By Lisa Vasquez
Encore Club of New Canaan, 40th Anniversary Celebration at Waveny House in New Canaan: “Then and Now: 1985 through 2025.” -Written and submitted by Lisa Vasquez; photos.
On Tuesday April 29 2025, Encore Club of New Canaan shared its 40th Anniversary with its members at Waveny House in New Canaan.
What is Encore Club, you might ask. What is their mission? Well, Encore Club of New Canaan is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1985 by a group of women who lived in the New Canaan community. Encore is a club open to New Canaan women looking to pursue friendship through a variety of social activities. As was the protocol of the time, when you were new to the community, you might join a membership club that provided weekly daytime activities, stimulation and a pathway to new friendships and camaraderie in New Canaan.
Its credited founder, Mrs. Joan Allocca, continues to live in New Canaan with her family. In 1985 when Joan and 3 others were retired from their tenured “Newcomers Club” membership, and unwilling to “go quietly,” they brainstormed with the idea to start a new club that continued to offer the social activities and friendship to all women of the New Canaan community. Hence the name “Encore Club.” With humble beginnings and word of mouth membership, Encore Club has grown from the 4 original founders in 1985 to 367 members as of today. Membership is extended to women only, but there are several occasions throughout the year that spouses, significant others and guests may be included.
At the 40th Anniversary luncheon on Tuesday, April 29 at Waveny House, over 100 current Encore members, including 8 Past Presidents and many Club Officers attended and celebrated the longevity of the organization. While not philanthropic, Encore Club offers a way to enhance the camaraderie of the New Canaan community through daily activities. Many Encore Club members are in leadership roles and officers of other New Canaan philanthropic and volunteer organizations such as the Beautification League, The New Canaan Community Foundation, and The Rotary, just to name a few. While Encore membership renews annually, members may remain in the club indefinitely.
Over the years, membership has fluctuated. In fact, during the pandemic, Encore Club’s membership actually grew because of their smartly reduced membership fees, regularly scheduled ZOOM events, and weather permitting, mask-required, in-person events during the warmer months. During this time of crisis, members continued to have the structure, support and camaraderie through their Encore community. The Club’s current membership roster proudly boasts membership of 367 paid members (encoreclubofnewcanaan.org).
Encore Club of New Canaan is accessible to all women of the New Canaan community and local towns. As empty nesters sometimes migrate to neighboring towns such as Wilton, Norwalk and Stamford, their membership within Encore Club remains active, their contributions remain valued, and their friendships and camaraderie remain intact. Members would agree, Encore Club of New Canaan is a vital part of life in “the next station to heaven!”
