July 2025 Staying In Touch Newsletter

The SPNC office will be closed on July 3rd and 4th.

Happy July 4th!

July at a Glance

Tues., July 8, 10am: Men's Coffee with Bill Flynn

Wed., July 9, 12pm: Book Talk Group Lunch at Staying Put

Thurs., July 10, 12pm: July 4th Celebration with Hot Dog Lunch

Fri., July 11, 18, 25, 10am: Walk with Kate at Irwin

Tues., July 15, 11am: Garden Tour and Lunch at the Bamatters

Wed., July 16, 5:30-7:30pm: Dinner at One Twenty Three Restaurant

Thurs., July 17, 10am: Ladies' Coffee at Staying Put

Tues., July 22, 2pm: Movie and Snacks at Staying Put

Wed., July 23, 3pm: Afternoon Tea at Staying Put

Thurs., July 24, 12pm: Chat and Chew Crew (Lunch) at Ching's

Wed., July 30, 10am: Men's Coffee at Staying Put

Save the Date

Wed., Aug 16, 5:30-7:30pm: Beach Party at Woodway Beach Club

Welcome to Our New Members

Maury Anfinsden, Sandy Babos, Suzy Beatty

MEMBER EVENTS

Please call the office at 203-966-7762 to RSVP for all events. If an event changes or is canceled, we will be able to contact you!

Tues., July 8, 10am: Men's Coffee with Bill Flynn. Join the Staying Put guys for coffee, treats, and engaging conversation with Bill Flynn, Executive Director of the New Canaan Nature Center. Get the latest news on this important New Canaan non-profit. Free. RSVP by Mon., July 7.

Wed., July 9, 12pm: Book Talk Group Lunch at Staying Put. Do you love books? Join Staying Put members for lunch and a discussion of our favorite books. You'll get some great ideas for your next read. Free. RSVP by Tues., July 8th.

Thurs., July 10, 12pm: Celebrate July 4th with a Picnic Lunch at Staying Put. Celebrate Independence Day with your Staying Put friends. We'll have a cool, indoor picnic of hot dogs, chips, watermelon and ice cream. Free. RSVP by Tues., July 8th.

Fri., July 11, 18, 25, 10am: Walk with Kate at Irwin Park. Come enjoy a lovely walk with Kate, weather permitting. Please meet in the lower parking lot at Irwin Park and don't forget your sneakers and water bottle. Note - this is for those who are active, with no mobility issues. Free. RSVP by Thursday prior.

Tues., July 15, 11am: Garden Tour and Lunch at the Bamatters. Cindy and Paul will host Staying Put members to tour their beautiful garden, followed by a pizza lunch. There is an 8 person limit. You must have no mobility issues and be able to climb at least 5 steps. Carpools available from Staying Put. Free. RSVP by Mon., July 14th.

Wed., July 16, 5:30-7:30pm: Dinner Out at One-Twenty-Three Restaurant in Vista, NY. Dine out with Staying Put friends at one of our favorite restaurants. Please call the office to give us your menu choices.

Appetizer: Mixed Salad w/ Vinaigrette Dressing, Main: Choice of Pan Roasted Salmon w/ Spinach, Chicken Marsala (Mushroom Sauce) w/ Mashed Potatos, or Eggplant Florentine w/ Spaghetti Marinara Sauce.

Dessert: Choice of Tiramisu or NY Cheesecake.

$45 per person, RSVP by Thurs. July 10th.

Thurs., July 17, 10am: Ladies' Coffee at Staying Put. Join Staying Put friends for coffee, treats and good conversation. Free. RSVP by Wed., July 16th.

Tues., July 22, 2pm: Afternoon at the Movies at Staying Put. Join your Staying Put friends for a viewing of Call Me Kate about the iconic Katherine Hepburn. We'll enjoy her famous brownies and other movie-going treats, while watching this 1 1/2 hr documentary film. Free. RSVP by Mon., July 22nd.

Wed., July 23, 3pm: Afternoon Tea at Staying Put. Enjoy "Tea Time" with your friends from Staying Put. Sweets and tea sandwiches with a variety of refreshments along with friendly conversation. Free. RSVP by Tues., July 22nd.

