Month: February 2018

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Soaking Up the Rays

A Compo Beach visitor today soaks up the rays as bright sunshine and temperatures in the 50s made it seem like spring. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service issued a high wind and flood watch for Westport and area from Friday morning to Friday evening. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

An Iconic Photo From Westport’s Spencer Platt

Westport native and award-winning photographer Spencer Platt took this iconic photo today in Newfoundland, Pennsylvania as an offshoot of the Unification Church encouraged couples to bring their AR-15 rifles with them to a commitment ceremony in the Pocono Mountains. The 1989 Staples High School graduate produced numerous photos of the ceremony for his employer, Getty Images. See other photos HERE. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Granger at the Movies: Oscar Predictions

By Susan Granger

Special to WestportNow

Sunday marks Oscar’s 90th birthday — and “Out with the old, in with the new!” is the message the Academy has sent to its voters this year, as Jimmy Kimmel once again hosts.

Jordan Peele (“Get Out”) is the first African-American ever nominated as writer, director and Best Picture producer in the same year, while Dee Rees (“Mudbound”) is the first African-American woman honored for an adapted screenplay and Rachel Morrison is the first female nominated for Best Cinematography.

Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”) is the fifth woman ever nominated in the directing category, and “Logan” is the first live-action superhero saga ever nominated for its screenplay.

This change is directly connected with then-Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs’ dismay over 2016’s #OscarsSoWhite. After inducting 1,700 new members in the past three years, the pool of 7,258 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters has been altered. It’s younger and more diverse, truer to America.

A PTA Thank You to Westport Police

There was a special lunch offered today to members of the Westport Police Department by the Staples High School PTA and PTA Council following Tuesday’s incident at the school. A note said: “On behalf of the Westport school parents, we thank the officers and staff of Westport Police Department for their dedication and professionalism yesterday and every day.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Police photo

Woman’s Club Accepting Grant Proposals from Nonprofits

The Westport Woman’s Club (WWC) is accepting proposals for its annual $5,000 Ruegg Grant for local nonprofit organizations, it was announced today.

Established in 1995 by a gift from former WWC member Lea Ruegg, the grant goes to deserving arts, education, health and safety-related organizations, WWCC officials said.

Past recipients include Earthplace, the Westport Astronomical Society, Project Return and Wakeman Town Farm.

For further information, visit http://www.westportwomansclub.org or call (203) 227-4240.

Dock Work

Workers carried out repairs today to the docks at the Ned Dimes Marina at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Real Estate Report: Size Matters

By Judy Szablak

Special to WestportNow

Size does matter when buying or selling a home in Westport.

Featured Home: This home at 42 Owenoke Park is listed at $3,099,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of Settlers & Traders Real Estate Company

There are currently 276 single family homes on the market, and 51 of these properties that are available have under 2,500-square feet of living area, and their average price is $938,671.

A slightly above average deposit ratio makes this range among one of the more active segments in town.

However, the 4,001- to 5,000-square foot size has the most inventory with 49 homes currently available for sale at an average price of $1,927,237.

Westport Real Estate Price Changes

Westport real estate price changes over the past week:

15 Rayfield Road $564,000->$549,000
7 Sue Terrace $599,000->$579,000
55 Colony Road $1,149,000->$1,049,000
15 Dogwood Lane $1,695,000->$1,589,000
8 Moss Ledge Road $ 2,250,000->$1,999,900
48 Hillandale Road $2,245,000->$2,195,000
—Judy Szablak

Uneventful Return to Staples

It was an uneventful return to school today for Westport Staples High School students, Aside from a police and media presence, it seemed just like another day, one day after early dismissal and word that a Staples student had uttered threats against a teacher and threatened a mass shooting. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com