Connecticut
Canton Thai restaurant offers space for community to celebrate Christmas
Providing space for people who may not have a place to celebrate this Christmas. That’s what a Thai restaurant in Canton offered to the community.
It feels a lot like Christmas inside Green Papaya restaurant in Canton.
“It’s a wonderful time. We like to trade gifts,” said Net Nunta, the cook at Green Papaya.
For her and her partner Dirk Peirsman, they were trading flavors and hospitality.
“We don’t celebrate at home so we open here so we can see people too,” Nunta said.
Their restaurant was packed for the holiday, not just because they were one of the few places open, but also to offer a sense of community.
“They’re just great. They’ve both been a big part of the community,” said Lynne Kay, of New Hartford
The restaurant put a post on social media offering their space to anyone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day who may not have a place to celebrate. It’s something they’ve been doing for the last five years.
“I don’t know why the social media blew up on this year. Our sign has been outside always, but the community’s happy,” Peirsman said.
People didn’t even need to eat Thai food as they could bring their own food, but many ate it or at least gave it a try.
“It’s healthy. It tastes good. It seems so clean. Yeah, we love it,” Tommy Skarupa said.
Nunta says this idea started after they came to Connecticut from Belgium to run the restaurant for Nunta’s mother about ten years ago. Both are very far from home and say they wanted to celebrate with the Canton community.
“It’s so lonely you know. Your whole family’s in Thailand and I don’t know anybody so that really hit me,” she said.
This meant welcoming anyone, even those who may be struggling with money around this time. Peirsman says he made sure to take care of at least one person.
“I cannot give you anything off the menu, but we have some catering here. Come in and sit down, eat something for free,” he said.
So far, it’s been a success with customers vowing to make a return trip.
“We love the food. We love the service and love just seeing Dirk and his whole family,” Skarupa said.
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”
Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.
Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.
Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.
“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.
Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.
Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Chip Rubenstein, owner of Chip’s Auto Sales of Milford, says he’s honored to celebrate the dealership’s 50th anniversary alongside America’s 250th birthday.
“I opened Chip’s Auto Sales in 1976, during a chaotic time for our nation in the world,” said Rubenstein, “50 years later, I am so proud of the legacy I’ve created as somebody who always tried his best to do right, and to serve my community proudly.”
Intense flames engulfed a car early Saturday morning in Trumbull.
Officials say it happened around 3:30 a.m. on Richfield Drive near the Bridgeport town line.
Trumbull and Bridgeport fire crews worked to put out the flames.
It was not immediately known how the fire started or if there were any injuries.
-
Illinois6 minutes agoMan charged with trespassing at Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s home in Chicago on July 4: documents
-
Indiana12 minutes agoIndiana seeks coal ash program as feds move to rollback regulations
-
Iowa18 minutes agoSeveral Iowa High School Baseball Standouts Selected In MLB Draft
-
Kentucky30 minutes agoHow one small KY town put aside its differences to celebrate America | Exclusive
-
Louisiana36 minutes agoMeta’s Louisiana Data Center to Surpass $250 Billion Price Tag
-
Maine42 minutes ago6 concerts, theater productions planned this week in central Maine
-
Maryland48 minutes agoReaders vote for best ice cream shop on Lower Shore of Maryland
-
Michigan54 minutes ago
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters backs Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens in contentious race to succeed him
