April 23, 2021 by Greenwich Sentinel

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The Greenwich Weekly Newspaper, Local, local, local.

April 23, 2021

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GHS Pet Photo Contest Winner

Local News Briefs Mary Staples Webber will be Missed Greenwich icon and friend Mary Staples Webber died on April 20, 2021. We will miss her very much. See next week's issue for her story. PLEASE NOTE Free copies of this newspaper are occasionally sent through the U.S. mail to rotating areas of town. These copies contain a subscription envelope for those wishing to receive the paper every single week. The telephone number of The Greenwich Sentinel listed on those envelopes is incorrect. The correct number is 203-485-0226. SEEC Complaint Dismissed Just weeks after Robert Brady filed a complaint against the Fazio campaign committee with the SEEC (State Elections Enforcement Commission), it was dismissed. COVID/GPS Update According to the Greenwich school district’s online tracker, as of Tuesday, 17 there are 22 active cases. Of those, 20 are students, 1 is a teacher, and 1 is a nonteaching staff according to the tracker. Thirteen of those cases are from Greenwich High, three are from Central Middle, 2 are from Eastern Middle, Hamilton Avenue, and one each is from Glenville and Western Middle. The system does not report Independent School cases. Greenwich Libraries Reopen Starting this Tuesday, April 20, Greenwich Library, Cos Cob Library, and Byram Library will be open to cardholders who have made appointments to browse the new book and children’s collections for 20 minutes at a time. Items that are checked out in these express collections can be checked out for a week, will incur $1 a day overdue fines, and cannot be placed on hold, although no-contact pickup will continue. The library continues to be very mindful of COVID-19 transmission. Upon arrival, card holders will check in at the welcome desk, sanitize their hands, and follow CDC mask and social distancing guidelines. Historic Armory Proposal A pre-application has been submitted with a proposal for the historic Armory, where soldiers were trained in World Wars I and II. The proposal comes from attorney Chip Haslun on behalf of H.B. Nitkin Real Estate, seeking to construct a 6-unit residential building and 2-level parking garage. A full restoration has not been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the new pre-application will likely maintain the buildings structural integrity, only demolishing the “drill shed”. Tipping Fee Sunset Clause Extended The Representative Town Committee has voted

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BET Approves First Portion of Funds for North Mianus School Repairs. By Richard Kaufman

Dutch, an 8-month-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel and proud pup of Chloe and Reagan Sernick was the subject of the winning pet photo in a contest sponsored by the Hand and Paw Club located at Greenwich High School. The winners decided to donate their prize, a 20-pound bag of dog food and a basket of dog treats and toys, to Outreach to Pets in Need (OPIN) in Stamford.

P&Z on Moderate-Income Housing By Kris Herndon The Af fordable Housing Task Force met on April 15 to continue workshopping Section 6-110 of the Greenwich building regulations, known as the workforce housing regulation. Section 6-110 is intended to create more moderate-income housing, and was envisioned as way for police off icers, teachers, and other town employees to be able to afford to live in the town they serve. Proposals submitted under Section 6-110 must reserve 20% of units for moderate-income tenants. The statute sits alongside 8-30g, a C o n n e c t i c ut s t at e l aw w h i c h mandates a target of 10% affordable housing for towns. Like many towns

Communication Is What’s Received

SUBMIT EVENTS Editor@GreenwichSentinel. com ANNOUNCEMENTS Weddings & engagements; promotions, achievements; births; letters to the editor; obituaries. These are free. Beth@GreenwichSentinel. com SPORTS Paul@GreenwichSentinel.com ADVERTISING Peter@GreenwichSentinel. com; call 203-4850226; or buy online at GreenwichSentinel.com/ Advertise STORY IDEAS Publisher@ GreenwichSentinel.com COLUMNISTS Columnists and community impact. Jenny at CommunityImpact@ GreenwichSentinel.com JIM KNOX info@beardsleyzoo.org LETTERS Editor@GreenwichSentinel. com CORRESPONDENCE PO Box 279 Greenwich, CT 06836

By Jill S. Woolworth, LMFT Communication is w h a t ’s r e c e i v e d , n o t what we i ntend. I f we don’t take responsibility for how we deliver our message, it might as well be lost in the mail. When communication goes awry, we often blame the recipient for not listening. But this is as useless as blaming someone for not receiving a letter. If our tone of voice, body la ng uage , or choice of words is off-putting, it is up to us to try again in a different way. If a person thinks that a message of criticism is coming, that there’s “a bomb in the mailbox,” she will run. When a person a nt ic ip ate s b e i n g told that he has messed up or neglected something, his normal human response is to esc ap e or defend himself. In moments of p e r c e i ve d t h r e a t , o u r

“I think it was an extremely successful regulation if you measure success with the number of proposals that came in through the door,” said P&Z Commissioner Katie DeLuca. with high land values, Greenwich has struggled to meet the state-mandated affordability target of 10% set by 8-30g. Though Section 6-110 is one of many ways Greenwich is working toward making housing affordable for a diverse range of residents, affordable units created under the regulation would not count toward the state target. In order to build affordable units in Greenwich, developers must forgo

building lucrative market-rate units. Since real estate, as well as other costs for builders, are high in town, the town encourages developers to take that trade-off by providing incentives in other areas, such as bonuses in Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.), building height, setbacks, and so on for developments that include affordable units.

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Calls to Action Illustrated by Wajih Chaudhry

SENTINEL

BET Funds NMS Repairs

bra i n s defau lt to fe a r, rarely assuming the other person’s good intentions. Sydney and Adam learned how to tell each other specifically what they wanted. They grew closer as they practiced new ways to communicate. “It would mean the world to me…..” became an introduction that made them both laugh and made it highly likely the other would comply. “When you compliment me in front of your friends, I feel like your hero.” “You doing the laundry is the sexiest thing in the world.” They agree that tone matters, and that there is no such thing as an over-appreciated spouse (or colleague or employee). G re e nwi c h re s i d e n t , Jill Woolworth is author of the book, The Waterwheel, which is available locally at Diane's Books (203-8691515) or info@dianesbooks. com) or at Amazon.

SUBMIT A CALL TO ACTION FOR link will be sent to you. NEXT WEEK'S ISSUE at w w w. greenwichsentinel.com/call-to-action/ B U Y T I C K E T S O R D O N AT E TO ONE OR ALL OF THESE Donate your Brown Bags and or FUNDRAISERS Reusable shopping bags for food United Way 16th A nnual Sole distribution to Community Centers Sisters Luncheon, Thursday, April Inc of Greenwich. Contact Vanessa 29th. Luncheon guests will pick up Cardinal at (203) 869-1276 or vanessa. a wonderful lunch that morning at cardinal@ccigreenwich.org online. Greenwich Country Club. Streaming w ill beg in at 1 2:30pm. For more Join the Riverside Garden Club. information: GreenwichUnitedWay.org/ Apr i l's meeting w ill be held v ia sole-sisters-luncheon/ Zoom on Tuesday, the 27th at 9:30 16th Old Bags Luncheon & Auction am. The speaker will be Dr. Robert May 6 at 11:00 am; 16th Annual Old Marra, Associate Scientist/Forest Bags Luncheon and Auction. For more Pathologist fo The CT Agricultural information and to purchase tickets, Experiment Station. To RSVP, email visit www.ywcagrn.org/obl2021 riversidectgardenclub@gmail.com. The Thirty-Fourth Bruce Museum First two meetings are free. Gala on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 6:00 PM on a Private Estate, honoring Susan Join Temple Sholom for a Virtual E. Lynch. Please contact Melissa Levin, Mitzvah Project/Social Action Special Events Manager, mlevin@ Engagement Fair Sunday, April brucemuseum.org, or (203) 413-6761, 2 5 f r om 1:0 0 pm to 3:0 0 pm on with questions. Zoom. This free virtual fair features breakout rooms staffed by community Sign up your child for free classes organizations looking for volunteers. Register your child for a class at They will share about their not-for- the Fairf ield Chapter of the Youth profit and how you can get involved. Passion Project (YPP). Children from This program is perfect for volunteers anywhere in CT can take short classes of all ages, including pre b’nai mitzvah in coding, story writing, philosophy, students looking for their Mitzvah origami more! Register to join for free Projects. Register to Lori Baden at lori. between April 16th & March 3rd at baden@templesholom.com and a zoom youthpassionproject.org/register.

INSIDE Editorial & Local News New Worships Columns & Worship Information Astrology Column from Sally Brompton Suduko, Crossword Puzzles & Children's Puzzles Real Estate Dashboard Earth Day Articles Education in Greenwich

The Board of Education (BOE) had requested $8.1 million for emergency repair work related to February's ceiling collapse and f lood damage at North Mianus School (NMS), but the BOE was not prepared with a specific plan for the entire amount or estimates for the cost of repairs. D r. To n i J o n e s , t h e Superintendent of Schools said t h at ac c or d i n g to t he s cho ol district's timeline, there will be a walkthrough of the NMS building for potential project bidders on May 5, with bids opening on May 19. A contract would be issued on May 24. The Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) funded the portion of that request for which there was a specific plan in place during a special meeting last Friday, voting nine in favor, with three abstentions from Democrats Miriam Kreuzer, L e s l i e M o r i a r t y, a n d L a u r a Erickson, to approve a $2 million appropriation. The Repre sent at ive Tow n Meeting (RTM) now has the option to grant final approval. BET Democrats, school officials, and the North Mianus School community had called for the approval of the full request immediately, because they said that without all the funds, the project could be further delayed. While the full BET expressed supp or t for t he pr oje c t, BET Republicans said they would follow established protocols to deal with such appropriations, a process that has the BOE returning for interim

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Bruce to Reopen Apr. 27 T h e B r uc e Mu s e u m w i l l reopen to members and the public on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, with Let in, Let go, a multi-sensory v ideo projection installation created by Holly Danger, a video artist based in Stamford, CT, who has brought experiential events and immersive installations to audiences around the world. Hol ly Da nger tra nsfor ms ordinary spaces into moving experiences. Each work is a sitespecific, one-of-a-kind experience that comes to life with the energy and presence of the viewer. On view in the Museum’s main gallery through Sunday, May 30, Let in, Let go, explores the synchronization of video, art, light, and sound, and how it relates to emotion, connection, and experience. Her piece Soul Seasons won “Most Innovative,” at the Digital Graffiti Festival in Alys Beach, FL This year, Danger is the honored recipient of the Artist Fellowship Award by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, as well as the Equity Match Grant from the Stamford Women’s Development Council. To learn more, visit hollydanger. com. Upon the Bruce Museum’s reopening following a temporary closure since January 12 , admission w ill be on a “Pay as You Wish” basis th roug h Monday September 6, 2021, with a suggested donation of $10 per adult.

Page 2 | Greenwich Sentinel

REAL ESTATE DASHBOARD

NEW LISTINGS

Data Compiled by Cesar Rabellino (203) 249-9866 Address

List Price

1465 Putnam Avenue 617 6 Sherman Avenue 1 7 River Road 303 48 Hawthorne Street 10 Bonwit Road 5 Christiano Street 19 Stuart Drive 63 Loughlin Avenue 43 Indian Field Road 40 Elm Street 2D 52 Sound Beach Avenue 27 Weston Hill Road 8 Sound Beach Ave Extension 1 8 Sound Beach Avenue Extension 2 8 Sound Beach Avenue Extension 3 8 Sound Beach Avenue Extension 4 21 Annjim Drive 143.5 Shore Road 23 Parsonage Road 16 Lincoln Avenue 5 Steep Hollow Lane 17 Saint Claire Avenue 33 Tomac Avenue 33R Orchard Street 52 Indian Head Road 208 Bible Street 9 Shorelands Court 362 Davis Avenue 3 58 Sherwood Place 82 Rockwood Lane 190 Stanwich Road 40 Elm Street 6D 120 Zaccheus Mead Lane 12 Binney Lane 6 Meadow Lane 18 Hedgerow Lane 11 Hedgerow Lane 71 Richmond Hill Road 92 Cherry Valley Road 538 Round Hill Road 2 Oneida Drive B2 247 Riverside Avenue 7 Turner Drive 425 Round Hill Road 471 Lake Avenue

$575,000 $689,000 $699,900 $875,000 $929,000 $939,000 $999,000 $1,095,000 $1,160,000 $1,349,000 $1,499,000 $1,500,000 $1,595,000 $1,595,000 $1,595,000 $1,645,000 $1,695,000 $1,750,000 $1,775,000 $1,895,000 $1,995,000 $1,995,000 $2,149,000 $2,199,000 $2,275,000 $2,295,000 $2,425,000 $2,500,000 $2,595,000 $2,695,000 $2,795,000 $2,950,000 $3,000,000 $3,295,000 $3,600,000 $3,995,000 $4,250,000 $4,995,000 $5,200,000 $5,495,000 $5,495,000 $5,595,000 $7,250,000 $11,900,000 $24,900,000

Price/ SqFt

SqFt

Area

$512

1,122

$364 $753 $563 $588 $358 $591 $539 $432 $893 $806 $666 $452 $452 $452 $467 $662 $1,065 $571 $765 $605 $999 $475 $687 $898 $648 $666 $1,313 $585 $693 $682 $1,305 $639 $846 $626 $717 $469 $802 $578 $886 $911 $590 $750 $1,127 $1,709

1,892 930 1,554 1,579 2,624 1,690 2,030 2,688 1,510 1,859 2,253 3,525 3,525 3,525 3,525 2,560 1,643 3,107 2,477 3,300 1,997 4,522 3,200 2,534 3,539 3,640 1,904 4,433 3,887 4,099 2,260 4,697 3,894 5,750 5,574 9,062 6,225 8,996 6,205 6,033 9,485 9,665 10,559 14,569

0.16 0 0.11 0.33 0.23

2 3 2 3 3 5 4 4 4 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 3 4 5 5 3 6 5 6 5 6 6 6 5 4 6 6 7 9

1 3 2 2 2 3 3 2 4 2 3 2 4 4 4 4 3 2 3 2 3 3 4 4 2 3 3 3 2 4 4 3 4 4 6 4 7 7 6 4 4 7 6 10 9

Old Greenwich Byram Cos Cob Glenville Riverside Cos Cob Old Greenwich Cos Cob Cos Cob South of Post Road Old Greenwich Riverside North Mianus South Parkway North Mianus North Mianus South Parkway Old Greenwich South Parkway Old Greenwich Cos Cob Old Greenwich Old Greenwich Cos Cob Riverside Cos Cob Old Greenwich South of Post Road South Parkway South Parkway South Parkway South of Post Road South Parkway Old Greenwich South Parkway South Parkway South Parkway North Parkway North Parkway North Parkway South of Post Road Riverside South Parkway North Parkway South Parkway

0.17

0.17 0.24 0 0.13 0.31 0.54 0.54

0.54 0.54 0.28 0.41 1

0.27 2.15 0.33 0.37 0.42 0.58 1.1 0.29 0 0.12 1.88 2.25 0 1.01 0.39 1.11

2.31 2.27 4.35 5.63 4.98 0.45 1.29 3.91 3.18

FEATURED OPEN HOUSES Data Compiled by Rob Pulitano [203] 561-8092

Address

Address 193 Hamilton Avenue #19 16 Windy Knolls #A 50 Laddins Rock Road 500 River Road #3 20 Chestnut Street 20 Chestnut Street 282 Bruce Park Avenue #1 19 Woodland Drive #B 62 Park Avenue 12 Binney Lane 125 Field Point Road #B2 125 Field Point Road #1A 154 North Street 12 Cottontail Road 51 Richmond Hill Road 88 Riversville Road 928 Lake Avenue 78 Pecksland Road

Area

Town Greenwich Greenwich Old Greenwich Cos Cob Cos Cob Cos Cob Greenwich Greenwich Old Greenwich Old Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Cos Cob Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich

Price

Price $705,000 $799,000 $820,000 $859,000 $895,000 $895,000 $1,295,000 $2,050,000 $2,495,000 $3,295,000 $3,350,000 $3,350,000 $3,650,000 $3,695,000 $3,950,000 $4,195,000 $4,995,000 $9,950,000

Day/Time

Broker

Time Sun 2-4 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 2-4 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 2-4 PM Sun 1-4 PM Sun 2-4 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 12-2 PM Sun 12-2 PM Sat 1-3 PM Sun 2-4 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM

Broker William Raveis Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway Sotheby's Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway Coldwell Banker Realty Coldwell Banker Realty William Raveis Sotheby's Coldwell Banker Realty Coldwell Banker Realty Berkshire Hathaway Houlihan Lawrence Berkshire Hathaway Coldwell Banker Realty Coldwell Banker Realty Coldwell Banker Realty

NEW SALES

Data Compiled by Cesar Rabellino (203) 249-9866 Address

Original List

List Price

Sold Price DOM BR FB Acres SqFt

1465 Putnam Avenue 513

$390,000 $560,000 $660,000 $748,000 $835,000 $875,000 $954,000 $1,225,000 $1,395,000 $1,260,000 $1,450,000 $1,550,000 $1,495,000 $1,350,000 $1,750,000 $2,295,000 $2,350,000 $2,500,000 $2,625,000 $2,950,000 $3,195,000 $2,950,000 $3,075,000 $4,395,000 $3,995,000 $3,695,000 $5,250,000 $5,600,000 $8,995,000 $10,950,000

$350,000 $535,000 $660,000 $748,000 $835,000 $875,000 $954,000 $1,225,000 $1,250,000 $1,260,000 $1,350,000 $1,495,000 $1,395,000 $1,350,000 $1,750,000 $2,125,000 $2,350,000 $2,500,000 $2,625,000 $2,950,000 $2,950,000 $2,950,000 $3,075,000 $3,995,000 $3,875,000 $3,695,000 $4,750,000 $5,600,000 $8,995,000 $10,950,000

$328,500 $515,000 $660,000 $748,000 $810,000 $830,000 $910,000 $1,180,000 $1,200,000 $1,260,000 $1,362,500 $1,385,000 $1,395,000 $1,420,000 $1,808,000 $2,025,000 $2,350,000 $2,450,000 $2,625,000 $2,708,750 $2,887,500 $2,950,000 $3,075,000 $3,500,000 $3,700,000 $3,750,000 $4,725,000 $5,600,000 $8,825,000 $10,000,000

79 Putnam Park 79 2 High Street 51 Forest Avenue 175 70 Riverdale Avenue 701 31 Scott Road 26 Laddins Rock Road 44 Valley Road B 12 Osee Place 17 Taylor Drive 19 Peters Road 74 Valleywood Road 15 Huckleberry Lane 44 Hendrie Avenue 21 Hillcrest Lane 233 Milbank Avenue 8 18 Cat Rock Road 112 Shore Road 6 Knoll Street 28 Pheasant Lane 19 Tomac Avenue 5 Irvine Road 6 Chieftans Road 27 Clapboard Ridge Road 16 Ledge Road 35 Bramble Lane 54 Rock Maple Road 26 Grimes Road 41 Alpine Road 1 Harbor Drive

128 260 0 10 84 176 11 136 270 0 199 567 59 7 9 302 12 74 -1 117 115 0 0 293 143 8 276 0 38 253

1 2 3 1 2 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 3 5 4 5 4 4 5 4 7 5 5 5 6 6 6

1 2 2 2 2 3 1 3 2 2 3 2 4 2 4 3 5 4 4 4 4 4 6 4 3 5 7 4 8 8

0 666 12 1,325 0.15 1,870 0 1,543 0 2,249 0.45 2,911 0.24 2,146 0 2,632 0.2 2,384 0.18 2,561 0.61 3,030 0.22 2,198 2.08 3,317 0.19 2,464 1 3,424 0 2,846 0.56 6,058 0.43 4,416 0.26 3,272 1.54 3,608 0.32 3,586 0.21 3,300 1.31 8,663 4.29 5,491 0.32 4,581 0.29 5,498 3 9,184 0.48 4,899 8.39 14,777 2.19 14,967

Will this Housing Market Continue? What We Are Hearing in the Industry

By Cheryl MacCluskey We have been in this pandemic for roughly one year now when the Housing Market was put on hold for several months last spring. But, as we saw, the real estate market bounced back quickly had has been booming ever since then. Record Sales in 2020 were higher than any year since 2006. The big question on everyone’s mind will this boom last? Well, so far already in the first quarter of 2021, the housing market continues to be red hot even with higher priced homes and continued bidding wars in certain markets. Housing demand remains strong in this first quarter 2021 but we are now faced with the lack of supply and mortgage rates rising slightly but it does not seem to be affecting buyers from purchasing. Fannie Mae has decreased their housing sales forecast for 2021. They expect a slowdown in the monthly pace of both existing and new sales later in the year. With that aside, on an annual basis, the total home sales in 2021 are still predicted to be 6.2 higher than last year. Who can complain about those numbers? Even though we are seeing mortgage rates on the upward turn, home purchase demands remain robust. Mortgage rates have risen slightly in the last 3 weeks, but we did get spoiled seeing rates in the high 2’s. Mortgage rates are still lower than they were before the pandemic started over a year ago. Rates are expected to remain in Borrower-friendly levels and will help support a strong housing market for 2021. Freddie Mac predicts home prices will rise by 6.6 percent in 2021, slowing to 4.4 percent in 2022, while it is expected home sales to reach 7.1 million in 2021 and then a decline to 6.7 million homes in 2022. First-time home buyers (millennials) are coming into the market. About 4.8 million millennials are turning 30 this year and will continue to do so in

the next three years, this is a positive force for the economy and the housing market. Zillow did a survey that shows millions will enter the housing market in 2021 to purchase either their dream home or move to larger homes with larger plots of land. There seems to be an influx of movers finding these dream homes specially in housing markets such as Portland Maine, Pueblo, Colo and many zip codes in Idaho where the prices are a fraction of what they are in the metro areas. New construction of single-family homes is expected to grow this year. Even though new

homes prices are rising due to an increase in lumber prices, the lack of existing homes for sale means new construction is the only option for some prospective home buyers. Buyers in 2021 have driven up home prices by double-digits causing homes to sell quickly in this competitive market. We have an extremely tight supply of homes on the market, the lowest on record since the turn of the century. Further home price gains are expected until either supply ramps up or demand eases. The US housing market is far from crashing

in 2021, In fact, it continues to play an important supportive role in the country’s economic recovery. Mortgage rates and slow but steady improvements to the job landscape continue to propel confidence for the first-time home buyers. I believe we are going to see another stellar year in real estate. Sales will continue, new construction is booming and mortgage rates remaining borrower friendly. A good sign for a great 2021. Cheryl is the Senior Mortgage Consultant at Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC and can be reached at 203-536-1297 or cheryl.maccluskey@phmloans.com.

