Childhood pal meets up with Riverside native Dorothy Hamill
Scene… David Tutera, celebrity wedding planner, author and bridal fashion designer, was seen dining at Terra Ristorante on Greenwich Avenue on Thursday night. Tutera is the host of WE TV’s “My Fair Wedding with David Tutera” and “David Tutera’s CELEBrations.”
Out there... Chris Geer, who grew up on Indian Head Road, met up recently with his childhood — and lifelong — friend Dorothy Hamill, who went on to fame by winning the Olympic gold medal in figure skating in 1976. Geer said they enjoyed brunch at Mario’s Early Toast restaurant in Roseville, Calif., and reminisced about “the wonderful town of Greenwich and 65 years of friendship.” Geer, who lives in Castro Valley, Calif., says they both “got skates around the same time as kids — and I know I learned to skate on the pond by the Riverside Railroad Station.” Hamill, who splits her time between California and Colorado, also learned to skate on a backyard pond in town, according to published reports.
Out there... The First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich will host its 55th annual Christmas Concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 11. The Festival Chorus will be accompanied by the Chamber Orchestra and professional soloists Gileann Tan, Sarah Bleasdale, Daniel Young and Brian Mummert. Seating is first-come, first-served, and the Meetinghouse doors will open at 3:30 p.m. The concert will also be livestreamed on the church’s YouTube channel. The performance is open to the public, and a $20 freewill offering is suggested. For more info, go to www.fccog.org.
Scene… The Greenwich Downtown Business District’s Holiday Stroll takes place on Greenwich Avenue from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The shopping and dining event produced by Re-Imagine Greenwich, Greenwich Forward, Shopt by Jamie, Greenwich Magazine and Moffly Media will feature extended hours at stores and restaurants, light bites and refreshments, discounts, in-store drawings and giveaways. Re-Imagine Greenwich, co-chaired by Selectwoman Lauren Rabin and Sara Savov, works to improve resident and visitor experiences in town. Greenwich Forward, the fundraising partner to Re-Imagine Greenwich, is a nonprofit that expands public awareness and funds initiatives and events in Greenwich. Happy shopping!
Scene… C. Parker Gallery on Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich is featuring “Cool Yule — A Rock & Roll Holiday Art Exhibition” from Thursday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 12. The exhibit will showcase an amazing collection of art and photographs featuring musicians including Paul McCartney, Jerry Garcia, John Entwistle of The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Robby Krieger of The Doors, Tony Bennett, The Police, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, U2, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin as well animation art, concert tour posters and a book signing by photographer Mark Weiss, author of the critically acclaimed coffee table book “The Decade That Rocked.” He will be signing books from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. For more info, call 203-661-0205.
Out there… On Thursday, shoppers can support the work of Dana’s Angels Research Trust by shopping at participating stores on Greenwich Avenue. The stores will donate 10 percent to 20 percent of sales during the hours listed when you mention DART. Participating stores include Veronica Beard from 1 to 3 p.m., Vineyard Vines from 2 to 4 p.m., Splurge from 3 to 5 p.m., and Shoes n’ More from 4 to 6 p.m. Melo-Melo and Bistro V will also donate 20 percent of their sales from lunch and dinner to DART. The nonprofit DART was founded by the Marella family of Greenwich aand raises funds for medical research of a rare, degenerative and fatal disease, Niemann-Pick type C, which is often referred to as childhood Alzheimer’s. DART has raised nearly $6 million to date with over 95 percent of the funds going directly to medical research. To learn more, visit danasangels.org.
Scene… Chabad Lubavitch of Greenwich will celebrate Hanukkah with a Car Menorah Parade and Grand Menorah Lighting with a concert and Hanukkah delights on Sunday, Dec. 5. The car procession lighting up the streets of Greenwich will depart Cos Cob School at 5 p.m., followed by the Grand Menorah Lighting at 5:30 p.m. on Greenwich Avenue, with a Hanukkah Concert with singing, dancing, doughnuts and warm drinks for all. The 12-foot tall Menorah will be lit by Rabbi Yossi Deren, who will be joined by First Selectman Fred Camillo and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal. The event is open to the public. For more info, email levi@chabadgreenwich.org, or go to chabadgreenwich.org.
Out there… Comedian Howie Mandel of “America’s Got Talent” and “Deal or No Deal” will perform at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8. For tickets and more info, go to www.ridgefieldplayhouse .org or call 203-438-5795.
“We light candles in testament that faith makes miracles possible.”
— Nachum Braverman Happy Hanukkah… And that’s all for now. Got a tip? Seen a celebrity? Email Susie Costaregni at thedish2@yahoo.com