Business notebook: Home for the holidays

Warwick - It’s already November and members of the Warwick Merchant Guild are completing plans for the annual celebration of “Home for the Holidays.” This year’s all season event will kick off on Sunday, Nov. 18 with a downtown festive celebration from noon until 5 p.m. Visitors will find downtown shops decorated for the holidays and offering “open house” events with free refreshments and special offers. To make sure everyone is in the holiday spirit, there will be various fun events throughout the downtown area, including music and Christmas caroling. Home for the Holidays, which traditionally begins just before Thanksgiving and ends after Christmas, is an annual celebration designed to present downtown Warwick as a fun and convenient place to do all your holiday shopping. The Warwick merchants offer convenience, quality merchandise, special sales, friendly personalized service including gift-wrapping and in many cases, shops will provide a “wish” list to make things easier for gift givers. “We want this celebration of Home for the Holidays to be bigger and better than ever,” said Merchant Guild President Mary Beth Schlechting. “And we’ve also printed over 7,000 restaurant guides for visitors.” Mark your calendars. In conjunction with “Home for the Holidays,” there are numerous events to make downtown Warwick a fun destination throughout the season. The Historical Society of the Town of Warwick, for example, will sponsor its annual “Harvest to Holly” tour on Nov. 17 to 18. The Warwick Fire Department will hold the traditional Christmas Tree Lighting at Lewis Park on Nov. 23. St. Anthony Community Hospital will sponsor the popular “Winding Through Warwick” house tour of decorated homes on Dec. 1. And that same day, the Warwick Middle School will host the annual craft show. On Dec. 4, Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights begins at sundown and, following a long tradition, the first light of the Menorah will be lit in a ceremony open to all at Lewis Park. Throughout the season residents and visitors also can look forward to visits from Santa, horse and buggy rides, men’s night out, ladies’ night out and a few surprises. More to follow. Open house Deborah Giuliani, founder and director of Mulberry Tree Learning, 24 Main St., Warwick, explained that from preschool through high school, almost every child will experience academic or social challenges. On Wednesday, Oct. 24, Mulberry Tree Learning, located just above Frazzleberries gift shop, held an open house. “At Mulberry Tree Learning,” said Giuliani, “we provide the support and academic assistance that enables your children to reach their full academic potential.” As an educational consultant, Giuliani, who has an extensive background and impressive credentials, can offer expert counseling, evaluations and tutoring. “”We discover your child’s unique learning style,” she said, “and then identify alternate strategies that will help them build self-confidence and achieve academic success.” Giuliani, who lives in Warwick with her husband, Larry, has 20 years experience as a teacher, school psychologist and school administrator. Giuliani earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education at the State University of New York at New Paltz and her master of science degree in special education and school psychology from Long Island University. She holds professional credentials in school district administration and has completed specialized training in the Orton-Gillingham multisensory approach to reading instruction. Giuliani also serves on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Advisory Board. Mulberry Tree Learning can provide experts certified in content areas, including mathematics and science, for students who require tutoring as well as for gifted students who desire greater challenges. For a free consultation or to learn more about Mulberry Tree Learning, call 986-6498 or visit: www.mulberrytreelearning.com. Create a legacy Edward Jones Financial Advisor Edward Lunch will host a free satellite broadcast titled “Create a Legacy for Future Generations” at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 77 Ronald Reagan Boulevard, Warwick. During this educational program, attorneys will discuss how wills, trusts and planned gifting can help investors create meaningful and continuing financial legacies for the people and causes they hold dear. Special guest Rhonda Anderson, cofounder of Creative Memories, also will explain how journals, scrapbooks and photographs can help one leave an inspiring legacy of life and learning to future generations. This interactive event is presented at select Edward Jones branch offices nationwide via the firm’s private video network. To reserve a seat or for more information about the program, call Edward Lynch at 987-7220. Business briefs • Curves of Warwick is sponsoring a one day mobile health screening on Saturday, Nov. 10. A specially priced package includes stroke/carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease screenings conducted by Life Line Screening Radiology. Call 800-393-7448 for information. • WVT Communications now offers voice, Internet, video and wireless service at a reduced rate for anyone ordering a package of at least three services. Call 800-952-7642 or visit www.wvtc.com • Frazzleberries, 24 Main St., Warwick, hosted its third annual “Flavors of Fall” celebration on Saturday, Oct. 20. The festive celebration featured local restaurants and artisan kitchens including the Iron Forge Inn, Hudson Valley Homestead, The Pine Island Spice Company and Lisa’s Cookie Shop.