NEIGHBORHOODS What’s going on in your part of Greenwich
Cos Cob
Now that autumn has arrived, it’s time for the Greenwich Historical Society to hold its annual Fall Family Festival.
Last year, not even the pandemic could stop the festival, which this year takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 9 at the historical society’s campus at 47 Strickland Road.
“Fall Festival is one of our most popular events, anticipated by families throughout the community and in nearby towns for more than 30 years due to the wide variety of outdoor activities that people of all ages can enjoy,” Historical Society Executive Director and CEO Debra Mecky said.
“Proceeds support our interactive educational programs, which complement classroom teaching. This is especially important this year as the pandemic has strained learning opportunities for school-age children. We’re grateful for the community’s support over the years and look forward to welcoming them back,” she said.
The entire event will be held outside.
Tickets are $50 per family of
four for members of the Greenwich Historical Society and $60 for a nonmember family of four. There are also individual tickets on sale at $10 for member adults and $15 for nonmembers, and $5 for children age 2 to 16.
Among the activities is music from the Trummytones, a new children’s music band led by trombonist Vinny Nobile. The band will fuse the tuba with drums and the accordion to create what is described as “an organic pop zydeco and reggae fun for all ages.”
The annual scarecrowbuilding competition will be held, and families can create their own scarecrows to take home. The ticket price for the festival will include scarecrow supplies; additional supplies can be purchased for $20 each.
Donations of clothes and other accessories for the scarecrows are sought. The donations can be delivered to the Greenwich Historical Society’s lobby by Oct. 8.
A Tavern Market will also be offered at the festival, with items for sale ranging from food to flowers to gifts and crafts. The market will be free to enter. More information is available online at www.greenwichhistory.org/ tavern-markets/.
For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.greenwichhistory.org/event/fall-familyfestival/.
Glenville
Since 2015, the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company has been giving out its David N. Theis Award for Outstanding Service to the Community to leaders and volunteers in Greenwich.
On Oct. 7, the award will go to Larry Simon, a longtime resident, former member of the Board of Estimate and Taxation and the current chair of Nathaniel Witherell’s Board of Directors.
In a statement, the fire company said Simon’s commitment to the town “goes far beyond” his role at the town-owned and -operated skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation center. He was on the BET for 12 years as a Democrat and has also been involved with the town’s Retirement Board, the Greenwich Land Trust, the Bruce Museum, the Greenwich United Way and the League of Women Voters.
“While that might be enough to fill most people’s calendars, Larry also finds time to be a volunteer tutor at the Glenville School,” the statement said. “Instead of slowing down after retiring from a company that he founded, Larry has instead focused his talents and time on making Greenwich better every day. He truly embodies the spirit of the Theis Award and the Glenville Volunteer Firefighters are excited to honor him for his contributions to our town.”
The award is presented every year in memory of David Theis, a member of the Board of Selectmen, who died unexpectedly in December 2014. Theis was a supporter of the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company and first responders throughout town. The award was established to recognize residents who “selflessly and compassionately serve the town’s people, organizations, and institutions.”
Past recipients of the award include former State Rep. Livvy Floren; Icy and L. Scott Frantz; Bea and Peter Crumbine; Ed Dadakis; and Terry Betteridge. Last year, the award was given to the late Kerrin Coyle, who was Theis’ longtime partner.
The reception and award ceremony will take place at the Tamarack Country Club at 55 Locust Road. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available. Funds raised will be used to buy critical safety equipment and other supplies for the volunteer fire company. More information is available by visiting www.glenvillefire.org or calling 203-532-9606.
Old Greenwich
The need for blood is an ongoing issue for the Red Cross — and residents will have a chance to donate on Monday, Oct. 4.
According to town resident Gary Silberberg, who organizes the blood drives every month, the one scheduled for Monday will take place at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich from 1 to 6 p.m.
Donors must sign up in advance by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org. Donors can also fill out needed forms in advance and make the process go faster by visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org/ rapidpass on the day of the blood drive.
Walk-ins are not permitted. The blood drives are held every month; another is scheduled for the first week in November.
“Pandemics aren’t scheduled but blood drives are,” Silberberg said.
In the days leading up to the blood drive, donors should drink a lot of water and eat green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach or broccoli, he said.
But as a word of warning — with Halloween coming up, Silberberg said the “town vampire” might show up at the event.
Downtown
For those who are passionate about Greenwich’s past, the oral histories available at Greenwich Library have long been considered an invaluable tool.
Now the award-winning Oral History Project is seeking volunteers and will hold a two-part training and orientation course for those interested on Oct. 5 and on Oct. 12. Both sessions will run from 2 to 4 p.m.
People who want to volunteer must attend both sessions. The training is required for people to take part.
The Oral History Project conducts and collects interviews with Greenwich residents who describe what life was like in town during their lifetimes or that of their parents or grandparents. Volunteers contribute in a variety of roles.
The training will cover the history of oral histories, the origins of the Oral History Project and the best interviewing techniques. Openings for volunteers include interviewing, editing, indexing, researching photographs and artwork, public relations and administrative support.
The Oral History Project is sponsored by the Friends of Greenwich Library as a volunteer effort and was founded in 1974. Its collection includes more than 1,000 interviews and 142 published books.
For more information or to register, call 203-622-7945.