Letter: ‘Thank You’ from Ice Cream Social Organizers 

On Sunday, the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society hosted its Ice Cream Social for the 34^th year.  It was an absolutely beautiful day, and wonderful to have such a large segment of the community come out to enjoy ice cream, cake, the Town Band, vintage cars, and games while exploring the campus and the historic house museums.  

Thanks in part to a grant from the New Canaan Newcomer’s Club, for the first time in its long history, the event was free for everyone.  I was delighted to see so many happy smiles heading into the tent after being told there was no price to admission.  

You can’t have an Ice Cream Social without ice cream.  Huge thanks to Jordan Savit, owner of Gofer Ice Cream, for his generosity.  The mint chocolate chip clearly belongs in The Next Station to Heaven.

I am grateful for all the volunteer efforts that went into making the day the success it was.  All my thanks to the members of the Exchange Club who scooped the ice cream; the National Charity League – Canaan Parish and New Canaan Chapters, and their leaders Maura Marshall, Elizabeth DeMuth, and Tara Lockhart, and all who baked cakes, helped with set-up and clean-up, and ran the games; the Town Band for its fabulous music; Frances Wilson, Patricia Oxman, and Mike Murphy, who educated visitors to the Rock School, the Hanford-Silliman House, and the Tool Museum; Russ Jones for gathering prizes for the People’s Choice awards, and the car owners for letting us admire their vintage cars; Scott Ready and Old Faithful for the classic fire trucks; and Board Governors Allison Zinzcenko, Janet Lanaway, and Nick Yanicelli, for the gift of their time and energy.

A big thank you to Whitney Williams, who runs the Museum’s Special Events.  It may be her job, but she goes above and beyond to make sure, as she puts it, every dumpster fire is extinguished.  I appreciate her energy and attention to every detail.  

I also want to thank the generous businesses that supported the People’s Choice awards: Walter Stewart’s and Stewart’s Spirits, Karl Chevrolet, Gates, Gulf, New Canaan Wine Merchants, Tony’s Deli, Blind Charlie’s, Gelatissimo, Joe’s Pizza, Pesca, Scott’s Corner Market, Vegetable Barn & Deli, Weed & Duryea, and Zumbach’s.

I don’t live in New Canaan, but in the five years that I have worked here, I have come to feel as though I do.  It is a warm, welcoming, and wonderful community.  And the Ice Cream Social is my favorite event to showcase the good cheer and fabulous spirit of 06840.  

Nancy Geary