New Canaan Police are investigating the theft of $4,875.41 in fragrances from Walgreens on Pine Street, reported at 11:57 a.m. on May 6.
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Call for volunteers: VFW Post 653 in New Canaan is asking for help in placing new flags at the graves of fallen soldiers in their honor for Memorial Day. All are welcome to participate 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, at Lakeview Cemetery. Please use the entrance from Main Street and drive in over the bridge, to gather at the lower Veterans section. Details and info on how to donate here. Also: Memorial poppies will be available for any donation made to our local VFW on the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (May 20 and 21) at ACME, Dunkin Donuts, Walter Stewart’s Market and Zumbach’s.
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The New Canaan Building Department on May 3 received an application to demolish a 1957-built ranch-style house at 240 Benedict Hill Road.
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It’s finally here: May Fair 2023 opens with Friday Night Lights (Midway Rides open 5 to 10 p.m. on May 12), followed by the full day up at St. Mark’s green from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 13. Interested in volunteering for the beloved community event? Info here.
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Police at 3:33 p.m. on May 8 received a report of a check stolen from a Valley Road mailbox.
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Enjoy reading the weekly local history feature, “New Canaan Now & Then”? Consider attending “Step Into Summer,” the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society’s fundraiser, to be held 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, June 2. Dinner by Diane Browne catering, tunes by DJ “Dance to the Music,” an auction and Giving Tree.
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Dr. Michael Groat, chief clinical officer at Silver Hill Hospital, after working with the Town Players of New Canaan on the recent production of “Ordinary People,” signed up to take acting classes with the venerable organization, Patricia Spugani said during a presentation on the Powerhouse Theatre at Wednesday’s Parks & Recreation Commission meeting.
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Officer Nicole Vartuli and Sgt. Michael O’Sullivan, New Canaan Police.
Congratulations to New Canaan Police Officer Nicole Vartuli, who was recognized May 5 for her efforts in assisting victims of domestic violence. The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence presented Vartuli with an award at its “First 100 Awards Breakfast.” Vartuli was nominated by New Canaan Police Domestic Violence Coordinator Sgt. Michael O’Sullivan nominated “due to her ongoing commitment of improving the lives of domestic violence victims,” the citation said.
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The Building Department on May 2 issued an after-the-fact permit for about $56,000 of basement finishing work done at 149 Journeys End Road. The work included adding a full bath and office. The permit generated $1,185 in fees for the town.
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L-R: Capt. Joseph Farenga, Lt. John Milligan and Sgt. Roberto Lopez. Credit: Legacy Studios
Congratulations to the following New Canaan Police Department officers on their promotions:
- Capt. Joseph Farenga (formerly lieutenant): “Captain Farenga has served with our Department for 23 years. He has filled the roles of Patrol Lieutenant, Patrol Sergeant, Dispatcher, Motor Enforcement Officer, and SRT Team Leader. In addition, he was assigned to the Investigative Division and Youth Division. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and is pursuing his Master’s Degree. Captain Farenga will command the Staff Services Division.”
- Lt. John Milligan (formerly sergeant): “Lieutenant Milligan has served with our Department for 22 years. He has filled the roles of Patrol Sergeant, Acting Lieutenant, Dispatcher, and School Resource Officer. In addition, he serves as the Union President. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree and is pursuing his Master’s Degree. Lieutenant Milligan will be assigned as Shift Commander of the 11 PM to 7 AM shift.”
- Sgt. Roberto Lopez: “Sergeant Lopez has served with our Department for 13 years. He has filled the roles of Patrol Officer, Dispatcher, Acting Sergeant, Firearms Instructor, Dispatcher Trainer, Field Training Officer, and is a member of the SRT Team. In addition, he serves as the Police Benevolent Association President. He holds a Bachelor of General Studies. Sergeant Lopez will be assigned to the 11 PM to 7 AM shift.”
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First Selectman Kevin Moynihan noted during an update to the Board of Finance on Tuesday night that although the federal and state COVID-19 pandemic emergency would end on Thursday of this week. He added that the Arcturus variant that has spread widely in India “came around town quite a bit last week, and people are not getting very sick, but they’re getting sick.”
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Police at 10:53 a.m. on May 4 received a report of a motorist who passed a stopped school bus on Gerdes Road.
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The Apple Cart will be in full swing providing food this summer at the Steve Benko Pool in Waveny, so there’s no need to bring back “Taco Tuesdays” or another food truck for the popular facility last year, parks officials say.
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It’s this weekend: There are still some tickets left (not many) to “The Gynokid,” written and performed by Claire Ayoub (May 12 to 14), presented by the Town Players of New Canaan at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny.
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NCPD is seeking its 10th award of Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies or “CALEA.” Here’s some background information on CALEA. Part of the process involves collecting public comment, and New Canaanites can do that here.
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Moynihan said during Tuesday’s update to the Board of Finance that the town is in “discussions” regarding what will happen with the house recently purchased with about $1 million of New Canaan taxpayer money at 28 Grove St. Asked by Board member Amy Murphy Carroll whether the town has done any renovations on the vacant house, Moynihan said, “No, we haven’t done a thing because we realized there’s a larger picture and if that comes together, we’ll discuss that with one party.” He added that “other things are possible there.” The property abuts the Lumberyard Lot. Moynihan said that he didn’t want to discuss the matter publicly but that he’d be “happy to discuss it with the chairman”—a discussion that would, itself, need to take place in a public forum under state sunshine laws. (The town has violated the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act multiple times in the past, state officials have found.)
