Claire Thompson

Claire Thompson made her Equity debut in the world premiere of Love in the Wars, at New York City’s Bard SummerScape Festival. She is a 2006 graduate of New Canaan Country School, and a 2014 graduate of Bard College.

Mr. and Mrs. Graham MacKenzie

Nicole Anthony and Graham MacKenzie were recently married on Saturday, June 7, on the beach at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven.

The couple met on the job at Stamford Hospital more than three years ago, where Mrs. MacKenzie works as a nurse and Mr. MacKenzie as a paramedic. Both are graduates of Quinnipiac University.

Mrs. MacKenzie is the daughter of Karen Pizzicara (Anthony) and stepfather, Richard Pizzicara of Stamford and her father, Henry Anthony who lives in Brookfield.

Mr. MacKenzie is the son of Lisa and Stephen MacKenzie of New Canaan. He is also the grandson of Anne MacKenzie and the late William MacKenzie of New Canaan and John’s Island, Fla.

The couple reside in Stamford with their three rescue dogs.

For South African Les de Villiers, the moment of truth in life came on a hunting trip long ago, when he had a big antelope dead to rights.

“He was in my sights, my rifle trained on him,” recalls de Villiers. “Someone told me to shoot, that the antelope wouldn’t stand there forever. But I just couldn’t pull the trigger. Two days later I sold my three rifles, bought a camera, and that’s what I’ve been shooting with ever since.”

After a diplomatic career that involved negotiations with decision makers and heads of state in Africa, Europe and the U.S., de Villiers, 79, moved to New York in the late 1970s, then to New Canaan in 1980. He started a safari travel business, and has written several books on safaris, personally taking jaw-dropping pictures for the illustrations.

“As a now former hunter, I can attest that stalking wild animals with a camera is as exciting and infinitely more rewarding for both stalker and stalkee,” he says. “The latter stays around to be the subject for many more pictures, instead of ending up as a trophy on someone’s wall.”

De Villiers, who with wife Ruth has a son and daughter, goes on African safaris several times a year. When not traveling, he likes to be outdoors, and came up the idea of a backyard safari, to enjoy, observe and photograph the wonders of nature without having to leave home. He encourages kids and adults alike to try it.

“There are, of course, no lions or leopards, but observing the birds, the bees and a bevy of other interesting creatures going about their daily business can be quite rewarding,” he says. “Many of us in this bucolic part of America have feeders in our backyards to lure an array of brilliant birds.

“The activity in my backyard can be almost as exciting as traversing the wilds of Africa. In fact, I always caution my safari clients not to get so hung up on the idea of seeing the so-called Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo and rhinoceros) that they miss out on the smaller creatures that play a vital role in the ecosystem.”

De Villiers, who has a doctorate in economic history, encourages backyard safari enthusiasts to take pictures of what they see. “Patience is important,” he advises. “Anyone can take portraits of animals, but the memorable pictures are usually the result of patient observation. The key is to wait until they do something interesting.

“On an African safari you need a good camera and special lens because you’re following animals from a distance,” he continues. “But at home that isn’t necessary. In this digital age you can take good pictures with cell phones and other mobile devices.”

New Canaan became home for the de Villiers in a roundabout way. They wanted a weekend retreat for getaways out of the city, and bought a property near Silvermine. Charmed with the area, they then bought a house in town. Ruth, a realtor, decorated it. The couple travels together on safari when Ruth can get away.

“She works and needs to make money so I can spend it,” jokes Les. “But seriously, we just love it here. It’s great that the town has always resisted the temptation to have high-rise buildings. New Canaan has a rural, village feel, with a center of town that’s so darned charming. And it’s been kept like that through the years. There are more mansions, but that’s not a minus, it’s a plus.”

De Villiers’ travel business started quite by accident. He’d written a book about safaris, and someone who wanted to put together a trip for six asked him to help. It grew from there, and he now specializes in high-end safaris.

“If you’re traveling a total of 18,000 miles back and forth to Africa, you don’t want a second-rate experience,” he says. “Our safaris start at $10,000, which includes everything but airfare back and forth to Africa. I don’t send anyone anywhere I haven’t been, to any place I haven’t inspected, for all things from the accommodations to the quality of wildlife.

“Everyone I send on safari comes back saying the same thing, that it was the trip of a lifetime.”

So where’s a great place to go?

“The best-kept secret in Tanzania is Katavi National Park,” he says. “Only about 500 people a year go there. There’s more animals per square mile than anywhere.”

Assuming you won’t be jetting there next week, there’s always your backyard to scope out. And, actually, many more locations locally.

“The New Canaan Nature Center is a most under-visited place,” he says. “You don’t have to have a backyard safari only in the backyard. It can be anywhere you might see an insect or bird or animal you’re not familiar with. Google it and whoa… it’s interesting. There’s a wealth of information on the internet. It’s not just about looking at creatures, but finding out what they’re about.

“Take it from a safari expert: there is much to see in your own backyard and neighborhood. Regardless of your interest — birds, mammals or insects — you will find them near your home.”

The backyard Big Five(s)

In Africa, the Big Five game animals are the lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros, so named because they are considered the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot.

For backyard safaris, wildlife expert Les de Villiers has compiled three Big Five categories. He recommends Googling the species to see what they look like, then trying to catch a glimpse of each.

The ‘Four-Legged’ Big Five: deer, red fox, raccoon, coyote and squirrel. The ‘Bird’ Big Five: woodpecker, northern cardinal, blue jay, robin and goldfinch. The ‘Small’ Big Five: mud wasp, garden spider, bumblebee, butterfly and firefly.

More info: theultimatesafari.com

New Canaan resident Les de Villiers, above, whose travel business packages expensive safari excursions, says locals can enjoy observing and photographing birds, bees and animals in their backyards, as well as parks and the New Canaan Nature Center.

New Canaan native Allison Williams, who was recently picked to star in a live version “Peter Pan” on NBC this fall is learning to fly.

