Around Town

Steve Benko Pool in Full Swing Amid Soaring Temps

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One of the biggest beneficiaries of the recent heat has been a favorite cool-down amenity in Waveny Park. Visitor numbers have skyrocketed at the Steve Benko Pool, though “it was pretty cold at the beginning of the season, so we didn’t have as many people coming out,” Recreation Department Recreation Supervisor/Aquatic Manager Steven Dayton said on a recent 90-degree morning. 

“As it’s gotten hotter, many more people have started to come regularly,” he said. The pool has seen roughly 27,000 people so far this summer, on pace to match last year’s 40,000, according to Dayton. In all, 1,117 resident memberships have been purchased for the pool, similar to last year’s number, Dayton said. Non-resident memberships (at higher rates) continue to be limited at 125.

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New Canaan Dance Academy Wins Super Nova Group Routine Award

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The New Canaan Dance Academy last month participated in the Heat Convention Dance Nationals in Orlando, and took home the most prestigious group dance award. The company director and choreographer of the award-winning group dance “The Artist,” Sheena DiMatteo, described a “dream-like” feeling watching her dancers perform on the biggest of stages. “I felt an immense amount of pride watching the girls dance,” DiMatteo said. “Especially for them to perform so well in Florida, where everything is so heightened, it was a magical feeling. Seeing all of the hard work unfold onstage was euphoric.”

The competition took place from July 6 to 11 and featured dance studios from across the country.

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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.

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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.

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‘A Special Place’: New Canaan Couple Buys the Roger Sherman Inn

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A longtime New Canaan resident and his wife, who recently purchased the Roger Sherman, say they’re looking to update the property while preserving its history. Uanderson Benedetti said he and his wife, Brianna, “want the property to be a gathering spot for everyone in New Canaan, and even all of Connecticut and Northern Westchester.”

“My family loves this community, and we think the Roger Sherman deserves a special place in it,” Benedetti said. “We’ll try to update it as much as possible while maintaining its history and story.”

When asked by NewCanaanite.com why his company, 195 Oenoke Ridge LLC, purchased the property, Benedetti described it as somewhat of a “passion project.”

“It’s not something that we needed to do, but we wanted to,” he said. “I saw the value in reinvigorating the property to make it something that fills a gap in this community.”

Benedetti listed the following as ideas he’s had for potential renovations or business opportunities that could come to the Roger Sherman: adding hotel rooms, revitalizing the inside and outside of the restaurant, offering events such as pilates or movie screenings on the front lawn, expanding seating on the deck, and opening the restaurant for extended hours. The Roger Sherman will partner with several local businesses and offer a variety of amenities, according to Benedetti. 

“The goal is to make it a place of shared experiences,” he said.