Arts & Entertainment
Penny Spanos Darien Fireworks 2015

UPDATE: Forget Postponement, Weed Beach Festive Night CANCELLED ENTIRELY Due to Forecast; Fireworks Still on for July 15

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UPDATE, 10:49 a.m., Friday:

Weed Beach Festive Night, which was originally scheduled for Friday night, then postponed for 24 hours, is now cancelled due to expected rain, Darien Parks and Recreation Department announced just before 10 a.m., Friday. If you pre-purchased a meal for the event, you can still pick it up between 5 and 6 p.m., Saturday, Park & Rec Program Supervisor Jami Gore said in the 9:59 a.m. emailed announcement.  You’ll be able to get into the beach to do it, she said. The next Weed Beach Festive Night is scheduled for Aug. 27. Here’s the full text of Gore’s announcement:
Unfortunately, we have made the difficult and disappointing decision to cancel the Weed Beach Festive Night scheduled for this weekend due to potential inclement weather.

Community Organizations
Sheffield Island Lighthouse

Your Kid’s Summer Camp Could Visit Sheffield Island Lighthouse

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New this summer, the Norwalk Seaport Association is now welcoming regional organizations that offer summer camps for children to come and visit Sheffield Island and Sheffield Island Lighthouse for an unparalleled maritime excursion. — an announcement from the Norwalk Seaport Association

Preservation of the island and lighthouse as well as offering educational opportunities for children are two of the founding principles that the Norwalk Seaport Association has been founded on. If organizations and summer camps are looking for a new camp activity that will delight and engage kids of all ages, they should consider renting the Norwalk Seaport Association’s vessel the C.J. Toth for an excursion. The Norwalk Seaport Association has developed two options for camp educators to choose from, both offer an educational and rewarding experience at affordable price points. A two-hour harbor cruise is scenic, educational, and fun.

Darien Senior Activities Center sign

Here’s How Darien Senior Center Is Shifting to More Indoor, In-Person Programs

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Darien Senior Center members are being welcomed back to more in-person programs indoors at the Mather Community Center on Monday, June 7. But the return to in-person programs has already begun and is gradual. The lunch pickup program, for instance, is continuing into the foreseeable future — and seniors picking up lunches today (Friday) can park and hear an outdoor concert from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the parking lot. Starting Monday, the center’s Woodshop and its Computer Room will both be open (but only if you’ve reserved a spot). Participation in indoor programs is strictly limited in order to allow for safe distancing of seniors, said Beth Paris, director of the center.

Gardening
Flower

Learn About Native Plants and Pollinators: Webinar Monday Night

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Learn about native plants and pollinators in our community by joining Deepika Saksena and Juliet Cain Darien Pollinator Pathways in a Zoom webinar from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday in an event sponsored by Darien Library. — an announcement from the library

Native plants and pollinators are an essential part of creating a healthy habitat. Native plants provide food and shelter to an array of butterflies and moths, which are often dependent on specific native plant species. You’ll learn about native plants and pollinators in our community, how we can encourage them to thrive and how you can become a citizen scientist with the iNaturalist App and assist Pollinator Pathways’ ongoing pollinator habitat research by tracking native plants and pollinators in our area. About the Presenters
Deepika Saksena is a co-founder of the Darien Pollinator Pathway.

Estate Planning 2021
Logo Begin With the End In Mind Darien Library series Death

Plan for Your Legacy: How Connecticut Probate Courts Settle Estates

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When a family member passes away, many people have misconceptions about real property and probate fees. In “The Ins and Outs of Connecticut Probate,” an online talk tonight, Judge Domenick Calabrese will discuss the role of Connecticut probate courts and how they deal with settling estates. Calabrese will review the  different forms of real estate ownership, including trusts and Connecticut estate tax liens, and bring these concepts to life with examples. — an announcement from Darien Library

This virtual event will take place at 7 p.m., today, Wednesday, June 2. You can register here on Darien Library’s website.

