Staying

In Touch

May 2026

The Staying Put office will be closed on Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day. You are invited to walk with us in the Memorial Day Parade - more details below.

The Chat and Chew Crew enjoyed a delicious lunch at Gates Restaurant and Bar.

May at a Glance

Tues., May 5, 10am: Men's Coffee at Staying Put

Wed., May 6, 10am: Wednesday Walk with Kate at Irwin

Thurs., May 7, 11:30am: Lee Memorial Garden Tour and Lunch at Lee Gardens

Fri., May 8, 15, 22, 29, 10am: Walk with Kate at Irwin Park

Tues., May 12, 2pm: Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at Staying Put

Wed., May 13, 12:15pm: Cinco de Mayo Lunch and Craft - Forever Well Program at the YMCA

Thurs., May 14, 12pm: Chat and Chew Crew at Brasitas in Norwalk

Tues., May 19, 10am: Men's Coffee with Andrew Gerber at Staying Put

Wed., May 20, 10am: Ladies' Coffee with Debera Prosek at Staying Put

Thurs., May 21, 2pm: Contemporary Art Exhibit and Snacks at Carriage Barn

Mon., May 25, 9am: Memorial Day Parade - Meet at St. Mark's Church

Tues., May 26, 11:30am: Rain Date for Lee Memorial Garden Tour

Wed., May 27, 12pm: "Let's Talk About" Space Travel and Lunch at Staying Put

Thurs., May 28, 12pm: Movie Nonnas and Pizza at Staying Put

Summer Soirée

Thurs., Jun. 4, 6pm-8:30pm at Serafresca at the IC, RSVP by Thurs., May 28.

Walk in the Memorial Day Parade with Staying Put

Monday, May 25, 9am at St. Mark's

Put on your patriotic attire and walk with your Staying Put friends in this year's Memorial Day Parade. Meet at the St. Mark's parking lot at 9am. The parade starts at 9:30, traveling down Main Street to the Lakeview Cemetery, just over a mile. This is for Staying Put members, staff and volunteers with no mobility issues.

Free. RSVP by Wed., May 20.

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.

Men's Coffee

Tues., May 5, 10am at Staying Put

Join the men of Staying Put for some hot coffee, snacks and good conversation. No Speaker at this event. Free. RSVP by Mon., May 4.

Wednesday Walk with Kate at Irwin Park

Wed., May 6, 10am at Irwin Park

Enjoy a walk in the park with fellow Staying Put members, weather permitting. Please meet in the lower lot. Note: This is for active members with no mobility issues. Free. RSVP by Tues., May 5.

Lee Memorial Gardens Walk and Lunch

Thurs., May 7, 11:30am at Lee Gardens

The azaleas should be peaking for a spectacular show of color. Lunch will be served on the patio. Due to the nature of the trails, appropriate shoes should be worn and walking aides brought if needed. This is for active members with no mobility issues. Raindate - Tues., May 26. Free. RSVP by Tues., May 5.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea

Tues., May 12, 2pm at Staying Put

Join us as we celebrate mothers with a proper English Tea. If you have a favorite poem, story or tribute to mothers, please feel free to bring it to share at the tea. Free. RSVP by Mon., May 11.

Cinco de Mayo Lunch and Craft - Forever Well Program at YMCA

Wed., May 13, 12:15pm at YMCA

Join us as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Mexican-themed lunch and make a colorful tissue paper flower to take home. Free. If you are a member of the Y, please feel free to register with the Y, otherwise please RSVP to Staying Put by Mon., May 11.

Chat and Chew Crew at Brasitas of Norwalk

Thurs., May 14, 12:00pm at Brasitas - 430 Main Avenue in Norwalk

Join Staying Put friends for good conversation and a 3-course Prix Fixe Lunch. Menu Choices:

Appetizer - Empanadas, Mini Ceviche or Arugula Salad

Main - Arroz con Pollo, Tilapia, Cubano Wrap (Pork), or Beef Burrito

Dessert - Dessert of the Day

$21 per person. Drinks are purchased separately. RSVP with your menu choices by Tues., May 12.

