Art Class - The Encore Art class is a time to step away from your daily responsibilities and learn ways to express your creativity. Each class has a one day project intended to explore artistic concepts and develop skills. Classes are available once or twice a month throughout the year in the art room at the Lapham Center in New Canaan. All the supplies are provided. Just sign up, show up and allow yourself to have a little fun creating art.  If you have any questions, please contact Holly Kennedy.

Book Group - The Encore Book Group meets once a month, usually downstairs at Lapham Community Center.   There is always a lively discussion so please email Anne Sutcliffe if you’d like to participate.  If you RSVP to Anne, you can be alerted to any changes in the schedule or venue.

Bridge Group - 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 or call 203-966-7391.

Bunco Come, join the fun and learn the easy, social dice game "Bunco".  No experience necessary!  Bunco event is usually held at a member's home monthly, except August and December.  The participants will bring an appetizer, dessert or bottle of wine.  Cost is $10 for the Bunco pot plus $3 (single dollar bills) for the dollar game.  All fees are payable at the event. If you are interested in hosting a Bunco event, or have questions, please contact Mary Liz Lewis.

Canasta – If you are interested in learning and playing a fun card game, then Canasta is for you. The group meets on Thursdays from 1:30 – 3:30 at Lapham Community Center. The first twenty people who respond to the TeamReach invitation will have a seat at a table. The next four will be substitutes. If you would like to be added to the list please email Geri Rhoades.

Critics Corner – If you enjoy going to the movies and love an opportunity to discuss the movie with other movie enthusiasts, then you should consider joining Critics’ Corner. We meet at a member’s house. After socializing over appetizers and some drinks, we then discuss and rate the two movies, which we will have already seen on our own. Each attendee brings either an appetizer or dessert and contributes $5 when they arrive to cover the cost of the drinks. Spouses/Significant others welcome! Please email Lorraine Jacobi if you would like to participate.

Daytime Restaurant Luncheons -Three luncheons are planned each year in an area restaurant or country club. The first is a welcome back affair, after the hiatus of summer. The second is after the holidays to help get us through the dark days of winter. The third is an exciting fashion show, usually held at a country club, which features our own members modeling clothes from one of our local merchants. Sometimes there are items available for sale.

EATS (The Eating and Tasting Society)  is a cooking group of 36 ladies who take turns preparing lunch 9 times a year. The group is divided into three teams, the Cinnamon Tarts, the Spice Girls and the Chili Peppers. Each team gets together every three months, to plan and prepare a lunch for all the EATS members, which is usually held at the Lapham Community Center.  Recipes are emailed to members and discussed at the luncheon.  EATS take place on the second Thursday of each month (except December, July and August). If you would like to join the group, find out more, or come as a guest, please email Sandra Siegel.

Encore Local Theatre Group - Meet-up with Encore friends to attend a variety of local live theater performances.  Shows will be selected from among those being put-on by the Town Players of New Canaan, The Curtain Call Theater in Stamford, The Ridgefield Playhouse, ACT, and the Theater Barn in Ridgefield, the Music Theater of Connecticut in Norwalk, and The Wilton Playhouse.  Optional dining meet-ups before or after the shows (depending on performance times) will also be offered.  For more information, please contact Barbara McKay.

Evening Parties - All members are invited to our three Evening Parties over the course of the year held either at a member’s home or a local country club. The Welcome Back Party in the fall kicks things off. December brings the annual Holiday party, a very festive event, and a highlight of the season.  Members gather again in early June to cap off the year. Spouses and significant others are welcome.

EXPO (Experiences to go) - Once a month (Except July and August) we get together and visit a unique place or museum and then go out to lunch. Some of our outings can include trips to renowned gardens, places of interest, historic sites, museums, theater, and other unique activities. We welcome your ideas and hope you will consider helping organize a one-time outing or event. Please contact Liz Orteig.

Health and Wellness is a group that meets once a month to learn, share or just listen to the latest helpful knowledge that promotes healthy living.  We work to  increase  awareness and create opportunities for change within the health and wellness space. 

Hiking – Nourish your inner being and connect with nature! Let’s get out in the woods and breathe some fresh air. We go to nature preserves and wild areas that are usually no more than ½ hour away and hike the trails for about 4 miles and spend 2-3 hours hiking. Then we reward ourselves with a tasty lunch in a nearby restaurant. Email Liz Orteig if you interested in being put on her list of potential hikers.

Pickleball – Join us for the fastest growing racquet sport that is fun for all ages and levels of ability! Play is at the Mead Park Courts, New Canaan from April to October.  All levels are welcome. Please bring a pickleball paddle if you can.  We will be using SignUp Genius for weekly signups. If interested, please email  Diane Master. Pickleball Permits (seniors $60, adults $120) must be purchased by you at the New Canaan Recreation Department prior to play.

Summer Concerts - Every Wednesday during the summer the town of New Canaan provides free, open-air music concerts on the lawn and patio behind Waveny House this summer. The concerts will feature a variety of musical groups many of whom are from the Fairfield County area.

All of the concerts are open to New Canaan residents and their guests free of charge. Concerts will be at 7:30 p.m. until about 9:30 p.m. each Wednesday evening beginning mid June until early September. Concert rain dates are the next day (Thursday).  It is an informal gathering where we meet and have a potluck. There will be an Encore sign to welcome everyone and a table for food. Members bring their own chairs, a dish to share, provide their own beverage and enjoy the evening in the company of friends. Bring your spouse, guests, etc.

Tennis – Encore's Summer Tennis is for members who are intermediate and/or advanced tennis players interested in playing social tennis, Monday through Thursday, weather permitting anytime from May through October at Mead Park Tennis Courts. Please email Carolyn Prazenka to show your interest. SignUp Genius will be used. Play will usually be from 9 to 10:30 am, depending on schedules. Tennis Permits (seniors $80, adults $140) must be purchased by you at the New Canaan Recreation Department prior to play, or you can pay $12 guest fee to the tennis hut each time…permits are encouraged.