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The Greenwich Weekly Newspaper, Local, local, local.
January 22, 2021
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RTM Discusses Town Issues, Police on the Avenue
By Richard Kaufman
The f irst Representative Tow n Meeting of the year was held on Tuesday night, and it mostly featured discussion about the Greenwich police and whether they should return to directing traffic on the Avenue. Police on the Avenue A Sense of the Meeting Resolution (SOMR) was brought before the RTM on Tuesday night that called for Greenwich Police Officers to be returned to their traditional role directing traff ic on Greenwich Avenue, "as their presence has been an essential part of the town's character for many decades." Those in support of the SOMR also cited safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists due to the lack of officers at their traditional traffic posts, and they argued that the proposed intersection
"Public safety is the number-one concern here. This addresses that. It's a better use of our manpower," said First Selectman Fred Camillo enhancement project for Greenwich Avenue and Elm Street will do little to increase pedestrian and motorist safety. Because this was a f irst read of the resolution, it did not require a vote and will be taken up during the RTM's March meeting. In 2020, officers on the Avenue were redeployed with the goal of making public safety more streamlined and
efficient. The redeployment, both First Selectman Fred Camillo and GPD Chief Jim Heavey said, was especially needed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and fewer motorists and pedestrians were out. As people began to go out again in the summer and the pedestrian mall on the lower portion of the Avenue was opened, the GPD needed more coverage.
I n s te a d o f h av i n g o f f i c e r s s t a n d stationary at their traffic posts for eight hours a day, officers now use bicycles to maneuver the downtown area. Several people spoke in favor and against the SOMR. Ed Dadakis, RTM member from District 1, said he was proud of his district for encouraging the resolution so a "community discussion could ensue on an almost century old tradition of police directing Greenwich Avenue traffic." Dadakis said that Greenwich Avenue can be chaotic, with drivers stopping in the road, and pedestrians crossing wherever they want without paying attention to their surroundings. "Chaos is reduced and managed with police at the intersections. While police riding around on bikes is nice, it is the reliable presence of a police officer at the intersections which keeps order in an
obvious and visible fashion," he said. Former First Selectman, Peter Tesei, also spoke in favor of the SOMR. He spoke about a friend of his who suffers from partial paralysis after being struck by a motorist on the lower portion of Greenwich Avenue several years ago. Fortunately, she survived, and in February of last year, she appealed to the BET Budget Committee to continue funding for officers on the Avenue. "When you vote on this motion and you cast your vote, think of those older and infirmed residents and the vulnerable in our population. Keeping them safe is the hallmark of what Greenwich does," Tesei said. Tesei added that one regret of his tenure in office was accepting former Police Chief David Ridberg's removal of
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The Magic of Painting Pottery May Be Good For You Too
By Emma Barhydt
Painting pottery is an activity very close to my heart. I have fond memories of warm July days when we summered in Maine and my parents would take me to paint pottery as our afternoon activity after my tennis lessons were over, and I’d had enough of learning to ride my bike for the day. Walking into the pottery shop was always a magical experience. The wall was covered in tiles with all of the different colors on it - to me it looked like the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen. I thought they had every color known to man in paint. There were three whole walls of shelves and shelves of pure white pottery to choose from, just waiting for my creativity to bring it to life. I could pick whatever pottery I wanted to paint, my own colors, and wherever I wanted to sit all by myself. At five years old, picking things by myself was very important. My mother and father would also pick their ow n paints and potter y as I meandered to the window with them close behind. I picked the usual childhood memorabilia; a unicorn (or four or five unicorns), a Curious George figurine, a little bear. But I also picked
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a few standouts: a butter dish painted with a perfect “art nouveau� grasp of color (all over the place and a lot of different colors), and a chips and dip dish whereupon I used every single stamp the fine establishment had to offer. We still use many of the pieces we painted to this day. My mother still loves to serve guacamole and chips in the dish that I made; a utensil holder painted with a black lab that my father made still holds pens on my mother’s desk; the mug my mother made for my grandmother returned home to us when she passed away last summer; we even still use the art nouveau butter dish. Though these pieces may have a few chips in them, the memories of us all painting them together as well as how personal each item is makes them some of the most used and beloved things in our home. More than fifteen years later, the time that I got to spend with my parents at that pottery shop is still warm in my heart. Long after we stopped going to the little town, long after the doors of the pottery shop closed, and long after I forgot its name, I still love the time I spent there, and feel that it was integral to the process of who I’ve become. But try as I might since then I have not found
With pottery projects to go, even a pandemic won't ruin your creative spirit. Studies show that art can be good for mental and physical health. Shown here: Food and Water Bowls for a puppy named Moose Track. Though they might not be "perfect" they are perfectly special.
Polka Dot Jackets
Grab some cute Valentine’s Day cards to sweeten Valentines day for the residents of Parsonage Cottage. Send a note of support and love to a local resident this Valentine’s Day. Address your cards: “To My Valentineâ€? Parsonage Cottage 88 Parsonage Road Greenwich, CT 06830. Drop the cards in the mail by February 8th. Come on Greenwich, let’s spread the love. đ&#x;’?
Illustrated by Wajih Chaudhry
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 Imagine that a woman was assaulted by a man wearing a polka dot jacket w h e n sh e w a s 2 4 . Sh e marries a few years later a n d a s k s h e r hu s b a n d never to wear polka dots. Obviously, there is nothing w rong w ith polka dots, but her husband m ig ht feel judged by her request until he understands their association with her past hurt. We all have our “polka dot jackets.� They include a ny- t h i ng i n ou r l ives that has caused us pain. Sha r ing ou r “polk a dot jackets� with our partner builds intimacy. Honoring each other’s “polka dot jackets� builds trust. It is not a mat- ter of morality; it is simple kindness. Sally was raised by an alcoholic father. Her husband Nathan’s drinking was not out of control, but Sally com- mented on it
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Calls to Action
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another place to paint pottery‌ until about a year ago. You can imagine my surprise when my friend who lives in Darien asked me to go paint pottery with her! I swear I could feel my heart swelling from excitement - we went the very day she proposed the idea. Hands of Pottery in Darien is a paint-your-own-pottery studio and while that might seem like something just for kids, I assure you it is not. I have taken my friends, my boyfriend, and most notably my little brother there so we could paint pottery together. Let me tell you, I cannot get enough of this place. Since discovering it I’ve painted three mugs, one utensil holder, a key bowl, and two dog bowls for my puppy Moose Track. That’s only since one year ago! My parents are so busy that they have not had the time to get in the car with us and go to Darien - how fortunate then that Hands on Pottery has to-go kits as well where you can pick a piece of pottery, four paints, and a couple of brushes to take home and paint on your own time, and when you’re done you can just drop them off to be fired. Sitting around our dining room table
often. Nathan was annoyed by Sally’s nagging. When he learned that this was a “polka dot jacket� for her, not a matter of right and wrong, he no longer felt judged . Out of love for Sally, he willingly limited his alcohol consumption to the amount that made her comfortable. Greg’s mother yelled at him when he was young. When his partner, Shauna, raised her voice, Greg would back away. Shauna became angry because she thought her voice was within normal range. Understanding Greg’s “polka dot jacket� made it easier for her to speak more softly. She no longer felt criticized. Greenwich resident, 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.
New Covenant Center needs HELP! They desperately need "to go" snacks - ALL VARIETIES - popcorn, chips, fruit snacks, health bars (i.e. Kind, Larabars), cookies, raisins, apple sauce, jello cups, pretzels). They also need bottled water of all sizes. Donations can be dropped off at New Covenant Center located at 174 Richmond Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902. Check out their website: https://www. newcovenantcenter.org/ or call 203 964-8228 for more details. The Commission on Aging is looking for volunteers to deliver a meal on Fridays to seniors now through March 2021. Please spare a few hours on Fridays delivering meals to the most vulnerable in our community and help ease the burden of COVID-19. To volunteer and for more details please contact Lori Contadino: lori.contadino@greenwichct.org or call 203-862-6710. The Undies Project is partnering with GWBB Girls Will Be Boys Clothing ~ Because girls can do anything boys can do! For each order placed with GWBB a pair of underwear will be donated to The Undies Project. Hop on line, shop and support a local cause: https://www.theundiesproject.org/ or https://www.gwbbclothing.com/. Stanwich Church is collecting groceries to support the men in the Christian recovery ministry: Pivot Ministries in Bridgeport. From Feb. 1-14, Stanwich Church will be collecting non-perishable food items: soups, tea, coffee, canned fish, sugar, jams, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, hot cereal, cold cereal, fruit snacks, cookies and gift cards from Shop Rite, Stop & Shop, Stew Leonards or Costco. Bring your donations to Stanwich Church (202 Taconic Road, Greenwich) from February 1-14, leave donations at the table/bin set up in the Narthex (main Sanctuary entrance) of the church. Please contact Laura LaSpalluto, Missions Chair at missions@stanwichchurch.org with any questions.
Local New Briefs Tribute to Livvy Floren Community Calendar
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Local Student Achievements
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Puzzles for Kids and Adults
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Astrology for Week of Jan. 24, 2021 on Page 16 Movie Review of News of the World on Page 16
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A Tribute to Former State Representative Floren
By Peter J. Tesei The Town of Greenwich, City of Stamford and the State of Connecticut were served e xc e e d i n g l y we l l by S t ate Representative Livvy Floren. L iv v y is a legenda r y State Representative, f riend and trusted advisor. During my tenure as First Selectman and Board of Estimate & Taxation Chairman, Livvy
served as an effective partner in achieving important outcomes for our diverse constituency. She was an early and avid supporter of the successful public private partnership that produced the fully refurbished Bendhein Western Greenwich Civic Center. She supported keeping the Glenville Elementary School open and advocated for its total renovation. Liv v y secured funding through the State of Connecticut STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Progam) grants to address critical life safety priorities in Greenwich. T h e i n s t a l l at i on o f d r y hyd r a nt s a n d c i s te r n s for backcountry Greenwich improved f ire safety for
thousands of residents and contributed to their paying lower homeowner’s insurance premiums because of improved access to water resources. The funding for installation of a generator at the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center permitted it to be effectively used as an Emergency shelter. This shelter proved essential with the series of storms from 2010-2015 that caused flooding and evacuation along the Byram River in Pemberwick. The public health laboratory at Greenwich Town Hall also benefited from Livvy’s advocacy. She secured needed funding to fully refurbish and modernize a facility that is responsible for water quality testing, tick
LIVVY FLOREN Legendary State Rep., Friend & Trusted Advisor testing, radon testing and a host of other environmental health related needs. The 9 acre Cos Cob Park wh ich opened i n 2 01 5 was initially intended to include 15 units of non-market rate pu bl ic hou si n g . G ive n t he adjacent public utility electrical infrastructure and limitations
for pu bl ic pa rk use, L iv v y worked w ith me to gain approval from Governor Jodi Rell’s Administration to meet t h i s h ou s i n g r e q u i r e m e nt elsewhere in Town so we could a c c o m m o d a t e t h e p l ay i n g field, playground, pavilion and walking trails we all enjoy today. When I decided to establish a Veteran’s Council to bring together the individual G r e e nw ich Ve te ra n s organizations for the purpose of coordinating annual events and advocating for Veteran’s needs, Livvy was the first person who stepped up to join the Council. Through her compassionate leadership she not only honored these Veterans but assisted them with their vital service requests.
I was the fortunate recipient of very early morning emails from Livvy with her valued comments, personal best wishes for events in my personal and public life and of course a good dose of humor. Over the years, Livvy made several nomination speeches for me and they always included her signature use of “Yogisms”. Well in closing, Livvy, thank you for your legendary service to this Town and State. When the 2021-2022 Connecticut General Assembly convened without you, in the words of your beloved Yogi Berra “The future ain’t what it used to be”. Godspeed Livvy. Peter J. Tesei, Friend
Local News Briefs You Need to Know Vaccine Update
to access the meeting can be found at: http://portal.ct.gov/ DOTGreenw ich0056 -0316 online. The purpose is to rehabilitate the pavement, address roadside safety, and perform bridge rehabilitation. The secondary purpose of this project is to alleviate congestion in the southbound direction at I-95 Exit 3. This project will begin at t he New York /Con ne c t ic ut state border on I-95 and extend approximately 6.63 miles to Exit 6. This project also includes minor bridge rehabilitation, storm drainage improvements, and upgrades to the guide rail and concrete barrier. The deceleration lane at Exit 3 in the southbound direction will be widened and extended to provide operational improvements. Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2022, based on the availability of funding. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $205 Million. The public comment period i s o p e n t h r o u g h M o n d a y, February 22, 2021. Project email Statement from is DOTProject56-316@ct.gov Harry Brant's Family and the phone number is (860) Following His Death 944-1111 (Reference Project No. “It is with enormous sorrow 56-316 in your voicemail.) that we share with you the news that our beloved son, St. Patrick's Day Parade Harry Brant, lost his battle Canceled/Postponed with addiction and died due Although their website still to an accidental overdose of says that the St. Patrick's Day prescription medication,” read Parade will be held Sunday, the statement from Stephanie M a r c h 21, the Greenw ich and Peter Brant. Hibernian Association has had “Our hearts are shattered. to cancel the annual Parade Harry wanted to overcome his again due to the pandemic. addiction and was just days away T h e p a r a de, which from re-entering rehab. t r a d i t i o n a l l y h eads dow n “We will forever be saddened Greenwich Avenue, had been that Harry’s life was cut short by scheduled for March 31 with this devastating disease. We ask former Selectman John Toner as that you please allow our family Grand Marshal. privacy as we attempt to cope " We h a d h o p e d to h o l d with the loss of our beautiful, the parade but just made the beautiful boy.” decision to cancel," said Vice President of the Association Work on I-95 in Jim Dougherty. "We didn't Our Future think it was appropriate to hold A virtual public information a festive event while infection meeting for the P roject 56- rates and deaths were still on 3 1 6 , R e s u r f a c i n g , B r i d g e the rise." He did say that they R e h a b i l i t a t i o n a n d S a f e t y are looking into holding a half Improvements on I-95, in the way to St. Patrick's Day Parade Town of Greenwich and City of in September. Stamford was held on Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. and recorded. Instructions on how Ya le New Haven He a lt h System (YNHHS) will open for its COVID vaccination sites by appointment only which can be made now on the YNHHS we b s i t e : w w w.y n h h s . o r g / covidvaccine. Mor e app oi nt ment s a r e b e i n g a dde d a s v a c c i n e i s made available to ensure that there is sufficient supply for all scheduled patients. T h e N E M G , 5 0 0 We s t Putnam Avenue vaccination site was scheduled to open in Greenwich on Thursday, Jan. 21: The Brunswick School, 1252 King Street, Samson Field House vaccination site is scheduled to open in Greenwich on Monday, Jan. 25. In the state of Connecticut, phase 1B officially began this week with the vaccinations of residents 75 and older who are not living in nursing homes. For more information on the phased rollout schedule, please visit www.ynhhs.org or the state’s website here: https://portal. ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19Vaccination---Phases.
Greenwich Teens To Host Second Student Diversity Leadership Conference
Several other units responded to assist along with Greenwich Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) and Greenwich Police. There were no injuries and the T h e F i r s t S e l e c t m a n ’s fire is under investigation. Youth Commission is accepting r e g i s t r a t i o n s fo r t h e 2 0 2 1 No-Shave Success Greenwich Student Diversity Police Off icers across the Leadership Conference: Difficult state raise almost $250K for NoDialogue: Exploring Identity to Shave November CT Impact Change. The program Beginning on November 1st will take place on Saturday, and running throughout the February 6, 2021 from 9 a.m. to month, more than 65 police 2 p.m., virtually on Zoom. departments across the state Up to 200 students, from of Connecticut put down their all high schools in the Town razors to team up w ith the of Greenwich, are invited to Connecticut Cancer Foundation participate in a day of reflection, to help raise funds for their No conversation, and collaboration Shave November CT fundraiser, on issue s t hat shap e t hei r presented by Schick Extreme worldview and influence their and Schick Hydro. Funds raised experiences in their schools and will benefit three ambassadors community. (including one in Greenwich), Students in grades 9 – 12 along with many CT cancer can register using the program’s Google Form: https://forms. g l e /s 3 z x Sx j Lwc PPo9D i9 Registration closes on January 30, 2021. To learn more about the First Selectman’s Youth Commission, visit https://www.greenwichct. gov/ 709/ First- SelectmansYouth-Commission.
Greenwich Sentinel Accepting Applications for Student Journalism Institute The Greenw ich Sentinel Foundation Student Journalism Institute (SJ I) is accepting applications for leadersh ip positions. The institute has one opening per school in Greenwich. SJI will provide the community with broader insight into how local youth see the world while connecting and bringing our community closer. To receive an application or find out more send an email to: communityimpact@ greenwichsentinel.com.
Fire Reported According to the GFD, on January 16, shortly after 7 PM, Fire Engines 3, 1, 4, 2, Truck 1 and Car 3 were dispatched to 27 St. Roch Avenue where a fire in the basement had extended to the first floor. Two hose lines were stretched and the building w a s s e a r che d for p o s si ble occupants. The fire was under control within approximately 15 minutes and no occupants were found during searches.
patients, to help with everyday living expenses such a rent, utilities, food and more. The Connecticut Cancer Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprof it organization founded in 1987 to provide f inancial assistance to CT cancer patients and their families and to fund cancer research. To learn more go to www.ctcancerfoundation. org or contact Jane Ellis, President & Executive Director by email at janeellis@ ctcancerfoundation.org or by phone at 860-388-0788.
COVID Exposure at Cos Cob Library Due to a COVID-19 exposure, No-Contact Pick Up was suspended at Cos Cob Library on Tuesday, January 19 and Wednesday, January 20. Book drops at Cos Cob were closed.
DENBIGH FARM. Den big h Far m has been listed for $40,000,000. This 7 bedroom, 9.5+ bathrooom, 13,343 sqft estate on a 17.2 acre lot at 591 R iversville Rd, is listed as a magical setting with breathtaking panoramic views of Long Island Sound sitting high above sea level. It is. Joseph Verner Reed bought the property in 1935. He served as pr e sident of Gr e enw ich Hospital and Greenwich Community Chest, now United Way. H is son, A m bassador Joseph Verner Reed, Jr., became owner in 1972 and resided there for more than two decades. In 1995 Denbigh Farm was bought by Tommy Hilfiger, and his thenwife Susan, who has put it on the market. This storied estate is indeed magical.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR PLANNER NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR: ntngreenwich.org
PERROT LIBRARY: perrotlibrary.org/events
CONNECTICUT"S BEARDSLEY ZOO: www.beardsleyzoo.org
JAN. 23 8 A.M. - 12 P.M. Greenwich Police and Neighbor-to-Neighbor host a drive-thru food drive. Greenwich Police Department, 11 Bruce Pl. Rain or shine.
JAN. 25 7 P.M. Virtual Book Discussion on ‘What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism’, by Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner. Via Zoom. Free. Register.
EVERY DAY The Zoo is open! Tickets can only be purchased online and must be purchased prior to your visit.
GREENWICH LIBRARIES: greenwichlibrary.org
GREENWICH HOSPITAL: greenwichhospital.org/events 888-305-9253
JAN. 22 10 A.M. Virtual – Senior Chinese Book Discussion Group. Register. ywang@greenwichlibrary. org 3:45 P.M. Virtual – World Music with Anitra. Register. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org 4 P.M. Virtual – Kripalu Cooking for Kids with Chef Jeremy Rock Smith. 203-622-7940. Free. Register. children@greenwichlibrary.org JAN. 23 10 A.M. Virtual – Saturday Storytime. 203-622-7940. dsullivan@greenwichlibrary.org 11 A.M. Virtual Drop-in Computer Lab. 203-6256560. trainingcenter@greenwichlibrary.org 11 A.M. Virtual – Science Saturday (Grades K-2). 203-622-7940. 2 p.m. Virtual – Tea with Jane Austen: A Literary Celebration. Free. Register. 203-622-6883. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org JAN. 25 10 A.M. Virtual – Storytime. dsullivan@ greenwichlibrary.org 1 P.M. Virtual – Creative Writing Workshop: Writing for Sanity. Free. Register. 203-6256534. ghayes@greenwichlibrary.org 5 P.M. Virtual – YA Cooking: Homemade Broccoli Cheese Calzones (Grades 6-12). Register. 203-622-7918. emorrissey@ greenwichlibrary.org 7 P.M. Virtual: Data Analytics. Free. Register. 203625-6533. mmartin@greenwichlibrary.org JAN. 26 10 A.M. Virtual – Weekly Job Search Accelerator Group. Free. Register. mmartin@ greenwichlibrary.org 10 A.M. Virtual – Petite Concert. dsullivan@ greenwichlibrary.org 11 A.M. Virtual Drop-in Computer Lab. 203-6256560. trainingcenter@greenwichlibrary.org 4 P.M. Chess Club (Grades K-5). Free. Register. children@greenwichlibrary.org 5 P.M. Virtual: Meditation and Breathing with Gail. 203-622-7920. 7 P.M. Virtual: SQL - understanding of concepts of with extensive hands-on experience. Register. mmartin@greenwichlibrary.org JAN. 27 10 A.M. Virtual – Story Time (Toddler, Preschool). dsullivan@greenwichlibrary.org 1 P.M. Virtual – Selling on eBay. Free. Register. 203-625-6560. trainingcenter@ greenwichlibrary.org 7 P.M. Virtual – Cybersecurity. Free. Register. 203625-6533. mmartin@greenwichlibrary.org
Free Delivery 203-869-2299
JAN. 28 12 A.M. - 5 P.M. Virtual – Share the Love Valentine's Day Card Making. Register. 203-622-6883. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org 9 A.M. Virtual – Parent & Child Yoga for Tots (Ages 2-5). Via Zoom. dsullivan@ greenwichlibrary.org 10 A.M. Virtual – ‘Fiesta de los Cuentos’ - Bilingual Storytime. dsullivan@greenwichlibrary.org 11:30 A.M. Virtual – Qi Gong, mindful movement and breathing. Register. 203-622-6883. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org 2 P.M. SCORE Webinar: Data Privacy - Why it Should be a Top Priority for Your Small to Medium-Size Business. Free. Register. 203622-7924. ywang@greenwichlibrary.org 5 P.M. Virtual – Python, from basics, all the way to using machine learning packages. Free. Register. mmartin@greenwichlibrary.org 4 P.M. Virtual – Book Bites, making culinary concoctions inspired by your favorite children's books. econnell@ greenwichlibrary.org 7 P.M. Virtual – Family Music Night: Medley of Mexican Songs with Tere Luna and Friends. 203-531-0426. 7 P.M. Virtual – ReConnect: Friends Friday Films "The Booksellers" Panel Discussion with WNPR's Colin McEnroe. csherman@ greenwichlibrary.org
JAN. 25 12:30 P.M. Webinar: Knee Replacement Education. Via Zoom. Free. Register. JAN. 26 2 P.M. Webinar: Taking Diabetes to Heart. Via Zoom. Free. Register. 6 - 8 P.M. CPR Friends & Family (Infant/Child). 38 Volunteer Ln. $65. For discount information call 888-305-9253. 7 P.M. Webinar: Smilow Shares: Gynecologic Cancers, with Q&A session. Free. Register. JAN. 28 1 P.M. Webinar: Virtual Support Group: Chronic Physical Disability. Via Zoom. Register. Free.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF GREENWICH: lwvgreenwich.org/ THROUGH MARCH 21 The League of Women Voters of Greenwich 2021 Student Essay Contest: “Dear Madam Vice President” - write a letter to Vice President Harris, sharing your stories, advice, and wishes. Greenwich students in grades K-12. Essays due: March 21. Submit to: youthoutreach@lwvgreenwich.org NAMI SOUTHWEST CT: namisouthwestct.org/online-support JAN. 27 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. GREENWICH NEWCOMERS CLUB: greenwichnewcomers.org
RETIRED MEN'S ASSOCIATION OF GREENWICH: greenwichrma.org/speakers/futurespeakers-3
JAN. 24 1 P.M. Wine About a Book Club: ‘The Orphan Collector’. Private home. Register.
