Darien’s Memorial Day keynote speaker this year will be author Robert H. Patton, grandson of General George S. Patton Jr., of World War II fame, and son of Major Gen. George S. Patton IV. The Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission, which organizes the Memorial Day parade and observances, announced Patton’s role as keynote speaker. Patton will deliver the keynote address at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 27 during the town’s Memorial Day observance in Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery. The observance will take place right after the Memorial Day Parade. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, it will be held in the Community Room of Darien Library.
Summer travel is soaring this Memorial Day weekend: AAA projects 43.8 million travelers — including nearly 2 million New Englanders — will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period, May 23 to 27. This year’s total number of travelers constitutes a 4% increase over last year and exceeds pre-pandemic levels for the first time. — an announcement from the AAA and AAA Northeast
“We’re expecting to see plenty of traffic on the roads and in the skies this Memorial Day weekend,” said Alec Slatky, managing director of public and government affairs for AAA Northeast. “We’re projecting an additional 1 million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means that we’re moving beyond pandemic-era lulls but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”
Road trips are expected to set a record this year. AAA projects 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for the holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000.
The Monuments and Ceremonies Commission again will be hosting Darien’s traditional Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27. The Parade will start at 10 a.m. sharp, starting from Goodwives Shopping Center, marching up the Post Road to Spring Grove Cemetery. The commemoration ceremony honoring those who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces will take place at 11:15 a.m. in Spring Grove Cemetery. Any organization interested in marching in the parade should email the Parade Committee at: 06820mayparade@gmail.com. Darien EMS-Post 53 will again hold a food fair at Tilley Pond Park immediately after the parade.
Person to Person’s annual “Holiday Toy Store” starts Thursday, Dec. 14, so that its clients have gifts for their children this holiday season. Over 1,000 families are expected to visit the Toy Store this year to personally choose gifts for their children. — an announcement from Person to Person
The “Holiday Toy Store” is made possible thanks to the kindness of hundreds of Connecticut residents and local businesses who donated toys, books, board games, gift cards, and money. Supporting P2P’s “Holiday Toy Store” are numerous corporate and community volunteer groups, along with nearly 400 individual volunteers who will help set up and run the store.
Independence Day will be a banner travel holiday this year as 50 million Americans plan trips between Friday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 4, says AAA Northeast. — an announcement from AAA Northeast and AAA
This year’s overall holiday travel volume will be the highest on record, surpassing pre-pandemic levels set in 2019 of 49 million travelers, said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “Car and air travel each will also set holiday records despite higher overall travel costs this year,” she said. Of the overall, 5o.7 million travelers:
• 85% or 43.2 million people will travel by car, a 2.4% increase over last year. • 8% or 4.17 million people will fly to destinations, an 11.2% increase over last year.
The Darien’Monuments and Ceremonies Commission will be hosting the town’s traditional Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29. — an announcement from the Darien Memorial Day Parade Committee
The parade will commence at 10 a.m., sharp, starting from Goodwives Shopping Center, 25 Old Kings Hwy. North, then marching up the Post Road to Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery. The annual commemoration ceremony honoring those who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces will take place in Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery, starting at 11:15 a.m.
Any organization interested in marching in the parade should email the parade committee at: 06820MayParade@gmail.com.
Due to the traditionally large turnout for the Thanksgiving Day football game between Darien and New Canaan High Schools, the Darien Police Department advises that the following traffic regulations are being put into effect for the area surrounding Darien High School on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 24, 2022. — an announcement from Darien Police
Those attending should plan for traffic delays and needing extra time to arrive at this event. All vehicle traffic will enter the DHS campus via Noroton Avenue. High School Ln. and Nutmeg Lane will be closed to incoming vehicle traffic at 7 a.m. Those walking to the event will be permitted to enter at these locations.
The Christian Science church in Darien will again be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Day service on Thursday, Nov. 24, at 10:30 a.m. This event is open to the public, and no collection will be taken. — an announcement from the First Church of Christ Scientist in Darien
This service in the church auditorium, at 2331 Post Road, at the corner of Salt Box Lane, also is held in Christian Science churches worldwide, continuing an annual tradition that began in 1902. It includes the singing of hymns, the reading of the Thanksgiving Proclamation of the President of the United States or the Governor of the state, or both, readings from the “Pastor” of the church — The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy — a solo, and testimonies by Christian Scientists appropriate for the occasion. The public is also welcome to attend the regular church services, which are held weekly throughout the year on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. (Sunday school at 9:25 a.m.) and Wednesday testimony meetings at 7:30 p.m.
Another option available to the public is the Christian Science Reading Room, which is a spiritual resource center and a quiet place for study and prayer.
