Life on the Greenwich Waterfront

One of Greenwich's greatest treasures, as indicated by those surveyed last spring for the Plan of Conservation and Development, is its waterfront.

In fact, the Long Island Sound is the last frontier in Greenwich. Life on the Greenwich Waterfront continues to be as fascinating as its changing tides.

On Election Day the tidal wave of politics surged and captured the interest of the entire town. Who could have predicted that First Selectman Peter Tesei would have been swept into office by such a strong current of the local electorate - or that a week later the Governor of Connecticut M. Jodi Rell would have announced that she would not run for re-election?

Greenwich has a triumphant new threesome of Selectmen (First Selectman Peter Tesei, Dave Theis, and Drew Marzullo) who hold great promise for the town's government the next two years. Governor Rell will ride out of the state on a crested wave in 2010 as she continues to lead the state and to work out an effective budget the next 14 months.

Here in Greenwich, Ned Lamont had the prescience to enter the race for Governor of Connecticut a few days before M. Jodi Rell's announcement that she would not run again.

Sink or swim, Greenwich wishes Ned well. In Washington, D.C., a maelstrom of activity continues to swirl around The Health Care Bill at a time when it is not apparent how future generations will even finance the $787 billion stimulus plan.

These are some of the ins and outs of politics.

How about the economy? Perhaps a walk down Greenwich Avenue is the best barometer. Starting at the top where the steeple of The First Presbyterian Church provides another nautical point for sailors and walking down towards the Long Island Sound at the end of "The Avenue," it is apparent that the town is bustling again. One can stop at any store and take a pulse. Graham's Toys is a favorite.

Shelves there are stocked with puzzles - in particular, an Italian maze complete with a sea turtle, crabs, and other marine animals. At the back of the store, youngsters get haircuts from the pros who are skilled at handling children. If a child will not sit still in a toy model of a grey Mercedes (shades of Subway Barber's red fire trucks on lower Greenwich Avenue,) the unwilling child is removed to the arms of an

adoring parent to finish cutting the first locks.

Further down the Avenue on Lewis Street is another store of local interest Therese Saint Claire. A quick preview for the holidays reveals a new book that is sure to be a hit: "Elegant Entertaining: Seasonal Recipes from the American Ambassador's Residence in Paris" written by Debbie Stapleton, wife of former Ambassador Craig Stapleton, in collaboration with executive chef Philippe Excoffier and photographer Francis Hammond. For dinner on the Greenwich waterfront savour the recipe for a fish course served to the Mayor of New York City in Paris last fall.

While we consider the vicissitudes of political life and the economy, let us also reflect on the fall skies that can be seen from the shoreline at this time of year. One can observe that the surreal skies are real. The autumnal hues of pink, lavender, peach, and gold really do light up the vespertine sky around the silhouetted peninsulas of the Greenwich shoreline. Just take a walk around Tod's Point at dusk or visit the website of artist Peter Layne Arguimbau www.arguimbau.net.

Peter is a sailor and a local artist who paints in the Flemish tradition. His Luminist seascapes illustrate the beauty of "Life on the Greenwich Waterfront."

Nancy Burke is a longtime Greenwich resident who has enjoyed living on the waterfront for more than ten years.