Men's Coffee with Dr. Andrew Gerber

Tues., May 19, 10am at Staying Put

Join the men for a conversation with Dr. Andrew Gerber, President and Medical Director of Silver Hill Hospital. There will be coffee and treats as well! Free. RSVP by Mon., May 18.

Women's Coffee with Debera Prosek

Wed., May 20, 10am at Staying Put

Join the ladies for coffee and treats and learn about the fascinating world of labyrinths with our guest speaker, Debera Prosek. You'll learn about the history of labyrinths and what makes them different from a maze along with much more. Free. RSVP by Tues., May 19.

Contemporary Art Exhibit and Snacks at the Carriage Barn

Thurs., May 21, 2pm at The Carriage Barn

Visit the Juried Art Exhibit at the Carriage Barn and hear from some of the Artists whose work is being exhibited. Weather permitting, we'll enjoy a snack outside following the tour. Free. RSVP by Wed., May 20.

"Let's Talk About" Space Travel and Lunch

Wed., May 27, 12pm at Staying Put

Do you remember watching the 1st American, Alan Shepard, go to space on May 5, 1961? Flannery from the New Canaan Library will lead us in a discussion about Space Travel and we'll have a lunch that is out of this world! Free. RSVP by Tues., May 26.

Pizza Lunch and The Movie "Nonnas"

Thurs., May 28, 12pm at Staying Put

We're going Italian with a pizza lunch and watching the fun movie about an Italian restaurant and the chefs that work in the kitchen. Free. RSVP by Wed., May 27.

Staying Put's 2026 Summer Soirée

Thursday, June 4th, 6pm-8:30pm

Serafresca at the IC, Stamford

Due to ongoing improvements at Waveny House, Staying Put's annual Summer Soirée is changing location. We are delighted to announce that Serafresca at the IC has opened their doors to our cherished tradition.

The Summer Soirée is our only fundraising event of the year and a wonderful opportunity for our members, friends and supporters to come together and celebrate the Staying Put community.

Please mark your calendars (and GPS) for

Thursday, June 4th

6-8:30pm

Serafresca at the IC

1620 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905

Look for your invitation being mailed in May or purchase tickets now using the link - Tickets.

NOTE: Special price for Staying Put members - $75 per person

Non-Member Price - $100 per person

Welcome to our new Staying Put Office Assistant

Kristin Barnard

Kristin will be working in the office Monday through Thursday from 9 to 11:30am. Stop by and meet her!

Kristin has lived in New Canaan for almost 16 years with her husband Matt, a New Canaan native, and their three children.

While raising their family, she has been an active volunteer in the community and within the New Canaan Public School system. Most recently, she has served as a National Charity League - Grade Level Advisor for each of her daughters as well as co-President of the Service League of Boys (SLOBs) with her son.

Kristin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland. In her free time, she can be found cooking, spending time with friends and family, or relaxing with her 5-year-old yellow labrador, Maggie.

Birthdays This Month

Maury Anfinsden, Howard Aronson, Judy Bentley, Brigitte Campano, Nancy Clark, Christine Chapin, Jeannie Hart, Mary House, Peggy Jay, David Munro, Cathie Pike, Molly Russo, Herb Schaeffer, Ed Vollmer, Mimi Weekley

Hello from Kate

When I was in 4th grade I wrote a short story. We had been learning about fables and so were tasked with creating our own. Mine was about a curious cat and a wise owl (not the most groundbreaking, I know!). Essentially the owl, sitting physically and metaphorically high above the cat, admonished the lowly creature for being “too curious” and that such behavior would only get her into trouble. When I stumbled upon this story all these years later, I was crestfallen that at 9, I was discouraging curiosity in favor of wisdom and not putting together that wisdom is actually the upshot to curiosity. Sure, I was 9 and ought to cut myself some slack but I now have a direct counter point in my daughter (also 9) and her curiosity is one of her greatest traits, and one of the things I am most proud to bear witness to.

