Do We Ignore or Embrace Neighbor Taylor Swift?

By Ellyn Santiago

A Stonington Patch Facebook post last week about Taylor Swift spending part of Memorial Day Weekend enjoying Pizza Place and a stroll in downtown Westerly with pals Lena Dunham (HBO’s ‘Girls’ star and creator) actress Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) and Gossip Girl star Jessica Szohr had people buzzing.  

A lot of folks were excited to get the sighting update and shared our post. But others were unfazed. Like Susan O’Hagan Hahn who suggested readers “Pull yourself together folks. Seriously.” Some shared a common refrain: “Who cares.”  

A few shared a more cerebral insight, like Eric Johnstone: “Our worship of wealth and fame created this "artificial aristocracy (not a fan of authentic aristocracies, BTW) and the resultant sense of entitlement that so many of the "rich and famous" seem to display.  

And some were upset we even mention her at all. Amanda Hannan cautioned us not to let our Facebook page “deteriorate into TMZ.”    

And then there was the contingent that suggested her presence in town was a economic boost. This comment from Wendy Taylor Bury’s got 16 Likes: “A celebrity in town (whether you like her or not) is great for business! Paparazzi, fans, tourists, etc. they all have to eat, maybe stay for the night in a hotel, buy things.”  

How exactly one would gauge the economic impact of Swift and her celebrity pals’ presence I’m not sure, but it does appear people are coming to town (and must be spending money) to see her, from the Chicago man charged with trespassing after allegedly trying to see the pop singer by swimming around her Watch Hill mansion to the paparazzi here to follow her every move (hey, they have to eat and sleep!).  

Not every local is happy she’s here. Especially East Beach goers that have taken to Twitter to vent that she’s stealing the teen hangout: the East Beach wall with her security posted like sentries.  

One Tweet read: “’OMG its so sweet Taylor swift bought that house in watch hill’" said no east beach goer ever.’ #bye”  

But she’s here and isn’t likely to be leaving anytime soon since she plunked down $17 million for her Bluff Avenue mansion, so do you suggest we :
a)   ignore her
b)   enjoy having a pop princess in our midst  

Another idea!  

Assuming she reads Stoninton Patch (which I'm sure she does!), start making suggestions about where to eat, shop and play? Now that sounds like a great idea.

I’ll start.  

Taylor, do not miss a cupcake at Bleu Squid in Mystic, an up-close and personal visit with the African penguins at the Mystic Aquarium and downtown Mystic at night; it's stunning.  

What would you suggest Taylor do in and around town?