November 27, 2019

ECRWSS

WEDNESDAY, November 27, 2019

Daily News Updates @ www.GreenwichSentinel.com

$1.75

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit #2475 Providence, RI Postal Customer

B ack Cou nt r y | B a n k sv ille | B elle Haven | By ra m| Ch icka hom iny | Cos Cob | Glenv ille | Old Gr e enw ich | Pem b er w ick | R iverside | B e d for d, N Y

Where to Begin Giving Back This Season

By Emma W. Barhydt

S Yo u c a n j o i n t h e

Thanksgiving Subscription Drive for the Sentinel. Take advantage of subscription savings by subscribing duri ng t he Greenw ich S e nt i n e l ’s “ We ’r e Grateful!” Thanksgiving Subscription Drive.

For a limited time new subscribers will receive $50 off their subscription. Call (203) 485-0226 or email beth@greenwichsentinel. c om or v i sit w w w.

GreenwichSentinel.com/ subscribe

S T H E GR E E N W IC H

SENTINEL HAS PR I N T E D A SPEC I A L THANKSGIVING EDITION OF THE PAPER ... SLIGHTLY SMALLER TO GIVE A FEW PEOPLE THE W EEK OFF. PRODUCED WITH GRATITUDE FOR OUR READERS. THANK YOU!

S Greenw ich Hospita l

received t he 2019 Guardian of Excellence Awa rd i n Pat ient Experience in the Emergency Department.

Also, Greenwich Hospital received t he Pinnacle o f E x c e l l e n c e Aw a r d i n P a t i e nt E x p e r i e n c e f rom Press Ga ney for maintaining consistently high levels of excellence over mu lt iple ye a r s i n Out pat ient Ser v ices.

G r e e n w i c h H o s p i t a l ’s Outpatient Department consists of 38 individual departments.

Giv ingTuesday is a g lobal generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 3, 2019 and every day.

It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown i nto a g loba l movement t hat inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

One of the best ways to get involved is in our own community.

The Sentinel offers a short list of a few places you can volunteer.

This is by no means a complete list of places around Greenwich, but rather a way to help you get started.

Your local library. There are a number of volunteer opportunities available at Greenwich Library.

Volunteers from The Friends of Gr e enw ich L i bra r y sp end cou nt le ss hou rs e ach mont h working in outreach, assisting Library staff, and fundraising. To ask about volunteer opportunities call (203) 622 7938 or visit https:// w w w. g r e e nw i c h l i b r a r y.o r g / volunteer/ Abili s. A bi l is prov ide s meaning f ul opportunities for t he pu bl ic to ex p er ience t he tremendous satisfaction of serving others throug h volunteering.

They have a w ide va r iet y of opportunities available across the Greenw ich and Stamford communities. You can make the

S The State of Connecticut

Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST-C) voted and awarded t h e G r e e n w i c h Po l i c e Department a certificate of compliance with Tier I status for the Connecticut Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.

This was a lengthy process which took approximately two years to accomplish.

CLASSIFIED Houseman and Chef available for work. Highly experienced houseman and chef looking for employ ment live in or out. E xcel lent references.

Daniel.harkins@gmail.com

Hotline, a Greenwich telephone counseling agency, joined forces to create an emergency shelter pilot program known as Kids In Crisis.

Kids in Crisis is there, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to help

and your energy. Help continue care for the dogs that rely on us. Whether you want to work directly w ith the dogs in the shelter, or join us in hosting community events, they can work together to help find unwanted or abandoned dogs their forever homes. For more information, call (914) 273-1674 or visit https:// adopt-a-dog.org/volunteer/aboutvolunteering.html Kids in Crisis Forty years ago a needs assessment, done by the Greenwich United Way, uncovered the need for a local solution to address the increasing numbers of runaway and homeless adolescents. A s a resu lt, the Junior League of Greenwich, and

prevent kids from ever reaching crisis points or manage crises they are in. To volunteer call 203622-6556 or visit https://www. k idsincrisis.org /get-involved / volunteer/ Neighbor to Neighbor Be part of something special – volunteer to help in Neighbor to Neighbor’s Food Pantry or Clothing Room.

The dedicated and enthusiastic team of over 250 volunteers is the driving force behind all they do.

Volunteers assist clients as they shop, sort donations, stock shelves and participate in food drive pick ups. Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular shift or serve as an occasional “substitute.” For more information call 203-6229208 x12 or visit https://www. ntngreenwich.org/how-you-canhelp/volunteer/ You can also donate!

Neighbor to Neighbor greatly appreciates your donations of food, clothing, diapers, sheet, towels and small household items!

Everything they distribute in their Clothing Room, and half of the food they distribute, is donated by members of the community.

They simply cannot meet the local need for assistance without

There’s a Place in The Sun

“There’s a Place in The Sun and Before “Your” Life is Done……” Palm Island, The

Grenadines, West Indies (With thanks to Stevie Wonder for a fabulous top ten hit in 1966)

By Patricia Chadwick

School will be dedicated to the Greenwich Board of Educat ion a nd t he Town during a ceremony a t 10 a . m . , o n D e c . 7, two years after the original groundbreaking on construction. Be sure to check out g reenw ichsent i nel.com and the print edition of the Greenwich Sentinel for full coverage. recent plan to implement tolls was met with strong opposition in a closed door meeting with state senate democrats. It appears that tolls will not be moving forward any time soon.

in need, volunteering at AdoptA-Dog may be the right place for you. Volunteers bring a diversity of interests, knowledge, expertise and support to the organization.

Volunteer your skills, your time,

Column

S The new New Lebanon

S Governor Lamont's most

difference in the life of a person w it h a d i s a b i l it y. Vo lu nte e r opportunities range from regular we e k l y g r o u p o r i n d i v i d u a l activities to one-time special events. Experiences may be direct with individuals of all ages or through committee or office work.

For more information, call 203531-1880 x162 or visit https://www. abilis.us/get-involved/volunteer. html Greenwich Hospital. If you ca n com m it t h ree hou rs or more each week, Greenwich Ho spit a l we lc ome s you a s a volunteer. Volunteer orientations a nd t ra i n i ng sem i na rs ma ke sure you become familiar with hospital policies and procedures.

Opportunities are also available for junior volunteers, age 15 and older.

These younger volunteers perform many of the same services as the adults. Junior volunteers gain valuable community service experience along with the satisfaction of mak ing an important contribution to the hospital. If you have any questions, call 203-863-3222 or visit https:// w w w.g reenw ich hospital.org / about/community/volunteering/ become-a-volunteer.aspx G r e e n w i c h L a n d Tr u s t Greenwich Land Trust conserves open space, connects our com mu n it y w it h t he nat u ra l world, a nd i nspi res the nex t generation of conservationists. For more information, call (203) 6292151.

Adopt-A-Dog If you have a love for dogs and want to help enrich the lives of homeless dogs

My first visit to Palm Island was forty years ago – in November of 1979. The trip was memorable for all the right reasons, not the least of which was nearly primitive nature of the place – a 135-acre island resort, devoid of a hotel, but bespeckled with “villas”.

Without an airfield or even a makeshift runway, Palm Island was accessible only by water.

The sole restaurant on the island was the open-air dining room which played second fiddle to the glorious old bar where rum punch was available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There was a distinctly European flavor to the island back then – John and Mary Caldwell, the American couple who owned and managed the resort seem to re vel i n t hei r ow n “nonAmerican-ness”. The atmosphere was sybaritic – exuding a hideaway quality that felt like an invitation to visit with a spouse or a lover, undisturbed by the commotion wrought by families with children.

For “ac t iv it y”, one cou ld snorkel, or arrange to have a massage, or even play tennis – but (with credit to Noel Coward) only “mad dogs and Englishmen” would run around a tennis court on this island that is less than 1000 miles from the equator. For

added adventure, one could take a decidedly un-fancy boat to visit the nearby islands of Mayreau or Pet it Sa i nt Vi ncent. A nd that was it.

The ambiance beckoned one to lie in a hammock and read a book, to observe the chameleons and the iguanas, the turtles and the sandpipers. And that’s just what we did.

Back then was long before the birth of Kindle and Nook, WiFi and the internet. There was no ability to text friends or telegraph to the world on Facebook or Instagram the beauty of the place – it was unadvertised and almost unknown.

A f t e r a b l i s s f u l t e n- d ay vacation, I left Palm Island, not sure if I would ever see it again.

The memories would last forever as would the friendship that was kindled with a Swiss couple who’d been coming for a number of years.

Fast forward to the late 1990’s when t he couple , whom I’ d visited on several occasions at their home in Bern (Switzerland), bought property atop the most scenic of Palm Island ’s three miniature “mountains”. Villa Alma Viva they called the home they made for themselves, which had breathtaking views of the sea from every room.

“Come and visit us,” they begged, and I did, year after year, sometimes for a week at a time and often for just a few days. Life centered around their mountain top abode, and I paid little heed to what was happening at the resort.

But on my latest trip, less than a month ago, I set out on a mission – to re-explore the island in detail, to see if that magical primitive aura of forty years ago still permeated the place. Armed with my cell phone’s “ health app”, I was able to measure the periphery of the island – it is exactly two miles. A few more pr i v at e home s now dot t he hillsides and several new trails up into the “mountains” offer the

opportunity for a strenuous walk.

As for the resort itself, little has changed – the tennis court has few scuff marks across its green surface, a sign that the “mad dogs and Englishman” have come to their senses. The spa, now refurbished but still simple, offers an array of sublime treatments – including a languorous soak in a gardenia-filled tub in the gentle shade on the beach. The “villas” have a more elegant look, but they remain bungalow style. A casual outdoor restaurant has been added and the wonderful old bar has undergone a facelift – not as homey as its predecessor, but it still offers rum punch any time of the day or night. A boat from “unfashionable” Union Island is still the only way to discover this hideaway.

The iguanas continue to stroll about like small (and occasionally large) sentinels, as though the island is theirs and we’re merely temporary intruders – and they have it just right.

One concession to the demands of 21st century visitors is the availability of Wi-Fi on the island, but for the most part, time has stood still on the resort.

Palm Island is not for everyone – there is no glitz, no concierge service, no reason to bring a single piece of fancy jewelry or a pair of high heeled shoes. It remains a place where simple pleasures abou nd – read i ng, nappi ng, getting a massage to recuperate from a frantic world “back home” (wherever home is). Romance is in the air on Palm Island – it once was, still is and hopefully will remain a paradise for lovers.

And a great place to recuperate after the energy expended over the Thanksgiving festivities.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Patricia Chadw ick is a businesswoman and an author.

She recently published Little Sister, a memoir about her unusual childhood growing up in a cult.

your generous and dedicated support. Please drop of f your new or gently used items at their donation center in the basement of the Christ Church Greenwich Annex building, 248 East Putnam Ave , G r e e nw i c h , C T 0 6 8 3 0.

Donations may be dropped off Monday through Saturday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm AND Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 – 5:30 pm.

For more information please visit https://www.ntngreenwich.org/ how-you-can-help/donate-items/ Community Gifts Program is funded by private donations and the Salvation Army to support v a r iou s for m s of a s si s t a nc e throughout the year. Donations are overseen by an independent 501(c) (3) Fund and are tax deductible.

The Community Gifts Program spans the following offerings: Boots and Shoes: Provides vo u c h e r s a n d g i f t c a r d s fo r children ages 5 to 15 entering school to purchase footwear.

Campership: Provides camp scholarship, reg istration and transportation to several local camps and sleep away camps for children 4 to 14 years old.

Holiday Aid: Provides food vouche r s , fo o d b a sket s , Toy distribution day and Angel Tree gifts during the holiday season.

For more information call 203622-7700 or visit https://www. greenwichct.gov/545/CommunityPrograms Diane's Book s Give a Deserving Child the Gift of Reading as a Diane's Books angel by donating books to deserving chidren whose families cannot af ford books are selected and sent to Diane's. For each selection Diane's Books will offer appropriate age books, giftwrap them and send them off as gifts to inspire hope and imagination and learning!

The letters they get back from children would warm your heart.

Diane's Books displays them in the store.

Gifts may be donated through her web site at ht t ps: //w w w. dianesbooks.com/AngelTree

Excerpts from The Waterwheel

Banning B.A.N.S. ILLUSTRATED BY WAJIH CHAUDHRY

The Briefing Room

By Jill S. Woolworth, LMFT The words but, always, never, and should (which form the acronym B.A.N.S.) too often close off options for ourselves and for others. In contrast, rarely, sometimes, often, and frequently are usually closer to the truth and leave the door open for change.

