Darien Realtor of the Year
Deb Brennan Realtor of the Year

Deb Brennan Named Darien 2021 Realtor of the Year

By |
Download PDF

The Darien Board of Realtors, Inc. has named Deb Brennan, a Darien resident and realtor with Berkshire Hathaway, the Darien 2021 Realtor of the Year. — an announcement from the Darien Board of Realtors

A panel of past presidents reviewed submissions from members of the Darien board and unanimously chose Deb based on her dedication and commitment to the board and the Darien Multiple Listing Service. According to her peers, Deb has gone above and beyond the call of duty representing Darien realtors at the local, state and national levels. As a true realtor leader, Deb is a dedicated advocate of protecting the rights of property buyers and sellers. About Deb Brennan
Deb has been a realtor for over 17 years, working at the Darien office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties, serving Darien and surrounding towns.

Footer Featured Widget
Halloween Safety Darien Police 2021

Halloween Safety Tips From Darien Police for Parents, Trick-or-Treaters, Householders and Drivers

By |
Download PDF

In order to assist our community in enjoying this fun-filled holiday as safely as possible, the Darien Police Department has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. To enjoy a fun and safe Halloween, we suggest parents, children, motorists, and homeowners follow this advice:

PARENTS
• Always escort your children and carry a flashlight. • Be familiar with the neighborhood where your children will be trick-or-treating. • Set a specific time for your child/children to be out. • Always know who is trick-or-treating with your children.

Charity Events and Opportunities
St. Luke's Parish members at the church in Cuba

‘Run With the Saints’ 5K Run and 1K Walk Coming Nov 7, Benefits St Luke’s Work in Cuba

By |
Download PDF

Saint Luke’s Parish in Darien invites the community to lace up for the 5th annual Run with the Saints. The event benefits St. Luke’s work on behalf of an Episcopal parish in Cuba. The fundraiser, which takes place on Sunday, November 7 beginning at 11:35 a.m. (sharp), offers a choice of a 3-mile run or a 1-mile kids/adult walk, both along a beautiful route by the water. — an announcement from St.

Arts & Entertainment
Rowayton Arts Center Holiday Gift Show logo

Open Call for Artists for Holiday Gift Show at Rowayton Arts Center

By |
Download PDF

The Rowayton Arts Center is seeking original, handcrafted works for the organization’s annual Holiday Gift Show. The RAC will accept small ornaments and holiday-related items as well as jewelry, pottery and ceramics, candles, wooden toys and items, small furniture, knitted or crocheted items, fiber art, original cards and small prints or paintings. — an announcement from Rowayton Arts Center

Proceeds from the Holiday Gift Show, which runs from Nov. 26 through Dec. 24, are used to support RAC and its educational outreach.

Community Organizations

The Volunteer Hub Is Launched to Help Darien Volunteers Find a Good Matches With Local Organizations

By |
Download PDF

The Community Fund of Darien is launching The Volunteer Hub, a complimentary service to Darien residents interested in finding just the right local volunteer opportunity. — an announcement from The Community Fund of Darien

“We’ve heard from Darien residents that they wanted to be more involved in our community and didn’t know how to get started,” explained Janet King, Executive Director of The Community Fund of Darien. Thanks to its community investments in many local nonprofit organizations, The Community Fund has strong ties to those who need volunteer help — a list that’s growing. “Since TCF has such extensive knowledge of local nonprofits, we want to use this expertise to create a personalized matchmaking service for Darien residents to find their dream volunteer position and support these organizations with their skills,” King said. How It Works
Individuals contact TCF’s Volunteer Hub Hosts, and those “volunteers for volunteering” will personally guide participants to the organizations which best match their skill set and areas of interest.

Darien Old Timers Athletic Association 2021

Tickets Now on Sale for Darien Old Timers Athletic Association Annual Sports Dinner, Nov 8

By |
Download PDF

Darien Old Timers Athletic Association (DOTAA), a local organization founded in 1961 to recognize outstanding athletes in the Darien community, will celebrate its 60th anniversary with its annual dinner on Monday, Nov. 8 at The Water’s Edge at Giovanni’s. — an announcement from the Darien Old Timers Athletic Association

The annual dinner will be a time to celebrate past athletic achievements of former Darien athletes and the funds raised will go to providing annual scholarships for Darien High School seniors (not just athletes) and supporting Darien Social Services. This year’s honorees include:

Jeff Bak, DHS ’84 (football) and played for Clemson University
Wes Barton, DHS ’92, receiving James Carlson Award for courage and achievement in the face of adversity, (lacrosse and football)
Tracey Stewart Bird, DHS ’80 (diving), dove for Stanford and currently coaches at Harvard
Michael Koenig, DHS ’80 (football)
Tom O’Malley, DHS ’84 (posthumous) (football)
Jayme Stevenson, receiving the Community Civic Award, Darien first selectman
Mark von Kreuter, DHS ’80 (posthumous) (football)

“We are proud to be celebrating the contributions of Darien athletic achievements for the past sixty years. This year’s honorees are an impressive selection of men and women who have impacted the Darien community and beyond with their athletic and civic accomplishments,” said Bill Peters, president, Darien Old Timers Athletic Association.

At Home In Darien 2021
At Home In Darien leaf raking volunteers

Darien Seniors Invited to Apply for Free Leaf-Raking and Snow-Shoveling Services

By |
Download PDF

Fall leaf-raking and winter snow-shoveling services are available for Darien seniors again this year, At Home In Darien announced. — an announcement from At Home In Darien

The program matches seniors who are in need of assistance with volunteers. Please note volunteers can only shovel public sidewalks. While both outdoor chores can be good exercise, they can be tiring and sometimes hazardous chores for seniors. Leaf raking, show shoveling and other volunteer services can help seniors remain in their homes in town without worrying about simple things like household chores and maintenance.

