HOLIDAY EVENTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEW FAIRFIELD, CT     HOLIDAY HOUSE CRAFT - the New Fairfield Free Public Library is sponsoring a  Make-a-Holiday-House-Craft event on Friday, December 14th,  4:00 - 5:00PM at the New Fairfield Library, for children in grades 2 and higher. Registration is REQUIRED as space is limited. Call the library at 203-312-5679 to register.   POLAR EXPRESS STORY TIME - Friday, December 21st at 7:00pm there will be a “magical” reading of the famous award-winning book, “The Polar Express”, written by Chris Van Allsburg. Children are encouraged to dress in their pj’s, slippers and robes to make the story even more real. After taking the trip to the North Pole, children will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. To register, or if you have any questions, please call the Child... 12/12/2012

MARKET REPORT - HOMES SOLD IN NEW FAIRFIELD, CT IN 2012 AND DISCOUNT RATES   Real Estate market information for New Fairfield, CT provided by Olga Simoncelli of Pandolfi Properties, Inc.   Number of Homes Sold in New Fairfield, CT in 2012 Month-by-Month and Discount Rates   SUMMARY   In total, 124 homes sold to-date in New Fairfield, CT. The largest number of closings is reported for  June and October, at 19  and 15, respectively. The average discount rate for the year was 8.8%, which means that on average, a home sold at 91.2% of the asking price. April closings seem to have achieved the lowest discount rate of only 3.1%, while thus far in December, the discount rate is at a whopping 16.9% of listing price. Most likely, the April sales were negotiated in winter months, when inventory i... 12/10/2012

   HOMES SOLD AND AVERAGE PRICES IN NEW FAIRFIELD, CT - DECEMBER 2012 Real Estate Market Data for New Fairfield, CT provided by Olga Simoncelli of Pandolfi Properties, Inc. NEW FAIRFIELD HOMES SOLD AND AVERAGE PRICES SUMMARY: To-date a total of 124 homes sold in New Fairfield for an average price of $359K and a median price of $319K. The averages were dragged down by distressed sales. For example, lowest sale of the year was at a mere $39,000 (!) - a small ranch in need of a great deal of work. As a contrast to that government-owned foreclosure, the highest sale was at $1,956,000 for a large waterfront contemporary in a choice location at the tip of Candlewood Isle. The home (listed by Pandolfi Properties, by the way!) sold in only 26 days and ABOVE the asking price.  FOR BUYERS: Prices... 12/10/2012

  HOLIDAY EVENTS AROUND NEW FAIRFIELD CT     Holiday Events Around New Fairfield, CT  December, 2012   Breakfast With Santa - Saturday, Dec 8th 8:30-10:30am at New Fairfield HS Cafeteria. This is a popular annual event sponsored by the New Fairfield Lions Club. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 6 and over (5 and under are free!). Visit With Santa and Photo Op with firefighters - another annual local tradition (around for over forty years!) - Sunday, Dec 9th, 2:00-4:00pm at the Ball Pond Fire House on Fairfield Dr. Visit with Santa and take photo’s. All area children are welcome; refreshments will be served. As a special treat, local children from the Ball Pond area will be able to ride in the newest fire truck with Santa as a passenger, starting at 12:30pm.  Holiday Bo... 12/07/2012

  DONATE TO TOYS FOR TOTS AND “BRING THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS TO AMERICA’S NEEDY CHILDREN”   Donate to Toys for Tots and “Bring the Joy of Christmas to America’s Needy Children”. The quote is the objective and mission statement of the U.S. Marine Corp Toys for Tots Fundraising Foundation.    The organization was founded by a Marine Major, Bill Hendricks, in 1947 (with inspiration from his wife) and expanded into a nationwide campaign in 1948. The Marines have been collecting and donating toys every year since then. In time, the activity has even become one of the official missions of the Marine Corp Reserves.    Toys for Tots is a top-rated charity - 97% of all donations are passed directly to their intended recipients, the children! The remaining 3% covers primarily fundraising expenses, w... 11/30/2012