Banning B.A.N.S is a way to be kinder and more honest with ourselves and others.

For example, the word but negates anything we say right before it. “I love you, but we don’t do fun things together” triggers the listener’s fear and defensiveness. Substituting and for but—“I love you, and I want to do fun things together”—is much more likely to lead to fun.

When we say I want to or I’d like to instead of I should, I must, or I ought to, there’s a better chance we’ll actually do something. “I want to exercise more” works in the part of our brain that senses pleasure and fun. The self-critical statement, “I should exercise more” triggers fear.

Carlos never got it right, and Joy always nagged. After a period of counseling, they were surprised to hear each other say that sometimes he got it right, and sometimes she didn’t nag. They made a practice of noticing and telling each other when he got it right and she wasn’t nagging. They gained confidence. Over time Carlos got it right more and more often, and Joy rarely nagged.

This is an excerpt from The Waterwheel by local author, Jill Woolworth, available through Amazon. Alternatively, we encourage you to shop locally where it is also available at Diane's Books or Dogwood Books and Gifts).

Dr. Robert N. Tramposch

Dr. Meenakshi Madhu

has proudly served Greenwich for over twenty years; has been voted a Top Dentist 9 years in a row.

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist.

Accepts most major insurances.

She makes going to the dentist fun!

Adult, Cosmetic & Pediatric Dentistry | 203.862.9000 | GreenwichSmiles.com | Located in a new state of the art location at 25 Valley Drive, Greenwich

Page 2 | Greenwich Sentinel

yourCOMMUNITYcalendar

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27

Presbyterian Church, 1 W. Putnam Ave. Free and open to the community. info@greenwichrma.org. greenwichrma.org

11 a.m.

John Hamilton: “How to Strengthen Resiliency in Families." First

AMPLIN WOODS H C

11 - 11:30 a.m.

Storytime - explorations of historical events and figures through storytelling, songs, and movement. Ages 2-5.

Greenwich Historical Society, 47 Strickland Rd. Free. (Every Wed). 203-869-6899.

Science Series: Animal Tracks and Signs. Innis Arden Cottage at Greenwich Point, 10 Tods Driftway. Ages 3 and up. Free. 203-622-6461. conservation@greenwichct. org. greenwichct.gov/286/ Conservation

1:30 - 3:10 p.m.

'Toy Story 4' Movie Screening. Cos Cob Library - Community Room, 5 Sinawoy Rd. Free. 203622-6883. lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org

MONDAY, DEC. 2

3:45 - 5:15 p.m.

Yoga - Greenwich Adult Continuing Ed. The First Congregational Church of Greenwich - Daniels Center, 108 Sound Beach Ave. (Also, 5:15-6:30pm). 203-637-1791.

CON DOMINIUMS

Congratulations to Donna Kreuger Simmons on her recent $17,600,000 Watch Hill sale to a Greenwich family.

7:30 p.m.

Greenwich Grind Teen Coffee House - featuring Open Studio time. Arch Street Teen Center, 100 Arch St. Free.

Grades 7th-12th. Free. Every Wednesday. 203-629-5744. info@archstreet.org

We are proud to claim her as our listing agent.

All Day GHS Class of 2014 Five Year Reunion. Arch Street Teen Center, 100 Arch St. 203-6295744. info@archstreet.org. archstreet.org

FRIDAY, NOV. 29

Best to Donna and Grant,

SATURDAY, NOV. 30 8 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. Greenwich Public Safety Complex, 11 Bruce Pl. 800-733-2767.

RedCrossBlood.org

Rochelle Levy Developer Winnapaug Cottages and Champlin Woods Condominiums Greenwich Sentinel Ad 2019-11.indd 1

11/20/19

December 6th October 25th 11am-4pm 11am-8pm

Trunk Show & Book Signing

Invitesyou youtotojoin joinus usthis thisholiday holidayseason season Invites

illustrations and renderings in M A RYwatercolors R A N D O Land F Cpen A RT E R kahill hamandy a talk and book signing with jon-vickery maryleslie randolf carter, author, demonstration photograher and long time and reception creative director at ralph lauren.

202Field FieldPoint PointRoad, Road,Greenwich, Greenwich, CT CT 06830 06830•• 203.340.2023 203.340.2023 202

Leslie Jon-Vickery

H E AT H E R B . M O O R E what will your’s say? the finest in personalized jewelry.

October 24th 11am-8pm October 25th 10am-4pm TRUNK SHOW Invites you to join us this holiday season

H E AT H E R B . M O O R E

what will your’s say? the finest in personalized jewelry.

October 24th 11am-8pm October 25th 10am-4pm TRUNK SHOW

Trunk Show & Book Signing

a talk and book signing with mary randolf carter, author, photograher and long time creative director at ralph lauren.

October 25th 11am-4pm

M A RY R A N D O L F C A RT E R

202 Field Point Road, Greenwich, CT 06830 • 203.340.2023

9 a.m.

Greenwich Alliance for Education’s Turkey Trot, benefiting Greenwich Public School programs. Arch 2:59 PM Street Teen Center, 100 Arch St. $35 in advance; $40 on race day; 14 and under, $15. 203-340-2323. julie@ greenwichalliance.org. greenwichalliance.org 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Pop-Up STEAM Time: Make-it Take-it LEGO (Ages 5 & up). Greenwich Library - Rear of Children's Room, 101 West Putnam Ave. Free.

203-622-7940. dsullivan@ greenwichlibrary.org 1:30 - 3:40 p.m.

'Aladdin' Movie Screening.

Cos Cob Library Community Room, 5 Sinawoy Rd. Free. 203622-6883. lmatthews@ greenwichlibrary.org SUNDAY, DEC. 1 8:30 - 11 a.m.

St. Lawrence Society (SLS): Breakfast Buffet. The Club, 86 Valley Rd. Adults, $12; children, $8. RSVP. (1st Sun of the month). 203-618-9036. trish@stlawrencesociety.com. stlawrencesociety.com/events 9 - 11:30 a.m.

First Sunday Bird Walk at Greenwich Point. Meet near southern concession.

Bring binoculars. Free. friendsofgreenwichpoint.org/ first-sunday-bird-walks 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Fred Elser First Sunday

1:15 p.m.

Lecture: The Best of American Fashion,

by Caroline Rennolds Milbank. Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. $25 guest fee. greenwichdecorativearts@ gmail.com. greenwichdecorativearts.org

Outdoor Furniture Restorations and Sales

It’s that time of year to restore your furniture to it’s original elegance.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

1:30 - 6:30 p.m.

American Red Cross Community Blood Drive.

Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Ave. 800-733-2767.

RedCrossBlood.org 5 p.m.

Tree of Light - a nondenominational community tree-lighting ceremony to reflect and honor the lives of loved ones. Greenwich Hospital’s Noble Conference Center, 5 Perryridge Rd. All are welcome to attend. Free. 203863-3702.

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Class: “Mind, Body, Fertility Yoga.” Prescott House, 38 Volunteer Ln., ground flr. $80 for four classes or $25 drop-in fee per class. Register.

Also offered Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm. 888-357-2409.

Powder Coated Finishes • Restrapping Welding • Sandblasting • Sling Replacement Teak Restoration

Commercial & Residential!

Brown Jordan, Tropitone, Woodard, Winston and Salterini

OFF-SEASON DISCOUNT

Pick-up and Delivery Available • FAST TURNAROUND! 140 Highland Street, Port Chester, NY 10573

pattysportico.com • 914.935.8839

6 - 7 p.m.

The Prostate Cancer Education Forum: “Learn and Share.” Greenwich Hospital’s Noble Conference Center, 5 Perryridge Rd. Free. Register. 888-305-9253. greenwichhospital.org/events 6:30 p.m.

The Junior League of Greenwich (JLG): “An Evening with Barbara Pierce Bush.” Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 East Putnam Ave. 203-8691979. jlg@jlgreenwich.org. jlgreenwich.org 7 - 8 p.m.

AuthorsLive: 'Tech Titans of China' by Rebecca Fannin. Flinn Gallery at Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Ave. Free. Register.

203-622-7924. ywang@ greenwichlibrary.org 7 - 8:30 p.m.

College Admissions Insights for parents of high school and middle school students. Cos Cob Library - Community Room, 5 Sinawoy Rd. Free.

Register. 203-806-5228. info@askversed.com. bit.ly/ CollegeAdmissionsEvent TUESDAY, DEC. 3 9:30 a.m.

Greenwich Newcomers Club: Wellness Group (complimentary class).

Greenwich Barre Studio, 109 Greenwich Ave. greenwichnewcomers.org 1:30 - 3 p.m.

Parkinson’s Support Group: Exercise with Miriam Shaw, RPT; caregiver

203-869-2299 for Delivery support. Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd. Free. 203-863-4444. greenwichhospital.org/events 4 p.m.

Young Strings Workshop, presented by Young Artists Philharmonic.

Perrot Memorial Library, 90 Sound Beach Ave. For strings students in grades 4-8. Limited to the first 20 registrants. Free. 203-6373870. perrotlibrary.org 6 - 8 p.m.

Community Centers, Inc. of Greenwich (CCI): Sip and Shop with Back 40 Mercantile. 264 Sound Beach Ave. 10% of the

sales made will be donated to CCI. facebook.com/ events/890018968066417 6 - 8 p.m.

CPR Friends and Family (Infant/Child). Greenwich Hospital’s Medical Education Room, 5 Perryridge Rd. $65. Register. Designed for lay rescuers only. Meets American Heart Association standards. 888-305-9253.

6:30 - 8 p.m.

Time to Talk: A Conversation Series for English Language Learners. Byram Shubert Library - Community Room,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Christmas on Round Hill Friday, December 6 6:00 p.m.

C

M

Y

Cocktails Light Fare Holiday Music Silent Auction

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

“When I travel, of course I want to get there on time. But I also want to get there safely - without worrying about the driver, the car, or the route we’ll take. Rudy’s drivers are completely vetted. Rudy’s vehicles all use GPS and DriverApp. And Rudy’s Command Center stays in contact with my driver during every minute and every mile of my trip.

I don’t take any chances… I take Rudy’s.”

PROFESSIONAL. TRUSTED. SAFE. WCTLC 00083-16 | TLC#B02597 | DOT# 1951 | ICC# MC15081

Tickets at roundhillcommunitychurch.org or 203-869-1091 Round Hill Community House 395 Round Hill Road Greenwich, CT

Local News

Page 3 | Greenwich Sentinel

Country Day Earns Best Project of the Year Award Receives 2019 Best K-12 Education Project for Upper Elementary School

Greenwich Country Day School Upper Elementary School Building, Grades 3-5 Greenwich Country Day School ’s (GCDS) Upper Elementary School (formerly the Middle School) building project has been named the Engineering News Record (ENR) 2019 New E n g l a n d R e g i o n B e s t K-1 2 Education Project and was one of three finalists for the ENR Project of the Year Award. The award will be presented at the ENR Regional Awards Ceremony on December 11 in Boston, MA.

The building was designed to provide f lexible and interactive learning spaces, and to maximize opportunities for energy conservation, efficiency, and production. These efforts continue GCDS’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and resulted in a building that produces nearly as much energy as it consumes. This ‘nearly Net-Zero Energy’ building is among the first for a CT school. A combination

of decisions led to realizing nearly net-zero including, right-sizing the building, installing energy efficient water and HVAC systems, creating a building envelope that is highly insulating, and installing 784 solar panels. The Upper Elementary building is a learning laboratory for students for how buildings can be more comfor table, have a sma l ler environmental footprint, and be less expensive over the long term.

The building project was completed in 2018 and opened as t he GCDS Midd le School for grades 4-6. Effective with the 2019-2020 school year, the building shifted to house grades 3-5 and is now referred to as the Upper Elementary School.

About GCDS Gre enw ich C ou nt r y Day S c ho o l (G C D S) i s t h e on l y coeducational, college preparatory, independent school in Greenwich, CT, for nursery through grade 12. The purposeful mission of academic excellence and character development is as relevant today as it was at the school’s founding in 1926. GCDS’s curriculum builds a solid background in the sciences and humanities while challenging students to develop critical knowledge and skills through inquiry, exploration, interdisciplinary studies, and rea l-world applications. The school’s pedagogy and curricula seek to bring forward multiple perspectives, disciplines, and voices as a means to deepen learning and develop empathy— a l l t o h e l p G C D S s t u d e nt s graduate as engaged, ethical global citizens. Important lessons are

learned not only in the classroom, but also on the playing fields, in the art room, on stage, and through extracurricular activities, such as the chess team, robotics club, and student publications.