Page 3 | Greenwich Sentinel

Frank J. Gaudio President/CEO 203.302.4375

LOCAL NEWS IN BRIEF: JUST WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW to extend the Holly Hill sunset clause for tipping fees until the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year. The sunset clause was originally scheduled to set this fall, but the success of the program encouraged RTM members to extend the clause. Under the program, the town has sold over 7,000 permits, waste has been significantly reduced, and it has raised revenue for the town. The current fee is $112 per ton for commercial haulers, and $25 for a yearly permit for residents to access Holly Hill facilities. Ice Rink on Round Hill Road This past Tuesday, the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed a final site plan that would construct a 100-foot, lighted, open air ice rink and adjacent storage building and pool house at 407 Round Hill Road. G r e e nw i ch P u b l i c S ch o ol s Na m e d B e s t communities for Music Education District Greenwich Public Schools has been named a 2021 Best Communities for Music Education District by the NAMM Foundation. GPS was one of 636 schools in the United States to be honored with the distinction. Earth Day At noon on April 22 , the Greenwich Conservation Commission invited residents to take part in a “one minute of bells ringing initiative”. Bells of all kinds rang at noon following First Selectman Camillo's Earth day Proclamation. Earth Day activities throughout the week will

close with the second annual “Live like Luke” Beach Cleanup at Tod’s Point this Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information on this week's Earth Day events, you can visit greenwichct.gov/1775/ Sustainability-Committee S e cond A n nua l “L ive L i ke Lu ke” B e ach Cleanup Scheduled for April 24 The second annual “Live Like Luke” beach cleanup will take place at Tod’s Point on Saturday, April 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is held in memory of Luke Meyers, a GHS student who lost his battle with cancer in 2019. Luke was a true environmentalist, and his kindness, creativity, and determination to effect positive change in the world inspired this cleanup. Volunteers may walk-in or register at tinyurl.com/ BeachCleanupLiveLikeLuke2021. Masks, social distancing, and small groups will be necessary. April 21 designated as Patricia Burns Day The PROCLAMATION from Fred Camillo, First Selectman, read in part: "Under Patricia’s leadership, a new vision for the Commission on Aging and the role it plays in our community has been realized. She has transformed the Board into a strong working committee; increased understanding of changing demographics; introduced the Age & Dementia Friendly Greenwich project; has reinvigorated the Friends of the Greenwich Senior Center and has been involved in all phases of the renovation of the

ANNUAL SPRING

Greenwich Senior Center." The PROCLAMATION urges every resident to take this opportunity to honor her for her service to older adults and to our community and celebrate her lasting accomplishments and contributions. Greenwich Vaccine Updates As of April 16, over 43% of eligible Greenwich residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. To schedule a vaccine, you can visit ct.gov/coronavirus or call the Connecticut Vaccine Administration Management System Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224 Cos Cob Beautification First Selectman Fred Cam illo is seek ing to beautify Mill Pond pocket park in Cos Cob, with hopes that the town and Junior League of Greenwich can come together to form a partnership a nd en ha nce the a rea, i nclud i ng clea nup of overgrown brush, as well as new tables and benches. The project, if it moves forward, could be completed in a year, and could offer volunteer opportunities. A more concrete decision regarding the park’s restoration is expected this September. Greenwich Youth Baseball Registration Youth baseball registration is open for boys ages 8-12 for the Fall Baseball Clinic's 8 sessions. Register at greenwichct.gov/recreation Historical Society to Launch Garden Markets Beginning May 5, on alternating Wednesdays, the Greenwich Historical Society will offer Garden Markets in the Tavern Garden.

Sale

Enjoy great savings every day at Shreve, Crump & Low.

125 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich (203) 622-6205 www.shrevecrumpandlow.com

Tavern Garden Markets will feature all things "Home" - from food and flowers to specially curated items that enrich life enjoyed with family & friends. Enjoy a stroll on the campus, shop the market, enjoy an iced coffee at the Artist's Cafe and support local growers, producers and artisans. North Mianus Repair Funds The BET has approved $2.1 million of the town’s budget to be allocated for repairs at North Mianus School. It is estimated that an additional $6 million will be needed to complete the project. The rest of the funds will be allocated once a complete plan is submitted to the BET by the Board of Education, which is expected after May 24. North Mianus will be partially closed until the project is completed. 2021 Distinguished Teachers Announced The Distinguished Teachers Award Committee (DTAC) has named this year’s 2021 Distinguished Teachers. Jennifer Bresler, Greenwich Public Schools, District Secondar y Instructional Coach, Jennifer Dunn, North Mianus School, 4th Grade Teacher, Allison Fallon, Central Middle School, English Language Arts, Bruce Johnson, Eastern Middle School, Science and Mathematics, Jane Martellino, International School at Dundee, Library Media Specialist, and Su san Zer m an , Nor th St re et S chool , 3rd Grade Teacher. They will be honored at DTAC’s ceremony on May 4, which is open to the public virtually.

ENVIRONMENT

How To Manage The Green of Greenwich In A Changing Climate question was directed to Kramer: “My Japanese maple got some sort Leading up to this Earth Day of fungus last year, which caused week the Tow n of Greenw ich the leaves to shrivel up and fall off. offered an impressive number of What can I do to prevent this?” zooms for residents to learn how “It's not a fatal disease,” said to care for their trees, how their Kramer. “It’s likely anthracnose climate is changing, and how to w h i c h i s n o t u n c o m m o n o n have sustainable habitats in their Japanese maples.” Spray with backyards. Following on are some fungicide he said, adding, “It's highlights of three of those zooms. sanitation is first and foremost. Ask Your Tree Doctor Rake up and dispose of fallen leaves According to JoAnn Messina, that can spread the fungus, and executive director of the Greenwich do not put them in the compost Tree Conservancy (GTC), who either….” And clean those tools after introduced her March 31 GTC cutting infected trees. zoom, “Ask Your Tree Doctor,” the “I'm looking for suitable trees GTC has planted nearly 5,000 trees for a windbreak, ones that will on public lands in its 14 years. “We grow relatively fast and be good have created most recently four for birds and other wildlife,” was a Gratitude Groves in honor of our question directed to Conte. frontline workers in four parts of “When people think of town.” The dedication of the grove windbreaks, they're thinking of in Havemeyer park wil be on Arbor evergreens, like spruce or pine or Day, April 30 at 11 am. hemlock and in a hedge form.” For Messina introduced her tree a windbreak of height, “the Green panel of the Town’s Tree Warden, Giant Arborvitaes are often used… If Dr. Gregor y K ramer, licensed you want to provide food for birds, arborist Alan Fenner, and John then you may be talking about trees Conte, also a licensed arborist that have more of a fruiting or berry and landscape architect. The first 1 kind of production… Crab1 Apple Greenwich 5.25x10.5.qxp_Layout 3/26/21 10:48 AM Page

By Anne W. Semmes

or Hawthorne.” Anita asked: “Does it physically damage a large maple or beech tree to cut several large lower branches off to improve the view?” “If the cuts that Anita is talking about,” answered Conte, “are made so close, sort of f lush cuts…then that'll take the tree much longer to ever compartmentalize, which is why a healthier cut is one that leaves a collar. You don't want to ever cut that collar off. And if you do, the tree will really have a much harder time healing around that.”

Changing Earth, Changing Climate

A talk on “Changing Earth, Changing Climate” was offered by the Greenwich Conservation Commission and Cos Cob Library on April 1, featuring Dr. Laura Bozzi, Director of Programs at Yale University’s Climate Change and Health Initiative. Moderating was Allison Walsh who serves on the Town’s new Energy Management Advisory Committee. Yes, we know the Northeast is warming, spring is arriving earlier, with heavier rainfalls, and

“Rain gardens create excellent habitats for birds and butterflies and flowering native shrubs and plants.” Sarah Coccaro.

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“Birds forage longer in oaks which is often about the caterpillars that live there - it's fine baby bird food.” Sarah Coccaro. summers are getting hotter and drier, and the seas are rising, with more intense storms. But Dr. Bozzi fully spelled out the “Projected Climate Change Physical Impacts” according to a UCONN/CIRCA (Connecticut Institute for Resilience & Climate Adaptation) Report. “Under a high greenhouse gas emissions scenario (RCP 8.5), the following impacts are projected for mid-century (2040-69), compared with 1970-99: • 5% increase in annual avg. temp. • 8. 5% i ncrease i n a n nua l precipitation (winter/fall) • Greater f lood risk due to the increase in heavy rainfall events • Ex treme su m mer d roug hts occurring 3x as often. • Warm spell days increase from less than 3 per year in the 1950’s to 44 per year by 2025 and more than 120 per year by 2100. • 20 inches (0.5 meters) of sea level rise by 2050 • Atlantic hurricanes are expected to become more intense, with greater amounts of precipitation. So, what do we residents do? These are the recommendations: • Sign up for an energy audit + weatherization. • Opt-in to renewable electricity • Utilize active transportation (walking, biking, public transit) • Electrify with head pumps & EVs. For more, you can visit https:// publichealth.Yale.edu/climate/

gutters leak out and just create a puddle. It could be a breeding g rou nd for mosq u itoes. R a in gardens are actually designed to drain the water in 24 to 48 hours which is not enoug h time for mosquitoes to breed.” And plant oak trees! “Oaks especially support more life forms than any other North American tree…Of the food eaten by insects, birds and other animals, 75 percent comes from a few key species with oaks leading the way. Birds forage longer in oaks which is often about the caterpillars that live there - it's fine baby bird food. And an oak can produce three million acorns in its lifetime, tons of protein, fat, carbohydrates." A mature tree can drop hundreds of thousands of leaves per year, a great habitat for soil

organisms. Coccaro pointed to that special relationship with oaks and Blue Jays. “Blue Jays and oaks actually evolved together around 16 million years ago. Jays have a very specialized beak to open acorns up, and they're known to carry acorns up to a mile away for a future stash.” And did you know where ticks don’t like to tread? “Ticks do not like to cross wood cedar wood chips or gravel so if you place at least a three-foot wide gravel or wood chip buffer zone between ponds or wet areas or stone walls it will help keep ticks from crossing onto your property.” A little fair warning. “Bluebird nesting houses have to be at least 300-feet apart or the blue birds will actually fight each other. “

Sustainable Habitats Using Native Vegetation to Manage Wildlife Sarah Coccaro, Conservation Resource Manager w ith the town Conservation Commission impressively covered the natural landscape of our town with her talk: Sustainable Habitats Using Native Vegetation to Manage Wildlife. If you have a moist area of your lawn or backyard, Coccaro recommends a rain garden. “If you have standing water on your property - maybe after a heavy rainfall you've noticed that your

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Updates from Town Hall By Richard Kaufman Enhancing the Waterfront En ha nc i ng Gr e enw ich's waterfront district has long been a dream for First Selectman Fred Camillo, and the town is now taking steps to make that happen. In his proposed 2021-2022 budget, Camillo included funds for design work and improvements to Roger Sherman Baldwin Park to give residents water views they haven't had for decades. The Board of Estimate and Taxation removed the money, so Camillo's administration sought out other enhancement options for the time being. Enter the Island Beach parking lot. "With the parking lot, we'd extend Greenwich Avenue to the waterfront. The idea would be to make that parking lot more green, with grass and trees, push the parking to the back and up against the on ramp of 95, but to have more space. A garage could be built into the grade. You'd have more spaces, yet it wouldn't stick out," Camillo said, pointing out that environmentalists around town and the Tree Conservancy support the idea. "For commerce, we want to

have people walk down Greenwich Avenue under the overpass for I-95 and the railroad. There could be a few shops and restaurants along that strip that would connect everything to the waterfront, and of course across the street to a new Roger Sherman Baldwin Park," Camillo added. "There's a lot of moving pieces. We don't want to waste time. We want to make sure we move ahead." Camillo said the proposed idea, which is in the very early stages, is all part of a larger initiative for the town. "You have to crawl before you can walk. We're keeping our eyes on what we really want Greenwich to be in the near and distant future, which is a combination of the charm it's always had -- you never want to lose that. We also want to enhance some areas that really needed it," he said. Public Hearing on Old Greenwich Enhancement Following the success of several en ha ncement s to Gr e enw ich Avenue over the course of the last year, the town is looking to make similar changes elsewhere. To t hat end, t he Boa rd of Selectmen w i l l hold a pu blic hearing at 9 a.m., on April 26, to

Fred Camillo discuss outdoor dining, parking and general enhancements to the Old Greenwich Business District. "A l o t o f p e o p l e i n O l d Greenwich are looking at what's going on downtown and they see some progress is being made in other parts of town, and they want to see it happen in Old Greenwich," Camillo said, but the merchants are split on the idea. Camillo said when he met with residents and merchants in Old Greenwich last spring, they were mostly all in favor of enhancing the district. But recently, there have been come concerns about potentially losing parking if any changes are made. "The town was prepared then and is prepared now to come up with a plan to not only replace any parking that would be lost, but maybe come up with other options.

We're keeping our eyes on what we really want Greenwich to be in the near and distant future, which is a combination of the charm it's always had -- you never want to lose that. We also want to enhance some areas that really needed it," First Selectman Fred Camillo said. You have to be open to discussing that. If they're not open to it, we certainly can't force them," Camillo said. Camillo hopes to take his ideas and the ideas of the Old Greenwich community at the public hearing to come up with solutions for all parties involved. Town Dog Ordinance at Beaches The Board of Selectmen was slated to continue dialogue on the town's ordinance regarding the admittance of dogs at town beaches this week. Currently, the beach season in

Greenwich for dogs is four months from Dec. 1 to March 31. Camillo, an avid dog lover, first brought up the idea a few weeks ago at a Board of Selectmen meeting of possibly expanding the time period. He noted that most towns along the shoreline, including in nearby Westchester County, N.Y., have sixmonth beach seasons for dogs. Camillo said earlier this week that residents have been asking for a season spanning from Nov. 1 to April 30, but a continued dialogue needs to take place with all parties involved before any decisions are made.

" B e c au s e t he r e a r e bi r d s nesting in April, I want to be very cognizant of the wildlife there. That's part of Tod's Point. What I would do is, I would probably personally look to add a few months on to the front side and leave April alone because of that," Camillo said. "Certainly, I want to hear more from the residents and I'm hearing a lot now. I'd say it's about 90% in favor, 10% opposed. But whatever that number is, you want to make sure that you're always being fair and listening to everybody and incorporating their questions, concerns and ideas."

An Archaeological Read Of The Early Christian Meal By Anne W. Semmes Picture a semicircular setting of couches with diners reclining on one elbow reaching out for their meal on small circular tables placed here and there. One sure item on those tables would be a loaf of bread. We know now what that loaf of bread looked like. “When the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii in 79 AD, the bread never came out of the oven,” said The Very Rev. Dr. Andrew McGowan. Thus, was preserved that ancient bread, “marked into sections before it was put into the oven.” The Ver y Rev. Dr. Dean A ndrew McGowan heads up the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University. “He has a great fascination with Egyptology, which is close to his own field of study…early church worship,” introduced Christ Church Greenwich Rector Marek Zabriskie at last Sunday’s Zoom on “Eating with Jesus.” Marek called McGowan “one of the world's leading experts on the eating rituals in the early church.” “What I want to focus down on really,” said McGowan, “is the most central part of the earliest Christian ritual activity which is the common meal that has come down as the Eucharist. Christians gathered at the earliest points to share meals in memory of Jesus, and they did so inspired by the Last Supper story.” That elbow dining is traceable to Greek and Roman time,” he told, “So, this model of reclining is something we can probably assume is going on at least in some Christian years as well.” But, contrary to that semi-circular banquet style, and to that Leonardo “Last Supper” placing of Christ in the middle of a table,” in the Roman banqueting tradition, “the position of honor was at one end of the table so that people sitting next to you have a certain kind of prominence.” A slide of an ancient sarcophagus showed diners lined up with someone at the end looking as if “that

The Very Rev. Dr. Andrew McGowan, Dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, stands before a predecessor, William Palmer Ladd. person is breaking the bread.” “A nd you can see the bread was marked into sections because those sections would then have been readily br e a k a ble , br e a k i n g sig n i f ic a nt ly,

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theologically. not just practically, so that the portions could be distributed to the diners, and each of the portions of the loaf would have been something like that central part of your meal. Like the tortillas on your plate

at the beginning of the meal in many South American cuisines, or like the bowl of rice.” “Many of you,” he said, “will be aware of the phrase breaking bread together as a slightly valorized version of sharing a meal with someone in general. It's a phrase that's used in Judaism or in ancient Greek or Latin sources to talk about eating. It means specifically what it looks like, and is probably therefore, an allusion to the Christian ritual meal practice of the Eucharist rather than just the idea of eating in general.” McGowan then explained just how vital a part bread played in those ancient times. “When we consider the bread and wine of the Christian meal, we have to think of it as something which is actually a prized and a problematic commodity - that the bread which Christians served and ate was something that people needed. The people to whom Paul wrote his letters were getting their bread from bakeries…and they often were having trouble getting food - in these cities famine was a constant struggle. And I want to emphasize these facts of the social and economic background, because with a bread eating culture, bread is what you need every day - your basic calories. “So, the idea of eating bread and drinking wine is actually something of more significance than we would otherwise assume, and I think it helps us with the famous line in the Lord's Prayer, ‘Give us today our daily bread.’ We of course also interpret that line spiritually in a variety of ways, and that's fine. But that line is actually a difficult one…part of it is being prayed by people who don't necessarily always know where the next day bread is coming from.” McGowan showed a slide of an ancient lamp. “It's inscribed as these lamps tended to be with some kind of meaningful image and a motto. This one says, “The dinner of the poor is bread, wine and greens… The reason I wanted to show it to you is that when we think about eating a ritual

meal of bread and wine, we’re dealing with foodstuffs that don't have the same part in our regular eating practices as the feeding practices of the ancient world. So, if I went to one of your homes and put bread and wine on the table, my guess would be that wine would be in a nice glass…And the meal, or the bread would probably be a dinner roll or something like that on the side. But guess what, the bread is not a side dish in the ancient meal - it's the meal. The bread is the meal.” McGowan ended his talk with the biblical story of Jesus feeding the 5000. “Jesus took the five barley loaves and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were to receive and also the fish as much as they wanted. And when they'd eaten their fill, he told his disciples to gather up the fragments leftover that nothing may be lost. These fragments are probably those portions that I showed you pre-marked on the loaves that came out of the oven. It doesn't mean crumbs. These fragments are the pieces of bread, meal portions that are left over. So, they gathered them up into 12 baskets from the five barley loaves.” Following that event in John's Gospel, said McGowan, “Jesus sort of has a bit of a nudge towards those who are following him saying, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.’ So, the Jesus of John's gospel, I think is engaging in something of a critique of the notion that people might gather at the Christian table just in order to eat the little bread that was handed out when he says, ‘Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.’” Next Sunday at 11 a.m., on April 25, the Forum speaker at Christ Church Greenwich will be the Dean and President of General Theological Seminary, the Very Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle, addressing parish growth a year into COVID: “Net Fishing and Line Fishing.”

BEACH CLEAN-UP: greenwichgreenandclean.org April 24 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The 2nd Annual “Live Like Luke Beach Cleanup Day”, in Memory of Luke Meyers. Tod’s Point (Check-in in the parking lot across from the first concession stand). Register. info@ greenwichgreenandclean.org GPD: greenwichct.org/police April 24 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. National Drug Take Back Day – turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal. No questions asked. GPD, 11 Bruce Pl. Free. 203-622-8000. YMCA: greenwichymca.org April 24 11 a.m. Healthy Kids Day - games, Earth Day crafts, fitness challenges. Mason Street Parking lot. Free and open to the community. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS: lwvgreenwich.org April 29 7 p.m. Panel discussion: “Fixing Greenwich Public Schools’ Infrastructure: The Plan and The Costs.” Via Zoom. Register. bit.ly/ LWVGHowtoFixSchools LIBRARIES: greenwichlibrary.org April 22 9 a.m. Virtual – Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga (Ages 2-6). 203- 622-7940. children@greenwichlibrary.org 10 a.m. Virtual – ‘Fiesta de los Cuentos’ Bilingual Storytime. dsullivan@

greenwichlibrary.org 2 p.m. Virtual – Streaming Services 101: Get the Most from Streaming. 203-625-6560. csherman@ greenwichlibrary.org 4 p.m. Virtual – Acting Out Loud! (Grades 2-3). lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org 4 p.m. Virtual – Earth Day! Make a Working Greenhouse with ArchforKids. children@ greenwichlibrary.org 7 p.m. Virtual – Family Music Night: “Keltic Kick”: A Post St. Patrick Musical Celebration. 203-5310426. 7 p.m. Virtual – Literary Connections with Mark Schenker: Poems of T.S. Eliot. 203-622-7922. ksoboleva@greenwichlibrary.org April 23 10 a.m. Virtual – Senior Chinese Book Discussion Group. 203-622-7924. ywang@greenwichlibrary.org 10 a.m. Virtual – Storytime with Ms. Ann. 203-622-7920. lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org 3:30 p.m. Virtual – Meditation Workshop. 203-625-6549. schan@ greenwichlibrary.org 4 p.m. Virtual – Kripalu Cooking for Kids with Chef Jeremy Rock Smith. 203-622-7940. children@ greenwichlibrary.org 7 p.m. Friends Friday Film Reel Talk: Oscar Night Celebration.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 203-622-7910. csherman@ greenwichlibrary.org April 24 10:30 a.m. Virtual – Quasi-Free Blacks: The Merritt Family of Connecticut. 203-622-6883. lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org 11 a.m. Virtual – Show Off Your Creativity with Collage Making. lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org April 26 10 a.m. Virtual – Storytime with Ms. Lauren. 203-622-7920. dsullivan@ greenwichlibrary.org April 27 11 a.m. Virtual – Petite Concert. 203-6227940. children@greenwichlibrary. org 3 p.m. Virtual – 3D Printed Keychain Design. 203-622-7979. innovation@greenwichlibrary.org 4 p.m. Virtual – Yoga for Kids with Kristin DeGroat. 203-531-0426. 7 p.m. Cos Cob Town Meeting: The Resilience of Local Organizations during the Pandemic. Cos Cob Library - Community Room. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org April 28 10 a.m. Virtual – Storytime with Ms. Melissa. 203-622-7920. children@ greenwichlibrary.org 11:30 a.m. Virtual – Qi Gong, mindful movement and breathing. Adults. 203-622-6883. lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org 3 p.m. Virtual – Afternoon Story/Craft (ages 2 1/2 and up). 203-622-6883. 4:30 p.m. Virtual – Food Explorers: No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Bars). lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org 7 p.m. Virtual – Date with an Author: Tessa Wegert, Author of “The Dead Season.” sschmidt@ greenwichlibrary.org April 29 9 a.m. Virtual – Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga (Ages 2-6). 203- 622-7940. children@greenwichlibrary.org 10 a.m. Virtual – ‘Fiesta de los Cuentos’ Bilingual Storytime. dsullivan@ greenwichlibrary.org 2 p.m. Virtual – How the Internet Changed Newspapers, Music and, Television. 203-625-6560. csherman@greenwichlibrary.org 7 p.m. Virtual – Dietary Intervention for Gut Health: Lecture by Janet Levin R.D.N., D.M.D. 203-531-0426. April 30 10 a.m. Virtual – Storytime with Ms. Ann. 203-622-7920. lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org 3:30 p.m. Virtual – Meditation Workshop. 203-625-6549. schan@ greenwichlibrary.org 3:45 p.m. Virtual – World Music with Anitra. 203-622-6883. lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org HOSPITAL: greenwichhospital.org/events 888-305-9253 April 24 9 a.m. CPR Friends & Family (Infant/ Child). 38 Volunteer Ln. $65. For discount information call 888305-9253. April 26 12:30 p.m. Webinar: Hip Replacement Education. 203-863-3598. April 28 10 a.m. Spinal Fusion Pre-Operative Video. NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR: ntngreenwich.org Tuesdays, 9 - 11 a.m. Food Drive (drive-thru) at St. Catherine of Siena’s parking area across the street from the rectory entrance, 4 Riverside Ave. (Nonperishable foods, personal care products, large sized diapers (5 & 6) and pull-ups, and knit hats (hand knit or store bought). Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Food Drive at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church parking lot, 200 Riverside Ave. JUNIOR LEAGUE: jlgreenwich. org Through April 25 Textile Drive - JLG will be collecting unwanted clothing and textiles with proceeds to benefit Waste Free Greenwich. Drop off donations at JLG, 231 E. Putnam Ave. (bin in parking lot). April 24 12 p.m. Register for “Impact Your World”, a workshop that introduces girls to the concept of entrepreneurship. Open to girls ages 11-14. Free. The workshop takes place on Saturday, May 1, 12-1:30pm. Sign up before April 26. 203-869-1979.

