Storm Front Ends Sun-filled Weekend in Westport
A quick moving storm front moved over Stony Point late Sunday as lightning and brief downpours dampened the roads and the temperatures, making for a quick end to a beautiful Spring weekend for the Westport community. WestportLocal.com photo
By Land and by Water: Westport Police Keep Watch
Westport Police Department’s Marine 3, a Boston Whaler Guardian vessel, made its way along the coast of Compo Beach late today as warm weather drew hundreds to the waterfront and to their boats. The Department operates a fleet of vessels throughout the summer and has patrolled the waters since the 1960s - with three full time officers now assigned to the marine division from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Click here to learn more
Captains hit the Sound
By wind or combustion, boaters hit the waves of the Sound today just off the coast of Westport. Water temperatures remained in the low sixties, making any water activities brief and refreshing. WestportLocal.com photo
Cockenoe Island Lagoon Busy Season Begins
Hot temperatures brought the boats back to Cockenoe Island’s lagoon this afternoon as anchored vessels allowed for sunbathing, barbecuing, and some chilling swims. The Westport-owned island is home to thousands of local and migratory birds within its sanctuary areas, with fencing that blocks off bird nesting areas from visitors to the island. Cockenoe Island has multiple campsites that are rentable by residents throughout the summer season. Click here for more information or to rent a campsite at Cockenoe Island.
Busy Day for Compo Snack Shack
Hook’d on the Sound snack shack was busy today as beachgoers made their way into the historic structure during the lunch rush this afternoon. The new Compo concession contract holders included a revamped menu and extended hours daily - 11:00 AM until 7:30 PM. WestportLocal.com photo
Westport Pride's First Annual Queer Cook-Off A Great Success
Westport Pride will be making Queer Cook-Off an annual event and it promises great fun for everyone in years to come.
Winning team from Left To Right: Sarah Ferro, Chef Arik Bensimon, Monogram Luxury Appliances Corporate Chef, Jason Epstein, John Dodig and Bethany Eppner
Three teams of chef-testants and five judges assembled at Aitoro's Appliance Store in Norwalk on Thursday to create a lively culinary competition to raise money for Westport Pride’s education programs.
Designed to cook up local competition and foster valuable relationships in the community, Westport Pride’s “Queer Cook-Off” pitted members of the Fairfield County LGBTQ+ and ally community against one another in this fun competition. Each of the three teams got to work in each of three of Aitoro's live kitchens which are often used for cooking events throughout the year. Guests were invited to observe the competition while enjoying a variety of catered hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Among the guests were former First Selectman Jim Marpe and wife Mary Ellen, Police Chief Foti Koskinas, and Westport artist Miggs Burroughs.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The competition uses the format of the long-running Food Network cooking show “Chopped,” challenging its contestants to prepare an appetizer and entrée featuring items contained within a mystery box. The teams had to use all of the items in their mystery box and incorporate the secret ingredient that will be revealed that night. Each team has 30 minutes to prepare their dishes and at the end of each round, each dish will be presented to a judging panel who will announce the winning team of the Queer Cook-Off.
Volunteer "sous chefs joining each team included Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Second Selectwoman Andrea Moore and former Staples High School Principal John Dodig.
“We are so excited to bring together the LGBTQ+ community and allies in a fun and unique way,” says Ria Rueda, Westport Pride Advisory Board member & Event Chairperson. “This was a great way to meet new people, cultivate relationships, and provide support for one another. Westport Pride fundraisers enable us to offer programs supporting the growing needs of our diverse community and ensure LGBTQ+ Westporters have a safe place to connect, heal, celebrate and thrive.”
Celebrity chefs guiding their team were Bill Taibe (Chef/Owner of Don Memo, Kawa Ni, & The Whelk); Jes Bengtson (Executive Chef of Terrain Café and Amis Trattoria); and Arik Bensimon (Executive Chef of the Monogram Design Center).
The panel of judges were: Brian McGunagle (Founder, Westport Pride); Tony Aitoro (CEO, Aitoro Appliance); Matt Storch (Chef/Owner of Match and Match Burger Lobster); and Dan Woog (Founder/Editor-In-Chief, 06880.
And The Winning Team Was:
Chef Arik Bensimon, Monogram Luxury Appliances Corporate Chef Jason Epstein, Sarah Ferro and Bethany Eppner and John Dodig. who prepared cod and miso with pork rind gremolata, and marinated book choy. Second place was a burger with popcorn aioli, crisp Swiss chard and roasted fingerlings. Sponsors in addition to Aitory Appliances who provided food to the guests included: Copps Island Oysters, Dave & Charlie's Hometown Deli, Fisher & Paykel, Garden Catering, Longford's Ice Cream, Monogram Luxury Appliances, Organic Krush, Pam's Jams (Westport-based), The Katchen, Tribus Beer
For more information about Westport Pride, visit https://linktr.ee/Westportpride or join the community @westportpride on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 13 mph
Tonight
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. West wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the evening.
Tomorrow
Partly sunny, with a high near 73. North wind 7 to 9 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Light northeast wind.
Summer Sailing Scene
With temperatures heading towards ninety degrees, sailers hit the Sound this afternoon despite water temperatures in the low sixties. WestportLocal.com photo
Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot Kick Off The Levitt Pavilion’s 2022 Season
The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts launched its 2022 Season with a benefit concert starring Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot - Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel and More! Sponsored by Dan and Maureen Aron. Proceeds from the Stars-on-Tour presentation help support the Levitt Pavilion’s free programming - of which there will be over 50 shows presented free-of-charge.
The rain-or-shine concert event was able to continue safely and through to the end. An enthusiastic house danced to hit after hit by Billy Joel, Elton John, and more - including originals by Mike DelGuidice - who’s voice so distinctly resembles Billy’s that even Billy Joel has been known to think that it is himself. Mike and Big Shot are more than a tribute - they tour with Billy including his MSG shows.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
