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• Encore Book Group

  • When
    23 Feb 2026
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Lapham Downstairs
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  Encore Book Group
  

  The February meeting of the Encore Book Group will be held at 1:30, Monday, February 23, 2026, downstairs at Lapham.  We will be discussing "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy. Contemporary Women's Fiction.

  An ENTHRALLING new novel from the NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author of Migrations and Once There Were Wolves

  A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon. Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.

  A novel of breathtaking twists, dizzying beauty, and ferocious love, Wild Dark Shore is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.

  There is always a lively discussion.  You can contact Anne Sutcliffe. If you get on the email list, you can be alerted to any changes in the schedule or venue and book availability. 

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• Face to Face: An Afternoon Portrait Painting Party

  • When
    24 Feb 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Lapham Community Center – Art Room
  • Spaces left
    2

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  Face to Face: An Afternoon Portrait Painting Party
  

  

  Grab a seat and get ready for a laugh-out-loud portrait swap—you paint the portrait of the person sitting across from you, and they paint yours! Absolutely no experience needed (in fact, the less experience, the more fun!). Expect bold colors, goofy masterpieces, and a seriously fun time!

  Space is limited, so please check your calendars before registering.

  
  

  Questions?
  Please contact your Encore On the Go! Event Planners:
  Sue Greenan and Tapleigh Jensen

  
  

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• Mahjong

  • Start
    25 Feb 2026
  •  
  • End
    30 Sep 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    32 sessions
  • Location
    Lapham Community Center

  The Encore Mahjong group will meet on Wednesdays from 2:00–4:00 PM at the Lapham Community Center.

  Mahjong is the classic tile game that originated in China in the early 1900s. With growing popularity, New Canaan has become one of the area’s hottest Mahjong spots!

  If you would like to be added to the list please email Geri Rhoades.

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• Canasta

  • Start
    26 Feb 2026
  •  
  • End
    17 Dec 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    43 sessions
  • Location
    Lapham Community Center

  

  The Encore Canasta group meets on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:30 at Lapham Community Center. You must already know how to play.

  The first twenty people who respond to the TeamReach invitation will have a seat at a table. 

  If you would like to be added to the list please email Geri Rhoades.

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• Health & Wellness Group -Back to Basics

  • When
    26 Feb 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Houlihan Lawrence, 161 Elm St., 2nd floor meeting room, New Canaan
  • Spaces left
    22

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  Health & Wellness Group 

  Back to Basics!

  Thursday, February 26th , 2 - 3 pm

  Houlihan Lawrence, 161 Elm St., 2nd floor meeting room, New Canaan

  Space is limited, maximum 30, waitlist available

  Questions? Contact Laura Edmonds

  As we look ahead to the year ahead, this meeting will focus on simple, practical ways to support our well-being—mind, body, and spirit.
  

  What we’ll be doing together:

  • Gentle chair yoga (suitable for all levels)
  • A calming guided meditation
  • A roundtable discussion on the question: “What will keep us well in 2026?”

  This will be a relaxed, supportive space to move a little, breathe deeply, share ideas, and connect with one another.

  We hope you’ll join us as we slow down, reset, and reflect on what wellness means to each of us.

   We look forward to seeing you there!

  Laura Edmonds
  Rose Bauersfeld
  
  

  
  

  
  

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• FLAMAZING FEBRUARY FLAMINGLE - Flock to this flamboyant festivity!

  • When
    26 Feb 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    The Marquis Lounge above the New Canaan Playhouse Movie Theater, New Canaan
  • Spaces left
    24

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  FLAMAZING FEBRUARY FLAMINGLE - Flock to this flamboyant festivity! 

  

  Thursday, February 26th
  7:00pm - 9:00 pm

  Brighten up a winter evening by joining fellow Encore members for an after dinner gathering featuring cocktails, light bite snacks & desserts at The Marquis Lounge above the New Canaan Playhouse Movie Theater.

  This flamingo themed evening will be sure to evoke warm weather vibes with games, themed cocktails & decor to make your flamingling festive! (Standing on one leg is optional).
  
  Dress:  Pink is encouraged!  Be creative!!!

  Cost: $20 per person (no refund)
  Cash bar
  Guests welcome!

