Craft Westport 2023 Unofficially Launches The Holiday Shopping Season
There was something for everyone at last weekend’s Craft Westport, a premier event for the Westport Young Women’s League which was held at Staples High School last weekend.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
This cherished holiday tradition has been held in Westport for 46 years and is one of our first stops for unique, beautiful gifts for Christmas and Hanukkah. This curated show featured 175 artists and artisans from across the country, in genres including jewelry, ceramics, photography, fine art, works on paper, glass, metal, fashion and accessories, and sculpture. The exceptional offerings were as varied as they were beautiful running the gamut from one-of-a-kind fine jewelry of every type and style to hand-made soaps, and everything in between. There were several photographers with stunning images from around the world, striking sculptures, hand blown and stained glass, abstract and contemporary paintings, and artwork home decor items and Hebrew themed Hanukkah gifts including custom Talitot, greeting cards, even neckties. There were fashions for all ages and accessories to accompany them. Indeed, there was something for every taste and style.
Below is just one example of the creative and unusual offerings at Craft Westport 2023.
Attendance this year seemed down somewhat according to several vendors. Saturday was the better of the two days with Sunday being slower. It may be that th I-95 bridge replacement which wreaked havoc on Westport roads two weekends ago may have discouraged some visitors from attending this year’s event. There were several heavy traffic back-ups in town, however North Ave. and nearby roads were not too badly affected on Sunday.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
About Westport Young Women’s League:
Since its inception in 1956, the WYWL, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has donated over $4.4 million through our community grants program. Over half that amount has been distributed in the past decade! Being a Westport, CT based nonprofit group, we prioritize our giving to nonprofit organizations in Westport and surrounding towns and cities in Fairfield County, CT.
CraftWestport and the Minute Man Race are the WYWL’s cornerstone fundraisers that allow us to fulfill our philanthropy by awarding grants to deserving non-profits that have demonstrated a need that aligns with the goals we support.
We are pleased to announce that in the 2023-2024 League year, the WYWL’s grants program will support the goals of: Quality Education, Good Health and Well-Being and Supporting Underserved Women in our community. In addition, we have redesigned our program this year to have a larger and more measurable impact on our community by awarding a larger sum of money to fewer winners. For more information on how to apply, please visit Westport Young Women’s League and download our 2023-2024 grants application.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
I-95 Saugatuck Bridge Slide Again Ties Up Roads In Westport And Beyond
The second I-95 bridge replacement for the southbound lanes, or the “Slide” as it has come to be known was completed ahead of schedule, as was the northbound bridge replacement which was done two weekends ago WestportLocalPress - Bridge, and also, WestportLocalPress - Delays.
The traffic in town was again horrendous, with many roads having backups as late as 7:00PM, despite the fact that the work was completed and I-95 was opened hours earlier.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
I-95 as seen from the Sherwood Island connector shows near standstill traffic for miles, but less than one-half hour later as construction crews were pickup up traffic cones, viewed from Hillspoint Rd., traffic was starting to flow again.
Other main roads, such as Wilton Rd. and the Sherwood Island connector were a complete mess. The connector photos here shows drivers trying to somehow maneuver around the long back up to the I-95 southbound entrance ramp. Those who knew better could be seen pulling a U-Turn at the light at the top of the connector while others decided to endure what was an obvious traffic nightmare.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In fact, the effects were felt as far north as Danbury and Newtown as notice of the closure of I-95 southbound caused drivers from Hartford, Boston and points east to use the highway as an alternative.
The radius for the tie-ups reached the Merritt Parkway as late as 7:00 PM, where some drivers didn’t get the memo as southbound lanes where slow-moving, bumper-to-bumper from Fairfield well into Norwalk and beyond.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Spectacular Sunday Sunset
South Beach Sunset on Sunday
There are often very beautiful sunsets which people can enjoy from Compo Beach or Sherwood Island State Park and on Sunday we were treated to another one of those gorgeous scenes. Here are the views from Compo Beach.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos above taken from Compo Beach and the Ned Dimes Marina. Photos below are from Sherwood Island State Park.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Wreckers Football Notches Big Win Against Trumbull, 35-18 At Home
Staples was in control most of the game, with Anthony Armentano returning two kickoffs for touchdowns, sparking a Staples victory over FCIAC rival Trumbull. The Eagles, (now 3-5) had their work cut out for them facing a very strong Wreckers squad which had only one defeat this season and are now 7-1 with this big win.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A balanced running attack led by Sr QB Caleb Smith, Alex Fiala and Junior Armentano provided most of the offense for the 7-1 Wreckers. Smith continues to be excellent at QB passing for 102 yards and scrambling for another 48 yards. The defense played a gritty game against Trumbull’s run heavy offense. Adding to the offensive punch was senior tight end Ryan Skolnick who grabbed three key receptions as well, gaining 75 yards.
