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March 5, 2021
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By Richard Kaufman
Forum on Board of Education Budget
The Leag ue of Women Voters of Greenwich and the PTA Council sponsored a forum last week with Town and school officials to discuss the proposed 2021-2022 school budget, currently under review by the Board of Estimate and Taxation. The panel featured First Selectman Fred Camillo, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Toni Jones, Board of Education Chair Peter Bernstein, BET Chair Michael Mason, BET member and Democratic Caucus leader Leslie Moriarty, and Kimberly Blank, who chairs the RTM Education Committee. The event was moderated by Brian Peldunas who is the head of the PTA Council, and Nancy Weissler. The proposed Board of Education operating budget is $169.8 million, with a $32 million capital spending plan. In that capital budget is $17.3 million for major projects, and $12 million for annual infrastructure and improvements. The panelists were asked questions on a variety of topics. In the 2017 master facilities plan from KG&D Architects, the firm said school buildings in the district are adequately
maintained, but roofs, ceilings, f loors, windows and ventilation systems have reached their expected life-span. Bernstein was asked how the district will address "historic underspending" on maintenance. "We all want safe schools, and we all want schools that are effective for 21st century learning," Bernstein said, noting that the average of school buildings in town dates back to the 1950s. "What we did learn from that master facilities plan, is you should be spending 2-5% of the asset value of your buildings in terms of annual maintenance. We, on average, spend $10 million a year, and it's been lower in recent years, when the minimum of that 2-5% would be $20 million. You'll see our requests are starting to ratchet up," he said. Major projects, he said, are difficult because they can be expensive. "Our challenge is, we have a lot of needs and a lot of wants, as does the town side, and we're all competing for the same dollars that we want to get work done," he said. "We basically kick the can down the road every year. We can't put all of the projects we want on the list because we know they won't get funded. Projects don't
"We all want safe schools, and we all want schools that are effective for 21st century learning," Board of Education Chair Peter Bernstein go away, they just get pushed into the next year and the next year...if we want to get to the point where we can do things like know our buildings are where we want them for 21st century learning, it's a real investment, it's a real commitment, and it's a real discussion that needs to happen." When asked if the Board of Education has prioritized other projects which caused maintenance to be deferred, Bernstein pushed back. The question also suggested that perhaps BOE members blame BET members for a lack of maintenance at school buildings. "We actually do maintain and prioritize our projects. We've done that for a couple of years now thanks to the master facilities plan, requested by and funded by the BET. That is actually driving the requests that we're doing. This false narrative that we don't actually prioritize doesn't sit well with me," Bernstein said. "Our facilities team,
our administrative team, they take the list of projects they know are up for that year, they walk the buildings, they look at things, they use our external experts, and we've got HVAC people that come in and inspect...[our team] makes the request based on the actual needs. That's how we prioritize." Bernstein said the "blame game" isn’t fair and needs to stop. "We're prioritizing, we're working with the BET to prioritize, we work with the First Selectman to prioritize. Stop putting this false narrative out and stop trying to blame everybody. This isn't about blame, this is about people collectively working together, rolling their sleeves up, and finding solutions to problems," Bernstein said. BET members were asked about the Cardinal Stadium Phase 2 project and how much certainty about timing and cost they
would need to approve the request for this budget year, as opposed to pushing it forward next year. Phase 2 would include another point of access from Greenwich High School to the Post Road. Mason laid out the current capital model for Greenwich High School going into the future, which includes several projects such as Phase 1A and 1B of the Stadium improvement project, construction of a new secure entryway, the remediation of fields 2, 3 and 4, and the state of Connecticut's plans for the reconstruction of a bridge on Hillside Road near the Post Road. "I don't know how much we can throw at GHS and what the impacts will be to the staff, the neighbors, and the kids on that project. As far as the timing, we know that Phase 2 has got some lengthy hurdles for timing. I just question all of the logistics and the ability to commit to all of this and what Please turn to page 7
Local News Briefs You Need to Know CAMILLO PROVIDES TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF ACT CONCERNING PROPERTY OWNERS’ LIABILITY
First Selectman Fred Camillo issued his support of the improved version of a bill concerning property owners’ liability for the expenses of removing fallen trees or limbs. The bill was originally introduced in 2014, but was vetoed due to an omission. The omission was later corrected, but was never called on for a vote. The bill details that “a licensed arborist must be hired by the party seeking action on the owner of the property where the diseased, dead, or hazardous tree is located”, with certain exceptions. Camillo hopes that this bill will protect property owners from damage caused by trees not belonging to them.
COVID/GPS UPDATE
According to the school districts online tracker, as of Tuesday, 6 new coronavirus cases had been reported. There are 11 active cases. Of those, 8 are students and 3 are teachers, according to the
SENTINEL
ACCESS TO COVID-19 VACCINE INCREASES
As of March 1st, access to the COVID-19 vaccine has been expanded to include residents over the age of 55, teachers and other school personnel, and daycare workers. Individuals in these categories will now be eligible to schedule vaccination appointments through the CT Vaccine Portal. Additional eligibility has been announced for three age groups; on March 22nd, eligibility will expand to residents aged 45-54, on April 12th, to residents aged 35-44, and on May 3rd, to residents aged 16-34.
Superintendent
Dr.
Tori
Jones
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
NORTH MIANUS SCHOOL’S RETURN
North Mianus has reinstated in-person learning at the NMS building for certain grade levels following a ceiling collapse on February 13th that caused extensive flooding damage. Grades two, three, and kindergarten will remain at North Mianus; students in grades one and four have been relocated to Cos Cob School, students in grade five have been relocated to Old Greenwich School, and Advanced Level Placement students have been relocated to Please turn to page 7
Calls to Action Illustrated by Wajih Chaudhry
EVENTS Editor@GreenwichSentinel. com
STORY IDEAS Publisher@ GreenwichSentinel.com
The tree warden has announced that the oak tree at 235 Greenwich Avenue will be cut down.
has
This decision comes as part of the effort to make Greenwich Ave intersections safer given the absence of traffic direction by town police, and to add green space. The town also announced that seven new willow oak trees will be planted on Greenwich Avenue, and is in discussion of other intersection construction improvements following this intersection pilot. According to Jim Michel, DPW deputy commissioner, the intersection project will begin this month and be completed by the end of May.
By Kate Noonan
SUBMIT
ADVERTISING Peter@GreenwichSentinel. com; call 203-4850226; or buy online at GreenwichSentinel.com/ Advertise
IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE ON GREENWICH AVE INTERSECTIONS
Health & Safety
SUBSCRIBER DELIVERY ISSUES & REQUESTS Thomas@maninmotionllc. com or call 203-515-2288
SPORTS Paul@GreenwichSentinel.com
RED CROSS MONTH
First Selectman Fred Camillo has officially announced March to be Red Cross month in Greenwich. Camillo’s proclamation detailed the success of the Metropolitan New York chapter of the Red Cross in its commitment of time and resources to aid community members.
GHS PLANS TO REMOVE WEDNESDAY CLEANING DAY
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Weddings & engagements; promotions, achievements; births; letters to the editor; obituaries. These are free. Beth@GreenwichSentinel. com
announced that starting March 17th, Greenwich High School will return to in-person learning on Wednesdays, eliminating the previously implemented “cleaning day”. This change comes in accordance with guidance from the CDC which states that touching common surfaces is not the leading cause of spread. As per GHS’s hybrid model, the ‘Greenwich Cohort’ will return to the building on March 17, and will continue to alternate Wednesdays with the ‘Cardinal Cohort’ until further notice.
tracker. Three of those cases are from Greenwich High, two are from Central Middle School, and one each are from Eastern Middle, Western Middle, Hamilton Ave, North Mianus, Parkway, and Riverside schools.
By Jill S. Woolworth, LMFT Many decisions that our children make are a matter of taste or preference. Studying on the floor or showering at midnight may be unusual, but neither is lifethreatening. The same is true for wearing all-black clothing in high school. Howeve r, i f t he i s sue is a matter of health or safety, we parents make the decisions. They are not negotiable. Of course, setting l i m it s w i l l a n noy ou r children. Our toddlers and teens become angry when we enforce boundaries. We are both doing our jobs—theirs to push the limits, and ours to keep t h e m a l i v e . We b o t h get A’s. This conflict starts at age 2 and ends at age 18, or when our kids no longer live under our roof. It’s tiring and com- plicated. This simple mantra of
health and safety helps us determine when to hold the line and when to acquiesce to generational differences of style. Stacy prepared different food and studied different subjects than her parents would have chosen for her. Her parents adjusted because neither decision was a matter of health and safety. Jesse’s friend , Cody, stopped by to give Jesse a ride to a party. Jesse’s mom could tell that Cody had been drinking alcohol. She refused to let Jesse drive with him on health and safety grounds. Jesse was annoyed. She was firm. It was simple. 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.
S ip a n d S h o p t h i s F r i d ay t h r o u g h S u n d ay at J. McLaughlin’s Spring Styling Event. The store is Baseball season is around the corner. Let’s help the located at 55 East Putnam Avenue. 15% of all sales will Friends of Banksville Field make kids' dreams come support the Parsonage Cottage Senior Residence. true with a donation of any size for the final stages of the Banksville Field renovation. The next steps to get It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time! Support the largest girl-led the field ready for the spring season are re-sodding and entrepreneurial program in the world: buy directly from a light installation. Checks can be made out to Friends troop, buy from a scout or pick up a few boxes of cookies of Banksville Field (a 501c3), c/o Mike Bennett, 12 at a cookie booth. Even if you don’t eat cookies, donate to Carpenters Brook Road, Greenwich CT 06831. the Cookies for Heroes program instead! Calling all High School Students: are you passionate about a unique subject? Teach a class of your choosing at the Fairfield Chapter of the Youth Passion Project. Our local chapter's president is a junior at GHS. YPP, a nonprofit student-run organization, gives high schoolers the opportunity to teach free online classes for elementary and middle school children while earning service hours. Teach existing or new class topics like origami, coding, ethics, and more! To apply go to: https://www. youthpassionproject.org/ and click on join us.
Give joy AND support our local stores by donating to the Community Centers Inc (CCI) Easter basket drive. The need: 30 baskets for children, 30 for special needs, 86 for Seniors. These baskets can be filled with crafts, candy, stuffed animals, games, plants, books, etc. We suggest Smart Kids and Diane's Books just off Greenwich Ave. as our local stores. Dogwood at Christ Church is also a great resource! Don't forget to grab some small potted plants from McArdle's or Sam Bridge: our local Senior’s love azaleas, tulips, hyacinths and hydrangeas. Drop off address: 2 St Roch Avenue, Greenwich CT 06830. Reach Here are two ways to shop and support great local out to Vanessa at vanessa.cardinal@ccigreenwich.org for causes this weekend! more details. Head to Lilly Pulitzer located at 92 Greenwich Avenue, Have a CALL TO ACTION? E-mail Kate Noonan this Saturday March 6 from 10-6:00. 10% of all sales this Saturday will be donated to the YWCA. Bring your at the Greenwich Sentinel Foundation with the details: kate@greenwichsentinelfoundation.org friends and check out the new Spring 2021 arrivals!
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Astrology, Puzzles for Kids & Adults: Crosswords, Suduko, Anagrams and more
New Columns
Pages 16 & 17
Page 9
Sports & GCDS Feature
Page 15
Page 2 | Greenwich Sentinel
COMMUNITY CALENDAR PLANNER
GREENWICH COUNCIL BSA: greenwichscouting.org March 13 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Scouting for Food 2021 Drive Up Drive Thru – contactless drive at two locations: Greenwich Police Department, 11 Bruce Pl. and Eastern Civic Center Entrance, 90 Harding Rd. GREENWICH LIBRARIES: greenwichlibrary.org March 4 9 a.m. Virtual – Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga (Ages 2-6). 203- 622-7940. children@greenwichlibrary.org 10 a.m. Virtual – ‘Fiesta de los Cuentos’ - Bilingual Storytime. dsullivan@greenwichlibrary.org 4 p.m. Virtual – Junior Book Club. 203-622-7915. mwalsh@greenwichlibrary.org 5 p.m. Virtual – Tai Chi with Ken Dolan. Adults. 203-5310426. 7 p.m. Virtual – A Wickedly Good Evening with Two Actresses from “Wicked,” the Musical. 203-622-7919. dsalm@greenwichlibrary.org March 5 10 a.m. Virtual – Senior Chinese Book Discussion Group. 203-622-7924. ywang@greenwichlibrary.org 10 a.m. Virtual – Storytime with Ms. Ann. 203-622-7920. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org 2 p.m. Virtual - Find Your 300-Year-Old Great Grandma Using 21st-Century Technology. 203-625-6560. trainingcenter@greenwichlibrary.org 3:30 p.m. Virtual – Meditation Workshop. 203-625-6549. schan@greenwichlibrary.org 4 p.m. Virtual – Friday Fun: Play Kahoot! 203- 622-6883. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org March 6 10 a.m. Virtual – Saturday Storytime. 203-622-7920. dsullivan@greenwichlibrary.org 11 a.m. Virtual – Drop-in Computer Lab. 203-625-6560. trainingcenter@greenwichlibrary.org 11 a.m. Virtual – Mad Science Presents: Spin, Boom, Pop! dsullivan@greenwichlibrary.org March 8 10 a.m. Virtual – Storytime. 203-622-7920. dsullivan@ greenwichlibrary.org 4 p.m. Virtual – Make it Monday (Grades K-2). 203-6227940. children@greenwichlibrary.org 7 p.m. Virtual – Successful Interviewing for High School and College Students. 203-625-6533. mmartin@ greenwichlibrary.org March 9 10 a.m. Virtual – Weekly Job Search Accelerator Group. mmartin@greenwichlibrary.org 10:30 a.m. Virtual – Maritime Aquarium: Meet the Animals: Crabs & Lobsters! (Grades PreK-2). children@ greenwichlibrary.org 11 a.m. Virtual - Drop-in Computer Lab. 203-625-6560. trainingcenter@greenwichlibrary.org 1 p.m. SCORE Webinar: Use Content to Connect and Build Relationships. 203-622-7924. ywang@greenwichlibrary.org 1 p.m. Virtual - Friends Book Group. friends@greenwichlibrary.org 3 p.m. Virtual – Glow in the Dark 3D Printing. 203-6227979. innovationlab@greenwichlibrary.org
Free Delivery 203-869-2299
4 p.m. Virtual – Chess Club (Grades K-5). Free. Register. children@greenwichlibrary.org 5 p.m. Virtual – Dictionaries: A Historical Perspective on How Society Set Out to Tame the Written Language. 203-531-0426. 5 p.m. Virtual – New Yorker Stories Discussion Group. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org March 3 10 a.m. Virtual – Storytime. dsullivan@greenwichlibrary. org 11 a.m. Virtual – Healthy Eating for Women. 203-6256549. 12 p.m. Virtual – Answering the Tough Resume Questions. mmartin@greenwichlibrary.org 1 p.m. SCORE Webinar: Social Commerce in 2021. ywang@greenwichlibrary.org 1 p.m. Virtual – Career Coach: Microsoft Excel Beginner. trainingcenter@greenwichlibrary.org 3 p.m. Virtual – Afternoon Story/Craft. 203-622-6883. 6 p.m. Virtual – Student Lounge (Grades 9-12). emorrissey@greenwichlibrary.org 6:30 p.m. Virtual – The Soil Solution to Clean Water, Air, and Land. 203-622-6883. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org March 11 9 a.m. Virtual – Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga (Ages 2-6). 203- 622-7940. children@greenwichlibrary.org 10 a.m. Virtual – Proposal Writing in the COVID-19 Era. mmartin@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. Adults. 203-622-6883. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org 1 p.m. SCORE Webinar: Small Business Tax Advice. ywang@greenwichlibrary.org 1 p.m. Virtual – Career Coach: Microsoft Excel Intermediate. trainingcenter@greenwichlibrary.org 4 p.m. Virtual – Author Talk: Meet Nick Bruel and Bad Kitty. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org 5 p.m. Virtual – Proust Group: “Remembrance of Things Past.” 203-531-0426. 7 p.m. Virtual – A Comedy Night Out With Friends. dsalm@greenwichlibrary.org March 12 10 a.m. Virtual – Storytime with Ms. Ann. 203-622-7920. lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org 3:30 p.m. Virtual – Meditation Workshop. 203-625-6549. schan@greenwichlibrary.org 3:45 p.m. Virtual – World Music with Anitra. 203-622-6883. 7 p.m. Friends Friday Film Reel Talk: “Casting By” with Special Guest Joanna Colbert. 203-622-7910. friendsfridayfilms@greenwichlibrary.org PERROT LIBRARY: perrotlibrary.org/events March 10 7 p.m. Virtual Author Talk with Cameron Kelly Rosenblum on her novel, “The Stepping Off Place.” Via Zoom. Free. Register. GREENWICH HOSPITAL: greenwichhospital.org/events 888-305-9253 March 5 12 p.m. Webinar: Bariatric Informational. March 6 9 a.m. CPR Friends & Family (Infant/Child). 38 Volunteer Ln. $65. For discount information call 888-3059253. March 8 12:30 p.m. Webinar: Knee Replacement Education. 203-8633598. 5 p.m. Webinar: Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Healing. 6 p.m. CPR Friends & Family (Infant/Child). 38 Volunteer Ln. $65. For discount information call 888-3059253. March 10 1 p.m. Webinar: Colon Health: Causes of Abdominal Pain. 5 p.m. Webinar: Stroke Education Support Group – interactive meeting. 6 p.m. Webinar: Is Arthroscopy Your Solution For Hip Pain.
March 11 1 p.m. Virtual Support Group: Chronic Physical Disability. (Meets twice per month). 6 p.m. Webinar: Family Resources for Nutrition & Exercise. ABILIS abilis.us March 4 5:30 p.m. Seminar: “Managing Government Benefits for Young Adults with Special Needs Entering the Workforce.” Free. Register. smyth@abilis.us GRACE & HOPE SUNDAY FORUM: christchurchgreenwich.org March 7 11 a.m. “Getting Along During a Time of Division” with veteran journalist and author Ray Suarez, host of “World Affairs.” Via Zoom. Free. Open to all. YWCA GREENWICH: ywcagreenwich.org March 6 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. ‘Shop & Share Event’ – in honor of Women’s History Month. Lilly Pulitzer, 92 Greenwich Ave. (10% of sales will be donated to YWCA). March 10 1 p.m. Webinar: “The Dollars and Cents of Long Term Care.” Via Zoom. Free. Register. GREENWICH SHELLFISH COMMISSION: greenwichct.org/government/commissions/ shellfish_commission March 6 10 a.m. Greenwich Shellfish Demonstration. Innis Arden Cottage at Tod’s Point (Greenwich Point). Free. NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR: ntngreenwich.org Tuesdays, 9 - 11 a.m. Food Drive (drive-thru) at St. Catherine’s parking area across the street from the rectory entrance, 4 Riverside Ave. Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Food Drive at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church parking lot, 200 Riverside Ave. (Non-perishable foods, personal care products, large sized diapers (5&6) and pull-ups, knit hats (hand knit or store bought). RETIRED MEN’S ASSOCIATION: greenwichrma.org/speakers/future-speakers-3 March 10 11 a.m. Webinar: John Celock, Media consultant, journalist and author, President of Celock Media Group: “How Young Elected Officials are Impacting the US.” Free. Open to all. FRIENDS OF GREENWICH POINT: friendsofgreenwichpoint.org March 7 9 - 11:30 a.m. First Sunday Bird Walks at Greenwich Point Park. (Bring binoculars). Meet near the main concession stand at the south end of the beach. All ages. (Group size limited, up to first 15 participants). GREENWICH LAND TRUST: gltrust.org/calendar March 11 1 p.m. Early Spring Walk at Westfall. Parking & meeting location: Babcock parking lot near 714 North St. Pre-registration is required. GREENWICH BOTANICAL CENTER: greenwichbotanicalcenter.org March 10 10 a.m. Sustainable Living: Waste Free Greenwich Goal: Help Greenwich lead efforts to meet our 2024 Connecticut goal of diverting 60% of municipal solid waste. Via Zoom. Free, GBC members; $10, non-members. Register. AUDUBON CENTER: greenwich.audubon.org/events March 4 4 p.m. Observing Birds: Appearance, Sounds, and Behaviors. Facebook homepage. Free. No pre-registration is required. All ages and experience levels. Caroline. Bailey@audubon.org. 203-900-3349. GREENWICH COMMUNITY GARDENS: greenwichcommunitygardens.org/events March 10 6:30 p.m. The Soil Solution to Clean Water, Air, and Land. Via Zoom. Through the Library. Free. Register. BRUCE MUSEUM: brucemuseum.org March 4 7 – 8:30 p.m. “The Artists of Instagram: Everything You Always Wanted to Know and Aren’t Afraid to Ask.” Free, members; $20, non-members; students receive a 20% discount. Advance reservations required.
