Congratulations to New Canaan’s Mitch and Erin Hoffman on the birth Monday of twins Brody Merrill and Cole Francis Hoffman. See the slideshow above, where the newborns are pictured on their own as well as with big brother Maddox. Son of the New Canaan High School varsity baseball coach, Maddox autographed baseballs for his new siblings.
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“Everybody asks me, ‘How do you sleep at night, chief?’ And I say, ‘Like a baby: I sleep for two hours, wake up crying, then sleep some more.’ ”—That’s what New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski told the Town Council on the subject of overtime spending, during the legislative body’s March 25 meeting.
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Congratulations to the New Canaan High School Debate Team, which sent three pairs of students to Saturday’s state finals at Wilton High School, and senior co-captains Casey Manzella and Steven Singer won the state championship varsity division.
It’s the first title New Canaan High School has won since bringing back the team about nine years ago.
Freshmen Eliza Farley and Lauren Capone finished 17th out of 46 in the novice division, and seniors Steven DiCarlo and Jayne Wixtead finished 13th out of 54 in the varsity division, Goldhawk said.
“We’re very happy,” Goldhawk said.
Some 200 debaters from 35 schools competed in the finals. The topic they debated involved the conflict between religious and secular rights. Specifically, the statement or “resolution” they both defended and disputed was: “Businesses should have the right to freely exercise their religious beliefs.”
Manzella and Singer, arguing on the affirmative side, won a 3-2 decision against the Stamford/Greenwich team of Sam Aldershof and Olivia Scharfman.
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Brad and Vandy Reh will open their new estate and contemporary jewelry shop at 125 Elm St. in New Canaan on Tuesday, April 14. Brad Reh said the new shop will specialize in jewelry from leading design houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Tiffany. “We couldn’t be more excited to be opening in New Canaan,” Brad Reh said. “It is the perfect town for the fresh and unique perspective we plan to bring to our new store. We are looking forward to introducing ourselves to all the residents of New Canaan and becoming part of the fabric of the town.”
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That same evening, April 14, residents are invited to New Canaan Fire’s Third-Annual Recruitment Cookout, to be held at 7 p.m. at the firehouse.
“Join us for Chef Jeff’s BBQ, including all-you-can-eat pulled pork, rolls, coleslaw, BBQ chicken, Caribbean rice, homemade cornbread, tossed salad, dessert and plenty of refreshments,” fire officials say. “We encourage you to invite friends and acquaintances who may have interest in learning more and joining the fire company.”
RSVP to recruits@newcanaanfire.com.
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The town on March 17 received a building permit application for the 8-bay, 26-by-100-foot garage planned for Lone Tree Farm Road. The structure, which is expected to cost about $230,000 to build, initially had garnered objections from a neighbor.
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Police are warning residents of numerous IRS scams. Criminals are filing fraudulent tax returns in the names of New Canaanites.
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Pranksters overnight on March 21 appear to have targeted benches in New Canaan.
Several benches in the downtown area were found in unlikely, often difficult-to-remove positions by store managers and owners.
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The New Canaan Mounted Troop Leadership Council delivered a donation check to Jack Goodman of New Canaan to benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp which provides healing experiences to seriously ill children.
Jack had attended the camp as a young child, later served as a summer counselor and regularly participates in fundraising events for the nonprofit organization, originally founded by actor Paul Newman
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St. Mark’s packed more than 130 toiletry packages in the first of its “Doing Good” volunteer series, and delivered them to Open Door Shelter in Norwalk.
This fall, the church’s outreach program plans to run a coat drive for the New Canaan Department of Health & Human Services—so hold on to your winter coats.
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The Mastermind Group session sponsored in part by the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight. Chamber Executive Director Tucker Murphy said multiple inquiries already are coming in for the chamber’s Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale, to be held Saturday, July 18. “The snow may still be flying but the planning for the 2015 sidewalk sales is well underway. Don’t miss it.”
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Halo Studios will support the New Canaan Conservation Commission’s Earth Day initiative by hosting events and local bee-inspired artisans. The theme this year is “Give Bees a Chance,” and the schedule at Halo for Wednesday, April 22 includes a nectar-inspired juice from Grass Rxoots, discounted yoga and pilates classes, literature and information from local organizations and lip balm, deodorant and weed spray from New Canaan’s own Orr Family Honey.
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The New Canaan Recreation Department is seeking donations of regular LEGO and LEGO DUPLO sets, bricks, figures and collections for use with its Summer Camps. “If you are looking to clean off the closet shelves or shrink the clutter in your storage area, send those LEGO’s our way. We will even pick-up at your house so give us a call,” Rec officials say. Got something that may work? Contact Steve Dayton, program supervisor, at steven.dayton@newcanaanct.gov or 203-594-3608.