Halloween is almost here, and to prevent this holiday from becoming a scary one for you and your pets, it’s important to consider common activities and items that can be dangerous to your furry friends. — an announcement from Best Friends Animal Society
Here are some basic precautions for pet owners to keep pets safe on Halloween:
Pets should be kept inside during Halloween, if trick-or-treating is happening in your community. Use caution when answering the door so your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside. If the extra door knocking or doorbell ringing stresses out your pets, put them in a quiet room away from the noise. Make sure your pets have current ID tags and that microchip info is up to date, just in case they do escape.
Kids riding bikes, scooters, wagons and non-motorized vehicles, often with their parents providing the push/pull power, will start parading from Darien High School at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 4. (What will the kids be doing? Mostly providing the charm. Whether they look bored, sad, angry or, more often, curious, happy and delighted, they’ll be exuding oodles of charm. It’s what kids do, particularly if they’re too young to do much mischief.
The Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission invites you to the annual Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Day Dedication Ceremony in the Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery on Monday, May 30. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. from Goodwives Shopping Center following the Post Road to Spring Grove Cemetery. The Memorial Day Dedication is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., however precise timing is dependent upon the parade’s progress; the ceremony is scheduled to last about 35 minutes. Darien EMS Post 53 Memorial Day Food Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tilly Pond Park. The annual event features food trucks, silent auction, arts and crafts, games for the whole family, and ambulance tours.
Vietnam veteran John Wolcott will be the Grand Marshal in this year’s Darien Memorial Day Parade, the town Monuments and Ceremonies Commission announced.— an announcement from the commissionBorn in Berkeley, California in 1943, John lived in northern California, Peru and Trinidad before attending the University of California, Davis, then Berkeley, collecting bachelor’s and advanced degrees.John entered the army in 1967, achieved the rank of captain, served one year at Fort Carson, Colorado before shipping out to Vietnam, where he served a year and a day at Pleiku in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star.John’s career as a CPA began with Price Waterhouse in the Bay Area for six years. John and his wife, Jane moved to Darien when he was asked to “temporarily” relocate to the New York office.When asked to resume his career in San Francisco, John and Jane demurred, choosing to remain in Darien, believing Darien was the perfect place to raise their two beautiful daughters, Dana and Kristine, a decision they’ve never regretted.John joined a NYC boutique investment firm as SVP/CFO for a decade, before devoting the remainder of his career to private wealth management.Locally, John has served as treasurer and on the boards of both the Middlesex Club and Country Club of Darien, and is a former president of the Darien Mens Association.John was recently elected to the Town Board of Finance.John and Jane love watching their four grandchildren grow up (and their daughters and sons-in-law managing that effort,) travel, theatre, museums, music, reading, suffer as faithful Cal and 49er fans, and play duplicate bridge.John will ride at the head of the Parade, which will commence at 10:00AM, starting from Goodwives Shopping Center, marching up the Post Road to Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery, where our traditional Commemoration Ceremony honoring those who lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces will take place at 11:15.Any organization looking for information regarding the parade should email the parade committee at: 06820mayparade@gmail.com
Gather your Easter baskets and come out for an Easter egg hunt on the front lawn of the Darien Community Association Friday morning, April 15. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association
This longstanding community tradition is a fun way for children to get into the spirit of the holiday. Please come early, as the egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. sharp and takes only a few minutes. A special appearance by the Easter Bunny makes this a wonderful morning. Due to safety and parking constraints, advance registration and prepayment is required, and limited to the first 100 registrants/vehicles.
You can celebrate Valentine’s Day with a gift bag, complete with a hand-made tag, from The Darien Community Association. — an announcement from the DCA
Created by Carolyn’s Absolutely Fabulous Events, the DCA describes it as “A real delight for all — treat yourself, share with your family or bring as a gift to friends.” Each gift bag will hold an afternoon tea box, signature cocktail mix, sparkling water and a small posy of flowers. (The cocktail mix would also work with sparkling wine, not included.)
The afternoon tea box (perfect for one person) will contain a savory bite, tea sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and a selection of cakes pastries and sweet treats. Orders will be available for drive-by pick up only from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Friday, Feb.
Metro-North once again will have extra trains traveling to New York City for New Year’s Eve revelers, the railroad announced. Rules to Remember
Two rules to especially remember, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announcement:
—”Masks covering your nose and mouth are required on all Metro-North trains, in all stations and at Grand Central Terminal.” —”Alcohol is not permitted on Metro-North trains from 12 p.m. [noon] Friday, Dec 31 through 12 p.m. [noon] Saturday, Jan. 1.” “We strongly suggest you skip the ticket machine line by using MTA eTix on your iPhone or Android,” the announcement said.
