POLICE & FIRE
EMS Student Grabbed by Stranger
On the morning of Thursday, September 11, a student walking to Eastern Middle School (on Lockwood Road) was grabbed from behind by an unknown adult. The student was not harmed. Police are investigating.
FROM TOWN HALL
Air Force Anniversary Honored Publicly
On September 18, a ceremony was held at Town Hall to mark the anniversary of the United States Air Force. The Air Force flag was raised at 9 a.m. outside the building. The event was open to the public.
Greenwich Celebrates Mexican Independence Day
Greenwich held its annual Mexican Independence Day celebration at Town Hall on Tuesday, September 16, beginning at 10 a.m. The event included a flag raising, music, and a reception in the garden area behind Town Hall. Organized by residents Ann Blumensaadt and Robert Genna for the eighth year, the program also featured a recorded message from the Mexican Consul General.
Partial Leaf Blower Ban Lifted
Greenwich’s seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers was lifted at the start of September, allowing their limited use through spring. Residents are reminded to follow the town’s regulations on permitted hours and noise restrictions. The Department of Public Works notes that the seasonal limits are intended to balance landscaping needs with community concerns about noise and air quality.
AROUND TOWN
Greenwich Adds Signs Promoting Safety
The Town of Greenwich has obtained two free speed display signs through the Connecticut T2 Center program. These devices show drivers their speed in real time to encourage compliance with limits and reduce crashes. Speeding accounts for nearly one-third of roadway fatalities in Connecticut, and studies show the signs are effective at lowering speeds in key locations.
Fall Festival Brings Community Together
The Fall Festival will take place on September 27 at the new Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. Organized by the Department of Parks and Recreation, the event will run from 12 to 2 p.m. and include games, crafts, live music, bounce houses, and refreshments. Local businesses such as Upper Crust Bagel Company and Cups n’ Cones will provide food and drinks.
Greenwich Considers Longer Dog Season
At Monday’s RTM meeting, a proposal was introduced to extend the season when dogs are allowed on Greenwich beaches. The current season runs from December 1 to March 31, and the proposal suggested moving the start date to November 15 instead of October 1 as originally planned. The RTM did not take a vote, and the item will be considered again at the next meeting.
Greenwich Plans Safe Boiler Removal
A crane will be used on Oct. 11 to remove a 45,000-pound boiler house from 55 Holly Hill Lane in Greenwich, requiring the full closure of Muskrat Pond Drive for about eight hours. The crane’s width matches the roadway, leaving no space for traffic while it operates. The Board of Selectmen will vote on the closure on Sept. 25.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
Undies Project Celebrates Ten Years
The Undies Project, a nonprofit based in Greenwich, Connecticut, is marking its 10th anniversary by donating over 600,000 new underwear items to men, women, and children through 55 partner agencies. The organization will hold a fundraising event, “An Evening of Magic”, on November 1, 2025, in Stamford, featuring a magician, food, drinks, and a silent auction. Since its founding in 2015, the group has focused on providing a basic but under-donated clothing need while educating communities about the importance of underwear donations.
Greenwich Lions Collecting Glasses, Hearing Aids
A collection box is available in the Greenwich Town Hall lobby for donating used eyeglasses and hearing aids to the Lions Club. These items will be refurbished and given to people in need. Additional donation boxes are located at local civic centers, libraries, and Greenwich Ophthalmology, with more information available on the Lions Club website.
Hill House Expands With Greenwich Store
Hill House Home, founded in 2016 by Nell Diamond, is opening a new store this year at 117 Greenwich Avenue. Hill House currently operates stores in New York City, Nantucket, Dallas, and Charleston, with additional locations planned.
Greenwich Joins Global Coastal Cleanup
On September 20, from 8 a.m. to noon, Greenwich Green & Clean will host the International Coastal Cleanup at Greenwich Point Park. Volunteers will collect and record trash, with the data sent through Save the Sound to the Ocean Conservancy to support global tracking of marine pollution. Gloves and buckets are provided, check-in is at the concession stand lot, and community service credit is available.
Bone Marrow Drive Saves Lives
The Lenschow family of Greenwich will host a bone marrow donor drive on September 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chelsea Piers in Stamford. The drive, held during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, aims to add new donors to the DKMS registry, which connects patients worldwide with potential matches. Eligible participants are individuals ages 18 to 55 in good health, and registration requires only a cheek swab.
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt Visits Greenwich
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt will speak at Christ Church Greenwich’s Dogwood Books & Gifts on Tuesday, November 4, at 7 p.m. The event, Motherhood Collective: Community, Connection, and Finding Your Inner Calm, includes her parenting talk, a wine-and-cheese reception, and a copy of her new children’s book, Kat & Brandy. Tickets cost $25, and all Dogwood profits support local charities.
Zero Waste Dinner Promotes Sustainability
Waste Free Greenwich will hold its first Zero Waste Dinner on October 16 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside, featuring a multi-course meal prepared by local chefs using surplus and repurposed ingredients. The event includes a cooking competition, presentations on sustainable practices, and recognition of community waste-reduction efforts. Proceeds will support Waste Free Greenwich and Food Rescue US, Fairfield County.