HOLIDAY EVENTS AROUND NEW FAIRFIELD, CT - LIVE NATIVITY SCENE   What better symbolizes the Christmas season than a Nativity Scene? On November 30th and December 1st, 2012 between 7:00PM and 9:30PM you have the opportunity to view a “live” nativity scene at New Fairfield’s New Life Community Church, located at 2 Beaver Bog Road in New Fairfield.   You can enjoy the viewing from the comfort of your car, as a drive-through. The live elements will include Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, the Wise Men following the Star and of course the Manger, where Christ was born.    Free hot chocolate and cookies will be on hand as well. This year the Life Community Church of New Fairfield is taking part in the Toys For Tots program. Visitors are encouraged to consider donating new toys as gifts ... 11/29/2012

  WHY IT’S GREAT TO LIVE IN NEW FAIRFIELD, CT   Why is it great to live in New Fairfield, CT? Well, there are many reasons. For one thing, we don’t feel like we’re just in Connecticut. Especially the west side of town is a stone’s throw away from New York. So, we in New Fairfield have all the beauty and conveniences of our own state plus we have the entire Hudson Valley “at our fingertips”, so to speak. One could even say we ARE the Hudson Valley, albeit without the taxes!   One of the huge benefits is the proximity to the Big Apple, the much beloved New York City and the innumerable pleasures it has to offer - cultural, social, culinary, shopping and so on, or simply sights and smells!  New York is not just a city, it’s a WORLD.    Just over twenty percent of New Fairfield’s residents ... 11/26/2012

FIRST ANNUAL NEW FAIRFIELD, CT HOLIDAY LIGHT PARADE   Now that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is over, we in New Fairfield, CT have our very own parade to look forward to on Sunday, November 25th. It is promising to become on of New Fairfield’s fine traditions in years to come.   New Fairfield, CT is launching its first Annual Light Parade & Tree Lighting event, sponsored by the New Fairfield Parks and Recreation Department and supported with gifts and supplies from many local businesses.     You could come out for just the parade, the Christmas tree lighting, or make a day of it with the children as there will be various activities throughout the day at different places around the  New Fairfield village center.    For example, from 12:00 - 2:00PM, the New Fairfield Luncheonette is ... 11/24/2012

HOLIDAY AND OTHER EVENTS AT THE NEW FAIRFIELD, CT LIBRARY   THE LOCAL LIBRARY IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE ANYTIME.  DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD THERE ARE ALSO SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES.    FOR EXAMPLE, ON MONDAY EVENINGS, ONE CAN PLAY CHESS AT CHESS NIGHT FROM 6:30 - 7:30PM. ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE WELCOME. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE PARTNERED WITH OTHERS TO PLAY.  NEXT SESSION IS MONDAY, NOV 19TH.   SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO THE NEW FAIRFIELD LIBRARY! -ON SUNDAY, NOV 25TH, THE NEW FAIRFIELD LIBRARY WILL HOST SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS - SANTA CLAUS, MRS. CLAUS AND THE ELVES, FROM 1:00-4:00PM THE COMMUNITY ROOM WILL BECOME SANTA’S WORKSHOP, WHERE PARENTS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PHOTO’S OF THEIR CHILDREN WITH SANTA AND THE CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO CALL THE NORTH POLE! THERE WILL ALSO BE STORY-READING AND ... 11/18/2012

RUN FOR THE TURKEYS 5K ROAD RACE, NEW FAIRFIELD CT NOV 18, 2012   IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO TAKE PART IN THE POPULAR NEW FAIRFIELD, CT RUN FOR THE TURKEYS 5K ROAD RACE/ HEALTH WALK. THIS YEAR THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH AT THE NEW FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL.    AT THIS POINT, ONLINE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED, HOWEVER ONE CAN STILL REGISTER RIGHT BEFORE THE START OF THE RACE.      WALK-IN REGISTRATION STARTS AT  9:00AM, FOLLOWED BY  KIDS FUN RUN AT 10:00AM 5K ROAD RACE AT 11:00AM HEALTH WALK FOLLOWS THE ROAD RACE   THERE WILL BE PRIZES AND TROPHIES FOR TOP RUNNERS IN EACH DIVISION, USUALLY DESIGNATED BY AGE GROUPS. THIS YEAR THE RACE MARKS ITS 28TH ANNIVERSARY IN NEW FAIRFIELD. AS A SPECIAL TREAT, THERE WILL BE A NEW PRIZE CATEGORY FOR THE BEST COSTUME. THEME: TURKEY! OF COURSE... 11/17/2012

