It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Gores Pavilion gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in New Canaan, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia,”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield”
“Excellent!”
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will continue to reach out to them first any time I have care needs. Not only was my caregiver great, but the service and care I got from Alan was above and beyond. He is so responsive, invested and attentive - feel like I’m working with a friend/family. They really care about their care recipients and make you feel like a VIP. The caregiver we were assigned was not only sweet and warm, but she wouldn’t sit still and made sure she was always doing something helpful. Couldn’t be happier with the company or caregiver, and will work with them anytime the need arises.”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back Up Care" can be a little tricky to use and sometimes difficult to get the care properly confirmed. I reached out to Alan the day before my booking and he did a tremendous job at making sure that I had appropriate care for my 5 month old and that I wouldn't have to stress. Our actual caregiver, Chyna was great. She arrived on time, was knowledgable, respectful, and friendly. We had no worries leaving our 5 month old in her care. I'd book with Always Best Care again.”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages changes and last minute needs as though our family member is his family. He is also there in person to make sure everything is going smoothly.”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide is amazing as well. Thank you ABC for providing exceptional service!!”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us with childcare and she went above and beyond caring for our son permitting us to focus at work!”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia, we burned through multiple agencies and aides. Only at the end did we find unmatched compassion and competence with Alan and his team of aides at Always Best Care. A lot of times the whole experience felt overwhelming, disjointed and end of life care system just plain broken. They were the one shining bright spot. Our family would recommend them in the highest order.”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care givers for my mom in her final months were gracious, considerate, compassionate and professional. I spoke with Alan many times telling him how thankful i was to have him and the outstanding service his company provided to my mother. My highest recommendation to Alan and his staff at Always Best Care.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on her feet again after hip surgery and to be her companion for three weeks during Covid quarantine as she moved from rehab center back to her senior living apartment. All services were provided with the highest level of kindness, compassion and dignity and we are truly grateful for the help.”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable assisted living place for my Mom. She presented an array of good choices, gave me some very good advice about things to look for when I checked them out, responded quickly and completely to every question I had, and did all of this in the hurry done urgent circumstances required. No hard sell, just good knowledgeable work.”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield County. If you know a loved one in need of care, please visit our website or call us anytime for a free no-obligation expert consultation.”
“Excellent!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Irwin Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local South End or visit New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in New Canaan, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in New Canaan, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in New Canaan, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.New Canaan|Featured EventFri, May 9, 2025 at 10:00 AMThe Spice & Tea Exchange of New Canaan, 118 Main St, New Canaan, CT, 06840Join us all weekend as we celebrate our 1 st Anniversary. As our way of “thanking you” for welcoming us int...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
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Join us all weekend as we celebrate our 1 st Anniversary. As our way of “thanking you” for welcoming us into your homes, we will be offering great discounts on your favorite products and sampling throughout the store.
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The Board of Selectmen approved the hiring of a new director of health for the town of New Canaan during a meeting this week.RJ Scofield, Patch StaffNEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen approved the hiring of a new director of health for the town of New Canaan during a meeting held Tuesday morning.Human Resources Personnel Director Cheryl Pickering-Jones told board members Amy Lehaney was selected from a pool of...
RJ Scofield, Patch Staff
NEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen approved the hiring of a new director of health for the town of New Canaan during a meeting held Tuesday morning.
Human Resources Personnel Director Cheryl Pickering-Jones told board members Amy Lehaney was selected from a pool of 22 applicants for the position.
Lehaney currently serves as director of health for the town of Monroe.
Prior to that, she served as deputy director of health and social services in Bridgeport and as acting director of health and a sanitarian in Fairfield, Pickering-Jones said.
Lehaney is a registered sanitarian, a certified lead risk assessor and food service inspector and holds a master's degree in public health from Southern Connecticut State University, according to Pickering-Jones.
"We are very lucky to have had her apply," Pickering-Jones said during the meeting, "and I think she will be a great asset to the town."
First Selectman Dionna Carlson said she thought bringing Lehaney in to work for the town of New Canaan would be "an easy transition."
Selectman Stephen Karl agreed but requested Lehaney be brought to a future board meeting so board members could meet her, to which Pickering-Jones agreed.
"This particular position is very difficult to find," Karl said, "so we're very lucky to have found [Lehaney]."
All three board members unanimously approved Lehaney's hiring.
She is set to officially begin her new position in New Canaan on June 9 due to her needing to give a month's notice in her current position, Pickering-Jones said.
Darien tightened its grip on the No. 1 spot in the Connecticut Girls Lacrosse Coaches Top 10 Poll after defeating New Canaan 9-2 in a rematch of ...
