Andrew Armstrong

Letter: Chamber Music Trio Led by NCHS Grad ‘Uplifting’

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Exquisite chamber music played by world-class musicians on a beautiful night under the stars. 

The only thing better would be a chance to do this again. 

Last Thursday on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, a trio led by virtuoso pianist Andrew Armstrong performed works of Brahms and two lesser-known composers for 150 enthusiasts, the crowd size having been limited by COVID-19 restrictions. It was lively, clever, uplifting, and certainly memorable. 

Andy, a product of the New Canaan High School Class of 1992, performed in close ensemble with the equally talented violinist Tessa Lark and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan. It was their first public performance since lockdowns began in March and their enthusiasm was evident. 

We may indeed have a chance to do this again. Andy Armstrong has offered to perform chamber music concerts here in New Canaan several times a year, and planning is underway. Libby and I often mourn the fact that so much homegrown talent leaves after graduation to grace other towns and cities around the country and world.

Election 2020

Letters to the Editor: Election 2020

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[Note: NewCanaanite.com through Oct. 21 will publish Election 2020 endorsement letters from New Canaan residents for candidates seeking to represent the town.]

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I have represented the people of Wilton and New Canaan in the General Assembly since 2013. From 2017-2018 we had all Republicans representing New Canaan and Wilton and during that time we passed a bipartisan no tax increase budget that implemented the spending and borrowing cap that created an approximate $3 billion dollar rainy day fund. Then in 2018, because of people’s dissatisfaction with DC, the District voted out three of the best legislators our state has ever had. As a result of the above loses, in 2019, the legislature passed some of the most anti-business legislation in our state’s history and increased spending and taxes, not to mention the anti-police legislation, attempted school regionalization, and state control of local zoning.

News

Letter: ‘Thank You’ from Rotary Club to New Canaan Community

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Speaking for the Rotary Club of New Canaan, I thank everyone who generously supported our “contactless,” drive-through Lobsterfest at the Waveny Park pool pavilion this past weekend. We sold over 1,000 meals, including 100 that will be prepared by our catering partners and delivered by our members to first responders this week. The traditional early fall Lobsterfest on the lawns of the Historical Society was not possible this year, but our enterprising members came up with a plan to keep the event alive for a 35th year and Steve Benko, Director of Parks and Recreation, made available the perfect location for a drive-through. We could not have done it without the SLOBS from the high school, who directed the traffic inside Waveny Park, in the rain on Friday and the sun on Saturday. 

NewCanaanite’s editor, Michael Dinan very kindly produced a podcast, interviewing one of our members, describing the planning for this year’s event. Michael also generously ran a banner across the top of NewCanaanite’s home page publicizing Lobsterfest, for which we are most grateful.

News

Letters to the Editor: Election 2020 

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[Note: NewCanaanite.com through Oct. 21 will publish Election 2020 endorsement letters from New Canaan residents for candidates seeking to represent the town.]

To the Editor,

Schools are open. Some kids are in school and some are at home. Teachers are doing their best to meet the needs of all the kids, to keep them safe, to make them feel loved, and to make sure they have the best educational experience possible. Most of those teachers, I’m sure, would rather be at home, completely safe from exposure to COVID.

Election 2020

Letters to the Editor: Election 2020

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[Note: NewCanaanite.com through Oct. 21 will publish Election 2020 endorsement letters from New Canaan residents for candidates seeking to represent the town.]

Editor, NewCanaanite. Two years ago I supported Will Haskell for State Senate because I loved his enthusiasm and he offered a demographic that was sorely missing in the state legislature. Today, I am supporting Will Haskell because of the outstanding job he has done representing us. His strong support of the environment, his commitment to gun safety measures, and most recently, his strong stance on holding Eversource accountable for their rate hikes and miserable response to Isaias are a few of the reasons I believe Will has earned our support for a second term.