  Questions? Contact Irene Hendricks or Sam Loomis

  
  

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• Visit the 46th Annual Juried Photography Show Followed by Lunch at Waveny Bar & Grill

  • When
    27 Feb 2026
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Carriage Barn Arts Center, 681 South Avenue, New Canaan Waveny Park, New Canaan
  • Spaces left
    10

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  Visit the 46th Annual Juried Photography Show

  Followed by Lunch at Waveny Bar & Grill

  Support local and regional artists, including our very own Encore Board member and photographer, Barbara O’Shea Strong, by visiting the 46th Annual Juried Photography Show at the Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan.

  This juried exhibition showcases an exceptional selection of photographs chosen by distinguished juror, Peter Kundhardt Jr, Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Foundation, from over 600 submissions. The result is a compelling collection — where photographers brilliantly captured unguarded moments showing the trust, humanity, and dignity of their subjects.

  After the show, we will enjoy lunch at The Waveny Tavern by PXK.

  Please join us for this perfect afternoon of culture and camaraderie!

  When and Where: Friday, February 27^th, 2026 (RSVP by 2/24)

  • 11:00am – Noon: The Carriage Barn Arts Center, Waveny Park, 681 South Avenue, New Canaan
  • 12:30pm – Lunch at Waveny Bar & Grill, 36 Pine Street, New Canaan

  Cost:  

  • No charge for the photography show, but any cash donation is appreciated.
  • Individual checks for lunch

  Cancellations: Please let us know by February 24th, if you need to cancel.

  Questions?

  Please contact your Encore On the Go! Event Planner: Sue Greenan

  
  

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• Critics Corner

  • When
    27 Feb 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    A member’s home
  • Spaces left
    0

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    Critics Corner

  We will have our next Critics Corner meeting on Friday, February 27, at 7:00 PM, at Jill Ernst's home.

  Any questions or cancellation, please email Lorraine Jacobi. 

  The following two movies will be discussed and then rated:

  The Outfit (2022) : An American crime thriller about Leonard Burling an English tailor who used to craft suits on London’s world famous Sevile Row. After a personal tragedy he ended up in Chicago operating a small tailor ship in a rough part of town where he makes beautiful clothes for the only people around who can afford them: a family of vicious gangs.

  Can be seen on: Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies.

  The Outrun (2024): A British German drama film that follows Rona who, after living on the edge in London, attempts to come to terms with her troubled past. Hoping to heal she returns to the wild beauty of Scotland’s Orkney Islands where she grew up.

  Can be seen on: Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home.

  Event Details:

  • Each member is asked to bring either an appetizer or dessert. 
  • A $5 contribution per person will be collected to cover the cost of drinks.

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• History of New Canaan: An Illustrated Presentation

  • When
    3 Mar 2026
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    New Canaan Library, Tate Conference Room
  • Spaces left
    0

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  History of New Canaan: An Illustrated Presentation

  

  When: Tuesday, March 3rd, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
   Where: New Canaan Library, Tate Conference Room (upstairs)
  Cost: No Charge

  Keith Simpson, a 50-year resident of New Canaan, has a deep passion for our town and its rich history. As our country approaches the 250th anniversary of 1776, Keith will share how the Revolutionary War era—and other major events of the time—shaped life in our beautiful community.

  This illustrated talk on the history of New Canaan will focus on the period between 1640, when Norwalk and Stamford were first settled, and 1801, when New Canaan was officially incorporated as a town in the State of Connecticut. It will provide Encore members with a unique opportunity to gain fascinating insights into our town’s past and connect more deeply with its history.

  Please join us!  One guest per participant is welcome!

  Questions? Email Rose Bauersfeld

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• Matinee Movies

  • When
    4 Mar 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Lapham Community Center, Lounge (lower level)
  • Spaces left
    11

  Register

    Matinee Movies 

  We are excited to introduce a new daytime movie discussion group, Matinee Movies. Featuring the same two films discussed at Critics’ Corner and meeting about one week later, this group gives more members the flexibility to enjoy thoughtful movie discussions in a daytime setting.  

  We will be discussing 2 movies each month which you will watch prior to coming to the meeting. At the meeting, we will review and rate each movie.  Questions or cancellations please email Toni Tucker.

  • When: First Wednesday of each month
  • Date / Time: March 4, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
  • Where: Lapham Community Center, Lounge (lower level)

  The following two movies will be discussed:

  The Outfit (2022) : An American crime thriller about Leonard Burling an English tailor who used to craft suits on London’s world famous Sevile Row. After a personal tragedy he ended up in Chicago operating a small tailor ship in a rough part of town where he makes beautiful clothes for the only people around who can afford them: a family of vicious gangs.

  Can be seen on: Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies.

