Cardinal Dolan installs Greenwich priest as knight in Order of Malta
Out there… The 2021 Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular Park Party takes place this Sunday at Mill River Park on Washington Boulevard in Stamford from noon to 3 p.m. The free community event, instead of the usual Thanksgiving parade, will feature five giant helium balloons, including Daniel Tiger, Scooby-Doo, Curious George, Alphonso the Dragon and the Gingerbread Boy; marching bands from Stamford and Westhill high schools; Santa and friends; and performances by Locust Performing Arts Center, Center Stage Dance Studio, The Pulse nova jazz, the Hoop Girls and Flippenout Extreme Trampoline and Cirque-Tacular Acrobats. For more info, visit stamford-downtown.com.
Scene… The Rev. Michael K. Jones, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Greenwich, participated in a Knights of Malta investiture Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York. Jones was installed as a magistral chaplain of the order.
Out there… Filling in The Blanks’ community luminary event, called Shine A Light on Childhood Hunger, takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24. Filling in The Blanks is asking for a $10 donation to go toward a luminary kit to be placed on your porch or in front of your business the night before Thanksgiving at 7 p.m. to shine a light on childhood hunger. Each purchase provides four meals for a local child in need. Each luminary kit will also include a free cupcake courtesy of Forever Sweet Bakery in Norwalk. For more info call Tina Kramer, co-founder of the nonprofit Filling in The Blanks, at 203-496-0733.
Scene… The Greenwich Botanical Center and Abilis are offering a boxwood holiday topiary workshop with florist and designer René DeLaurentis, a floral designer who previously owned two flower shops in Greenwich. The workshop takes place at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6, at Abilis Gardens & Gifts at 50 Glenville St. in Greenwich. The garden and gift shop is a retail-training site where adults with developmental disabilities are able to work toward community-based jobs in sales, production, inventory, order fulfillment and shipping/delivery services. The deadline to register is Dec. 1. For more info and to register ($95 including materials), go to greenwichbotanical center.org.
Out there… Coffee for Good’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 48 Maple Ave. in Greenwich. Coffee for Good is a nonprofit coffee shop and cafe that offers job training and employment opportunities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The grand opening will feature tasting selections of coffees and teas paired with small bites, music performed by Abilis clients, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony officiated by First Selectman Fred Camillo. Vendors include Path Coffee Roasters, Harney & Sons Teas, Meli-Melo, Jackie’s Empanadas on the Go, Leaven & Co., SmartFruit, Silvia’s Kitchen, Friends & Co.-Gluten Free.
Out there… The 55th annual Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale kicks off on the front lawn of First Congregational Church of Greenwich at 108 Sound Beach Ave. across from Binney Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, ov. 27. It will feature premium Fraser fir and balsam fir trees of all sizes, wreaths and decorating kits, natural pine roping and tree stands. All proceeds raised through the sale will benefit six local charities, including Kids in Crisis, the Young Adults Program at Pacific House, Fund for New Covenant Center, Mothers for Others, Community Centers Inc. and Building One Community. For more info and tree sale dates, go to fccog.org.
Scene… Gregory’s Coffee is set to open at 342 Greenwich Ave. on Friday, Dec. 3. Founded by Greg Zamfotis in 2006, the popular coffee shop chain boasts 37 locations, including its new spot on Greenwich Avenue. A total of 100 percent of the revenue generated from opening day sales at the Greenwich location will benefit to Coffee for Good, the nonprofit coffee shop and cafe on Maple Avenue in Greenwich.
Let there be light… Again this year, the trees lining Greenwich Avenue are lifting our spirits with their sparkling white lights, offering residents and shoppers a feeling of holiday cheer. Thank you!
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”
—W. T. Purkiser Happy Thanksgiving... And that’s all for now. Later...