Ease into Autumn in Westport!

Lake Champlain - Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

Here we are, bathing in the clear light and cooler temperatures of September, after a very hot and sultry summer. This beautiful transitional time is always full of bittersweet beginnings and endings. What new things do we have to look forward to? The annual celebration of the earth’s bounty at The Adirondack Harvest Festival on September 20! The Westport Library continues its free Monday Night Movie Series all winter, A brand new Yoga series led by Michael Fergot at the Mill on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and new initiatives led by the Safe Roads Committee of the Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance, thanks to our receiving an AARP Community Challenge Grant, including: two new murals in town, and the installation of the Slow Food Corner downtown where you can enjoy a planter of fragrant organic herbs grown at Wollecru as you wait at the crosswalk to go to JAMBS for your coffee. For outdoors enthusiasts, Champlain Area Trails is offering a full fall calendar of outdoor events!

What will we miss? the Depot Theatre delighted us all with its exciting 2025 Mainstage lineup, the Ballard Park Concert Series got the crowds up and dancing into the balmy sunsets, the Meadowmount School of Music had a spectacular 81st summer of top-notch performances (Kronos Quartet? Wow!) , and the 176th Essex County Fair put on a fantastic show! And temporarily, the Dogwood Bread Company is taking its fall respite, and will be closed until October 10th. Read on for more happenings!

DONATE OR VOLUNTEER FOR THE ALLIANCE!

WANT TO BE PART OF THE ACTION? THE AlLIANCE IS HIRING!

July 4th Weekend 2025 ~ Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

We are seeking a part-time Executive Assistant and Events Coordinator! As the Alliance continues to grow as your community organization, we’re excited to say: We’re Hiring!. Are you a process-loving professional with a passion for always improving events, or know someone who is? Please send your cover letter and resume to gowestportny@gmail.com. The submission window for applications closes on September 15. We look forward to hearing from you!

YAY! IT’S HARVEST FESTIVAL TIME!

Photo courtesy of Adirondack Harvest

Don’t miss Westport’s beloved annual Adirondack Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 20 from 12-5pm at the Essex County Fairgrounds! This year’s theme is “Seeds & Grains.” Come join in the celebration of the harvest with kid’s activities, music, amazing local food, agricultural exhibits, local vendors, a beer tent, workshops, lectures and so much more! It’s an ebullient, action-packed day!

And wow! What a fun event to volunteer for. SIGN UP HERE. Thank you!

SEPTEMBER IS HUNGER ACTION MONTH!

Food Shelf Donation Basket at K&D Deli ~ Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

Did you know that 50 Million people turned to food banks last year, and that there is food scarcity in 100% of US Counties? Essex County is no exception, and with food prices soaring, our community needs assistance now more than ever. The Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance is proud to be the fiscal sponsor of the Westport Food Shelf: please consider helping a neighbor by adding non-perishable food items to the basket at K&D Deli (Thanks, K & D!), and/or donating online HERE. Thank you!

K&D DELI IS OPEN AND THRIVING!

Keith and Daisy ~ Photo courtesy of SUN Community News

Surely everyone in town has excitedly perused and sampled all that the brand new K&D Deli has to offer: opening day was a resounding success! Read all about it in the SUN Community News. Thank you, Keith and Daisy!

SLOW DOWN AND SMELL THE HERBS!

Slow Food Corner ~ Photo by Catherine Seidenberg

Have you herb the news? Welcome to the Slow Food Corner at the Library intersection on Main Street! (Across from JAMBS). Created by the Safe Roads-Walkable Westport Task Force of the WWCA with an AARP Community Challenge Grant, this planter full of local organic herbs is a reminder to take joy in slowing down while strolling through our beautiful town. (While you wait for all the traffic to go by)!

You can learn more about the AARP Community Challenge grant program and @AARPLivableCommunities at www.aarp.org/CommunityChallenge and get involved or offer ideas at https://www.gowestportny.com/safe-roads-walkable-westport.

WE’RE PAINTING THE TOWN! FIRST MURAL RIBBON CUTTING OCT. 3

You're invited to join the Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance for a ribbon-cutting celebration of Adirondack artist Gwen Vogel's new mural at the Hamilton Hall on Champlain Avenue in Westport.

On Friday, Oct. 3, at 8:15 a.m., this festive ribbon cutting is timed to coincide with the local elementary school kids' monthly "walk & roll" to school event. So it's art that celebrates walking and rolling while walking and rolling! You're also encouraged to walk or ride your bike to this event, organized by the Safe Roads-Walkable Westport Task Force. This temporary seasonal mural is possible thanks to an AARP grant with funding from Toyota North America. Stay tuned for mural # 2 in Wadhams! We’d love to hear of locations or buildings that you think would be ideal! Email your ideas to us at gowestportny@gmail.com.

WESTPORT HISTORY TRAIL TO DEBUT THIS FALL!

We have exciting news! Stay tuned… the Westport History Trail will debut this fall! Explore 3 miles of visual highlights of Westport's heritage, immersed in natural lakeside beauty. Proud to be the birthplace of the Adirondack Chair, Westport also celebrates the stories of the farmers, builders, fishermen, artisans, entrepreneurs, and educators who have shaped this community, its land, and its civic life.

HERITAGE HOUSE HOSTS BALANCE CLASS AND CELEBRATES A BANNER SEASON

Join this 6-week class at the Westport Heritage House to learn invaluable skills at staying active and upright! Take advantage of the proximity of this program while it’s here! REGISTER HERE.

From organizer Lora Langston: “The Heritage House would like to thank the great team of volunteers who served as ambassadors at the visitor center this season. We couldn't have kept the doors open without you!

The Westport Spirit of Place Art Exhibit was extremely successful this year, with over 50 artists displaying and selling their artwork. Many thanks to the community for its continued support of the show. We are also grateful to the Essex County Arts Council for grant funds that helped to make the event possible.”

GET YOUR SPECIAL DEAL ON LILACS BY SEPTEMBER 5!

YOGI FERGOT OFFERS NEW YOGA SERIES AT THE MILL!

Interested? Email Michael at yogifergot@gmail.com

FEDERATED CHURCH OFFERS FIRST HOMEMADE LASAGNA DINNER SEPT 18

SUPPORT THE ALLIANCE

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