  The Outrun (2024): A British German drama film that follows Rona who, after living on the edge in London, attempts to come to terms with her troubled past. Hoping to heal she returns to the wild beauty of Scotland’s Orkney Islands where she grew up.

  Can be seen on: Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Fandango at Home.

  Event Details:

  Coffee will be provided.
  Please bring a snack to share.
  

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• Health & Wellness Presents : Erasing Sun Damage & Rebuilding Tissues Naturally

  • When
    4 Mar 2026
  •  
    5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    New Canaan Library, The Community Room (Downstairs)
  • Spaces left
    42

  Register

  Health & Wellness Group Presents:

  Erasing Sun Damage &

  Rebuilding Tissues Naturally

  By Merry Thornton, Physician Assistant
  and owner of Element Medical Aesthetics

  

  Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
  Time: 5:30 PM – 7 :00 PM
  Place: New Canaan Library
  The Community Room (Downstairs)
  Space is limited. There is no fee to attend

  Merry Thornton, physician assistant and owner of Element Medical Aesthetics, will discuss the latest regenerative treatments in aesthetic medicine. This talk will explore how today’s science-backed therapies support the body’s natural healing processes to improve skin quality, restore volume, and promote healthy aging. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of emerging treatments, what they actually do, and how to make informed choices in an increasingly crowded aesthetic landscape. Come with questions for this approachable and interactive talk.

  Merry Thornton is a board-certified Physician Assistant licensed in NY, NJ, and CT, with a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Weill Cornell. Over the past decade, Merry has worked alongside leading dermatologists and plastic surgeons, earning extensive expertise in advanced medical aesthetics.

  She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. Merry has served as an investigator on FDA clinical trials for Allergan, Merz, and Galderma and has been a medical speaker for Pfizer.

  Questions? Email Joanne Sullivan

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• Encore Pickleball Social

  • When
    8 Mar 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Location
    The Sport Haus, 129 Woodward Ave, Norwalk, CT

  Register

  Encore Pickleball Social!

  Sunday, March 8, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

  The Sport Haus, 129 Woodward Ave, Norwalk, CT

  All levels welcome!  Fun open play will be organized! 
  Fee: $26 per person
  Please bring a nibble/appetizer/dessert to share
  Bar on premises, purchase drinks there

   If you are interested in either learning how to play Pickleball or fine tuning your Pickle skills before the social, please ask Samantha about ongoing pickle clinics

  Questions? Contact Samantha Loomis 

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• Hibachi night at Sakura in Westport

  • When
    10 Mar 2026
  •  
    4:30 PM
  • Location
    Sakura of Westport, 680 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Hibachi night at Sakura in Westport

  Join us for a fun night of hibachi. Hibachi offers an interactive dining experience featuring skilled chefs performing tricks—like onion volcanoes and knife skills—while cooking steak, chicken, seafood, and rice on a hot, flat-top grill.
  

  

  Questions?
  Please contact your Encore On the Go! Event Planner:
  Bianca Romano

  
  

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• Bridge Group

  • Start
    11 Mar 2026
  •  
  • End
    13 May 2026
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    Lapham Center

  

  This group was created for social bridge players of intermediate level to have fun practicing and improving their skills while enjoying the company of other ladies who are there to do the same thing. We are a fun-loving group and welcome players to be members of a set group or as substitutes. We play bridge on the second Wednesday of the month from September through May starting at 9:15 at the Lapham Community Center. 

  If you would like to join us for social bridge, or as a substitute, please email Simin Zendehrouh.

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• EATS Luncheon

  • Start
    12 Mar 2026
  •  
  • End
    12 Nov 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    7 sessions
  • Location
    Lapham Community Center

  EATS (The Eating and Tasting Society) is a fun, diverse group of 36 ladies, divided into 3 groups.  Each group gets together every three months, to plan and prepare a lunch for all the members.  Luncheons are usually held at Lapham Community Center.  Recipes are emailed to members and discussed at the luncheon.  There are 9 luncheons each year on the second Thursday of each month (except December, July and August).  Interested in EATS recipes? Explore past Recipe Packs here. 

  If you would like to join the group, find out more, or come as a guest, please email Deborah Golden.

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• Powerhouse Theater - One Man, Two Guvnors

  • When
    13 Mar 2026
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • Location
    Powerhouse Theatre, Waveny Park, 679 South Ave, New Canaan
  • Spaces left
    3

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  Powerhouse Theatre Event

  Join us for a trip to our local Powerhouse theater to see a production of One Man, Two Guvnors, on Friday, March 13, 7:30pm.

