Darienite (https://darienite.com/author/dgreports11/page/302)
The recent debate over tolling our highways should remind us of just how divided the state has become. It’s not red vs. blue and not even just upstate vs. downstate. The real divide is between those who commute by car vs.
Douglas Hall Merkle of Callaway, FL passed away peacefully from complications of pneumonia on Monday, May 20, 2018, at Select Specialty Hospital in Panama City, FL. He was 83. A beloved member of the community, he personified the values of integrity, service, and excellence long before they were officially adopted as the core values of the United States Air Force (USAF), and continued to do so throughout his life. Born July 31, 1934, in Detroit, he was one of two children of mathematicians John and Grace Merkle. When John took a position as an actuary in New York City, the family moved to Darien, where Doug and his identical twin brother were raised.
This Memorial Day, Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk kicks off their summer of free admission for active duty military personnel and their families as a proud participant in the Blue Star Museums program. And they’ve extended the program year-round. Since 2012 when they joined the nationwide program, Stepping Stones has not only offered free admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day, thanks to tremendous local support they extend the offer all year long. — an announcement from the Stepping Stones Museum for Children
“Active-duty military families sacrifice so much in the name of protecting us and our way of life.” explained Rhonda Kiest, CEO and President of Stepping Stones Museum. “We jumped at the chance to participate in this tremendous program as a way to give back to these deserving families.
Patricia Ryan Guckian, of Norwalk, wife of the late William J. Guckian, left this world on May 23, at home. She was 81. Born to Frank and Catherine Ryan at Greenwich Hospital on May 31, 1935. A graduate of Greenwich High School, Class of 1953, she graduated from Greenwich Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. Pat was a member of St.
The Music Department of the Darien Public Schools is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for all current third and fourth grade students to be a part of our award winning Darien Band program.
— an announcement from the Darien Public Schools Music Department
All current third and fourth grade students in the Darien Public Schools who wish to begin learning a band instrument in the fall of this year are invited and encouraged to attend the beginning Band informational evening meeting to be held in the Tokeneke School Common Room at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 7. This presentation will be for interested students and their parents in all five of Darien’s Elementary Schools. An explanation of our Band program, instrument demonstrations, instrument rental program information, and class registrations for this fall will take place at this time. All interested students entering 4thor 5th grade in the fall are eligible to begin Band instrument instructions. All students attending these sessions must be accompanied by an adult. Information regarding this opportunity for students will also be distributed to students in their respective schools.
The Darien Nature Center is excited to announce that its 8th annual Down on the Farm event will take place on Saturday, May 26 at Cherry Lawn Park, with an early opening at 9:30 a.m. for special needs families. The event will once again feature a petting zoo and pony rides courtesy of Pied Piper, and Almstead Trees will help kids travel to the treetops to get a bird’s-eye view of Cherry Lawn Park. There will also be construction trucks to climb aboard courtesy of Fox Hill Builders, picnic field games, face painting, patriotic crafts, nature activities, raffle prizes, giveaways, and more! Event-goers of all ages will have a variety of food options to enjoy. New this year, four food trucks will set up shop around the park, including: Cowabunga Grill offering burgers and fries, Dough Girls wood fired pizza, the Melt Mobile offering grilled cheese creations, and Skip’s Ice Cream.
Davis “Buck” Margold, a resident of Rowayton, formerly of Darien and Stratton, VT died on May 7, 2018. He was 78. Mr. Margold spent most of his business career on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange as a member. He bought his seat in 1967 and joined the firm of Carlisle-Jacqueline, later working for Wertheim & Company and the specialist firm of MJ Meehan. He was on the board of the NYSE Luncheon Club, later serving as its president.
On Saturday May 26, 2018, Greenwich will have its Town Party at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, 100 Arch Street. Traffic congestion in the area is expected throughout the entire day. Interstate 95, Exit 3 off-ramps will be closed from 9 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, during the Greenwich Town Party. The event takes place at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, 100 Arch St. That street and Steamboat Road will also have intermittent closures during the event.
