North Country Loon in June - Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

Ah, summer!! June has arrived, Westport! We are looking forward to a little more sun to sweeten all of the rain and cool temps of May. This is the time that the warm season really gets rolling, with full schedules at all the town businesses, increased hours, and days full of local music, great food, lectures, workshops and more. Stay up-to-date on all the happenings by regularly checking the WWCA Town Calendar, and if you have events you would like the public to attend, please enter them HERE ! If you have any trouble or questions about the process, email gowestportny@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to help.

JOIN THE AMERICA 250 BUSINESS MEETING WEDNESDAY JUNE 4TH AT WINTON’S, 6PM

Calling all local businesses! Join us for a gathering at Winton’s Tavern on Wednesday, June 4th, 6-7:30 PM. Come learn about the business resources from the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism for America's 250. Learn how your business can take advantage of history-based tourism in our region!

Hosted by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and The Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance. Light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres provided.

HELP KEEP THE FIREWORKS BRIGHT!

Westport Fireworks ~ Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

Did you hear? 67.5% of our survey respondents want the fireworks to happen every year!

We need your help to keep them glowing. The show has a $15,000 price tag, so please give today to help support the show. Any amount helps. And please spread the word! DONATE HERE. Thank you!

PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS WESTPORT WATERSHED RECREATION AREA

Hoisington Mountain ~ Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

The Town of Westport will be holding a Public Hearing to discuss recreational usage of the Westport Watershed located on Mountain Spring Road on Tuesday June 10, at 6pm. The hearing and regular town meeting afterwards will be held at the Westport Town Hall. See you there! Come discuss this exciting new development.

SNOWFORT BOOKS GRAND OPENING WAS FUN FOR ALL!

Snowfort Ribbon Cutting ~ Photo by Kathryn Cramer

From left to right, Westport Town Supervisor Michael “Ike” Tyler, Store Owners Adam and Amy Robinson, Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance President Alyssa Carroll

Snowfort Books, a new independent bookstore founded by Amy and Adam Robinson, officially opened its doors in downtown Westport, NY on May 17, 2025. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by a crowd of enthusiastic community members, and the celebration continued all day and into the night, with door prizes, deals, a reading and craft time by delightful children’s book author Amy Guglielmo, home-made mimosas and quiche, live music by the garage band the Slow Wasps, and all topped off by an afterparty at the Mill, where the Robinsons read some of their own poetry and people enjoyed signature Snowfort cocktails.

Before the ribbon was cut, co-owner Amy Robinson gave heartfelt remarks, thanking the community for their unwavering support. “It’s impossible to imagine a more welcoming and supportive community, from the town officers and planning committee to the Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance, from the two wonderful libraries within minutes of our house, to our neighboring residents and businesses. We have a line of poetry painted on the beams inside that says, ‘Love is so hard / And it’s all we came to do.’ Well, we certainly feel the love, but so far it’s been easy. There’s so much good energy in Westport right now, and we couldn’t have picked a better place to start our business.”

MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION WAS SUBLIME

Photo and text by Alyssa Carroll

On a foggy morning that mirrored the solemn spirit of the day, the Town of Westport gathered to honor the brave men and women who gave everything in service to our country.

We extend our heartfelt thanks for the Town of Westport for hosting this meaningful event, and all of the dedicated volunteers who made it possible. Special thanks to Town Supervisor Ike Tyler, Elizabeth Maffey, Jim Carroll with Overtime Events, Felix and Taylor Haskins, Ashley Rodriguez, Pastor Barbara Jackson, Robin Severance for coffee and snacks, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Andrew Beal, George Maffey and Dick Fritz, and John Tefoe for their important contributions.

FLOWERS PLUS! BRINGS MORE LILACS TO TOWN!

Photo courtesy of Flowers Plus!

The intrepid and cheerful Flowers Plus! Crew has struck once again, and installed several new groups of Lilacs in town, with the help of an all-women crew from East Branch Organics in Keene. Watch for the lilac blossoms (and enjoy the sweet fragrance!) as you take your morning or evening stroll!

