At Home In Greenwich, Inc. held its annual Benefit chaired by Diane Jennings at the Delamar Hotel on September 12, 2025, and honored Diane Garrett, founder and owner of Diane’s Books of Greenwich, Inc., and The Retired Men’s Association of Greenwich (RMA). Senator Richard Blumenthal presented Certificates of Special Recognition to both recipients in recognition of their respective services to the Greenwich community.
When presenting its Certificate to Diane Garrett, Beth Krumeich, president of the Board of Directors of At Home in Greenwich, explained that in 1990, when Diane opened the legendary Diane’s Books of Greenwich, a family bookstore on Grigg Street, her principal competition were mega bookstores like Barnes & Noble, which were found everywhere. Diane had a secret weapon, however, herself, a “bibliophile,” that is a lover of books with the knowledge and experience to curate her unique collection of books to match the needs and interests of her customers. Her bookshelves have always been filled with the best fiction, non-fiction and children’s books to be found anywhere. Diane’s Books still enjoys the same advantage it has always had, Diane and her talented and knowledgeable staff who have the unerring skill to introduce you to the very books you need and will enjoy. Diane shared in an oral history at Greenwich Library that her mother was a beautiful woman who read to her every night and only wore pink, purple and red – the red that is the primary color Diane chose for her bookstore.
For the past thirty-five years, Diane has guided dozens of book groups in their choices of books, led untold numbers of elementary school children in listening to books read aloud in a circle, encouraged her customers to donate to “giving trees” in her store to place books in the hands of less fortunate children who otherwise may not have many books in their homes. At Home In Greenwich, Inc. honored Diane Garrett for sharing with customers her love of books and for guiding the Greenwich community in their lifelong journey to learn through reading.
At Home then honored The Retired Men’s Association of Greenwich (RMA) for the many years of programs provided and services given by its members to the community. Last year, the RMA celebrated its 70th anniversary of providing fellowship and camaraderie among retired men in the greater Greenwich area. The RMA is best known for its world-class speaker’s program held each week from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Christ Church parish hall. The speaker series covers a vast number of speakers from around the country who present topics that help members keep up on issues of international, national, State and local concerns. For example, recent speakers spoke on varied topics including artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, Congressional legislative actions, the condition of Interstate 95, and on-line betting. RMA members volunteer throughout the community and regularly provide services to almost thirty non-profits in the Greenwich area. Beth Krumeich announced that At Home was delighted to give the honor to David Michonski, current president accepting on behalf of the RMA, for the many years of programs the RMA provided and services given by its members to the Greenwich community.
At Home In Greenwich, Inc. is a membership organization that supports and empowers older adults in Greenwich to live independently in their own homes safely and with confidence. Anyone interested in learning more about At Home is encouraged to call the office at (203) 422-2342 or view the website at www.athomeingreenwich.org. The At Home office is located on the second floor of Steeple Commons that is adjacent to the Second Congregational Church at 139 East Putnam Avenue.