Williams will star alongside Christopher Walken’s Captain Hook on Thursday, Dec. 4, on NBC, where Williams’ father, New Canaanite Brian Williams, is the anchor of “NBC Nightly News.” He and his wife, Jane, live in town. Walken lives in neighboring Wilton.

Williams posted a video of her moving through the air on wires on Instagram on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

“First day of flying lessons for Pan,” she wrote. “Thinking about and missing a hero of mine who once did this and left big shoes to fill.”

The last major production of Peter Pan, was the movie “Hook,” which starred Robin Williams as Peter Pan. Mr. Williams committed suicide earlier this week.

Williams has starred as Marnie Michaels on the hit-HBO series “Girls” for the past two seasons. She has shown off her vocal talents, recording several songs for the series. She has also had guest-starring roles on Fox’s “The Mindy Project” and FX’s  “The League.”

“I have wanted to play Peter Pan since I was about three years old, so this is a dream come true,” Williams said. “It’s such an honor to be a part of this adventure, and I’m very excited to get to work with this extraordinarily talented team. And besides,” added Williams, “what could go wrong in a live televised production with simultaneous flying, sword fighting and singing?”

Last year, NBC presented a live production of “The Sound of Music,” which garnered more than 18 million viewers.

For more on Williams, click here.

Kristen Jensen
Brian Williams kisses daughter Allison Williams on stage at the 2013 New Canaan concert for first responders that benefited Staying Put in New Canaan. The two emceed the concert that featured New Canaan residents Paul Simon and Harry Connick Jr.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the hiring of a new career firefighter in town: Brian Doane comes to the New Canaan Fire Department from another department in St. Louis. Doane was one of the top 10 applicants chosen out of 106 total, and from those he was picked as the leader, Fire Commission Chairman Jack Horner said.

“We’re confident he has the right skill set and demeanor,” said Horner at the selectmen’s Tuesday, Aug. 5, meeting.

Selectman Beth Jones questioned why Doane, who she noted had served as a captain in St. Louis, now must complete training at the Connecticut Fire Academy. “It seems a little bit redundant,” added First Selectman Rob Mallozzi III.

Nonetheless, as a procedural necessity now that he’s in this state, to the academy Doane will go, said Cheryl Pickering Jones, the town’s personnel director. Doane’s hire is also contingent on a satisfactory result from a background check.

(Dave Stewart Photo)

Karen Whitman, owner of the Silk Purse is happy to be retiring this fall. (Michael Catarevas photo)

There aren’t many happy endings when it comes to store closings. But for Karen Widmann, 85, who opened the Silk Purse consignment shop at 118 Main Street in 1973, 41 years has been a long and lovely ride, and she’s now ready to say good-bye.

In a lengthy conversation with the Advertiser, the petite, grandmotherly Widmann smiled non-stop as she looked around her store, recalling happy milestones, quirky sales, and four-plus decades of success. She opened at the right time, and says she’s closing at the right time.

“I’ve enjoyed it immensely, it’s been wonderful,” said the Rowayton resident. “Business has been slow recently, but we’ve done well for a long time.”

Unlike many merchants being squeezed by landlords, Widmann has had an excellent relationship with hers.

“The lease was up, and we were given a free month to get everything in order,” she said. “Not only that, but our rent was reduced several times. The owner (J.R. Silverberg) bought buildings in town a long time ago, when they were bargains. He has a long history in New Canaan.”

Way back when, Widmann decided to open a consignment shop. She had little retail experience. A Vassar College friend, Shirley Tanner, joined the start-up, and the two women have worked together for 41 years.

“She’s been just an enormous help,” Widmann said of Tanner, a New Canaanite. “We were just learning on the fly when we started. People got tremendous bargains here until I learned the value of things. I started studying, going to auctions and talking to antiques dealers. When we started Shirley didn’t know any more about this than I did.”

“I still don’t,” cracked Tanner.

Widmann had confidence in her abilities from day one. She named the shop Silk Purse in reference to the old adage. “They say you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. I thought, ‘Yes, you could!’ ”

The now 3,200-sq.-ft., double-entrance store started in half the space. “When we originally opened I had a little dinner party in the store,” Widmann said. “Then when we got bigger I had another dinner party. One man who attended both parties announced, ‘You keep opening nice restaurants and turning them into junk shops!’ ”

Those ‘junk shops’ were profitable for four decades, as Widmann sharpened her business skills. The formula was simple. People would bring in what they wanted sold, like jewelry, or take pictures of heavy things, like furniture. Widmann would make a decision and determine a price. The split was roughly 60/40 for the seller. Anything accepted was displayed for two months. If it didn’t sell, the price was lowered 10%. After two more months, there was another 10% cut. If after two more months it hadn’t sold, it was returned to the seller.

Widmann laughed when recalling the time she sold what she thought was a plain panel, something to hang on a wall. “I didn’t know what it was, and neither did the owner,” she said. “It sold for a couple hundred dollars.”

Soon after, someone came into the store with the catalog for a Sotheby’s auction. Not only was the panel included in the auction, but its picture graced the cover. It turned out to be a French tapestry from the 18th century. “I don’t even want to know what it sold for,” Widmann said.

That misstep was rare. After about 20 years in business, things were going so well that the property owner broke through the wall when the next-door tenant left, doubling the Silk Purse space. Now that it’s closing time, Widmann is ready.

“It’s a little difficult because we have to get all these things back to the people who consigned them,” she said. “After September 15th everything left will go to Goodwill.”

Her plans? “I have no idea,” she said. “But I’m pretty sure I’m not going to open another store.”

More info: TheSilkPurse.com, 203-972-0898

The Silk Purse, 181 Main St., is closing after more than 40 years in business. (Michael Catarevas photo)

Lexi Milunovich in the 2014 USTA Juniors National Hard Court Championship in San Diego.

It was a week to remember for New Canaan tennis star Lexi Milunovich, who surprised some fellow junior tennis players on her way to the National Hard Court Championship semifinals in San Diego.