Thurs., July 24, 12pm: Lunch Out at Ching's Table. Join the Chat and Chew Crew for an enjoyable lunch with delightful conversation. Carpool available. $15 per person. RSVP by Tues., July 22nd.

Wed., July 30, 10am: Men's Coffee at Staying Put. Join Staying Put friends for coffee, treats and good conversation. Free. RSVP by Tues., July 29th.

July Birthdays

Joan Allocca, Pat Billhardt, Peg Bull, Beverly Buonaiuto, Mary Anne Cannilla, Robert Curry, Lily Dalury, JoAnn DeMartino, Brian Ellis, Art Fitilis, Glenda Green, Jude Halleran, Betty Hodgman, Judith Kamerschen, Bill Knobloch, Judy MacEwan, Joan McKeon, Joan Rafferty, Dick Sandberg, Margo Sisson, Karen Snierson, Herb Taylor

Hello from Kate

Adelaide’s school year just ended. 3rd grade done, just like that. I went to school to pick her up and amidst a sea of gleeful, gyrating children piling into cars with windows down and music blaring celebrating the end of another successful school year, there was Adelaide. I could tell all the way back from where I always turn left onto Little Brook that Adelaide was not part of that buzzing crowd. It was as though she was moving through space in slow motion as everyone else was in fast forward. I hustled to the pick-up spot as fast as I could where she collapsed into my arms like an emotional rag doll. You see, Adelaide does not like saying goodbye. She also does not like change. Adelaide had a great school teacher, a great year and the sense of it ending left no room for what could lay ahead. 4th grade feels like a complete unknown to her. I enveloped her in a big hug and heard myself saying I think I know what might help. We went and picked up one of Staying Put’s members who Adelaide refers to as one of her “Boldies” or Best Oldies. (Please remember, she is 8 and loves what I do for a living!). Herb, at 96, joined us for a drive where he reminded Adelaide that he was a 4th grade teacher right here in New Canaan and how wonderful his experience teaching that age group was. He also got a proper laugh out of Adelaide when he told Adelaide that those students were probably in their 80s now! And in turn, Adelaide shared her favorite joke, “What did the leaf say to the flower?”…”You’re my bud”, to which Herb roared with his own laughter (she wrote that one herself, folks). By the time we brought Herb home they were both blowing kisses goodbye and planning their next visit. Adelaide looked at me and with a deep breath said, “I needed that”. There is a lot that lies ahead that we aren’t totally ready for, but we need one another, and are here for one another in small, remarkable ways, to help allay the fears, put things into perspective, and enjoy a laugh between friends nearly 90 years apart in age.

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Meals on Wheels New Canaan

Do you or someone you know need help obtaining nutritious meals?

Meals on Wheels of New Canaan is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meals to individuals in our community who, for various reasons, are having difficulty accessing healthy food. Meals are prepared in the Waveny Care Center kitchen under the careful supervision of their Executive Chef and Dietitian. Volunteers deliver one hot and one cold meal, Monday through Friday, year-round. The service is flexible —meals can be delivered on a short-term or long-term basis depending on individual needs. Financial assistance is available on a sliding scale. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about this invaluable service: 203-594-5318.

‘Community Connect’ for Added Protection of Family,

Pets and Property

Saving time during an emergency response to a fire or gas leak saves property and the lives of family members and pets. New Canaan Fire Department has launched a Community Connect program that allows residential property owners to add valuable information to a secure database, allowing fire and rescue personnel to respond to the property in a more-efficient and effective manner.

According to Fire Chief Albert Bassett, “When our property records have information like the number of household members, notes on access to the property, emergency contacts, pets, persons with functional needs, and utility control locations, we will be able to respond to the property with a targeted and most-efficient approach. Our new Community Connect system is secure and very easy for property owners to use. Community Connect users can provide as much or as little information as they wish.”

