News

New Canaan Resident Authors Children’s Book ‘To My Little Onion’ [Q&A]

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]

A New Canaan resident, mom of two, and nurse with a doctorate degree in biomedical informatics, Dr. Roxana Maffei Burciago, recently published a children’s book titled ‘To My Little Onion.’

When her son was born with severe developmental delays, Burciago was inspired by her family’s experiences to write To My Little Onion – a story that follows the journey of a young boy with autism. 

She dedicates the book to her son, daughter and other families navigating similar challenges. 

In an excerpt taken from her author bio, Dr. Burciago said she “wants to remind parents that while the journey may feel overwhelming at first, taking it one day and one layer at a time can reveal incredible growth and strength-not just in their child, but in their family and themselves.”

We put some questions to Dr. Burciago about her new book, her family, and her connection to New Canaan. 

Our exchange follows. ***

New Canaanite: Can you share a bit about yourself and your connection to New Canaan? Dr. Roxana Maffei Burciago: My family and I have been proud to call New Canaan home for nearly seven years. We’ve built a life here filled with connection, community, and care. Our 10-year-old son attended West Preschool and West Elementary School, while our 8-year-old daughter began at First Presbyterian Preschool and then  West School.

News

Through Sports and Spicy Peppers, New Canaan Family Leads the Way in ALS Research

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]

Right here in New Canaan, one family is helping to lead the way in the fight against ALS. Meet the Haberstroh brothers, who lost their mother, Patty Haberstroh, two years ago to a seven-year battle with the progressive neurodegenerative disease. 

The brothers, in their own respective ways, have spearheaded innovative and ever-expanding initiatives to beat ALS. A few months after their mother was first diagnosed, the Haberstrohs were inspired to start the “ALS Pepper Challenge” – a trend where individuals consume hot peppers on camera and convince three others to join in. What began as a single video of the Haberstrohs consuming spicy peppers in their New Canaan kitchen soon exploded into a viral social media sensation. 

“It took off beyond our wildest dreams –  it went viral all over the world, including with celebrities and athletes. It was amazing to see how it took on a life of its own,” said one of the brothers, Steve Haberstroh.

Around Town

‘It’s a Great Addition’: Local Couple Creates Wooden Flags To Honor Police, Firefighters

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]

New Canaan residents and small business owners Elsa and Jay Zerrusen recently donated customized wooden flags to New Canaan’s fire and police departments. The owners of Colonial Craft Laser and Woodwork (formerly Bella Accenti) – a local business specializing in personalized engraved items — the Zerrusens moved to New Canaan in 2018 and since then have been active in the community, both as business owners and citizens. 

“We are very grateful for the community of New Canaan, both toward the first responders and the residents themselves,” Jay Zerrusen said. 

As a way to express their gratitude for the firefighters and police officers, the couple donated 48-by-25-inch custom flags for the respective department buildings. 

“I created one flag for the firehouse and another for the police department in recognition of their service to the community and town,” Jay Zerrusen said. 

The flag designed for the firehouse displays a thin red line that represents support for the dedication and mission of firefighters here in town, and across the nation. 

Fire Chief Albe Bassett said that for him, “the flag represents patriotism and support of the fire service across the United States.” 

“It’s a great addition to the firehouse,” he said. For Jay Zerrusen, the flag represents the common ground of love of country “in this very volatile political climate.”

The new thin red line flag is proudly showcased above the threshold into the firehouse’s alarm room, Bassett said. “We chose to display the flag in a location that both our members and the public would be able to see when they enter the building from the front,” he said. 

To the other first responders in town, Jay Zerrusen said, “If there is anything they want, as far as customization of products, definitely reach out to us.”

Colonial Craft is available on instagram and facebook @colonialcraftlw.

News

State Agency Rules in Town’s Favor Against Worker’s Complaint

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]

State officials last week concluded that there is no reasonable cause to believe that a longtime municipal employee has been discriminated against on the basis of race, age or gender, as claimed. 

Last summer, an African American woman, 59, who had started working for the town in October 2008, lodged a complaint against the town, claiming violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1967. Four months later, in October 2024, the Complainant alleged that after filing her initial complaint before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), “Respondent discriminated and retaliated against her by reducing her hours from approximately 25 hours a week to 19 hours a week, and instructing her not to utilize her former supervisor’s (Chief Building Official) office when others are permitted to do so,” according to findings from CHRO Human Rights Representative Jessica Kohut, obtained through a public records request. The employee has filed a total of three complaints against the town, the third of which has been dismissed, failing to meet minimum requirements for a claim. 

On July 16, investigators concluded that, “there is no reasonable cause for believing that a discriminatory practice has been or is being committed as alleged in the complaint,” Kohut wrote in the findings. According to the state agency’s review, the employee claims that the Director of Human Resources instructed [her supervisor] to not schedule her for more than 19 hours a week. However the investigation “determined this directive originated in April of 2023 when the Complainant initially requested to join AFSCME Local.”

It continued: “Simply, this directive predated both this complaint and the Complainant’s first complaint before the commission.”

In relation to the complainant’s claim that she was instructed not to use her supervisor’s office, the investigation concluded that “while testimony from Complainant’s colleagues supported her assertion that [supervisor] permitted the use of his office by staff, the occasional use of his office cannot be considered a term or condition of Complainant’s employment but more a personal favor.

Around Town

‘Sharing Stories Saves Lives’: 9th Annual Addiction Awareness Vigil Set for Aug. 27

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]

Each summer at the intersection of South Avenue and Elm Street—formerly known as the Pop-Up Park —the New Canaan Parent Support Group hosts a powerful and open event to memorialize loved ones who have struggled with addiction and spread awareness about the prevalent disease. 

This year, the Annual Addiction Awareness Vigil will host its 9th anniversary on Aug. 27. “It’s about bringing together people in the community that would like to help in some way or another,” New Canaan Parent Support Group Founder Paul Reinhardt said of the vigil, which last year drew nearly 500 people. 

He added: “There is an epidemic going on from so many different addictions. If it doesn’t impact your family then it’s likely to impact someone you know.”

In September of 2016, following the overdose death of Reinhart’s son, Evan, the inspiration for a parent support group emerged. 

“It was an idea to create a space where we could talk openly and share stories about addiction with each other in a safe place,” Reinhart said. The New Canaan Parent Support Group has since drawn more than 300 parents and meets weekly each Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St.