First Quarter | 2025 Vol #4 No. 6

It's been a long, cold, lonely winter

Here comes the sun,

And I say, it's all right

--Beatles

There’s a lot going on in this Newsletter, so buckle up. Dwell on areas of interest. Skip the others. There’s something for everyone, opportunities for joyous service abound!

Join us and find out! 

See some Kiwanians and friends who stopped by for the traditional marshmallow roast.

Our Newsletter has been dormant over the holidays, but the Kiwanis Club is always active. The December Food Drive is the best of the year, as the generosity of Wilton shoppers overflows. The mid-December 2024 drive generated more than $16,000 for the Wilton Food Pantry and contributed to a record $50,000+ in donations for the year.

Here are the Kiwanians who greeted in front of the Village Market and Stop&Shop. Including some pictures below:

Mike Safko, Jerry Sprole, Day Shields, Ross Tartell, Colin Christ, Bill Mathews, Mike Whitted, Mary Anne Franco, Steve Erickson, David Sklar, Suzanne Verrilli, Dagny Eason, Bill Brennan, Carol Gahagan, Ken Ogasawara, Kevin/Moira Craw, Whitney Janeway, David Gortz, Barli Nugent, Crickett Safko (and Maddie).

At the end of just about every month some of us get together for a gathering hosted by Rudi Hoefling at a local watering hole—currently Nod Hill or Sly Bandit. Looks like they are having a good time!

On Sunday, January 5, Wilton Kiwanian Eugene “Doug” Jones was surrounded by friends and family to celebrate his 100th birthday.

The Citrus sale has historically been the largest continuous fundraiser. Then we sweetened sales by adding See’s chocolate. The Citrus/Chocolate Committee is pictured below.

Our community said farewell to two wonderful religious leaders in February

 Father Reggie (Our Lady of Fatima) and Rev. Marissa (St. Mathews)

Pictured above is Kiwanian Ross Tartell in the group shot with luminaries.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the opening of a community center that was

 aided by the Wilton Family YMCA took place at 98 South Main in Norwalk.

Greeters included:

Tom Connors, Mike Safko, Jerry Sprole, Day Shields, Ross Tartell, Colin Christ, Bill Mathews, Mike Whitted, Mary Anne Franco, Steve Erickson, David Sklar, Dagny Eason, Bill Brennan, Whitney Janeway, Phil Vrankovich, Jeff Turner, VJ Kumar, Mike Vest, Frank Mabley, Barli Nugent, Peter Fryer, and John Kalamarides.

Among Wilton Kiwanians who attended the breakfast were Ross Tartell and John Kalamarides pictured above.

Kiwanis Donate $40k for Flood Relief for the Wilton Family YMCA

YMCA Board Member Beth Khol with Kiwanian Jack and Deb McFadden

A tribute to Kiwanian Ray Moskow, a founder of the tournament

Kiwnais $500 Donation for Wilton Clean-up Day

- Tom was Captain of the Power Memorial Academy basketball team (before Lou Alcindor) and an all-NYC basketball player.

- He attended Iona University and received an MBA from NYU.

- Tom taught at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business for 12 years.

- He started his business career at Bell Labs. As a specialist in International Labor Law he served in important positions relating to the EU. He was also a consultant with IBM for 25 years.

Most importantly, Tom’s smiling, congenial presence made everyone feel special. He will be missed.

Annual Baseball Lunch and check presentation to Wilton Little League

The Kiwanis team sponsorship check is given to Wilton Little League officials above and Kiwanis team coach, Raleigh Hanscom, and Kiwanian Jack McFadden “talk baseball” below.

Guest Speaker – Robert Curwen

Guest Speaker Michaelann Cox Mako 

and her award-winning champion show dog, CeCe!

Guest Speaker Demetri Papanikolaou the current owner

of Orem’s Diner, a Wilton staple for over 100 years!

Journey to Greenland!

Kiwanis member Bill Brautigam as he takes us on

an unforgettable adventure through his travels to Greenland!

A Valentine’s Day Message with Michael Crystal

 Guest Speakers Donna Savage and Beth Davison from

The Wilton Playshop. They’ll share insights into

the theater’s rich history and its impact today.

Guest Speakers Stephanie Rowe and Lauren Hughes

from Social Services, for an insightful discussion

on the vital role of social services in Wilton.

Guest Speaker Kiwanis members

Whitney Janeway and Steve Erickson "Dos Amigos"

Guest speaker Micheal Winn,

Director of Planning & Land Use Management/Town Planner! 

Guest Speaker Vance Hancock with over 40 years of

practice in Trusts and Estates, Tax, and Business law.

This Newsletter is long enough! April is chock full of events and great Meeting/Lunch speakers every Wednesday. Check out our Kiwanis Calendar on our website at https://k03637.site.kiwanis.org/ Join us!

Donations

All of our net proceeds from fundraising events go to worthy nonprofits.

 When you give to Kiwanis, you give to the community!

“I just wanted to reiterate our profound thanks for an amazing collection of Village Market and Stop and Shop gift cards last weekend. Please pass on the all those Kiwanis Club members who sat in the freezing weather to provide this service to their Wilton neighbors who shop at the Wilton Food Pantry.  The shoppers are always so grateful to receive the gift cards which gives them the opportunity to supplement what we offer at the pantry with their choice of fresh produce, dairy and meat products.

All of us at Wilton Social Services wish all of the Kiwanians a joyous holiday season and a New Year filled with only the best.”

--Wilton Social Services, December 2025

Happenings, the Newsletter of the Kiwanis Club of Wilton CT, Inc.,

Editor-in-Chief: Jack McFadden

Managing Editor: Saul W. Goldberg

Please send your news and announcements to: 

concom@optonline.net