A mother turkey hopped out into Valley Road around 12:30 p.m. on June 7 to keep at bay a town woman walking her dog up near the Grupes Reservoir. The mama turkey apparently was guarding her three baby chicks nearby—unfortunately, a passing motorist struck the big bird and killed her. The pedestrian phoned the Animal Control section of the New Canaan Police Department, and Officer Allyson Halm spotted the baby turkeys but lost them on retrieving a carrier from the van.
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Congratulations to New Canaan resident Pasquale Poccia, who became a U.S. citizen this week after taking the Oath of Allegiance on Wednesday during the 6th annual Flag Day Naturalization Ceremony at Mystic Seaport. Poccia is owner of Pasquale’s Osteria, an Italian and International/Continental cuisine restaurant on Main Street in Norwalk. He came to the United States from Italy more than 30 years ago. “I love this country,” he told the Mystic Seaport website’s reporter. Read more here.
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The Joe’s Pizza building at 23 Locust Ave. was sold June 1 to a private LLC for $800,000, tax records show. Pizza-lovers, relax: There’s absolutely no change to the longtime business operation.
Grabbing a piece of the lawn at the New Canaan Family Fourth 2015 at Waveny. Credit: Michael Dinan
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Food trucks are returning to the Family Fourth at Waveny this year right on Tuesday, July 4 (passes are available online as well as at Walter Stewart’s, NC Toy Store, Rec Department at Waveny House and Town Clerk’s office in Town Hall). Food trucks’ offerings will include lobster rolls, tacos, pizza, hamburgers and grilled cheese—as well as some new entries, Pacific, Filipino and “Nuevo Latino” food.
Scenes from the Waveny Park Conservancy’s tailgate party, held Oct. 15, 2016 at the park. Credit: Chris Cody
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The Waveny Park Conservancy will host its second annual Tailgate Party out back of Waveny House on Oct. 7, Parks & Recreation Commission Chair Sally Campbell said during the group’s regular meeting Wednesday night. “It’s another full moon night,” Campbell said, calling last year’s inaugural tailgate “a great event.”
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The Board of Selectmen at its June 6 meeting approved a $10,385 contract with Almstead Tree to do the following work:
- Remove four posted pin oaks on Elm Street near Main;
- Remove a sycamore maple and Norway maple at 340 Brushy Ridge Road;
- Remove a dogwood and two linden trees near 32-36 Spring Water Lane;
- Remove a large ash at 210 Talmadge Hill Road;
- Remove a dead ash tree on the west side of the Waveny Pool parking lot;
- Remove a damaged sugar maple at 87 North Wilton Road;
- Remove a black birch tree at 286 Indian Rock Road;
- Remove a dead sugar maple at 230 Rosebrook Road;
- Remove a dying sugar maple at the corner of Brookwood and Country Club Roads;
- Remove a Norway maple trunk at 330 Carter St.;
- Remove five black locust trees at 180 Sunset Hill Road;
- Remove a tulip tree from 102 Salem Road;
- Remove an elm tree from 133 White Birch Road;
- Remove a black birch and some overhanging dead limbs from 146 White Birch Road; and
- Remove a tall tulip tree with a Euonymus vine on it at 160 Old Kings Highway.
The New Canaan Post Office on Locust Avenue. Credit: Michael Dinan
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The owner of the new Post Office building at 26 Locust Ave. on June 7 applied to the town for a $120,000 commercial office fit-out. According to plans filed with the New Canaan Building Department, the law firm Davidson, Dawson & Clark LLP—currently of Grove Street—will move into the space, vacant since the Post Office opened.
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Burglaries are down year-over-year—five so far in 2017 compared to 13 at the same time in 2016—Police Chief Leon Krolikowski reported to the Police Commission on Wednesday night.
Matt Konspore. Credit: Michael Dinan
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Matt Konspore, a member of the Parks & Recreaiton Commission, is now a Justice of the Peace. He’s overseeing his first wedding this coming weekend.
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Police at 3:22 p.m. on Tuesday arrested a 32-year-old South Salem, N.Y. man by warrant for failure to pay or plead in response to an infraction citation. The man last December had been cited for failure to use headlights, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Also: Police on June 9 arrested a 44-year-old Stamford woman for second-degree failure to appear. She was stopped for running a red light downtown, and police found that there was a paperless re-arrest warrant for her in connection with a Fairfield arrest.