communications@jlgreenwich. org. jlgreenwich.org/impact-yourworld TRICLUB CONSERVATION: triclubconservation.org April 23 10 a.m. “Our Town’s Path to a Healthier Planet” with Patricia Sesto, Director of Environmental Affairs for the Town of Greenwich. Via Zoom. Free and open to the community. Register. GREEN & CLEAN: greenwichgreenandclean.org May 1 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Household Hazardous Waste Day. Island Beach Parking Lot. (1 person/household in the vehicle. Place all HHW items as far away from the driver as possible (i.e. in the trunk or back of SUV). Residents are not allowed to walkup or bike-up and deposit HHW items). 203-531-0006. info@ greenwichgreenandclean.org RETIRED MEN’S ASSOCIATION: greenwichrma. org/speakers/future-speakers-3 April 28 11 a.m. Webinar: The Right Honorable Jesse Norman, Conservative Member of Parliament, Government Minister: Financial Secretary to the Treasury, writer and academic: “The Re-emergence of Global Britain: Brexit, Covid and Beyond.” Free. Open to all. BOTANICAL CENTER: greenwichbotanicalcenter.org April 28 3 - 7 p.m. May Gardeners Market Early Buyers Sale - have first pick of plant material for your garden. 130 Bible St. (Half-hour time slots must be booked in advance). $20, members; $25, non-members. May 1 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. May Gardeners Market - native plants, horticulturaly inspired accessories, and organic food products. Montgomery Pinetum, 130 Bible St. Free to public. AUDUBON CENTER: greenwich.audubon.org/events April 24 10 a.m. Birding 101 Outdoor Workshop. Greenwich Audubon Center, 613 Riversville Rd. Ages 12 & up. Registration required. Tickets start at $35. Ryan.MacLean@ audubon.org. 203-930-1353. April 28 7 a.m. Dawn Chorus Livestream. Online with Facebook Live. Birders of all ages and experience levels. Free. LAND TRUST: gltrust.org/ calendar April 24 1 p.m. Spring Ephemeral Hike. Park and meet at the intersection of Sherwood Avenue and Nutmeg Drive, Greenwich. GLT Members, $10; non-members, $15. Preregistration is required. PERFORMING ARTS: greenwichperformingarts.com April 27 7 p.m. Kids Musical Theater Workshop (Ages 7 & up). Via Zoom. Free. No skills required. To sign up, email director@ greenwichperformingarts.com GRACE & HOPE SUNDAY FORUM: christchurchgreenwich.org April 25 11 a.m. “Net Fishing & Line Fishing: What’s changed, what’s the same – after a year of COVID?” with the Very Rev. Kurt H. Dunkle. Via Zoom. Free. Open to all. YWCA GREENWICH: ywcagreenwich.org April 26 The 21-Day Racial Equity & Social Justice Challenge - receive daily emails with challenges such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, engaging with protest art, reflecting on personal experience and more. Register by April 23. ywcagrn.org/21daychallenge April 28 6:30 p.m. Technology in Relationships: The good, the bad and the dangerous. Via Zoom. Free. Register. ywcagrn.org PERROT LIBRARY: perrotlibrary.org/events April 26 7 p.m. Virtual Book Discussion on “The Overstory,” by Richard Powers. Via Zoom. Free. Register. BRUCE MUSEUM: brucemuseum.org April 27 9 a.m. Digital Bruce Beginnings: Butterfly – “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,”Earl Carle, author, and Kenard Pak, illustrator. Ages 3- 5 and their caregivers. Online. RIVERSIDE GARDEN CLUB: riversidectgardenclub.org April 22

9:30 a.m. Earth Day - help clean up Riverside Train Station. Meet on either the North or South side of the train station. Please bring, if possible, shovel, rake, pruners, gloves. Water will be provided. RSVP to riversidectgardenclub. org. Rain date: Friday April 23. April 27 9:30 a.m. “Local Trees - Challenges to their Health” with Robert E. Marra, Associate Research Scientist, University of CT Associate Scientist/Forest Pathologist The CT Agricultural Experiment Station. Via Zoom. Free. RSVP. riversidectgardenclub@gmail. com ABILIS abilis.us May 1 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Job Fair - FT/PT positions available. Outside HQ’s, 50 Glenville St. No registration required. abilis.us/get-involved/ jobs 6:30 p.m. 70th Anniversary Spring for Abilis virtual gala. Free. Register. INDIA CULTURAL CENTER OF GREENWICH (ICC): iccgreenwich.org April 23 Family Holi Parties - enjoy a 3-course feast from ICC’s favorite Michelin star chef, Hemant Mathur, add color, water blasters, and a Bollywood playlist. Orders must be placed by Friday, April 23 at 12pm. WHITBY ADMISSIONS EVENT: whitbyschool.org/thinkwhitby_ spring2021 April 28 9:30 a.m. Early Childhood Exploration Virtual Event - join the Admissions Team, the Whitby Montessori Children’s House staff, and parents to learn about their programs. Free and open to the public. Register. KEATING QUIGLEY: keatingquigley.com April 29 7:30 p.m. The Admissions Puzzle 101 - get a jump start on the 2022 school search process. Register. ST. CATH SPRING LECTURES: stc-sta.org April 28 5 p.m. How the West came to Encounter the East Lecture Series: Part 1: Early Days –from Ancient World Traders and Medieval Adventures to the Age of Sail. Via Zoom. Free. zoom.us/j/91648902276 UNITED WAY: greenwichunitedway.org April 29 12:30 p.m. 16th Annual Sole Sisters Luncheon, with keynote speaker Brooke Baldwin. Guests will be able to pick up lunch at Greenwich Country Club. Patron and underwriting opportunities available. ST. LAWRENCE SOCIETY stlawrencesociety.com April 24 7 p.m. “Another Tribute to the Return of Live Music.” St. Lawrence Society, 86 Valley Rd. Members & non-members: $10. Register. 203-618-9036. ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE: afgreenwich.org Through April 30 Focus on French Cinema( FFC2021) - the annual French and Francophone film festival with English subtitles will be screened online. $75 VIP pass for all films; $10/film for 24 hour viewing. amory777@aol.com April 30 10 a.m. ‘Café Franco-Américain’ Conversation in English and French. RSVP for Zoom link. sbenthal@aol.com ART SOCIETY: greenwichartsociety.org April 26 4:30 p.m. Art History Lecture: “Great Women Artists” with Sue Altman. (For Adults and Teens). Via Zoom. Register. 4:30 p.m. Storytelling Through Filmmaking - for Adults and Teens. (April 26May 24). Via Zoom. Register. April 27 4 p.m. Landscape Workshop: “Composing Your Own Landscape,” with James McElhinney. Via Zoom. Register. GREENWICH ROTARY CLUB: greenwichrotary.org April 28 12:15 p.m. Weekly Wednesday lunch meeting. Riverside Yacht Club, 102 Club Rd. The bell will ring at 12:15pm. Jackets for men are required. $30. ARCH STREET archstreet.org Virtual Yoga Takeover. 7th-12th Grade. Every Tue. & Thu., 4-5pm

Free. Online. Open Studio. 7th-12th Grade. Wednesday, by Appointment Only. Free. NEWCOMERS CLUB: greenwichnewcomers.org April 28 6:30 p.m. Wine About a Book Club: “The Giver of Stars.” Private home. Register. OGRCC: myogrcc.org Registration is open for the following Spring & Summer programs: Through June 2 U9-U11 Girls Coerver Skills Clinic. Loughlin Park (time/day varies by age group). travelsoccer@ myogrcc.org Through June 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 Dance – Ballet & Hip Hop (ages 2-13). Eastern Civic Center - Upper Lounge. travelsoccer@myogrcc. org NAMI SOUTHWEST CT: namisouthwestct.org/onlinesupport April 28 6:30 p.m. NAMI-CAN (Child and Adolescent Network) Online Support Group - for parents and primary caregivers of children and adolescents, under age 21, with behavioral and emotional issues (Every Wednesday). Free. Contact admin@namict.org for the meeting password. RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: RedCrossBlood.org April 24 7:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Ave, Stamford. April 27 8 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road, Stamford. TOWN AGENCIES MEETINGS: greenwichct.gov/calendar April 26 9 a.m. Board of Selectmen Special Public Forum. Via Zoom. 1 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Briefing. Town Hall - Hayton Room. 5 p.m. Nathaniel Witherell Board of Directors Meeting. 6:30 p.m. Board of Health Regular Meeting. 7 p.m. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency Meeting. Via Zoom. April 27 7 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting. Town Hall - Meeting Room. 7:30 p.m. Town Services Committee Special Meeting. Via Zoom. April 28 12 p.m. FS Re-Imagine Greenwich Meeting. Via Zoom. 7 p.m. Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing. Via Zoom. April 29 7 p.m. Budget Overview Committee Meeting. Via Zoom. Our Neighboring Towns BEDFORD PLAYHOUSE: bedfordplayhouse.org Earth Week: April 23 8 p.m. Outdoor Cinema – David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet. Playhouse Lawn. Register. April 24 8 p.m. Outdoor Cinema: “Wall-E.” Playhouse Lawn. Register. April 25 3:30 p.m. Wolf Conservation Center Virtual Field Trip. Register to receive the link to the panel discussion. CLOTHING DONATION DRIVE: April 24 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. “Pop the Trunk” Clothing Donation Drive – donate gently used clothing to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters Family Services of Westchester. Gateway Shopping Center, 421 Boston Post Rd, Port Chester (parking lot next to Westy Self Storage). denise. austin@fsw.org THE BARN @ DOWNING YUDAIN: art357.com Through April 30 Landscape Paintings by Mike Glier – An Open Season. Show is on display and open by appointment through April 30. 357 Old Long Ridge Rd, Stamford. info@art357. com. 917-544-6417. THE MARITIME AQUARIUM: maritimeaquarium.org April 24 10 a.m. Virtual Scout Program: Adventures in Science. Via Zoom. $10/person. Register.

Page 7 | Greenwich Sentinel

On My Watch

The Canterbury Connection By Anne W. Semmes

Dean Robert sitting amidst his Deanery Garden at the back door of the Cathedral’s former Benedictine Monastery. Photo by Anne W. Semmes

“There’s poetry and literature and history and architecture and travel,” Josie Merck finds in the Dean’s morning lessons. adds, “I am not a churchgoer. I am self-defined as a pantheist. By which I mean I’m aware of every seasonal transformation through stars, moon, and sun, and I love those celebrations.” The Pandemic has brought Dean Robert’s Deanery garden to Josie’s back yard. With the Cathedral locked down as of late Ma rch last yea r, Dea n Robert took to broadcasting h is mor n ing a nd even ing services from the Cathedral’s expansive gardens. The Dean came to call his viewers his “garden congregation,” says Josie. “It’s been going since the Archbishop of Canterbury shut dow n ever y A ng l ic a n church in Eng land, much to the consternation of the parishioners. And we pray for every one of those parishes, in every village, specifically every day. Sometimes I look them up because he says how beautiful the village is.” It was soon af ter Ash Wednesday last year that Josie began painting. “I started with making 40 paintings. I didn't know that I was complying with the Dean’s [Lenten] suggestion to all his parishioners that we might each want to keep some kind of a journal, or notebook. I sent him all the pictures, but I've not heard from him.” But recently, “He thanked us all for sending him copies of what we’d done, including the ‘lady and her beautiful paintings across the water’.” Josie points to the teapot, mug and the Dean’s red prayer book i n her pa i nti ngs t hat are regulars in the different

settings of the Morning Services. There’s a painting of turkeys “fanning and showing off” that the Dean calls Darcy, Jane, and Lizzie. “It took me a

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Artist Josie Merck displays some of her postcard paintings of Dean Robert’s outdoor morning prayer services. Photo by Anne W. Semmes.

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It’s Friday Morning Prayer service time at the 1400-yearo l d C a nte rb u r y C at h e d r a l in Kent, England. A blast of birdsong begins the outdoor livestream service, with the f i r st i m age of a t h icket of chocolate v ine in bloom so identified by Cathedral Dean Robert Willis, sitting immersed in oversized botanical plants in his priestly black cassock at the back door of the Cathedral’s former Benedictine monastery quarters. The Dean is known by his followers worldwide as “Dean Robert,” including a young soldier in Afghanistan, a family in Virginia, and artist Josie Merck of backcountry Greenwich. “I just watched it once and I was completely enchanted,” says Josie, who thanks her d a u g h t e r ’s g o d m o t h e r i n Virginia for alerting her. She’s s e en t ho s e s er v ic e s “gone viral” of the Deanery black cat Leo disappearing into the vent of the Dean Robert’s cassock, and Tiger, another Deanery cat, helping himself to milk off the Dean’s tea tray, then to the Dean’s pancakes all the while he was reading his lesson. She’s seen the Dean in the snow accompanied by other animals that live in the Deanery Garden, piglets, chickens, and turkeys. Spread across a table on her back porch Josie displays dozens of her watercolor postcard paintings that capture t h o s e e n c h a nt i n g o utdo o r s e t t i n g s o f D e a n R o b e r t ’s Morning Prayer services. To best introduce this reporter to her inspiration, she places her iPad on the table for the Dean’s l ate s t m or n i n g s e r v i c e . It begins: “This morning, the dark purple of this lovely hyacinth… c a l l e d Wo o d s to c k h a s t h e mo s t a m a z i n g f ra g ra nc e quite different from a normal hyacinth with almost a slightly jasmine scent…I'm sorr y that virtual communication doesn't yet include any kind of fragrance being able to be passed across the world.” “ T h e r e ’s p o e t r y a n d l iterat u re a nd h istor y a nd architecture and travel,” Josie f inds in the Dean’s morning lessons, “and whose birthday it was today, Dryden, first Poet L au reate in 15 3 3. He loves words and pictures. And he is very appreciative of pithy phrases, four-word phrases, which may be from his passion for hymns. He's a published hymnist. He does this seven days, every morning.” D e a n Rob er t ’s Mor n i ng P rayer ha s b e come Josie’s morning meditation. But she

while to understand this is Jane Austen, obviously. And here’s St. Patrick's Day- they went all out. They decorated everything, wild and crazy, leprechauns - it was just extraordinary.” Josie has recruited “at least one English pal” to the Dean’s garden congregation, after that pal saw the service with the parenting pigs named Clemmie and Winston. Josie has sleuthed out those pigs’ provenance. “They are from New Zealand. They have a Maori name.” She’s eager to f ind a map of that extraordinary Deanery g a r d e n . S h e ’s t h i n k i n g o f r e a c h i n g o u t t o Ya l e University’s Berkeley Divinity School, “because they make a pilgrimage every year to the Canterbury Cathedral, but they couldn't this year.” Meanwhile Josie’s Deanery Garden sleuthing continues. “Yesterday I tried to understand where the Dean was between the city wall and the cathedral’s inner boundaries in a spot we had not visited before!” Those interested in joining Dean Robert’s Morning Service at Canterbur y Cathedral can d o s o a t w w w . c a n t e r b u r ycathedral.org/#morning

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Page 8 | Greenwich Sentinel

PUBLISHER Beth@GreenwichSentinel.com Elizabeth Barhydt

Editorial Page

EDITORS & COPY EDITORS Editor@GreenwichSentinel.com Peter Barhydt, Daniel FitzPatrick, Stapley Russell, Anne W. Semmes

Ned Led In this time of overly hyper-partisanship, paying someone a compliment can be tricky business. Too quickly people get their dander up if they suspect they will not like what someone else is saying. Too often they are incapable of hearing the compliment. We blame COVID. For too long we have all been stressed and living in what has become a fearful time. Our emotions have been heightened for so long they are now raw and abrasive. The result is we have lost the ability to empathize and to listen to what others are saying to us. It also makes it difficult for us to speak to others with understanding and compassion. We are reminded of Oscar Wilde’s quote: “It is a great mistake for men to give up paying compliments, for when they give up saying what is charming, they give up thinking what is charming.” Updated it could read “when you stop saying what is good, you stop thinking what is good,” and that would simply be wrong. It seems in the current “cancel culture” giving compliments have been cancelled. We want to change that attitude and will pay a compliment when a compliment is due. While this newspaper has not generally seen eye-to-eye with our current political leadership in Hartford on matters of state policy, we do strive always to be even-handed and fair in both our reporting and our editorial opinions. In that spirit, we would like to congratulate Governor Ned Lamont on his excellent leadership of Connecticut’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and celebrate his recent decisions lifting most restrictions beginning next month. This is great news for the citizens and businesses here in Greenwich and throughout our state.

It may be fashionable these days (unfortunate, in our opinion) to view government achievements through the filter of partisanship. Unlike governors of other nearby states, Lamont’s approach to the crisis was low key and focused. Rather than grandstand, he and his team took an approach that was grounded in a pragmatic and practical understanding of the issues and the need to balance the ever-evolving health practices advice from national and other authorities, with the realization that restrictions bring costs. Costs to personal liberty, costs to businesses, and the state economy, costs to the state tax revenue base, and importantly, costs to the quality of life for residents of the Nutmeg State. According to recent CDC data (as of April 20), so far, about 49.8% of Connecticut’s population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 32.5% are fully vaccinated. That compares favorably to the national statistics, which are 40.1% and 26%, respectively. The numbers are even better locally, with a majority (51.91%) of Greenwich residents having received at least one dose. The state has been successful in directing vaccines to the most vulnerable segments of our state population. As of last week, over 55% of all residents over the age of 16 had received at least one dose, with higher percentages in the 55 to 64 age group (73%) and those 65 and up (87%). This was accomplished intelligently and efficiently and bodes well for soon obtaining a state of herd immunity. Restrictions on outdoor activities in the state will be lifted effective Saturday, May 1, and all restrictions on Connecticut businesses will be lifted effective Wednesday, May 19, after which Connecticut will be in a state of the “new normal.” We are looking forward to that day with great anticipation. It may be fashionable these days (unfortunate, in our opinion) to view government achievements through the filter of partisanship. The people of this state, and of this country, deserve better from their leaders and their press. We at the Greenwich Sentinel hail Ned Lamont and his team for performing admirably in the face of an unprecedented challenge. Our wish and message? A very complimentary keep up the good work!

Earth Day: Let's Take Up the Challenge To the editor: Once again, Earth Day is here, an annual reminder for all to consider how our actions impact our environment. It is incumbent upon each of us to make a concerted effort to minimize the amount of waste we produce, recyclable or not. During this last diff icult year, positive steps have been taken at the Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility to reintroduce the containers for plastic bags and shredded pap er, b ot h item s wh ich a re no longer

accepted in recycling. These can be found outside the office trailer opposite the scale hou s e , a lon g w it h a c ol le c t ion bi n for textiles. The book shed will operate soon but meanwhile book drop containers are in place and filling up rapidly. This may be a good time for a gentle reminder that all recyclables should be loose, not bagged, even when picked up by a hauler. Far too many bags are finding their way into the recycling stream. I mplement i ng new i n it iat ive s i s a n ongoing process. For instance, in 2020, we

were able f ind a home for holiday string lights. The successful food scrap recycling program has delighted residents who agree that removing this wet and heavy component of the waste stream makes a huge difference to the amount of trash left to throw away. So, let’s take up the challenge to continue reducing our waste and think about making every day Earth Day. Sally Davies Chair, Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board

An Open Letter to Senators Blumenthal, Murphy and Congressman Himes In the wake of 2019’s overwhelming, bipar tisan Cong ressional adoption of r e s olut ion s r e cog n i z i ng t he A r men ia n Genocide, full acknowledgement by many foreign countries and last year’s historic decision by the L i bra r y of Cong ress to properly catalogue books on this subject – the White House must join Congress in honest American affirmation of this still unpunished crime. A pr incipled, pro-tr uth A mer ican position - alongside a dozen of our NATO allies - will help impress upon Ankara that it must abandon its denials, acknowledge its guilt, and reckon with its present-day responsibilities for the consequences of its crimes. With Turkey and its ally Azerbaijan pursuing new genocidal actions against the Armenian homeland as we witnessed last fall, it is more urgent than ever for the White House to cease using evasive language and euphemistic terminology in its annual April 24th statements. The first genocide of the 20th century,

where 1.5 million Armenians were massacred by the authorities of the Ottoman Turkish Empire between 1915-1923, has been well documented. As the granddaughter of a genocide survivor, I have heard f irsthand my grandfather’s eyewitness testimony of the unspeakable torture and suffering of the seemingly endless death marches – the stench of innocent dead bodies - through the Deir ez-Zor desert in present-day Syria. A lt houg h he su r v ived t he depor tation, starvation, and mass killings, he could not remove the brutality that he experienced and he would share it with us so that the world would never forget: rapes, beheadings, mass graves – and the color of blood red running through the Euphrates River. I will not rest until we ack nowledge this injustice. An injustice that continues to be denied today by the Erdogan regime in Turkey– because the lack of punishment for the perpetrators set the precedent for the Holocaust and a cycle of 20th and 21st century genocides. An acknowledgement, we as Americans will not

regret making as we continue to give Turkey the power to commit crimes again as we saw last fall in Armenia. Who knows what happened there? No one – we were all focused on the election and minimal media covered it. It's time to stop outsourcing U.S. policy to Turkey. It's time for America to recognize the Armenian Genocide - fully, formally, and forever. It’s time for President Joe Biden to stay true to his campaign promise and live up to his decades-long acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide as a U.S. Senator from Delaware. Moreover, he will show through example and action that the denial of mass atrocities and genocide will not be tolerated. Please URGE the White House to stand on the side of truth and justice. On April 24 we commemorate the Armenian Genocide - and urge President Biden to officially affirm the first genocide of the 20th century. Alyssa Keleshian Bonomo is a lifelong resident of Greenwich, Connecticut and is President of K Investments.

Timing Questions on NMS Letter to the Editor: It is true that Greenwich Public School students, families and teachers are NOT getting what they need but I am confused about why the blame for that is consistently laid at the feet of the Board of Estimate and Taxation and not the RTM or, more appropriately, the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools. Time after time the Board of Ed and the Superintendent cry wolf about funding they think they should have immediately or else the

whole school system will be in jeopardy. They frighten parents and get the PTA in a frenzy. They say that teachers will have to be fired, programs will have to be cut! It never actually happens. They miraculously find the money in savings elsewhere. Don't we have enough real fear to deal with right now without the Board of Ed and the Superintendent making up things to be afraid of? For the North Mianus School project, t he BET has s a id rep e ate d ly t hat t hey will authorize whatever funds are needed

practically the minute an engineering request is complete. My question is why is no one rushing the Board of Education? The incident at North Mianus happened quite some time ago so how come there is still not a proper request in place? It seems to me that we need a Board of Education and a Superintendent of Schools that stops pointing fingers and actually does their job. Mary Forina

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Page 9 | Greenwich Sentinel

Meet Student Journalism Institute Member, Maya Hurst By Jenny Byxbee You may recognize Maya -a senior at Greenwich Academyas one of the Sentinel's popular contributing columnists “I have found so much joy in being able to share my words with Sentinel readers, and am always pleasantly surprised when someone tells me that they have read -and even related to- my work. I believe that by listening to student voices, the greater community is able to get a peek into ways in which our town can improve as well as ways in which it is already succeeding."

