Around Town

Exchange Club’s 50th Annual ‘Christmas Tree Sale’ Opens Friday at Kiwanis Park

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One of New Canaan’s great holiday traditions kicks off Friday, Nov. 24 with the opening of the Christmas Tree sale at Kiwanis Park. Organized and run by the Exchange Club of New Canaan, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the sale, which raises funds for charitable organizations here in town and in nearby communities. “Thanks to the support and generosity of the people of New Canaan, we’ve been able to donate more than $1 million to over 30 local charities in the past 10 years alone, and the Christmas tree sale is by far our largest fundraising event,” Club President Charlie Holmes said in a press release. The tree lot in Kiwanis Park, on Old Norwalk Road, will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, starting Friday and running through Dec.

Around Town

Q&A: Getting To Know the Exchange Club of New Canaan

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In this installment of our Q&A series on New Canaan’s fabulous service organizations, we learn more about the Exchange Club—already known to scores of local families who purchase their Christmas trees at Kiwanis Park from the local group. Jeff Platt is the president-elect of the Exchange Club of New Canaan. New Canaanite: Is the Exchange Club of New Canaan part of a national or international organization? If so, please provide details of that organization, such as the year it started, its size and scope. The National Exchange Club is the oldest service organization in the country.

Government

Town Hall To Get Plaques Listing New Canaanites Who Served in Korea, Vietnam and during Gulf War, War on Terrorism

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Town officials recently approved the payment of about $7,000 in privately raised funds to a Trumbull-based company that will install plaques at Town Hall honoring New Canaanites who have served in wartime. The additional plaques for the new major entrance of Town Hall will list the names of residents who served during the Korean War, Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm of the Gulf War, according to Bill Oestmann, buildings superintendent of the New Canaan Department of Public Works. The Board of Selectmen at its June 27 meeting voted 3-0 to approve $6,962.76 for A.W. Construction LLC—funds raised by VFW Post 653 and the Exchange Club of New Canaan. VFW Post 653 Commander Peter Langenus said later that New Canaan’s American Legion Post 30 has given an “incredible commitment of time and money” to the project. During the meeting, held at Town Hall,First Selectman Rob Mallozzi said: “I applaud the effort.”