New Canaan Police received two reports of bobcat sightings on Tuesday, at 4:50 p.m. on Parish Lane and 5:05 p.m. on Llewellyn Drive.
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The town on Thursday received an appeal of the Planning & Zoning Commission’s Jan. 31 decision in favor of amending the New Canaan Zoning Regulations following a re-filed application by Grace Farms. According to the complaint from Timothy Curt and Dona Bissonnette, P&Z “acted illegally, arbitrarily and in abuse of the discretion in it” in several ways, including: that a pre-hearing public notice was defective; the chairman refused to recuse himself; the commission improperly rejected a valid petition; the plaintiffs’ property values are negatively affected; and the notice of the commission’s decision was defective.
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The Forum on Public Buildings, originally scheduled for March, has been postponed to a date TBD after budget season.
New Canaan’s senior basketball team players are Camden Nelson, Jake Sloane and Alex Galvan.
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Come cheer on the New Canaan Boys Basketball team and celebrate the three New Canaan High School senior players: Camden Nelson, Jake Sloane and Alex Galvan. The celebration starts before tip-off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 21 at NCHS.
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The criminal trespass charges brought in September against New Canaan residents Terry Spring and Jack Trifero have been dropped, according to Connecticut Judicial Branch records. Spring still faces a misdemeanor charge of interfering with an officer, and the next court date on that is March 20.
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Spotlight on this event: New Canaan Library and The Glass House will present Hilary Swift, chief curator and creative director of the Glass House, speaking about the art and architecture of Philip Johnson. The event will be held in the library’s Adrian Lamb Room at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, preceded by a light reception at 6 p.m. Register online.
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Finally, here’s a gallery of other newsworthy events from around town:
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L-R: Steffi Loomis, NC Color Run; Kelly DeFrancesco, April + Kelly at William Raveis; Heather Rechtermann, April + Kelly at William Raveis; April Kaynor, April + Kelly at William Raveis; Jennifer Richardson, NC Color Run; and Allison Mennitt, NC Color Run. The New Canaan High School Scholarship Foundation (NCSF) will host its Second Annual NC Color Run on April 28, 2018, at 9am. In this town wide event, students and adults of all ages will run/walk in either the Kids’ Color Dash, .8 miles, or the NC Color Run, 5K. Both events will have a start/finish line at the high school and will feature color stations along the route where volunteers will blast participants with a powdered washable paint. There will also be food and a D.J. to celebrate at the start/finish line. “I am thrilled to announce and support the NC Color Run this year, as it is our goal to bring the community together and help us reach our fundraising goals this year.” “Over 1200 people ran with us last year.” “We hope you can join us this year,“ states William Egan, New Canaan High School Principal and Chairman of NCSF. Top Producing agents, April Kaynor and Kelly DeFrancesco of William Raveis Real Estate have generously committed to sponsor the start/finish line and the pink color station for the NC Color Run. April + Kelly is a multiple award-winning partnership in New Canaan real estate. Both buyer and seller clients gravitate towards the team because of their expansive local knowledge as well as their genuine ability to guide clients through the home buying and selling process successfully. For more information on April and Kelly please visit www.AprilandKelly.com. To register online for the NC Color Run go to NCHS-SF.org. The cost to register is $40 for each individual and $150 per family. Day-of registration opens at 8am, with an additional cost of $10 per individual. Ages 5 and under are free! The first 1000 online registrants will receive a t-shirt, sunglasses, and powder packet to be distributed at NCHS a week prior to the event. For more information on NCSF, please go to NCHS-SF.org or contact William Egan, NCHS Principal, 203 594-4600. General donations can be made online or mailed to NCHS Scholarship Foundation, New Canaan High School, 11 Farm Road, New Canaan, CT 06840. Checks should be made out to the “NCHS Scholarship Foundation.”
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Photo: Co-founders (left) Tina Kramer and Shawnee Knight More than 150 volunteers, including members of National Charity League, New Canaan High School Service League of Boys (SLOBS) and a large turnout of the New Canaan Basketball team joined Filling in the Blanks Co-founders Tina Kramer and Shawnee Knight on Sunday, February 11th to pack thousands of meals to be delivered to more than 800 needy children. Filling in the Blanks was founded in 2013 by the two New Canaan residents to provide children qualifying for free or reduced lunch with food on the weekends. The program now serves 15 local schools throughout Stamford, Norwalk and Bedford Hills (Pre-K through High School) and runs throughout the year, serving children at local camps over the summer months. To volunteer or donate to the organization, interested parties can visit www.fillingintheblanks.org.
