Westport Conservation Director Colin Kelly provided the following response regarding recent complaints about crabbing at Sherwood Mill Pond.

The Shellfish Commission invited the Westport Police Department Marine Division to give a summary report of this year’s summer activities at their regular scheduled meeting on September 6, 2023.

As many have seen in local social media and news sites, the Sherwood Mill Pond has become a popular location for crabbing. The Westport Conservation Department reminds Westport residents that the act of crabbing is allowed and is covered by CT DEEP fishing regulations. (https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/CT-Fishing) 

People have the legal right to access state waters and fish for Blue Crab. The taking of Blue Crab requires no license, and there is no daily limit during the open season from May1 – November 30. The Conservation Office does not regulate the taking of crabs from the pond. The Sherwood Mill Pond Advisory Committee and the Shellfish Commission do not have authority to restrict the crabbing either.

To clarify, this does not mean the Town has ignored the public requests for checking the crabbing. In fact, the Westport Police Department have conducted more than fifty (50) patrols of Sherwood Mill Pond this summer. They have interacted with the individuals who are crabbing, they have actively provided education, and they have checked the catches to ensure proper measurements are being followed. The officers have used Infrared cameras to confirm that individuals were taking crabs and that any clams they have seen were dumped. They have worked individually and in conjunction with CT DEEP Encon Police. Officers have been proactive in responding to calls and will continue to provide our Town with this response.  We want to inform the public that over seventy (70) parking tickets have been issued along Hillspoint Road and the Old Mill parking lot in the last few weeks. One night alone had over thirty (30) parking tickets issued. The Police Department will continue their oversight, including adding additional tactics in the future, to ensure that the laws are followed.

For more information, please click here

Westport, CT - On Friday the 13^th, just two weeks before Halloween, there’s no better place to celebrate than at The Westport Library — and with Fireside Mystery Theatre.

On October 13 in the Library’s Trefz Forum, Fireside Mystery Theatre, the award-winning audio theatre production company, will premiere Nightfall on the Nutmeg State, a set of original pieces written for The Westport Library.

Fireside Mystery Theatre performs unique shows reminiscent of the old-time radio mysteries of the 1930s. The troupe’s actors will read live on stage, in full costume, each standing in front of a mic and with scripts in hand. The live performance will be recorded and later featured on Fireside Mystery Theatre’s podcast feed, which has reached millions of listeners around the world — bridging the gap between the Golden Age of Radio and the podcast era. 

Tickets are $20, and the event serves as the precursor to StoryFest, the Library’s annual literary festival, which runs October 20-22 featuring Neil Gaiman, Angie Kim, Gabino Iglesias, Caroline Kepnes, Eric LaRocca, Josh Malerman, and many more.

“We are so excited to be able to team with the brilliant minds at Fireside Mystery Theatre to bring this special production to the Library,” said Bill Harmer, Westport Library executive director. “They are the perfect partner for a library — delivering storytelling in its purest form, well-timed for Friday the 13^th and a week ahead of StoryFest.”

Nightfall on the Nutmeg State is comprised of four unique stories, performed by an ensemble cast with live underscoring and three music performances. The stories are as follows:

• Old Wolf Put: Long ago, wolves roamed the forests of Connecticut until, one fateful night, the last one was cornered in a dark and ominous cave.
• The Grave of Midnight Mary: A coven of witches uncover the legend of Midnight Mary Hart, who was buried alive after a swoon (or so they say) and now haunts Evergreen Cemetery. 
• Little Miss 1565: The true-life nightmare of the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire provides the backdrop for an unsettling, unsolved mystery.
• The Confession of Amy Archer-Gilligan: The heart-stopping tale (and part of the inspiration behind the classic Arsenic and Old Lace) of a boarding home for the old and infirm and a killer hiding in plain sight. 

Fireside Mystery Theatre invites all to come to this special show: “Thrill to an evening of strange sights, sounds, and stories specially sourced from Connecticut's darkest local myths, mysteries, and legends. Fireside Mystery Theatre's cadre of actors, musicians, and technicians will amaze you as they conjure unforgettable stories etched in sound — where the real meets the fantastic and the ordinary joins the bizarre.”

