After two weeks of collecting both food donations and pennies, Greenwich High’s Roots and Shoots club successfully delivered 150 Thanksgiving meals to needy families in town Monday afternoon.

More than 100 Greenwich High School community members worked on this Thanksgiving Meal basket project, including students, teachers, staff, and parents.

Fresh baked pumpkin bread was donated by the Cardinal Cooks classes, the art club and CSP students decorated the boxes, and the Write for Change Club created special messages for each box.

As part of Social Services Holiday Aide program, this is the eighth year GHS has participated in this special day.

Roots & Shoots

The meals:
The Food Collection competition was won by Cantor House (800 items) which will choose a lucky student to pie the headmaster on Wednesday at lunchtime.

Additional fresh items came from Aux Delices and ShopRite, and each family meal basket was given at least five reusable bags each, donated from a parent (equating to over 500 bags, sponsored by Stop & Shop).

The total food donations were nearly 2,700 items!

Penny Wars:
Each house had a competition to collect the most pennies. The winning house was Folsom House, which means they get to to Pie the Headmaster!

The generous donations from community members and from our school’s annual Penny Wars fundraiser raised over $2,000 to help cover the cost of the fresh items and turkeys.

While not actually in pennies, Bella House had the most amount of money in their jugs! That’s a lot of “love” for Bella!

All leftover food drive donations were taken to Neighbor to Neighbor.

Thanksgiving weekend is the traditional kick-off to the holiday shopping season and Better Business Bureau’s 2018 Holiday Guide is here to help consumers shop smart and give wisely.

The following tips will help you make the most of the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Do your research. Find businesses you can trust on BBB.org.

The Better Business Bureau has Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses, from the most popular chains to local shops.

Read past customers’ experiences and see how the business responds to complaints. Look for the seal to find accredited businesses.

Read the ads carefully. Black Friday is known for “door busting” sales, but sometimes quantities are limited or there are other restrictions.

Last year, 99 million people shopped on Black Friday. Before you wait in line for hours or brave the boisterous crowds, be sure you know what’s really being offered. For more tips: go.bbb.org/blackfriday

Shop around. Not all of the best sales or the best prices are in the big box stores. Thousands of small and independent businesses are participating in Small Business Saturday on November 24. Look for the “Shop Small” signs at local businesses for Small Business Saturday specials or visit shopsmall.com for a list of participating retailers. For more tips: go.bbb.org/shopsmall

Be safe online. Cyber Monday unlocks big savings online, but look for a small lock icon in the URL and an extra s for safety (https… the extra “s” is for secure). Watch out for look-alike websites that mimic famous brands but that may be a scam. Use a credit card for online shopping, as it has more fraud protections than a debit card. Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date and avoid clicking on links in unsolicited email and social media messages. For more tips: go.bbb.org/cybermonday

Give wisely. Charitable giving is heightened during the holidays when donors are feeling generous. Giving Tuesday on November 27 is all about being generous after the shopping frenzy. Make sure the charity you select will be a good steward of your money.

Check out BBB’s Give.org for charity reviews. For more tips: go.bbb.org/givingtuesday

Greenwich Police Officer Tommy Huestis, and Captain Kraig Gray at the annual Thanksgiving feast at the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club. Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich hosted its 16^th annual Thanksgiving dinner provided by generous community leaders and served by neighborhood volunteers and Club Board members. Nearly 400 boys and girls feasted on Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, pies and more.

The annual event gives members a chance to eat a delicious, nutritious meal with their Club friends and Staff as family.

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Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Board of Directors, alumni and Greenwich first responders love participating in this holiday event and serving Club kids.

Some servers include Club alumni Police Chief Jim Heavey and Fire Chief Peter Siecienski, who have made it a tradition to serve the children as they were served when they were members.

Watson’s Catering continued their tradition of preparing scrumptious meals for all in attendance.

“This is one of our favorite events at the Clubhouse. It is great to know that so many members will go home with full stomachs after a great meal served by our community leaders,” said Don Palmer, BGCG program director.

Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey and Human Services Dept Cynthia Bowser at the Thanksgiving feast at the Greenwich Boys & Girls Club. Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Sebastian Arenas and Officer Micah Barnes at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS headmaster Rick Piotrzkowski and Winston Robinson at the Boys and Girls Club annual Thanksgiving feast, Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Boys & Girls Club alumni, and former Youth of the year, Nico Venegas with Nico Venegas at the annual Thanksgiving feast, Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Schools interim superintendent Ralph Mayo with Liz and Rob Kirkpatrick. Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Judy Higgins, Janet Zide and Mary Ann Smith at the Greenwich Boys and Girls Club’s annual Thanksgiving feast. Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Principal and assistant principal from Julian Curtiss School Trish McGuire and Brenda Brush with Boys & Girls Club director Bobby Walker. Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Michael Manning and Bobby Walker at the Boys & Girls Club’s annual Thanksgiving feast. Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jimmy Loughran, Mike Hyland and Bill Gallagher at the Boys and Girls Club’s Thanksgiving feast, Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jimmy Loughran and David Rabin at the boys & Girls Club’s annual Thanksgiving feast, Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Boys and Girls club’s Steve Hickey, Greenwich Police Captain Kraig Gray, Boys & Girls Club Megan Sweeney and Greenwich Police Officer Micah Barnes Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Patricia Santonocito and Kelvin Savage serving up the Thanksgiving feast at the Boys & Girls Club, Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Patricia Santonocito and Kelvin Savage serving up the Thanksgiving feast at the Boys & Girls Club, Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Laura Kelly and Deelia Wadsworth at the Boys & Girls Club Thanksgiving feast. Nov 20, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Forrest Edelman, Irene Ross, Matt Romeo and Brian Stevens make a stop at Irene Ross’s house in Greenwich. Mrs. Ross is a widow whose husband Henry was a Greenwich Firefighter. Nov 19, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Monday morning more than a dozen Greenwich Firefighters from the Local 1042 IAFF met at Stop & Shop on West Putnam Ave to purchase turkey and fixings to deliver to widows of firefighters and needy families. The effort is a longtime tradition at among town’s firefighters.

Chuck Teichert, a longtime Greenwich resident who started as a volunteer in 1977 and became a career firefighter in 1991 said he looked forward to Monday’s effort.

“It’s important for the community. It’s important for the retirees and it feels good,” said Teichert, who had just finished an 8:00am til 8:00am 24-hour shift. “It evolved form helping widows of firefighters with baskets of food. We still deliver to widows but we also go to social services for a list of families in need and prep the baskets and deliver them.”

According to Lt Tom Lenart, the firefighters pooled funds for the project to the tune of about $1,500 – enough for 17 full Thanksgiving meals.

When the group arrived at Irene Ross’s house, she was waiting and waived from her kitchen window.

Mrs Ross, 89, whose husband Henry was a firefighter, said her husband Henry had fought the fire at Gulliver’s night club in 1974 which killed 24 patrons and injured 19 patrons and 13 firemen. The fire was caused by arson in the adjacent bowling alley.

“He was a good firefighter. He saved a lot of people,” she said.

Mrs. Ross, 89, said firefighters like Henry worked side jobs in the trades and helped each other out with their homes.

“This house was a prefab that arrived on a van in 1953,” she said. “It cost $16,000.”

“A lot of firemen did the work. We bartered to build this house. The electrician helps the plumber,” she added. “Firemen were good people and still are.”

The tradition of delivering Thanksgiving fixings to widows of firefighters started in 1973. “The guys on the floor would pool their money,” said Tom Lenart. Contributed photo

The tradition of delivering Thanksgiving fixings to widows of firefighters started in 1973. “The guys on the floor would pool their money,” said Tom Lenart. Contributed photo

Firefighters traveled all around town on Monday delivering baskets of food for an entire Thanksgiving feast. Nov 19, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Tom Zack helps load boxes with all the fixings for Thanksgiving feast on Nov 19, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Forrest Edelman and Brian Stevens load boxes full of fixings for Thanksgiving feasts to deliver to widows of firefighters and needy families in Greenwich. Nov 19, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Per tradition, Greenwich firefighters loaded up boxes full of Thanksgiving fixings to deliver to widows and needy families in town. Nov 19, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Boxes each contained a turkey, bread, stuffing, pie, butter, veggies, gravy potatoes and butter. Nov 19, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

New Lebanon Elementary School is hosting its annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday December 1.

The Boutique will be held in the school gymnasium from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, admission is free.

The school is located at 25 Mead Avenue behind the Byram Shubert Library.

With over 30 vendors shoppers will enjoy shopping Lula Roe, Stella & Dot, Pampered Chef, Silly Shopper, Fizzy Fairy Bath, Thirty One, Cutco, The Flower Room of Rye, Edgewood Home & Garden, Abilis, Little Red Pennies, Flour Love Sweets, Steve Demasco’s Shaolin Studio and many local vendors featuring handmade items.

The New Lebanon PTA will provide chaperoned activities for children allowing parents to shop at their leisure.

Children will enjoy crafts, holiday movies, sweet treats and Miss Mindy’s Music!

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Letter to the editor submitted by Jill Oberlander, Nov 20, 2018

To the Editor:

Much has been written these past two weeks about the need for a new approach to government – one that respects individuals and encourages participation, regardless of political affiliation. We have a highly effective model of respectful bipartisanship right here in Greenwich in the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

Our partnership works to ensure that Greenwich residents receive transparent and accountable government marked by respectful dialogue, collaboration and compromise.

This past year, after spirited debate, the BET voted unanimously to approve the Fiscal 2019 budget and the Fiscal 2020 budget guidelines. These budget actions balance varying visions of the Town’s direction, spending priorities and overall expense levels.

While in the end members sometimes had to “agree to disagree,” all members are engaged and have the opportunity to present and advocate their views, thanks to the Committee structure and process.

We also affirm the view that the Town should function as one whole and not as separate parts.

For this reason, this BET is working closely with other Boards and Commissions to enhance communication and improve governance procedures.

As examples, the BET has embarked on a cooperative project with the Board of Education to review capital project procedures and is in frequent communication with RTM members on budgetary and policy issues.

At the end of the day, all residents benefit when elected officials leave politics at the door and deliberate on the merits. Each BET member is asked to be open to different views and work collaboratively to identify points of agreement.

In this way, the BET can identify the best solutions for the Town as a whole and hope that our actions will engender the support and confidence of the public.

Jill Oberlander
Chair, Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation

There is a fundraiser under way to purchase a new piano for Greenwich High School.

The GHS Performing Arts Center’s piano is over 50 years old. It is showing its age and the overall reliability of the instrument continues to diminish over time.

A Steinway concert grand piano will elevate every performance.

GHS Music students work so hard for their performances, and it would be a shame to have them ruined by not having the proper musical equipment.

Consider donating to the 88 Keys Piano Fundraising program via any of the following options:

Online go to the crowdrise site at www.crowdrise.com/ghs-88-keys–piano-fundraiser1

Or mail a check payable to “GHS Orchestra Association” c/o GHS 88 Keys Piano Fundraiser, Greenwich High School, 10 Hillside Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Or, you can sponsor one of the 88 keys on the Steinway Concert Grand Piano for $1,500 at www.ghs.steinwayfund.com 

Email questions to Lu Ann Schiff at ghs88keys@gmail.com All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

The pianos at GHS were purchased in the 1960’s – before Greenwich High School was even on Hillside Road. They have been subjected to 50+ years of extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations. The age of the piano is a major concern.

Each key in a Steinway grand piano has 57 individual parts for a total of over 5,000 parts in the key system alone. Overall, a Steinway grand piano has over 12,000 individual parts. Inevitably, parts wear out. Equipment eventually needs to be replaced. Nothing lasts forever.

From a playing standpoint, the keys have significant resistance because very few of those 5,000 parts have been replaced, lubricated or adjusted. It is simply harder than it should be to press a key down. We are also facing the possibility of losing our esteemed accompanist because he cannot perform the music as sensitively and accurately as he would like.

The excessive key resistance renders some music nearly unplayable and reduces the dynamic range of all music. The piano produces unwanted noise without warning. Any number of other maladies could suddenly arise during a performance which could undermine the students work. The piano’s overall reliability continues to decline rapidly. A note that suddenly can’t be stopped or won’t play is less a possibility and more of a
probability with each concert / year that passes.

