Around Town

‘Gridiron Show’ Honoring Tom Stadler Set for April 25-26 [Q&A]

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The annual Gridiron Show is coming up April 25 and 26 at Country Club of New Canaan, and this year’s honoree—or “Fall Guy”—is Tom Stadler. 

We put some questions to Gridiron Club member Eric Thunem about the upcoming organization, its history and this year’s show. 

Here’s our exchange. ***

New Canaanite: Before we talk about this year’s Gridiron Show, please tell our readers a little bit about the organization. How and when did Gridiron Club begin? Eric Thunem: The first event, held on February 2, 1961, was initially organized as a testimonial dinner for departing local newspaper editor, Carlton Hill. State Senator Bob Bliss decided, however, that the dinner should be a roast, modeled after the tradition of the Gridiron Club in Washington, D.C. and he thought it would be a great way to bring people together and have a few laughs at the expense of the designated “Fall Guy”.

Election 2023

Election 2023: Eric Thunem Announces Candidacy for Town Council [Q&A]

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New Canaan’s Eric Thunem, a longtime resident who grew up in town and has a background in finance, on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the Town Council. We put some questions to Thunem ahead of the July 25 Republican caucus, where he will seek party backing. Here’s our exchange. ***

New Canaanite: What is your background professionally and in terms of living and volunteering here in New Canaan? Eric Thunem: I spent 11 years in the domestic oil and gas industry, and twenty-six years in financial services.

News

Letter: Tom Butterworth ‘Is What We Need’ on Town Council

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Editor:

Tom Butterworth is running for Town Council, and I support his candidacy. Tom is a reasonable, energetic and spirited member of the New Canaan community, who is concerned about maintaining the integrity of our town’s political process in the context of fair-minded and rational debate. He has seen what happens when a few citizens armed with less than fully baked notions of public safety take on volunteer commissioners who have openly and thoroughly studied the pros and cons of a course of action—it’s not pretty, and Tom wants better for our town. He will listen to the citizens of New Canaan, but he will always seek to support and work cooperatively with our selectmen and the volunteer commissioners who love New Canaan. Tom Butterworth is a man who brings out the best in others; he knows how to lead, and he knows how to motivate.