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The “Sunshine for Scarlett” Great Strides team came out in full force for the walk benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, held May 7, 2023 at NCHS. Credit: Phil Provencio
Huge turnout this past Sunday for the “Sunshine for Scarlett” Great Strides walk benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Held at New Canaan High School, the walk raises money for the cause in the name of a 12-year-old New Canaan girl who also is a New Canaan Dance Academy team member. Here’s more background.
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Parks & Rec Commissioner Susan Lione reported during Wednesday’s meeting that Spencer’s Run, the dog park at Waveny, has 411 New Canaan members and 531 nonresident members.
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Swimmers and triathletes, there’s still time to sign up: Starting Monday, June 5, highly respected former New Canaan Y swim coach Rich Ludemann—an NCAA Divisions 1 and 2 coach who has placed athletes on World Championship, National and Olympic Teams, along with NCAA, Senior and Junior National scorers—will run morning workouts at a 25-meter, six-lane outdoor pool facility minutes off of the Merritt Parkway. The program is designed to serve everyone from Masters swimmers who love the sport, to triathletes looking to improve the first leg of their events, to high school and college swimmers seeking to stay in shape this summer without the pressures of competition. Workouts will run June 5 to Aug. 4 in two sessions MWF (5:30 to 7 a.m. or 7 to 8:30 a.m.). $350 fee. Contact for more info: fishdoc52@gmail.com and 203-644-0564.
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Police are investigating vandalism at 22 Pine St. At 5:40 p.m. on May 8, police received a report of spray paint on the back wall of the building there, a gym.
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Reminder: Bankwell is hosting “Shred Day” from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 13. Details here.
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Police at 7:18 p.m. Tuesday arrested a 61-year-old Bedford, N.Y. man and charged him with second-degree failure to appear and failure to respond to a payable violation. He was held on $20,000 bond and scheduled to appear the following day in state Superior Court.
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Restored Eberle Fountain sculpture at Waveny. Photo courtesy of Arianne Kolb
Last week the Waveny Park Conservancy celebrated the restoration of the Eberle Fountain with a reception and lecture by board member Arianne Kolb. “The sculpture was restored by the Tatti Studio in New York with the generous support of Bill and Susan Brock and Steve and Tracey Karl,” the WPC said. “The conservators restored the functionality of the spouting frogs, removed the calcification, and finally added a protective wax.”
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The New Canaan Garden Club is presenting “Gardens in Bloom,” a garden tour to be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 (rain or shine). Details and tickets here. Organizers say it’s the first public garden tour in New Canaan since 2016 (previously held by New Canaan Nature Center). “Docents will be on hand to provide history and insights into these New Canaan gems and each of the residential gardens,” organizers say.
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L-R: Kathleen Corbet, Penny Rashin and Christina Fagerstal. Credit: Michael Dorfsman
Selectman Kathleen Corbet and Board of Education member Penny Rashin were honored Sunday for their long-term commitment as members of their respective elected bodies. Under the theme, “The Courage to Lead and Serve,” Corbet and Rashin received praise from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and a bi-partisan delegation of the General Assembly, organizers said, along with more than 100 New Canaan residents, friends and municipal colleagues. The New Canaan Democratic Town Committee and Christina Fagerstal, its chair, hosted the event at the Woodway Country Club.
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NCBL members with their new gate at Lee Garden on Chichester Road, spring 2023. Photo courtesy of Ginny Dobbs
On Sunday, the New Canaan Beautification League celebrated the new Lee Garden gate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a project that’s been in the works for a couple of years. “Special thanks to the Newcomers Club for a grant to help make this happen,” the NCBL said in a press bulletin. “Also Faith Kerchoff who worked tirelessly to get this project over the finish line. In attendance were Toby Winiarski, George Lee‘s nephew and his friend Joan. The NCBL also welcomed new members with wine and cheese on the Lee Garden Patio. It was a glorious day for the event. A good time was had by all.”
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Finally, here are more events worth checking out (add your event to the Community Calendar here and we’ll share it with fellow residents):
- Introduction to Cub Scouting (May 17 @ 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm)
- Front Steps Project @ The Gores Pavilion, Irwin Park (May 17 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
- Lifestyle Expert and Author Mary Giuliani: How to Lose Friends and Influence No One (May 17 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
- 21st Annual Voices of Courage Spring Luncheon (May 18 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm)
- Exhibition Opening- Oh What a Night: A Century of Evening Wear (1860-1960) (May 18 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm)
- VFW Seeks Volunteers and Donations for Flag Placing at Lakeview Cemetery (May 20 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am)
- Amanda Craig Discussing God’s Creation (May 21 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
- Bo Hickey – A Celebration of Life (May 21 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm)
- Violin Piano Duo Sunday at First Presbyterian Church (May 21 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm)
- Glass House Presents: Architecture Now: New York, New Publics (May 25 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
- Step Into Summer (June 2 @ 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm)
The Glass House Summer Party Saturday (June 10 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Thanks Mike for highlighting the Lumberyard discussion. This is a town i.e. a public asset not private property – why would discussions about what is being considered for this public property, and the recently purchased home also now public property, not be talked about with the owners of the asset i.e. the public rather than ‘one party’? If there is a larger picture being considered let’s hear it and get it out in the open.
How do families who belong to and frequent Spencer’s Run find out about meetings (referenced in the Did you Hear.!” Above. Are these meetings open to the public and/or member families? Thank you.
Hi Jill. Thank you. Parks & Rec typically meets once per month. You can look for the Commission’s meetings here on the town government calendar.
Good morning
I wonder why placing the flags is a week earlier (May 20th) than when we usually do it ??
I believe it has always been the Saturday before Memorial Day .
Hi Jenny. The VFW decided that the weekend of May 20 was best for everyone, in part because on Memorial Day Weekend the organization is busy with its Poppy Project and preparing for the parade.
Thanks Mike