These properties recently were sold in Darien, according to records in the Town Clerk’s Office:
—7 Brown St. — Renee Rogalle to Asta Reklaityte, sold May 8, filed May 17, $781,000
—133 Hoyt St. — Kenneth Martin and Rachel Martin to Nicholas Langan and Nicole Langan, sold May 15, filed May 18, $965,000
—14 Salt Box Lane — James Burgoyne and Erin Burgoyne to Kirk Hoffman and Natalie Medlicott, sold May 8, filed May 18, $1,780,000
—46 Locust Hill Road — Anne Bavier to Ralph Gaiss and Brooke Gaiss, sold May 17, filed May 18, $1,321,250
—3 Half Mile Road — Philip Van Munching to Christopher Combe, sold May 11, filed May 18, $1,108,000
—17 Sunnyside Ave. — Robert Ott and Cara Ott to Per Westling and Ashlyn Bohling, sold May 15, filed May 18, $997,000
—20 Indian Spring Trail — Lisa Sparks to Kevin Murphy and Elizabeth Murphy, sold May 18, filed May 22, $2,125,000
—36 Phillips Lane — Steven Anderson and Kathryn Hammell to Gregory Todisco and Roxanne Todisco, sold May 21, filed May 22, $1,150,000
—15 McLaren Road — Eric Rogers and Lindsay Rogers to Timothy Reid and Amy Reid, sold May 21, filed May 23, $1,750,000 — PICTURED
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See also:
Darien home sales:
West Ave Home Sells for $895,000 and Other Darien Home Sales (May 17)
Tulip Tree Lane Home Goes for $1,440,000 and Other Darien Home Sales (May 10)
Lynn Court Home Sells for $1,935,000 and Other Darien Home Sales (May 4)
Darien & Rowayton Real Estate Reports:
Darien & Rowayton Real Estate Report: May 17 to 24 (May 24)
Darien & Rowayton Real Estate Report: May 10 to 17 (May 17)
Darien & Rowayton Real Estate Report: May 3 to 10 (May 10)
Farrell on Real Estate:
When the Price is Right in Selling Your Home — and When It Isn’t: Farrell on Real Estate (May 24)
A Look at the Darien Rental Market: For Those Not Looking to Buy, Limited Choices: Farrell on Real Estate (May 9)
Parks Make Darien a Nicer Place To Live and Can Help Property Values (April 26)
As of this evening, the Old Kings Highway North I-95 overpass has reopened to two-way traffic. After several months of vehicular traffic being permitted to only travel northbound on Old Kings Highway North, it is now open in both directions. According to the contractor, New England Road Inc., the project is coming to a close. Although minor daytime construction will be taking place on Friday May 25, 2018 and possibly a few days next week, police officers and or flagman will safely facilitate traffic flow in both directions with only minor delays. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. — an announcement from Darien Police
Connecticut State Troopers are preparing for increased traffic during this Memorial Day weekend, and summer 2018 celebrations and vacations. They’ve got extra patrols on the lookout for drivers under the influence and violations of seat belt laws, in particular. State Troopers ask all drivers to utilize courteous driving skills, plan for traffic delays and make safety their top priority whenever they get behind the wheel. These actions will ensure safe travel to and from destinations. — an announcement from Connecticut State Police
Some safety tips — and laws — to remember: buckle up, obey speed limits, don’t follow too close, remove distractions while driving, stay off the cellphone, and never drink and drive.
Beginning Thursday, look for busy roadways in New England when 91 percent of the region’s estimated two million travelers drive 50 miles or more this Memorial Day, says AAA Northeast. Meanwhile, Metro-North has changed its Friday schedule to make it easier for riders to leave the city between 1 and 4 p.m.
More People Traveling, AAA Says
Over the next two days, the nation’s major roadways will be very congested when drivers heading for vacation destinations mix with daily commuters and create delays that can be as much as two to three times longer than usual. For example, in New England, the New York metro area will see heavier than normal congestion in the late afternoon tomorrow between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. while the worst time to travel in the Boston area is today between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
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— This article combines a Memorial Day weekend announcement from AAA Northeast with one from Metro-North. It also includes some information from New York City area airports (at the bottom). ____________
A strong economy is driving Americans to kick off what’s expected to be the start of a busy summer travel season.
Despite many homeowners wanting to price their beloved homes at the highest price point possible, fair and accurately researched pricing of their homes actually works out best in the end for them. In reality, the best way to sell a home for its highest selling price is to price it correctly from the beginning. And, with today’s generous inventory of homes, it is vital to price a home competitively for a good result.
When a house hits the market as a fresh listing, it is in the most desirable position and the competition will be the highest. Assigning a competitive price to a property reduces time on the market and actually increases the percentage of realized value. Buyers will be eager to put in what they feel is a “fair” price.
Through two fundraisers this spring, OPUS raised $175,000 to fund Person-to-Person programs that have a direct benefit to children in need in our neighboring communities. — Most of this article, about OPUS’ fundraising, is from an OPUS announcement. Darienite.com has added information from an announcement on the May 12 Person-to-Person “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive. Masquerade Ball
The first was a Masquerade Ball held at the Country Club of Darien on Saturday, April 21. On this beautiful spring evening, guests wore black and white attire and, in keeping with the theme, donned festive eye masks.
The Music Department would like to announce the opportunity for all students entering Grade Three in the fall of 2018 to register to play a string instrument in the Darien Public Schools String program. The registration evening, otherwise known as “Introduction to Strings Night” will take place at 7 p.m., June 6, 2018 in the Middlesex Middle School auditorium. The students and parents will get an overview of the school string program and will get an opportunity to hear and try each instrument so that they can make a decision as to which instrument they would prefer to study in the fall program. Parents will also receive registration materials and information on instrument rental programs.
If you have any questions about any aspect of the elementary the string program, please contact your school string teachers, Dawn Hanley: DHanley@darienps.org Dylan Spielvogel: DSPielvogel@darienps.org or Jane Minnis at: JMinnis@darienps.org or 203-655-3981 ext: 2287