POLICE & FIRE
Since graduating from the K9 Academy, Arrow has been effective in assisting the Greenwich Police Department. Recently, Officer Franco and Arrow helped the Connecticut State Police track down a suspect from an incident on I-95 in Greenwich. Arrow also successfully located a missing man who had a one-hour head start.
FROM TOWN HALL
The annual flag raising and salute to America will be held on July 4th at 9 a.m. at Town Hall, featuring the raising of the first American flag and a parade by the Greenwich Scouts. The event will honor American Revolution patriots, veterans, and descendants of Greenwich’s early settlers, with student awards, a band performance, and a large flag birthday cake. Organized by the Independence Day Association of Greenwich, the event will take place rain or shine.
The Town of Greenwich will host its annual fireworks displays on Saturday, July 6, at Greenwich Point Park and Binney Park, starting at 9:10 p.m. and 9:35 p.m., respectively. Attendees must bring a flashlight and valid 2024 Park Passes or guest tickets for access. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday, July 7, with updates available via a weather hotline at 203-861-6100.
AROUND TOWN
Spotted lantern flies are back. Currently, they are found as nymphs, not yet flying. If you see one, squash it. This insect has been detected in Connecticut, with established populations in Fairfield and New Haven Counties. In the early stages, spotted lanternfly nymphs are small and black with white spots. As they mature, they turn red with black and white markings. These nymphs are wingless and move by hopping or crawling. They are often found on the stems and leaves of plants, feeding on the sap. The spotted lanternfly is a highly aggressive plant pest in the United States and poses a threat to Connecticut’s environment, residential areas, and agricultural interests, particularly forests, orchards, vineyards, and nurseries.
The Wallace Center will host a free Friday summer concert series and ice cream social, with performances starting at 1:30 p.m. Registration is required due to limited seating, and concerts will take place in the Greenwich Arts Council meeting room. The lineup includes various pianists performing classical and contemporary music, with ice cream served afterward in the Wallace Cafe.
Greenwich’s annual SandBlast sand sculpture contest returns to Greenwich Point Park on June 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants must bring their own shovels and tools, and entry requires a valid Park Pass or ticket, though participation is free. In case of bad weather, the event will be rescheduled to June 30.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
The Riverside Garden Club, celebrating its 105th year, has restored the Putnam Cottage historic kitchen garden and maintained the gardens at the Riverside Train Station. They also hosted educational events for North Mianus School students at Binney Park. The club concluded its year on June 12 by recognizing these accomplishments.
Greenwich’s 2024 Boots & Shoes fundraiser is still accepting donations to provide DSW gift cards for children’s footwear for the new school year. Contributions can be made online or via check sent to The Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund.
In April, Greenwich Hospital was designated a Level III Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and the State of Connecticut. To celebrate, the hospital hosted a community event with educational activities and interactive exhibits on trauma care, featuring representatives from local emergency services. The new designation allows the hospital to better serve local trauma patients and signifies its commitment to high-quality patient care and continuous improvement.
Grill & Chill: Smokehouse BBQ & Bluegrass Music will take place on Thursday, July 11, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Tomes-Higgins House in Greenwich, CT. The event features southern-style smoked BBQ, live Bluegrass music by the “String Busters Band,” and is hosted by the Gatherings Committee at Christ Church Greenwich. Tickets are $55 per person and available on the Christ Church website.
Gary Volkov has been appointed as the new Executive Chef at Tony’s at The J House. With over 25 years of experience and a background from the French Culinary Institute, he specializes in Russian, Contemporary American, and French cuisine. Volkov was previously the Executive Chef at One If By Land, Two If By Sea in New York City.
Olympic swimmer Donna de Varona and her husband John Pinto have supported Swim Across America – Fairfield County for 18 years, benefiting the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy. On June 29, 2024, they will serve as honorary co-chairs for the 18th annual open water swim, where Donna will receive the Swim Across America Olympian WaveMaker award. The event will be held at 96 Cummings Point Road, Stamford, CT, and includes various swim races and activities.
Greenwich Hospital has launched the “Bee Mindful” program to enhance care for individuals with special needs, aiming to tailor healthcare and create a secure environment for these patients. The program was first implemented by treating a 17-year-old patient with a rare genetic disorder in the pediatric unit. “Bee Mindful” also educates hospital staff on patient needs and uses the Patient Neurobehavioral Assessment Tool (PNAT) for personalized care.
