G-MOM

g–mom

by eileen bartels

YOU HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY THAN EVER TO PICK UP A RACQUET AND EXPAND YOUR REPERTOIRE. HERE ARE SOME PROGRAMS AND COURTS AVAILABLE IN AND AROUND TOWN Take a Swing

PICKLEBALL

OPPOSITE PAGE: PICKLEBALL - G.EDWARDS - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; SQUASH BALL - MEXRIX - STOCK.ADOBE.COM PING-PONG/TABLE TENNIS

Most people are familiar with the ping-pong of their youth, but these days table tennis is

having a moment, with clubs popping up in New York City and even here in Greenwich for recreational play and

sport. Whether you just want to rally for fun or take your ping-pong game up to the next level, area table tennis facilities allow all ages and skill levels to learn and have fun.

Where to Play

CRUSH Table Tennis is 6,000 square feet of space located just blocks from Greenwich Avenue.

There are four separate playing areas across two floors. No membership is required to play, and rates are based on the time and day of the week. Adults can buy an annual membership allowing them to play more frequently at a discounted rate. table-tennis.com

This fast-growing sport combines aspects of a several racquet sports and can be played indoors or

out. The rules are simple, and the equipment consists of a paddle and a small plastic ball that looks a little like a wiffle ball. It can be played with two to four players. Pickleball instruction and drop-in clinic information is available on the Greenwich Parks and Recreation website. greenwichct.gov

Where to Play

Town pickleball courts are for Greenwich residents only, and a Tennis Park Pass is required to book a court through the Parks and Recreation website.

OUTDOOR COURTS

Christiano Park in

Byram: Two dedicated pickleball courts

Loughlin Avenue Park in

Cos Cob: Four pickleball courts on tennis courts (bring your own net)

Western Middle School:

Two pickleball courts on tennis courts (nets provided)

INDOOR COURTS

Bendheim Western Civic

Center: Two pickleball courts in the gym

Players

If you’re looking for a game but need players, try the

Greenwich Pickleball

Player Roster & Network. Registration is free, and the roster welcomes Greenwich and nearby residents looking to play with others on their level. The network is hosted on the Global Pickleball Network, the software of the USA Pickleball Association. greenwichpickleball.com

PADDLE TENNIS

Invented in the 1920s, paddle tennis has long

been a popular sport for those who want to keep swinging into the colder months, as it’s played on raised courts that can be heated.

Where to Play

Loughlin Avenue Park

in Cos Cob: Membership is required to play paddle on these courts. Players can purchase a seasonal rental and will be given two one-hour time slots per week. A full-season membership, September through March, is $325; senior membership for those sixty-five and older is $25; three-month seasonal membership, September to December or December to March, is $180. greenwichct.gov Played all over the world, squash has become very popular in town in recent years with a number of junior and college players coming from Greenwich.

Squash and racquetball are similar in concept but different sports

in a few key areas. A squash ball is smaller and slower than a racquetball. You can hit the ball off the ceiling of the court in racquetball and not in squash. A typical squash game lasts forty-five minutes, making it a quick energetic sport. Squash has been called the world’s healthiest sport, based on the amount of running done in a match. Players can burn 500 calories in just a half hour of game play.

SQUASH

Where to Play

Greenwich Water Club

Squash House provides opportunities at all levels to learn and find matches. Adult squash programs are available as are lessons or drop-in clinics, with additional women’s, youth and beginners clinics. The Water Club has three single courts and one doubles court in its Squash House facility, which is across the road from the Greenwich Water Club main building on River Road. greenwichwaterclub.com

Sportsplex of Stamford

offers squash lessons. sportsplex-ct.com

Chelsea Piers offers private instruction as well as Round Robins and Ladders on its eleven single and one doubles courts. chelseapiersct.com

BEING GRATEFALL

A CHILL IS THE AIR— AND WE LOVE IT. HERE ARE SOME FESTIVE, FUN AND PHILANTHROPIC WAYS TO ENJOY NOVEMBER

by layla lisiewski

No. 1

EXPLORING CHARITY

Are you looking to make an impact and give back to our wonderful community this season? Be sure to check out the first local Charitable Organization Expo featuring nonprofits from the Greenwich and Stamford area. Learn about the need in lower Fairfield County, who the organizations help and find a purpose (or purposes) you are passionate about. The more we educate ourselves about philanthropy, grant giving and local nonprofits, the bigger our impact can be. The event is free and will be held at Townhouse Greenwich on Wednesday, November 16, from 5–7p.m. greenwichmoms.com

No. 2

PUT IT IN THE BOOKS

No. 3

EVERYBODY LOVES A PARADE

The Parade Spectacular will kick off on Sunday, November 20 with one of the largest helium balloon parades in the country, featuring everyone’s favorite giant balloon characters, awardwinning marching bands and fabulous floats. Fun for the whole family. Want more? On Saturday November 19, go behind the scenes and watch the stars of the show come to life. The Giant Balloon Inflation Party will also feature exciting performances, clowns, holiday characters and a visit from Santa. Saturday, November 19, 3–6 p.m. (Hoyt Street and Summer Street) Sunday, November 20, 12–3 p.m. (Stamford downtown) Stamforddowntown.com.

As the weather gets colder, we’re all looking for creative things to do with kids indoors. Enjoy story time at Athena Books in Old Greenwich on Fridays at 9:30 a.m. and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. While you’re there, peruse a wide selection of adult and children’s books, as well as a thoughtful selection of curated gifts. Afterwards, hop next door for a sweet treat at Sweet Pea’s or Cups ‘n’ Cones. It's also worth noting that for the adults, Athena hosts book clubs and author events in the evenings. athenabooksog.com

No. 4

GOBBLE, GOBBLE!

Get the whole family moving. Here’s a list of family-friendly Thanksgiving Turkey Trots in and around Greenwich. (Be sure to check websites for fees and registration times.)

Greenwich Alliance for Education Turkey Trot

When: Saturday, November 26 Time: One mile: 9:30 a.m.; 5K: 10:00 a.m. Where: Arch Street Teen Center greenwichalliance.org

Harbor Point Turkey Trot 5K

When: Thursday, November 24 Time: 8:30 a.m. Where: Harbor Point Stamford harborpoint.com

New Canaan Turkey Trot 5K

When: Sunday, November 20 Time: 10:30 a.m. (Pre-race check-in at New Balance New Canaan beginning Friday, November 18) Where: Waveny Park runsignup.com

Rowayton Turkey Trot

When: Thursday, November 24 Time: 9:30 a.m. Where: 33 Highland Avenue, Norwalk (5K and one-mile courses running through Rowayton) rowaytonturkeytrot.com

Rye Recreation’s Turkey Run & Paws Walk

When: Saturday, November 26 Start Times: Paws Walk: 9:00 a.m. Fun Run (one mile): 9:30 a.m. Race/Walk (3.1 and 5.2 miles): 10:00 a.m. Where: Rye Recreation Center ryeny.gov G

Every month Layla Lisiewski, Greenwich mom of four and founder of Greenwich Moms and its parent company, The Local Moms Network, shares some of her favorite things to do—from seasonal activities to can’t-miss events. Follow @greenwich_moms on Instagram, sign up for the newsletter and check out the calendar at greenwichmoms.com.