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This Valentine’s Day we say #IHeartSavingPlaces in support of the New Canaan Train Station! Did you know that 30% of our visitors and one third of our staff arrive to the Glass House in New Canaan, CT via train? Did you know that the train line has been running to New Canaan since July 4, 1868? Under a current budget proposal, train service to the New Canaan spur would be drastically reduced during off peak hours and eliminated on the weekend. If allowed to go forward, these changes would hamper travel for thousands of visitors to New Canaan, complicating travel for many who wish to see the Glass House as part of their travel in the greater New York region. We’d hate to see the train go – please don’t make it so! @savingplaces @pjglasshouse
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Aitoro’s Appliance Showroom in Norwalk will host “Galaxy of Gourmets for STAR” a casual, family-friendly fundraising event that includes music, mingling and tastings of gourmet food and drinks from restaurants in Fairfield County showcased in their dream kitchens. The event will be held at 401 Westport Avenue in Norwalk on Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $40 (individual), $125 (group of 4), $200 (group of 6) at www.STARct.org or by calling Peter Saverine at (203) 846-9581 x302 or psaverine@starct.org. Advanced reservations are preferred, but tickets will be available at the door. All proceeds benefit STAR, Inc.’s programs and services for infants, children, adults and seniors who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Children under 12 enter free. Participating restaurants include Mecha Noodle Bar, A Dash of Salt, Knot Norms, Dry Dock Bar & Grill, Roger Sherman Inn, Little Pub Wilton, Winfield Street Italian Deli, SONO Baking Company & Café, Romanacci Pizza Bar + Osteria Romana, Michael Joseph’s Fine Foods, Marianne Wilson’s Complete Catering, Don Carmelo’s Mexican Grill, Saffron Indian Cuisine, Chocolate Works, Saltwater Restaurant & Bar, The Fresh Market, A&S Fine Foods, KAZU Sushi & Japanese Restaurant, STAR Café, and more to be announced. The wine and craft beer tastings will be supplied by the Liquor Locker of Westport, Parolvini Wines and Iron Brewing Company in Norwalk. Musical groups performing at the event include Coastal Groove, a Norwalk-based band specializing in 70’s and 80’s dance music, and, of course, STAR’s Rubberband. Additionally, the large collection of televisions in the showroom will feature assorted STAR videos. Finally, there will be a special auction of desirable wines, restaurant certificates, and gifts from local businesses. STAR’s Executive Director, Katie Banzhaf says, “We look forward to this event every year and are always overwhelmed with the community support and the palate-pleasing cuisine selections. No one leaves hungry and we all make new friends. Tony Aitoro and his staff roll out the red carpet as gracious hosts and generous friends.” Aitoro is a family-owned Appliances, Electronics store based in Norwalk, CT. Since 1948, Aitoro has served customers in the greater Norwalk area and throughout the region, with low prices on Appliances and Electronic products topped by a superior reputation for customer service. Their recently renovated dream kitchen showrooms set the stage for excellence and state of the art equipment for amateur and celebrity chefs alike. Tony Aitoro, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, loves to share his new space to benefit a variety of local non-profits each year. Of STAR he says, “STAR is always one of my favorite events. As a neighbor for over six decades, I am happy to welcome our friends of all abilities to share this magical evening that is simply a ‘feel good’ night for all.” STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way is a not–for-profit organization established in 1952 to serve individuals of all ages who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as providing support services to their families. STAR creates opportunities for individuals to live full lives with independence, freedom of choice and personal growth by providing support, services and advocacy. STAR’s customized employment program for people with I/DD leads the state in job placements and hours worked. Likewise, STAR’s birth to three program continues to exceed state and local average results with 100% of the children reducing the gap, and 93% caught up in developmental milestones. Headquartered in Norwalk and with new offices at 15 Cross Street, Norwalk and 111 Elm Street, New Canaan, STAR annually serves over 600 individuals from birth through their senior years in Fairfield County. They aim to inform and encourage the community to recognize and appreciate the value of all individuals.