“We relish in thrilling and chilling our audiences wherever we go,” said Fireside Mystery Theatre presenter and actor Ali Silva. “But we especially look forward to this privilege of hand-delivering to the fine folk of Connecticut a lovingly crafted evening of our peculiar brand of dark and delightful entertainment.”

Led by co-creators and producers Silva and Gustavo Rodriguez, Fireside Mystery Theatre has been lauded by numerous outlets for its inventive storytelling and throwback feel. That includes Popsugar, which called Fireside Mystery Theatre one of the “10 scary podcasts to listen to on a dark and stormy night,” and The New York Times, which cited Fireside Mystery Theatre as one of the top five podcasts to bring into your home when theaters went dark in 2020.

“The episodes feature sound effects, musical acts, and a fully improvised score to bring the nostalgia to its fullest,” noted The New York Times. “Each play also brings a laugh and a chill as the group’s specialty is the eerie and macabre.” 

For more on Fireside Mystery Theatre, visit its website at firesidemysterytheatre.com. And click here to purchase tickets to the special event at the Library on Friday, October 13.

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Event Information:

Fireside Mystery Theatre — LIVE at The Westport Library!

Friday, October 13

6:30-9 pm

Trefz Forum, The Westport Library

Story link: https://westportlibrary.org/fireside-mystery-theatre-to-stage-special-live-friday-the-13th-performance-at-the-westport-library/ 

Event listing: https://westportlibrary.org/event/fireside-mystery-theatre-live-at-the-westport-library/    

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireside-mystery-theatre-live-at-the-westport-library-tickets-675501141097 

Why Small Businesses Matter

11th annual Food Tasting and Retail Experience on Saturday September 30th from 2-5pm

Once again the entire Saugatuck neighborhood will be energized and show off what it has to offer. Bands, Bouncy houses, Beer/Wine Gardens, Balloon Bender, Face Painter and much more

Adults $15

Kids 5-12 $5

After highly successful events starting in 2011 the Slice returns for the tenth year on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 from 2 pm – 5 pm with over four dozen of Saugatuck's finest restaurants, shops and galleries opening their doors and inviting the community to come and sample their offerings. Walk the streets of Saugatuck Center and taste your way from restaurant to restaurant, to design store, to liquor store, to retail merchant and back.

Walk the Slice!

There is so much to do for the whole family. Listen to 7 bands and stroll along the boardwalk at the plaza overlooking the river or get grooving alongside the dance demonstrations. Bring the kids and check out the Fire Department's antique fire engine, the fire safety trailer and jump in 4 different bouncy houses, Balloon Bender and Face Painter and roving performances.

Grab a map and see if you can taste everything being offered. Your stomach will be full before you get to the end. Get your passport stamped and enter in the lottery for gift certificates to many of these fine venues.

Proceeds to date benefiting the Gillespie Food Pantry are $44,000. We will  hopfully break $50,000 this year.

Learn more https://www.westportwestonchamber.com/saugatuck/

Westport, CT - Navigating The Westport Library website has never been easier.

The homepage for westportlibrary.org has been fully redesigned, with a new look and feel and a fresh design to make finding what you need easier, more intuitive, and more rewarding.

Among the highlights of the new design are a simplified menu and a robust footer so patrons can more easily access the Library’s core offerings. The redesigned homepage also offers a primary content space at the top of the page for increased engagement, more ways than ever before to discover upcoming Library events and existing Library assets, and breakout boxes highlighting current Library content such as reference guides, videos, podcasts, news, and more.

The redesign also creates a user experience that is responsive and accessible, an important element in making sure that the Library’s front-facing digital platform is open to all.

“These changes were all made with our patrons in mind,” said Bill Harmer, Westport Library executive director. “Through months of thoughtful planning and collecting feedback, we worked to create the optimal experience to find what you need as well as all the things we offer that you never knew you needed. It’s a great advertisement for all the services and programs that the Library offers, and the right entry point to engage with us on whatever level you would like.”

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Homepage: https://westportlibrary.org/    

Story link: https://westportlibrary.org/westport-library-prioritizes-the-patron-experience-in-launching-new-homepage/

Wakeman Town Farm has launched a roster of events for fall. We are rolling sushi, baking cakes, hosting intimate chefs' farm dinners, designing kids' farm programs and so much more!