An extensive community service program and numerous leadership opportunities teach students to turn their initiative and generosity

into meaningful action. GCDS is a joyful learning environment where curiosity and creativity are valued, resilience is cultivated, and the health and well-being of ever y student is essential.

GCDS graduates are known as exceptionally well-prepared for success in higher education—and in life.

gifts

holiday

in greenwich

JLG Celebration Dinner with Barbara Pierce Bush The Junior League of Greenwich (JLG) announces “An Evening with Barbara Pierce Bush,” the culminating event of their 60th Year Celebration, which will take place on Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenwich Hyatt.

Author and journalist Joan Lunden will moderate the conversation with this young humanitarian. Members of the JLG, their guests, and community partners will be in attendance to recognize this important milestone in the JLG’s history.

A 2004 graduate of Yale University, Barbara Bush is Co-founder and Board Cha ir of Globa l Hea lt h Cor ps (GHC), which mobilizes a global community of young leaders to build the movement for

health equity. GHC was founded in 2009 by six twenty-somethings who were challenged b y Pe t e r P i o t a t t h e a i d s 2 031 You n g Leaders Summit to engage their generation i n s olv i ng t he world ’s big ge s t he a lt h challenges. Bush and her co-founders were united by the belief that health is a human right and that their generation must build the world where this is realized. Since that time, GHC has placed nearly 1,000 young leaders on the front lines of health equity in Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, and the United States, developing a cadre of creative, effective, and compassionate change makers.

Joa n Lu nden i s a n aw a rd-w i n n i ng

journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and women's health & wellness advocate. For nearly two decades, Lunden greeted viewers each morning as the host of Good Morning America, making her the longest running female host ever on ea rly mor ni ng telev ision. She w rote a memoir Had I Known, which documents her battle with breast cancer, and became a prominent voice in the field, advocating for patients on Capitol Hill and working with organizations such as The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

For more i n for mat ion, contac t t he Ju n i o r L e a g u e o f G r e e nw i c h a t j l g @ jlgreenwich.org or visit jlgreenwich.org

Mon-Sat 10 am-5:30 pm, Closed Sundays until after thanksgiving, Dec 1 Sundays will be open 12-5, Thursday nights we will be open until 7 pm starting Dec 1

203.869.5990

1 Liberty Way, Greenwich • sophiascostumes.com

Page 4 | Greenwich Sentinel

Glorious Holiday Bubbles

By Jeb Fiorita

Cava Sparkling Wine This is Spanish spark ling wine grown and produced through Spain. Most Cava is prepared in the traditional method. It’s one of our favorite types of sparkling wine for brunch cocktails or entertaining and the price is very affordable.

Today we are writing about glorious bubbles, and how you can get what you, your family, and your guests really want and will enjoy.

All Champagne is sparkling wine but not all sparkling wine is Champagne.

There are bottles of sparkling wine to match every budget and occasion, and there are a lot of them. Whether you’re drinking it on its own or mixing into cocktails, some bottles of sparkling wine are better than others.

There are four dominant types of sparkling wine on the market; however, don’t be afraid to try other more niche types that you may find. We never turn down an opportunity to taste something new and neither should you! You might just find your new favorite.

SHOPPING FOR WINE All sparkling wines should have a well-rounded f lavor. This means you should be able to taste different things beyond just the playful texture of the bubbles. The complexity and richness of flavor will obviously depend on the quality of wine, but we’ll tell you right now, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for price.

There are some great bottles under $20.

Serendipity-11-2013:Layout 1

MAJOR TYPES OF SPARKLING WINE Champagne The name is strictly reserved for sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France, east of Paris. It must be made in the methode traditionelle (traditional method) that requires hand harvesting and other special processes

11/5/2013

4:00 PM

Page 1

throughout the wine making.

American Sparkling Wines These are produced in vineyards throughout America, using both the Charmat and traditional method for sparkling wine making. Many of the big French Champagne houses own and operate vineyards in the U.S. (Louis Roederer, Moet & Chandon, Mumm, etc.)

Prosecco The most popular Italian sparkling wine, hailing from the Northeast region of the country, made using the Charmat method. (It’s similar the Champagne method, except part of the process takes place in a large stainless-steel vat rather than fermenting directly in the bottles.) Many people would say that Prosecco has a sweeter flavor than other sparkling wines. (If you’re looking to branch out with other sparkling, Italy has at least five major types to try, each named after their specific region and wine making method.)

FLAVOR STYLES These words are marked on the bottle and will determine the type of sparkling the wine maker is producing.

Each type has a different taste so pay attention to the bottle when you find something you like and remember the

designation for next time.

Brut Most common bone-dry to almostdry in flavor. (Less than 1.5% sugar) Extra-Dry/Extra-Sec This is slightly sweeter than Brut. (1.2-2% sugar) Sec Medium sweetness (1.7-3.5% sugar) Demi–Sec Typically considered a dessert wine for its sweetness. (3.3 to 5% sugar) Doux Very sweet, also considered dessert wine. (+5% sugar) SPARKLING WINE TERMINOLOGY Vintage Just like all wines, Vintages refer to wine made from a single year’s harvest.

They are always dated and the year is marked on the bottle. Winemakers don’t necessarily release a vintage every year. These spark ling wines and Champagnes will almost be more expensive than non-vintage.

NV Non-Vintage wines refer to wines that come from multiple harvests. They should always be consistent in flavor as the winemakers have a specific flavor profile they look to match with all nonvintage bottles.

Cuvée Translates to “the contents of the vat.” These wines are house vintages that have been aging longer than others and have a unique, custom f lavor.

These are special bottles and w ill always be more expensive than the typical NV bottles.

Rosé These pink sparkling wines typically have notes of cherry and strawberry but are not sweet in flavor. They have become increasingly popular recently as a brunch drink or aperitif. Blanc de Blanc Translates to “white of whites” and means that this sparkling wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. These sparklers have light, clean flavors and pair very well with food.

Blanc de Noirs Translates to “white of blacks” and means that this sparkling wine is made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes. This wine has a richer f lavor that a Blanc De Blanc with notes of red berries and vanilla typically present.

SERVING TIPS A well-chilled bottle will have the perfect amount of crispness when you pour it, and as the wine warms up in your glass the f lavors will open up as well. Don’t serve room temperature sparkling wine …ever.

Always chill your bottles before serving. Put it in the fridge for 2-3 hours, or for a quicker solution we suggest filling an ice bucket with ice, cold water and a handful of salt. The salt, ice and water create the perfect chilly bath that will cool down your bottle in 2030 minutes. The ideal temperature for serving sparkling wine is about 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit.

To open the bottle, twist off the wire basket cap and hold your hand over the cork. Gently twist the cork back and forth to ease it out slowly.

Champagne flutes were created for a reason. Their tall, narrow shape helps to channel the bubbles of champagne over your palate for maximum f lavor and texture. Tilt the glass towards you as fill it and gently pour the wine down the side of the flute. Allow the bubbles to settle before filling so it doesn’t overflow.

TIPS FOR STORING SPARKLING WINE Most wine experts don’t suggest keeping a bottle of sparkling wine more than 10 years since storing it can be difficult. If you’re not going to drink it right away, sparkling wine should be stored in a cool, dark, and humid place. The ideal temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Cheers!

Jeb Fiorita is the owner of Val’s Putnam Wines, with locations at 125 West Putnam Avenue and 21 Glenville Street, in Glenville. He can be reached at 203-869-2299.

Page 5 | Greenwich Sentinel

Column: On My Watch (reprint)

Coming to Grips with Greenwich’s Endless Attractions

By Anne W. Semmes Here is a reprint from a past column from Anne as she takes the week off . We noted that not much has changed. We are still grateful for the full landscape of events and friends that fill our Greenwich calendars.

Greenwich is an impossible embarrassment of riches! Just when I get a handle on my day, my week, my month, something pops up, some intriguing event, some art show, some incredible author, concert, or friend’s theatrical production causes a conflict. I’m tearing my hair (it’s beginning to

show) over which to choose!

I’m beginning to dread those “Top 5 Things to Do in Greenwich Today” from the Sentinel (thankfully they’re not 15!) for discovering mustgo-to-events at the last minute like author Andrea Wulf speaking at the Botanical Center on her hit new book The Invention of Nature, that celebrates the visionary German explorer Alexander von Humboldt.

So, I was already booked that night to attend an artist friend’s show of new works. Okay, I can skip the Humboldt talk and just take the book out of the library. But they’re all out with a waiting list!

Oh, boy what I missed, but 85 people didn’t said Lisa Beebe, director of horticulture, who was bowled over by the slide show on Von Humboldt. “He inspired Darwin…met with Thomas Jefferson after his exploration of South America…discovered Walden Pond before Thoreau…traveled to Yosemite…inspired John Muir… the artist Gaudi. Add to that list Wordsworth and Goethe: Humboldt

is credited with “turning scientific observation into poetic narrative.”

Good grief!

While writing this column, the invite came to an appraisal day at Putnam Cottage given by Washington, D.C./Virginia-based auction-appraisals The Potomack Company. That dagger I inherited from my father I wanted to learn more about. And yes to a reception following “to learn current art market trends,” but I was on my way to jazz vocalist-restauranteur’s Antoine Bleck’s scintillating concert in Port Chester!

It’s not as if I don’t have to make a living! And speaking of living, and dying, there are three funerals to attend. Am I’m only catching up with friends at their funerals?

I am beginning to pine for a blizzard to freeze me at home. Or how about a blackout? I remember living in New York when those spectacular blackouts stopped the clock. It was blissful looking out at no action! And by the way who needs to go to New York City when

we have the Metropolitan Opera HD nearby!

Sundays have been the one day I’ve held sacrosanct for a special writing project but they too are starting to crumble. A friend who does impressive outreach in Tanzania invited me to a learn how she’s helping to rescue abandoned children, raise and educate them.

Saying no to her is saying yes to my writing, but she’s a friend! Hair tearing time again.

There are no slow days in the week anymore. Is this why people move to Florida, to calmly gaze at palm trees?

Surely its technology that’s terrorizing my life -online newspapers, emails, Facebook bringing to me these tantalizing events. Heh, there’s no one in town at the controls of managing events!

And I haven’t yet the ability to clone me!

The truth is this town is bursting at its seams with opportunities for learning. It has a population that attracts the very best that is

out there, in the arts, in music, in human interest, in service to the world. Greenwich is a magnet. And my Achilles heel can be described as “curiosity killed the cat.’”

So, “Don’t cry for me Argentina,” it’s all about priorities. And, it only takes a page a day to write a book a year, doesn’t it? So, yes, on Saturday, this bird fancier had to check out the New York Combine Pigeon Show at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, to know what those pigeon racing fanciers were all about.

What a passion! Hundreds upon hundreds, flocking to Greenwich like – pigeons, pardon the pun – from Poland, Germany, Holland, from Maryland to Brooklyn. And all men! The only townie found was that inimitable roving photographer Stephen Marino who was impressed as I was by the extraordinary diversity of the pigeons as well as the rough and ready diversity of pigeon enthusiasts.

Anderson’s been at it for 70 years. And why? “It’s to have a winning pigeon,” he said, who’ll

beat the others back after being released as far as 600 miles from home. I sat with Anderson watching a judge handling snow white “show homers,” to calibrate their muscle tone, eye color, and beaks etc.

Anderson shared a peak moment at age eight, when one of his birds in training did not return. “It was in the fall, and it didn’t return until the following spring. It came tuckered out and in poor condition. I was super excited,” he said.

That homing pigeon became a metaphor for me. With Thanksgiving on the morrow, the time has come to fold my wings around home and family.

At Thanksgiving, all roads lead to home. And this Thanksgiving, my home will smell of roasting turkey and the sweet scent of Paperwhite Narcissus home grown thanks to that Paperwhites (and Amaryllis) planting workshop.

Just another example of that embarrassment of riches that living in Greenwich brings.

