<p><strong>Protect Your Privacy at Fairfield County Bank’s Shred Day in Norwalk</strong></p><p>Fairfield County Bank is helping community members take a proactive step in protecting their privacy with a free Shred Day event on <strong>Saturday, May 10, 2025</strong>, from <strong>9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.</strong> at the <strong>Broad River Office</strong>, located at <strong>121 New Canaan Avenue, Norwalk, CT</strong>.</p><p>Open to the public, the event invites individuals and households to safely dispose of sensitive personal documents, reducing the risk of identity theft. Whether you're clearing out old tax returns, medical records, utility bills, or other paperwork containing confidential information, this is a secure and convenient way to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.</p><p>Common items accepted include:</p><ul><li>Tax documents</li><li>Medical records</li><li>Utility bills</li><li>Credit card statements</li><li>Payroll information</li><li>Any documents with personal identifying details</li></ul><p>Hosted in partnership with ProShred Security, the event is part of Fairfield County Bank’s ongoing commitment to community security and financial wellness. Please note that Fairfield County Bank is not affiliated with ProShred Security.</p><p>To learn more about what to bring and what to expect, visit:</p><p> <a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/ShredDays2025/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/ShredDays2025/index.html</a></p><p>Have questions? Contact Fairfield County Bank at 203-431-7431 </p>

<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion: </span><a href="https://www.canaantechnology.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Canaan Technology</a></h2><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet David Felton, founder of </strong><a href="https://www.canaantechnology.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Canaan Technology</strong></a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why did you start your business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I started Canaan Technology in 2001 to provide white-glove IT services focused on cybersecurity, compliance, and day-to-day support to small and medium-sized organizations that did not have the need or budget for a full-time IT person. Although technology has rapidly changed over the last 24 years, our core principles remain unchanged.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What is your best-selling product or service?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Cybersecurity Protection, Risk Assessment, Cloud-hosted Services (Email, File Sharing, Voice over IP), and day-to-day IT Support are the most popular services we provide our clients.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Have you reimagined your small business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With the evolving technology landscape, particularly in our core areas of expertise - Cybersecurity Protection and Risk Assessment, my team and I are constantly reimagining how we deliver services to our clients. This is particularly true of our ability to keep abreast of emerging tools to offer smaller businesses with a constrained IT budget the most advanced Cybersecurity tools focused on the method or pathway a cybercriminal uses to gain unauthorized access.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Questions? Email </span><a href="mailto:david@canaantechnology.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">david@canaantechnology.com</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow along on Facebook @</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CanaanTechnologyLLC" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">CanaanTechnologyLLC</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and visit Canaan Technology’s website</span><a href="https://www.canaantechnology.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> https://www.canaantechnology.com/</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz Weekend May 2-4</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(19, 19, 20);">HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-wilton-playshop-presents-stephen-sondheim-s-into-the-woods-4ce8f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Stephen Sondheim’s "Into The Woods"</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Wilton Playshop, Wilton</strong></p><p>Friday May 2, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm, stages . One of Stephen Sondheim's most popular and beloved works, Into the Woods is a musically sophisticated and emotionally resonant show that masterfully weaves together the stories of some of our most cherished fairy tale characters. With a brilliant score that showcases Sondheim's unmatched lyrical talent, the musical brings characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of Jack and the Beanstalk fame), and the Baker and his Wife together in a shared quest that is at once whimsical and profound.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/dressed-to-impress-gala" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Dressed to Impress Gala</strong></a></p><p><strong>Fairfield Museum &amp; History Center, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Friday May 2, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>In celebration of the new exhibition Dressed to Impress, join the Fairfield Museum for an unforgettable night of fashion through the ages!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/meet-for-coffee-at-the-bruce-conversations-with-robert-kalman" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Conversations with Robert Kalman</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bruce Museum, Greenwich</strong></p><p>Saturday May 3, 9:00 am - 10:30 am</p><p>Join the conversation with Robert Kalman, a celebrated photojournalist, educator, and lifelong storyteller. Born in Manhattan and raised in Queens, Robert’s journey spans decades of rich experience, from working as a news assistant at The New York Times to leading schools in New York and New England. Along the way, he built an impressive portfolio of photographic work, capturing compelling narratives of diverse communities across the globe.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/birding-at-the-bruce-museum-with-greenwich-audubon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Birding with Greenwich Audubon</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bruce Museum, Greenwich</strong></p><p>Saturday May 3, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm</p><p>Tours will go from the Bruce Park Playground to Audubon's neighboring Oneida Sanctuary, one of Greenwich's only remaining coastal salt marshes. This location not only provides an opportunity to see bird species that use this special habitat such as waterfowl, shorebirds, herons &amp; egrets but also learn about Audubon's conservation efforts to improve our coastal resiliency in Greenwich.