Spring is sneaking in upon us. Or is it rushing? Every moment, every hour and day are full of shifts and changes: dry snow wet snow no snow and ice. The Canada Geese overwintered on Lake Champlain and sing a wall of sound in the evenings. Now Robins and other songbirds are joining in the chorus during the daytime. Fickle March brings the yearly reminder to pay attention: to each shifting moment, each opportunity to revel in what is before us.

In Westport, the lovingly maintained ice skating rink (thank you Scott and Deb and team!) will thaw, and the sap will start to run (yay, maple syrup!) in the sugar bushes. We get to enjoy a surprise bunch of artistic performances this month, from the staged play reading at the Heritage House on March 9th to the rescheduled (thank you, blizzard!) Ricochet Duo at the Hand House on March 8 and 9, regular and impromptu performances at the Mill on Fridays and Saturdays, and a simply stunning schedule of lyceums, movies, live music and exhibitions at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall and Whitcomb’s Arts. And don’t forget the regular Monday night movies at the Library, which is such a fun and companionable event!

Would you like to be a part of the action in Westport? Please consider becoming a contributing member of the Westport Wadhams Community Alliance! We are a steadfast committee that is dedicated to the health of our town’s individuals and businesses through the support of commerce, tourism, recreation, the arts, and beauty. And if you enjoy being engaged, come volunteer with us at any of our town-wide events such as Flowers Plus! gardening projects, July 4th weekend, or the town-wide yard sale, to name a few. Thank you!

COMMUNITY EVENTS QUICK LIST

WESTPORT LIBRARY

The Library has another full schedule this month, with a movie every Monday night at 7pm, Writer’s Group meetings every other Thursday from 4-6pm and a six-week Aging Wisely series on Thursdays at 10:30-12:30am from Feb 24-April 3, with a special presentation by Medara Sherman of Champlain National Bank entitled ‘Keep Your Money Safe’ on March 18th at 6pm. Learn how to avoid fraud!

WESTPORT FEDERATED CHURCH

Saturdays, 7pm: Contemporary Church Service, Sundays, 10am: Traditional Church Service, Mondays, 7:30pm: AA meets in Fellowship Hall, Sat March 1st, 8-10:30 am: Shamrock Breakfast. Office Hours: Tues, Weds 11am-1pm, Thurs 5-7pm.

Want all the up to date news from the Federated Church? Subscribe to the weekly newsletter HERE.

TOWN MEETINGS

TUES MARCH 11: Town Board Meeting, 7pm

TUES MARCH 25: Town Board Meeting, 3pm

WEDS MARCH 25: Town Planning Board Meeting, 7pm. (If items to discuss)

All meetings subject to change. Have questions? Call 518-962-8360.

THE WHALLONSBURG GRANGE/WHITCOMB’S

Oh boy! The Grange has too many events to mention here, from their fascinating Lyceum series every Tuesday night from 7-8:30pm, free movie screenings as well as mainstream hits, live music (the Murphy Beds) on March 15, the re-scheduled Essex Chili Cookoff from 1-4pm on March 23, and a new exhibit at Whitcomb’s of the luminous work of local Westport painter Steve Vannort. Consult the Grange website for details!

SNOWFORT BOOKS

THURS March 13, 7-9pm: “Nothing Serious” Book launch with Emily J. Smith

WEDS March 19: Second Silent Book Club, 6pm. From Amy Robinson: Good vibes abounded at our first meeting. Be sure to set up the recurring event in your calendar -- third Wednesday of every month. Come get cozy and dig into a good book in the company of other bibliophiles!

No need to RSVP for the Nothing Serious book signing or Silent Book Club -- but please do let us know if you plan to come to Sunday Salon.

SUN March 23 and SUN APRIL 6: 5-7pm: 2 Sunday Salon Book Discussions: ‘Parable of the Sower’ by Octavia Butler.

CHAMPLAIN AREA TRAILS

Photo and text courtesy of Champlain Area Trails

News from Champlain Area Trails!

Don’t forget to mark May 10th on your calendars for the Grand Hike! Registration opens next week, and we are really looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Last week, we hosted 20 participants for our free, family-friendly cross-country ski lesson in Cadyville. A quick reminder: if you're thinking about applying for our internships, the deadline is March 8th. Don't miss out on this opportunity!