Holidays
Sharad Samy Memorial Day 2021

Kenote Speech from Darien’s 2021 Memorial Day Ceremony

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Sharad Samy, in his keynote speech at Darien’s Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, asked his listeners to remember what the red, white and blue of the U.S. flag stand for and to “Remember those who gave their lives for us today. “Remember that they were just like you and me,” he told the crowd of about 200 people at the veterans’ burial ground in Spring Grove Cemetery. “Remember that they gave what we all treasure the most — life — so that you and I can enjoy our great nation each and every day.” And he described several of them who were cut down in wars from the American Revolution to Vietnam. He explained the symbolism of the flag’s colors: “the red stands for heartiness and valor, the white stands for purity and innocence, and the blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Coronavirus 2021
Metro-North Train

Metro-North Invites You To Consider a Train If You’ve Got a Long Weekend Trip — or a Vaccine

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Planning an early getaway on Friday, May 28 for the long weekend? Metro-North will operate a regular weekday schedule on Friday, but we are increasing capacity by adding train cars — so your weekend starts when you want it to. —  an announcement from Metro-North

If you’re returning on Monday, May 31, we are running regular weekend service that day (not that anyone wants to think about the weekend ending yet). Wondering when to go and return? Check the schedule.

Memorial Day 2021

Darien Democrats Invited to March in the Memorial Day Parade

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Are you a Democrat in town who would like to march in the Darien Memorial Day parade on Monday? The Darien Democratic Town Committee is inviting you to join in the town’s patriotic procession. “As many of you may recall, we did this in 2019 and it was a smashing success. We would love a good turnout to reflect our increased presence in town, so please join us,” DTC Chair David Bayne said in an announcement Thursday to his fellow Democrats. The parade is solely a patriotic event, not a political one (and both the parade rules and the Democratic Town Committee forbid “overt political signs or messaging” at the event.

Memorial Day 2021
Memorial Day wreath laying

Memorial Day Parade Line of March and Ceremony Program Announced

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The town Monuments and Ceremonies Commission released a list of marchers for the Memorial Day parade and the order that they’re marching in, as well as the program for the ceremony after the parade. At the bottom of this article is added the list of instructions given to parade marchers. Here’s the announcement:

Darien’s Memorial Day Parade, and our time-honored Commemorative Ceremony for those who gave their lives in service to our country will take place Monday, May 31. The Parade will start at 10 a.m. from the Goodwives Shopping Center, and proceed south [east] on the Post Road, ending at Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery, where our commemorative ceremony will take place immediately afterward. Grand Marshal Peter O. Kenyon, Commander, USNR (retired,) will open our ceremony.

Holidays

Darien’s Memorial Day Parade Takes Place Monday, Some Traffic Restrictions Begin at 8 AM

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The Darien Memorial Day Parade will start at 10 a.m., Monday, May 31, at Goodwives Shopping Center, go through downtown and end at Spring Grove Cemetery. Traffic detours and restrictions will be in effect at some locations as early as 8 a.m., Darien police said. The parade grand marshal will be Peter Kenyon, and Sharad Samy will deliver the Memorial Day speech after the parade at the Veterans Cemetery at Spring Grove Cemetery. The post-parade ceremony is expected to begin at 11:30 a.m.

At 12 noon, Darien Police will conclude the 40th anniversary observance of Officer Kenneth Bateman’s death in the line of duty. The observance takes place at Police Headquarters on Hecker Avenue, across the street from the Veterans Cemetery.

Community Organizations
Allegra Erickson and Christina Passaretti Thriving Youth Task Force TYTF

Two New Members Named to Community Fund of Darien’s Thriving Youth Task Force

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The Thriving Youth Task Force announced Monday that Allegra Erickson and Christina Passaretti will join its executive board for the 2021/22 school year. — an announcement from The Community Fund of Darien
Erickson will assume the role of Executive Board co-chair.  She will succeed Shelly Skoglund, who will complete her term as co-chair this year. Christina Passaretti will serve as vice chair, succeeding Susan Marks, who will also complete her term this year. Erickson brings a wealth of experience to the Thriving Youth Task Force. She has served our community on the PTO executive boards of Hindley Elementary, Middlesex Middle School and Darien High School and was a board member, Youth Asset Team adult advisor, and Community Investment executive board member for The Community Fund of Darien.