Lexi, who will be a junior at Greenwich Academy this year, was ranked 17th in the United States Tennis Association’s Girls 16s championship.

She surprised top seed Ryan Peus of Santa Barbara, Calif., 6-0, 6-4 in the round of 16. For the biggest upset of the tournament, Lexi was awarded Adidas Player of the Day.

Lexi continued her winning streak by defeating Riley McQuaid of Tustin, Calif., in a close quarterfinal match, 5-7, 6-0, 7-6(1), to move into the semifinals of the tournament.

She received the Sportsmanship Award and had her picture taken with the Connecticut flag.

In the semifinal, Lexi challenged the eventual tournament champion, Kylie Mckenzie of Anthem, Ariz., in three sets, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2. She was the only opponent to take a set from Mckenzie in the tournament.

Lexi finished fourth in the national tournament, which featured the top 200 junior players from across the country.

The tournament was held from Aug. 2-8 at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego. The girls were competing for a wild card into the U.S. Open Junior Tournament that begins in Queens next week.

Lexi is No. 23 in the nation in singles and No. 20 in doubles. She is first in the 16-year-old class and third in the 18-year-old class in New England. Lexi plans to play Division I tennis in college.  She is a rising junior at Greenwich Academy.

Lexi Milunovich of New Canaan serves in the 2014 USTA Juniors National Hard Court Championship semifinals in San Diego.

Orthopedic clinical specialist Marisha Tamakuwala, MSPT, OCS, CSCS, recently joined Philip Physical Therapy on Vitti Street. She joins the current team of owner Dr. Peter Philip and clinician MaryAnn Shinella.

“Marisha is an exceptionally talented and caring clinician, and we are ecstatic about having her on staff,” Philip said. “She brings a wordly perspective and compassionate care, and she will carry on the great treatment one comes to expect from Philip Physical Therapy.”

A certified physical therapist, Dr. Philip has a long list of credentials and is recognized as a leader in both nonsurgical orthopedic medicine and women’s health. Philip is the first male and one of 18 nationally to have his Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification. His New Canaan practice has been open since 2006 and is known for work in orthopedic care, as well as the treatment of pelvic and chronic pain conditions.

Tamakuwala got her undergraduate degree in India, came to the U.S. in 2005 and got her master’s degree at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. She worked at Greenwich Hospital in the Outpatient Physical Medicine department for seven years helping patients with orthopedic, neurological and vestibular problems, and has a certification in vestibular therapy. Tamakuwala also helped co-develop the Greenwich Hospital Vestibular Program, which provides physical therapy treatment to patients with vestibular disorders like dizziness, Vertigo, imbalance and decreased function, secondary to inner ear dysfunction. She has also conducted several lectures and seminars in the community to help raise awareness and understanding of vestibular disorders.

For the moment, Tamakuwala will focus on orthopedics at PPT, and she hopes to develop a vestibular program there in the future.

Having worked at PPT part-time previously, Tamakulawa is thrilled to become a permanent part of the group. “I am very excited to join Philip’s practice full-time and be part of the team,” she says.

More info: 203-966-3076,
PhilipPhysicalTherapy.com

Marisha Tamakuwala is the newest clinician at Philip Physical Therapy on Vitti St.

Timeless Treasures, a popular Silvermine antiques shop owned by Wiltonians Tom and Helen Olson, is preparing to close. The shop will hold a clearance sale through the end of the month.

Though the Olsons are far from making a final decision, they hope to reopen the shop sometime soon, so long as they can find the right location.

• Silk Purse on Main Street closing

“This is a very hard act to follow,” Tom Olson said, referring to the antique Country Gifts building they have occupied the last few years.

“We’ve lived in Wilton a long time, but we’ve met more people by being here,” he said recently at his shop, which is full of handmade chairs, tables, and decorations.

“The customers have given us such a warm feeling,” Ms. Olson added. “I think they appreciate that we have enhanced the life here.”

Tom and Helen Olson stand in their Silvermine store, Timeless Treasures, which is closing Labor Day weekend. (Christopher Burns photo)

Economic hardships are not the cause of the four-year-old shop’s demise. Rather, an expired lease is to blame.

“Business has been good. One of the best things is that the community has been so welcoming. People come in and just enjoy the shop,” Tom Olson said. “It was a wonderful side effect of being located here.”

“Doing some business and making money also helps,” he added with a smile. “It’s fun to see this stuff go to people who really fall in love with it.”

Since the Silvermine Tavern restaurant closed several years ago, Timeless Treasures has been the only open business near the old building. Now that the developer who owns the tavern is renovating the entire site, the Olsons’ lease has not been renewed.

The Olsons opened Timeless Treasures during the height of the recent recession, they said. Though the store has not been a cash-cow, it has turned a profit.

“We were opening when everyone else was closing. But, when you enjoy something this much, it works well. If you had to do this because you had to make money, I’m not so sure it would work. You have to love it, and you have to like to associate with other people that love it,” Tom Olson said.

One exciting aspect of the store, Ms. Olson said, was keeping up with the latest trends and fitting their store’s offerings to residents’ and designers’ needs.

“People would come in and say, ‘I want this,’ or ‘I need this thing,’ without even looking around the store. Or they would bring us the dimensions they need something to fit into,” she said.

“So I would go around (into the two large barns on the property) and see what I could find,” Olson added.

Olson himself was first turned on to antique collecting by the father of a childhood friend who used to “pay us $5 to uncrate antiques” he had bought in New York, the shop owner said.

His friend’s father, who even owned an original Old Ironsides table, had museums come to his home “all the time” to look at his finds, “but everything was always used. We ate off the tables. We sat on the chairs,” Olson said.

In recent years, both the Olsons have seen some changes in the antiques industry: prices have dropped and collectors are using antiques to add life to modern rooms.

“Mid-century modern is very popular right now,” Tom Olson said. “You can add three or four antiques to a room that really pop, and it can make your whole home. People are doing some unique things, and thinking out of the box. We’re seeing pieces used in a different way than they were created.”