Darien Veterans
Carmelo Roda 1921

Darien Veteran Street Sign on Herman Ave to Honor World War I Veteran Carmelo Roda

By |
Download PDF

The next recipient of the Darien Veteran Street Sign Honor is the late Carmelo A. Roda, who bravely served in the United States Army during World War I, the Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission announced. — an announcement from the Commission
The street sign with Roda’s name added in his honor will be unveiled on Herman Avenue during a 12 noon ceremony on Sunday Nov. 7. The new signage will not change the name of the street in any way, and no addresses are affected.  The veteran’s name is simply added to the sign as an honorarium.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend the unveiling. The Monuments and Ceremonies Commission is very pleased to recognize Carmelo Roda’s active service during wartime and his community involvement in the Town of Darien upon return from his duties during WWI.

Darienites
Commended Students National Merit Scholarship Program 2021 fall

25 DHS Seniors Named ‘Commended Students’ by National Merit Scholarship Program

By |
Download PDF

The National Merit Scholarship Program has named a total of 25 Darien High School seniors “commended students” for 2022, the high school announced Friday. These students were named:
Emma de Graaff, Luke Dehmel, Andres Devens, Brooke Dolan, Alexander Domittner, Kiran Ebrahimi, Patrick Finnegan (missing from photo), Piper Fitzgerald, Julia Fullington, John Gorman (missing from photo), Elizabeth Haidinger (missing from photo), Ryan Jones, James Leone, Reed Levinson, Lachlan McLaren, Stella Meier, Sebastian Mengwall (missing from photo), Ellis Murphy, Clara O’Connor (missing from photo), Shruthi Palaniappan, Andrew Siever, Ella Whitticom, Katherine Wolters, Charlotte Zaino and Saskia Zimmerman. Assistant Principal Katherine Dimoulas and Director of Guidance Meghan Emanuelson presented each of the scholastically talented seniors with a letter of commendation in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

Around Town
9/11 Sept. 11 monument Darien

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson’s Speech at Darien’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

By |
Download PDF

First Selectman Jayme Stevenson made these brief comments Saturday morning at Darien’s 9/11 ceremony. Here’s her speech, as prepared:

Good morning. Thank you for coming together today as one community to remember. We’ve felt the anxiety leading up to this day, haven’t we? How is it possible 20 years have passed since that tragic morning?

Business
Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week 2021

State Leaders: Shop for Your Family and Help Local Retailers During Sales Tax Free Week

By |
Download PDF

Connecticut’s 6.35 percent sales tax on clothing is eliminated during Sales Tax Free Week (through Saturday, Aug. 21) for clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 per item. Darien students return to schools in town on Monday, Aug. 30, a week before Labor Day. Something to keep in mind: Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price per item is less than $100, the sale is exempt from taxes.

Darien Fireworks 2021

DARIEN FIREWORKS POSTPONED: From This Thursday to Next Thursday, July 22 [UPDATED]

By |
Download PDF

12:33 p.m. — The area’s soggy weather has created ground conditions that are soggy enough to cause a postponement of Darien’s Fireworks to Thursday, July 22, a town official said. Jami Gore, program supervisor for the town Parks & Recreation Department, asked to confirm a tip about the possible postponement, said that it was taking place, and an announcement was about to come out. Other than the one-week postponement, Gore said other details about the event are expected to be the same. Darienite.com will have further information about the event as it is released. The planned Weed Beach Festive Night, originally scheduled for July 2, then postponed to Saturday, July 3, had to be cancelled because of continued wet weather, part of the weeks of unusually wet weather in the area.

Darien Fireworks 2021
Penny Spanos Darien Fireworks 2015

[POSTPONED] Darien Fireworks: Where to Park Off-Campus and Walk in

By |
Download PDF

UPDATE: FIREWORKS POSTPONED TO THURSDAY, JULY 22

Original article:

Even though on-campus parking passes are sold out for Darien’s fireworks display  this Thursday night at the high school, anyone can still walk-in to enjoy the show for free. Here are some more reminders and tips about attending the event from the Darien Parks & Recreation Department:

PARKING OFF-CAMPUS:

If you’d like to park off-campus and walk to Darien High School grounds, here are some suggestions: parking lots are available at both Middlesex Middle School and McGuane Field. Parking is also permitted on the south side of the public part of Holly Lane and the west side of Libby Lane. No parking is permitted on Noroton Avenue! IF YOU’VE GOT A PARKING PASS:

Those with paid parking passes must enter Darien High School from Noroton Avenue.

Darien Fireworks 2021
Penny Spanos Darien Fireworks 2015

UPDATE: Parking Permits SOLD OUT for July 15 Darien Fireworks

By |
Download PDF

UPDATE: Thursday, July 8 — All parking permits have already been sold for Darien’s fireworks display on July 15 at the high school campus, the town government Twitter account announced at 8:38 this morning. Original article, July 7:
Darien Fireworks are BACK! After they were canceled by the pandemic last year, Darien’s fireworks display returns to the high school campus on Thursday, July 15. The rain date is Thursday, July 22. Darien residents can buy the $30 parking permit tickets online or at Town Hall in order to be able to use one of the 375 parking spaces available at the high school, or you can walk in for free and don’t even need to be a town resident.