Make this summer a time for discovering new skills while having loads of fun.

Register your son or daughter today for Summer Institute (SI) at King School’s 34-acre North Stamford campus.

Attracting Kindergarten – Grade 12 CT and NY students from over 40 different schools, SI runs June 18 – August 3 and offers Academics, Arts, and Sports programs. Children entering Kindergarten – Grade 6 can experience SI’s Fun Camp.

Middle and high school classes allow students to pursue their academic passions and accelerate their progress in the next academic year. Courses are one, three or six weeks, with six week courses awarding academic credit.

King’s outstanding Faculty and Coaches and the small class size ensures that each student is challenged and receives the kind of personalized attention King delivers year round. The most popular classes are in Math, Science, Art, English, and Global Studies. Many students take academic courses plus a sports or performing arts session. Students train with top coaches to enhance their skills in field hockey, basketball, volleyball, baseball, and more. Performing arts offerings include public speaking, piano, singing, dance, and more.

Fun Camp, offered for 1 week sessions or the full 6 weeks, combines daily field trips, sports, and themed-week activities. A parent from last summer’s program exclaims, “Fun Camp provided a safe, enriching summer experience for my son. It provided a wonderful balance of sports and learning activities to keep his interest engaged. Looking forward to another summer at King!”

SI Director, Brian Coughlan, oversees course selection, partnering with King academic leaders to meet students’ needs.

“The large variety of classes allows students to make selections that match their interests instead of opting for a one-size-fits-all program,” Coughlan explains.

Register today at https://www.kingschoolct.org/summerinstitute

The MAC Angels Foundation welcomed its first-ever Executive Director, Quentin Ball, this week. MAC Angels is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support individuals and their families who have been diagnosed with ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Quentin brings over 20 years of experience in the for- and non-profit sectors to her role at MAC Angels. Most recently, Quentin was the Executive Director at The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education.

Quentin will prioritize her time on strategic planning, fundraising, raising awareness about the disease, and working with the talented services team. Kelly Corwen, Vice President of the Board of Directors, states “Quentin brings a unique mix of organizational leadership and management to our organization, and we are excited to have her lead us forward.”

One of Quentin’s first activities will be participating in the 2018 Westchester Triathlon, an annual fundraiser benefiting several non-profits including MAC Angels. Quentin is an avid triathlete and intends to use this event to raise additional revenue and awareness for the organization.

MAC Angels Foundation supports families with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). There are a number of organizations focused on raising the dollars needed to fund cutting-edge research, and to finding treatments and a cure for ALS. The goal of the MAC Angels Foundation is to compliment these efforts, by filling the “survivorship” gap for ALS families in need. Their mission is to enhance the quality of life for patients, family members and caregivers impacted daily by ALS, by providing the compassion, education and unique resources needed to manage the devastating effects of this disease.

Letter submitted from Mabél Arteaga Balestra, June 14, 2018

As the school year once again comes to a close, I find myself facing the task of giving authentic thanks to all of the teachers and individuals that have supported my children throughout the school year.  I thank you for doing your best under the constraints you constantly face.

With the end of each year also comes the noise. Noise derived from the negativity that creeps into the process of educating my children… including failures to implement IEPs and administrative mandates. It’s what causes the joy that accompanies the start of each school year to fall away and turn into pervasive negativity, which is often very difficult for a parent to surmount.

It’s a process that has repeated itself over the course of years. Hope, anticipation, and achievement are soon replaced by administrative hurdles, negative feedback and regression. I understand that there is an administrative component to supporting children with special needs. I understand the frustration and raw humanity involved with educating and interacting with a child of special needs. I understand that we all have bad days. But please know how dearly parents like me hang onto hope – that things will become easier, more fluid, less resistant to change.

It is those moments when my child’s progress is recognized and highlighted that yield the most amazing upward momentum.  As a parent of a child with special needs, even in the most heart wrenching and difficult moments, I try to find something good, something specific and tangible that we can all reflect on and be proud of.  That is our lifeline. It is what makes the prospect of exponential growth palpable.

I have found that as true, positive growth begins to take hold and my child begins to grasp and perform expected  tasks and behaviors, the supports to solidify those skills are taken away. So, begins the downward free-fall… and the behavioral issues resurface. It’s a negative spiral that is so unnecessary.

I want to be clear that it is not the teachers that are to blame. It is a culture that seems to emanate from outside the classroom. It is the noise and interference that yanks the rug out from under us each year, regardless of the amazing team supporting our children. It is a culture that seems to force well-intentioned educators with amazing ideas to become soldiers of the masses… masses that do not include our kids.

So, as I reflect on what thoughtful words of thanks I can extend to those that have supported my children through this school year, I can sincerely say the following. I am thankful for your time and attention with my children. I understand that, if really allowed, you could do what you felt was right and lawful for my children and all those others like them. I thank you for doing your best under sometimes crushing constraints.

