January 2024

The Staying Put office will be closed on Mon., Jan 1st for

New Year's and Mon., Jan. 15th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January at a Glance

Fri., Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, 11am - Waveny Walk with Kate - New Location & Time

Sun., Jan. 7, 2pm - 4pm - Staying Put's 16th Birthday Party - Snow Date 1/21

Tues., Jan. 9, 10am - Men's Coffee at Staying Put

Thurs., Jan. 11, 10am - Ladies' Coffee at Staying Put

Fri., Jan. 12, 11am - Brunch and Learn at Lapham

Tues., Jan. 16, 6pm - The Sandwich Generation at New Canaan Library

Wed., Jan. 17, 12pm - Book Talk Group Lunch at Staying Put

Thurs., Jan. 18, 12pm - Lunch at La Vista in South Salem

Tues., Jan. 23, 11am - Tea at Grace Farms

Thurs., Jan 25, 10am - Ladies' Coffee at Staying Put with Steve Karl

Wed., Jan 31, 11am - "Let's Talk" New Series and Lunch at Staying Put

Save the Date

Thurs., Feb. 1, 10am - Men's Coffee at Staying Put with Dionna Carlson

Welcome New Member!

Janet Lally

Membership Renewals

If you have not already, please remember to send in your

Staying Put 2024 Membership Renewal Form.

Don't forget to call Staying Put at 203-966-7762 to sign up for member events. Please RSVP!

MEMBER EVENTS

Fri., Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, 11am: Waveny House Walk with Kate. Join Kate for a walk at a new location and time - the circle in front of Waveny House. Meet in the driveway circle by the pillar entrance and enjoy a brisk winter walk. Note - this is for active members with no mobility issues. Free. RSVP by Thursday prior.

Fri., Jan. 12, 11am: Lunch and Learn at Lapham - The Importance of Staying Hydrated. Drinking enough water every day helps your body function properly, regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, decreases your chances of hospitalization and prevents dehydration, a condition which may cause unclear thinking, mood changes, or lead to kidney stones and other health issues. Ellen and Shannon from NC Health Department will guide discussion. Free. RSVP by Thurs., Jan. 11th.

Tues., Jan. 16, 6pm: The Sandwich Generation at New Canaan Library. We’re all familiar with the axiom that it takes a village to raise children, but what does it take to raise kids and take care of a senior loved one at the same time? As more and more caregivers face this squeeze, cries for help come from what is being called the ‘Sandwich Generation’.

The Sandwich Generation isn’t tied to a particular age, but rather circumstances that are becoming more and more common; a generation stretched or squeezed by the demands of childcare, professional life, and care of a senior loved one.

Members of The Sandwich Generation now have somewhere to turn to for support, information, and best practices from local experts. The Sandwich Generation Group is a monthly meeting of people in search of information, best practices, and support. A combination support group and education series designed to foster the expansion of your village to help you

prepare for, or endure, your caregiving journey. Free. RSVP by Fri., Jan. 12th.

Wed., Jan. 17, 12pm: Book Talk Group Lunch at Staying Put. Join Staying Put members for lunch and an exchange of recommendations about current fiction and non-fiction books they have enjoyed reading. Lunch will be provided.  Free. RSVP by Tues., Jan. 16th.

Thurs., Jan. 18, 12pm: Lunch at La Vista in South Salem. Join Staying Put friends for lunch at La Vista Ristorante, 355 Smith Ridge, South Salem, NY. Enjoy a delicious lunch from a prix fixe menu which includes appetizer, entree and coffee. Cash bar for drinks. $25. Please pay by check, cash, or credit card to Staying Put. Carpooling available at the Staying Put office for those interested. RSVP by Tues., Jan. 16th.

Tues., Jan. 23, 11am: Tea at Grace Farm. Come and enjoy an English inspired tea service with tea expert Frank Kwei in the Glass Pavilion. Interested members can stay for lunch in the River Building. Credit or debit cards only for lunch purchase. 365 Lukes Wood Road, carpooling available at the Staying Put office for those interested. Free. RSVP by Fri., Jan. 19th.

Thurs., Jan. 25, 10am: Ladies' Coffee at Staying Put with Selectman Steve Karl. Steve is back and this time to enjoy coffee with the Staying Put ladies. Learn about how New Canaan government works from the former Town Council Chair and current Selectman. Free. RSVP by Wed., Jan 24th.

Wed., Jan. 31, 11am: New Series at Staying Put Let's Talk About... The Secret History of Food (and Drink!) with Kathy Blance of New Canaan Library followed by lunch. Food is so much more than nourishment – and some foods and drinks have a fascinating history! Do you know when and why coffee originated? Or, who put the devil in deviled eggs? When were certain favorite foods 'invented' and how have they evolved?  Our relationship to food is a complicated recipe, and many factors combine to make eating a potent and pleasurable experience. Let’s talk about all these topics, and explore the history, as well as some fun statistics.  Lunch will follow the program. Free. RSVP by Tues., Jan 30th.

