September 2025 Staying In Touch Newsletter

The Staying Put office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 1 for Labor Day!

September at a Glance

Wed., Sept. 3, 6:30pm: Wills, Trusts, Probate & Peace of Mind at Library

Fri., Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, 10am: Walk with Kate at Irwin

Tues., Sept. 9, 12pm: Home Security Tips and Lunch at Staying Put

Wed., Sept. 10, 1pm: St. Michael's Church Tour

Thurs., Sept. 11, 10am: Ladies' Coffee

Tues., Sept. 16, 10:30am: Waveny Walled Garden Tour

Wed., Sept. 17, 12pm: Book Talk Group Lunch at Staying Put

Thurs., Sept. 18, 10am: Men's Coffee with Michelle Crookenden

Tues., Sept. 23, 3pm: Afternoon Tea at Staying Put

Wed., Sept. 24, 12pm: New and Prospective Member Lunch at Waveny House

Thurs., Sept. 25, 2pm: Movie and Popcorn

Tues., Sept. 30, 10am: Men's Coffee

SAVE THE DATE: Annual Meeting

Thurs., Oct. 9, 4:30pm, Lapham Community Center

Guest speaker: Dr. Jennifer Tauber presenting on

“Step into Wellness: Foot Care Essentials”

Welcome to Our New Members

Catherine Bane and Barbara Mason

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!

Wed., Sept. 3, 6:30-7:30pm: Part 1 - Life In Order Series: Plan with Purpose. Michael Murray, Partner at Diserio Martin and 2011-2015 Probate Judge for Darien-New Canaan District will speak on wills, trusts, probate and protecting your assets. Free. RSVP by calling the New Canaan Library at

203-594-5000 or go to the Library website link: newcanaanlibrary.org/events/upcoming

Fri., Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26, 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., Sept. 9, 12pm: Home Security Tips and Lunch. NCPD Officer Adams will share information on recent vehicle and home burglaries and offer tips on how to better secure your property. Lunch provided. Free. RSVP by Mon., Sept. 8th.

Wed., Sept. 10, 1pm: St. Michael's Church Tour. See the beautiful stained glass windows and learn the history of this 1833 built church with Nancy Geary, Executive Director of NCM&HS. Treats to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Free. RSVP by Mon., Sept. 8th.

Thurs., Sept. 11, 10am: Ladies' Coffee at Staying Put. Join Staying Put friends for coffee, treats and good conversation. Free. RSVP by Wed., Sept. 10th.

Tues., Sept. 16, 10:30am: Waveny Walled Garden Tour. Originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted’s firm as a formal rose garden, this garden is now maintained by the New Canaan Garden Club and used for weddings and special events. Carpooling from Staying Put is available. Free. RSVP by Mon., Sept. 15th.

Wed., Sept. 17, 12pm: Book Talk Group and Lunch. 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 Mon., Sept. 15th.

Thurs., Sept. 18, 10am: Men's Coffee with Michelle Crookenden, Executive Director of Waveny Park Conservancy. Join the Staying Put guys for coffee and learn about the non-profit that cares for the 130 acres surrounding the Waveny House. Free. RSVP by Wed., Sept. 17th.

Tues., Sept. 23, 3pm: Afternoon Tea at Staying Put. High Tea is back with scones, tea sandwiches and a variety of teas. Join your Staying Put friends for conversation and a proper cup of tea. Free. RSVP by Mon., Sept. 22nd.

Wed., Sept. 24, 12pm: New and Prospective Member Lunch at Waveny House. Enjoy a buffet lunch and learn about all that Staying Put offers its members. Current members are welcome to attend if you bring a friend who is interested in learning about Staying Put. Free. RSVP by Thurs., Sept. 18th.

Thurs., Sept. 25, 2pm: Afternoon at the Movies at Staying Put - Judy. Join us for a screening of Judy, a captivating story about the last year of Judy Garland's life. Popcorn and snacks while you watch. Free. RSVP by Wed., Sept. 24th.

Tues., Sept. 30, 10am: Men's Coffee at Staying Put. Join friends for conversation on topics of your choice. Coffee, tea and treats as well! Free. RSVP by Mon., Sept. 29th.