Maya, already a member of the Sentinel team, it is with the warmest of welcomes she becomes part of the SJI. “Participating in a Student Journalism Institute and having the opportunity to write for a local newspaper has incredible value for students within Greenwich. Not only are young writers given the chance to voice their opinions, tell their stories, and demonstrate their journalistic abilities to a large audience, but these students are also able to get a glimpse into the world of journalism and what that career path may entail.” If you are interested in

“Participating in a Student Journalism Institute and having the opportunity to write for a local newspaper has incredible value for students within Greenwich. Not only are young writers given the chance to voice their opinions, tell their stories, and demonstrate their journalistic abilities to a large audience, but these students are also able to get a glimpse into the world of journalism and what that career path may entail.” learning more about the SJI or the Greenwich Sentinel Foundation and its initiatives, please contact Jenny Byxbee at communityimpact@ greenwichsentinel.com. The Greenw ich Sentinel

Community Foundation’s mission is to create a sense of community t h at fo s te r s mut u a l r e sp e c t , support, and understanding among Greenwich residents. A strong community has residents that are

supported, happier, more willing to serve others, and that produce leaders that will bring ideas with which they were raised beyond the borders of their own home town. Together, we will continue

to lift up and bring together our community and each other, help Greenwich reach for unparalleled potential for good, and instill a sense of community and values in the world’s future leaders.

OPED: Handling Emergency Repairs By Mike Mason There was a recent opinion letter in the Sentinel about the appropriation approved by the BET for the repairs at North Mianus School in which the authors stated that the BET had previously approved capital funds without the information that is being asked for the North Mianus School. Unfortunately, what was quoted was misleading at best. Here’s why. EMERGENCY REPAIRS OF SOUTH STANWICH ROAD WHICH CROSSES OVER THE AQUARION RESERVOIR. Contrary to what was stated, the material submitted to the BET included detailed engineering drawings plus detailed cost estimates (A link to the documents considered by the BET on November 16, 2020 is included for your reference) BET Regular Meeting Webinar Packet_11-16-2020 (greenwichct. gov). Due to some gaps in design information and water level predictions, there was a g reater contingency granted in this request but the bottom line is that the monies requested were based on detailed engineering drawings and cost estimates. MISA APPROPRIATION FOR FAILED HEATING PIPES – DECEMBER 12, 2018 INCIDENT This project did not require A&E drawings or any land use approvals.

By Cadbury FitzPatrick I have a ta i l. Now t hat may not seem pa r ticu la rly newsworthy given that I am a dog, but in this instance, it actually is quite unusual. You see, I am an Australian Shepherd, and by tradition our tails are docked at birth. That may seem mean or painful to some people, but in reality, it is not. My uncle, Logan, and my nephew, Hank, both had their tails docked and they assure me that it was not painful, and they do not mind not having a tail. A bit of h istor y may b e i n o r d e r. T h e A u s t r a l i a n Shepherd is a breed of herding do g . No t w it h s t a n d i n g it s name, it actually originated in the United States and was developed in California in the 19th century from a variety of herding breeds including collies

The BET stands ready and willing to meet in a timely manner once the scope and costs of the North Mianus project are known. the Cos Cob School which flooded after a defective faucet flooded several rooms The BOE had funds to initiate the cleanup and repairs of the school. The interim appropriation was based on a budget supplied by a contractor selected from the State’s list of preferred vendors. The monies requested covered the cost to complete the remediation project. JULIAN CURTISS ROOF REPLACEMENT Preventative construction was not part of the On July 27, 2018, a special meeting of the BET request. https://www.greenwichct.gov/AgendaCenter/ was held to approve additional monies that were requested by the BOE for the Julian Curtiss roof ViewFile/Item/2532?fileID=8973 replacement financial shortfall. The BOE had contracted for a series of roof The process fol lowed by t he BET for t he replacements and had begun the JC roof last without North Mianus School project is consistent with having the total appropriation for the project in the process followed for all of the emergency place. appropriations cited by the authors. In fact, the BET The BET, and ultimately the RTM (in a special held two special meetings to accommodate the BOE meeting) approved the interim appropriation to requests in a timely manner. The BET has always complete the project been responsive to the BOE and all other Town https://www.greenwichct.gov/AgendaCenter/ departments with any emergency appropriations. ViewFile/Item/1197?fileID=7088 WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN WRONG WITH CONDITIONING WHAT THE BOE REQUESTED? COS COB SCHOOL FLOODING On October 19, 2018 a special meeting of the BET A condition, also known as a subject to release, was held to consider an interim appropriation for estimate, is used to assure the BET that certain The interim appropriation was for the costs for response to the emergency and replacement of systems and equipment damaged by the flood The interim appropriation was similar to what was approved by the BET for the first phase of the North Mianus School repairs https://www.greenwichct.gov/AgendaCenter/ ViewFile/Item/2844?fileID=10587

imported into California with sheep from Australia and New Zealand. The breed’s progenitor was the Pyrenean Shepherd, the dog of choice of the Basque people who lived near the Pyrenees Mountains in the borderlands between France and Spain. The Basques were known as world-class shepherds, and in the early 1800s, many of them traveled to Australia, w ith their prized dogs in tow, to ply their trade in Australia’s vast interior full of rich pastureland perfect for cattle ranching. There, they crossed their dogs with imported British breeds, including Collies and Border Collies. Eventually, some of them left for California. The local ranchers admired the dogs and assumed they were an Australian breed. Hence, the name. Some people assume that ou r t a i l s a r e t rad it ion a l ly docked for cosmetic reasons, but that is not the case. The practice is rooted in practicality. Our tails are by nature feathery a nd a s we work t he f ield s herding, our tails would pick up

appropriations once the actual scope and cost estimates of the project are known and a specific plan is in place. With the RTM scheduled to take up the town budget in May, there was concern that the $2 million for NMS wouldn't get approved until the RTM's June meeting. BET Chair Michael Mason indicated that RTM Moderator, Tom Byrne, agreed that a special meeting could be held before June. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Toni Jones, asked the BET to fully approve the full $8 million and place conditions on a portion of the money. Currently, some NMS students have been relocated because of the collapse. Jones said she wants all students back at NMS as quickly as possible and suggested not getting all of the money right away would cause delays. Mason said suggesting that delays would be incurred was detrimental to the community.

NMS

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P&Z on Housing From Page 1

An estimated 60% of town employees live outside of G r e enw ich , a nd r i si ng r ent s and home prices are part of that picture. Area real estate prices and land values have risen overall in the years since 6-110 was first put in place. D u r i ng t he past ye a r, t he Planning and Zoning Commission has held a series of public meetings and smaller workshops

to ref ine 6-110, after seeking a moratorium on new proposals that invoke the reg u lation. Developers, builders, architects, realtors, and interested members of the general public have weighed in with concerns. Katie DeLuca, Planning and Zoning Commissioner, shared her screen with the current draft of the regulation during the April 15 meeting, which was held on Zoom. “We have had these moderateincome reg ulations since the 80s,” DeLuca said as the meeting got underway. “I think it was an

Tale of a Tail And remember, we are, and always will be, your best friends. the (ahem) mess left behind by the animals. That did not make us very popular guests in our humans’ homes. It also was not great for our overall health. In addition, our feathery tails get caught easily in weeds, stickers and burrs, which are difficult to remove and can cause injury to our tails. Many of us do not work in the f ields these days, so the traditional reasons for docking are not as compelling. However, it has become part of the breed “standard” and is expected of most Aussies, especially those who compete in dog shows. Sp e a k i ng of comp et i ng , our breed is known as being extremely agile and able to r u n , ju mp a nd p e r for m acrobatics most other breeds cannot. Which brings up an interesting point. Most humans believe that a dog’s tail exists pr i nc ip a l ly to a s si st u s i n

keeping our balance, especially on narrow surfaces, or when m a k i n g h ig h sp e e d t u r n s . None of that has hampered my do c ke d r e l at i ve s f r o m comp et i ng succe s sf u l ly i n rodeos and agility trials, so that theory might benefit from some rethinking. I do agree, however, with those humans who believe t hat a dog ’s t a i l s er ve s a s a for m of c om mu n ic at ion . While Logan and Hank can (and do) wag their behinds to express their happiness, I can use my feathery appendage to communicate on an operatic sca le. I a m sma r t enough to know how to use the combination of my deep brown eyes and wagging tail to melt the heart of any human I come across. I really am that adorable. And on a practical note, I am never without something to

thresholds in the process have been met, or land use approvals have been achieved in advance of funding, per the Town Charter. The RTM can not remove a subject to release. If a condition was added the RTM would not have any opportunity for a review. For the North Mianus project the additional $6 million requested was a “drive by” estimate based on an estimated cost per estimated square footage – while the amount is recognized as an industry standard for Fairf ield County it is not based on what the project will actual entail. It is simply an unengineered estimate, nothing more. The estimate would not guarantee that the BOE would be able to come back for an additional appropriation if the project came in at a higher cost. It is not fiscally prudent to ask for bids after the total cost was appropriated – practically speaking, you wouldn’t tell a contractor what you will be willing to pay before he had a chance to offer an estimate as to what they felt it would cost to do the repairs. Putting out approved levels of spending ahead of any qualified estimates or bids can only work against the Town when negotiating contracts. The BET stands ready and willing to meet in a timely manner once the scope and costs of the North Mianus project are known. This terrible incident could not happen at a worse time. COVID has been so difficult on everyone and the impacts to education are enormous and unfortunate. Our community will overcome these times and rebound even stronger.

play with if I am ever bored! Logan, Hank and I get along very well. There is no “tail envy” or discrimination amongst us. While we do have some differences, we are all dogs and happy to be so. We do not focus on those differences, but rather celebrate our common “canine-ality.” This has proven to be a source of great happiness for us. We love our human families deeply and unconditionally. That’s what dogs do, and we do it well. So, we are troubled and sad to see our humans unhappy, as they appear to be quite a lot these days. One source of that unhappiness, it seems to us, is the tendency for humans to focus (more these days than ever) on the differences among them. Differences that make no sense to us. We don’t care about the color, pattern or texture of each other’s fur coat, so why should humans do so? While as a breed we do like to bark, we do not bark or growl at, or chase or fight other dogs simply because they do not look like us. What would be the sense in that? (Cats, admittedly,

Michael S. Mason, Chairman Board of Estimate and Taxation

are another matter, but that will have to await another article.) I suspect that many humans would never consider taking advice from a dog, but I am going to press on (doggedly?) nonetheless; it is a trait of our breed. Please step back, take a deep breath and stop focusing on your differences. As a first step, stop calling each other names and using hurtful labels. Who cares what your skin color is, or your ethnic background? We dogs live very happily in a multi-breed world; why can’t you live equally as happily in a multi-cultural one? We have no problem overlooking pretty significant differences like tails/ no tails, so why can’t you? We are mere domestic working animals; you are the apex of the animal kingdom. All creation literally depends on what you do and how you get along. As does our happiness as part of your families. If you won’t or can’t do it for each other, please do it for us. A nd remem ber, we a re, and always will be, your best friends.

"We're trying to follow our normal practices the best we can," he said. "We might not know the scope of the project, but everyone is funding this project....no one benefits by creating unnecessary anxiety." BET Republican, Bill Drake, said it was time to get the NMS repair work underway. "This board has never, not once, allocated capital in such a preliminary manner. This is not the time to waive our duty to be thorough and careful with the citizens’ money," he said. However, Board of Education Chair Peter Bernstein criticized the BET for "deviating from the longstanding process of allocating money for capital projects subject to the condition of release when there's open questions." Republican Debra Hess said she understood the importance of having NMS students learning in their own building. "I also support the process. If we were to do a condition [on the full request], and you have to go over [the estimate], we'd have to go back to the RTM anyway. I don't feel comfortable circumventing the RTM. I think

they have a right to know what the costs are here," she said. Beth Krumeich, a BET Democrat, said, "It appears that there is just obstruction being put forward here, rather than simply supporting what the professional educators, the professional construction managers, the professional engineers and architects are encouraging us to do." Republican Karen Fassuiliotis took exception with Krumeich's comments. "I f ind it ridiculous quite frank ly that we are being called obstructionists and we are delaying a project that hasn't even begun yet. There is no delay here, there is no obstruction here. It's a process we've followed in the past and we should continue doing so," she said. Fassuliotis called the Board of Education's timeline "aggressive," and she hopes it can be achieved. "However, no way will the BET or RTM be delaying factors that haven't even occurred yet," she added.

extremely successful regulation if you measure success with the number of proposals that came in through the door.” But pushback from the community on some proposals led to the moratorium, with an eye to finding the right balance for all stakeholders. “It was thought that at 4 . 9 FA R , w e ’r e n o t g e t t i n g e n o u g h b e l o w - m a r k e t- r a t e u n its consider ing the size of those buildings, so there was tremendous pushback on a lot of those developments, hence the reason we had the moratorium,"

have been in the news lately, with several bills up before the state legislature that take various approaches to creati ng more affordable housing statewide. In the course of the meeting, the conversation around those state bills was part of the context -- as when Thomas Heagney, a local lawyer who specializes in real estate and land use law, noted that 6011 creates better incentives to create affordable housing than SB 1024 does. “I did see a nod to Desegregate C T, w i t h t h e s i t e p l a n o n l y needed,” Heagney said, referring

DeLuca said. “It’s been extremely difficult to find that balance point.” Pl a n n i n g & Z on i n g Ch a i r M a r g a r it a A l b a n s u m m e d it up at the start of the meeting: “How do we keep the scale of the community… and give enough incentives for people to do affordable development?” “We’ve been trying to borrow best practices from all over,” Alban said. I t ’s e x p e c t e d t h a t i n t h e coming months, the moratorium will be lifted and a revised version of Section 6-110 adopted. Zoning and land use laws

to a st r e a m l i ne d p a r t of t he approvals process. Though the meeting adjourned without the task force reaching a conclusion on 6-110, the A f forda ble Housing Task Force is on the agenda for the next full meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which takes place April 27. The creation of a Greenw ich A f fordable Housing Trust Fund is also on the agenda for that meeting. For complete agendas, minutes of past meetings, and to find out more, please go to www.greenwichct. gov.

COLUMNS

Kindergarten Readiness: Closing the Town’s Achievement Gap Through Preschool Instructional Coaching

By David Rabin E v e r y y e a r, s c o r e s o f Greenw ich children beg in k indergarten at a distinct, quantifiable disadvantage from their classmates. Though all Greenwich residents are entitled to t he pr iv i le ge t h at i s ou r impressive public school system, many do not have access to highquality early childhood/preschool education that sets them up for long-term academic success. Because of this they are more likely to spend the entirety of their elementary education trying to catch up to their classmates. As a community, shouldn’t we ensure ever y ch ild in tow n has the opportunity to start kindergarten on a level playing field? Ach ievement gaps o cc u r when one g roup of students outperforms another and the difference in average scores for the two groups is statistically signif icant. For the last three years, the Greenwich United Way (GUW) has been hard at work developing and implementing a program that aims to close t h i s g ap – E a rly Ch i ld ho o d Ach ievement Gap S olut ion s ( EC AG S). T he t wo -pr onge d approach consists of a pre-natal to three years old por tion – Greenwich Parents as Teachers

(de sc r i b e d i n my a r t icle on January 29) – and Pre-School Instructional Coaching (PSIC) benefitting 3- and 4-year-olds. To c a r r y o u t t h e P S I C approach, the GUW hired a fulltime preschool instructional coach who utilizes the Jim Knight coaching model, focusing on providing a dedicated partner for teachers and facilitating ev idence-based practices t h a t i m p r ove t e a c h i n g a n d learning, so students can be more successful. She creates and implements a consistent personalized curriculum across all the classrooms she covers. She also ensures assessments are done accurately and timely to provide an accurate picture of the students’ strengths and weaknesses, empowering the teachers to identify and address areas in need of improvement. Additionally, as part of coaching, the instructional coach provides real-time, on-site professional development for teachers. This is especially important because while most schools can close for professional development, schools involved in PSIC cannot because they are full-day (8am-6pm) programs that working parents rely on. The preschool instructional coach works with the Family Centers preschools, which serve a large percentage of low-income families with children between the ages of 3-5. Beginning in September 2018, our program annually ser ves roughly 175 preschool students, 47 teachers a nd ad m i n i s t rator s , a nd 16 preschool classes, delivering more

The Connecticut State Department of Education’s Fall Kindergarten Entrance Inventory (KEI) assesses proficiency in six domains: language, literacy, numeracy, physical, creative and personal. ECAGS students have an average score above nonECAGS peers in the High Needs and Free or Reduced-Price Launch (FRL) qualifying cohorts.

than 1,000 hours of PSIC coaching hours. Kindergarten Readiness The Connecticut State Department of Education’s Fall Kindergarten Entrance Inventory (KEI) assesses prof iciency in six domains: language, literacy, numeracy, physical, creative and personal. ECAGS students have an average score above non-ECAGS peers in the High Needs and Free or Reduced-Price Launch (FRL) qualifying cohorts, as evidenced by the data outlined in the graph. The b ot tom l i ne: EC AGS students are better prepared for kindergarten. We continue to build on our program’s successes this year and identify new community impact partners that support the ECAGS approach to narrow the achievement gap. As we receive additional achievement gap data from our partners and track our students in the Greenwich Public Schools, we tweak our methods on an ongoing basis to better prepare our youngest residents to succeed academically. Your call to action? Support o u r “ D r i ve to 4 2 5 .” I a m available for your questions and suggestions; call me to discuss ways you can join this effort. Join us in our effort to deliver the highest quality early childhood experience which is proven to break the cycle of poverty and give our children the best chance at a lifetime of success. David Rabin is the CEO of Greenwich United Way.

Soap & Sustainability: The Unexpected Advantages of Bar Soaps

By Shea Coughlin For as long as I can remember, one of my favorite family activities was Saturday mornings at the farmer’s market. My family would wake up early after a long week to stroll outside on the town green and sample the different fruits, vegetables, pastries, and more from local farmers and artisans. One vendor, in particular, was my favorite, as soon as we got to the market in the mornings, all I wanted to do was get to the tent for Goatboy Soaps. Sampling the different scents of these handmade goat’s milk soap bars and visiting the farm’s namesake goats was one of my favorite parts of the weekend. At the time, I was completely

u nawa r e of what a st a ndout example of a sustainable business Goatboy Soaps is, but later, I learned the many unexpected benefits of buying bar soaps. It can be odd to think that the humble soap bar has so much to teach us about sustainability and ecofriendly living, and yet, choosing them over liquid soap is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Traditional bar soap is actually quite environmentally conscious. The first and most obvious benefit to bar soap is the packaging. Liquid soaps must be packaged in plastic, and they come w ith a plastic dispenser that is almost impossible to recycle. Whereas bar soap is often packaged in 100% recyclable paper or a much smaller amount of plastic than its liquid counterpart. Another benefit to using bar soap is the lack of water in the product. Liquid soaps contain water as a filler, pre-activating the surfactant qualities of the soap. However, extra water is heavy and takes up a lot of space. This added

Gone are the days of a solitary bar of hand soap sitting on the edge of your sink. Now you can purchase hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, specialty cleansers, perfumes, lotions, and even dish soap in a solid form. water requires more trucks and more fuel for shipping purposes which puts more CO2 into the atmosphere and ultimately means more money out of the customer’s wallet. Bar soaps are more fuelefficient due to the sheer volume of product that can fit in one shipping container as compared to their liquid counterparts. However, my personal favorite reason to buy bars instead of liquid soaps is the large and growing variety of hand-crafted, locally made bar soaps. Aside from the

empirical fact that locally sourced products have a much smaller carbon footprint, this also allows you as a buyer to support your community. I have two personal friends who make and sell their own bar soaps, and there are many more in my area. These smallscale operations are more personal, almost always higher quality, and made with love. In recent years, liquid and foaming soaps have become the standard for a number of reasons, the main of which is that they

seem cleaner. It can feel intuitive that putting a bar of soap directly on the areas to be washed would leave some undesirable bacteria on its surface. Additionally, liquid antibacterial soaps that “k ill 99.9% of germs'' can be ver y enticing, especially during a global pandemic. But study after study shows that there is actually no hygienic benefit to either kind of soap and many environmental benefits to bars. Some larger personal care brands that strive to reduce their

carbon footprint have also realized the benef its of producing soap products in bar form and have run with that concept as far as it will go. Gone are the days of a solitary bar of hand soap sitting on the edge of your sink. Now you can purchase hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, specialty cleansers, perfumes, lotions, and even dish soap in a solid form. Swapping out one, some, or all of these liquid products for their solid counterparts is a tangible, easy, and affordable way to reduce your carbon footprint and even put some revenue back into your community. There are now a wonderful variety of solid products on the market, but most of all, I highly recommend heading over to a farmer’s market to see if there are any local soaps being sold. You may be delighted with what you find. Shea Coughlin is the creator behind The Conscious Consumer. For more resources v isit her YouTube channel (The Conscious Consumer) or her Instagram (@ the_consciousconsumer_)

Page 11 | Greenwich Sentinel

COLUMNS

By Patricia Murphy One day this week, Gr e enw ich Avenue gave me something unexpected: hope. It was bright, the air crisp but warmed by the sun, the kind of day you lean your face back and breathe in the very privilege of being alive. Wo r k a n d l i f e w e r e frantic, and it was already almost 3 before I glanced up from my chair, stuck at home like so many, missing the arrival of spring, and I forced myself into the car for a brisk, restorative walk. My plan was to park at the top of the Avenue, so I could dash to the bottom and race back up, returning to our mid-country house—and yet another zoom call--within the hour.

