Around Town

‘A Safe Place Where They Feel Supported’: New Canaan Dance Academy Preps for Nationals

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Achieving success in the competitive dance world is not easy. 

It takes years of relentless hard work and dedication; it takes 20-hour weeks of blood, sweat, and tears. Now, that might not sound enjoyable; when the end result of that work is dancing on stages at the highest levels in the nation, however, it may be worth it. “The New Canaan Dance Academy was always my second home and the people there were my second family,” NCHS senior Sasha Kotlyar, who started dancing at age three, said. “Being a part of the program was so special and is something I will never forget.”

Founded in 2001 by Elaine Young, the New Canaan Dance Academy (NCDA) has experienced significant growth in recent years and is preparing now to send its competitive program, known as the “company team,” to Dance Nationals on July 5. This will be NCDA’s second time sending their entire competitive program, consisting of about 75 girls, to Nationals, which will take place in Orlando.

Catherine Walker

NCHS Girls Varsity Tennis Wins 3rd Straight State Title [Q&A]

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The New Canaan High School Girls Varsity Tennis Team won its third straight CIAC title last weekend. We put some questions to coach Catherine Walker following the team’s championship win. Here’s our exchange. ***

New Canaanite: Coach Walker, when we connected last year following the team’s state title, you said that NCHS would be looking at another strong team this year, despite losing three seniors. Tell us about last weekend’s CIAC title for NCHS varsity girls tennis team.

Albe Bassett

Firefighters Put Out Blaze on Country Club Road on Tuesday

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Firefighters after midnight Tuesday put out a structure fire on Country Club Road, officials say. At about 12:45 a.m. on June 10, the New Canaan Fire Department responded to the fire after a 9-1-1 call was placed by a Lambert Road resident who could see it from their house, according to a press release issued by Chief Albe Bassett. 

At the Country Club Road home, firefighters found a 10-by-30-foot shed about 1,000 down the driveway that was “fully involved,” Bassett said in the press release. No one was injured, he said. “There were no other exposures,” the chief said in the release. “The fire was brought under control in a few minutes with one hose line.

News

Police Arrest Connecticut Teen in Theft of SUV with French Bulldog Inside

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New Canaan Police on Monday arrested a Connecticut teenager in connection with the widely publicized theft earlier this year of an SUV with a dog inside. 

The 19-year-old New Britain man was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle—a misdemeanor-level crime in case of a first offense—and conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, according to a police report. He was taken into custody at 9:30 p.m. on June 9 at the Darien Police Department, the report said. It wasn’t clear how the arrested man came into custody of Darien Police. New Canaan and surrounding communities were struck by the brazen daytime theft in February. According to police, a Range Rover was left running with a 2-year-old French bulldog inside around midday that Sunday from Main Street near East Avenue.

Business

‘A Great Journey’: Salon Anastassia Opens on Main Street

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It has been a lifelong dream of Anastassia Aida to own a salon. The Estonia native has spent her entire career working in the beauty industry—from obtaining her license in Europe to working at Greg and Tony Salon in Westport, Aida never stopped working toward her ultimate goal. Two months ago, those dreams became reality. Aida opened Salon Anastassia at 80 Main St. in April. 

Now, she said she’s learning how to be a business owner. 

“I love what I’m doing,” Aida told NewCanaanite.com Tuesday during an interview in the sleek, modern second-floor salon.