Westport
in Brief!
EverythingWestport.com
Tuesday,
June 05, 2012
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River Day returns to Head of
Westport!
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EverythingWestport.com Tuesday,
June 05, 2012
"Even though the sidewalks weren't
approved, it was still important to preserve this magnificent, historic
tree," said former Central Village Public Improvements Committee member
Elaine Ostroff. Inset: working high above Main Road like some
aerial gymnast, Jose of Bartlett Tree Experts gave the linden tree a six-hour
haircut which included removing dead branches and suckers, and cabling a weak
branch crotch to reduce storm damage potential. Ostroff said that $2000 previously raised
through private donations paid for the linden's "structural pruning"
after a thorough evaluation of the tree by an arborist proved it sound. "I'm very pleased with what's being
done," Ostroff said. "The tree looks great already."
Above: Elaine Ostroff and
David Wallace supported the effort to save the linden tree.
Above, left: The Highway
Department's new John Deere Skid Steer and street sweeper attachment made
quick work of the tree-trimming aftermath on Main Road. River Day returns to Head of Westport! The celebratory event first started in 1984. EverythingWestport.com Thursday, June 07, 2012 In celebration of the Westport River Watershed
Alliance's 35 years, the environmental protection group is again hosting a
full day of River Day festivities on Saturday, June 9th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at the Head of Westport Landing. Activities are numerous and offer fun for
all ages. River Day 2012 expects to draw up to 2000 visitors who will learn
firsthand why the Westport River is a special resource for current and future
generations. The theme is
"Celebrating the Westport River - a resource for generations." The WRWA started
the annual event in 1984 as a festival meant to bring the community together
to celebrate Rivers Month and the Westport River. It became the
WRWA's flagship event for the next 20 years. In 2004, the WRWA
modified River Day into a family-fun an competitive paddle aptly named River
Run, which continued the spirit of celebrating the river. River Day 2012 Celebrating the Westport River a Resource
for Generations Join WRWA on Saturday, June 9th from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. at the Head of Westport Landing. Activities are numerous and offer
fun for all ages. Family fun paddle starts at 10 a.m. at Hix
Bridge Landing. River Paddle Registration required print and fill out this form,
bring it with you- click
here for form Registration begins at 9 am. Paddle starts at 10 am. Entertainment
Miracle Fish Puppets- Bubble Fish and Baboo; Donna Mitchell, Native American Spoken Word
using poetry and story; River Rats, local
chantey chorus; and the return of The Funky White Honkies, a
favorite local band. Activities Annual 3.5 mile kayak and canoe paddle from Hix Bridge Landing to the Head of Westport Landing; 4th graders from the Paul Cuffee
School in Providence are building boats to celebrate their maritime charter
and will launch their boats at River Day in the very river where the real
Paul Cuffee, a Westport resident, launched the
whaling ships he built in the late 18th /early 19th century; Westport Historical Society walking tours of the
historic Head neighborhood and the restored Wolf Pit Schoolhouse; Exhibits celebrating Westport’s farming and fishing
heritage Green businesses demonstrating energy options
(solar/wind), wastewater solutions, and sustainable practices for everyday
living; and Children’s games – stilt making, May-pole dancing, fish
printing, “wee boat” building, old fashion hoop rolling, face painting, paper
airplanes, and much more. Click
here to read the article and view photos and video of 2011 River Run day.
Samantha "Sam" Ladd of Osprey Sea Kayak
starts the Family Fun race. Exhibition opens this Saturday June 9th on River Day
from 9 a.m. to - 3 p.m. EverythingWestport.com Thursday, June 07, 2012 Deplorable! Unhealthful! Worn out! Dismal!
Repulsive! (Westport School Committee on the condition of schools in 1900) Take off those rose tinted glasses and step
into the world of the 19th century one-room schoolhouse!
The Westport Historical Society opens a new
exhibition at the Bell School exploring the story of the nineteen one-room
schools that once dotted the Westport landscape in the 19th century, and the
creation, followed by slow demise of an unsustainable district system. Nothing illustrates the plight of children
in the 1800s more dramatically than the daily hardships that they faced at
school. Although each one-room schools differed somewhat from the exterior,
they were all equally primitive inside and presented the students with some
serious challenges to their wellbeing. In the winter, children risked being
sprayed with hot soot from malfunctioning woodstoves.
They risked contracting life-threatening
diseases through the prevalent use of the common drinking cup and appallingly
unkempt outhouses. They faced serious bullying and class
disruption as anywhere from 15 to 50 pupils ranging in age from 5 to 20
years, crowded into a single room. Many children were sentenced to a life of
impaired eyesight from the lack of adequate lighting in the schools. It is astounding that within these
difficult conditions, children managed to read the literary classics, learn
complex bookkeeping skills, take in the practical arts (music, drawing,
agriculture), and learned how to plant gardens.
Despite the poor conditions inside the
buildings, the one-room schoolhouse has left a lasting architectural legacy,
such as the Greek Revival Bell School and the temple-like Wolf Pit School.
Many of the buildings that were once one-room schools still survive, but have
been significantly altered. The struggle to provide an effective public
education system is ongoing and many of the concerns voiced in the 19th
century are still relevant today. We invite you to experience a one-room
schoolhouse by visiting our exhibition at the Bell School! This exhibition is supported by the
Westport Cultural Council through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable
Trust administered by Bank of America. Exhibition runs from June 9th and is ongoing: Monday and
Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bell School, 25 Drift Road, Westport.
For more information please call or click
Jenny O'Neill, Director, Westport Historical Society at 508.636.6011 or
email: westporthistory@westporthistory.net. Visit their website. Click here to view the
hi-resolution photo album. Need
Adobe Flash to view album? Click here!
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