Darien tightened its grip on the No. 1 spot in the Connecticut Girls Lacrosse Coaches Top 10 Poll after defeating New Canaan 9-2 in a rematch of last year’s CIAC Class LL final.
The Blue Wave improved to 11-1 this week and has won eight straight since its only loss to National Ano. 1 St. Anthony’s (NY) on April 15.Darien’s on-state record includes wins over Top 10 teams in No. 2 New Canaan, No. 3 Wilton and No. 8 Greenwich. The Wave hosts No. 4 Ridgefield at 6:30 p.m., Thursday.
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New Canaan and Wilton held down the next two spots, although that positioning may switch next week after the Warriors edged the Rams 8-7 on Tuesday. The poll vote was taken before this week’s games.
With Staples at No. 5, the FCIAC swept the top five spots, with the CCC's Simsbury (9-1) at No. 6.
The rest of the top 10 includes No. 7 Amity, No. 8 Greenwich, No. 9 New Fairfield and No. 10 Masuk.
New Fairfield will play at Masuk at 6:45 p.m., Saturday, in a rematch of last year’s SWC final, won by the Rebels. Both teams are defending state champs, with Masuk in Class L and New Fairfield in Class S.
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| TEAM (1st place) | REC | PTS | LAST |
| 1. DARIEN (13) | 11-1 | 130 | 1 |
| 2. NEW CANAAN | 6-4 | 117 | 2 |
| 3. WILTON | 6-3 | 102 | 3 |
| 4. RIDGEFIELD | 9-2 | 93 | 4 |
| 5. STAPLES | 8-2 | 69 | 5 |
| 6. SIMSBURY | 9-1 | 62 | 7 |
| 7. AMITY | 7-3 | 52 | 6 |
| 8. GREENWICJ | 5-5 | 37 | 8 |
| 9. NEW FAIRFIELD | 10-1 | 34 | 9 |
| 10. MASUK | 8-2 | 12 | 10 |
| Others receiving votes: Conard (9-1) 5, Cheshire (8-2) 2.. |
| The following coaches voted: Olivia Boman, Bethel; Sean Cole, Canton; Dan Warburton, Cheshire; Meg Cersosimo, Conard; Phil Schneider, East Lyme; Terri Ziemnicki, Granby; Tara Clough, Greenwich; Melissa Sportini, Joel Barlow; Kristin Woods, New Canaan; Maura Fletcher, Newtown; Lori Connelly, North Branford; Leeland Gray, St. Joseph: Meredith Meyran, Wilton; Sarak Salce, Fairfield Ludlowe. |
| Poll compiled by: Phil Schneider, East Lyme. |
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May 7, 2025
NEW CANAAN — Westport-based arts and crafts store and studio Crafty Kids is expanding with a second location in New Canaan.Westport resident Nora Hatibi, who first opened Crafty Kids about two years ago, got the stamp of approval to open her new location at 91 Main St., the former location of Against the Grain.Crafty Kids, which opened the Westport store in the summer of 2023, sells crafting supplies and kits and al...
NEW CANAAN — Westport-based arts and crafts store and studio Crafty Kids is expanding with a second location in New Canaan.
Westport resident Nora Hatibi, who first opened Crafty Kids about two years ago, got the stamp of approval to open her new location at 91 Main St., the former location of Against the Grain.
Crafty Kids, which opened the Westport store in the summer of 2023, sells crafting supplies and kits and also serves as a place for hands-on activity, hosting crafting sessions, camps and parties. Hatibi hopes to open the new location in mid-summer.
A stay-at-home mom for about six years, Hatibi said she was itching to get back to work but did not want to go back to the corporate finance world where she previously worked. She was inspired to create Crafty Kids because of her "extremely crafty" daughters and her frustration at not having a dedicated space for it.
“I’m sick and tired of our kids not having an outlet to do art,” she said. “I took all of that ‘I’m sick and tired’ and I put it towards a business plan.”
One of the things Hatibi emphasizes in her business is upcycling as a way of both reducing household waste and encouraging kids to experiment artistically with all kinds of materials. She organizes drives to collect everyday waste she can repurpose, a practice she hopes to bring to New Canaan.
She was inspired to integrate the practice into the studio's crafts thanks to the works her daughter created at home, something that “really resonated with me because it was something I used to do as a child," she said.
Crafting can transform bottle caps into eyeballs, Amazon boxes into dioramas or paper towel rolls into robot arms.
“As humans, we fall into a trap of being very wasteful,” Hatibi said. “I can use those materials that others deem rubbish to create art.”
Hatibi said she was especially inspired to open a second location because of the many New Canaan families who host their kids’ birthday parties in the Westport studio, telling her “We have nothing like this, we have to come here for this.”
