With the Open Enrollment Period for Access Health CT beginning this Saturday, Nov. 1, (and ending on Jan. 15), Connecticut residents can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance plans or renew their coverage. — an announcement from Access Health CT
AHCT remains the only place Connecticut residents can get financial help to pay for their health insurance. Some customers might also qualify for the Covered CT Program.
Nationally recognized motivational speaker Tanner Clark is coming to Middlesex Middle School Monday night to speak to parents and kids about families living with confidence, resilience, and purpose in today’s digital world. — This is a combination of announcements from The Depot and Thriving Youth of Darien. Through compelling stories and actionable strategies, he equips students and communities to tune out the noise, build resilience, and reach their full potential. Clark delivers a powerful message that inspires audiences to disconnect from digital distractions, cultivate genuine confidence and focus on what truly matters. Tanner Clark’s inspirational messages have helped people all over the world, including teenagers and audiences of all ages, find their One Second of Strength to overcome distractions and pursue what matters most.
Darien Depot Youth Center is hosting a 90-minute program for students in Grades 4 to 6 to prepare them to stay safe when they’re at home alone. — an announcement from the Depot
The Safe@Home presentation will help students learn how to practice safe habits, how to prevent unsafe situations, and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies. Students are also introduced to the Safe Sitter® First Aid Chart and learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses. The program is designed to prepare students for their first steps toward independence. The presentation includes a Safe@Home student manual and “important information memo board.”
Eric Byrne has been picked by the Darien Board of Education as the new, non-interim Darien superintendent schools. Byrne has been serving as interim superintendent for the past four months. In a news release Tuesday evening from the Board of Education, Byrne said he is honored to have been picked: “In my time here, I have been inspired by the dedication of our educators, the curiosity and talent of our students, and the steadfast support of our families and community,”
Jill McCammon, chair of the Darien board, said:
“Dr. Byrne has been an exceptional interim superintendent. His four months of active leadership made it abundantly clear that he is the ideal person for this role: a visionary collaborator who has already built strong relationships with our educators and families. He is the clear choice to maintain Darien’s excellence and champion continuous innovation.
The Darien Arts Center’s 50th anniversary celebration this Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Darien Community Association will include honoring those who have worked to make the arts center successful, along with music and dances performed by arts center students. The arts center has extended the deadline for purchasing tickets to Friday, Oct. 31. — an announcement from the Darien Arts Center (Note: Darienite.com is not going to use the DAC and DCA acronyms here because the combination is too confusing.)
Among the honorees are Pam Heckel, Frank Kemp (in memoriam), Anne Perlin, Marion Weatherstone and Anner Ernst Wright.
The Darien Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing to receive public comment on proposed changes to parking regulations on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall, Room 206. — an announcement from the Town of Darien Newsletter
The following proposed changes will incorporate the lot at 37 West Ave. into the parking regulations:
• Allow for manual collection of daily parking fees
• Set the rate for 37 West Avenue at $10/day
• Specify which lots are in the Darien Station pay station zone, including 37 West Avenue
• Other technical changes available for review at www.darienct.gov/parking. The Board of Selectmen wants to hear remarks pertinent to the proposed changes.
Debera Barnes passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2025. She was 86. Born on June 1, 1939, in Orange, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Jane Estep Van Houten and Raymond Burgess Van Houten. Debera graduated from Darien High School and Stephens College.
Raymond Joseph Betz, born in Stamford, a graduate of Stamford High School and a resident for 77 years, passed away peacefully on Friday Oct. 3. He was 85. Born on Dec. 25, 1939, he was the son of the late John Raymond Betz and Vera (Mishley) Betz.
Eversource is alerting customers they may have already inadvertently invited vampires into their homes and businesses. — an announcement from Eversource
Vampire power, also known as “phantom load,” “ghost energy” or “standby power,” is electricity that is consumed by some appliances and electronics even when they’re turned off. If not kept in check, it can account for up to 10 percent of a household’s energy use and cost as much as $100 a year, according to the Department of Energy. One simple way to eliminate the energy drain is by unplugging devices like gaming consoles, laptops, toasters and coffee makers when not in use. Even without a device attached, a plugged-in charger is constantly using electricity, so once a device is charged, unplugging it prevents additional energy usage.
It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Anita Collins, who entered into eternal rest on Oct. 10, at the age of 80. Anita, daughter of Dolly and Jack Neus, was a devoted mother and friend whose kindness, faith, and gentle spirit touched all who knew her. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, John Collins and his wife Sarah, and Kevin Collins and his wife Lesley. Anita was predeceased by her daughter Eileen Collins. Anita’s warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
A Darien concert review, a music workshop with the musical director of Wicked on Broadway, a trunk or treat event, and a “fireside chat” with the interim superintendent are some of the events noted in Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne’s newsletter this Friday. Also: Trunk or Treat at Darien High School, a fall festival at the Mather Homestead, a haunted house at Post 53, and a rundown of what DHS sports teams are participating in this weekend. Here’s the newsletter:
Dear Darien Community,
If you have never been to a concert at DHS, you are missing out! Last night I attended my first performance and it was amazing. It was a water-themed concert of choral music, featuring our DHS Concert Choir, Sound Waves a cappella group, our barbershop quartet “Fantastic 4,” and the DHS Tudor Singers!
In a heartfelt full-circle moment, father and son Mark and Logan McGovern will take on the 2025 New York City Marathon together on Sunday, Nov. 2, running in support of the Boomer Esiason Foundation and its fight against cystic fibrosis. — an announcement from the McGoverns, edited by Darienite.com
Mark McGovern first ran the New York City Marathon in 2015 to raise funds and awareness for the foundation after his son Logan was born with cystic fibrosis. Ten years later, 25-year-old Logan is joining his father at the starting line, marking his own first marathon and continuing the mission that began in his honor. “Running beside my dad this year feels deeply meaningful,” Logan McGovern said.
Julie Cook Chamberlin of Darien unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday morning, Oct. 21. She was 78. Julie was born on Oct. 23, 1946 in Hartford to Victor and Elizabeth Cook.
Nicholas William Cardell, of Stratford, CT, passed away on Oct. 8, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. Nick was 92 years old. He was the loving husband of Marion S. Cardell, who predeceased him on Sept. 8, 2024.
