9/11
Sept 11 Memorial 9/11 roses and flags placed

Darien Commemorates 9/11 with a Ceremony and Speeches at the Town’s Memorial

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Darien’s 9/11 ceremony, 24 years after the massacres on Sept. 11, 2001, included the National Anthem, red roses, American flags, a moment of silence and brief speeches reflecting on the heartbreak and heroism of that day and the years after. The ceremony, at Darien’s 9/11 memorial behind Middlesex Middle School, brought together a crowd of over 100 people, including uniformed police officers and firefighters as well as some EMTs. Running from about 8:25 to a little after 9 a.m., the event included with the times of day the two passenger jets had slammed into each of the World Trade Center towers — 8:46 and 9:03 a.m.

“As years, now decades, go by, people forget — but those of us who witnessed this do not forget, and it’s our job to remember those we lost, and honor those who helped — firemen, poliemen, ER personnel, ambulance drivers and people who sowed up to do what they could — simple gestures to ease suffering in whatever way they could,” Monuments and Ceremonies Commission member Nanci Natale told the crowd. The ceremony took place under a cloudless blue sky not quite as deeply blue as it was in Darien on the day of the attacks.

Frank Kemp obit obituary

An Appreciation of the Late Frank Kemp from Darien Arts Center, Where He Was Board President — and Much More

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Darien Arts Center recently issued this description of the late Frank Kemp’s association with the organization. The statement, emailed on Thursday, praised Kemp for the multiple ways he actively — and passionately — volunteered at the DAC. Here’s the full text:

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Frank Kemp’s passing. A dedicated arts advocate, Frank’s kindness, generosity, steadfastness, and humble and noble nature knew no bounds. He served as board president at Darien Arts Center for many years and was a continually active member of our community.

AirGarage
Stamford Town Center mall

Stamford Mall to Replace All Garage Parking Meters with a Smartphone App

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Stamford Town Center parking stations will be replaced with an online system in which shoppers use their smartphones to pay for parking. A 35-cent processing fee will be added to the $1 per hour cost of parking at the mall. — an announcement from Stamford Town Center

The change will take place in October, the mall’s management announced on Friday. The new service at the mall will be provided by AirGarage, a parking operator that’s installed the same system at 300 locations across the country, including shopping centers, resorts and office buildings. In October, existing pay stations at the mall will be removed and replaced with AirGarage’s “mobile-first platform” which “allows visitors to park and pay directly from their smartphones, making parking faster, easier, and hassle-free,” the announcement said.

Healthy Living
Medicine Healthcare Ambulance Emergency Doctor

How to Prepare for Elderly Health Problems: A Presentation Wednesday at Darien Library

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At Home in Darien invite you to join Linda Ziac, owner and founder of The Caregiver Resource Center will guide us on how to prepare for when the unexpected happens. An hourlong presentation will take place Wednesday evening at Darien Library. — an announcement from Darien Library

Are you prepared if you suddenly are faced with the unexpected? You experience a medical situation that lands you in the ER. An ER doctor tells you you’re being admitted to the hospital.

Darienites
Zagrodzky with Frank Kemp

First Selectman’s Newsletter: An Appreciation of Frank Kemp for His Spirit and Many Volunteer Contributions to the Community

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First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky devoted Saturday’s entire town government newsletter to discussing the late Frank Kemp, a town official and active member of the community who passed away on Aug. 30 at the age of 81. Here’s the full text:

Be like Frank. You may have heard that RTM member Frank Kemp passed away on August 30. He had not been well recently, even announcing earlier in the month that he’d be stepping down from the RTM in November due to heart trouble.

Consumer and Finances
Patrick McRedmond Fairfield County Bank homebuying seminar

First-Time Homebuyers Invited to Online Seminar Given by Senior Loan Officer at Fairfield County Bank

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First-time homebuyers are invited to get advice at a free, online seminar from 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4. The talk is offered by Fairfield County Bank. The seminar will cover entire home buying process, from preparing to apply to closing on a house. Seminar attendees can get a $200 credit on their closing cost if they get their mortgage from Fairfield County Bank, the bank says, (more information on restrictions below).

Seniors
Darien Senior Activities Center sign

Mather Center to Close This Coming Week, From Monday to Friday, Aug 18 to 22

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Mather Center, including the Darien Senior Center, will be closed from this Monday to Friday, Aug. 18 to the 22, to thoroughly clean and sanitize, preparing a safe and welcoming space for the year ahead, according to the Town of Darien Newsletter. “The Thank you for your understanding and patience,” the announcement said. “We can’t wait to welcome you back on Aug. 25!”

Back to School 2025

CT Officials: Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed When Shopping for Back-to-School Items

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Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli are warning Connecticut families and students to be on the lookout for potential scams during the back-to-school shopping season, particularly when shopping online. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office

“Consumers should always be mindful anytime they shop and wary of bad actors who are trying to take advantage of them, especially during busy shopping seasons like the back-to-school period,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut offers many protections for consumers, and we encourage everyone to know your rights and protect yourselves.”

“August creates a shopping frenzy for back-to-school supplies, from elementary school backpacks to college textbooks and dorm essentials, and unfortunately scammers will look to capitalize off last-minute shoppers seeking high-demand products,” Commissioner Cafferelli said. “The safest thing families can do is shop in-person, Cafferelli said. “Inspect or test out the item, keep your receipts, and clarify the store’s return policy.