Thurs., Feb. 1, 10am: Men's Coffee at Staying Put with First Selectman Dionna Carlson. Join Staying Put friends for coffee, treats and good conversation with newly elected First Selectman and former BOE Chair Dionna Carlson. Dionna is looking forward to a lively question and answer session. Free. RSVP by Wed., Jan. 31st.

Staying Put Welcomes New Board Members 

Staying Put welcomes new Board members Christine Dombrowski Ayoub, Carrie Deane Corcoran, Ken Gammill Jr., and Diane Knetzger, and returning Board members Lyn Chivvis and Tom Ferguson. They join Peter Ziesing, President; Mimi Pitt, Vice President; Susie Catlin, Secretary; Paul Bamatter, Treasurer; Ray Boller, Sherman Bull, MD, Doug Gillespie, Jim Hilboldt, Ralph Hills, Tracey Karl, John Kerchoff, DMD, Donna Simone, and Tom Stadler in

contributing their knowledge and expertise to Staying Put. We greatly appreciate their dedication.

Christine Dombrowski Ayoub

Carrie Deane Corcoran

Ken Gammill Jr.

Diane Knetzger

Lyn Chivvis

Tom Ferguson

January

Member Birthdays

Martine Brophy, Kip Farrell, Sydney Fulford, Don Gilbert, Barbara Leeming, Janet Lindstrom, Midge Murphy, Cathie Seton, Shashi Shah, Geraldine Snyder, Bill Stoops

Immunizations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Advisory to alert of low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in national and international respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks. The CDC advises that healthcare providers should administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations now to patients, if recommended. Check with your healthcare provider. 

If you get sick, check with your healthcare provider about testing and be aware that antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19 for all eligible patients, especially patients at high-risk of progression to severe disease such as older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions, are recommended.

Take preventive measures, including covering coughs/sneezes, staying at home when sick, improving ventilation at home, and washing hands to protect yourselves and others against respiratory diseases.

Hello from Kate

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. It’s not an act of rebellion. I’m not trying to be a stick in the mud. I just don’t get it. Why, after hauling ourselves through an entire year which ends with a sprint to the finish, are we then expected to come up with a list of things we ought to be doing better? No, thank you. We are lacking in energy and clarity which is not the time for key decision making; and there are certainly a lot of unknowns ahead of us. We might want to try looking forward, proud that we can rely on the tools we’ve honed over many past years of experiences. Our failures, our successes, our “wow” moments and even those

“meh” days matter way more than saying we are going to eat some more vegetables this year (though, go ahead and do that anyway). I hope this new year graces us all with a little more peace and wisdom. That is not a resolution. That is an expectation.

Free Covid Tests

Covid is still out there, and it is important to stay safe. If you or someone you live with starts feeling unwell, you can use the tests to check if it's COVID-19.

 To order:

• Go to:  covidtests.gov and click on “Order Free At-Home Tests”.
• This will take you to a page where you fill out your name and address.
• Click “Check Out Now” and on the next page, click “Place My Order”.

If you would like us to help with ordering, call Staying Put at 203-972-7762.

Let’s have a happy and healthy New Year!  Plan ahead!

New Canaan Beautification League presents

Exploring Connecticut's Historic Gardens

Wednesday, January 3, 9:30am - 11:00am

Zoom Program

Laurie Masciandaro, Site Manager of Roseland Cottage and Garden, introduces the audience to the history and beauty of the CT gardens that have inspired visitors for a century or more. This free program, open to the public, will be presented through Zoom with Q&A following the program. To sign up for the Zoom link, please go to: newcanaanbeautification.org

Lapham Center

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

Fri., Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, 12pm: Movies on Fridays.

Jan. 5: Neither Confirm Nor Deny, Jan. 12: The Living Record of Our Memory, Jan. 19: A Million Miles Away, Jan. 26: You Hurt My Feelings. Free.

Wed., Jan. 10, 24, 1pm - 2pm: Blood Sugar Screenings.

In person screenings provided by New Canaan's Department of Health.

Call to schedule an appointment. Free.

Fri., Jan. 19, 9am - 11:30am: Hearing Screenings and Hearing Aid Cleanings. Call to schedule an appointment. Free.

Mon., Jan. 29, 11:15am - 12:15pm: Blood Pressure Clinic.

In person clinic. Call to schedule an appointment. Free.

Medically-Tailored Meals for Chronically-Ill and Elderly

Dil Figaro aims to bring a true sense of well-being to chronically ill patients and the elderly through medically-tailored, delicious meals. Currently, they offer over 800 meals from various health-conscious food companies and collaborate with health insurance companies and Medicaid to achieve enduring health outcomes.

Clients complete a brief 4-5 minute questionnaire, resulting in a personalized nutritional profile. This process enables them to align health goals and medical conditions with suitable meals from the dietitian-approved Personalized Digital Kitchen. The primary focus is on tailoring nutritional solutions to individual needs.

The Dil Figaro team is ready to assist potential clients by addressing inquiries, guiding them through the questionnaire, and facilitating meal orders, either in person or over the phone according to their preference. For more information or to sign up, go to: dilfigaro.com or call 203-801-8801.

Please call us anytime at

203-966-7762

Gina, Kim, Kate and Robin