Head Coach Adam Behrends (above) and his coaching staff address the team post game, complimenting them on their victory over Trumbull and advising them on weak moments and getting them charged up for their next game.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples Wall Of Fame Inducts 10 New Members At Halftime Ceremony
10 New members were inducted into the Staples Wall Of Fame Friday night at halftime of the Staples-Trumbull football game.
The Staples “Wall of Fame” was unveiled November 23, 1995, and was built to serve as a very public and important display of the many players, coaches and other whose skill, dedication and excellence have withstood the test of time and brought positive notice to themselves,
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples High School, Wreckers Football. and the Town of Westport since its first season of 1930. With the first year class of 1995 seeing 13 members admitted to the football "Hall of Fame" the list now contains 71 names representing the best 82 years of Wreckers football. The new members inducted, included Staples Assistant Principal James Farnen.
Wrecker Girls Soccer Falls To St. Joe’s In FCIAC Championship Heartbreaker
The Staples Wreckers Girls Soccer team fought valiantly in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference championship game in New Canaan yesterday against an undefeated St. Joe’s of Trumbull team but were defeated 2-1 in overtime.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The efforts of both team’s goalkeepers resulted in a scoreless game in regulation, and the Cadets scored two goals in the overtime. It looked grim for the Wreckers but they continued a very physical battle and answered with a goal by Evelyn Chudowsky but were unable to achieve that second goal in the OT period. St. Joe’s won their second straight FCIAC championship.
Coach Barry Beattie was effusive in his praise of his team, telling WestportLocalPress, “Last night was a hard fought loss against a good team. It marks another successful season so far with the Staples girls. They continued their great run with another final appearance. This group of seniors have played in every championship final that has been on offer since they started as freshman so I can only be proud. All season long they have train hard everyday with a focus to compete at the top end of the table & hopefully be in a position to win a trophy”.
“From the start of the season we’ve had goals from the Chudowsky sisters, Neva Mermegan, & Annabel Edwards. The midfield with Leigh Foran and Talia Moskowitz is relentless in the work rate and the back forth is always so consistent with Coco Crombie and Gaby DeBrito at central defense. We have reliable players that are full of talent, dedication and skill that all want to represent their school in the best way possible” Beattie continued saying, “Yet again they done that this season”.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
“With the state tournament round the corner we have more games to look forward to and we will be working hard to make sure we are in with a chance of winning it again. As their coach in very proud of this team and their accomplishments but I’m more proud of how they represent themselves on the elite level at every given chance”.
The Wreckers will attempt to round from this disappointing loss at home on Wednesday @ 2pm against the winner of the Hall v. Brien McMahon match in the CIAC State Championship series where they are seeded third. We wish them the best of luck as they take the pitch next.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Traff-Aggedon Returns As Southbound I-95 Bridge Replacement Proceeds This Weekend
A view of I-95 from Hillspoint Rd. last time shows free flowing northbound lanes with a slow moving parking lot southbound. Expect a mirror image this weekend.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click To Enlarge Images.
The I-95 bridge slide-in bridge replacement for the north-bound lanes took place as scheduled last month and as we all know, traffic was horrendous. The replacement was completed hours ahead of schedule however there was still bumper-to-bumper traffic all over town well into the evening.
That early completion did not affect the major traffic congestion all over the area as anyone trying to get their destination can attest to.
Westport PD advises motorists be aware that this weekend will a pretty similar situation. Drivers, no matter what their destination in or out of town, should be prepared for the kind of delays we experienced last time. Craft Westport the annual event presented by the Westport Young Women’s League returns to Staples High School on North St. which will probably see increased traffic both Saturday and Sunday as a result of the bridge work.
The Ruth Steinkraus Cohen bridge was a parking lot at 6:00 PM.
Post Road East approaching Compo Rd. was also backed up as late as 6:00 PM. There is every reason to expect similar scenes this weekend.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click To Enlarge Images.
