Did You Hear … ?

A New York state man on Aug. 30 collapsed while leash-walking his dog on Oenoke Ridge Road near Logan Road, officials say. The leash was still in the man’s hand when medical and emergency response teams arrived at the scene. Officials identified the man through the microchip implanted in his dog, a black-and-white hound that was being fostered through a rescue group called ‘Last Chance Rescue.’ The dog, which had a history of biting other canines, was impounded by New Canaan Police and ultimately released back to the rescue group. It wasn’t immediately clear why the man collapsed or how he’s faring. The dog is fine.

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First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said during a media briefing Thursday that an approximately 110-foot-high cell tower is now being planned for a parcel on upper Ponus Ridge. About 95 percent of the property in question falls within a town-owned right-of-way, and 5 percent is privately owned, Moynihan said.

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Property owners on Hawks Hill Road, East Avenue and Avalon Drive East in the past 10 days have filed court papers seeking to evict tenants in their homes. According to a complaint filed Wednesday in state Superior Court in Norwalk, a couple that’s been renting a home for $3,500 per month on Hawks Hill Road since October 2011 stopped paying rent in July. An East Avenue woman also has failed to pay $1,500 in monthly rent on her apartment since July, according to a complaint lodged Aug. 28 by the unit’s owner. And an Avalon Drive East man hasn’t paid the approximately $5,000 in monthly rent on the condominium he occupies since the money was due June 1 under a 12-month lease, according to a complaint filed Aug. 31. 

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Rucci Law Group announced this week that George Reilly has joined the firm. An alumnus of King School in Stamford who earned his bachelor’s degree at Union College in Schenedtady, N.Y. and his law degree from Fordham University School of Law, Reilly is a Darien native who specializes in family law and also will advise on estate planning, real estate, land use and business development matters.

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The daily commuter parking spaces to be sold via the Boxcar app at the St. Aloysius Church lot will cost $7 per day, Moynihan said.

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The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved a $22,440 contract with Stamford-based Almstead Tree, Shrub & Lawn Care for tree pruning and removal at the following locations in New Canaan:

• prune Norway Maple at 52 Sunrise Ave.; 
• remove dead Sugar Maple and Sassafras opposite 39 Arrowhead Trail; 
• Nature Center: remove dying Sugar Maple in drive circle and dead Pine by herb garden, grind stumps;  
• remove dead Elm at 49 Clapboard Hill Road;
• remove trunk and wood at 64 Wakeman Road;
• remove decayed Hickory at 1668 Ponus Ridge, grind stump;
• remove dead Oak at 1021 Ponus Ridge, grind stump;
• remove decayed Oak at 136 Mariomi Road, grind stump;
• prune back Norway Maple at 56 Main St. for clearance to the house and remove Elm sapling;
• remove lowest limb over house at corner of Oak Street and Green Avenue, prune large Oak tree;
• remove two smaller Norway Maples at the end of Brinckerhoff Avenue, prune back from service wires;
• remove dying Maple and Dogwood trees at exit of West School, prune four Oaks in the courtyard and remove the nearby half-dead Hawthorn and dead Pine tree;
• remove dead Sugar Maple by driveway off Ponus Ridge at New Canaan Country School;
• and remove dead Beech at 291 Laurel Road.

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This stray cat that’s been quarantined since July is up for adoption through New Canaan Veterinary Hospital. Nobody claimed the cat and the Vitti Street vet has agreed to care for him until a home is found. An experienced cat person with no children is recommended, as the cat likes to play rough. The animal is neutered, vaccinated and tested. Interested parties should contact NCVH at 203-966-1627. 

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A reminder that the Rotary Club of New Canaan will be holding its annual Lobsterfest on Friday, Sept. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 22 at the New Canaan Historical Society at 13 Oenoke Ridge. The hours will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 12 to 8 p.m. Saturday. A half-chicken dinner is available for those who don’t want lobster, and a hot dog meal is available for kids.

Also available are special VIP tent seatings for groups up to 16 including two dinner tickets, complimentary bottle of wine, ersonal waiter from the Rotary Club and signage for your group or business—all for $750. Tickets are $40 in advance/$45 at the door. Tickets available at Karl Chevrolet, New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office in Town Hall and from any Rotary Club member.

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We are wishing the best to one of our favorite people in New Canaan—Diane Knetzger retired at the end of August from her role as director of marketing at Bankwell, a job she held for the last 14 years. Knetzger had managed the company’s marketing and communications since the bank’s early days as The Bank of New Canaan, and also served as community liaison to nonprofit organizations throughout the bank’s vast and expanding network over the years.

Laura Waitz, executive vice president and chief of staff at Bankwell, said in a statement that Knetzger “made many invaluable contributions during her tenure at Bankwell and has been instrumental in the bank’s evolution and growth.” Waitz continued: “She has built a philanthropic program that is much more than about giving money to groups. It is about building relationships in the communities that Bankwell is located in, giving both time and resources. She has been a true ambassador of the organization, known and well-loved by many.” Following her tenure at Bankwell, and building upon her prior role as a marketing consultant, Knetzger plans to re-establish her own business, as well as provide support to local nonprofit organizations.

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The Board of Education did its walkthrough of the Covia building at Elm and Grove Streets on Thursday afternoon, according to Moynihan. It’s being eyed as a future home for both the public schools’ administration and New Canaan Police Department.

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Bankwell on Aug. 28 hosted a “Financial Literacy workshop” for the 10^th grade National Charity League New Canaan Chapter, at the bank’s 208 Elm St. branch.

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Here’s a great sports-talking video of New Canaan resident and NCHS ’93 graduate Scott Ericson, a sports reporter and columnist for The Advocate, talking with Joe Ryan of Stamford Sports Scene: 

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Finally, here are some sports photos, including one from Darcy P. Smith from Saturday night’s NC 7 Red’s season opener vs. Westport North at Dunning: