NewCanaaanite.com recently received the following letter(s) to the editor. Please email letters to editor@newcanaanite.com for publication here.
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Hi Friends,
Claudia Monaco was such a big part of our community, first as a proud student and NCHS alumna, then volunteer, intern, student teacher and, ultimately, as a beloved kindergarten teacher. Her life and loss have touched so many of our families, and so what better way to honor her than to dedicate a star in her memory at The Dome (aka the planetarium)?
As many of you know, The renovation of The Dome has been an extraordinary undertaking to help transform the 50 year old planetarium into a state-of-the-art learning theater. Many of us have already given to this project, but we hope you’ll consider another small donation in memory of Claudia. Claudia fostered curiosity in her classroom. It would be so fitting to honor her while inspiring young minds.
The Dome is more than just stars, night sky and astronomy. Upgrading to digital technology with Evans & Sutherland software is a game changer. It opens up to other subjects like geography, biology, the arts, social studies and more. Visitors can explore the wonders of the universe; travel to Grecian temples, Stonehenge or ancient ruins; discover cell reproduction and human anatomy—the educational opportunities are limitless.
We will fundraise all month long, until June 30. We hope to raise enough to acknowledge Claudia’s legacy on a commemorative plaque (New Canaan Universe: $10,000), but if we don’t hit that goal, we’ll have the opportunity to give her family an engraved star and digital representation (Ram Galaxy Club: $5,000) or an engraved star on the star wall (Supernova: $2,500).
To donate, please visit here and include your donation under “give a gift of your own choosing.” Note: The NCHS Planetarium Fund is housed at the New Canaan Community Foundation and all donations are tax-deductible.
Please also help us spread the word by posting on social media and forwarding this email to families who knew and loved Claudia.
Claudia was truly a gift to our community. In the words of Einstein: “Look to the stars and from them learn.”
Thank you for considering this wonderful gesture,
Katrina Yao & Lisa Silver
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To the New Canaanite:
On Wednesday June 7th, Staying Put in New Canaan hosted our annual fundraiser, the Summer Soirée. Poor air quality due to the Canadian wildfires caused us to pivot to an indoor celebration but it did not deter our loyal supporters. We were delighted to have over 100 guests come out to enjoy good food, good music and good company at Waveny House.
A big thank you to the volunteers who made the Summer Soirée such a huge success. Beautiful floral arrangements were designed by Eniko Szatai and Debera Prosek on behalf of the New Canaan Beautification League, delightful music was coordinated by Kevin Stagg, delicious hors d’oeuvres made by members of the New Canaan Board of Realtors were enjoyed by all, and the National Charity League Canaan Parish Chapter kindly provided assistance. A special thank you to our dedicated Board of Directors who supported the event every step of the way and also rolled up their sleeves and made it all happen!
I am grateful for the dedication and efforts of the very capable and compassionate Staying Put staff who I have the pleasure to work alongside of each day. They make it possible for Staying Put to fulfill our mission to help older New Canaan residents live confidently at home and stay engaged in the community by providing practical services and social connections. They also make the social opportunities we offer to members, and special occasions like the Summer Soirée, events that you do not want to miss. Thank you to Robin Bates-Mason who orchestrated every detail of the evening with calm and expert know-how, Kim Herr who coordinated all the practical behind the scenes efforts, and the newest member of the team, Kate Brambilla, our Manager of Member Services who jumped right in with only three days on the job!
While our office staff totals 4, our efforts are greatly augmented by the devoted volunteers who make our important work possible. These ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ provide essential services to seniors including transportation, errands, grocery shopping, visits, help at home, technology assistance, and more.
I also want to thank the generous businesses that supported the Summer Soirée: Benefactor Sponsors: Betsy and Fred Afragola and the Anderson Fund. Champion Sponsors: American Industrial Partners; Brickley Law; Francos Wine Merchants; Halo Fitness – Anthony Domino; Karl Chevrolet Co.; Karp Associates – The Karp Family; Walter Stewart’s Market; and Waveny LifeCare Network. Supporter Sponsors: DEANE, Inc.; Hobbs, Inc.; Hutchinson Tree Care Specialists Inc.; New Canaan Board of Realtors; New Canaan Foreign Car Service; Reynolds + Rowella Accounting and Consulting; Friend Sponsors: AC Auto Body & Mechanical Service; The Country Club of New Canaan; Amy and Fabio Freyre; Denise Gannalo Realtor; Paul Harbottle DDS – New Canaan Dentistry; Dorcas and Ralph Hills; HTG Investment Advisors Inc.; Lampert, Toohey & Rucci, LLC; Lions Club of New Canaan; and Rand Insurance.
Thank you also to the Town of New Canaan Recreation Department for all their assistance at Waveny House, a most fabulous setting for the Summer Soirée.
With sincere appreciation,
Gina Z. Blum
Executive Director, Staying Put in New Canaan
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To the Editor:
The New Canaan Pops in the Park Committee wishes to express our gratitude to the residents of New Canaan and our neighboring communities for supporting the 2nd annual Pops in the Park featuring the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.
We estimate that more than 1,500 people turned out on a lovely evening last Sunday for our “A Night in Hollywood” concert on the great lawn behind Waveney House.
A big thank you goes to Chris Gruseke and Bankwell, our lead sponsor again this year, as well as Steve Boeschenstein, Phoebe Knowles and the Waveny Park Conservancy, who do amazing work in the upkeep of our beautiful park.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to our other generous sponsors:
- New Canaan Community Foundation
- Karl Chevrolet
- Dawn Sterner at Brown Harris Stevens Real Estate
- Walter Stewart’s Market
- HTG Investment Advisors
- Bill Bergner at State Farm Insurance
- New Canaan Music
- Franco’s Wine Merchants
- The Gruseke, Schlein, Bell, Lowry, Campbell and Kerridge Families
We offer special thanks to all our volunteers, especially the Service League of Boys (SLOBS) and Cub Scout Pack 45.
We are grateful to George Benington and the New Canaan Parks & Recs Commission and to Tucker Murphy, John Howe and Bea Watkins of the Special Events Committee, who were all so helpful in guiding us through all the many details we needed to sort out for the concert.
We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Officers Tom Swindon and Annamaria Ceci of the New Canaan Police Department in keeping everyone safe.
We were thrilled to kick off the concert with the Star-Spangled Banner performed by the very talented Henry Tate, a sophomore at New Canaan High School and student at the Performing Arts Conservatory of New Canaan.
I can’t say enough about our friends at the Norwalk Symphony. Thank you so much to Jonathan Yates, the Symphony’s Music Director and Conductor, as well as the Symphony’s staff and all the members of the orchestra who put on such an amazing concert. A very special thank you goes to Sandra Miklave, the Executive Director of the Symphony, and Chris Bell, Board President of the Norwalk Symphony, both of whom worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the concert a success.
Last, but not least, the Pops Committee is a small group of New Canaan residents who helped organize and plan the concert, and I want to recognize all the great work done by my fellow members Matt Campbell, Vanessa Lowry, Dawn Sterner, Kara Homan and Susie Kerridge.
We are looking forward to our next concert, tentatively scheduled for June 2024 – stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Douglas Kerridge,
Chairman, New Canaan Pops in the Park