Timeless Treasures, at 193 Perry Avenue, Norwalk, will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11-5 through the end of August.

__
Christopher Burns is a reporter with The Wilton Bulletin, a Hersam Acorn newspaper.

‘Full Moon’, a 2014 collagraph monoprint by Cynthia MacCollum of New Canaan. Her work will be on display at the library this month.

New Canaan artist Cynthia MacCollum opens an exhibit, “Continuum,” of collagraph prints at New Canaan Library’s H. Pelham Curtis Gallery on Saturday, Aug. 23. It runs through Oct. 5.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, from 5-7. All are invited. The library is closed on Sundays through Labor Day weekend.

“MacCollum’s considerable talent is obvious in the beauty of her work,” according to a library press release. “Continuum offers a gorgeous, pictorial exploration of life — and the history of life — on our planet.”

“Yin and Yang” by Cynthia MacCollum.

Continuum is also an artistic timeline, illustrating how humankind’s presence on the Earth is actually only a blip on the evolutionary scale. The timeline, inspired by the artist’s children and their many social studies timeline projects over the years, balances physically and visually the macro scale of time against the micro scale of imagery.

MacCollum is a painter, printmaker, and designer who lives and works in New Canaan. She was included in the First Street Gallery National Juried Exhibit in New York in 2013, among many other institutional and gallery shows.

“Continuum” is sponsored by the Art Committee, Friends of New Canaan Library. The curators for this exhibition are Micki Porta and Mary Moross.

More info: 203-594-5007, newcanaanlibrary.org.

There’s one for-sure thing New Canaan’s new interim superintendent of schools, Dr. Bryan Luizzi, knows will be a big change for him — the quiet.

Sitting last Friday in his spacious, well-appointed corner office at the Board of Education’s headquarters at 39 Locust St., the former principal of New Canaan High School cited a truism about his last job.

• More: Back to school in New Canaan

“It’s said that a high school principal is interrupted from whatever they’re doing every five to seven minutes,” he offered. “It’s nice and quiet here, and that’s going to take getting used to.”

The affable Luizzi will no doubt face trials much more serious than the lack of noise and/or attention, but the 43-year-old career educator is up for all challenges.

“To be able to lead the New Canaan Department of Education is humbling and energizing,” he said. “It’s an enormous responsibility, and I’m going to give it my all.”

Luizzi, who lives in Brookfield with his wife, Jodi, and daughters Josie, 13, and Mia Rose, 11, served as principal at New Canaan High School for the past three years. When former superintendent Dr. Mary Kolek announced her retirement last spring, the Board of Ed chose Luizzi to succeed her.

“They wanted continuity, and I aspired to this position, so it’s a great match,” Luizzi said. “I didn’t apply to be superintendent, so to use the word lucky, I’m good with that. And now I’m working to make the most of it.”

In a statement issued after Luizzi’s hiring, Board of Education Chairman Hazel Hobbs said: “We sought to build upon what Dr. Kolek and the school district have created. We are excited to have an interim superintendent who can lead our high-performing school district in the continuous pursuit of excellence. Dr. Luizzi is an experienced leader with the skills and passion required to lead the district.”

Added Kolek, who served New Canaan public schools for 10 years: “Dr. Luizzi has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the core beliefs and vision that define and guide the New Canaan Public Schools. His strong working knowledge of the culture and strengths of the district and community will allow him, working in concert with the Board and leadership team, to enhance, expand and create initiatives designed to support and grow student well being and success.”

Rather than focusing purely on one school, Luizzi now must take a broader view of the entire New Canaan school system, working with many new people and organizations.

“I’ll be widening the lens,” he said. “Instead of leading one building, I now lead five. Instead of 1,200 students, there are 4,000. There will be a bit of a learning curve. I’ve gotten guidance from Dr. Kolek, and spoken with other superintendents across the state and in New York. 

“My intention is to be in the school buildings as much as possible, because that’s where the work of teaching is done. I’ll be doing classroom drop-ins, and then there are quite a few evening events and meetings. I also want to meet with community groups. It’s a 24/7 position, but so was being the high school principal.”

Luizzi said technology in schools is here to stay, but that it didn’t mean less teaching, just a change in how learning is done.

“The shift is away from purely instructional learning to technological learning,” he said. “The old model of the ‘sage on stage’ where students take notes on what’s said and just regurgitate it on tests is over. It’s no longer just about information. Now it’s accessing the information to create something with it.

“However, interaction between teacher and student is still the core.”

Luizzi began his teaching career at Newtown High School as an English teacher. He then served as the manager of technology operations for the Newtown school district. In that role, he used a systems-thinking approach to successfully design and implement technology initiatives to enhance student learning district-wide. He then progressed through a number of administrative positions in the Brookfield school system, culminating in his appointment as the principal of Brookfield High School, a position he held for five years.

In 2006, he completed his doctor of education degree at Teachers College, Columbia University. Soon thereafter, he began teaching as an adjunct professor at Central Connecticut State University and at the University of Connecticut..

Luizzi understands the passion New Canaanites have for education. He learned it on his first day as principal in 2011.

“It was ‘meet the principal’ on a Wednesday morning, and over 200 people came,” he recalled. “Right there it showed me how much people here care about the schools. Having been in different towns, I can say that parents in New Canaan are more invested and involved here than anywhere I’ve ever seen.”

That’s not to say Luizzi thinks things are so much different elsewhere.

“Every school system has its own unique character,” he said. “”We have an outstanding system that we will work to make even better. It’s not easy. To work for continual improvement takes focus and commitment.

“What we do in education is the most important work anyone could do. Parents always want what’s best for their kids, no matter the community. We would expect them to, because we want what’s best for their children as well.”

In the fall, the Board of Education will determine the process to fill the permanent superintendent position. Luizzi is working under a one-year contract, which stipulates that in the event someone else is hired as permanent superintendent, he will return as New Canaan High School principal. His salary for the year as interim superintendent is $225,000. He was paid $180,209 last year as NCHS principal.