Check out all the happenings at wakemantownfarm.org

Why Small Businesses Matter

This week is the last week for girls 4th-8th grade to register for the Ms President US Program for Wilton and Westport with our season kick off session happening Friday the 29th from 4:15-5:45 pm.

Through our program, girls learn about public speaking, diplomacy and listening skills, local/state/federal government, and women’s history while having an opportunity to meet and greet exemplary female leaders. The program culminates with a campaign and election for Ms President US.  

The winner will be invited to accompany their First Selectman, at appearances and speaking engagements throughout the year, until the next Ms President US is elected.

The program was launched in Ridgefield CT in 2017-2018.  With the support of our partners, the program will be promoted for replication in other towns in subsequent years.

While there are some wonderful programs focused on inspiring High School girls to engage in civic leadership, there are no community-based initiatives (currently known) that focus on engaging younger girls. The Ms President US program aims to reach girls at a pivotal age, before their self-esteem transitions from peak to plummet, as commonly takes place during the Middle School years.

Some highlights include:

• Open to all girls in 4th through 8th grade, and can be from any town.
• Sessions are held once a month for 1.5 hours in Wilton and Westport
• Sessions are led by community and state leaders and will include fun, interactive activities. Each session will include a mini lesson plan and a takeaway message.
• Each January girls begin to prepare their campaign for “Ms. President US” (their town) using their choice of media or art and addressing at least 1 issue (school start time, anti-bullying, etc.).
• Participants enjoy a field trip to the state capitol where they meet with legislative leaders, see the house chambers and court, and take a League of Women Voters tour.
• In the final session girls will give their campaign speech and show their display/presentation. 
• The girl with the top score among all the ballots submitted will be elected Ms President US of their town.
• Ms President US will “hold office” for 1 year until the next girl is elected. During her “administration” Ms President US will be invited to attend, participate and/or speak at local community events.
• $250 per participant
• $225 per each additional sibling
• Need-based scholarships are available
• Girl Scouts badge/credit eligible

Westport, CT — Westport Book Sale Ventures announces that tickets are now on sale for “Chapter Two: Spanning From Retail to E-Tail” — a benefit event to support the expansion of the Book Sale’s employment and job training program for adults with disabilities, to its eBay online sales business.  Participation in our online sales business will provide training in valuable computer, data entry and office-type skills, broadening the work experience and marketability of our employees.  It will also provide support for the Book Sale’s fledgling online sales business.  

The Chapter Two benefit will be held on Wednesday evening, October 25, 2023, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Westport Library.  The event will include live music by Zoe’s Lounge, light bites catered by Seaside Catering, a paddle-raise, and both a live and a silent auction of a representative sample of the kinds of things the Book Sale sells on eBay, plus artwork and signed books donated uniquely for this event.  Tickets are $75 each, and are available for purchase on eventbrite, at:  https://WestportBookSale_ChapterTwoBenefit.eventbrite.com 

A catalog of auction items is available on the Westport Book Sales website, at www.westportbooksaleventures.org/our-events.  Auction items include a first edition of Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince; two new copies of The New Yorker in Westport donated by its authors Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley; books signed by Laura Linney; a poster autographed by Sylvester Stallone; artworks donated by local artists Nina Bentley, Miggs Burroughs, Kirsten Rao, Norm Siegel, and Rowene Weems; and much much more. Event participants can also bid on the opportunity to have exclusive access to the next Westport Library Big Fall Book Sale on December 1, 2023, or the next Big Spring Book Sale on May 17, 2024, for one hour before anyone else is admitted to the sale!

The Book Sale is grateful to its very generous early event Sponsors: Dan Levinson, Robin & Brad Berggren, Eileen Lavigne Flug, Linda & Scott Hopper, Jocelyn & Walter Barandiaran, Ann Sheffer & Bill Scheffler, and the firm of Rolleri & Sheppard CPAs LLP.  To become an event sponsor, contact the Book Sale at info@westportbooksales.org

The proceeds of this event will support the Company’s employment and job training for adults with disabilities, and our used book sales that raise funds to support the exceptional programs and services of The Westport Library. 

