An interesting side note to the New Canaan Housing Authority’s plan to build with greater density the public housing at Mill Pond (a project that will trigger relief from a developer loophole in the state statutes): According to the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, the total number of housing units in New Canaan has decreased over the last several reportable years:
New Canaan Housing Inventory, 2010-2014
| Year | Total Housing Units |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 7,551 |
| 2011 | 7,555 |
| 2012 | 7,543 |
| 2013 | 7,543 |
| 2014 | 7,521 |
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Troopers from Connecticut State Police Troop G last Thursday rescued two Hawks Hill Road golden retrievers who had wandered onto the Merritt Parkway. The fortunate animals were secured safely just after 1 p.m. on March 3, according to the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control section. It wasn’t immediately clear how they got out.
Chris Gruseke and Ann Cotoia
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Congratulations to New Canaanite Ann Cotoia on her retirement from Bankwell after nearly 14 years. She joined the bank the month it opened (April 2002) and is a third generation New Canaanite. March 4 marked her last day, following 48 total years in the banking industry. “She was a tremendously valued employee at Bankwell as a Personal Banker, and often heralded for her outstanding service to customers,” officials say. Locals will know Cotoia as a lifelong member of Saint Aloysius Church where she serves as Adult Lector Coordinator and a Lector and she is a member of the Our Lady’s Guild and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
Melinda Loo of Essential Bodywork and Wellness, now open at 11 Forest St. Contributed
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There’s a new business downtown. New Canaanite Melinda Loo—who has worked for more than 13 years in the wellness field—on March 1 launched Essential Bodywork and Wellness at 11 Forest St. A graduate of the Hands on Healing Institute and Connecticut Center of Massage Therapy who is licensed in both the Nutmeg State and New York, Loo has been a yoga instructor, massage therapist, holistic health coach, massage continuing education instructor and wellness speaker. Loo said she’s “proud to be a part of” the town. “I’ve been looking for office space in New Canaan for a few years now and have finally found a space that is ideal for my business, plus it is on one of my favorite streets.” She’s holding a grand opening from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 20.
Emad Aziz. Credit: Michael Dinan
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Speaking of New Canaan businesses: We’re hearing that this spring will mark the 10th year that New Canaanite Emad Aziz opens his popular snack shop at Mead Park. Expect Aziz to launch the Apple Cart Food Co.’s ‘Mead Park Lodge’ by month’s end.
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The venerable Rotary Club of New Canaan is now accepting applications from local and area nonprofit organizations seeking grants to support special projects, capital improvements, new initiatives and operations. April 8 is the deadline for submissions. Find more information here.
Brenda McKenna of New Canaan, owner of BCM Media. Contributed
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New Canaan’s Brenda McKenna, owner of BCM Media, a media planning and buying agency in Darien, after collaborating with Norwalk Community College’s internship program has hired Chèye Roberson as her agency’s new media assistant. “I am a firm believer in internships and happy to be in a position to share my knowledge of the advertising industry with young adults as they determine a career path,” said McKenna, who also is participating in New Canaan High School’s hugely popular internship program this spring.
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Police at about 8 p.m. last Wednesday night were dispatched to Beacon Hill and Silvermine Roads on a report of a dog that appeared to have been struck by a motor vehicle. They found no trace of the animal on arrival.
The scene on Elm Street on Tuesday morning. Credit: Michael Dinan
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Firefighters at 10:48 a.m. on Tuesday rushed to 59 Elm St.—the area in front of Ann Taylor—on a ‘dumpster fire’ call. There, the emergency responders discovered that a fire reported to have started in a garbage can on the sidewalk had been extinguished.
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The Thrift Shop at Locust and Main is seeking gently used donations, manager Susanne Palmer tells us.
Suzie Wall and Susanne Palmer of the New Canaan Thrift Shop. Credit: Michael Dinan
“Either clothing items or anything form kitchen to house ware, lamps, small pieces of furniture, shoes, bric-a-brac. We take small items, we do not have room for larger furniture because the building is too small.” Those willing to donate may do so between 9 a.m. and noon from Monday to Saturday, and the shop itself is open 12 to 4 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. All proceeds from the Thrift Shop benefit Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County.
The New Canaan Youth Wrestlers Coach Bitetto, Dylan Mastroianni, Rhys Harris, RJ DeCamillo, (front row) Kiasa Milligan, Stone Milligan, Brady Kaupp, Teddy Goetz, Darian Murray, and Cael Wilderman. Contributed.
