There was a large turnout at the Westport Library today for a talk and reading by Victoria Kann, the award-winning illustrator and author of the picture book series featuring the whimsical and effervescent character Pinkalicious. Her appearance was part of the inaugural Saugatuck StoryFest, a three-day celebration of writing that is a partnership between the Westport Public Library and the Westport Public Schools. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Anna-Liisa Nixon for WestportNow.com

The structure at 79 Newtown Turnpike is among seven recipients of the Westport Historic District Commission (HDC) 2018 Preservation Awards to be presented in a Town Hall ceremony on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.  The Westport Historic District Commission (HDC) applauded the “sensitive rehabilitation and creative use” of this historic building, known as the Lewis Burr Fillow House, c. 1800/1925, formerly the Three Bears Restaurant.  In the spring this year, Chabad Lubavitch of Westport celebrated the grand opening. Both exterior and interior architectural elements have been preserved and restored. The renovation was designed by Robert Storm and carried out by Able Construction encompassing over 9,000 square feet of the original property and an additional 10,000 square feet of complimentary new construction. The project blends New England vernacular-fieldstone and shingle features with the historic core structure. The site has served as a stagecoach stop, an inn, a restaurant, and now a new Jewish center for prayer services, educational programs and meetings. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The house at 36 Evergreen Parkway is among seven recipients of the Westport Historic District Commission (HDC) 2018 Preservation Awards to be presented in a Town Hall ceremony on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.  Built c. 1937, the owner, Cynthia Wallace, acquired the property in 1960 and has been its faithful steward ever since, according to the HDC.The award acknowledges the contribution an architectural archetype of the mid-20th century has made to the present suburban landscape. The HDC cites this as an example of how, with sensitive modifications, including expansion, care and maintenance, a house of a different era, although not that long ago, can represent what a good neighbor can be. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The building at 6 Great Marsh Road, the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club (SHYC), is among seven recipients of the Westport Historic District Commission (HDC) 2018 Preservation Awards to be presented in a Town Hall ceremony on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. The HDC said the Queen Anne-style structure was build about 1887 and originally was a stable. Landscape architect Evan H. Harding later converted it into a clubhouse for what would become the SHYC. The underwater marsh land was dredged to create a harbor, the first of its kind on the eastern seaboard to feature an underwater bubble system allowing boats to remain moored year-round. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The house at 27 Long Lots Road is among seven recipients of the Westport Historic District Commission (HDC) 2018 Preservation Awards to be presented in a Town Hall ceremony on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Known as the William Nash House, c. 1812 the year the property was purchased by William Nash from Daniel C. Banks. The house has retained many of its original historic features and evolved with sympathetic and modestly scaled side additions. The current owners, Susan and Stuart Adams, who have lived in the house for just over a year, restored portions and carefully rehabilitated the front area of the house by removing obstructing vegetation and trees and by building a stone wall. After the site rehabilitation, the beauty of the original Federal- style house can once again be admired. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The house at 17 Canal St. is among seven recipients of the Westport Historic District Commission (HDC) 2018 Preservation Awards to be presented in a Town Hall ceremony on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Known as the Keeler House, c 1830, the federal style residence is owned by Jocelyn and Addison Armstrong who acquired the house in 2002 and rehabilitated it to, according to the HDC, “honor the past while making the home comfortable for the future.”  The HDC said, “Throughout their rehabilitation project, they remained committed to the original architectural elements. While the property is not a locally designated landmark, the owners consistently demonstrated their sensitivity to historic preservation and maintaining the integrity of this significant structure.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Ade Van Duyn’s exhibit of a series of paintings from Saugatuck has opened at the Westport Center for Senior Activities. Her show is entitled “Scars of a Tragedy”  and takes guests to several old buildings on Saugtuck Avenue. Pictured is the artist in front of one of 58 Saugatuck Ave. It was owned by the sisters Palma and Lyn DiMeo, lifelong residents of Saugatuck. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The house at 75 Kings Highway North is among seven recipients of the Westport Historic District Commission (HDC) 2018 Preservation Awards to be presented in a Town Hall ceremony on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.  This house earns the Helen Muller Preservation Award, given in recognition of a significant contribution to the maintenance, preservation and conservation of the Kings Highway North Local Historic District in honor of one of Westport’s most prominent preservation advocates, Helen Muller. It is owned by Kathryn and Brian McGarvey who, in 2015, purchased the house, known as the Francis Converse House c. 1922.  It is thought to have been designed by one of Westport’s most important local architects, Charles Cutler, well known for his Colonial Revival style architecture. Barbara and Allen Raymond whose tireless devotion to the history of Westport lived in the house for 50 years. The McGarveys reconfigured the front yard and driveway to make it safer for their young family. They installed a white wooden picket fence and circular drive with gates on either side and expanded the house by adding a two-story addition made to compliment the original house using original materials and with matching cedar shingle roof and six over six wooden windows. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com