I’ve been coming across the word “curiosity” a lot lately. I was reading an article in the MIT Press about a new book titled Curious Minds by Perry Zurn and Dani S. Bassett. The book tracks the historical perceptions of curiosity and how in some contexts it is a trait that “others” oneself negatively, versus how we know it to be a critical part of human development and advancement. The word came up again at a recent Board of Education meeting where “Curiosity” embodies one of five key competencies that paint the “Portrait of a Graduate” of New Canaan students. Maybe it’s just me but I think Curiosity is having a moment. Adelaide, Charles and I, along with several of our friends and their children looked on as Artemis II landed in the Pacific Ocean on April 10. Children as young as three, and as old as 45, stood in total amazement and were equally captivated at the sight of 4 astronauts returning safely from a tour around the moon. This was curiosity in action and we all felt the wonder of it…and the wisdom that comes with perusing our curiosity. I’m sure my 9-year-old self wanted to be anything but different and so I misconstrued the quiet wisdom of the owl as being the opposite of the wily cat; but to get to that beautiful higher ground full of insight we could all stand to pounce around, getting into a bit of trouble as we pursue curiosity.

Have you received an invoice from the Town of New Canaan? Beware!

The New Canaan Police are reporting a current scam that involves an email sent as an invoice from the Town of New Canaan Planning and Zoning Department. The invoice requests immediate payment. The town logo at the top makes it look authentic but do not be fooled.

This is a scam!

Community News and Events

Planet New Canaan - Repair Café at the Lapham Community Center

Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10am-2pm

Free. Book Appointment Online at Make Appointment

Lapham Community Center

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

Mon., 4, 11, 18, 12pm - Fit for Life with Mike. Upper, lower and core muscle strength building emphasizing posture and balance. Free.

Wed., May 6, 20, 12:30pm - Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Clinic. Free.

Thurs., May 7, 21, Call for Appointment - Medicare Counseling. By appointment. Free. Call 203-594-3620 to make an appointment.

Thurs., May 7, 2-4pm - Ask the Attorney with Nedder and Associates. By appointment only. 15 min consulations. Free. Call 203-594-3620 for appointment.

Fri., May 8, 11am - Health Talks with Shannon and Ellen. Coffee, conversation and snacks. Free.

New Canaan Library

Mon., May 4, 11, 18, 11:30 - Chair Yoga. Free. Registration Required.

Tues., May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2pm-4pm - Open Tech. Help with email, smartphones/tablets, social media, etc. Drop In. Free. No Registration Required.

Fri., May 8, 2pm - Computer Basics - Spot a Scam. Learn how to spot a scam and protect yourself from scams. Free. Registration Required.

Tues., May 26, 1pm - Apple Macbook Basics. Free. Registration Required.

St. Mark's May Fair

Friday Night Lights, May 8

GetAbout Shuttle Van Service: 4:30-10:30PM (Lumberyard Lot)

Midway Rides: 5-10PM *Weather Permitting*

Food Court: 5-8PM

The Original Strawberry Festival’s Shortcake & Ice Cream: 5PM-until sold out!

Saturday May Fair, May 9

GetAbout Shuttle Van Service: 8:30AM-6:30PM (Lumberyard Lot)

Midway Rides: 9AM-6PM *Weather Permitting*

White Elephant & All Other Venues: 9AM-3PM

Food Court: 10:30AM-3PM (while supplies last)

The Original Strawberry Festival’s Shortcake & Ice Cream: 10AM-until sold out!

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.

Gina Z. Blum

Executive DIrector

director@stayingputnc.org

Kim Herr

Manager of Operations

operations@stayingputnc.org

Kate Brambilla

Manager of Member Services

members@stayingputnc.org

Kristin Barnard

Office Assistant

assistant@stayingputnc.org

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9am-5pm

Friday: 9am-1pm

Please call us anytime

203-966-7762

Gina, Kate, Kim & Kristin

Staying Put In New Canaan

58 Pine Street

info@stayingputnc.org

Phone: 203-966-7762

Send Us A Message

Keep in Touch!