September Birthdays

Fred Afragola, Roland Brenninkmeyer, Alice Byrd, Dave Green, Parry Grogan, Yolanda Gruseke, Niki Ellis, Elise Henning, Ralph Hills, Peggy Hooker, Carolyn Johnson, Susan Leeming, Doris Munger, Susan Ponte, Liz Taggart, Pat Thompson, Mara Thorpe, Margot Turk, Weezie Stoops, Peggy Wallace, Dick Ward, Trudi Yeager

Announcing A New Service for Staying Put Members

Home Safety Assessments

Staying Put is proud to offer our members a valuable new service to assist in "aging in place." The non-profit organization, Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) conducts Home Safety Assessments to ensure people are living safely at home. Staying Put will fully fund the cost of these assessments for our members - just one more way Staying Put is helping our members STAY PUT. FCA may offer personalized recommendations, and the assessments are completely confidential. Should you wish to make any alterations to your home based on these assessments Staying Put will be at the ready with our Trusted Service Providers list. We encourage you to contact us to facilitate your free Home Safety Assessment. Following, find the personal statement from one of our members who recently tried the Home Safety Assessment:

Kate was looking for a guinea pig. She got two, my husband and me. Staying Put was considering partnering with the Family & Children’s Agency, and she asked if we’d consider having the Agency’s representatives assess our home for safety. Being aware that safety in one’s home is key to one’s life, I agreed, and we settled on a date for the assessment. A few weeks later, two very pleasant women rang our doorbell. The bell was working (check), and we brought them into our living room. They asked us to show them how we moved throughout the house - from bedroom to kitchen, hallway to upper floor, hallway to cellar. They took notes. Then they checked all the rooms and their assessment didn’t feel intrusive at all. I thought we passed muster, as did they, and we said our goodbyes. We were sent their report a few weeks later; and we appreciated their general observations, recommendations for increased safety and knowing our home will allow us to age in place with confidence! - Susan Leeming

Staying Put and the New Canaan Library present:

Life in Order: A 3-Part Series for Living Well Now—and Later

Find peace of mind, protect what matters, and create space for a life you love.

A thoughtful and practical series designed to support your well-being—

mentally, emotionally, and practically.

Part 1: Plan with Purpose — Wills, Trusts, Probate & Peace of Mind

Secure Your Legacy – Simplify the Future.

September 3, 2025, 6:30-7:30, New Canaan Library - Auditorium

Featuring: Michael Murray, Partner, Diserio Martin, and 2011-2015 Probate Judge for Darien-New Canaan Probate District

Part 2: Keep Your Mind Sharp — Brain Health & Mental Fitness

Nurture your brain. Enhance your life.

October 15, 2025, 1:00-2:00, New Canaan Library - Tate Room

Featuring: Heather Gately, Lifted Brain Wellness

Part 3: Clear the Clutter — Declutter for Clarity & Freedom

Let go of the excess. Make room for what matters.

November 5, 2025 1:00-2:00, New Canaan Library - Tate Room

Featuring: Chris Palmer, Author of Achieving a Good Death

RSVP through the New Canaan Library. Call 203-594-5000 or go to their website: newcanaanlibrary.org/events/upcoming

Community News and Events

The Navigator Adult Day Program Provides Socialization for Your Loved One and Respite Time for You

Taking a break and enjoying personal time during the day is a crucial step in managing the stress of caring for a loved one with cognitive decline. The Navigator Adult Day Program (Navigator ADP) offers a safe and supportive environment for individuals with cognitive impairment while providing caregivers with much needed time for themselves to run errands, go to appointments, see friends, or simply rest. Full day and half day options are available, with flexible scheduling.

Full Day: $130 Half Day: $65

Call 203-594-5289 or email Navigator@waveny.org to learn more or to schedule a visit.

Open Tech

New Canaan Library

Tues., Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 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

THURSDAY & FRIDAY, Sept. 25 & 26, 4-8pm Waveny House

Dine on-site on the Waveny Terrace and enjoy LIVE MUSIC
Pick up your order curbside!
Arrange in advance for home delivery for 8 or more orders!

Go to: newcanaanrotarylobsterfest.org/

for more information and to place an order.

The Exchange Club of New Canaan

24th Annual Charity Golf Outing

Thurs., Sept. 25, 11am Woodway Country Club

Go to: ncxcgolfouting.com/

for more information and to register

New Canaan’s Public Access television station - Channel 79

has moved to Channel 1310

New Canaan Public Access (NCTV79) has carried town meetings and community programing for many years, keeping local residents informed about their town government.

NCTV79 also has a website, nctv79.org where meetings are live-streamed and are also archived for on-demand viewing, as well as YouTube pages where you can watch the station’s coverage. Live town meetings are also available via Zoom. Links to join are posted on the town website at newcanaan.info

Lapham Center Programs

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

Weds., Sept. 10 and 24, 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.

Thurs., Sept. 11, 2-4pm: Ask the Attorney. An attorney from Nedder and Associates is available for free, private, 15-minute consultations on legal and financial questions.

Thurs., Sept. 11, By Appt Only: 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., Sept. 19, 11:00am: Health Talks with Shannon and Ellen. Meet with Shannon and Ellen from the Health Department for coffee, treats and conversation on various health topics.

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: Trustworthy 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.
NEW Home Safety Assessments: Personalized and professional recommendations to reduce risks in the home.