After one of her New Canaan customers helped connect her with a realtor, Hatibi immediately knew the storefront in downtown New Canaan was the place for Crafty Kids.
“I love it — the old school charm, just knowing that there’s tons of history there,” she said. “Families can grab and ice cream and walk to my studio. It was there or nowhere.”
The business clearly resonated with the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission, who unanimously approved the new business location on April 29.
Commissioner John Kriz called the new addition “very complementary” to downtown New Canaan, offering “internet competitive” in-person activities while “providing some balance and diversity for the downtown.”
“I’m just so happy and excited to be there, that feedback meant the world to me” Hatibi said. “I just want (families) to have a fun vibrant space that they can just be creative and themselves in.”
May 6, 2025|Updated May 6, 2025 12:48 p.m.
Weeklies Editor
BROOKFIELD — When Brookfield softball defeated six-time defending Class L champion and SWC powerhouse Masuk, 3-1, on April 21, it sent shockwaves throughout the Connecticut High School softball scene.The victory hurdled Brookfield into the final spot in the ...
BROOKFIELD — When Brookfield softball defeated six-time defending Class L champion and SWC powerhouse Masuk, 3-1, on April 21, it sent shockwaves throughout the Connecticut High School softball scene.
The victory hurdled Brookfield into the final spot in the GametimeCT Top 10 poll and knocked Masuk from No. 1 to the No. 3 spot.
"We kind of went into it with a we have nothing to lose attitude," Brookfield coach Alyssa Lionetti said. "Nobody goes in expecting to beat Masuk, you go in expecting to earn whatever you are going to earn. That win just showed all of the work we have put in. It was a feeling that everything we have done is paying off."
It was the first time Brookfield had defeated Masuk since 2016. Even Lionetti was reminded of her days as a pitcher for Brookfield, taking her team to the 2018 Class L state title game where she lost to the Panthers.
Defeating Masuk had always been one of the goals for Brookfield's current ace, junior Sydney Miller. The Brown University commit has been the Bobcats' starting pitcher since her freshman year. That year, she and her teammates had lost to Masuk, 9-5, and last year they fell, 4-3.
This time around, Miller pitched a complete-game two-hitter, allowing one earned run while striking out 15.
"Personally, that has been something that was a goal for myself and the team," Miller said. "It felt really good, and what was really great about it was that we all showed up that day. Everybody made a play. We didn't make any errors. Everybody just showed up."
Miller, who finished last season with a 14-3 record, a 1.34 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP while striking out 213 batters over 136 ? innings pitched. This year she has been even better.
So far this year prior to Saturday's loss to NFA, she had a 0.65 ERA with 94 strikeouts and only 15 hits allowed in 43 ? innings pitched, and followed her performance against Masuk with a no-hitter against New Canaan with 13 strikeouts.
Part of the reason for her success, beyond tirelessly perfecting her craft, has been the addition of freshman pitcher Lila Conrad, who has been dominant in her own right.
"I have been working really hard on spins and hitting different spots, working on some mechanical things," Miller said. "Last year, no matter who we were playing, I was pitching every game, so it has been really nice. I probably am pitching half as much, which makes the team better because we can both show up fresh to every game. It has been great."
Conrad, who is a product of the same Empire State Huskies travel ball program as Miller, has not allowed an earned run in her first 31 ? innings pitched at the varsity level while striking out 70 batters.
"I have been looking up to Sydney (Miller) ever since I was 10 years old," Conrad said. "So getting to play with her has been an awesome opportunity. I was so excited to come in and make varsity and to pitch by her side. She is like my idol."
Conrad got her first varsity experience on opening day against No. 2 Woodland, coming in and tossing a scoreless outing in relief against one of the top offenses in the state. Brookfield lost that game 7-1.
"They have a history there and Sydney has been great taking Lila under her wing and helping her," Lionetti said. "The two of them work together really well. It is not so much a competition, they work off each other and they are there to back each other up. We had heard that Lila was going to be phenomenal, and I think she has definitely lived up to those expectations. She, like Sydney, is another great hard-working kid who is ready for anything."
The pitching duo has a combined 0.37 ERA and has led Brookfield to an 11-2 record, its best start since 2018 when Lionetti was the team's starting pitcher. The Bobcats are outscoring opponents 120-12, with seven of those runs allowed coming in the first game of the season.
On top of their dominant pitching, Miller and Conrad have been two of the most offensively productive players in the lineup as well. Miller currently is batting .486 with three home runs while Conrad is batting .447 with a home run.
Having already shown they can compete with any team in the state, Miller and Conrad will look to help secure hardware for Brookfield this season and the next.
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