H a l f w a y, a f t e r I h a d barreled along the sidewalk at bre a k ne ck sp e e d, my head down and feet so swift I barely noticed the bustle around me, I looked up and abruptly stopped. On the lawn in the front of the Greenw ich A r ts building was a multi-colored, art deco sign: Hopeful. I’m not entirely sure what about this simple, retro-looking sig n stopped me in my tracks, but it did, and I stood there for at least a minute, taking it in. Life, unnoticed just moments before, began to leap in front of me, shouting for my attention. To my surprise, there was much to see, and even more to understand. And my walk took on new meaning. W hat occu r re d to me as I resumed a leisurely,

Hopeful What occurred to me as I resumed a leisurely, meandering stroll was that it says something about a community that its statement to the world in the midst of a pandemic is a bold, multi-colored, art deco sign with the word Hopeful. meandering stroll was that it says something about a community that its statement to the world in the midst of a pandemic is a bold, multi-colored, art deco sig n w ith the word Hopeful. Something nice and

reassuring, reflecting a town that doesn’t languish in fear or negativity, but is instead resolute in its steadfastness, optimism and old fashioned good cheer. And that’s what I saw when I actually took the time

to look around. Little things. A familiar courtesy: “I would forget my head if it wasn’t attached,” said a selfdeprecating, mask-clad, grey haired lady when a helpful associate from Alice + Olive rushed onto the street with a forgotten bag. A reassuring glimpse into Gen Z: a giggling posse of uniformed teen girls going out of their way to hold t he do or at Brandy Melville. “My mom would kill me if I was rude,” sa id t he sl ig ht, f reck le d leader, a little proud. The uplifting din of conversation, companionship and, above all, laughter, echoing from the scattered tables outside Mediterraneo—serving as a tonic to all of us happening by. The resourcefulness of all of these people, I thought,

as I wandered through Diane’s Book s, which no pandem ic in the world would make me disavow. And that’s it, isn’t it? Small businesses and the people who frequent them, here in Greenwich, and in quaint tow n s a nd big c it ie s a l l over the world—confronted with a staggering obstacle and f ierce head winds, find the creativity, courage a nd c onv i c t i on to c om e back . A nd as impor tant, ke ep ou r hu ma n it y—t he little big things—the small k indnesses, the polite gestures, the relentless tilt towards joy—while doing it. Talk about hopeful.

sense of the havoc created by the pandemic. What is the current positivity rate? The forecasted number of new hospitalizations? The data on confirmed deaths? Percentage vaccinated in a p a r t i c u l a r d e m o g r a p h i c? Statistics g ive us impor ta nt information and allow us to make informed decisions, but they lack a certain element of humanity; they neglect the stories and the faces behind the figures. I look at the six who developed a severe and sometimes deadly blood clotting disorder - if it is in fact related to the J and J vaccine (we still don’t know for sure) - as six more victims of the pandemic. Their experience is personal and real and deserving of much more than a number. If this disease has taught us anything, it’s that we are in need of far more humanity, not less. I have been heartened by the pictures of patients exiting hospitals after long stays due t o C OV I D t o t h e s o u n d s o f celebration and merriment, the increase in help and support to care for individuals, the empty animal shelters, the memorials (albeit small or virtual) during this past year given to remember the lives lost, and even the angels who have made it their mission to help others find vaccination appointments. This disease has shown us that when we consider the person or people behind a statistic, our hearts engage, and we respond with compassion. Once again, I am doing my research and tr y ing to keep abreast of the latest news on the

J and J vaccine. Six people out of seven million vaccinations is a relatively small number, and that gives many of us the confidence that we will be okay, even if we are innately a little neurotic. But for the six negatively and fatally impacted, those odds are not small and without significance. To t h e f o u r w o m e n hospitalized, we wish you health and Godspeed. To the one woman in critical condition, we stand with the rest of the country in prayer for you, and to the woman who passed away, we mourn your passing like we do all of the others who have soldiered the weight of this war. In the pause now afforded to further investigation of the J a nd J vacc i ne , we to o c a n pause and consider the year, the unprecedented speed in which vaccinations were created and administered, and the countless individual lives transformed by a virus felt across not only our nation, but worldwide. We can use this pause to recognize the unmeasurable ways that our communities have stepped up to answer the call for help - displays of humanity and self lessness that have touched our hearts and stirred a sense of patriotism usually reserved for times of war. For many of us, there are faces attached to the victims of this pandemic, and we, the lucky ones, will continue to honor them long after the positivity rate has reached a triumphant zero.

Patricia Murphy lives with her husband and daughter in Greenwich . She work s in communication and tries to make the world a better place.

The Six

By Icy Frantz Two we ek s ago, I f i na l ly scored! I felt like I hit the jackpot; not once but twice actually - I mean, what are the odds? I had been attentive, but not vigilant, for weeks. I checked early in the morning and late at night; I r e g i s te r e d a nd c on f i r me d and sig ned up for numerous accounts which now fill my inbox with coupons, and savings and retail enticements of all kinds. I even joined a Facebook group that offers tips on navigating the system a nd secu r i ng a n appointment. I have always had my concerns about vaccinations in general. By the time our f ifth child was born, I had worked with our pediatrician to spread out their immunizations - I didn’t believe that a ti ny newbor n n e e de d to b e i n o c u l ate d s o quickly and with so much. And to be completely honest, I don’t love shots (I rarely get the f lu vaccine; thankfully, I have been fortunate). But this background notw ithstanding, I made my p e ac e w it h t he COV I D -19 vaccination. I was committed and convinced that getting it was the right thing to do. But I also had done my research. I read up on the three

available vaccines, I listened to the accounts of friends who were “jabbed” early, and I spoke to a doctor or two. And I settled on the J and J. I liked the fact that it was similar to the tried-and-true vaccinations that had always been administered. One professional told me that when COVID-19 vaccinations become available to children, they will most likely receive the J and J. I liked the idea of one-and-done. I rationalized that I am healthy, and that a 75% ef f icacy rate would be just fine. And, maybe less rational, the company behind the vaccine elicited memories of our young children at bath time, and the smell of baby shampoo, and that was comforting. The morning of my v a c c i n at i o n ap p o i nt m e nt , I prepared like I was going off to war, and in some ways that felt about right - I was doing “my part” against the virus that had held our world hostage for over a yea r. The ex per ience in a small pharmacy in a city clo s e to my hom e tow n w a s easy and uneventful; the actual shot was, in fact, pain-free. The atmosphere was friendly and celebratory; patriotic, even. And after I sat for my fifteen minutes of observation, I left. There was no “I Got My Vaccination” sticker or step and repeat banner, no fanfare whatsoever, and that was just fine. I was in the security line at an airport when I received the news alert - J and J had been put on pause. It had been five days since I had received my dose; as I

Statistics give us important information and allow us to make informed decisions, but they lack a certain element of humanity; they neglect the stories and the faces behind the figures. write, it has now been seven. I d o n ’t l o v e t o f l y - t h e neu r ot ic p a r t of me a lw ays wrestles with the idea that maybe my plane will be the outlier, the one in a million, a statistically small number, that will have engine trouble or mechanical issues. In flight, I study the other passengers for signs of distress a nd i m ag i ne t he he ad l i ne s , “Flight 5606 from Westchester to West Palm went down just after takeoff,” or “We are searching for the black box from flight 5606.” I know, it’s a little demented. And like the relatively small chance that my f light would be the unlucky one, I am now sitting with the fact that I too could be one of the unlucky ones (out of seven million) adversely affected by the J and J vaccine. But as I consider my own fate here on Day 7, I’m also thinking deeply about the six women. Sadly, we know from the news that one has passed away and that one is in critical condition.

And that all of them are women between the ages of 18 and 48. I am sure that each of them is connected to family; maybe they are mothers or daughters or sisters or aunts. They have jobs and interests and concerns of their own. Like most women I know, they probably have loved ones who depend on them for care and nurture. And they have people in their lives who are at this moment worrying, grieving, and seeking out the best medical care. Did they settle on the J and J vaccine for the same reasons that I did? Or did they show up for their vaccination, any vaccination, to “do their part”, because it was the right thing to do to keep themselves and those in their communities safe? Did they feel patriotic, a part of the fight and victorious when they “scored” their appointment? We are a nation focused on statistics, and this is particularly evident in our attempt to make

Icy Frantz, The Icing on the Cake at Icyfrantz.net

In Defense of Grammar - The First in a Series

By Patricia Chadwick

It was Ju ne 1989 when the movie, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” came out. I gagged at the title – not because the idea of shrinking the kids was abhorrent; it sounded rather whimsical. But because of the title’s egregious grammatical error. “It has to be a mistake,” I thought to myself, as I stared at the full-page ad in the New York Times. How can it be that no one at Walt Disney Pictures – not an editor, or a script writer or a title analyst (i f t h at ’s t h e d e s i g n at i o n for the person whose sole responsibility is to guarantee that titles are error free) or even the one hundred and one producers that always crowd the credits – had caught this grand faux pas. Didn’t anyone in the battalion of employees work ing at Disney k now the present, past and past participle verb forms: shrink, shrank, shrunk? Swim, swam, swum? Drink, drank, drunk? The t it le had to b e eit her

“Honey, I SHRANK the Kids” or “Honey, I’VE SHRUNK the Kids.” I read every review of the movie, in the hope that one – just one, maybe – might point out the affront to the mother tongue. But not a peep of disapproval, not a word of opprobrium was forthcoming. My on ly r e cou r s e w a s a n act of rebellion: boycott the movie. But that was hardly of consequence – “Honey I Shrunk the Kids,” with an $18 million production budget, generated $222.7 million at the box office. At the average ticket price of about $4 back in 1989, a total of 55,576,000 parents and children saw the movie and were reinforced in their abuse of the English language. The population of the United States at that time was 246 million. Admittedly, the box office receipts most likely included other Englishspeaking countries, but it’s p r o b a b l y f a i r to s ay t h a t close to 2 5 percent of t he mov ie-going population in this country saw that movie, memorized its title and lost perspective on the difference between the past and the past participle. Was this a signal of the decline of culture? I felt like a lone warrior, except for a small band of grammarphiles that included

Didn’t anyone in the battalion of employees working at Disney know the present, past and past participle verb forms: shrink, shrank, shrunk? Swim, swam, swum? Drink, drank, drunk? The title of the movie had to be either “Honey, I SHRANK the Kids” or “Honey, I’VE SHRUNK the Kids.” my three sisters and my brother. Until, that is, I made my annual pilgrimage to my childhood school a few weeks later a nd sat q u iet ly w it h Sister Ann Mary, who by then was in her early seventies. She had been the principal of our tiny school and had overseen every element of what was a traditional classical education. Within the classroom, her pedagog ical sk ills were legendary – from first grade t h r oug h t wel f t h , she w a s adept and comfortable with ever y subject. But as a g ram mar teacher she was peerless, providing my most enduring and enjoyable memories of her. From fifth grade through eighth, English grammar was a required subject for every

student. And Sister Ann Mary took it upon herself to teach it, bringing what might have been a desultory subject to life by incorporating elements of diction, pacing, poise and p u b l i c s p e a k i n g b e t we e n exercises in diagramming and parsing sentences. So here we were, some twenty-five years later in the summer of 1989, filling each other in on the happenings of the prior year. That’s when, seemingly out of the blue, she said, “Have you seen that new movie, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids?” The look of dismay on her face and the controlled exasperation in her voice said it all – she was not happy. It took only an instant for me to surmised why. “No,” I exclaimed! “With a title like

that? Never!” She smiled and patted my hand and in her impeccable diction she said, “Good for you, dear.” Had the grammatical heresy been more obvious as an attempt at comic relief, p e rh ap s ou r s e n s i b i l it i e s would not have been so insulted. A case in point was the documentary “Roger and Me” that came out at the same time as “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.” The subject of the film by the upstart film maker, and satirist, Michael Moore, was serious – the shutdown of a General Motors plant in Flint, Michigan and his pursuit of an interview with the company’s Chairman, Roger Smith. The title was, or so it appeared to me, a deliberate attempt at grammatical shock – just what

one might have expected from a f lame thrower like Michael Moore. I have to assume that Sister Ann Mary was unaware of the film, and that was good, because she would not have been amused. But I’ll leave the subject of the use of the pronouns – I and me – for a future column on the matter of grammar. Patricia Chadw ick is a bu sinesswoman and an author. Her recently published memoir, Little Sister, the story of her unu sual childhood growing up in a cult, is now available in paperback. She is currently working on her second book, Breaking Glass, about her “growing up” on Wall Street. w w w. patriciachadwick.com

Page 12 | Greenwich William Danforth Merkle Sentinel - 1929-2020

William Merkle

August 17, 1929 – May 18, 2020 William Danforth Merkle, son of the late Frank P. And Leona V. Merkle of m D. Merkle, son of the Frank P. College, And Leona V. of Evanston, IL.late Dartmouth Class e of Evanston, IL. Dartmouth College, ‘51, ‘51, New Trier High School,Class 1947.ofServed Trier High School, 1947. Served in the US Army in the US Army 1952-1954, stationed in 1954, stationed in Chateauroux, France, earning an Chateauroux, France, earning an overseas eas discharge and remaining employedemployed as a civilianasin discharge and remaining n. Bill met aGertrude Hunziker, journalist civilianM. in(Trudy) Verdun. Bill meta Gertrude Geneva, Switzerland, Paris, marrying there in from 1954. M. (Trudy)inHunziker, a journalist three sonsGeneva, were born at the base hospital and the Switzerland, in Paris, marrying relocated there to the US in 1958. Bill then completed his in 1954. Their three sons were at the Tuckborn Business at Dartmouth and family at theSchool base hospital and the rked on hisrelocated successfulto career in Human Resources the US in 1958. Bill then rganizational development. In 1963, family moved completed his MBA at thethe Tuck Business School at Dartmouth and embarked on his successful career in Human Resources and organizational development. In 1963, the family moved permanently to Old Greenwich, CT, where they added three lovely daughters. In 1976, he founded William Merkle Associates, consulting in organization development and providing skills training for corporations across the US and Canada. After retiring in 1991, Bill and Trudy served in the International Executive Service Corps, assisting business leaders in the post-Soviet era as developing countries sought to convert their economies to competitive, open markets and participate in the global economy. Bill advised on improving business processes, establishing consistent management practices and developing organization culture. They spent from one to six months in Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Tunisia, and Egypt, to name a few. Bill was a wonderful storyteller and these assignments provided amazing fodder for learning, laughs and wonder about how different and similar we all are in the world. Bill worked hard and loved sailing, skiing, and the outdoors and passed this legacy to his family. Pepabileman, a 26’ sloop, was named for the six children. In 1982, Bill took delivery of a Whitby 42 ketch, Merritime. For two decades Bill thrilled his extended family and friends, sailing the ketch up and down the East coast, to Bermuda and the Bahamas, welcoming them on different legs of the voyages. He was an accomplished ukulele player, taught himself the banjo and also enjoyed playing piano. He instilled in his family the importance of working together and playing together, and family reunions with cousins focused on sailing with plenty of laughter. Bill was preceded in death by both of his siblings, F.P. Merkle Jr. (Pete) (19271996) and Barbara Patteson Hartman (Bobby) (1925-2005). He is survived by Trudy, his loving wife of 65 years, and their six children: Peter F. Merkle, MD of Deerfield, FL; Patrick G. Merkle, Esq. of Washington DC; William L. Merkle, P.E. of Elizabeth, IL; Lee Merkle-Raymond of Palo Alto, CA; Mary Merkle-Scotland of Madison, CT; and Annie Merkle-Ward of Guilford, CT. Bill and Trudy also have sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A holy Mass was offered in celebration of Bill’s life on Sept. 18, at 10 am at St. Clement’s Church, 535 Fairf ield Ave, Stamford, (203) 348 4206), followed by a gathering under the tent at the Social Club in Old Greenwich. In the light of COVID-19 restrictions, friends and family were asked to kindly register in advance with the church or with the family.

Claire Dankel Claire Anne Marie Dankel of Harrison passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021, after a long illness. Claire was born to the late Dominick and Ruth (nee Doran) Chiappetta on Dec. 9, 1956, in Greenwich, CT. Claire graduated from Greenwich HS, Class of 1976, where she was involved in the music programs. She also studied at Propersie School of Art and graduated from Norwalk Community College in 1979. Claire married Ronald B. Dankel in 1992 and he predeceased her in 2000. Claire worked in marketing and sales at the Greenwich Time and then worked various places as an independent contractor. She was a multi-instrumentalist who was a longtime member of the Westchester Brassmen Drum and Bugle Corps and well

OBITUARIES known in the community as a performer and piano teacher. She was a member of the womens' auxiliary of the St. Lawrence Club in Cos Cob. She was also an active church participant. Claire is survived by her brother, Richard M. Chiappetta, sister-in-law, Sue E Curtis and nephew, Colin C. Chiappetta, all of Norwich, CT a niece, Elizabeth Counselman of Norwalk, CT and many cousins. Fa m i ly a nd f r iends gathered on Thursday, April 22 at Coxe and Graziano Funeral Home in Mamaroneck. A Funeral Service will be held Friday, April 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Claire will be laid to rest beside her husband at the Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye.

Maureen Smith

Mau reen M. Sm it h, 90 of Sout h Windsor, CT and formerly of Greenwich, CT passed away peacefully on April 18, 2021. S h e w a s b o r n i n G r e e nw i c h , a daughter of the late James F. and Mary Ellen (Towey) Smith and was a lifelong resident of Greenwich until she moved to Ellington in 2020 to be close to her family. She was a graduate of Greenwich High School, class of 1947, where she received the Women's Club of Greenwich, Prize for Excellence and graduated with honors. She continued her education and was a graduate of Central Connecticut University Class of 1951 where she was elected Vice President of the Student Body and graduated with honors. She was also a graduate of the New England School of Banking at The Bank Administration Institute School for Bank Audit and Control Operations of The University of Wisconsin and the Commercial Bank Management Program of the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University. Maureen was awarded Woman of The Year 1975 in Bank ing by the United Nations Association of Greenwich and received Woman of the Year in Finance by Connecticut Magazine. During her 36year tenure, some of her achievements set precedents, as in 1969 when Maureen became the first woman to be elected to a senior vice presidency at a Connecticut commercial bank. Another first was when Maureen was appointed to the Regional Advisory Committee (of the first national region) to the Comptroller of the Currency in 1972. Maureen went on to serve as that committee's chairperson the following year and was subsequently appointed to the prestigious National Advisory Committee of Bank Policies and Practices to the comptroller of the Currency in 1974. She was selected as Outstanding Business Woman by the Greenw ich Chapter of the United Nations Association in 1975, four years later, she was again in the vanguard with the formation of State National Bancorp (which subsequently merged with CBT) having been elected Bancorp's vice president, secretary, treasurer and chief financial officer. Ms. Smith retired in 1988 as Senior Vice President of Connecticut Bank & Trust Co. She served as manager of Stamford Of f ice of Investment Group. I n her lifetime Maureen gave freely of her time, as Treasurer of Community Concerts of Greenwich, member of the Board of Directors of Utilizer Senior Energy (USE), Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors of the Greenwich High School Student Loan Fund, member of the Women's Club of Greenwich, member of the Board of Directors of Women's Club and Program Chair and the Chairman of Investment Committee of Women's Club of Greenwich. After her retirement Maureen became active in Duplicate Bridge. As a member of ACBL, she attained the rank of Life Master and Bronze Life Master. As a regular player at Steve Becker's bridge games at the Greenwich YWCA, she was known as the "Lady at Table One" and was also known as the "chuck ler." Maureen traveled extensively through Europe, Africa, Iran, Australia and New Zealand. She is survived by her nephew Robert J. Evaristo and his wife Suzanne of Tolland and her niece Elizabeth Salerno Bieri and her husband Rob of South Windsor, greatnephews and nieces Shauna Powell and her husband Brian, Kyle Evaristo and his wife Amanda, Sarah Salerno, Brian Salerno, great-great-nieces and nephews,

Ava, Brady and Mia Powell, Isabella, and Alexander Salerno and Lillian, Harrison and Samuel Evaristo and her beloved cousins Deirdre and Peter Olesky. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Eileen Smith Evaristo and her husband Larry and her brother James Towey Smith. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 24 at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Riverside, CT. A Christian burial will immediately follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Greenwich, CT.

Robin Sommer Robin Langley Sommer began her career as an advertising executive in New York City in the 1960's and began her writing and editing career specializing in architectural history and the arts in Greenwich, Connecticut in the 1970's. She has lived in Greenwich since moving here after graduating Summa Cum Laude with a double major in History and Journalism from Loyola University in New Orleans. She published 39 books of her own, as well as doing in-depth research for wellknown authors of history books until her retirement. She is survived by her two children, Veron ica Som mer Mollica a nd Er ic Sommer and three grandchildren, Ryan Mollica, Grace Mollica and Everest Sommer, brother George Langley, sister Veronica Langley, sister Kelly Langley Moore, and sister Kim Langley Fichter. Robin was very intelligent, beautiful and passionate about what she believed in. She touched the lives of many people, enjoyed reading and gardening, and loved animals. She sang with the St. Mary's choir for many years and was an active member of the community. Robin died as she did everything in her life, with dignity and grace. Her funeral mass will be held at St. Mary Church in Greenwich on Saturday, April 24 at 11 a.m.

John Connolly

John (Jon) Francis Connolly, co-writer of The Dream Team, Eddie, Opportunity Knocks and "script doctor" for just about every funny movie from the late 80's to 2000, died of complications from Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was 80 years old. He was still writing when he died. His college years at Gettysburg were spent in intramural football, boxing and as a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, a fellowship that stayed with him his entire life. John's early career in advertising p e g ge d " Bre ez e" as a w u nderk i nd, amassing Clios and Andys and Addys and most every other prestigious advertising award in the 1960s and early 70s. The Rainbow Division of the National Guard in New York City interrupted his weekends. Later through a chance meeting, John and his art director partner, Murray Smith, opened a movie advertising shop that grew into a powerhouse when they linked up with Jeff Kanew of Utopia Productions. Together they created the print and trailer advertising during the golden age of movies – Star Wars, Rocky, Apocalypse Now, Taxi Driver. Once dubbed "word for word the highest paid man in America", John loaned the "H" in his name to Hollywood and started writing movies as Jon Connolly. He had the attention and the respect of every studio's ad/pub department so his scripts got read. He partnered with David Loucka and the two wrote and co-produced The Dream Team in 1989. They then wrote movies for Dana Carvey, Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Stiller and George Carlin among others. Jon had a passion for mentoring, especially young w riters. He never thoug ht tw ice about leaning on his contacts to make sure a script got read or a position got filled. There are many high-powered people still working in Hollywood today that owe their careers to him. But Jon always said his finest creation was his daughter, Kristen. He would burst with pride when ever discussing her. They were confidantes sharing unconditional love. John was born Jan. 24, 1941 in Port Chester, NY. His father, John T. Connolly,

Easy

was the Chief Deputy of the Southern District of New York. His mother, Mary, was active in numerous volunteer groups and charities. John's brother, Kevin, also fell victim to Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis and died in November of 2019. Jon is survived by his wife, Deborah Armstrong Connolly, his daughter, Kristen Connolly Vadas, two grandchildren, Lucian and Astrid, his sisters Carroll Pugmire and Mara Connolly Taft and countless nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues who all claim that Jon was the "best friend they ever had." Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. o n M o n d a y, A p r i l 2 6 a t S t a n w i c h Congregational Church, 202 Taconic Road Greenwich. Interment will be private. There will be no visitation. Condolences to the family may be left at craftmemorialhome.com In lieu of f lowers, the family has chosen the Nicholl Fellowship endowing young writers to launch their careers. Please send a check made out to The Academy Foundation. In the memo part of the check please write "In Memory of Jon Connolly". Send the check to: Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly H ills, CA 90211. Craf t Memorial Home, Inc. 40 Leicester St. Port Chester, NY (914) 939-0131.

College, in Los Angeles, CA. Following graduation, she served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy Nurse Corps. In her three years in the Navy she served at Camp Pendleton and the Navy hospital on Guam. It was on Guam that she met her future husband, James M. Cotter, a fellow Naval Officer. They were married for 50 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three devoted daughters: Elizabeth of Greenwich; Heather (Kane Geyer) of Greenwich; and Kathryn (Jay Shaner) of Sacramento, CA, as well as her beloved grandchildren, Kellan and Lainier Geyer and Sophie and Hazel Shaner. She is also survived by her sisters, Merriellen Jaf fe of Las Vegas, N V, Jill Truelsen of Northridge, CA, and Janet Betz of Stamford, CT. In lieu of f lowers, contributions can be made in her memory to Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (GreenwichEMS.org), 1111 East Putnam, Suite 201, Riverside, CT, 06878, or the Lustgarten Foundation (Lustgarten. org) 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY 11797.

Antje Streich

Emily Capalbo

Emily Capalbo passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at the age of 89. She was born to the late Nicholas and Mar y (Altamura) Zacarolo on Feb. 2, 1932. Emily was a lifelong resident of Greenwich. She attended North Mianus School and Greenwich High School. On Oct. 27, 1951, she married her beloved s p o u s e R o c c o C ap a l b o Jr. (a l s o o f Greenwich). For almost 60 years, Emily spent most of her adult life running a family-owned business, Rocco Capalbo Jr. Refuse Inc. that she started with her late husband and continued to run alongside her son, Richard Capalbo. Emily was a woman of family and faith. She was a devoted Catholic and parishioner to St. Catherine of Siena Church. She loved her home and spending time with her family. You could find her either in the kitchen baking or outside planting in her yard. She is survived by her son, Richard Capalbo and his wife Margaret; her granddaughters, Francesca (Andrew) Meyer and Ashley (Hudson) Woodward; two great-grandchildren, Wren and Everett Meyer; and by a niece, Toni Maria Gibbons and nephew, Nicholas Zacarolo. Besides her pa rents, Em i ly was predeceased by her loving husband Rocco of 41 years, her brother Anthony Zacarolo and by a niece Mary Zacarolo. Family welcomed all relatives and friends on Sunday, April 18 at Bosak Funeral Home, Stamford. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Monday, April 19, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, R iverside. Interment followed at St. Mary's Cemetery, Greenwich. To leave an expression of sympathy for her family online, you may sign the guestbook at bosakfuneralhome.com or visit the funeral home Facebook page at facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome

Melinda Cotter

A nt j e S c h e p k e r S t r e i c h , o f O l d Greenwich, CT passed away peacefully on April 7 at Waveny Lifecare Center in New Canaan, CT. She was with her husband, Charles Streich, also a resident of Waveny. Antje was born in Aurich, Germany in 1940 to Gerhard and Clara Schepker where she grew up with her sister Helen and brother Heinz. In 1967, Antje emigrated to the United States. She settled in Old Greenwich, CT in 1977 where she met Charles and continued a highly successful career with Lufthansa until her retirement in 1994. Antje and Charles married in 1985 and Antje became a US citizen in 2005. In addition to her husband Charles, Antje is survived by her brothers-inlaw Peter Streich of Old Greenwich, CT and Hans Henrichmyer of Germany and her sisters-in-law Sally Moore and Susan Harmon of Tucson, AZ. Her loving extended CT family includes Jim and Cynthia Bell of Old Greenwich, CT; Paul and Catherine Kramer of Riverside, CT as well as their daughters, Courtney and Taylor Bell and Emma and Sarah Kramer. Antje was adored by Jeff and Lindsay Streich and their children Wylie, Greta and Marina of Portland, OR. Antje will be lovingly remembered by Carlos Moore of Atlanta, GA and Leroy Case of W Simsbury, CT. She is a favorite Aunt and loved by all of her 20 nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Antje had many interests; long walks at Tod's Point with Charles, trips to the Opera in NYC and lots of international travel, but family always came first. Antje embraced marrying into a large, energetic family and often led the many seasonal and personal birthday celebrations. Her gifts were always unique and likely to be from her beloved homeland of Germany. Maybe Antje's greatest attribute was her ability to make anyone the center of attention. She was always a "fascinated" listener wanting to hear your latest adventures even if they were mundane. Antje loved both Germany and the United States, but maybe the biggest giveaway to her favorite country was her love of the NY Yankees. She not only watched all the games, but knew the statistics for every player. No surprise, Derek Jeter was her favorite. We would like to thank all the nurses and staff at Waveny Lifecare Network for the wonderful care given to Antje in the last year of her life. Due to Covid 19, there will be no services held at this time. In lieu of f lowers, please consider a donation to Meals on Wheels of Greenwich or a simple act of kindness in Antje's memory.

Joseph Chute

Melinda Tighe Cotter of Greenwich, CT and Vero Beach, FL passed away peacefully on April 12, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Melinda was born in Detroit, Mich. to E. Parry Tighe and Dorothy Freeh Tighe. She graduated from Mount St. Mary's

Hard

Joseph George Chute was born Jan.

Very Hard

By Terry Elsberry As a boy, I was fascinated by the idea of caves. I say "idea," because I never stepped foot in a cave until I was a grown man. My fixation with caves started with the reading of Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer." How can any of us who have ever heard the story of Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher lost in that enormous cave ever forget it? Their exploration of the cave's innumerable caverns, nooks and crevices turns from adventure to despair when they discover they're lost. Days pass. Their candles burn out. They've eaten what little food they have. And so the children wait, fearing they may lose their lives here in the depths of the cave. High drama for generations of juvenile readers. All because of a cave. And maybe one of the reasons Tom and Becky's story of being lost still captivates readers is because we all carry within us caves of one kind or another. By caves I mean those empty or unfulfilled or angry or grief-stricken or lonely or confused or frustrated places that try though we may to live above them, stay with us. I'm talking about the dark, the hidden places. I'm talking about the caves of our lives. COLUMN

Page 13 | Greenwich Sentinel

The Caves of Our Lives

COLUMN

Caves also figure prominently in stories of our faith. Moses saw God's glory right before his eyes--while standing in a cave. David hid from his enemies, but also had his faith renewed--in the depths of a cave. Caves are crucial places in Jesus' life, both at the beginning of His life and at the end. If we often think of the history of humanity beginning with cave men, so did the world’s new beginning, the birth of Jesus, also begin in a cave. We hear stable and we tend to think lovely frame structures. We think windows and cupolas and weathervanes. But that's a story book version of where Jesus was born. The herdsmen of the uplands around Bethlehem kept their animals in no such fanciful digs. They kept their animals either outside or in caves in the hillside. It was here, in a cave, that Joseph and Mary found refuge when all the doors had been slammed in their faces. The angels may have sung the news of Jesus' birth from heaven above, but the Father God chose to bring His Son to earth underground--hidden away until the time was right to reveal the birth of humanity's new beginning. Loving barns and stables as I do—country boy that I once was-I've always relished the idea of Jesus' being born in a stable. Even if it was actually a cave. It's hard to imagine a place of more utter contentment. The cows eating, chewing their cuds, gently mooing. The clucking of hens. The routine feeding,

The village was illuminated; nobody went to bed again, it was the greatest night the little town had ever seen." (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain, pp. 290-291) milking, gathering eggs, cleaning up. Barnyard animals possess a kind of deep wisdom we humans can profit from. So here it was that Mary gave birth to her baby, in a place of sweet contentment. But Jesus came to earth to show us something better, something more profound than contentment— wonderful though contentment can be. He came to lift us up, up to a higher level of understanding. He came to heighten our consciousness. He c a m e to l i g ht a s p i r it u a l fire within us that leaves mere contentment in the dust of the stable floor. I am convinced that the few who gazed upon the face of the newborn baby lying in a manger-the shepherds, kings, likely the innkeeper and his wife and stable boys--were all transformed by the experience. You cannot look into the eyes of God--even in a baby-and stay the same. God was born in a cave, but His radiance would burst forth and fill the world and, ultimately, the universe. Then there's the tomb. Jesus was born in one cave. He was buried in another. The second cave is a place of total darkness, devastation and despair.

The second cave actually stands for yet another, a third, cave. It stands for the caves we sometimes carry within us, those dark inner places that still need light of Christ. But Jesus didn't stay in the tomb. Just as by being born in a stable He took something commonplace a nd made it holy, so now He takes the second cave, the cave of hopelessness, and turns it into a place of hope. A place of once and forever promise. A place of victory. For Himself and for us. On Good Friday, Jesus takes all our darkness upon Himself. On Easter, He overcomes all darkness. The darkest place becomes the brightest place. The place of death becomes the place of life. Immobile, dead since Friday, on Sunday Jesus sits up alive! He throws off the shroud. He stands up. He's lit with glory. He's ablaze with the blinding light of the glory of God. In that moment, He proves Himself far more powerful than all the world's negatives. He declares the victory of light over darkness once and for all. He throws off despair. He tramples death beneath His feet. He's also f ree. Free of constraints. Free to range the far reaches of heaven and earth, free to

ride the pinnacles of the planets, free to dance with the stars, free to swing with joy through the brilliant lights of the galaxies. He's also free to enter by His living Spirit into the dark caves each one of us experience from time to time in our lives and with His light drive away all our darkness. That's what happened when after His resurrection, Jesus began appearing to His disciples, who had been hiding away for fear that they too might be arrested. The disciples rejoiced at the sight of Him. He's alive! The rumors are true. Jesus is alive! Jesus says, "Peace be with you." Then Jesus breathes on them and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit." In that moment He blows away all the negative emotions that have carved caves of darkness into their souls since He died. He blows away their feeling of grief and loss and desolation. He blows away their fear of being found guilty of being His followers. He blows away their feelings of weakness and inadequacy. He blows INto them His own faith, hope, courage, love and joy. They may have lost Him once. They'll never lose Him again. Now they have His life within them. All their empty places are filled with the Spirit of God. That's our goal as His followers: to become one with Him, so that His life shines in us and out of us. A nd in these few minutes o f d e l i r i o u s j o y, J e s u s h a s done something more. He has commissioned them with their life's

work. He says, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." What Jesus means is that now they are to go out into the world and continue what He's been doing: fill the darkness of people's lives with the light He gives us. It's your commission, too, and it's mine. After days of searching with still no sight of Tom and Becky, their town gave up hope. Grief held sway. Mourning prevailed. The children were lost on Saturday. Then in the middle of Tuesday night, "a wild peal burst from village bells, and in a moment the streets were swarming with f rantic half-clad people, who shouted, 'Turn out! Turn out! They're found!' Tin pans and horns were added to the din, the population massed itself and moved towards the river, met the children coming in an open carriage drawn by shouting citizens, thronged around it, joined its homeward march, and swept magnificently up the main street roaring huzza after huzza. The village was illuminated; nobody went to bed again, it was the greatest night the little town had ever seen." (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain, pp. 290291) So do the angels in heaven rejoice every time another one of us joins our lives with His. So is He ever present with us to fill the caves of our lies with the light and freedom and joy of His love. By the Reverend Terence L . Elsberry Priest Associate of Christ Church Greenwich

A Brag sheet for the Second Half of Life

By Kate Noonan I am writing my child's brag sheet, as you do when your child is a junior in high school and needs to prepare for the arduous college application process. As a parent I find the college application season with its subsequent acceptances and rejections to be one of the most difficult parenting seasons. While I was pondering the list of attributes that inhabit and exemplify my 17 year old I began to wonder how my brag sheet would read. I chuckled

thinking of asking a handful of friends or colleagues to fill in a brag sheet for me. For a brief moment I worried, is a brag sheet in your 50’s a precursor to a eulogy? Thankfully, who I want to be now is different from who I wanted to be at 17. The good, the bad and the ugly of life has molded me into a better version of myself. David Brooks, the New York Times Op-Ed columnist and author, refers to the same type of shift many of us often experience in our second half of life in his book: The Second Mountain. He writes: “Many In American society scale the mountain of success only to feel let down by our achievements or to get knocked off this mountain to find ourselves in seasons of deep suffering. There is a possibility in these depths to realize that down in the substrate flowing from all of the tender places there

Life school is hard and scaling the mountain a second time is demanding. Living a life practicing the principles I strive to embody makes it easier. It’s given me a clear vision; a bigger yes. is a fundamental desire to care. A yearning to transcend the self and care for others, to make this discovery readies us to set out for our second mountain, not a mountain that we conquer but one that conquers us. As we devote ourselves to a calling to addressing

some problem or injustice.” How will our second half of life's brag sheet read? The question presents itself: who are we called to be as we transcend our first half of life selves? I would like my brag sheet to clearly state I care for others as a contributing member of my family, my faith community and my neighborhood. May one of my qualities be whole and empathetic listening. I find humor, bringing levity to situations invaluable and really hope this attribute is on the list. A few more important attributes I hope I am honing are thinking of others more than myself, being a good friend and acting with kindness even when something difficult has to be said. A subtle skill, much underrated and often endears me to myself is practicing the pause. Finally, I hope my actions say more than my words.

Life school is hard and scaling the mountain a second time is demanding. Living a life practicing the principles I strive to embody makes it easier. It’s given me a clear vision; a bigger yes. I want my energy focused on genuine kind and generous interactions. Take some time with your friends while sitting around the fire pit or with a glass of wine and work on each other's brag sheets. Talk sincerely about how you have cared for one another and those around you. As you share with one another you’ll witness the wonderful impactful interactions that make up your life. Your brag sheet is already impressive and if it needs some tweaking there is no time like the present. Kate Noonan, Chaplain, Catholic lay minister, non-profit advocate and educator. MSS and MAR.

Upon this Rock: Unrelenting Grace

WATCHWORDS

By Drew Williams Just like our own lives, the life of the apostle Peter is pitted with mistakes and failure. Currently, Peter has unwittingly caught himself up in Antioch, in such a way as to deny the completeness of Jesus’ saving work on the Cross. So, what happens next because if Jesus can restore Peter in this latest debacle, then perhaps there is hope for all of us. Paul chooses to confront Peter, not with brutal remonstrations and shameful accusation. Instead, the Holy Spirit leads Paul to share with Peter their shared experience of the unrelenting grace of

Jesus Christ. Three times Paul makes this appeal. First, he makes it personal, “We who are Jews by birth…know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” Then Paul makes it deeply personal, “We too have put our faith in Jesus Christ so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law.” Finally, Paul anchors their shared experience in Psalm 143:2, “because by works of the law no one shall be justified.” And the Greek here is striking because it refers to “all flesh” all of mankind without exception – whatever our religious upbringing, educational background, social status, racial origin – the way of salvation is the same. Very simply - no one can be made acceptable before God by works of law; all flesh is justified through faith in Jesus Christ alone. In essence Paul is saying to Peter, “My brother in Christ, you and I both

Jesus meets Peter’s failure not with condemnation but with unrelenting grace. r e m e m b e r ou r at te mp t s to ju s t i f y ourselves through the law. How did that work out for either of us? My brother, remember the g race that Jesus has showered upon both of us. Remember how He has proved His grace personally in both our own lives.” If Peter cast his mind back, when

he stepped out of the boat and was swept beneath the waves – he would recall that it was Jesus and only Jesus that reached out that night and saved Him. And after Peter’s shameful denial of Jesus - when Jesus sat with Peter by the seashore, cooked him breakfast and asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Jesus added nothing else; what He said was enough. Do you love me? Can you allow my love to touch you in your shame and weakness, will you let my love and only my love set you free? Jesus’ response to Peter’s cowardice and unfaithfulness was the most gracious of all commissions. When Peter had absolutely nothing to commend himself except as a grateful recipient of the unrelenting grace of God – Jesus asked him – feed my lambs. Jesus meets Peter’s failure not with condemnation but w ith unrelenting grace. Remember how Jesus has proved

His grace in your life and know that He does not change. This is exactly the same way that Jesus meets you today. Jesus, thank you for meeting my every failure with unrelenting grace. Remind me of the ways you have carried me, washed me , and restored me . You will never change. In His great love, Bishop Andrew

Drew Williams previously served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Church in Greenwich and wa s a weekly contributor to the Greenwich Sentinel. He is now the bishop for the Anglican Diocese of New England (ADNE). Read more or sign up for Drew's daily devotionals at https://adne.org/ watchwords online.

OBITUARIES, continued 13, 1926, to Joseph and Mary Chute, of Greenwich, CT. He died peacefully the evening of Monday, April 12, 2021. In the 95 years between, Joe embraced life with an understanding that every day is a gift best appreciated by living it to the fullest. First and foremost, Joe was the devoted and loving husband of the late Mary "Maisie" (née Groh) Chute (d. 2015). The two were introduced at a social in Westchester County in 1949 and both were immediately smitten. Though Maisie was dancing with another young man at the time, Joe asked to cut in. Their dance became a courtship, marriage and love that lasted the rest of both of their lives. It was typical of Joe's style. Never one to sit back and wait for life to come to him, Joe was still underage during World War II when he forged his father's signature on the release allowing him to volunteer for the U.S. Navy. He became a Navy Corpsman and served as a medic with the 5th Marine Division, Second Marine Battalion during the Battle of Iwo Jima. While tending to the fallen on the beach there, Joe was himself seriously wounded and evacuated to a hospital boat. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service. Upon returning from the war,

Joe completed his high school e duc at ion at The Edgewo o d S cho ol i n G r e enw ich wher e he, along with numerous other returning veterans, completed t he roster of t he school's championship football team. One can only imagine the trepidation other teams likely felt facing Edgewood's "high school" squad of battle-hardened vets. He was awarded a football scholarship to Fairleigh Dickenson University but chose instead to pursue the electrical trade. It was during this journey towa rds b e com i ng a M aster Electrician that Joe and Maisie met. It was also the reason for their extended courtship – they did not marry until 1952. A man of fierce dedication, Joe refused to ask Maisie to marry him until he was certain he would be able to provide for her and their family. Of course he accomplished both goals. A lifelong member of Local Union 501 and Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Joe would have received his 75-year service pin this summer. He left his mark on buildings large and small in Manhattan (including the 1964 World's Fair), Westchester and Connecticut and loved pointing out the corporate headquarters that he played a role in building.

But nothing was as important to Joe as family. He and Maisie continued their love of dancing throughout their life together – you could always f ind both of them on the dance f loor – and he always made time for their daughter, Deborah, even after long days working construction, ensuring she learned such valuable life lessons as the gift of service, the value of a good book, and the art of throwing a spiral. Joe was the def inition of a true gentleman and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Joe is survived by his devoted daughter, Deborah A. Chute of Trumbull; his brother and his wife, John and Susan Chute of Hinsdale, Illinois; his niece, Cynthia Briggs Tulloch of Fairfield; his nephew, Alfred C. Briggs III of Franklin, TN; his nephew John Thomas Chute, Esq., and niece Maureen Chute Camden o f H i n s d a l e , I l l . ; a n d m a ny grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to his wife, Joe was predeceased by his infant son, Kevin; his brother, Robert "Deacon" Chute, his sisters Ruth C hute Z e d a r a n d K at h e r i n e Chute Ennis, and his nephew, Christopher Chute. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, April 20 at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Greenwich. Interment followed in

St. Mary's Cemetery in Greenwich with full Military Honors. Donations may be made in his honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Charles McConnell

Barbara Fortunato It is with great sadness that the family of Barbara "Barb" Ann Fortunato announces her passing on April 18, 2021. Barb was born in Port Chester, NY on July 10, 1949, to Michael and Shirley Kulesh. She was a graduate of Greenwich High School and went on to work for the Town of Greenwich for 35 years up until her retirement. She enjoyed cooking, reading, crafts, and going to the casinos but her true joy came by spending time with family and loved ones and creating memories. She is sur v ived by her husband of 53 years Robert P. Fortunato Sr. and two daughters, Bonnie Fortunato and Wendy C a n t a v e r o (A n t h o n y) . S h e is a lso su r v ived by her fou r g r a n d c h i l d r e n A n t h o ny Jr. , Christopher, Kayli, and Michael Cantavero. Barb was predeceased by her parents and her only son Robert P. Fortunato Jr. Due to COVID precautions the services will be private.

Sept. 24, 1939 - April 14, 2021 Chuck W. McConnell passed on April 14, 2021 after a lengthy battle with cancer. It was a battle that he appeared to be winning for most of the eight years. He refused to let it interfere with his life and his loves. He leaves behind Nancy, his wife of 59 years and a beloved daughter, Melanie Garnett. He will be sorely missed also by his son-in-law Ken Garnett and his granddaughters, Eleanor and Lydia. How proud he was of his two college-aged granddaughters for he was always a true "hands-on" grandfather. Chuck had a variety jobs in his career where he made many friends. Following grad school at Northwestern he had a four-year tour with the Air Force, including a year posted in Okinawa. After the service, his career centered on marketing and advertising for a broad spectrum of companies

both national and international. In later years and most recently he was part of a career consulting firm where he enjoyed helping e xe c u t i ve s d e t e r m i n e t h e i r optimal career path. He wrote a book for his clients entitled Conquer Your Yips, Win the Employment You Target. When not working, Chuck enjoyed travel, fishing, golf and playing with dogs, especially whatever rescue dog currently resided w it h h i m. Usi ng h is wonderful base voice, he sang in the First Congregational Church Choi r i n G r e e nw ich C T a nd community chorus groups like the Greenwich Choral Society and the Williamsburg Choral Guild. Having played the trumpet in high school and the Air Force, he also enjoyed instrumental music. Recently he was proud to be part of the Williamsburg Symphony Board. To k n o w C h u c k w a s t o experience true friendship and loya lt y. Memor ia l donat ions may be made to: Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra P.O Box 400 Williamsburg, VA 23187. Online condolences may be offered to the family at bucktroutfuneralhome. net Obituaries may be submitted to Caroll@GreenwichSentinel . com and are free courtesy of the Greenwich Sentinel Foundation.

