Police received a report on Tuesday that a 9-year-old Wheaten terrier who is new to town breached an invisible fence installed by his owners and attacked a leashed chocolate Labrador retriever puppy walking past. It happened at about 3:30 p.m. in the area of Orchard Drive and Douglas Road, and the 8-month-old puppy received a gash and punctures to his groin area. No citations or criminal charges were brought, according to the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. Both dogs are neutered males and are up-to-date on shots, officials said.
A foundation of a home that once formed the (drowned) “lost” village of Dantown in New Canaan has been made visible in the Laurel Reservoir due to a recent drought. Terry Dinan photo
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It’s how Dan’s Highway and Lost District Drive got their names. The foundations of the buildings that once formed the vibrant village of Dantown are still visible when the water level of the Laurel Reservoir goes down—and that has happened with the recent drought (see photo). Founded in the late 17th Century by Francis Dan and others at what was then a part of Stamford, a mill and basket-making industry soon grew to about 80 families, who founded a school and what historians call the first Methodist Society church in New England.
Beth Jones. Contributed
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Selectman Beth Jones said during a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday that she was genuinely surprised that the “news” of her plans not to run again—in 2017—had appeared in local outlets. “It was never intended to be an announcement,” Jones said at the meeting, held in Town Hall. “It was never intended to be an announcement. I was shooting the breeze during the Halloween Parade handing out candy, and I thought, who would care right now? There’s a big election coming up. It’s over a year out. I was shocked to see it.” Though the news may not be timely, First Selectman Rob Mallozzi did express his gratitude to Jones, saying: “New Canaan has not had a better friend than you, and I so appreciate our relationship and what you have put into this role. Your dedication is nothing short of phenomenal.”
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Police say they’re investigating reports from New Canaan residents about scams where someone phones to say a family member had been kidnapped or, in a second instance, has been in a serious car accident. “Both of these calls came from the same telephone number and are scams,” Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said in a press release. “Residents that receive unexpected calls from unknown persons about a family member being arrested, injured or at risk, should verify this information before acting on it and not provide personal information to the caller. Residents that receive suspicious calls are urged to contact our Department at 203-594-3500 and we will assist in determining if the call is a scam or legitimate.”
Retired Greenwich Detective Timothy Biggs served as campus monitor at East School, where a mural now in place honors his memory. Contributed
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A mural that hangs in the entranceway to East School features a portrait of a beloved figure at East who died unexpectedly on the final day of school last year. Retired Greenwich Police Detective Timothy Biggs, who had served as campus monitor at East School, had been involved in the design and development of the mural prior to his untimely passing. Portrait artist and East School mom Amanda Boyd-Yin, working with third- and fourth-grade student leaders in the school, developed the idea of including the school’s mascot and slogan (‘Work Hard. Be Kind.’) into the mural.
The East School mural, from portrait artist and East School mom Amanda Boyd-Yin.
“I wanted to show how the mural would feel in the space,” Boyd-Yin said. “So the sketches included Detective Biggs at his desk, with the mural behind him. I had no idea Principal Kris Woleck would show Tim the sketches.” Biggs loved the sketches and became involved in the mural project, she said. “He helped with measuring and he shared his ideas,” she said. “There was a running joke between us that I would paint a portrait of Detective Biggs in the mural, right above where he actually sat each day.”
Alex Trebek, host of Jeopardy!, with Porter Bowman
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Porter Bowman, a junior at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, is one of a handful of teens from the tri-state area who is competing in the “Jeopardy!” Teen Tournament, which runs for two weeks starting Nov. 9. It was taped earlier this year and the grand prize is $100,000. (There’s also some kid from Darien.)
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Rick Franco, lifelong New Canaan resident and longtime member of the Parking Commission, is to step down from the group at the close of its Nov. 10 meeting.
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Finally, here’s a photo gallery of other news from around New Canaan:
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L-R: Melissa Engel, President, New England Dance Theater; Ted Thomas, Artistic Director, New England Dance Theater; Maddie Friedland, Senior, NCHS; Bankwell CEO Chris Gruseke; and Sophie Graham, Junior, NCHS. New England Dance Theater and New England Academy of Dance will present the 31st Anniversary Production of the Nutcracker Ballet on December 2, 3 and 4 at the New Canaan High School and Bankwell is the sponsor of the 7th Annual Benefit Show that will take place on Sunday, December 4th. The Benefit Show provides 1,300 free tickets to over 20 area youth and family social service organizations. Cast greets each guest before the show and the show is narrated in English and Spanish. After final bows, guests are invited onstage to learn a short dance and perform with the cast. The New England Dance Theater is a 501(c)3 performing arts organization with the mission to create a greater awareness and appreciation of the Performing Arts through dance. More can be found at neadance.com. Bankwell is a local community bank with a mission to provide outstanding customer service and give back to the communities it serves. More about Bankwell can be found at mybankwell.com.
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What do you do with your Halloween costumes? Dance costumes? Dress up costumes? Donate them to Community Costumes! Community Costumes, a charitable organization, was founded in 2014 by two New Canaan teens, Alexandra Budnick and Ryan Benevento. Since its inception, Community Costumes has collected and donated over 600 costumes to families in need. Community Costumes collects new and used Halloween, dress up, and dance costumes. The costumes are organized, labeled by size, and donated to organizations supporting families in need across the tri-state area. Community Costumes’ founders believe every child loves to play dress up and that dress up play has an important role in a child’s creative and social development. Costume play allows children to feel more confident and helps them escape into a fun world of fantasy. Community Costumes strives to bring happiness to children through costume donations. This October, Community Costumes donated over 200 costumes to Person to Person in Darien, CT and Hands on Hartford in Hartford, CT. Combined, these two organizations serve over 30,000 people annually. The costumes were made immediately available to the food and clothing pantries of these organizations. Many of their patrons were able to dress up as their favorite character this year due to costume donations by Community Costumes. Recent donations came from Community Costumes collaboration with New Canaan Community Preschool (NCCP), New Canaan Dance Academy and The Holly Pond School, Darien, CT. NCCP families have been very supportive of the mission and have donated over 350 costumes during this year’s donation period. In 2014 and 2015, Community Costumes donated to the Carver Center, Norwalk, CT, Hands on Hartford, Hartford, CT, West End Civic Association, Hartford, CT and the Fairfield County YMCA system. Community Costumes, is currently collecting costumes for future donations. Please donate new or gently used Halloween, dance, and dress up costumes at: New Canaan Library (parking lot entrance door) & the New Canaan YMCA. Look for the colorful donation boxes! For further information visit Community Costumes on Facebook and Instagram.
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L-R: New Canaan Community Foundation Board President Leo Karl, New Canaan Community Foundation President & CEO Lauren Patterson, New Canaan Chamber Executive Director Tucker Murphy and Bankwell EVP & Head of Community Banking David Dineen. Bankwell hosted the annual Pre-Holiday Stroll on Thursday, October 26th, at the bank’s 208 Elm Street offices, where numerous local businesses met to plan the Holiday Stroll and other holiday events.
“There’s also some kid from Darien.” – Michael Borecki