Pursuing Excellence in Education

Education Column

A Changing Reality Our Children Now Face

By Eli Shaffer It has become i mpossi ble to deny : k ids c a re a b out t he env ironment and many are increasingly worried about the future of a planet they will soon i n he r it . W it h a r e c e nt f lo o d of scientif ic studies and news coverage detailing the effects a changing climate has had and will have on wildlife, the economy,

national security and quality of life, climate is a topic that is now impossible to avoid. For grade-school aged children, the science can be confusing and the headlines can be anxietyinducing. As parents, teachers and caregivers, it is incumbent upon us to create a context for youth to understand what is going on in a developmentally appropriate way.

Ac c or d i ng to t he Cl i m ate Psychology Alliance, an organization of mental health professionals concerned with the effects of climate instability on mental health, a rising number of children are being treated for a fervent fear that humans will go extinct as a result of their own pollution and damage to the environment, a condition they call “eco-anxiety.” Notably, they resist labeling “eco-anxiety” as a mental

Taking action together with you child can be a meaningful way of assuming control over a challenging situation. illness because it is a “rational” fear, grounded in the reality of a changing global climate.

Recently, the National Audubon Society released a report detailing the threat climate change and associated factors would have on 389 species of birds in North A merica. While the report is certainly reason for concern, Audubon has identified a variety of ways people can take action to mitigate their own impact and

advocate on behalf of the birds and people that will be impacted in the years to come. I highly recommend you visit Audubon.org/climateaction-guide today. As detailed below, taking action together with you child can be a meaningful way of assuming control over a challenging situation. Children are highly resilient when given the tools to understand something scary and complex.

Below is an excerpt from pbs.

org that provides valuable insight and guidance for talking to your child about climate change: The PBS NewsHour asked Lise Van Susteren, a psychologist and climate advocate about the best ways to discuss global warming with children.

Step 1. Find out what the child has heard. Give a child the chance to unburden himself or herself emotionally. Give them plenty of room to do that. You need to know what it is that you’ll need to address.

Step 2 . Be relatable and honest. You need to say, “Well, I’ve heard about those issues too, and I’ll be honest with you, there are a lot of people that are worried about this. You’re not the only one.” Stress that they’re not unusual or crazy or vulnerable for feeling the way they feel.

Step 3. Explain what they can do about it. Use examples they can understand — “Global warming is why we turn off the lights when we leave a room,” or “Climate change is why we bought a hybrid car.” It’s your opportunity to go through the list of things that you do personally as a family to reduce the likelihood of environmental harm to things your child might care about, like animals. If the child is older, tell them to engage in prosocial environmental activities like organizing a cleanup of a park.

Eli Schaffer is the Center Director of the Greenwich Audubon Center at 613 Riversville Rd in Greenwich. He is thrilled to be fulfilling his dream of connecting people to nature by creating a warm and welcoming community center for all those who care for our shared environment.

Education Column

Making Homework Less of a Battlefield

By Mary Forde Although my topic for this week is homework , I am not going to enter into the debate on whether or not homework has an impact on success in school.

There are many studies out there that you can look at if you have the time, which you probably don’t because you’re fighting with your children about homework.

Us ef u l or not , homework will be a part of the home/school connection, at least for the near future. So, how do you make it less of a battlefield? Try thinking less about the content of the homework and more about the orga n i z at iona l sk i l ls, choice ma k i ng a nd task completion aspects of the assignments. You are not responsible for teaching Algebra, that’s the teacher’s job.

You ca n, however, help you r child learn how to manage time, develop some self-awareness about their learning /work ing style and negotiate favorable outcomes.

Today’s children seem to have less free time and fewer decisions about how to spend that time (anecdotal but it feels that way to me). Homework needs to f it in bet ween soccer, scouting, religious education, tutoring and piano lessons. The f irst thing your child should do is to look at all the things they want or need to do across the week, start with those activities that take a least 30 minutes. Then put them into some kind of priority list – “If you could only do one thing, what would it be?” and keep going until the list is in order. Depending on the age of your child, you may want to each make a list and then compare. This should be an indication of the difference between your version of life and your child’s. Here is your f irst opportunity to teach the skills of negotiation. It may be that you hear Wy nton Marsalis ever y time they pick up the trumpet but they just taste spit. Would they be willing to move trumpet practice up on the priorities if

hockey could move up as well?

Priorities completed? Now is the time to try to fit in homework – and yes, something may have to give. This is the time to start (on continue) the road Mick Jagger set out for us a l l, “You ca n’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes, well, you just might find, you get what you need.” And you need to fit in time for homework.

Some things may have to be postponed for a day, a week or longer. Try to make the decision together if at all possible. But sometimes you will have to pull rank - try to make sure it is worth it and feel free to use it when you can give the choice back. “I made the decision about religious school but you can choose whether to play the trumpet or not.” (Sorry Wynton) OK. You have finally identified the hour or so that your child will work on their homework. Find a relatively quiet location which will be the designated homework location. If possible, it shouldn’t be a location that lends itself to delay tactics. If a student is looking to avoid starting/doing homework, it can take at least 30 minutes to clear off the table, find the charger cord, sharpen a pencil, get a drink, and so on and so on. The location can be any where, but keep it clutter free – if it is a spot on the kitchen table, make a placement that says “Saved for work” and make sure nobody puts anything on that space between meals. It is also helpful to make a homework box that is restocked after each homework session (ca n be a plastic bin or a shoe box). In the box is a bottle of water, tissues, c h a r g e r c o r d , p e n c i l s /p e n s , granola bar – whatever your child will/has used as an excuse to get up – and not start homework.

The other item to consider putting in the box is a timer.

There is a recommended amount of time that students should be work ing on homework based on their age – ask the teacher if you’re not sure. Then decide

with your child on how many breaks and how long the breaks will be …tonight. Break time is added to homework time. One hour of homework, two 10 minute breaks=1 hour and 20 minutes for homework tonight. Make a note for yourself so on the next night you can ask – “Last night you took two 10 minute breaks – how did that work? Want to do the same tonight?” This is how children begin to build the profile they w ill have of themselves as students/workers – “Do I do better plowing straight through or am I more productive with a couple of breaks?”

If possible, ref lect on the night’s homework process while you are restock ing the box – “Did you get everything finished?

Do you do the hard stuff f irst or save it for last? How did that work? What did you do when you got stuck? How did that work?”

Once the box is restocked, the homework is done. Whether it was a productive session or not, it is done. Do not stay after the timer goes off. If your child didn’t finish you can ask how they will approach their teacher the next day – but the homework is done.

Homework is not the place to t h r ow dow n t h e g au nt le t a nd engage i n bat t le. S et up the environment for maximum success and then let your child have at it. These are their assignments, not yours. How they complete or don’t complete the work tells a teacher a lot a b out what happ ene d i n t he cla ssr o om a nd is a va lua ble tool for designing instruction.

Your child’s teacher is the best resource in how to handle work that seems to be too hard, too easy, too much or too boring.

Together you can make sure your child stays on track, develops work habits that will last beyond school and maintains a positive relationship with you.

Mary Forde is the Chief Officer of Pupil Personnel Services for Greenwich Public Schools

Black Friday To Cyber Monday Specials.

Up To 50% Off All Services.

Shop at GreenwichMedicalSpa.com

Greenwich • Westport • Scarsdale 203.637.0662 Medical Director: Mitchell Ross, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist Catherine Curtin, APRN • Amanda Pucci, APRN • Shilpa Desai, PA

ROBBE

Page 6 | Greenwich Sentinel

NSTUD

IO

yourCOMMUNITYcalendar

Professional Photo Port raits

GREENWICH for family, BusinessSTUDIO and modeling

Parish House Loft, 254 E. Putnam Ave. This meeting is open and anyone may attend.

203-869-6600 Friday 12 p.m.

AA Meeting - "AA Friday."

Diamond Hill United Methodist Church, 521 East Putnam Ave. This meeting is open and anyone may attend.

203-869-2395 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

AA Meeting - "Greenwich Friday Night Group." Christ Church - Parish House Loft, 254 E. Putnam Ave. This meeting is open and anyone may attend. 203-869-6600 Sunday

1 - 2 p.m.

AA Meeting - "Brunch Bunch Group." Greenwich Hospital - Behind Cafeteria, 5 Perryridge Rd. This meeting is open and anyone may attend. 203-863-3000 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

AA Meeting - "Sunday Afternoon Group." St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Riverside Ave. This meeting is open and anyone may attend.

203-637-2447

continued from page 2

AA MEETINGS Monday 6:30 - 7:30 a.m.

AA Meeting - "Greenwich Morning Men's Group."

Greenwich Baptist Church, 10 Indian Rock Ln. This meeting is open and anyone may attend. 203-869-2807. ct-aa. org/meetings Thursday 6:30 - 7:30 a.m.

AA Meeting - "Greenwich

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

AA Meeting - "12 &12 Group." Christ Church Parish Hall, 254 East Putnam Ave. This meeting is open and anyone may attend. 203-8696600

Morning Men's Group."

Greenwich Baptist Church, 10 Indian Rock Ln. This meeting is open and anyone may attend. 203-869-2807

AL-ANON MEETINGS Thursday 11:30 a.m.

Al-Anon Family Group Meeting: Thursday Noon AFG. St. Catherine of Siena Church - Room 101, school building, 4 Riverside Ave. 203-637-3661. al-anon.org/ al-anon-meetings

12 - 1 p.m.

AA Meeting - "Getting It Together Group." Christ Church - Parish House Loft, 254 E. Putnam Ave. This meeting is open and anyone may attend. 203-869-6600

8 p.m.

Al-Anon Family Group Meeting: Thursday Night AFG. Greenwich Hospital's

7 - 8 p.m.

AA Meeting - "12 & 12 Group." Christ Church -

ROBBE

NSTUD

Capture the perfect moment JOHN FERRIS ROBBEN for your yearbook image.

Professional Photo Port raits Text, call or email for quotes,

for family, Business and modeling questions and appointments

2N 03 JOH F E9 R7 R9 IS0 R9 O5 B 1B E N Email: JFRobben@gmail.com

ROBBE

NSTUD

IO

Watson Pavilion; cafeteria's P ro f es s io n al P h oto P o rt raits meeting room, 5 Perryridge for family, Business and modeling Rd. 203-863-3000 JOHN FERRIS ROBBEN Saturday 9:30 - 10 a.m.

Al-Anon Newcomers. The First Congregational Church of Greenwich - Lounge, 108 Sound Beach Ave. 203-6371791

10 - 11:30 a.m.

Al-Anon Meeting. The First Congregational Church of Greenwich - Lounge, 108 Sound Beach Ave. 203-6371791 4 p.m.

GREENWICH STUDIO Al-Anon Family Group Meeting: Saturday Old Greenwich Men's Group Capture the perfect moment AFG. Saint Saviour's Church - social room on lowerfor level, your yearbook image.

350 Sound Beach Ave. 203637-2262 Text, call or email for quotes, ONGOING

GREENWICH STUDIO

questions and appointments GREENWICH STUDIO

Volunteer Transcribers. The Capture moment 2Capture 0 3the 9 perfect 79 09 51 Greenwich Historical Society the perfect moment “Perpetual Motion” a yearbook image. is seeking volunteers tofor join a your for your yearbook image.

E m a iJourney l : J F Rthrough obben @gmail.com Rick team of volunteer transcribers THROUGH JAN. 2 Text, call or emailcreativity. for quotes, Garcia’s working from home to use Text, call masterful or email for quotes, questions and appointments The Greenwich Police C. Parker Gallery, 409 voice dictation to digitize questions and appointments Department and Riverside Greenwich Ave. 203 9 7 203-6619 0951 handwritten Town records.

Service team up for the This will reveal much new 2 00205.

3a i cparkergallery.com 1 season to offer Em l : J9 F R o7 b b e9 n @ g m0 a i l . c9 om 5 holiday information about early Town THROUGH DEC. 14 residents a free safe ride meetings, land records before E m a“Quilts il: JFR bben@ g m a i l . c home o m for them and their car, ofoCommon Threads the American Revolution and 2019” Exhibit. Cos Cob if they have partaken in too wills, deeds, and genealogy Library, 5 Sinawoy Rd. Free. much holidy cheer. Contact that have never been accessed Viewing hours: Mon, 12-8pm, 203-622-8004. before. CT1640@gmail.com Tue to Sat, 9am-5pm. 203THROUGH DEC. 8

622-6883.

