Month: February 2016 - Page 9

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

One Man’s Trash …

While some might deride it as dumpster diving, Greg Van Antwerp sees historical “gold in them thar” junk piles.

Greg Van Antwerp: urban archaeologist. Contributed photo

And on Sunday, Van Antwerp, a self-proclaimed urban archaeologist, will share some of his most interesting discoveries at the Westport Historical Society (WHS) from 3 to 4 p.m.

According to Antwerp, objects found in bottle dumps, at garage and estate sales, can be like messages in a bottle in that they have fascinating stories to tell.

Among the find he blogs about under the banner of Confessions of an Urban Archeologist: news clippings of a Connecticut soldier lost in World War II; the childhood home movies of a Broadway playwright; and memories of Westport.

Canal View

The canal adjoining Canal Road as seen from the Saugatuck Island Bridge in Westport’s Saugatuck Shores area Sunday evening. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Monday, February 22, 2016

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Westport Arts Center – “Enid Munroe: Artist & Alchemist”
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Westport Historical Society – “Window to Westport’s Past & Present”
2 p.m. – Westport Library – Roald Dahl Film Festival: “Matilda”

See more events: Celebrate Westport Calendar

Sunday, February 21st, 2016

Rainy Sunday Night

It was a rainy ride home tonight for travelers on I-95 in Westport. View is looking south from the Hales Road overpass. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com

Going Down

A youngster tries to get the hang of skating late today at the P.A.L. Ice Rink at Westport’s Longshore Club Park. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

At Library, Teddy Roosevelt, the Man as a Father

The larger-than-life historical figure Theodore Roosevelt and his relationship with his youngest son Quentin killed in a war that his father championed will be explored Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Westport Library.

Eric Burns: at earlier Library appearance (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Westport author Eric Burns will read excerpts from and discuss his latest nonfiction book, “The Golden Lad: The Haunting Story of Quentin and Theodore Roosevelt,” a probing look into the personal side of the former president and Rough Rider who continues to fascinate historians and readers.

In addition to serving as president more than a century ago, TR as he became known, was revered as a Spanish-American war hero, the man who reformed the New York Police Department, busted the largest railroad and oil trusts, passed the Pure Food and Drug Act, created national parks and forests, won the Nobel Peace Prize and built the Panama Canal.

But according to Burns, it was the cause Roosevelt championed the hardest—America’s entry in to World War I—that would ultimately cause his downfall. His youngest son, Quentin, would die in an air fight.

Comings & Goings: Pearl Opens Monday

Pearl Restaurant and Bar, the successor to the Splash Restaurant which occupied the space for 19 years at the town-owned Inn at Longshore at Longshore Club Park, opens Monday at 5 p.m., according to Westporter Steve O’Shea, a marketing representative for the new eatery. O’Shea said the restaurant will be open for dinner each day from 5 p.m. until late closing for the first few weeks and then expand to lunch service around mid-March. The patio will open in the spring. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Gallery: Pearl Restaurant & Bar at Longshore

Views of the Pearl Restaurant and Bar, which opens Monday at 5 p.m. in space occupied for 19 years by the Splash Restaurant at the Inn at Longshore at Longshore Club Park in Westport. Steve O’Shea, a marketing representative for the new eatery, describes the restaurant as “sophisticated casual fine dining in a seasonal atmosphere serving delicious, healthy American cuisine.” Greenwich-based designer Bilal Barakat said the restaurant seats 65 in the main dining room and enclosed, temperature-controlled porch,18 at the bar and additional seating on the patio beginning in the spring. Pearl is co-owned by Westport resident Marc Backon and Antonio Ninivaggi. Ninivaggi also owns Toto’ Mediterranean Restaurant, formerly called Osianna, 70 Reef Road, Fairfield. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Taking a Bow, Playhouse Gets 15K Grant

The Westport Country Playhouse has received a $15,000 grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation for general operating support of the nonprofit organization’s 2016 season, Playhouse officials announced.

Michael Ross: “funding will allow continued world-class theater.” Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

The nationally recognized professional theater serves an estimated annual audience of 60,000.

“Westport Country Playhouse is profoundly grateful for the support of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation for our 2016 Season,” said Michael Ross, Playhouse managing director.

“This vital funding will allow us to continue to produce world-class theater, offer a broad array of enhanced programming, and serve as a cultural gathering place for the entire region.