Beyond Darien

First Selectman Zagrodzky on a Scam That Has Many Elderly Victims and a Problem Affecting Many Young People

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Editor’s note: While First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky’s biweekly column in Friday’s the Town of Darien Newsetter (you can subscribe here) isn’t specifically about Darien, Darienites can experience these problems — and it’s interesting enough to republish. Here it is:
Two stories for you this week. […]
First story. I got a call Wednesday from an old friend. He reported that his mother-in-law received an email notification that her LifeLock subscription was up for renewal.

Darien Library
Mini Golf Darien Library 2025

Darien Library’s Mini Golf Fundraiser Takes Place Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9

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Darien Library has announced the return of its 10th Annual Mini Golf Fundraiser, happening on Saturday, February 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

— an announcement from Darien Library

Mini Golf at the Library has been a community favorite for the past decade, bringing families and friends together for a day of fun. Players of all ages can enjoy putting their way through a unique 18-hole miniature golf course set up throughout the Library. After completing the course, all golfers can warm up with a complimentary hot chocolate, generously provided by Michael Joseph’s Catering. To learn more and register in advance, visit darienlibrary.org/minigolf, or contact the Darien Library Administrative Office at 203-669-5220. Early bird pricing will be available until January 26th for just $8 a person, after that tickets will be $10 per player.

News
Jan 3 2025 Town of Darien Newsletter image

Christmas Tree Pickup Schedule, Daddy Daughter Dance, Mental Health First Aid Training, Free Radon Test Kits

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The latest town government newsletter features Darien news you may want to use. Here’s a selection of what the Town of Darien Newsletter posted:
DPW’s Christmas Tree Pickups Have Started

Happy Daughter, Happy Daddy:
Tickets go on sale on the Parks and Recreation webpage on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m.

2024 Parking Permits Expired: Display 2025 Ones
“It is time to replace 2024 parking permits with 2025 permits. 2025 parking permits need to be displayed in cars effective Thursday, Jan. 2.

Community Organizations
The Depot Youth Center

New Programs for Middle School Students Start Sept 9 at The Depot Youth Center

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The Depot Youth Center is starting several new programs specifically for middle school students — one for girls, another for boys, one to promote offline activities and another to promote a sense of community and teamwork. — an announcement (lightly edited) from the The Depot Youth Center
Since receiving a grant from the Darien Foundation in 2019, The Depot’s middle school programs have continued to see increases in participation, and program offerings continue to evolve based on feedback from Darien’s tweens and teens. All Depot initiatives are set to foster personal growth, enhance social skills, and encourage community involvement among young people. Each program is thoughtfully crafted to meet the diverse needs and interests of today’s youth. The New Programs Launching This Fall
The Depot Youth Center is expanding its middle school offerings with the following engaging programs:

• Girls &  — In this inspiring series of workshops, girls and women’s leadership advocate and best-selling author Joan Kuhl, a Darien resident, will guide tween girls through a transformative journey focused on three crucial building blocks: confidence, ambition, and compassion.

Darien Underage Drinking Party 2024
06820 campaign image 09-29-17

Police: Cherry St Woman, 47, Charged After Youth Drinking Party Leads to Loud Noises in Street

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A 47-year-old Cherry Street woman said she knew underage drinking was going on in her home, but didn’t stop it, she said, because parents were present, according to police. Youths were reported walking and screaming in the roadway, with one carrying a large speaker, said police, who went to the scene at 11:10 p.m. on Monday, July 29. Police gave this further account of the incident, including accusations not proven in court:

The underage drinking party was held at 17 Cherry St., where police questioned the homeowner, Jennifer Maher, who was issued a misdemeanor summons charging her with permitting people under the age of 21 to possess alcohol. Police saw empty beer cans and packaging in the back yard and a garbage bin at the residence

Maher is scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Stamford on Aug. 21.

Arts & Entertainment
Diggity band Darien Summer Nights 2024 at Tilly Pond

Darien Summer Nights Concerts Continue Friday Nights from July 26 to Aug 16 at Tilley Pond Park

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Darien Summer Nights Concerts will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. with three concerts in the next four Fridays, first with the Bob Button Big Band, then The Dooh Dah’s and, two weeks later, Diggity. — an announcement from the Corbin District website

The Corbin District and Darien Parks and Recreation are sponsoring the Summer 2024 concerts at Tilley Pond Park. The concerts have been held at Grove Street Plaza, but this summer the park is the venue, so bring beach chairs and blankets. The music — from live bands — is from 6 to 9 p.m. (expect a break or two), and it’s free. A few food trucks will be on hand to make it easy to enjoy the music and have dinner.

Cookie Camp 2024
Food Explorers Cookie Camp Darien Library 2024

At Library’s Food Explorers Cookie Camp, Kids 8 to 12 Follow Two Cookie Recipes a Day for Five Days

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Darien Library is organizing a five-day Food Explorers Cookie Camp for 8- to 12-year-olds where kids will follow two recipes a day to make cookies with frostings, glazes, jams and more, from Monday, July 29 through Friday, Aug. 2. — an announcement from Darien Library

Kids will be making recipes like cookie nachos, caramel cheesecake cookies, french silk pie cookies, and blueberry crumble cookies. All recipes are nut-free, but they will contain eggs, dairy, and gluten. Please note ingredient substitutions are not possible.

