{"id":2347898,"date":"2026-03-27T15:05:35","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:05:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2347898"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:05:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:05:35","slug":"roundup-osprey-politics-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/roundup-osprey-politics-entertainment\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundup: Osprey, Politics, Entertainment \u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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They\u2019re back!<\/p>\n

Well, at least one is.<\/p>\n

Right on schedule, an osprey has returned to the perch between Fresh Market and Terrain.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, its mate will join soon. Another season of fishing, breeding and hanging out in (and over) Westport awaits.<\/p>\n

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(Hat tip and photo\/Dana Kuyper)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Speaking of seasonal activities: These days, many Westporters are busy with spring cleaning.<\/p>\n

Nine Rotary Club members took time out of their own yards, gardens and garages yesterday to spiff up the Sherwood Island Connector commuter parking lot, and nearby areas.<\/p>\n

Led by Peter Helt and Rick Benson, they collected 25 bulging bags of trash.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is our town. Please keep it clean!\u201d says Benson.<\/p>\n

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Rotarians to the rescue!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Ani DiFranco drew a large crowd last night, to the Westport Library.<\/p>\n

The musician, folk-rock legend and cultural icon kicked off 4 days of VersoFest \u201926 in a conversation with Westport TV journalist Lindsay Czarniak about her new book, \u201cThe Spirit of Ani: Reflections on Spirituality, Feminism, Music, and Freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tonight\u2019s headliner is another musical legend: Wyclef Jean. Very few tickets remain for his 8 p.m. performance (click here to purchase<\/a>).<\/p>\n

For the full lineup of music, workshops, talks, art exhibits and more, click here.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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Ani DiFranco, at VersoFest. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Downtown traffic may be a little tougher than usual tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Two events \u2014 the weekly 11 a.m., Ruth Steinkraus Bridge anti-Trump protest, and a \u201cNo Kings\u201d 12 noon rally on Jesup Green \u2014 could cause delays, along with possible road closures.<\/p>\n

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Traffic moves slowly when downtown is crowded. (Photo\/Jim Honeycutt)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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A truck fire on I-95 southbound yesterday evening, just past Exit 17, caused significant delays.<\/p>\n

Smoke could be seen as far east as Greens Farms.<\/p>\n

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(Photo\/Michael Diggin)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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MoCA\\CT invites all area teenagers to an open \u201cMic at the Museum Night\u201d (April 30, 6 to 8 p.m.).<\/p>\n

Organized by MoCA\u2019s Teen Council, it\u2019s free \u2014 and for teens only. Participants can perform in any medium they choose: music (solo or group), comedy, storytelling, rap, dance or whatever.\u00a0Click here to sign up.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Speaking of entertainment: Morningside \u2014 a local indie-rock band made up of local dads, who just released their debut album of original music \u2014 headlines Stage One at FTC next Friday (April 3).<\/p>\n

The band \u2014 including Westporters Nick Huber, Sean Spillman and Bobby Schlesinger; Westonite Matt Stine, and Ian Walters of Fairfield \u2014 opened for John Oates last summer at the Levitt Pavilion. More recently, they played at Mohegan Sun\u2019s Wolf Den Theater.<\/p>\n

Canyon \u2014 another Westport musician (and mom) \u2014 is the opening act at FTC. Click here for tickets, and more information.<\/a><\/p>\n

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MyTeamTriumph \u2014 the great organization that pairs volunteer \u201cangels\u201d with \u201ccaptain\u201d athletes with disabilities, so that both can compete in running and bike races, and triathlons \u2014 hosts a pre-season warm-up short, friendly run and picnic on April 12 (11:30 a.m., Compo Beach).<\/p>\n

They invite anyone interested \u2014 captain or angel \u2014 to check them out.<\/p>\n

Upcoming events include the Women\u2019s League of Westport Minute Man Race 5K and 10K (April 26), Boys & Girls Club of Stamford Corporate 5K (May 14), and Bloomin\u2019 Metric Bike Ride (May 17).<\/p>\n

Click here to sign up for the April 12 warm-up event.<\/a> Click here for more information on myTeamTriumph.<\/a><\/p>\n

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MyTeamTriumph, in action.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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A good-sized group of Representative Town Meeting (RTM) members enjoyed their semi-annual lunch this week, at The Clubhouse.<\/p>\n

They time this one for the yearly Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce food contest. (This year\u2019s \u2014 for the best sandwiches in town<\/a> \u2014 runs through Tuesday, March 31.)<\/p>\n

The other lunch takes place during Restaurant Week.<\/p>\n

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RTM members (plus former moderator Velma Heller, 2nd from right), at The Clubhouse. Owners Tim and Emily Zobl are in back.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Last year, the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place \u2014 Westport\u2019s men\u2019s and women\u2019s shelters \u2014 reopened, after extensive renovations.<\/p>\n

This year, they\u2019ve added something else new: an American flag. Peter Jennings installed it Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The flag now flies proudly outside Homes with Hope\u2019s Jesup Road building \u2014 which also houses a food pantry, and meeting space \u2014 in the heart of downtown.<\/p>\n

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(Photo\/Helen McAlinden)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This winter has been tough on local roads.<\/p>\n

The Public Works Department is patching potholes as best they can. The entrance road at Burying Hill Beach has a particularly deep one.<\/p>\n

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(Photo\/Scott Smith)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Earlier this week the Y\u2019s Women learned about \u201cthe power of the Red Cross,\u201d from 2 women who know it well.<\/p>\n

Susan Shansky retired from a career in budget management and communications at MIT. She is now a \u201cblood donor ambassador,\u201d having donated 10 gallons (in small increments) to the Red Cross.<\/p>\n

Natalie Sustache is an American Red Cross senior recruiter.<\/p>\n

The pair described how they bring talented people, to deliver hope and relief every day.<\/p>\n

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Susan Shansky and Natalie Sustache. (Photo\/Vera DeStefano)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Today\u2019s \u201cWestport \u2026 Naturally\u201d photo is one more in our continuing insistence that yes, spring really is just around the corner.<\/p>\n

Though tomorrow\u2019s high will only be around 39, temperatures could reach the 70s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fingers crossed \u2026<\/p>\n

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(Photo\/Matt Murray)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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And finally \u2026 Chip Taylor, who wrote songs as diverse as the Troggs\u2019 \u201cWild Thing\u201d and Merrilee Rush\u2019s \u201cAngel of the Morning,\u201d died Monday in New York. He was 86.<\/p>\n

Click here for a full obituary.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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