Did You Hear … ?

We’re hearing that several New Canaanites—including Linda Eydt, Wendy Pratt and Wendy Carey—attended the fundraiser in New York City Tuesday for the University of St. Andrews that included Britain’s Prince William and Princess Kate. In the United States for their first official visit here, the royal couple had met at the school in Scotland.

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Here’s a big “Congratulations” to a pair of New Canaanites, Stacey Hafen and Tom Stadler, each of whom last week—in fact on the same day, December 2—welcomed a new grandchild into the world:

• Brady George Compas was born to Colin and Brittany Hafen Compas in San Jose, Calif. New Canaan grandparents are Bert and Stacey Hafen (senior director of community preparedness for the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region, and immediate past president of the fabulous Kiwanis Club of New Canaan) and uncles are New Canaan’s Jansen and Landon Hafen.

• Tom Stadler is known to many as one organizer of the Family Fourth, administrative officer of the New Canaan first selectman’s office, volunteer with New Canaan Baseball and recent honoree of the New Canaan Old Timers Association. His new granddaughter, Dylan Katherine Siegel, was born to Nicole (nee Stadler) Siegel and Andy Siegel of New York City, with big sister Morgan Jillian Siegel, 2, waiting at home. (Nicole is a fellow 1993 New Canaan High School graduate.)

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Here’s what the graffiti looked like that was reported to police Dec. 1. This same word or symbol in black and red marker turned up (since washed away) at several downtown locations on Elm and Park Streets and Burtis Avenue.

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Dr. Sven Englund is to be honored for his more than 30 years with the New Canaan Inland Wetlands Commission. Dr. Englund, who announced Oct. 20 that he’s stepping down from the commission, will be presented with a special tribute and Lifetime Achievement Award from the CT Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions prior to the Dec. 15 regular meeting of the group.

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New Canaanites will be treated to a special, extended Holiday Stroll this coming Saturday, Dec. 13. Because the prior weekend was rainy, the following presentations will take place on Dec. 13, according to the organizer, the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce:

• 3 ice carving demonstrations with Toy Drive to help local families in need
• Characters around to amuse all
• Norwalk Symphony Quintet

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Here’s a lovely parking job at the very end of South Avenue (at Elm) from about 2 p.m. Wednesday. New York plates on this SUV. Nice going, out-of-towner.

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Finally, congratulations to Karp Associates of New Canaan for receiving four Home Building Industry Awards or ‘HOBI’ Awards—recognizing excellence in new construction, land development, remodeling, home technology and sales and marketing —at a Nov. 18 ceremony in Southington. Karp Associates now has earned 30 HOBI Awards in the past 15 years.

The awards were for:

• Best In-Town Spec Home—29/31 Richmond Hill, New Canaan
• Outstanding Residential Remodel $100,000-$250,000—752 Glendevon Drive, West Haven
• Best Adaptive Reuse—New Canaan YMCA racquetball courts and fitness area
• Community Service Award—Converted New Canaan YMCA rifle range to office space

Here’s part of the firm’s citation: “Karp Associates President, Arnold M. Karp, continues to expand the menu of services the firm provides to incorporate the expertise he and his team of professionals have developed over the past 30 years. As a multi-faceted construction and consulting firm, Karp Associates’ array of services not only includes renovation and custom home building, but construction management, consulting, project rescue and property management as well.”