News

Letter: ‘Thank You’ to Community from New Canaan Society for the Arts

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The New Canaan Society for the Arts would like to thank our community for its generous support of the successful Spring Gala, Monaco Grand Prix, held on May 16, 2015. The gala, featuring the exhibition Va Va Vroom, Art of the Vehicle, raised $33,000 which will be used to operate the Carriage Barn Arts Center and to provide exhibitions and programming for the public. Guests were greeted with champagne and savory hors d’oeuvres while serenaded by the sultry voice of Marie Michele, the lead singer for French jazz quintet, Oh La La. We would like to thank our attendees, members, donors and sponsors for their generous contributions. The Monaco Co-Chairs Karla Rimmer and Serena Gillespie would like to sincerely thank the event’s committee chairs Catharine Sturgess, Amy Reid and Laura McDaniel for their talent and energy to organize a successful and fun evening.

Around Town

‘We Are Part of the Community’: Glass House Spotlights, Bolsters Tour Offerings for Locals

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Christa Carr recalls the tremendous anticipation that surrounded the opening to the public of the Glass House in 2006. Handed over to the National Trust for Historic Preservation 20 years prior, it opened to tourists following the passing of its world-renowned architect and occupant, Philip Johnson, in 1985, and those tours essentially “sold out for the first two years,” said Carr, communications director for the Glass House. “Everybody knew Philip Johnson,” she recalled on a recent afternoon in downtown New Canaan, at a coffee shop around the corner from the Visitor Center and Design Store downtown, where buses depart 12 times per day on weekdays for the 47-acre Ponus Ridge property. “It was a real treat to be invited to Philip Johnson’s house when he was alive.”

And it’s a treat to go now, though to this point, the overwhelming majority of visitors are out-of-towners. In 2014, statistics from the Glass House shows, during the site’s May 1 to Nov.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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The weekend before last was so windy that, despite the vents in them, the windscreens on the new tennis courts at New Canaan High School actually bent the fence, parks officials say. (The company that installed the windscreens was scheduled to come back early this week to fix the fence at no cost to the town.)

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This week’s warmer daytime temps will have New Canaanites thinking about spending summer in the sun. One of the best deals—and best-kept secrets—in town will be had at Kiwanis Park, where daily passes for adults are just $2, and $1 for kids. ***

There’s no truth to the rumor that New Canaan’s iconic Gates Restaurant is going to be sold, the Forest Street fixture’s owner tells us. ***

The former New Canaan Public Schools lunch lady who has brought a lawsuit saying that her ex-boss created a hostile work environment is upping the number of witness depositions in the case from nine to 15, according to a filing Friday.

Business

Four Locals Join New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Board

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The New Canaan Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce four new members to the Board of Directors. The new members include: Rachel Lampen with the HamletHub, Michelle Mauro of South End Restaurant, Christa Carr of the Glass House and Phil Williams, owner of New Canaan Music. The Chamber has 21 Board members that all share their expertise, ideas, and time to help promote New Canaan and all it has to offer. “We have a great team and I feel so fortunate to work with each and everyone one of these talented members” said Tucker Murphy, Executive Director of the Chamber. The Chamber would also like to thank Diane Roth and Keith Simpson for their time on the Board and service to the Chamber.

Around Town

Artists in Residence, Performances, Art Exhibitions Planned for Philip Johnson Glass House

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In two weeks, residents will have a chance to hear from the former New York City gallery owner and San Francisco museum curator who for two years has served as director of the Philip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan. Henry Urbach during “The Glass House, Reconsidered”—to be held at 6:30 p.m. on April 6 in the Adrian Lamb Room of New Canaan Library—will discuss the history (an interactive history can be found here) of the 49-acre campus and its buildings. The Glass House season runs May to November. After we heard about the April 6 event, NewCanaanite.com reached out to the Glass House to try and find out more. It sounds like what Urbach and the Glass House plan is a re-imagining of the cherished New Canaan landmark as a setting and space that serves not only as a destination for architecture appreciators from curious to professional—but also as living quarters, backdrop and canvas for inspiring creation and celebrating the fine and performing arts.