JAN. 27 11 A.M. Webinar: Dr. John Hughes: “The Moral Imperative to Say No: The Inevitable Link Between Equity and Rationing.” Free. Register.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: RedCrossBlood.org
COMMISSION ON AGING: greenwichct.gov/190/Commission-on-Aging JAN. 27 5 P.M. ‘What to Expect if You're New to Medicare in 2021’: A Presentation by the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging CHOICES. Free and open to all. Registration is required. 203814-3639. GREENWICH BOTANICAL CENTER: greenwichbotanicalcenter.org JAN. 23 12 P.M. Beekeeping 101 seminar - covers all the basics of beekeeping. Via Zoom. $25. Register. GREENWICH LAND TRUST: gltrust.org/ calendar JAN. 29 1 P.M. Winter Walk: Identifying Trees Without Leaves. Converse Brook Preserve. Meet at GLT’s Mueller Preserve, 370 Round Hill Rd and caravan to the Converse Brook Preserve parking area. Pre-registration is required. GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY: greenwichhistory.org/visit JAN. 27 6 P.M. ‘Make History Now!’ Preservation Panel. Registration is required. Free, members; $10, non-members. 203-869-6899. THROUGH MARCH 28 ‘In Lost Landscape Revealed: Childe Hassam and The Red Mill, Cos Cob, Works by Hassam and Impressionist Artists Demonstrate Importance of Cos Cob in History of American Art’ exhibit. BRUCE MUSEUM: brucemuseum.org JAN. 27 10 - 11 A.M. Print Making Art Workshops with Nancy McTague. Via Zoom. (Students will receive a materials list, which will be available at Jerry’s Artarama in Norwalk). RSVP. cflax@ brucemuseum.org JAN. 28 7 – 8:30 P.M. Bruce Experiences: A Virtual Conversation about Emily Mason’s Printmaking. Free. Register. ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE OF GREENWICH: afgreenwich.org JAN. 27 5 - 6 P.M. ‘Worldwide Wednesdays’ - join in for lively discussions on French films. Open to all. Donation. RSVP for a Zoom link. GREENWICH CHORAL SOCIETY: gcs-ct.org JAN. 26 7:30 - 9 P.M. Zoom rehearsals. No auditions are required to participate, just an interest in choral music. Every Tuesday. For more details contact admin@greenwichchoralsociety.org GREENWICH ART SOCIETY: greenwichartsociety.org/classes JAN. 25 4:30 P.M. Art History for Travelers. Online. Through March 1. Register.
JAN. 27 7 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. Greenwich Country Day, 401 Old Church Rd, Greenwich. Jan. 28 8 A.M. – 6 P.M. Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Rd. 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. Our Neighboring Towns FERGUSON LIBRARY: fergusonlibrary.org/event JAN. 25 7 P.M. African and African American Authors Book Discussion: ‘God Loves Haiti’ by Dimitry Elias Léger. Via Zoom. Free. Register. JAN. 26 12 P.M. Community Mindfulness Project Meditation. Via Zoom. Free. Register. 7 P.M. How to Get Organized and Stay that Way. Via Zoom. Free. Register. JAN. 27 12 P.M. Upping Your Professional Image Virtually. Via Zoom. Free. Register. JAN. 28 6 P.M. Lawyers in Libraries: Looking for Legal Advice? Main Library, DiMattia Building, 2nd flr Study Room, One Public Library Plz., Stamford. Free. Appointment required. 203-351-8221. BEDFORD PLAYHOUSE: bedfordplayhouse.org JAN. 21 7 P.M. “Maybe It’s Not Just Experimentation: Mental Health and Substance Addiction” with Dr. Jonathan Avery. Register. THE MARITIME AQUARIUM: maritimeaquarium.org JAN. 22 10 - 11 A.M. Fish Tales (Toddler-Kindergarten). Via Zoom. Suggested donation. JAN. 23 & 24 1 - 3 P.M. Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise (ToddlerKindergarten). Aquarium Dock, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk. $31.50. LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM: lockwoodmathewsmansion.com The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is calling for artists for a juried exhibition titled, ‘Socially Distant Art: Creativity in Lockdown’. THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS FEB. 15, 12PM. ADOPTION INFORMATION SESSION JAN 26 6:30 PM This free event is open to anyone interested in or involved with the adoption process, including professionals, community members, expectant parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees. Learn about the domestic adoption process and meet the staff of Forever Families Through Adoption. Please contact us for the meeting information at adopt@ foreverfamiliesthroughadoption.org or (914) 939-1180
Page 5 | Greenwich Sentinel
Town Government
Update from the BET By Richard Kaufman The Greenwich Sentinel brings you updates from Greenwich's Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET). The BET is responsible for the proper administration of the financial affairs of the Town including the issuance of the annual recommended budget and setting the Town tax mill rate. The Board also acts on requests for additional appropriations, transfers and allotments made during the fiscal year. Halfway Through the Fiscal Year Board of Estimate and Taxation Chair, Michael Mason, has often said that December is a critical time for the BET because it allows members to take a look at where Greenwich is halfway through the fiscal year as the next budget comes into focus. "The spending rate for the tow n is exac t ly on t he ma rk f r om t he ye a r b efor e . We'r e spending, dollar to dollar, about the same amount as we did last year," Mason said. "Where we have added expenses because of COVID, right now it looks like we have some grant money coming in to offset that. We're keeping COVID separate in our expenses." Because of COVID, Mason said capital projects with the town and the Board of Education "are sort of lagging in commitment and progress, but nothing dramatic."
MIKE MASON BET Chair
"We're spending, dollar to dollar, about the same amount as we did last year," said BET Chair Michael Mason.
fiscal year 2021-2022 on Jan. 26 Mason said one of the biggest challenges Camillo will have in preparing his budget is putting together the capital projects list. "The BET called for a capital list of around $55 million, and I think the First Selectman, the Town Administrator, the Board of Education are w restling w it h get ti ng t hat dow n nea r our number and balancing the Camillo’s 2021-2022 Budget First Selectman Fred Camillo priorities," Mason said. Camillo's budget presentation is slated to present his budget for
will be made via Zoom, at 6 p.m., impact on our capital budget," Mason said, also mentioning on Jan. 26. remediation at Western Middle Going Forward The BET will participate in a School. "The BET is very anxious wide range of meetings over the t o s e e t h e a p p r o v a l s c o m e through for these projects and get coming days and weeks. Following the first regularly this remediation behind us." For mor e i n for m at ion on scheduled BET meeting of the t h is pu bl ic hea r i ng a nd how year, on Monday, Jan. 25, the to acce s s it v ia Z o om , go to Board of Education and First greenwichschools.org and the Selectman w ill present their GHS Field Remediation Project budgets the following day. page. T h e n o n We d n e s d a y, On Jan. 28, the BET will hold Mason plans to keep an eye on a Department of Public Works a public hearing on the townpublic hearing regarding Phase II wide fire study that was recently of field remediation at Greenwich completed. The fire study, which High School. The Department of is available for review on the Environmental Energy Protection BET webpage, looked at f i re (DEEP) has given the Town of s e r v i c e s i n G r e e nw i c h , a n d Greenwich authorization to have made recommendations to the the public hearing, which is a town, such as the replacement of the Round Hill Volunteer Fire mandated process. Phase I of remediation was Station so it can be staffed with a completed over the 2020 summer career engine company to better recess and included work on serve the northern portion of Greenwich, and the establishment fields 6 and 7. This second phase of cleanup of community standards for call focuses on Fields 2, 3, 4, and 5, processing and turnout and travel and a few smaller areas located time goals. The BET doesn't usually hold we st of t he s cho ol bu i ld i ng. public hearings on items like this, The cleanup work will mostly but Mason said it's important to be conducted over the summer get input from residents because months, while restoration and the dialogue around fire services construction of the athletic fields ha s b e en ongoi ng for over a w ill mostly occur during the decade. school year. The following week, the BET Phase II cleanup activities and its budget committee will are expected to commence in begin departmental reviews to Summer 2021, contingent upon craft the recommended 2021-2022 regulatory approval. budget. "If we're getting close to a Stay Up tp date. Check back decision on that [project], and here each week for alternating those are large numbers financing updates from the BET leadership wise, that might have a real big and First Selectman Fred Camillo.
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New Downtown Parking Plan By Richard Kaufman Board of Selectmen Approve New Downtown Parking Program After receiving approval from the Board of Selectmen last week, the Town of Greenwich will launch a new permit parking program for residents who live in the downtown area. The program was developed in response to comments and concerns over the past several months regarding more people work ing f rom home dur ing the pandemic. Deput y Police Chief Mark Marino, who also h e a d s t h e Pa rk i n g S e r v i c e s Department, said the program would provide a much-needed service for downtown residents by providing permitted use of 12hour parking spaces in eight longterm parking lots, rather than residents using short-term, twohour parking spaces. One hundred permits will be issued with plans for a lottery system if more than 100 applicants are interested. The permits cost $720 and won't be renewable and so more residents will have access to them on a yearly basis. The program was originally
"People have been spending more time at home. There's definitely been a change in the parking trend that we've noticed," said GPD Deputy Chief and Parking Services head, Mark Marino, on why the new parking program was developed. presented to the Board of Selectmen last month, and a vote was delayed until last week's meeting. "People have been spending mor e t i me at home . T he r e's definitely been a change in the parking trend that we've noticed, obviously with people working from home and hybrid schedules, and just not really driving their cars as often as they normally would," Marino told the Board last month. "Part of what we want to do is offer a parking alternative so that people who are not using their cars during the day and during the work week -- instead of having to
use the meters every day, if they had a permit, that would alleviate that problem. It would also help [with the problem of people having to move] their cars and going out and feeding the meters on a daily basis." First Selectman Fred Camillo and Selectperson Lauren Rabin voted in favor of the program, but Selectperson Jill Oberlander objected, saying that unintended consequences might pop-up, and that she was uncomfortable voting to approve. " It s e e m s to m e t h at t h e residents who might apply for this permit are already able to
park in those 12 hour lots and can facilitate that by using the online app," she said. "It seems that other consumers and other residents com ing into the dow ntow n Gr e enw ich a r e a won' t k now whether all the spots in one lot are being held up by these resident permits or not." But Oberlander thanked Marino and Park ing Services fo r t h e i r wo rk a n d s a i d t h e department faces "an impossible challenge of trying to satisfy all different requests" from residents. Rabin noted that the Reimagine Greenwich Committee has discussed parking issues in the past, and she expressed her support for the program. Before the vote, Marino added that the program won't have a negative impact on the volume of cars in the downtown area lots. "I think the people that we're targeting for these types of permits are already park ing in these parking lots, or in the downtown area. I don't see it as being an influx of new parkers that are going to have an impact on the capacity of the parking lots," he said. Mor e i n for m at ion on t he per m it prog ram and when it could begin is expected in the coming weeks.
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Page 6 | Greenwich Sentinel
PUBLISHER Beth@GreenwichSentinel.com Elizabeth Barhydt EDITORS & COPY EDITORS Editor@GreenwichSentinel.com Peter Barhydt, Daniel FitzPatrick, Stapley Russell, Anne W. Semmes
COLUMN
Editorial Page
Walk With Me At Greenwich Point
Our Town Is A Giving Town There are many things our town does well. There are also, of course, many things our town can improve upon. When we say “town” we do not mean government. We are referring to individuals, our neighbors, you. To outsiders, Greenwich has an instant connotation of being an uber-wealthy community consisting of nothing but multi-millionaires more interested in how large their home is than how their neighbor is doing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Greenwich is an extremely diverse community. Yes, there are millionaires, even a few billionaires, but there are also many who are not. Our community is diverse economically, socially, and politically, and in numerous other ways. It is what makes our community so interesting and so terrific. One area where our town is not diverse is in our sense of giving. We are a community that thrives on helping others. There are examples of this generosity, both large and small, almost everywhere you look around town. Perhaps one of the best examples of ongoing philanthropy in our town is Tod’s Point. If the Tod family had not bequeathed this town jewel to the Presbyterian Hospital of New York in 1939 we could today be looking at nearly 150 acres of housing along Long Island Sound instead of beaches and walking trails. The foresight to create a seaside park for town residents is realized today by the Friends of Greenwich Poi nt a nd t he Gre enw ich Poi nt Conser va nc y continuing to raise money to preserve and improve the Point for all residents.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” That is one example - there are countless others. When we give to an organization in town, we are not just helping that organization, we are helping the town as a whole. American poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Neighbor to Neighbor is a non-profit organization that began in 1975, initially offering gently used clothing to those in need. In 1984 the town asked them to initiate a weekly food program. Over the years its mission has evolved to meet the needs of our community. The majority of their funding comes from donations from citizens like you. If we did not support Neighbor to Neighbor, if they did not exist, how would those that rely on their services ensure their families did not go hungry? They would not be able to. Over the past year, the need for their services has grown dramatically. Organizations like Neighbor to Neighbor provide an invaluable service. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said: “We make a living be what we get, we make a life by what we give.” Giving, being philanthropic, makes us feel good. It is in direct contrast with our narcissistic tendencies and puts others before ourselves. It improves the lives of others and the life of our community. We can all be philanthropists. There is no minimum bank balance you must have before you can help another. You can help financially, or you can help by volunteering. Often, organizations need help to complete their mission that only volunteers can provide. Arch Street, our teen center, would never have come into existence without a core group of volunteers working tirelessly to ensure it did. What organizations in town do you benefit from? It can often be a religious institution. Have you made a donation recently? Have you volunteered an hour of your time? We encourage you to do so. You will feel good doing so and not only will it benefit the organization but our whole town as well. Finally, in the word of Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”
By Bobbi Eggers Ever ybody is outside walking. We all have routines n ow, w h e t h e r it ’s i n yo u r neighborhood or hiking on a dirt path, but my favorite is Greenw ich Point. I cherish my walks there. It’s our dog’s favorite place on earth during the months they are allowed there. She picks up the beach smells when our car rounds the corner off Sound Beach Avenue. Her eyes are bright, she hops into the front seat, and can’t wait to get out of the car. During this pandemic, I ask my friends to walk all the time. It lifts my spirits and is one of the joys in my pandemic life. “Ladies who lunch” became “women who walk.” I force myself away from my desk by book ing walk s with friends or family. I have reconnected with people I been missing for years, and I am so happy about it. The wind can be howling, but we walk and talk about life and all the craziness before, during and ahead of us. Fresh air and love. Nothing better. In my “walk talks” I have discovered that many of my friends had never frequented Greenwich Point pre-pandemic. To me, it’s like living in NYC and not being aware of Central Park. I find I enjoy things so much more when I know a little bit about what I am looking at. Like a painting in a museum or travelling to another city, it enriches my experience. So when you walk “the loop” with your partner or friends, it’s not just trees and beaches and a couple of concession stands. Greenwich Point has fascinating stories and, I am sure, a few ghosts. I did some homework on l i ne, so I g ive a l l of t he credit to the Greenwich Point Conservancy and Greenwich Historical Society, who both have much more detail and timelines online. Originally called Monakewego (“Shining Sands”) it was owned by the Sinawoy Native Americans. I n 16 4 0, it w a s pu r cha s e d for 25 coats by Capt. Daniel Pat r ick a nd El i z a b et h a nd Robert Feake. The purchase w a s i n E l i z a b e t h’s n a m e . According to the Greenwich Point Conservancy, “this was among the earliest instances of a woman individually holding title to real property in the New World.” They named it Elizabeth’s Neck. Jeffrey Ferris LETTER
later purchased the property and held it for over 200 years. The i nt roduc tion of t he railroad in 18 48 changed Greenwich quickly with easy access for New Yorkers. After the Civil War, the industrial boom created m i l l iona i res who b e ga n bu i ld i ng g ra nd summer “cottages” along the shoreline. Among the wealthy New Yorkers who bought a home in the com munit y of “Sound Beach,” (later renamed Old Greenwich), was a Scottish emigrant, John Kennedy Tod, who made his fortune c on st r uc t i ng ra i l r o ad s . I n 1887, they began purchasing parcels of land, com bining them and renaming it Innis Arden (which later moved to where the club is now.) It was a waterfront playground for their wealthy friends, open to the local residents. Maria and John Tod never had children and were extremely philanthropic, especially to the New York Presby terian Hospital. A fascinating couple, they sometimes hired women to do jobs that were traditionally held by men. The charming cottage just before the entrance to Greenwich Point, was built to house Maria Tod’s widowed sister-in-law and her daughters. The architect was a woman, Katherine Cotheal Budd. The Tods also hired a female landscape architect, Marian Cruger Coffin. As you drive into Greenwich Point on the left, the Bruce Museum Seaside Center was originally built by Tod as a su m mer c ot t age , to hou s e Presbyterian Hospital of New York nurses, as a vacation respite from their hard work i n N e w Yo r k C i t y. O n e o f the nurses, A nna Maxwell, founded Columbia University’s School of Nursing. Greenwich Point Conservancy restored the building in 2011, when it became the home of the Floren Family Environmental Center, named in honor of Douglas and CT State Representative Livvy Floren. where the Bruce Museum’s Seaside Center now resides. Next door is my very favorite place to have summer dinners, the Sue H. Baker Pavilion at the Old Barn, named after the beloved Marine Biology and Honors Oceanography teacher at Greenw ich Hig h School. A n av id env i ron ment a l ist, she taught there for 25 years. Susie is at “her” pavilion on many evenings, enjoying all her friends, and saying hello to everyone. The Ambassador of Greenwich Point, she is a mem b er of t he Gr e enw ich Aquatics Hall of Fame, coached Olympic divers and was honored for the Spirit o f G r e e nw i c h aw a r d . T h e Old Barn was built by Tod in
1887. It is the oldest surviving structure at Greenwich Point with magnificent stone pillars. Decimated during Hurricane S a n d y, i t w a s b e a u t i f u l l y restored and FEMA-compliant, w it h a 4 ,000 sq. foot deck overlook ing the beach. Filled with picnic tables and umbrellas, you can bring your own food, or order from the concession. It is always busy, socially distanced, and a very special place in Greenwich. “The Loop,” as many of us refer to the walkway, is manmade. Tod joined two small islands, built the road around the pond, and made the main causeway with fill from a NYC subway project, brought up on barges. He added a tide-control gate and created the lake from a tidal marsh, which he enjoyed as a bird sanctuary. According to the Greenwich Historical Society, “Eagle Pond takes its name from the eagle sculpture that Tod installed in 1905 on the small island on the southern side of the pond. Local Stamford sculptor and New York hotelier James Knowles created a new bronze eagle for the island in 1979 through the generosity of Helen Binney Kitchel.” The sculpture’s wingspan is 14 feet wide. Ospreys build large nests there every year. Perhap s b e c au s e of h i s Scottish roots, Tod also built a 9-hole links golf course, which is now parking lots. According to www.greenwichpoint.org, there were 64 original members who paid $12.50 a piece at the turn of the century. Open to visitors, it became too popular and Tod closed his land use to all but his invited guests. As you walk along the loop, you’ll see the Holly Grove, marked with a large sign. In 1959, the Kitchels, who had donated the eagle sculpture, donated twenty one species of holly to commemorate their wedding anniversar y. Mrs. Kitchel was the daughter of the founder of Crayola Crayons. A n av id env i ron ment a l ist, she served four terms in the CT House of Representatives. Beyond the Holly Grove is a path that leads to Founders Rock (which, oddly, was not where the Greenwich Founders actually landed.) It was placed on the hilltop in memory of Mr. Tod. The Old Greenwich Yacht Club and dock was built by Tod for his friends who would come up from Manhattan on yachts. They kept canoes and small sailboats for guests. Further along on the left, the Greenwich Community Sailing School, is in the “Chimes Building.” Originally a stable and carriage house, Tod use d to keep a bear in a cage in this building. The Tower clock and 15 bells were cast by the maker of the
original Big Ben in London. The Chimes Tower is being restored and is dedicated to the life and memory of Emily Catherine Fedorko, who died in a tragic boating accident just offshore. When refurbished, the Chimes Tower a nd t he new Water Safety Center will honor her life and the chimes will be named “Emily’s Chimes.” For more information visit www.emswy. org. It is also sad to see the Thames Shipwreck along the walk. The Greenwich Historical Society says it caught fire and sank on April 29, 1930. “The wife of Arne Larson, the estate caretaker, first saw the burning steamer from the mainland. She could do little but alert the Sound Beach Fire Department and watch in horror.” The Tods built their main, 38 room estate, in the heart of the property, nestled in the trees, and entertained lavishly. John died in 1925, at the age of 72. His widow remained in the home until 1939, when it was passed to the NY Presbyterian Hospital, who later sold it to The Tow n of Greenw ich in 1945 for $550,000. The Town converted the Tod’s home into 13 apartments for war veterans, but it became run down and the Town demolished it in 1961. Only the Tower and a part of the foundation remains. It is a sacred place and has been an emotional lifesaver for so many people, especially during this pandemic. It is one of the best reasons to live here. Even during these winter months, some of my friends d r ive f rom backcou ntr y tp walk along the Sound, or have doggy playdates on the beach. Children and families build sandcastles even though they are bundled up in winter coats; masks and hats covering all but their eyes. There are so many people there on the weekends, they have to turn some away. Will we still be walking when this awful pandemic subsides? I hope so. It clears our head, refreshes our soul, and calms our nerves- a lesson we should carry into the future. Fresh air and love. Nothing better. Thank you to all the people who care about our history and have such thorough documentation online and in our museums. Please visit their websites for more information. Greenwich Point Conser vancy w w w. greenwichpoint.org G r e e n w i c h H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y w w w. Greenwichhistory.org Bobbi Eggers is a writer, creative director, and loves living in Greenwich, willing to share her enthusiasm.
