New Canaan Police at 4:18 p.m. on Oct. 16 received a report of two pairs of Prada boots stolen from a Valley Road home while residents there were in the process of moving out.
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The New Canaan Beautification League’s annual appeal is underway.
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The state Appellate Court has denied the town’s petition to appeal a Superior Court judge’s approval this past summer of the 8-30g affordable housing complex planned for Weed and Elm Streets, documents show.
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It’s almost here: “Carnegie Hall to New Canaan” featuring James Ehnes (violin) and Andrew Armstrong (piano) from New Canaan Chamber Music—3 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 29. Program and tickets here.
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The New Canaan Land Trust is looking for a part-time marketing and development associate. For more information go to: Work With Us – New Canaan Land Trust.
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Animal Control at 9:29 a.m. on Oct. 20 received a complaint from a West Road resident about a neighbor’s dog roaming on their property.
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The Friends of Irwin Park, part of the nonprofit New Canaan Garden Club, is raising funds for restoration and planting in the popular Weed Street park, an important piece of the local “greenlink” trail. More information here.
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The school district’s Curriculum Leadership Council meetings rise to the level of government meetings that must be noticed and open to the public, according to a recent decision from the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, according to an article from the nonprofit journalism outlet Inside Investigator.
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L-R: Ben Schiano, Nursing Home Administrator; Stephanie Schott, RN, Infection Control Nurse; Claudia Katz, RN, Director of Nursing; Beverly James-Allen, RN, award recipient; Russ Barksdale, Ph.D., President & CEO; James Coyle, Interim Administrator, VNS; and Rebecca Albrecht, Chief Human Resources Officer. Photo courtesy of Waveny LifeCare Network
Congratulations to Waveny LifeCare Network registered nurse Beverly James-Allen on earning LeadingAge Connecticut‘s “Humanitarian Award.” It’s “presented to an individual whose personal integrity and contributions to older adults best exemplify the ideals of LeadingAge member organizations,” a press release said. “This honor recognizes those who serve as a constant inspiration within their organization, and embody its mission and values through compassion, service, and dedication.”
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Police are investigating a smash-and-grab at Waveny, reported at 4:18 p.m. on Oct. 16. A purse was stolen from a parked vehicle.
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The massively popular Halloween Block Party is coming to downtown New Canaan at noon on Sunday, info here. Festivities kick off at 11:30 a.m. at South and Elm. There are already 15 dogs registered for the “Howl-O-Ween Parade” (register here, there are limited spots remaining).
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Police are investigating two second-floor burglaries with forced entries, reported at 2:11 p.m. on Rosebrook Road (smashed master bedroom window) and at 8:28 p.m. on Oct. 18 on Ferris Hill Road.
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VUE New Canaan has officially sold out all 40 units for a total of $82.4 million, according to real estate broker Brown Harris Stevens. Developed by M2 Partners, LLC and Karp Associates, the condominiums are located at 160-180 Park St. on 3.4 acres, on the edge of downtown New Canaan. BHS agent Bettina Hegel led sales and marketing, selling every unit at or above asking price, according to a press release. “The record-setting condo prices came 60% above the town average, earning Hegel recognition as New Canaan’s No. 1 condo listing agent and ranking in the Top 1% for total home sales,” it said.
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Last chance this weekend to see “Witch,” produced by the Town Players of New Canaan, and showing at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny. Tickets here.
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During Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, First Selectman Dionna Carlson noted that she had received a message regarding the strong coordination among police, fire and EMS at the scene of a serious car crash downtown on Monday. Police Chief John DiFederico, a guest at the meeting, said it was an “unfortunate event” that “could have worked out much worse.”
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The New Canaan Police Department’s “Truck or Treat, Touch a Truck” event will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the New Canaan High School parking lot. There, residents can bring expired and unused medications for safe destruction.
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New Canaan Police at 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 5 arrested a 35-year-old Darien man in connection with a three-car crash at the chaotic Farm-White Oak Shade-Old Norwalk Roads intersection. He was charged with failure to obey a stop sign, driving without a license and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while on suspension.
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L-R: LiveGirl CEO Sheri West, state Sen. Bob Duff, LiveGirl Camp Director Maria Ogundolani, St. Luke’s designLab Leadere Kim Gerardi, LiveGirl SHE CARES Program Manager Farrell Lindeman, and Simone Morris.
Congratulations to New Canaan-founded nonprofit LiveGirl on receiving the “Inclusive Community Catalyst Award” at the “Rising Together: Inclusive Leadership Impact Awards” presented by state Sen. Bob Duff (D-25th). The recognition celebrates the transformative work of Camp LiveGirl—hosted at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan—which features a BRAVE Leaders Academy, trauma-informed mental wellness, and hands-on STEM.
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The selectmen on Tuesday voted 3-0 to appoint Doug Simpson to the Emergency Medical Services Commission. He is succeeding Tom Turrentine on the volunteer body.
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Registration is open for “Mattering in the Modern World: The Secret to Unlocking Deeper Connections and Purpose,” featuring best-selling author Jennifer Wallace in conversation with podcast host Kelly Corrigan Wonders. The New Canaan CARES Fall Community Program, the talk will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the Saxe Middle School auditorium. Register here.
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New Canaan resident Dede Bartlett noted during an Oct. 1 ceremony marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month at New Canaan High School—attended by a record 200 students—that in Connecticut nearly one in every three boys and one in every three girls “are victims of abuse and bullying.”
