<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion: </span><a href="https://patcreedondesigns.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Pat Creedon Design, Inc.</a></h2><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Patricia Creedon founder of </span><a href="https://patcreedondesigns.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Pat Creedon Design, Inc.</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why did you start your business?&nbsp;</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I started Pat Creedon Design in order to help small businesses have the quality brand they need to attract their ideal customers. I do that through my expertise in logo design which is my best-selling service, web design, and book design.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do you rely on any fellow small businesses to operate Pat Creedon Design?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have grown my business mainly through networking. A great space to do that is Hayvn in Darien. I also meet people for coffee often at Zumbach's in New Canaan, where I live.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Have you reimaged your small business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Yes, a lot of businesses need a single contact that can coordinate a lot of their design and marketing needs for them. I can provide that with a simple monthly payment!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Questions? Email </span><a href="mailto:pmcreedon@mac.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">pmcreedon@mac.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/PatCreedonDesignInc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">PatCreedonDesignInc</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and Instagram @</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/pmcreedon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">pmcreedon</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and LinkedIn </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/pat-creedon-design/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.linkedin.com/company/pat-creedon-design/</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><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Spectrum is a juried exhibition of original, contemporary artwork by local and regional artists, in all media and all sizes.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The theme of the 2025 exhibition is SPRING FEVER and the juror Susan Eley, founder and director of Susan Eley Fine Art, has selected original works in all media that celebrate and embody the vitality and energy of the spring season.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The works may evoke the lushness of spring through imagery, composition, color and movement, or through symbolic themes such as renewal, transformation, possibility and the cycle of life. Selected works across a range of media will showcase artistic expression and inspiration – whether personal, emotional or environmental.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Spectrum: Spring Fever open April 16-May 23</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Gallery Hours Weds - Sat 10am-3pm, Sundays 1-5pm</span></p><p><a href="https://carriagebarn.org/spectrum-spring-fever/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://carriagebarn.org/spectrum-spring-fever/</a></p><p><br></p>

<p>This event is an opportunity for students of all abilities to dive into continuous, intensive figure drawing with live models in sustained poses, still life set-ups, and even landscape drawing on Silvermine's beautiful campus. Participants, ages 16 and up, will work alongside Silvermine Faculty, Guild Artists, and fellow students to enhance their artistic vision, sharpen their skills, and energize their studio experience.</p><p><strong>Registration is required.</strong> Tables, easels, drawing horses, drawing boards, and basic drawing supplies will be provided.</p><p>Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to draw, learn, and grow as an artist!</p><p><strong>Date</strong>: Sunday, June 8</p><p><strong>Morning Session</strong>: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM</p><p><strong>Afternoon Session</strong>: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM</p><p>Experience continuous, intensive figure drawing with live models and still life setups. This event is open to adults ages 16 and up, with sessions held both inside the school building and outdoors on our campus.</p><p><a href="https://silvermineart.asapconnected.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://silvermineart.asapconnected.com/#CourseGroupID=48721</a></p>

<p>New Canaan - April 10, 2025: Blossom Hill Foundation invites the community to its annual Cherry Blossom Tea on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the New Canaan Playhouse, 93 Elm Street. Guests may choose from two seatings: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM or 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.</p><p>This elegant Mother's Day event blends thoughtful giving with a memorable social experience. Attendees will enjoy a light, healthy lunch paired with specialty teas and sparkling wine, all while browsing a curated selection of gifts from local vendors. Offerings include a custom flower bar, fine jewelry, perfumed candles, designer sunglasses, and premium skincare products.</p><p>“Our Mother's Day event celebrates the nurturing spirit that connects us globally,” said Shiva Sarram, Founder and Executive Director of Blossom Hill. “While guests enjoy a beautiful afternoon, they're also supporting educational programs that transform the lives of children affected by conflict and displacement.”</p><p>All proceeds benefit Blossom Hill’s mission of education for peace, funding innovative programs for vulnerable children and youth around the world.</p><p>Tickets and more information are available at <a href="https://blossomhill-foundation.org/mothers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">blossomhill-foundation.org/mothers</a>.</p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">New Canaan Library presents the 12th Annual Conversations with Business Leaders featuring keynote speaker Emilie Rubinfeld, Global CEO of Carolina Herrera on </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thursday, April 10th from 7 - 8pm.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The evening will include Rubinfeld sharing insights from helming one of fashion’s most important legacy houses and a live runway show previewing Carolina Herrera's latest looks.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Emilie Rubinfeld has been a leader in luxury fashion for over a decade, having built brand and business strategies for iconic fashions houses throughout her career. Today she is the Global President of Carolina Herrera, the New-York based fashion brand internationally recognized for iconic style and bold elegance.</span></p><p><a href="https://ohvwq5bab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zC-MMPsdq9jJmJ7P4hlnDUgh42bFbWebZ3qqq5_HkM_EyBhhalFIhLVxXGejy2DPz23gOdo7AIER_SW5ZFoEnfR5pPzjt7B3gTTuGtpxZN0SNkBWEFTzj0PMDa9gU-l8MYtBl2VqJI0FtvjTrCWnq273-2KNN9nMkT3HeN9p1cBuRHGZDJ7LkzWKj3w88lDbEUu-QrFRiZhX19me2AiqvjmDgUcpH_bUDBygwYc-qdrJV8j19qwjQjI5am8M8cty&amp;c=qteFBxctm20mYDQOXoE64bi_eZMYsA89DkZykZ7DpTDTLQPZ-xREtw==&amp;ch=y2dZBNoazcv4Ozc8bWArm5eqCIITyF4CljVCnhRG7JFcIGTWNsUIeg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Register Here</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">New Canaan resident Christopher Dunleavy, an eighth-grader at Saint Mary School in Ridgefield, is not your typical teenager. While he enjoys babysitting, playing basketball, and engaging in video games with friends, it's his compassionate initiative that truly sets him apart. Shown here is Christopher with fellow New Cannanite Carter in front of The Toy Chest in New Canaan, just one of the outings this duo embarks upon!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">As part of his Saint Mary School Capstone Project—a year-long program that encourages students to pursue meaningful, self-directed learning—Christopher has dedicated himself to making a meaningful difference in the life of his neighbor, Carter, who lives with cerebral palsy.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture. Understanding the challenges Carter faces, Christopher embarked on a mission to ensure his friend feels included and valued. "Everyone is a child of God, and everyone deserves to have a great life," Christopher explains. His goal is to be a consistent companion to Carter, engaging him in activities and fostering a sense of belonging.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Here, we sit down with Christopher to find out more about his time with Carter and to learn about what’s at the heart of this special friendship.&nbsp;</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Can you share one of your favorite memories or moments from your time spent with Carter?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">My favorite memory is when Carter's mom was explaining something to him, and he just rolled his eyes because he had to pause the video game. Carter has one of the best eye rolls ever!</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">What have you learned about friendship and inclusivity by getting to know Carter?</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">I have learned that friendship is one of the most important things in life, because just seeing one of your friends can make your day. Your friends are also always there for you to cheer you up, and you can always count on them.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">How has your perspective on helping others changed since you started spending time with Carter?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">My perspective on helping others has changed a lot since I first started to babysit Carter. I realized that you get an amazing feeling when you help out kids like him, and just everyone in general.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">What do you hope others take away from your project and the way you’ve supported Carter?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">I hope that people are moved by this, and I hope that people can cherish every moment they have with their friends. I also hope people can try to go out of their way to help people like Carter.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Thank you to Christopher for sharing this story of love, friendship and compassion. You are living Mother Teresa’s message: “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”</span></p>