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Westport Book Sale Ventures, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit enterprise with the dual social mission to provide meaningful employment and job training for adults with disabilities, while raising support for The Westport Library, through used book sales.  We offer gently used books, vinyl and other media for sale at our downtown Westport Book Shop, as well as at periodic large book sale events held at the Westport Library, and online on the company’s website www.westportbooksaleventures.org/shop and through our eBay store at www.ebay.com/str/westportbooksalesct. For  more information, or to make a charitable donation, please visit our website at www.westportbooksales.org

Westport Book Sale Ventures welcomes volunteers for all aspects of our operations, from book donation receipt and sorting, to preparing for and working at book sale events, to work in our online sales operation, and at the Westport Book Shop.  For more information, and to get involved, please visit www.westportbooksales.org or send an email to info@westportbooksales.org 

Westport, CT - Halloween is arriving at The Westport Library a few days early this year.

The Library, in partnership with the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a Halloween Concert and Costume Ball featuring Bella’s Bartok. The event will be held in the Library’s Trefz Forum on Saturday, October 28. Doors open at 7 pm, with the concert kicking off at 8 pm. 

"Get ready for a hauntingly good time with Bella's Bartok, where music meets mayhem and costumes are your ticket to the freakishly fabulous,” said Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. 

Bella’s Bartok is uniquely suited to perform at this event. Known for their raucous theatrical performances edging at times toward the macabre, the band plays a high energy mix of funk, pop, and folk that will have everyone dancing during their two full sets. 

This nocturnal happening is the adult accompaniment to the Children’s Halloween Window Painting Contestthat will be held earlier the same day (also run by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce). Costumes are encouraged, with contests and prizes awarded for the best outfits in multiple categories. Specialty cocktail potions along with beer and wine will be available to allow patrons to pick their own poison. 

“This night is about creativity both on and off the stage, a melding of concepts that I’m sure will get people’s imagination going,” said Matthew Mandell, executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. “I am a big fan of the band. This will be a fun show!” 

The event is the latest musical collaboration between the Library and the Chamber, including the Supper & Soul events featuring Cris Jacobs, Johnny Folsom 4, and more.

Tickets to the Halloween Concert and Costume Ball are $35 and are on sale now.

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Event Information:

Halloween Concert and Costume Ball Featuring Bella's Bartok

Saturday, October 28

7-10 pm (doors open at 7 pm; concert starts at 8 pm)

Trefz Forum, The Westport Library

Story link: https://westportlibrary.org/westport-library-to-host-halloween-concert-and-costume-ball-featuring-bellas-bartok/

Event listing: https://westportlibrary.org/event/halloween-concert-and-costume-ball-featuring-bellas-bartok/ 

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-concert-costume-ball-bellas-bartok-tickets-682165143307

Westport, CT - Westport Country Playhouse will bring to its stage “First Lady of Song: Cherise Coaches Sings Ella Fitzgerald” for a one-week run, from Friday, October 27 through Sunday, November 5.

Broadway actress and recording artist Cherise Coaches stars in a concert event saluting one of America's favorite jazz singers, Ella Fitzgerald. Coaches effortlessly emits the sultry swing and playful joy that made Ella an American treasure. Classic tunes include "Summertime," "The Lady Is a Tramp," and "It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing." Coaches will be joined on stage by a band of piano, bass, drums, and woodwinds.

The storyline celebrates Ella Fitzgerald’s career triumphs, artistry, and legacy, while also addressing her experiences of poverty, childhood abuse and homelessness, romantic partners or lack thereof, racism, and health issues.

“First Lady of Song” replaces the Playhouse’s previously announced fall production of “School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play,” which was canceled last spring to cut costs as the historic theater faced financial challenges. 

Beth Huisking, Playhouse acting managing director, said, “’First Lady of Song’ comes to us from Artists Lounge Live, a Chicago-based production company. It’s a high-quality, total package, with set, costumes, marketing materials, and other elements, thus saving the considerable cost of producing a show ourselves. The Playhouse will resume mounting our own theatrical productions in fall 2024, under the artistic direction of Mark Shanahan.”

