together so we can connect and engage with others, belong to something bigger than ourselves, give back, serve to change lives, and most of all, have fun.
Local recipients include Mercy Learning, a nonprofit that helps women become fluent in English, obtain their GEDs, go onto college and support their families, and Child Guidance of Fairfield County, another nonprofit that provides psychological and educational support to children traumatized by past experiences. Other causes that receive support include food pantries, environmental sustainability organizations, educational and summer program scholarships, and groups committed to the improvement of behavioral health.
This year’s LobsterFest Platinum Elite Sponsors are BioSig Technologies, Inc., Bridgeport Hospital - Yale New Haven Health, The Garrison Family Foundation, and Morgan Stanley - The Shoreline Group.
Children’s activities include a magician, glitter tattoos, and face painting. Live music will be provided by the Hot Rubber Monkey Band, a local favorite. In past years, LobsterFest volunteers served some 2,400 lobsters, 300 steaks, and 1,600 ears of corn, as well as raw oysters.
Tickets are an exceptional value at $70 per person for two 1.25-pound lobsters or a 14 oz. New York strip steak plus corn, coleslaw, bread and butter, potato salad, Peppermint Patties, and all the beer or wine you can drink. Tickets are available only in advance, online at www.westportrotary.org and directly from Westport Rotary Club members.
Westport Rotary Club follows guidance from the local health authorities. In case LobsterFest needs to limit in-person dining, ticketholders will be contacted by email to arrange for a scheduled drive-through option.
Representing a cross-section of local business and professional leaders, the Westport Rotary Club is an organization of men and women united in service to their community, vocation and the world. One of 35,200 Rotary clubs worldwide, the Westport Rotary Club is known for philanthropy and for providing hands-on project leadership both locally and internationally. More information is available at www.westportrotary.org.
The public is always welcome to attend Rotary Club luncheon meetings, which take place on Tuesdays from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at Branson Hall of Christ & Holy Trinity Church in Westport. The luncheon cost for guests is $20. The Club welcomes membership inquiries. Please contact Club President Lyla Steenbergen at lylasteenbergen@gmail.com.
Domestic Violence Task Force Collecting Back to School Supplies
From the WDVTF From Monday, August 9th through Sunday, August 15th, the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force (WDVTF) will be collecting back-to-school supplies for residents of the two Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) safe houses that service our area.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) supports individuals on their journey to safety. DVCC advocates for individuals who are experiencing abuse in personal relationships. It offers multiple services and professional staff to help those experiencing any level of domestic violence and assist them in building a safer environment for the well-being of themselves and their families.
All victim services are free and confidential, and all services offered are multicultural/multilingual. These services include assistance with basic needs such as food, clothing, and personal items. Counseling and legal services are also introduced in addition to transportation assistance, children’s advocacy, weekly play-based children’s programming focused on self-esteem and healthy communication and referrals to community resources. The DVCC also provides economic advocacy, including budget development and assistance with job searches and resumes.
The DVCC safe house and community clients are in need of the following items to ensure the children are prepared for the new school year:
New Unused Backpacks
Notebooks
Pens/Pencils/Highlighters/Crayons
New and Unused Lunch Boxes
Graphing Calculators
*Also needed are diapers in various sizes
Donations can be left in the collection bin located in the lobby of the Westport Police Department, 50 Jesup Road, Westport.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, help can be reached via the 24 hour hotline, 1-888-774-2900 and additional information can be found on the DVCC website, www.dvccct.org
For more information on Westport Domestic Violence Task Force initiatives, please check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Westport-Domestic-Violence-Task-Force-1550811978272839/.
Morning Pool Equipment Fire
Westport Fire Department ReleaseWestport firefighters were dispatched to a report of an outside fire involving a pool heater at a residence on Ludlow Rd. The initial dispatch was for Engines 2,4 and 6. Truck 1 and Car 3 were added to the assignment.
Engine 2 arrived and found a pool heater and filtration system actively burning next to the house. Engine 2 extinguished the fire while additional arriving companies checked for extension, secured utilities and performed overhaul. Due to the quick actions of the first arriving companies, the fire damage was limited to the pool equipment and did not extend to the house.
Westport fire Marshal’s office was on scene to investigate the cause of the fire. The last unit cleared at 11:55 AM
Hundreds Enjoy Isaiah Sharkey at Levitt
Guitarist Isaiah Sharkey drew a crowd of hundreds to the Levitt Pavilion on Saturday with his six string in-hand. Sharkey began playing as a child - gracing the stages of blues and jazz clubs throughout Chicago at just 14 years old. Now 30 with a Grammy under his belt and a world tour as John Mayer’s guitarist, Sharkey continues to play for some of the industry’s largest names and venues. Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com