So now, I ask just one thing – never turn a blind eye. I ask all administrators to do what is right. I ask them to be brave and make the changes that will help all of our children. I ask that you follow the law. In the end, it is what governs us and it is the process that decides our childrens’ future.

“Start by doing what is necessary. Then do what is possible.  Suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St. Francis of Assisi

“The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. ” – Michelangelo

“If you are always trying to be NORMAL, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou

On June 9 Greenwich Police responded to a report of an injured cat in Chickahominy.

According to Lt Nemecek, a man bought a “body trap” online without and set it up without a license to catch a groundhog.

Nemecek said this type of trap is intended to for bobcats, coyotes, beaver lynx, or otters.

Unfortunately the man caught a neighbor’s cat.

The cat later died of its injuries.

“You can’t just trap without a license. And this person didn’t have proper name on the trap either,” Nemecek said. “These traps are indiscriminate. You can catch anything even though you’re targeting a nuisance animal. Leave it to the experts. Go through proper channels. Call Animal Control.”

Greenwich Animal Control and Environmental Conservation Police got involved in this incident, and it was determined that the arrestee, Thomas Bowlinger, 58, of Alexander Street had violated wild hunting regulations.

Bowlinger was charged with:

26-27* Trapping without a license

26-66-5(b) Illegal Trap Set

26-72(b) Failure to Have Name on Trap

26-66-7(c) Illegal trapping Not in Season

Mr. Bowlinger was released on a Promise to Appear on June 25 in Stamford Superior Court.

Greenwich Police responded to a residence in Pemberwick just after midnight on Monday on a report of a physical altercation between two men.

Upon arrival, investigation revealed that an altercation had occurred and that there was a juvenile on scene attempting to break up the fight.

Police arrested Luis Santana, 44, of Greenwich and charged him with Risk of Injury to a Child, Disorderly Conduct and Assault 3.

The fight resulted in physical injuries to one of the men that required medical attention.

At the time of the report the man was not assigned a court date because he had been admitted to Stamford Hospital. His bond was set at $1,000.

GRAB’s Sally Davies presents a check from GRAB for $500 to Jaycee Maduro which goes toward 40 new recycling bins at the Boys & Girls Club. (left to right) we’re Guillaume Diomo, Kyle Ponte, Ysoris Herrera and Kaylee VonTobel. Photo: Nick Fiore

Boys & Girls Club’s Megan Sweeney receives a check from Sally Davies of Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board for $500 toward 40 recycling bins at the Club. June 13, 2018 Photo: Nick Fiore

The Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich has put a plan into action to decrease waste from the building and help the children learn to recycle, with help from GRAB (Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board).

The process began when Megan Sweeney, the Vice President of Administration at the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club, approached GRAB to formulate a plan to increase recycling at the club.

With 340 kids inside a 53,000 square foot building, it was certainly an ambitious plan. However, by planning out the initiative and educating the children, it has been successful so far.

There were several steps to the plan: naturally, recycling bins needed to be placed around the facility, but the maintenance and janitorial staff also had to be prepared for the implementation.

In addition, new dumpsters were needed to collect the waste and the hauling crews had to be informed of the change. A Q+A session was held for staff and children were trained after school in order to ensure success.

Most of the starting work has been done, but it is an ongoing process. With the success that has been achieved, changes are being made to the system. For example, some children volunteer to put on rubber gloves and pick up litter and items that can be recycled around the building in exchange for “Boys and Girls Bucks,” a currency that they can use at the Club.

With GRAB’s $500 donation towards the $1,300 total cost of the 40 recycling bins, the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich has achieved a lot.

According to Boys & Girls Club’s Megan Sweeney, “Recycling is part of character development. It’s just part of being a good citizen.”

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Furniture was primed, then pre-heated it in the ten foot oven, before being wheeled it over to the spray booth where Alex put on the jet black satin sheen top coat.

After piece was already primed, Alex put on the jet black satin sheen top coat. Photo: Leslie Yager

Her plan was to be a teacher. Patty DeFelice graduated GHS in 1970 and had finished both a BA and Masters in Teaching by 1976. But because there was a glut of teachers at the time, she put her name on the list to be a substitute teacher in Greenwich. And she waited.

In the meantime, her father Louis, who owned an auto body shop on West Putnam Ave in Greenwich, suffered a heart attack, so she offered to answer the phone while he recuperated.

Patty and Louis DeFelice in 1976. Contributed photo

“He had started the body shop in 1932,” DeFelice said, adding that she didn’t know anything about the auto body businesses.

“I stayed for 30 years,” she said of her foray into what was a man’s world. “I have so many fond memories of working with my dad.”

Many in Greenwich will remember the body shop and the sign out front that said “DeFelice and Daughter.”

DeFelice said her father taught her about relationships and building trust with customers. She also learned about collision repair and car paint.

“From that, I started this,” she said, gesturing to the sprawling space at 140 Highland Street in Port Chester, where she operates Patty’s Portico.