All the bridge planters have also been filled with spilling colorful flowers for the season, in Westport and Wadhams: even more plentifully this year! Big thanks to Jeff Ardolino for his installation help, and Tracy Sayre for the gorgeous Memorial Day wreath!

If you enjoy how beautiful Westport is becoming, complete with lilacs, several gardens, bridge flowers, town benches, and holiday decorations, consider donating to Flowers Plus! HERE. Thank you!

BUSINESS PROFILE:THE INN IN WESTPORT

Alexandra Wheeler, Owner, the Inn in Westport ~ Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

At the very center of town is the venerable and beautiful Inn in Westport, built in 1877. The building is meticulously renovated, appointed and maintained by owners Alexandra and Anthony Wheeler. In 2005, they spent a month traveling the Northeast searching for an Inn to purchase, and lucky for us, they chose the Westport Inn! This area met their criteria of “waking up in the place where we want to be” because Westport has the best of all worlds: lake, mountains, quiet, and a great small community.

Contained within the glowing painted walls is an eclectic bookstore where the collection “leans towards classic, science, history, novels and literary criticism”, an art gallery of Alexandra’s mixed-media works that include “multi-thematic art objects with a rare combination of seriousness and humor”, and a coffee shop where she serves specialty coffees and made-from-scratch baked goods such as muffins, biscotti, puff pastries, scones and brownies. If that isn’t enough, you can stroll through the doorway to the Inncantation Shop where you will find crystals, jewelry, fascinating rocks, Wiccan tools,Westport mugs, T-shirts, and myriads of other curiosities. We are fortunate to have these gems in our midst!

All shops are open to the public every day from 8am-2pm except Tuesday.

THE SPIRIT OF PLACE ART EXHIBIT STARTS ON JULY 1ST!

The Westport Heritage House Committee is gearing up for the annual Spirit of Place Art Exhibit, where you can view gorgeous regional art by local artists, meet them at the reception on July 10 from 5-7pm, and purchase your favorite pieces!

Are you an artist, and would like to participate? Email Lora Langston at langston.lora@gmail.com to fill out an application.

You’re invited to be a 2025 Heritage House Visitor Center Ambassador!

Each summer, visitors to Westport stop at the Heritage House Visitor Center across from Ballard Park. We rely on our ambassadors--generous volunteers-- to keep the Visitor Center open. Since time is valuable, shifts are short. You can sign up for a morning (10:-12:30) or an afternoon (12:30-3:00) shift. A brief orientation tells you what to expect at the Heritage House. You can team up with a spouse or friend; kids and grandkids are welcome! The atmosphere is casual and friendly, WIFI is available, and you can take in the view from the Westport chairs on a sunny day! Please share this invitation with friends and family who might be interested in joining us.

Volunteer Orientation

Saturday, June 7, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. OR Tuesday, June 10, from 7:00-8:00 p.m.**Please attend one of these sessions to familiarize yourself with the Visitor Center.**Bring your calendar to check for available volunteer dates.

Questions? Email Lora Langston at langston.lora@gmail.com

COME ALIVE AT THE WESTPORT LIBRARY!

The Westport Library is full of June events!

Monday night movies at 7pm

June 5 and June 19: Writer’s Group Meetings

June 7: Storytelling with Art: a Graphic Narrative Workshop for Teens & Adults with Lauren McGovern

June 10: Hydroelectric Power in the Adirondacks with Emmett Smith of Northern Power and Light

June 24: the Power of Habits with Michelle St Onge.

DEPOT THEATRE WELCOMES SARAH WILSON AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Photo courtesy of SUN Community News

The Depot Theatre warmly welcomes Sarah Wilson as its new Executive Director! Read the full article HERE, and watch the NBC broadcast about the Depot Theatre and Ballard Park HERE. Westport is becoming more of Adirondack Arts Hub every single day! And don’t forget to get your tickets to performances HERE.

We are YOUR Alliance! Follow our Website, Facebook Page and Instagram. Follow all the happenings on the Calendar, and What’s Happening in Westport Facebook Page. Have a friend or neighbor who would like to know what’s going on in town? Don’t forget to subscribe and forward this email!

-Newsletter Editor: Catherine Seidenberg