Darien Community Association

These DCA Bridge Classes and ‘Boot Camps’ Start in January

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The Darien Community Association (DCA) is offering new bridge classes and boot camps starting in January. — an announcement from the DCA
Instructors
Joan Bergen is a longtime local resident and Bridge Life Master who, after studying bridge intently for eight years, is driven to teach others. Students will benefit from her enthusiasm and love for the game that she describes as both a great way to meet people, and a wonderful activity to keep the mind sharp. Meredith Dunne is a longtime local resident and Bridge Life Master, who says it’s fun watching her students get hooked on the game of bridge. Meredith’s students enjoy continuing their instruction with her, appreciating her patient and personable teaching style.

McNally: Darien Has More COVID-19 Cases, More Booster Clinics Coming

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In the past 13 days, 168 Darien residents have acquired COVID-19 cases, as far as authorities know, and with holiday gatherings, more is expected, First Selectman Monica McNally told the town in a late Wednesday afternoon Code Red message. “COVID cases are on the rise,” she said. Meanwhile, McNally said, some town residents are concerned about the availability of testing, the cost and heavy traffic at the sites. “I am working with the director of health to possibly add a second testing site in Darien,” she said. “If you are 16 or older and it has been at least six months since your second dose, you are strongly encouraged to get a booster,” the first selectman said.

Coronavirus 2021
Darien Public Schools

Superintendent: School District Might Return to Remote Learning as Omicron Variant Spreads More COVID-19 in Darien

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While there’s been no decision made, Darien schools may again change from in-school teaching to remote learning because of the “significant increase in COVID-19 cases” in Darien and the region, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said Tuesday — but he added that doing so is “unlikely.” “Over the next few days, as prudent planning, the District will make any necessary preparations in the unlikely event the District needs to transition to remote learning after the break,” Addley wrote in a message sent to school district staff and parents of students. “This will include students taking home their devices and any potential remote learning materials on Thursday as they leave for break.” The winter break is scheduled to end on Monday, Jan. 3, the earliest day that the district might switch to remote learning, largely conducted over the Internet.

Darien Driving While Intoxicated 2021
Night Police Lights CT State Police on Facebook March 30-17 uploaded 06-20-17

Police: DUI for Driver Taken to a Hospital After His Car Struck Another and Rolled Onto Its Side

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A car driven by a 53-year-old man late Friday night hit a parked vehicle on Park Place, causing his own car to roll onto its side. The driver was taken to a hospital, and police charged him with driving while under the influence of alcohol. Darien police described what happened with this account, including accusations not proven in court:

Joseph Lasko III of Stamford made a turn onto Park Place from Fitch Avenue shortly before police were called at 11:53 p.m. that night. He told police he didn’t notice the parked vehicle on the side of the road. When police arrived at the scene, Lasko was trapped in his car.

Community Organizations
STAR Inc gifts to kids in Rubino Center

Students Make Holidays Brighter for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

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Each child in the STAR Rubino Family Center, an early intervention pediatric therapy program in Norwalk, will receive a handmade card with a cheerful holiday note along with a book to enjoy during the holidays, thanks to a project spearheaded by Amanda King Heavey and her son, Will. — an announcement from  STAR Inc., Lighting the Way

Heavey, a STAR board member and New Canaan resident, and Will, a student at East School in New Canaan, were joined by students in Grades K-4, the Community Service committee of volunteer parents, the PTC board, and Principal Mrs.Woleck came together to give the holiday gifts. Along with the gifts to individual children, the project is also providing a specially curated selection of books that address age appropriate understanding of unique abilities, inclusion, diversity, and kindness will be shared at the school and donated to STAR Rubino Family Center lending library. Through STAR Rubino Family Center, STAR provides a multi-lingual program for children experiencing, or at risk of, developmental delays. This program, generously supported in part by The New Canaan Community Foundation and The Community Fund of Darien and other generous grants, offers services from birth through age eight.

Community Organizations

Lindsay Ferretti Becomes Darien’s First Female Eagle Scout

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In a first for Darien Scouting, Lindsay Ferretti was honored Sunday as Darien’s first female Eagle Scout. — an announcement from Darien Scouts

Lindsay has always been involved in community service, as an altar server at St. John Church, a volunteer at Person-to-Person, and even helping rebuild a home in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. After just a few weeks in Troop 219, Lindsay was chosen to be the senior patrol leader as the girls attended their first week ever at Camp Sequassen summer camp. For her Eagle project, Lindsay lead a team painting over 50 yellow fire hydrant locater markings on telephone poles to aid firefighters in quickly locating the closest hydrant in an emergency.