LWV: A Common Purpose
Dear Editor: This week, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. For the first time, our Vice President will be a woman, Kamala Harris. The inauguration is a time to celebrate our democracy and peaceful transition of power. This moment should not be overshadowed by partisan discord. Our 2020 election is over. A record nearly 160 million voters gave a clear majority in the popular (7+ million) and Electoral College (74) vote to Biden. The results have been legally challenged and verified by members of both parties and by our courts in many states. Nevertheless, some – including many in Congress -- continue to insist that the election in some states was fraudulent. Their continued insistence undermines our democracy and empowers those who
POTTERY From Page 1
painting pottery brought me more joy than I can properly express. My inner child was gleaming with happiness as I
use intimidation and violence to advance their cause. These people are not patriots defending our country against enemies. They are the opposite. In the aftermath of the attacks on the U.S. Capitol last week, armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols and at the U.S. Capitol. State capitals are tightening security. Violent attempts to overthrow our government are not only unacceptable. They also call into question the tenets of American democracy by people around the world. If we truly care about our country’s welfare and support “healing”, we must accept that the time to challenge these election results is behind us. Our elected representatives, including our Republican Vice President, should not fear for their safety because of their views and/or actions to support a legal democratic process. Clearly, we must all take stock. Our
got to relive one of my favorite childhood memories with the wonderful addition of my little brother, who was not yet born when the pottery store in Maine closed its doors. Tak ing my brother to paint pottery with me and getting to share with him an activity that is so important to
leaders must step forward. We expect them to be transparent, timely, and truthful. A democracy built on partisan maneuvering and deception cannot survive. The Greenwich League is committed to helping our democracy adapt to the 21st century, a topic discussed last week in our bipartisan public forum that attracted nearly 200 participants. The report on which it was based, Our Common Purpose, is available at http://bit. ly/CommonPurposeReport. The video of that presentation is available at http://bit.ly/ LWVGCommonPurposeYouTubeLink. We urge all Greenwich residents – Republican, Democratic, and Unaffiliated -- to check out these resources and to participate in the dialogue.
me genuinely creates some of the best moments of my whole life. If you haven’t yet stopped by Hands on Pottery in Darien, I highly recommend it for any kind of spending time with someone. It’s perfect for a first date or a 203rd date, for spending time with your family or friends, or for
Sandy Waters President, LWV Greenwich
just spending time with yourself. Spend the time indoors if it’s a rainy day or take the pottery with you on a picnic if it’s sunny. The opportunities for painting pottery are endless. I hope you can share painting pottery with your loved ones as I have with mine.
Page 7 | Greenwich Sentinel
OPED
In Favor of Retaining Police Officers on the Avenue
By Peter J. Tesei Having the honor t o s e r v e i n t h e To w n o f Greenw ich government for 32 years, I developed a strong understanding of and support for our emergency services; Police Fire, and GEMS. While our first responders provide tremendous security to all of us, they are particularly important to our fellow residents who are most vulnerable due to their age or infirmity. The Police Officers assigned
to direct traf f ic and assist pedestrians crossing the streets i n ou r Tow n’s most ac t ive business district provide the ability for all citizens, residents, and visitors alike to safely go about their business. Greenwich takes pedestrian safety seriously. The Town has implemented traff ic calming me asu re s, new sidewa l k s, traf f ic control devices, and signage in many locations to ensure pedestrian safety. Often these improvements happen with citizen participation and engagement and the input of external professional services with expertise in traff ic and pedestrian safety matters. Downtown Greenwich is home to many of our senior residents. The Housing Authority of t he Tow n of Gr e enw ich prov ides housing to senior
residents at Quarry Knoll 1 & 2, Agnes Morley Heights and Greenwich Close. In addition, there is the MEWS Assisted Living on Arch Street and the Greenwich Senior Center at 299 Greenwich Avenue. Sadly, the past few years we have seen several of our senior residents killed due to the failure on the part of motorists to yield to them as they crossed Milbank Avenue. Distracted driving is an issue nationwide and for those pedestrians with inf irmities this distracted driving epidemic makes the vulnerable all the more at risk. I n Fe b r u a r y o f 2 0 2 0, a resident and friend of mine who lives on West Elm Street, Diane Otto spoke at the BET Budget Committee in support of continued funding for the Police Officers on Greenwich Avenue.
Diane was afflicted with partial paralysis as a child and lives with the effects of this disability. Several years ago, she was struck by a motorist on lower Greenwich Avenue. Fortunately, she was not seriously injured, but her support for and reliance on the Police Officers directing traffic is not just personal but genuinely reflects the need for people with disabilities. One reg ret, during my tenure as First Selectman is, I accepted Chief Dave Ridberg’s removal of the Police Officer posted at Greenwich Avenue and Lewis Street. This was implemented during the economic downturn of 20082009 and was presented to me as a resource redeployment for the central business district. While this may have been the intention then, I never felt there
was or saw an improved benefit as the redeployed officer was not visibly seen in the Central Business District. During my 12-year tenure as First Selectman & Police Commissioner I administered the oath to over 50 recruits, about one third of the Police Department. Despite comments from a couple of people that the Police Off icers f ind this assignment demeaning, the many officers I got to know who were assigned the Greenwich Av e n u e p o s t r e l i s h e d t h e opportunity to regularly engage with people and developed a rapport with so many of the frequent resident pedestrians. The Police Officers direct traffic at our schools, houses of worship, construction sites and special events. Frankly, they rely upon this type of work to
supplement their incomes. So, I don’t think there is any validity to the com ments they f ind this assignment on Greenwich Avenue demeaning. The essence of the RTM District 1 Sense of the Meeting resolution is about life safety. While maintaining Greenwich’s unique community character is important, there is no greater responsibility for local government than to keep its r e sident s s a fe . T he Pol ic e Officers on Greenwich Avenue have kept residents safe for decades and protect our most vulnerable residents. I hope members of the RTM will keep this in mind when they cast their votes on this Sense of the Meeting resolution. Peter J. Tesei, First Selectman and Police Commissioner from 2007-2019
Cadbury’s Commentary paws, tail, the whole package. I’ve been part of my human family for about four of their years (28 of mine), the last one of which has been very strange, quite different than years past. I’m a bit worried. Some things have not changed. The seasons come and go, I get fed regularly, and I still run around outside chasing the squirrels and rabbits that By Cadbury FitzPatrick I share a yard with. But this I am a dog. A real one, year my human family has been canus lupus familiaris, four home a lot more during the day,
By Kris Herndon
From Page 1 an officer who directed traffic at Lewis Street. First Selectman Fred Camillo said on Tuesday night that he has spoken to several police chiefs who believe having officers direct traffic is a waste of ma np ower. Ca m i l lo a ls o cited studies done in the past in Greenwich that recommended the removal of off icers from intersections. He argued that traffic officers would not be able to respond adequately to criminal activity u p a n d d o w n t h e Av e n u e because they’d be on foot. "This adds more security. There have never been more police off icers on Greenwich Avenue than there are right now. That is a fact," Camillo added. "We pay a lot of money to train these officers. To have them standing [directing traffic] just because it was done in the past doesn't make any sense. Public safety is the number-one concern here. This addresses that. It's a better use of our manpower." In the days leading up to Tuesday's RTM meeting, GPD Chief Jim Heavey issued a letter opposing the SOMR. He said that while a vote to restore officers to fixed traffic posts on the Avenue would be non-binding and not
tend to get agitated and upset. The oldest male member of the family sometimes talks quite forcible back at the image on the television, which makes no sense to me as the image does not seem to be engaging him in direct conversation. Speaking of conversation, I’ve also noticed that sometimes my human family engages in leng thy discussions on the phone (and presumably on their computers) on a topic they call “politics” which seems to end
up getting everyone involved irritated and even angry. I do my best to make things better by bringing my toys to them and laying my head on their laps, but sometimes that tried-and-true tactic doesn’t help. If they’d ask me, I’d suggest that they spend less time on that topic and more time playing with me! At the risk of overstepping my place, I think all humans could take a lesson from us dogs. Our love for our humans i s l ite r a l l y u n c o n d it i o n a l .
W h a t e ve r t h e i r m o o d s o r attitudes, their circumstances or worries, we love them all the same. At some point whatever is bothering our humans and keeping them indoors so much will be over. Much as I love being with them, I think they need the break. Maybe then they will relax more. And love each other a bit more. (Transcribed by Cadbury’s human family member, Dan FitzPatrick)
Local Author Nestor T. Carbonell
Nestor T. Carbonell is a Greenwich resident and the author of Why Cuba Matters: New Threats in America’s Backyard. Born in Havana, Carbonell was forced into exile in June 1960 following the Communist takeover of Cuba. In an interview the day after the insurrection at the Capitol, Carbonell expressed deep concern about the world view of the riots in Washington, DC. He said the perceived instability during the transition f rom one administration to the next could have unintended consequences for America in the coming months. “I’m very sorry for the country, and for the threat to Democracy,” Carbonell said on the morning of January 8th. “This has an impact, not just within the United States but abroad, in terms of both our allies and our adversaries. Our adversaries are happy, because they see our whole structure weakened by this politicization and violence. It’s a very serious and very unfortunate development.” A f ter leav ing Cuba, Carbonell resettled in the US, obtained a law degree from Har vard, and joined PepsiCo as counsel. Over the years, he has written several books in his native
RTM
and I mean a lot more. In fact, they hardly leave the house anymore. While I love all the increased attention I get, I don’t think it’s healthy for them to be so cooped up. I’m quite happy to lie at their feet and sleep while they are on the computer or watching television, but given the amount of time being spent on those activities none of us is getting much exercise. I’ve also noticed that the more they read or watch something they call “news,” they
Spanish about the history of the Castro regime. He has also been consistent and vocal in warning of the perils of neglecting Cuba, as the Castro regime has strengthened ties with Russia and China during the intervening years. President-elect Biden, Carbonell believes, would be well advised to reevaluate U.S. policy with regard to Cuba. “The first big challenge under the new administration will be what sort of policy are we going to pursue with respect to Cuba? We have only a few signals coming from Biden and some of the members of his team. Initially the signals were pretty much to continue to pursue the Obama policy.” Carbonell has made no secret of his misgivings about concessions prior administrations have made to Cuba, and says that partly as a result, powers hostile to U.S. interests -- including China, Russia, and Iran -- have made inroads in Latin America during the last decade. “While we were looking elsewhere, ou r adversa r ies have penetrated, both economically and in terms of intelligence. It’s going to require a reassessment,” he said, “and a comprehensive strategy, which we did not have.” Why is this relevant now? Carbonell
mandatory, "It would be a virtual vote of 'no conf idence' in the efforts by the Greenwich Police." Heavey spoke on Tuesday night and said that more officers are working on the Avenue for extended hours than before: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when directing traffic, compared to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on bicycles. The officers now help out with traffic issues as they arise. The Depar tment's ORCA Team (Organized Retail Criminal Activity), which was developed in 2019 after an increase in crime downtown, works odd hours in a plainclothes capacity. In a letter dated several days ago, Heavey pointed out the success ORCA has had in curbing crime downtown. In the last year, ORCA has investigated 48 cases, resulting in 41 persons being arrested for 65 felonies, 37 misdemeanors and dozens of infractions. Many of the local arrests, Heavey said, were tied to major regional cases being investigated by federal law enforcement agencies. H e a v e y s a i d Tu e s d a y night that he views the issue as an emotional attachment to upholding the tradition of hav ing police in Greenw ich Avenue intersections, versus a necessity to redeploy officers. He said that his inspiration in moving forward and changing s te m s f r om t h e c r e do t h at was developed as part of the department's strategic plan for
had a ready answer. “We don’t have to go back to the Cuban missile crisis for a reminder of what Cuba means to the US and the rest of the continent,” he said. “Today Cuba still represents a real potential threat to the United States and to the region.” That threat became all too real starting in 2016 when, in a twist worthy of an espionage thriller, American diplomats and intelligence agents in Cuba began to experience strange neurological symptoms, including headaches, nausea, dizziness, and hearing loss. The phenomenon became known as Havana Syndrome, because it was first reported by U.S. agents stationed in Cuba, but agents in China Nestor T. Carbonell. Photo credit: and other countries were also affected. Havana Syndrome is serious, in Bob Capazzo some cases permanently debilitating, and has af fected over a dozen “We don’t have to go back to Americans. In some cases, the symptoms are so debilitating and the Cuban missile crisis for a reminder of what Cuba means severe that the affected agents have been forced into retirement. to the US and the rest of the In late 2020, the State Department released a report it had commissioned continent,” Carbonell said. from the National Academy of Sciences “Today Cuba still represents to study Havana Syndrome. That report a real potential threat to the concluded that targeted radio frequency United States and to the region.” energy caused the symptoms, and
how they will operate in the years to come. "We should embrace change, create value and inspire others," he said. SOMR on Formation of Cardinal Stadium Building Committee Withdrawn A S e n s e o f t h e Me e t i n g Resolution calling for the formation of a building committee to oversee construction for the Cardinal Stadium improvement project w a s w it hd raw n b e for e t he Representative Town Meeting on Tuesday night. Twenty-one members from District 9, who led the SOMR, i s sue d a let ter on Tue s day explaining their decision to withdraw. " D i s t r ic t 9 's fo c u s w a s , and remains, how the tow n should responsibly manage this spending and ensure that it implements good processes for infrastructure investments. Our belief is that the building committee model is a powerful mechanism – with specif ic guidelines regarding composition of committee mem b ers, pu bl ic meeti ngs, and fiscal oversight – that can ensure transparency in process for town projects from start to completion," the letter said. The Cardinal Stadium project is a multi-phase project which costs $13.3 million. It's one of many projects that make up the nearly $300 million in capital
spending on the horizon for the town. The public had resisted the SOMR in recent days, because they felt that putting together a building committee would delay the construction of the new bleachers from being completed by graduation in June. District 9 members made it clear that they support the project and did not want to delay progress with the SOMR. " W h i le t here was broad suppor t for the concepts of budget oversight and visibility for major projects, we were surprised that the discussion over the SOMR shifted from f iscal responsibility to questioning whether those in favor of the SOM R actually wanted the stadium project to move forward. To be clear, negatively impacting the stadium project was not the intention of the SOMR. District 9 is fully supportive of the project and appreciative of those who have worked so hard to advance it to its current state," the letter said. The letter went on to say that District 9 plans to continue the dialogue. "Our intention is to...bring before the RTM a more substantive measure to address the broader topic of how the town should manage capital projects as impactful as Cardinal Stadium. We fully intend to br i ng t he topic of bu i ld i ng committees back to the RTM to
s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e w a ve s we r e deployed in an intentional attack – in other words, a new kind of weapon. The State-Depa r tmentcommissioned report stopped short of any definite conclusion as to who developed or deployed the weapon, but it's been reported that members of the intelligence community consider Russian involvement a strong possibility. The targeted attacks on Americans in Cuba seem to underscore what Carbonell has been saying all along: that Cuba, both because of its internal political weaknesses and its geographic proximity to the U.S., can be exploited by our adversaries. “Of course, Cuba matters f irst and foremost to Cubans,” he said. Still, “the suspected perpetrator of these microwave beam attacks is Russia -- which, like China, has been weaponizing radiation technology and apparently intensifying its investment in cyberwarfare. This shows how far these hostile powers have gone in terms of weakening our defenses and continuing to pursue their involvement here.” “So that gives you an idea of why Cuba matters, not just sixty years ago, but still today.”
ensure a continued discussion on the concepts of oversight a nd t ra nspa renc y for tow n investments." The project is currently in Phase 1A, which includes the constr uction of new homeside bleachers that are ADA accessible with a press box, elevator, new bathrooms and a team room that will go below the bleachers. Phase 1B includes the addition of new lights on existing poles, handicap parking, and an entry kiosk. Phase 2 would include the creation of a new access road from behind the school to East Putnam Avenue. Appeal on Eastern Greenwich Civic Center Plans Withdrawn An appeal by members of the Greenwich Athletic Foundation (GAF) to change proposed plans for a new Eastern Greenwich Civic Center was withdrawn prior to the Representative Town Meeting on Tuesday. Mem b er s f r om t he G A F wanted to see a f ield house added to the proposed plans, which they believe would have provided the town with a playing surface that could be used yearround to address the town's long-standing problem of field shortages. However, members of the EGCC Committee believed that adding a field house to the plans now would delay the project and increase costs. After the appeal
received no support between RTM committees leading up to the full RTM meeting, and because the GAF did not want to stop the project from continuing, it was w ithd raw n f rom the agenda. Cu r rent ly, t he prop ose d project would completely replace the current 31,765 square foot t wo - s t o r y s t r u c t u r e a t 9 0 Harding Rd., in Old Greenwich. The new building, which would be one story and about 35,418 square feet, would be A DA compl ia nt a nd energ y eff icient. It currently has an estimated budget of $15 million. The building, which EG CC Com m ittee Co-Chair, Gary Dell’Abate, has called “a community civic center, not just a sports complex," in the past, would feature a full-sized multi-use gymnasium with rollout spectator seating; an 8,100 square foot multi-use event space; three 1,000 square foot activity rooms; and a storage r o om for g y m a nd ac t iv it y equipment. Work on the surrounding play ing f ields w ill not be included in the project, and playing fields would be usable during construction. The existing building was built in 1950 as an employee recreation center for Electrolux. The town later acquired the building and the 13.22 acre site in 1966.
Page 8 | Greenwich Sentinel
MEDAL OF HONOR
Fyling Ace in Two Wars Lt. Col. George A. Davis Jr.
DETAILS Rank: Lieutenant Colonel Conflict/Era: Korean War Unit/Command: United States Air Force, 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force Medal Of Honor Action Date: February 19, 1952 Medal of Honor Action Place: Korea CITATION Major George Andrew Davis , Jr., United States Air Force, 334th Fighter Squadron, 4 t h F i g h t e r G r o u p , 5 t h Ai r Force, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 10 February 1952, near Sinuiju-Yalu River area, Korea. While leading a f light of four F-86 Saber jets on a combat
aerial patrol mission near the Ma n c h u r i a n bord e r, Major. Davis' element leader ran out of ox ygen and was forced to retire from the f light with his wingman accompanying him. Major Davis and the remaining F-86's continued the mission a n d s i g h te d a for m a t i on of approximately 12 enemy MiG15 aircraft speeding southward toward an area where friendly f ighter-bombers were conducting low level operations against the Communist lines of communications. With self less disregard for the numer ical s u p e r i o r i t y o f t h e e n e m y, Major D avi s posit ion e d h i s two aircraft, then dove at the MiG formation. While speeding through the formation from the rear he singled out a MiG-15 and destroyed it with a concentrated burst of fire. Although he was now under continuous f ire from the enemy fighters to his rear, Major Davis sustained his attack. He fired at another MiG15 which, bursting into smoke and flames, went into a vertical dive. Rather than maintain his superior speed and evade the enemy fire being concentrated on him, he elected to reduce his speed and sought out still a third MiG-15. During this latest attack
Air Force Lt. Col. George A. Davis Jr.
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Two P-47 Thunderbolt fighter jets over clouds. his aircraft sustained a direct hit, went out of control, then crashed into a mountain 30 miles south of the Yalu River. Major Davis' bold attack completely disrupted the enemy formation, permitting the friendly f ighter-bombers to successfully complete their interdiction mission . Major. Davis, by his indomitable fighting spirit, heroic aggressiveness, and superb courage in engaging the enemy against formidable odds exemplified valor at its highest.
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HIS STORY To be a flying "ace," you have to be credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during combat. It didn't happen often in the 20th century, and it rarely happens now. A ir Force Maj. George A. Davis Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient, is one of only a handful of U.S.
m i l it a r y pi lots to hold t he distinction of being an ace in two wars. Davis was born Dec. 1, 1920, in the central Texas town of Dublin, but he grew up with his parents and eight siblings in Morton in the northwestern part of the state. Davis went to Harding College in Arkansas and then returned home. He worked there brief ly before joining the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet on March 21, 1942. About a year later, he finished his flight training and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Davis was shipped off to the Pacific during World War II where he became an ace in a P-47 Thunderbolt, shooting down seven enemy aircraft during 266 combat missions in 19 months.
After the war, Davis stayed in the service as it transitioned to the Air Force. He continued to f ly fighter jets and served as a f light commander and air inspector at various military bases. He was also a member of the Sabre Dancers demonstration team in California — the forerunner to the famed Thunderbirds. Dav i s w a s pr omote d to major in February 1951, a few months before he was sent to Korea. There, Davis was named the commander of the 334th Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Group. Within a few months, he became the leading ace of the Korean War. O n Feb. 10, 1952 , Dav is was leading four F-86 Sabre jets on a patrol mission near t h e M a n c h u r i a n b o r d e r. One of the jets was forced to
back of f because it ran out of ox yge n . T he r e m a i n i n g Sabres continued, and Davis and wingman 1st Lt. William Littlefield noticed 12 MiG-15s — Soviet fighter jets — speeding toward some allied f ighterb o m b e r s d o i n g l o w- l e v e l operations. Even though his team was outnumbered, Davis quickly dove toward the enemy jets. He f lew into the back of their formation and shot down one of them. Despite taking enemy fire, he kept attacking, shooting down a second enemy fighter. From there, Davis could have sped up to get away from the enemy that was firing on him. But, instead, he chose to reduce his speed so he could try to shoot down a third MiG. While pursuing that fighter, his aircraft suffered a direct hit. Davis' plane spiraled out of control and crashed into a mountain about 30 miles south of the Yalu River, Littlef ield reported. The 31-year-old's body was never recovered. T h a n k s to h i s brave r y, the friendly fighter-bombers were able to succeed in their operation. Davis' final combat mission was his 60th in Korea, and it marked his 14th enemy downing of the war. In 1953, Davis was posthumously promoted to lieutenant colonel. His wife, D or i s , r e ceive d t he Me da l of Honor on his behalf at a ceremony at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, on May 14, 1954. His parents and three children — one of whom he had never met — also attended. During both wars, Davis racked up an impressive number of decorations, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses, 10 Air Medals, t h ree Si lver Sta rs a nd t he Distinguished Service Cross. Davis' contributions to air attacks in both wars will always be remembered. A veterans memorial was dedicated to him in Lubbock, Texas, in 1990. His name is also inscribed on the Wall of the Missing at the National Memorial of the Pacific in Honolulu. As the Greenwich Sentinel continues to feature Medal of Honor recipients, we encourage readers to let us know about any connections they have with recipients. This article was written by Katie Lange as part of a series in which Defense.gov highlights one of the more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients who have earned the U.S. military’s highest medal for valor.
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Page 9 | Greenwich Sentinel
EDUCATION
New Leb Finding Ways to Enrich Students Virtually By Richard Kaufman Even though COVID-19 has changed many things, including the way schools operate, New Lebanon School students were still able to enjoy a f u n, i nteractive a nd educationa l assem bly last Friday. JLine Dance Company, based out of New York City, gave the entire school a virtual, interactive show which featured hig h energ y dance choreography. Afterwards, there was a 15 minute lecture portion in which students discussed spotting and stopping bullying, respecting yourself and others, and taking responsibility for your actions and leading a positive life. Amy Rose, a fifth grade teacher and the Arts and Education Teacher Liaison, said that teaching young children how to be good citizens and human beings is crucial. Since New Leb is an international Baccalaureate School, Rose said JLine's message tied i n n icely w ith what t he school ca l ls its "learner profiles."
"Right now, with everything going on in the world, social and emotional wellness and well being are so important as kids are trying to embark on this crazy journey called life right now. I think it's really important to teach them to be an advocate for themselves and for others," Rose said. When asked what she learned, Natasha Tamayo, a third grader, said, "If you catch somebody bullying someone else, tell an adult you trust." Mason Fox, also a third grader, said he liked the dancing from JLine's three performers. The dancing component was important for students to experience, said Dana Rodriguez, Vice President of Cultural Enrichment for New Lebanon School. "As a dancer myself, moving your body is critical in terms of exercise and getting those endorphins moving and what not. Kids really need that. You can express yourself through movement, and not just words or visual art," Rodriguez said. New Leb Principal Alley Michaelson said she wants to make the assembly an annual tradition.
