A motorist stopped after striking a roaming dog with his Jeep Grand Cherokee at about 8:13 p.m. last Friday, Dec. 2, according to a police report. The conscientious driver looked for and found the dog lying on the side of Silvermine Road along the straightaway below Carter Street, the report said. The animal was responsive and appeared to have injured its right leg, it said. An owner arrived on scene, saying the animal appeared to have gotten out of the family’s house accidentally and then breached an electric fence, and took the dog to a vet.
The condominiums at Heritage Hill Road. Credit: Michael Dinan
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A review of the by-laws of Oenoke Apartments Condominium shows that there are no restrictions there on subletting the units. The complex made news this week following an article showing that a local man has purchased 10 condos there in 2016 through a LLC.
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An environmental services company found three types of mold in Town Hall after staffers in the Assessor’s office on the first floor complained of an odor and feeling unwell, officials said this week. They temporarily have been moved to a conference room. One of the mold types was an allergen that is soil-based and generally found outdoors, officials said.
Hanford-Silliman House, part of an ornament collection that has been displayed in the past at the New Canaan Historical Society.
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Frances C. Wilson, Tom Nissley and Patricia Funt Oxman have joined the Board of Governors of the New Canaan Historical Society.
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The hugely popular New Canaan High School Senior Internship Program is accepting applications from local business that may be able to host a Class of ’17 member next year. Participating businesses may include those that have large projects that need finishing and also enjoy mentoring young adults. It runs May 16 to June 16, 2017, and interns work 25 hours per week, unpaid. Those interested should contact Susan Carroll at susan.carroll@ncps-k12.org or 203-594-4664.
Here’s a photo of the mortar shell that turned up at an Orchard Street home on Tuesday afternoon. Published with permission from its owner
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The Stamford Police Department’s Bomb Squad determined through an X-Ray test that the mortar shell—see photo at right—that turned up on Orchard Street on Tuesday afternoon was inert, according to New Canaan Police Department Chief Leon Krolikowski. Last fall, a live World War I grenade turned up in a Whitney Avenue home in New Canaan. It turned out that the weapon had been brought home by a man named Patrick Smith who served in both World War I and World War II.
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The Caffeine & Carburetors Christmas ornament has sold out, though four designs of the popular decorations remain: New Canaan Sign, Congregational Church, Playhouse and Waveny House. Limited numbers of the Philip Johnson Glass House, Gores Pavilion, New Canaan M-8 Train, Varnum’s Pharmacy and (very) old Post Office on Elm Street also are available. At $15 apiece, they’re sold 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, during the organization’s Holiday Tea and Open House.
Karl Chevrolet was founded in 1927 by Leo and Emil Karl, two of seven brothers. Photo courtesy of the Karl family
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December is barely one week in and already New Canaan’s Karl Chevrolet has three perfect-5 scores on Deal Rater. Check them out.
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New Canaanite Gaby Beecher is on the Spencer’s Run Committee, the Board of Selectmen announced during its regular meeting Tuesday. Other appointments made by the selectmen this week include: Peggy Jay, Pat Calanca, Tucker Clauss, Tammie Garner and Steven Simon (Ethics Board), Colm Dobbyn, Angela Jameson and Penny Ross (Inland Wetlands Commission) and Hank Green (Park & Recreation Commission).
Mackenzie’s co-owner Jim Berry grew up in the Belltown section of Stamford and graduated Rippowam High School in 1964. Credit: Michael Dinan
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The New Canaan Chamber of Commerce has launched its “Shop Late ‘Til 8” campaign, where 40 local businesses will remain open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays through Dec. 22. Participating businesses include design solutions, Franco’s Wine Merchants, Mackenzie’s, New Canaan Olive Oil and Pennyweights. A full list can be found here.
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One year after opening, Toni Esposito and Salon 5 East in downtown New Canaan are getting into the holiday spirit: The salon is supporting Al’s Angels Children’s Charity by collecting unwrapped children’s toys from Dec. 1 to 22. Those who drop off toys will receive a free blowout card.
