I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say we are all weary of the coronavirus and its variants. So many people and organizations have been working so hard, for so long, to help protect us and care for those in need. Everyone, understandably, must be tired. Still, it was no surprise to me to witness so many town employees and volunteers step up to distribute thousands of COVID test kits and masks to residents at the high school over the past couple of weeks. The test kits and masks were graciously distributed to Darien by the state.
Make-A-Wish Connecticut on Wednesday announced the appointment of Tracey Yurko of Darien as chair of the Make-A-Wish Connecticut Board of Directors. — an announcement from Make-A-Wish Connecticut
Yurko is the chief legal officer, corporate secretary and a partner of Westport-based Bridgewater Associates, global leader in institutional portfolio management and the world’s largest hedge fund, with approximately $1540 billion in assets under management. She is also a member of the firm’s Executive and Operating Committees. Yurko has served on the Make-A-Wish Connecticut board since 2017. “She brings strong general business skills, governance discipline and an unparalleled passion for the mission that will lead us to the next level as we focus on expanding the wish journey for every eligible wish child and family in the state,” said Pam Keough, the CEO and president of Make-A-Wish Connecticut.
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.
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.
The Darien Department of Public Works will conduct its annual Christmas tree pick-up program according to the following schedule:
[Not sure where your street is on this table? Here’s a Google map (just zoom in with the plus sign).]
THE FOLLOWING ARE A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
· Christmas Trees must be at the curb by the first morning of the scheduled pick-up. · Christmas Tree pick-up is conducted on public streets only. · Residents are asked to refer to a Town map to determine their designated area for schedule. · The schedule has been rotated from last year.
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.
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.
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.
Start off the winter holiday season with an online tour of magnificently decorated conservatories and mansions. Garden designer Jana Milbocker returns to lead a tour of the beautifully lit scenery at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania; Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library in Delaware; Blithewold in Rhode Island; Heritage Museums and Gardens in Massachusetts; and more. — an announcement from Darien Library
No scarves or mittens required — enjoy these sights from the comfort of your own home. This virtual event will start at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7.
The Corbin District is teaming up with The Darien Chamber of Commerce to spread the joy of the holiday season again this year to support our local retailers. 2021 continues to be a difficult time for our local businesses and it is important to support our local shops. — an announcement from the Darien Chamber of Commerce and The Corbin District
We have so many amazing businesses here in Darien, many of which are locally owned and operated, with incredible service and high quality and unique offerings. This Instagram/social media initiative between The Corbin District and The Darien Chamber of Commerce will enable us to support our community businesses and at the same time thank residents and visitors who choose to shop locally. Welcome back, #Darientogether!
Ready to start your holiday shopping? The Rowayton Gardeners is online now with their second “Virtually Yours” online store. More than 175 items will be offered for sale, including festive gifts and unique ornaments, fresh bundled greens and our designer-quality wreaths are ready for purchase online now and through Sunday, Nov. 28. — an announcement from The Rowayton Gardeners club
YWCA of Darien/Norwalk’s annual Dazzling December shopping event, a fun and festive evening celebrating the upcoming holiday season, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9 at Everything is Rosey in Darien. — an announcement from the YWCA of Darien/Norwalk
Everything is Rosey at 1072 Post Road in Darien offers a wide array of colorful apparel, resort wear and unique holiday gifts. Light hors d’oeuvres and complimentary wine tastings will be served by local Scout & Cellar representative Sally Betz. Several gift baskets will be raffled off throughout the evening.
Some advice on keeping your Thanksgiving food healthy — information passed on by Mindy Chambrelli, a registered sanitarian at Darien Health Department:
Last year, more than 46 million turkeys were carved and eaten at Thanksgiving. Turkey is typically accompanied by a host of side dishes and desserts, making the Thanksgiving meal by far one of the largest meals most people will cook all year. Please do so safely and remember NO need to wash the bird, place it directly into the roasting pan! Fresh or Frozen? Fresh Turkeys
Allow 1 pound of turkey per person. Buy your turkey only 1 to 2 days before you plan to cook it.
A record-breaking 300 canned and dry goods were collected for Person-to-Person’s pantry at the recent “Thanksgiving Sing” at the Methodist Family Center Preschool. — an announcement from the Methodist Family Center Preschool
On a bright and unseasonably warm November morning, the MFCP welcomed the school’s families to the Thanksgiving Sing, a cherished annual tradition that had been canceled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The ‘Sing’ as it is affectionately called, concluded a month-long food drive in partnership with Person to Person’s Darien Pantry and their mobile food pantry, P2P On Wheels. Children ages 3 to 5 began the Sing by bringing their food donations and placing them in a basket. “Listening to the children sing reminds us of how blessed we are to come together on a gorgeous day with the sole purpose of being thankful,” said MFCP Director Laurie Anderson.
Darien High School student Christopher “Tripp” Lyons has been honored with the 2021-2022 Good Citizen Award by the Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. — an announcement from the Good Wife’s River Chapter of the DAR
The award, officially the ” 2021-2022 National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award” is given to a DHS senior who best exemplifies the qualities of patriotism, citizenship, dependability and service to community. Tripp was selected to receive this award by the faculty and the senior class at DHS. He will receive his award pin and certificate from Darien’s DAR Chapter Regent, Nicole Gorman at a reception at the Museum of Darien on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 5.
Darien High School graduate Matthew Gentile will be awarded the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award from the National Eagle Scout Association on Sunday at the Andrew Shaw Memorial Scout Cabin. Gentile is an engineer with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is part of the Mars Rover Mission team. He was a scout in Troop 35 Darien when he became an eagle scout in 2010. — an announcement from Darien Scouts
The award is granted to eagle scouts who have distinguished themselves in their life’s work and have shared their talents with their communities on a voluntary basis. Only a couple of these honors are awarded from each Boy Scouts of America Council.