Thoughts on Gratitude and Kindness I was shoppi ng at W hole Foods last Tuesday. It was dreary weather; my mood and everyone else’s ref lected such as I was checking out. It was the standard procedure for a wet November afternoon when I noticed my cashier’s eyeliner was dramatic and stunning. Without a pause, I complimented her, saying I wish I could do my eyeliner like she had. It was just a small comment but she lit up! She explained to me that she’s been trying to do her eyeliner every day, and that practicing her eyeliner made her feel more confident and ready to face the day. She thanked me and encouraged me to practice my

eyeliner too, and that I wasn’t far off from having the same as hers.

It brightened my day, it brightened her day, and as I was leaving I heard her compliment the purse of the woman who was in line behind me. I saw the immediate ripple effect of my one small kindness.

Being kind is the most important way we can better our community, or any community.

Luckily, there is no shortage of ways to be kind. In Greenwich, specifically, we can do things like wave at the crossing guard on the Avenue, participate in local events, and let others have the right of way in the Whole Foods parking lot (but realistically let’s just start

FIGHT OSTEOPOROSIS NO PHARMACEUTICALS NO SIDE EFFECTS

Suzzane's new bone scan shows 8.5% gain in Suzanne's new bone shows 8.5% gain in bone density sincescan joining OsteoStrong! bone density since joining OsteoStrong

T H E B O N E H E A L T H CE N T E R O F G R E E N W I CH

If you don't want to suffer the side effects of osteoporosis drugs, and if you are serious about preventing osteoporosis and building a stronger body, then OsteoStrong is for you.

Backed by an ever-expanding body of scientific research, in short, weekly sessions, our members report more bone density gains than any other therapy.

BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY SESSION NOW

CALL 203-900-1661

10 Milbank Ave - Greenwich, CT www.osteostrong.me BONES

|

STRE NGTH

|

BALANCE

with participating more at local events). In the broader community of those we interact with, beyond just bettering our community but bettering the those around us, there are nine things we can do to better the lives of our loved ones, and of people who we may not even know.

1. Use your basic manners.

Hold doors, please and thank you, smile, hold the elevator, use your turning signal on Greenwich Avenue.

2. When you think a compliment, say it. If you love your friend’s new shoes, let him know. If you love the funky purple hair of the barista at Starbucks, let her know too! It puts a smile on people’s faces and it makes you feel good too.

3. When you can, choose the self less option. I’m not saying always put others before yourself, but I am saying that you can always find an excuse to not help someone else.

4. Donate! Pick up extra food/ stuff and drop it off at Neighbor to Neighbor, purchase some extra dog or cat food and drop it off at the animal control center with some old tennis balls. It’s so simple, and so easy. If you’re shopping at Choice Pet in the Whole Foods

SURVEY From Page 1

assessment, done by the Greenwich United Way, uncovered the need for a local solution to address the increasing numbers of runaway and homeless adole scents. A s a re su lt, t he Junior League of Greenwich, and Hotline, a Greenwich telephone counseling agency, joined forces to create an emergency shelter pilot program known as Kids In Crisis.

Kids in Crisis is there, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to help prevent kids from ever reaching crisis points or manage crises they are in. To volunteer call 203622-6556 or visit https://www. k idsincrisis.org /get-involved / volunteer/ Neighbor to Neighbor Be part of something special – volunteer to help in Neighbor to Neighbor’s

IO

plaza, just pick up an extra toy and drop it in their donation box on the way out. You don’t have to go crazy, but especially around this time of year it’s an amazing feeling to give back.

5. Laugh more. It is scientifically proven that laughing more improves your health. It lowers your blood pressure, stress levels, and releases endorphinsthe happy chemicals. It makes you feel better, and it improves the spirits of those around you. So let loose and laugh 6. Empathize. Practice your skills in empathy. It makes it easier for you to help others. It will help you help your friends, your fa mi ly, your chi ldren, everyone. Most of the time when someone has a problem all the need is someone to listen to them and to empathize.

7. Be patient. This one is important for so many reasons, you have no idea what a person is going through right now, if you can approach a situation with patience you’ll make whatever it is easier for everyone involved.

8. The most obvious, be kind.

Just go about your day with k indness in mind, you’ ll be surprised what a good day you end up having.

Food Pantry or Clothing Room.

The dedicated and enthusiastic team of over 250 volunteers is the driving force behind all they do.

Volunteers assist clients as they shop, sort donations, stock shelves and participate in food drive pick ups. Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular shift or serve as an occasional “substitute.” For more information call 203-6229208 x12 or visit https://www. ntngreenwich.org/how-you-canhelp/volunteer/ You can also donate.

Neighbor to Neighbor appreciates your donations of food, clothing, diapers, sheet, towels and small household items! Everything they distribute in their Clothing Room, and half of the food they distribute, is donated by members of the community. They simply cannot meet the local need for assistance without your generous and dedicated support. Please drop off your new or gently used

9. The most important, enjoy ot her’s happiness as t houg h it were your own. Do things for yourself, self-care is very important. But celebrate other’s happiness as well. Not just for them, but for you, the more happiness you choose to let into your life, the brighter you will have the ability to glow.

Not everyone has to adopt these tenants overnight. If it’s a small movement, if it starts out with just one person who adopts e ven some of t he se t h i ngs , that it a giant step in the right direction. If you only make a difference to one person, you have done a profound thing. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite parables, that of the starfish.

“Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed

items at their donation center in the basement of the Christ Church Greenwich Annex building, 248 East Putnam Ave, Greenwich, CT 06830. Donations may be dropped off Monday through Saturday, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm AND Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 – 5:30 pm.

For more information please visit https://www.ntngreenwich.org/ how-you-can-help/donate-items/ Community Gifts Program is funded by private donations and the Salvation Army to support v a r i o u s fo r m s o f a s s i s t a n c e throughout the year. Donations are overseen by an independent 501(c) (3) Fund and are tax deductible.

The Community Gifts Program spans the following offerings: Boots and Shoes: Provides vo u c h e r s a n d g i f t c a r d s f o r children ages 5 to 15 entering school to purchase footwear.

Campership: Provides camp schola rsh ip, reg istration a nd transportation to several local

that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

T h e you ng m a n p a u s e d , looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To t h i s , t h e y o u n g m a n replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one.” ~Loren Eiseley

by Emma Barhydt

camps and sleep away camps for children 4 to 14 years old.

Holiday Aid: Provides food vo u c h e r s , fo o d b a s k e t s , Toy distribution day and Angel Tree gifts during the holiday season.

For more information call 203622-7700 or visit https://www. greenwichct.gov/545/CommunityPrograms Diane's Books Give a Deserving Child the Gift of Reading as a Diane's Books angel by donating books to deserving chidren whose families cannot af ford books are selected and sent to Diane's. For each selection Diane's Books will offer appropriate age books, giftwrap them and send them off as gifts to inspire hope and imagination and learning!

The letters they get back from children would warm your heart.

Gifts may be donated through h e r we b site at ht t p s: //w w w. dianesbooks.com/AngelTree

Editorial Page

Over the years we have asked our columnists and contributors to share their Thanksgiving thoughts with us and the Greenwich community. Here are some of our favorites from this year and from years passed. We are all grateful to you, our readers!

Thanks Around the Table

By Mark Pruner

One of things we do in our family is to go around the Thanksgiving table and tell what we are thankful for each year.

I am thankful for all the folks who read my column and all the nice things that you have said over the past year via email or as a I meet folks around town.

I’m also thankful that the Greenwich Sentinel has given me a place let people know what’s happening in the market and to be able to counter some of the

less balanced stories out there.

Lastly, I’m thankful that we will see more of my dad this year than in the three previous years combined. It is one of those rare good things that comes from illness.

This Thanksgiving we will all be together, kids, grandkids, and some friends and that to me is what Thanksgiving is about.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Mark

Of Falling Leaves & Memories

By Daniel M. FitzPatrick

a word) by the glorious sight of fallen Maple leaves covering our entire lawn like a bright, multicolored carpet. Ah, New England – what a wonderful place to live!

An old, familiar metaphor came to mind: falling leaves as symbol of the natural cycle of birth and life, death and renewal. I thought of those whom we had lost this year. Friends and relatives, some especially close. But it wasn’t a sad thought. It simply couldn’t be so in that moment on that spectacularly beautiful day.

Instead, there followed memories.

Clear and crisp as the autumn air. Warm, comforting, amusing. Sights, sounds, stories, all blending w ith the subtle Stepping outside recently on a crisp crunch of dry leaves underfoot. A wave of fall morning I was stunned (not too strong emotion came next: pure, unadulterated

thankfulness for being, and for having had those memories. An appreciation of being richer for having had these others in my life. Recognition that their examples encourage, inspire, instruct, guide and support me every day.

We all rush through life intent on something. We rarely stop to enjoy the things we have. More rarely still do we reflect on what we have been given, and offer thanks. And one of the greatest gifts of all is to share in the life of another.

So as we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, let’s take a moment to remember those who, while gone from us, have played a role in making us who we are. Let us give thanks to those “upon whose shoulders we are privileged to stand.” And let’s enjoy the beauty that is fall in New England!

More Impactful Gratitude

By William Finger

Gratitude is a “muscle” we seem to exercise at this time every year. Some people con nect w ith thei r g ratitude every day in order to keep their lives, disappointments and successes in perspective – that’s not a bad idea. Nothing puts life into perspective better during a bad time than to reach back and realize there is usually something for which we can be grateful. At this time of thanksgiving, it is a good idea to remind oneself to make a conscientious effort to find and realize on a more frequent basis times of good fortune or blessings.

Personally I have much to be grateful for. First and foremost I am grateful for my family and friends; for their love and friendship, and knowing that I have them in

my life. I do believe, however, that gratitude alone without compassion and a sense of responsibility toward others less fortunate renders one’s own sense of gratitude fleeting and at times empty. As part of a larger community one has a moral obligation to find ways to give back to that community in some way; and in particular find ways to be helpful to those who may be less fortunate.

So as we reflect on this Thanksgiving and consider both what gratitude means to us and what we are grateful for, we should consider that our sense of personal gratitude may be more impactful if it is accompanied by empathy, respect, and understanding for others, as well as heartfelt efforts to find ways to make positive contributions in our communities. Happy Thanksgiving.

Wisdom of Grandmothers

By Edward Dadakis

will gather with their family and friends to give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed upon them.

What people are grateful for will vary greatly. Some are bound to express thanks for material things; others may be thankful that their favorite football team won the game that afternoon, but my guess is that most people will give thanks for things that are much less concrete.

I remember as a little boy visiting my grandmother in Baltimore. We saw a commercial for a sweepstakes-- I think it was an early version of Publishers Clearing House. I remember saying "Mommom I want to win that."

She replied " Money isn't that important.

The most important thing is your health.

Tomor r ow i s T h a n k s g i v i n g . I n Without your health you have nothing."

Greenwich, and around America, people I argued back that I'd trade good health

for that sweepstakes win in a second. Ahh the naïveté of a child compared to the wisdom of a grandmother.

Tomor row as my fa m i ly gat hers for dinner there will be some sadness.

Since last Thanksgiving we lost three close relatives --an uncle, an aunt and a cousin. We will be grateful for having had them in our lives and knowing that each of them lived well, laughed often, and loved much but there will be something missing. And for the rest of us still enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, we will have much to be grateful for especially our good health because, as my grandmother said, that is the most important thing.

May God bless you, your family and friends as you celebrate this Thanksgiving Day.

Reach Greenwich Sentinel readers ...the best, most loyal readers in town! www.greenwichsentinel.com/advertise/

Page 7 | Greenwich Sentinel

PUBLISHER Beth@GreenwichSentinel.com Elizabeth Barhydt EDITORS & COPY EDITORS Editor@GreenwichSentinel.com Caroll Melgar, Stapley Russell, Anne W. Semmes, Emma Barhydt

Buy Local It happened. The holidays are here. Thanksgiving will come and go faster than a warm apple pie. To make sure you know it was over, we will be inundated with Black Friday and Cyber Monday emails, social media posts, and stories on the news. The 2019 holiday shopping bonanza has begun!

It is easy to get caught up in the frenzy of holiday shopping, especially when our emails are f illed with enticing savings if we ‘purchase on-line before midnight’. But we lose a personal touch in the frenzy.