The idea for restoring wrought iron patio furniture was born from the suggestion of a former body shop customer. DeFelice recalled how in 1985 a customer, Dr. Tom Rodda, an orthopedic surgeon in Greenwich, made a unique request.

“He asked me to paint his iron patio furniture with car paint, and I said I’d give it a try,” she said, adding that she enjoys a challenge, and hates to say no to a customer. “I had it sand blasted, and painted it with car paint and it came out beautifully.”

DeFelice said she then researched powder coating as opposed to liquid enamel car paint and started branching out, collecting vintage pieces, restoring them and selling them.

“Dr. Rodda motivated me to try something different,” she said. “I grew out of the body shop space because there was so much furniture, and found this space in Port Chester.”

Sadly, Patty’s father Louis died in 1998. “He was very proud of what he accomplished,” she said. He also owned the building.

After moving her burgeoning furniture restoration business to Port Chester, she rented out the building at 213 West Putnam Ave to a series of body shops, but being a landlord had its downsides.

DeFelice recalls going next door to the Mercedes Benz dealer and saying to Lou Leodori, “Let’s do something, our properties abut. He said come see me next week. Nine months later, after going through P&Z and getting approvals, we had a deal.”

Mercedes would become DeFelice’s tenant. One caveat, she said was that Mercedes could tear down the building to turn it into a state-of-the-art parking lot. “They desperately needed that to sell their own pre-owned cars,” she said. “It’s great. I don’t have to worry about leaky roofs or a broken toilet.”

Today, DeFelice is as busy as ever, presiding over the furniture restoration business that keeps customers coming back. Once people realize there is potential to restore much more than a patio set, their eyes turn perhaps to the fireplace set, a peeling radiator, metal casement windows, chandeliers, iron beds, lanterns, garden gates, and more.

It’s even possible to restore long stair railings because the oven is 10 feet long.

“The thinking is that millennials prefer new, and that they don’t like vintage pieces, but I don’t find that to be true,” DeFelice said. “What I’m finding is I’m seeing the third generation – young guys and gals – who will say, ‘This was my grandmother’s, and I remember fondly spending time with her. She gave it to my mother and now she’s giving it to me.'”

DeFelice said customers are also wowed by the array of color choices, and it’s no longer necessary to stick with the traditional white, black or green.  Why not aqua? Why not pink? In fact, DeFelice said many customers select anthracites and bronzes.

“That modernizes it,” she said, adding that the powder coating also comes in various textures and patinas and, there are even versions that are veined.

DeFelice said the powder coated paint finish is the most durable finish on the market today.

“Rustoleum is a quick fix for a handy person,” she said. “If you want longevity this is the way to go.”

Key to the painting process is the preparation. First the entire item is stripped completely clean of old paint and rust. Then they prime it and bake it. From there, they put on the top coat on and bake it again at 325°.

“It’s the heat process that gives it its durability,” she said.

DeFelice said she also offers teak restoration and re-strapping of Brown Jordan pieces.

“Brown Jordan is the top of the line. It’s been around forever,” DeFelice said. “Our prices are a fraction of what it would cost to replace it with new. And you can color coordinate it any way you want.”

DeFelice has an outpost for her patio furniture in the courtyard at The Greenwich Exchange for Women’s Work on Sherwood Place in downtown Greenwich.

“I joined up with Roni because I love the concept of what they do,” she said, referring to Roni Schmitz who runs The Exchange, a non-profit that sells everything from hand smocked dresses to jewelry and baby clothes crafted and consigned by women. “That courtyard behind the shop is the most peaceful place on the planet.”

DeFelice says there is another upside to her service. “I love that fact that we’re recycling and repurposing. We’re keeping these items out of the salvage yard. These are beautiful pieces with sentimental value.”

Before: At Patty’s Portico, a pile of Brown Jordan patio furniture awaits restoration. Photo: Leslie Yager

Patty’s Portico re straps Brown Jordan patio furniture.

After: Patty DeFelice shows off re-strapped Brown Jordan lounge chairs, which are good as new for a fraction of the price after being refinished and restrapped at Patty’s Portico. Photo: Leslie Yager

Patty’s Portico offers new “slings” for patio furniture in a variety of colors and patterns.

Patty’s Portico offers new “slings” for patio furniture in a variety of colors and patterns.

Restored metal patio furniture at Patty’s Portico in Port Chester. Photo: Leslie Yager

Customers bring in items for restoration including lanterns, garden gates, railings, and more. Photo: Leslie Yager

Restored metal patio furniture (foreground) and massive metal casement windows at Patty’s Portico in Port Chester. Photo: Leslie Yager

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As Greenwich High School seniors anticipate graduating on June 20th, many students reflect on what they will miss most and least about high school as well as what they are excited to experience in college.

Melanie Murphy will be attending University of Virginia in the fall. “Primarily, I am going to miss my friends. They have been very supportive of me throughout my whole high school career,” she said. “I am also going to miss playing varsity sports which introduced me to new people and helped me with time management.”

