Staying

In Touch

March 2026

Members enjoy games and good times at the Super Bowl Tailgate Lunch.

March at a Glance

Wed., Mar. 4, 6pm: Volunteer Recognition Awards at Town Hall

Thurs., Mar. 5, 1:30pm: Annual Photography Show at Carriage Barn

Fri., Mar. 6, 13, and 27, 10am: Walk with Kate at Irwin Park

Tues., Mar. 10, 12pm: Lunch & Learn - Disease and Vaccinations at Lapham

Wed., Mar. 11, 12pm: Book Talk Group and Lunch at Staying Put

Thurs., Mar. 12, 10am: Men's Coffee at Staying Put

Tues., Mar. 17, 12pm: "Let's Talk About - St. Paddy" and an Irish Lunch at Staying Put

Wed., Mar. 18, 10am: Ladies' Coffee with Melody Libonati at Staying Put

Thurs., Mar. 19, 10am: Tour New Police Station and Coffee at New Canaan Police Station

Tues., Mar. 24, 10am: Men's Coffee with Andrew Gerber at Staying Put

Wed., Mar. 25, 6:30pm: "Supporting Aging Parents with Confidence" with Janet Simpson at the New Canaan Library

Save the Date

Sun., Apr. 19, 2pm-4pm: SLOBS bring out patio furniture

Thurs., Jun. 4, 5pm-7:30pm: Summer Soirée at Waveny House

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

Jean Bothwell, Sibylle DeRosa, Eileen Frost

Member Events

IMPORTANT

Please RSVP by the date listed for each event so we can plan properly and have enough supplies and treats for everyone. Thank you.

Annual Photography Show - Carriage Barn

Thurs., Mar. 5, 1:30pm at Carriage Barn

Out of 600 entries, see the selected photographs of the 46th Annual Photography Show and hear from several of the artists describing their work. Free. RSVP by Tues., Mar. 3.

Walk with Kate at Irwin Park

Fri., Mar. 6, 13 and 27, at 10am

Enjoy a walk in the park with fellow Staying Put members, weather permitting. Please meet in the lower lot. Kate will not be available to walk on Mar. 20. Note: This is for active members with no mobility issues. Free. RSVP by Thursday prior.

Lunch and Learn - Disease and Vaccinations

Tues., Mar. 10, 12pm at Lapham Center

Join Shannon Vallerie from the New Canaan Health Department and Harrison Pierce, M.D., for a presentation exploring diseases and vaccinations. Learn how vaccines work, their effectiveness and adverse reactions. Free. RSVP by Fri., Mar. 6.

Book Talk Group and Lunch

Wed., Mar. 11, 12pm at Staying Put

Calling all book lovers (and lunch lovers)! Let’s gather to swap stories about what we’re reading, what we loved, and what we’d happily skip. Expect a lively, laugh-filled conversation, tasty lunch, and plenty of great book ideas to take home. No homework required—just come and enjoy! Free. RSVP by Mon., Mar. 9.

Men's Coffee

Thurs., Mar. 12, 10am at Staying Put

Join us for a fun, laid-back Men's Coffee to catch up and share some laughs with other Staying Put gents. There's no agenda, just good brews and even better company. Free. RSVP by Wed., Mar. 11.

"Let's Talk About" St. Paddy's Day and Lunch

Tues., Mar. 17, 12pm at Staying Put

Join us for a conversation about parades, pints of Guinness, and green shirts with cheeky slogans. Hear about why St. Patrick’s Day was created and how it was originally celebrated. What’s the deal with leprechauns? You'll enjoy a delicious lunch and see if you have the luck of the Irish. And don't forget to wear your green! Free. RSVP by Thurs., Mar. 12.

Ladies' Coffee with Melody Libonati

Wed., Mar. 18, 10am at Staying Put

Join us for a lively ladies’ coffee featuring Artistic Director Melody Libonati of Summer Theater in New Canaan. Melody is a director, actress and educator, and has performed leading roles on Broadway. Come get a peek behind the curtain. Free. RSVP by Tues., Mar. 17.

Tour the New Canaan Police Station

Thurs., Mar. 19, 10am at NC Police Station

Join us for a guided tour of the newly renovated Police Station, and enjoy hot coffee while police officers share about recent scams and crimes in New Canaan. A great chance to see the space, ask questions, and connect with the people who keep our community safe. Free. RSVP by Wed., Mar. 18.