    ANOTHER CHANCE TO DONATE TO SANDY RELIEF EFFORTS IN NEW FAIRFIELD, CT Thursday November 15th.   The goods that were donated last week in New Fairfield, CT for the residents of Red Hook, Brooklyn that were afflicted by hurricane Sandy were successfully delivered and distributed. Big thanks go to all that contributed with donations, time and effort!    Many victims continue to struggle in their recovery efforts and there is still a need for help. To that end, the town of New Fairfield is organizing another day for donations. On Thursday, November 15th, there will be a U-Haul truck at Memorial Field in the center of town to accept donations between 10:00AM - 5:00PM  Following items are requested:   batteries  flashlights  pet food (for our faithful furry friends) water baby items (diap... 11/12/2012

TOWN OF NEW FAIRFIELD, CT RALLIES IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE SANDY’S VICTIMS: FUNDRAISER ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH!   IT’S HARD NOT TO BE TOUCHED BY THE STORIES OF HURRICANE SANDY’S DESTRUCTION AND THE RESULTING HUMAN SUFFERING, ALL SO CLOSE TO HOME. ALTHOUGH THE TOWN OF NEW FAIRFIELD HAS HAD ITS  SHARE OF HARDSHIPS, MOSTLY IN THE FORM OF LOSING POWER, OR EVEN FALLEN BRANCHES DAMAGING OUR PROPERTIES, IT IS RELATIVELY MINOR COMPARED TO THE DEVASTATION THE HURRICANE CAUSED THOSE CLOSER TO THE SHORE.    ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, THE COFFEE HOUSE OF NEW FAIRFIELD WILL DONATE ITS PROCEEDS FROM THAT EVENING’S PERFORMANCE TO THE HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT.    THE NEW FAIRFIELD COFFEE HOUSE IS A SELF-SUSTAINING PROGRAM RUN BY THE NEW FAIRFIELD PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT AND OPERATES IN PARTNERSHIP W... 11/09/2012

  SKI AREAS AROUND NEW FAIRFIELD, CT - THUNDER RIDGE SKI AREA   FACED WITH ABOUT SIX INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND ALREADY, ALBEIT IN EARLY NOVEMBER, ONE MIGHT AS WELL START THINKING ABOUT SKIING OPTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING [LONG?] WINTER.   THUNDER RIDGE SKI AREA IS LITERALLY WITHIN A FEW MINUTES’ DRIVE FROM NEW FAIRFIELD, CT, ALTHOUGH IT’S ON THE NEW YORK SIDE, ON ROUTE 22 IN PATTERSON, SPREAD OVER 100 ACRES OF ROLLING HILLS. THE DRIVE TO THUNDER RIDGE FROM NEW YORK CITY IS ONLY ABOUT 60 MINUTES, 35  MINUTES FROM WHITE PLAINS AND ONLY 20 MINUTES FROM DANBURY. THE PATTERSON TRAIN STATION IS ONE MILE FROM THUNDER RIDGE MOUNTAIN ON THE METRO-NORTH’S HARLEM LINE. ON WEEK-ENDS AND DURING HOLIDAY PERIODS THUNDER RIDGE CONVENIENTLY PROVIDES FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM THE TRAIN STATION; DURING THE... 11/07/2012

NEW FAIRFIELD/SHERMAN ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY  ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE    DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S NEW FAIRFIELD/SHERMAN ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY (NFSAW) HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH 10AM-4PM. THIS ANNUAL EVENT WILL TAKE PLADE IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM AT THE NEW FAIRFIELD SENIOR CENTER, 33 ROUTE 37 NORTH. BOTH ADMISSION AND PARKING ARE FREE.    As one of its main attractions, the boutique will feature live wreaths and floral arrangements. Try to come early, as last year all the wreaths were sold out close to closing time. There will be hand-made crochet and knit articles, pine cone baskets with Christmas lights, hand-crafted ornaments, dozens of cat and dog products for those special members of your family, raffle items, NFSAW logo tee shirts, table top Christmas trees, designer d... 11/06/2012

New Fairfield, Connecticut Real Estate Update  April, 2011 Closed home sales in New Fairfield, Connecticut: There were 11 home sales closed in New Fairfield, CT. The median closed real estate sales price for New Fairfield was $375,000. On average, these homes sold for 88% of their final list price. Days on Market averaged 261 days of market time. ** Only 1 of these sales were distressed sales - bank-owned properties or short sales.   This compares with 15 closed sales in this month one year ago, with a median sales price of $412,000.   Currently available homes for sale in New Fairfield, Connecticut: Currently, there are 87 homes for sale in New Fairfield, CT.List Prices range from $74,500 for a bank-owned fixer to $2,450,000 for a spacious Candlewood Lake waterfront home. New Fairfield... 02/01/2012