Darien Police Department 2021
Darien Police Station

Police: Threats, Social Media Posts About Potential Violence in Darien Schools Are Not Credible

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TikTok and other social media posts about possible violence on Friday in Darien schools are not credible, according to a statement released by Darien Police Department. “At this time, there are no credible threats to any school in the Connecticut school system including Darien,” said the statement from Sgt. Dan Skoumbros, the department’s public information officer. “As always, we will have police personal around our schools in town as a precautionary measure.” In a separate announcement, Schools Superintendent Alan Addley said: “The District has discussed this social media posting with the Darien Police Department.

Unlocked in Darien 2021
Santa Driving a Car Old Postcard

A Visit From Thieves, Whose Patron Saint is St Nicholas

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In the weeks before Christmas, all through some nights,
Creatures are stirring, in hopes that they might,
Find a car door unlocked, and inside find keys! And then they drive off in their booty with ease. (The stockings are hung by the chimney with care,
But cars? Unlocked — as if thieves wouldn’t dare.)
As children are nestled all snug in their beds,
Handles are pulled, doors opened, and then —
SUVs, pickups and sedans are driven
On out of town, fast as Donder and Blitzen! A hard night’s day, would be 11 December:
On Kona Road, a Land Rover was stolen,
In typical fashion — unlocked and keys in.

Bryan Murray
Christmas Tradition Meets Broadway

Broadway Comes to Darien for Concert Sunday Evening at Noroton Presbyterian Church

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Darien native Dan Micciche, current musical director for Wicked on Broadway, is bringing Broadway to Darien on Dec. 19 with a concert at Noroton Presbyterian Church. Broadway performers from The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Hamilton, and Disney’s Frozen, alongside members of the NPC Chamber Choir and Orchestra, will perform holiday favorites. The free concert, performed with COVID-19 safety protocols, will be open to the public and livestreamed on the homepage of Noroton Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m., on Sunday, Dec, 19. — an announcement from Noroton Presbyterian Church
“We could all use some joy this Christmas season and this concert will certainly do just that,” Micciche said.

At Home In Darien 2021
New Van At Home In Darien

At Home In Darien Gets a Better Van, The Darien Foundation Writes the Check

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At Home In Darien, an organization that helps seniors in town, now has a wheelchair-accessible van, paid for with an $82,880 grant from The Darien Foundation. — an announcement from The Darien Foundation and At Home In Darien

“We are incredibly grateful to The Darien Foundation for this amazing new van and for their continued support and generosity,” said Gina Blum, executive director of At Home In Darien. The 2021 Toyota Sienna van is meant to provide users with a safer, more secure ride, according to the foundation. By getting older Darien residents from place to place, the service helps them avoid isolation.  “We know that transportation is one of the biggest hindrances people face as they try to retain their independence, Blum said.

Darienites
Christopher Tripp Lyons DAR award

Darien DAR Presents Tripp Lyons With Good Citizen Award

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Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution presented the 2021-2022 Good Citizen Award pin and certificate to Darien High School senior Christopher “Tripp” Lyons on Sunday, Dec. 5. Tripp was chosen to receive this prestigious DAR award by the Darien High School senior class and faculty. The annual award is presented to the student who best exemplifies the qualities of patriotism, citizenship, dependability and service to community. Membership in the DAR is available to any woman over the age of 18 who can trace her direct lineage to a male or female Patriot who fought for or offered material aid to the cause of American Independence during the Revolutionary War.

Cameron on Rails 2021
Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Guilietti

Speed Past Construction on I-95? A State Camera May Get You Ticketed: A Talk with the Transportation Commissioner

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Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Guilietti has a holiday gift for rail commuters — and maybe a lump of coal for the stockings for highway speeders. Once a year I get a sit-down with the commissioner. We’ve known each other for many years since his days as president of Metro-North. He knows I always ask him the tough questions but once told me “You’re always fair, Jim”, a comment that brought a tear to my eye. So when I asked him when train service was going to get faster, he didn’t blink — or over-promise.

Consumer and Finances
Fema Homeland Security Seal

FEMA Opens Office at Noroton Heights Fire Dept to Help Residents With Hurricane Ida Storm Damage

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A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Darien to help area residents affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. — an announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available at the center to help survivors apply for disaster assistance, explain disaster assistance programs, answer questions about FEMA letters and the appeals process and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant. The DRC opened at the Noroton Heights Fire Department at 209 Noroton Ave. on Thursday. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays.

Business
Police

Wallet Stolen From a Woman at Work in Darien, Bank Card Charged for Hundreds of Dollars at CVS

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A woman at work at a business on Old Kings Highway South told police that she discovered her wallet was missing when she got text messages from her bank alerting her to fraudulent charges being attempted on her account. Darien police described what happened:

Sometime between 8 a.m. and 12:47 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17, the wallet was taken from her purse. Six attempts were made to buy items with her stolen bank card, and four of them were successful. The completed transactions amounted to $425.