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Congratulations to New Canaan youth wrestlers for their high achievements during the 2016 Connecticut State Wrestling Championship. Held at the Hillhouse High School Field-House in New Haven on Feb. 28, the championship saw 10 New Canaan youth wrestlers make it to the podium out of 16 entrants. Leading the group for New Canaan was Tyler Sung 112 lbs and Justin Mastroianni, 98 lbs, each winning his fourth championship title. Dylan Mastroianni, a newcomer to wrestling competing in the Intermediate 60 lbs Division, also won his first title. Also competing in the Intermediate Division, were three-time state champ Brady Kaupp and Cael Wilderman, who took the bronze by finishing third, while Rhys Harris earned fourth place. Angelo Pellicci, of Stamford resident, competed in the Novice- 70 lbs Division, representing New Canaan also wins the gold while Tommy Goetz, 65 lbs took sixth. Placing at the 2016 Bantam State Championship was Stone Milligan and Joe Pellicci, of Stamford, both winning bronze.
Chris Chivily. Contributed
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Congratulations to New Canaanite Christine Chivily, who has been promoted to Executive Vice President at Bankwell, according to an announcement from CEO Christopher Gruseke. Chivily joined the bank in 2013, and in her role as Chief Credit Officer, is responsible for all commercial and consumer lending activity at the bank, including maintaining the bank’s high standard for credit quality and growing the loan portfolio. A finance professional with 30 years of institutional lending and portfolio management experience, Chivily prior to joining Bankwell, was VP/Risk Analyst for Commercial Real Estate and C&I Lending at Peoples United Bank. Prior to that, she spent 11 years as SVP/CMBS Credit Officer for Greenwich Capital Markets/RBS in the Real Estate Finance Department.
From the West School Whales’ Variety Show 2016. Contributed
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The West School Whales put on the annual Variety Show on Monday night, featuring a record number of acts with more than 50 participants, showcasing talented 3rd and 4th grade students. Principal Janet Murphy and Assistant Principal Ashley Furnari opened the show to a full house and student emcees and crew kept the show rolling. Both Janet Lee and Katrina Parkhill, PTC Co-Presidents said in a joint statement: “It is wonderful to see the children supporting one another and having fun.”
Natalie Plosker won the 5th Grade Girls Speed Dribbling Competition. Contributed
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Several New Canaan Basketball Association players competed in the Fairfield County Basketball League Skills Competitions on Sunday, March 6. The following NCBA athletes won their respective events:
Natalie Plosker won the 5th Grade Girls Speed Dribbling Competition. Natalie plays on the 5th Grade Girls Black team and was named team MVP. Natalie attends Saxe.
Alexander (Alex) Gibbens won the 8th Grade Boys 1-on-1 Competition
Alexander (Alex) Gibbens won the 8th Grade Boys 1-on-1 Competition. Alex plays on the 8th Grade Boys Black team and was named team MVP. Alex attends Saxe.
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Three skaters from New Canaan were crowned national champions at the 2016 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich. this past weekend. Kat Root, Nikka Staron and Lucy Potter, all students at Saxe Middle School, are members of the Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team.
Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team. Contributed
The girls traveled to Nationals with their teammates to compete among the twelve best synchronized skating teams in the country in their respective divisions. Root, a 6th grader, skates on the Juvenile Line which performs to music from the Broadway show “9 to 5.” Staron and Potter, 8th graders at Saxe, both skate on the Intermediate Line, the line above Juvenile and they perform to a dynamic “Superheroes” music medley.
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Encore, a social club for women whose members are primarily (though not exclusively) from New Canaan, has planned a luncheon on March 16 at Cava featuring a speaker who will talk about Estate jewelry, and has a NYC outing planned for April 27. Members meet regularly and have formed a hiking group as well as groups for tennis and golf.
Pat Timberlake and Meg Pederson at Encore’s recent event held at Chocolate Works in Darien. Contributed
“We arrange a book club, a movie discussion group, a luncheon group and members always come up with new ideas,” its leaders say. “Our special events are very popular. We put together luncheons, an annual fashion show, day trips to historic sites, trips into NYC for theater or to places of interest.” To find out about more about joining Encore (dues are $30 a year), contact Joanne Santulli at santullij@yahoo.com or Joan Hayenga at joanhauenga@gmail.com.
Sumner Orr doing a Method off a 25’ jump in a Slope Style Competition at Okemo Mountain March 4. Credit: Michelle Orr
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New Canaan fourth-grader Sumner Orr recently completed a winning season competing on his snowboard and is headed to the United States Snowboard and Freeski Association Nationals, to be April 3 to 8 in Copper Mountain, Col. Sumner has qualified for and will be competing in all five of the competition categories: Half Pipe, Slope Style, Boarder Cross, Slalom, and Giant Slalom.
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Finally, New Canaan’s own Bankwell has launched this new ad campaign (as well as a new website):