Holiday boutique benefits Time for Lyme

Thursday, 19 November 2009 22:03

Shoppers and vendors displayed their generosity in multiple ways on Oct. 20 at the Holiday Boutique to benefit Time for Lyme (TFL). Attendees at the boutique, held at the Garden Education Center of Greenwich, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., purchased holiday gift items from various vendors while giving to TFL in the process. A portion of all proceeds was donated to the organization.

Fifteen exhibitors, most with a personal connection to Lyme disease, displayed their unique merchandise tempting consumers to buy. Everyone was excited to participate because “people like the idea of supporting the fight against Lyme disease,” said Libby Tuttle, boutique organizer and owner of Designing Women. Mrs. Tuttle’s sister and son both have Lyme disease. Her sister, who lives in Santa Fe, N.M., was diagnosed after 10 years and is still very ill. She had to travel to Denver to be treated because there were no Lyme-literate doctors in New Mexico.

“I’ve met some wonderful people at this event," said Reuben Simantov, another artisan and co-owner of R Simantov Fine Jewelry, a 30-year Lyme disease survivor himself. "Everyone holds hands creating a chain of mutual support.”

There were also appraisers on hand at the shopping day fund-raiser, who donated all their fees to Time for Lyme. Direct from Igavel.com, an online art auction Web site was owner Lark E Mason, Jr. With him was Helen F. Kippax, of The Antiques Brokerage House, Ltd, an art consulting and appraisal business. Both formerly of Sotheby’s, they appraised valued heirlooms with a suggested fee of $20 per item, or $50 for three.

This was the first time the Holiday Boutique was held, and all involved in the planning said it was fun and rewarding, and would set the standard for the following years. Barbara Edwards, TFL co-vice president of special events, Mrs. Tuttle and Pam Scott, owner of Catch All, selected the merchants. The three ladies chose from a list of 40 to 50 vendors, being sure to include all price levels and an assortment of interesting items. Buyers could choose: custom blended teas; chic accessories; fine and hand-crafted jewelry; home decorations; clothing for men, women and children; and other goods.

“People are more upbeat and spending more money,” said Matt Bridier of Castaway Clothing. Kathy Fish of Nantucket Sweaters echoed the sentiment saying she did great and would absolutely love to come back. The consensus was that it was a huge success with a good turnout, especially for a first-year show, which traditionally can be tough.

Time for Lyme used the occasion to advance its mission of educating the public about Lyme disease. A TFL table was set up in the center of all the exhibitors, where people could stop by to ask questions, obtain informative literature, sign-up to be on the TFL mailing list, and pick up a TFL baseball cap or Lyme disease bracelet.

About Lyme disease

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium carried in many ticks. Some, but not all, people infected with Lyme will see a bull’s-eye rash at the site of the tick bite between three and 30 days after infection. While this rash is a definitive symptom of Lyme, most diagnostic tests for the disease are unreliable and may produce false negatives, according to TFL and the Lyme Disease Association (LDA). TFL and LDA together have endowed the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, the first of its kind dedicated to the study of chronic Lyme disease.

First Congregational hosts Maine Crafts

Thursday, 19 November 2009 14:20

The First Congregational Church of Greenwich is hosting its annual Craft Show and Sale of hand-crafted goods from the HOME Coop in Orland, Maine. The event, which is open to the public, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22.

Families invited to printmaker event

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 10:00

The Bruce Museum presents Calder Family Day from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22.

The event is presented in conjunction with the Bruce Museum’s current exhibition “Alexander Calder: Printmaker,” on view through Jan. 31.

Alexander Calder: Bruce exhibits an ‘American master’

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 10:03

The Bruce Museum will hold a three-part Wednesday morning film series titled “Alexander Calder: Artist and Printmaker” on Nov. 4, Nov. 18, and Dec. 9 to be held in conjunction with its newest exhibition, “Alexander Calder: Printmaker” on view Oct. 31 to Jan. 31. The series examines the life and work of one of America’s most celebrated artists and explores the art of printmaking. Screenings take place in the Bruce Museum’s Bantle Lecture Gallery. The series is free with museum admission. Coffee and discussion follow each screening.

Backcountry church showcases 'world-class' music

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 09:58

Few would expect that the picturesque, steepled church deep in the backcountry was home to weekly performances by acclaimed musicians. But, in fact, the historic First Church of Round Hill, an interdenominational church that traces its roots back to 1810, has a long history of showcasing professional musical ensembles to accompany its Sunday services, from September to June.

Beachfront bushwhack

Friday, 13 November 2009 00:00

Andrew Weinstein, 6, and Madeline Weinstein, 8, ran in their first race at Tod's Point on Sunday, Nov. 8. The Parkway School students were participating in the Threads and Treads Beachfront Bushwhack 5 meter called Max's Mile held in honor of Maxwell Scotti. The next Threads and Treads event is the Jingle Bell Jog on Sunday, Dec. 13. The race begins and ends at Peabody's on Church Street. Entry is $15 in advance, $20 the day of the race. For more information, visit Threadsandtreads.com.

AmeriCares raises $1 million for relief effort

Saturday, 14 November 2009 00:00

The AmeriCares Airlift Benefit on Oct. 17 raised $1 million for AmeriCares humanitarian relief efforts around the world. More than 600 guests attended the gala at Westchester County Airport co-chaired by Paul and Diane Reilly of DarienChip and Cheryl Skowron of Greenwich, shown above with Mika Brzezinski, center. Guests were transported on a virtual airlift to see AmeriCares distributing medical aid to more than 90 countries. Ms. Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and Citadel Media’s The Joe Scarborough Show, was the emcee for the evening and Grammy Award winning artists Toots and The Maytals performed.

'Sermon in song' is this weekend

Friday, 13 November 2009 14:51

Singer, dancer and actress Jessica Gondwe will join the Rev. Robert H. Naylor, senior minister, and the Chancel Choir for a sermon in song, titled The Spirit in the Spirituals, on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at Second Congregational Church, at 139 E. Putnam Ave.

Old Greenwich students get close with nature

Tuesday, 10 November 2009 15:46

Fifth grade students at Old Greenwich School recently had the opportunity to participate in an unusual educational and team-building program. Nature’s Classroom, in Becket, Mass., is a three-night, four-day experiential education program that provides students with an outdoor education. Students spend four days living, working, eating, sharing and learning together through a variety of unique activities and experiences.

Library Friends to visit new Yale art gallery

Saturday, 07 November 2009 02:10

Join the Friends of the Greenwich Library on a trip to New Haven for a docent-led tour of the newly refurbished Yale University Art Gallery, to see the collections of American Decorative Arts, Paintings and Sculpture as well as modern and contemporary art, on Thursday, Dec. 3.