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Track the progress of the New Canaan Athletic Foundation‘s final push to its $5 million goal in their ad on the right sidebar of our site. You’ll see the thermometer on the left pop up just above the “Most Popular” articles widget. Since the organization’s chairman, Mike Benevento, explained what the funds are for in a plea to local parents to help raise the final $250,000, there’s already been some movement. Click here to learn more on how to donate.
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Some 150 tons of new sand have been poured at Kiwanis Park and around the swimming hole there, according to Recreation Director Steve Benko. He said a person can stand on the side of the water and see clear 25 to 30 feet out and down to the bottom of it.
New Canaan’s Colleen Hann at the 2014 Walk to End Lupus Now. Contributed
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New Canaan resident and NCHS Class of 1992 member Colleen Hann is addressing the Lupus Foundation of America crowds that will gather June 26 and 27 in the nation’s capital for a policy summit.
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A reminder that Mike Baker, a former CIA counterterrorism expert, is to speak at New Canaan Library during the local Democratic Town Committee’s Speaker Series. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21.
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Finally, here’s a photo gallery wrapping up additional newsworthy events in town:
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Bankwell celebrated Fred Afragola’s 15 years with Bankwell, first as the founding CEO and Chairman of The Bank of New Canaan (which rebranded to Bankwell in 2013). He retired from the Bankwell Board of Directors on May 31st. The “retirement” tribute took place at the Elm Street branch and included a packed reception of friends, colleagues and members of the community on June 7th. Photo: Fred Afragola (in red tie) is honored by Bankwell Chairman Blake Drexler (in tan jacket) and Bankwell CEO Chris Gruseke (in suit behind Fred Afragola)
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Photo: From left to right: The Impact Vine Project Director Susan Serven, Community Fund of Darien Executive Director Carrie Bernier, ProjectPitch Grand Prize winner LiveGirl Executive Director Sheri West, and LiveGirl’s High School mentor/intern Anna Lysenko, along with two middle school LiveGirls. Darien, CT, June 8, 2017—The Impact Vine (www.TheImpactVine.org), an initiative of The Community Fund of Darien (www.CommunityFundDarien.org) has announced the winners of ProjectPitch, The Impact Vine’s recent shark tank-type online contest for Lower Fairfield County nonprofits. The contest was held to celebrate The Impact Vine’s launch as a new online giving site which allows donors to support projects they care about, and provides a platform for local nonprofits to use as a tool to raise funds for socially impactful projects in the community. 100% of donations go directly to the nonprofit when the project has funded. ProjectPitch Winners Are: Grand Prize: LiveGirl (www.golivegirl.com ) for their project, Fund a Docudrama: “A Million Likes (is never enough)”to Help Middle School Girls Navigate Social Media Pressure First Prize: River House Adult Day Center ( http://gadcriverhouse.org/wp ) for their project “Dancing For Dollars: Our Seniors Will Dance for One Minute For Every $5 Raised! Second Prize: Kids Helping Kids (http://kidshelpingkidsct.org ) for their project, “Fun with Science: Help Us Create SLIME Using Science!” New Canaan: From ProjectPitch Grand Prize winner, LiveGirl’s Founder and Executive Director, Sheri West, “LiveGirl has shown me how vulnerable teen girls are today as they face adolescent pressures amplified by social media. The ProjectPitch award will enable us to move forward our collaboration with KUU Productions to produce ‘A Million Likes’ docudrama, with the core message that ‘a million likes will never be enough if you don’t like yourself’. We are certain that this docudrama will empower the girls of Fairfield County.”
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Shawn Gelin has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Deposit Operations, it was announced by David Dineen, Head of Community Banking at Bankwell. Mrs. Gelin has managed Bankwell’s Deposit Operations Department since the founding of the bank in 2002. She has played a major role in the success of numerous projects over the years, including multiple mergers, acquisitions and product launches. A longtime resident of Norwalk, Mrs. Gelin has more than 25 years of experience as a senior operations manager in the financial services industry. Bankwell is a commercial bank that serves the banking and lending needs of residents and businesses throughout Connecticut. More about Bankwell can be found at mybankwell.com.
