News

Letter: ‘Thank You’ from New Canaan Library following Successful ‘Books, Blues and BBQ’

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Dear Editor:

A big ‘Thank you’ to all our sponsors, volunteers and guests of this year’s Books, Blues and BBQ event. Last Friday evening, 300 people enjoyed dancing under our tents to the incredible music of Tangled Vine while sipping craft margaritas, courtesy of Don Julio and Diageo. We were so grateful for the generosity of Half Moon Brewery whose seasonal ales were a big hit with the crowd, and made a wonderful complement to our Dinosaur Barbeque buffet. Every day the Library strives to connect us to ideas and opportunities for learning in our community – fundraising events like this one help support the many programs and services that keep those links vital. Thank you to all our talented Trustees and tireless committee volunteers who made this night a success: Holly Parmelee, Maya Frey, Kate Burt, Alicia Wyckoff, Kajsa Sheibley, Jen Gallagher, Jen Joyce, Krista Cody, Sheri West, Krista Kenin, Susan Graetz, Leslie Bisesi, Polly Goodyear, Meredith Petitjean, Susanna Anderson, Jenny D’Alba, Marnie Augustine, Shannon Broder, Kim Quinn, Annie Drapkin, Amedee Maggard, Carolyn Williams and many others.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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Many New Canaanites by now have seen a rendering of the Midcentury Modern-inspired commercial building that John and Melissa Engel have planned for the lot at 215 Elm St. The architect on the project is Westport-based Frederick William Hoag. Some time after John Engel explained what he had in mind to a University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation professor, a document that included some truly fascinating concepts came in from students (see above). The Maryland architecture program been called the only one in the nation that includes professional Masters programs and related PhD-level studies in planning, preservation and real estate development within the same school. ***

Bill Egan, the newly hired principal of New Canaan High School, has gotten into the spirit of the job very quickly: At his formal introduction at the Board of Education meeting on Monday night, board member Sheri West astutely noted, Egan was sporting a NCHS Rams tie.

Alicia Wyckoff

Kick up Your Heels at Books, Blues & BBQ, New Canaan Library’s Annual Fundraiser

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New Canaan Library is turning up the heat on fundraising with its third annual Books, Blues & BBQ.. Tickets are going fast for the Friday, May 30 event so dust off the cowboy boots, grab your partner and get ready for a spectacular evening in support of New Canaan Library. The evening kicks off at 7:00 p.m. to the live music of “Tangled Vine,” a local group offering a dance-inviting mix of rock, soul and rhythm and blues. “Go ahead and work up an appetite,” states Holly Parmelee, one of the event’s three chairs, “because Stamford’s own Dinosaur Bar-B-Que will serve its award-winning barbeque throughout the evening.” This all happens under festive white tents on the Library’s grounds– so the show goes on, rain or shine. Benefit chairs for Books, Blues & BBQ are Maya Frey, Holly Parmelee, and Alicia Wyckoff, all of New Canaan.  According to Susan LaPerla, the Library’s programming director,  the co-chairs have become “a large part of the success of the Library’s fundraising events, and we are grateful they have come together again to provide this additional support to what is sure to be a special evening.”

To support this initiative please visit the Library website, newcanaanlibrary.org, for ticket information and levels of support.