Halloween at Ada’s: The Tradition is Alive and Full of Surprises

With Halloween falling on a Saturday night this year, the holiday was less rushed. Families had time to put thought into their costumes and plan their trick-or-treat routes.

At 112 Riverside Ave, Chef Mike Pietrafeso was counting down the weeks until his “Ada’s Kitchen+ Coffee” opens in the restored historic building that once housed Riverside’s post office, and more recently was home to Ada’s Variety.

Mike, along with the Romaniellos, including Ada’s nephew Ron and his sisters Sandra and Rosemary, plus Ali and Debbie — joined the Pietrafeso family in keeping Ada’s Halloween tradition alive.

The two families distributed little brown paper penny candy bags stuffed with a variety Ada would have approved of. Everyone who stopped by also received scratch-made goodies and cider.

Greenwich Police Officer Jason Lyman arrived at Ada’s on Halloween to distribute bags of candy marked “evidence.” Credit: Leslie Yager

As a crowd gathered on the sidewalk around dusk, Officer Jason Lyman of Greenwich Police pulled up in his patrol car, followed shortly after by Officer Danielle Petruso in a second car. Princesses and super heroes looked at each other with uh-oh expressions. Officer Lyman surprised all the children by introducing himself and distributing his own set of brown paper bags, each marked, “Evidence.” Inside was more candy!

Greenwich Police Officer Jason Lyman arrived at Ada\’s on Halloween to distribute bags of candy marked “evidence.” Credit: Leslie Yager

Toddlers and pre-schoolers were a bit overwhelmed to meet their first police officer, but came around with smiles after a moment. This is another great example of community policing in Greenwich. We love it.

Watch this space for updates on the opening of Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee in coming weeks.

Trick-or-Treaters at Ada’s on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager

Rosemary and Sandra help keep the Halloween tradition alive at Ada’s on Oct. 31, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager

Officer Lyman distributed bags of “evidence” on Halloween outside Ada’s. Credit: Leslie Yager

Outside Ada’s, Dori Jones of Greenwich is dressed as a younger Bruce Jenner. Credit: Leslie Yager

The Bogarduses and friends outside Ada’s on Halloween, Oct. 31, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager

Trick-or-treaters outside Ada’s, Oct. 31, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager

Trick-or-Treaters outside Ada’s on Halloween, 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager

Left to right: Ali, Ron and Debbie Romaniello, Mike Pietrafeso, next to his sister Jessica Lazzo, mother Angie, Dominic Lazzo (holding shy bagy dressed as a Skunk Gemma, and Mike’s dad Charles Pietrafeso. Credit: Leslie Yager