Around Town

New Canaan Beautification League Dedicates ‘Carol West Seldin Barn’ at Lee Garden

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The New Canaan Beautification League’s plan to convert a shed in the Lee Garden—itself constructed using parts of the Lees’ family home, including the fireplace and the hardwood floors—into a barn for the organization’s volunteers began as Carol Seldin’s vision, according to NCBL President Nancy Malling. Yet as the plan stood in 2019, “our budget only allowed for a bare bones renovation,” Malling told more than 75 people gathered Saturday at the 2.7-acre garden on Chichester Road on a clear, sunny afternoon. 

“Last June, Carol made her final wish,” Malling said during a dedication of the lovingly renovated shed as the ‘Carol West Seldin Barn.’

Malling continued: “She asked that all donations in her memory be given to the organization that she loved. As I thought about the best way to honor her deep commitment to NCBL, my focus was to make some renovations or improvements to the Lee shed—to go the last mile for Carol. When I brought this idea to Peter Seldin, he asked me to think bigger … As he said, ‘If Carol’s name is attached to this project, it should be done right.’ Carol’s vision and Peter’s unqualified support created the Carol West Seldin Barn that we dedicate in her honor today. On behalf of all of the New Canaan Beautification League volunteers, we are very grateful to have a home.”

A certified master gardener and past president of the NCBL whose motto, “Gardens are for sharing,” is printed on a plaque inside the renovated barn, Seldin died June 6, 2024 following a courageous battle with lymphoma.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police at 11:52 a.m. on April 26 received a report of a fight between two landscaping workers on Clearview Lane. It’s under investigation. ***

Team “Sunshine for Scarlett” — named for 14-year-old Scarlett MacAllister, a standout dancer at the New Canaan Dance Academy—will be walking in Sunday’s “New Canaan Great Strides” fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Supporters are asked to arrive at 9:15 a.m. to catch the morning’s activities. It will start with a special performance by Scarlett’s dance team, followed by a group photo.

Around Town

‘We Have a Guardian Angel’: New Program Helps Locals Struggling with Auto Repair and Maintenance Costs

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New Canaan residents struggling with car-related costs can now get help through a new partnership involving the town, a nonprofit organization and local businesses. Caffeine & Carburetors—the antique and specialty car show launched by town resident Doug Zumbach outside his eponymous coffee shop on Pine Street—last year raised tens of thousands of dollars for the New Canaan Community Foundation and Waveny Park Conservancy. This year’s downtown C&C, scheduled for June 22, will direct all show funds—including those raised through its registration system—toward a new program that helps qualified New Canaanites with car maintenance and repair costs. 

“When we were thinking about the best use of these funds, we really wanted to make sure that it was going back into our community, and to support local families in one way or another,” C&C Director of Business Development Claire Drexler said. “And we felt like this, with the automotive tie-in, was the perfect way for us to give back to New Canaan, which has been so gracious in allowing us to continue to host this event.”

There are two Caffeine & Carburetors shows scheduled for this year, June 22 (downtown) and Oct. 19 (Waveny).

Around Town

VFW Seeks Volunteers and Donations for Flag-Placing at Lakeview Cemetery

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Volunteers are wanted to assist VFW Post 653 in New Canaan to place flags at the graves of fallen soldiers in their honor for Memorial Day. All are welcome to participate on Saturday, May 24, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Lakeview Cemetery on Main Street in New Canaan. We will meet at the lower Veterans’ section (Section M), just to the right after you enter from Main Street and cross the bridge. Refreshments will be served. Last year, the VFW removed the flags it had placed, so that these flags may be reused for this year.

Around Town

Coffee’s on for Thursday

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Join fellow residents and NewCanaanite.com editor Michael Dinan for the monthly Community Coffee, to be held 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1 in the Jim & Dede Bartlett Auditorium at New Canaan Library. The Coffee is presented in partnership with the library, and the brew is supplied by Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee (thank you, Doug). The free, public coffee is a group conversation about what’s happening around town, moderated by Dinan. Topics come from attendees and we spend no more than 10 minutes per subject. Those who would like to receive a friendly reminder email about the coffee—held the first Thursday of each month—should email Dinan at editor@newcanaanite.com.