Another result of the limitations of the current piano is that it undoubtedly influences the Choral Director’s choice of repertoire for the choirs. There are some pieces that he cannot reasonably ask the accompanist, or anyone, to play, with the piano in its present state. I know we can all agree that equipment should not influence curriculum.

Steinway pianos are considered by most musicians to be some of the best pianos built today. They are still handmade in the U.S., and the quality of their new instruments is as high as it has ever been. They are the first choice of professional pianists everywhere.

When the GHS Steinway pianos were purchased (all at the same time) the expense represented a significant commitment by the school board and the community. A lesser instrument would betray the legacy of those that came before us.

The cost of a complete rebuild of the current Steinway Model B that resides on stage now would be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

A complete rebuild would be necessary to bring the piano back to specifications and put it in line with a new instrument.

Note that the amount of visible gouge damage to the case may make refinishing it as new either impossible or very expensive.

The piano the committee is looking to purchase is a Model D 9-foot concert grand that is the standard size for concert halls that are comparable in size to the PAC.

A concert grand produces a rich and warm sound even at extreme volumes and the dynamic range of loud to soft is dramatically improved.

Beyond school use, it has always been hoped that the PAC would attract guest artists to perform in concerts for the community.

The Music Instructional Space and Auditorium (MISA) Project was portrayed as a community resource and we should equip it accordingly.

Simply put, the Model B is not only undersized for the space, but more importantly, it is not the best-suited instrument to showcase the exceptional musical talents of the GHS students.

In this season of giving, as you prepare for your giving tree, please keep in mind the Greenwich High School Clothing/ Textile Drive scheduled for Monday, Nov. 26 thru Friday, Dec. 21.

This donation will cost you nothing, will contribute to a worthy cause, and will keep things out of the landfill.

Bring unwanted clothes, shoes, belts, bags, towels, bedding, and any other textiles. Torn, stained, or broken, we’ll take them in any condition.

The Greenwich High School Outreach Club, CODA Club and StressLess Club are partnering with the Harris Project and Fairco-Greentree Recycling to raise money that will support programs centered around teen substance misuse and mental health challenges.

A cardboard donation box will be set up in the GHS front glass corridor, and two green metal donation bins will be located in the GHS back gym parking lot, as well as at Arch Street Teen Center.

http://greenwichfreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Screen-Shot-2017-12-04-at-2.16.41-PM.png

Police say that was glass was smashed at two jewelry stores on Greenwich Avenue over the weekend.

On Sunday around 2:05am police responded to an alarm and discovered a broken glass window at 125 Greenwich Avenue, home to Shreve Crump & Low.

Around 2:25am glass was broken at a store on 239 Greenwich Avenue, which is home to Betteridge Jewelers.

In that incident, police received two calls – one from an alarm company saying that glass was broken, and one from a neighbor who heard the alarm.

No entry was made into either store. According to Lt Slusarz it’s nearly impossible to smash through high security windows and doors as they have many layers of tempered glass. “You’d need a truck” he said.

State Treasurer-elect Shawn Wooden has named a 10-member transition advisory committee to advise him on personnel, operational and policy decisions.

Among the committee is Greenwich’s John Blankley.

Bkankley qualified as a chartered accountant in the UK with Price Waterhouse, and after immigrating to the US served as CFO of BP North America and as CFO of several international shipping and chemical companies. He served on the RTM in Greenwich, and was on the BET for two terms, with assignments on the audit and investment advisory committees. He is currently Chairman of Flagship Networks, Inc., a private IT consulting company he founded in 2000.

Wooden’s Transition Advisory Committee, which met for the first time Monday, is composed of highly-accomplished and diverse professionals with expertise in finance, investments, law, pensions, human resources, labor and government.

The Treasury staff numbers more than 130, and its major functions include management of more than $60 billion in assets, including the pension funds of more than 190,000 state and municipal employees and teachers.

The Treasurer also oversees the issuance of state debt, the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) and the receipt and oversight of unclaimed assets.

