Holidays

Traffic, Parking, Other Rules for Those Attending Turkey Bowl Game on Thanksgiving

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The 2019 Darien-New Canaan Turkey Bowl starts at 10 a.m., Thanksgiving morning at Darien High School, and for the 4,000 people with tickets, there are rules about where to park and how to get onto the high school campus. Expect delays in traffic, so give yourself plenty of time. If you’re one of the lucky people parking on the campus, you got your parking pass with your tickets. Don’t forget to bring it. If you don’t have a parking pass (or forgot to bring it or you lost it or the dog ate it or you left it in your unlocked car and it was stolen overnight), you’re not going to get in.

Education
Thanksgiving football

DHS Principal Ellen Dunn Issues Thanksgiving Message, Slips In a Little Reminder About Good Behavior at Turkey Bowl

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Darien High School Principal Ellen Dunn issued an announcement early Wednesday afternoon wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving and gently asking students to remember that “you represent your school and your community” at Thursday’s Turkey Bowl game with New Canaan. She emailed the announcement to families of students. Here’s the full text:

Dear Families,

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving from the entire DHS family to yours.  I would also like to share the announcement I made a few moments ago about the Turkey Bowl tomorrow. All my best,
Ellen Dunn
Principal

Good morning, DHS family! As we prepare for an exciting Thanksgiving football game, it provides an opportunity for us to pause as a school community to consider how fortunate we are.

Healthy Living
AAA Nov 27 2019 worst travel day of Thanksgiving weekend 2019

AAA: Buckle Up and Drive Unimpaired This Holiday Weekend, You’re Sharing the Road With More People

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Look for congested roadways later today as more than 2 million New England travelers — 3% more than last year — make their annual Thanksgiving pilgrimage to celebrate with family and friends, says AAA Northeast. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
Nationally, more than 55 million folks are expected to travel over this Thanksgiving holiday with 90% of that overall number driving the nation’s roadways, AAA projects. “As you know, more people on roadways mean greater congestion,” says Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman. “And greater congestion means a greater potential for vehicle crashes.” At a morning news conference at Troop G, Bridgeport, AAA Northeast joined the representatives from the Connecticut State Police and state Sen. Tony Hwang, a Fairfield Republican, to remind motorists to travel safely this holiday.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Our Lady of Grace Preschool and Kindergarten donation

Almost One Ton of Turkeys and Other Food Donated Tuesday to Food Bank in Stamford

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The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County received a staggering donation yesterday… nearly one ton of turkeys plus additional dry goods were provided through a team contribution effort.  Stamford EMS, Stop and Shop at Ridgeway Shopping Center and Our Lady of Grace Preschool & Kindergarten worked together to make the donation. — an announcement from Stamford EMS and Our Lady of Grace Preschool and Kindergarten
Stop and Shop, located in Ridgeway shopping center, generously provided the turkeys to community partner Stamford EMS to be delivered, by ambulance, to the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. Our Lady of Grace School contributed cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing and other canned and packaged side dishes that were collected by their school community. All turkeys and donations will be distributed to soup kitchens, emergency pantries and shelters across the region. “At this time of giving thanks, and in the spirit of community, we came together to help our neighbors in need,” said Patricia Squires, chief and CEO of Stamford EMS.

The donations from the families of Our Lady of Grace Preschool & Kindergarten in Glenbrook are a portion of the total provisions that the school community collected, which measured over one ton. A sizeable contribution of food was designated to help those in their school community in need.

Darien Community Association
DCA Gingerbread Decorating Girls Night Out

‘Girl’s Night Out’ Gingerbread Decorating Night Dec 10 at Darien Community Association

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Gather your friends, neighbors, or book group for a Girls’ Night Out Gingerbread House Decorating from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10. As one participant raved, “It’s like no other event of its kind—low key, lots of fun, and a really nice evening out with friends before the holiday rush begins.”

— an announcement from the Darien Community Association

The DCA and Palmer’s Catering will provide light bites, wine, gingerbread houses and all of the decorating supplies you’ll need. You supply the creativity! You’ll be supporting a great cause — the non-profit mission of the DCA — which includes college scholarships for Darien High School graduates.

Healthy Living
Smartphone Photo from Mountainside Treatment Center

For Those in Recovery Over the Holidays, Hotline and Online Support Groups Offered by Mountainside Treatment Center

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Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for reconnecting with loved ones over food and drinks, but for those in active addiction or recovery, it can present unhealthy temptations and added stress. With the Thanksgiving break quickly approaching, Mountainside treatment center in Wilton will provide a free helpline and “virtual” recovery support groups online for those in need of assistance for themselves or their loved ones this holiday season. — an announcement from Mountainside Treatment Center

For people in recovery, the cold weather and shorter days of winter can lead to boredom and isolation, increasing their risk of relapse. Additionally, binge drinking over the Thanksgiving weekend has become increasingly popular, with Thanksgiving Eve even being nicknamed “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving” as many Americans pack local bars to celebrate the long weekend. With this in mind, Mountainside’s 24/7 Holiday Helpline will be available from Nov.

