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New Canaan Police at 10:46 a.m. on Feb. 26 received a report of a purse stolen from an unlocked vehicle at a Ponus Ridge house. It contained cash and other miscellaneous items. The investigation is ongoing.

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Coming 5 p.m. Sunday: “An Evensong for Lent,” presented for free by the Friends of Music at St. Mark’s. A light reception will follow.

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2026 Volunteer Recognition Award Honorees. Credit: New Canaan Community Foundation

The New Canaan Community Foundation last week hosted the 2026 Volunteer Recognition Awards in a celebration at Town Hall. “These hometown heroes have dedicated their time and energy to making our community a better place,” organizers said in a press release: 

  • Youth Rookie of the Year  – Will Taylor, Open Doors
  • Board Leadership MVP – Tom Reynolds, New Canaan Land Trust
  • Hands-On Hall of Fame – Terri Leopold, Person to Person
  • Hands-On MVP – Susan Freedgood, New Canaan Museum & Historical Society
  • Community Initiative – Scott Hobbs, New Canaan Housing Authority
  • Hands-On MVP – Michael Canoro, New Canaan Library
  • Hands-On Hall of Fame – Martha Porretta, Waveny LifeCare Network
  • Hands-On Rookie of the Year – Marshall Pask, Staying Put in New Canaan
  • Youth MVP – Jordan Alexander, Building One Community
  • Outstanding Group – Jill Robey, Flower Again Connecticut
  • Outstanding Youth Group – Dante Marsili & Graysen Handler, Feeding 500 New Canaan
  • Youth Rookie of the Year – Cassie Arevalo, Waveny Lifecare Network
  • New Canaan Community Foundation’s “Small Business, Big Impact” – Sean Brennan, C&H Automotive
  • New Canaan Community Foundation’s “Impact” – Ali Luddy

The special event and program was organized by the Volunteer Recognition Awards Committee, led by Chair Marley Thackeray, with committee members Robin Bates-Mason, Bob Doran, Jane Fox, Tracey Karl, Tucker Murphy, Maia Sapanski, Chris Schipper and Valerie Stryker. The program was supported by sponsors New Canaan Rotary, Club Sandwich, Curry Mango, Swirl, Zumbach’s and New Canaanite.

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Police put down two sick raccoons on March 6—at 12:20 p.m. near Weed and Elm Streets and at 3:10 p.m. at Marvin Ridge Road and Nubel Lane.

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The United Methodist Church of New Canaan from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 20 will hold its next “Kids on a Mission” free event, making stuffed animals for Norwalk Hospital pediatric emergency care patients. More information can be found here.

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Congratulations to New Canaan High School and Lafayette grad Stephanie Benko, daughter of the late Parks & Rec director Steve Benko, on finishing as the second U.S. woman at the March 1 Tokyo Marathon, placing 41st in 2:41:58.

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Applications are open through April 1 for the New Canaan Land Trust summer steward internship. More info here.

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Albert Kokoth, charged with murdering his wife in New Canaan five years ago, died Feb. 21, according to a death notice published online.

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This weekend is the final chance to see the Town Players of New Canaan’s production of the comedy “One Man, Two Guvnors” at the Powerhouse Theatre in Waveny Park. Tickets here.

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The owner of a multifamily house on Seminary Street on Monday filed papers in state Superior Court to evict a tenant, saying they failed to pay $1,500 in monthly rent in December, January and February.

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Alex Russey

Congratulations to New Canaan’s Alex Russey, who was honored Sunday as a Scholar-Leader-Athlete by the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. A student at The Hun School of Princeton, Russey was celebrated at the George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner on March 8 at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, where scholarships were awarded to the 20 scholar-leader-athletes from regional New Jersey schools. The NFF recognition honors high school students who excel in athletics, academics, and community leadership.

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The Town Players of New Canaan will hold auditions March 22 and 23 for “Once,” 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Musical. More info here.

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State Rep. Lucy Dathan (D-142nd) announced Monday that she’s running this year for the 26th state Senate district. It covers Weston, Westport, Wilton, Redding, and parts of Ridgefield, New Canaan, Darien and Stamford.

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Senior players L-R: Colin McKiernan #11, Henry Chandra #5, Liam Hall #33, Brendan Bailey #10, Will Sapione #4. Credit: Gretchen McMahon Photography

The NCHS Boys Basketball team is scheduled to take on Maloney during a CIAC state tournament quarterfinal game at 6 p.m. Thursday. The squad won its first and second round games 60-52 over Norwich Free Academy and 44-43 over Platt. In the first round game, key performers included Henry Chandra (senior) team co-captain, First Team All FCIAC, with a game high of 31 points, Will Sapione (senior) Second Team All FCIAC, with 12 points, Blue Vertin (junior) with 13 points and Colin McKiernan (senior) team co-captain FCIAC All Defensive Team.

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Get ready for Giving Week: From March 22 to 28, donations to the New Canaan High School Scholarship Foundation will be doubled. More info here.

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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):

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