Optimum has pledged over $17,000 to support four Boys & Girls Clubs in Connecticut, including $2,500 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. The donation is part of Optimum’s broader support for clubs across 21 states, providing high-speed internet and STEM learning opportunities.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
This week, Greenwich High School graduates Minnetta Arlotti and Gia Elezaj passed their community service initiative at The Mews to their younger sisters. They had started visiting seniors as part of a civics class project, leading Minnetta to establish a local chapter of GlamourGals, which provides companionship to seniors. As they head to college, their sisters Scarlett Arlotti and Gemma Elezaj will continue the effort.
SCHOOLS
Ana Maria Fals of New Lebanon School has been selected as Greenwich Public Schools’ nominee for the Connecticut State Department of Education’s 2025 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Program. Fals has been selected for her exceptional teaching skills and effective classroom management.
Don Smith of Western Middle School has been nominated for Connecticut’s 2025 Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Award for his dedication to students, particularly his support of a terminally ill student. Principal Suzanne Coyne praised his commitment, noting his efforts to include and support the student daily. Smith’s dedication extends beyond school hours, demonstrating his commitment to all students over the years.
Western Middle School recently hosted the Tuning In To Music recital, where over 55 students performed various instruments. Sponsored by the Greenwich Alliance for Education, the program has provided free music lessons to over 800 students since 2006. The recital also acknowledged K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator Laura Newell and New Lebanon School Music Teacher Ms. Nina Dryer, who are both leaving GPS.
Glenville School’s PTA, along with parent volunteers and teachers, installed a Ben’s Bells BE KIND mural in the school’s courtyard. Founded in 2003, Ben’s Bells is a nonprofit promoting kindness through ceramic bells and educational programs, reaching over 1.6 million students worldwide. The mural project, involving student-painted mosaic pieces, successfully united the community.
Western Middle School’s eighth-grade students presented their capstone projects this month, showcasing their learning from the past three years. They used formats like murals, documentaries, TED Talks, and infographics to address issues such as drug abuse, fast fashion, and climate change. One notable project explored the ethical concerns of artificial intelligence in art.
For five Friday mornings in May and June, nearly 90% of Old Greenwich School’s fifth graders volunteered to clean up the playground and fields. This project aimed to instill pride and responsibility for their school. The goal was to encourage students to return with a greater respect for the environment they helped maintain.
The Greenwich High School Chess Team, led by President Maximillian Lu and Co-Captain Elias Orrell, received the 2024 Connecticut State Scholastic Chess Club of the Year award for winning the FCICL league, the state high school championship, and participating in community outreach. Maximillian Lu was also inducted into the Connecticut State Chess Hall of Fame. The team received a plaque in recognition of this honor.
The CMS 7/8 band earned scores of 95.5 and 96.5, receiving a “Superior” rating at the Music in the Parks festival at Bristol Central High School. These are the highest scores for any CMS concert band in over eight years. After their performance, the band celebrated at Lake Compounce amusement park.
Two Greenwich High School students, Thomas Stowe and Anthony Bozza, established an endowment fund to provide investment experience and financial support for their school, raising $50,000 with the help of school officials and the Greenwich Alliance for Education. They partnered with Morgan Stanley and expanded the club to nearly 20 members who manage a diversified portfolio. The club plans to donate 5% of the fund annually and aims to grow further with upcoming fundraising events.
Greenwich Public Schools nurses have a new labor contract that includes a 7.5 percent raise over three years and increased healthcare contributions, starting in July. The Representative Town Meeting approved the contract, which will run through 2027, with annual wage increases of 2.5 percent. Key changes include higher healthcare contributions and exemption from working on snow days.
SPORTS
The Greenwich High School girls track team secured several post-season victories, highlighted by strong performances in the CIAC Class LL Championship and the State Open Championship. The team placed fourth overall at the Class LL Championship and 10th at the State Open, with notable achievements from the 4×800 and 4×400 relay teams, as well as individual successes in various events. They concluded their season with commendable performances at the New England Championship and the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Championship.
Four Sacred Heart Greenwich Varsity A lacrosse athletes received All-NEPSAC honors, while two earned WNEPSWLA All-Star accolades after their successful 2024 season. The team finished with a 15-3 record, ranked No. 16 in the USA Lacrosse High School Girls’ National Top 25 and No. 12 in the Inside Lacrosse Q-Collar Girls Top 25 National High School Rankings.
Four Brunswick School baseball players received 2024 All-NEPSAC honors for their exceptional performances. Jerry Guzman, Connor Jones, Jackson Shepelsky, and Michael Yeager were recognized for their contributions both on the field and in leadership roles, helping the team achieve a successful 14-6 season and a second-place finish in the FAA.
