Sunday, October 18, 2026

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Arts and Leisure

African Violet Show at Earthplace

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The annual show of the Silvermine African Violet Society was held over the weekend at Westport’s Earthplace, The Nature Discovery Center. Members exhibited their prize violets, streptocarpus and other gesneriads.  Some of the members pose with two of the violets on display. New members are welcome. The group meets the third Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Earthplace. For more information, contact Jane Sherman at (203) 226-4612 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jane Sherman for WestportNow.com

Wine Talk: Wonders from Down Under

By Chris Grimm

WestportNow Contributing Editor

Writing about Australian wine in only one article is as difficult as covering all of California in a single piece. The breadth of wine produced—the varietals, terroir, and quality—is certainly comparable to that from California. WN wine talk.jpg

Wine has been grown in Australia since the late 18th Century. As in the United States, improvements in the 1960s in quality, variety, and production really launched the contemporary Australian wine industry.

Most Australian wine comes from the state of South Australia (including the McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley regions).  New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia all contribute significantly to the country’s wine production.  Even less well-known areas like Tasmania and Kangaroo Island are producing fine wines. 

My Wine of the Month is the finest Cabernet Sauvignon I’ve tasted in years—the rather cumbersomely monickered 1998 Parkers Coonawarra Estate First Growth Terra Rossa. This spectacular effort features very fine-grained tannins that give a great structure for aging, but don’t hinder current drinking.  Big black currant flavors and aromas of cinnamon add to the pleasure.

Trout Season Underway

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Today was the official opening of trout season and these fishermen were in the waters of the Saugatuck River in Westport shortly after 6 a.m. The scene is off of Ford Road. One opening-day tradition is for private fishing clubs and other groups to stage after-fishing breakfasts for their members, some stretching into lunch and beyond. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) WestportNow.com photo

Getting Ready for Sunday’s Seasonal Opening at the Historical Society

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The Westport Historical Society Sunday celebrates the seasonal opening of its Bradley-Wheeler Barn housing the Museum of Westport History. As part of the celebration, Staples Players (l-r) Alec Galambos and Peter Stonbely will perform a short scene called The British Are Coming” at 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Contributed photo

“Five” Jive

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Mitzvah Day at Westport’s Temple Israel Sunday featured the debut of “Five,” the new Westport-based brass quintet.  Staples High School students, Danny Fein, Peter Menchaca, Ryan Lester (seated) Tim Day and Chris Zappi (standing) volunteered to entertain the volunteers, and won some donations for the Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE ) Contributed photo