“There have been a lot of personnel changes,” he said. “Two of the three elementary schools have new principals and new assistant principals.”

At the high school, Dr. Veronica LeDuc is acting principal, while Steven Bedard is acting assistant principal.

“As the new interim superintendent, I want to get to know everybody and for them to get to know me. Hopefully all goes well, because I know I’d be very happy to do this job for a long time.”

Dr. Bryan Luizzi, interim superintendent of New Canaan Public Schools, speaks at a Board of Education meeting Monday evening, Aug. 18. (Aaron Marsh photo)

New Canaan native Curt Casali, who has been catching for the Tampa Bay Rays since July, was sent down to the Class A Charlotte Stone Crabs on Tuesday, Aug. 26, after the Rays reactivated veteran catcher Ryan Hanigan.

Casali, who hit .169 in 59 at bats in the Majors, is expected to be called back up to Tampa when Major League rosters expand from 25 to 40 players on Monday, Sept. 1. Hanigan has been out since July 8 due to an oblique strain. He played in three rehab games for Charlotte.

While Casali came to the Rays via the Triple-A Durham Bulls, he was sent down to the lower minor leagues to expedite his return to the majors, according to TampaBay.com. A player demoted to the minor leagues typically has to wait 10 days before he can be brought back up to the Majors. But that rule does not apply if a minor league team’s season ends.

Charlotte’s season ends on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Casali went 2-for-5 and scored a run during the Ray’s 8-0 shutout of  the Blue Jays last Friday in Toronto. He has 10 hits, five walks, eight runs and two RBI.

Before his Major League call-up, Casali split time at Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham this season, with a combined batting average of .261 (59-for-226) in 68 games. That included 15 doubles, four home runs, 18 runs, and 28 RBI.

For Casali, the time in the Big Leagues has been a dream come true, he told the Advertiser in July.

“It has been everything I had hoped it would be and more,” he said. “I was definitely emotional when I first heard the news.”

Casali’s play has earned praise from many in the Tampa Bay organization, including manager Joe Maddon and pitcher Alex Cobb, who started on the mound in Casali’s first Major League game.

“Curt was unbelievable,” Cobb told the Tampa Bay Times. “His job behind the plate, working with me before the game, it was almost like cramming for an exam, trying to get to know me as quick as possible, and it was fantastic. You could tell as the course of the game went on, we were just having this chemistry where he was knowing what pitches I wanted to throw beforehand. The job he does framing pitches and really getting that low strike is tremendous.”

Tampa Bay’s’ Curt Casali, left, Ben Zobrist, center, and Desmond Jennings, right, score on a bases-loaded double by Evan Longoria in the third inning of the Rays’ 6-2 win over the Twins in Minnesota on Friday. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

So many people say how much they love the Roger Sherman Inn, and so many people talk about the big occasions that they have celebrated there, according to Joseph Jaffre and Nesreen Jaffre, the owners. As is stands today, though, that fondness and those memories have not provided enough support, day in and day out.

The Jaffres formally put the Roger Sherman Inn on the market Friday, Aug. 22, for $6 million, after marketing it informally by word of mouth for about the past year.

Nes and Joseph sat with The Advertiser on the porch of their inn Friday, Aug. 28, and explained that they have already turned down an offer, well below their current asking price, from a developer who hoped to build condominiums there. There is an offer in right now from a different developer that is being considered, the two said.

Restaurateurs have not been among those showing interest in the establishment, which has 150 seats for dining and 17 bedrooms, Joseph said.

“We are not desperate to sell,” Nes said. “We have a number in mind, and it has not been met.”

Joseph Jaffre and Nesreen Jaffre (Greg Reilly Sr. photo)

The Jaffres took the recommendation to list the property through an agent, they said, because they want someone in charge of the inquiries.

The former husband and wife purchased the Roger Sherman together for $3.4 million in August 2008, according to town records. They have operated it together since then.

Responding to word that the business has not been profitable Joseph confirmed, “It’s true.”

“We make money on the inn,” Joseph said, speaking of the hotel portion of the business, which about a quarter of the Roger Sherman’s revenue.

With all the fondness for the inn, and its historic character as a structure built in mid-18th Century, the conversation quickly turned to what might become of the property.

“We don’t have control over that,” Nes said. “It is a business, a commercial property. We would love for it to be an inn and restaurant, but it may be better for the town if it morphs” into something different.

The town’s interest

Conversations with town officials have been limited to Councilman John Engel, a New Canaan Realtor and landlord, Nes said.

“We were approached by John Engel, who said he would talk to many people in town,” Joseph said.

Nes added, “We were not opposed to waiting a bit, so we put our thoughts on hold for a few months.”

Engel told The Advertiser that he approached the Jaffres — “not as a town official.” He said he had “one conversation” within town government — with Laszlo Papp, the Planning & Zoning Commission chairman.

After speaking with Papp, Engel told the Advertiser that he told the Jaffres “the town would be interested in working with you.” The town wants to preserve historic buildings, Engel said, which is part of the town’s Plan of Conservation & Development, which Papp’s commission just finished drafting.

Neither Nes nor Joseph have heard from any other New Canaan officials, they said Thursday.

Challenges in New Canaan

Joseph has been in the restaurant business for 52 years, including as the owner of Le Chateau in nearby South Salem, N.Y., a large, upscale restaurant on historic property. He and Nes spoke about some things that make their restaurant in New Canaan particularly challenging.

The Roger Sherman’s wrap-around porch with outdoor dining was a big attraction, they said, but “the town has given outdoor dining” to many restaurants in the village.

“There are too many restaurants,” Joseph said, counting at least 43 listed online.

“A town this size to have that many eateries?,” Nes asked aloud.  “You can’t substantiate it.”

“A lot of restaurants in town are for sale unofficially,” she said.

Another troubling factor for the business had been a trend away from traditional, historic-environment restaurants, which have been enjoyed by many who are now older than 60. They named regional institutions like The Elms, Cobs Mill Inn, Emily Shaws, La Cremaillere, and even Le Chateau as having gone through very difficult times — if they have survived.