“That means you are likely to know someone who is being bullied, either in person or online,” Bartlett said, noting that those in attendance wore purple for DV awareness. “And whether it’s physical, sexual, psychological or financial, online or in person, it is real.” Bartlett added that in the past 20 years since the New Canaan Abuse Prevention Partnership was formed, more than 2,000 people have called the police regarding domestic violence.
Here’s a video of the ceremony, including a proclamation read by First Selectman Dionna Carlson:
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The selectmen on Tuesday approved the hiring of Kelsi McCarthy as sanitarian health program planner 1 in the New Canaan Health Department.
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Bob Doran
The Gridiron Club of New Canaan will honor Robert (Bob) Doran for his many years of service to the community at its 64th annual Gridiron Dinner on April 23 and 24, 2026, at the Country Club of New Canaan. The event is open to the public, with ticket details to be announced soon on the Gridiron Club’s website and Facebook page. “Bob Doran embodies the spirit of New Canaan,” said Scott Hobbs, president of the Gridiron Club. “His creativity and generosity have left a lasting mark, and honoring him as the 2026 Fall Guy is well-deserved.” Bob and his wife, Susan—an English teacher at St. Luke’s School—have deep roots in New Canaan, where they raised their two daughters, Allison and Angela. Angela now lives and works in London, while Allison and her husband, Adam Benenson, are raising their three sons, Teddy, Wesley, and Ari, in town.
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“Cantata Sunday,” celebrating the 300th anniversary of J.S. Bach, with soloists, choir and Baroque orchestra, will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 at First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan.
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A friendly reminder that starting Monday, Nov. 3, the Public Works Department will pick up leaves that have been raked to the curbside by homeowners in areas of one acre or less that are placed in a windrow (not a pile). “The leaves will be recycled into garden compost, so they must be free of brush and debris and not be in plastic bags,” officials say. “These items are prohibited and will also clog the vacuums and hoses causing breakdowns and delays.” Leaves may be raked to the curbside until Sunday, Nov. 30. Leaves put out after that date will not be collected by the town. Residents in the 2- or 4-acre zones are requested to compost their leaves on their own property. DPW crews will not collect in those areas. More info here from the town.
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Saxe Intermediate School‘s 5/6th grade production of “Aladdin, Jr.” will open at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, with additional performances on Nov. 8 (at 1 and 4 p.m.) at the Saxe auditorium. Tickets here at $12. The performance is based on the Disney musical about a lovable street urchin who meets Princess Jasmine and stumbles on a magical lamp that unleashes a larger-than-life genie. The show is appropriate for all ages.
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Police at 12:19 p.m. Tuesday received a report of cash stolen from inside a Fieldcrest Road home. The investigation is ongoing.
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Grace Farms in fall. Credit: Melani Lust
On Oct. 11, Grace Farms celebrated its 10th anniversary season, which runs through May 2026. The day featured the unveiling of Dancing Trees, new site-specific seating designed by Kazuyo Sejima of SANAA, as well as a conversation between the architect and Grace Farms CEO and founder Sharon Prince; viewing of a new installation of the With Every Fiber | Pigment, Stone, Glass exhibit, featuring five new commissions inspired by the Design for Freedom movement; artist-in-residence James Florio discussing his new photographic work at Grace Farms, of Haida Gwaii in British Columbia, Canada from which Grace Farms’ new fascia is sourced; viewing of Alicja Kwade’s new permanently installed sculpture, ParaPosition; and musical performances by acclaimed Canadian cellist Arlen Hlusko and Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell.
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Finally—courtesy of event section sponsor April Kaynor & Kelly DeFrancesco of William Raveis—here are more local happenings worth checking out (add your event to the Community Calendar here and we’ll share it with fellow residents):
- Last Saturday on the Trail – History of Grupes House and Bird Release (October 25 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am)
- American Modern Opera Company (October 25 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
- In the Heights (October 25 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm & October 26 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm)
- Coffee & Conversation: Exhibit no.01 Gores Pavilion by Arden + White Gallery (October 28 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am)
- Carnegie Hall to New Canaan — October 28 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (and October 29 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
- United Nations Lecture: The Global Children’s Health Crisis: Bringing Surgical Access to the Front Lines (October 28 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
- New Treatments and Clinical Trials Shaping the Future of Dementia Care (October 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
- Auction Preview & Director’s Talk (October 30 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am)
- Halloween Graveyard Tour with Dede Bartlett (October 30 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
- Glass House Presents: The Structure of Light: Richard Kelly’s Collaborations with Philip Johnson and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (October 30 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm)
- Platon and the Power of Human Connection in the Digital Age (November 1 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
- 26th Annual Benefit Auction & Party (November 1 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
- An Evensong for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day (November 2 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
- Election Day Fun at NCM&HS (November 4 @ 11:00 am – 1:30 pm)
- Fairfield County Trauma Response Team Presents ‘We’re Going In!’ (November 6 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
- 4th Annual Fairfield County Student Social Justice Art Showcase (November 8 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)
Well deserved honor for Bob Doran!
“Bob Doran embodies the spirit of New Canaan,” said Scott Hobbs, President of the Gridiron Club.
Indeed, Bob certainly deserves to be The Gridiron Club Of New Canaan’s 2026 Fall Guy! Congratulations, Bob!