Around Town

‘Matilda’ Opens July 10 at Summer Theatre of New Canaan: Q&A with Melody Libonati

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The Summer Theatre of New Canaan is putting on “Matilda” this summer, running July 10 through 26 at New Canaan High School. We sat down with the nonprofit organization’s founder and artistic director, Melody Libonati, to talk about the show, cast and what makes this production special. Here’s a transcription of our conversation. ***

New Canaanite: Tell us a little bit about the Summer Theatre of New Canaan. How long have you been putting on shows here and how did it get started?

Around Town

Following Storm, More Than Half of New Canaan Without Power on Sunday [UPDATED]

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Updated 4:45 p.m. Sunday

At 4:45 p.m. Sunday, 27.7% of New Canaan homes remained without power, according to Eversource. The New Canaan YMCA will be available 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday for those seeking to shower and charge their devices, according to the Russ Kimes III, the town’s director of emergency management. Original Article

More than half of New Canaan remained without power midday Sunday after powerful storms struck the town and region on Independence Day. Families attending the beloved picnic and fireworks at Waveny fled the park minutes into the show—itself pushed up in the evening due to impending storms—as powerful wind and rain moved in. 

As of 12 p.m. Sunday, 53.75% of Eversource’s New Canaan customers remained without power, according to the utility company. The figure represents 4,957 households.

Around Town

‘Love You, Nonna’: Local Woman Marks 105th Birthday at Brightview on New Canaan

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Anna Decanini sat among 80-plus friends—and lots of family—on Saturday afternoon, gathered in a community room at Brightview on New Canaan to mark a very special day. Born June 26, 1921 in New York City and living for four decades in Italy until returning to the U.S. in her 50s, Decanini is clear-minded, articulate and fully mobile. Asked how she felt on her 105th birthday, Decanini said, “I’m feeling very good. I’m a healthy woman. I’m six years here [at Brightview] and I never had a doctor.

Around Town

New Canaan Merchants Launch ‘Shop Summer Nights’ Every Thursday Through Labor Day

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The Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates. A group of downtown New Canaan merchants is keeping their doors open late every Thursday this summer, hoping to draw shoppers into town during the evening hours under a new initiative. “Shop Summer Nights” is organized through the newly formed Shop New Canaan Association, more than one dozen independent retailers that began meeting in late May. Participating stores stay open from 5 to 7 p.m. each Thursday, with a different theme each week. Parking is free after 5 p.m.

Carl Franco, owner of Franco’s Wine Merchants on Elm Street and one of the participants, said the idea came from a recurring conversation with customers.

News

Town Opens Cooling Centers, Urges Precautions During Extreme Heat Wave

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The Summer Internship Program is sponsored by the New Canaan Racquet Club. New Canaan officials are urging residents to take precautions as dangerously high temperatures are expected to continue through Independence Day weekend. The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for New Canaan from Wednesday at noon through Saturday evening, prompting the town to activate cooling centers and implement additional safety measures. 

Russ Kimes III, the town’s director of emergency management, said the town’s primary concern is ensuring residents understand the dangers of prolonged heat exposure. “Of course our greatest concern is ensuring that people take extreme heat seriously,” Kimes said. “People should stay well hydrated, stay out of the sun and adjust working hours if possible, be observant of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and never ever leave a child or pet in a car unattended—even for a moment.”