Then there are the stricter laws and law enforcement with drinking and driving. People don’t drive as much. “I used to have many people come from Greenwich, Pound Ridge, Ridgefield. Now 1% comes from Ridgefield.”

What Nes repeated is the high cost of operations, with two chefs at high salaries, employees who have been with the inn over 20 years, and the basics of maintaining the upscale buildings and décor. Which brings her and Joseph back to the thought that New Canaan loves the inn, but just not enough to support it enough.

These signals do not point to the likelihood of a restaurant operator coming in with the $6 million to buy the Roger Sherman.

What is known, however, Nes makes clear, is that, “No matter what we do, it will be minimum a year before changing hands.

Weddings are being booked, and graduation parties for next May are already being planned.

A few more special occasions are sure to be celebrated, and daily meals enjoyed, with Joseph and Nesreen on the dining floor and in the bar greeting and serving customers.

But, she adds: “Joseph has been in the business 52 years, and he would like to retire.”

Janelle Robinson has won the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical award for her role as Bloody Mary in the 2013 summer season production of “South Pacific” from the Connecticut Critics Circle, the Summer Theatre of New Canaan announced.

Before her role with the Summer Theatre, Robinson performed in the Broadway production of “Mary Poppins.” Also nominated was choreographer Doug Shankman for Outstanding Choreography for the Summer Theatre’s other musical last year, “Grease.” This was his third nomination for a Summer Theatre production.

The Connecticut Critics Circle, founded in 1990, was instituted to honor the actors, directors, designers and others who help make professional Connecticut theater so outstanding. This year, the award ceremony was held at the Westport Country Playhouse.

The Summer Theatre of New Canaan also received nominations for the 2013-2014 season from Broadwayworld critics for its production of “South Pacific,” with Allegra Libonati nominated for Best Director of a Musical, and Tiffin Borelli for Best Actress in a Musical for her role of Nellie Forbush. For “Grease,” a nomination also went to Christian Libonati for Best Actor in a Musical for his role of Danny Zuko.

More info: STONC.org; 203-966-4634

Award-winning Summer Theatre of New Canaan actress Janelle Robinson, left, her daughter Alita Moses, Executive Director Ed Libonati, nominated Outstanding Choreographer Doug Shankman and Artistic Director Melody Libonati at the Connecticut Critics Circle 2013-14 season Theatre Awards Ceremony, which was held at the Westport Playhouse.

There aren’t many people who knew what they wanted to do with their lives at age 18 months, but Peter Lavieri was one of them.

“My mom says that’s when I saw a plane in the sky for the first time, and got all excited,” said the 16-year-old New Canaan High School junior. “And I know that as far back as I can remember I wanted to fly, to break the bonds of earth.”

Mission accomplished, for not only has he flown planes, he recently soloed, and is in the process of getting his pilot’s license. It’s a source of pride, and a little surprise for his parents, longtime New Canaanites Todd and Suzy Lavieri.

“He became passionate about flying at age seven or eight,” recalled Peter’s mom. “That’s when he started driving us crazy about it.”

“When he was 10 he kept asking us if he could take a flying lesson,” explained Todd. “We put him off, but he kept on us. He found a flight school. Finally when he was 12 Suzy said, ‘Let’s let him do it. He’ll either hate it, be scared and never ask again, or he’ll love it and we’ll have a pilot.’ We have a pilot.”

Peter didn’t go from wanting to fly straight to flight school, though. First he started studying and learning the instrumentation he’d seen in cockpits when he flew commercially on trips with his family. Then he practiced on a computer with the Microsoft Flight Simulator CD his parents bought him.

“The great thing about that is you don’t die if you crash,” he said with a grin. “You can buy parts and switches to make it even more realistic. I’ve been in a couple of real simulators, but not the multi-million-dollar ones yet.”

Dad Todd said there was even more that pointed to Peter’s flying evolution.

“My family has had an aerospace manufacturing business in Connecticut since 1941. Peter took a tour of the plant when he was little. Then at Saxe Middle School he gave a presentation on jet engines and flight. He truly loves aviation and flying.”

When he was 13, mom Suzy booked Peter’s first flying lesson, at Performance Flight, in Westchester.

“I got into the aircraft, a Cirrus SR20 single-engine propeller plane,” Peter recalled. “The instructor, Rudi Hiebert, had the same set of controls I did. You don’t learn much on your first lesson, you just do it. He said, ‘It’s your aircraft.’

“I was nervous but excited, finally doing what I wanted to do my whole life. I turned at the Hudson River and flew for 40 minutes. I was hooked.”

For the next few years Peter continued to learn the instruments and take lessons, building his flying skills, as well as a healthy respect for what he was doing.

“It’s tunnel vision, and I’m just concentrating on flying the plane, not thinking about what was on TV last night,” he said. “It’s a serious commitment. If you start getting cocky or relaxed, that’s when things can go wrong.

“Cruising is easy. That’s when you can really enjoy flying, look around a little. The skyline of New York City is pretty awesome.”

Peter recently accomplished a major step—his first solo. His parents (and dog) came to the airport for the occasion.

“First we did two practice takeoffs and landings,” said Peter. “Then the instructor got out and said ‘You can fly by yourself.’ I was a little nervous, but there was no wind, and it was easy. I remember seeing three dots on the tarmac as I was flying; my parents and the family dog.”

Said mom: “I’ll never forget the smile on his face when he landed and opened the door.”

Said dad: “We were just so pleased and impressed with him that day.”

With school back in session, Peter will be quite busy. He rows on the New Canaan crew team, and spent three hours a day, six days a week training this summer. He’s aiming to get his pilot’s license at age 17, which takes serious studying. College is approaching soon as well, but Peter has a pretty good idea what his future holds.

“I definitely want to do something in aviation,” he said. “I’ve thought about the military path. Once you’ve flown, it’s hard to walk away from it.”