Senior Melanie Murphy. June 6, 2018 Photo: Audrey Thalheim

Murphy also commented that she will not miss the stressful atmosphere of high school.

“I feel as though there is a lot of pressure put on us at GHS as it is very competitive getting into college and students are held to a high standard,” she said.

Senior Sofia Dodaro. June 8, 2018 Photo: Audrey Thalheim

Sofia Dodaro, who will be attending Wake Forest University, commented that she is looking forward to having a more open schedule in college.

“I am excited to have less classes over the week so I can process the information. In college, you have more freedom to choose classes that are tailored to your interests,” she said.

Nick Imperato, a future student at Elon University, also stated that he is looking forward to interacting with new people as well as expanding his academic horizons.

Dodaro also added that it will be hard adjusting to the distance between her and her family in college which is a concern shared by many graduating seniors..

With graduation just around the corner, the 600+ seniors of Greenwich High School are anxious and excited for what the future holds after they receive their high school diplomas.

The Greenwich Campership program is in full swing and final preparations are under way for the first session of camp.

The Greenwich Dept of Human Services sponsors this program, which awards scholarships to children age 4 to 14 to local day camps and some sleep away camps in Connecticut, many of which offer discounts and save space for children attending through our program.

The Greenwich Salvation Army also provides a generous allocation.

Presently there are 175 children registered to attend camp this summer. There are also about 50 children on the waiting list who are currently not funded.

Camp fees are paid solely by community donations. “We are extremely grateful for the donations received to date, which will help fund the children who are registered,” said Alison Brush, the community gifts coordinator in a release.

Any additional contributions will also help the children who are waiting to be offered a camp session.

Campers can be sponsored at a rate of $400 for a two week session or $525 for three weeks.

Any amount is gratefully accepted, with checks made out to “The Greenwich Department of Human Services, Fund, Inc.” and sent to the Dept of Human Services, Town Hall, 1010 Field Point Rd, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Also please visit the fund’s newly established website www.greenwichhsfund.org where it is possible to donate online.

For further information call Alison Brush at (203) 622-3715.

Navigators volunteers from 2017 races. Contributed photo

Volunteers are needed for the 11th annual Navigators KIC IT Races, which will be held June 23 and 24 at Cummings Beach in Stamford.

There will be a 5k, Kids Triathlon and a Family Festival on Saturday, and Olympic, Sprint and Relay Triathlons for adults on Sunday.  Volunteers can choose a few hours one or both of the mornings.

The Navigators Stamford KIC IT Races raise awareness and funds for 40-year old Kids In Crisis, a free emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis counseling resource for Fairfield County children and families.

“This is a great activity for large groups and families to do together,” said Shari Shapiro, Executive Director for Kids In Crisis. “There is a reason why so many volunteers come back again and again, it’s fun and rewarding and that’s a win-win, for everyone!”

The Navigators Stamford KIC IT Race Series has quickly become one of the area’s premier multi-level sporting events and, at the same time, one of the most fun-filled, family friendly experiences around.

A special thanks to sponsors including; Navigators, Gen Re, Shoff Darby, Boeing, GE Capital Aviation Services, WomanScape, First County Bank, Moffly media, News-12, Hearst Media, WEBE-108, ACME, Rise Coffee, Danny’s Cycle, Timex, School of Rock, and The Ritzy Chickens.

Visit www.kicittriathlon.com for details and to register.

Established in 1978 Kids In Crisis (www.kidsincrisis.org) is Connecticut’s only free, round-the-clock agency providing emergency shelter, crisis counseling and community educational programs for children of all ages and families dealing with a wide range of crises – domestic violence, mental health and family problems, substance abuse, economic difficulties and more. Kids In Crisis has helped more than 143,000 Connecticut children and families to date.
24-hour helpline: 203-661-1911

Up to the Minute Greenwich property transfers, June 5-6, 2018 transcribed from the Assessor’s office at Greenwich Town Hall

333 Palmer Hill Rd #1E from Satwant Ahuluwalia to Samita Sidhu on June 5, 2018 for $370,000

7 Carriage Rd from Traditional Building & Design LLC to Scott Zwilling on June 5, 2018 for $2,350,000

70 Riverdeale Ave Unit 1002 from Scott Zwilling and Stacey Zwilling to Daniel Scalamogna on June 5, 2018 for $730,000

49 Midwood Rd from Maxine Armstrong to 49 Midwood LLC on June 5, 2018 for $3,825,000

77 Sherwood Ave

77 Sherwood Ave AKA 16 Chieftans Rd from Janet Caputo to Stephen Glenn Andre on June 5, 2018 for $2,450,000

47 Riverside Ave

47 Riverside Ave from Mia Wallack to Nicholas and Celina Unkles on June 6, 2018 for $884,500

11 Fitch Lane

11 Fitch Lane from Cindy Keegan, Executrix Est of Carmichael on June 6, 2018 for $620,000

15 Canterbury Drive

15 Canterbury Drive from Sachin Shah and Setul Pardanani to Diana Santiago on June 6, 2018 for $1,207,500

2 Dartmouth Rd

2 Dartmouth Rd from Timothy Peter Jones and Shelley Jones to Leonard Griffin on June 6, 2018 for $2,200,000

See also:

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, June 1-4, 2018

Next for the Wrecking Ball: 1928 Mansion on 23+ Acres Off Stanwich

New Canaan to Pilot 6-Month Ban on Real Estate For Sale Signs 

Robert Weinstein’s Waterfront Mansion in Greenwich Sells for $17 Million

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, May 31, 2018

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, May 25-30, 2018

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers May, 21-23, 2018

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers May 16-17, 2018

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers May, 15, 2018

Update, Friday, June 15 1:o0pm. GFP’s email to HR Director Robert Stacy went to spam earlier in the week. He confirmed in an email on Friday at 1:00pm, that he could, “confirm that 5 of the 6 coaches have been put on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of an investigation.”

Original story, Thursday, June 14, 11:30pm: On Thursday nigh the Board of Education honored the Greenwich High School Rugby team.

Missing were the team’s coaches including head coach Joe Kelly.

GHS headmaster Chris Winters introduced the team, saying, “I regret that coach Kelly cannot be here tonight to do that himself.

Winters said that for the last 11 years, the GHS Rugby team has won the state championship, and the last nine years were under Coach Kelly, who was honored by the Greenwich Old Timers for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

About 50 athletes and their families who attending the meeting applauded Winters.

Winters said that in the ultimate match against Xavier, “There was a lot of blood, a lot of sweat, a lot of incredible emotion, great fight, great spirit and you could see that we had a group of  boys who work together, and play together.”

“I also know that for years GHS rolled through the state tournament with little competition. That is changing in the state of Connecticut, which I think is a good thing. Our team needed to demonstrate great perseverance, so it was a great accomplishment that they won in the last second.”

Coach Kelly’s wife Jill Kelly explained her husband’s absence.

“Joe would be here tonight but he was asked not to come,” she said. “I just want to put that out there for the record.”

Mrs. Kelly went on to say she has four children, is a real estate agent for Sotheby’s and is a former Julian Curtiss School PTA president who also organizes an adult volleyball team and plays on an adult coed softball team in Town.

She said her sports-oriented family went this week to the Rugby banquet where her son Joe Junior and husband were honored, and that on Tuesday her husband received the Coaches Lifetime Achievement award from the Old Timers Athletic Association.

“He and his rugby coaching staff have an amazing amount of support and appreciation from throughout the town,” she said to a round of applause from rugby players and their families.

“This week the rugby program was verbally threatened at the banquet to be taken down by a parent in our town,” she continued. “I’m sure this is not the school system’s first rodeo, but it is ours. I’m also sure all the authority figures involved are following protocol. I’m shocked by the lack of support these talented coaches are receiving from the school for the suspensions they have received. They are all 100% dedicated and well known valuable assets to the Town and our youth. It amazes me the amount of power that a parent can have over these leaders who actually make significant accomplishments with our children.”

Mrs. Kelly’s microphone was then turned off because she had exceeded her allotted three minutes, but she continued to speak over BOE chair Peter Bernstein’s requests that she stop.

On Tuesday, June 12, an email to Dr Winters seeking confirmation of the suspensions was deferred to Greenwich Schools director of Human Resources Bob Stacy. Mr. Stacy did not return an email requesting that information.

Matthew Armstrong and his mother shared the microphone to talk about Coach Kelly. “They are talented athletes and have the nicest coaches, and the most good team and respect people” Matt said to more applause.

Matt’s mother, Deborah Armstrong-Loscalzo said Matt’s participaton wouldn’t have been possible without the rugby coaches.

She said her son’s experiences at GHS had not always been safe. “A suggestion was made that Matthew play rugby, and it has been the best experience for us.”

Armstrong-Loscalzo  said the suspensions of Coach Kelly and his coaching staff was cutting her family off from the children, including Matthew.

“I fear that they are losing quality coaches and teachers due to the non existing support they receive in these situations,” she continued. “Our rugby coaches feel the school has turned their backs on them and they have been hung out to dry. Something should be done about it.”

Former GHS rugby player Alex Nanai, who is now at UConn, attested to the “profound positive impact GHS coaches had on his life.”  He said the coaches often put their own interests second to the development of young men and women in the rugby program.

“I still look to them for guidance in life and rugby,” he said. “I cannot comment on the events that they are being scrutinized for, but I can say what they did was in the best interest of all students in their jurisdiction.”

Two rugby fathers also testified on behalf of the team and its coaches, referring to good wholesome fun and how the coaches are role models and mentors.