In the midst of this weekend is “Small Business Saturday,” meant to encourage buying local and supporting small businesses. It is understandable if you did not know this.

Larger stores have larger budgets and the ability to make sure their marketing messaging is getting to you easily. What that means for us is that if we want to “buy local” we need to work a little harder at it. But it is worth it.

Buying local and supporting small businesses is at the core of our local economy and is such an important part of what makes Greenwich, well…

Greenwich. If we did not have stores such as Sophia’s, McArdle’s, Dogwood Books, and many others, the feel of our community would be very different indeed.

One of the great things about having a community paper is the opportunity to really get to know our local business community. It is diverse. From financial services, to real estate, to the local Mom & Pop stores; they all work in tandem to ensure our local economy

Did you know that for every $100 you spend in a local, small business $68 remains in the community in the form of taxes and ancillary spending? keeps chugging along. Our retail businesses and restaurants are the heartbeat of that economic engine.

It is important we support them.

Did you know that for every $100 you spend in a local, small business $68 remains in the community in the form of taxes and ancillary spending? This is a good thing because it enriches the entire business community, gives people jobs and is even good for the environment. When you buy local you tend to develop a relationship with those establishments you frequent which leads to better customer service and experience. We have all been frustrated by calling an 800 number to return a poorly purchased item, been transferred four different times only to give up and regift the item for someone’s birthday.

When you purchase an item online, it may be quicker but it does nothing to help the local economy.

Shopping locally also has the benef it of raising property values. Vibrant neighborhood shopping areas, like Cos Cob, are an advantage when selling your home because it makes your home more valuable. It also strengthens our community. Local businesses are often owned by people who live in our town, go to our churches and synagogues, donate to Kids in Crisis and coach little league teams. When we shop locally, we are supporting our neighbors.

Local businesses also give a community its personality. You can visit almost any town in the country and find a McDonald’s that sells the same burger you can get at the McDonald’s here in Greenwich, but nowhere else will you get a scallop salad as good as the one at CREW restaurant. You can order from Amazon, but if you want to ensure you little ballerina’s Pointe Shoes fit properly you should visit Beam & Barre. The combined presence of our town’s many local businesses makes Greenwich different from every other town, not just in the country, but in the world. By supporting local businesses you are ensuring that uniqueness is preserved as part of our community. And it’s not just the retail and restaurants.

Visiting weekly Farmer’s Markets is a great way to support agriculture in our state and get fresh, locally grown produce. Does your child actually want green eggs? You cannot get them at a super market, but you can at a farmer’s market.

This holiday season we hope you will think local and buy local. Happy shopping.

Page 8 | Greenwich Sentinel

On Faith Feature

Do You Live on Thanksgiving Street?

By Marek P. Zabriskie I awoke Thanksgiving Day eight years ago and looked out the window. It was a crisp, sunny, fall day. My mother’s house was silent. We were visiting the town of Sharon – a quintessential New England village tucked away in the northwest corner of Connecticut.

My mother had breast cancer and was undergoing radiation treatment. It had robbed much of her energy. We were grateful to have a wonderful family dinner.

Afterwards, our girls lingered downstairs talking to my mother. I heard happy voices in the hallway

as they hugged their grandmother goodnight. I sat in bed reading and felt content.

The next morning, I awoke, s h owe r e d a n d r e s p o n d e d to emails from a priest from England who wanted his church to join a ministry that I started called The Bible Challenge and a priest in Pakistan who needed study Bibles in the Urdu language for his church, which serves the poorest of the poor. I was grateful that with the touch of computers keys I could offer help to both.

Later, I took our dogs for a walk across the old estate, where my mother lived. Our corgis walked through tall grasses. We startled a pheasant, which our youngest corg i chased. A deer moved unobtrusively through the woods.

My eyes enjoyed the beauty of the landscape – fields bordered by old stone walls, forests stretching to the horizon, rolling hills and f ly-fishing streams bisecting the landscape. I counted my blessing as the dogs and I walked.

My mother was receiving good medical treatment. Our family

was happy. Our daughters were thriving. Our lives were rich in blessings.

We live in a great country, rich with natural beauty, with a fine judicial system, political toleration and civil rights. We elect our leaders, have great universities and a strong economy. So many of us live on Thanksgiving Street.

Yet, some 15 million American children will wake up on Tha n k sg iv i ng hu ng r y a nd i n poverty, and 20 million children will wake up with a parent who is or has been in jail. These children are six times more likely to get in significant trouble themselves.

Nearly a f ifth of America’s food goes to waste each year, an estimated 130 pounds per person worth $31 billion. Roughly 40 million people could be fed with what we waste, more than twice the number of people who die annually of starvation. Not everyone lives on Thanksgiving Street. We need to care for those in need.

A s I wa l ked on t h is cr isp Thanksgiving Day morning, I knew that my cup overflowed. Blessings

a bou nded. L ife was good. I returned home, made some tea, said my prayers and read these words from Psalm 100: Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song….

Enter his gates with thanksgiving…

I realized that every day can be Thanksgiving Day, if we count our blessings. The key to happiness is being content with what we already have.

The first Thanksgiving came at the end of a brutal first year in the New World. The Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth after a grueling twomonth voyage. They faced a bitter winter. Many nearly starved to death. Half of those who set out from England died that first year.

Everyone had lost someone very significant in their life.

As the anniversary of their arrival in the New World approached, they faced a major decision. How would they mark the anniversary? Some suggested

that they hold a day of mourning to honor those whom they had lost. They called for a day of lamentation. But others wanted to focus on thanksgiving for indeed they were spared and there were signs of hope.

Those who favored a day of thanksgiving carried the day, and Governor Bradford called for a “time to rejoice together.” Rather than turning bitter, the Pilgrims chose to celebrate and offer thanks to God. That is a spiritual event that our nation continues to do and something that each of us needs to reconsider in times of our own difficult struggles, which often pale by comparison.

The Pilgrims understood that gratitude is a way of looking at the world that does not change the facts of life around us but enable us to live with hope. If we look at our families, friends, home, work, neighbors, nation, health, opportunities and security, we can count countless blessings.

On that first Thanksgiving in 1621 the Pilgrims gathered with their neighbors, the Wampanoag

people, to celebrate a feast and offer thanks for a successful harvest.

The feast lasted three days. The P i lg r i ms prov ided the i n itia l meal, and the Wampanoag people responded in kind with the gift of five deer. People who could easily have been enemies united and shared a meal.

Thankful people are the most mentally healthy. Gratitude is spiritually transformative. The more we count our blessings the more likely we are to notice God’s gifts and appreciate things that could easily be taken for granted.

I invite you to give it a try.

Devote a few minutes of prayer each day to thank God for things that you already have and for what has recently taken place in your life.

Count your blessings quietly. Just say, “Thank you, God.” The more you count them, the more you will find. Your blessings will multiply, and you will find yourself living on Thanksgiving Street.

By the Rev. Marek P. Zabriskie, Rector of Christ Church Greenwich

Worship & Events Calendar ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Harvest Time Church 1338 King St., 203-531-7778 www.htchurch.com

Service: Sun 9 & 11am; Wed 7pm - Family Life Night. Spanish: Thur & Sat 7:30pm; Sun 4pm.

Sunday School, 10:30-11:15am. Service Stamford campus, Sun 10am, Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St. Every Wed, from Jan. 10-March 28: The Alpha Course, 7-8:30pm. Connie's Circle - Every Sat, 10am-1pm.

BAPTIST First Baptist Church 10 Northfield St.; 203-869-7988 www.firstbaptistgreenwich.com

Sun: Service 11am, School 10am. Wed: Bible Study 7:30pm.

Greenwich Baptist Church 10 Indian Rock Ln; 203-869-2807 www.greenwichbaptist.org

Sun: Prayer in chapel 9:15-9:30am; Bible Study, 9:30am; Worship 11am. Wed: Prayer & Bible Study 7-8:15pm. Every first Sat. of the month: Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast, 8-9:30am.

CATHOLIC Sacred Heart Church 95 Henry St.; 203-531-8730

Mass: Mon-Fri 7am, Sat 4 & 5:30pm, Sun: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30am Confessions: Sat 3:30 & 5pm.

The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Agnes St. Agnes: 247 Stanwich Rd; St. Catherine of Siena: 4 Riverside Ave; 203-637-3661 www.stcath.org

Worship: Sat: St. Catherine (Church) 5pm (Vigil) Celebrated with organ and cantor.

Sun: St. Catherine (Church) 7:30, 9, 10:30am and 5pm; St. Agnes: 8:30 and 10am. Daily Mass: St. Catherine (Chapel) Mon through Fri: 7am and 5:15pm. Holy Day: St. Catherine (Church) Eve: 5:15pm (Vigil); Day: 7am, 12:10 and 5:15pm. Masses in other Languages: St. Catherine (Chapel)September to June: French Mass 2nd Sun, 11am; Italian Mass, 3rd Sun, 11am; Spanish Mass 4th Sun, 11am.

Year-round: Korean Mass Every Sun, 5pm.

Reconciliation - Sacrament of Penance: St. Catherine (Sacristy) Sat: 3-4pm or by appt at St. Catherine or St. Agnes. . Thanksgiving Mass & Food Collection (for Neighbor to Neighbor): Nov. 28, 9am.

St. Mary Church 178 Greenwich Ave.; 203-869-9393 www.stmarygreenwich.org

Mass: Mon-Fri 7am & 12:05pm; Sat 8am; Sun 7, 9, 10:30am, 12:15 and 5:15pm Sat Vigils: 4 and 7:30pm (Spanish). Confession: Sat 2:453:45. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Mon 11am-12pm. Walking With Purpose, Tue 9:30am. Choir Rehearsals, Thu: Children 5:30-6pm, Youth 6-7, Adults 7:30-9:15.

St. Michael the Archangel 469 North St.; 203-869-5421 www.stmichaelgreenwich.com

Mass: Mon-Fri: 7:45am, 9am; Sat 9am, Vigil Mass 5pm; Sun: 7, 9, 10:30am, 12, 5pm.

Bible Study: Thu 7pm.

St. Timothy Chapel 1034 North St.; 203-869-5421 Mass: Sat 4pm; Sun: 9:30 & 11am.

St. Paul Church 84 Sherwood Ave. | 203-531-8741 www.stpaulgreenwich.org

Mass: Vigil Sat: 4pm; Sun: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30am; Mon to Thurs 9am. Holy Day schedule: Vigil: 5:30pm Holy Day: 9am and 12:15pm. First Friday Mass & Benediction 9am. St. Paul Volunteers in Action, Fri mornings, office@stpaulgreenwich.org or 203-531-8741. Sacrament of Reconciliation Sat 3-3:45pm or by appointment.

St. Roch Church 10 St. Roch Ave.; 203-869-4176 www.strochchurch.com

Mass: Mon, Tue, Frid: 7:30pm; Sat 4pm, Vigil Mass 4pm; Sun: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30am Social Hour (immediately after 9:30 Mass).

Confession: Sat 3-3:45pm. Prayer Group (Spanish) Fri 8pm.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE First Church of Christ, Scientist 11 Park Place; 203-869-2503 www.christiansciencect.org/greenwich

Service and Sunday School 10:30am Wed. Service 7:30pm. Childcare.

COMMUNITY First Church of Round Hill 464 Round Hill Rd.; 203-629-3876 www.firstchurchofroundhill.com

Service: Sundays 10am Holy Communion: first Sun every month.

Round Hill Community Church 395 Round Hill Rd.; 203-869-1091 www.roundhillcommunitychurch.org

Service & Church School: Sun 10am (childcare available) followed by Coffee Hour; Summer Meditation Schedule: Thurs, 6:30pm.

CONGREGATIONAL The First Congregational Church 108 Sound Beach Ave; 203-637-1791 www.fccog.org

Regular Worship and Church School: Sun 10am in Meetinghouse. Caregivers Support Group, 1st Sun 11:15am-12pm. Hats Off Book Discussion Group, Thu 10-11:30am. Giving Trees: through Dec. 4, 4:30pm. H.O.M.E. North Greenwich Congregational 606 Riversville Rd.; 203-869-7763 www. northgreenwichchurch.org

Service: Sun 10:30am. Communion first Sunday of month.

Second Congregational Church 139 E Putnam Ave.; 203-869-9311 Family-friendly Evensong Service, Sat 5pm. Sunday Services: 8:30 & 10:30am.