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Finally, here’s a photo gallery spotlighting other news from around New Canaan:
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Bankwell donated $2,500 to New Canaan Mounted Troop’s scholarship fund. Through horsemanship and equine care, Mounted Troop provides student “Troopers” with a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience that emphasizes kindness, teamwork, respect and accountability. Troopers develop leadership skills by mentoring younger students and participating in community service. They also provide equine therapeutic services to children and adults with special needs, with the assistance of certified instructors and volunteers. More information can be found at newcanaanmountedtroop.org. Notes Sara Tucker, Executive Director at Mounted Troop, “This generous donation from Bankwell will help support a scholarship to our horsemanship program for a young child, without the means to otherwise participate.” Photo left to right: Elizabeth Farrell, Cadet Major, Sara Tucker, Benny, Executive Director, Caroleigh Evarts, Therapeutic Program Coordinator, Stephanie Cowser, Equestrian Program Coordinator and Peter Olson, Bankwell in New Canaan VP and Branch Manager
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Dr. Bryan Luizzi, New Canaan Public Schools Superintendent, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Horyczun as the new Director of Communications for New Canaan Public Schools. Mr. Horyczun will be responsible for developing and implementing the district communications plan for the Board of Education and administration. “We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the New Canaan Public Schools,” said Dr. Luizzi. “His experience and enthusiasm will help advance our efforts to communicate effectively with the New Canaan community.” Mr. Horyczun is an accomplished journalist and public relations professional with over 20 years experience in both fields. Most recently, he worked in Fairfield University’s Marketing and Communications Department as Director of Media Relations. In that capacity, he oversaw a three-person department and was responsible for developing successful strategies for supporting the mission of the University. He also had special portfolio assignments in the arts, including events at the Quick Center for the Arts, and exhibitions and programs at the Bellarmine Museum of Art and the Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery. Prior to that, Mr. Horyczun served as Director of Public Relations for the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT, overseeing media campaigns that helped raise the profile of the institution, leading to record attendance. “I am privileged to join this highly respected team and participate in a school district that is recognized nationally as one of the best in the country,” said Mr. Horyczun. In addition to his career as a media and public relations director, Mr. Horyczun has extensive journalism experience. He’s written for magazines, newspapers, and online media, and he currently writes free-lance feature articles for Hearst CT Media contributing a weekly music column for the Norwalk Hour. He has also worked in the radio industry and currently is an on-air volunteer staff member at public radio station WPKN-FM in Bridgeport, CT, where he regularly hosts a long-running music program. He previously hosted a daily drive-time music program on WFUV in New York. A resident of Trumbull, CT, where he lives with his wife and daughter, Mr. Horyczun is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where he majored in English and Journalism. Dr. Luizzi also thanked the interview committee by sharing, “together as a committee, we identified and hired an outstanding candidate for this important position, and I’m very thankful for the many hours the team devoted towards these efforts”. The Director of Communications position replaces the Public Information and Communications Specialist position at New Canaan Public Schools.
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St Mark’s Preschool three’s students Hannah and Allie start the holiday season by choosing a gift tag from SMP’s Domus Giving Tree. Hannah and Allie will join many other SMP families in the holiday tradition of participating in a Giving Tree to sponsor a Domus Angel Family in need of assistance this Christmas.
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[PHOTO L-R: Guillaume Gentet, New Canaan Carriage Barn Executive Director Hilary Wittmann, Nancy Rosen and Bankwell Branch Manager Peter Olson.] Bankwell held a reception to launch the exhibit of local artist Nancy Rosen at the bank’s Elm Street branch on December 1st. The exhibit will be on display through the end of January and the public is invited to view it during normal banking hours. Bankwell is a local bank committed to the highest level of service and giving back to the community.
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Ed and Cathy Kangas of New Canaan joined with Senator Bob Kerrey to Raise Money for Equine Therapy in Support of Veterans with PTSD. I have great admiration for former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey and his work on behalf of veterans. So I was pleased when he offered his support for Squirrelwood, an equine sanctuary in Montgomery, N.Y., that provides equine therapy for soldiers who developed PTSD after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. The American Medical Association recognizes equine therapy as a viable alternative for those who suffer from PTSD and other mental illnesses. Thousands of soldiers return from duty with PTSD that often goes untreated because of the stigma associated with mental illness. There is also a horrifying statistic that every day 22 U.S. military veterans commit suicide. Squirrelwood is a magical place. Many animals live on its 100 acres, but the stars are the rescued horses. The owners Beth and Diane do a great job on a small budget to care for these horses that have been abandoned or neglected. Horses are very intuitive and can respond to fear or distress in human. Christine, a friend of Beth and Diane, who is a clinical social worker, saw these horses as a way for the soldiers she treats to confront their fears and ease their PTSD. She brings the soldiers to Squirrelwood and encourages them to interact with a horse. Often the horse shies away because it detects something is wrong and its fight or flight instinct kicks in. The soldier learns to confront his fears and slowly bonds with the horse. Often this is the first time that this hero experiences acceptance since returning from the battlefield. My husband and I will match up to $100,000 in donations to Squirrelwood for its equine therapy program. Sen. Kerrey recently addressed a small fundraiser in New York City about his own experience of being wounded in battle and his struggles to transition back into society after returning home from the unpopular Vietnam War. He believes that Squirrelwood’s program is vital to the well-being of his fellow veterans. I would hope that others will join us and contribute to the work of Squirrelwood. Even a small contribution will help these soldiers and their families struggling with PTSD. Squirrelwood is a registered charity and all contributions are tax deductible. Please visit www.squirrelwood.org to make your contribution.
Would Email Karl be a man way before his time ? Or perhaps Emil ??