Very Busy Westport Sidewalk Sale Weekend
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The weather on Saturday in Westport was hot and so were the sales on Main Street and downtown. Hundreds of shoppers threaded their way through the clogged roads leading to downtown, made even busier with crowds that attended the Great Duck Race and UN Day.
Shoppers kept the staffs busy and the cash registers working hard as they poured over the racks on the sidewalks and took advantage of a great selection of bargains.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
After their shopping excursion this couple found a cool, quiet place to relax in the Adirondack chairs overlooking the Saugatuck on Gorham Island.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
It Ain't Easy Staying Green On Days Like This!
Longshore Golf Course has had the benefit of lots of rain to keep the fairways and greens that beautiful "golf course" green, at least until this week.
Club management deployed their irrigation system yesterday afternoon as the grass will quickly dry out under the scorching temps we have had to endure this week. They continually irrigate under the conditions as we have had recently.
Longshore Ranger Bill Gill is charged with patrolling the grounds to keep people off the course who shouldn't be on it, and to watch out for any vandalism. Gill, who has been at the club for seven years told WestportLocalPress the course is frequently dry in part due to the winds blowing off the sound. Gill also said that many clubs have to prohibit golf carts on their courses when they have the kind of rains we have had this spring as the grass could be damaged when soaked due to days of rain, but Longshore drys out quite quickly due to the breezy conditions.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com.
The full sun that required the watering of the grass also provided a beautiful rainbow.
Opening Day At New Compo Playground!
The new Compo Beach Playground was official opened on Memorial Day Weekend with a "ribbon" cutting with volunteers and local officials.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press
After the ribbon was cut, a photo-op was held with volunteers and the first kids (and adults) to enjoy this very special place for Westport children.
The official Town Of Westport Giant Scissors were required to cut the “ribbon” which was actually one of the banners used to promote and request donations for the Playground project.
An Innova rocker, a rope adventure course, a circus swing or a cradle bridge alone is enough to excite any child in town. The new and improved Compo Beach playground has all the features and more! Westport children are now able to explore these new additions to the playground after missing the structure for nearly two months.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The newest version may look different from the playground many Westport citizens are used to. There is now an increase in playing area, including a small designated sandbox, with a squared-off fence line. There is also an installation of seven new features, as well as some of the old features. While building, volunteers ensured that the sight lines were increased to allow parents to better oversee their children while playing.
Westport mother, Diana Dalamagas, says, “playgrounds need clear visibility because parents can get distracted, and it can be stressful to lose sight of their young children.”
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
According to the Westport Journal, many of these new structures were added to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. This includes easily accessible structures, an increase in space around the playground and an increase in visibility for parental figures. The previous playground did not meet these standards, as those who were disabled found themselves unable to access many parts of the older structure.
The original playground in Westport was built in 1988. And 18 years later was redone in 2006. The playground has been kept the same until this Spring when construction took place from March 1 to April 26.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Excited volunteers and visitors show some love to the photographers following the official ribbon cutting.
The newest version of the Compo Beach playground truly encapsulates the heart of the Westport citizens. Volunteers took time out of their days to rebuild and implement new and safer equipment for the children to play on. This includes the Innova rocker, rope venture climber, cirrus swing, orb rocker, brava swing, stem play activity panels, cradle bridge and accessible ice cream truck.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The renovations took a tremendous amount of hard work as well as a lot of money. The project was anchored by $100,000 in gifts from both the Westport Rotary and Westport Police Foundation. The group continues to work hard to reach its goal of $650,000. With this, the playground will be modernized in hopes of lasting for generations.
Photos by J.C. Martin, Story By Piper Salik for Westport Local Press. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Staples LAX Defeats Darien 7-6 For CIAC State Championship
In an epic match-up of two powerhouse programs at Fairfield University's Rafferty Stadium Saturday, the Wreckers fight a fierce battle, holding off a four-straight goal comeback attempt by the Blue Wave to take home the class LL (large school) trophy.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress. Purchasing photos helps support Westport Local’s coverage of Staples Athletics. Contact J.C. Martin at admanjcm@yahoo.com
This is an updated story on the Wreckers big victory posted earlier.
The Wreckers knew what had to be done, having brought home two titles in the last three years, and they did just what they needed to do. The thrilling final quarter saw Darien tie the score at 6-6 but the Wreckers scored their seventh goal and held on to the lead to the final moments. Congrats to head coach Will Koshansky, his superb staff, and the Staples Wreckers on their 3rd state title in four years!
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress.
As time on the game clock expired, the jubilant Wreckers cleared the bench and rushed the team on the filed to join in the celebration.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress. Purchasing photos helps support Westport Local’s coverage of Staples Athletics. Contact J.C. Martin at admanjcm@yahoo.com
Everyone got a chance to get hands on the trophy Which will be added to the others at Staples High School
Top row above show the game winning goal and the reaction of the players who fund themselves back in the league with only minutes left to play.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress.
Wreckers faithful filled the stands despite the threat of rain. There were only brief drizzles which did nothing to dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of the crowd.
Wreckers athletic coaching staff members were present, including basketball Head Coach David Goldshore, standing.
The teams line up to congratulate each other for their efforts.
Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocalPress. Purchasing photos helps support Westport Local’s coverage of Staples Athletics. Contact J.C. Martin at admanjcm@yahoo.com
Local television captured the awarding of the medals for each team.
Parents and friends gathered at the gate as the team exited to take photos and selfies.