By John Kriz
There’s an inevitable learning curve for anyone new to an area. Where do I shop? What are the good restaurants? What are things we can do? What are the key email lists I should be on? And lots more. What follows is an unscientific, admittedly non-comprehensive assemblage of information for newcomers. Most of the groups listed have email lists to help you keep up on their activities.
Have we missed a group? Do you have something to add or amend? Let us know!
Clubs & Civic Groups
New Canaan Newcomers Club https://www.newcanaannewcomers.com/ is a good first stop. Nearly seventy years young, this group provides a wide range of adult social and children’s activities, and is a good source of advice.
New Canaan Country Club https://www.ccofnewcanaan.org/ NCCC is a private club with golf, racquet sports, a pool and catering facilities. There are several country clubs in nearby towns as well, plus public golf courses.
New Canaan Field Club https://www.nc-fc.com/ The Field Club is a private club with a pool, racquet sports, a summer children’s camp and social events.
New Canaan Winter Club https://www.ncwinterclub.com/ The Winter Club is a private club that provides skating and hockey.
New Canaan Exchange Club https://www.newcanaanexchangeclub.com/ is part of the national Exchange Club network, and holds twice/month meetings with speakers. Its focus is raising money through an annual golf outing, as well as its well known volunteer-run Christmas Tree and Wreath sales lot in Kiwanis Park, plus various civic outreach projects. Proceeds go to support local charities.
New Canaan Rotary Club https://www.newcanaanrotary.org/ is part of the international Rotary network and meets weekly. It pursues various charitable and civic projects, with its summertime Lobsterfest fundraiser being a prominent town event.
YMCA https://newcanaanymca.org/ The YMCA has a large, modern facility with pools, exercise equipment, classes, sports programs and much more for both young and old.
New Canaan Men’s Club https://newcanaanmensclub.org/ This local charity has speakers at its regular meetings, and holds a range of social events for its members, many of whom are retired.
New Canaan Chamber of Commerce https://newcanaanchamber.com/ The Chamber is an advocate for and liaison between New Canaan’s businesses and non-profits, the town government and residents. Its newsletters and website provide information on many local events. The popular Sidewalk Sale in July is one of the many projects sponsored by the Chamber.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Howard M. Bossa Post #653 https://vfwpost653.square.site/ Regular meetings are held. Events include placing of flags on veterans’ graves, and marching in the town’s Memorial Day parade.
New Canaan Freemasons https://www.newcanaanfreemasons.com/ Harmony Lodge No. 67 A.F. & A.M. is the local group of one of the world’s oldest fraternal organizations, with many philanthropic activities.
Arts & Culture
New Canaan has an embarrassment of riches here.
New Canaan Society for the Arts https://www.carriagebarn.org/ is more popularly known as the Carriage Barn Arts Center. It is housed in the former carriage barn in Waveny Park, and holds art exhibitions and classes, tours, music performances, lectures and youth programs. Its art shows provide a forum where local artists can showcase their works.
New Canaan Library https://www.newcanaanlibrary.org/ The New Canaan Library hosts not just books and recoded media, but also lectures, a diverse set of programs for young and old, concerts on the Green, and study and meeting facilities. Parking is available at the Center School lot just south of the library. There’s also a café on site.
New Canaan Museum & Historical Society https://nchistory.org/ The town’s historical society has several antique and historic buildings on its campus, as well as various collections. It holds many lectures and exhibitions, as well as an ice cream social in June.
Summer Theater of New Canaan https://stonc.org/ With various educational and other youth programs, there are also plays and musicals.
New Canaan Chamber Music https://newcanaanchambermusic.org/ Several programs are presented yearly, featuring world class musical talent.
Town Players of New Canaan https://tpnc.org/ Several amateur and semi-professional plays and musicals are performed each year in the recently renovated Playhouse in Waveny Park.
Silvermine Arts Center https://www.silvermineart.org/ The Arts Center has a gallery where exhibitions are held, as well as classes and workshops.
Glass House https://theglasshouse.org/ The Glass House, a world famous building and former home of ‘Harvard Five’ architect Philip Johnson, is a National Trust for Historic Preservation property that is part of a 40 acre campus that also has a sculpture gallery, art gallery and several other buildings and art installations. Tours by appointment.
Grace Farms https://gracefarms.org/ Grace Farms is a charity focusing on nature, art, justice, community and faith. Many events, from world class orchestras to various lectures, cultural and sports programs, are set on it rolling eighty acre campus that’s studded with art pieces, gardens and the famous River Building. There is also a small restaurant.
Outdoors and Environment
Planet New Canaan https://www.planetnewcanaan.org/ A local charity, PNC focuses on sustainability and environmental issues. Programs include its Swap Shop, where usable items can be left to be taken and reused by others (keeping them out of landfills), river clean-ups, native tree planning and food scrap composting.
New Canaan Land Trust https://newcanaanlandtrust.org/ The land trust owns many properties in town as open space, with several having walking paths. It’s also a partner in the regional Pollinator Pathway, and supports various conservation initiatives.
