Around Town

‘A Gift That the Residents Give To Each Other’: Support Needed for Holiday Lights Downtown

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One of New Canaan’s best-loved holiday traditions needs a boost to get over the hump this year, officials say. 

The holiday lights—thousands of white lights that are strung through some 60 trees throughout the heart of the business district—are supported solely through tax-deductible donations. 

The head of the organization that leads the effort, the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, Laura Budd, said this year the Foundation is about 65% toward its approximately $26,000 goal. “The municipality does not pay for it—it’s really a gift that the residents give to each other,” Budd said. The lights go up in October—thanks to a reduced rate from Rob Hutchinson (NCHS ‘69, was at Woodstock) and his local business, Hutchinson Tree Care Specialists Inc.—and are turned on two days before Thanksgiving, Budd said. “So they are there to greet all the friends and family who come into town,” she said. “I think it is just a really iconic New Canaan feeling to drive into town, either up Main Street or down South Avenue, and to see the lights in the trees.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police are investigating the theft of clothing from Splash of Pink on Elm Street, reported to authorities at 12:06 p.m. on Nov. 2. ***

Congratulations to Robin Carroll—director of design and residential construction at New Canaan-based Karp Associates on winning the “Woman of the Year” award from the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County. Carroll will receive the award at a dinner to be held Dec. 6 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton.

Around Town

VFW Seeks Volunteers and Donations for Wreath Laying at Lakeview Cemetery [UPDATED]

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[Note: This article has been updated to show that volunteers are asked to enter Lakeview Cemetery from the Lakeview Avenue entrance across from the Avalon apartments.]

Volunteers are wanted to assist VFW Post 653 in New Canaan to lay wreaths at the graves of deceased veterans at Lakeview Cemetery in order to honor and remember their service.  

All are welcome to participate on Saturday, November 25, from 8 a.m. to 10 .m. at the Lakeview Cemetery on Main Street in New Canaan. Volunteers are asked to enter from Lakeview Avenue across from the Avalon apartments where they will find the VFW tent and ample parking off to the right in the large gravel area. The annual effort is supported financially by the New Canaan Exchange Club, which provides the wreaths at cost, money raised from poppy sales over Memorial Day weekend and private donations. Post 653 uses fundraising proceeds to pay for wreaths and flags that are laid during the Christmas season and on Memorial Day on all known veterans’ graves at Lakeview and other cemeteries in New Canaan.

Around Town

20th ‘New Canaan Turkey Trot’ Set for Sunday, Nov. 19 [Q&A]

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One of the community’s best-loved annual events is set to return this weekend, with the 20th annual “New Canaan Turkey Trot” scheduled for the morning of Sunday, Nov. 19 (registration and details here). Co-chaired this year by four New Canaan High School juniors—Pia Bausman, Henry Hladick, Caroline Squillante and Adelaide Tuff—the Turkey Trot offers participants several options to participate in what is an important fundraiser for Open Doors in Norwalk: a 5k run (in-person race), virtual 5k run (run anywhere) or virtual 1 mile walk (walk anywhere). 

Sponsors include HSS Stamford, Stirling Mills Interior Design and Walter Stewart’s Market. The event starts from Waveny House. Check-in on race day starts at 10:30 a.m., with kickoff at 11 a.m. Runners also can check in early at 84 Sports at 43 Vitti St.