Animal 411

‘It’s a Way That We Can Give Back’: Bankwell Launches ‘Pet Adoption Program’ for March and April

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Two of Bankwell’s signature community outreach efforts involve showcasing the works of local artists in the gallery of its Elm Street branch and hosting goods collections for needy organizations in the area, such as Open Door Shelter and Inspirica. Starting with a reception at 208 Elm St. on Wednesday evening, Bankwell is combining those initiatives to support another good cause: animal rescue. For its two-month “Pet Adoption Project,” Bankwell is partnering with area rescue groups to spotlight adoptable dogs and cats—see this page on its website—as well as offering incentives for prospective new owners, raising money for animal welfare organizations and featuring the work of a dog- and cat-loving photographer. “If we get one dog a ‘forever’ home, I think that we have succeeded,” said Bankwell Marketing Assistant Lucy French, who helped develop the idea for the project with colleagues Ann Mitrione and Lynne Gomez.

Around Town

PHOTOS: Huge Turnout for 2016 Season’s Final Caffeine & Carburetors at Waveny

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In what likely was the largest-ever Caffeine & Carburetors, an estimated 1,300 auto enthusiasts gathered at Waveny on Sunday morning. The final installment of this year’s season saw six rows of classic and specialty cars line the lawn west of Waveny House, as camera-, baby-, leash- and coffee-toting spectators milled about there, on the circle in front of the 1912-built mansion and in the lots leading down to the Powerhouse and Carriage Barn. Launched by New Canaan’s Doug Zumbach out front of his eponymous gourmet coffee shop on Pine Street and emceed by town resident Peter Bush of FM95.9 The Fox, Caffeine & Carburetors is sponsored in part by Bankwell. “We are super-excited to be a sponsor again this year,” said Bankwell Marketing Assistant Lucy French. “We love supporting these kinds of events—especially that bring people into the community and bring more awareness to all the local businesses.”

Around Town

PHOTOS: Caffeine & Carburetors Wraps Up 2015 Season with Strong Turnout at Waveny

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Antique, classic, muscle, racing and speciality car enthusiasts descended on Waveny Park on a crisp, cool autumn morning Sunday for 2015’s final Caffeine & Carburetors gathering. Town officials had approved four installments this year of the popular event, launched by New Canaan’s Doug Zumbach and sponsored primarily by Bankwell (whose Lucy French provided us the photo at right), between April and October: two downtown and two at Waveny. After foul weather forced a cancellation of the September gathering downtown, thousands of spectators ventured to the park. Town resident and collector Peter Bush of The Fox 95.9 FM took to the microphone to emcee the event, tapping an encyclopedic knowledge of autos to describe many of the cars parked in the forecourt of Waveny House and elsewhere, while spectators sipped coffee—much of it purchased from Zumbach’s eponymous gourmet shop, which operated a stand near the center of the action—leash-walked their dogs, shot photos and video, talked shop and connected with fellow enthusiasts. Zumbach estimated the crowd at 3,000 to 3,5000 and the car count was at 800-plus.