A promotion ceremony for three Darien police officers will take place at 5 p.m., this Tuesday at the Darien Community Association’s Meadowlands headquarters, and you’re invited, the Police Department announced. The three officers (with their new ranks) are Lt. Gary Schwengerer and Sgts. Gregory Benedetto and Michael Dos Santos. The department’s promotion ceremonies typically include a swearing-in, attendance by family members, Police Commission members, police and some town officials, and some food and (nonalcoholic) drinks. The DCA is located at 274 Middlesex Road.
Taking mass transit is great. But when you step off your train or bus, what do you do to get to your final destination? Increasingly, that means BYO wheels: a bike, e-bike or scooter. The problem is, the rules for bringing your “wheels” is much different depending on your carrier. METRO-NORTH:
You can bring your non-electric-powered bike on the train anytime except rush-hour.
Rose DeNicola Rodriguez, affectionately known as “Cracklin’ Rosie,” passed away peacefully on Oct. 14 at the age of 101. Born on the evening of July 4, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Vincenza and Francisco DeNicola, Rose came into the world with fireworks in the sky — a fitting beginning for a woman whose spirit was bright, bold, and unforgettable. Rose was one of 14 siblings and grew up surrounded by family, spirited conversation, and the lively rhythm of Brooklyn life. She spent nearly her entire life there, building a life filled with warmth, music, and energy that drew people in.
In the First Selectman’s Newsletter on Saturday, Jon Zagrodzky pointed out what makes this time of year uniquely enjoyable, while it lasts, and some things that are worth remembering. Here’s the full text:
As October unfolds and Darien takes on the reds, oranges, and golds of early autumn, I’m reminded of how fortunate we are to live where nature — and community — are so intertwined. Each falling leaf seems to carry not just the sign of seasonal change, but an invitation: to pause, to reflect, and to appreciate the richness of this place we call home. Here in Connecticut the foliage season typically begins in late September and extends through early November. According to the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), peak color in inland areas often occurs in mid-October, with coastal parts coming a little later.
The documentary “Other Side,” an intimate look into the life of one woman and her fight to die on her terms, will be shown Monday night at Darien Library. Following the film, Kate Bagnati, end-of-life doula and member of Connecticut Death Collective, will discuss the film and its theme. — an announcement from Darien Library
After three separate cancer diagnoses, and undergoing nauseating and difficult treatment for each one, Connecticut-based activist Lynda Bluestein set her sights on medical aid in dying. This compassionate end-of-life option was not available in her home state, so she filed a lawsuit against the state of Vermont to gain access to their Death With Dignity law, Act 39 – and she won. The documentary follows Lynda and her family over the course of a year as they navigate life and prepare for her inevitable death.
This year’s Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival, with rides, lawn games, face-painting takes place Saturday and Sunday at the school. Here are details about what’s happening, as described by the Tokeneke PTO, which organizes the event:
“For 50-plus years the Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival has transformed the Tokeneke Elementary School into an amusement park. “For those seeking a thrill, make sure to try Ali Baba ride, the Cliffhanger, and Zero Gravity. Preschoolers are sure to love the cars, trains, and spin rides. “We will also unveil a brand new ride this fall, Crazy Cars, which will surely bring the laughs.
A presentation at the Board of Education about the superintendent search, a brief description of upcoming parent-teacher conferences at elementary schools, and a tip of the hat to Darien’s principals are some of the topics in the latest edition Interim Superintendent Eric Byrne’s weekly newsletter. Other topics in this week’s newsletter: reminders about events for families in town, a coat drive at the middle school, and school sports this weekend. Here’s the full text:
Dear Darien Community,
After an extended period of summer-like weather, fall certainly arrived on Monday with the Nor’easter followed by much more seasonable weather. The fall calendar in the schools and town is filled with lots of activities. Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival
Get ready for some festive fall fun this Saturday, Oct.
Rasal passed away this morning, Oct. 17, due to age-related health complications. At 40 years old, she far exceeded the typical 22-year life expectancy of harbor seals in captivity, placing her among the five oldest known in the country. A news release from The Maritime Aquarium expressed anguish over the animal’s demise:
“The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is deeply saddened to announce the passing of
Rasal, a beloved harbor seal who spent nearly two decades in Norwalk inspiring guests, mentoring trainers and leading her fellow seals with intelligence, grace and courage.” Born in 1985 and rescued as a pup off the coast of Maine, Rasal came to the Norwalk aquarium in 2005 from Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
Award-winning photographer and Darien resident Ben Larrabee will discuss his new book, Trudie: A Portrait by Ben Larrabee at Darien Library on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 19. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore
This new photo book features 51 portraits of the artist’s wife and muse, Trudie, photographed over a 20-year period. The collection offers an intimate exploration of love, trust and the evolving role of the artist’s muse. The evening will include a moderated conversation with Ben, Trudie and local artist Mindy Green.
Interstate 95 will have some closed lanes in both directions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., this Monday through Wednesday between Exits 13 and 15, as gas line inspections take place the state Transportation Department announced. Eversource will be conducting the inspections of the natural gas lines, CDOT said. The inspections are scheduled to be done by 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, but “modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions,” the announcement said. The news release included a reminder of what you know already: “Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area.”
David Andrew Dever, 83, a Darien resident for 52 years, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 8. “Whoever dies with the most tools wins” was more than just a motto for David — it was a way of life. A lifelong tinkerer and fixer, he found joy in restoring anything that could be mended, from engines to household gadgets long past their prime. Whether in his garage or his beloved barn in Maine, David was happiest with a wrench in hand and a project to work on.
Michael Robert Taylor, affectionately known as “Tay Tay” of Darien, passed away suddenly on Oct. 8. He was 57. Mike was born on June 5, 1968, in Stamford to Michael and Barbara Taylor. He attended Royle Elementary School, Middlesex Junior High, and Darien High School (class of ’86), where he met his future wife, Lisa DeYulio.
Why is much of Connecticut talking about a bridge from Bridgeport, across Long Island Sound, to New York State? How did we get sucked into a debate about a project that every transportation expert I spoke with said just won’t happen? You can blame (or maybe credit?) Connecticut housing developer Stephen Shapiro for this distraction as he pipe-dreams way outside his area of expertise. “A reporter from The CT Post called me to talk about housing,” he told WFSB’s “CT ‘25”. “I always liked the idea of a bridge. And now this thing has ballooned into a massive story.”
He even helped by generating a lovely artificial intelligence image of the structure, complete with red, white and blue towers, which was gobbled up by the media. A 14-mile bridge, costing a guesstimated $50 billion? It’s a good thing Shapiro didn’t dangle the idea of flying cars to the reporter. Shapiro has never built a bridge. His expertise is in affordable housing projects in cities like Bristol, Fairfield, Milford and Easton. That’s great, and certainly needed. But a bridge?
74 Roton Ave., Norwalk — $3,495,000
Sold
Address — original listing price / final listing price / selling price
21 Park Place, Darien — $2,495,000 / $2,495,000 / $2,825,000
Open Houses
Address — last price listed — day, date and time
20 Indian Spring Road, Norwalk — $2,595,000 — Saturday, Oct. 11, from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
26 Birch Road, Darien — $2,700,000 —Saturday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.[PICTURED]
30 Lake Drive, Darien — $2,995,000 — Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1 to 3 p.m.
109 Stephen Mather Road, Darien — $3,295,000 — Saturday, Oct.