NEW FAIRFIELD, CT REAL ESTATE - HOMES SOLD IN NOVEMBER, 2011   Street BR’S Full Baths Half Baths Sale Price 13 HILLDALE RD 2 1 1 $40,000 27 HUDSON DR 3 2 1 $70,000 13 CARDINAL LN 2 1 1 $70,500 1 CANDLEWOOD RD 2 1 0 $110,000 13 HEWLETT RD 2 1 1 $123,000 6 ANSONIA RD 2 1 0 $168,000 97 PINE HILL RD 2 1 0 $205,000 8 WARWICK RD 3 2 1 $250,000 8 CHARCOAL RIDGE RD WEST 3 2 0 $240,000 9 COLUMBIA DR 5 3 0 $365,000 27 SUNLIT LN 3 3 0 $380,240 60 DICK FINN RD 4 2 1 $365,000 7 WOODS WAY 3 3 0 $400,000 12 PEACEFUL DR 4 2 1 $437,500 23 E LAKE RD 4 2 1 $557,500 10 AMBER DR 4 4 2 $770,000 35 NORTH LAKE DR 3 3 0 $1,162,500     A total of 17 single family homes sold in New Fairfield, CT in the month of November. The sale prices ranged from $40,0000 for a distressed property  to $1,162,500 for a Candlewoo... 12/21/2011

                                                   The lovely Candlewood Lake town of New Fairfield, CT invites you to participate in its upcoming Holiday Activities:   13th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting   Saturday, December 3rd (rain/snow date - Sunday, December 4th)   Festivities start at 4:00PM on Memorial Field   Come join Santa and Mrs. Clause as we light the New Fairfield Holiday Tree.   For more information regarding Holiday Activities in New Fairfield, call Parks and Recreation at 203-312-5633 If you arrive early, you might have time to stop in at the 2011 Holiday Boutique sponsored by the New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society. It will be held from 10:00am to 4:00pm in the Senior Center Community Room. The Boutique will feature holiday crafts, gifts, ornaments, decorations... 11/28/2011

THINGS TO DO AROUND CANDLEWOOD LAKE IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT   It’s not too late to come out to enjoy the foliage! The weather man is promising nice, sunny fall days for this week-end, take advantage of it. The unexpected October snow storm did leave us some color on the trees, although the lengthy power outage sort of robbed us of Halloween. Take a hike in the woods or visit some of the apple-picking places that are still open for business, although probably no longer for apples. Their country shops are full of delicious local apple varieties, cider, doughnuts, fun holiday items and more. There are even wine trails and wine-tastings! Some farms have petting zoos for children and corn mazes. See the list below for most convenient locations. Be sure to call first to see if they’r... 11/11/2011

Please Welcome Olga Simoncelli! Please welcome Olga to Active Rain.  She is a Broker from New Fairfield, CT, and covers the Danbury area.  Olga Simoncelli joined Active Rain a while ago, and has been "  lurking " around, making comments occasionally, and doing lots of reading.   She has been around long enough to see familiar faces every time she logs in!  When she came to our Meet Up at my home, she knew most everyone from their blogs already! Olga Simoncelli will be a wonderful addition to Active Rain with her great writing skills and keen eye for the fun and crazy stuff in her area.   As a matter of fact, she just wrote such a post on her area - go check it out!. Please Welcome Olga Simoncelli!     09/11/2011

New Fairfield, Connecticut Real Estate Update  February, 2011  Closed home sales in New Fairfield, Connecticut: There were 11 home sales closed in New Fairfield, CT.  The median closed real estate sales price for New Fairfield was $403,000.  On average, these homes sold for 91% of their final list price. Days on Market averaged 301 days of market time. ** 18% of these sales were distresses sales - bank-owned properties or short sales.   This compares with 15 closed sales in this month one year ago, with a median sales price of $320,000.   Currently available homes for sale in New Fairfield, Connecticut: Currently, there are 149 homes for sale in New Fairfield, CT.List Prices range from $54,900 for a bank-owned fixer to $2,450,000 for a spacious Candlewood Lake waterfront home. New Fair... 08/01/2011