Page 3 | Greenwich Sentinel
BUSINESS
Pologeorgis Brings Warmth to the Avenue By Kris Herndon Charming storefronts for retail shops are part of what g i ve s h i s t o r i c d ow n t ow n Greenwich its characteristic small-town feel. One of those storefronts, at 25 Lewis Street, got a new look last autumn when luxury outerwear brand Pologeorgis opened a pop-up shop in the space. Pologe org is is a fa m i lyow ne d bra nd w it h a lon g h i s to r y. Fo u n d e r S t a n l ey Pologeorgis f led Greece after the Nazi occupation disrupted his native village. Arriving in the US, he soon enlisted in the United States Navy, and later found work in Manhattan’s garment district. After working unskilled jobs like sweeping factory floors, he embarked on an apprenticeship, eventually becoming a master furrier and gaining the skills needed to launch his own company. T h e yo u n g e r Po l o g e o r g i s generation still runs the dayto - day operations of the company, which still operates primarily out of Manhattan’s storied garment district. Pologeorgis is known for its collaborations with many top brands and designers, including Michael Kors and Zac Posen, as well as for its leadership in sustainable, traceable fashion. The brand has recently partnered with style influencer Olivia Palermo, releasing a capsule collection of her looks that includes a boyfriend-style fur baseball jacket in forest green with pink sleeves and accents. The brand sought to establish a presence in Greenwich partly due to the pandemic, which, beginning last March, has brought massive changes for every i n d u s t r y i n t h e U. S . T h e ramif ications for retail in Ma n hat ta n have been
extensive. Jen ny Rober ts, Director of Public Relations for Pologeorgis, says that finding a spot in Greenwich just made sense for the brand: “2020 was to be a really exciting year for us, because it was the anniversary year of the company,” says Roberts. But the pandemic forced the company to re-think its plans. “We needed to pivot,” she recalls. “We have a showroom in Manhattan, but with what was going on in New York, our clients just weren’t coming in. Some had moved permanently to Greenwich, and in order to really serve them, we needed to be in Greenwich too.” The Greenwich shop showcases a range of what the brand has to offer in luxury outerwear, including men’s and women’s styles, from hats and coats to gloves and other accessories. The brand is best known for fur and shearling, as well as leather and other highquality natural fabrics. Natural materials like leather, fur, and shearling are durable, and Pologeorgis specializes in high-quality workmanship that will last a long time. Adding to the usable life of a well-made garment is also easier, because high-grade materials can be re-worked. Furs are usually made to last. A nd Rob er t s note s t h at when styles become dated, the Pologeorgis designers and craftsmen can work with a client to update them. “It’s actually a really fun process,” Roberts says. “Furs can last a long time if you take care of them, and they can be remodeled to suit.” She names a top fashion editor for whom she recently did what she describes as “a beautiful remodel.” “She had her Mom’s old coat, and the length wasn’t right, so
“I’m doing a project right now for two sisters. Their Mom had left them furs that she was very sentimental about. So, with one fox jacket, we’re making one of the girls a vest, and the other one is getting a short jacket. We’re giving them brand-new linings, one with butterflies on it, and the other with a beautiful flowered lining. And we’re keeping the monogram of the Mom, we’ve sewed that back into the lining of the little jacket.”
we updated it for her.” Since furs can be handed down, they often have sentimental value. Roberts says the designers relish such projects, since it can be so meaningful for a client to have a reminder of a beloved family member that they can wear: “I’m doing a project right now for two sisters. Their Mom had left them furs that she was very sentimental about. So, with one fox jacket, we’re making one of the girls a vest, and the other one is getting a short jacket. We’re giving them brand-new linings, one with butterflies on it, and the other with a beautiful flowered lining. And we’re keeping the monogram of the Mom, we’ve sewed that back into the lining of the little jacket.” That kind of work can be expensive, Roberts says, noting
that multiple trained artisans are typically involved in the finished product. “It’s not like just one person touches it,” she explains. “It passes through multiple skilled hands, first the person that does the pattern work, then the man who recuts the garment, then the lady who sews in the lining, and so on.” But the end result is a beautiful garment that a client can cherish and even hand down to the next generation. The Lew is Street store opened last November, just in time for Black Friday, and has been open through the winter. Roberts says the brand plans to finish out the year in the space. “It’s been going really well, it’s been wonderful,” she says, noting there is lots of foot traffic in pedestrian-friendly side street, as well as clients who look in after appointments
at the neighboring hair salons. Clients can also store their furs with Pologeorgis, and the brand is looking ahead to next fall. Asked about future trends and styles, Roberts says she sees soft colors for the coming season in furs. “Camels and greens and earth tones are looking great for this season for sure.”
Po l o g e o r g i s i s a l u x u r y outerwear brand, with a pop-up shop at 25 Lewis Street. The brand is known for its collaborations w i t h m a n y t o p b ra n d s a n d designers, including Michael Kors and Zac Posen, as well as for its leadership in sustainable, traceable fashion.
The Pandemic Made Air Quality a Focus for One Local Business By Kris Herndon John Perri understands air quality – it’s his specialty. As founder and co-owner of Air Solutions, a Stamford-based heating, cooling and propane company, he’s had a unique perspective on the issue over the course of the past year, a s t h e p a n d e m i c b r ou g ht challenges for his industry and his customers alike. Like many small businesses both locally and around the country, Air Solutions was hard hit when the coronavirus hit these shores in March of 2020. Perri says the first result of the pandemic was a huge slowdown for his company, as well a wave of cancellations: “In the spring, with nob o dy k now i n g for su r e what was going on with the pandemic, we had to lay off around 75% of our workforce, because nobody wanted us in their house – people just weren’t comfortable. Jobs got canceled.” But t h at slowdow n w a s followed, roller-coaster-style, by a huge uptick in business on c e t h e w a r m e r mont h s rolled around. “In May, suddenly everyone’s wo rk i n g f r o m h o m e , a n d people said, I don’t care, I need my air conditioner fixed now,” Perri says. In an area where many residents had been commuting to work or school most of the day, air conditioning systems didn’t need much thought during much of the day, most months of t he ye a r. W hen p e ople started working from home, though, that changed. “You’re home all day, you’re noticing every little noise your system makes,” Perri says, laughing. Add to that the many people who, tired of living in cramped Manhattan quarters during lockdown, were able to depart the city for a new home in the suburbs. New homes mean new systems, Pe r r i s ay s : “ Pe o p l e w a nt to feel comfortable in their
ow n env i r on ment , a nd i n air duct cleaning, are some h e a n d b u s i n e s s p a r t n e r Ma n hat t a n, wher e mayb e of the options that can be Tim DiCamillo started Air before you wanted a building recommended, discussed, and Solutions in 1999. They began with all the amenities, now you with a focus in HVAC systems; installed. might be looking for a home This is true whether a client eleven years later, in 2010, with an office, a yard, a home lives in new construction or t he pa r t ners ex pa nde d to gym.” an older home. “For newer propane delivery, as well as The result: unexpectedly, construction, windows tend to installing and maintaining Air Solutions had the busiest seal very tight, and insulation propane systems. As locals, summer they had had in 20 is tighter,” Perri says. That’s they combine their technical years of doing business in the good, but proper ventilation expertise with their knowledge area. “For everybody working is important to let fresh air of the area. from home, and new people circulate. “For older homes, “I grew up in Greenwich,” moving to the area,” Perri what you’re dealing with is Perri says. “I went to Hamilton says, “it really seems worth that codes change.” So, for Avenue, then Western and it to spend the money on the example, older homes might Eastern for junior high, when house. Construction right now not be able to accommodate my parents moved from one is doing very well in Fairfield proper ventilation for some side of town to the other. And County.” newer systems. A nd older I graduated from Greenwich As it happened, Air d u c t s m a y h a ve ye a r s o f High School.” Solutions had recently added accumulation of dust, pollen, A f te r ye a r s o f l iv i n g i n a new area of specialization: and other pollutants. Stamford, Perri and his wife John Perri. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). That Expanding their focus to have plans to move back to Cos proved important in what, it meet demands in the market Cob soon: “I’m a boater, so I soon became clear, was a bit problems or concerns unique ca rb on monox ide a la r m s, ha s b e en a s ol id st rate g y love being on the water, being of a pandemic construction to each home. Air purifiers, UV lamps, and ventilators, for Perri. A graduate of The on the Sound.” boom in Greenwich, Stamford, humidif iers, dehumidif iers, as well as air scrubbers and Technical Career Institute, D a r i e n , a n d We s t c h e s t e r County. A ir q ua lit y has been on ever yone’s mind since the start of the pandemic. The virus, after all, is airborne and spreads more easily indoors. And pollutants can have a COMPANY SYMBOL 52 HIGH 52 LOW PRICE* significant effect on the human immune system—indeed, W.R. Berkley Corp. WRB $79.92 $43.05 $71.49 allergies are both caused by an immune response, and can Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. UBA $21.34 $8.22 $16.60 place a burden on the immune system. Relative humidity AmBase Corporation ABCP $0.45 $0.12 $0.33 also plays a role; bacteria and viruses can thrive in a dry Ellington Financial LLC EFC $17.45 $3.24 $15.96 environment – one reason why colds a nd f lu tend to Fifth Street Asset Management Inc. FSAM $0.24 $0.01 $0.03 spread like wildfire in winter, HSON $16.56 $6.06 $14.10 when humans are together Hudson Pro in enclosed, indoors air that’s IBKR $77.65 $33.70 $76.03 d r i e d - o u t d u e t o h e a t i n g Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. systems. Too much moisture OXLC $8.40 $1.86 $6.58 in the air, however, can also Oxford Lane Capital Corp. cause problems, allowing mold Starwood Property Trust Inc. STWD $24.13 $7.59 $23.27 and fungus to proliferate. Air Solutions introduced StoneRiver Inc. SPNS $35.85 $13.55 $32.10 its IAQ assessment prior to the pandemic, but concerns Oxford Square Capital Corp. OXSQ $5.32 $2.04 $3.98 about the virus, along with remote schooling and remote Townsquare Media Inc. TSQ $11.25 $3.54 $10.52 work , have com bined to m a k e i t e s s e n t i a l s i n c e . XPO Logistics Inc. XPO $128.57 $38.47 $122.40 The process begins w ith a c o n s u l t a t i o n t o a s s e s s * as of close of business 3/3/21
Local Public Company Market Watch GREENWICH INDEX
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR PLANNER ST. LAWRENCE SOCIETY stlawrencesociety.com March 13 7 p.m. “Underground Comedy” – A PopUp Night of Laughs. St Lawrence Society, 86 Valley Rd. $25. 203618-9036. CT CERAMICS CIRCLE ctcsc.org March 8 2 p.m. Lecture: “Apotheosis of the Toiler: Robineau, Resilience and #CeramicCasualties.” Via Zoom. Register. THE GREENWICH ARTS COUNCIL: greenwichartscouncil.org March 10 7 p.m. Lecture: Critiquing the Virtual Museum Experience: Community in Focus 2020 at the Phillips Collection. Via Zoom. Register. ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE OF GREENWICH: afgreenwich.org March 6 3 p.m. Live from France: A taste & Tour of the Cognac Région. Open to all. Free by donation. March 10 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 March 9 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 March 8 4:30 p.m. Class: Storytelling Through Filmmaking (5 Mondays). Via Zoom. For adults and teens. Register. CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER: childguidancect.org March 12 6:30 p.m. Magical Escape Show, featuring Tom Pesce. Via Zoom. Free. Register at chc1.co/CGCMagicalEscapeRegistration2021 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, shar-
ing your stories, advice, and wishes. Greenwich students in grades K-12. Essays due: March 21. Submit to: youthoutreach@ lwvgreenwich.org GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY: greenwichhistory. org/visit 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. INDIA CULTURAL CENTER OF GREENWICH: iccgreenwich.org March 11 7 p.m. Family TV Dinner with Zarna – she will roast moms, teens, and Indian American parenting. $10 per household. Through March 21 ICC brings together Indian artists for an online art show. Meet the artists on February 24 in an Opening Reception. The artworks are for sale (a portion of sales will benefit ICC). GREENWICH ROTARY CLUB: greenwichrotary.org March 10 12:15 p.m. Weekly Wednesday lunch meeting. Riverside Yacht Club, 102 Club Rd. The bell will ring at 12:15pm. Jackets for men are required. $30. NEWCOMERS CLUB: greenwichnewcomers.org March 9 9:30 a.m. Coffee Morning. Private home. RSVP. NAMI SOUTHWEST CT: namisouthwestct.org/online-support March 10 6:30 p.m. NAMI-CAN (Child and Adolescent Network) Online Support Group for parents and primary caregivers of children and adolescents, under age 21, with behavioral and emotional issues (Every Wednesday). Free. Contact admin@namict.org for the meeting password. RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: RedCrossBlood.org March 12 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk. March 13 7:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Ave, Stamford. ARCH STREET archstreet.org Virtual Yoga Takeover. 7th-12th Grade. Every Tue. & Thu., 4-5pm Free. Online.
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Open Studio. 7th-12th Grade. Wednesday, by Appointment Only. Free. TOWN AGENCIES MEETINGS: greenwichct.gov/calendar March 8 8 p.m. Representative Town Meeting (RTM). Via Zoom/Phone. March 9 12 p.m. FS Diversity Advisory Committee Meeting. Via Zoom. March 10 12 p.m. FS Re-Imagine Greenwich Meeting. Via Zoom. 7 p.m. Historic District Commission Regular Meeting. March 11 8:30 a.m. OPEB Trust Board Meeting. Location: TBD. 10 a.m. Board of Selectmen Meeting. Via Zoom. 7 p.m. Board of Education Retreat. Cos Cob School.
Our Neighboring Towns BEDFORD PLAYHOUSE: bedfordplayhouse.org March 7 10:15 a.m. A Day In The Life: Rebecca Eisenberg, Mindy Winebrenner and Yuki Osada. March 11 7:30 p.m. Author Talk: “Eleanor” with David Michaelis. $5.
THE MARITIME AQUARIUM: maritimeaquarium.org March 6 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise. Aquarium Dock, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk. $31.50. March 7 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Seal Spotting & Birding Cruise. Aquarium Dock, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk. $31.50. LOCKWOOD-MATHEWS MANSION MUSEUM: lockwoodmathewsmansion.com Through June 4 The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s 8th Annual Young Writers’ Competition. Open to all middle school students 6th8th grade in the Tristate area. Through June 4. 203-838-9799, ext. 6. education@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com
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Town Updates by Richard Kaufman
Update from Town Hall
Bringing Flags Back to the Avenue The same group that brought holiday lights back to the downtown area now wants to bring American f lags back to Greenwich Avenue. The Board of Selectmen heard a proposal last week from the nonprofit Greenwich Community Projects Fund that would place f lags on lamp posts going down the Avenue for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and perhaps Veterans Day. Whether the f lags stay up throughout the warm weather months, or are put up and removed just after each holiday, still needs to be determined. "The thought about this is really just to...continue on t h e t h e m e o f c r e at i n g v a lu e and creating beauty and spirit i n d o w n t o w n ," s a i d A l y s s a Keleshian, who is working on t he pr op os a l w it h S eba st ia n Dostmann. Keleshian noted that in the 1970's and 1980's, the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce put up flags for patriotic holidays. "Everyone wants the small-town charm. This is going back to small town community charm." Dostmann said the f lags would be a welcome addition over the summer. "Hopefully this will be a little more low-cost than the lights in the winter months, but something f u n a nd v i bra nt to c ont i nue throughout the rest of the year until the lights make their comeback in the fall," he said. First Selectman Fred Camillo agreed, pointing out that Westport does something similar, and it's
always a memorable sight. Selectperson Lauren Rabin, w h o c h a i r s t h e R e -I m a g i n e Greenw ich Com m ittee wh ich aims to implement improvements i n t h e d ow ntow n a r e a , s a i d that the committee is starting a conversation about resurrecting banner advertising on lamp posts to fund initiatives. She asked if the banners and f lags could be on display simultaneously, and Dostmann assured her there is enough space for both. "I understand that there are no issues with f lags as signage, but I just want to make sure that we're checking all the boxes and that there are no procurement issues if [the flags] are purchased by an outside nonprof it, and I want to ma ke sure we're not running inadvertently afoul of another board or commission w i t h a u t h o r i t y h e r e ," s a i d Selectperson Jill Oberlander. Flags are allowed to be on display, but Katie DeLuca, Greenw ich's Director of Planning and Zoning, said any advertisement, or material such as a ribbon or a banner showing who funded the initiative, would not be permitted. Keleshian said recognizing those who make donations is important. " We a re goi ng to go a f ter donors, and donors need to at least get appreciated for their donation. That will be something we need to f igure out. A lot of p e o p l e a r e ve r y c o m mu n i t y minded and they should be thanked," Keleshian said. The Selectmen did not take a vote on the proposal.
"We've lost 81 Greenwich residents, and that's 81 too many as far as I'm concerned," said First Selectman Fred Camillo on COVID-19 deaths in town. Update on Edgewood Drive Katie DeLuca, Greenwich's Director of Planning and Zoning, updated the Board of Selectmen on the issues that are occurring in the area of West Putnam Avenue and side streets where several car dealerships are located. There is currently one loading zone on Edgewood Drive that only Porsche is authorized to use in conjunction with large-car carriers, who drop off or pick up vehicles. Every other dealership in the area has its own designated spaces for the loading/unloading of vehicles In the past, the loading zone would get tied up for hours, and a s m o r e t r u c k s wou l d c o m e in behind it, traff ic and safety problems would crop up on a blind turn. "Even though the car carriers do have designated spaces to offload, it's not managed, and as a result it causes serious traffic c onc e r n s . We' ve h ad z on i n g enforcement out there trying to control it, and it's literally a fulltime job. We asked the police to help, and they don't have the resources to sit there and manage this," DeLuca said. An idea for a second loading zone on nearby Edgewood Avenue was discussed, but ultimately abandoned, because it would
FRED CAMILLO First Selectman require more management and could potentially cause more issues, DeLuca said. D eLuc a s a id she h a s met regularly with the car dealers and asked them to stop using the area on Edgewood Drive, and only their designated spaces. "Their response has been, 'Yes, we will do that,' but they don't believe it's rea lly them c au s i n g t h e p r o b l e m . [ T h e y believe] it's these third-party carriers, the so called uber trailers, that are hired by individuals. I'm not sure that that really is the case just based on site visits," DeLuca said. One of the dealerships agreed to hire a security guard to sit in the area and tell carriers they can't use the zone, which DeLuca
to load and unload," DeLuca said. Valet Parking Program Update In December, the Board of Selectmen approved a temporary valet parking pilot program to see if there was a way to curb some of the longstanding parking issues in the downtown area. Last week, John Dent, General Manager of Parking Productions, which ran the pilot prog ram, updated the board on the test run. The program was conducted over two weekends leading up to Christmas, with two valet parking stations -- one on Greenw ich Avenue at the corner of Lewis St r e et , a nd t he ot her on t he horseshoe drive at the Greenwich Arts Council. From those dropoff points, cars were parked in private lots on Mason Street and West Elm. The cost per vehicle was $20 per car. " We w a nt to get a lon ge r sample size to determine the true viability and the true interest," said Dent, who noted that there was some up and down in terms of interest and use over the two weekends. "There are tweaks we can make along the way, but overwhelmingly we got a lot of good feedback. People who used the service were very happy." Dent acknowledged that even t h ou g h COV I D -19 r e m a i n s a factor, if the service gets extended, valet attendants will continue to follow guidelines and use masks, gloves and sanitizer.
said was very effective. But that was only for a short period of time. "When I asked some of the neighbors how it's been going there, they said if the problem was at a 10 before, it's now at a 3. We all know, without proper management and a permanent solution, the problem will creep back and we'll be back at square one," DeLuca said. DeLuca is continuing to work with the dealerships, as well as the Department of Public Works a nd Pol ice Depa r t ment, on a solution. She said she has received a plan from Porsche, which still needs to be reviewed. "Effectively, what it would do is eliminate the loading zone. We would bump out the curbing, such that Porsche would then be able to use that space that they currently use now as a loading zone, and it would appear as if it's their area," DeLuca explained. "They would have t hei r space to load a nd unload, and the loading zone as a technical term and space would be eliminated." But issues such as traf f ic, design, and legal issues related to roadway ownership, have to be worked through. The Selectmen didn't take any "We're working on it still, and the ultimate goal is to eliminate action and will discuss the matter the loading zone but still to have at future meetings. Porsche have a designated space
Camillo: We're Trying to Close the Game Against COVID-19 Similar to trends all around the country, COVID-19 numbers in Greenwich appear to be improving each passing week. According to an update on Wednesday from First Selectman Fred Camillo, the total number of residents who have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began was at 4,036, an increase of just 17 from Feb. 24. In the week leading up to Feb. 24, cases increased by 118. Active cases on Wednesday stood at 135, down five from last week. The total death toll, however, increased by one to 82. "This is a very different feel compared to [this time] last year," Camillo said, as the one-year anniversary approaches of when shutdowns around the country began. "We're trying to close the game. We
don't want to lose the lead here in the late innings. We have to stay focused." Greenwich Hospital continues to see positive trends as well. According hospital President Diane Kelly, as of Wednesday there were 21 COVID positive patients being treated in-house, with four of those patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Throughout the Yale New Haven Health System's f ive hospitals as of Wednesday, there were 175 patients being treated, compared to 213 last week. Greenwich Hospital has been around the 21 patient mark before, but numbers have jumped up shortly after. "We definitely are starting to feel that decline. I'm looking at the system-wide trend and our trend, and hoping for the
best," she said. VACCINATIONS Kel ly rep or te d t hat Gre enw ich Hospital, in partnership with the Town of Greenwich, is continuing to successfully administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Earlier this week, Greenwich Hospital and Yale New Haven Health opened a website specifically for teachers to sign up and get vaccination appointments. Time slots filled up almost immediately. For more information, go to ynhhs.org/covidvaccine. More slots will open up as vaccine doses become available. "We're only opening slots when we have the secured doses allocated to us," Kelly added. Recently, Yale New Haven Health
System received its first shipment of over 7,000 of the newly approved Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine. It will be allocated across the health system. When residents go to schedule an appointment, they'll be able to see what day the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available. Kelly said she has urged her family to take whatever appointment is available first, regardless of vaccine brand. After repeated attempts at signing up for a vaccine appointment in Greenwich earlier this week, Camillo was able to secure a time slot at Stamford Hospital for March 14. "I'm very happy," said Camillo. Kelly reminded residents too "stick
with it" if they are unable to secure an appointment right away. "If you're on the site and you're not able to get an appointment, get off, wait a little bit, and go back when you can. You just have to be persistent and try several times each day," she said. T O L O O K U P C T VAC C I N E C L I N I C S , G O T O C T. G OV/ COVIDVACCINE Eligible residents can go to ynhhs. org/covidvaccine to find an appointment at a Yale New Haven Health site. The Greenwich Department of Health utilizes the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). For more information, go to the Dept. of Health page at greenwichct. gov.