Men's Coffee with Andrew Gerber

Tues., Mar. 24, 10am at Staying Put

Strong coffee. Smart conversation. Join fellow Staying Put gentlemen for an energizing coffee featuring Dr. Andrew Gerber, President and Medical Director of Silver Hill Hospital. No lectures...just real talk and a fresh perspective from a local expert. Free. RSVP by Mon., Mar. 23.

Staying Put and the New Canaan Community Foundation invite you to attend:

New Canaan Volunteer Recognition Awards

Wed., Mar. 4, 6pm at New Canaan Town Hall

Staying Put volunteer Marshall Pask will receive the

Rookie of the Year Award.

We will celebrate the commitment and support Marshall provides to Staying Put members along with recognizing the many other volunteers that offer their services to New Canaan nonprofits. A reception follows the ceremony at Pesca.

Staying Put in New Canaan in partnership with the

New Canaan Community Foundation and the

New Canaan Library invites you to attend:

Being Prepared and Staying Connected:

Supporting Aging Parents with Confidence

Wed., Mar. 25, 6:30pm at New Canaan Library

Join us for a lively and practical conversation about what matters as families age. We will focus on legal, financial, medical, housing, and caregiving decisions that help older adults live well as they age. The discussion will be led by Janet Simpson, author of Don't Give Up On Me! A complimentary copy of Janet's book will be available to attendees. Register with link below or call the New Canaan Library at 203-594-5000. Free. RSVP by Wed., Mar. 25.

Annual Summer Soirée

Thursday, June 4, 5-7:30

Waveny House

Mark your calendars for a beautiful summer evening with members, donors, sponsors, and friends of Staying Put at the stunning Waveny House.

Enjoy Chef Jeff’s down-home BBQ feast, complete with all the classic sides and homemade peach cobbler. We’ll also be treated to live music by guitarist and singer Nick Depuy, creating the perfect backdrop for great food, conversation, and community.

An evening not to be missed, it is a wonderful opportunity to gather, celebrate, and support Staying Put together.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact Gina at director@stayingputnc.org for more information.

Special price for Staying Put members - $75 per person

Staying Put Legacy Circle

Have you heard about the Staying Put Legacy Circle? This special initiative recognizes and celebrates supporters who choose to include Staying Put in their estate plans. By making a planned gift, Legacy Circle members ensure their values and commitment to our mission continue to make a meaningful impact for years to come.

A planned gift is a powerful way to make a lasting difference. By designating Staying Put in your will, trust, or other long-term plans, you help strengthen the future of our organization while also aligning your charitable giving with your personal financial goals. Whether you’ve already included Staying Put in your plans or are just beginning to consider the possibilities, we would be honored to talk with you and answer any questions.

A special thank you to these Legacy Circle Donors:

Cindy & Paul Bamatter

Barb & Ray Boller

Louise Goodridge

Ruth Ann Kelley

Albert L. Perry III

Jo & Peter Ziesing

Birthdays This Month

Betsy Afragola, Tom Ayoub, Sandy Babos, Jack Billhardt, Susan Blabey, Lila Coleman, Ed Cosden, Christine Dora, Sky Field, Lou Guzzetti, Dorcas Hills, Rees Himes, Joan Jaworowski, Linda Kelly, Ned Leeming, Hector Lopez Rodriquez, Riv Niess, Harvey Place, Tatjana Pogacnik

Hello from Kate

Hello, I, Adelaide Antin, am going to be the guest writer for this month's newsletter.

I want to tell you all about my perspective of our most recent trip and how important it is to have new experiences at any age!

Do you know that the word/animal axolotl is actually pronounced ash-a-lotl! If you don't already know what an axolotl is then it is a salamander that only lives in one place, Mexico! Most of you know me as Kate Brambilla's daughter, Adelaide. I had February break very recently and can you guess where I went...? Yep, you guessed it! We went to Mexico, the home of axolotls! We did many things! On the first day we were in Mexico City and we were in my Dad's (Charles) colleague's house (Nils).

A few days after we arrived we woke up at 4:30 AM to go see the sunrise and see axolotls! I actually touched one with my very own finger it was SLIMY!!