Even east-west roads in northern Westport such as Coleytown and Lyons Plain were not immune from the bumper-to-bumper traffic. One Westport police officer told WestportLocal that it took him over an hour to get to his job from Monroe, even though he knew all the back roads and short cuts (under normal circumstances).
Even east-west roads in northern Westport such as Coleytown and Lyons Plain were not immune from the bumper-to-bumper traffic. One Westport police officer told WestportLocal that it took him over an hour to get to his job from Monroe, even though he knew all the back roads and short cuts (under normal circumstances).
A Westport Fire Department call which took the engine company onto Coleytown/Lyons Plain Rd. was fortunately able to pass the long line of west-bound lane cars in the clear east-bound lane. We dared not venture into Saugatuck even as reports there presented a not-so-pretty picture.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click To Enlarge Images.
Craft Westport Returns To Staples High School This Weekend
Spend the day with family and friends shopping for one-of-a-kind and uncommon items.
Craft Westport, presented by the Westport Young Woman’s League, is a thoughtfully curated shopping event featuring 200 modern American artists and makers!
CraftWestport is the longest running indoor fine crafts event in Connecticut. For 46 years, this show has been the perfect venue for unique, holiday shopping. This curated Show features 175 artists and artisans from across the country, in genres including jewelry, ceramics, photography, fine art, works on paper, glass, metal, fashion and accessories, and sculpture.
Show hours:
Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM at Staples High School, 70 North Ave. Westport, CT 06880.
BE ADVISED: The I-95 bridge replacement will cause traffic delays all over Westport for much of Saturday and Sunday. Allow extra time to arrive!
Visit the WYWL website for more information: WYWL.com
Meanwhile, Just Over The Line In SoNo, Norwalk Hosts Halloween Nightfair
During both weekend days the city hosted its inaugural “Halloween Nightfair On Washington Street. Washington Street, along with sections of North and South Main Streets were closed beginning Saturday morning for the event, which featured many family activities such as magicians, a bounce house, pumpkin painting and trick or treat bag decorating. A grammy winning band, Goodboys performed along with DJ Laidback Luke.
Anna Breault, special event coordinator for the city helped create the event as a community celebration of the popular holiday and spent many thousands of dollars for the DJ’s, sound systems and stage lighting.
Later that night, the South Norwalk Entertainment District, known as SoNo, which runs along Washington Street and onto North and South Main Streets was crowded with hundreds of Halloween celebrants on Saturday night, with several of the bars hosting costume contests.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Just over decade ago the district was thriving with many shops, restaurants and clubs. Over time, there was a bit of a downturn with some long standing business closing down. Now however it seems the crowds have returned perhaps larger than ever with the addition of several new latin clubs adding to the mix. Tablao, a Spanish oriented restaurant and bar sits alongside Bandido Mexican restaurant on Washington Street.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There was plenty to see, great music and drinks with the streets filled with party people hanging out and enjoying the holiday.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There was no shortage of creativity and imagination not to mention sexy styles.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Westport Library Leads Westport’s Saturday Night Halloween Celebrations
Bella's Bartok, a band known for raucous theatrical performances on stage at Saturday’s epic Halloween Party at the Westport Library.
The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and The Westport Library presented a very special Halloween event Saturday night featuring a live performance by Bella's Bartok, a band known for raucous theatrical performances. This band was beyond question every bit of that adjective, bringing many of the 200 Partiers to the dance floor in the library’s Trefz Forum, many of them dressed and accessorized for the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve. The creativity was quite apparent with some very unusual and striking “ensembles”.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Bella's Bartok kept the party rockin’ all night.
Judges with the help of the crowd, determined the contest winners of the night, with winners in the categories of best costume, best couple and most imaginative taking home $50. gift certificates donated by the local restaurants the Spotted Horse, De Tapas and Kawa Ni.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Several of the contest winners with judges Sheriff Matt Mandell and Library Executive Director Bill Harmer.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Strolling Down Main Street…
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Basso’s on Jesup Green had a great NYC band, Manny Montañez and his Boogaloo Orchestra, an excellent 7 piece band plus Basso Chef and owner Renato Donzelli on the congas.
The Festivities Over In Saugatuck Were Spooky, Scary Or Just Plain Weird
The scene over at Dunville’s.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Around the corner At Pancho Villa’s the patio was busy.
And Of Course, What Halloween Night Would Be Complete Without The Black Duck And Their Live Band
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.