Darien July 4th 2024
Sopwith Camel Push-n-Pull parade

The Always Cute Push-n-Pull Parade Coming Thursday Morning, July 4, Preceded by a Ceremony

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Darien’s annual Push-n-Pull Parade will celebrate Independence Day rolling down Noroton Avenue starting at 10 a.m. with kids on decorated bikes, scooters, wagons, and non-motorized vehicles bedecked in red, white and blue. Just before the parade, a 25-minute ceremony with patriotic music will include selected readings from the Declaration of Independence and recognition of Darien students currently attending military academies, university ROTC programs and on active duty. First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky said at Monday night’s Board of Selectman meeting that he will be joining some Darien children in reading selections of the Declaration. Seating will be provided for the ceremony, which is organized by the Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission. The event will begin at 9.30 am in the Darien High School Courtyard, immediately preceding the Push-n-Pull Parade, sponsored by the Darien VFW.

Education
Lily Donzeiser and her family

Connecticut Realtors Foundation Awards Scholarships to Three Darien Students

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The Connecticut Realtors Foundation is awarding scholarships this year to 105 children of Connecticut Realtors, who will receive a total of $82,000 in scholarships. Among the recipients are three from Darien. — an announcement from the Darien Board of Realtors

These Darien students each received an award from the Raymond F. Gates Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund:

Lily Donzeiser majors in environmental sciences with a biological concentration and minors in public policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Donzeiser is currently seeking a career in environmental consulting to be at the ground-level of direct change. Lily is the daughter of Realtor Michelle Donzeiser with Compass Connecticut in Darien.

Healthy Living
TCF The Community Fund of Darien TeenTalk counselor financed

Enough Money Now Raised to Pay for TeenTalk Counselor at Middlesex School, Community Fund Announces

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A total of $30,000 has been raised from individual donors to pay for a mental health counselor in the TeenTalk program, now expected to start at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year at Middlesex Middle School, the Community Fund of Darien has announced. — based on an announcement from The Community Fund of Darien

“Together, we reached our goal,” TCF said in an email sent early Friday morning. “With the help of our generous neighbors like you, a TeenTalk Mental Health Counselor will be placed in the Middlesex Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you. “We couldn’t have done this without your support.”

Charity Events and Opportunities
Wide TeenTalk logo a Kids in Crisis program

Community Fund Still Needs $8K to Meet $30K Goal to Pay for TeenTalk Middle School Counselor

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The Community Fund of Darien has received $22,000 in individual donations towards funding a TeenTalk mental health counselor at Middlesex Middle School. They need $8,000 more to meet their goal. “You can make a difference today! Every contribution counts, and with your support, you can make a big difference in the lives of our students,” the Community Fund said in an email. “Let’s come together and make this happen!”

Healthy Living
Teens and safe driving AAA

AAA Says Talk to Your Kids: Fatal Crashes by Teen Drivers are Highest Between Now and Labor Day

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For many teens, summertime holds the promise of graduation parties, preparation for a new school year — or college — and more time to spend with friends. On the heels of a record-high number of road trips this Memorial Day weekend, summer also heralds a busy travel season that brings an increased risk for teen drivers. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
The “100 Deadliest Days” is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal crashes involving teen drivers are the highest. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, 7,435 people died in teen driver-related summertime crashes nationwide from 2013 to 2022. And in 2022 alone, 790 people were killed in these types of crashes — a 10% increase over pre-pandemic 2019.

Graduation hats in the air

Darien Community Association Grants 2024 Scholarships to 11 DHS Seniors

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The Darien Community Association has announced that it’s awarding scholarships to 11 Darien High School seniors graduating this year. — information from a Darien Community Association announcement

This is the 83rd year that the DCA has granted scholarships, and the organization is the largest provider of scholarships to DHS graduates — with funding for both new and returning college students. The scholarship program is also the only one in Darien offering recipients the opportunity to reapply for all four years of college, the announcement said. “The DCA is proud to support Darien High School graduates and is grateful to our generous donors,” the announcement said. “We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!”

Healthy Living
Swimmer kid in pool Special Olympics Connecticut 2024

Special Olympics Connecticut’s Summer Games Kick Off on Friday, May 31, Run All Weekend

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you’re invited to cheer on the athletes at Special Olympics Connecticut’s 2024 Summer Games the weekend after Memorial Day — Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, with an opening ceremony on Friday, May 31. — an announcement from Special Olympics Connecticut

Summer Games will offer athletes of all abilities from across the state the opportunity to compete in sports with their peers and demonstrate their speed and skills after training with their coaches and teammates for a season. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is scheduled to be in Darien on Friday, May 31. It comes in from New Canaan on Mansfield Avenue and leaves via the Post Road, headed to Norwalk. It eventually ends up at the opening ceremony in New Haven, Here’s the schedule for when the runners are supposed to be at particular spots in town:

The Summer Games Opening Ceremony will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, May 31, at Southern Connecticut State University’s Jess Dow Field, 125 Wintergreen Ave., New Haven.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Wide TeenTalk logo a Kids in Crisis program

Community Fund of Darien Aims to Raise $30K for Mental Health Program at Middlesex Middle School

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The Community Fund of Darien has announced partnership with the Darien Public Schools and Darien’s Health Department to fund a TeenTalk mental health counselor at Middlesex Middle School. The Community Fund hopes to raise $30,000 for a grant to the school district in response to Darien’s Youth Survey results, which indicated the need for mental health support for the town’s youth, the organization said in a news release. — This article is based on an announcement from The Community Fund of Darien. The Community Fund  seeks to raise the money from individual donations by May 31. The mental health counselor is  expected to be in place at the start of the the 2024-2025  school year in September.