We were in Mexico City for four days! Then we went to La Paz! We also stayed there for four days! When we were there we swam with whale sharks. Did you know that the biggest whale shark is 90 something feet! I spotted a pod of humpback whales and saw sea lions, and dolphins. There were so many dolphins! We also went to the beach where we were in La Paz. I even found a dead puffer fish! When we got home we got a surprise... A TON OF SNOW!!!

Community News and Events

Email Phishing Scams

The New Canaan Police Department has recently seen an increase in email phishing scams targeting our community, often impersonating Town departments such as Planning and Zoning. These scams aim to steal money, personal information, financial details, or install malware on your devices. Your safety and security are our top priorities, so we're sharing these tips to help you stay protected.

Key Ways to Avoid Email Phishing Scams:

Verify the Source: Always check the sender's email address or phone number. Official town emails typically end in "@newcanaanct.gov" or similar verified domains. If in doubt, do not respond—call the department directly using a phone number from the official Town website (newcanaan.info)
Be Wary of Unsolicited Contacts: Scammers often use urgent language like "immediate action required" or threats of fines/penalties to pressure you. Legitimate Town departments rarely request sensitive information (e.g., Social Security numbers, bank details) via email, text or unsolicited calls.
Avoid Clicking Links or Attachments: Hover over links to see the real URL before clicking. If it looks suspicious (e.g., misspelled or unfamiliar domain), don't click. Download attachments only from trusted sources.
Use Strong Security Practices: Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your email and online accounts. Keep your antivirus software up to date, and use secure, unique passwords for different sites.
Educate Yourself on Red Flags: Watch for poor grammar, generic greetings (e.g., "Dear Resident" instead of your name), or requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—these are almost always scams.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you receive a potential phishing attempt, report it to Police headquarters at 203-594-3500.

By staying vigilant, we can protect our community from these threats. If you believe you've been a victim of a scam, contact the New Canaan Police Department immediately for assistance. Together, let's keep New Canaan safe.

Call 911 not the New Canaan Fire House

A message from the New Canaan Fire Department:

Many people think they should call the Fire Department’s New Canaan phone number rather than call 911 when there is a fire or potentially hazardous event. Some people think their situation may not be serious enough to call 911.

The firefighters clearly say: Do not call the firehouse, call 911!

First, the firefighters might be away from the firehouse and not get the message or request for assistance. Also, they explain that the 911 answering point is always staffed with personnel who are trained to ask follow-up questions to ensure they send the appropriate help fast. The time it takes for the Fire Department or any emergency service to respond to your incident is critical. Calling 911 reduces response times, which can save lives and property.

“Even if you are not sure it is an emergency, call 911,” says a New Canaan firefighter, “We’d rather arrive and it be nothing, than arrive too late.”

Lapham Community Center

Wed., Mar. 4, 18, 12:30pm - Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Clinic. Free.

Wed., Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25, 10am-3pm - AARP Foundation Tax Aide. IRS trained and certified AARP Tax Counselors will provide free, income tax preparation, with a focus on adults aged 50+ with a low to moderate income. AARP membership is NOT required. For more information, please call (203) 674-9336 or visit: taxaidegreaterstamford.org

Thurs., Mar. 5, 19, by appt. - Medicare Counseling. By appointment. Free. Please Register!

Fri., Mar. 13, 11am - Health Talks with Shannon and Ellen. Coffee, conversation and snacks. Free. Please Register!

Wed., Mar. 18, 1pm - New Canaan Charter with Kathleen Corbet. Free. Please Register!

New Canaan Library

Mon., Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 11am-5pm - VITA Free Tax Preparation. Please contact SimplifyCT with any questions or to register at 860-590-8910 or visit www.SimplifyCT.org.

Tues., Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2pm-4pm - Open Tech. Help with email, smartphones/tablets, social media, etc. Drop In. Free. No Registration Required.

Wed., Mar. 4, 9:30-11:30am - History of Peonies with Cricket Hill. Free. Register by contacting the Library.

Town Players of New Canaan

Fri. and Sat., Mar. 6, 7, 13, 14, 7:30pm and Sun. Mar. 1, 8, 15, 2pm - One Man, Two Guvnors. An award-winning, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud farce set in 1960s Brighton, England. Tickets at info@tpnc.org

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.