His parents know he’s headed for a life in the sky as well.

“I’ve spoken to other pilots and asked them when they knew they wanted to fly,” said Suzy. “Invariably they said it was when they were eight or nine years old. Peter’s going to be a pilot in some capacity. He’s doing what he loves to do, and that’s great.”

Todd has a broader vision for his son. “Peter speaks Chinese and German, and I think he’d like to run a global airline.”

Peter is simply taking things as they come. He noted a unique and impressive accomplishment, saying, “I have a boater’s license, and I’ll have a pilot’s license before getting a driver’s license.”

New Canaan High School junior Peter Lavieri, 16, sits in cockpit of the Cirrus SR20 plane he’s flown for several years. He’s in the process of getting his pilot’s license, and is eyeing a career in aviation.

Francesco Cicchini shows off some of his homegrown tomatoes in New Canaan in August. (Michael Catarevas photo)

Norwalk resident Francesco Cicchini, who worked in maintenance at St. Aloysius R.C. Parish for 29 years, recently stopped by the Advertiser office to say hello, showing off his home-grown tomatoes.

He sends his regards to all the many New Canaanites he befriended over the years. He shared his lifelong motto: “Always be nice to people, because it costs nothing.”

Reagan Bajus, her family and friends raised more than $6,000 for the Catherine Violet Hubbard’s cause. Catherine was killed in the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

When 10-year-old Reagan Bajus of New Canaan showed her parents a charity she found that was raising money to build an animal sanctuary, she wanted to help. It was being created in the memory of a little girl that had died, and Reagan wanted to help this little girl’s dream of caring for animals live on through the development of an animal sanctuary.

This little girl was Catherine Violet Hubbard. A precious first-grader, she had a huge heart for animals and their welfare, and dreamed of one day having an animal sanctuary to care for animals big and small. Then her life was lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School. But her dream was not.

Catherine’s parents are building the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. In June of 2014, Connecticut transferred 34 acres of state-owned land in Newtown to Catherine’s foundation for use as the sanctuary’s home. As stated by the foundation, it will be “a place where suffering ends and healing begins.”

Reagan’s idea was to rally her friends to put together a lemonade stand and bake sale to raise money for the foundation. Her parents contacted the foundation and received permission from Catherine’s mother, Jenny Hubbard, to host the stand and use their logos and pictures for marketing. Reagan and her mom worked with a graphic designer to design a flyer that Reagan insisted on taking to most every business and store in New Canaan, as well as to many in Darien, asking them to put it in their window to promote traffic. Lawn signs were made and installed, and Reagan rallied some friends (and their moms) from New Canaan Country School, which she had attended, and Greenwich Academy, her current school. The family used the circular drive in front of their house as a ‘drive-through’ lemonade stand and bake sale.

The day of the event, 10 adults and 10 kids worked all day, manning the booth and drumming up traffic along Ponus Ridge with posters and the kinds of voices only fifth graders can produce. There was a steady stream of people from many towns. At one point, five New Canaan Police Department cruisers came to support the cause.

“The mantra was, ‘Take what you want, give what you can.’ And people gave. When they opened the donation box, an enormous pile of money fell out. And some exceedingly generous checks. Over $6,000 was raised.

The kids are ecstatic that they not only are going to be able to turn over this amount of money to help the Hubbards build the animal sanctuary in honor of their daughter, but also have the large sum represent to the Hubbards how much people still and always will care about the Sandy Hook families. When all the money is collected, the friends that worked so hard all day will join the Bajus family in traveling to Newtown to present the money to Jenny Hubbard, who has kindly offered to give them a tour of the grounds that will be developed into the animal sanctuary, hopefully in a matter of a year or two.

Part of the flyer promoting the lemonade stand that raised money for an animal sanctuary in memory of a child killed in Newtown.

Elizabeth Checketts, daughter of long-time New Canaan residents David and Deb Checketts, and graduate of New Canaan High School in 2011, returned home from her volunteer missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Washington, D.C., North Mission.

She spoke about her experiences in Washington D.C. on Aug. 24th to the New Canaan Ward (congregation) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) Church.  She spent much of her time as a missionary serving in the Washington D.C. LDS temple visitors center.

Checketts will return to Brigham Young University, where she enrolled for two years before serving her mission.

The New Canaan Ward (congregation) currently has 12 young adults, seven women and five men, serving missions throughout the world. Approximately 85,000 men and women between the ages of 18-25 will serve missions worldwide this year. Expenses are paid by the missionary or the family during this voluntary service.

Elizabeth Checketts of New Canaan, left, during her Mormon mission in Washington, D.C.

Multi-dimensional artist Matthias Alfen posed for pictures while inside one of his “Body Mobile” creations in New York’s Times Square.

In the driveway of artist Matthias Alfen’s Norwalk house is a way-cool motorcycle, an orange Kawasaki Z Rex 1100. Upon closer inspection, there is a Volkswagen “VW” ornament on the gas tank. Turns out the two-wheeler is art as well as transport, the idea being (I think) to merge an exciting ride with a tame one, both getting you from here to there.

The bike is a gentle visual intro into the mind and work of Alfen, whose often-massive creations are stunning and dramatic in variety and scope. As a youth growing up in Germany, it was practically preordained that Alfen would become an artist. His grandfather was a painter and photographer, and both parents were photographers.

Matthias Alfen stands with works in progress in his studio.

“My father taught me that art is always important,” said Alfen, 49, who came to the United States in 1994 via grant money from the (Jackson) Pollock-Krasner Foundation. “He always made a point of buying something, if he could, at the shows we would attend, to support art and artists.”

Matthias Alfen puts the finishing touches on a piece featuring the negative shapes all humans occupy.

Alfen’s ongoing “Body Mobile” series, which blurs the boundaries between sculptor and sculpture, has garnered a lot of attention. Oversized white plaster arms, legs and heads, which appear extremely heavy but are not, are ‘worn’ by Alfen in places like New York’s Times Square, causing massive crowds to gather, touch and take pictures.