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Rowayton Gardeners Club Community Gardens Walk & Great Gnome Hunt

Tour Some Rowayton Gardens, Hunt for Gnomes at Gardeners Club’s June 13 Celebration

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The Rowayton Gardeners Club invites you to its first-ever Community Gardens Walk & Great Gnome Hunt on Sunday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— an announcement from the Rowayton Gardeners Club

It’s an event for people of all ages, featuring a nature inspired scavenger & gnome hunt, environmental education stations, farm fun programs by the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, refreshments, music, and fun for the whole family. Attendees will get an up-close look at six of Rowayton’s beautiful community gardens, with Rowayton Gardeners’ docents on hand to answer your questions. All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the upkeep and improvement projects at the Community Gardens and our outreach programs.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 1. More information can be found on the Rowayton Gardeners Club website.

Birding 2021
Backyard birding image from Darien Library website

Learn the Basics of Backyard Birding, Thursday, May 27 in This Online Presentation

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Darien Library welcomes Tricia Kevalis from The Connecticut Audubon Society. She will lend her expertise and teach the basics of backyard birding from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, May 27. In this online class, learn how to identify backyard birds by sight and sound, who is at the feeder during each season and learn what their feeding habits are. — an announcement from Darien Library

Tricia will discuss bird characteristics, ways to attract birds to your feeder, what bird feeders and seed to use, and where to place feeders for bird safety and best viewing. This program includes the opportunity to view samples of bird feeders and different varieties of bird seed that will help create a bird-friendly sanctuary in your yard.

Darienites
Memorial Day 2021 speaker grand marshal

Ceremonies Commission Names Darien’s 2021 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal, Keynote Speaker

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Navy veteran Peter Kenyon will be the the grand marshal for Darien’s upcoming Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31, and Sharad Samy will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony after the parade, the Monuments and Ceremonies Commission announced. The Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery in Spring Grove Cemetery is scheduled to take place at 11:30 a.m.
Parade Marshal: Peter Kenyon
From the announcement about the parade marshal:
Commander Peter Kenyon served on active duty in the Pacific from 1963 to 1966, aboard USS Bausell (destroyer DD-845.) While attached to the 7th Fleet they engaged in plane guard duty, naval gunfire support (shore bombardment), Search and Rescue operations, amphibious task force escort duty, Formosa Patrol, and Anit Submarine patrols. Pete qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer, a Command Duty Officer, Tactical Action Officer, Officer of the Deck (both Fleet Activity and Independent Steaming), CIC Watch Officer, and JOOD.  His assignments included Electronics Officer, CIC Officer, Intelligence Officer, and Administrative Officer. After active duty, Pete served in the Navy Reserve service from 1966 to 1985, mainly in Convoy duty units, and with three short tours on reserve destroyers, and a final tour on the Naval War College Reserve Staff. Pete had 2 tours as a Commanding Officer (VTU and NCSO).

CAC volunteer and kid

Six Darien Residents Honored for ‘Outstanding Volunteer Advocacy’ for Children

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Six Darienites who have taken on the task of advocating for vulnerable children have been honored for their services by Child Advocates of Southwest Connecticut, the organization announced. — an announcement from Child Advocates of SW Connecticut

The Darien residents recognized for “outstanding volunteer advocacy” are Amy Harned, Robert Noonan, Megan Pryor, Maureen Roach, Ruthie Strother and Jody Truwit. Child Advocates of SW Connecticut (CAC) is a Fairfield County-based non-profit organization that trains and supervises volunteer advocates for vulnerable children. “CAC is thrilled to honor our incredible volunteers,” said Stacey Sobel, executive director of CAC. “Vulnerable children have suffered disproportionately during the COVID pandemic, and our volunteers have done a tremendous job ensuring needs are being met.”

CAC volunteers are a consistent, caring presence in a child’s life and advocate for the child’s best interests in the community, school and courtroom.