Tree Warden Decision on Pin Oak at 235 Greenwich Ave. Despite residents’ pleas last week to spare a pin oak located at 235 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich Tree Warden, Dr. Gregory Kramer, announced on Monday that he has approved the removal of the tree, as long as seven new trees are planted on or nearby the Avenue. A pu bl ic he a r i n g w a s he ld l a s t Thursday on the tree after residents objected to a notice of removal. The tree must be removed to make room for more handicap parking with direct access to the sidewalk, as part of the proposed Elm Street/Greenwich Avenue intersection improvement project. The project, which aims to improve pedestrian and motor vehicle safety, includes the installation of bump-outs, which would extend the curb line to the edge of the existing parking areas on east/ west Elm Street, and the angled parking areas on Greenwich Avenue. The project also includes the building of a raised intersection and more green space and plantings in the area. "It is my decision, and I have concluded that the one pin oak consisting of a diameter at breast height of 16 inches is approved for removal," Kramer said in his decision letter released on Monday. "However, removal will only be granted
to the Department of Public Works with the agreement that, in conjunction with the construction improvements at the intersection of Greenwich Avenue and Elm Street, seven new trees are to be planted on Greenwich Avenue or in close proximity (e.g. intersections to Greenwich Avenue)." Kramer went on to say that of the seven trees required to be planted, five will be planted into newly created tree wells at locations to be determined, and two trees will be planted into new beds at the intersection of Greenwich Avenue and Elm Street. All seven trees will be willow oaks, and they will be no less than three inches in caliper. The new tree locations will need to be cited and approved within accordance to the Town of Greenwich tree policy before the pin oak is to be removed. At least week's public hearing, Jason Kaufman, Senior Civil Engineer for the Town of Greenwich, said the intersection improvement project will "significantly improve pedestrian and vehicular safety, enhance the intersection with over 1,800 square feet of new green space, and along with other town initiatives, will start to build a sense of place along Greenwich Avenue." Several residents asked why handicap
parking couldn't be found elsewhere nearby in order to spare the tree. "This is the most suitable location for grades to meet ADA code,” Kaufman explained. “In addition to that, this project was granted a limited amount of funding, so if we start to expand this project further to the north, it increases the cost of the project as well.” Resident Lucy Krasnor called the pin oak a "particularly beautiful and substantial tree" that provides a nice streetscape as you come down Greenwich Avenue. "Without it, there would be a grand, empty space. I don't think we want that. I think with every project in town lately, all anyone's thinking of is removing trees, and I'm very upset about that," she said. Kramer noted that the pin oak was observed to be in declining health, but not in imminent danger as the life expectancy is uncertain at the moment. He said that the tree could use an influx of fertilization, but he did not know if that would ultimately save the tree from further decline. John Conte, a landscape architect and Connecticut licensed arborist, is also a member of First Selectman Fred Camillo's Greenscape Committee and the vice-chair of the town's Architectural Review Committee. He praised DPW for the project and
called it a "wonderful upgrade" to the very busy intersection. "But I'd also like to be a very strong advocate for working around this tree, and really plead with our engineering department and with really every town depa r tment that has a project that intersects with a tree, and ask that we really start to just change the mindset and change the paradigm of designing and drawing," Conte said. "If a tree just happens to be in the way, say, 'Well, that tree gets a red X on it.' We really have to start designing around these trees. There are so few left." Stephanie Cowie is the vice-chair for Camillo's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, and spoke in favor of the tree removal last week. Cowie, a recent paraplegic who requires the use of a wheelchair at all times and a specially outfitted van for transportation, said that when she travels around town, she notices that most handicap spaces aren't accessible or as compliant as many people think. "The proposed design will provide greater safety for those who enter this intersection, from pedestrians to drivers alike. This design is the best when it comes to urban planning," she said.
Cowie spoke about the high stress level of maneuvering around parking spaces and intersections in a wheelchair but said working with DPW on the project has given her hope and peace of mind for the future. "This proposed design of the Elm Street intersection provides me a sense of comfort knowing that when I park, I no longer have to roll my wheelchair into oncoming Greenwich Avenue traffic. I will now be able to access the sidewalk and crosswalk safely in a space that is to code, and the proximity of the intersection is equally important for anyone with a disability," she said. "The design prioritizes and facilitates pedestrian and driver safety at the intersection with the bumpouts, and ADA parking and additional green space on the Avenue. While I understand the feelings of those wanting to preserve the tree, I wish to preserve this Elm Street redesign due to the safety and accessibility that it will provide for so many people, especially those who may have mobility issues like me." About 2-3 weeks would be needed per corner for construction, with a total of 8-12 weeks estimated for the project. Work could begin in mid-March, weather permitting.
Native Plant Lecture Series at Botanical Center The Greenwich Botanical Center is excited to kick off its new virtual lecture series with an insightful discussion on native plants by Dr. Donald J. Leopold. Dr. Leopold is a teaching professor and chair of the Department of Environmental and Forest Biology at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, as well as the esteemed author of Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation. His work is renowned, as no other single volume on native plants has such comprehensive horticultural coverage. It is an honor to host Dr. Leopold, but he is likewise honored to offer unique insight and connect with our community, “events like those at the Greenwich Botanical Center often reach people who are very interested in learning about topics that perhaps they weren’t formally educated about. Such an audience is hungry for information. It’s always a pleasure to speak to such groups.” No prior knowledge of native plants is necessary to attend. However, you
may prepare to attend by picking up a copy of Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation, now available at the Greenwich Botanical Center Greenhouses and Boutique 130 Bible Street. Dr. Leopold’s passion for native plants is sustained throug h an understanding that protecting native plants enables the biodiversity and health of our ecosystems. He advocates that our community members can enact conservation efforts and sustainable change in our local environments. Dr. Leopold asserts that it is as easy as starting in your own backyard; “get involved with local opportunities to eradicate invasive species at parks and other public places, open up your garden spaces to visitors to share what you know, and continue asking questions and learning.” The Greenwich Botanical Center invites you to get curious and start your involvement by joining this kickoff event this Wednesday, March 3rd at 6:30 PM. To register please visit
greenwichbotanicalcenter.org. T h e l e c t u r e s e r i e s i s s c h e du l e d t o continue as we move into spring. On March 18th, the Greenwich Botanical Center will urge community members to think locally as Greenwich Native and local Audobon Land Steward Andy Chapin continues the conversation introduced by Dr. Leopold. Andy Chapin will teach participants the additional value of native plants in satisfying their own aesthetic and sustainable gardening needs while maintaining desired boundaries with some of the environmental coinhabitants. T he G r e e nw ich B ot a n ic a l Ce nte r i s dedicated to promoting hor ticulture, conservation, and the arts through educational programs. The lecture series is sure to b e i nsig ht f u l i n prompti ng mea n i ng f u l conversation and understanding of native habitats and furthermore, their importance to the health of our environment and community.
The Celestial Majesty of Spring W h i le we m ay not b e e x p e r ie nc i n g a ny t h i ng as big as a lu na r ecl ipse t h is March, we are privileged to see a variety of other, more subtle celestial events. The fun thing about such events is that there are some happening every month, and through watching or learning about these spectacular events, you can learn a little more about science, history, and the world around you. Here are the ones to look out for this month. The first event we will be experiencing this month is on Saturday, March 6th when Mercury is at its greatest Western elongation. A Western or Eastern elongation is when, along with other mathematics, the celestial body or planet is best visible just before sunrise. This will be the best time to view Mercury as it will be at its highest point on the horizon in the morning sky. The next event we’ll come to is on March 13th, the new moon. A new moon is when the moon reaches the same side of the planet as the sun and begins the second half of it’s phase cycle, the waxing phase, when the moon becomes fuller and fuller each night. The full moon is great for searching for things in the night sky that you typically can’t see like galaxies or star clusters. The third celestial event is on March 20th, the spring -- or vernal -- equinox. The spring equinox occurs when the sun shines directly
on the equator causing both the northern and southern hemispheres to experience nearly equal amounts of day and night. This also marks the beginning of autumn in the southern hemisphere. There are two equinoxes a year, one in spring and one in autumn. People have celebrated the spring equinox for centuries. Pagans celebrated it as Eoster, the predecessor to Easter, as a renewal of life; the Persian new year, Nowruz is celebrated on the spring equinox; and in Japan, the spring equinox is a day to tend to the graves of loved ones. The last event in March is the Super Worm Moon. While there is no fully agreed upon definition in the scientific community for what the qualifications of a supermoon actually are, Fred Espenak, a retired astrophysicist, def ines a supermoon as a full moon “within 90 percent of its closest
approach to Earth in a given orbit.” Which means that according to his definition, we will have four supermoons in a row this year, the first of which is in March! This is the smallest of the supermoon of the year. I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “what is a worm moon?” Each month’s full moon is given a name according to the Farmer’s Almanac a nd Native A mer ica n fol k lore. Ma rch’s Worm Moon is named such, according to the Farmer’s Almanac because, “the ground b e g i n s to s of ten a nd e a r t hwor m c a st s reappear, inviting the return of robins.” This is the most popular name for the full moon in March, but it does go by other names as well. The full moon in March also goes by the name of crust moon for the crust of ice on top of the snow from the temperature rising during the day but falling below freezing again at night. To settlers it was also known as the Lenten moon, and is considered the last full moon of winter. Spring is a time of remembrance and renewal, and is full of excitement. March is the beginning of the beautiful Spring we all know and love in Greenwich. Greenwich shines its brightest in all of the beautiful spring colors and blooming f lowers, reminding us that there is much to celebrate in our lives and in our community.
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From Page One BOE FORUM From Page 1
the impacts are going to be to the community," Mason said. Moriarty said Phase 2 is still in the early planning stages, with no real specifics in terms of
NEWS BRIEFS From Page 1
Parkway School. It is likely that these relocations will be in effect until the end of the school year.
GREENWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS
On February 26th, the Greenwich Fire Department held a ceremony celebrating four promotions. During the ceremony, lieutenant Thomas Lenart was promoted to the position of deputy chief of training, and three firefighters, Kevin Coyner, Steven Heaney, and Michael Varanelli, were promoted to the rank of lieutenant. The ceremony was presided over by First Selectman Fred Camillo, and attended by Selectperson Jill Oberlander.
GREENWICH BOY SCOUTS ORGANIZING MARCH 13 FOOD DRIVE
The Greenwich Council of the Boy Scouts of America is asking for the community’s help for their annual food drive to support Neighbor to Neighbor. The drive will be contactless, and will take place between 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
engineering or costs. "We've asked the BOE for some more information, but I think there's still a lot unknown with that project. We've asked them potentially if it makes sense to phase their request and get more planning dollars to answer that question. It's still uncertain in my mind how that proceeds right
now," she said. Blank agreed but said she believes there needs to be enough money in next year's budget to help the BOE move the project forward in the future. The BET Budget Committee was scheduled to make a recommendation for the budget to the full BET this week, who
will then hold workshops and a public hearing on March 29 before sending a recommendation to the RTM in April. The RTM then has until May 15 to adopt a final budget. To view the entire hour-long forum, go to lwvgreenwich.org
at two drop off locations: the Greenwich Police Department at 11 Bruce Park Place, and the Easten Civic Center at 90 Harding Road. The food drive is part of the ongoing initiative to provide food security for families in the area.
has released its third virtual performance. GHS’s Associate Band Director, Jason Polise, noted that all of the students had to create their parts from home, acting as their own videographers and audio engineers, and got to experience “what it's like to create a musical ‘product’”. The recording showcases Jazz Ensemble members performing George and Ira Gershwin’s But Not For Me, and can be found on the Greenwich High School website, as well as Youtube.
Stones Placement ceremony and reception on May 27th to honor the first four individuals identified from the research. Each will be honored with an engraved stone that will be placed on the campus grounds.
EVERSOURCE CALLS FOR RATE INCREASE
Eversource has filed another rate increase request with the Connecticut Public Utility Regulatory Authority after public outcry over past increases to customer electric bills. The request contains two options for Eversource to recover costs. The first calls for a single rate increase to take effect on May 1st, increasing average customer cost by 8.2% to $166 per month. The second calls for a two phased increase over a three-year period. This increase would take effect on October 1st, increasing average customer cost by 3.24% to $159 per month. According to Jim Judge, Eversource’s chief executive officer, the increases will seek to recover the $230 million incurred as a result of storm Isaias.
GHS JAZZ ENSEMBLE RELEASES VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE
Greenwich High School’s celebrated Jazz Ensemble
HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S INITIATIVE SHEDS LIGHT ON HISTORY
The Greenwich Historical Society is partnering on an educational initiative with the Witness Stone Project to shine a light on the history of enslaved individuals who resided in Greenwich as early as the 1600s. This timely program seeks to teach children about the humanity and contributions of the enslaved. Students from Greenwich Academy and Sacred Heart are conducting primary research to identify those enslaved on the site of the Historical Society’s campus. Two lectures (March 16 and April 20) kick off the program, which culminates in a town-wide Witness
YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH’S #GIVEHEALTHY INITIATIVE
Yale New Haven Health health employees and medical staff have collected over 22,550 pounds of food during their #GiveHealthy online food drive. The food collected will go towards providing 2,353 meals to individuals and families who rely on Neighbor to Neighbor in Greenwich, and Caritas in Port Chester. Augusta Mueller, the community benefit manager at YNHH stated that “The 42 million plus people struggling with food insecurity also face high rates of diet-related health issues – obesity, diabetes, cancer – due to a lack of access to healthy food. But a lot of food that gets donated actually worsens these health conditions. We wanted to make healthy food donations”. The #GiveHealthy program enabled the donation of foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables in order to improve the health of the communities served.
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Editorial Page
Page 8 | Greenwich Sentinel
PUBLISHER Beth@GreenwichSentinel.com Elizabeth Barhydt
CARTOON
EDITORS & COPY EDITORS Editor@GreenwichSentinel.com Peter Barhydt, Daniel FitzPatrick, Stapley Russell, Anne W. Semmes
Where Is the Accountability on Police Accountability? When the Police Accountability Bill was rushed through the Connecticut Legislature last summer, and passed without normal hearings or input, those who championed the legislation said they knew that flaws and loopholes existed but that they would be quickly fixed in special session. That never happened. The Police Accountability Bill has many good elements and addresses topics that need to be discussed. Unfortunately, police chiefs across the state, including our own here in Greenwich, were left out of the legislative process and the consequence is a bill that is as harmful as it is helpful. Now, almost a year later, the Judiciary Committee is hearing testimony on two subsequent bills that would make minor changes to the legislation. The first bill addresses how an Inspector General is appointed.
since October, when major provisions of the Police Accountability Bill went into effect, there has been a staggering 125 percent increase in gun violence The second bill highlights one of many unintended consequences of the legislation. The second bill would clarify the wording of the use-of-force section, which is currently unusable in a real life situation. It would also push back the date that this particular section becomes law from April 1st of this year – less than 40 days from now – to October 1, 2022. What concerns us most are the comments by Police Chief Keith Mello of Milford, who is also chair of the Police Officer Standards and Training Council. He said, “It’s critical that we have the time so we can provide clarity, direction, and guidance to our officers.” When asked what would happen if the bill stayed as is and went into effect April 1st, he said simply, “We’re not ready.” This is scary stuff. Of course it makes sense that police departments cannot train and implement a policy based on language that is poorly written. Beyond that, they need time to train almost 9,000 police officers across the state in new policies. Already the Police Accountability Bill is having adverse effects on the very people it was meant to protect. We know for a fact that homicides in our three largest cities; Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven are up 35 percent year over year. Gun violence is up 57 percent. But the correlation to the timing of the Bill's implementation is startling. The 2020 weekly data from CompStat for Hartford and New Haven actually shows a 22 percent decrease in shootings from January until May. From June to September there is a 66 percent increase but since October, when major provisions of the Police Accountability Bill went into effect, there has been a staggering 125 percent increase in gun violence. If the legislature was unwilling to listen to our police chiefs before, they certainly should be willing now. The increase in shootings is horrific and unacceptable. Instead, the legislature is ignoring the experts in law enforcement again, this time putting our children at risk. Bill No. 447, introduced by Senator Winfield of New Haven (who also introduced the Police Accountability Bill) is dangerous. It would remove Special Resource Officers (SROs) from our public schools. SROs are police officers assigned to schools. They act as a crime deterrent, a mentor, teacher and counselor to the students whom they protect. Being forced to remove that deterrent could have disastrous repercussions. In the case of Greenwich High School, we have excellent SROs who are well liked and respected by the students, faculty, and parents alike. So much so that, when in 2018 SRO Carlos Franco stepped down after 11 years at GHS, the senior class asked him to be their commencement speaker. Greenwich residents, parents, and students need to speak up now to let our delegation in Hartford know how they feel. As we have seen with the Police Accountability Bill, once a bill is forced through, it is almost impossible to fix and the consequences can be disasterous.
OPINION
Future of Round Hill Fire Station
By Fred Camillo T h e F i r e R e s p on s e T i m e Study recently conducted by the Matrix Consulting Group provided the Town of Greenwich with a list of recommendations to consider that have the potential to improve response times to fires all over town, including the northwest corner of Greenwich. The two primar y ways the report identif ied that the Greenwich Fire Department could improve response times the most is by focusing on reducing the call processing time (the time it takes to process a 911 call for emergency service), and turnout time (the time it takes responders to don protective gear and begin responding in their vehicles.)
Our new fire administration has asked for time to go over dat a, rev iew t he l ist of recommendations to consider and make a detailed plan to address response times. I think that is a prudent course of action. To help guide the Town of Greenwich and Greenwich Fire Department in this process, the Town will adopt an organizational statement t h at out l i ne s r e sp on s e t i me expectations, staffing, response c ap a b i l it i e s , a n d to p r ov i d e guidance for any future expansion
there, and with the Greenwich Fire Departments renewed focus in improving response times, this measured approach is both prudent and logical. If we halt that ( volunteer enhancement ) effort, we, in effect, end that effort and forever close out the volunteer corps at Round Hill. The Town believes that no longer having a volunteer corps at Round Hill would be a mistake. Greenwich has a long and honored tradition of volunteer firefighting. Volunteer firefighters play a critical role in
Thus, we are fully prepared to meet our obligations to protect Town residents all over Greenwich. of the fire department. W i t h $ 1 m i l l i o n o f Tow n money a l re ady appropr iate d for expansion/renovation of the existing station at Round Hill to accommodate more volunteers a nd e n h a nc e t he op e rat ion s
responding to emergency calls and are absolutely dedicated to the safety of their fellow citizens and the protection of property and the environment. If, at the end of the day, the GFD is unable to signif icantly
improve response times, we are putting in the budget money for altered renderings for an addition to the new proposed building in order to house paid firefighters in addition to the volunteers at Round Hill. Thus, we are fully prepared to meet our obligations to protect Town residents all over Greenwich. We just need to do it in a measured and methodical way so that we are not making decisions on emotions or biases, but instead basing them on facts born out of experience, research, and true need. T O G (C h i e f M c H u g h i n concert with OFS) is now focused on this and giving it the proper attention and doing so with the reorganization that has recently taken place in the past year. We believe the reorganized GFD, in tandem w ith adherence to recommendations in the Matrix r ep or t , w i l l r e su lt i n b e t te r coverage for our 62,500 residents, personal and public property, and enhanced public safety for the modern era.
LETTER
In Response to Ralph Mayo's Column
To the Editor: With respect to Mr. Mayo (“Keeping Our Students Safe No Matter What; 11 Feb 2021), there is more to fixing our Schools facilities issues than just appropriating some funding. Obviously, there are significant deficiencies in our Schools facilities. The Facilities Master Plan (FMP) report says that our facilities are in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance over many years. We only spent about half of what KG+D expected on maintenance. This has resulted in a "facilities debt" to get back on top of maintenance, plus many very large capital projects when a near-total replacement is required. Curiously, after the report was issued, we did NOT see a significant increase in capital maintenance requests. If we've been underfunding our maintenance by 50%, why didn't we see roughly a dou bl i ng i n t he a mou nt of maintenance requests?