"We are already discussing how we want to keep some of these things for next year," said Dana Rodriguez, Vice President of Cultural Enrichment for New Lebanon School. "We loved the energy and the message JLine Dance Crew brought to New Leb. Not only were students mov ing their bodies, but they were thinking about ways to advocate for themselves in school and speak up when others are being hurt or feel uncomfortable," Michaelson said. Rodriguez noted that COVID-19 has allowed the school to offer different kinds of virtual experiences and assemblies for students that focus on music and arts, literacy, social/emotional well being, and science, from people in different parts of the country. For example, last October, New Lebanon School took part in a program called Bash The Trash, which
featured live performances from musicians who used instruments that were made from reused and re-purposed materials. The performance combined science, music and environmental awareness. "That was live with artists and performers who were in their living rooms, or in sound studios," Rodriguez said. "I don't even know if that program would have taken place if we weren't in a pandemic. It featured artists from all over." Rodriguez hopes to continue some of the virtual assemblies and programs in the future. "We are already discussing how we want to keep some of these things for next year," she said.
Local Students with Outstanding Achievements The following students from Greenwich High School's Model United Nations Club recevied awards from the Columbia Model UN Conference: Casey Adams, Aarya Dhru, Ambika Grover, Sophie Jaeger, David Katz, Skyler McDonnell, Amrutha Nandakumar, Nicole Orlofsky, Wyatt Radzin, Veda Swaminathan, Joshua Winston, Ziyi Yan, Arjun Kishore. Yurika Sakai of Greenwich High School was one of f ifteen students from around the state who won an essay contest held by US Sen. Murphy in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Greenwich High School Principal Mr. Ralph Mayo said, “We are so proud of Yurika’s profound and inspiring
message. Her insightful words urging empathy, compassion and understanding, earned her this impressive statewide recognition.” Robert Bastone named to Siena College Dean's List for Fall 2020 Semester. Gettysburg College recognizes the following students who were recently placed on the Deans' Commendation List: Kathleen Daly of Old Greenwich, Kendall Thompson of Riverside and Julia Abbazia of Cos Cob and those students who achieved Dean's Honor List: Paige Deschapelles of Riverside, Isabella Clemens of Riverside, and Stacey Reissner of Bedford, NY. Charlotte E. Hacker was among the students named to The
University of Scranton's Dean's List for the 2020 fall semester. Hacker is a senior psychology major in the University's College of Arts and Sciences. Cong rat u lat ions to Molly Roitman of Greenwich for being named to the Muhlenberg College Dean's List for the Fa ll 2020 semester. The following local students r e cent ly g raduate d f rom t he College of Charleston: Chase Pavelic of Greenwich graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Caeley Perrine of Bedford, NY graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Peyton Larkin of Cos Cob has been named to the 2020 fall
semester Dean's List at Ohio Wesleyan University. The following students were named to the University of Vermont Dean's List: Avrey Carifa of Old Greenwich, Amelia Luckey of Greenwich, Renata Malyshev of Greenwich, Clifford Courtenay of Greenw ich, Lillian Grady of Greenwich, Nika Sibley of Riverside. Joseph Patrick McCurdy, of Riverside, was recently named to the University of Mississippi's Fall 2020 Honor Roll lists. McCurdy was named to the Dean's Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.503.74. Amalia Mary Hoa Samuel of Riverside, a sophomore majoring
in mechanical engineering, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at Clarkson University. The follow ing students achieved the Dean's List at Belmont Un iver sit y for t he Fa l l 2 02 0 semester: Zoe Clark of Greenwich, Julia Bibeault of Greenwich, Henry Conlon of Greenwich, Alyssa Lombardi of Cos Cob. Michael McGrath of Riverside, majoring in Physics, has been inducted into the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society at College of the Holy Cross, the Jesuit honor society founded in 1915. Eastern Connecticut State University congratulates its local Dean's List students: Margaret Montague of Cos Cob, a full-time
student who majors in Sociology and Criminology; Ryan Nell of Cos Cob, a full-time student who majors in Biology; Victor DelVecchio of Greenwich, a full-time student who majors in Environmental Earth Science; Jade Hoyen of Greenwich, a full-time student who majors in Biology; Alyson Payan of Greenwich, a full-time student who majors in Exploratory Social Sciences; Enzo Ribeiro of Greenwich, a full-time student who majors in Business Administration. Lara Gabriele an Exercise and Sport Science major from Riverside and Kyla Gonzalez a Public Health major from Greenwich both made Dean's List at Coastal Carolina University. Congratulations!
The Changing Climate of Higher Education
By Gregg Pauletti Working with students and families to assist students in attending college is rewarding especially when those students have overcome sig nif icant obstacles in order to achieve their dreams. This often occurs with the population that I work with - those young adults living with mental health concerns must regularly conjure up the ability to do well both in their “outside” life, while battling their internal world as it pertains to depression, anxiety, or something else. This year, COVID-19 has been “the great equalizer” - all students now have
a significant barrier that they are trying to overcome, and they ALL have had an experience that will be unique to only these students. Colleges must now determine how they will evaluate these students. Remote learning has created a new type of grading system, standardized tests are now optional or blind for almost every college, and extra-curricular activities hardly exist in this world of socialdistancing. My advice? Take a deep breath, control what you can, and know that colleges and universities are trying to figure all of this out as well. The higher education system is experiencing significant stress in many ways, and the climate is changing on a weekly, if not daily, basis. So how are colleges and universities being impacted? It shouldn’t be a surprise that higher education has been and will continue to be, immeasurably altered due to COVID-19. Contrary to what you might believe, the change which is felt has little to
do with the number of applicants, selectivity, or the cost of tuition. The fact is that f inancially healthy schools (meaning large endowments and sound f iscal policy) will continue to remain strong - because they can. They will be just as selective, retain their applicants, and financially will have no problem weathering this storm. Schools on the other end of the spectrum are experiencing a very different reality - they are cutting costs and anticipating the worst they are relying on tuition dollars to stay afloat, tuition dollars which are disappearing because students are deferring, taking gap years, or abandoning college plans all together. As a whole, colleges are experiencing the most uncertain incoming class they’ve ever had this past year, and next year is shaping up to be composed of an equally uncertain applicant pool. How did we reach this point? We now have th ree dif ferent climates for schools. First, those which include the most selective
and elite programs in the country. Second, the programs which are somewhere in the middle, have a small endowment and can likely weather this storm. And, finally, the programs which are completely tuition dependent and have little in reserve to help them manage the impact of this disaster. In the elite programs, if standards change and the bottom line is impacted in a significant way, I will be shocked - their pool of applicants are the ones who are doing the best coping with COVID-19, both academically and financially. The long-term forecast w ill not change, even though their everyday operations have. Admission to elite schools has been and will continue to become more competitive. The schools in the middle - the medium-sized, somewhat selective p r o g r a m s w h i c h h ave s o m e popularity and decent endowments - are doing everything they can do to retain students and hit enrollment targets. These schools
are quickly developing programs i n or de r to at t ra c t d i f fe r e nt demographics of students, but will it be enough? They are looking at certificates, extended studies, and vocational programs in order to supplement more typical revenue streams. I believe that many of these programs may not make it through this pandemic, and if they do, they will be fundamentally changed. L a st ly, t u it ion dep endent colleges now must attract, enroll, and retain as many students as they can. Similar to the “middle” category of colleges, these schools are developing programs which will increase revenue in areas previously not identified. If they are unable to bring in enough students in non-traditional ways, these schools will not survive. These are the small colleges and universities which serve small markets and don’t have a lot of national recognition. Many are excellent, and provide vital services to their communities. However,
overcoming enrollment shortfalls will likely mean draconian cuts to services and programs, ultimately forcing them to close or merge with other institutions. The world of higher education, along with those students seeking admission, is in uncharted waters. Life-changing decisions are being made by both schools, as well as families, in a time where most are having trouble planning out the next few months, let alone the next four years. What to do? As I said before, take a deep breath, control what you can, and when you feel like you need assistance, reach out to those in the field and gain a partner - we’re all trying to figure this out together. Gregg Pauletti, MS, is an independent educational consultant with a background in mental health. His firm, RCHI Group is a leader in the field at assisting families and students with mental health concerns enroll in college.
Participating in Your Child’s Preschool, Virtually
By David Cohen So many families have found the comfort to send their children to preschool this year, and have been lucky to f ind a spot in a great school. But, things were
not exactly the same as before. For parents, the biggest change has been the inability to go into the school, since protocols have limited adults in the building. This takes trust and communication. On behalf of schools throughout the area, we thank you! By now, you are probably very comfortable in your child’s education and we l l b e i n g . W h a t i s t h e l a s t frontier? Parent involvement. Here’s how you can stay engaged (note: I am recapping the many great things that parents in my school are doing).
Convert traditional events to virtual, when possible Can’t have a live book fair? Organize one online. Ours raised funds on the same scale as previous book fairs, without all of the physical labor. Musical events and holiday celebrations? The technology is there and the togetherness feels very real. In some ways, the online format has included more parents who would otherwise be unavailable.
information with you, be sure that you are g iv ing feedback a nd ack nowle dg ment. I n t he good old days, parents would come in and teachers could see their awe, admiring children’s ar t work and discussing each child’s accomplishments. When you receive newsletters, samples of work or posts on an app, enjoy every moment. Then, follow up with a quick note, a “like” on a post, or some type of creative response. Maintain quality two-way It can be isolating for teachers, not having regular interactions. communication with teachers Let them know that you’re there. W hen you r school sha res
Shout-out to our Parent Association children. Part of the experience that organized weekly breakfast for is building your community of the teachers! parents. Your classmates are Share information about likely families that w ill grow with you over the years. Plan a your child Don’t wait for conferences virtual play date or a social hour to speak up about a concern or a for the classroom parents. Hold a new accomplishment. The more virtual fundraiser for your school. teachers know, the better they can There are so many ways to stay challenge and support your child. connected, while staying safe. As always, if you are having This year has all different stressors challenges with these suggestions, than usual. reach out to your school’s director. Have fun and get to know We can be pretty creative with everyone solutions. P r e s c h o o l i s n o t j u s t fo r
How Parents Can Plan to Prevent the “Summer Slide”
By Jim Heus A s I w r ite th is colu m n in January, it feels strange to think of summer. In many ways, this school year feels as though it’s just begun, as educators around the country (including those of us at Eagle Hill Greenwich) continue to adapt our education programs to meet the needs of our students during what has proved to be a challenging year. Still, as a parent, I know that plans for the summer break begin to form now – with
the winter holidays behind us. I know many of us are hopeful for a more “normal” summer, possibly one that includes a family vacation or time with extended family and friends we haven’t seen in-person for months. But even though students deserve a break from a stressful school year, it’s important to maintain their academic skills during the summer. Research shows that, without support, students can lose a significant amount of academic progress over the ten weeks of summer break. With this dip in academics, students and teachers begin the new school year at a disadvantage – spending time work ing to get students back to their pre-summer reading, writing, and math levels. There are a number of ways to help prevent this “summer slide” for students. Many students
benef it greatly from a summer academ ic prog ram – like the one offered every year at Eagle Hill. Our program focuses on the individual academic needs of each child and is for four weeks, allowing plenty of time for other summer plans. The Eagle Hill faculty focus on reading, math, study skills, and writing – the su bje c t s t h at ne e d t he mo st reinforcement during the summer months. Even without enrolling your student in a summer academic program, there are fun and exciting ways to retain student a c a d e m i c p r o g r e s s ove r t h e summer months: • R EA D. Keep i n m i nd – student choice plays a key role in how students learn, so talk to your child about what they e nj oy r e a d i n g . Com i c b o ok s and graphic novels can be great
entries to learning to love reading – and may be something that your child wants to read! Other ways to incorporate reading into your summer include listening to audiobooks in the car on your road trip, visiting your local library for a new best-seller or old classic, or reading aloud as a family. Consider establishing a time each day when all screens are off and everyone in the family reads. • FIND TIME TO WRITE. As you explore your child’s reading preferences, talk to them about what they’re interested in writing. Perhaps they want to try writing poems, or short stories, or writing about their summer in a daily journal. Your child may not want to write essays or do homework all summer, but writing a short script for a superhero movie or comic book might have more appeal. Online tools could even help make
their story come to life. • MAKE TIME FOR MATH. As we often say at Eagle Hill, math can be fun. And math during the summer doesn’t require a stereotypical packet of problems to solve. Encourage your child to participate in activities that interest them that also involve math – robotics, computer coding, s c i e n c e , e tc . T h e r e a r e a l s o websites (such as mathsnacks. com or prodigygame.com) where math feels like a game and less like “practicing” math. • T E AC H (OR L E A R N ) LIFE-SKILLS. If you and your child work together on a recipe, you’ll be not only helping them learn to cook, but working on math and reading comprehension skills as well. All “chores” – such as doing laundry or packing the dishwasher –require thought a n d p r o b l e m- s o l v i n g w h i c h
st r eng t hen s a ch i ld’s a bi l it y to b e i ndep e nde nt . Bu i ld i n g independence and confidence will transfer to school and a child’s a bi l it y to t a ke on cla ssr o om challenges. After a year of processing the COVID-19 pandemic, our students certainly deserve time to rest and recuperate from the school year. However, it’s important to set our students up for success in the next school year by reinforcing academic sk ills in a way that works for them and for you.. Jim Heus is the Head of School at Eagle Hill. Jim brings more than 40 years of independent school experience to this role, including the past 21 years as a Head of School. Eagle Hill School enrolls students in g rades K–8 with lan g ua gebased learning differences (such as dyslexia , executive function disorder, and ADHD).
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OBITUARIES Ann Callahan
Ann Callahan, 92, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 17, 2021. She was born in Old Greenwich, CT on June 8, 1928, daughter of George A. and Kathryn H. Layland. Ann devoted her life to her family and to volunteering, most recently for nineteen years at Nathaniel Witherell in Greenwich, CT. She is sur v ived by her loving husband of 73 years, John Callahan, her sons, Jim (Cathy) of Durango, CO, Dave (Nicki) of Fairfield, CT, her daughters, Jeanne Miller of Cos Cob, CT, and Kerry Callahan of Washington, DC. She also leaves her grandchildren, Paula (Rod) Burr of Atlanta, GA, Mike Callahan of Venice, CA, Courtney Callahan of Durango, CO, Ashley (Zino) Carr of Greenwich, CT, Emily Callahan of Ocala, FL, Kevin Callahan of Chicago, IL and Dan Callahan of Fairfield, CT, Savannah Belle Miller of Cos Cob, CT and also her great-grandchildren Nuala and Cullen Carr of Greenwich, CT and Tyler (Kylee) Gabor of Corinth, TX. Ann touched countless lives w ith her compassion, g race, dignity and ready smile. If you knew her, you certainly have your own story to tell. Her faith and love radiated into the hearts of everyone she met. Inside her husband's wedding ring is engraved, "Because God Made Thee Mine". The family knows that this is true for them as well, that God made her for each of them. She was a beautiful soul who led a beautiful life. There will be no calling hours and the service is private. In memory of Ann, visit Tod's Point, the beach she dearly loved, look to the sky and give thanks.
Edward Jones
highly respected Orthopaedic Surgeon. Leav ing the role of surgeon, he transitioned to the Hospital for Special Surgery and entered the fields of orthopaedic academia, administration and research. Ed served on numerous boards and committees, taught classes in surgery, orthopaedics and ethics, edited several publications and was Chairman o f t h e I n s t it ut i o n a l R e v i e w Board. Ed's tireless work ethic as a prominent academic, strong athlete and f ierce competitor translated to his commitment to the medical profession which continued until the time of his death. Biff is survived by his loving wife, Mary; four sons: Christopher (Heather), Tim (Lynn), Will and Charlie; grandchildren: Harrison, Taylor, Griffin and Trevor; sisters S a l ly, K at hy a nd Wendy ; a s well as all the many friends and colleagues throughout his life. We all admired his compassion, sense of humor, intellect, intense curiosity, love of reading and above all his love of family. Biff, Dad, Grandpa will always be with us as we are rounding Brant Point on Nantucket, traversing the canyons of New York City, crossing one of P it tsbu rg h's bridges, enjoying a sporting event, or singing a tune. The fa m i ly wou ld l i ke to express our enormous gratitude to Dr. Dickerman Hollister for his unwavering and exemplary care and to the entire Greenwich Hospital ICU staff for going above and beyond to comfort and care for our beloved Biff. A memorial and celebration of Biff's life will be held in the spring when all who loved him can safely join together. If you would like to share a memory of Biff, please visit the memorial website GateringUs. com and search for Edward "Biff" C. Jones. In lieu of f lowers, please consider donating to a newly established endowment fund created by the Hospital for Special Surgery in Ed's name to further orthopaedic research. Please direct donations to: The Edward C. Jones M.D. Research Fund Hospital for Special Surgery Development Department, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021 ( 21 2) 6 06 -1196, or The Bendheim Cancer Center Greenw ich Hospita l Care of: Dickerman Hollister, M.D., 77 Lafayette Place, Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 863-3737.
Barbara Dalton
Edward "Biff" C. Jones, MD, passed away with his family by his side in Greenwich, CT on Jan. 14, 2021. Biff was born on Nov. 11, 1942 to Edward B. and Sally F. Jones in Durham, NC. The family moved back to their hometown of Glenshaw, PA where Biff graduated from Shaler High School and subsequently inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to receive his BA from Colgate University. Throughout high school and college, Bif f was a noted scholar; exemplary athlete playing football, lacrosse and wrestling; president of his class; member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and numerous clubs and associations. One of his great joys in life was singing and the comradery of lifelong friends in the Colgate 13, an acapella singing group, continuing on as the Vintage 13, meeting annually. Edward continued his e duc at ion , e a r n i ng a M A i n C h e m i s t r y f r o m We s l e y a n University, followed by an MD degree from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1970. He completed residencies in general surgery at Roosevelt Hospital and in orthopaedic surger y at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City. Ed then went on to military service in the United States Air Force, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, DC. He served as the USAF Envoy to the White House during the Carter Administration, where he was responsible for accompanying the President and Congressional Delegates as the attending orthaepedic surgeon at events at the White House and other affairs of state worldwide. In Greenwich, CT, Ed was a founding partner at Orthopaedic Associates, P.C. He became a
Barbara Ann Dalton, a resident of Greenwich for 30 years, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 13, 2021, after a courageous fiveyear battle with cancer. Barbara was born on January 24, 1945 in New Rochelle, NY to the late Charles F. Dalton and Mildred O’Neill Dalton. She was raised in Larchmont, NY and educated at Saint Aug ustine School and Ursuline School. After graduating from Greenwich Hospital Nursing School, Barbara earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University and her Master’s Degree in Nursing from Yale University. After many years as a dedicated and skilled nurse and college professor of Nursing, Barbara completed her law degree at Pace University and launched a second successful career as a medical malpractice attorney with the law firm of Kelly, Rode, and Kelly in Mineola, NY. She gained the trust and admiration of all with whom she worked for her keen intellect, extensive knowledge of the law and medicine, and tireless attention to her work. A bove all, Barbara was a devoted and loving mother. This was the role that brought her the greatest joy and fulfillment. While her world revolved around her daughter, Elizabeth, she also spent much time doting on her nieces and nephews and their children – a fun loving and sweet aunt to all. Barbara managed her illness self lessly with dignity, grace, and fortitude, always thinking of
others before herself. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Dalton of Greenwich. She also leaves her brother, Charles F. Dalton Jr., and his wife, Johanna, of Auburn, NY as well as her brother-inlaw, Knowlton (Kayo) O’Reilly of R iverside. Barbara is also sur v ived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was predeceased by her older sister, Mary Beth O’Reilly and her goddaughter and niece, Katie O’Reilly both of Riverside. There will be no calling hours. The burial service will be private. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date due to the pandemic. In lieu of f lowers, donations m a y b e m a d e i n B a r b a r a ’s memory to The American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by Leo P. Gallagher and Son Funeral Home.
Irene Cary
retired in 1999. Irene was brilliant, possessing a keen mind, sharp as a razor, and continues to shine in the hearts of her children and grandchildren. Her son, Roger, f latly declared she was the smartest one of all. While one may dread being on her bad side, she possessed a wicked sense of humor and could produce gales of laughter. She loved to sing and dance, and also enjoyed drawing and oil painting. Irene was a rare beauty, shining brightly for nearly a century and remained so through her very last breath. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Maria and Timothy; Michael Cary; her son, Roger; and her grandson, James Jr. (LoBuglio). She is survived by her daughter, Sheila (Eletto), of Oxford, CT; her son, Brian, of Phoenix, AZ; three grandchildren: Christine Tyrrell (Adam) of Sandy Hook, CT, David Boyajian (Cheryl) of Newtown, CT, and Amy Boyajian of Watertown, CT; and four great-grandchildren (Dylan Tyrrell, Trevor Tyrrell, Sadie Boyajian, and Cole Boyajian). Internment services will be provided by Nicholas Cognetta Funeral Home in Stamford. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Nathaniel Witherell Nursing Home, 70 Parsonage Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830. Private memorial services will be held in the months ahead.