The Chair of Wooden’s transition committee is well-known attorney Dan Papermaster. He is a partner in the Hartford office of Morgan Lewis, an international law firm with 30 offices around the world, and is co-chair of the firm’s finance practice.

Greenwich Police responded to a complaint of an assault on Saturday just after midnight in Chickahominy.

Police responded to an address on Alexander Street where investigation revealed that the suspect Anwaar T Sanchez, 44, of Rockingchair Rd in White Plains, NY, had punched and slapped one victim in the head, face and back. He was also charged for allegedly slapping a second victim in the head.

The incident had escalated from an argument about the suspect being intoxicated.

Sanchez was charged with two counts each of Disorderly Conduct and Assault 3. His bond was set at $1,000 which he was unable to post. He was placed in a GPD cell block and assigned a court date the next available date, Monday Nov 19.

The eighth annual Greenwich Alliance for Education’s Turkey Trot will be held on Saturday, November 24.

Join over 2,000 spectators and participants in the perfect post-Thanksgiving family activity.

Registrants will be able to choose from either a 5K race or a non-competitive 1 mile run/walk. Both races begin and end at the Arch Street Teen Center at 100 Arch Street and pace through the beautiful flat roads of Bruce Park. We are grateful to our top race sponsors: Cadillac of Greenwich, Hospital for Special Surgery, General Atlantic and The Richmond Group. The Cadillac of Greenwich 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk starts at 9:30am followed by the HSS 5K at 10:00am.

Warm-up and stretching will be organized prior to the 1 Mile start at 9:00am.

All proceeds from the Turkey Trot will directly benefit the Greenwich Alliance for Education’s programs. The Greenwich Alliance funds innovation, expands opportunities, and inspires teachers to foster educational success for Greenwich Public School students.

Those interested can register online from the Greenwich Alliance’s website, www.greenwichalliance.org. Registration cost is $30 per adult ($40 on race day) and $15 per child age 14 and under.

T-shirts and goody bags with offers from local merchants will be guaranteed to runners who register by November 14th and to all other registrants while supplies last. We will once again have chip timing for the 5K race and new for 2018 – performance material race T-shirts!

Make sure to register online to guarantee your chip and T-shirt! Pre-registered runners have a chance to win additional prizes if they pick up bibs, T-shirts, and goody bags on Friday, November 23rd at Cadillac of Greenwich from 1-4PM. Cadillac of Greenwich is located at 144 Railroad Avenue, just west of the Greenwich Train Station. Race-day registration will take place inside the Arch Street Teen Center from 8:15-9:15am.

Again this year the Alliance will hold its “Run For Your School Competition.” The Greenwich school with the greatest participation wins a $500 gift card for PE equipment.

Get your fellow students and teachers involved and be sure to indicate your school when you register.

Awards and merchandise prizes will be presented to the top three overall male and female 5K winners. The top three male and female finishers in 9 age categories, from 10-and-under to 70-plus will also receive awards. All 1-mile finishers will receive medals.

The Turkey Trot is the Alliance’s largest fundraising event. Our programs benefiting
Greenwich Public School students are made possible with the support of our
sponsors.

Founded in 2006 as a way for the Greenwich community to support the public school system, the Alliance FUNDS INNOVATION, EXPANDS OPPORTUNITIES and INSPIRES EDUCATORS. Our programs include: “Reaching out Grants”, grants awarded to fund pilot innovative programs in our schools; “Tuning into Music”, free instrumental music lessons for students unable to afford this opportunity; Greenwich Alliance Scholarship Fund for AVID students in college; Early Childhood Education through the “Greenwich United Way-Early Childhood Achievement Gap Solutions Direct Impact program. For more information about the Alliance please call 203-340-2323 or visit www.greenwichalliance.org.

Rockin’ Christmas Concert” to Support Local Charities –
“Ornament” Comes to Old Greenwich on November 30
First Congregational Church Meetinghouse
108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich
Friday, November 30, 2018, 8:00 pm

The award-winning tribute band Ornament will bring its 11-piece rock orchestra and multimedia show to Old Greenwich for a charity concert in the historic Meetinghouse of the First Congregational Church at 8:00 pm on November 30.