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/jane-s-walk-bridgeport" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Jane's Walk Bridgeport</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Archive, Bridgeport</strong></p><p>Saturday May 3, 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm</p><p>We have held “Jane’s Walks Bridgeport” for the last eight years – building on the international Jane’s Walk event inspired by the urban activist Jane Jacobs, whose focus on human-centered and community-led neighborhood development has made a lasting imprint on how cities are planned and built.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/derby-day-celebration" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Derby Day Celebration</strong></a></p><p><strong>Pequot Library, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday May 3, 4:00 pm -9:00 pm</p><p>Experience the excitement of the Kentucky Derby at Pequot Library! Take a stroll around the Great Lawn to view the festive hats, attire, and decorated tailgates. Get your Derby Dollars so that you can enter to win raffle items, take home a bottle of bourbon from the Bourbon Wall, and choose your winning horse for a shot at the top prize in the 50/50 raffle. Trophies will be awarded for Best Hat, Best Dressed, and Best Tailgates. Watch the “Run for the Roses” on the big screen in the auditorium, and celebrate with Kentucky fare and an open bar (plus non-alcoholic options) in the Main Tent, sponsored by the Loya Family. Keep the party going with DJ Rob and the Melt Mobile at the after-party.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/greenwich-choral-society-presents-the-great-american-songbook" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Greenwich Choral Society present The Great American Songbook</strong></a></p><p><strong>O'Byrne Chapel, Purchase</strong></p><p>Saturday May 3, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm</p><p>Join the Greenwich Choral Society in the beautiful O'Byrne Chapel at Manhattanville University in Purchase, NY - showcasing iconic and beloved songs from the American Songbook, featuring the the Bryan Reeder Orchestra and vocalists Hannah Gill and Chris Norton.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/martin-kline-the-world-in-all-its-plenitude-420e5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Martin Kline: The World In All Its Plenitude</strong></a></p><p><strong>Heather Gaudio Fine Art, Greenwich</strong></p><p>Saturday May 3, 10:30 am - 5:30 pm</p><p>The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Saturday, May 3, 4-6pm, and the exhibition will remain on view through June 14th. A fully illustrated catalogue with an essay written by art critic and poet Carter Ratcliff accompanies the exhibition.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/shark-safari" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Shark Safari</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk</strong></p><p>Sunday May 4, 9:30 am - 11:00 am</p><p>Sharks and rays are an incredibly diverse group of animals, representing all sorts of sizes, body shapes, and behaviors to suit the places and climates they’ve occupied over time. In this drop-off style program, children start off examining shark teeth, jaws, and models, feel the sandpapery texture of shark skin, and learn how superb adaptations have allowed sharks to survive for millions of years in a wide variety of ocean habitats.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/sm-nc-spring-on-the-farm-family-fest-sunday-09551" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>SM&amp;NC Spring on the Farm Family Fest Sunday</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Museum &amp; Nature Center, Stamford</strong></p><p>Sunday May 4, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm</p><p>There are added attractions, fun springtime programs and free giveaways. Not only will the Rock Climbing Wall be making its return, but both days will feature special performances by Spider-Man and Taylor Swift tributes! Plus, they will have Sheep Shearing and Miniature Horses on-site exclusive to the first and second fest, respectively. Be sure to pre-register, because tickets at the gate will be limited and higher in price!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/rediscover-greenwich-greenwich-avenue-walking-tour" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Rediscover Greenwich: Greenwich Avenue Walking Tour</strong></a></p><p><strong>Greenwich Historical Society, Greenwich</strong></p><p>Sunday May 4, 10:30 am - 2:00 pm</p><p>Historic buildings will become canvases for large-scale murals featuring archival images of what those places looked like in the past, with text and images drawn from the Historical Society’s collections and interactive QR codes, that when scanned, share those unique stories. The murals, designed by Untapped New York’s artist Aaron Asis, will debut in conjunction with a new series of guided walking tours exploring the history of Greenwich Avenue and its local businesses led by Justin Rivers, Untapped New York’s Chief Experience Officer and Christopher Shields, Historical Society Director of Library and Archives.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/quantum-leap-a-bold-fusion-of-chamber-music" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Quantum Leap: A Bold Fusion of Chamber Music</strong></a></p><p><strong>Emerson Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Stamford</strong></p><p>Sunday May 4, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>Quantum Leap redefines chamber music by seamlessly blending classical and contemporary styles. The concert features musicians familiar to the Fairfield County chamber music community including Edita Orlinyte (violin), Shan Jiang (violin), Suzanne Corey-Sahlin (viola), Gunnar Sahlin (cello), Maxim Pakhomov (piano), and noted New Canaan musician and composer Gwyneth Walker as a narrator. The program includes works by contemporary composers Walker (Trails and Open Spaces) and Marc Chen (How Rivers Become Other Rivers), and a classical selection by Antonín Dvořák (Piano Quintet, Op. 88).</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/egalitarian-brass---sunday-soundscapes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>eGALitarian Brass - Sunday Soundscapes</strong></a></p><p><strong>Weston Public Library, Weston</strong></p><p>Sunday May 4, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm</p><p>eGALitarian Brass has presented recitals at Newport Classical, Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, Women Composer's Festival of Hartford, International Women’s Brass Conference, New York Women Composers, and Spectrum’s Female Composers Festival. In addition to performances, they have been an Ensemble in Residence at Rutgers University, Sacred Heart University and Marist College, where they have presented recitals and masterclasses, and led panel discussions.