Main Street Show-Stopper
Shoppers who strolled Main St. looking for Labor Day sales and bargains found a rare vintage truck looking like it just rolled off the assembly line, then made a stop at a custom car shop to achieve a one-of-a-kind finish. This beautiful 1979 International Scout II found its way to Keith M. of Fairfield by way of his Uncle Richard from Redding, an avid car collector. Only 44,434 Scout II’s were built in ’79 which was the last production year for this vehicle. The car drew quite the interest from passers-by with several taking photos and selfies with this fine automobile. The Scout caught the interest of Kate from Stamford and her two sons Tucker, age 13 and Jack, age 11 who noticed some interesting feature found in the interior.
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.
This scout was restored from the ground up by a friend of his uncle’s in Phoenix who was a highly skilled restorer of vintage Ferrari’s, and upon the completion of a 1973 Ferrari Dino, the Scout needed to find a new home which is how it made it’s way to Redding. Keith has owned the truck for 11 years, kept her garaged to insure she stayed in pristine condition and she has just over 63,000 original (he believes) miles on the odometer.
The power plant is the original 345 cid V8 with only a top-end rebuild and the original rally wheels were fitted with BFG 32.5” all terrain tires. The vivid plaid interior prompted closer inspection which revealed a working CB radio and a rotary telephone reminiscent of the kind of mobile phones which were in use at that time. Although it currently is non-functional and is just a visual accessory, Keith is hoping to find a say to get it on-line at some point. He also added a bluetooth radio which he installed in the glovebox.
You’re Invited: Sherwood Island’s Annual Shorefest
Previous event photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress
The Friends Of Sherwood Island host a wonderful event each year at the beautiful waterside Pavilion overlooking Long Island Sound. Each year more than 100 friends and family members gather to enjoy the delicious food, great live music all to support the programs provided by the Friends Of Sherwood Island. This important fundraiser offers entree choices of lobster, steak or salmon, along with appetizers, delicious deserts and a variety of beverages. The silent auction is a fun way to help support this wonderful gem in Westport. Funds raised from the event go toward the Friends' many activities at the park, including dune restoration, 100 Trees for 100 Years, paid internships at the Nature Center, educational programs for all ages, and the Friends' yearlong efforts to protect one of our State's irreplaceable natural resources
A look at a previous event: WestportLocal Shorefest
Proceeds from Shorefest impact Sherwood Island’s ability to protect this scarce coastal sanctuary space in Fairfield County, and expand, protect, and care for the park’s wildlife habitat.
This beautiful park offers one of the few beaches open to all CT residents with no entry fee or parking charge. Wildlife thrives in this waterfront sanctuary including nesting Osprey each year, bunnies all along the paths and the Pavilion is home to the Sherwood Island 9/11 Memorial
This historic CT landmark was purchased in 1914 and Sherwood Island is Connecticut's first state park. Its 234 acres are divided into a distinct east side (including a sandy beach, tidal marsh, nature trail, and the popular model airplane field) and west side (hiking trails, picnic tables, marsh, and forest).
For tickets and to learn more visit:: friendsofsherwoodisland.org/event/shorefest-2025/
Compo Pickleball Courts Dedication Ceremony In Honor Of Tom Lowrie To Be Held On Saturday
Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Westporters have been loving the pickleball courts at Compo Beach for some time now and on Saturday, August 23rd there will be a ceremony naming the courts officially after Tom Lowrie, who is 97 years young. Tom, along with Charlie Haberstroh was the driving force behind the pickle ball courts being built at Compo Beach and both would love to see an expansion to offer more courts to pickleball enthusiasts.Andrew Colabella, RTM member from District 4 was joined by Chris Tait, RTM District One member in selecting Tom to be honored. Per the town charter, two RTM members can petition in the naming of a town property. The pair petitioned the board of selectwomen and Parks & Recreation commission for the honor, where it passed unanimously. Andrew has worked to have some of Westport’s important venues dedicated to notable figures in town, such as Staples Laddie Lawrence track and Paul Lane football field.
Andrew told WestportLocal he decided to proactively pursue naming the pickleball courts after Lowrie as “Tom has been a pivotal individual in Westport’s development since the 1960s as a resident and architect. He graduated Princeton, served in the navy, raised two children, and has always been a peaceful and thoughtful collaborator and a selfless leader..”
Colabella continued, “Tom puts in the research and hard work and even goes beyond to make sure his work ends up in your hands personally. When Tom talks about an idea, he not only conveys his thoughts in written words, but visuals too.” Tom was also the former USA ambassador of Pickelball to Westport.
Pickleball has grown tremendously in recent years. the USA Pickleball website details the genesis of the game:
After playing golf one Saturday during the summer, Joel Pritchard, congressman from Washington State and Bill Bell, successful businessman, returned to Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island, WA (near Seattle) to find their families sitting around with nothing to do. The property had an old badminton court so Pritchard and Bell looked for some badminton equipment and could not find a full set of rackets. They improvised and started playing with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. At first they placed the net at badminton height of 60 inches and volleyed the ball over the net.As the weekend progressed, the players found that the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface and soon the net was lowered to 36 inches. The following weekend, Barney McCallum was introduced to the game at Pritchard’s home. Soon, the three men created rules, relying heavily on badminton. They kept in mind the original purpose, which was to provide a game that the whole family could play together.
You’re Invited: The 72nd Annual Bridgewater Country Fair
One of the few authentic large country fairs remaining in CT takes place this weekend, August 15th, 16th and 17th in Bridgewater, CT, at 100 Main St. South, 34 miles from Main St. Westport, about a 50 minute drive.
All the attractions associated with the fair, the annual fundraiser for the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department now in it’s 72nd year can be found here. Prize winning animals, including draft and miniature ponies, tractor pulls, pig racing, border collie demo, wood carving and more. The main event for 2025 is Chachi “The Rocket Man” Valencia. The World’s Biggest Human Cannonball. Free Flying thru the air at speeds of (55mph), heights over (65’) and distances of (165’), landing in a narrow net set 20’ off the ground!! He was at the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremonies.
Accompanying Chachi will be Tim Dyson and his motorcycle crew featuring the globe of death and his 80’ freestyle jump. Also featured is the Flippinout Trampoline Show. They are a team of top athletes from North America including Olympic Medalists, National Champions, National Team Members, Ninja Warriors, professional action sports athletes, Olympic Hopefuls, and top tier show professionals, who perform extreme trampoline shows.
There are multiple live music performers, a number of rides, a midway, awesome foods including fresh picked corn on the cob and the fair’s signature superb roast beef.
Parking is free and the admission is $10.00, with Seniors and Veterans’ tickets at $8.00. children under 12 are admitted free. The fair opening ceremonies begin today, Friday August 15th at 6:30PM followed by a parade down Main St. at 6:45PM.