The candy shop on Riverside Avenue that has satisfied the sweet tooth of generations of residents is hanging on by a thread, only months after its beloved owner died.
But despite mounting economic challenges, family and friends are determined to keep Ada's Variety Shop open and the traditions created by its proprietor, Ada Cantavero, alive.
Ada's Variety Shop has remained open since Cantavero, who ran the shop for nearly 60 years, died at the age of 88 in July.
It is now run by her nephew, Riverside resident Kelly Romaniello. Although he works as a self-employed contractor, he wanted to help the family fulfill Cantavero's wish to keep it open, he said.
"That's what she wanted," he said. "We're doing whatever we have to do."
But with fewer customers, oil and heating prices going up and a slumping economy, it has been difficult, he said.....
As auto executives returned to Capitol Hill asking for $34 billion to help bail out the ailing American auto industry, local dealerships said they are taking things one sale at a time and hoping for the best.
"It's so up and down," said Anthony Granchelli, general manager of the Jeep Chrysler Dodge City, located at 631 W. Putnam Ave..
"This has never happened before, so everyone is up in the air." However, despite the uncertainty of the industry, Granchelli said their dealership, which is independently owned, is doing better than one might expect."We are maintaining, we are strong and we are not going anywhere," said Granchelli, who noted that his dealership has been able to pull in more business as surrounding dealerships close.
Granchelli also said being in Greenwich, where many people have good credit, has helped their the dealership, as does having a solid customer base - something which has allowed it to stay afloat in tumultuous times.
Yet, Granchelli admits, things have been better.
"It has not been easy," said Granchelli. "There has been a tremendous decline in sales from six months ago," he said. Earlier this year, Granchelli said the dealership was selling an average of 75 cars a month. Now, the dealership, which has six sales professionals and two managers, averages around 50 cars a month......
Friends of Witherell offer boutique
The Friends of Nathaniel Witherell will hold the second day of its "Holly Days Boutique" from 10 a. m. to 4 p.m. today in the auditorium of The Nathaniel Witherell, 70 Parsonage Road.
Proceeds from the boutique will benefit residents of Nathaniel Witherell, the town-owned nursing home.
For more information, call 618-4227.
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DAR offers colonial Christmas
Putnam Hill Chapter of DAR presents "Knapp's Tavern by Candlelight," a glimpse of colonial Christmas at Putnam Cottage as it was in 1734, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Putnam Cottage, 243 East Putnam Ave.
The event will include hot cider and gingerbread, uniformed Revolutionary soldiers and guided tours by costumed docents.
Suggested donation is $5 per person or $20 per family.
For more information, call Bea Crumbine at 629-1687.
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Preschool book sale to be held at YWCA
The Scholastic Book Fair to support YWCA Preschool programs will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the YWCA, 259 East Putnam Ave.
Books are for children through age 7. Books for adults and gift items for children will also be available.
For more information, call 869-6501, ext. 221 or 222.
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United Way to host legislative breakfast
The United Way of Greenwich Community Planning Council will host its annual Legislative Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the first-floor Cone Room at Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road.
Sign-in is at 7:45 a.m. The breakfast offers an opportunity for those with stakes in human-service issues to raise concerns and ask questions of local legislators.
Registration is required.
For more information or to RSVP, call 869-2221.
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Bush-Holley offers No Strings puppet show
The Snowmaiden Puppet Show, presented by the No Strings Marionette Co., will be held at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday at the Vanderbilt Education Center of the Bush-Holley Historic Site, 39 Strickland Road.
Nineteen handcrafted marionettes will perform a wintry Russian folktale. Seasonal refreshments and family tours of Bush-Holley House and gallery will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. Reservations must be made in advance.
For more information or tickets, call 869-6899.
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Clover Hill to hold Christmas Bazaar
The Clover Hill School's Christmas Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ridges Roxbury Methodist Church, 2975 High Ridge Road, Stamford.
The bazaar will feature children's activities, home-made baked goods, handmade toys and gifts and a puppet show.
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Pancake breakfast at Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, 4 Horseneck Lane, will host a pancake breakfast with Santa for children and the Greenwich community from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.
Visiting hours with Santa will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Greenwich Academy Singers will perform at 10 a.m.
The cost is $5 per person.
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Westfair Singers presents choral concert
Westfair Singers, a women's chorus, will present its annual Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. Saturday at the First Congregational Church, 108 Sound Beach Ave., Old Greenwich, with reception to follow.
Featured works will be two "Magnificats," by Antonio Vivaldi and Niccola Popora, as well as distinctive seasonal songs. The soloist roles will be performed by Corinne Baker and Maria Failla. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door.
For more information, call Jinny McGinnis at 629-9814.
Town may charge to throw trashGreenwich is considering implementing a new waste disposal program that officials say could save the town $2 million annually and reduce waste by charging residents for each bag of trash they throw away.
The town Department of Public Works is looking into a pay-as-you-throw program, in which residents would be charged for waste disposal by being required to use special garbage bags that can cost between $2 and $3 each, depending on the size, according to Amy Siebert, the town public works commissioner.
"The overall goal is get people to reduce waste. (Paying for bags) gives people a great incentive to recycle more," she said.
If people purchase the bags, which would be available at grocery stores and municipal locations, they will likely use them more frugally, she said.
"If you go out to buy a special bag, you want to make sure that you pack it full," she said......
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This cat has had enough