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The New Canaan Community Foundation on May 23 gathered with beneficiaries to award more than $670,000 to 70-plus local nonprofit organizations. Contributed
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Grace Farms generously hosted "Women Who Inspire”, a think tank of accomplished women established by LiveGirl who meet quarterly and collaborate to empower the girls of Fairfield County. More information @goLiveGirl. PHOTO NAMES (l to r) Anna Lysenko (LiveGirl Intern), Marley Sklover (LiveGirl Intern), Tanisha Akinloye (Empowering Through Beauty), Liz Fleuette (Ms President USA), Lauren Patterson (New Canaan Community Foundation), Aimee Elsner (CT Power Yoga), Courtney George (Women’s Business Development Council), Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick (Grace Farms), Sheri West (LiveGirl), Hadley Pollet (Hadley Pollet), Dr. Jeanne Peloso (Lehman College), Katie Diehl (The Daily Diehl), Dr. Cynthia Barnett (Amazing Girls Science), Maggie DeFrancesco (LiveGirl Intern), Tricia Hyacinth (Fairfield County Community Foundation Fund for Women & Girls)
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Bankwell in New Canaan Shred Day on Saturday, June 10th. New Canaan Assistant Branch Manager, Willmar Acevedo and New Canaan resident, Jay Luther III.
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Staying Put’s annual fundraiser, a “Luau at Lila’s,” will be held under a tent in longtime resident Lila Coleman’s backyard on Sunday, June 25th at 5 pm. The event, which is open to the public, will feature a traditional Island Buffet prepared by Chef Jeff and a lively performance by “the Uke Guy” Uncle Zac and the Zactones. Proceeds from the Luau, which is being generously underwritten by 25 local sponsors, will directly support Staying Put in New Canaan, a member-based, volunteer-supported nonprofit organization dedicated to helping seniors remain independently in their homes and actively engaged in the community as they age. “We are proud of Staying Put’s work keeping seniors safe at home, and equally committed to providing opportunities like this one for social engagement,” says Executive Director Barb Achenbaum. Event Chair Amy Freyre got involved in Staying Put when her mother, Pris Thomas, moved to town a few years ago and joined the organization. “I saw just how amazing Staying Put was for Mom. She wanted to be near us, but she also wanted to have her own life and community of friends,” says Amy. “She really enjoys being a volunteer driver, serving on the Staying Put Board, and attending events like the Luau.” The financial outcome of this year’s event, which is priced at $50 per person, will be bolstered due to local support. “We have traditionally kept the price low to ensure that all Staying Put members, some of whom are on fixed incomes, can attend,” says Barb. In order to increase the profitability this year, the Committee decided to reach out to the broader community. “We were overwhelmed by the response from both individuals and local businesses,” says Amy. “We are very grateful to our 25 generous sponsors.” Major underwriters for the Luau are Bankwell of New Canaan and Hoyt Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Patrons include Amy and Fabio Freyre, Brightview on New Canaan, Karp Family/Karp Associates, PCLinkZ.com Computer Services, Privatus Care Solutions, Mr. and Mrs. T. Brock Saxe, and Silver Hill Hospital. Sponsors are Accessible Answers LLC, April and Kelly @ William Raveis, First County Bank, Francos Wine Merchants, HTG Investment Advisors Inc., Handwright Gallery and Framing, Houlihan Lawrence New Canaan, Lampert Toohey & Rucci LLC, Linda and Ron Kelly, New Canaan Board of Realtors, Rand Insurance, Inc., R. Berger & Company, Inc., Sanda’s Cleaners, Jeanie and Jeff Shaw, Walter Stewart’s Market, and Waveny LifeCare Network. To reserve a space at the Luau, please call Staying Put at 203-966-7762 or email barb@stayingputnc.org.
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PHOTO: The Exchange Club of New Canaan Foundation Scholarship is a $10,000 four year grant made to graduating seniors each year. It is designed to promote and reward students with financial need and who demonstrate attributes and behaviors consistent with the goals and activities of Exchange Clubs throughout the USA specifically, character; persistence; community service; and serve as an inspiration to others. The 2017 Exchange Club Scholarship winner, Hazel Montano, senior at New Canaan High School, poses with Dan McEvoy, Immediate Past President and Hans Dijs, President of the Exchange Club