H i s t o r i c a l l y, S c h o o l s maintenance has not faced much scr utiny. The Ju lia n Cu r tiss roof debacle, which had major issues with the capital project management by the Board of Education (BOE) and Greenwich Public Schools (GPS), changed that. See the BlumShapiro report for capital project management concerns. Today, the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) is a wish list without c o n s t r a i n t s . P r o j e c t s we r e prioritized by KG+D based on general BOE guidance, and that prioritization has been implicitly used by the BOE in capital planning ever since. There is no coordination between the FMP and the Town capital spending plan. Ma ny assu mpt ions i n t he FMP are proving inaccurate. The most significant is the continuing decline in enrollment, especially in elementary schools. Are the priorities still valid given this
decline? Does Julian Curtiss still rank ahead of Central Middle School? Is the Julian Curtiss project scope still appropriate, given that it will expand capacity at an already under-utilized building? Cardinal Stadium - Everyone wants Phase 1 done soon. The BOE used their discretion to keep the management in-house rather than forming a Building Committee. That has created reasonable governance concerns. The immediate questions around the homeside bleacher footings being in Phase 1b rather than 1a, and whether the amount already budgeted for 1b is now sufficient to cover the full scope (including those footings) are valid, and speak to those governance concerns. GHS Secure Entrance Everyone wants the students to be safe. I can only think of one concern around this project. The BOE tried to include a massive expansion - a new "media center" (library) - under the guise of a
secure entrance. (That expansion was removed from the 2020-2021 budget request.) Fields - Everyone wants the fields remediated, and not just at Greenwich High School. Western Middle School is graduating a class that has never played on their own field. Note that concerns go beyond just "fixing the problem". Scope, governance, timing, etc., etc. T h e B o a r d o f E s t i m at i o n & Ta x a t i o n ( B E T ) a n d t h e Representative Town Meeting (RTM) evaluate capital spending on a project-by-project basis each year. They vet each proposed project. They weigh each proposed project in relation to all other competing capital requests. That's their responsibility. If the BOE did similar work themselves, there would be less controversy a rou nd the BOE budget. Brian Raney, writing solely for himself.
LETTER
The Trees of Greenwich Are Weeping.
To the Editor: The trees of Greenwich are weeping. They cry for an end to the bureaucratic indifference and misplaced risk management that is behind their massacre. The utility companies are re-imbursed for capital projects, so find it easier and more profitable to slaughter our trees en masse; instead of applying thoughtful pruning. Now near every powerline in town lie silent stumps amidst drifting piles of sawdust. Along I-95 the state has logged with abandon. Our highway interchanges are denuded, and the leafy elegance that used to veil I-95 is pierced at great intervals. We all now must bear homely views of rusty tracks, hanging wires, riprap, and rear yards. MetroNorth has recently joined the annihilation too; clear-cutting old and gorgeous trees along the tracks from Old Greenwich to Byram. Even our ow n tow n too seems to have shifted gears. Stately trees in parks and on streets that I’ve forever loved a re now removed w ith rapidity, yet token replacements – if at all - hardly come with any
reciprocal alacrity. Greenwich’s trees do a lot more tha n shade ou r streets and bring a verdant beauty to our neighborhoods. Shading our yards, streets and public spaces, t hey r e duc e su m me r ’s he at . For our children they provide a place to climb and play, serving as imaginary proxies for distant worlds. Stately trees block noise and obscure unwanted sights, they eclipse the trains ripping through our community, the semis on the highway, our neighbor’s garbage cans. Their roots hold the soil beside our roads, railroad tracks, a nd on ever y ba n k or shore. Without them, our hillsides would crumble and rivulets of rain turn into streams brown with runoff. Trees are the world’s best carbon sinks. Through photosynthesis carbon is removed from the earth’s atmosphere and then held and sequestered in vegetation and our soils. Trees are the optimal entity in this process, gigantic active bollards to climate change. Trees are also the aesthetic icons of our town. Great tree allees earmark
Greenwich’s style, along with wonderful natural corridors of oak, beech and maple that line our roads. Trees make Greenwich the suburban town the world aspires to. Their presence dramatically effects real estate values. And naturally, our trees sway gracefully in the wind, charm us with their colors, and serve as homes to our birds, squirrels, and a myriad of other wonderful creatures. There are likely valid eng ineering reasons for each arboreal onslaught, from clearcutting on the dam in Pomerance to sheering the woods behind Riverside School, but the sum has recently reached epidemic proportions. Many of our streets have signs asking you to drive as if your children lived there. So too our trees deserve such ethics. Each tree removal project is usually designed by someone far away, in Hartford, or down in MTA headquarters in NYC. They are nice hard-working folks, but indifferent to our neighborhoods. Their performance is gauged by completion dates and engineered
metrics, not the savaged remnants of beauty in our neighborhoods. Our town is largely being clearc ut by d i st a nt a nd det ache d bureaucrats; so it is time for our own to stand up; from Fred to Ned. I don’t believe any of our electeds would allow what is happening to take place in their own yards. Yet, this is happening in our public streets, public places, town parks, the very heart and s ou l of Gr e enw ich . We ne e d some backbone, we need some pushback. For I have never seen a poem as lovely as a tree…. Alexander Brash is a retired con ser vationist who has lived in Riverside for 25 years. After a Masters in Forest Science from Yale, and PhD work in community ecolog y at Rutgers, he was the Chief NYC Park Ranger for nearly twenty years, then NE Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association , and finally President of the Connecticut Audubon Societ y. He was also on the Greenwich Conservation Commission for nearly 15 years.
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COLUMNS
By Drew Williams How scary can a horror movie be at 30,000 feet? I had wrongly assumed that being sealed in a steel tube and traveling at 500 miles per hour would put all that shaky camera work and suspense in perspective – right? Suffice it to say that I had to ask the cabin crew to please leave my reading light on. You may scoff but there was an incident that involved talcum powder footsteps around the bed that will haunt me forever. So, a few days later, on a return flight from London to JFK, I carefully avoided the scary stuff and settled back to watch the Richard Curtis’ movie - About Time – a light British comedy in the genre of Hugh Grant. This time I had to plead with the cabin crew to keep the lights off. I was moved.
Ac t ua l ly, I was a blu bb er i ng wreck! At face va lue , t h is mov ie looked harmless enough. Our protagonist, a young man called Tim, has inherited an unusual family gene. While most of us typically get distinctive noses or ugly feet Tim’s genetic bequest from his father is the ability to travel in time. In C.S Lewis fashion this happened by Tim ducking into closets and closing his eyes. He would then re-emerge at some desired event in his family history. Tim’s initial jaunts in time are amusing – the opportunity to recapture a lost kiss at a New Year’s party or supply the perfect pick-up line to the beautiful girl. These made me laugh. It was Curtis’ exploration of family life, love, and friendship, celebration and grief that really caught my heart and made me wonder: if we could walk in and out of different chapters of our lives and edit out our mistakes, what would we rewrite? Conversely, surveying life’s rich tapestry, would we have the courage to rationalize that some life lessons are only learned in the crucible of pain and loss?
About Time To simply live every day as if it were his last because, said Tim, “all we can do is our best to relish this remarkable ride and remember that we are all traveling in time together.”
Of course, this is all somewhat academic. While the movie, even at 30,000 feet, had the power to momentarily suspend disbelief (should I walk into a closet and close my eyes nothing much is going to change save that my family might conceivably lock the door behind me) but even without the benefit of time travel – there are some things that I can do... when they eventually let me out. Tim’s father cautioned him not to use his gift for fame or wealth but to live as normal life as possible every day but then (and here’s the trick) to relive that day a second time. On the second time around, ignoring all the stresses and strains, one is then free to appreciate all the little things: the kindness of a stranger, the humor in the moment, the simple goodness of being with someone we love and making new friends. Tim scrupulously practices this rule but then sharpens it when he decides to cut out the “second day.” To simply live every day as if it were his last because, said Tim, “all we can do is our best to relish this remarkable ride and remember that we are all traveling
in time together.” The Psalmist had the same revelation when he wrote, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). I was at my gym the following we e k p l ow i n g u p a n d d ow n in the pool. Taken up with my own thoughts I lost all sense of direction and sailed right into the path of an oncoming swimmer. I eventually resurfaced spluttering my apology, expecting a “you stole my parking space” admonishment. To my amazement, I received the warmest “apology fully accepted” smile that is possible with goggles and a nose clip. I think this encounter was one of the most human moments of my week. I wondered if my friend had seen this movie but more importantly – with my head down, f illed with my own thoughts – how many moments like this had I missed? In His great love, Bishop Andrew Andrew Williams is the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of New England. Previously he was with Tr i n i t y C h u rc h i n Gre e nwi c h . www.adne.org
A Practical Look at Legalizing Marijuana
By James Heavey I am writing to you in order to ensure you're aware of the likely consequences that will come with legalizing marijuana in the State of Connecticut. The resea rch a nd stud ies from states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use are clear and abundant. The negative effects to community members, especially our youth, far outweigh the "positive" effects of expanding the availability of currently illegal intoxicants. Although you may not "legalize it for teens," the increased accessibility of the product you will provide, and the message you are sending to that age group, is horrifying. The negative effects o n C o n n e c t i c ut yo ut h a l o n e should discourage your outlook
on legalizing marijuana. The teen brain is actively developing and will often continue to develop until their mid-twenties. The use of marijuana during this timeframe is harmful to that development. T he a bi l it y to t h i n k cle a rly, problem solve, and coordinate are all impaired with marijuana use. A decline in school performance and attendance would be a reasonable expectation; it would be especially harmf ul during the trauma impacting children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The already i ncrease d adolescent menta l he a lt h c onc e r n s t h r ou g hout Connecticut will surely increase. Impaired driving will be elevated for teens but also significantly for adults, and at this time there is no "breath test" to account for driving under the influence of marijuana. Cur rent proposa ls to train additional police officers as Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) are woefully inadequate to address the increase of intoxicated drivers that will result from this proposal. Take a close look at Colorado. From a public health standpoint, marijuana-related hospitalizations have significantly increased and
The teen brain is actively developing and will often continue to develop until their mid-twenties. marijuana-related calls to Poison Control have tripled over the past three years. One Colorado hospital saw a 15% increase of babies being born with THC already in their bloodstream. Criminally, one third of Colorado marijuana-related crimes were considered violent in 2017, with firearms seizures o c c u r r i n g r e g u l a r l y. Fe l o ny marijuana cases have steadily risen; in 2015 there were 579 cases, in 2016 there were 807 cases and in 2019 there were 901 cases. Currently in Colorado, possessing an ounce or less is legal, whereas possessing 10 ounces or more is a felony. Illegal manufacturing has also skyrocketed, more than tripling arrests from 2014 (126 arrests) to 2016 (476 arrests). The state's homeless population has
also signif icantly increased. A representative from the Colorado Drug Investigators Association related that the state will "probably spend more assets on marijuana now that we ever did" and that "it's out of control." Locally in Greenw ich, the Police Department understands t he com mu n it y's concer ns with arresting individuals with substance abuse disorders. The overuse of the criminal justice s y s te m to a d d r e s s a m e nt a l health concern has been the focus of much discussion. However, de-criminalizing narcotics substances is not going to reduce the encounters between the police and those with substance abuse disorders. Instead, restorative justice models can be employed to
address the problem. The Greenwich Police Depa r t ment has a l ready had suc c e s s w it h t he s e t y p e s of practices. The Greenwich Juvenile R ev i ew B o a r d ( J R B), w h i c h involves community stakeholders and behavioral health service providers, was created to address juvenile delinquency within a nontraditional criminal justice setting. Mere drug possession is the type of incident that would be suitable for the JRB. The program's success in reducing juvenile delinquency and substance abuse hinges on its being a preferable option to going to court and facing the judicial process and its potential long-term ramifications. If drug possession, including marijuana, were legalized then the ability to compel youth to change behavior in a beneficial way through this program would be lost. Working off the success of the JRB, the Greenwich Police Department has used the same type of restorative justice models for adults with substance abuse issues. Police enforcement has shifted investigative attention to focus on the dealers instead of
the individuals with a substance abuse disorder. The Department has partnered with the Greenwich Human Services Department, the Stamford State's Attorney's office and Liberation Programs to offer alternatives to individuals caught with simple possession of illicit substances. The aim is to get the subject into treatment. Again, if drug possession were legalized, this program would have drastically reduced traction. Legalizing marijuana represents too many risk s to our community in terms of rising fatalities from intoxicated drivers, increased accessibility of intoxicants to our youth and adverse impacts to our health and community support systems. Current proposals to offset these concerns are far from sufficient and fail to realize the second and third order effects of legalizing marijuana. In the interests of public safety and health, I strongly urge you to reverse course and not legalize marijuana. This letter was sent to legislators in state government from Greenwich Police Chief, James Heavey.
CTDOT Has A Responsibility To Do No Further Harm T he G r e e nw ich Tr e e Conser va nc y is a non-prof it group of over 800 supporters whose mission is to preserve and enhance Greenwich’s urban forest to benefit the community, its health and its quality of life. U.S. Route 1, the NY & New Haven Railroad, the Merritt Parkway, and Interstate 95 pass through Greenwich. These transportation corridors cut Greenwich into 5 separate defined areas. Recently, we have experienced clear cutting along the Merritt Parkway, I-95, and the New York and New Haven Railroad.* CTDOT moves from project to project never assessing the impacts to the communities w it h i n t he s e t ra n sp or t at ion corridors as a whole. Each project literally chips away at our urban forest one tree at a time! In January, the Connecticut Department of Transportation held a meeting to discuss the latest Project 0056- 0316 to repair the road surfaces and the 2 2 bridges between Exit 2 to Exit 6. This plan includes estimates of a two-acre loss of trees, and as indicated at the meeting, some of these removals are for staging of equipment. As this is considered a repair project, the Town of Greenwich was told the project does not meet the requirement for a noise study/evaluation. In addition, there is no budget to mitigate the loss of trees.
for environmental, community health, and storm resistance benef its while maintaining motorist safety. Connecticut’s transportation corridors, which include 96 4 miles of state roads and 629 miles of passenger and freight r a i l s , p r o d u c e 3 8 % o f C T ’s greenhouse gases. Their wooded rights-of-way (ROW) are part of our state’s extensive urban edge forest and are managed by the Connecticut Department of Tra n sp or t at ion (CT D O T ). Unfor tunately, clear cutting, whether for maintenance or road improvements, has been the favored vegetative management strategy along transportation corridors throughout the state. This management approach is inconsistent with the goals of the recent Governor’s Council on Climate Change report: Taking Action on Climate Change and Building A More Resilient Connecticut for A ll, which recognizes the importance of protecting and enhancing our forests, whether in urban or rural areas, for both climate mitigation and adaptation/resiliency benefits. The Fe dera l H ig hway A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s ( F H WA ) Roadside Revegetation: A n Integ rated Approach to Establishing Native Plants 2007 manual presents a thorough guide that could be successfully applied to this project by working together with our Town Tree Warden. The repair project on I-95 is an opportunity to rebuild better, together, and our Tow n Tree Warden Dr. Gregory Kramer, with a PhD in plant biology, would be an invaluable source in developing a re-vegetation plan.
The Greenwich Tree Conservancy urges you to: • Document all trees that are anticipated to be removed; • Provide documentation and a site plan of tree removals to local officials for review and consensus; • Work with local off icials to d e ve l o p a p l a n a n d p r ov i d e mitigation funds for re-planting As the manual notes: species in removal areas. W h e r e m o d i f i c at i o n a n d increased capacity are needed, This is a $200+ million project. ecological health, safety, and One-half of one percent of this eff icient transport should not project would be approximately be seen as mutually exclusive $200,000 which would go a long goals. Understanding roadside way toward remediation and environments, how they interface developing wooded corridors with adjoining lands, and how to
Given political will and proper levels of attention, integration of environmental concerns with transportation can result in significant gains. A reforestation plan should be completed before work on I-95 can begin, to ensure the plans are consistent with Connecticut’s current environmental goals and standards. The Federal Highway Administration Revegetation ma nua l notes: “A s roads a re modified or updated section by section, a tremendous opportunity presents itself to remedy the oversights of the past, mitigating e nv i r on m e nt a l i mp a c t s a n d Property Values and Noise W i t h r e c e n t C T D O T improving conditions for healthy c l e a r c u t t i n g , m a n y To w n ecosystems.” residents have expressed their dissatisfaction at the increased Why isn’t CTDOT following noise they have experienced due the FHWA guidance? Imagine to R ight-of- Way (ROW) tree what could be achieved removal in the transportation if CTDOT and the Town corridors. Last March, Realtor. worked together along our com added a Noise Level feature transportation corridors. with a Noise Map which actually Resilient urban forests def ines Traff ic Noise, Airport and traveler safety are not Noise, and Local Noise. A Bruce mutually exclusive! CTDOT surprised everyone Park Avenue home that borders the railroad track s and I-95, with the visionary and efficient indicates Overall noise High and a p p r o a c h t h e y t o o k w h e n Traffic Noise High. These ratings installing a new Stamford bridge devalue property and can be at E x it 9. A f ter pr el i m i na r y found along all the properties that work , t he ac t ua l br idge was border the ROW’s, both north and successfully installed over seven south of the highway and railroad. lanes of I-95 highway in just a few There are various methods of weeks. CTDOT has shown that noise abatement and this project visionary projects are possible. may require sound barriers, The Greenwich Tree Conservancy c o m b i n i n g h a r d s c a p e a n d encourages CTDOT to continue on greenscape solutions. We need this visionary path that prepares to take a multilayered approach CT for the future. Greenwich is the Gateway in Connecticut to increase the benefits of a “No-Net-Loss” healthy to Connecticut. CTDOT has a natural roadside environment. responsibility to do no further minimize environmental impacts has become a key focus of the Federal Highway Administration (Fekaris 2006). Given political will and proper levels of attention, integration of environmental concerns with transportation can result in significant gains. https:// h ig hways.dot.gov/ federal-lands/desig n / librar y/ roadside-revegetation
harm, to mitigate the damage that has been done, and to work with the Town of Greenwich and other community stakeholders. Connecticut is filled with beauty, let travelers see trees and vegetation that store carbon, cle a n ou r a i r, pr ov ide f lo o d control, and provide food and respite for migrating birds. Let us work together to make the Greenwich Gateway beautiful again! We would appreciate a response to our concerns.
Respectfully submitted by, Francia Alvarez – Advocacy Chair JoAnn Messina – Executive Director Greenwich Tree Conservancy Greenwichtreeconservancy@ gmail.com greenwichtreeconservancy.org This letter was sent to Connecticut Depar tment of Tran spor tation (DOT), Mr. Neil Patel , P roject Ma n a ge r DOT P roje c t 56 -316@ ct .gov, Re: P roject 00 56 -0316 and to leaders in state and town government.
