May Newsletter 2023
WWCA (Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance) May 2023 Newsletter
The spring rains are falling as I write, filling the lake and greening up everything around us. We haven't seen another eighty degree day in a while, but you know they are coming, complete with blooming flowers, more and more birdsong, and gatherings of family and friends! This month is the true beginning of summer and the overflowing abundance of activities to choose from.
Join the WWCA at our next public meeting on Wednesday May 3, 7PM via ZOOM
The room was full at our talk of April 19 at the Wadhams Free Library! Clay Reaser and Tena Perelli gave a clear and comprehensive presentation on the evolving role of the WWCA, and we'd love to keep the conversation going, with YOU! email us at chamber@westportny.com for the Zoom link.
The Flowers Plus! Committee is Rocking it!
Check out the amazing work the Flowers Plus! Committee has been doing! They have initiated a multi-year project to plant 200 lilacs (100 this year), to create a "Westport-Wadhams Lilac Days" festival in 2027/2028. This will open up the tourism season earlier, be a boost to local businesses, and bring joy to residents and visitors alike.
We need your help! If you like to get your hands dirty and be part of the action, we welcome volunteers on any or all of our planting days: May 7, May 17, and May 20. To get involved, send a message to flowerspluswestportny@gmail.com. We thank you! In addition to support from our major Sponsor, The Champlain Peony Company, and several foundational donors, success of this effort will require community financial support. To donate to this initiative, visit our GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/westportwadhams-lilac-days . You can also mail a check made out to the Westport Chamber of Commerce, attn Lilacs! to Westport Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 394, Westport, NY 12993.Your help in making Lilac Days a reality is greatly appreciated!
Depot Theatre Presents Staged Play Reading of SHADES OF VALOR by Karen Lewis, Sunday May 7, 2PM at the Heritage House
Directed by Laura Menzie
Featuring: Nate Adams, Sam Balzac, Beth Glover, and Rachel Ann Jerome.
“Blending elements of mystery, comedy and tragedy, Shades of Valor tells the compelling personal story of two young soldiers, Rick Marshall and Danny Preston, in Vietnam 1971 and their mothers, Barb and Kitty, 10 years later, as the women attempt to come to terms with the incident that blew their lives apart.”
Admission is by donation. Join us for theatre, refreshments, and conversation!
This project made possible in part by a Creative Opportunity Fund grant from A.R.T./NY!
And don't forget to get your season passes to the Depot Theatre here: https://depottheatre.org/seaso...
Read about the Depot theatre Academy production of CAMP here!
Depot Theatre Looking for Seasonal Box Office Assistant
Job alert! The Depot Theatre is looking for someone who enjoys interacting with people in a fun atmosphere to be our part-time, seasonal Box Office Assistant. If this sounds like you, send a message to: https://depottheatre.org/backstage/jobs/
Heritage House Announces New Season
Volunteer ambassadors will once again staff the Heritage House Visitor Center from June 30-Sept. 4. You are invited to attend a brief orientation meeting to find out more information. One session will be held at the Heritage House on June 6 at 7 p.m. and another on June 10 at 10 a.m. Duties are minimal and no special qualifications are needed. Please consider giving 2-3 hours of your time to welcome visitors to Westport! Contact Lora Langston (518-962-4421) or Nancy Decker (518-962-4805) with any questions. Thank you!
Westport's Spirit of Place Exhibit Celebrates 15 Years!
The fifteenth annual Spirit of Place Art Exhibit will open at the Heritage House on Saturday, July 1, and will remain open all summer until September 4. All art is available for purchase, and proceeds benefit our local artists and the Heritage House. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10-3, Sunday 1-3. Closed Tuesdays. Artists interested in participating in this exhibit may contact Lora Langston at 518-962-4421.
Clockwise from left: Meighan McWilliam, Keelin Murphy, Nancy Decker, Lora Langston, Susanne Doin, Linda Horizny, Caroline Thompson, Cheryl Raywood. Photo by Nancy Howard.
Tanneberger Golf Tournament is On!
The Tanneberger Tournament brings 50 or more people to Westport from all over NY and VT, and will be held on June 9-12 at the Golf Course. Click the Tanneberger link to sign up! Westport Golf is now fully open for the season, as is Winton's Tavern, which is expanding its menu offerings this season. Can't wait! Check out their Facebook Page for up-to-date information.
Federated Church Announces Summer Dinners
Thursday, May 18: Chicken and Biscuit Dinner! In-house seating or take-out. Adults $12, Children 5-12 $5, Preschool free. Come join us on the third Thursday of each month through the summer.
Lifeguard Wanted for Ballard Park Public Beach
Call (518)962-4419 for details. Must be 16 or older.
Adirondack Foundation Grant Opportunity
The ADK Foundation is offering a grant for the residents of Westport, Essex, Willsboro, Elizabethtown, and Lewis.
The grant is an award for working residents to help achieve additonal credentialing, licensure, internship, degree or certificate program in a chosen field.
Application deadline is June 2.
For complete details, visit:
https://www.adirondackfoundation.org/allen-family-career-advancement-grant
Business Profile of the Month: Adirondack Harvest!
Q: When was Adirondack Harvest started?
A: ADK Harvest was formed in 2001 out of concern for the loss of farmland in the Adirondacks.
Q: What is your main mission?
A: Adirondack Harvest is a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County, that works to increase opportunities for profitable and sustainable production and sale of high-quality food and agricultural products, and to expand consumer access for locally produced healthy food in the Adirondack region.
Q: What are you most excited about this year?
A: The Adirondack Harvest Festival! It will be held on Saturday, September 23 from 12-5pm and will feature a large producer-only farmer's market, local libations tent, food, music, games, educational workshops, and more.
Q: What do you value most about our area?
A: The Adirondack Park is a really unique place where farms and wild lands support one another and the communities around them. Farms in Essex County are owned by a high percentage of young, first-generation and women farmers: we are very lucky to have such diversity of producers and farm products year-round!