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the&nbsp;<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a>&nbsp;page at&nbsp;<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a>&nbsp;Sign up for the&nbsp;<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a>&nbsp;to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">This spring, the Golf Performance Center (GPC) in Ridgefield unveiled </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The National</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">, a premier 9-hole short course designed to offer a world-class short game experience - just $20 to play 9 holes. </span></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">We asked Edward Murphy, the Director of Operations at GPC to share </span><u style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">10 Fun Facts about The National.&nbsp;</u></h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">1) It's an Executive Short Course</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">2) You only need a couple of wedges and a putter to play</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">3) It can be played at night</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">4) The record for 9 holes is 7 under par</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">5) Men, women and children all play from the same tee's</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">6) The Greens are as challenging as any private country club</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">7) The Norwalk River runs through it</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">8) Professional golfers play a tournament on it every year</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">9) Can be played with various routings</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">10) The National was designed by King &amp; Collins renowned golf course architects.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Tee times can be booked online through the GPC website or by calling the Pro Shop at 203-790-4653. Non-members are welcome and can reserve tee times up to 48 hours in advance, whereas course members can book 1 week in advance.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">For more information about The National Short Course, membership options, and to book your tee time, visit</span><a href="https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/the-national" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;"> https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/the-national/.</a></p>

<p>Sary Baker of Norwalk has earned a distinction few undergraduates achieve. On April 5, she was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society at the University of Wisconsin–Madison—an academic milestone that reflects years of intellectual rigor and unwavering curiosity.</p><p>Baker, a student in UW–Madison’s College of Letters &amp; Science, was among just 245 undergraduates invited to join the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Inductees are selected based on exceptional academic performance across a broad range of disciplines. Requirements include a cumulative GPA of at least 3.80 and demonstrated achievement in mathematics, foreign language, and diverse fields of study beyond one’s major.</p><p>Founded in 1776, Phi Beta Kappa recognizes students who embrace a true liberal arts education. Inductees are not only high achievers in the classroom—they are also thinkers and explorers, committed to a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.</p><p>The induction ceremony, held at Madison’s Monona Terrace, featured speeches by faculty and student leaders. Among them was Lily Hamacher, a fellow honoree, who encouraged her peers to “take a bite of everything on your plate,” underscoring the value of a wide-ranging academic appetite—a sentiment that aptly describes Baker’s approach to learning.</p><p>Sary Baker’s accomplishment places her among an esteemed group of scholars nationwide and reflects the strong educational values she has carried from Norwalk to the heart of the Midwest. Her recognition by Phi Beta Kappa is a mark of excellence that will follow her wherever her intellectual journey leads next.</p>

<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion: </span><a href="https://strigocoffee.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Strigo Coffee</a></h2><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Dennis Bubbico, founder of </span><a href="https://strigocoffee.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Strigo Coffee</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why did you start your business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We couldn't find a local roaster that focuses on Specialty-Grade, Single-Origin coffee. It was also hard to find freshly roasted coffee, rather than beans that have been sitting around getting stale. Also, being a Norwalk native, I am proud to be able to offer some amazing coffee to my friends and neighbors.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What is your best-selling product or service?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Our Cold Brew is super popular and is a product that can be purchased ready to drink at local cafes. Our best-selling service would be our free local delivery of our bags of beans.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do you use any local businesses to support your operations?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Our coffee is sourced from an importer in NY, but we have wholesale deals with The Pantry, So Fresh Doughnuts, Harbor Harvest, Allora Coffee &amp; Bites and coming soon...314 Beer Garden! We've also done collaborations with Spacecat Brewing Company and Lindsay's Handmade Ice Cream.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Have you reimagined Strigo Coffee?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Yes! During COVID most cafes and restaurants weren't buying coffee or taking on new accounts. We shifted our focus on free home delivery since everyone was at home! Now this is an integral part of our business and ensures super fresh coffee by roasting on Tuesday and delivering on Wednesday every week.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Visit Strigo Coffee’s website </span><a href="https://strigocoffee.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://strigocoffee.com/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and follow along on social media @</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/strigocoffee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">strigocoffee</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Questions? Email </span><a href="mailto:dennis@strigocoffee.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">dennis@strigocoffee.com</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p>