The Daffodils Are Gone, But The Tulips Return With Spectacular Colors
The daffodils, once vibrant and cheerful, have now become beautiful memories captured in countless photographs. As they gracefully fade from the scene, the spotlight shifts to the tulips, which are making a striking appearance all over town. Particularly along Myrtle Avenue, the landscape is transformed into a colorful palette, showcasing a stunning array of orange, pink, and red hues.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
These tulips have attracted the attention of passers-by, who are drawn to the lively contrasts against the backdrop of spring. The vivid blooms stand out, reminding everyone of the season's renewal and beauty. Walking along Myrtle Avenue, one can witness this colorful display, a welcome sight as nature continues to awaken and flourish. The transition from daffodils to tulips marks another chapter in the annual floral spectacle that enriches the community.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
Always a stunning display, the Wisteria that adorns the arbor of this Imperial Avenue home is in full bloom, transforming passing through the front door into a delightful experience. The spectacular beauty and astonishing vigor of Wisteria are best showcased when grown as a small tree, referred to as a standard. Long racemes of fragrant flowers emerge in May, gracefully cascading from lush green foliage, which has been artfully shaped through careful pruning. As a gentle breeze passes, the blossoms sway softly, creating a serene atmosphere that enhances the charm of this charming home.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge.
You’re Invited: Hot Coffee And Hot Cars This Saturday Morning At Interstate Lumber’s Westport Design Center
The Interstate Lumber Westport Design Center, 800 Post Road East, the area’s premier showroom for high end and luxury products for building or remodeling your dream home will be hosting “Coffee & Cars” at their Design Center on Saturday May 10th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The WDC staff has numerous auto enthusiasts who have partnered with the Ridgefield Motor Club and The Auto Spa of Fairfield to present some of Fairfield County’s finest classic, vintage and late model exotic automobiles for car aficionados and admirers. All are welcome to visit and enjoy coffee, espresso, craft beverages and pastries served by Caffé Bon’s mobile coffee house.
An array of exceptional motorcars will be on hand for up-close and personal viewing, including new and legacy American Muscle Cars like the 800 BHP Dodge Hellcat, which does 0-60 MPH in 3.6 seconds. 1960's legends such as the 435 BHP '67 Tri-power Corvette, and two vaunted SS 396 Chevelles. See Chevrolet's flagship supercar, the 2025 Corvette C8 Z06 which delivers 670 BHP from a 5.5 liter V8 and has a starting price of more than $110,000.
Also registered to be on hand is a vintage Porsche 928 and a serious showstopper, The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid, 541 hp engine and a top speed of 194 mph. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package. The T-Hybrid system uses a 1.9 kWh battery and an electric motor to assist the turbocharger.
Photos of 2024 Cars & Coffee By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, Interstate Lumber CEO Sheldon Kahan with one of the exotic sports cars at last year’s Cars & Coffee.
Guests are invited to also visit the Design Center and see some of the finest in luxury building products, specialty doors and windows and their huge selection of high end home design hardware and accessories. Design Center Manager Frank Bowron said, “The dramatic way we display our products at the IDC is similar to what you might find on the showroom floor of a high-end auto dealer. Just like you'd need to take a car for a test drive, you'll need to visit the Westport IDC to imagine yourself in your new home.”
Daffodil Days Are Over And They Were Beautiful
The breathtaking daffodil field in nearby Redding is a destination for hundreds each April.
We always look forward to the arrival of the beautiful, mostly yellow blooms which are ubiquitous in our area, especially those in front of Willowbrook Cemetery on Main St just south of the Merritt Parkway (see our Wonderful Willowbrook story) and everywhere in front of the beautiful homes of Westport. The daffodil, which has the botanical name Narcissus, is a favorite among local gardeners. While most are yellow, There are more than 27,000 cultivated varieties including white-petalled Narcissus poeticus and the orange and salmon-colored variety.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Almost surprisingly, the daffodil, the most visible sign of the beginning of spring, is not the state flower in any of the 50 states. It is, however, national flower of Wales. The flower is worn traditionally in Wales on St. David's Day, the first day of March to celebrate the Welch patron saint, David. David lived in the sixth century and was known for having founded a large monastery in western Wales.
The UK is the worlds largest grower of the flower. Learn more at History Of Daffodils. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/gardens-landscapes/history-of-daffodils
One of the places in our area where the daffodil show is simply spectacular is at 70 Cross Highway in Redding where these photos were taken in late April. The beautiful field blooms each spring with an estimated 50,000 daffodils, creating a stunning sea of yellow that serves as a testament to a love story which endured for over six decades. No matter where you point your camera/phone you get a beautiful photo. Even the bluebird sitting on a branch overlooking the scene must be impressed.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The cherished field was the home of Bud McQuade a teacher at Redding's Joel Barlow High School for many years. Each year Bud would plant more and more bulbs as a tribute to his beloved wife Florence who adored them.
After Florence's passing, Bud dedicated his time to nurturing and expanding the daffodil patch, continuing this labor of love until his own death in 2019 at 103 years old.
Following Bud's passing, concerns arose that the field might be lost to development. However, his neighbor, Stacey Steinmetz, stepped in to purchase the property, ensuring that the daffodils would continue to bloom and that the profound message of enduring love would remain a vibrant part of the community. Hundreds of families visit the site each year walking the paths and taking family photos of their one of a kind experience.
Overlooking the field is a vibrant Magnolia tree which is almost as eye-catching as the sea of flowers at its base.
At Least It's Not Blue Anymore!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
The notorious "Blue House" at 233 Hillspoint Rd., so named because for longer than we can remember it sat there, draped in Blueskin vapor barrier for what seems like years. The home which may qualify to be the longest home construction project in Westport history was once a quaint beachfront restaurant, Positano as well as others through the years. When Positano closed, the site was purchased and the nightmare for neighborhood residents began, with years of legal wrangling, zoning violations, a cease and desist order, appeals, fines, a lawsuit from the neighbors and pretty much the gamut of what a construction project gone bad can experience.
That owner finally gave up and the property was purchased by Summit Saugatuck in early 2024 for $4.5 Million, the fines totaling nearly $36,000 were paid, and construction continued, albeit at a snail's pace.
The neighbors may find some solace in not getting "the blues" as they drive by each day, however as we approach the 1-1/2 year mark since construction was re-started there is little apparent evidence that this house will be finished any time soon. The interior appears from the outside to just be studs and the exterior still is not completed.
But hey, at least its not blue anymore!