Jones, McGraw shine on stage at festival
Scene … Over 5,000 people feasted at the eighth annual Greenwich Wine + Food Festival last weekend at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich. The event dished up many gourmet culinary events, and featured a slew of renowned chefs, including Adam Richman and Daniel Boulud, and celebrities such as Kathie Lee Gifford from the “Today” show, Gary Dell’Abate from “The Howard Stern Show” and WOR radio and TV personality Mark Simone. It culminated with stellar performances by country music singer-songerwriter Caroline Jones — a Greenwich native — and country music superstar Tim McGraw. The wine and food festival benefited the Norwalk-based Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, as well as Ment’or and the Greenwich Parks and Recreation Foundation.
Out there … Dress up in black-tie or period attire as the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum hosts its annual Travel with the Victorians Gala from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 13 at the mansion on West Avenue in Norwalk. The evening’s honoree is trustee Mimi Findlay, of New Canaan, who will receive the museum’s National Legacy Award for her five decades of dedication and contributions toward the preservation of the landmark mansion. The event, chaired by trustee Paul Veeder, of Norwalk, will feature live and silent auctions; cocktails and dinner; a presentation from award-winning author, journalist and renowned globe-trotter and historian Tony Perrottet; as well as a preview of new works by artist Cynthia Mullins in “The Artist’s View: Traveling the Merritt Parkway.” For inforamtion and tickets, call 203-838-9799, ext. 112, or email info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.
Scene ... Maison D’Alexandre at 33 Lewis St. in Greenwich is toasting the work of renowned Bedfordbased artist Jeffrey Terreson with a Cocktail Art Party from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday. British-born celebrity chef Antony J. Ballard will dish up caviar and other culinary delights. Ballard has worked as personal chef to the likes of actor Chevy Chase, of Bedford, the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, of Weston, the late bestselling author Michael Crichton and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney. For information on the event, call 203-661-1111.
Local honors ... The St. Lawrence Society on Valley Road in Cos Cob is hosting its 31st annual Columbus Day celebration on Oct. 8, honoring Greenwich residents John and Sharon Vecchiolla. The day will start with the raising of the Italian and American flags at the Town Hall at 9 a.m., followed by breakfast at the club. Cocktails and an awards dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. at the club. For tickets,$100, go to stlawrencesociety.com/ events or call 203-618-9036.
Grand opening … The Greenwich Historical Society on Strickland Road in Cos Cob is preparing to celebrate the opening of its new $12 million campus, museum, library and archives, café, store and restored Impressionist-era gardens with a ribboncutting ceremony at noon Saturday. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, of Greenwich, will be joined by state Sen. L. Scott Frantz and First Selectman Peter Tesei at the ceremony. Enjoy activities for children, live music by the bluegrass swing band Too Blue, family-friendly tours of the Bush-Holley House and culinary treats by Dough Girls on the Go, the Tiki Food Truck, Mike’s Organic
Delivery farm stand and Randy’s Wines of Cos Cob. The event will run from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For information and to register, go to greenwichhistory.org or call 203-8696899.
Benefit walk … The DART Walk to the Finish! steps off on Saturday at Tod’s Point in Old Greenwich. Sign-in starts at 8 a.m, with the walk at 9 to benefit Dana’s Angels Research as it seeks a cure for Niemann-Pick type C disease. WCBS-FM radio personality Scott Shannon will kick off the walk, which will also feature Joey B’s Food Truck, breakfast, coffee, lunch, face painting, music and dancing with DJ Rick, as well as prizes awarded to the top fundraisers. For information and to register, go to danasangels.org or call 203-861-2063. And that’s all for now. Later…
Got a tip? Seen a celebrity? Email Susie Costaregni at thedish2@yahoo.com.