Gingerbread Workshop: Dec. 7, 10am.

Christmas Piano Serenade: Dec. 8, 5pm.

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

Sunday Worship - May 18-Sept 15: Holy Eucharist, Rite 2, 8am; Holy Eucharist, Rite 2, 10am; Compline & Commuion, 5pm.

Sunday Educational Offerings: Exploration Series, Youth Formation & Church School, 10:10am. Tue: Holy Eucharist, 10am. Nov. 28: Thanksgiving Day Worship - Holy Eucharist, Rite II, 10am; TBC: Thanksgiving Lunch, 11:30am.

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church 954 Lake Ave.; 203-661-5526 www.stbarnabasgreenwich.org

Sun: Holy Eucharist Rite I 8am, Holy Eucharist Rite II, 10am; Worship, Church School & Nursery 10am. Serve dinner at Pacific House, fourth Tue of the month, 5:30pm.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 200 Riverside Ave.; 203-637-2447 www.stpaulsriverside.org

Service: Sun: Holy Eucharist, 8am; Christian Education Formation (Sunday School), 10; Holy Eucharist, 10:15; Coffee Hour, 11:30.

St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church 350 Sound Beach Ave; 203-637-2262 www.saintsaviours.org

Sun: Rite I Eucharistic Service, 8am. Rite II Eucharistic Service, 10am. School and childcare offered during 10am service.

JEWISH Chabad Lubavitch of Greenwich 75 Mason St.; 203-629-9059 www.chabadgreenwich.org

Shabbat Prayer, Study and Kiddush, Chassidic Philosophy 8:45am, Sat 9:30am; Torah reading and discussions 10:30am; Youth Services 11am. Women’s Torah Study Group, Wed 9:30am. Mommy & Me: Musical Shabbat Tue & Fri, 9:15-10:15am, during summer: 12:30pm. Through Dec. 22: Mommy & Me Fall Session begins (0-24 months), 9:20am, register.

Congregation Shir Ami One W. Putnam Ave; 203-274-5376 www.congregationshirami.org

Shir Ami Religious grades K-6, Tues, 4-6pm, B’nai Mitzvah Classes; Shabbat Services two Fridays a month.

Greenwich Reform Synagogue 92 Orchard St.; 203-629-0018 www.grs.org

Shabbat services, Fri 7pm. Adult Jewish Learning, Sun 10am. Religious school, Sun 9-11:30am. Introduction to Judaism, Tue 7pm. Through Dec. 21: ‘Baby & Me’ program, 11am-12pm. Terrific Tots at the JCC Preschool: Nov. 25 & 27, 9:30am.

Temple Sholom 300 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-869-7191 www.templesholom.com

Service: Fri 6:30pm; Sat 10am; Sun 8:30am.

Candle Lighting: Fri night. Shabbat Study: Sat 9am. Minyan: Sun 8:30am. Lunch ‘n Learn: Tue 12pm. Itsy Bitsy Playgroup: Wed 10:30am.

LUTHERAN First Lutheran Church 38 Field Point Rd.; 203-869-0032 www.flcgreenwich.org

Service: Sun 10:30am followed by coffee and fellowship. Wed: education ages 3.5 & up 2:30-5:15pm at St. Paul Lutheran.

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran 286 Delavan Ave.; 203-531-8466

Service: Sun 9am, Bible Study 10:30.

METHODIST

First United Methodist Church 59 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-629-9584 www.fumcgreenwich.com

Sunday Service: 9:30am; Korean, 11:30am.

Sunday School: 11:30am (English/Korean).

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal 42 Lake Ave.; 203-661-3099

Service: Sun 11am Bible Study: Wed. 6pm.

Diamond Hill United Methodist 521 E. Putnam Ave.; 203-869-2395 www.diamondhillumc.com

Worship & Sunday School: 10am.

Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Nov. 26, 7:30-8:30pm.

NONDENOMINATIONAL Dingletown Community Church 376 Stanwich Rd.; 203-629-5923 www.dingletownchurch.org

Service & Sunday School: Sundays 10:30am followed by coffee hour. Holy Communion: first Sun of each month. Sunday School 11am.

Revive Church 90 Harding Rd., Old Greenwich (Old Greenwich Civic Center) www.myrevive.org

Service: Sunday 10am. Childcare and children’s ministry available.

Stanwich Church 202 Taconic Rd.; 203-661-4420 www.stanwichchurch.org

Sunday Services: Greenwich location (202 Taconic Rd.), 9 & 10:45am (June 9-Sept 2, 10am only); Stamford location (579 Pacific St.), 6pm. Thanksgiving Eve Service: Nov. 27, 7-8pm.

The Albertson Memorial Church 293 Sound Beach Ave; 203-637-4615 www.albertsonchurch.org

Worship Sun: 11-12:30pm. Wednesdays: Spirit speaks-beginner psychic & mediumship development, 7-9pm, $20 per class.

Trinity Church 1 River Rd.; 203-618-0808 www.trinitychurch.life

Worship: Sun 10am, Greenwich Hyatt Regency, 1800 E. Putnam Ave. PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church 1 W. Putnam Ave.; 203-869-8686 www.fpcg.org

Worship Sun: 10am with childcare, Chapel, 5pm (new); Children’s Mini-Chapel 10:15am.

Food for the Table 2nd Thurs 3-5pm; Shelter for the Homeless 2nd Thurs 5:30-7pm.

Grace Church of Greenwich 8 Sound Shore Dr, 203-861-7555 www.gracechurchgreenwich.com

Worship Sun: 8:45 & 10:45am at 89 Maple Ave.; childcare provided.

Living Hope Community Church 38 West End Ave; 203-637-3669 www.LivingHopeCT.org

Worship Sun: 10am. Bible study: Mon 7:15-9pm. Women’s Bible Study Tue 9:3011:30am. Mothers of Preschoolers 1st/3rd Wed of month 9:15-11:45am. Bibles & Bagels Sat 7:30-8:30am. World Vision Storehouse: Nov. 23, 9:10am-3pm.

Page 9 | Greenwich Sentinel

Sophia’s, A Great Local Find for Fun Gifts

Nestled just off the Avenue on Liberty Way sits a Greenwich gem.

For 39 years, Sophia's has been a one-stop shop gift and costume emporium, attracting customers from all over.

Owner Sophia Scarpelli grew up in Cos Cob, and attended Cos Cob School and Greenwich High School.

She originally opened up a furniture refinishing and seat weaving business, and later sold antiques. Scarpelli then focused on selling and renting vintage clothing, which she began to collect while she was in high school.

Scarpelli, who sings in a band, says she was always the lead in every play as a child. A fan of Big Band Music, she used to dress up as a member of The Manhattan Transfer and wear 1940’s style clothing.

“It kind of snowballed,” Scarpelli said of her clothing collection. “I love old and beautiful things.”

Her costume rental business was born, and it has been an integral part of Sophia's ever since. From ancient world to the 1990’s and everything in between, the top floor of Sophia's is packed wall-to-wall with costumes and accessories for all occasions. Unlike replica costumes from a party store, Sophia's costumes are real and genuine.

Sophia's rents out thousands of costumes per year.

Recently, the store put together a Nutcrackerthemed party. Guests had to wear either 18th century clothing or dress as a character from the ballet.

Having personal relationships and connections with customers is important for Scarpelli, who takes pride in the fact that her staff knows the inventory inside and out. This knowledge helps customers find that perfect gift for someone, or an historically accurate costume for that big party.

"We know our customers’ names, we know what they bought last month or last year, and people like that.

Inside Sophia’s store, a mecca for unique gifts and interesting costumes, are the holiday gems on display, located just off Greenwich Avenue on Liberty Way. They like the personal service you don't get online," she said.

Because there are so few stores of its kind in Greenwich, Sophia's has become known as the place to get a funny, unique gift. "I want my store to be a place where everyone can buy something," Scarpelli said.

Customers can even browse beautiful estate jewelry that Scarpelli consigns, as well as fine soap and lotion products.

For the holidays, Sophia's has everything from handmade ornaments, which she gives out to each child that walks into the store, to solutions for those

troublesome stocking stuffers. The racks of socks, oven mitts, and packs of gum and mints, which feature funny illustrations and messages on them, are always a big hit.

Scarpelli handpicks everything in the store, and often finds unique items at various shows and conventions around the country.

"I try to find stuff you don't see everywhere," she said.

In the age of online shopping, Amazon and corporate retail stores, Sophia's is somewhat of a dying breed, especially in Greenwich. Small mom-and-pop stores, which used to line Greenwich Avenue, are few and far between. Scarpelli said she has seen the landscape of Greenwich change over the years. She recalls the days when Greenwich Avenue was a twoway street.

But one thing has remained true: shopping local and supporting local businesses is vital to the community. "[Supporting local business] is everything," Scarpelli said. "If people don't support, you're going to have ghost towns everywhere. Stores like me, they make the town."

The support Scarpelli has received from the Greenwich community has been invaluable to her small business over the last 39 years, and she’s hoping more people realize that small business owners are the lifeblood to the town.

"The most incredible people have walked through that door. Famous people have walked through that door, normal people have walked through that door.

But the people that have walked through that door have changed my life," she said.

For more about Sophia’s, visit the store at 1 Liberty Way, or call 203-869-5990. You can also go to sophiascostumes.com.

Diane’s Books

Sparking the Imagination, the Ultimate Gift

By Michelle Moskowitz ’ Tis the season for family gatherings, holiday gift giving and perhaps, storytelling by the fire, and so this reporter sat down with Diane Garrett, proprietor of one of Greenwich’s premiere and longstanding local businesses, Diane’s Books, to get her take on the impact that books have on our lives.

Speaking with Garrett, one is instantly swept up in her passion for books and for the gem of a family bookstore she founded 26 years ago at 8A Grigg Street, right off Greenwich Avenue.

Dressed in a chic black skirt and blazer adorned with a colossal, cheery red ribbon and wearing lipstick to match, Garrett appears ageless and effervescent when

showcasing the more than 7,600 titles packed in the quaint, manyroomed shop.

What resonates most d e e p l y w it h G a r r e t t i s t h at , after almost three decades in business, her greatest success has been witnessing the immense effect that books have had on generations of readers.

“We truly care about raising readers, and we want everyone to fall into reading,” said Garrett.

“Today more than ever, it’s so important for us all to escape into a great story and embrace the journey that a book provides.”

Garrett, originally from Canada, came to Greenwich in 1982 with her three children when her husband was transferred for his company.

Garrett quickly embraced the community, and having received a

master’s degree in library science from the University of Toronto, she knew that she wanted to work with books in some way, shape or form.

Her true calling manifested itself in creating the ultimate literary destination—a shop where people of all ages can experience the immense joy and wonderment particular to reading; all these years later, Diane’s Books is going stronger than ever.

Even though many people discouraged her from opening a bookstore in town (there were seven at that time), Garrett felt strongly that a dedicated family bookstore, with a handpicked selection of exceptional titles, was a necessary addition to this highly educated community. “ Yo u c a n ’t r a i s e l i f e l o n g Diane Garrett of Diane’s Books. (Michelle Moskowitz photo) readers if the whole family doesn’t

Sell at Auction in New York Greenwich Consignment Day Tuesday, December 10 Doyle Specialists are currently evaluating Books, Prints, Coins and more for auction consignment or immediate purchase.

Please contact us to schedule a private appointment.

NI 3O TH VE RS AR Y!

Kathy.Brackenridge@Doyle.com 212-427-4141, ext 211

read,” Garrett said. “I knew that having a shop with something for everyone was key.”

Asked what is the key element in fostering a true love for reading in a child, her reply was instant and emphatic.

“Read out loud every single day to your children, no matter what their age, even up until college. Cuddle up together, read to them and let them get lost in their imagination,” said Garrett.

In fact, Garrett reads a story (or two) at each of her staff meetings, which she says is a tradition that her team values and looks forward to.

One of her read-aloud favorites is “E Is for Ethics: How to Talk to Kids About Morals, Values, and What Matters Most,”

by Ian James Corlett.

As many parents struggle with the pervasiveness of technology and ubiquitous digital distractions, Garrett professed that it’s critical to expose kids to all types of books and genres—ever y thing f rom joke books to science-fiction to biographies in order to find out what ignites them to “fall into reading” and get them excited.