Ornament has earned a reputation as Southern New England’s favorite tribute band with its renditions of Trans-Siberian Orchestra songs, stories and special effects.

The Old Greenwich concert will present a moving story of the power of answered Christmas wishes.

It will feature many traditional holiday carols and songs set to rock, blues and gospel music, channeled over a professional sound system and accompanied by a light show consisting of dozens of lights, strobes, lasers, fog machines, and snow machines.

“Ornament injects attitude into the holiday season,” said Susan Lewis, President of the Norwood Theater in Massachusetts, where the band has often been featured. “It provides the perfect change of pace for an audience that needs a break from the ‘softer’ side of Christmas.”

CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS.

“We want to rock the house and lift everyone’s spirits as we begin our celebration of the Christmas season,” said Patrick Collins, Associate Pastor for Youth and Families at First Church. “And, as an added bonus, all proceeds from the concert will go to local charities supported by our annual Christmas Tree sale.”

The six vital local charities are Kids in Crisis, The Den for Grieving Kids, the Young Adults Program at Pacific House, the Soundwater Young Mariners Academy, Building One Community, and BackCountry Jazz, which provides music enrichment to Bridgeport students.

Tickets are to the Ornament concert are $20 for adults, free for everyone 18 and under, and are available for advance purchase on the First Church website, or at the door on the night of the performance, subject to availability.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS.

See also:

First Congregational Church Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale for Charity Starts Nov 24

Mr. Piotrzkowski ready to honor the winning houses in the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jake Mondschein and James Sosa ready to pie Mr. Piotrzkowski after their houses won the the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jake Mondschein and James Sosa pied Mr. Piotrzkowski after their houses won the the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

This week the Roots & Shoots Club’s efforts were celebrated in unique fashion.

After two weeks of collecting both food donations and pennies, the club delivered Thanksgiving meals to needy families in town. The total food donations were nearly 2,700 items and the Penny Wars fundraiser raised over $2,000.

The schools’s food collection competition was won by Cantor House with 800 items. They chose junior Jake Mondschein to pie the headmaster on Wednesday at lunchtime.

The house with the most pennies was Folsom, and they selected junior James Sosa.

On Wednesday GHS interim headmaster Rick Piotrzkowski fulfilled his promise, and at around noon the custodians taped a plastic circle to the floor.

Kathleen Mendez, advisor to Roots & Shoots, came through with two pie plates and two cans of Ready Whip. A crowd gathered and a final countdown was shouted before Jake and James rushed to Mr. Piotrzkowski with pies.

“This is a great,” Mr. Piotrzkowski said afterward. “It’s for a great cause and 125 families received Thanksgiving meals. And it’s fun.”

Jake Mondschein and James Sosa pied Mr. Piotrzkowski after their houses won the the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jake Mondschein and James Sosa pied Mr. Piotrzkowski after their houses won the the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jake Mondschein and James Sosa pied Mr. Piotrzkowski after their houses won the the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Wednesday interim headmaster Rick Piotrzkowski got pied by students to honor the winning houses in the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Wednesday Jake Mondschein and James Sosa got to pie interim headmaster Rick Piotrzkowski after their houses won the the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Wednesday interim headmaster Rick Piotrzkowski got pied by students to honor the winning houses in the annual Thanksgiving penny wars and food drive at Greenwich High School. Nov 21, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager

On Tuesday, Nov 20 around 6:15pm Greenwich Police responded to the vicinity of Monica Road and Pemberwick Rd in Pemberwick on a report of a vehicle driving erratically.

Dispatch further advised that the vehicle may have been involved an accident and that the reporting party was concerned for the driver’s welfare.

Officers located a parked car matching the description and found it occupied by Silvia Rodriguez, 49, of 69 Pemberwick Rd in Greenwich.

Police say that for 30 minutes Ms. Rodriguez declined to identify herself. She was asked numerous times and continued to be uncooperative.

Ms. Rodriguez was charged with Interfering with an Officer/Resisting arrest.