New Canaan Nature Center https://newcanaannature.org/ The Nature Center’s 40 acre campus has walking trails and ponds, animals both large and small, exhibits, meeting facilities, a preschool program, a summer camp, and various lectures and other events such as a Fall Fair and maple syrup making.
New Canaan Beautification League https://www.newcanaanbeautification.org/ They install the hanging flower baskets around the downtown, maintain plants on traffic islands, engage in many civic beautification projects, and maintain the wonderful Lee Memorial Garden on Chichester Road.
New Canaan Garden Club https://www.ncgardenclub.org/ This group maintains several gardens around town, such as the Walled Garden in Waveny Park, as well as supporting various conservation and educational projects.
Waveny Park Conservancy https://wavenyparkconservancy.org/ This charity focuses on maintaining and enhancing Waveny Park, in partnership with the town.
Social Support
New Canaan CARES https://www.newcanaancares.org/ is a local charity focused on supporting health and wellness in the community through raising awareness and empowering participants with practical skills that promote positive health choices. Specific areas include alcohol and drugs, parenting and behavioral health.
New Canaan Community Foundation https://www.newcanaancf.org/ is a local charity that makes grants, helps facilitate effective charitable giving, and hosts and supports various civic programs.
New Canaan Parent Support Group https://ncparentsupportgroup.org/ The focus is on supporting parents of loved ones affected by addiction, and educating and raising awareness of addiction and substance abuse in the community. Its annual Addiction Awareness Vigil is a major town event.
Silver Hill Hospital https://silverhillhospital.org/ Silver Hill is a private, not-for-profit hospital focused on treating people with addiction and mental illness. Inpatient, outpatient and transitional care is provided.
Staying Put https://stayingputnc.org/ Staying Put focuses on helping seniors ‘age in place’ and live confidently in their homes, and actively engaged in the community as they age. It also provides medical appointment rides for those who cannot drive.
Getabout https://getaboutnc.org/ Getabout provides local shopping and medical appointment transportation for adults who cannot drive. It also has vans that accommodate wheelchairs.
Voices Center for Resilience https://voicescenter.org/ Founded just after 9/11, Voices is a charity that that assists communities in preparing for and recovering from traumatic events, and provides long-term support and resources that promote mental health care and wellness for victims’ families, responders and survivors.
Town Government & Public Safety
Town of New Canaan Government https://www.newcanaan.info/ Information on town elected and appointed officials, boards and commissions, and much more. It’s all here.
Town Alerts
https://www.newcanaan.info/online_services/emergency_call_out_system/index.php Here you can sign up to receive email, text and telephone alerts on matters both urgent and informative. These include alerts from the Office of Emergency Management on urgent public safety, health, severe weather and power outages; the First Selectman’s Newsletter; Public Works (such as road closures); fire, police and other public safety; and health department programs.
Transfer Station https://www.newcanaan.info/departments/public_works/transfer_station.php Also known as the town dump, residents with passes (can be purchased at this website) can take refuse for disposal, as well as food scraps for composting. Free compost is periodically available for pass holders. In addition, larger items can be dropped for disposal, though there might be a fee depending on weight. The popular Swap Shop https://www.planetnewcanaan.org/swap-shop/ is also located at the transfer station.
Ambulance https://newcanaanems.org/ New Canaan Emergency Medical Services has around 50 all-volunteer members, all EMTs. There are also several paramedics on staff. Mostly funded via charitable donations, the NCEMS has well equipped ambulances that respond to medical emergencies, and provides free transportation to Stamford and Norwalk hospitals. They also sponsor various medical training classes, such as CPR, for the community.
Fire https://newcanaanfire.com/ The town’s fire department responds to fires and similar emergency events. It helps educate the public on fire safety and prevention. Many if its firefighters are volunteers.
Fire Marshall https://www.newcanaan.info/public_safety/education_center/index.php The fire marshall periodically inspects commercial and apartment buildings for compliance with fire safety rules, and reviews construction applications for code compliance. In addition the fire marshall assists residents with fire safety risks in their homes, consults with homeowners regarding underground oil tanks, and conducts public education events on fire safety.
Police https://newcanaanpolice.org/ In addition to law enforcement, the police department issues firearm permits, provides fingerprinting for small children, will visit homes and provide security advice, and maintains a ‘closed house’ list whereby people who are away from home for more than a few days can have an officer visit their property at least weekly to check on it. You can also register your home alarm system, which is important as police, fire and ambulance need a precise address to reach you in an emergency.
New Canaan Community Emergency Response Team – CERT https://newcanaancert.org/ CERT is a volunteer group that works with police, fire, ambulance and other first responders during natural disasters and other emergency situations. During such events, first responders have their hands full, and CERT volunteers provide support and assistance.
Schools
New Canaan Public Schools https://www.ncps-k12.org/ The town’s school system has been consistently ranked as one of the best in the country, with a range of academic and athletic programs, including those for students with special needs. There are three primary schools – East, West and South – plus Saxe Middle School and the New Canaan High School. Various Parent-Teacher Councils are active.
St. Luke’s School https://www.stlukesct.org/ St. Luke’s is a secular, private co-ed day school for grades 5-12.