Healthy Living
NHTSA Seatbelts Unbuckled Deaths 2017

Wear Your Seat Belt: Darien Police and Others are Watching For It, Especially Now Through Monday

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Darien police, along with various other police agencies around the state and nation, are looking for drivers who aren’t wearing their seatbelts, now through the Monday after Thanksgiving. Here’s the police announcement, followed by information from state and federal transportation agencies:
The national “Click It or Ticket” enforcement wave will be taking place from Nov. 25 through Dec. 2, 2019. The Darien Police Department will be joining hundreds of other law enforcement agencies across the country in renewing a pledge to save lives by intensifying efforts to enforce seatbelt laws among all motorists.

Holidays
DAF Image upcoming Turkey Bowl coverage on YouTube

Watch the Turkey Bowl Live, Wherever You Are

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The 2019 Darien-New Canaan Turkey Bowl begins at 10 a.m. at Darien High School, but you don’t have to be one of the 4,000 attendees there to watch it live. There will be no day of game ticket sales at the gate. The Darien Athletic Foundation’s DAF Media has live video of the game on YouTube, right here:

And while you’re waiting to watch the game, here’s a promo video produced and edited by Darien high school students Ethan Haas and Sander Schuddeboom:

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See Also:
Traffic, Parking, Other Rules for Those Attending Turkey Bowl Game on Thanksgiving (Nov. 24)

DHS Principal Ellen Dunn Issues Thanksgiving Message, Slips In a Little Reminder About Good Behavior at Turkey Bowl (Nov. 27)

Wear Your Seat Belt: Darien Police and Others are Watching For It, Especially Now Through Monday (Nov.

Charity Events and Opportunities
DHS Band turkey collection 2017

DHS Band Thanksgiving Turkey Drive is on Tuesday from 7 to 7:40 AM

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The DHS Band will hold its annual turkey drive on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 7:00-7:40 a.m. during morning drop off in the bus loop. — an announcement from the band
Fresh and frozen turkeys, as well as sides, will be collected by band members — donors do not need to get out of their cars! Our goal is to collect 100 turkeys for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. Please consider a donation to help families in need!

Holidays
Christmas Darien Scouting holiday bazaar 2019

Annual Holiday Bazaar Takes Place Sunday, Nov 24 at the Scout Cabin

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The community is invited to the 4th Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Scout Cabin, 145 West Ave, this Sunday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Support Darien Scouting while finding new and gently used holiday items for yourself, your home, or gifts, including new and gently used holiday decor, trimmings, dishware, teachers gifts, antique, unique and rare retro items and more to make your holidays bright! Cocoa and candy canes will be provided for the kids too! Stop by to learn more about our Scouting programs for youth grades K-12, or visit www.darienscouts.org

Charity Events and Opportunities

‘Frozen II’ — Darien Community-Wide Movie, Coming Dec 2

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Attention movie lovers: Mark your calendars — on Monday, Dec. 2, Frozen II, the annual “Community-Wide Movie” benefiting the Darien Human Services Holiday gift drive will again take place at the Darien Playhouse. — an announcement from the Darien Youth Commission
Sponsored by the Darien Youth Commission, the Darien Human Services Department, and the movie theater, Frozen II runs 1 hour 49 minutes. (This movie premieres in theaters on Friday, Nov. 22.

Churches
Christian Science Church Darien First Church of Christ Scientist 11-15-17

All Invited to Thanksgiving Day Service at Christian Science Church in Darien

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The Christian Science church in Darien will again be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Day service on Thursday, Nov. 28, 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,  is held in Christian Science churches worldwide, continues 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. and Wednesday evenings 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.

Holidays
Gunsmoke band members November 2019

Gunsmoke ‘Home for the Holidays’ Benefit Concert on Dec 7 at the Piedmont Club

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Gunsmoke, the award-winning, Nashville-recording country western band formed in Darien, will perform its latest Music for Hope benefit concert, Home for the Holidays at the Piedmont Club on Saturday, Dec. 7. — an announcement from Gunsmoke

Admission is $15. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Holidays
Window Decorating Halloween 2019 Youth Commish

Winners of Youth Commission 2019 Halloween Window Painting Contest Announced

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Here’s who won the Darien Youth Commission’s  22nd Annual Halloween Window Painting Contest this year. Town Youth Director Alicia Sillars announced the winners Thursday and described this year’s contest with this statement:
Fortunately, the weather was absolutely perfect — a bright, crisp, sunny fall day. With 30 teams of middle & high school aged students painting storefronts throughout the community, it was hard not to get caught up in the fun! Like many special events, these activities are made possible as a result of the unique partnership the Darien Youth Commission forges with the public and private sectors. Special thanks to Beth Cherico, owner of Pie in the Sky, LLC (a mobile art education service) for lending her expertise to the judging portion of this event.

Holidays

How to Buy Tickets for Turkey Bowl 2019, Coming to Darien High School

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Turkey Bowl 2019 will be held on Thanksgiving morning at 10 a.m. in the Darien High School Stadium. The agreement between Darien and New Canaan to host the Turkey Bowl in Stamford cannot be renewed because this alternate site is unavailable. Following the guidelines set by our first responders, we are limited to 4,000 spectator tickets to be shared between Darien and New Canaan. To accommodate our fans, we are including two temporary sets of bleachers for the game. Although this is a community event, it belongs first to the students and to the student athletes who are participating.  As a result, we will prioritize student ticket sales, and offer remaining tickets to the public.