NEIGHBORHOODS
What’s going on in your part of Greenwich
Glenville
For the past six years, the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company has handed out the David N. Theis Award for Community Service to honor residents for giving back to the community.
And despite the coronavirus pandemic, the fire company is honoring someone who was very special to Theis.
On Oct. 11, the company posthumously gave the award to Kerrin Coyle, Theis’ longtime partner and a fixture in the Greenwich community. Coyle, who passed away earlier this year, was a huge supporter of the award, keeping Theis’ memory alive and the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company.
It was a “no-brainer” to give the award in Coyle’s memory, volunteer fire company member John Mastracchio said.
“This was a case where she and Dave made a team that where the whole was more than the sum of their parts,” Mastracchio said. “They did so much for this community as individuals but as a team they were incredible. … If anyone deserved this award it was Kerrin.”
Coyle was well known for her support of the local Republican Party, the annual Putting On The Dog event, and nonprofits such as Abilis. Her friends at the ceremony remarked upon her years of volunteerism and care for animals.
In past years, ceremonies were held at the Tamarack Country Club for honorees state Rep. Livvy Floren, Scott and Icy Frantz, Peter and Bea Crumbine, Terry Betteridge and Ed Dadakis. For 2020, the event was held outside the firehouse with about 25 socially distanced attendees.
Former First Selectman Peter Tesei presented the award to Jack Kriskey, a close friend of Coyle. Kriskey spoke about her “love for any person or animal that needed a little extra help” and about Team Kerrin, consisting of himself, Carole McIver and Allyson Halm, who cared for Coyle before her passing.
“I am certain that David is beaming with pride as he and Kerrin look down at us today,” Kriskey said at the ceremony. “Kerrin loved this community. Those who serve, like the Glenville Volunteer Firefighters, were especially important to her. Often when we would walk together Kerrin would go out of her way to seek out and thank someone who wore a uniform — police, firefighters, EMS and military.”
Chief of Police James Heavey, a member of the volunteer fire company, served as master of ceremonies. First Selectman Fred Camillo presented Kriskey with a ceremonial badge for the Glenville Fire Company, which is given to all of the honorees.
The ceremony has previously served as a major fundraiser for the volunteers. To make donate, volunteer or learn more, visit www.glenvillefire.org/.
Greenwich
Traditionally on the day after Thanksgiving, Greenwich hosts its annual Turkey Trot, where residents can work off all of those extra calories. But 2020 will be different due to the coronavirus.
The Greenwich Alliance For Education is switching from hosting a one-day 5K fun run to a monthlong and multifaceted fitness challenge.
The program will serve as a fundraiser to enhance Greenwich Public School programs and will keep the trot’s emphasis on exercise with competition by offering prizes as well as fun events for those who sign up.
Participants will be able to take part throughout November and log their miles by running, walking and biking, all while sporting a Turkey Trot T-shirt.
Registration is open at www.greenwichalliance.org. The registration fee is $30 for participants over the age of 14 and $15 for children. Everyone who signs up by Oct. 29 will get a T-shirt and a swag bag. The first 500 registrants will also get a Greenwich Alliance for Education neck gaiter.
The shirts and bags will be distributed starting Nov. 1 with a socially distanced kick-off event at Cadillac of Greenwich. The competition will run through Nov. 28.
“COVID-related concerns have caused us to reimagine our annual Turkey Trot for 2020,” Julie Faryniarz, the alliance’s executive director, said in a statement. “While our format will be different this year, our goals remain the same. We are raising funds for Alliance programs that fund innovation, expand opportunities and inspire teachers to foster educational success for Greenwich Public School students.”
Throughout the month, Tom the Turkey will make guest appearances around Greenwich. The “funky turkeys” made out of repurposed items through the alliance’s Developing Artist Grant will be seen around town as well.
The school with the most registrants will get a $500 gift card to help fund purchases for the physical education program. Julian Curtiss School, which won the honor in 2019, will seek to defend its title.
Central Greenwich
The Junior League of Greenwich is working to combat food insecurity in town with its first Community Harvest Sunday Supper set for Oct. 25.
Everyone will get a meal prepared by Simply Delicious. Entree choices are beef stroganoff, French roast chicken or eggplant parmesan, with sides, desserts and a bottle of wine provided by Cap Cork and Cellar. The meals can be picked up at the league’s headquarters at 231 E. Putnam Ave. from 4 to 5 p.m. or 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 25, or they can be delivered for $25 extra.
A supper for four diners is $150 and for six diners is $174. Orders must be placed by Oct. 22.
The proceeds will support the league’s community projects, including the Done in a Day and Done in a Year project initiatives that are working to provide groceries and food for residents “who face hunger in our community, and whose current income can’t cover basic necessities like food, housing, transportation and childcare.”
According to the league, the Done in a Year project committee is working with Greenwich nonprofits on food insecurity, including the Neighbor to Neighbor food pantry, which is serving nearly double its usual number of clients during the coronavirus pandemic.
The league is also researching other projects, such as food and gift card drives.
“With more than 400,000 Connecticut residents struggling with hunger and more than 117,000 children identifying as food insecure, the JLG is dedicating their efforts to help with food insecurity in the town of Greenwich, finding ways to address the immediate need, especially during the pandemic,” Junior League of Greenwich President Clarena McBeth said. “The JLG has always been devoted to improving our town and addressing needs as they arise. Our membership realizes this is a vital moment for all hands on deck to help people who really need us. We are here to help.”
For more information, visit www.jlgreenwich.org.
Backcountry
The Round Hill Volunteer Fire Company is looking to make this a Halloween to remember for kids.
It will host a “Safe but Spooky Haunted Halloween Trail” from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the firehouse at 166 Old Mill Road. Children are invited to come in costume to the firehouse, where they can collect Halloween treats as they travel through the “haunted trail.”
The trail was put together under coronavirus safety guidelines, in consultation with the town and state health departments. Masks, and not just the Halloween kind, must be worn.
The event will be held outside with a one-way traffic flow with social distancing in place.
The candy bags will be prepackaged by members of the volunteer fire company.
“We are excited to provide an opportunity for the children of Greenwich to celebrate Halloween and are focused on doing so in a safe and healthy environment,” Assistant Fire Chief Sharon Strain said.