Nancy Pimentel Irene Marchenko Cary, 97, passed away peacefully on Jan. 12, 2021 at the Nathaniel Witherell Nursing Home in Greenwich, CT. She was born on March 15, 1923 in Vladivostok, Russia as an only child to Timothy and Maria Marchenko. As the Russian Revolution slowly spread across Siberia, Irene and her parents moved to Shanghai, China when she was five years old. Irene was raised in Shanghai's French Concession and attended French American schools there. From a young age Irene displayed a n d d eve l op e d a t a l e nt a n d passion for languages. In addition to her native Russian, she learned to spea k Ch inese a nd f luent French and English. As an adult Irene went on to master Spanish and gained a solid understanding of Swedish. When others would express admiration for her skills by calling her a linguist, she cheerfully ack nowledged the praise by referring to herself as merely a polyglot. I r e n e m e t M i c h a e l C a r y, an American businessman, in 1947 a nd they were ma r r ied on Christmas Eve that year in Tientsin, China. The Chinese (Communist) Revolution was u nder way a nd by late 19 4 8 Irene and Michael left China for the United States, settling in Connecticut where their first child (Sheila) was born in January 1949. The you ng fa m i ly move d f req uently th roug h the nex t decade as Michael pursued projects in the U.K., Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the United States, and Mexico. Their sons, Brian and Roger, were born in 1953 and 1959, respectively. By 1961 the Cary family settled in Stamford, CT and raised the children there. After arriving in Stamford, Irene was employed by Norma Hof fman (Norma Fag), a ball b e a r i ng s ma nu fac t u rer. She pursued secretarial studies and worked in clerical positions for the Stamford Superior Court and volunteered her language skills there to provide Spanish interpreting services. In addition, she volunteered as an aide at Nathaniel Witherell, worked part-time at Stamford Hospital, and obtained her CT real estate license. During this time Irene resumed her formal education at Norwalk Community College, receiving an associate's degree, and went on to enroll at Fairfield University and the University of Bridgeport, earning a bachelor's degree from UB in 1974. Irene worked for the CETA federal job training program before joining the Connecticut Department of Welfare in Bridgeport as a social worker for several years. Not content with her schooling to date, Irene's lifelong passion for learning and books led her to complete her master's degree in library science in 1981 from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. She worked in various library positions, including the South Norwalk Public Library and Paul Hastings law f irm, eventually joining the corporate library and records section of Stolt Nielsen, Greenwich, CT from where she
Nancy A rlene Pimentel, age 83, passed away on Jan. 11, 2021 in McLean, Virginia from COVID-19. Nancy was born in Port Chester, NY, the only child of the late Nunzie Fiore and Angela Angeletta. She grew up in Harrison, NY and graduated from the Edgewood School in Gr e enw ich , CT. I n 196 0 she married the late Manuel "Mickey" Pimentel, Jr. She worked as an executive secretary and in other administrative positions at the Continental Baking Company, Physicians Radio Network, and medical offices in Stamford and Greenwich. She was a parishioner of St. Leo Parish for more than 40 years, and a member of the Stamford chapter of the Emblem Club before moving to Virginia to be near her grandchildren. Na nc y enjoye d at tend i ng live performances of all kinds, especially Broadway musicals; traveling; and tr y ing new restaurants. She was a loving mother and grandmother and is survived by her son, Paul Pimentel (Emily) of Washington, D.C. and granddaughters Mary Rose and Margaret Angela, and her dear friend Bill Fortini of Stamford. A private burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in Rye Brook, and a memorial service will be held in Stamford when it is once again safe to gather. In lieu of f lowers, the family suggests memorial contributions made in Nancy's honor to the Alzheimer's Association. Share a memory with the family at moneyandking.com
Inge Thalheim
Inge Thalheim (nee Wolter), age 90, of Old Greenwich, CT, passed away at her home of 57 years, in the presence of her family, after her loving heart stopped on Dec. 31, 2020. Inge was born on Sept. 8, 1930 to the late Rudolf and Erna Wolter in Berlin, Germany. Inge was predeceased by her husband Hans-George Thalheim in 2010. Inge is survived by her sister Karin Domian and niece Adriana Domian both of Brussels, Belgium and nephew Alesandro Domian, of Padua, Italy, her daughter Christine H. Wi m mer ( Ku r t) of Upper Makefield, PA and their children, Alexander, and Anna-Christina,
son Johann F.E. Thalheim, IV, (Sarah), of Old Greenwich, CT and their children, George (Joanna), Philip, Hans Christian (Taylor), and Ingrid, and son Peter A. Thalheim of Stamford, CT and his children Olivia, Sophie, and Audrey. Inge was raised in Berlin, Germany and turned nine years old seven days after World War II started on Sept. 1, 1939. Children did not have the concerns and worries of adults at that time, and made the best of it. Air raid sirens usually went off at 10 pm and the building's residents would descend into the basement bomb shelter, complete with bunks and benches. Here she could bring her favorite doll, cards and games and play with her friends. For six weeks in the fall of 1940, Inge, her mother and sister stayed in a village near the Czech border where she attended a one-room schoolhouse before returning to Berlin. With increased bombing of Berlin in 1943 the government ordered all mothers with young c h i l d r e n a n d t h e e l d e rl y to evacuate to areas of Germany where they would be relatively safe. They moved to Landsberg an der Warthe, now part of Poland. Inge enjoyed her time in the countryside. Spring of 1944, with Russians advancing on Germany, Inge's father moved them to Neu Fahrland near Potsdam, on the outskirts of Berlin. She attended school in Potsdam but would have to return home if warning sirens signaled an impending bombing. In February, 1945, Inge fled with her mother and sister to Opershausen bei Celle, which was further west and ultimately in the British Occupation Zone. Although three of Inge's g randparents survived the war, they all died within a year of its end from hard postwar conditions. Inge received her "Abitur" from the Staetische High School Geestachts in 1951. After working in an office near Lueneburg, Germany, Inge's Aunt Gretel (nee Wolter) and Uncle Heinz Klock from California paid for her to attend classes in English in London in the fall of 1952. Her budget allowed her to also take Spanish classes at the Linguist Club in London. There she met her husband to be Hans G. Thalheim. He was working in London for his German employer to organize supply contracts for non-ferrous metals. They married in February, 1953. Inge purchased a sewing machine during their honeymoon and had it on the backseat of their VW Beetle car as they traveled about. Thereafter they set up house in Petersham, England. Their daughter, Christine, and son, Johann, were both born in England. In 1957 they moved to Germany as Hans took a position in Nuremberg. In 1960 their son, Peter, was born. August, 1961 the Soviets began erecting "The Wall" around Berlin to physically separate East from West Germany. The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in 1962. These events and the uncertainties of another war in Europe prompted Hans and Inge to emigrate to the United States. Their hope, to live a peaceful and secure life in America. The young family sailed on the MS Bremen and arrived in New York on May 13. 1963. Inge's first act in the United States was to buy a new sewing machine at Macy's, even before their luggage was unloaded. In July, 1963, the family had made their permanent home in Old Greenwich. Happy and grateful to be in the United States they wanted to become Americans and assimilate themselves and their children. However, Inge was not able to lose her German accent, but had a very complete understanding of proper English grammar (and read and spoke French). Inge was a Cub Scout Den Mother for both sons, already marching in the Memorial D ay Pa rade . H a n s a nd I n ge joined the First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich, in 1964, where she was active for fifty-six years, volunteering and serving in numerous ways. She helped found the Kettle Quilters, where she stitched for over forty-two years. Quilts were raffled off and proceeds contributed to charity. In her retirement years, spent in part on Hilton Head Island, SC, she helped found another quilting group at the First Presbyterian Church. Having grown up in difficult times, Inge was extremely r e s ou r c ef u l, she s ewe d a nd mende d. Two d r e sse s cou ld be taken apart and a new one sewn. An old winter coat could be fashioned into a new one. She took apart old wool sweaters and knit something new. Inge knit
sweaters and hats for her family and sewed custom clothes for her grandchildren. Another pleasure and joy was her art, painting "naive paintings", furniture and Dutch-styled tiles. Concerned about preservatives in bread before people were concerned about such things, she started baking healthy, preservativefree bread in her own kitchen. So passionate was she in her baking and sewing that she gave lessons th roug h the Old Greenw ichRiverside Community Center. While her preference was to make the lives of her family and community better through her many skills, she was happiest being "productive". Introduced to sports by her father, who was an accomplished sailor, skier, and mountaineer, Inge never considered herself an athlete but enjoyed swimming in calm waters, sailing in calm waters and both cross country and downhill sk iing. Many happy family vacations were spent skiing or sailing. Riding a bicycle to town, church , friends or her children's houses was healthy, efficient and environmentally friendly. Inge learned to play golf for Hans in his retirement as he enjoyed playing golf with her the most. She also found herself, biking in Europe, a nd on c r u i s e sh ip s a lw ays packing one suitcase of clothes to giveaway to the less fortunate. Hans and Inge had a strong b o n d a n d p a r t n e r s h ip w i t h shared values from the lessons learned growing up in a time of war and loss. Their example of hard work, love of family, faith and gratitude for their blessings in life, which were not be taken for granted, will be treasured by not only their family, but those who k new t hem . W hat I nge did, she did for her partner in life, Hans, and for her children, grandchildren, friends and the community, Inge's philosophy in life was to do for others. At an early age, her youngest son called her a "good service Mami". Inge was a doer, with a sense of humor and a positive attitude, who was happiest when being productive and helpful combined with a modest approach to life, contributed to her having a full, happy, and grateful life. It is her families hope that her spirit will live on in all of us: Be happy, help someone, and make the world a better place. I n l i e u o f f l owe r s p ay i t forward and think of Inge and her joy in giving. A memorial service celebrating Inge's full life will be held at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, after COVID restrictions are lifted.
Nancy Barbour
Nancy Chard Barbour, an 80-year resident of Greenwich, passed away on Dec. 2, 2020, at her home in Sedona, AZ, she was 94. Nancy was born on Oct. 20, 1926 in Greenwich Hospital, to Clarence and Elizabeth (Flues) Chard. She grew up in the Indian Harbour area of Greenwich with her sister Elizabeth Chard Hatch and brother Robert E. Chard, both of whom preceded her in death. Nancy attended Greenwich schools and was a graduate of Greenwich High School, class of 1944. A gifted singer like her mother, Nancy studied voice with acclaimed Metropolitan Opera soprano Stella A ndreva. She was a soloist at the Greenwich Methodist Church, performed recitals of classical, sacred and popular music in the New York tri-state area, and sang with bands at dances in New York City for servicemen returning from Europe during World War 2. At the age of 17, due to performing at one of these dances, Nancy contracted spinal meningitis. Her life was eventually saved by a doctor who was experimenting with early Sulfa drugs. She recovered in the Infectious Disease wing of Nathaniel Witherell Hospital in Greenwich. After her recovery, Nancy continued to sing, and modeled for department stores and fashion
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How Can We Find Grace While Chasing the Brass Ring yours is much easier to see than mine!”) According to Scripture, sin is not the adding up of my bad deeds. Sin is, first and foremost, a condition of the heart. Put plainly, it’s the inclination of my heart to live as if there is no God. Sin is to be a slave to my compulsions, my addictions, my need for power and admiration. Sin is to be a slave to what others think of me and a slave to the fear of others. There is a beautiful Victorian mer r y-go-rou nd i n a seaside town we frequent that has been lovingly restored. Back in the day, our vacations in this town were not complete unless the girls had ridden their favorite merry-goround horse around and around. This antique fairground attraction also holds out the challenge to each rider of snatching metal rings each time they pass the ring feeder, and there is often a competition to see how many rings each rider can pile up. But let’s imagine that the merry-goround represents your life. And,
being well-intentioned, he wrote: “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:18b-19a). And as to being blameless, he asserted, “for a l l have si n ne d a nd fa l l short of the glory of God, and are justif ied by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). Clearly, Paul would have no part in my protestations to personal righteousness! C.S. Lewis would c on c u r w it h h i m . He w r ote , “Christianity ...has nothing (as far as I know) to say to people who do not know they have done anything to repent of and who do not feel that they need forgiveness.” It really depends on how we understand what the Bible calls “sin.” Are we inclined to think of sin as the accumulation of all the things we do wrong? (“This is my little pile of accumulated ‘sin’ and here is yours! And by the way,
By Drew Williams I wou ld l i ke to t h i n k t hat I am a good person. I am not saying that I am perfect, but I would like to think that, at the core of my being, I am essentially (near enough) well-intentioned. I pretty much always want to do the good and right thing even if I don’t arrive there. I admit there are times when I get angry or am not well-behaved, but this is usually triggered by the bad behavior on the part of others— and therefore completely absolves me. Remarkably, the apostle Paul had a very different impression of h i m s el f a nd ot hers. A s to
There is something scandalous a b out t he g race of G o d . T he apostle Paul wrote, “For our sake He [God] made Him [ Jesus] to be sin who k new no sin…” (2 Corinthians 5:21a). In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we are forgiven all the “brass rings” that we are holding in our guilty hands. It is as if, on the Cross, Jesus literally took them from us and received them as His own. But more than this, in becoming sin, Jesus died for the condition of our souls, our predisposition to grab at anything we think we can get away with. A nd i n t a k i n g t h at f a l le n disposition upon Himself, Jesus offered us something new. He held out for mankind the disposition of His own heart. Paul concluded, “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him [Jesus] we might become the r ig hteousness of G od” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Gospel of Mark tells us that when Jesus died the veil in
just for the sake of this analogy, let’s say that those enticing, shiny brass rings represent sin. Each ride constitutes 25 revolutions and all the while these shiny brass rings are held out for us, tempting us as we pass by (“Grab me. You know you want to!”). At the end of the ride, we confess to the two rings we managed to snatch (quite modest, really!) However, what about the 23 rings that we grabbed for but didn’t take hold of? Because after all, there can be no denying that we would have snatched all 25, if we could have gotten away with it! Scripturally-speaking, none of us are good enough. We have turned away like sheep and gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). The radical message of the Gospel is that our problem—sin—is worse than anything we could ever imagine. But also, the solution—grace—is better than anything we could ever deserve. It isn’t the magnitude of the crimes, but the magnitude of God’s grace that matters.
the Temple that separated the holiest part of the Temple from the rest of the building was torn in two, ripped from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). Profoundly, this moment signified that Jesus’ death and resurrection makes it possible for any of us to receive God’s mercy and draw near to God. Charles Spurgeon put it this way: “There is an entrance made for the greatest sinners. If there had only been a small hole cut through it, the lesser offenders might have crept through; but what an act of abounding mercy is this, that the veil is rent in the midst, and rent from top to bottom, so that the chief of sinners may find ample passage!” The Rt. Rev. Andrew Williams, Bishop of New England Bishop Andrew Williams ser ved as the Senior Pastor of Trinity Church in Greenwich, CT for ten years and was a weekly Faith columnist for the Greenwich Sentinel before becoming bishop for the Anglican Diocese of New England.
OBITUARIES continued from page 10 houses in New York City. In her mid 20's, she transitioned to a career in finance, where she met her husband George F. Barbour, son of the late State Senator Floyd E. Barbour of Greenwich. George preceded her in death in 1982. Nancy loved to travel, e sp e c ia l ly to v isit w it h her children and grandchildren, her parents who retired to St. Augustine, FL in the 1960's, visiting Australia, and her beloved Bermuda. S h e w a s k n ow n f o r h e r compassion, humor and grace by those lucky to know her. Though she had a great impact on many lives, the accomplishments she was proudest of were raising and loving her three sons, and being a caregiver for various members of her family. Nancy relocated to Sedona, AZ in 2007, where she reveled in the incredible beauty and nature of the area, and was lovingly cared for by her youngest son until her death. Nanc y was a voracious reader of fiction and non-fiction throughout her life. In the years preceding her death, she was researching the lives and works of the great mystics of various religions, Teresa of Avila being her favorite. Nancy ended each day with Teresa's words:
cut short due to health issues. With unexpected time on his hands, he decided to go to Europe to visit his relatives in Italy. After a few weeks in Rome, he visited his cousin in Naples, who invited him to a friend’s 18th birthday party. When the door opened, his life changed. There was the birthday girl, Luciana. After a summer of fully-chaperoned courtship, Joe knew he had to return to the US and start his career. He promised Luciana he would be back. Within a year and after a series of incredibly lucky breaks, he was back in Rome working for Hertz Rent A Car. He surprised Luciana at her home and proposed to her on the spot. They were married ten months later. Joe would have been happy to stay in Italy, greatly appreciating the famous “dolce vita” in Rome, a nd k now ing Lucia na was happiest there too. They had three of their four children, Joseph, Jerry and Audrey, there and were settled. However, a big new role came with Avis Rent A Car, and they were transferred to London, England. Their 4th child, Edward, arrived soon after their move. During their time in England, Joe renewed his relationship with sailing by buying a series of Camper Nicholson sailing yachts. The family enjoyed memorable sailing trips together in the Italian Mediterranean. By the end of the decade, Joe was back at Hertz promoted to a new global role in New York City. The family settled in Greenwich in 1980, and Joe was soon promoted to CEO. There was one more twist in the rent-a-car tale: Joe was lured back to Avis, where he eventually became CEO. Joe’s years as CEO brought tremendous success at Avis, which culminated when he led the company to a then unprecedented Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”). For years after Joe’s retirement, he would meet Avis employees around the country who would tel l h i m how t he ESOP had changed their lives for the better. Joe was asked to join the board of United Airlines partly thanks to his experience of implementing the ESOP As Joe’s attention turned to life after car rental, he returned to his passion for sailing but also added his love of engineering by developing a line of sailing superyachts, the Mirabellas. Each one advanced the boundaries of composite engineering, hydraulics and sail mak ing. However, it was Mirabella V, launched in 2004 which was the most remarkable and is still today the sailing yacht with the tallest
he earned a law degree from Columbia University. Douglas worked as a corporate lawyer for many years, before establishing the private firm of More, Phillips and Hull. Upon retiring, Douglas pursued his passion for sculpting, teaching at the Greenwich Art Society and guest lecturing at Greenwich Academy. He was commissioned to create a number of bronze statues that are on display at the Greenwich Board of Education and the Cos Cob School, among others. Douglas was active in numerous organizations, among them Carver Center and The Red Cross. He also enjoyed writing, and participated in a local literary group for many years. A devoted husband and father, Douglas was a man of honor and integrity. He had the respect of colleagues in every area of his endeavor, and the gratitude of his family, for whom he was, and is, a role model of strength, perseverance and of profound kindness.
Joseph Vittoria
"Let me come to the end of this day welcoming the darkness in peace, knowing that I have nothing to fear. For if I have you God, I will want for nothing. You alone suffice." She is survived by her three sons, John F. Barbour of CA, Stephen C. Barbour of N.C., and Christopher G. Barbour of AZ, two daughters in law, Che r yl Smolewsk i B a rb ou r and Anne Villbrandt Barbour, three grandchildren, one greatgrandson, and several nieces and nephews. Services will be private. In lieu of f lowers, donations may be made to: nursingworld.org or stompoutbullying.org
Joseph Vincent Vittoria, of Palm Beach and Greenwich, died at home surrounded by his family on January 18, 2021. He was 85. He had been battling leukemia for some time. He died in the arms of his beloved wife of 58 years, Luciana. Joe was born in Glen Cove, Long Island to first-generation Americans, Giuseppe and Maria (nee Ingicco) Vittoria. He grew up in nearby Sea Cliff, where he developed a passion for sailing and was always available to the local yacht club’s members to crew their boats. He was an outstanding student and was admitted to Yale on a scholarship, and he graduated with a degree in civil engineering, which he had originally thought would be his calling. However, upon graduating, he decided to switch to bu si ne ss a nd accepte d a scholarship to study for an MBA at Columbia. On completing his studies, he was drafted, but his military accomplishments were
Douglas More Douglas McLochlan More, 94, of Greenwich, died on November the 29th. He was 94 years old, and was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Pamela Marr More. He is survived by his daughters, Robin and Alison, their husbands, John and Peter, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. D ou g l a s w a s a g radu ate of Exeter and Harvard, and a veteran of World War II. He served in the Navy, after which
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single mast, an amazing feat of vision and engineering. Luciana ran the Mirabella yacht business out of their home in Palm Beach, which allowed Joe to continue to invest in new companies and sit on a variety of boards. He remained active with Columbia Business School, sitting on its Board of Overseers, and in the 80’s served on a presidential commission under Ronald Reagan. Joe was a lifelong fan of the New York Giants and attended four of their Super Bowls, of which the Giants won three. In late 2018, Joe was diag nosed w ith MDS/preleukemia, which he was able to manage with regular treatments. In the summer of 2019, Joe and Luciana were able to join the family for a special celebration on the island of Capri hosted by his daughter Audrey and her husband Christian. Joe was in great form, dancing into the late evening. By early 2020, the world had changed, and such family gatherings that were so dear to him became more challenging. Moreover, the leukemia had progressed. They returned to Greenwich to be closer to their children. Earlier this month, despite all the extraordinary precautions that were taken to keep him safe, Joe caught COVID. Remarkably, after six days in the hospital, he was able to recover sufficiently to come home. However, the Leukemia at this point had taken over his body, and he succumbed four days later. Joe leaves behind the love of his life, Luciana, his children: J o s e p h (a n d w i f e B a r b a r a) V i t t o r i a , J e r r y (a n d w i f e Francesca) Vittoria, Audrey (and husband Christian) Meissner and Edward (and wife Cristina) Vittoria; and the grandchildren he adored, Joseph, Alexa, Isabella, Sof ia, Andrew, Lulu, Camilla, Max, Carolina, Nic and Carlotta. He i s s u r v ive d by h i s on ly brother Jerome Vittoria and was pre-deceased by his four sisters Olympia, Helen, Marie and Olga. Joe was loved and respected by all who knew him. He rarely said a bad word about anyone and always believed the best of everyone. Joe was very generous with his time and ready to help a l m o s t a nyo n e w h o a s k e d , especially if it involved something that people said: “couldn’t be done.” Indeed, Joe was always a dreamer, and the combination of affection, intellect and vision is what made him so special. Joe and Luciana shared a deep religious belief and were active in the Catholic community. Joe was a Knight of Malta and a Freeman
of the City of London. Visitation pending Tuesday, to be posted. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary’s R .C . Chu rch on We d ne sday at 10:00 a.m., followed by e n t o m b m e n t a t S t . M a r y ’s Ce m e te r y. O n ly f a m i ly a nd close friends can attend due to the current social distancing requirements. Please contact the family if you wish to attend so that they can control numbers. A memorial and celebration of Joe’s life will be planned for later in the year so that all his friends and loved ones can gather together when it is safe to do so. If you would like to leave a message, please visit Coxe and Graziano. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joseph Vittoria’s name may be made to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Miami with special recognition for Dr. Terrence Bradley, who was simply brilliant in the care of Joe and to the Jupiter Me d ic a l Cent r e Fou ndat ion with special recognition for Dr. Nicole Corry, who also was so supportive of Joe until his last day.
Eugene McEvoy
E u g e n e (G e n e) M c E v o y passed away peacefully Sunday evening, after a lengthy battle with dementia. He was born in Port Chester, NY on July 22, 1932 the son of Eugene and Katherine Metrusky McEvoy. He spent his whole life in the Byram area of Greenwich. As a young boy he learned the art of fishing from his Uncle Buster which left him with a lifelong love for fishing which he passed onto his own children and some of their friends. He worked for American Cyanamid before his retirement. He loved reading, hiking and was an avid Notre Dame Football fans He is survived by his wife, Renee Roche McEvoy, his sons Michael and Brian. daughter Tara McEvoy-Zeballos. Son-in law Albert Zeballos and Grandchildren Jonathan and Alexis. A private mass of Catholic burial will be celebrated in his honor. Donations can be made in his name to Sacred Heart Church
Religious Education Program 38 Gold St Greenwich, CT 06830. For more information or to place an on line condolence w w w. coxeandgraziano.com
Mary Anne Chiappetta
Mary Anne Chiappetta, 81, died Friday, January 15, 2021 at Westchester Medical Center. A lifelong resident of Greenwich, CT, Mary Anne was a loving sister, aunt and friend who touched the lives of so many with her kind words, compassion and generosity. After graduating from Greenwich High School, Mary Anne was an office manager at Rogers Department Store for many years before leaving to pursue her passion of working with children and families. She became the Director of Gateway School, was involved in the Boys and Girls Club and worked at the Greenwich Board of Education until she retired. Her joy for life, her talent as an artist and her love of family and friends will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her. She is sur v ived by her sister, Grace DeCarlo ( James ) of Norwalk, her brother Frank Chiappetta (Barbara) of Woodbury, several nieces, n e p h e w s , g r e at-n i e c e s a n d a g r e a t- n e p h e w. S h e w a s preceded in death by her parents Pasquale and Mary Chiappetta of Greenwich, brother Patsy Chiappetta of Norwalk and a nephew David Chiappetta of Norwalk. The family would like to thank the staff at Westchester Medical Center for the kindness and support they gave during Mary Anne's final moments. Due to COVID, a celebration of life memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. For more information or to place an online condolence www.coxeandgraziano.com
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Visit GreenwichSentinel. com Very Hard
Very Hard
COLUMN
"Don't Look Back..."
