Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police at 8:26 p.m. Tuesday received a report of a MacBook stolen from the front door of a Ponus Ridge home following a delivery by FedEx. It’s under investigation. ***

The Waveny Park Conservancy’s Spring Appeal is underway, giving opportunities here. (Here’s a page that details some of the nonprofit organization’s significant work in the park.)

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On May 11, Nilasha Thirumalai, a sophomore at New Canaan High School, performed the Mozart “Flute Concerto in D Major” as a soloist and winner of the 2025 Norwalk Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. Congratulations to Nila on her spectacular performance.

Around Town

Meet Donovan West, Our NCHS Senior Internship Program Intern [Q&A]

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New Canaan High School’s hugely popular Senior Internship Program—where members of the graduating class spend the last few weeks of their final academic year interning at local businesses and organizations—launches Tuesday. 

This year, 97% of NCHS seniors are participating, according to the program’s coordinator, Kelly DelMazio. That’s 362 seniors placed across 230 internship sites, including NewCanaanite.com. Our senior is Donovan West, whose sports articles have been appearing on the New Canaanite since his sophomore year, earning multiple awards from the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists. Our readers will see West’s byline appear on a wide range of community news stories for the next three weeks. Here are the top-5 placement fields for SIP seniors, according to DelMazio:

Business Management & Administration
Education 
Marketing/Sales
Audio/Video Technology & Communication
Health Sciences  

“We are incredibly proud of our seniors and grateful to the many local businesses, organizations, and professionals who are opening their doors to mentor and support our students,” she said.

Around Town

‘New Canaan Pops In The Park’ Set for June 8 [Q&A]

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Launched by locals just a few short years ago, New Canaan Pops in the Park is rapidly developing into a signature summertime event at Waveny. This year’s concert, featuring the Norwalk Symphony, is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 8 (tickets here are going quickly, suggested $5 donation). 

We put some questions about New Canaan Pops In the Park to the nonprofit organization’s founder and president, Doug Kerridge, a town resident. Here’s our exchange. ***

New Canaanite: What are the origins of Pops In The Park? Doug Kerridge: Growing up on the East Coast, I loved attending the annual Boston Pops outdoor concerts on Cape Cod and Nantucket, and the NY Philharmonic summer concerts in Central Park.

Did You Hear

Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police at 6:57 p.m. Sunday received a report of a vehicle stolen from a Seminary Street driveway. An investigation is underway. ***

New Canaan High School junior John Murphy, a Life Scout in New Canaan’s Troop 70, is seeking assistance for his Eagle Scout project. He plans to research veterans buried in Lakeview Cemetery, including interviews with their friends and family. Visitors will be able to access this information by scanning a graveside QR code with their phone.

Around Town

Robin Bates-Mason Hired as Executive Director of the New Canaan Land Trust

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One of New Canaan’s most venerable nonprofit organizations has hired a highly respected town resident with a broad range of work and community volunteer experience as its new executive director. Robin Bates-Mason will assume the position of director of the New Canaan Land Trust in mid-June, according to a press release issued by the organization. “Robin brings to the role a deep commitment to community engagement and environmental stewardship, along with experience in nonprofit leadership,” the press release said. “A 25 year resident of New Canaan, along with her husband Carl and two sons, Robin is well known for her service on local boards and initiatives that promote sustainability and civic involvement.”

She is co-founder and president of Planet New Canaan and past co-president and board member of the New Canaan Beautification League who served one term on the Town Council from 2019 to 2023 and currently serves as chair of the Conservation Commission. Bates-Mason also works as volunteer and events manager for Staying Put in New Canaan, from which she will “thoughtfully transition” in these intervening weeks, the press release said

“I’m honored to join the New Canaan Land Trust and am excited to build on the strong foundation that’s been laid by past leaders, volunteers, and supporters,” Bates-Mason said in the release.