<p class="ql-align-center">FC Buzz Weekend <strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">April 25-27</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(19, 19, 20);">HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/bio-blitz-at-new-pond-farm-education-center" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bio Blitz</strong></a></p><p><strong>New Pond Farm Education Center, Redding</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm</p><p>Join an enthusiastic group of scientists and staff anytime between 7am and 7pm as we work to inventory the biological diversity of our pond, marsh stream, and surrounding areas. Help us better understand the local flora and fauna that are found in each habitat and in the process gain skills and knowledge that will lead to a deeper connection with the natural world.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/spring-tag-sale-fundraiser-at-stamford-history-center" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Spring Tag Sale Fundraiser</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford History Center, Stamford</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm</p><p>This is your opportunity to find treasures and gifts large and small! Antiques, furniture, art, books, jewelry and more. We recommend arriving early for the best selection. All proceeds benefit Stamford History Center.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/bethel-community-earth-day-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bethel Community Earth Day 2025</strong></a></p><p><strong>Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, Bethel</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm</p><p>There will be local vendors, non-profit organizations, community groups, artists, and others who are dedicated to environmental awareness and preserving our planet. Throughout the day there will be live music performed by local musicians and groups, a kid’s activity station, and other fun games. Bethel Community Earth Day will be a day for fun, learning, growth, and community-building for people of all ages.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/oliver-nurseries-plein-air-speaker-series-06d05" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Specialty Daffodils with Christopher Harley of Qdaffs</strong></a></p><p><strong>Oliver Nurseries and Design Associates, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday, Apr 26, 10:00 am - 10:45 am</p><p>Join the series on the terrace next to the Design Barn for inspiring speakers and answers to your pressing gardening questions! Make a morning of it by grabbing coffee at our coffee bar, strolling our park-like grounds, checking out our curated selection of vendors and connecting with our gardening community!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/open-day-at-new-pond-farm-education-center-53c92" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Open Day</strong></a></p><p><strong>New Pond Farm Education Center, Redding</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm</p><p>Stop by anytime between 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. to learn more about the stunning landscape, the diverse habitats, their fascinating history, the varied wildlife, the multitude of educational opportunities, in addition to our warm and welcoming staff.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-met-live-in-hd---mozart-s-le-nozze-di-figaro" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Le Nozze di Figaro</strong></a></p><p><strong>Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>Don’t miss Mozart’s timeless comedy that returns to cinemas worldwide with a live transmission from the Metropolitan Opera. Conductor Joana Mallwitz, making her Met debut, leads a stellar ensemble cast, including American bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as the clever valet Figaro, Ukrainian soprano Olga Kulchynska as the wily maid Susanna, Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins as the skirt-chasing Count, Italian soprano Federica Lombardi as his anguished wife, and mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as the adolescent page Cherubino.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a> page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a> Sign up for the <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a> to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p>

<p>Greenwich, CT - The beloved <em>Concert &amp; Cake </em>Series concludes its successful third season Friday, May 2 at 1:30pm with a live performance featuring concert pianist Dr. Kunyoung Kim at The Bruce Museum Auditorium. </p><p>Dr. Kim is an accomplished performer and pedagogue. She has appeared on stages from Moscow’s Great Hall to New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.</p><p>This popular series was founded, and is brought to the Greenwich community by, concert pianist Rebecca J Carda Leigh, who serves as the Artistic Director, along with newly appointed Assistant Artistic Director, concert pianist Naomi Onda. </p><p>These FREE, 30-minute concerts, open to the public, have become a cherished Greenwich tradition, offering live music to the community for the past three years.</p><p>Limited tickets are available for pre-booking via <a href="https://concertandcake.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://concertandcake.org</a></p><p>Walk-ins are also welcome. </p><p>The Bruce Museum offers ample free parking and accommodates seniors with mobility devices. A block of tickets will be reserved for seniors at the door, for those who prefer not to use the website.</p><p>Rebecca J Carda Leigh, a long-time Greenwich resident, concert pianist and dedicated music educator, has spent over 25 years contributing to the town’s musical life. She has graced prestigious stages including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Symphony Space in New York, as well as stages throughout the UK. Carda Leigh has also performed many free concerts at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and retirement communities in both the US and UK, as well at our local schools. This past year, she has performed at nearly 20 locations, offering senior outreach concerts in addition to her performances in the <em>Concert &amp; Cake </em>Series and in London at The Royal Kensington Central Library.</p><p>“I created the <em>Concert &amp; Cake </em>Series out of my love for music and the joy of giving back to Greenwich,” says Carda Leigh. “I believe in the special experience of the live music performance and hope these concerts inspire others to find joy in sharing their talents with the community.”</p><p>Carda Leigh invites everyone to join her for the conclusion of the 2024-25 Season at The Bruce Museum for a lunchtime celebration of great music, community spirit, and of course, cake.</p><p>In July <em>Concert &amp; Cake </em>is introducing a 4-week summer series, including an offering of patriotic music on Friday, July 4. </p><p>Check the website often for additional information on the July 2025 series as well as for announcements regarding the 2025-26 Series.</p>