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O R T H O D O N T I C S
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MEDAL OF HONOR
Air Force Col. Merlyn Dethlefsen An Air Battle with a Russian MiG Over A Heavily Defended Target
f i r e , de ad ly su r face-to -a i r missiles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors, Major Dethlefsen flew repeated close range strikes to silence the enemy defensive positions with bombs and cannon f ire. His action in rendering ineffective the defensive SAM and antiaircraft artillery sites enabled the ensuing f ighter bombers DETAILS to s t r i ke s u c c e s s f u l l y t h e important industrial target Rank: Major (rank at time of without loss or damage to their action: Captain) aircraft, thereby appreciably Conflict/Era: Vietnam War reducing the enemy's ability to Unit/Command: 354th Tactical provide essential war material. Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Major Dethlefsen's consummate Thai Air Force Base, Thailand skill and selfless dedication to Military Service Branch: this significant mission were U.S. Air Force in keeping with the highest Medal of Honor Action Date: traditions of the U.S. Air Force March 10, 1967 and ref lect great credit upon Medal of Honor Action Place: himself and the Armed Forces Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam of his country. CITATION The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasu re in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen (AFSN: FV3040607), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with t he 3 5 4t h Tac t ic a l F ig hter S q u a d r o n , 3 5 5 t h Ta c t i c a l Fighter Wing, near Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam, on 10 March 1967. Major Dethlefsen was one of a f light of F-105 aircraft engaged in a f ire suppression mission designed to destroy a key anti-aircraft defensive complex containing surface-to-air missiles (SA M ), a n e xc ept ion a l ly heavy concentration of antiaircraft artillery, and other automatic weapons. The defensive network was situated to dom i n ate t h e app r o a ch and provide protection to an i mp o r t a nt No r t h V i e t n a m i ndust r ia l center t hat was scheduled to be attacked by fighter bombers immediately af ter the str ike by Major D et h lefs e n's f l ig ht . I n t he initial attack on the defensive complex the lead aircraft was crippled, and Major Dethlefsen's aircraf t was ex tensively damaged by the intense enemy f i re. Re a l i z i ng t hat the success of the impending fighter bomber attack on the center now depended on his ability to effectively suppress the defensive f ire, Major Dethlefsen ignored the enemy's overwhelming firepower and the damage to his aircraft and pressed his attack. Despite a continuing hail of anti-aircraft
HIS STORY Most f ighter-bomber missions meant to knock out enemy defense systems during the Vietnam War only involved one f ly-by — the pilots knew t here were few cha nces of escaping enemy aircraft if you executed more than one pass. Air Force Col. Merlyn Dethlefsen knew that when he took charge of a daring raid over a North Vietnamese steel plant in 1967, but he ignored the status quo to make sure the mission was a success. For that, he earned the Medal of Honor. D et h lefsen was b or n i n Greenville, Iowa, on June 29, 1934. As the son of a farmer and a schoolteacher, he did well at academics, graduating with honors from high school in 1951 when he was just 16. Dethlefsen went to Iowa State University for about two years before deciding to join the Air Force in 1953. He started aviation cadet training the following year and was commissioned as an officer by the time he was 20. During his first few years in the field, Dethlefsen served as a navigator on C-124 Globemaster transports before earning his pilot's wings in 1960. Next, he served as a fighter pilot in Germany for about five years before coming back to the U.S. At some point, he met his wife, Jorja, and they had two children — a daughter and a son. Dethlefsen also returned to college to earn a business degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. The Vietnam War In October 1966, Dethlefsen w a s deploye d to a com b at squadron in Thailand to be part of the aerial fight in the Vietnam
War. He was 33 and on his 78th combat mission when he earned the Medal of Honor. On March 10, 1967, thenCapt. Dethlefsen was serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron based out of Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base. H e a n d t h r e e o t h e r F-1 0 5 Thunderchief fighter-bomber pilots were tasked with what was known as a "wild weasel" — a pre-bombing mission of sorts to help a later, larger mission attain success. Air Force Capts. Merlyn Dethlefsen, left, and Mike Their target was the area Gilroy flew together on a 1967 mission to destroy antiaround the Thai Nguyen Steel Pl a nt , a h e av i l y d e fe n d e d aircraft defenses at a plant in North Vietnam. Dethlefsen earned the Medal of Honor for his actions. industrial complex about 50 miles north of Hanoi in Nor t h V iet n a m . T he pla nt was important to the North Vietnamese war effort and had just been approved as a U.S. target. The goal of the four-plane te a m w a s to suppr e s s t he complex’s anti-aircraft defenses — surface-to-air missiles, antiaircraft artillery and automatic weapons — long enough for a second strike force to destroy the plant without coming under heavy fire. Unfortunately, the enemy was ready for them. When the four two-seater aircraft got to the area, the North Vietnamese shot down the lead plane and knocked a second out of the fight. The only missile fired at their target missed. Not Giving Up Deth lefsen, pi loti ng t he third aircraft in line, assumed leadership of the mission. Only he, his navigator, Capt. Mike Gilroy, and one other F-105 were left to carry out the plan. Later in life, Gilroy described Dethlefsen as "taciturn, a bornagain Christian, and not at all the typical fighter pilot," saying he wasn't exactly a fun guy. But none of that mattered — his serious demeanor was critical to the cause. On the duo's f irst pass at the target, they were hit with ground fire and then by a MiG21, a Russian-designed fighter jet flown by the enemy. It was rare for pilots then to make more than one pass — if you wanted to live, you got out of the enemy's range quickly, but Dethlefsen knew the mission would fail if he didn't keep t r y i n g . S o, he st ud ie d t he pattern of the explosives, known as flak, launched by the enemy. "It wasn't a matter of being able to avoid the f lak, but of finding the least-intense areas," Dethlefsen later said. At some point, another MiG hit Dethlefsen and Gilroy. It
was common for pilots to drop all their ordnance when MiG's attacked, but Dethlefsen kept his, knowing he would need it. He then led the two planes on a few more close-ra nge p a s s e s t h a t d a m a g e d t wo surface-to-air missile sites. The strikes helped to protect the f ighter bombers that were to follow them, as well as another sortie scheduled for the next day. Thanks to Dethlefson's dedication, the mission succeeded in reducing the enemy's ability to provide essential war materials. "All I did was the job I was sent to do," Dethlefsen later said. "It had been quite a while since we had been able to go into the Hanoi area, so while the weather held, we were able to do some pretty good work." Dethlefsen's plane was so badly damaged that it couldn't make the 500-mile trip back to their home base. Instead, he landed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, where the aircraft was patched up. Dethlefsen and Gilroy flew home the next day.
The Next Chapter A f ter his deploy ment, Dethlefsen returned to the U.S. and served as an instructor pilot at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Within months, he learned that he had earned the Medal of Honor for his courage during the steel plant mission. O n Feb. 1, 196 8 , P r e sident Lyndon B. Johnson presented the medal to then-Maj. Dethlefsen during a ceremony at the White House. Air Force Capt. Merlyn Dethlefsen kneels beside a board Dethlefsen got his Master's that says he completed 100 missions over North Vietnam. degree in psychology from Troy State Universit y, A labama, in 1972 but remained in the Air Force, serving in various positions u ntil Ju ly 197 7 when he retired as a colonel. According to the Enid News and Eagle, a newspaper out of Enid, Oklahoma, his family settled in Fort Worth, Texas, where he ran a small medical equipment business. Unfortunately, he only got to enjoy civilian life for about a decade. Dethlefsen died on Dec. Air Force Capts. Merlyn Dethlefsen and Mike Gilroy fly 14, 1987, at the age of 53. He is in their F-105F Thunderchief in April 1967. buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
President Lyndon B. Johnson presents the Medal of Honor to Air Force Maj. Merlyn Dethlefsen, Feb. 1, 1968.
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The Greenwich Sentinel encourages readers to let us know about connections they have with Medal of Honor recipients. This article was written by Katie Lange as part of a series in which Defense.gov highlights a Medal of Honor recipient each week. It is our nations's highest medal for valor.
ON EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Continuity in Education
it w a s ou r r e s p o n s i b i l it y to determine if the guidelines were feasible to implement, based on resources and student population. Without reaching certain benchmarks for a safe reopening, schools would need to consider hybrid or remote learning options. We used the CDC guidelines as a road map to reopening, and took additional measures to keep our By Patrice Kopas community safe, making strategic We have reached the one year investments where necessary to mark of the COVID-19 pandemic ensure a safe environment at GCS. in the United States. At the end o f t h e s c h o o l d ay o n M a r c h But Why? 13, 2020, Greenw ich Catholic At Greenwich Catholic School, School cautiously but confidently we k new that the best option transitioned to a remote-learning to support student success was model, which stayed in place to implement daily, in-person through June. learning. In an uncertain world, No one was quite sure what we also saw the importance of September 2020 would look like, prov id i ng a r emote le a r n i ng but at GCS we knew one thing: option for families who chose Our top priority was bringing to opt-out of in-person learning teachers and students safely back for a ny r e a s on . T h r ou g h out to the campus. the Spring of 2020, we worked Why was daily, in-person to implement and solidify our i n s t r u c t i o n s o c r u c i a l? T h e remote learning program from answer is simple, we understand PreK through Grade 8, which the importance of continuity in gave us the tools and experience education for our students. to p r e p a r e fo r a n a l l s c h o o l remote option if necessary. The “How” CDC Reopening Guidelines were provided to schools, and
No one was quite sure what September 2020 would look like, but at GCS we knew one thing: Our top priority was bringing teachers and students safely back to the campus. Why was daily, in-person instruction so crucial? The answer is simple, we understand the importance of continuity in education for our students. And Now Today, our safety measures have not slowed down, and our adherence to strict CDC protocols, and additional G CS created procedures, have allowed us to stay open every day. In addition to daily temperature checks, mandatory face masks, 6-foot separation between desks, limited movement between classes, and maintaining cohorts throughout the day. GCS also enhanced the daily cleaning protocols. The school invested i n ele c t r o s t at ic d i si n fe c t a nt sprayers, UVC light air purifying systems for each classroom, and the nightly use of UVC germicidal
and disinfectant lamps. We also i mp l e m e nte d a n d up d ate d a “COVID Communications” plan to allow us to keep our families properly informed in the event of a COVID case within our school. While students have not yet been able to enjoy our newly renovated cafeteria, and attend all-school events in our newly updated Gy m nasiu m, we a re hopeful that new guidelines may allow for this in the near future. Students thrive when placed in a safe and comfortable environment. In-person learning has minimal distractions and allows for frequent peer-to-peer interaction. In-person learning
te ache s you nger st udents to learn to share and take turns. It helps teens shape their identity and provides the very important social interactions they need to succeed. O r g a n i z at ion a l sk i l l s a r e strengthened and learned from classroom learning and having a daily routine. The in-person classroom supports and enhances collaborative learning, provides the opportunity to participate in live discussion and builds critical thinking skills. Dif ferentiated instr uction is more effective in person. A teacher can see if a student is finished with an assignment and can immediately address the student's needs. It also leaves t h e p r i m a r y j ob o f te a ch i n g to the teachers. In remote learning, especially for younger students, parents often have to step in to assist the students in completing assignments. This makes it difficult for the teacher to understand specifically where a student is struggling and how best to address those concerns. A New York Times Magazine article stated that in Fairfax VA “...one of the country’s largest school districts, where learning has been largely remote since
March, the number of middle s cho ol st udent s w it h fa i l i ng grades in two or more classes doubled.” The full effect of remote learning will not be realized for quite a while, but we have been able to give our Middle School students a robust and rigorous academic program, and provided cr itica l emotiona l a nd socia l support despite the hurdles. Each year in education is a building block for the next year. The more solid the block, the better the foundation is for the future. The students of GCS will be well served next year for the remarkable job their teachers and staff have done in moving the school forward during this incredible experience.
who, while never having met u s , pr o ce s s e d ou r lo a n w it h incredible speed and continues to be a partner today. The pro bono attorneys who helped us sort out each new question or issue over this complex year. The agency partner who keeps finding new ways to help us help more people. Colleagues from so many organizations and agencies who offered physical and emotional support as we all tried to figure our way through to the other side. Extraordinarily generous donor s who have r e sp onde d to c a l l s for ever y t h i ng f r om poinsettias (Christmas), roses (Valentine’s Day), Easter baskets, g r o c er y b ag s a nd of c ou r s e , financial support. The volunteers who came, taught, brought and continue to this day to make our efforts realizable. Religious leaders from all over our town; ele c te d of f ic ia ls f rom Tow n, state and federal government. Teachers and Greenwich School administration and staff who have made our town an emblem for
what can be accomplished during the pandemic. The colleagues and friends with whom I laughed, cried (sometimes in the same conversation), collaborated with and learned f rom. Our board who responded always quickly, energetically and enthusiastically. Family and friends who have pitched in, encouraged, brainstormed and helped to solve problems large and small. And most important of all, our clients whose expressions of gratitude for whatever we try to do to make things better makes us want to go on to the next day. It is an honor to be part of this incredible community. Tr u i s m s a b o u t t h i s t i m e will abound: That we are alone together, that it takes a village, that there is power in numbers. For me, these truisms hold true. With thanks to my Kehillah. G aby Rat t n e r i s Exe c u t ive Director of CCI. CCI ha s been serving the Greenwich community for nearly 66 years.
Patrice Kopas became Principal of Greenwich Catholic School in 2009. Throughout her time at GCS, Mrs. Kopas has also served as Chair of NEASC Visiting Committees, a member of the NCEA, and on both the Catholic Identity Committee (Chairperson) and the Education Committee of the Diocese of Bridgeport. Greenwich Catholic School serves students in PreK through Grade 8 on their 38-acre campus located at 471 North Street in Greenwich.
ON GREATER GOOD
By Gaby Rattner In a few days it will be March 11, the one-year anniversary of the day the pandemic shut things down in Greenwich. The day the world changed. If that sounds like a science fiction/thriller movie title, perhaps that is because in fact the world we have been living in this past year has indeed been scary and at times even surreal. But as I look back on the past twelve months and ahead to the next, I am struck not only by the painful losses, the constrictions, restrictions and considerable pain caused by the pandemic, but also by the hope, optimism and strong sense of Greenwich community that has arisen from it.
At my son’s bar mitzvah some years before the pandemic struck, I learned a new word. Looking around at the guests who swelled the congregation that day, people from all over the world and all parts of our lives, the rabbi talked a b out how t hei r pre sence at the service was evidence of the importance of Kehillah in our family’s life. Kehillah is a Jewish concept of community. It conveys the sense that we are all part of a community together, with obligations to support each other and to take comfort from one another. That we are much more than ourselves alone. Applied to the context of our family’s celebration, it meant that we recognized and appreciated how meaningful it is to be part of a strong community, how supportive and valuable our community is in helping us to raise our child and live our “best lives.” The word has stuck with me over the years, and especially as we have navigated this past year. I am deeply proud of the work
Kehillah
Kehillah conveys the sense that we are all part of a community together, with obligations to support each other and to take comfort from one another. our organization, Community Centers, Inc (CCI) has been able to do during this time. Proud of our agency’s agility, responsiveness and willingness to change course i m me d iately to develop new services for a new time. Grateful to our staff who bring their ingenuity, dedication and compassion each and every day; they have enabled us to do necessary and deeply gratifying work. And I am enormously honored by the collaborations we have forged with other Greenwich agencies and individuals. There is simply no way we could have accomplished anything this year without Kehillah – without our community. There are so many individuals a nd orga n i z at ion s who have
made the past year endurable. To name just a few: The town agency leader who called me on March 11 – ground zero; day one – to ask what we needed. The amazing donor who told me he had our back. The foundations t hat r e sp onde d i m me d iately w ith emergency funds. My synagogue, again, which offered help navigating the steps towards a Payroll Protection Plan loan a nd prov ide d mat zoh to t wo elderly clients of ours in need and wanting to celebrate the Passover holiday, pandemic or no. The colleague who steered us to a local bank when bigger institutions wanted only to lend to larger businesses and organizations. The bank officer
Walking Forward for Non-Profits apply our experiences and lessons learned during the pandemic to position nonprofit leaders for a successful 2021? Coming out of the pandemic, there is a whole new crop of social issues to discuss, along with turning up the volume on the traditional ones which have grown such as food insecurity, substance abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, the achievement
By Bobbi Eggers & Sue Bodson One yea r ago, t he g rou nd completely shifted right below our feet, and our calendars were a br upt ly cle a r e d . S ad ly, t he nonprof it sector, which works tirelessly to help people, was hit particularly hard by the pandemic, with their annual events either canceled, postponed indefinitely, or re-invented, at the exact time when the need for resources was greatest. If 2020 taught us anything, it awakened us to the criticality of helping others, of paying attention to the those needs that appeal to our sense of compassion, and then of showing up in support of these causes. The pandemic definitely heightened the public’s awareness of nonprofits. Against the backdrop of economic slow down and then a K-shaped rebound, both the private and public sectors tightened their belts. While parts of the economy have returned, there are many parts of our communities that continue to struggle. Unfortunately, despite the rising needs around us, non-profits’ resource levels have dropped. But , as everyday life opens up, prepared organizations are building upon the lessons of 2020 to boldly stepping forward with a sharper understanding of their mission and more creative ways to stay relevant, connected, and engaged with their donors, focusing not just on building relationships, but also on continued
interest and commitment. Nonprof it leaders have learned to be more strategic, more innovative, and deliberate in developing and implementing fundraising plans in this new and evolving landscape. They have also learned that outreach doesn't always have to mean asking just for financial assistance. Their long term ability to meet their mission means building and retaining deep, layered relationships. Communication can include showing appreciation for any kind of "support," including volunteering or donation of items such as food or gently used clothing. Feedback is also important. Feelgood stories that evoke positivity and hope make supporters feel appreciated, and, even better, telling these stories through visuals like pictures and videos is inspiring and creates even greater support. Nonprofits have also adopted agile mindsets including implementing new technology, embracing new forms of communication, searching for organic business partnerships, and getting creative with outreach and fundraising. The silver lining of this increased focus on outreach is the realization that it can also lead to an expansion of geographic reach by leveraging new tools and techniques! Donors and supporters engage with nonprofits because they want to be part of a cause that is making a difference, especially now. The term philanthropy translates to "love of mankind." How can we
gap, climate change, wildf ires, racial injustice, to name but a few. COVID-19 has changed nonprofits' DNA within the new norm of socialdistancing and a "virtual" love of mankind. Spring can’t come soon enough, and with it, people are gingerly leaving home, and then, as the new normal is upon us, it may be the Great Gatsby 2021 version as
all of our pent-up need for social interaction explodes. But this will be a year when all non-prof its will be trying to make up for lost fundraising. Let us learn from 2020, listen, and help them in their tireless commitment to improving people’s lives. Make personal connections, partnerships and commit to staying engaged with our neighborhoods and communities
large and small, in all of their diversity, human needs and gifts. Please support your favorite nonprofits and maybe some new ones as well. None of us know when or if the next crisis will turn us from supporting them to needing them. Bobbi Eggers and Sue Bodson are active members of the community. Bobbi can be reached at bobbieggers@gmail.com.
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Worship Services Information
Assemblies of God Harvest Time Church 1338 King St., 203-531-7778 www.htchurch.com In-Person Worship Services: Sun, 8:30, 10 & 11:30am (meeting on a limited basis in accordance with CDC guidelines and Connecticut’s executive orders). All services are streamed on the church’s website and social media outlets. The Glory of Christ: Wed, 7pm. Read The Bible 2021: join here facebook.com/groups/bible2021. Baptist First Baptist Church 10 Northfield St.; 203-869-7988 www.firstbaptistgreenwich.com Sunday Servings: 11:30am, Facebook Live or for Devotion: 11-11:25am (Dial in 701-802-5355, Access code 360922). Greenwich Baptist Church 10 Indian Rock Ln; 203-869-2807 www.greenwichbaptist.org Worship: Sun, 11am (in person and online through Facebook & YouTube). Adult Bible Study: 9:30am. Prayer Gathering: Fri, 6-7pm, Chapel. Catholic Sacred Heart Church 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: 203-559-9256 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. Easter Food Drive: parishioners are invited to contribute $10, $20, $25 or more gift card of either “ShopRite” or “Stop & Shop” or “Cash Donations”, please put it in an envelope and drop it off in the Sunday collection baskets or at the rectory. St. Catherine and St. Agnes St. Agnes: 247 Stanwich Rd; St. Catherine: 4 Riverside Ave; 203-637-3661 www.stc-sta.org Masses: Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri (sign-in 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 – in-person and livestream, 5pm (sign-up required). Sun: Distribution of Holy Communion Masses at front door of Rectory (mask & social distance required), 7:308am; St. Agnes Church – in-person, 8:30am (sign-up required); St. Catherine’s Church – in-person and livestream, 10:30am (sign-up required); Language Masses at St. Agnes Church – in-person (sign-up required), 11am, Parish Hall (French: 2nd Sun of month; Italian: 3rd Sun of month; Spanish: 4th Sun of month); Distribution of Holy Communion at front door of Rectory, 5-5:30pm (mask & social distance required). 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). Lenten Retreat in Daily Life (geared for adults – resources for 40 days with weekly Zoom checkins): through March 28, sign-up at tinyurl.com/RetreatforLent. Stations of the Cross - Deacon Renato Berzolla: March 5, 7pm, St. Catherine Church, sign in required. Reconciliation: March 6, 3-4pm, St. Agnes Church. St. Mary Church 178 Greenwich Ave.; 203-869-9393 www.stmarygreenwich.org Public Mass: Mon-Fri, 12:05pm (no reservations are needed - limited to 50 people). Sat: Vigil, 4pm; Spanish (call 203-912-0246 for reservations), 7:30pm. Sun: 9, 10:30am & 12:15pm, (must make reservation in advance by calling the Parish Office, Thu or Fri, 9am-3pm and speak to the receptionist). Confessions: Sat, 2:45-3:45pm, on the patio. Virtual Mass: Sun, 12:15pm, with Fr. La Pastina on Facebook. Visit EWTN.com for daily Mass at 8am with encore at 12pm. Sunday Family Rosary: Sun, 7:30pm (No registration is necessary), live-streamed on YouTube (also listen by phone).’True Love That Lasts Movement’ - Webinars for Couples: March 4 & 11, register. Lent: Stations of the Cross: Fri, March 5-April 12, 7pm. Via Crucis (en Español): Fridays of Lent, 7pm, in the Chapel. Daily Mass: Mon-Fri, 12:05pm, through March 31. Sacrament of Reconciliation – Confessions heard in the Church: every Saturday, 2:45-3:45pm; March 29, 3-9pm.