  $35 per seat. Those who would like can join up for a pre theatre dinner.

  A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud farce set in 1960s Brighton, England. The Tony Award winning ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS follows Francis Henshall, a down-on-his-luck man who finds himself working for two bosses at the same time – without either of them knowing. As he scrambles to keep up the act, comic chaos, confusion, and hilarious misunderstandings unfold. Packed with physical comedy, pratfalls, and quick wit, this modern take based on Goldoni’s masterpiece Servant of Two Masters is a wildly fun night at the theatre.

  Produced by: Nova Hall & Chris Cluett
  PRODUCTION TEAM
  Director: Nancy L. Meyer
  Stage Manager: Neil Flores
  

  CAST

  FRANCIS HENSHALL: Mat Young
  CHARLIE CLENCH: Timothy Huber
  PAULINE CLENCH: Kim Wood
  HARRIET DANGLE: Annalisa DiNucci
  ALAN DANGLE: Liam McGrath
  DOLLY: Martha Hegley
  LLOYD BOATENG: Jonathan Hall
  RACHEL CRABBE: Claire Kenny
  STANLEY STUBBERS: Tom Cleary
  GARETH and others: Eric Dino
  ALFIE and others: Grady Dennis
  TOWNSPERSON and others: Samantha Brown
  

  
  You are welcome to bring one guest

  For Cancellation or Questions, please contact Liz Orteig 

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• A magical night in the wild with the wolves

  • When
    28 Mar 2026
  •  
    5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
  • Location
    Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem, NY
  • Spaces left
    0

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  A magical night in the wild with the wolves

  Come for the wolves. Stay for the howls. Leave with a deeper connection to one of nature’s most misunderstood and magnificent animals

  Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem, NY, where you’ll take a short sunset hike to howl with with Ambassador wolves Nikai, Silas, and Kinari. With a bit of luck, you may also glimpse the Center’s critically endangered red wolves and Mexican wolves—an awe-inspiring experience. You’ll encounter wolves during their favorite time of day and learn why twilight is so important to pack life. As the sun sets, expert guides will share fascinating insights into the mythology, biology, and ecology of wolves, bringing their family dynamics and ancient stories to life.

  Please bring a flashlight for the walk back and wear comfortable shoes / sneakers.

  Event Details
  

  • Date: March 28, 2026 (Saturday)
  • Fee: $21 per person ( no refunds unless there is waitlist)
  • Limited capacity to ensure an intimate experience
  • RSVP by Feb 26, 2026 (Thursday)
  • Optional post event dinner - 7:00 PM at Gates Restaurant (10 Forest St, New Canaan, CT). A group reservation has been secured.

  You are welcome to bring one guest

  For Questions, please contact Shean-Mei Sheu

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• Encore Book Group

  • When
    30 Mar 2026
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Lapham Downstairs
  • Spaces left
    12

  Registration is closed

  Encore Book Group

  The March meeting of the Encore Book Group will be held at 1:30, Monday, March 30, 2026, downstairs at Lapham.  We will be discussing "The Widow" by John Grisham, a #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.

  John Grisham is the acclaimed master of the legal thriller. Now, he’s back with his first-ever whodunit, even more suspenseful than his courtroom dramas, as a small-time lawyer accused of murder races to find the real killer to clear his name.

  Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then, into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a substantial fortune, and no one is aware of it.  Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t commit: murder.  Simon knows he’s innocent. But he also knows the circumstantial evidence is against him, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. To save himself, he must find the real killer….

  There is always a lively discussion.  You can contact Anne Sutcliffe. If you get on the email list, you can be alerted to any changes in the schedule or venue and book availability. 

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• Pickleball

  • Start
    1 Apr 2026
  •  
  • End
    30 Dec 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    40 sessions
  • Location
    Mead Park, New Canaan

  

  Encore Pickleball

  (resume in Spring 2026)

  @ Mead Park Courts, New Canaan

  
  

  Courts reserved 10am to 11:30am

  with an organized random rotation

  
  

  The group plays at an intermediate level. Beginner classes are available through the New Canaan Recreation Department, YMCA, and private instructors. 

  
  

  Prior to play, you must purchase a Pickleball Permit (seniors $80, adults $140, family $300) at the New Canaan Recreation Department. Permits are only available to New Canaan Residents. Encore members w/o a Permit can play for $15 each session, payable by credit card at the courts.  

  
  

  If you want to join the group, Encore Pickleball is on the TeamReach App

  
  For questions, please email Mary Liz Lewis 
  

  
  

  
  

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