Greenwich Conservancy Honors Treasured Trees
The Greenwich Tree Conservancy will hold its Treasured Trees Celebration on Thursday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m. at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouse, 437 North Street, Greenwich. The event will recognize this year’s Treasured Trees and the owners of Connecticut’s Champion Notable Trees. Proceeds support the Conservancy’s work to preserve and expand Greenwich’s tree canopy.
Greenwich YMCA Expands Running Start
The YMCA of Greenwich’s Running Start program provided 125 children with $150 Kohl’s gift cards, school supplies, and transportation for back-to-school shopping. The program has expanded each year since 2022, serving children from local schools and social service referrals. Funding comes from the YMCA’s Back-to-School Campaign, which also supports scholarships and enrichment programs.
Constantino’s Restaurant Group, owners of Pasta Bowls of Greenwich and Love You A Latte, has opened Constantino’s Pizza & Ice Cream on Hamilton Avenue. The restaurant will expand its offerings to include fresh daily donuts under the Glazed N’ Confused brand, along with cupcakes. Owners Michael and Robyn Bordes continue to oversee the group’s growing lineup of establishments.
Bailiwick Club Begins Major Renovation
The Bailiwick Club has begun the largest renovation project in its 50-year history, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony. The work includes construction of a 25-meter, sixlane swimming pool and a new dining area to support the club’s swim team and membership. Founded as Fairfield County’s first non-restrictive club, Bailiwick has maintained its commitment to accessibility and community use.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
Justin Bernstein Wins Davidson Fellowship
Justin Bernstein, a 2025 GHS graduate, was named a 2025 Davidson Fellow and awarded a $50,000 scholarship for his project on using bioengineered Arctic bacteria to increase ice reflectivity and slow glacier melt. His research modified cryobacteria to absorb silica and form internal glass structures, enhancing the albedo of Arctic ice. The Davidson Institute supports intellectually gifted students under 18 through programs that develop their academic and social skills.
SCHOOLS
New Lebanon School Celebrates Farm-To-School
In March, New Lebanon School was accepted into Vermont FEED’s Northeast Farm to School Institute 2025 cohort, a yearlong professional learning program. Over the summer, school and district administrators attended a three-day session at Shelburne Farms in Vermont, where they developed a Farm to School Action Plan. On October 6, the school will launch its Harvest of the Season program featuring carrots grown in the school garden.
Greenwich Freshmen Earn National Recognition
Two Greenwich High School freshmen, Clara Cahill and Rajsi Choudhary, were named among the top 300 students nationwide in the Junior Innovators Challenge, which drew nearly 2,000 applicants from across the U.S. and its territories. Fellow student Ellie Mao also competed in the program, which recognizes original research projects. Cahill and Choudhary remain eligible for selection as finalists, who will advance to Washington, D.C., in October to compete for major national STEM awards.
SPORTS
Greenwich Dominates Season Opening Victory
Greenwich High School opened its 2025 football season with a 31-14 win over Fairfield Prep, led by sophomore quarterback Phil Tarantino’s 171 passing yards and three touchdowns. Senior running back Hector Lopez added 131 rushing yards, while the Cardinals’ defense produced key stops and an interception. The victory showcased strong contributions from first-year starters and returning leaders, continuing momentum from last season’s Class LL state championship run.
Sacred Heart Starts Season Strong
Sacred Heart Greenwich opened its field hockey season with two dominant shutout wins, defeating School of the Holy Child 7-0 on Sept. 9 and Kent School 8-0 on Sept. 13. Whitney Rousseau and Lindsay Schwind led the attack in the opener, combining for multiple goals and assists, while Rousseau added four goals in the Kent game. Goalkeeper Liv Starr made one save in each contest as the Tigers improved to 2-0.
Greenwich Soccer Continues Winning Streak
Greenwich High School’s varsity boys soccer team had a standout 2024 season, finishing 18-1-3, winning the FCIAC Tournament and West Division titles, and reaching the CIAC Class LL semifinals. The Cardinals have opened the 2025 campaign strong at 4-0, outscoring opponents 18-1 with key contributions from seniors Alexander Amato, Henry Davis, Francisco Luzuriaga, and junior Diego Cordero. With veteran coach Kurt Putnam guiding a mix of returning leaders and new players, the team is showing strong chemistry, defensive discipline, and high-scoring potential early in the season.
LOCAL POLITICS
Greenwich Primary Concludes, November Awaits
The Republican primary for the Board of Estimate and Taxation concluded this week, with ballots cast during early voting and on Tuesday. Election officials and poll workers ensured the process ran smoothly. With candidates now confirmed for November’s municipal election, eligible residents are encouraged to register or verify their voter registration before Election Day.
ACROSS CT
American Legion Hosts Veterans Townhall
The American Legion will host a town hall for local veterans on September 22, 2025, from 6–8 p.m. at Post 127 in Orange, Conn., as part of its System Worth Saving program. The event allows veterans to share their health care experiences with representatives from the VA and the Legion. Findings from these visits are compiled into reports shared with VA officials, Congress, and the public.
OUR NEIGHBORS
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Ridgefield
Ridgefield will hold its 13th Annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off on September 28 at Ballard Park. Prizes are awarded in categories like squash, marrow, and tomato, in addition to the giant pumpkin contest (last year’s winner was over 2,000 lbs).