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The Greenwich Republican Town Committee (Greenwich RTC)
hosted its annual dinner meeting June 13 at Gabriel’s Italian Steakhouse in Greenwich.

This year’s event provided a unique opportunity to meet many of the Republican gubernatorial, Congressional and State underticket candidates participating in the August 14 primary.

Attending the dinner were gubernatorial candidates – Mark Boughton, Tim Herbst, and Steve Obsitnik; for Lieutenant Governor – Joe Markley, Jayme Stevenson, and Erin Stewart; for Secretary of the State – Sue Chapman; and for State Attorney General – John Shaban. Also in attendance were Matt Corey and Dominick Rapini, candidates for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, and Harry Arora, who will be the Republican candidate for U.S. Representative for the Congressional 4 th District.

Local state representatives, State Senator Scott Franz and State Representatives Mike Bocchino, Fred Camillo and Livvy Floren were also in attendance.

The evening focused on the Republican vision for restoring the economic viability of the State of Connecticut and ensuring fiscal stability.

Jim Smith, Chairman of the Board of Webster Bank and Webster Financial Corporation. Photo courtesy Greenwich RTC

The highlight of the evening was the keynote presentation from Jim Smith, Chairman of the Board of Webster Bank and Webster Financial Corporation. Mr. Smith discussed his work as Co-Chair on the Commission of Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth. The Commission was tasked with developing and recommending policies to achieve state government fiscal stability and competitiveness.

Mr. Smith spoke about the status of our state, including a lagging gross domestic product, flat population, and the slow pace of personal income growth. He noted that all of these factors have diminished Connecticut’s competitiveness, especially with neighboring states. He warned of significant threats to our state budget from later year deficits, driven by accelerating fixed expenditures which are crowding out spending and investment and are growing faster than state revenues.

Mr. Smith summarized the recommendations of the Commission and reiterated a consistent theme in his presentation that Connecticut’s fiscal and economic challenges are not going away and will only get worse with inaction.

Mr. Smith’s presentation can be found at the RTC website at www.greenwichrtc.com.

Jim Smith, Chairman of the Board of Webster Bank and Webster Financial Corporation. Photo courtesy Greenwich RTC

Also honored at the meeting was Felipe Sanches, this year’s recipient of the James L. Branca Memorial Greenwich Republican Town Committee Scholarship, which is awarded to a student for excellence in political science. Mr. Sanches, the son of Brazilian immigrants, will be the first in his family to attend college and will enroll at the University of Connecticut this fall.

Richard DiPreta, Chair of the Greenwich RTC, said in a release, “It was a great evening for Greenwich Republicans to celebrate their recent endorsements of Scott Frantz for State Senate and Mike Bocchino, Fred Camillo and Livvy Floren for State Representative, all incumbents who are intimately connected with our community and work tirelessly on behalf of all of their constituents.”

“We are fortunate that so many candidates for statewide and federal office attended and were able to meet Greenwich Republicans in a social setting, including Mark Boughton, Tim Herbst, and Steve Obsitnik for Governor. Connecticut cannot continue on the downward spiral led by the current administration in Hartford,” DiPreta continued.

“Republicans offer a clear choice for a sensible government, while not continuing the unsuccessful tax and spend policies that the Democrats are looking to continue. We now have a chance to turn around our State by electing a Republican governor and gaining control of both houses of the General Assembly.”

The Greenwich Republican Town Committee is an integral part of the Greenwich community with members and associates who are committed to a fiscally-sound economic policy that promotes, among other things, an efficient government and spirit of volunteerism that serves all the people of Greenwich without encumbering future generations, encourages responsible stewardship of our precious resources and supports educational excellence, by supporting
initiatives that improve the skills of all of our students, regardless of their abilities.

To learn more about the Greenwich Republican Town Committee, please visit www.greenwichrtc.com or follow them on Facebook at GreenwichRTC.

See also:

Greenwich RTC Awards Felipe Sanches with James L. Branca Memorial Scholarship

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On Friday Greenwich Schools released a statement to Greenwich Schools families:

At the Board of Education meeting last night I shared the following update on the Superintendent Search:

The Superintendent Search Committee has launched both an interim and permanent Superintendent search. We are fielding some strong candidates, and will have a Superintendent, whether interim or permanent, in place by the beginning of the school year.

We have appreciated all the input we have received from the community thus far, and have updated our leadership profile from the past superintendent search. We are pursuing another strong leader who can communicate with multiple town Boards and constituents.

Dr. Gildea moved us further along our strategic plan, and we will find the next Superintendent to continue to do that in partnership with our Board.

The Greenwich schools are excellent. Our high school, according to U.S. News and World Report, ranks in the top 2% in the country, and top ten in CT. We have celebrated many successes in academic, athletic and art competitions at the state, national and international levels this year alone.