By The Rev. Meg Finnerud Satchel Paige—the groundbreaking, philosophizing A f rican A merican baseball p l aye r —h a d n o t h ou g ht o f the k ind of yea r we have experienced in 2020 when he said these words. Of course, he knew a lot about overcoming challenge and, as an athlete changing baseball through racial barrier breaking, he knew about looking forward. He surely also knew about letting bygones be bygones and surely suffered a lot before he made it to the highest rank in his sport. Because of his bearing and because he kept
moving forward, we remember him for his grace as a leader and his ability as an athlete— likely in this order. We heard these words a lot in my family as Satchel Paige had the status of a kind of prophet in my family. As a baseball player in college and later coach and educator, my dad found great inspiration in the steady patience of this man whose career in the major leagues almost did not happen because of racial discrimination. We learned that faithful living had much to do with looking forward and not back. So much about 2020 feels best left in the past especially in regard to a virus for which vaccines have finally begun to be distributed and with more on the way. The pandemic of 2020 has taken many lives and obliterated, at least for a while, our ability to gather even for worship. The losses have been real and painful especially for
those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Along with the virus, we have also experienced a divisive national political campaign ending in a continued q uestioning of the va lidit y of the election. Trust in the system of choosing leadership has been severely wounded as we enter the coming year and the presidential inauguration. While some look forward in faith to this event and the change, many others—nearly half—feel somehow duped or cheated. As a nation, we have had many reasons to lose faith during 2020 and many reasons to feel angry or even bitter. 2020 surely has taught us all a lot about faith—the source of our faith, the nature of our faith and the sustainability of our faith. Given that we have all huddled in our households the vast majority of this past year, any propensity we may have had to look to others or
to communities for spiritual support has been replaced by whatever practices we have developed individually. Zoom images have f u nctioned as supposed substitutes for the human warmth of a hug or a smile. Even families have had to draw physical boundaries toward one another for safety. These seem like changes we might well want to leave in the past. And yet, this exercise in looking inward for faith and inspiration has surely also been good. Institutions—no matter how well-meaning or how spiritually sound—have never been a substitute for faith. Satchel Paige had no such institutions for support because the institutions functioned not to support people of color like him but to hold them back or to keep them out. In that context, not looking back represented a spiritual practice necessary
to move for ward in faith and to make way for needed transformation. There’s more to this quotation from Satchel Paige. Why not look back? “Don’t look back “because “something might be gaining on you.” What might the ‘something’ be? The ‘something’ isn’t specif ically def ined and that’s the great wisdom of it. The ‘something’ can be anything that might take hold of the spirit and prevent the faithful movement forward. Yes, we should remember those we have lost. Yes, we should work to rebuild the organizations and institutions that support our quality of life. And yes, we should hold dear the lessons we have learned about injustice and particularly about the scourge of racism that persists in our nation. But like the great Satchel Paige who transformed an institution by continuing to look forward and to let go of past challenges,
our positive path forward as individuals and as a community depends on our knowing how not to look back. As we are increasingly able to gather again and to encourage one another inperson, this will get easier. When we can see each other smile, we will feel a lot better. When we can see prosperity returning and feel safe, we will want to look forward. Until we see these things happening around us, let’s determine not to look back so that we never have the problem of what may be gaining on us. After a twenty-year career in international development, The Rev. Meg Allred Finnerud was ordained to the priesthood at S t . B a r n a ba s Epi s c opa l Church, Greenwich in 2014. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Fordham University working on a writing project profiling contemporary Christians who work for reconciliation and justice.
of new life. Regardless of our relig ious traditions, we can have a “baptism” moment of ack nowledging the past that continues to haunt and harm us, and “baptism” movement away from the old as we allow the healing waters to come over us. The old ways of life…old mindsets, thoughts, patterns, behaviors, attitudes and actions that are not life giving to self or to others…these can and need to be done away with and thrown out from the balconies of our hearts and minds. Jesus represented a new way of being in the world. He modeled for us that new life and a new way forward is possible…. one of peace, forgiveness and love. That is why the movement of Christ’s followers in the early first century was simply called “the Way” before it was named Christianity. Dr. King also said, “By opening our lives to God, we become new creatures. . .
Only through an inner spiritual transformation do we gain the strength to fight vigorously the evils of the world in a humble and loving spirit.” May we all believe that a new way forward is possible for ourselves, our community and our nation. May we, like Christ, hear the voice of God calling us beloved, and empowered by the Spirit of God to speak out against the old ways and to to advocate for a more loving and forgiving world in the year ahead. The Rev. Dan Haugh is the Associate Minister at Round Hill Community Church, and also serves as the Fleet Chaplain at Indian Harbor Yacht Club, as well as the First Vice President for the Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy. He and his wife Lauretta have twin sons, Jack and Blake who attend Parkway Elementary school, and love spending t i m e ou td o ors togeth e r a n d cheering for their beloved Boston sports team!
A New Way Forward
COLUMN
By Dan Haugh Picture yourself walk ing along a dimly lit side street in a small village in southern Italy. The moonlight shines radiantly upon the tall steeple in the town square and white lights line the ancient trees. It is December 31st. The old year will pass away within minutes and what lays ahead is still unknown. You look heavenward seeking guidance and direction and then notice something hurdling down from above towards you….an oven! You may think this just to be a figment of imagine, but alas it is raining down appliances…as is the custom in southern Italy
on New Year’s Eve. A large part of the celebration is letting go of the old year. So, Italians will throw out old items as a symbolic gesture of letting go of the past for a more hopeful time ahead. They will throw away old clothes, furniture, pots, and pans – out the window! These days, this tradition is no longer as common in Italy, but beware for an odd pan flying through the air if you ever travel there for the holiday! For many of us, we would have liked to throw away the past year. Wouldn’t it be nice to hurl 2020 onto the pavement! As we move into 2021, there is a sense of hope however. A vaccine has been successfully developed and is already been distributed widely. And so we find ourselves in a new calendar year, with increased hope but yet still facing the same struggles, challenges and questions as last year. I often hear people wishing to get back to normal, or what is now referred to as the “before times”.
B u t I wo n d e r w h a t w a s normal, and was it really life giving? Thoug h we d id not have to wear face masks or social distance ourselves, the “before t i me s” dema nde d a f ra nt ic , hu r r i e d a n d ove r-s c h e du l e calendar that more often than not, lef t us feeling an x ious, stressed and exhausted. Last year the news was dominated with race tensions, demands for justice and equity and shocking observations about the national level of racism, bigotry, hostility and violence. The powers of hate and divisiveness seem to have ruled the day and we have all collectively suffered. As I ref lect on the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month, I am reminded of these words: “There is a power in love that our world has not discovered yet. Jesus discovered it centuries ago. Mahatma Gandhi of India discovered it a few years ago,
but most men and most women never discover it. For they believe in hitting for hitting; they believe in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth; they believe in hating for hating; but Jesus comes to us and says, 'This isn't the way.' The Christian Church recently celebrated the baptism of Christ. This story begins the public ministry of Jesus and as he us submerged in the waters of the Jordan R iver by John the Baptist, he emerges and “suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17). Baptism, for Christians i s n o t o n l y a s i g n o f G o d ’s everlasting covenant..a seal of approval, affirmation and eternal faithfulness, it also symbolizes the putting to death of the old ways and rising towards the hope
Where Do We Go from Here?
COLUMN
By Marek Zabriskie In 1967, a year before he was assassinated, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. published a book with a prescient title, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” It was a tense time in A m e r i c a n h i s t o r y. T h e following year, political unrest, violence and rioting in over 100 cities erupted following the assassinations of Dr. King and Senator Robert Kennedy. Now is another tense m o m e n t i n o u r n a t i o n ’s history, following the appalling events of January 6th, when f ive people were k illed and
scores were injured, leading to ou r P r e s i d e nt ’s s e c o n d impeachment. Today, the title from Dr. King’s book is the question in all of our minds – where do we go from here: chaos or community? I recently found some clues in the third chapter of 1 Samuel. We read that Eli served as the high priest of the shrine of Shiloh, which was like our National Capitol for it housed Israel’s Ark of the Covenant, containing Israel’s most sacred laws, the Ten Commandments. Eli was old and could not control his own sons – Hophni and Phinehas, whom the Bible calls “scoundrels, who had no regard for the L ord.” (1 Sam. 2:12) They slept around, extorted money and confiscated property. Eli was assisted by a young boy na med Sa muel, whose mother Hannah had been childless until Eli invoked God to grant her a son. She dedicated
her son, Samuel, to God and brought him to the shrine at Shiloh to serve alongside Eli. One night as Samuel slept in the room with the Ark, which held Israel’s chief laws, and Eli slept in a nearby room, God called to Samuel in a vision. The Bible tells us that visions from God were rare in those days, but “the lamp of God had not yet gone out.” (1 Sam. 3:3) When God called his name, Samuel awoke and ran to Eli thinking that his mentor had summoned him, but Eli told him to go back to sleep. This occurred three times. F i n a l l y, E l i i n s t r u c t e d Samuel that if he heard his name called again to reply, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Sam. 3:9). When Samuel did this, God revealed to him the shocking news that would make the “ears of every one that [heard] it… tingle.” (1 Sam. 3:11) God revealed that Eli’s dynasty would be destroyed and
his sons would die. The next morning, Eli insisted that the frightened boy reveal God’s message. Eli listened, accepted the vision, and broadcast God’s judgment against him to all of Israel, and noted that Samuel was an authentic prophet. That took courage, integrity and wisdom. Sometime later, Eli’s sons were killed in a battle. When Eli heard the news, he fell backward off his chair, broke his neck, and died. Samuel’s vision came true. Meanwhile, Samuel went on to anoint the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, which changed the course of history. This lesson reminded me that we are living in a time where a l l of us a re hav ing t r o u b l e l i s t e n i n g . We a r e bom barded w ith news a nd information, but in order to serve God faithfully, we must turn down the static of human voices in order to hear God
clearly speak to us. We a l s o n e e d w i s e leaders w ith integ rit y, like Eli, to guide us through these turbulent times. Were it not for Eli, Samuel would not have recognized God’s voice. Furthermore, every leader must be able to hear the unvarnished truth, like Eli, who listened to the painful proclamation that his family dynasty was coming to end due to its inherent corruption. The stor y rem i nds us t hat lack of integrity always has its consequences. Finally, it was striking to see that all of Israel came to know Samuel as a trustworthy leader. We should never underestimate the impact of one trustworthy leader can make nor the harm that one or two immoral leaders can evoke. To day, t he world i s to o dangerous for anything but the truth, too fragile for anything but love. Jesus said, “Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me.” Christians are called to shoulder God’s yoke, and not the yoke of any political party or leader, but the yoke of God’s unconditional love. The trademarks of Christian conduct are honesty, integrity, humility, and compassion. All Christian authority derives from these virtues. Power is sought, but authority is bestowed, and can be maintained only with integrity. In this season of Epiphany, we would be wise not to seek our salvation in the trappings of politics but instead to dial down the static of our news feeds and attune our ears to God. We would be wise to pray as Samuel did, “Speak, for your servant is listening,” and hear God’s voice inviting us to the way of love and the vital work of reconciliation in a time of great divisions. The Rev. Marek Zabriskie is the Rector at Christ Church
Is it Resolutions or Reservations for the New Year?
By Maggie Young New You, New Ideas, and New Hopes. The year began with great expectations of life being different in 2021 and a grand goodbye to 2020, although no one knows what tomorrow holds. The word “New” led and likely continues to lead greetings and conversations with individuals you have not seen or greeted this year as of yet. What did you tell yourself that you would change, do, not do or repeat this year? Resolutions are commitments to; new beginnings, starts, stops, that is of course assuming one wants to stop or start a behavior. A statement that looks through the lens to stop engaging in a
behavior and/or vice that is viewed as negative and to redirect oneself to start engaging in a healthier more attractive activity or behavior follows the word resolution. We are Three week s into 2021, by now; your new year’s resolutions shou ld b e i f not d i rectly, loosely k icked i nto reality. Resolutions are similar to reservations. Resolutions, “Next year I w ill stop eating carbs and I will exercise at least three times week ly.” Reservations; “I will wait until next year to stop drinking and driving and I will not overuse my medication or smoke weed today but no promise about next week.” It is typical for resolutions to focus on what one wants to enhance and/or what not to do and reservations as known in the recovery community is reserving the right or granting oneself permission to return to active use of alcohol or other drugs after having abstained from use for a period. Typical resolutions highlight
We are Three weeks into 2021, by now; your new year’s resolutions should be if not directly, loosely kicked into reality. what needs to change, does not feel right, what we do not like or have received judgment from others. That lens can shift to one that is positive with a focus on enhancement of life, fostering and spreading love and kindness an opportunity that is always present. My resolution is to enhance my daily experiences by creating oppor tunities to be kind and measure it by the fullness of my heart. Nothing is new or original meaning there are footprints to follow in every oppor tunit y, even spreading kindness, someone has already walked ran or trotted the path. Because we are meaning seeking people, we can miss opportunities if we take moments, experiences and interactions for granted while
we look for meaning instead of looking within for fulf illment. What if we have already found meaning and because we were looking outward, we missed what is within our heart. If we fall into the act of conducting our life with a primary goal of pleasing others by meeting resolutions they set, resolutions set for exterior outcomes or for attaining approval by others how does one find peace and contentment? How about a spiritual resolution instead? We are quick to commit to a resolution to make tangible changes, what about a spiritual resolution to be kinder, more tender, genuine, and loving even to someone you do not know! One can never be TOO busy to be kind or tender; we never know who needs a dose
of kindness to make it through the day. The basic pressures of life, expectations of love ones and feelings of separations and loneliness is enough for anyone to feel isolated and disconnected. Humans are relational and our birthright is to socialize with one another, hold your head up, say hello and smile, you may make someone’s day. “Be k i nd w it hout get t i ng caught, smile at someone without expecting a smile in return even if you do not want to be smiled at, look someone in their eyes even when you do not want your eyes looked into. In moments of indecision or spiritual disturbance, do what you do not want to do, do not do what you want to do and be intentionally tender and genuine
with yourself and others. Never be TOO BUSY to be kind, the little things count the most! Maggie D. Young, LADC, MSW, ICCS is Chief Recovery Officer at Liberation Programs, Inc. Anyone seeking treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) can contact Liberation Programs, Inc. via email at admissions@ liberationprograms.org online or by calling 855-LIB-PROG (855542-7764). To learn more about Liberation Programs, please visit www. liberationprograms.org or email us at info@liberationprograms.org. If you are seeking peer-topeer support groups consider; Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery and Al-Anon and Alateen family groups as well as All Recovery Meeting (ARM) and Telephone Recovery Support (TRS) through CT Communit y for Addiction Recovery (CCAR).
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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. Fire in the Night - worship and prayer: Jan. 22, 6pm-Jan. 23, 12am, in the Sanctuary, also available on live stream. 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; 203-8692807 www.greenwichbaptist.org In-person Worship and live stream (Facebook & YouTube): Sun, 11am. Catholic Sacred Heart Church 95 Henry St.; 203-531-8730 www.sacredheartgreenwich.org In-person Mass: Mon-Fri: 7am (in Chapel); Sat: Vigil, 4pm (also live streamed); Sun: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30am (in Sanctuary). (Only by registration - call or text: 203-5599256 or email: sacredheartgrn@ optonline.net). Sacrament of Reconciliation (Church) by appt.; Sacrament of Baptism: Sun, 12:30pm (call the parish office in advance). The 2021 Mass Book is open for Mass, Altar Flowers and Altar Bread & Wine requests. 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; 203637-3661 www.stc-sta.org Masses: Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri (signin at church required): 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 – inperson and livestream, 5pm (sign-up required). Sun: Distribution of Holy Communion at front door of Rectory (mask & social distance required), 7:30-8am; St. Agnes Church – inperson, 8:30am (sign-up required); St. Catherine’s Church – in-person and livestream, 10:30am (signup required); Language Masses at St. Agnes Church – in-person (sign-up required), 11am (French: 2nd Sun of month; Spanish: 4th Sun of month); Distribution of Holy Communion at front door of Rectory, 5-5:30pm (mask & social distance required). 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 drop-off donations. Donations can also be dropped at the Sign-in table at Sat, Sun or Daily Mass at St. Agnes). Volunteer Opportunity: Meals on Wheels Greenwich currently delivers to approximately 100 individuals, delivering daily meals and to approximately 50 preschoolers food for the weekends. If you are interested in serving, please call Brian Maher at: H - 203-637-5203; C 203-981-7029. St. Mary Church 178 Greenwich Ave.; 203-8699393 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, 2:453:45pm, 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), livestreamed on YouTube (also listen by phone). Sunday of the Word of God: Jan. 24.
St. Michael the Archangel 469 North St.; 203-869-5421 www.stmichaelgreenwich.com Sunday Mass: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30am (All masses are Live Streamed on Zoom. Log onto the website at stmichaelgreenwich.com to access the Zoom Link or the LIVE Stream Masses and the Mass Reservation System). Youth Group: Jan. 24. Confirmation Prep – (Grades 7 & 8): Jan. 24, Online. St. Timothy Chapel 1034 North St.; 203-869-5421 Daily Mass: Mon-Sat: 7:30 & 9:30am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Wed, 10am-4pm; Live-streamed, 1011am. Confessions: Wed, 10-11am & 3-4pm. St. Paul Church 84 Sherwood Ave.; 203-5318741 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 203-531-8741, 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 203-5318741, ext. 2. Bereavement Group: Jan. 21, 5-6:30pm, in the Parish Hall (meets every other week), contact Dianne Deachan at 914327-0447 or diannefdf@yahoo. com with any questions. St. Roch Church 10 St. Roch Ave.; 203-869-4176 www.strochchurch.com Mass: (Reservations and/or for viewing via live streaming): MonFri: 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.; 203-6293876 www.firstchurchofroundhill.com (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. 1010:30am, 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. Lifeline Health Screening Event: Jan. 22, 8am-4pm, Community House. Congregational The First Congregational Church 108 Sound Beach Ave; 203-6371791 www.fccog.org Worship: Outdoor Service: Sun 8-9am, Memory Garden (sign-up online or call the church office); Virtual Worship: through livestreaming on YouTube and Facebook, and broadcast on WGCH (1490 AM or 105.5 FM). Connect during the week: Wednesday: Wisdom on Wednesdays (sent by Rev. Patrick Collins); Thursday: Faith Formation at Home for All and Faith Formation for Children (sent by Rosemary Lamie). Experience the Enneagram: every Thursday, through Feb. 18, 7-8:30pm, register. North Greenwich Congregational 606 Riversville Rd.; 203-8697763 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.; 203-8699311 www.2cc.org Contemporary Worship: Sat, 5pm. Traditional Sunday Service: 10:30am. Services available online, details at 2cc.org.
Episcopal Anglican Church of the Advent 606 Riversville Rd.; 203-8612432 www.churchoftheadvent.org Service: Sun, 9am, Holy Eucharist. Sunday School during academic year. Christ Church Greenwich 254 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-8696600 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). Pacific House Meal-a-Month: Pacific House seeks volunteers to cook dinner to feed 40 men. ‘Keeping the Faith During the Pandemic’: Jan. 24, 11am, via Zoom. Annual Budget Review: Jan. 23, 2pm, via Zoom. 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 inperson service: signupgenius.com/ go/4090e4aadac2ea3ff2-sunday1). Coffee and Morning Prayers Podcast: Mon-Fri. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 200 Riverside Ave.; 203-6372447 www.stpaulsriverside.org Worship Service: Sun, 10:15am, live online. Ongoing: Neighbor-toNeighbor Food Drive: Every Thu, 10-11:30am, in the parking lot. Evening Prayer: Jan. 21, 7pm, via Zoom. Sunday School: Jan. 24, 9:30am, via Zoom. St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church 350 Sound Beach Ave; 203-6372262 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. Preschool Virtual Open House: Jan. 26, 8pm. 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. 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. Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-8697191 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 inperson Friday night Shabbat service, registration is required, lori.baden@ templesholom.com. Sisterhood Program: ‘From Germany to China’: Jan. 21, 7pm, register, sisterhood@templesholom. com. BBYO ADL Community Program: Jan. 26, 7pm. JEWEL Program: Cocktails & Cook-ALong: Jan. 28, $18, register, t e m p l e s h o l o m . c o m/f o r m/ JewelCocktailsandCook-A-Long. 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 Fellowship. Wednesday Noonday Prayer and Evening Bible Study in the Comfort of Your Home will resume shortly. (Zoom details for all can be found on the website). First United Methodist Church 59 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-6299584 www.fumcgreenwich.com Virtual Sunday Worship, 9:30am, via Zoom (203 629 9584). Virtual Daily Gathering: Mon-Fri, 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 (Dialin number: 425-436-6380, Access code: 612220). Nondenominational Revive Church 90 Harding Rd., Old Greenwich (Old Greenwich Civic Center) www.myrevive.org Worship Service: Sun, 10am, Holiday Inn 2703 Summer 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: 10am, Online. *ALPHA Series (13 Weeks): starts Jan. 4, 7pm, Zoom. How to Live Out Your Faith (6 Weeks): Jan. 6-Feb. 10, 7pm, Zoom. Let Us Pray: every Thursday through Feb. 11, 7pm, in the Sanctuary. The Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave; 203-6374615 www.albertsonchurch.org Sunday Service held online via Zoom. 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/ House TrinityChurchLife/live. Churches: Sun, 9:45am, Fairfield County, CT & Westchester County, NY. Alpha (online): Tue, 7:30-8:45pm. 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. 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. Prayer Time for Alpha Online: Jan. 27, 7-8pm. ECO National Gathering: Jan. 29,
11:30am to Jan. 30, 4:30pm, Online.
Who’s On First?
COLUMN
By Jennifer Dayton First test ideas - belief is the result - in secular life. Education must celebrate individual expression, while meeting new challenges of belief systems based on disinformation. If it does not, conspiracies w ill continue to inf luence elections and possibly lead to violent unrest, intelligence failures or at its worst, martial law. Widening economic inequality prov ides f uel to conspiracies calling for anti-establishment instability. It’s not just a national issue - it is relevant to each of us with social media accounts. Freedom of speech is f irst on our Bill of Rights and says n o t h i n g a b o ut r e g u l at i o n o f private company restrictions of
speech, nor should it. Voluntary action has been taken by private social media platforms. Freedom of speech applies to government restrictions, but there are legal exceptions. An exception is the use of « fighting words » to cause an immediate breach of the peace. Un l e s s A m e r i c a n s c o n s e r ve established principles, no one w ill have f reedom of speech. We live in exceptional times, when we have to resort to legal exceptions to f irst amendment protections. For example, the US Supreme Court will soon hear a case to decide whether public K-1 2 s c h o o l s m ay d i s c ip l i n e students for consequences of off-campus speech. Twenty years ago in the wake of 9/11, citizens constructively demonstrated patriotism prevailed over deep distrust. Ten years ago, citizens constructively worked to end a closure of government over deep distrust. Democratic norms provided stability, allowing bipartisan problem-solving to work. Today, calling for election
Education must celebrate individual expression, while meeting new challenges of belief systems based on disinformation. fraud investigations, despite no evidence and court dismissals, is destabilizing. One established principle remains undefeated: that judicial decisions on elections apply universally, without regard to allegiances. Beyond t he pu bl ic sec tor, it should concern us, when democratic norms fail. Private sector leaders have spoken loudly, favoring stability that in self-interest gives government a chance to work, minimizing risks for investment and economic r e c o v e r y. O n t h e b r i n k o f adulthood, schools shape future leaders for the private sector and we should foster their commitment to democracy’s success. Ou r new generation must be educated differently. Before reaching voting age, children
are often afraid of events they don’t understand. For their sake, let’s join together in building the confidence of future voters in democracy and countering contempt for government itself. Civics is a full high school credit in nine states and a half-credit in ours. However, in Connecticut, all elementary and secondary schools, whether public or private, must offer instruction in government at the local, state, and national levels. Our state social studies frameworks are customized by local schools. In Greenwich, I hope they place more emphasis on the century we are living in, covering all aspects of our electoral process. Critical thinking should be woven into all academic disciplines, so that students consuming information - whether quantitative, historical,
economic or scientific - develop independent thought. Regardless of what is said or written in any domain, it’s testing consequences of ideas that matters. I n t h e r i s i n g g e n e r at i o n , many lives will intersect with constitutional issues, not just those with careers in advocacy or policy-making. Only one third of states make any kind of civics exam a graduation requirement. Average results w ithin ever y state collected by the Center for Civic Education, show Advanced Placement (AP) US History exam results have mean scores below a “3,” the attainment generally acknowledged as worthy of college credit. Competence at graduation is a result of hands-on experiences in constitutional principles at the earliest grades.