She was assigned a date in Stamford Superior Court on December 5 and was released on a promise to appear in court.

The soon to be published Anderson Guide to Enjoying Greenwich lists over 360 stores in and around Greenwich.

This is the 11th edition, and in every new edition, new shops replace old ones.

Never before though has there been such a changeover of shops at such a record pace. The brown paper goes up with a real estate sign, and we can’t even remember who was there last week.

Should we be shocked? Not really. We are Amazon shoppers. It’s easy to order what we need on a Sunday night and find boxes arrive on our front steps as quickly as the next day.

Our friends are having fun with sites like StitchFix, where boxes of clothing selected to meet your preferences arrive at your door. Try on and simply return what doesn’t work. Decorate your home with a few clicks and everything is in your online shopping cart and on its way to you. Online shopping saves gas, time, and money.

Should we brace ourselves for the demise of Greenwich stores? This is a terrible thought. Shopping is part of a town’s social experience. We love congregating in our shopping areas. We take walks with our children and dogs. It’s a place to meet up with friends. Our stores and shopping areas feel as though they belong to us. They are a place of pride for us all.
As citizens we need to take action. To keep our shopping areas vibrant, we need to rethink our habits.

We need to take to heart our Chamber of Commerce motto, “Buy Local, Shop Local.”

Not long ago, there were four bookstores in Greenwich. Thank heavens for Diane’s Books. The Guide raves about many local stores. The owners of these stores know the local tastes, and their selections are meaningful and just right.

As a town we need to take action. Town planners need to embrace change. The Plan of Conservation and Development must take a look at what’s working in today’s world. Shoppers want an experience. They want places to eat and drink, view art, buy a musical instrument and have lessons too, talk with knowledgeable shop keepers and touch a book. Take note, Amazon is now opening real book shops!

We can do this!!

After a week-long school closure last month due to a water leak and flood, Cos Cob School students returned to school on October 15, with Kindergarten relocated to Parkway School, Grades 1-2 relocated to Old Greenwich School, and Grades 3-5 remaining at Cos Cob School on the unaffected third floor.

The reconstruction project remains on schedule for completion in time to return grades K-2 classrooms to the school over the Holiday Recess, and for students to return to their classrooms following the break.

Sheetrock installation has been completed on the second floor; and first floor sheetrock installation and second floor classroom painting has begun.

Crews will be working on Friday and Saturday this week.

Old Greenwich School absorbed four sections of Grade 1, and three sections of Grade 2 into five classrooms. Cos Cob School’s Grade 1 classrooms, with 15-16 students in each section, were combined into two classrooms with two teachers per classroom, maintaining the teacher to student ratio in a co-teaching model. In order to provide five classrooms for Cos Cob School for the short-term, Old Greenwich School displaced band, Spanish, Science lab, Computer lab and English Language Learning classes.

As the only school in the District with enough space on the ground floor to absorb the full Cos Cob School Kindergarten, Parkway School is hosting Cos Cob School’s four Kindergarten classes. By State Statute, Kindergarten and first grade classrooms must be located on the ground floor of the building. In order to provide classroom space for Cos Cob School, Parkway displaced instrumental band, English Language
Learning, Science, Spanish, and Advanced Learning Program classes that shared three of the classrooms. Parkway also gave up their Maker Space in the Media Center to use for the fourth Cos Cob School classroom.

While not optimal, as a short-term solution, instruction for the displaced classes at Parkway and Old Greenwich Schools is currently being delivered as a push-in model, and/or finding space in conference rooms, classrooms and other areas while not in use during the day’s schedule.

Original Story:

Cos Cob School Canceled for Tuesday, Oct 9 

Robert F Meehan. Photo courtesy Greenwich Police Dept Nov 22, 2018

On Thursday morning Greenwich Police received a report of a violation of a restraining order that resulted from not adhering to a court ordered child custody agreement.

Upon further investigation the offender, Robert F Meehan, 55, of 50 Havemeyer Lane in Old Greenwich was found to be in violation of the restraining order and also had an active arrest warrant for Harassment 2 and Criminal Violation of a Restraining Order.