St. Michael the Archangel 469 North St.; 203-869-5421 www.stmichaelgreenwich.com Mass: Sat: Mass, 9am (In-person & Live Stream); Confessions, 3:153:45pm; Vigil Mass, 4pm (In-person only); Vigil Mass, 5pm (In-person & Live Stream). Sun: 7:30, 9 (In-person & Live Streamed), 10:30am, 12 & 5pm (In-person only). Mon: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed). Tue: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed). Wed: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed); Eucharistic Adoration, 9:30am-8pm; Confessions, 9:3010:30am & 7-8pm. Thu: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed). Fri: 7:30 & 9am (In-person & Live Streamed); Stations of the Cross, 6:30pm. (Log onto the website at stmichaelgreenwich.com to access the Zoom Link or the LIVE Stream Masses and the Mass Reservation System). St. Timothy Chapel 1034 North St.; 203-869-5421
Daily Mass: Mon-Sat: 7:30 & 9:30am. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Wed, 10am-4pm; Live-streamed, 10-11am. Confessions: Wed, 10-11am & 3-4pm. St. Paul Church 84 Sherwood Ave.; 203-531-8741 www.stpaulgreenwich.org Public Mass Celebration: Mon-Thu: 9am; Sat: 4pm (Vigil); Sun: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30am (Reservation is required only for Sunday Mass by visiting the homepage or by calling 203-531-8741, 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 203-531-8741, ext. 2. Weekday Masses are available – to place a request, call Rose at 203531-8741. Fridays in Lent: 9am Mass each Friday during Lenten Season followed by The Stations of the Cross. Bereavement Group: March 4, 5-6:30pm, in the Parish Hall (meets every other week), contact Dianne Deachan at 914327-0447 or diannefdf@yahoo.com with any questions. First Friday Devotion: March 5, 9am Mass. First Saturday Devotion: March 6, 9am, in the Church. St. Roch Church 10 St. Roch Ave.; 203-869-4176 www.strochchurch.com Mass: (Reservations and/or for viewing via live streaming): Mon-Fri: 7:30pm; Sat: 5pm; Sun: 7:30am (Concelebrated for Previously Scheduled 9:30am Mass Intentions), 10:30am, 12pm (Spanish). Mass Intentions: consult the bulletin for time. Christian Science First Church of Christ, Scientist 11 Park Place; 203-869-2503 www.christiansciencect.org/ greenwich Sunday and Wednesday services via live tele-conference: 203-680-9095, code is 520520*. Community First Church of Round Hill 464 Round Hill Rd.; 203-629-3876 www.firstchurchofroundhill.com No in-person service at this time. (If you need to reach Rev. Leo W. Curry, pastor, or any other personnel, call 203-629-3876 and leave a message or email fcroundhill@outlook.com). Round Hill Community Church 395 Round Hill Rd.; 203-869-1091 www.roundhillcommunitychurch. org Worship, Children’s Ministries and Youth Fellowship: Sun. 10-10:30am, in the Church, registration is required. Weekly service also available online. Thrive: biweekly high school gathering, Wed, 6pm. Foundations: biweekly middle school gathering, Fri, 6pm. November Bible Study: Stories of Advent, Mondays at 11 am, registration required. Book Group: ‘Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life’ by Karen Armstrong: March 7, 14, 21, 28, 1pm, on Zoom. Pacific House Meal Preparation and Service: March 8, 4pm. Congregational The First Congregational Church 108 Sound Beach Ave; 203-637-1791 www.fccog.org Worship: Virtual Worship: every Sunday, 10am, via live-streaming on YouTube and Facebook, and broadcast on WGCH (1490 AM or 105.5 FM). Connect during the week: Wed: Wisdom on Wednesdays (sent by the Ministerial Staff); Fri: Friday Email Blast (sign up through the website); Church school before worship most Sundays, 9am (preschoolers-grade 6). Online programming available via Zoom. A joyful community diverse in spiritual backgrounds and beliefs. North Greenwich Congregational 606 Riversville Rd.; 203-869-7763 www.northgreenwichchurch.org
Online Worship Service: Sun 10:30am, via Zoom (email Rev. Halac at Pastor@ northgreenwichchurch.org or call the church). Second Congregational Church 139 E Putnam Ave.; 203-869-9311 www.2cc.org 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.; 203-861-2432 www.churchoftheadvent.org Service: Sun, 9am, Holy Eucharist. Sunday School during academic year. Christ Church Greenwich 254 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-869-6600 www.christchurchgreenwich.org Worship: Sun: Eucharist, 8am (in-person); 10am (in-person & livestream/ on-demand); Choral Evensong (in-person & livestream/on-demand), 5pm; Compline, 8pm (livestream/on-demand). Mon-Fri: Morning Prayer, 8am (via Zoom). Tue: Eucharist, 10am (in-person). Thu: Choral Evensong, 6:30pm (in-person & livestream/on-demand). Lenten Virtual Food Drive: Help support Neighbor to Neighbor. ‘40 Acts of Kindness’: commit to doing 40 acts of kindness this Lent. Inspirica Dinners: join Christ Church in providing dinner for Inspirica. Through March 16: “Yours are the Feet, Yours are the Hands”: A Social Justice Bible Study, 7pm, via Zoom. Contemplative Prayer Exploration Group: Mondays in March, 12pm, via Zoom. Sacred Art Tour from Spain - The Passion: March 4, 9-10:30am, register. Organ 101: March 6, 5pm, Chapel, RSVP, jvaughn@christchurchgreenwich.org. Adult Confirmation: Sundays, through March 7, 11am, via Zoom. Realm 101 Info Sessions: March 7, 12:15, 4:30 & 7pm, via Zoom. Sunday Forum: Getting Along During a Time of Division, 11am, 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 in-person service: signupgenius.com/go/4090e4aadac2ea3ff2-sunday1). Coffee and Morning Prayers Podcast: Mon-Fri. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 200 Riverside Ave.; 203-637-2447 www.stpaulsriverside.org Worship Service: Sun, 10:15am, live online. Ongoing: Neighbor-to-Neighbor Food Drive: Every Thu, 1011:30am, in the parking lot. Living Well Through Lent Series: Sundays, 11:30am, via Zoom. Bible Study During Lent - A Special Series from King’s College London: Tuesdays, 10:30am, via Zoom. GPL Meeting: March 7, 12:30pm, 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. 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. Purim Story Slam: Feb. 26, 7:30pm, on Zoom. Greenwich Reform Synagogue 92 Orchard St.; 203-629-0018 www.grs.org Online programs streamed virtually on Zoom.us: Tot Shabbat with Rabbi Gerson and Cantor Dunkerley, Fri, 5pm. Shabbat services with Rabbi Gerson and Cantor Dunkerley, Fri, 7pm. Religious School: Sun, 9:30am. Hebrew School: Wed, 4:30pm. Online Torah Study with Rabbi Gerson: March 7, 10:30am. 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, 121pm, via Zoom. Limited in-person Friday night Shabbat service, registration is required, lori.baden@templesholom. com. Sisterhood Shabbat Shabbat: March 6, 10am. Volunteer Opportunity At Filling In The Blanks: March 7, all day. A New Passover
Tradition: March 9, 7pm. 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.; 203-629-9584 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, Zoom. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal 42 Lake Ave.; 203-661-3099 Worship via teleconference: Sun, 11am and until further notice (Dial-in 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: *In-person, 9am; Online, 10am. The Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave; 203-6374615 www.albertsonchurch.org Sunday Service: 7pm, 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/ TrinityChurchLife/live. House Churches: Sun, 9:45am, Fairfield County, CT & Westchester County, NY. Alpha (online): Tue, 7:30-8:45pm. Receive Private Zoom Prayer: Sundays, 11-11:30am. Virtual Coffee Hour: March 7, 11am. 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. Wednesdays in Lent Services: March 3-24, 7pm, Sanctuary. Grace Church of Greenwich 8 Sound Shore Dr., Suite 280 203-861-7555 www.gracechurchgreenwich.com Worship: Sun, 10am, Woman’s Club of Greenwich, 89 Maple Ave. (Outside. Please bring a mask and a chair or a blanket). All Bible Study studies through zoom (email gracechurchofgreenwich@gmail.com for zoom links). All are welcome. Living Hope Community Church 38 West End Ave; 203-637-3669 www.LivingHopeCT.org In-Person Worship: Sun, 10am, Sanctuary (tickets available at EventBrite by Friday 10am). Worship Service online: Sun, 10-11:15am (YouTube or Facebook). Coffee & Fellowship: Sun, 11:30am-12pm, via Zoom. Wednesday Prayer: Wed, 8:30-9am, online. ALPHA class - interactive online sessions to explore the big questions of life: Wed, 7pm, register at alphausa.org/ try. Prayer for the Nation: March 4, 7:30pm, online.
Nicholas Catanzaro Nicholas Catanzaro, of Greenwich, passed away Feb. 23, 2021 at age 81. He was born O c t. 3 0, 1939 to S a muel a nd Louise Catanzaro. He graduated from Greenw ich High School a nd worke d for m a ny ye a r s a s a G r ou n d ske e p e r fo r t h e Town of Greenwich. Nick was an avid baseball and football fan who rooted for the Red Sox & 49’ers. In 1968 he won the Tow n of Gre enw ich Bowl i ng Championship. He is the beloved husband of Sharon Catanzaro, cherished father of M ichael Catanzaro, Amanda Catanzaro and Jennifer S a nt i a g o (S au l), a n d l ov i n g grandfather of Alyssa, Isabella and Isaac. Nick is survived by his large extended Catanzaro family of Greenwich including his cousins, Harry, Danny and Peter. S er v ice s wer e conduc te d privately in his honor. Rodney Viccari
Rodney Peter ("Ron") Viccari, of Greenwich, CT, died suddenly at his home in Palm Beach, Fla. on Feb. 21, 2021. His passing is a devastating loss to his family, f r iend s a nd ever yone i n h i s world. To all who knew him, Ron was larger than life. He lived his life in the fast lane, w ith enthusiasm and gusto! If you asked someone if they knew Ron and they hesitated... clearly, they did not know him! Ron created a lasting impression wherever he went. He made friends easily and for life. To know him was to experience his thoughtfulness. In his company, one immediately felt Ron's warmth, energy and humor. Ron always had a twinkle in his eye and a great story to tell. He was a wonderful host and a master social director. Looking forward to the weekend, Ron would often call by Wednesday with an enthusiastic "Let's go" to a new restaurant, special event, or getaway. Ron knew how to bring people together and have FUN!!! Ron led a full life; he was an active participant in all of its first class experiences. He enjoyed everything: Fine dining, a good wine, traveling the world, playing golf in Scotland, cruising the high seas on the Queen Mary or his own yacht, the Sea Owl, riding his motorcycle, sk iing a n d s n ow m o b i l i n g n e a r h i s home in Killington, Vermont and throughout Europe, a successful day at the Casino, a wager on the Super Bowl or the Kentucky Derby. And, occasionally, a good night's rest. Rodney Peter Viccari was born in Nottingham, England on Sept. 23, 1944 to the late Peter a n d Eu n i c e V i c c a r i . Fa m i l y lore suggests that Ron was a descendant of Robin Hood! With his parents and sister Carolyn, he moved first to Canada and then, in the early 1950s, the family settled in Scarsdale, New York. Ron was a graduate of Edgemont High School and attended Pace University. Ron served with the US Army during the Vietnam Wa r a nd, a f ter f u l f i l l i ng h is m i l ita r y dut y, Ron sta r te d a successful career in the health and beauty aids business. He began at Jakewell Industries a nd was a n executive w ith
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OBITUARIES
other notable firms. In 1991, Ron established his own company, Casaro Labs, a recognized leader in the industry, now celebrating its thirtieth year. The love of his life and partner in his exciting journey was his w ife, Janet MilliganViccari. For their f irst date in 1989, Ron arranged for a private f light to a concert in Atlantic City. An ordinary dinner and a movie was not Ron's style! They were married in 1999 at a lavish wedding, the details of which were meticulously planned by Ron. From the start, they set out to make all of their dreams come true. Travel was a passion they shared and together they em ba rked on 32 cr u ises a nd toured every continent on earth. Closer to home, Jan was Ron's first mate on his Sea Owl yacht. Ron deeply loved Jan as well as his family and friends. The world will never be the same. Right now, there is a huge party in Heaven in Ron's honor. In addition to Jan, Ron is survived by his stepson, Sean Milligan (Molly) of Stamford, CT and their daughter Whitney, who affectionately called Ron, Pop-Pop. Ron also leaves behind his sister, Caroly n K lemm of Washington, CT and her sons Peter (Christina) and Graham (Cody) and their families. His stepson, Chad M illiga n, predeceased him in 2009. Burial services will be private, due to COVID-19. Later this year, friends and family will gather for a celebration of Ron's life. In lieu of flowers, Jan and the family welcome your personal notes with remembrances of Ron in happy times, leopgallaghergreenwich.com
community of Redondo Beach, CA. While Barbara pursued a career as an academic librarian at Cal State LA, Jim worked as an engineer, marketing specialist and contracts administrator in the southern California aerospace industry. Jim enjoyed flying sailplanes, windsurfing, boogie boarding and road cycling. His wife was also an avid cyclist and together they accomplished many long-distance bicycling vacations, the longest from the Canadian border to the Mexican border along the Pacific Co a st (3 4 days). The couple also amused and intellectually entertained themselves with a variety of yearly independent and adventure travel experiences across the globe. After retirement, Jim pursued his lifelong passion for airplanes and aviation by f irst working o n P r o j e c t To m a h a w k— t h e restoration of a WWII Curtiss P-40b f ighter – at Zamperini Field in Torrance, CA; and later by volunteering at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, CA, where he eventually earned the honor of serving as Head Docent. Jim was a lifelong, outspoken and avid Libertarian. He attributed most of the world's ills to incompetent politicians and could argue endlessly about the waste of our tax dollars by local, state and national governments. The Libertarian Party asked him repeatedly to run for political off ice, but he always declined. He was an enthusiastic member of the Reason Foundation. He frequently attended their events, eagerly read and absorbed v ir tua lly a ll their literatu re, authored one of their papers, and provided feedback and research for many others. Jim is survived by Barbara Case, his wife of 47 years; by three of his four siblings, Michael, Mark (Ellen) and Meg (Anne); one niece and many nephews. Jim's brother Tim predeceased him.
Th roug hout h is life, Joh n earned the respect of others by leading by example. In a world often dominated by loud voices and strident views, John was a humble but powerful source of kindness, patience and wisdom. He devoted himself to his family and community with remarkable warmth and generosity. John served as Board President of the E. C. Scranton Memorial Library in Madison, supporting its recent renovation p r oj e c t , B o a r d P r e s i d e nt o f Christian Communit y Action in New Haven, and President of the New Canaan Community Foundation. He was active with the United Way, serving as local president in Binghamton, N.Y. and continuing his involvement in New Canaan. He was also a lay leader at the First Congregational Church of Madison and First P resby ter ia n Chu rch of New Canaan. John enjoyed traveling with his wife and prized the adventure of working overseas in Stuttgart, Germany and Copenhagen as a consultant to DaimlerChrysler. He played ten n is a nd taug ht bridge to a steady f low of students using a players guide he wrote. He avidly traced his family's genealogy, taking special pride in his connection to Civil War general and Medal of Honor re cipient Edwa rd Wash bu r n Whitaker of Connecticut. He also loved the breadth and diversity of America, visiting all 50 states. John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Loretta, and their four children: John Jr. (Elizabeth) of Riverside, Corinne (Thomas) o f O l d G r e e nw i c h , L au r i s s a (David) and Randy (Stephanie), both of Los Angeles. He had six g randchildren: James Porter, Adaline, Marina, Arabella, Louisa and Emmeline. The fam ily held a private f uneral, to be followed by a v i r t u a l c e l e b r at i o n i n t h e coming week s and in-person commemoration once it is safe to gather. Details will be available at johnjamesmemorial.com. I n l ieu of f lowers, ple ase consider a donation in John's memory to Christian Community Action in New Haven (ccahelping. org) or the E. C. Scranton Memorial Library in Madison (scrantonlibrary.org).
John James, Sr.
Joh n W h ita ker Ja mes, Sr. passed away Feb. 18 at his home in Old Greenwich, CT, surrounded by his family. He was 78 and had been liv ing w ith Park inson's disease. A former resident of Madison and New Canaan, John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. John was born on Aug. 19, 1942 in Summit, N.J., the only child of Nathan Whitaker James and Dorothy Laf fey James. He grew up in Westf ield, N.J. and graduated from Princeton Un i ve r s i t y ( 1 9 6 4) a n d l a t e r e a r ne d a n M BA f rom N Y U 's Stern School of Business. He served in the U.S. Army, where he studied Mandarin Chinese. He went on to a distinguished career in corporate finance and banking, holding senior positions at Bankers Trust, Chrysler Capital and DaimlerChrysler. A cha nce encou nter on a train traveling from Washington, D.C. introduced a young John to Loretta Porter, a college student returning home to New Jersey. Noticing his new seatmate was heading to Newark, then in the midst of a four-day riot, John helpfully suggested an alternate route back to Westfield, noting they shared the same hometown. After John agreed to show ID verif y ing his address for his cautious companion, the two began a romance that continued for more than half a century. John and Loretta were married in 1968 and had four children, who will miss him dearly.
William Powell
James Halloran, III
Sept. 4, 1942 - Feb. 12, 2021. William R. Powell of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL passed away at his home on Feb. 12, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. A native of Greenwich, CT, Bill was a 1960 g raduate of Greenwich High School and
b e c a me t he f i rst mem b er of h is fa m i ly to at tend col le ge , graduating from the Militar y College of South Carolina (the Citadel) in 1964. After receiving a m a s t e r 's d e g r e e f r o m t h e University of Georgia in 1965, h e s e r ve d h i s c o u n t r y a s a Lieutenant in the US Army for three years. Up on h i s d i s ch a r ge f r om the service, he began his 50plus year career in the meat brokerage industry, where he made numerous life-long friends and was known for his integrity and honesty. A lifelong golfer, he was a member of the 1964 Southern Conference champion Citadel golf team. One of his proudest achievements in the spor t was when the members of the team were invited back to the campus in 2014 for the unveiling of a banner in the Field House honoring their achievement as the only golf team in the school's history to win the conference championship. He shared this love of the sport with his older son Will and grandson Ben, both of whom also became avid golfers. A n a ltoget her more du bious 'achievement' was teaching his you n ge r g ra ndd au g hte r L e o how to cheat at cards, a skill she continues to hone today. Bill was a fan of UGA football, Atla nta Braves baseba l l, the Italian food of his youth, and old western TV shows. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra where he served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister for many years and forged many faithful friendships. He adored his wife and partner Christine and could be found on m a ny days lay i ng by t he p o o l w i t h h e r, e n j o y i n g a cock tail, discussing politics, sports, or college choices with g randdaug hter Grace when she was visiting. He was also a voracious reader, a trait he passed down to his younger son David. With his keen intellect and knowledge of history and politics he loved to host legendary family meals/debates at Nino's Restaurant in Atlanta, as well as at his home. He was known for his kindness and generosity, his dry wit (that could turn bawdy when his sons were around), and an abiding love for his wife and family. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Christine Powell of Ponte Vedra, who cared for him lovingly as the disease slowly s ap p e d h i s e n e r g y ove r t h e years; sons Will Powell (Shirley) of Marietta, GA and Dav id Powell (Dana Fowle) of Atlanta; Grandkids Grace and Ben Powell of Marietta, and Leo Powell of Atlanta; Stepdaughter A lison Stevenson (Scott) and sons Jack, Thomas, and Wyatt of Atlanta;
sister Carol Clark (Don) of Oxford, MI and daughters Chris, Ryan, and Dana; and Stepson Nicholas Smith and family of NC. He is also survived by numerous cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Joan Powell of Greenwich. The family would like to give special thanks to Community Hospice of Jacksonville for their attentive and affectionate care for Bill during a very difficult time. In lieu of f lowers, donations may be made to the Council on Aging (COA). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Nola Larkin
Dec. 10, 1924 – Feb. 8, 2021 Nola Josephine ModineLarkin "Fairbanks" died on Feb. 8, 2021 at The Nathaniel Witherell in Greenwich, CT following an 11-month separation from her family due to COVID-19. She was surrounded by her four children in her final hours. She was 96. The granddaughter of Mormon pioneers, Nola was born in Santa Paula, California on Dec. 10, 1924 to Alexander Revard Modine and Zella Vonola (Fairbanks) Modine. R a ise d du r i ng t he heig ht of the Depression, Nola was a natural performer and gif ted with a beautiful soprano voice. As a child she decided she would either join the circus or become an actress. Her mother recog nized her talents and took in wash to pay for dance and voice lessons. She and her brother Mark took classes from the Meglin Kiddies Dance School, where Shirley Temple was also a student. She moved to Hollywood in 1942 with her mother. There, she launched her career, auditioning for Lionel Barrymore's production of the musical "Halloween" at t he age of 1 7. She wou nd up performing at the Holly wood Bowl, Hollywood Canteen and for the Standard Symphony Hour. She went on to complete two tours as a soloist with the Sonja Henie Ice Show. When the tour wrapped up in New York City, she decided to stay.