The original mission of schools was to create effective citizens. It’s often been said that schools cannot solve every social ill, but the first call that sounds, should be to form savvy citizens. Schools create opportunities for learning citizenship’s duties. But that’s not enough. We need new rules of the road in education, new skills in deliberation, for a world of unreliable information. That means competence in not just tolerating but testing opinions, i d e n t i f y i n g i n s i d e r -v e r s u s outsider persuasion, patriotically respecting judicial decisions and experiencing the ongoing work of democratic reform. Freedom of thought comes first before freedom of speech. Without independent thought, our Fourth of July will lose its original, patriotic meaning. Jennifer Day ton work s to increase civic engagement at local, regional and statewide levels. She has served on the Greenwich Board of Education and Representative Town Meeting.
Alumni Reflect on What Wasn’t on the Syllabus
By Jonathan Muhlrad
From ancient empires to the most recent conf licts in the Middle East-a student in the Greenwich Public Schools system can expect a broad social studies curriculum over the course of their twelve years. But conversations with alumni provide evidence of how much is learned outside the classroom: lessons in interpersonal relationships and self-discovery. After having spoken to five alumni, of different ages and backgrounds, there may be a need to understand how much of that which is defined as extra-curricular should be considered curricular. The alumni did frequently mention the competitive academic culture in the Greenwich Public Schools. Both Michelangelo Federici (Greenwich High School ‘13) and Juliette Wilder (Greenwich High School ‘19) attest to having felt that pressure already enter i ng Cent ra l M idd le S cho ol. Referring to receiving a grade-point average for the f irst time, Wilder says she “could feel the weight of the number.” From that moment, Federici agreed, it felt like everything started to matter. In that environment, Federici points to how crucial the faculty were to his growth. He had been in the Advanced Learning Program (A.L.P.), which pulls
quick learners from their classrooms already in elementar y school for specialized learning. But he remembers when he first felt his feet starting to slip in a. U.S. History class as a Sophomore. His teacher Karen Boyea spent time with Federici before school to help him adopt study tactics that he would later bring to college. Federici felt heard, “Boyea was really good at catering to each of our styles. She gave some students study packets, she let other people use the whiteboard. She was very aware of how I learned.” But i n side a nd outside of t he classroom, alumni stressed the role of their social environment. Gregory McTiernan graduated from Eastern Middle School, before transferring to Fairfield Prep (‘13) for high school. His social groups provided perhaps the most color in his childhood, “my best memories are with my friends,” McTiernan states as a scientific fact. Wilder credited the A.L.P. program in elementary school for surrounding her with a crowd that was oriented around academics. In that way, academics and social life became factors in the same equation. Those social dynamics become increasingly dominating at Greenwich High School, with a student body just below 3,000 students. Students can subconsciously compete with one another, act cruelly towards those
different from them, or feel like they are ignored. Wilder describes a situation where a student can be academically successful, but emotionally struggling. This is partly why mental health has become a central topic in conversations around education. The high school’s Education and Wellness Center opened in October of 2019 with the stated goal of providing students with a comprehensive environment to support “positive mental-health and academic outcomes.” But Wilder hopes for a day in which mental health awareness will be pervasive. That means teachers won’t bat an eye when a student asks for a mental health day, and may even keep an eye open for students who need it. It becomes essential when one thinks of Greenwich High School’s slogan, “Freedom with Responsibility.” Students at the high school build their own schedules and choose from a vast range of electives, giving them the opportunity to discover their unique passions. But there’s a lot of inbetween time, where students need to set their own boundaries. Christian Umaña (Greenwich High School ‘13) makes the point that high school is when habits are adopted, at the same time that “students are trying to fit into the puzzle that Greenwich High School is.” Falling in with a certain crowd or processing stress with a
specific method can become routine-and thus caring for a student’s mental health doesn’t end when a student graduates. Rather, the goal is to train that graduate to maintain wellness into their adulthood. Federici loved the breadth of the high school. Yet he agreed with Umaña: the ocean of opportunity that’s offered to students can be a risk. The high school’s approach worked for him, but he recognizes the outcome may differ for a student that can’t find their direction. Still, Federici doesn’t think Greenwich High School should retreat from its open learning environment. It may need to increase the number of mandatory meetings with guidance counselors and facilitate more frequent student conversations. “The resources are there,” Federici stresses, “to help those students that fall into the gaps.” Most of the alumni agreed that the autonomy that students enjoy at the high school is a blessing. For Umaña, “high school’s all about figuring yourself out.” He was grateful that Greenwich High School gave him the space to do that. Umaña gives credit for his choice of major, Business Administration, to a high school Entrepreneurship class. Wilder considers herself fortunate that she had access to a dark room at Greenwich High, because it was there she developed photography into a passion.
These alumni seized the opportunities offered to them to shape their social and academic journey throughout high school. But there are difficult moments of self-reckoning for a teenager. Umaña speaks of when he started to recognize the different socioeconomic groups among students. He noticed, for example, that people had different plans after high school. Some were going away to liberal arts schools, some to local state universities, and others were going to school part-time. But Umaña describes that moment calmly, “noticing you are different can be intimidating, but you have to be yourself.” Twelve years in the Greenwich Public School system is an adventure. The learning may come in absorbing the importance of separation of powers in an American History class, but also in fumbling one’s way through the balancing act of after-school sports, friendships, and discovering more about oneself. Chris Sotzing (Greenwich High School ‘99) recently moved back to town with his wife and two children. In Sotzing’s eyes, a comprehensive education is something he’s excited about for his kids, and he views the public schools as a positive for the whole town: “Any community benefits from a strong public school system, and Greenwich has absolutely benefited from that.”
Review: Restaurant
Come Over to Nonna’s on Railroad Avenue By Jonathan Muhlrad To n y C r u d e l e w a n t s t o invite you home to Nonna’s. To this day, Crudele finds h i msel f su r rou nded by h is family every Sunday at 2pm. The meal comes with multiple
courses, and somewhere between the antipasti and spare ribs, the world feels like it’s on pause. It’s this family culinary ritual that the Greenwich native aims to offer at Bella Nonna, the home-style Italian restaurant on Railroad Avenue.
It’s important to Crudele that families feel like Bella Nonna (“Beautiful Grandmother” in Italian) is a second home, “I want them to be able to come here, without feeling like they have to break the bank.” One gets the sense that Crudele thinks this family env iron ment is nearly an ingredient in itself. “These are recipes that have been passed dow n...I eat t he sa me food today since when I was young enough to remember.” The restaurant industr y had a difficult year in 2020, and Bella Nonna felt the crunch. The delivery business has seen busy, but some delivery apps take as much as 45% from an order. Despite the uncertainty, Crudele assured his staff that their jobs were secure, “these people have been with me since the beginning.” The equities tradertur ned-restaurateur had ambitious plans for the past year prior to the pandemic. Bella Nonna’s recently took over the neighboring store and expanded their dining space. The new square footage gives B el la Non n a sp ac e to ho st private events, or for families to invite those cousins that they previously weren’t sure there would be room for. Crudele emphasizes that any success they have had is than k s to the com munit y ’s support. Throughout the year there have been rewarding moments: at one point, Bella Nonna partnered with Glenville School, when nearly one hu nd red students received at-home pi z za-ma k i ng k its and learned the methods of a genuine pizzarello. This is the rewarding n a t u r e t h a t C r u d e l e l ove s
about running a restaurant. He wants to be able to give a positive dining experience to the community. Crudele enjoys checking in with customers as they come to pick-up their lunch. Some work at the hedge funds nearby, some are residents, and some work for the town. Sitting on his laptop at a table close to the cash register, he asks a construction worker a bout t he prog ress at a local site. The customers recognize each other too and a b ond h a s for m e d a mon g t h e p at r on s of t h e c e nt ra l
Greenwich restaurant. The reward comes af ter a hard day’s work. Crudele is meticulous in how he r uns the restaurant--looking for the right pieces that guests enjoy. Fresh produce is a priority, especially the tomatoes that go into the red sauce. Customers enjoyed the outdoor dining this past summer, and Crudele hopes that will continue once the warm weather returns, serving his beloved Chicken Scarpariello on the restaurant’s front lawn. Crudele wants to provide
the full experience. If you’re o r d e r i n g f o r d e l i ve r y, t h e restaurant has a sharp website and their own convenient app to st rea m l i ne t he order i ng p r o c e s s . A s i ndo or d i n i n g makes a return, Crudele will be sure to have thought of each detail in a guest’s restaurant experience from the moment they walk in. Ultimately, he wants you to feel like Bella Nonna is your home. It isn’t just the Bolognese that keeps people coming back, “this is a place where people have memories.”
Page 15 | Greenwich Sentinel
Puzzles for the Weekend: Have Fun!
Code Breakers
Word Search
Each number in the Codeword grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this Card Games - Find the 24 card games listed below in this box of letters. Words are puzzle, 3 represents E, 9 represents M and 1 represents T, so fill in E wherever 3 appears, M horizontal, vertical, and diagonal backward and forward. Answer on page 11 wherever 9 appears and T wherever 1 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 11. 15
22
21
1
15
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24
23
23
6
23
4
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1
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21
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11
14
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3
9
24
3
4
26
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9
1
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25
15
1
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13
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5
19
4
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19
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23
9
11
3
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2
13
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5
24
15
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4
24
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14
3
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3
26
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5
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4
3
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T
E
21
5
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3
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5
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13
6
20
15
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3
1
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M
13
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15
3
7
3
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7
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24
14
16
3
23
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21
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9
3
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3
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15
5
21
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21
15
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11
2
3
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14
E
4
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6
7
8
9
17
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10
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Crossword 1
2
3
4
5
14
15
17
18
20
27
44
29 37
53
31
42
61
62
71
72
73
41 Talent seeker
5 Protect
43 Shuttle operator
10 "Four and twenty blackbirds baked in ---"
44 Behaved
16 Route
46 Wished 48 Beat 49 Accidental dive 51 Feeble
17 Via
52 Some foreign Government heads
18 Serviced
53 Except
20 Cotton Club setting
55 Comic --- Martin
22 Jamboree 23 Up 25 Intelligence agency
57 Light metal 62 Knuckleheads 65 Suspension 67 Duration
26 Not traded on a stock exchange
68 First to die in the Bible
28 Top guns
69 Untrue
30 Ethnic
70 Egyptian dancing girl
35 In favor 36 Adeptness 38 State animal of Maine
71 Dabbling duck 72 Absquatulates 73 Drip slowly
DOWN 1 Tub 2 Workplace regulation agency 3 Unglazed brownish-red earthenware 4 Pulls 5 Ingenious sales devices 6 World's largest economy 7 Expression of incredulity 8 Scrap 9 Despise 10 Parched 11 Small lake 12 U N nuclear watchdog 13 Swirl 19 Warning signal 21 Touchdown forecasts 24 German state 26 O founder 27 Temporary peace 29 Single-masted sailboat 31 Electrically
Poker Red Dog Rouge et Noir Rummy Skat Solo Spades Stop Whist
4
5
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40
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31 35
34
37 39
8
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36
38
41
42
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64
44
67 70
15 Publish
3
29
63
69
14 On the ocean
2
34
56
66
39 The Sultan of Swat
33
48
68
1 Opposite of neither
1
52 55
65
32
43 47
54
60
ACROSS
13
24
51
50
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12
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58
11
17 30
41
49
10
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36 40
9
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28
39
8
19
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57
7
Fish Gin Grab Hearts Hi-Low Misere Nap Ombre
Anagram Crossword
16
21 23
26
6
Brag Bunko Canasta Carlton Crib Demon Fan-Tan Faro
charged particle 32 Maritime refugees 33 Tea-growing Indian state 34 Inclines 37 Southern hemisphere constellation 40 "He'd make a lovely corpse" (Dickens: "Martin Chuzzlewit") 42 1,000% 45 Kind of card 47 Artificiallycolored 50 Went on the lam 54 Like Mayberry 56 Travel stamps 57 "I --- my wit's end" 58 Projecting part of the brain 59 Common fertilizer ingredient 60 Shopping center 61 Height of Denver 63 Dull 64 Sudden 66 Employ
45
46
50
51
52
53
ACROSS 1 Barybc 7 Ntagie 13 Lsneao 14 Eorrvg 15O talrp 16 Wttaao 17 Poer 19 Snith 20 Esdu 22 Urmd 24 Yialt 25 Triaepw 29 Gna 30 Aos 31 Dne 32 Dohewrc
35 Tahnc 37 Cedo 38 Raer 39 Sulrs 42 Euss 44 Oconkl 46 Tsosip 50 Tlboea 51 Elltsa 52 Oaewdm 53 Eeedms
DOWN 1 Poc 2 Anr 3 Tsa 4 Eralrb 5 Dolyob 6 Lepy 7 Oge 8 Utrrha 9 Mtoeit 10 Avni 11 Wetn 12 Args 18 Rwddase 20 Athu 21 Gaos 23 Oir
47
24 Cni 26 Aert 27 Nnea 28 Tdp 30 Ces 33 Erodkw 34 Tseood 35 Lereoc 36 Lsaesh 39 Mlas 40 Boel 41 Lcau 43 Apsu 45 Wno 47 Msi 48 Eet 49 Tsd
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Page 16 | Greenwich Sentinel
WHAT TO WATCH: NICK'S FLICKS
Review: News of The World
By Nick Barile Directed By: Paul Greengrass Starring: Tom Hanks, Helena Zengel, Elizabeth Marvel Rated: PG 13 Available: Theaters, Amazon Prime, Apple, Google Play Captain Jeffrey Kyle Kidd (Hanks) is a Civil War veteran who makes a living traveling from town to town, reading the local and world news to townspeople for a dime a head. A normally placid and uneventful existence, K idd comes upon an overturned wagon with its
black driver hung from a tree. Hiding in the wagon is a small white girl in a buckskin dress. The girl (Zengel) doesn’t speak English, but an indian language unfamiliar to the Captain. In
the wagon he finds papers that indicate the girl is an orphan a nd was b ei ng t ra nsp or te d to her on ly l iv i ng relat ives 400 miles away. Her name is Johanna Leonberger. Captain
K idd resolves to deliver her himself after attempts to engage help from the local army fails. Stopping over in a familiar town, Kidd introduces Johanna to Mrs. Gannett (Marvel) who happens
to speak her language. Mrs. Gannett learns that Johanna was kidnaped as an infant and raised by the Kiowa tribe. Her Kiowa parents now also dead, Johanna is twice orphaned. The
road to her kin is fraught with dangerous thugs and rugged terrain, but this only strengthens the Captains commitment. An unlikely rapport and paternal bond blossoms as Kidd teaches Johanna some English and she teaches him Kiowa. From the novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles, this sometimes gritty sometimes charming story has an authentic feel from the start. The towns are far from the pristine western settlements seen in many films. The sense of a tough post war life is palpable. Greengrass’s direction brings the book to life in an honest, respectful way. Ha n k s is ma r velous as t he kind-hearted guardian. Though twelve-year-old German actress Helena Zengel doesn’t talk much, her expressions, body language and presence speak volumes. As a good down to earth stor y, I give News of The Wo r l d 4 o u t o f 5 o n t h e popcorn scale.
Suduko
Sudoku: each row, column, and nonet can contain each number only once. Answers on page 11.
Easy
Easy
Very Hard
Hard
Hard
Very Hard
Astrology for Week of Jan. 24, 2021 AQUARIUS 21 Jan-19 Feb The Sun close to Saturn in your sign deters you from taking risks – which is just as well this week as your unpredictable ruler Uranus is also strong. With analytical Mercury turning retrograde on Saturday your best bet is to keep hedging your bets.
GEMINI 22 May-21 June You’ll be in no mood to let anyone off the hook this week – if they break the rules they will know what to expect. But remember that it works both ways and if you cut corners, someone, somewhere will cause a fuss. And you can’t really blame them.
LIBRA 24 Sept-23 Oct If you focus your energyin a single direction and believe youhave what it takes to succeed there is nothing you cannot do. With the Sun linked to Saturn and Jupiter, all thingsare possible. Make this the week you really start to live up to your potential.
PISCES 20 Feb-20 March The Sun in Aquarius tends to have a negative effect on your energy, and with the Sun so close to r e s t r i c t ive S at u r n t h at w i l l b e magnified this week. This is a time to ref lect onthe lessons of the past months. What you lose in energy you’ll gain in wisdom.
CANCER 22 June-23 July You need to clarify your expectations of others or how can you tell them what to do? Also, the current Sun-Saturn conjunction warns this is not a good time to take financial risks – even more so if the money is not yours in the first place!
SCORPIO 24 Oct-22 Nov You must refuse to react to provocation from those who know you anger easily. They will be trying to draw you into a situation where your emotions get the better of you and you do or say something that makes you look bad. You’re not that gullible, are you?
ARIES 21 March-20 April Aries is a practical sign but in recent weeks some of your ideas have been a little outrageous to say the least. Current aspects will help you to decide which of those ideas stand a chance of success and which are just wishful thinking.
LEO 24 July-23 Aug Do your own thing this week and don’t let anyone stop you or accuse you of being irresponsible just because you want to be free. You have done more than enough for others but some people are never satisfied. Ignore them and do as you please.
TAURUS 21 April-21 May You have every right to be ambitious and because today’s Sun-Saturn conjunction falls in the career angle of your chart this is the perfect time to let employers and other influential people know what you can do and how well you can do it.
VIRGO 24 Aug-23 Sept If your energy takes a nosedive this week slow down and let your batteries recharge. Also, this is a good time to do something about your schedule – you’re trying to cram too much into 24 hours. Something has got to give. Don’t let it be you.
SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov-21 Dec Minor irritations will annoy you more than they should this week and you must remember that they don’t mean much in the greater scheme of things. Keep your eye on the big picture and don’t get dragged into situations you can’t control. CAPRICORN 22 Dec-20 Jan Money worries will rear their ugly head this week but if you keep things in perspective you’ll realise they’re not that important. Planetary activity in your sign will remind you there are more important things in life- like love, passion and friendship.
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Page 17 | Greenwich Sentinel
Take a Hike: Sunnybrook State Park
By Julia Lucey As there seems to be a limitless number of state parks and hiking trails to explore in Connecticut, here is yet another s a fe outdo or adve nt u r e t h i s winter. Just under 80-miles north of Greenw ich is Tor r ing ton’s Sunnybrook State Park, a 464acre state-owned property filled with mild, welcoming hiking trails for picturesque walks through woodlands, past the East Branch Naugatuck R iver, and around other small ponds and streams. The Park is a bit of a ways away from central Greenwich, but getting there is a ver y
Photos of Sunnybrook State Park by Julia Lucey straightforward drive up I-95 to Exit 27, where you then follow Route 8 for a more scenic trip up north toward Torrington. The Park is situated off to the side of one of the town’s backroads, so once you’re on Newf ield Road, keep your eyes peeled for the (easily missed) small wooden sign labeled “Sunnybrook State Park” that marks the entryway. Parking is free and the lot is small but still large enough to find space, as it isn’t as popular a Park as some others in CT. One hundred-sixty acres of the Park once belonged to Edwin
Fadoir, a dairy farmer who raised Guernsey cows and supplied milk for the neighboring towns. Fadoir sold his land to Connecticut in the 1960’s, and Sunnybrook State Park was established as a state park in 1970. Today, the Park offers several m i le s of p e ac ef u l , ch a r m i n g trails appropriate for hikers of all experiences and ages. In the parking lot, you’ll find a stand with park maps posted, detailing the various trails that wind through the park. One is even named for Fadoir himself: the Yellow Fadoir Spring trail is just under one mile.
Past the parking lot, what was once a paved road is now closed off to traffic and hugged by trees that connect to the different trails’ entryways and leads down to a small (currently frozen) pond at the edge of the hiking trails. Many trails also cross over and around the Naugatuck River as well as over other brooks and streams -these hikes are definitely better suited for those look ing for a scenic excursion rather than a challenging climb. The longest trail that passes through the park is the Blue John Muir & Testone Boulder Loop
Trail. The Joh n Muir Trail is 2.1 miles long and is not wholly contained in Sunnybrook -- it actually crosses over into the neighboring Paugnut State Forest. The trail is one of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association’s Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System marks 825 miles of trails across Connecticut for visitors to explore woodlands, remote ridges, and wild places. The John Muir trail stretches 2.7 additional miles i n t o t h e Fo r e s t , e v e n t u a l l y reaching Burr Pond State Park. The latter half of the trail’s name
(the portion that is contained in Sunnybrook) is for the Testone Boulder that you’ll pass along the way, a large, pyramid-shaped, split boulder, named for Connecticut mineralogist Dino Testone. T h e Mu i r Tr a i l c o n n e c t s directly to the aforementioned Yellow Fadoir trail, which passes through the Madden Wetlands and circles around the Naugatuck. The Orange Flyer Pond Trail similarly breaks away from the Blue trail a nd lo ops br ief ly ne a r mor e marshy areas. For a complete map of all the park's trails, visit portal. ct.gov.