Memorial Day 2025
Jayme Stevenson Memorial Day Speech Keynote

‘Protect the Liberty They Fought for’: Full Text of Jayme Stevenson’s Memorial Day Address

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Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in America’s wars deserve something more than even the gratitude, acknowledgement and respect of living Americans, said former First Selectman Jayme Stevenson in the keynote address at Darien’s Memorial Day ceremony. They and our country deserve to be paid back by our being “willing in our own way to step up and protect the liberty they fought for,” she said. Stevenson’s speech, before roughly 200 people gathered at the state Veteran’s Cemetery at Spring Grove Cemetery, lasted about seven minutes. “It’s our duty as beneficiaries of their sacrifice to honor their legacy, not just today but every day,” she continued. “We do this by living our lives worthy of their courage, by protecting the freedoms they fought for and by ensuring that the future generations understand the cost of liberty.

Talking Transportation 2025
Sherwood Island State Park jetty

Expand Your Horizons with TOR — An Alternative to Driving to Concerts, Beaches and Other Recreation Spots

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The recent cool and weather aside, it’s officially summer! Time to get out and enjoy our state’s wonderful parks and beaches and take advantage of TOR. You know what TOD is, right? Transit Oriented Development is building homes and offices near mass transit facilities. Well, I’m going to suggest you think about TOR: Transit Oriented Recreation.

Darien Emergency Management Department
Town Hall

Darien Seeks Up to 25 Volunteers for Times When Emergency Shelters Are Needed in Town

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The Darien Emergency Management Department is seeking up to 25 residents to volunteer when an emergency shelter is required in Darien. The volunteers would provide assistance with all aspects of shelter operations. — an announcement from the Town of Darien Newsletter

Volunteers for the emergency preparedness team must be Darien residents living locally and readily available to be in a shelter should an emergency or disaster occur. Shelter operation responsibilities can include checking on people in need of shelter, tracking attendance, assisting with food service, receiving and monitoring supplies, assisting with security and helping with additional needs that arise. The volunteers will be required to attend a two hours of training in sheltering operations (date to be determined).

Holidays

Darien’s Memorial Day Parade Starts at 10 AM, Monday; Some Traffic Restrictions Start at 8 AM; Food Fair 11 AM to 2 PM

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The Darien 2025 Memorial Day Parade will begin stepping off at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, 2025, and traffic detours and restrictions will begin at some spots beginning at 8 a.m.
— announcements from Darien Police and Darien EMS-Post 53

Darien Police Department will be deploying additional assets to the parade. Parade Route:
A 10 a.m., the parade’s route begins at Old Kings Market (formerly Goodwives Shopping Center) at 25 Old Kings Highway North, proceeds up Brookside Road and turns left onto Post Road. The parade proceeds westbound on Post Road and ends in the area of Spring Grove Cemetery, just past Darien Library. Darien EMS-Post 53 Food Fair
The Post 53 Memorial Day Food Fair takes place at Tilley Pond Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring games for kids, arts and crafts, a bake sale, silent auction, CPR demonstrations and food trucks. Post 53 members work year-round to prepare for this day.

Affordable Housing 2025
Jon Zagrodzky Ned Lamont

Affordable Housing, Power Supply Discussed when Gov Met with First Selectman at New Restaurant in Town

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Providing new affordable housing in Darien, real estate development projects in town and providing more electricity in the state were discussed when First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky recently met with Gov. Ned Lamont at Roots Ocean Prime, a new restaurant in town. The Greenwich Democrat and Darien Republican spoke for about an hour on Monday, May 5, Zagrodzky said in his regular biweekly column in the latest Town of Darien Newsletter (sent out by email on Friday). Zagrodzky discussed how Darien officials in recent years have worked to encourage more affordable housing, with 200-plus units  built or renovated in the past 15 years and 40 more, not yet built but approved by town land use boards. He also pointed out that Darien is 98 percent developed, making it more difficult to build. “The governor seemed to appreciate our results,” Zagrodzky added.

Darien Library
Pope Francis body procession

You Can Watch with Others: Darien Library Will Livestream Coverage Surrounding Pope Francis’ Funeral

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Darien Library will open the Community Room from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to show a livestream of coverage of Pope Francis’ funeral from the Vatican News channel on YouTube, the library announced. The funeral will take place before the library opens, starting at 4 a.m., Eastern Time (10 a.m. in Rome) but parts or all of it can be expected to be replayed. The video channel may also show related events, interviews and discussions. The funeral Mass takes place in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of nine days of mourning and Masses.

Talks-Panel Discussions-Presentations-Workshops
Boxes Moving Decluttering

Upgrade Your Spring Cleaning With These Three Talks at Darien Library, All Related to Downsizing

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Darien Library is offering three talks related to downsizing on the first three Tuesday evenings in April, the library says, “from tips and tricks for decluttering, to getting the right prize for your property, to deciding where to go next.” — an announcement from Darien Library

Each talk is free, each requires registration and takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. There’s no guarantee you’ll save money, time or your sanity from the advice being offered, but your chances may improve. While on the same general subject, the talks are independent of each other, so you won’t miss anything in the talk or talks you’re attending if you just go to one or two,
Downsizing: What’s My Stuff Worth? Have you ever wondered what your antiques, collectibles, or household items are really worth? In this engaging presentation, a professional auctioneer will demystify the valuation process, explain what determines an item’s value, and share tips on identifying hidden treasures.