We thank our school administrators and teachers who make Greenwich proud every day in serving our students, as well as our families and the broader Greenwich community for their support.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Stowe
Board of Education Search Committee Chair

Demos Lorentzos at Sound Beach Pizza Grill and Deli in Old Greenwich. Photo: Omar Merchant

This week Cardinal Critics’ Omar Merchant visited Sound Beach Pizza Grill and Deli in Old Greenwich.

Sound Beach Pizza Grill and Delicatessen has been an integral part of the Old Greenwich business district and community since 1947. The restaurant is family owned and independent of a franchise, making its pizza, sandwiches, and desserts one of a kind.

Originally named the “Old Greenwich Delicatessen,” pizza did not make its way to the menu until the business was bought by Vinny Arcuri in 1968. Arcuri then sold the business in 1998 to current owner and operator Demos Lorentzos.

The Unique Box that Sound Beach uses for Takeout and Delivery orders. June 11th, 2018. Photo: Omar Merchant.

Being located in the heart of the Old Greenwich Village as well as affordable prices definitely help business as Sound Beach Pizza Grill and Deli is able to attract multiple different kinds of customers from children to affluent adults.

The picturesque logo near the blue and red open sign is the image that most people get when they think of Sound Beach. June 11th, 2018. Photo: Omar Merchant.

In addition Sound Beach provides a variety of service options to customers to make make their dining experience as efficient as possible. There are three options: Dining in, take out, and delivery; all of which are relatively self explanatory.

When the critics went to the restaurant they ordered a multitude of things. One slice of barbecue chicken pizza, another slice of colloquially named “hawaiian” pizza (sliced ham and pineapple), and finally a side order of garlic knots. All three of the dishes were perfectly cooked and looked delicious. Once our critics dug in, the reactions conveyed only good sentiments.

When asked about his slice Omar said, “The barbecue chicken slice was the perfect combination of sweet and savory and its texture combined aspects of both deep-dish and thin crust pizza.”

The large selection of different slices that are available at Sound Beach. Jun 11th, 2018. Photo: Omar Merchant.

Among the most popular dining options at Sound Beach is the barbecue slice so the fact that it was incredibly tasty didn’t surprise anyone. In addition, Sound Beach Pizza Grill and Deli is known for its garlic knots, sugar donuts, and stromboli.

WANT YOUR EATERY REVIEWED?
To request a visit from Cardinal Critics to review what’s popular at your Greenwich eatery, email GFP editor Leslie Yager at Leslie.Yager@gmail.com with a notation “Cardinal Critics request” in the subject line!

The Cardinal Critics series on Greenwich Free Press was the brainchild of GHS alum Kai Sherwin class of 2017. His hungry team made their way through Greenwich restaurant, deli and pizza parlor menus – everything in between.

This spring Omar Merchant, Nick Fiore, Dylan Boyd, Connor Axford, Jackson Frampton, all GHS seniors doing their internships at GFP, have taken up the Cardinal Critics mantle.

While the students do attend GHS, where the mascot is the Cardinal, the views expressed in Cardinal Critics reviews are not affiliated with Greenwich High School.

On June 9 Christian P Ghiggia, 35, of Putnam Green in Greenwich, turned himself in at Greenwich Police headquarters on an outstanding arrest warrant.

He was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child (2 counts), and Breach of Peace 2 (2 counts) for an incident on June 2, 2018 in Putnam Green in Byram.

“In this case there was a confrontation between the victim and offender and there were children present,” said Lt. John Slusarz.

His bond was set at $10,000, which he was able to post. He has a court date on June 11, 2018.

Nina Chamberlain (14), Patrick Mullen (13), Gavin West (14). Contributed photo

The center of gravity American water polo is California, but this year Greenwich represented the rest of the country by placing an astonishing three athletes on USA National Teams. This historic achievement continues the recent water polo trend started by the Greenwich YMCA standout Thomas Dunstan, who made the 2016 Olympic team and now plays for USC. Last year, Kayla Yelensky represented the USA in the Youth Pan American games. This year the trend continued for both the boys and girls teams in several age groups.

Out of thousands of players trying out for the USA National Water Polo Age-Group Teams, only 22 players in the country make the various National team (Development, Cadet & Youth).

Gavin West, a 14-year-old 8th grader at Brunswick, was one of only two cadets (15U) outside California to make the team. He will be the first representatives from the Eastern Zone in 7 years.  Patrick Mullen,a 13 year old 7th grader at Greenwich Country Day School was the only Eastern representative on the Development team (14U).  Nina Chamberlain, a 14-year-old Freshman at Greenwich High School, made the girls cadet team (15U) as the only Eastern representative from the team.

In total, there were more male national team athletes from Greenwich than all non-California states combined. This speaks to the growing participation at young ages and the quality of the local coaching at the Greenwich YMCA under Head Coach Ulmis Iordache.

“All three athletes have worked really hard over the last four years and it is a top honor to be selected for the National team,” said Iordache. ” Our entire club is so proud of them.”

All three will continue their training with the National Team in California over the summer.