Cherise Coaches is a Chicago-born/Los Angeles-based actress, recording artist, songwriter, vocal arranger/producer, and voice coach. Coaches appeared on Broadway in the musical “Waitress” as well as the National Tour of “Disenchanted: The Musical.” Chicago Theatre Review calls her, "transcendent... a gifted, glittering songstress." Coaches recently appeared in and served as vocal supervisor for the reimagined “Gospel at Colonus” in both Chicago and Los Angeles. Other theater credits include “Hair” (Dionne), “Dreamgirls” (Charlene), “A New Attitude: In Tribute to Patti LaBelle” (Young Patti), and the musical revue “Dynamite Divas” where she dazzled audiences in the styles of legends Dinah Washington, Beyoncé, and Patti LaBelle. 

Coaches was honored with a Black Theater Alliance nomination for the Phylicia Rashad Award for Most Promising Actress. She also appeared on tour with Artists Lounge Live as a featured vocalist in “Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul,” “Higher and Higher with Chester Gregory,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: John-Mark McGaha Sings Stevie Wonder.” Television credits include “The Chi” and “Empire.” Film credits include “Plow” and “The Terrible Tenth.” Additionally, Coaches records, writes, and produces neo-soul music, available now on all streaming platforms. IG/TikTok/Twitter: @cherisecoaches

Artists Lounge Live, the show’s production company, was created by the married team of executive producer Michael Ingersoll and artistic director Angela Ingersoll. https://artistsloungelive.com/

Production Sponsors are Judy and Scott Phares. Production Partners are Paige and Jodi Couture. Corporation Production Partner is Cohen and Wolf, P.C.  2023 Media Sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. 

Performance schedule is Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Special series include Pride Night (November 2) and Open Captions (November 5).

The play is recommended for age 12 and up. Running time is approximately 100 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

Single tickets start at $35 and are subject to change based upon availability. Buy early for best prices. For information on special offers, including discounts for students, senior citizens, educators, military and first responders, Indigenous peoples, professional playwrights, and groups, as well as options for pay-what-you-will and library passes visit www.westportplayhouse.org/visit/box-office/.

For more information and tickets, visit:  https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/first-lady-of-song-cherise-coaches-sings-ella-fitzgerald/

The complete schedule of Playhouse events is available at westportplayhouse.org. All play titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org, or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), Instagram (wcplayhouse), and onYouTube (WestportPlayhouse).

A PLETHORA OF EYE CANDY AT THE TRUNK SHOW: WESTPORT JESUP GREEN PARKING LOT

The Artist Collective of Westport and the Westport Library present the 2023 Trunk Show. Free admission. This October 1 at 11am-4pm. Come to the Westport Library's lower parking lot adjacent to Jesup Green and feast your eyes on the art and creations of over 35 Artist Collective works for viewing and for sales. For yourself or holiday gifts.

The art is reasonably prices art that range from $25 to $1,500. Most sales are under $100 - many $10 - $50. Lots of bargains for the people who come and fun for them to meet the artists.

The wonderful jazz/popular vocal stylings of Melissa Newman will be featured, so you don't want to miss that.

Some of the artists participating are: Elisa Keogh, Deborah Bohren, Beatrice delPerugia, Nina Bentley, Marc Zaref, Louise Cadoux, Dionne Pia,  Holly Hawthorn, Rosalind Shaffer, Maryann Neilson, Julie Leff,Lisa Silberman, Dolores Santiliquido, Fruma Markowitz, George Radwan, Ronnie Gold, Jean Krasno, Jocelyn Baran, Cecilia Moy, Susan Fehlinger,Dorothy Robertshaw, Cindy Wagner, Robin Babbin, Michael Brennecke, Susan Murray, Debbie Smith,Rebeca Fuchs, Elizabeth Devoll, Janine Brown, Leonor Dao Turut, Hernan Garcia, Carla Goldberg,Barbara Ringer, Jane Fleischne, Maj Kalfus

Westport, CT - The Artist Collective of Westport and the Westport Library present their 2023 Trunk Show Sunday, October 1, 11am-4pm, in the Westport Library's lower parking lot adjacent to Jesup Green. Over 35 artists will be showing their work, all of which is for sale.

The art is reasonably priced from $25 to $1,500. Most sales are under $100 - many $10 - $50. Lots of bargains for visitors.

The wonderful jazz/popular vocal stylings of Melissa Newman will also be featured, so you don't want to miss that!