Letter: ‘Thank You’ from NCM&HS for Successful Ice Cream Social

To the New Canaanite:

Last Sunday, the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society hosted its Ice Cream Social for the 35^th year. The slightly cooler weather did not deter anyone, and we were thrilled to have such a large segment of the community come out to enjoy ice cream, cake, the Town Band, vintage cars, and games while exploring the campus and the historic house museums. 

For the second year in a row, the event was free for everyone. I was delighted to see so many happy smiles heading into the tent after being told there was no cost to admission, or taking a second slice of cake when they were told they could have as much as they wanted without charge. I am very grateful to the Exchange Club of New Canaan for awarding a grant to help defray some of the costs. 

You can’t have an Ice Cream Social without ice cream. Huge thanks to Jordan Savit, owner of Gofer Ice Cream, for his generosity. Once again, the mint chocolate chip was the favorite for ice cream consumers in The Next Station to Heaven.

I am grateful for all the volunteer efforts that went into making the day the success it was. All my thanks to the members of the Exchange Club who scooped the ice cream; the National Charity League – Canaan Parish and New Canaan Chapters, and their leaders Maura Marshall and Elizabeth DeMuth, and all who baked cakes, helped with set-up and clean-up, and ran the games; the Town Band for its fabulous music; Janice Luddy, Mike Murphy, Rebecca Herr, and Patricia Oxman, who educated visitors to the Tool Museum, Print Shop, Rock School, and the Hanford-Silliman House; Charlotte Engel, Maggie Seinfeld, and Rebecca Herr for gathering prizes for the People’s Choice Award; Russ Jones and his car owner friends for organizing such a spectacular array of vintage cars; Scott Ready for his classic fire engine; and Board Governors Barb Achenbaum, Alec Casey, Ellen Cummings, Doug Dooley, Susan Freedgood, and Mark Markiewicz for the gift of their time and energy.

A big thank you to Whitney Williams, who runs the Museum’s Special Events. It may be her job, but she treats the day as a labor of love. I appreciate her energy, good cheer, humor, and attention to every detail – and I hope she got to rest after walking 5 miles just back and forth on the lawn. 

I also want to thank the generous businesses that supported the People’s Choice awards: Walter Stewart’s Market and Stewart’s Spirits, Ciel Eau, Consider the Cook, Franco’s Wine Merchant, Gates, Gelatissimo, Elm Street Books, Plum Plums, Starbucks, Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee, Greenology, and Green and Tonic. 

This year, the New Canaan Artisans set up tents on the lawn for the first time to display their handmade crafts. Thank you to all those who supported their efforts, and to the Artisans for their creativity. 

The People’s Choice winners were: First Place, the 1972 Scotty Retro Camper that Cari Hills restored with her children during Covid; and Second Place the 1966 Ford F100 pickup truck owned by Adam Forest and pictured here with Adam’s sons, Max and Ollie, along with Roman and Tymur, Ukrainian children sponsored by his family. 

The Ice Cream Social brings out the best in New Canaan, its sense of Town spirit, its embrace of its neighbors, and its historic campus at 13 Oenoke Ridge. Mark your calendars for June 2, 2024! 

Nancy Geary

Executive Director, New Canaan Museum & Historical Society