May 12, 1943 – Feb. 16, 2021 O n Fe b . 1 6 , 2 0 2 1 , J a m e s Vincent Halloran III, 78, died at home in Redondo Beach, CA after a long illness. J i m a t t e n d e d S t . M a r y 's Grammar School and St. Mary's High School in Greenwich, CT. I n 196 4 , Ji m e a r ne d a B S i n mechanical engineering at Catholic University, Washington, D.C. After college, Jim spent four years in the USAF; stationed first in freezing Grand Forks, ND, where he worked on Minuteman missiles; and later, at Edwards A FB in the Mojave Deser t of southern California, where he worked in the Rocket Lab. After earning the rank of USAF Captain, Jim took a three-month world backpack ing tour, then went on to obtain his MBA at the University of Chicago. In 1974, Jim married Barbara Case of Torrance, CA. Jim and Barbara settled in the coastal
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Page 14 | Greenwich Sentinel
By Ted Pardoe Christians around the world began our holy season of Lent on Ash Wednesday. A forty-day journey toward holy week and Easter Sunday. In my particular s t r a n d o f C h r i s te n do m , T h e Episcopal Church, we hear the f o l l ow i n g i nv i t a t i o n o n A s h Wednesday in our liturgy for that holy day. “…in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent., by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” People do all sorts of things
Midrashism & Hadiths oh my!
with the fasting and self-denial p ossi bi l it ie s. M a ny fol k s t r y out some self-examination and prayer. I really dig the reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. I had a little head start this year as I had reconnected with the remarkable story in Genesis of Hagar and Sarah (and Abraham and Isaac and Ishmael) during Epiphany, the season that precedes Lent. Quick check in about those characters in the Torah (which too many Christians still call the Old Testament). Abraham is the first patriarch and progenitor of the Hebrew people. Sarah is his wife who, late in life, bore him a son, Isaac. Before Sarah became pregnant with Isaac, she sent her handmaiden, Hagar the Egyptian, to Abraham to bear him a child, Ishmael. Got it? Ishmael, as a descendant of Abraham, received God’s promise to be a chosen people. Just as Isaac did for the Hebrew people. Due to a bit of ill will between Sarah
How an enslaved person's great faith and blessings carried her through challenging times. and Hagar, Abraham had to send Hagar and Ishmael away. Away was to Arabia where the prophet Muhammad received the Word of God and Islam emerged in the seventh century. Thus, Ishmael figures as a precursor into the three Abrahamic religious traditions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. As I came to my sense of call to ordained ministry in the midaughts, I did so by way of a distinct set of interfaith experiences. With the Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) I engaged with a H i ndu temple i n Queens, a Muslim mosque in Chelsea, a Sikh gurdwara in New Jersey and BJ – B’Nai Jeshurun a 200 plus year old
Jewish community on the Upper West Side. I am thankful to say that the ICNY continues its excellent work to this day and they were most helpful when I moderated a panel about American Muslims here in Greenwich at Town Hall in January 2020. Muslims are not so visible here in Greenwich. We had African American and Arab American women on the panel as well as a Muslim from Queens. So back to Genesis and the story at hand in this season of Lent, Hagar and Ishmael. I happened upon a book by Wilda C. Gafney titled “Womanist Midrash – A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne.” The
author, a Black woman with one foot in the academy and the other one in the church also happens to b e a n or da i ne d Epi s c op a l priest. Womanism is simply black feminism. Midrash and rabbinic readings “discern value in texts, words, and letters, as potential revelatory spaces” is how Gafney describes it. Midrashim is just the plural of midrash. In order to follow through on the story of Hagar and Ishmael found in Genesis and the related midrashim, Gafney turned to hadiths which are writings by Muslims about the words, actions and other matters related to the Holy Qur’an. They are held in great esteem in Islamic civilization and rank only second to the Qur’an which Muslims hold to be the word of God revealed to his messenger Muhammad. The hadiths explored by Gafney and others tell stories about Abraham’s further visits with Hagar and Ishmael after they leave the scene in Genesis.
A point made by Gafney and present in some of the other writings about Hagar emphasize that in all actuality she was a slave. Handmaiden is too much of a euphemism. Hagar was a black slave of great faith. In light of the conversations that we are having now about racism in our town and across the country, perhaps we may learn from Hagar’s story. How an enslaved person’s great faith and blessings from God carried her through challenging times and from whom we might also learn how our faith may show us the way forward. May we all seek to appreciate t h e m a n y w a y s t h a t we a r e bound together as humans in our diverse world. Fare forward on your journeys and look for the opportunity to learn with people who are on different paths. Rev. Ted Pardoe is the Rector at St. Barnabas Church, Greenwich. A wonderful hilltop church campus in the backcountry.
Greatness on All Fours
By Marek Zabriskie Frederick Buechner has said that during Lent one question alone should dominate our thinking, namely, “What does it mean to be a faithful disciple of Jesus?” Buechner notes that af ter being baptized, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness pondering t he q ue st ion of what do e s it mean to be Jesus. Likewise, we are invited in Lent to explore what does it mean to be faithful disciples. Mark’s Gospel answers these two questions by inextricably lin k ing them together. Thus, before we can understand what it means to be a disciple, we must understand what it means for Jesus to be Messiah. Messianic expectations differed among first-century Jews,
By Patricia Murphy My father died on a cold January night in 1987. He was 52, my mother not yet 50. I was a junior in college; my five siblings ranged from 16-24. We had known of his fragile heart all our lives-it kept him from joining the Navy like my uncles or the FDNY like his friends. For years before his death, he couldn’t ply his trade hauling cases of Canada Dry, so instead he became our coach, our driver, our sentinel, roles that didn’t always bring out the best in any of us. My parents were f irstgeneration Americans, their parents from County Mayo a nd Cou nt y Cla re . They were raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in
but the prevailing notion was that the Messiah would lead Jews to triumphantly overthrow their occupying Roman oppressors. The eighth chapter of Mark’s Gospel is the hinge on which it hangs. Jesus leads his disciples on a retreat and asks them, “Who do people say that I am?” A t f i r s t , t h e y f u m b l e fo r answers. Then Jesus asks Peter, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter replies, “You are the Christ, the Messiah, who has come to save us.” It’s a brilliant reply. In Jesus’ dramatic healings, perplexing parables, incredible miracles and shocking inclusion of those traditionally excluded, Peter sees characteristics of the Messiah, but Peter’s conception of what it means to be Messiah is vastly different from what Jesus has in mind. Jesus tells his disciples that he will be rejected, suffer, be killed and after three days rise again. This shocks Peter, who cannot conceive of a Messiah who fails to conquer and win. So, he rebukes Jesus for speaking so negatively. Then Jesus tells Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Despite following Jesus for nearly
But the theology of the cross is grounded in Jesus’ Passion – his suffering and death. It defies all that we imagine God should be – omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, invincible, and overcoming evil. three years, Peter cannot truly comprehend Jesus’ truest identity. He longs for Jesus to be a superhero leader, but Jesus stands firm. He states, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” Think about that for a moment. Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow, not lead. Lose, not win, for in losing your life you will save it. This message won’t sell. No wonder, Peter was upset. Jesus isn’t being harsh, he’s just being honest. By the time that Mark wrote his gospel in Rome, Christians were already being persecuted. Many had been arrested, tortured and put to death.
Christian is still dangerous. The last century produced more Christian martyrs than any other century in history. This is where Martin Luther drew the distinction between the “theology of glory” and the “theology of the cross.” For the theology of glory is built upon our human assumptions as to how God works. God is the champion of good, who always overcomes evil. If you play by the rules, God will bless you. This is the theology of glory. But the theology of the cross is grounded in Jesus’ Passion – his suffering and death. It defies all that we imagine God should be – omniscient, omnipotent, om nipresent, inv incible, and overcoming evil. As the confrontation between Peter and Jesus plays out, Jesus points to a different way – the way
of humility, sacrifice and service as the path to God. This is the essence of Christian living. Je s u s i nv ite s u s to m a ke ourselves small, not big, to reject the temptation of narcissism, to deny ourselves and follow him. Thus, Christianity is countercultural. One story that illustrates this is told about Phillips Brooks, the Rector of Trinity Church in Boston, who was the greatest preacher of his day. He could easily have been aloof, remote, a sort of hands off leader. But he was not. One day, an elderly Boston Brahmin – a lady inspired by his eloquent preaching came and asked what she could do to care for the poor. She envisioned writing a large check, heading home and feeling very satisfied with what she had done. To her surprise, Brooks said,
To Absent Others
an immigrant neighborhood called Vinegar Hill, steeped in church and family, friends and tradition. My father’s first girlfriend became my Aunt Kay, who married my mother’s brother Charlie. We grew up thinking everyone’s lives were so intertwined, everyone k new everyone else from way back, and everyone, even those who weren’t, was a little bit Irish. I have lived longer w it hout my f at he r t h a n w it h h i m , w it h de c ade s to consider the expansive shadow he cast over my life. And while I would give anything to resurrect him, so he could have walked me down the aisle, met my daughter, beamed with pride at the accomplishments of his prodigious progeny who have realized an American
We grew up thinking everyone’s lives were so intertwined, everyone knew everyone else from way back, and everyone, even those who weren’t, was a little bit Irish. dream he could not fathom-I have come to understand that I was granted a precious gift. He's been gone more than thirty years, and yet most days I still think of him. I hear his voice, consider his counsel, contemplate his lessons. I have lamented the state of the Knicks for 20 years on his behalf, the
Giants too. (We all k new it was his handiwork that delivered the Super Bowl in 1987--the timing of that w i n w a s w ay to o mu c h o f a c o i n c i d e n c e .) A s I progressed in the complex world of corporate politics I was grounded by the simplicity of his def ining values: “be a good person; work hard; mean what
you say and say what you mean.” When tough times came, I found strength in his steadfast faith, which wasn’t loud, but seemed to embody Cardinal Newman’s prayer that each of us was created for some purpose, which we will not know in this life, but will be told in the next. He is ever present as I raise my daughter, reminding me how quickly it all goes--and yet how long she will remember everything we do. I see him every time a grey haired, blue-eyed man walks by in a f isherman's cap. I hear him wherever there is boisterous laughter, the sounds of bagpipes or the Clancy Brothers play. I feel him at the beach, on the streets of his beloved New York City, at every ballpark and at the St. Patrick’s Day
“There is a poor widow living ten blocks away, who is lonely and has no money. Perhaps, you could visit her and offer to help her.” There was silence. The lady found Brooks’ suggestion repugnant, and she quickly departed. But her conscience nagged her, a nd severa l week s later she decided to pay a visit to the widow. As she was led into the tiny apartment, she saw a very unexpected site. There on all fours was the great preacher, Phillip Brooks, scrubbing the widow’s floor. Here was the kind of servant leadership and humble service that Jesus came to show us. We might call it, “Greatness on all fours.” The Rev. Marek P. Zabriskie is Rector of Christ Church Greenwich
Parade. And I recognize him in the eyes of my child, my nieces and nephews, my brother and sisters, who are so like him they have made him immortal. So, on March 17th, as I have for many years now-for him and for all the absent others who taught us love and loyalty and simple joy-I will make my soda bread and play the old songs. I will say thank you. I will say I miss you. I will say I love you. And I will cry. And then I will hear his voice, so strong and true, saying, “There’s nothing wrong with a few tears now and then. It’s proof you’re alive.” Patricia Murphy lives with her husband and daughter in Greenwich . She work s in communication and tries to make the world a better place.
OBITUARIES continued from 13 O n c e i n N e w Yo r k , h e r career took off and she made her Broadway debut i n the chorus of Cole Porter's "Out of Th is World." Soon a f ter, she became the understudy to the lead actress and took over the role of Helen. Summer stock performances followed, including Miss Liberty with Dick Haymes, Die Fledermaus and Bloomer Girl. She nex t joined the Broadway cast of " Pa i nt You r Wagon" where she acted opposite James Barton in the role of Jennifer Rumson. She took the show on tour, with Burl Ives in the role of her father, Ben. The r ole w a s st ra ngely si m i la r to her mother's own pioneer upbringing. In 1952 she starred in the first musical production at the new Jones Beach Theatre in Long Island, New York. The Johann Strauss II operetta, "A Night In Venice," was produced
by Mike Todd. Nola played the part of Ciboletta. In 195 4 she married her husband James Joseph Larkin and gave birth to their son Alex in November 1955. After a winning performance on the A r thur G o d f r e y R a d i o S h o w, s h e app e a r e d on h is telev ision s h ow. H e r f i n a l B r o a d w ay performance came when she replaced Florence Henderson in the lead role in Fanny costarring Ezio Pinza. Nola put her professional career on hold and moved with her family to Larchmont, New York in 1957, where she gave birth to her daughters Jennifer, Ce c i l ia a nd Joseph i ne . She poured her energy into raising her children, teaching them compassion and resilience and to laugh in the face of adversity. She also attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-DaySaints, where she served as
chorister for many years. Nola moved with her family to Greenwich in 1968, where she lived until her death. She was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Vonola, her husband Jim and her brothers Ralph, Wylder a nd M a rk . She is su r v ive d by her son Alex (Nancy For m ic a), daug hter s Jen ny (Chris Hough), Cecilia (David Webber), Josephine (Gordon Bennett), former son-in-law Jeffrey Klipstein as well as 17 grandchildren and 23 greatgrandchildren who adored her. Nola also leaves behind her dear friend George Rozsa who filled her final years with joy. The family wishes to thank her devoted caregivers Gertrude Thomas and Marcia Gra nt who treated her l i ke family. The family will host a celebration of her life when it is safe to do so in person.
Stephen Schmidt
Stephen Thomsen Schmidt, a longtime Greenwich resident, passed away on Dec. 26, 2020, at the age of 62; surrounded by his three daughters and his loving former wife, at his family's home in Sun Valley, Idaho after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Born Sept. 21, 1958, Steve was a proud native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his fondest memories included competitive ski racing and sailing; following
in his father's footsteps. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, where he earned his MBA, Steve made his career on Wall Street, where he traded bonds, restructured debt and financed private equity deals. He w a s a s a i lor, a n accomplished f inancier, skier and golfer, but most importantly he was a devoted father. If you were luck y enoug h to k now Steve, you knew him as a coach, a cheerleader or a friend. There was never a game, a tournament or a team dinner that Steve did not attend for his daughters. He was the ultimate "girl dad" and a champion to all those that surrounded him and his family. If you had the pleasure of calling Steve a friend, as so many did, his smile would light up your darkest day. Standing on Indian Harbor's dock in his f lip f lops, trademark Hawaiian shirt and Oakley sunglasses, Steve was a one-man welcoming committee whose warmth, humor and zest
for life leaves an enduring legacy for all who knew him. Steve was predeceased by his father Harold Schmidt and m o t h e r Ja n e t S c h m i dt , a n d survived by his three daughters, Catie, Maggie and Lizzie, his former wife, Stephanie Schmidt, of Sun Valley, Idaho, his brother Peter Schmidt, of Hood River Oregon, and his sister Karen Steele, of Bozeman, Montana. Services for the immediate family will be held privately in Sun Valley but a celebration of Steve's life will be held at Indian H a rb or Yacht Clu b i n Ju ne , with details to come. In lieu of f lowers, gifts in memory of Stephen T. Schmidt can be made directly to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Obituaries may be submitted to Caroll@GreenwichSentinel. com and are free, courtesy of the Greenwich Sentinel Foundation.
Page 15 | Greenwich Sentinel
SPORTS
UPCOMING GAMES GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ BASKETBALL: Today vs. Trumbull H.S., 5 p.m. Mon. vs. St. Joseph H.S., 5 p.m. Wed. at Fairfield Ludlowe H.S., 7 p.m. Thu. at Westhill H.S., 5 p.m.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL: Today at Trumbull H.S., 5 p.m. Tomorrow vs. Stamford H.S., 12:45 p.m. Mon. at St. Joseph H.S., 5:15 p.m.
Thu. vs. Westhill H.S., 5 p.m. BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY: Tomorrow vs. Ridgefield H.S., 4:15 p.m. Tue. vs. Darien H.S., 4 p.m. Thu. at Westhill-Stamford, 7:20 p.m.
GYMNASTICS: Today vs. New Canaan, Stamford, Westhill (at Greenwich YWCA), 6:30 p.m. Tue. at Westhill, Stamford, 7:30 p.m. Thu. vs. Fairfield Ludlowe H.S., 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS’ ICE HOCKEY: Tomorrow at Trumbull-St. Joseph, 8:30 p.m. Wed. at Stamford-Westhill-Staples, 7 p.m.
BOYS’ SWIMMING & DIVING: Tomorrow at New Canaan H.S., 4 p.m. BOYS' & GIRLS' ALPINE SKIING: Wed. at Mt. Southington, 4 p.m.
BOWLING: Tue. at Nutmeg Lanes, 3 p.m.
BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
APLINE SKIING: Thu. vs. CISL Race (at Mt. Southington) 4 p.m. BASKETBALL: Today at Hamden Hall, 5 p.m. Tomorrow at King School, 5 p.m.
HOCKEY: Tomorrow vs. CT Chiefs U18, 3 p.m. Mon. vs. Boars Club, 5 p.m. Tue. vs. Boars Club, 5 p.m. Wed. vs. Boars Club, 5 p.m. SWIMMING: Today at Eastern Championship Virtual Leaderboard, 4:15 p.m.
By Paul R. Silverfarb
PHOTO COURTESY OF GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Athletic directors across the country have been navigating the waters of the global pandemic the best they can. Spending countless hours a day making sure COVID p r o to c ol s a r e i n p l a c e a nd being met, juggling numerous schedules around in an attempt to safely find opponents for all their teams to play, and trying their best to give their studentathletes and coaches something that remotely looks like a normal athletic year are just some of the many obstacles they face on a daily basis. To s a y t h a t i t ’s b e e n challenging for athletic directors to balance everything this year is a massive understatement. Now try balancing everything during the pandemic while also navigating the waters in your f irst year as an upper school varsity program in school history. That’s what Greenwich Country Day School athletic director Tim Helstein is facing head on. But don’t feel sorry for him. Helstein knows that the Tigers entered this venture like they’re competing in a marathon, not a sprint. H e l s t e i n s a i d t h a t i t ’s def initely tricky right now to have something that resembles normalcy, but he said that the opportunity to be able to offer programs and options on a daily occurrence is truly great. That’s where Helstein finds great joy and motivation. “The closest I get to feeling some normalcy is being out there
on the field, on the court, on the ice, on the water, or wherever there is a practice or game,” Helstein said. “Obviously we are motivated here to have a strong and robust program, but when I am out at practices or watching the kids it feels great. It might look dif ferent than normal, whether it’s what the kids are wearing or how the practices are done, but to have a ball at someone’s feet or a racket in someone’s hands brings back a little sense of normalcy, both for myself and for the athletes.” This year was gearing up to be historic for the Tigers. After a year competing at the junior varsity level with their newlyformed upper school athletic department, GCDS was ready to make that big jump to the varsity level, competing in the Fairchester Athletic Association and the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council. However, the global pandemic had other plans for Greenwich Country Day School and many other prog rams throughout Connecticut and the country. Like most private schools around the area, the Tigers have cancelled their competitive seasons this academic year. The games don’t count and there are no postseason contests. They play scrimmages when they are able to find them. Practices for the teams are held in small, safe groups. W hile it may appear that Greenwich Country Day School has been struck with some bad
Members of the Greenwich Country Day School girls' volleyball team take the game outdoors during the fall season.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Being Grateful a Key for Helstein During Pandemic
The Greenwich Country Day School varsity basketball team took to the court for a scrimmage earlier this year. luck, Helstein and the rest of the Tigers are taking things in stride. “As you’re trying to build a foundation for a program, you want to start from day one on what you are building towards and what you want that program to look like in the future,” he said. “Because you have to take a step back because of all the protocols, like mask-wearing to groups of students being able to be together, to health screenings, it’s just an extra layer that makes things a little trickier to get what you really want to be.” Instead of being frustrated about the situation at hand, Helstein and the rest of the coaches and athletes at GCDS are tak ing a much dif ferent approach. An approach that will pay off big time in the future. “I am trying to look at the positives in certain situations,” Helstein said. “I think this has been a rea l positive for us. Because of taking a step back, we have been able to take an extra year in our building process. We have been given another year. We have been given a gift to really help our teams succeed. They get to see the level that it’s going to be, the level we need to play, and see what the competition looks like without blinding going into that like they would have this year. “We have an extra cushion for us to continue to build for the students to really get their feet under them and understand what it’s going to take to compete at the varsity level,” he added. “And they get to do this without
SCORE BOARD GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' BASKETBALL Fairfield Ludlowe 51 vs. Greenwich High 34 Greenwich High 26 vs. Ridgefield High 68 BOYS' BASKETBALL Greenwich High 62 vs. Stamford High 51 Darien High 50 vs. Greenwich High 49
GIRLS ICE HOCKEY Ridgefield-Danbury-Immaculate 0 vs. Greenwich 6 GYMNASTICS Greenwich High 110.03 points vs. Fairfield Warde
BOYS ICE HOCKEY New Canaan High 0 vs. Greenwich High 1
the thought of ‘it counts.’” Halstein said that he’s “super grateful” for the coaching staff that’s in place for the upper s cho ol at h lete s . T he G CDS a t h l e t i c d i r e c to r s a i d t h a t not only are they incredibly knowledgeable in the sport of what they coach, but they are knowledgeable of the students on the team. “The coaches know what’s going to motivate the team and know if a student needs a little extra time with a coach,” Halstein said. “The coaches know if the athletes need to be pushed a little harder or to step back a little bit because there’s a lot going on right now in a student’s daily life. Having coaches that are not only invested in the game, but also invested in the students, is really what’s it’s about. “My job is to support these coaches,” added Halstein. “I want to make sure that all they have to do is coach and I’ll take care of the other piece. I want them to know that they have a supportive staff and will have an athletic director that’s there for their needs.” Another group that Halstein couldn’t be happier with are the parents of the student-athletes, as he said that they’ve been nothing short of supportive during this school year. “They have been grateful for what they get,” Halstein said. “This winter we weren’t doing spectators indoors and we were able to live stream the games. The parents didn’t complain and were grateful for that aspect
of it. It’s great we didn’t have any complaints about parents wanting to see their children play. They understand, appreciate, and support. When you have that as well, it make everything that you’re doing so worth it.” While Helstein admits that he really hasn’t had a “normal” day in quite some time, there are moments where he feels like normalcy is almost there. “The closest I get to feeling some normalcy is being out there on the field, on the court, on the ice, on the water, or wherever there is a practice or game,” Helstein said. “Obviously we are motivated here to have a strong and robust program, but when I am out at practices or watching the kids it feels great. It might look dif ferent than normal, whether it’s what the kids are wearing or how the practices are done, but to have a ball at someone’s feet or a racket in someone’s hands brings back a little sense of normalcy, both for myself and for the athletes.” A lthoug h the competitive games for the upper school have been put on pause this season, that doesn’t mean the progress with upper school athletics has seen the same fate. The new facilities are up and running, buildings have been upgraded, new teams have been put in place, new equipment and new uniforms have been ordered. Halstein says that it’s a very exciting time to be at GCDS. “We are offering our studentath letes an experience of a lifetime,” Halstein said. “That’s
something people see and get excited about. That’s something that I’m truly enthusiastic about of fering to the students and the families. Whether they are current students or prospective students, they see that when we move forward with this program that we are doing it to the best of our ability and will give them a highly competitive program, a robust experience and something that is truly joyful.” And when the contests do count, Halstein can’t wait to see his school battle the best the FAA and the NEPSAC has to offer. And an added bonus is that the Tigers have rivals in the making, as perennial powers Brunswick School, Sacred Heart Greenwich and Greenwich Academy are within minutes of the Greenwich Country Day campus. “I love the idea of playing t h o s e s c h o o l s ,” H a l s t e i n said. “I love that we have an extremely competitive town in terms of athletics. It makes the excitement more palpable and more opportunities there for everybody. When you have independent school programs as strong as GA, Brunswick, and Sacred Heart, and then you add us to the mix, that is what’s really going to be exciting and what students want to play against. They want to play against the best and we can offer them that opportunity when they come to Greenwich Country Day School a nd a re a pa r t of t he Tiger family.”
