The Dish: Darryl Strawberry, major leaguers hit the Avenue

Scene ... Former Major League Baseball great Darryl Strawberry appeared at Manfredi Jewels on Greenwich Avenue on Thursday evening at a reception sponsored by Hublot to benefit PALS (Patient Airlift Services) and the Strike 3 Foundation. The event, which drew a crowd of more than 125, was catered by Greco's Bella Cucina on Hamilton Avenue in Greenwich, and featured the 2011 Hublot Watch Collection, a raffle which included a suite for 22 people at Yankee Stadium, a variety of baseball memorabilia, and goodie bags containing a sterling-silver wine stopper by Links London, a New York Yankees signature teddy bear by DKNY, a titanium bracelet by Phiten and a Hublot Geneve baseball hat. Strawberry was joined by his brother Ronnie, who is co-owner of his popular restaurant Strawberry's Sports Grill in Queens, N.Y.; New Haven native and Oakland A's relief pitcher Craig Breslow, who founded The Strike 3 Foundation for childhood cancer research; and Oakland A's relief pitcher Andrew Bailey. Also on display was Strawberry's World Series ring and trophy. Along with money raised by donations at the event, more than $25,000 was raised through the raffle and baseball memorabilia.

Out there ... Santa and his live reindeer are returning to McArdle's Florist & Garden Center on Arch Street in Greenwich for the third annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Santa's Workshop on Nov. 25. A parade down Greenwich Avenue with Santa and one of his four reindeer, police, firefighters and town officials is scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 25, culminating at McArdle's where the reindeer will reside until Christmas Eve. A "We're Back Party" for Santa and his live reindeer will follow at McArdle's at 2:30 p.m. offering holiday refreshments and photos with Santa. For more information, go to www.greenwichreindeerfestival.com.

Out there ... A reception and performance in celebration of the late actress and Greenwich resident Madelyn O'Neil (1912-2011) is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Greenwich Arts Council on Greenwich Avenue. O'Neil was awarded the GAC Artist Laureate Award in 1998 and had a powerful influence among colleagues and associates throughout her life. Admission is free, but reservations are required by calling 203-862-6750.

Scene ... Greenwich resident and actor Brendan Fraser was seen at Garelick and Herb on West Putnam Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.

Out there ... The Greenwich Wine Society and Dean Gamanos will offer a fall wine tasting on Nov. 21 at Barcelona restaurant in Greenwich. To reserve a place ($40 or $45 at the door), go to www.GreenwichWineSociety.com.

Out there ... Stamford resident and ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine, Stamford's director of public safety, will be honored for his community leadership at the annual Greater Stamford Good Scout Tribute Dinner on Dec. 1 at the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa. Other honorees include M. Jay Forgotson, chief executive of The Bank of New Canaan, and Joseph Rucci, founder and senior partner of Darien-based Rucci, Burnham & Carta LLP. Former honorees include Michael Cacace of Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, chair of this year's event; state Sen. L. Scott Frantz; Conair Corp. Senior Vice President Lee Rizzuto; Denis Nayden of Oak Hill Capital Partners; Harold McGraw III of The McGraw-Hill Co.; and AmeriCares founder Robert Macauley. For more information, call Tony Vogl at 203-876-6868, ext. 259, or go to www.ctyankee.org.

Scene ... While walking to the Broadhurst Theatre in New York on Sunday to see Hugh Jackman on Broadway, I saw actor Mark Wahlberg on the corner of 6th Avenue taking a break while filming the 2013 thriller "Broken City," starring Russell Crowe and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Also, sitting across from us at the theater was British actor Alan Rickman and his wife Rima Horton. Rickman is staring on Broadway in "Seminar," which opens today at the John Golden Theatre in NYC. Jackman took time out of his act to acknowledge him in the audience and give him rave reviews.

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

-- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Got a tip? Seen a celebrity? Email Susie Costaregni at thedish2@yahoo.com.