Get your week in Wilton started off on a GOOD foot with GMW‘s “Monday Morning Brew.” Each Monday, “Morning Brew” will highlighting shorter announcements, updates, events to check out and GOOD news items, and helps you get a quick start to Wilton’s news week. Have a news tip, item or something you know people are chatting about or may want to do? Fill out this form to let GMW know!
Wilton YMCA Special Olympics Bowling Team Strikes Success at CT Unified Fall Festival
The Riverbrook Regional YMCA Special Olympics bowling team took part in the Special Olympics CT Unified Fall Festival held at AMF Circle Lanes in East Haven on Saturday, Nov. 22. The team’s nine athletes took part in a dedicated 10-week training program leading up to the event.
”We had an amazing day with all our bowlers outperforming their averages throughout the season. Our guys stepped up when it mattered most,” Y Director of Sports and Special Needs Eric Lindahl said. “As always, the Special Olympics CT does an amazing job organizing and running these events and we are so thankful to them for welcoming us to compete.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the Special Olympics events in which the Wilton YMCA participates, including bowling, bocce, gymnastics, floorball and swimming can contact Eric Lindahl at 203.762.8384, ext. 207 or via email.
Wilton Woman’s Club Announces 2026 Beneficiary: Norwalk River Valley Trail
The Wilton Women’s Club announce last week that it has selected the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) as the beneficiary of the club’s 2026 Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser.
The NRVT is a multi-town initiative to build a 30-mile trail system connecting lower Fairfield County to Danbury. To date, 13 miles have been completed.
The Wilton Women’s Club previously partnered with the NRVT in 2016, supporting construction of the Twin Oak Lane footbridge. The club now continues this partnership as the NRVT moves forward with plans to build approximately four additional miles in the Wilton North Loop, ultimately linking Wilton with Redding, Ridgefield and Danbury.
Funds raised through the 2026 Fashion Show will support the creation of a reflective and contemplative seating area in the North Wilton Loop. This space will feature pollinator-friendly landscaping and the “Be a Trail Blazer” logo, offering visitors a peaceful environment for reflection and remembrance.
The Wilton Women’s Club invites the community to attend the 17th Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser and Luncheon on Apr. 23, 2026, at Rolling Hills Country Club.
Generous Shoppers “Feed Wilton” During the Holidays
The Wilton Kiwanis Club was grateful for the warm-hearted generosity of shoppers at the Village Market and Stop & Shop, who countered the freezing cold temperatures for the 21 Kiwanis greeters during the Dec. 5-7 weekend food drive to “Feed Wilton.”
The effort raised more than $14K in cash and gift cards, Kiwanis officials said. The quarterly effort contributed to the second year in a row that more than $50K was donated to the Wilton Food Pantry.
“We are deeply grateful to Kiwanis for their hard (and cold!) work supporting our Food Pantry clients,” Wilton Director of Social Services Stephanie Rowe said. “In November 2025, we reached a record of 141 households served — the highest number since our Food Pantry first opened. The need in our community is greater than ever, and thanks to Kiwanis, Wilton Social Services can continue providing year-round assistance and additional support to our clients.”
The Wilton Kiwanis Club has been supporting the Food Pantry with food drives for more than 25 years. “Supporting those in need is at the core of what Kiwanis is all about. There is no excuse for anyone in Wilton being hungry,” Kiwanis Club President Joe Fiteni said.”
Kiwanians who greeted customers included Tom Connors, Ross Tartell, Mike Whitted, Bob Wirz, Dagny Eason, Tom Syrstad, Whitney Janeway, Barli Nugent, Jeff Turner, Jack McFadden, Mary Anne Franco, Mike Safko, David King, Den Taylor, Steve Erickson, Jerry Sprole, Peter Freyer, Suzanne Verrilli, Ken Ogasawara, Bill Brennan and Paul Ramsey.
Wilton Resident Rudy Escalante Recognized for His Support of Scouts
Scouting America honored Wilton resident Rudy Escalante recently at the organization’s Generations of Success Breakfast on Monday, Dec. 8. Escalante, Eagle Scout and an executive board member/past president of the Connecticut Yankee Council, was inducted into the Good Turn Society for his generosity and support of Scouting.