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NCHS Boys Squash wraps up successful season The New Canaan Boys Squash Team started the season on Nov 30th with a match against a strong team at Greens Farms Academy. With a 1-6 loss last season, the Varsity Rams were excited to take on the Dragons from Greens Farms. The match started with wins by Charlie Burns, Teddy Manges and Jamie Cutler, who had a 12-10 win in the 5th game. Dramatic matches played by Reid Dahill, Austin Platt and Bradley Hennessy, losing 13-15 in a nail biter of the 5th game, set up the tie-breaking battle of the top seeds, William Comyns and Duda Voldman. With both JV and Varsity players from New Canaan in attendance, the spirit of the audience helped William Comyns on to the first victory for the team for the season. The JV team was surpassed by GFA 1-6, with Chris Richardson playing in a tight match, coming back in the 2nd and 4th games only to succumb to his opponent in the tight 5th game. Nick Lambrinos won in a close 4 game match, 13-11,12- 10,5-11,12- 10. The JV team, with many first year squash players, started strong with a 5-2 win over Staples on Nov 27th. The Varsity team headed to Yale on Dec 2nd for a multi match day against perennial heavy hitters, Darien and New Haven. The day provided for great displays of sportsmanship, school pride and team bonding. On Dec 16th, the Rams headed to New York City to play City Squash/Thurgood Marshall. Wins by Austin Platt, Charlie Burns and Jamie Cutler and loses by Reid Dahill, Teddy Manges and Bradley Hennessy set up the deciding tie-breaking match between New Canaan top seed William Comyns and Luke Robbins of City Squash. William Comyns prevailed in a tight 5 game match, 11-9,9- 11,11-4,5- 11,11-9. Both the Varsity and JV teams headed to North Wilton Road on Jan 11th to play crosstown rival St. Lukes. The Rams celebrated with a tight 4-3 victory by the JV Team and decisive 5–2 victory by the Varsity. It was then on the FairWest tournament at Chelsea Piers in Stamford, with 120 boys playing individual matches for team points. New Canaan players won 7 bracket draws and came in 2nd in 3 more of the 16 draws in the tournament. JV team placed 2nd in Division III. New Canaan High Boys Varsity Squash Team finishes with strong showing at the US High School Team Squash Championships The New Canaan Boys Varsity Squash wrapped up a successful season with a 4th place finish in Division V at the US High School Team Squash Championships in Philadelphia February 2nd-4th. The Championship weekend is a great showcase of squash in the US with teams from many states coming together for the tournament. Emotions were running particularly high after New Canaan won its first round 6-1 against Boys Latin of MD. Charlie Burns, Bradley Hennessy, Jamie Cutler, and Austin Platt each won decisive 3-0 victories. Teddy Manges and Will Comyns prevailed with 3-1 victories. The following day, the Rams defeated Fordham Prep of NY, 5-2, in a dramatic second round. Reid Dahill kicked off the match winning a major upset, beating his opponent 3-1. Austin Platt, initially down in the first game 6-0, came back to win 11-7, ultimately defeating his opponent 3-0. The momentum continued with Charlie Burns winning a decisive 3-0 and Jamie Cutler earning a team victory, winning 3-1. Will Comyns wrapped it up with a 3-0 victory as well. Having pulled off the upset versus Fordham Prep, New Canaan found themselves in the Semi-Finals versus The Hill School of PA. New Canaan fought hard but lost a nail-biter 4-3. The Championship weekend highlighted the talent and grit the team demonstrated all season long. They finished with an overall 6-7 record and were competitive in nearly all their matches. Co-Captains Charlie Burns and Will Comyns led the way with great support from juniors Reid Dahill, Teddy Manges, sophomores Bradley Hennessy, Jamie Cutler, and promising freshman Austin Platt. Momentum in the program built throughout the season and will certainly carry over to next year as the team is only graduating one senior, Charlie Burns. Squash overall is growing rapidly in the US with many middle school, high school, and college teams adding new programs. Fairfield County and Westchester County are leading the way with some of the top players in the country coming from the area. Current college standouts include former New Canaan Rams Grayson and Killian Bubrowsky, brothers, at The University of Virginia and Hal Holappa at Dickinson College. New Canaan High Squash practices and plays its home matches at Chelsea Piers in Stamford and is coached by Rei Hergeth, a former Trinity College #1 player and College National Champion. Chelsea Piers recently appointed a new Director, John Musto, former captain of the Yale University Squash Team and four-time 1st team All-American playing #1 for the two-time National Champions; the top ranked American junior BU17 & BU19 player; former Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour player, winner of the US Men’s 45 & older National Championship; and a Level III US Squash Certified Coach.