We’re hearing there’s a town DPW worker who enjoys Kahlúa in the morning.
Kaluha Cerretani (L) and Walt Jaykus (R). Credit: Lauren Cerretani
Locust Avenue resident Lauren Cerretani told NewCanaanite.com that she named her 4-year-old rescued Labrador retriever mix ‘Kahlúa’ as soon as she laid eyes on the dog, adopted from the Myrtle Beach, S.C. area at age 13 weeks. (Cerretani’s previous dog was named ‘Bailey.’)
Each morning after 7 a.m., Cerretani walks Kahlúa downtown, and there, during the summer months, she inevitably spots Walt Jaykus of the New Canaan Department of Public Works. Jaykus’ duties include watering the hanging baskets on the lampposts, and he’s had a connection to Kahlúa since the dog moved to New Canaan.
“My dog either spots his water cart or Walt himself and she’s pulling me,” Cerretani said. “Loves Walter. Loves him. He loves her. They’ve got this bond and they’ve had this bond ever since I’ve had her. Of course, the treats help a little. He’s always had treats for her.”
In typical townie fashion, Cerretani, a third-generation New Canaanite, has known Jaykus for years (her ex had been a New Canaan cop with Jaykus’ father). She describes Kahlúa as “very sweet and loving.” The animal eats Blue Buffalo dog food, occasionally with some chicken and hamburger meat mixed in, and sees a vet at Broad River Animal Hospital in Norwalk.
L-R: John Reid, Producing Artistic Director, Fairfield Theatre Company, Chris Gruseke, CEO of Bankwell, performer Delbert McClinton (he performed at FTC at Bankwell’s Live Well Concert Series Kickoff on May 13th), Bankwell SVP Bob Palermo and Joe Rog, Director of Development at Fairfield Theatre Company. Contributed
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Bankwell has partnered with Fairfield Theatre Company as a season sponsor, underwriting the 2015-2016 Bankwell Live Well Concert Series, announced John Reid, Producing Artistic Director of Fairfield Theatre Company. Bankwell provided financing for FTC’s expansion from its current popular “StageOne” venue at 70 Sanford St. in Fairfield to its newest venue—an adjoining 640-seat concert hall, “the Warehouse,” set to open in September. Said Bankwell CEO Christopher Gruseke: “Bankwell and Fairfield Theatre Company both have a strong affinity for the arts and the local communities we serve. At Bankwell, we’ve always prided ourselves on delivering something special to local residents and businesses, and the Fairfield Theatre Company has done a remarkable job of bringing world class culture and entertainment to our own back yards.”
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Town officials released the following results recorded by speed sentries placed around town. The figures refer to what speed motorists were traveling at who landed in the 85th percentile of all of those recorded:
- Old Stamford Road: 37 mph northbound
- Oenoke Ridge Road: 39 mph southbound
- New Norwalk Road: 40 mph northbound and southbound
- Smith Ridge Road: 31 mph northbound, 30 mph southbound
- Carter Street: 36 mph northbound, 31 mph southbound
- Weed Street: 36 mph northbound, 36 mph southbound
Family Fourth at Waveny, 2014. Credit: Chris Cody
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The Waveny Road has been repaved in time for the New Canaan Family Fourth (part of a larger, $194,000 town-wide paving project that the Board of Selectmen approved on June 16) and the volunteer committee that oversees the hugely popular event through Sunday had collected $38,790 to support it (family passes sold plus events). Locals can buy their passes online here or in person at Walter Stewart’s Market and other places.
New Canaan Olive Oil owner Heidi Burrows with the Elm Street shop’s hugely popular champagne-infused balsamic vinegar. Credit: Michael Dinan
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New Canaan Olive Oil owner Heidi Burrows is delighted to announce that the Elm Street shop’s champagne-infused balsamic vinegar is back in stock after selling out rapidly in its first go-round.
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The Town Council will hold two public hearings to solicit residents’ input on the Saxe Middle School design project: at 7 p.m. on July 15 at the New Canaan Nature Center, and at 7 p.m. on Sept. 16 in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
A conceptual drawing that shows about how far an addition at Saxe Middle School may have to bump out of the northwest corner of the structure in order to accommodate proposed new classroom space. Note: This is not a site plan, strictly speaking, but rather a rendering that is based purely on a feasibility study related to instructional space under one proposal now before the Saxe Building Committee and Board of Education. Credit: S/L/A/M Collaborative of Glastonbury
“Information and updates from the Saxe Building Committee have been presented to the Town Council, Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and Board of Education over the past year,” officials say (see PDF file at the bottom of this article for an updated version). “A recent presentation to the Town Council will be posted to the News and Events section on the Town’s website – www.newcanaanct.info. Prior to the Public Hearing on July 15th, Saxe Building Committee members and JCJ Architecture, the project architect, will be present at the Nature Center at 6:30 pm to talk with members of the public about the proposed building project. Community members are welcomed to provide their oral comments to the Town Council at the scheduled Public Hearings and/or their written comments – with a full name and address – via email to tcdistribution@newcanaanct.gov.”
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New Canaan Library will hold its annual membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, in the Adrian Lamb Room. Refreshments will be served prior to the opening of the meeting and the public is invited.
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The New Canaan YMCA on June 23 put an application into the town to do $205,000 of capital work on its South Avenue facility, including “renovation of the lower level into a dedicated wellness space with office and alcove space.”
L-R Andrew Baker, Thomas Freiburg, Austin Howe, George Molloy, Wyatt Loweth, Kathy Guisti (MMRF president), Patrick Ely, Ethan Niang, Harvey Duplock. Other runners not shown: Ram Adalja and Isaac Marshall. Contributed
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The boys from Troop 31 handed out water to runners and walkers Sunday June 7th during the annual Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation 5K Team for Cures run/walk . Of note was Life Scout Noah Levine who ran and came in first for 14–year-olds.
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Following up on a request that some parents made last September, officials have agreed to ask state officials for a crosswalk at Parade Hill Lane, crossing Oenoke Ridge Road with an eye on hooking up with the sidewalk on the eastern side of that road.
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Congratulations to the following New Canaanites:
- Olivia Bochicchio, who was named to the Spring Dean’s List at the University of New Hampshire;
- Julia Bemis, Kellianne Hickey, Amalia Tricomi and Catherine Welsh for making the Loyola University Maryland spring 2015 Dean’s List;
- Jason Brown for earning a bachelor’s of science degree in Sport Management from Springfield College;
- Mitchell A. DiPanni on being named to the Dean’s List at Western New England for the spring semester (he’s working towards a degree in history);
- Charles Tucker Dennis on graduating from Miami University in Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication.
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Congratulations to Chris Kilbane, owner of New Canaan Toy Store, on having his shop named “Best Toy Store” in Fairfield County in the annual “Best of the Gold Coast” magazine issue from Moffly Media. A full list of New Canaan honorees can be found here.
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