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Worship Services Information Assemblies of God Harvest Time Church 1338 King St., 203-531-7778 www.htchurch.com In-Person Worship Services: Sun, 8:30, 10 & 11:30am (meeting on a limited basis in accordance with CDC guidelines and Connecticut’s executive orders). All services are streamed on the church’s website and social media outlets. The Glory of Christ: Wed, 7pm. Read The Bible 2021: join here facebook.com/groups/ bible2021. Baptist First Baptist Church 10 Northfield St.; 203-869-7988 www.firstbaptistgreenwich.com Sunday Servings: 11:30am, Facebook Live or for Devotion: 11-11:25am (Dial in 701-802-5355, Access code 360922). Greenwich Baptist Church 10 Indian Rock Ln; 203-869-2807 www.greenwichbaptist.org Worship: Sun, 11am (in person and online through Facebook & YouTube). Adult Bible Study: 9:30am. Prayer Gathering: Fri, 6-7pm, Chapel. Catholic Sacred Heart Church 95A Henry St.; 203-531-8730 www.sacredheartgreenwich.org Mass: Mon-Fri, 7am, in the Chapel. Sat, 4pm. Sun: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30am. Confessions: Sat, 3:20-3:50pm. Ministry to the Homebound: if you, or someone you know, is homebound and would like a priest visit you, call the Rectory at 203-531-8730. St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes St. Agnes: 247 Stanwich Rd; St. Catherine: 4 Riverside Ave; 203-637-3661 www.stc-sta.org Masses: Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri: Daily Mass at St. Catherine’s Church – in-person and livestream, 7am; Distribution of Holy Communion at front door of Rectory (mask & social distance required): 5:15-5:45pm. Sat (1st Sat of the month): Confessions at St. Agnes Church – in-person (specific dates in the bulletin), 3-4pm; Vigil Mass at St. Catherine’s Church – in-person and livestream, 5pm (sign-up required). Sun: Distribution of Holy Communion Masses at front door of Rectory (mask & social distance required), 7:30-8am; St. Agnes Church – in-person, 8:30am (sign-up required); St. Catherine’s Church – in-person and livestream, 10:30am (sign-up required); Language Masses at St. Agnes Church – in-person (sign-up required), 11am, Parish Hall (French: 2nd Sun of month; Italian: 3rd Sun of month; Spanish: 4th Sun of month); Distribution of Holy Communion at front door of Rectory, 5-5:30pm (mask & social distance required). As of April 5: there is no sign up required to attend Masses in person. Ongoing: Food & Essentials Drive for Neighbor to Neighbor (there will be a car or SUV with an open trunk in the parking lot across from St. Catherine’s church on Tuesdays, 9-11am for dropoff donations. Donations can also be dropped at the Sign-in table at Sat, Sun or Daily Mass at St. Agnes). How the West came to Encounter the East Lecture Series: Part One: Early Days –from Ancient World Traders and Medieval Adventures to the Age of Sail: April 28, 5pm, via Zoom. St. Mary Church 178 Greenwich Ave.; 203-869-9393 www.stmarygreenwich.org Public Mass: Mon-Fri, 12:05pm (no reservations are needed - limited to 50 people). Sat: Vigil, 4pm; Spanish (call 203-912-0246 for reservations), 7:30pm. Sun: 9, 10:30am & 12:15pm, (must make reservation in advance by calling the Parish Office, Thu or Fri, 9am-3pm and speak to the receptionist). Confessions: Sat, 2:45-3:45pm, on the patio. Virtual Mass: Sun, 12:15pm, with Fr. La Pastina on Facebook. Visit EWTN.com for daily Mass at 8am with encore at 12pm. Sunday Family Rosary: Sun, 7:30pm (No registration is necessary), live-streamed on YouTube (also listen by phone). St. Michael the Archangel 469 North St.; 203-869-5421 www.stmichaelgreenwich.com Mass: Sat: Mass, 9am (In-person & Live Stream); Confessions, 3:15-3:45pm; Vigil Mass, 4pm (In-person only); Vigil Mass, 5pm (In-person & Live Stream). Sun: 7:30, 9 (In-person & Live Streamed), 10:30am, 12 & 5pm (In-person only). Mon: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed). Tue: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed). Wed: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed); Eucharistic Adoration, 9:30am8pm; Confessions, 9:30-10:30am & 7-8pm. Thu: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed). Fri: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed); Stations of the Cross, 6:30pm. (Log onto the website at stmichaelgreenwich.com to access the Zoom Link or the LIVE Stream Masses

and the Mass Reservation System). St. Timothy Chapel 1034 North St.; 203-869-5421 Daily Mass: Mon-Sat: 7:30 & 9:30am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Wed, 10am4pm; Live-streamed, 10-11am. Confessions: Wed, 10-11am & 3-4pm. St. Paul Church 84 Sherwood Ave.; 203-531-8741 www.stpaulgreenwich.org Public Mass Celebration: Mon-Thu: 9am; Sat: 4pm (Vigil); Sun: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30am (Reservation is required only for Sunday Mass by visiting the homepage or by calling 203-5318741, ext. 4). Holy Days: Vigil: 5:30pm, 9am & 12:15pm. Online daily Mass at EWTN.com, 8am with encore at 12pm. Daily Mass also available on Bishop Robert Barron’s website at wordonfire.org/daily-mass. Confessions by appointment only – call 203-531-8741, ext. 2. First Holy Communion: May 1. St. Roch Church 10 St. Roch Ave.; 203-869-4176 www.strochchurch.com Mass: (Reservations and/or for viewing via live streaming): Mon-Fri: 7:30pm; Sat: 5pm; Sun: 7:30am (Concelebrated for Previously Scheduled 9:30am Mass Intentions), 10:30am, 12pm (Spanish). Mass Intentions: consult the bulletin for time. Christian Science First Church of Christ, Scientist 11 Park Place; 203-869-2503 www.christiansciencect.org/greenwich Sunday and Wednesday services via live tele-conference: 203-680-9095, code is 520520*. Community First Church of Round Hill 464 Round Hill Rd.; 203-629-3876 www.firstchurchofroundhill.com No in-person service at this time. (If you need to reach Rev. Leo W. Curry, pastor, or any other personnel, call 203-629-3876 and leave a message or email fcroundhill@outlook.com). Round Hill Community Church 395 Round Hill Rd.; 203-869-1091 www.roundhillcommunitychurch.org Worship, Children’s Ministries and Youth Fellowship: Sun. 10-10:30am, in the Church, registration is required. Weekly service also available online. Thrive: biweekly high school gathering, Wed, 6pm. Foundations: biweekly middle school gathering, Fri, 6pm. November Bible Study: Stories of Advent, Mondays at 11 am, registration required. Creating a Culture of Calling: April 29, 7pm, register. Lifeline Health Screening: April 30, 8am. Congregational The First Congregational Church 108 Sound Beach Ave; 203-637-1791 www.fccog.org Worship: In-Person: Sunday, 10am (signup via website or Friday email blast); Virtual: Sun, 10am (live-streaming on YouTube and Facebook, and broadcast on WGCH (1490 AM)). Connect during the week: Wed: Wisdom on Wednesdays (sent by the Ministerial Staff); Fri: Friday Email Blast (sign up through the website); Church school before worship most Sundays, 9am (preschool-grade 6). Online programming available via Zoom. A joyful community diverse in spiritual backgrounds and beliefs. North Greenwich Congregational 606 Riversville Rd.; 203-869-7763 www.northgreenwichchurch.org Online Worship Service: Sun, 10:30am, via Zoom (email Rev. Halac at Pastor@northgreenwichchurch.org or call the church). Second Congregational Church 139 E Putnam Ave.; 203-869-9311 www.2cc.org Services available online, details at 2cc.org. Contemporary Worship: Sat, 5pm. Traditional Sunday Service: 8:30 & 10:30am. Email Pam@2cc.org to reserve a seat. Episcopal Anglican Church of the Advent 606 Riversville Rd.; 203-861-2432 www.churchoftheadvent.org Service: Sun, 9am, Holy Eucharist. Sunday School during academic year. Christ Church Greenwich 254 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-869-6600 www.christchurchgreenwich.org Worship: Sun: Eucharist, 8am (in-person); 10am (in-person & livestream/on-demand); Choral Evensong (in-person & livestream/ on-demand), 5pm; Compline, 8pm (livestream/on-demand). Mon-Fri: Morning Prayer, 8am (via Zoom). Tue: Eucharist, 10am (in-person). Thu: Choral Evensong, 6:30pm (in-person & livestream/on-demand). Registration ongoing for Vacation Bible School: June 28-

July 2. Christian Man Cave - men of the parish to gather around the fire pit for fellowship and conversation: Tue, through May 11, 7:308:30pm, behind the Rectory. Living in Communion - Evening Study: Mon, through May 16, 7-8pm, via Zoom. Living in Communion Daytime Study: Wed, through May 19, 12-1pm, via Zoom. “Giving up Control: How to Tap into God’s Timing for Your Life” - Women’s Virtual Retreat with Author Shannon: April 24, 11am, via Zoom. April 25: Sunday Forum: “Net Fishing & Line Fishing: What’s changed, what’s the same - after a year of COVID”, 11am, via Zoom; Earth Day Liturgy & Hike, 2:30pm, Pomerance Park (pets are welcome). St. Barnabas Episcopal Church 954 Lake Ave.; 203-661-5526 www.stbarnabasgreenwich.org Sunday Worship: Spoken Eucharist, 8am, Church; Holy Eucharist with music, 10am, Church and Livestream; Family Eucharist, 10am, Parish Hall. (sign up for in-person service: signupgenius.com/go/4090e4aadac2ea3ff2-sunday1). Coffee and Morning Prayers Podcast: Mon-Fri. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 200 Riverside Ave.; 203-637-2447 www.stpaulsriverside.org Worship Service: Sun, 10:15am, Live Streamed. Bible Study: Tue, 10:30am, via Zoom. Evening Prayer: Thu, 7pm. Ongoing: Neighbor-to-Neighbor Food Drive: Every Thu, 10-11:30am, in the parking lot. St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church 350 Sound Beach Ave; 203-637-2262 www.saintsaviours.org In-person Outdoor Service: Sun, 11am. Online Worship Services available on Youtube. Jewish Chabad Lubavitch of Greenwich 75 Mason St.; 203-629-9059 www.chabadgreenwich.org Services available via Zoom. PJ Library Zoom Storytime: Mon-Thurs, 3pm & Fri, 2pm. Outdoor Mommy & Me Musical Shabbat: Fridays through June 4, 9:30am, registration required. Outdoor Mommy & Me Yoga – trial class: April 26, 9:30am, free, register. Congregation Shir Ami 1273 E. Putnam Ave, PO Box 312, Riverside; 203-900-7976; www.congregationshirami.org All services, programs and celebrations are available online via Zoom. Shabbat Service: April 23, 7:30pm, via Zoom. Discussing the Israeli Election: First Reform Rabbi Elected to Knesset Men’s Study Group: April 25, 10:30am, via Zoom. Essential Jewish Conversation Class: Beliefs and Values – “What Does Judaism Say About Organ Donation?”: April 26, 7:30pm, via Zoom. Greenwich Reform Synagogue 92 Orchard St.; 203-629-0018 www.grs.org Online programs streamed virtually on Zoom. us: Tot Shabbat with Rabbi Gerson and Cantor Dunkerley, Fri, 5pm. Shabbat services with Rabbi Gerson and Cantor Dunkerley, Fri, 7pm. Religious School: Sun, 9:30am. Hebrew School: Wed, 4:30pm. Online Tot Shabbat for Kids: April 23, 5:30pm. Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-869-7191 www.templesholom.com Services: live-streamed via Zoom and Facebook: Fri, 6:30pm; Sat, 10am; Sun, 8:15am. Lunch ‘n Learn: Tue, 12-1pm, via Zoom. Limited in-person Friday night Shabbat service, registration is required, lori.baden@templesholom.com. PreK - 2nd Grade Shabbat Experience: April 23, 6:30pm. Temple Sholom’s Virtual Mitzvah Project/Social Action Engagement Fair: April 25, 1-3pm, on Zoom, register, lori.baden@templesholom.com. Lutheran First Lutheran Church 38 Field Point Rd.; 203-869-0032 www.firstpaul.com Indoor Service: Sun, 10:30am. Bible Study: Sun, 11:45am. St. Paul Lutheran Church 286 Delavan Ave.; 203-531-8466 www.firstpaul.com Indoor Service: Sun, 9am. Bible Study: Sun, 10:15am. Wednesday After-School program: Snacks & Crafts, 3-4pm; Bible Stories & Catechesis, 4-5pm; Community Dinner, 5:30pm (all are welcome); Bible Study on Romans (adults), 6:30pm. Methodist Diamond Hill United Methodist 521 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-869-2395 www.diamondhillumc.com Online: Worship Service every Sunday, 10am,

followed by a time of virtual Fellowship; Wednesday Noonday Prayer; and Wednesday Evening Bible Study. (Details for all can be found on the website). First United Methodist Church 59 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-629-9584 www.fumcgreenwich.com Virtual Sunday Worship, 9:30am, via Zoom (203 629 9584). Virtual Daily Gathering: MonFri, 3pm, Zoom. Talking with Your Hands: Mon, 3pm. Reading this World as a Christian: Tue, 3pm. Back to Rock – music with Mr. Bruce: Tue, 3pm, via Zoom. Reading the Shape of Scripture: Wed, 3pm, via Zoom. Spring Bible Study: Thu, 3pm, via Zoom. Tea & Talk: Fri 3pm, via Zoom. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal 42 Lake Ave.; 203-661-3099 Worship via teleconference: Sun, 11am and until further notice (Dial-in number: 425-4366380, Access code: 612220). Nondenominational Revive Church 90 Harding Rd., Old Greenwich (Old Greenwich Civic Center) www.myrevive.org Worship Service: Sun, 10am, Holiday Inn 980 Hope St, Stamford. Online Sermons available on Facebook (facebook.com/myrevivechurchgreenwich) and on Youtube. All groups are online. Direct any prayer needs to the prayer chain at 203-536-2686 or revivecfm@gmail. com. Stanwich Church 202 Taconic Rd.; 203-661-4420 www.stanwichchurch.org Events marked by an * require registration at: stanwichchurch.org/event Sunday Service: *In-person, 9am & 11am (live streamed at 11am). Starting May 2: Sunday service outdoors, 10am (live-streamed at 10am). Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course: *Zoom, Wednesdays starting May 5, 7pm. Outdoor Worship Night: In-person, May 14, 8pm. The Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave; 203-637-4615 www.albertsonchurch.org Sunday Service: 7pm, via Zoom. Virtual Children’s Lyceum (ages 5-14): 3rd Sunday of the month, 10-10:40am. Healing Service: 3rd Thursday of the month, 7-7:30pm. (Email Albertsonpcc@gmail.com for registration and Zoom Links). Admission of Fellowship: April 25, during service (Email Albertsonpcc@gmail.com for registration and Zoom Links). Trinity Church 1 River Rd.; 203-618-0808 www.trinitychurch.life In-Person Services: Sun, 10:45am, Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 E Putnam Ave. Online Services: Sun, 9:45am, youtube.com/c/ TrinityChurchLife/live. House Churches: Sun, 9:45am, Fairfield County, CT & Westchester County, NY. Alpha (online): Tue, 7:30-8:45pm. Receive Private Zoom Prayer: Sundays, 1111:30am. Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church 1 W. Putnam Ave.; 203-869-8686 www.fpcg.org Sanctuary Worship: Sun, 10am (Traditional Service); 5pm (Contemporary Service), register. Online Worship: Sun, 10-11am at fpcg.org/ live. Sunday School online, 10:15-11am. The Prayer Room: Tue, 11am & Thu, 8pm. Notre Dame Organist Concert: April 27, 7-9pm, Sanctuary. Grace Church of Greenwich 8 Sound Shore Dr., Suite 280 203-861-7555 www.gracechurchgreenwich.com Worship: Sun, 10am, Woman’s Club of Greenwich, 89 Maple Ave. (Outside. Please bring a mask and a chair or a blanket). All Bible Study studies through zoom (email gracechurchofgreenwich@gmail.com for zoom links). All are welcome. Living Hope Community Church 38 West End Ave; 203-637-3669 www.LivingHopeCT.org In-Person Worship: Sun, 10am, Sanctuary (tickets available at EventBrite by Friday 10am). Worship Service online: Sun, 10-11:15am (YouTube or Facebook). Coffee & Fellowship: Sun, 11:30am-12pm, via Zoom. Wednesday Prayer: Wed, 8:30-9am, online. ALPHA class - interactive online sessions to explore the big questions of life: Wed, 7pm, register at alphausa.org/try. WF Book Discussion with Author Jane Healey: April 29, 7:30-9pm, online.

SPORTS

Page 15 | Greenwich Sentinel

UPCOMING GAMES GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Mon. vs. St. Joseph H.S., 4:30 p.m. Wed. at Wilton H.S., 4 p.m.

Thu. vs. Bridgeport Central H.S., 4:30 p.m.

Sun. vs. Poly Prep, 12 p.m. Sun. vs. Poly Prep, 2 p.m. Tue. at All Hallows H.S., 3 p.m.

TRACK & FIELD: Tomorrow vs. King School, Sacred Heart, Rye Country Day (at Brunswick), 10 a.m.

CREW: Tomorrow at Lawrenceville School, 4 p.m.

WATER POLO: Wed. at Greenwich H.S., 4 p.m.

BOYS' & GIRLS' OUTDOOR TRACK: Mon. vs. Stamford H.S., 4 p.m.

LACROSSE: Today at Haverford School, 2:30 p.m. Wed. vs. Lawrenceville School, 4:30 p.m.

SACRED HEART GREENWICH

BOYS' GOLF: Mon. at Stamford H.S., 3 p.m. Thu. vs. Westhill H.S., 3:30 p.m.

TENNIS: Tomorrow at St. Luke's School, 10 a.m. Wed. vs. King School, 4:15 p.m.

GIRLS' GOLF: Mon. at Staples H.S., 3 p.m. Thu at Danbury H.S., 3:15 p.m.

GOLF: Mon. at Rye Country Day School, 3:30 p.m.

GIRLS’ TENNIS: Tomorrow vs. Norwalk H.S., 9:30 a.m. Mon. at Darien H.S., 4 p.m. Tue. vs. Ridgefield H.S., 4:30 p.m. Thu. vs. Bridgeport Central H.S., 4:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL: Mon. at St. Joseph H.S., 4 p.m. Wed. vs. Wilton H.S., 4:30 p.m. BOYS’ LACROSSE: Tomorrow vs. Fairfield Prep, 12 p.m. Tue. vs. Westhill H.S., 5 p.m. Thu. at Brien McMahon H.S., 5:30 p.m. GIRLS’ LACROSSE: Tomorrow at New Canaan H.S., 9 a.m. Tue. vs. Westhill H.S., 4:30 p.m. Thu. vs. Brien McMahon H.S., 4:30 p.m. BOYS' VOLLEYBALL: Today at Fairfield Warde H.S., 4:30 p.m. Tue. vs. Staples H.S., 4:30 p.m. Thu. vs. Darien H.S., 4:30 p.m. BOYS’ TENNIS: Tomorrow at Norwalk H.S., 9:30 a.m. Mon. vs. Darien H.S., 4:30 p.m. Tue. at Ridgefield H.S., 4:30 p.m.

GREENWICH ACADEMY

BOYS' RUGBY: Today at Darien H.S., 4 p.m.

GOLF: Wed. vs. Sacred Heart Greenwich, 3 p.m.

GIRLS' RUGBY: Wed. vs. Southington H.S., 4:30 p.m.

LACROSSE: Wed. vs. Darien H.S., 4 p.m.

BRUNSWICK SCHOOL

TENNIS: Up next: May 1 vs. St. Luke's School, 10 a.m.

BASEBALL: Tomorrow at GCDS, 2 p.m.

GOLF: Mon. at King School, TBD Mon. at Greenwich Academy, TBD

LACROSSE: Tomorrow at William Penn Charter, 1 p.m. Tue. at New Canaan H.S., 4:30 p.m. WATER POLO: Tomorrow vs. at Hopkins School, 11 a.m. Thu. vs. Greenwich Aquatics, 4:30 p.m. TENNIS: Wed. at King School, 4 p.m. TRACK & FIELD: Tomorrow vs. King School, Sacred Heart, Rye Country Day (at Brunswick), 10 a.m.

GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY BASEBALL: Today vs. Rye Country Day, 4:30 p.m. Tomorrow at Brunswick School, 2 p.m. Wed. vs. St. Luke's School, 4:30 p.m.

BOYS' LACROSSE: Tomorrow at Brunswick School, 2 p.m. GIRLS' LACROSSE: Tomorrow at Rye Country Day, 12 p.m. Wed. at Wooster School, 4:15 p.m. SOFTBALL: Today vs. St. Luke's School, 4:30 p.m. Mon. at Rye Country Day, 4:30 p.m. BOYS' TENNIS: Today vs. RCDS, 4:30 p.m. Tomorrow at Brunswick School, 11 a.m. GIRLS' TENNIS: Tomorrow at Rye Country Day, 12 p.m. Thu. vs. Greens Farms Academy, 4:15 p.m.

Working Hard and Having Fun is a Priority

Greenwich High School boys’ lacrosse head coach Bobby Lutz is known for his intensity. Practices are structured and he expects the most from his athletes all the time. The COVID-19 global pandemic has made an impact on Lutz in a surprising way. After missing a year of high school lacrosse during the shutdown last year, he’s back on the field with his team and couldn’t be happier. He’s still just as intense and still expects a high level from his team all the time. “The energy and the enthusiasm is great,” Lutz said. “The kids are having a fun time.” And they aren’t the only ones have a good time during games and practices. Lutz said that the COVID-19 has put some things into better focus for himself and the coaching staff. While they are still just as competitive as before, Lutz said that this year he’s soaking in the moment more and having more fun with the team. “I’m letting the k ids have more fun,” Lutz said. “It’s weird because I am who I am as a coach, but it’s also a little different because I’m just happy to be out there. I’m tolerating more and letting them have a little bit more fun. We lose focus a little bit a practice for all the right reasons. They are goofing around a little bit. And that’s fine. Let them have fun. They need this right about now. Everything doesn’t have to be so rigid and structured right now. It’s about letting the kids enjoy themselves and that’s leading to a fun attitude for the coaches of them just happy to be out there with the kids. There’s a great mix between a structured program and being out there having fun.” And while they are having fun and once again enjoying each other’s company, there’s still that same lofty expectation that follows Big Red wherever they go. “I t hin k we wou ld have surprised a few teams last year if we played,” Lutz said. “I don’t know how far we would have gone, but it was definitely going to show that we have a lot of talent and were an up-andcoming contender. With that in mind, Big Red was ready to come out of the gates f lying this season. They were eager to show Connecticut that the Cards are a threat and

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Paul R. Silverfarb

Greenwich High School boys' lacrosse senior captain Will Montesi takes the ball down the field in a game during the 2019 season. This year, Montesi is one of the leaders on a GHS team that has some high goals set. the start of the season couldn’t have gone better for GHS. They were together for the first time in a long time and were hard at work, masks and all, gearing up for the start of what is expected to be a standout season. But before Lutz had a chance to take everything all in, everything came crashing down. Several athletes attended a party and came back positive for COVID-19 a few days later. The program immediately shutdown for its quarantine. “It was frustrating because we we r e r e a l ly s t a r t i n g to improve and were building good chemistry,” Lutz said. “No one was injured and we got through seven really good practices. Then this happened. It was tough, but the kids were just so excited with how good they were looking early, that they didn’t miss a beat. As coaches we were worried if we lost some kids or if they weren’t staying in shape or working hard on their own. But they did.” During the shutdown of the program due to COVID-19, Lutz and the rest of the Cardinals used their time wisely. They met on Google Meets and watched a ton of film.

“It was almost like a classroom experience,” Lutz said. “We went over our ready list. We went over our offensive and defensive sets and it was great. We never really had time to do that stuff. We were always worried about getting out on the field that we put that other stuff to the side. It wasn’t a blessing, but I can say that we’ve never been as prepared on a knowledgeable front in terms of what our team is about and what our philosophies and concepts are than we are this year. This is the first time that the base and foundation of what the team is and what we are running has been this strong.” And now it’s all about getting on the field and implementing all the lessons from their Google Meets sessions during quarantine. As of Monday, Big Red was finally able to get back onto the turf at GHS and resume physical activities and improve it that area. “As a teacher, a coach, and as a father, we talk a lot about mental health and I believe that these kids need to be out playing sports and need to be involved and interacting with each other,” Lutz said.