Residential property owners may add their property information for no charge at the portal https://www.communityconnect.io/info/ct-townofnewcanaan

Nonresidents who have family in New Canaan may pass along the information on the enhanced-protection opportunity or may create an account for them. For more information on New Canaan Fire Department’s Community Connect program, call 203-594-3153 or email albert.bassett@newcanaanct.gov

Community Events

New Canaan July 4th Fireworks

Waveny Park

Gates open at 5pm - Must have a pass to enter.

Raindates: July 5th and July 12th

Gourmet food trucks, picnicking, children’s games, gathering with friends, and a fireworks display that will be second-to-none. The local band Mind The Gap will perform from approximately 5:30 to 7:00, and the Town Band will play classic, patriotic holiday music from 7:30 to 9:15.

You may buy a pass online for $35. Passes must be picked up at the Parks & Recreation Department in Waveny House. You may also purchase a pass in-person at the Parks & Recreation Department Monday - Thursday 8am to 4pm and Fridays 8am to 1:30pm through July 3; also at Walter Stewart’s Market on Elm Street through July 3; and one-day-only on the day of the Fireworks at Steve Benko Pool, 11am to 3pm for $40. Proof of residency is required for all passes.

New Canaan Village Fair & Sidewalk Sale

Downtown New Canaan (Main, Elm and Forest Streets)

Fri., July 18th, 10am-4pm

Sat., July 19th, 9am-5pm

Open Tech

New Canaan Library

Tues., July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2-4pm

If you need help with email, smartphones/tablets, social media, or accessing the digital library, stop by for one-on-one support from a tech librarian.

Drop In - First Come, First Serve

Lapham Center Programs

Call 203-594-3620 for more information and to RSVP

Tues., July 1, 10am: Coffee and Treats with Officer Roy Adams, NCPD. Join Officer Adams for coffee and a chat. If you’re Interested in learning more about the newly renovated police station, community programs, have other questions or just want to say hello, stop in! Free.

Weds., July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 12:30pm: Blood Sugar & Blood Pressure Clinics. Ellen Samai, RN, from New Canaan’s Department of Health provides in-person blood sugar and blood pressure testing. Walk-ins welcome. Free.

Mons., July 7, 14, 21, 28, 10am: Fit for Life with Mike. This class focuses on upper, lower, and core muscle strength while emphasizing posture and balance. Free.

Tues., July 8, 2pm: The Price is Right: Lapham Version Come on Down. Play a Lapham Center version of the Price is Right. Test your guessing skills, cheer on your friends, and enjoy a lively afternoon of laughs and prizes. Light refreshments will be served. $5.

Wed., July 9, 4:30pm: Pizza, Salad, and Dessert on the Patio. Enjoy an evening with your Lapham friends. Pizza, soft drinks and good cheer!

$5 per person. Registration required.

Thurs., July 10, 24, By Appt: Medicare Counseling. Dick Neville, a CHOICES certified Medicare counselor, provides free, objective, person-centered assistance so Medicare beneficiaries can make informed choices about their Medicare options and related benefits. By appointment only. Free.

Fri., July 11, 11am: Health Talks with Shannon and Ellen. Meet with Shannon and Ellen from the Health Department for coffee and conversation. Free.

Staying Put in New Canaan Services and Staff

Our Team is Here for You

We provide New Canaan seniors with a wide range of practical services and social connections - from rides to helping with errands, minor home repairs and technology, to brightening the day with a call or visit - all making it easier for seniors to live confidently at home and stay engaged in the community.

Help is a Phone Call Away: Caring professionals to turn to for help, information, referrals, counseling, support and personalized assistance.
Transportation: Door-to-door rides within New Canaan and to local towns.
Social Events: Fun and enriching gatherings, excursions, and programs to be active and connect with others.
Groceries & Errands: Grocery shopping, prescription pick up and other helpful errands.
Help at Home: Minor home repairs, changing ceiling light bulbs, moving heavy objects and more.
Technology Assistance: One-on-one assistance in the home to troubleshoot issues for computers, televisions, cell phones and other electronic devices.
Service Providers: Trusthworthy list of home service and repair professionals for hire.
Communication and Visits: Keeping in touch with those who may be facing issues of loneliness and isolation.
Community Resource: Education, advice and referrals for healthy aging.