Founded in 1916, the YMCA is the largest community-based membership organization in Greenwich. Part of a well-known YMCA national network, the Greenwich Y has over 5000 members and growing. Its programs in healthy living and youth development seek to serve and to nurture the potential of everyone in our community, whether or not they have the ability to pay for its programs.

To learn more about the YMCA of Greenwich, membership and its numerous wellness programs, visit: www.greenwichymca.org.

Greenwich Animal Control will host a low cost Rabies vaccination clinif on Saturday,  June 23 from 10:00am until 12:00 noon.

The participating veterinarian is Shelley Skopit DVM of Park Animal Hospital in Darien. The fee is $20 cash (or check) per vaccine per pet. The three year vaccines require written proof of previous rabies vaccinations – tags alone are not sufficient.

Individuals presenting a state assistance ID card will receive the vaccine for free for their own pet.

All dogs must be leashed and cats in carriers.

All pets must be healthy to receive a vaccine.

The clinic is limited to Greenwich residents and Town employees.

Please call (203) 622-8299 with questions.

Brandon Richter, father of North Street School Girl Scout kindergartener, Avery, age six, shared, “I’m an Eagle Scout and I am grateful that my daughter can have the opportunity to give back to her community like I did.”

North Street School second grade Girl Scout, Jane Shropshire, age eight, says “The Girl Scout motto is to leave things better than you found it. I am thankful for all the people who were so nice to help paint our school fence and bring paint and paint brushes. It looks a lot better now.”

On Friday, June 8th, Greenwich Girl Scout Troop #50303 helped beautify their beloved North Street School by painting North Street School’s split-rail fence, planting flowers and picking up after Field Day. Comprised of 50 civic-minded North Street School girls in grades K – 5, ages 5 to 11 years old, Greenwich Girl Scout Troop #50303 is co-led led by North Street School moms, Frances Wu Nobay and Jenny Winig.

The Girl Scout mission is to “build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” Last year, the girls helped to repair and beautify the North Street School signage. This year, with double the number of registered Girl Scouts in the troop, the girls wanted to work on something bigger – 10,000 “Girl Scout cookies” bigger.

Girl Scout Troop co-leader Frances Wu Nobay shared “We are so lucky to have Mr. Vasili Trikoupis at our school and in our troop. The 2017 and 2018 painting projects were thanks to Mr. Trikoupis’ energy, enthusiasm and expertise.” For this year’s project, Mr. Trikoupis reached out to long-time partners, Mr. Christopher Polidoro of Shoreline Painting & Drywall, Inc. and Mr. Frank DeLuca of Edgewater Development to coordinate and manage the project with the girls. Ring’s End, a locally-founded, family-owned company donated all the brushes and paint.

Frank DeLuca of Edgewater Development shared "As a father of a Girl Scout and a long-time Old Greenwich resident, we’re happy to lend our skills and time to give back to our community.” Mr. DeLuca’s daughter is a Girl Scout at Old Greenwich School.

Allison Smith of Shoreline Painting, “What a beautiful weather to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the North Street School Girl Scouts. Our guys loved seeing and hearing the children’s enthusiasm and gusto to help beautify their school.”

To ensure that the project could be fully completed in one day, Greenwich Girl Scout Troop 50303 invited Girl Scout siblings and parents. In addition to the twenty-five Girl Scouts that participated, twenty parents, seventeen North Street School Cub Scout Pack 9 boys and friends, ages 5 – 11 joined too. First grade Girl Scout, Evie Kelly added “I’m really excited to make my school look pretty with my parents, brothers and the whole troop.”

The Girl Scouts worked closely with school administration, North Street School PTA, the Green Schools committee, the Board of Education, Parks and Recreation and the Greenwich Police Department. North Street School Principal, Ms. Jill Flood shared “We truly appreciate the girls’ enthusiasm and dedication to making North Street School a more beautiful place. They are giving back to their community while learning to work cooperatively and collaboratively on a volunteer project.”

To ensure the safety of all involved, the children worked in teams led by North Street Girl Scout moms, Mrs. Alex Krasnica, Mrs. Megan Kelly and Mrs. Beth Kallet-Neuman.

Teams rotated between painting the fence in the front of the school, planting flowers and picking up after Field Day in the back of the school, and of course, enjoying a snack break.

North Street School PTA Green Schools committee pollinator garden chair and mom of three North Street School students, Mrs. Mimi Syed led the planting project. Mrs. Syed recommended hardy perennials that could hold up through the hot summer and bitter winters. And, in a few weeks, Mrs. Syed will lead Girl Scout project to plant a tree to provide much-needed shade for the North Street School pollinator garden outdoor classroom.

North Street mom to a second grade Girl Scout, Julie Shropshire added “There was really a sense of community. Everyone came together to beautify our neighborhood and to teach the kids the importance of giving back”

To learn more about Greenwich Girl Scouts, please visit http://www.greenwichgirlscouts.com