Fo r G r e e nw i c h l a c r o s s e , t h e r e ’s a l w ay s t h e g o a l o f reaching both the Fair f ield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference and CIAC tournaments. This year is no exception. And despite being in one of the most competitive leagues throughout the region, Lutz says that he wants his team to be battling for some championship hardware this season. “When you look at the level of kids that could potentially play for college, we have at least eight to 10 kids that can do that,” Lutz said. “To have that many kids that can do that is pretty special. There’s not that many parts of the field where we are weak. When the offense is playing well, we can work on our defense. And if the defense is playing well, we can focus on our offense. I also think this is a team that will definitely get better as the season goes along, where in past year we might have plateaued or peaked too early. That shouldn’t happen this year. I really think that we are an FCIAC and state contender.” Leading the way for GHS on the attack will be captain John

Cataldo. Lutz said that he’s a great shooter and solid dodger and also thinks he’s going to sneak up on a lot of teams this year. Bryce Metalios, who Lutz believes should be a Division-I lacrosse prospect, will help Cataldo and become one of the top lacrosse attackmen around. Joining the attack w ill be sophomore Brian Collins. Lutz said that Collins is a g ritt y athlete that’s coming into his own. Coming off a successful ice hockey campaign, Wes Zolin will also play at the attack and log some key minutes for the Cardinals. Pacing Big Red on the midfield w i l l b e sen ior capta i n Wi l l Montesi and Lutz couldn’t be happier to have him leading the middies. “He’s like a moose out there,” said Lutz. “He’s actually going to play football for Army. He got some D-I lacrosse offers but decided to continue playing football. He’s a huge athletic body out there and it’s going to be hard for opponents to slow him down or get past him.” Joining Montesi at midfield will be senior captain Jack Cook, who will be looked upon to be

an impact player on both sides of the ball. Three juniors, Flynn Milledge, James Pilc and Quinn Warwick will be playing a bunch of minutes as well for Big Red. Keying GHS with the faceoffs will be Warwick. “Having five guys out there that I can rotate equally is really great,” Lutz said. “That’s where our depth will come into play. We’re always looking for that third player at midf ield and now I have five that I can throw in at any given time. All five of those guys are both offensive and defensive players. If great because if a guy gets tired or you’re in trouble because a player’s been out there for a long time, we can just throw another guy in there and not miss a beat. Starting for Big Red as shortstick defensive midfielders will be seniors Hugo Mark and Hank Minchin. Senior Chris Cataldo will be pacing the Cards on defense and Lutz considers him a lock down defender and is one of the best defenders in the FCIAC. Another senior captain, Jimmy O’Malley, will be the other mainstay at the position. Adding some depth to the defense will be junior Roy Knutson, sophomore Matthew Trimmer, and junior Cory Tautel. Between the pipes at GHS will be senior Will Clements and junior Charlie Zola. “He’s a solid kid that is super athletic and a great ball stopper,” Lutz said. “He’s also very fast and it will be hard to get the ball past him. Charlie is a junior and he’s also a great goaltender. He’s injured right now but when he comes back I could see him splitting some time with Will. I will roll with whoever has the hot hand.” And for Lutz, having those horses and all the talented depth on the roster on the team really makes coaching fun and exciting. “Winning games is great, but this is also the first time where I can go into a practice and tell them that we are going to try a new set and I know that I have talented players to do it,” Lutz said. “They are all high I.Q. players and that’s a nice bonus. I put something new into practice and they all absorb it and initiate it immediately.” Big Red will return to Cardinal Stadium tomorrow at noon when they host perennial powers Fairfield Prep. They stay home and host Westhill High School Tuesday night at 5 p.m.

SCORE BOARD Fairfield Ludlowe 5 vs. Greenwich High 6 Greenwich High 9 vs. Darien High 17 Greenwich High 14 vs. Harding 0

BASEBALL

Fairfield Warde 4 vs. Greenwich High 3 Greenwich High 7 vs. Trumbull High 0 King School 7 vs. Greenwich Country Day 0

BOYS' TENNIS

King School 4 vs. Greenwich Country Day 3 Sacred Heart 1 vs. Hopkins 6 St. Luke's 6 vs. Sacred Heart 1

SOFTBALL

GIRLS' TENNIS

Greenwich Country Day 10 vs. St. Luke's 12

Greenwich High 0 vs. Fairfield Ludlowe 14 Darien High 17 vs. Greenwich High 5 Harding 11 vs. Greenwich High 31

Greenwich High 5 vs. Fairfield Warde 2 Trumbull High 0 vs. Greenwich High 7 Kingswood-Oxford 0 vs. Greenwich Academy 7 Rye Country Day 2 vs. Greenwich Academy 5 Greenwich Academy 1 vs. Greens Farms 6

BOYS' LACROSSE

GIRLS' LACROSSE

St. Luke's 7 vs. Greenwich Country Day 13 Sacred Heart 15 vs. Hopkins 1

St. Luke's 4 vs. Sacred Heart 16 Greenwich Academy 5 vs. Wilton High 9 Greenwich Academy 11 vs. Episcopal 9 Greenwich Academy 7 vs. Agnes Irwin 11

GIRLS' GOLF

Sacred Heart 0 vs. Greenwich Academy 5 Greenwich Academy 5 vs. King School 0 Greens Farm 0 vs. Greenwich Academy 5

Page 16 | Greenwich Sentinel

Puzzles for the Weekend: Have Fun!

Astrology for Week of Apr. 25, 2021 TAURUS 21 April-21 May A Full Moon in your opposite sign means you must look for compromise solutions. If you insist on getting your own way you’ll annoy the people on whom your success depends. Let them know you care as much about their needs as your own. And mean it.

SCORPIO 24 Oct-22 Nov A Full Moon in your sign means you may get irritated this week, especially with those who can’t make decisions as fast you. Not everyone is as quick off the mark as you, and nor is there any reason why they should be. Try to be more understanding.

GEMINI 22 May-21 June Don’t make a scene if you’re not getting the support you need at work as it will only makes matters worse. Far better to put your most important project on the back burner and focus on something enjoyable and simple. A change can work wonders.

SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov-21 Dec Don’t let one little disappointment ruin your week when there are so many things going right for you. Also, it’s not wrong to be happy when so many people are sad. You are more likely to change the world if you laugh more than you cry.

CANCER 22 June-23 July Being impulsive is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if it gets your own efforts noticed more and team efforts less. Anything artistic or creative will go well for you this week, so show the world what you’re capable of. It may be that not everyone knows.

CAPRICORN 22 Dec-20 Jan Not everyone agrees with your choices but it’s your life and your needs that count. Listen to the opinions of friends and family but don’t think that you have to follow their advice. In fact, they’ll respect you more if you blaze your own trail.

LEO 24 July-23 Aug This is likely to be an emotional few days, both for you and others, and you could say things you later regret. It would help hugely if you stop thinking everyone has got it in for you. It’s not true – and anyone who has is not worth bothering about.

AQUARIUS 21 Jan-19 Feb Before you get involved in something that could benefit your career be sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for. The midheaven Full Moon means you must be certain you’re thinking along similar lines to colleagues. If not, keep your distance.

VIRGO 24 Aug-23 Sept You’ll find plenty to be happy about this week but not everyone will share your positive view so try to cheer others up too. Your way with words is a useful weapon for fighting negativity. How can anyone be pessimistic faced with your humour!

PISCES 20 Feb-20 March Don’t take anything you hear too seriously this week as much will be gossip at best and slander at worst. Someone with an axe to grind may try to win you round but you must remain noncommittal. You don’t want to get involved in other people’s feuds.

LIBRA 24 Sept-23 Oct You may think that as you’ve been a bit frugal of late you can go the other way and splash out on things you don’t need. You can, but you will regret it when you want the money for something important. Keep your belt tightened for a little bit longer.

ARIES 21 March-20 April Don’t be concerned if someone makes life difficult for you this week. It’s just the Full Moon playing games with them – and you. This is one of those times when a relaxed attitude is a must. Being tense or aggressive will get you nowhere.

Discover more about yourself at sallybrompton.com

Suduko

Sudoku: each row, column, and nonet can contain each number only once. Answers on page 15.

Hard

Code Breakers

Each number in the Codeword grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this puzzle, 5 represents E, 17 represents J and 16 represents K, so fill in E wherever 5 appears, J wherever 17 appears and K wherever 16 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid. Answers on page 10. 20

Crossword 1

24 26

38 42

45 48

ACROSS

33 Ugly encounter

62 A k a C C C P

28 Now

1 Pitcher's error

34 Oil well equipment

63 College sporting org.

30 --- Martin, cognac

37 Arc

64 Commence

38 Apollo 11 lander

65 Court dividers

31 Flat panel TV type

5 Hall amphibian? 9 Enhancement 14 Country singer/ songwriter Jake ---

Very Hard

15 S American flightless bird 16 Light graybrown 17 How to start a pudding race? 18 Bring in 19 Garden tool 20 Slant 21 Marx or Warners, e.g. 22 Adjusted 23 Longing 24 Place for experiments 25 Series of church intercessions

39 New in Tijuana 41 Arid

DOWN

34 Strengthen

42 Stand-in

1 Dictatorial

44 Wept

2 Up

35 "--- Got No Strings..." (Pinnochio)

45 Thin pancake

3 Fabled

36 Deity

46 The Volunteer State (Abbr.)

4 Recognize

40 Gravetop vase

5 Junior's voice

43 On a pension (Abbr.)

47 Wooden hammer 50 Batter's stat.

6 Vivien Leigh's G W T W role

33 Pigswill

45 Brainy

52 A long way

7 Strenuous activity

46 Stopwatches, e.g.

55 Castaway locations

8 Aykroyd and Quayle

47 Light fogs

56 Bathtub residue

9 Teetotalism

57 Where to find Pikes Peak (Abbr.) 58 Trim

26 Prom partner

59 Rent

29 Sarcastic praise

60 Saturnalia

31 Reluctant

32 Belonging to us

66 Unload for cash

61 "Peace on earth, good will ---"

48 --- in the arm

10 Second-incommand

49 South American ruminant

11 Actress --- Rigg

51 Pop

12 Poet --- Nash

53 Kind of pond bloom

13 Wanting

54 Kingly

25 Wolf Man --Chaney

56 Ostracize

27 Off-roader

57 Drawbacks

Wildly Successful: The New England Cottontail

Page 17 | Greenwich Sentinel

A Species on the Brink That May Surprise You

By Jim Knox Perhaps no animal is more sy nony mous w ith spring than the rabbit. Throughout recorded history, it has served as both harbinger and metaphor for the season of life, renewal and grow th. Though active year ‘round, rabbits breed, reproduce and flourish with the coming of the spring season. To most, the rabbit is a generic creature identif ied across cultures by it’s small brow n body, long ears and hind legs, and overall adorable appearance. A closer look in our own backyard reveals a creature which deserves special attention, and even study. If you ask most Connecticut residents the identity of the cute bunnies doing their utmost to eat the contents of their gardens, they’d identify the “Cottontail” as the culprit. T h e y ’d b e r i g h t , a t l e a s t generally. But there is more to this little beast than a casual glance may render. T h e E a s te r n Co t tont a i l Rabbit, Sylvilagus f loridanus, is abundant throughout Connecticut, and does indeed make return trips to Fairfield C o u n t y ’s a l l -y o u - c a n - e a t suburban salad bar. This is the species we see g razing a long t he g re en shou lders of the Merritt Parkway and zipping into hedgerows at the slightest approach. Yet, despite its familiarity and seeming omnipresence, this creature is no native New Englander. That distinction is owned by its discrete, more reclusive cousin. The New England Cottontail, Sylvilagus transitionalis, is the only rabbit native to Connecticut, New

England and neighboring New York. It was the rabbit known to English colonists as a coney, and is thought to have inspired the name Coney Island, for its great abundance on the island in the 1600’s and 1700’s. W h i l e t h i s n a t i ve N e w England rabbit was uniquely adapted to the habitats and natural habitat succession of New England, development a nd la nd prac t ices a ltere d the landscape. With the introduction of the more adaptable Eastern Cottontail f r om o t h e r r e g i on s o f t h e country in the early 1900’s, the native found itself with stiff competition for limited resources. Closer sc r ut i ny reve a ls two distinct creatures. The New England Cottontail is a creature of forests, specifically transitional forests, known as thickets. Naturally, these occur in the aftermath of forest fires, floods and severe storms. These rabbits thrive in the dense cover of these regrowth areas. They rarely stray far f rom that cover and their eyesight is designed to detect potential predators at close range. The Eastern Cottontail, by contrast, is a creature of open spaces. They prefer grasslands a nd meadows, as well as their manicured counterparts s u c h a s p a rk s , l aw n s a n d golf courses. In short, they were practically designed for suburbia. While these close-cousin species share excellent hearing, sense of smell and swiftness of foot, one key adaptation makes a world of difference--eyesight. Wit h eyes approx i mately 50% larger than their thicketdwel l i ng c ou si n s , E a ster n Cottontails hold the advantage in human-altered New England. With such distance vision, they can venture further from cover to access plentiful grasses while still tracking potential predators from a safe range. Likewise, they are the look-alike cousins who invade our gardens and

scurry under our fence lines. Though both species are approximately 14-19 inches in length and up to 2.5 pounds in weight, the unique traits of the New England Cottontail include: smaller ears, fine black fur lines along the edges of those ears and a black star at the crown of the head. Sadly, these specia lists have lost approximately 85% of their home range in New England and they need our help. Thankfully, there is hope f o r t h e i r r e c o v e r y. S t u d y h a s r e ve a l e d n o e v i d e n c e the species are hybridizing, and there are those who are coming to the aid of their wild neighbors in need. Through p r o g r a m s l i k e t h e Yo u n g Forest Habitat Initiative and other restoration efforts, The Connecticut Department of Energ y and Environmental Protection is conserving essential rabbit habitat. Given that 90% of our state’s land is privately owned, citizens are making all the difference. By working with our state wildlife agenc y, ou r neig h b ors a re managing their land to benefit Ne w E n g l a n d C o t to nt a i l s , along with native songbirds and amphibians. Additionally, groups such as The Catherine Violet Hubbard Wildlife Sanctuary have adopted land use practices which actively conserve native rabbit habitat right here in Fairfield County. While an adorable app e a ra n c e n eve r hu r t s a marketing campaign, it doesn’t speak to conservation merit. Yet the evolutionary wealth of native species is not to be d ism issed. The pla nts a nd animals native to a region are the ones uniquely designed to survive amidst the conditions and environmental challenges of that region. More specifically, protection from introduced diseases and species of ten reside within the physical and behavioral makeup of our wild neighbors. By protecting them, we not only conserve native

Sadly, these specialists have lost approximately 85% of their home range in New England and they need our help.

biodiversity, we also promote our own resilience. So the next time you see that adorable icon of spring, remember there’s more to them

than meets the eye...and the ears. Jim Knox ser ves a s the C u r a to r o f E d u c a t i o n fo r Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, as a Science Adviser for The

Bruce Museum, and as a proud member of The Explorers Club. Jim enjoys sharing his passion for wildlife conservation with all audiences.

Thank you to the following Community Leaders who join YWCA Greenwich in pledging to Stand Against Racism Abilis ADL Connecticut Anchor Health Initiative Arcuri's Aristeia Capital At Home In Greenwich, Inc. Avon Theatre Film Center BH Asset Management, LLC Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Bruce Museum Brunswick School Building One Community Central Middle School Chabad Lubavitch of Greenwich Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, Inc. Christ Church Greenwich Common Circles Community Centers, Inc Community Health Center, Inc. Connecticut Legal Services Create and Associates CT Against Gun Violence Eagle Hill School Eastern Middle School Fairfield County Look Fairfield County's Community Foundation Family Centers Family ReEntry, Inc. First Congregational Church of Greenwich

First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich First Selectman's Diversity Advisory Committee First Selectman's Youth Commission Girl Scouts of Connecticut Glenville Elementary School Greenwich Academy Greenwich Alliance for Education Greenwich Board of Education Greenwich Chamber of Commerce Greenwich Commission On Aging Greenwich Cosmetic Dentistry Greenwich Country Day School Greenwich Department of Human Services Greenwich Emergency Medical Services Greenwich Fellowship of the Clergy Greenwich Fire Department Greenwich Free Press Greenwich High School Greenwich Hospital Greenwich Library Greenwich Moms Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group, LLC

Greenwich Point Marketing Greenwich Police Department Greenwich Public Schools Greenwich Reform Synagogue Greenwich Sentinel Foundation Greenwich United Way Greenwich YMCA Greenwich Youth Services Bureau Hearst Media Horizons At Brunswick School Student Enrichment Program IN Greenwich India Cultural Center International School at Dundee Ivy Barnum & O'Mara Julian Curtiss School of World Languages Kids In Crisis Liberation Programs Little Bethel AME Church LiveGirl, Inc. Living Greenwich M Communications Minuteman Press of Greenwich Moffly Media Mothers For Others Neighbor to Neighbor New Lebanon School North Mianus School North Street School

Old Greenwich School Parkway School PHET: Partnership to End Human Trafficking Planned Parenthood of Southern New England Polisi Jones Communications REACH Prep Richards River House Adult Day Center Riverside School Round Hill Community Church Sacred Heart Greenwich Second Congregational Church of Greenwich Smart Kids Toys St. Barnabas Episcopal Church St. Paul's Episcopal Church Stamford Health Temple Shalom The Greenwich Senior Center The Junior League of Greenwich Town of Greenwich Triangle Community Center Trinity Church UJA-JCC Greenwich Urban League of Southern Connecticut Western Middle School Winston Flowers YWCA Diversity Book Club YWCA Greenwich ZAC Foundation

ON EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

From the Greenwich Sentinel Foundation: the weekly newsletter from educators to Greenwich parents.

The printed edition has a Calvin & Hobbes Cartoon in this space which is not available in the digital edition.

Finding the Right “Fit”

By Gregg Pauletti

“ F it ”, a s we t rad it ion a l ly understand it, means “of suitable q ua l it y, sta nda rd, or t y pe to me et t he re q u i re d pu r p ose”. Alternatively, “fit” can also mean “in good health”. Historically, when finding the right “fit” for higher education, s t ude nt s , p a r e nt s , g u id a nc e counselors, and administrators have tende d to u s e t he f i r st definition. For good reason, higher education is typically viewed as an investment, and, as such, one must

treat the investment as an object that must be “of suitable quality, standard, or type, etc…” We have now reached a point where higher education fulfills its promises and lives up to it’s investment model, but are our students “in good health”? Colleges and universities are failing to live up to the second definition, where they can provide an environment that provides “good health” to it’s students. “In good health” can have a host of meanings, but for our purposes of f inding the “rig ht ” f it, the entire student health - academic, physical, and emotional - must all be addressed. But all are NOT being addressed. According to a report from chegg.org, 58% of students surveyed disclosed that

they were “moderately”, “very”, or “extremely” worried about their own mental health. 41% of students reported that they had experienced depression. Colleges

and universities are spending more resources on mental health on campus. Wellness programs are being used at rates far greater than in the last five years. Unfortunately,

creating and expanding an office where students can go to for acuteneed counseling is important, but inadequate. Colleges can and need to do more. In good health, or “f it”, for the next generation of college students means that families must not perform the college search process like a search for index funds, inserting each attribute into a spreadsheet and checking off all of the boxes. Families and students need to identify schools that will cultivate an environment that values academic achievement alongside emotional health. That wellness and character education are taught in conjunction with STEM programs. “Fit” needs to be understood using both definitions by families. When the whole

student is prioritized by higher education, the upward mental health trends currently being seen by colleges will begin to recede. Finding a school that falls into all of the categories while also including priorities such as emotional and mental wellness isn’t an impossible task - sure, priorities must be shifted, and focus turned to proximal needs rather than distal wants.

amazing place to sit and draw and for this “Spring into Art” project do some watercolor sketches. Remember to keep it simple w ith just a few splotches of color along with your drawing as you enjoy the day listening to the frogs and insects. A bit further away and an amazing day trip, try the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. It's a gorgeous place but right now you have t he adde d splendor of spring and making the environment even more spectacular an exhibition by world renowned artist Yayoi Kusama. Her brightly colored installations are magically set against the backdrop of the gardens. The work becomes part of the environment and makes me feel as if the art is blooming along with many plants surrounding it. Her work which draws on her childhood experiences on the greenhouses and fields of her family’s seed nursery and is a great example of letting nature inspire your creativity. It's a wonderful adventure for the family and a beautiful way to surround yourself with nature and art. A small sketchbook and pocket or travel watercolor set is all you will need. Both can be purchased for under $20 and provide hours of creative possibilities. Keeping it compact and easy to carry will make it simple, accessible and more casual. I've always found that if we had to drag

around too much it becomes a production which can lessen the spontaneity and fun. S e n d a l o n g wo r k a n d p o st it w it h t he ha sht ag #Sentinelspring intoart. We will be sure to share it on Social Media platforms Michael Manning, Red Shoe Studios and the Developing A r tist prog ram websites. We will select the top two watercolor sketches. The w i n n i n g e nt r i e s w i l l b e displayed virtually along with all entries and will receive a wonder f u l a r t supplies kit donated by the Lit Easel company. Lit Easel recently donated an amazing generous supply of art materials to the Boys & Girls Club and will be partnering with Redshoe Studios and the Developing Artist program in upcoming community arts events.

Gregg Pauletti, MS, f o u n d e d RC H I G r o u p, a n d educational consulting company in Greenwich which focuses on assisting students and families with the college process. Gregg is on the Greenwich RTM and lives in town with his wife and three children.

Spring into Art By Michael Manning

Explore, renew and create as we Spring into Art. Spring is the perfect time to explore nature and get out to create art with options ranging from our backyard, local parks, Audubon Center and Day trips. After a long isolating w inter, the spring seems more v ibrant, more alive and more promising than ever before. A perfect way to celebrate this is to get out and create art with nature as our inspiration. One of my favorite ways to do this with my kids and students is a simple yet elegant watercolor sketch project. Not much is needed ot her t ha n a sketch b o ok and an inexpensive travel watercolor set, which you will see listed below. Drawing and photography are wonderful mediums but watercolors are a beautiful way of capturing the vibrance and newness of the spring environment. With watercolor sketches keep it simple, don't overwork the paper. Since you can only add and never subtract when using watercolors sometimes less is more and just a few areas of color mixed in with your drawn pencil sketches looks amazing. Work like this has become some of my favorite framed pieces of art and wonderful memories of the beautiful spring days. Right now when we go outside our backyards are filled with endless bushes,

shrubs and f lowers coming into bloom. From dogwood trees, cherry blossoms, haw thor n a nd one of my f avo r ite s , fo r s y t h i a , t h e land is filled with beautiful plants to inspire our creative endeavors. An easy way to start is to just go out of your house and sit down on the front lawn and draw any of the many f lowering trees, bushes or plants you see in bloom. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful area so even if you don’t have a yard with these plants a quick walk to a local park is all you will need. Clippings from the foliage make great still life arrangements and a perfect way to do some observational drawing with watercolors. Have your child try closing their eyes a bit so the big shapes and lines come into focus while blurring out some of the details. Often just the sug gestion of the form is enough to create a striking piece of art. Start w ith a simple pencil sketch and add your areas of watercoloring. Venturing further than our backyards when all of our parks are in full bloom is the perfect place to have a picnic, take a walk and do some watercolor sketches. In particular one of my favorite pl a c e s i s t he G r e e nw ich Spring flowers for mom. Audubon center. The center is breathtaking any time of year but particularly beautiful right the parking lot, head down George’s pond and Pavilion now as the trees and shrubs the hill and find your way to which overlooks it. It’s an are starting to f lower. From

Explore, renew and create as we Spring into Art

Michael Manning is a professional studio artist and educator. He is currently co-leading the Developing Artist Program funded by t h e G re e nw i c h Al l i a n c e fo r Education, The CT Of fice of the Ar ts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Hi s a r t w o r k h a s b e e n p a r t of numerous regional and international exhibitions, solo and group exhibitions in Hau s de r Kun st Mu seum in Munich, Germany; Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY; University o f C o n n e c t i c u t ; S e t o n Ha l l University and the Flinn Gallery, Greenwich, CT. Michael also runs the art programs for the Boys & Girls Club and is the Art Department Chair at a high school in NY.

Puzzles for the Weekend: Have Fun!

Beginners Suduko Each row, column, and nonet can contain each number only once. Answers on page 15.

Page 19 | Greenwich Sentinel