Page 16 | Greenwich Sentinel
Puzzles for the Weekend: Have Fun!
Astrology for Week of Mar. 7, 2021 PISCES 20 Feb-20 March It would be easy to believe that the dark times will last forever, but nothing lasts forever – change is the only constant. By all means recognise reality for what it is and focus on the present. But keep an eye on the future – it will be here soon enough.
VIRGO 24 Aug-23 Sept Don’t worry if you find it hard to put your feelings into words this week – your body language will tell loved ones all they need to know and you’ll soon be the best of friends again. If the fall-out is over something petty, put it behind you. Love cures all ills.
ARIES 21 March-20 April If you feel a bit touchy this week it will be due to a particularly moody Sun-Neptune union. The phase will past but take care not to say or do anything that might turn others against you. Try to find the bright side and see the good in everyone.
LIBRA 24 Sept-23 Oct Despite your fears you have everything to look forward to so why do you feel so negative? There are times when if you expect the worst, the worst has a strange way of coming about. There is much to worry about at the moment but better times lie ahead.
TAURUS 21 April-21 May Not everyone wants to support the same causes or fight the same battles as you but that doesn’t mean they don’t respect your motives. But they may worry about your methods so try to find a way to share your views that doesn’t turn off so many people.
SCORPIO 24 Oct-22 Nov Don’t feel hard done by if a longed-for event is postponed as you will soon be glad that you had to change the timing. Sometimes it seems that fate knows what is good for us, and when to take action, better than we do. Tune in to the rhythm of destiny.
GEMINI 22 May-21 June There’s no point in arguing with authority figures because, despite your verbal skills, they will still refuse to see things your way. Of course, your way may not always be the right way so it wouldn’t hurt to try to see things from their viewpoint occasionally.
SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov-21 Dec You don’t have to beat your rivals into submission no matter how much they may deserve it. As the world grows more interdependent it becomes ever more necessary to find compromise solutions. It’s just a case of being bothered to look for them.
CANCER 22 June-23 July It may seem as if those less deserving than you are favoured this week but don’t let it get to you. You are big enough and bold enough to carve your own route through life without favours. What others do, say or believe is irrelevant – you’re in control.
CAPRICORN 22 Dec-20 Jan You are not normally afraid of commitment but you are liable to shy away from a responsibility this week. Don’t feel guilty – you can’t be everything to everyone and there is a limit to how much you can take on to keep others happy. Be true to yourself.
LEO 24 July-23 Aug You may be tempted to withhold information from someone who has betrayed or let you down and are within your rights to do so. But you’ll make a better impression if you forgive and forget, and acknowledge that you’re overreacting to something quite minor.
AQUARIUS 21 Jan-19 Feb It may seem as if your most important hopes and dreams have been dashed but it is just the planets making you wait so that when the things you desire eventually come your way you’ll appreciate them more. You’ll find the wait will be worthwhile.
Discover more about yourself at sallybrompton.com
Word Search Lettuce
Basil
Mace
Bay
Mint
Camomile
Myrrh
Capers
Rue
Caraway
Sage
Chervil
Senna
Chive
Sesame
Cress
Sorrel
Dill
Tansy
Ginger
Thyme
Hyssop
Woad
2
3
4
4
17
18
4
26
24
11
6
4
19
7
8
7
17
18
19
7
10
22
2
4
2
13
9
21
7
6
7
16
24
8
19
8
2
U
18
11
12
23
25
26
30
32
31
34
38 43
42
45
46
44 47
51
52
53
54
ACROSS 1 TNNEAI 7 LBOTAC 13 IARABA 14 IACACA 15 RYASOM 16 ORERRT 17 EERV 19 TERNA 20 MAES 23 EOENL 25 FOU 26 ISANTGL
30 LAIM 32 AYK 33 OOLT 34 LERESYP 36 AVW 37 NSIER 39 AAMM 40 NPAAJ 43 TAAD 45 KRUAEE 47 LVULAD 51 IORCLF 52 IEBARI
53 NMAEIF 54 ENADKR DOWN 1 MAI 2 ARN 3 YAN 4 EOBVA 5 RIET 6 LSAEE 7 TAC 8 NECSAO 9 ERATRTB
48
49
10 RCEA 11 OINL 12 RATT 18 YLEEADR 20 MUPS 21 AFRA 22 LOEM 24 KAO 27 WOAI 28 VOAN 29 ALMG 31 ERSLAII 32 SEY
50
35 ININKL 38 RDAIN 39 NVAEM 40 FEFJ 41 RUAA 42 ORMP 44 BUAT 46 ECA 48 KRA 49 EIL 50 ADL
6
21
10
17
24
5
23
4
3
24
13
7
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19
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11
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7
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1
4
6
21
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4
22
7
19
24
16
2
8
6
18
22
7
7
8
23
19
24
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
14
15
16
17
18
19
L
D
12
8
22
7
7
8
20
21
U
4
15
6
24
3
4
7
7
6
18
4
2
13
24
2
8
9
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13
22
23
24
25
26
Crossword 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
13
14
16
17 19
22
32
20
10
11
12
28
29
30
52
53
54
21
26 34
33 38
41
42
27 35
36
39
40 43
47
46 50
44
48 51 58
57
66
9
24
37
56
8
15
23
61
59 62
63
65 67
68
ACROSS
37 Markers
unpopular
Across
38 Bad lighting?
3 Aquatic mammal
40 Long narrow opening
4 What tellers don't want to hear
41 Run into
5 Above, the old way
42 "Arabian Nights" bird
33 One having second thoughts 35 Movie with voices but no actors 39 Hooey
6 Contains the Big Dipper
44 Rule by the unruly?
45 Antidepressants
7 Atlantic catch
46 Gone bad
8 Pieces for two
48 That, in Oaxaca
47 Aftershock
9 Repudiate
16 Clothing
49 Trig. function
10 Be itinerant
50 Flat replacement
17 "My stars!"
51 Castilian queen
11 Migraine feature
18 Zorro's marks
55 Profit
19 Berne's river
58 Cave dweller
21 He had his doubts
59 Aforementioned
12 A Swiss army knife has lots of them
22 Between Italy and Albania
60 True
15 Garment closets 20 Help
24 Undertake, with "out"
62 Gave out 64 Spoilt
23 Arctic bird
56 Smoothie ingredient
65 Antsy
26 Author Umberto
57 Dudley DoRight's org.
28 Catalina, e.g.
61 A hexadecimal
29 Bust, so to speak
63 John Wayne Airport letters
14 North African semolina dish
39
7
18
13 State of agitation
29
36
35
41
28
33
37 40
27
25
10
10 Former South African educational center
24
4
11
7 Do, re, mi
22
19
24
16
21
22
10
15
19
21
20
1 Lensman: Abbr.
18
4
21
14
17
18
14
64
10
23
21
60
9
4
8
55
8
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6
49
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45
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31
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Anagram Crossword 1
Each number in the Codeword grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this puzzle, 19 represents D, 6 represents L and 21 represents U, so fill in D wherever 19 appears, L wherever 6 appears and U wherever 21 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 13.
18
Herbs & Spices - Find the food words - 24 words - listed below in this box of letters. Words are horizontal, vertical, and diagonal backward and forward. Answer on page 13 Anise
Code Breakers
25 Conquer 27 Spin around rapidly
43 Hold back
66 Nurse 67 Cozy room
14 Hemmed in
31 Ridge on a ship's side
68 Egypt's Lake ------
34 Major record label
DOWN
30 Vermeer's "Woman With a ----"
1 Fountain locale
31 Cell cards
2 More than
32 "Little piggies"
36 A Biblical hairy man
52 Extols 53 Belgian city and province 54 Calculator, at times 55 They may provide relief
Suduko
Page 17 | Greenwich Sentinel
Sudoku: each row, column, and nonet can contain each number only once. Answers on page 13.
Easy
Easy
Very Hard
Hard
Hard
Very Hard
Page 18 | Greenwich Sentinel
REAL ESTATE DASHBOARD FEATURED OPEN HOUSES
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
NEW SALES
Data Compiled by Cesar Rabellino (203) 249-9866 Address Original List 351 Pemberwick Road 824 $574,900 20 Church Street A4 $790,000 77 John Street $1,850,000 201 Cat Rock Road $1,295,000 292 Davis Avenue C $1,415,000 20 Church Street A10 $1,450,000 20 Shore Road $1,849,000 18 Connecticut Avenue $1,790,000 18 Circle Drive $2,250,000 37 Rainbow Drive $2,250,000 39 Mohawk Lane $2,130,000 12 Fairgreen Lane $2,869,000
95 Valley Road B 1076 Lake Avenue 27 Bayside Terrace A 46 Oneida Drive 619 Steamboat Road 33 Ballwood Road 9 Fairway Lane 105 Parsonage Road 2 Oneida Drive F 118 Glenwood Drive
$2,950,000 $3,390,000 $3,395,000 $4,995,000 $4,295,000 $3,880,000 $4,350,000 $5,200,000 $5,995,000 $12,995,000
List Price $555,000 $790,000 $1,200,000 $1,295,000 $1,415,000 $1,450,000 $1,695,000 $1,790,000 $2,150,000 $2,100,000 $2,130,000 $2,869,000
$2,850,000 $3,200,000 $3,195,000 $3,495,000 $3,875,000 $3,880,000 $4,500,000 $5,200,000 $5,995,000 $11,995,000
Sold Price DOM BR FB Acres SqFt $540,000 118 2 2 0 1,166 $730,000 496 3 3 1,653 $1,200,000 227 5 5 2.05 6,952 $1,330,000 8 3 2 1.13 2,100 $1,340,000 69 3 3 2,188 0 $1,450,000 23 3 2 0 1,634 $1,652,500 199 4 3 0.22 3,000 $1,770,000 138 5 2 0.11 2,290 $2,000,000 239 5 3 0.54 5,222 $2,025,000 97 5 3 0.27 3,829 $2,130,000 0 6 3 5.61 5,232 $2,685,000 105 4 3 0.3 4,626
$2,775,000 $3,000,000 $3,050,000 $3,200,000 $3,500,000 $3,880,000 $4,625,000 $5,200,000 $5,995,000 $11,325,000
455 250 156 483 147 0 147 0 0 612
3 7 5 5 4 5 6 7 4 5
3 7 5 4 4 6 6 7 5 4
0 4 0.34 2.69 0.25 0.31 1.23 1.2 0 1.09
4,317 6,823 6,412 5,855 3,234 5,176 6,258 9,950 6,954 7,282
A New Level Of Commitment And Honesty In Real Estate. Gloria Falcon 203.559.1604 gloriafalcon@bhhsne.com Cesar Rabellino 203.249.9866 cesarrabellino@bhhsne.com Greenwich | 136 East Putnam Avenue | bhhsNEproperties.com ©2021 An independently operated member of BHH Affiliates. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Data Compiled by Rob Pulitano [203] 561-8092
Address
Area
Price
Day/Time
Broker
70 Riverdale Avenue #703 16 Windy Knolls #A 7 Hoover Road 56 Sherwood Place #8 46 Mianus View Terrace 51 Forest Avenue #50 14 Perryridge Road 14 Perryridge Road 1 Macarthur Drive 149 Weaver Street 14 Patricia Lane 340 Cognewaugh Road 282 Round Hill Road 702 Steamboat Road #3
Greenwich Greenwich Riverside Greenwich Cos Cob Old Greenwich Greenwich Greenwich Old Greenwich Greenwich Cos Cob Cos Cob Greenwich Greenwich
$799,000 $825,000 $855,000 $945,000 $1,160,000 $1,365,000 $1,995,000 $1,995,000 $1,999,000 $2,295,000 $2,345,000 $3,400,000 $3,750,000 $4,950,000
Sun 2-4 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-4 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-4 PM Sat 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 11-1 PM Sun 2-4 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 1-3 PM Sun 2-4 PM
William Raveis Berkshire Hathaway Sotheby's Coldwell Banker Realty Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway Houlihan Lawrence Houlihan Lawrence Coldwell Banker Realty Houlihan Lawrence William Pitt Sotheby's Sotheby's Sotheby's Coldwell Banker Realty
NEW LISTINGS
Data Compiled by Cesar Rabellino (203) 249-9866 Address
List Price
4 Lafayette Court 1A 22 Beech Street 35 Sheephill Road 25 Greenwich Hills Drive 25 36 Francis Lane 1 Caroline Place 16 Hawthorne Street D 43 Almira Drive 1 Caroline Place 9 Lyon Farm Drive 9 3 Old Wagon Road 14 Perryridge Road 24 Londonderry Drive 41 Angus Lane 223 Milbank Avenue B 18 Cat Rock Road 56 Old Orchard Road 38 Park Avenue
$599,000 $625,000 $700,000 $749,000 $839,000 $1,100,000 $1,220,000 $1,295,000 $1,450,000 $1,475,000 $1,950,000 $1,995,000 $2,000,000 $2,095,000 $2,100,000 $2,350,000 $2,395,000 $2,500,000
10 Parsonage Lane 95 Indian Head Road 4 Cedarwood Drive 215 Clapboard Ridge Rd 22 Stoney Wylde Lane 11 Sherwood Avenue
$3,295,000 $3,450,000 $3,995,000 $5,195,000 $6,795,000 $11,500,000
Price/ SqFt
$667 $408 $694 $419 $551 $336 $450 $543 $445 $480 $561 $627 $602 $634 $888 $388 $680 $730
$668 $706 $584 $646 $670
SqFt
AC
BR
898.00 1,532.00 1,008.00 1,788.00 1,522.00 3,269.00 2,711.00 2,384.00 3,260.00 3,070.00 3,478.00 3,183.00 3,322.00 3,304.00 2,364.00 6,058.00 3,524.00 3,424.00
0 0.13 0.19 0 0.18
1 3 2 3 3 5 3 4 5 3 4 4 4 4 3 5 4 4
0.19
0 0.16 0.37 0 0.28 0.18 2.67 0.9 0 0.56 1 0.23
4,933.00 3.74 4,885.00 1.38 6,846.00 2.14 8,043.00 2 10,138.00 2 -
5 5 6 5 6 17
FB
Area
South Parkway 1 Byram 2 Riverside 2 Glenville 2 Glenville 2 Glenville 3 Glenville 2 Glenville 3 Glenville 3 South Parkway 4 Old Greenwich 3 South Parkway 3 South Parkway 3 South Parkway 3 4 South of Post Road Cos Cob 5 North Mianus 4 Old Greenwich 4
5 6 5 6 7 16
HAPPY NEW YEAR
FROM PALM BEACH
Casey Jones 561.440.0586
353 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480 • 561.659.6400 50 Cocoanut Row, Ste 104, Palm Beach, FL 33480 • 561.659.6400 1970 Dixie Hwy., Ste C1, West Beach, FL 33401 561.805.5050 353 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, FL S. 33480 • 561.659.6400 50Palm Cocoanut Row, Ste 104,• Palm Beach, FL 33480 • 561.659.6400 1970 S. Dixie Hwy., Ste C1, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.805.5050
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February 2021 Market Report Transactions Double, Inventory Cut in Half
By Mark Pruner The number you want to remember for Greenwich real estate in February 2021 is “2”. Our sales and contracts are 2x what they were last year in the second month of the year. Our February sales were more t ha n dou ble last ye a r, a nd contracts were nearly double. Our inventory is down to barely 1/2 of what it was last year. Our median price for 2021 sales so far is $2.2 million, which is up almost 20% f rom Februar y last year. We have too little inventory for sales to continue at this pace. Once again, the Greenwich r e a l e st ate stor y ha s b e en turned on its head. Sales are important, but this year inventory is more important. To be precise sales for the first two months of the year are up 68 sales from 2020 to 129 sales this year or an increase of 90%. Our contracts are up from 75 in 2020 to 148 contracts in 2021 or 97%. While this is a stunning change, it is not what’s going to define our market in 2021; that is our inventory numbers. Our inventory is at record lows. As of the end of February we only had 277 single family home listings in Greenwich. This down from 513 listings at the beginning of March 2020. We star ted the year at 2 87 listings also a record low and brief ly struggled up to 300 listings, but since then we have actually been drifting down in the net number of listings. Right now, we should be adding dozens of listings each week as our spring inventory comes on the market and sales are usually at their low point for the year. When you look at certain price categories you can see just how tough it is for buyers out there. From $800,000 to $1,000,000 we have 7 listings; last year at this time we had 25 listings. We actually have almost as many contracts as we have listings in this price range. The result is that our months of supply in this price category we nt f r o m 16 . 7 m o nt h s o f supply last year to 2.8 months of supply this year or a drop of 83%. Under $600,000 our months of supply is zero as in we don’t have any houses, when at least last year we had 4 listings. This really speaks to how unique our market is. According to the NAR, the median house sales price in the US in January was $303,900. Half of the houses sold for less than $304K and that median sales price was actually up 14% from last year. In Fairfield County as a whole, the median sales price was $550,000, which was up 22% from January 2020 according to the Smart MLS. Right now, the lowest price house on the GMLS is $625,000 more than t w ice t he nat iona l me d ia n and $75,000 higher than the Fairfield County median sales price. We live in a very unique market. It’s not just the lower end of our market that is seeing these remarkable year over year changes. All the way up to $5 million we are seeing 6 months or less of supply. When you throw in our 97% increase in contracts, then we are seeing about 6 months of supply all the way up to $10 million. Above $10 million we have 2 3 l ist i ngs dow n 21% f rom last year’s 29 listings. We are looking at 15.3 months of supply at the ultra-high end due our 3 sales (and we have two more ultra-high-end contracts). I can’t compare these sales to last year’s sales as last year we had no sales over $6.5 million last year through February. In fact, in 2020 our first sale over $6.5 million didn’t happen until May
11, 2020 despite having over 80 listings. I n v e n t o r y, a t a l l p r i c e ranges, is going to define what kind of market we have this year. If we get back to anything like normal inventory levels, we are likely to have a very good year. We have two big Covid related factors that are driving our market. Clearly, we are seeing many New York City families and other individuals looking for more space in their homes and no shared hallways, stairs and elevators. They want to be able sit in their backyard and not have to wear a mask. The pre-pandemic perks that kept people raising children in a 1,200 s.f., NYC apartment are all shut down or have limited ac c e s s . Mu s eu m s , c onc e r t halls, lectures, exhibitions, and restaurants aren’t available or are restricted, making those apartments feel smaller every day. NYC is just not as cool as it was before. The other factor that doesn’t get nearly the attention that it deserves, is the number of Greenwich families that decided to upsize in 2020. I had six sales last year where the buyers were doing just this. I was elected to the Board of Assessment Appeals and we are hearing assessment appeals this week. Three quarters of the appeals that I heard were from Greenwich residents who had bought another house here in Greenwich. It could be that our out-of-town buyers didn’t know about the appea ls process, but I will say that every buyer I had last year asked about t a xe s a nd a s s e s s m e nt s . It could also be that our local residents k now how to f ind particularly good deals even in a pandemic. Regardless, our Greenwich residents have been upsizing and many of our older homeowners continue to downsize here in Greenwich. One of the ma in factors driving our intra-Greenwich buyers is that they now need a different house. Today’s buyers w a nt t wo, a n d e ve n t h r e e offices. Kids also need virtual schooli ng a rea(s). Pa rent ’s don’t want the school site to be in a remote bedroom on the third f loor. At the same time, we are seeing some movement away from the very open floor plan. When the whole family is home, the whole day, for the whole week having some private get-away space becomes a necessity. The next couple of years will show whether these shifts in peoples housing needs becomes the new norm or if it was only a phase that will pass when Covid passes away. Given that the present predictions are that Covid may hang around much like the flu, albeit at much lower number of infections, the most likely result is that we will see a little of both. Some renters will return to NYC permanently and some pandemic renters have decided to take up full time residency here. W h a t i s n ’t g o i n g a w a y a re su m mer renta ls. Ma ny Greenwich homeowners who rented their houses last summer found it was a nice way to make a good amount of money in short time. It looks like most of the tenants liked their summer rentals as there are presently zero summer rentals available, thoug h inquiries show that the many landlords are re-renting their houses again this summer. I hear that some people are waiting for the spring market to list their house. With all the snow we’ve had it doesn’t look very springy, but it’s not the calendar or the season that determines when the best time to list a house is but supply and demand. We don’t have much of the former and lots of the latter so now is a good time to list a house. S t ay t u n e d f r o m a r e a l estate viewpoint, 2021 has the potential to be even more nail biting than was 2020. Mark Pruner can be reached at 2 03-969-7900 or m a rk@ bhhsne.com