News

Letter: ‘Explore New Canaan’ Brings in $3,500 in Food Donations for Local Pantry

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On Thursday August 22nd the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce hosted ‘Explore New Canaan’ in a bid to attract people downtown and despite some initial rain it was extremely successful, raising $3,500 worth of food donations for the local Food Pantry. 

Even Santa Claus had a hand in the helping the local food pantry as he collected over $400 in cash donations at the sidewalk sales this past July. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of Walter Stewart’s Market. Stewart’s orders and delivers items for the food pantry that they have specifically asked for. The power or partnerships at work in NC! Local, New Canaan moms Rachel Lampen and Kristen Mitrakis, who run Rock Paper Scissors Events were tasked with changing up the Taste of the Town premise, while keeping it fun with the emphasis being the local Food Pantry.

Around Town

Did You Hear … ?

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South School students underwent a safety drill Thursday afternoon, according to an email sent to parents by interim Principal John Grasso. It was “an opportunity for staff and students to practice the procedures that are in place to secure the building in the event of a safety threat to the school,” Grasso said in the email. ***

Congratulations to New Canaan’s Jack Mountford, 11, a Saxe Middle School 7th-grader who qualified this summer to play in major U.S. junior tennis tournaments, including the National Championships on both clay and hard court surfaces. In early July Mountford traveled to Orlando, Fla., for the 12 & Under National Clay Court Championships. In August, he played the National Championships on hard courts in Mobile, Ala. In both events, Mountford made it several rounds eventually running into some of the top-ranked American players.

Around Town

‘A Really Nice Way to Be Outside Together’: Outdoor Movie Night at Waveny Returns Friday

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A little more than three years ago, town resident Jonathan Breen came up with the idea of hosting a family-friendly outdoor movie night at Waveny Park. 

“I’ve always loved the idea of having outdoor movies,” he told NewCanaanite.com. 

“I just reached out to the town and pitched them the idea,” he added. With the blessing of the Recreation Department, Breen said he reached out to a number of sponsors around town. Steve Karl, vicepresident of Sales at Karl Chevrolet—one of the event’s sponsors—said the project has been “a grassroots effort.” “It seemed like a great idea, and over the last few years that we’ve done it it’s really been a nice event,” he said. 

“We actually have a lot of fun,” Karl added, “because there’s a little popcorn stand and it really feels like you’re going to a movie, but it’s a different kind of venue because you’re outdoors.” This year’s free Outdoor Movie Night will take place this Friday, Aug.

Angela Baldanza

New Canaan Restaurants: Summer Theatre Partnership Helped Business

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The owners of local restaurants that partnered with a theater group that performed in downtown New Canaan through July said the effect on business was largely positive. Angela Baldanza, co-owner of and chef at Baldanza Café, described the restaurant’s partnership with the Summer Theatre of New Canaan as “a very positive experience.” She said that many diners had come into the restaurant to take advantage of a special fixed-price menu, and that she “would do it again.” Asked whether the theater’s impact was noticeably different from previous years, when it had been located further away from the downtown area, Baldanza said “definitely.”

Previously located in Waveny, STONC on Sunday finished its final show on New Canaan Library’s property. The organization partnered this year with a number of local restaurants, which offered special deals for theatergoers.

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Did You Hear … ?

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New Canaan Police on Wednesday said investigators have received more than 1,200 tips in the case of a local woman missing since May 24. Since issuing a call for video surveillance in the case of Jennifer Dulos, nearly 80 businesses and residents responded, according to Lt. Jason Ferraro. “In addition both physical and digital evidence is continuing to be processed and reviewed to aide in the investigation,” Ferraro said. Tips can be called in at 203-594-3544, emailed to FindJenniferDulos@newcanaanct.gov or submitted anonymously at www.FindJenniferDulos.com. On the same day, the two-month mark since Dulos’s disappearance, family friend Carrie Luft issued a statement.