April Newsletter
WWCA (Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance) April Newsletter
Happy Spring, Westport!
April is happily upon us, after a moody and beautiful winter. Our waterfront is filled with hundreds of chattering water birds, and the song birds have returned from warmer climes to fill the air with music in the mornings.
We, too, are all abuzz about the arrival of warm season happenings: gardening, fun community events with our friends and neighbors, exploring our ever-expanding network of CATS trails, top-notch theater performances at the Depot Theatre, evening concerts and movies in Ballard Park, July 4th Fireworks on the Waterfront, and so much more! We're warming up to a great summer season!
So let’s dive right into some big April highlights.
Easter Egg Hunt in Ballard Park Saturday, April 8, at 1pm.
Starts promptly at 1pm so plan to arrive early with the little ones. Bags will be provided. Brought to you by the Ballard Park Foundation and generous donations.
Amtrak Returns to Westport Monday, April 3d
The train, which runs the scenic route between New York City and Montreal, has been shuttered for three years due to the pandemic and staff shortages. Our platform is currently under construction, and a temporary one has been created in the meantime to accommodate travelers. Here we go!
Pitch in For July Fireworks
The Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance is raising money for Westport Day celebrations on July 1st, 2023. Donate today to support the fireworks, the parade, a bounce castle, entertainment, and more! To donate online go to GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/westport-ny-fireworks-2023
Thank you!
Fast-Charging Electric Vehicle Station Installed Near Ballard Park
The station allows travelers to pay a fee to charge their electric vehicles (except Teslas) while driving through Westport. Check out https://www.gowestportny.com/map for the many things to do while in town, or just take a stroll and fall in love with our place.
Our location will be available on charging maps, so people can plan their trips (and their picnic baskets) accordingly and refuel in Westport. To use, 1.download the Livingston Charge Port App, 2.Find the station number and press, 3. "start charge" on the Charge Port App.
This was a collaboration between the Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance’s Economic Development Committee, the Ballard Park Foundation, and the Town of Westport. Huge thanks to all who helped get the grant that paid for the installation of this charger.
New Mountain Dog Tavern is Open in Westport
Now into their second frenetic week of business, the Tavern has been delighting locals and people from as far away as Vermont, Plattsburgh and Schroon lake, every day of the week!
Inside you will find a clean, bright and friendly atmosphere, quality, home-cooked pub fare, and lots of smiling faces around the gleaming circular bar. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and their hours are Sunday-Wednesday from 8am-8pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8am-10pm.
Thank you, Keith Hoffnagle and Peter Burns! And everyone who helped this business open and thrive. For more information and a menu, check out their Facebook page.
Depot Theatre Announces 45th Season Lineup
Lights go up on the main stage on June 29th with WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME. Upbeat and quick-witted, a middle-aged woman recounts traveling the country as a fifteen-year-old speech and debate champion. She takes the audience on a fascinating and gut-wrenching journey, ending each performance with a unique, live debate against a student on the subject of the U.S. Constitution. The show will run from June 29 through July 16.
The season continues with CHESAPEAKE by Lee Blessing, in which ONE wildly versatile actor brings alive a string of disparate characters who argue completely polar perspectives on the value of art, politics, and the mysterious connections between dogs and their humans. Hilarious and delightfully otherworldly, this one-man show draws its title from the Chesapeake retriever that plays an integral role in a heist gone wrong. Performances run from July 20 – August 6.
The season ends with the world’s longest-running Off-Broadway musical and one from the Depot Theatre’s very first season, THE FANTASTICKS! This show is a quintessential celebration of love, its enduring mysteries, its sweet simplicities, and all the foolish ways we tend to mess it up. Boasting a cherished score of classic tunes, including “Try to Remember” and “Soon it’s Gonna Rain,” the season’s finale runs from August 10-27.
2023 Season Passes will go on sale on April 15, 2023, and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 518.962.4449. Individual tickets will be available beginning June 1. More details, information about the Depot Theatre Academy summer youth program, additional events, and news updates can be found online at DepotTheatre.org.
Join the CATS Grand Hike on Saturday May 6
EXCITING NEWS! We're returning this year to our long-distance Grand Hike on an almost 14-mile walk through beautiful forests and fields. We will have three "oases" along the way, where you'll find snacks, water, portapotties, and a chance to mingle with other hikers.
This fabulous hike starts at the McAuliffe Road Trailhead in Willsboro, NY. It ends at the new Mountain Dog Restaurant & Pub in Westport, NY, where you can join the "après hike party" featuring live music, drinks, food to purchase, an outdoor games area, and a post-hike celebration.
April Events at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall
Saturday April 1, 7:00 MOVIE
The Fabelmans, CVFS 20th anniversary celebration
Mondays, April 3,10,17 and 24 CLASSES
Beginner Golf Lessons with Willie Wilcox
Tuesday, April 4, 7:00 LYCEUM
Farming in a Changing Landscape
Saturday, April 8, 7:30 MUSIC
Fern Maddie with Tim Tyler
Saturday, April 15, 7:00 MOVIE
Women Talking
For more info go to https://www.thegrangehall.info...
Wadhams Library Spring Lecture: "Introducing the Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance"
Wednesday April 19th, 7PM.
Clay Reaser and Tena Perrelli will share a developing story: — "From a Chamber to an Alliance: What That Transition Means for the Westport-Wadhams Community (WWCA)”.
Clay will talk about how these organizational changes came about to-date. Tena will provide examples of the work being done to demonstrate the transition and to foster a stronger community spirit. This will be an interactive conversation with attendees about revisioning how we describe our community.
Check out the website: www.gowestportny.com and the Facebook pages “What's Happening in Westport” and “Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance,NY” to see what all the talk is about!
"Social Media for Business" Workshop at the Heritage House
Saturday, April 15, 2pm.
Struggling with social media for your small business? Looking for ways to engage more but you still want to feel authentic? Join us for an afternoon of learning with our hosts: Above Social! A question and answer session will follow, so bring your list!
Free for Westport-Wadhams Alliance members (gowestportny.com/membership)
• $5 at the door for non-members
Business of the Month
On Point Bookkeeping Solutions
What does your business do? On Point Bookkeeping's goal is to provide clients with impeccable service and help them find success in managing their businesses. We use Quickbooks Online to work with small and medium-sized businesses, both locally and remotely, to create systems that keep business owners informed and keep businesses running smoothly.
Check out onpointbooks.net to see a list of services that On Point provides.
How can people contact you? cena@onpointbooks.net
What are you looking forward to this year? (as a business) As a brand new business, I am looking forward to deepening relationships with my current clients, getting our workflows in place, and welcoming new clients in the coming months.
Why do you love Westport? I love Westport because I love community! Westport has provided a rich and engaging community for me, my family, and my business.