New Canaan Country School https://www.countryschool.net/ NCCS is a pre-K through grade 9 co-ed independent day school.
Houses of Worship
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist
Congregational Church https://godsacre.org/
First Church of Christ, Scientist https://christiansciencect.org/newcanaan/
First Presbyterian Church https://fpcnc.org/
St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church https://starcc.com/
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church https://www.stmarksnewcanaan.org/
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church https://stmichaelslutheran.org/
Trinity Church https://www.trinitychurch.life/
United Methodist Church https://www.umcofnewcanaan.org/
Community Baptist Church https://www.facebook.com/CBCNewCanaan
Grace Community Church https://www.gracecommunity.info/
Talmadge Hill Community Church https://www.talmadgehill.org/
Chabad New Canaan Jewish Center https://www.newcanaanjewish.org/
Updates of services are posted weekly in the Sentinel.
Utilities
Electricity + Natural Gas https://www.eversource.com/content/residential Eversource is the local utility that distributes electricity and natural gas. Only some residences have natural gas connections; other residences usually use fuel oil. It’s a good idea to register with Eversource on its website (you’ll need a customer number). Once registered, you can sign up for alerts on storms and possible outages, which are frequent in this area. Plus, if you have an outage, and have registered, reporting or checking on the restoration status of an outage is much easier. Eversource also has an app for your phone. Many people have private generators to deal with the frequent outages.
Electricity Supplier https://energizect.com/ In Connecticut, your electricity distributor (Eversource, which maintains the lines to your home) is different from the supplier. You can choose your supplier. If you don’t choose one yourself, your supplier becomes the ‘default option’ and that might not be the cheapest option. Energize CT is where you go to choose or change your supplier. There are many choices, with variations on the percentage and mix of how the power was generated (solar, wind, nuclear, gas, coal etc.), cost per kilowatt hour, variable or fixed (and fixed for how long) cost, and whether there is a ‘break fee’ if you change supplier. The website also has information on subsidies, rebates and in-home energy assessments.
Internet, Cable & Telephone https://www.frontier.com/ https://www.optimum.net/ Both Frontier and Optimum provide local internet service, plus telephone using VoIP and cable TV.
Water https://www.aquarionwater.com/ So-called ‘town’ water is supplied by Aquarion, a private company. If you are not in an area with town water, you have a well. If this is a new experience, here are some tips. If you have not done so, you might want to get your water tested. Some people have filters installed in their homes for drinking and cooking water. When your well pump fails, it just suddenly fails, and you will have no water. It’s useful to have a relationship with a well company. These firms also usually install and maintain the pressure tanks in your basement where water is stored. Installing a new well pump costs several thousand dollars. Pumps last around twenty years, sometimes longer depending on luck and how often the pump runs. Drilling a new well can cost several tens of thousands of dollars.
Sewerage https://www.newcanaan.info/departments/public_works/waste_water_treatment.php Many residences are connected to the sanitary sewer system maintained by the town, which has a wastewater treatment plant. If you are not connected, you have a septic system and leach field. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their septic system. Two words you never want to hear in the same sentence are ‘septic problem’. So maintaining your septic system is a good idea. What to do? There are local firms that install and maintain septic systems. Regular maintenance includes pumping out your septic tank and inspecting the system. How often is recommended? Ask your septic company. It usually depends on usage. There are also special chemicals you can buy at local hardware stores that you pour down your toilet. These chemicals help ‘eat’ the solids in the tank and keep things flowing. If you do have a septic, the only things that should go down your drain are waste water, human waste and toilet paper: No feminine hygiene products or flushable wipes. And no food scraps or coffee grounds. Plus, be sure to only buy toilet paper that says ‘Septic Safe’. It makes a difference.
Shopping + Eating Out
The heart of New Canaan is its thriving, very walkable Downtown, where virtually all retail stores are located. Much information is available from the Chamber of Commerce https://newcanaanchamber.com/ There are two large grocers in town – Acme and Walter Stewart’s Market – plus many specialty food stores including a health food store, specialty butcher, tea and spice store, fish stores, bakeries and much more. Downtown also has a broad range of specialty stores, restaurants, cafes, hair and nail salons, and its recently renovated Playhouse with first run films, a café, bar and small restaurant.
Medical & Dental
New Canaan has offices of many medical professionals: Primary care physicians, pediatricians, podiatrists, specialists, physical and occupational therapists, mental health counselors, massage therapists and dentists. Several primary care physicians in town operate so-called ‘concierge’ practices. These practices care for a limited number of patients, and typically charge a flat quarterly fee. They provide very prompt responses by telephone, text or email, and unlimited, short-wait appointments. They essentially provide all your primary care on a much more personalized basis. They do not accept insurance.
Plumbers, Painters, Electricians, Housekeepers, Carpenters, Arborists, Landscapers
Here, the best advice is to ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations. Real estate brokers are often good sources. It’s useful as a homeowner to establish good relations with these service providers.
John J Kriz, a 30+ year resident of New Canaan, is a Board member of Planet New Canaan, a local group focused on sustainability actions. https://www.planetnewcanaan.org The opinions stated are his own.