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On My Watch
Time for Some Time Travel By Anne W. Semmes
It was tuning in to that zoom featuring the “Personal Ref lections on ‘The Divine Comedy’” by Dante scholar, Professor Joseph Luzzi t h at le d t h e w ay. He w a s describing the pain the poet Dante felt about being exiled from his beloved Florence, and how Luzzi too felt exiled from Florence, not being able to travel there with the pandemic. “It’s what you do when you step out of the dark woods t hat def i ne s you ,” sha r e d Luzzi. Yes, Professor, travel defines me! And I’m so ready to s te p out o f t h e s e d a rk woods! Florence, Tuscany! A friend just gave me some extra virgin olive oil she brought back from a Tuscan vineyard I want to visit! Seeing my eye fixed upon a giant catalog on her k itchen table entitled, “Wilderness Travel,” she said, “Take it home!” And there, on my kitchen table, the catalog opened to a photog raph of “Petra by candlelight,” showing people (without masks) sitting on the sand facing those temples and palaces chiseled into solid rock. I could join another 12 others on that “Pyramids to Petra” trip. Days 1-3 would show me the Pyramids of Giza and the lion-faced Great Sphin x. I was once in Cairo on a travel writing assignment - but for only one day! The mesmerizing red glow of medinas announced the trip, “Morocco: Camels to Casbahs,” full of Imperial
Cities, Atlas Mountains, and the Golden Dunes of the Sahara. How I want to sleep on the desert under the stars. Morocco has been on my list ever since hearing about it from our late, great, former A m b a s s a d o r to M o r o c c o , Jo s eph Ve r ne r Re e d . A nd thanks to friend Ann Caron’s Moroccan son-in-law a red M o r o c c a n r u g g r a c e s my living room. “Swimming with Humpback Whales in Tonga’s R e m o t e Tr o p i c a l I s l e s ,” captured my attention. The thought of being alle to swim a nd snorkel nex t to t hese m aje st ic c r e at u r e s wou ld fill me with awe, as they did my w i ld l i fe photog rapher daughter, Melissa Groo when she swam with them off the D om i n ic a n R epu bl ic . He r love of whales began when her father took her to Alaska where they kayaked amongst the humpbacks. She would later work for Katie Payne w h o d i s c ove r e d w it h h e r husband Roger Payne that whales sing songs. Tonga is not far from New Zealand where my astronomer step-brother Michael lives. He has invited me many times. After many years, we nearly met up at Harvard University wher e he w a s v i sit i ng a n astronomer last March just as the pandemic was closing down the airports and so he had to jump on a plane to make it home. He’s promised to pay my way there if I can handle the travel! From the de s c r ipt ion of t he “ S out h I sla nd Advent u r e” t r ip i n t he c at a log , I cou ld sw i m with “pods of playful dusky dolphins” not far from where m y s t e p -b r o t h e r l i v e s i n Christchurch. I have Michael to thank for feeding my wanderlust. We early on had a rendezvous in Amsterdam and then
Costa Rica as remembered and rendered by artist and late cousin Kit Semmes. Photo by Anne W. Semmes
he moved to Moorea. That trip to Tahiti and beautiful Moorea will always feed my memory with the beauty of its landscape, sea, and sky, and Michael’s fascinating friends. B u t t h e r e ’s a c l o s e r l a n d s c a p e I ’m a t t r a c t e d to, fou nd i n t he H ig h la nd & Isla nds of Scotla nd. So, the trip, “Hiking the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Skye,” intrigued. It’s the simplicity of those white thatched houses on green carpeted landscapes amidst the coastal cliffs that draws me to the Isles of Lewis and Harris where I’m told the Atlantic waves first hit coming from our shores. Closer to home Costa Rica calls. The Wilderness Travel catalog offers a nineday “Co st a R ic a W i ld l i fe , Thrilling Tropical Adventure.” H ig h l ig ht s i nclude , “ B o at
in pristine rainforest, hike through cloud forest, walk along hanging bridges, optional zip line through a t reetop c a nopy.” It ’s b een ye a r s s i n c e I v i s i t e d t h e tropics. Twice I went to the A m a z on , to Bra z i l a nd to Peru, where I did that zip l i n e r i d e f r o m t r e e to p to treetop. But now, I just want to see and hear the birds. My educator friend Ted Gilman, late of Audubon, now counting species in his back yard in R ichmond, Indiana, was swept away by those birds in Costa Rica not too long ago. Now mind you, there are folks who have dared to travel down that way most recently, prior to getting that Covid-19 vaccine. They too are fans of Costa Rica and made up their minds they would return there with their family.
What better way to spend Christmas and New Years! “M a ny f r iend s t houg ht we were craz y to travel during the pandemic,” shares my f r i e n d . N e ve r t h e l e s s , “We approached it with an adventurous spirit balanced with risk minimization. Not wanting to inflict any harm on the residents of the countries we visited and our extended family upon return, we tested before and after travel, always wore masks in public, stayed i n a r e nt a l h om e , c o oke d most of our meals (which I k now for some mea ns it's not a vacation!), followed the countr y's health protocols and spent most of our time in nature.” So, was it worth the risk? “Absolutely. After months of screen time and worry, the spray of saltwater pounding
w ave s r at t l e d aw a k e j oy. Th i n k i ng stops when you paddle for a wave. Catching the peak accelerates the flows of energy through you, flying in nature. A wave with your kids, magical. Getting chucked off a wave, inevitable. Low tide arrives, jellyfish stings, hermit crab huddles. Going back out, bobbing, and searching...” S ou nds l i ke f u n to me. Brings back that Dante line: “It’s what you do when you step out of the dark woods that defines you,” Next week I will get my Covid-19 vaccine shot. With any luck, w ith this new administration the rest of our country and soon the world will be vaccinated. But it’s going to take quite a number of sti mu lus check s to pay for one of those trips in the Wilderness Travel catalog!
Local People
The Mastermind Behind Major Tattoo Convention By Kris Herndon To t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c , Greenwich, Connecticut has a certain image, one that can be summoned up in a few quick phrases: country clubs, gilded mansions, maybe a polo pony or two. Locals, though, know there's much more to the town, so it may come as no surprise that the organizer of a major tattoo convention lives right here in town. That man’s name is Donal Cranny, and the event he is planning is the New York Tattoo Convention, set to take place in Brooklyn, New York in May of 2021 -- that is, if the pandemic has run its course enough to permit unrestricted global travel and large gatherings by then. Cranny, who grew up in Northern Ireland, just outside of Belfast, never set out to be
a tattoo impresario. In fact, he started out in finance, as a money broker. Cranny spent five years in London on the floor of the foreign exchange, then took a break to travel the world. It was during that travel break that he began to appreciate the great diversity of tattoo styles, as well as the historical and cultural richness of traditions surrounding the ancient art form. He got his first tattoo in 1997, after the birth of his son, but he didn’t get into the business side of tattooing until many years later. “I got into it because of a bad debt,” he tells me. “I loaned my first business partner some money, which he never really paid back.” In lieu of the cash, Cranny agreed to accept a stake in the partner’s other business, a tattoo studio in Norwalk. Cra n ny had a lways had
an eye for the aesthetics of tattooing, but managing the Norwalk studio got him involved in the business side. Along the way, he began to appreciate the enormity of tattooing as a global creative industry: “The tattoo business globally is estimated to be valued at around $25 billion,” he tells me. He now ow ns several tattoo studios in New York and Connecticut, and invites wellknown as well as emerging artists to do residencies at his studios. “I developed a whole business model,” Cranny explains. “I set up an agency for these artists to come from around the world and not only work in my studio, but to work in multiple studios.” After realizing he’d become s om ew h at of a n e x p e r t i n obtaining visas for those artists, organizing a convention was the logical next step.
There are hundreds of tattoo conventions around the world, but when he set out to plan his own, Cranny had already noticed a hierarchy of quality in the convention scene: “The premier tattoo events are all by invitation only,” he says. “There’s lots of conventions which anybody can apply and go to, and I’m not knocking those by any means. But the really important events are all invitation-only.” That's the model he used to create the New York Tattoo Convention as well. Cranny says he has been awed by the response from artists all over the world: “The commitments we’ve gotten from artists have been really incredible.” Simply defined, tattooing is the art of permanently marking the body by injecting ink under the surface of the skin. Like any artistic discipline, tattooing
requires both talent and training to master. “There are genres within the world of tattooing, just like there are genres within painting, sculpture, or f ilm,” Cranny explains, mentioning just a few examples: traditional New Zealand tribal tattoos, Japanese yakuza (or gang) tattoos, and a range of American styles. In recent history, tattoos had a negative image, stemming from their association with the counterculture, criminal gangs, and the like. More recently, though, that is changing as tattoo art becomes more inf luential and more mainstream. Recently, some tattoo artists have risen to worldwide fame, amassing huge followings and commanding top prices for commissions. One example is Mister Cartoon (the professional a l ias of t at to o a r t ist Ma rk
Machado), who has tattooed Beyonce K nowles, Justi n Timberlake, the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, and many other stars. Machado’s artistic skills and celebrity following have allowed him to cross over into the world of graphic design; he has created logos for record labels like Cypress Hill and Eminem’s Shady Records. In other words, tattooing is now a lucrative and legitimate global business. More importantly, its recognition as a culturally significant art form is long overdue, in Cranny’s opinion. “The medium itself, of human beings marking their own bodies, that goes right back to when we were still living in caves," he says. "Probably marking on cave walls is the only form of art that’s older.”
Page 19 | Greenwich Sentinel
REAL ESTATE DASHBOARD
2020 Was A Very Good Year for Condo Sales
By Mark Pruner Like the singlefamily home market, 2020 was a very good year for the condo
market. Our unit sales wer e up 51% to 2 2 0 sales in 2020 compared to on ly 1 59 s a le s i n 2019. Now 2019 was a bad year all around. Sa les in 2019 were down 12% from 2018’s 181 sales. Even better than our condo sales number was our 2020 condo sales volume. Sales dollars in 2020 were up 51% compared
to 2019’s sales volume of $217,830,079 dollars. If you look at our condo sales in 2018, you see a more average year with 181 sales, even so our 2020 sales at 220 sales were up 22% over this “average” year. Our sales by month show just how remarkable 2020 was. Our 38% increase in annual sales occurred
in the last five months o f t h e ye a r. We d id better in January and February 2020. March was even. April, May and June actually saw sales declines in sales below the same months in an already poor 2019. T he n c a me t he f ive months of August to December 2020, where sales were 107% higher than in 2019.
Curiously, we had started the year out pretty well with condo sales up in January and February, then came March and sales were flat. April, May and June saw a sales decline over an already poor 2019. We got back to even in July and then the boom started. We also saw a jump in prices in 2020, though a recovery might have been a better word. Our average condo sales price in 2020 was $990,136 up 9.4% over 2019 when we had dropped to $904,872. However, when you compare 2020’s average sales price to the average in 2018, we were up only 2.3%, This average illustrates another factor in the condo market, which is that it provides some of our most affordable houses. In 2020 the average house sold for $2.67 million compared to $990K for the average condo. In 2020, condos (which for purposes of this report include the handful of co-ops associations that we have in Greenwich) represent about 26% of our houses sales (220 condos/861 houses). This is down from 2019 and 2018 when condo sales were about 30% of house sales both years. So, in 2020 we saw more people buy condos in Greenwich, but the increase in single-family home sales was even greater. People wanted out of New York City, but most wanted a yard and not a shared hallway and elevator, which they already had in NYC. We do have lots of townhouses and other condos without shared spaces and those were particularly desirable in a pandemic. Condos sales are concentrated at the lower end. Sixty percent of our condo sales are concentrated under $800,000 even though only represent about 40% of our inventory. That wasn’t true in December, where we saw lots of sales over $2 million. These high-end condo sales represented 32% of December sales compared to only 13% for all of 2020. Many of these high-end sales are units in new developments, where both owners and developers wanted to book the sales before year-end. Our condo market was very competitive at most price ranges. Under 6 months of supply is the traditional dividing line between a pro-seller and pro-buyer market. Under $800,000 we have only about 3.5 months of supply which is a hot market and from $600 – 800K it is getting even hotter as shown by months of supply with contracts included and December sales annualized. When these bars drop in a steady line, the market is only getting hotter. Normally, months of supply market-wide is an increasing curve from the lowest price range to the highest price range, but that’s not the case in January. Our most pro-buyer market is from $1.5 – 2.0 million where we have 13.2 months of supply. If you go up to the next price range, we only have 4.7 months of supply from $2 – 3 million. This is partly real and partly the law of small numbers. Right now, we have 11 listings between $1.5 and 2.0 million and only 7 listings between $2 and 3 million dollars. Switch a couple of listing from under $2 million to over $2 million and this dramatic market demand difference shrinks a lot. What you do want to look at is the market wide condo/co-op months of supply which is a tight 4.9 months of supply, then a slightly tighter 4.7 months of supply when you add in contracts and an amazingly tight 2.9 months of supply when you annualize December 2020 sales. Our contracts indicate that we will see a bunch of sales in the $600,000 - 800,000 in the next few weeks. Unless we get a lot more inventory in the next few weeks, this market becomes combatbuying. The victors will be the buyers that enter the process fully prepared. What is a buyer to do? A couple of hopefully helpful thoughts. Try to f igure out what neighborhoods you don’t want to live in. A good deal on a nice house, in neighborhood you don’t like, is not a good deal. Open houses are great for this. You can check out the area as well the house. This also saves you time going forward, because you don’t have to look at the houses that are in the wrong neighborhood. Also, when you have a longer time horizon, you can attend open houses looking for features you like and don’t like in a house. One fun thing to do after seeing a house is write down what you think the house will sell for and then when it does close, check and see how you did. This way when you do find your dream house, you’ll know whether it is properly priced. In this hot market, with the likelihood of rising interest rates, you may still be willing to wait for the right house to be listed, but be prepared to move quickly. This can make all the difference between winning and losing a bidding war. You can check with your stockbroker about the process and time to cash in stocks if need them for a downpayment. You should talk with your banker and go ahead and get pre-approved. Once you think you will be making an offer in the next 60 days, get underwritten pre-approved so the only thing the bank will need to do is an appraisal. If you are seller, you want to list your condo at the worst time of the year, the middle of winter, i.e., now. It’s carpe emptor, seize the buyers when they are there. I’ve been involved in three bidding contests so far in January and the one winner in everyone of them was the seller. Stay tuned, it’s likely to get even more interesting.
REAL ESTATE DASHBOARD EDITOR Mark Pruner | Mark@GreenwichStreets.com | mark@bhhsne.com REAL ESTATE DASHBOARD CONTRIBUTORS Robert Pulitano | RobertPulitano@bhhsne.com Cesar Rabillino | CesarRabellino@bhhsne.com Pam Toner | PamToner@bhhsne.com
FEATURED OPEN HOUSES Data Compiled by Rob Pulitano [203] 561-8092
Address
Area
Price
Day/Time
24 Martin Dale North 50 Lafayette Place #1I 1465 E Putnam Avenue #127 21 Hartford Avenue 70 Riverdale Avenue #703 40 Ettl Lane UNIT #5 19 Richmond Drive 168 Bedford Road 24 Martin Dale North 29 Weston Hill Road 17 Heronvue Road 282 Round Hill Road 504 North Street 18 Lower Cross Road 18 Lower Cross Road
Greenwich Greenwich Old Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Old Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Riverside Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich
12,500 329,500 415,000 687,000 799,000 850,000 1,195,000 1,695,000 2,300,000 2,595,000 2,750,000 3,750,000 6,495,000 6,995,000 6,995,000
Broker
Sun 1-3 PM Sotheby's Sat 12-2 PM William Raveis Sun 1-3 PM Houlihan Lawrence Sun 1-3 PM Coldwell Banker Realty Sat 2-4 PM William Raveis Sun 1-3 PM Sotheby's Sun 1-3 PM Sotheby's Sun 12-3 PM Sotheby's Sun 1-3 PM Sotheby's Sat 12-2 PM Sotheby's Sun 2-3:45 PM Sotheby's Sun 1:30-3:30 PM Sotheby's Sun 2-4 PM Coldwell Banker Realty Sat 11-2 PM Berkshire Hathaway Sun 12-2 PM Berkshire Hathaway
NEW SALES
Data Compiled by Cesar Rabellino (203) 249-9866 Address 50 Lafayette Place #2E 328 Hamilton Avenue 4 141 Putnam Park 141 45 Ettl Lane 201 45 Ettl Lane 504 11 River Road 108 60 Ivy Street 44 Stirrup Lane 44 500 River Road 1 73 Weaver Street 21 70 Dandy Drive 677 River Road 16 Ridge Road 23 Porchuck Road 15 Azalea Terrace 80 Elm Street A 9 Chieftans Road 43 Meadow Road 2 Zaccheus Mead Lane 31 Meadowcroft Lane 21 Old Club House Road 20 Lindsay Drive 1 Indian Chase Drive 27 Khakum Wood Road 30 John Street
Original List $492,000 $535,000 $650,000 $699,000 $675,000 $725,000 $735,000 $865,000 $950,000 $1,025,000 $1,160,000 $1,349,000 $1,399,000 $1,295,000 $1,475,000 $1,695,000 $2,995,000 $2,850,000 $3,495,000 $4,395,000 $3,950,000 $4,995,000 $7,295,000 $6,995,000 $47,500,000
List Price $492,000 $520,000 $650,000 $699,000 $675,000 $725,000 $735,000 $839,000 $899,000 $1,025,000 $1,145,000 $1,349,000 $1,399,000 $1,295,000 $1,475,000 $1,695,000 $2,995,000 $2,850,000 $3,495,000 $3,995,000 $3,950,000 $4,995,000 $6,975,000 $6,995,000 $47,500,000
Sold Price DOM BR FB Acres SqFt $475,000 74 3 2 0 1,250 $490,000 211 3 1 0 1,604 $585,000 77 2 2 1,218 $640,000 94 3 3 2,348 $649,000 76 3 2 0 1,812 $680,000 473 2 2 0 1,270 $717,500 79 4 2 0.16 1,636 $825,000 229 3 2 2,419 $875,000 80 2 2 0 1,710 $1,015,000 118 3 3 0 3,527 $1,060,000 146 4 2 1 2,553 $1,292,500 335 4 4 1.05 2,426 $1,360,000 27 4 3 0.18 3,232 $1,400,000 61 4 3 3.09 3,724 $1,455,000 30 4 2 1 2,904 $1,662,500 69 3 4 0.18 3,142 $3,100,000 37 4 5 1.17 6,512 $3,200,000 46 5 3 0.59 3,778 $3,450,000 357 7 4 1.61 6,830 $3,900,000 417 7 8 2.95 9,861 $3,950,000 25 5 4 0.45 4,800 $4,600,000 127 5 6 2 6,710 $6,620,000 641 9 6 1.81 9,082 $6,880,000 128 5 5 2.48 8,400 $45,000,000 61 6 8 22.39 13,344
NEW LISTINGS
Data Compiled by Cesar Rabellino (203) 249-9866 Address
List Price
Price/ SqFt
SqFt
106 Putnam Park 106 21 Hartford Avenue 20 Church Street B13 56 Sherwood Place 8 106 Sheephill Road 81 Bible Street A 81 Bible Street B 316 Valley Road 99 Stanwich Road 126 Stonehedge Drive North 39 Lockwood Lane 6 Park Avenue 69 Calhoun Drive 17 Mortimer Drive 7 Cove Ridge Lane 42 Will Merry Lane 25 Birchwood Drive 14 Coventry Lane 9 Witherell Drive 1 Stillman Lane Lot 1 5 Stillman Lane Lot 3 7 Stillman Lane Lot 4 3 Stillman Lane Lot 2 591 Riversville Road
$685,000 $687,000 $925,000 $950,000 $995,000 $1,495,000 $1,495,000 $1,849,000 $2,095,000 $2,150,000 $2,350,000 $2,375,000 $2,495,000 $2,895,000 $2,985,000 $3,249,000 $3,300,000 $3,395,000 $4,195,000 $4,900,000 $5,150,000 $5,280,000 $5,395,000 $40,000,000
$420 $491 $741 $648 $555 $498 $498 $657 $770 $441 $514 $720 $707 $896 $698 $656 $496 $398 $624 $819 $820 $828 $818 $2,998
1,632 1,398 1,248 1,467 1,794 3,000 3,000 2,814 2,720 4,878 4,572 3,300 3,530 3,232 4,277 4,953 6,652 8,531 6,725 5,981 6,279 6,380 6,592 13,343
AC
0.12 0 0 0.29 0.22 0.5 1 0.32 0.31 1.1 0.2 0.22 2.5 2.12 0.44 1.45 1.32 1.08 1.22 1.8 17.2
BR
3 2 2 2 4 3 3 4 4 6 5 5 4 4 5 6 5 6 5 6 6 6 6 7
FB
Area
2 South of Post Road 2 Byram 2 South Parkway 2 South Parkway 2 Riverside 3 Cos Cob 3 Cos Cob 3 Cos Cob 3 South Parkway 4 Glenville 5 Riverside 3 South Parkway 4 South Parkway 3 Old Greenwich 2 Old Greenwich 4 South Parkway 8 South Parkway 9 Riverside 4 South Parkway 6 Glenville 6 Glenville 6 Glenville 6 Glenville 9 North Parkway
A new level of commitment, and honesty in Real Estate.
Our biggest month by far for sales was December as people wanted to close before year-end. The election also had an effect as November was slower than either October or December. Mark Pruner is a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway's Greenwich office. He can be reached at 203-969-7900 or at mark@bhhsne.com.
GLORIA FALCON 203.559.1604 GloriaFalcon@bhhsne.com
CESAR RABELLINO 203.249.9866 CesarRabellino@bhhsne.com
Greenwich 136 East Putnam Avenue | bhhsNEproperties.com ©2020 An independently operated member of BHH Affiliates. Equal Housing Opportunity.
51 WILLOWMERE CIRCLE | Riverside | $7,995,000
35 DAWN HARBOR LANE | Riverside | $4,250,000
4 Bedrooms | 4.1 Baths | 4,000+ Sq. Ft.
5 Bedrooms | 6.2 Baths | 5,138 Sq. Ft.
At the very point of Willowmere is an impeccably maintained custom built home that features beautiful details and water views from every window.
Gorgeous park like level land on a lovely Riverside lane with beach and water rights at the end of the street. Nantucket feel with lots of light & outdoor access.
SOLD! 1 TOMAC LANE Old Greenwich
SOLD! 3 LOCKWOOD AVE Old Greenwich
SOLD 3 OWENOKE WAY Riverside
SOLD 4 BROOKSIDE PARK Greenwich
SOLD! 5 VERONA DRIVE Riverside
SOLD! 9 KNOLL STREET Riverside
SOLD! 10 CLUB ROAD Riverside
SOLD! 16 NORMANDY LANE Riverside
SOLD! 22 CORNELIA DRIVE Greenwich
SOLD! 22 MARKS ROAD Riverside
SOLD! 24 GILLIAM LANE Riverside
SOLD! 31 GUINEA ROAD Greenwich
SOLD 32 SOUND BEACH AVE Old Greenwich
SOLD 42 INDIAN FIELD ROAD Greenwich
SOLD 49 RIVERSIDE AVE Riverside
SOLD 61 RICHMOND DRIVE Old Greenwich
SOLD 91 WINTHROP DRIVE Riverside
SOLD 176 STANWICH ROAD Greenwich
SOLD 16 WESSKUM WOOD ROAD Riverside
It has been an honor to be part of these exciting milestones with my clients. Thank you for trusting me to help you through the journey. I look forward to seeing what 2021 will bring us. I would like to extend my appreciation to all. Ann has placed #1 within Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties this past year, #2 town wide in Riverside and Old Greenwich, and maintained her spot of #15 in Greenwich town wide. ANN SIMPSON | 203.940.0779 | asimpson@bhhsne.com
bhhsNEproperties.com Greenwich 136 East Putnam Avenue | 203.869.0500
Old Greenwich 200 Sound Beach Avenue | 203.637.1713
©2021 An independently operated member of BHH Affiliates. Equal Housing Opportunity.