“Most sculptures just sit in museums or galleries,” he explained. “They don’t walk down the street. I wanted to created a mobile art show.”

Alfen’s house in Norwalk is an art gallery in itself, with sculptures, paintings and other pieces all around. He works in a large barn-like studio behind the house. While he has had success and recognition, he said his life as an artist is always evolving, always challenging and sometimes frustrating.

“People think artists just create things all of a sudden,” he said. “But the reality is that you undertake hundreds and hundreds of projects before something works out. I’m often asked if this or that artist is talented or not. Sometimes it’s the time and effort that matter. Things go wrong, things break. But these incidents are times to find something new. It is in the process of trying to create that you find something. That’s life as an artist.”

Giving back is also part of Alfen’s life as an artist. He has taught art at New Canaan’s Silvermine Arts Center, and works with children to create art in local classrooms. His generosity of time, talent and spirit was informed by an incident with his uncle, Fritz Koenig, a sculptor best known outside Germany for the “Sphere,” which once stood in the plaza between the two World Trade Center towers, and is now in Battery Park, its damage deliberately left unrepaired, as a memorial to the 9/11 victims.

“I once asked him for some help, some guidance, when I was about 21 or 22,” recalled Alfen. “He said, ‘You’re a nothing, and I’m a famous artist. You’ve left no traces (of admired work).’ Within a month I had my first major project, and the German government bought a piece of my work. It was karma. I decided then that although artists have to be tough to survive, we must have solidarity, rather than picking at each other.”

A few years ago Alfen had a major “showing” of sorts in New Canaan. The owner of the Alice Ball House, at 523 Oenoke Ridge, decided to sell. It was designed in 1953 by legendary American architect Philip Johnson.

“They had the idea to ‘stage’ the house, to enhance its appeal with works of art. An interior decorator I knew asked me to participate.”

Alfen contributed a front-lawn sculpture that became as well known as the house for the eight months it was showcased. It was of a double-faced woman. “If you drove past one way, she was reclining,” said Alfen. “If you drove past the other way, she was rising.” The house didn’t sell, and is still on the market today, but Alfen’s sculpture inspired him to do many more that force viewers to think.

Many of his creations, human heads and bodies, are hollowed out here and there, presenting an almost mystical three-dimensional appearance. The concept is one of using negative space in different ways to express opinions on humanity.

“I’ve always been interested in realism,” he said. “How do you capture something you want to express? The negative shape we occupy challenges me. My figures are on one side balancing, and from the other they’re falling down. One sculpture showing two things. It’s never been done before. It’s time duality.”

The concept landed him a solo exhibit at the Housatonic Museum of Art in Bridgeport.

Wrote art critic and professor of art history Donald Kuspit in the show brochure, ‘Alfen suggests that human beings can never be held to one identity. They are in perpetual identity crisis. Alfen has outdone himself, both expressively and formally.’

When he’s not creating art, Alfen spends time working on live humans, as a licensed physical therapist. His specialty is helping injured people avoid surgery. “The knowledge of the body I’ve gained from my art, and studying anatomy, helped me understand the body as a kind of functioning architecture.”

With bills to pay just like everyone else, and expensive art supplies to buy, unlike everyone else, Alfen hopes to break through to the next level, which is having his work marketed by others.

“Artists who are really successful commercially are the ones who get people to rally behind their ideas,” he said. “They could sell soap. Today’s major artists are marketing directors. I’m still a person who physically makes the art.”

Alfen acknowledged that how his art is judged will ultimately be decided by others. “After 50 or 100 years, it will be decided whether people are still interested in my work. Time is the great equalizer.”

Matthias Alfen’s work can be viewed at flickr.com, and there are a variety of his “Body Mobile” videos at Youtube.com. He will be hosting an open-to-the-public book signing for “Heroism and Gender in War Films,” for which he contributed the front and back cover art, at his studio on Sept. 14, from 3-8, during which people can see his artwork. He will also host an artist showcase event where his work and that of two other artists will be shown, Oct. 19 from 3-8. The address is 35 Stonybrook Road, Norwalk.

More info: matthiasalfen@yahoo.com

Matthias Alfen’s sculpture graced the front lawn of the Alice Ball House in New Canaan, when the house was put up for sale a few years ago.

Last year, Saxe middle school kicked off its maiden involvement with The Middle School Model UN, under the guidance of New Canaan High School senior Connor Gress. Deborah Line, 6th grade social studies teacher, and Allison Freeman, 8th grade social studies teacher, acted as faculty advisors for the lower and upper divisions, respectively.

NCHS has been involved with the Model UN for five years, and currently ranks among the top 20 of over 100 participating North American high schools. Last year Saxe principal Greg Macedo noted that the International Club, run by Line, could be an excellent feeder opportunity for the high school Model UN. When this was discussed with Paul Phillips, faculty advisor at the high school, he agreed and appointed Connor as student liaison.

After an extremely successful first year, Connor has now headed off to college, leaving NCHS senior Jayne Wixtead to fill his shoes, along with his younger brother, Quentin Gress, now a NCHS junior.

Since its kick-off last fall, Connor provided expert leadership for both the lower and upper divisions by attending weekly meetings for each. He also provided invaluable guidance to those students who chose to participate in a scrimmage with New Fairfield in March. Additionally, he created a mock scrimmage; specifically for Saxe students, that was attended by New Canaan middle school and high school delegates alike. Former NCHS Model UN captain Jack Ludtke, now at Georgetown, along with high school co-captains Alejandra Zamora and Danny Konstantinovicled, attended the proceedings last spring.

This year, Saxe students will be attending scrimmages at both New Fairfield and New Canaan High Schools. In addition, they hope to have the opportunity to attend their first conference at Horace Mann this fall, and an Ivy League multi-day conference at Dartmouth College in the spring.

2014 NCHS graduate Connor Gress with Saxe middle school Model UN students Izzy Carpenter, right, and Skye Risom, left.