Greenwich Police obtained an arrest warrant for Meehan after he allegedly sent numerous text messages to the victim whose active restraining order specifically stated that Meehan was not to harass the victim in any way.

Around 8:45 on Thursday, Police were detailed to a residence in Old Greenwich where they served the arrest warrant and then transported Meehan to police headquarters.

On Nov 22, Greenwich Police received an additional complaint from the victim that Meehan was violating additional terms of the restraining order and conducted an investigation.

Meehan was later located at a residence in eastern Greenwich and placed under arrest.

His bond for the multiple charges totaled $100,000, which was posted by 3D Bail Bonds. He has a date in Stamford Superior Court on Nov 23, 2018.

Annunziata “Carmela” Scarpelli, (nee Bria) of Greenwich, passed away November 21, 2018. She was 88 years old. Carmela joins her beloved husband, the late Gennaro Scarpelli, in Heaven, five months after his passing. She was born November 12, 1930, in Rose, Cosenza, Italy to Umile and Rosaria (nee Caruso) Bria.

For many years she worked in maintenance for Greenwich Hospital. A devoted homemaker, Carmela is survived by her loving children, Eugenio Scarpelli of Livingston Manor, NY, Rosaria Pirri (Eugenio) of Greenwich and Anna Gallo (Ennio) of Greenwich. She is also survived by cherished grandchildren, Eugenio Pirri Jr (Lisa) of Stamford, Jessica Hickey (Doug) of Trumbull, Gisella Sowin (Joe) of Dallas, TX, Gennaro Scarpelli (Sabrina) of Queens, Carmela Gangi (Vinny) of Greenwich, and Luisa Pellegrino (Mike) of Greenwich as well as 16 great grandchildren.

Carmela is the dear sister of Peter Joseph Bria, Rocco Bria, Rita Bria Sturgeon, and Teresa Bria Aquino.

To honor her life, family and friends will gather Sunday 4:00-8:00pm at Coxe and Graziano Funeral Home at 134 Hamilton Avenue Greenwich,
203-869-5968.

Funeral Mass Monday 10:00am St. Roch’s Roman Catholic Church followed by entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery. For more information or to place an online condolence, www.coxeandgraziano.com

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, Nov 15-16, 2018

606 West Lyon Farm Drive

606 West Lyon Farm Drive from Melissa Fleming to 606 WLF LLC on Nov 15, 2018 for $1,550,000

49 Long Meadow Rd

49 Long Meadow Rd from Michael Leach and Vickie Leach to Susan Chin on Nov 15, 2018 for $1,250,000

46 Meadow Rd

46 Meadow Rd from Mary York Baker and Frederick L Baker III, Trustees to John J Hartig on Nov 15, 2018 for $1,530,000

10 Owenoke Way

10 Owenoke Way from John Hartig and Amy Ford Keohane to Michael Weiksner on Nov 15, 2018 for $2,950,000

147 East Elm St

147 East Elm St from Jeffrey Bella to Allegra McBane-Sanchez on Nov 15, 2018 for $787,000

48 Frontier Rd

48 Frontier Rd from Sean Carrol and Linsay Carroll to Eduardo Sanchez on Nov 15, 2018 for $1,180,000

10 Artic Street from The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York as Trustee by Bayview Loan Services, LLC to JMM Retnals LLC on Nob 15, 2018 for $594,825

599 Lake Ave

599 Lake Ave from Joseph Brooks Non-Qtip GST Marital Trust to Anetta Reszko on Nov 15, 2018 for $1,312,500

599 Lake Ave from Estate of Alice Brooks to Anetta Reszko on Nov 15, 2018 for $1,312,500

40A Woodland Drive

40A Woodland Drive from John V Bologna Executor Estate of Josephine B Tripodi to Tatyana Kalyuzhny on Nov 16, 2018 for $680,000

72 North Water Street from The Bank of New York Mellon Tr to Steven Chila on Nov 16, 2018 for $545,000

15 Valley Drive aka 15 Georgetowne North from Frederick Wonham to Michael Benenson Trust on Nov 16, 2018 for $710,000

See also:

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, November 9-14, 2018

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers Nov 7-9, 2018