<p>Debra L. Mecky, Ph.D., executive director and CEO of Greenwich Historical Society for over 29 years, has announced her decision to retire in 2025. During her tenure, she dramatically advanced the organization’s mission, transformed its site and operations, and expanded its reach and audience to become one of America’s foremost regional history museums.</p><p>Under Mecky’s leadership, the Historical Society experienced significant growth, prominence, and relevance in the Greenwich community and beyond. With the support of an extraordinary board, staff, and design team, Mecky oversaw the 2018 <em>Reimagine the Campus</em> transformation and expansion with state-of-the-art galleries for permanent collections and special exhibitions, and the installation of a new highly accessible world-class library and archives, reception lobby and museum store. She obtained accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, oversaw the restoration of the Justus Luke Bush Storehouse to accommodate administrative offices, and the expansion of the historic barn into the Vanderbilt Education Center. The interpretive plan she developed for Bush-Holley House and its historic landscape advanced its status as a National Historic Landmark and recognition as the site of the first art colony in Connecticut.</p><p>“It has been the highlight of my career and a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the Historical Society and the community for almost three decades as Executive Director,” says Mecky. “I leave with the organization well positioned for a new era of growth and poised to even better serve our extraordinary town.” </p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);">Laurie Heiss, co-author of </span><em style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);">The Merritt Parkway, The Road That Shaped a Region</em><span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);">, will discuss the illustrious roadway that became the gateway to New England, from its complicated beginnings to current opportunities and challenges, at a Greenwich Historical Society </span><a href="https://greenwichhistory.org/museum-store-local-spotlight-book-talks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;">Spotlight Book Talk</a><span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);"> on April 30</span><sup style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);">th</sup><span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);"> from 2 – 3pm. The talk is hosted in conjunction with Greenwich&nbsp;Historical Society’s new art installation on the other iconic parkway that impacted the region: </span><em style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);">‘</em><a href="https://greenwichhistory.org/event/re-framing-95-interactive-art-installation-and-walking-tours/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><em>Rediscover Greenwich / Re- Framing 95’</em></a><em style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);">. </em></p><p><span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(58, 58, 58);">Heiss will navigate the hard-fought path of this beloved road which earned the reputation of Queen of American parkways and celebrity status in countless movies, magazines and paintings. She will introduce bridge artists, landscapers, politicians and the activists whose involvement in its creation were responsible for transforming Fairfield County from a region of farms and country estates to one of the wealthiest in the nation and an economic powerhouse. To maintain its breathtaking beauty and utility as a major roadway in Connecticut, Heiss will address the need for engaging the next generation in its preservation. To register for the free talk: </span><a href="https://greenwichhistory.org/museum-store-local-spotlight-book-talks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://greenwichhistory.org/museum-store-local-spotlight-book-talks/</a></p><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion: </strong><a href="https://www.aentalentsearch.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>AEN Talent Search</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Lilian Dutra, CEO and Founder of</span><a href="https://www.aentalentsearch.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> AEN Talent Search</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why did you start your business?&nbsp;</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I started my boutique staffing and recruiting agency because I saw how many talented, capable women—especially working mothers and professional women, were being overlooked in the job market simply because they had taken time off or needed more flexibility. As a professional woman myself, I understood the challenges of balancing a career and family, and I wanted to create a bridge between employers and these amazing women who are ready to return to the workforce. It’s about empowering women, redefining career paths, and helping companies tap into an incredibly valuable, yet often underutilized, talent pool.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What is your best-selling product/service?</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Direct Hire/Permanent Placement (High-margin service where recruiters place candidates directly into full-time roles and earn a commission (often a percentage of the candidate’s first-year salary).</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?&nbsp;</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I am currently collaborating with a local woman-owned business, Robertson's, LLC, for my marketing requirements. Ann Robertson, the Copywriter and Creative Director, leads the way.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">You can reach AEN Talent Search online </span><a href="https://www.aentalentsearch.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.aentalentsearch.com/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> or by phone 203-550-3607&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow along on Facebook @</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AenTalentSearch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">AenTalentSearch</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>Join us in celebrating Earth Day by volunteering to beautify Mianus River Park on Saturday, April 26. The Town of Greenwich Parks and Recreation Foundation will host its third Earth Day beautification event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers are encouraged to meet at the Cognewaugh Street entrance of the park. Please note that parking is limited, so carpooling is recommended.</p><p>The planned activities will include: planting trees and native species at the entrance of the trail, planting additional trees along the trails, removing invasive winged euonymus species as necessary, lining the trails with stray logs and larger branches and clearing debris as needed.</p><p>The Town of Greenwich Parks Department will provide shovels, hand shears, rakes, hand saws, and garbage bags. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools if they have them.</p><p>"We invite the community to come and give back to the Town Parks that have given us so much," said Parks and Recreation Director Joe Siciliano. "If you haven't been to Mianus River Park in a while, the Earth Day Clean-Up and Beautification is an excellent opportunity to discover it again."</p><p>The Mianus River Park spans a total of 391 contiguous acres, which includes 110 acres located in the Mianus/Upper Cos Cob neighborhood of Greenwich, 187 acres in nearby Stamford and 94 acres owned by the State of Connecticut. The Friends of Mianus River Park, along with the Junior League of Greenwich and the Stamford Norwalk Junior League, are once again supporting the Earth Day Beautification event. Greenwich Magazine/Moffly Media is serving as the media sponsor for this initiative.</p><p>The Town of Greenwich Parks &amp; Recreation Foundation strives to improve Greenwich's great community. The Foundation provides resources for Town park beautification and recreational experiences by enhancing existing programs, services, and facilities.</p><p>We welcome individuals, families and students in need of community service hours to volunteer to participate! To RSVP or for any questions, please contact Town of Greenwich Parks and Recreation Foundation Co-Chair Sue Bodson at&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">sembodson@gmail.com</span></p><p><em>Contributed photo left to right Dr. Greg Kramer, Joe Siciliano, Sue Moretti Bodson, Nancy Chapin, Nell Solley</em></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Questions - please call Sue Bodson at 203-249-7233</span></p>