Also, come join us for the CATS Open House on April 4th! We have some fun hikes and events coming up, so keep an eye out! For these updates and more, click here to read our latest newsletter: https://conta.cc/4kmLfF1

Can’t wait for all the adventures on the trails!

ESSEX COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TREE SALE!

The tree sale is ON for Thursday April 17, 9am-6pm at Floral Hall, Westport Fairgrounds. See you there!

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Want more information about activities here and in the surrounding areas? Check out these excellent sources: Westport Town Calendar, Champlain Area Trails, the Mill , Elizabethtown Social Center (LOTS GOING ON!) Also: Jay Community News, Adirondack Almanack, Adirondack Arts & Entertainment, and for contemporary theater, movies, visual art and music jams, UJAC in Upper Jay.

Chazy & Westport Communications: A Legacy of Connection and Innovation~by Dierdre and Steve MacNerland

Since our founding in 1905 as a small independent telephone provider in rural northern New York, Chazy & Westport Communications has been dedicated to connecting communities and fostering local prosperity. In 1952, Gerald R. Forcier expanded our vision by acquiring key regional telephone companies. By 1959, the merger of these companies formed Chazy & Westport Telephone Corporation, setting us on a course to continually innovate—from pioneering digital switching to introducing cutting-edge fiber optic technology.

Transforming Rural Communities

We’ve played a pivotal role in turning towns like Westport, Wadhams, Chazy, West Chazy, and parts of Altona into vibrant, connected communities. Our state-of-the-art fiber optic network isn’t just about delivering high-speed internet—it’s a lifeline that supports remote work, online learning, and thriving local businesses. We’re proud to have shattered the isolation once felt in rural areas, allowing families and professionals alike to plant roots and prosper.

Continue reading the FULL ARTICLE, and watch their TESTIMONIAL VIDEO!

GET READY FOR K&D DELI!

Photo provided by K&D Deli

Here’s the update on the opening of Westport’s own K&D Deli, from Keith and Daisy: The long awaited and much anticipated K&D opening is almost here! The kitchen hoods have arrived. Our deli and bakery cases are ready to be filled with all kinds of great food for everyone to enjoy. Cross your fingers for an early April, maybe sooner, opening! We will be posting job opportunities soon at both our K&D Westport Facebook page and also in the What’s Happening in Westport Group. We will be needing bakers, deli cooks, stockers, flex positions, pizza makers etc. It’s finally almost there!

DEPOT THEATRE and WWCA PRESENT STAGED PLAY READING AT HERITAGE HOUSE

REVEL IN THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING WITH THE BOOK AND SEED SWAP ON MARCH 22!

PIANO BY NATURE RICOCHET DUO CONCERT RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 8,9

Photo by Laura Sells Doyle

Don’t miss this dynamic concert from these powerfully talented local musicians: Rose Chancler and Jane Boxall, the Ricochet Duo, performing their ‘Best Hits’, presented by Piano by Nature on March 8 at 7pm, and March 9 at 3pm, at the Historic Hand House in Elizabethtown. Read more about this local dynamic duo HERE, and take a LISTEN!

CREATIVE KITCHEN GARDEN NOW OFFERS BULK FLOWERS FOR WEDDINGS AND EVENTS!

Photo courtesy of Creative Kitchen Garden

Mary Godnick and her team are offering bulk DIY flowers this season for your wedding or event: an economical, fun and healthy way to make your occasion beautiful! They write: “ The flowers and foliage are all grown on our farm in Westport, NY without any harmful chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. We focus on growing colorful, wild, and edible flowers and greenery, so you will get a fresh-from-the-garden look that reflects the Adirondacks and the exact time of the season.” Find your next joyful bouquet HERE! So looking forward to the flowers…

MEADOWMOUNT SEEKS HEAD CAMP COUNSELOR THIS SEASON!

Photo courtesy of Meadowmount School of Music

Meadowmount is looking for an Assistant Camp Director/Head Counselor for Summer 2025. This is a wonderful summer work opportunity in the Adirondacks at America's most beloved summer home for young violinists, violists, and cellists. Please share - or - apply today!

https://meadowmount.org/.../Meadowmount-Assistant...

TOWN OF WESTPORT SEEKS LIFEGUARD!

LIFEGUARD TRAINING COURSE OFFERED

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it’s summer in the light, and winter in the shade”~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations.

Indeed! Happy Spring, Westport!

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