Have You Heard … News from Around Town and Beyond: Nov 20

The lowdown on what’s up around town …

 

Yes, two of those kids are wearing turkey legs on their heads. No, not real ones. Here, take a look, and see what their posters say (well, partly):

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This year’s Christmas wreaths on lampposts downtown, along the Post Road and elsewhere in Darien are checked each year by volunteers from the Darien Men’s Association (DMA), who make sure the bulbs are working properly.

“This year, 18 members showed up on Nov. 9, 2017, at Town Hall and replaced 213 bulbs that were faulty on 92 wreaths,” reports Jack Fitzgibbons, DMA chairman of Community Services in an announcement from the group. “It’s something we do every year to help support the town.”

The wreaths are put up and paid for by the Darien Chamber of Commerce. The wreaths are hung on lampposts on the Post Road from Noroton Ave. to Sedgewick St.  They’re displayed on Day St. and at Tilley Pond.

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The Darien YMCA announces:

Anyone who brings in 2 canned good items at the time they join the Darien Y will pay NO Joiner Fee. All canned good donations support Person-to-Person. Offer valid through January 1

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Latest plantings around town from the Tree Conservancy of Darien:

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The Encore Club of New Canaan welcomes Darien members. Here’s an announcement about an upcoming event and what the group is all about:

Encore is a social organization founded in 1985 for women of New Canaan and surrounding towns. We will be kicking off the holiday season with a festive Holiday Party at Woodway Country Club on Dec. 3. A variety of activities are available for all members throughout the year and can be found on our website.

We offer many social and recreational activities each month, as well as special events appealing to our broad membership of singles, couples and empty nesters.

Here’s a sampling of our activities:  Adventures in Food and Wine, Book Club, Bridge, Cooking and Art Programs, Dinner and Lunch Groups, Gardener’s Exchange, Golf, Hiking, Mah Jongg, Movie discussion Group, New York City Tours and Tennis just to mention a few.

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Pure Barre recently announced the addition of a new class, Pure Empower, to its curriculum. “Utilizing the ballet barre, platform, free, and ankle/wrist weights to challenge the cardiorespiratory system, Pure Empower is a 45-minute total body strength training and cardio-centric workout designed to sculpt the entire body and increase heart rate while maintaining a low impact nature,” the business said in an announcement.

“Pure Empower was developed to bring more variety and innovative technique to the Pure Barre community through a challenging and fun workout, accessible to all fitness levels,” the announcement continued. “By utilizing a scientifically sound circuit-style class format featuring dynamic movements, Pure Empower aims to increase both strength and cardiorespiratory fitness while maintaining Pure Barre’s core principles.”

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State Senator Carlo Leone, another state legislator from Stamford and Stamford Mayor David Martin served a meal at Pacific House emergency shelter on Monday evening, Nov. 13.  The shelter, which houses and feeds up to 110 homeless men and young adults each evening, serves the communities of Greenwich, Stamford, Darien and New Canaan. About 50 men were there for the meal.

Pacific House “is one of the premiere organizations that supports people in need,” said Leone, whose district includes Stamford and part of Darien.  “When we see the needs by coming here, it’s easier to fight for your resources and services.”

Leone and the other officials were there in part to observe National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, held each year the week before Thanksgiving.

“I suppose it has become natural for many of us to question the motivations of our elected officials,” said Andrew Barer, Pacific House director of development. “These gentlemen all have a long history of helping Pacific House in many ways. They have demonstrated that their interest in helping the homeless is truly genuine.”

To make a donation to Pacific House shelter, visit its website: www.PacificHouse.org.

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At Grand Central Terminal, the annual Holiday Fair started last Monday in Vanderbilt Hall and continues right up until 6 p.m., Christmas Eve. It’s open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (but closed on Thanksgiving Day).

“It’s one of the longest-running indoor holiday fairs in New York City, and will feature 40 vendors selling artwork, clothing, men’s/women’s accessories, children’s toys, home goods,” says the MNR Newsletter of Metro-North. “If you can’t find that special something for that special someone there, then you’d better believe in Santa Claus (because he’s going to be your last best hope).”

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Pre-K students at Methodist Family Center Preschool, along with their teachers and the school director, took a field trip last month to the Darien Community Association.

There they met Chris Filmer, DCA Board Member and Tour Guide, who led them on an outdoor exploration of the property.

The children explored the stump walk, rock spiral and log walks and hunted for worms. They checked out bird boxes and feeders, bat boxes and the butterfly garden.

“We were delighted to spend our morning at the DCA, and the children enjoyed themselves in this incredibly immersive, educational experience,” said Laurie Andersen, MFCP Director.

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Metro-North would like you to sign your monthly pass:

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Do your kids love PEZ candy? (Or, ahem, do you?) If you’ve ever thought about visiting the PEZ Visitor Center just off of Exit 41 in Orange, here’s an online look at the place in a 3D format (and you can also click on a floor plan). It isn’t big, and it’ll take you about half an hour on the highway. The candy is made here in Connecticut. (There’s a large Christmas Tree Shops store in a shopping plaza on the next block.)

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Holmes School celebrated Halloween with its annual Halloween Parade on the school’s playground. Kindergarten students and school faculty marched in the parade. They were cheered on by Holmes School students and parents.