Perhaps her favorite genre for kids is that of fairy tales; she fondly talked about one of her grandchildren, aged 15, requesting that Garrett re-read out loud some of her most treasured tales.

“It’s the wonder, the magic, the imagination of a good story that sparks something in all of us,” adds Garrett.

Ultimately, Garrett attributes the store’s long-standing success to her underlying business principles, which she refers to as “the 4 C’s”: compassion, community service, curiosity and communication.

Gar rett praised her hardworking team, comprised of 15 parttime staff members, whom she refers to as her “Dazzling Divas.”

Each staff member “runs a piece of real estate” (or genre in the store) and has fostered an expertise in that particular genre.

Perhaps it’s this collective expertise that enables the staff to diligently match their readers with enticing book selections that makes Diane’s unique and keeps customers coming back.

During the holiday season, Diane’s Books runs its annual

outreach program, called the Angel Tree Program, in which more than 400 beautifully wrapped books are donated to local children in need, with the goal of changing lives one book at a time.

In addition to quarterly newsletters consisting of book descriptions on newly released, ve t t e d t i t l e s , G a r r e t t o f fe r s consultations for book groups.

Diane’s Books also has its own Book of the Month program to foster a love of reading with friends and family.

But one of the shop’s most notable offerings is its popular Red Flyer Gift Wagons, a long-standing tradition that includes gifting little wagons filled to the brim with handselected books for babies, children and adults—perfect for the holidays, but also popular for birthdays or any special occasion.

Store hours are Mon. through Sat. 9-5 p.m. and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays throughout the month of December.

For more holiday gift ideas and information, visit dianesbooks.com or call (203) 869-1515.

Reprinted.

AN

HUNTER DOUGLAS ♦ GRABER® CONRAD SHADES ♦ DESIGNER FABRICS Free measuring & installation.

James Cain First Edition Sold for $1,625

JSJ WINDOW TREATMENTS, INC. Serving Greenwich since 1989

BLINDS | DRAPES | SHUTTERS | CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY DOYLE

AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS 175 EAST 87TH ST

DOYL E.C OM

NEW YORK, NY 10128

3 Strickland Avenue, Cos Cob ♦ 203-661-5123 ♦ www.jsjwindowtreatments.com Showroom hours: Monday – Friday 10 – 5pm, Saturday 10 – 2pm

Page 10 | Greenwich Sentinel

A Little Downtime Fun

Holiday Films for After the Turkey & the Game Available on Netflix and Other Streaming Services

Rocky (1976) A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

Home for the Holidays (1995)

Holiday Inn (1947)

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Look to Buy Local

White Christmas (1954)

Astrology Column For Week of Dec 1, 2019

Threads & Treads and the Yardis family are proudly celebrating 40 years serving the Greenwich community stocking and fitting the finest active footwear & apparel.

Favorite brands for the holidays include Patagonia, Johnnie O, Arcteryx, and Rhone along with a fully stocked sneaker collection featuring On Running, Asics, Hoka, New Balance & more.

Th re ads & Tre ads a lso orga n i ze s t he world's longest running multi-sport series, the 8 event HSS Greenwich Cup, with a Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Day at Tod's Point and their famous & festive Jingle Bell Jog December 15.

Go to threadsandtreads.com for event info and stop by their shop @ 17 East Putnam Ave. in downtown Greenwich.

McArdle's expert team of Floral & Garden Designers make the holidays magical.

Elegant living artworks & curated giftware, and the finest natural home & garden decor, customized to suit your taste & style, and hand-delivered, with love & care, to you & yours.

Stop by today for an inspired holiday. 49 Arch Street, Greenwich.

Holiday Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:00am6:00pm & Sundays 9:00am-5:00pm

SAGITTARIUS 23 Nov-21 Dec Jupiter, your ruler, in earthy Capricorn from tomorrow, means a more direct approach to money matters and your material status is necessary. Everything you are entitled to will come your way faster if you cut out the middle man.

GEMINI 22 May-21 June You seem to think there is a hidden agenda and you alone are being kept in the dark. A clearer case of paranoia would be hard to imagine.

As Jupiter changes signs this week it will soon be clear you know all there is to know about everything that matters.

CAPRICORN 22 Dec-20 Jan As Jupiter, planet of luck, starts a 13-month stay in your sign, your fortunes will change for the better – in fact, this should be one of the best times of your life. All the good deeds you’ve ever done will now be repaid in full – with interest added.

CANCER 22 June-23 July Affairs of the heart are always high on your agenda but they will be higher still now that Jupiter, planet of good fortune, is moving to focus on your relationships for the next 13 months or so. Love is in the air already – make the most of it.

AQUARIUS 21 Jan-19 Feb Someone in authority views you as a threat and would like to see you brought down a peg or two. They are unlikely to get their way as everyone else thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread.

Even so, be on your guard, just in case.

LEO 24 July-23 Aug Don’t dwell on minor details this week. What should concern you now is the bigger picture: namely, your place and role in the world at large. Everyone is born with a purpose and a plan – and you are closer than ever to discovering what they are.

PISCES 20 Feb-20 March If you are bored with the same old faces and places this is the moment to start making changes.

New people whose friendship you should make an effort to cultivate will enter your life over the next few weeks.

Exciting things are coming your way.

VIRGO 24 Aug-23 Sept Your confidence levels tend to fluctuate but they will be higher than ever this week as Jupiter enters the most dynamic area of your solar chart. Whatever targets you’ve set yourself you should aim higher still.

You’re in the mood to scale mountains.

ARIES 21 March-20 April An offer that comes out of the blue this week may look too good to be true but as Jupiter, planet of luck, crosses the midheaven point of your chart you should not dismiss it out of hand. It could just be that “chance of a lifetime” you’ve been waiting for.

LIBRA 24 Sept-23 Oct You are good at hiding emotions but this week you’ll get the chance to let partners and loved ones know how much you really care. Just be careful not to go from one extreme to the other. It could be embarrassing if everyone ends up in tears.

TAURUS 21 April-21 May As from tomorrow the cosmic balance tilts in your favour and if you are true to your nature you will take advantage of it at every chance you get. As a Taurus you were put on this earth to build and create.

Make that your aim this week.

SCORPIO 24 Oct-22 Nov The next few days could be among your best ever as lucky Jupiter brings great joy into your life.

Much of that joy will come from spending time with friends, relatives and the kind of people who accept you for who and what you really are.

Discover more about yourself at sallybrompton.com

Reach Greenwich Sentinel readers ...the best, most loyal readers in town! www.greenwichsentinel.com/advertise/

Page 11 | Greenwich Sentinel

WE CAN DO BETTER THAN YOUR BANK!

DEAL DIRECT WITH THE DECISION MAKERS YOUR LEADERS IN LENDING COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL www.greenwichfirst.com NMLS#510513

KEVIN S. O’CONNELL

FRANK J. GAUDIO

EVAN R. CORSELLO

PORT CHESTER 500 Westchester Avenue Port Chester, New York 10573 Tel 914.908.5444

GREENWICH 444 East Putnam Avenue Cos Cob, CT 06807 Tel 203.629.8400

STAMFORD 900 Summer Street Stamford, CT 06905 Tel 203.413.6101

VP/Commercial Lending Officer 203.302.4378

CEO/President NMLS #763755 203.302.4375

SVP/Chief Lending Officer NMLS #1253810 203.302.4003

FBOG_GREENWICH_SENTINEL_AD_2019_R1.indd 1

4/2/19 9:38 AM

Column: Wildly Successful

Bats Are Utterly Unique Among Mammals

By Jim Knox

A s we f l ip ou r c a le nd a r s f rom October to Novem ber and our Halloween focus shifts to Thanksgiving, we bid a fall farewell to perhaps the season’s most iconic creature--the bat.

Connecticut is home to eight bat species: the Eastern Long-eared Bat, the Eastern Pipistrelle, the Silver-haired Bat, the Hoary Bat, The Indiana Bat, The Red Bat, The Little Brown Bat and The Big Brown Bat. The rare, Eastern Small-footed Bat has not been recorded in our state for several decades.

The two species most commonly found in the Nutmeg state are The Little Brown Bat and The Big Brown Bat. When gazing overhead on an autumn evening, these creatures are the ones we are most likely to see. To all but the most trained naturalists, an initial glimpse of a bat is a case of mistaken identity. We’re certain we’ve seen a bird, but the erratic, swooping, circling flight is unlike that of most birds. The fluttering wing beat is a give away that we are witnessing something

altogether different. With bats, this “altogether different” category is a good place to start.

Bats are utterly unique among mammals in that they are the sole members of the class of more than 5,400 known mammal species

numerous category of mammals.

Chiroptera is Greek for “hand wing” and refers to the “handlike” membranous wings of bats, covering their elongated “fingers”.

This innovative design provides bats with a highly f lexible and strong winged surface which can provide them with both instant lift and remarkably agile f lying ability.

The power of flight has given bats a superpower which eludes all of their fellow warm-bodied, furred, nursing relatives--the exponentially-enhanced ability to: forage, f lee, gather visual, scent, and auditory information, hunt and migrate. This “go anywhere / do any thing” capability has enabled bats to take over the world. Well, not in the sense of a Bond villain...but with a resume which includes colonization of every continent except Antarctica, the vast majority of the world’s

A single native Connecticut Big Brown Bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes (yes, two zeros there) in a single hour, making them the most effective known agent for protection against mosquito-borne illnesses. which possess the power of flight.

In fact, the order Ch iroptera r e p r e s e nt s m o r e t h a n 1 , 2 0 0 known species of bats and is the most biologically diverse and

Here’s LOOKIN’ at you kid

Kids need periodic eye exams so that if problems develop they’re treated.

But they don’t love the experience.

Dr. Fucigna has examined hundreds of them.

He’s developed a way with kids and it makes it easier on Mom, too.

See Dr. Fucigna Robert J. Fucigna, M.D. Advanced Ophthalmology.

1455 East Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT (203) 348-7575 •www.aoct.co

islands, and every major habitat from rainforests to deserts, bats are unrivaled.

And...it’s a good thing because bats are benevolent rulers. The

Big Brown Bat

benefits of bats are myriad. Yet a few of the more sig nif icant benef its to us humans include: natural, non-toxic insect control, fertilizer producers, pollinators, seed dispersers and “engineering consultants”.

A single native Connecticut Big Brown Bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes (yes, two zeros there) in a single hour, making them the most effective known agent for protection against mosquito-borne illnesses. Bats produce nutrient rich guano which is a more effective fertilizer than livestock manure. Bats pollinate more than 530 species of f lowering plants, contribute billions of dollars of

productive fruit and f lower cops to the U.S. agriculture industry and pollinate species including bananas, mangoes, guavas and agaves. Imagine a world without banana splits or agave syrup? I’d rather not. Additionally, these airborne innovators disperse seeds of native plant species over vast areas and in nearly inaccessible places, reinforcing ou r biod iversit y a nd nat u ra l r e sist a nce to env i r on ment a l t h r e at s such a s for e st f i r e s , drought and f loods. Lastly, and perhaps just as significantly, bats prov ide eng ineers, inventors and other designers with unmatched models for f light,

navigation, echolocation, airborne communication and a host of other design challenges.

Ye t d u e t o p r e s s u r e s o n their env ironment, including a devastating fungal infection known as White-Nose syndrome, bats are suffering losses. With serious population declines across the United States and around the world, bats need our help.

So what can we do to help them? We can: Reduce Pesticides (this helps bats to protect you and your loved ones from biting insects and avoids introducing toxins to your neighborhood) Promote Natural Habitat (leave as many dead and dying trees around your home as possible, to provide roosting habitat for bats) Put up a Bat House (you can provide a safe haven for bats , whether you have 100 acres or 100 inches of space) A s n a t u r e ’s o n l y f l y i n g mammals and avian innovators who have colonized ever y continent which sprouts a blade of grass, bats show us the way. By specializing, they have achieved rema rk a ble succe ss t h roug h diversity. Bats have taught us much and offer to teach us even more. Next time you behold a New England sky at dusk and witness the fluttering, high-powered flight of a Big Brown Bat, let a little inspiration take you to a place where you haven’t yet visited...a place you’d like to see more often.

Jim Knox is Curator of Education at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo where he directs education and conservation initiatives to advance the protection of wildlife in Connecticut and beyond.

Jim also serves as a Science Adviser for The Bruce Museum.

Personal Appearance Saturday, November 30