Have You Heard …? Rocks and Animals in School, Choppers Overhead, Commuters Blocking Doors and More

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Barnard Steinke rocks Holmes

Contributed photo

The children learned about the three different types of rocks: metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary. Pictured: Jane Barnard and Nick Steinke

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Here’s the lowdown on what’s up around town:

Bruce Museum staff recently visited with the third grade classes at Holmes, where students became “rock detectives”:

 

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Eversource helicopters inspect major electrical lines at least twice a year, and they’ve begun inspections again.  The inspections started this week and continue through Feb. 28.

Weather permitting, flights take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the utility recently announced. Previously, the choppers were up in early January to survey the transmission lines to see if any were damaged in a storm.

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The Darien YMCA announced that Saturday morning rock wall hours have been extended to 9 a.m. to  1 p.m. starting Saturday, February 24.

Members or member kids age 6 and over can purchase 30-minute sessions for $10 at the front desk. Reserving sessions is on a first come, first served basis. Kids under 15 must be accompanied by a parent.

Holmes Bingo

Contributed photo

Holmes School fourth graders Jack Lubeley, Tommy Galligan and Jack Bryer enjoyed Bingo Night in the school’s gymnasium in January.

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The Darien Y also announced that non-members can register for our Spring programs beginning Thursday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.

Registration can be done either at the Front Desk or online here.

For Summer Camp, the Y has “a variety of programs to meet the needs of various age groups and interests of all its participants. Registration for the upcoming summer camp season is now open. Visit this page on the Darien Y website for more information on camp offerings, session dates, fees and registration.

Sports programs include:

  • Basketball Clinics for boys & girls in grades K- 8th grade
  • Boys High School Basketball League
  • Junior Volleyball for 4th-5th grade girls
  • Senior Volleyball for 6th- 8th grade girls
  • Pre-K soccer for 3-5 year olds

Learn more here.

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A prom night for young adults in Fairfield County with disabilities was held earlier this month in New Canaan, and the joy of the moment was captured in these pictures:

Gymnastics YMCA and Chelsea Piers

Picture from Darien YMCA on Facebook

Darien Y Level 4 Boys took the trophy at the Chelsea Piers Gymnastics Winter Challenge! Pictured here with Coach.

“Last year’s Night to Shine was celebrated as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for people with special needs, where all were treated royally,” said Katie Banzhaf, executive director of STAR Lighting the Way Inc.

“We are very appreciative for the repeat of this incredible, free event hosted by our friends at Grace Community Church and are so pleased that many of the guests returned with dozens of new friends,” she said.

The Tim Tebow Foundation provided funding for this event and others around the country.

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The Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk appointed Kathy Morrison Cramer of Darien as JLSN operations manager in January.

Cramer has over 20 years’ experience as a professional and volunteer in the local community. She currently serves as a teacher at First Congregational Church (FCC) of Darien Nursery School and is an active volunteer at Friends of Selleck’s Woods.

She previously held volunteer and professional roles with FCC, American Platform Tennis Association, Tokeneke Elementary School, Junior League of Greenwich and spent over 10 years as a sales consultant with Oracle Corporation and Information Resources, Inc. A graduate of the University of Bridgeport, she holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

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Third graders at Holmes and kindergarteners at Royle  enjoyed visits by Chris Evers from Animal Embassy last month.

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State Rep. Terrie Wood, a Republican who represents much of Darien and all of Rowayton, is asking constituents to fill out an online survey about some of the things they’d like the Legislature to do or to concentrate on.

You can go here to fill out the survey, and here are the questions on it. The top two questions offer a list of suggestions you can pick, and provide a box for you to suggest any not on the list; the last question provides a box you can type in:

  • What concerns you most about the state of Connecticut? (Choose up to three top concerns)
  • What should the legislature do about the state’s economic problems? (Choose up to three top solutions)
  • As your state representative, what can I do better to represent your voice in Hartford? What state issues are most important to you?

“As always, if you have any questions or concerns please e-mail me at Terrie.Wood@cga.ct.gov or call me at 1.800.842.1423.”

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Metro-North asked in a recent email: “Please keep doorways clear so that passengers can easily enter and exit the train. Preventing traffic jams makes everyone’s ride go a little more smoothly.”

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Stepping Stones Puerto Rican Relief Save the Children

Photo from Stepping Stones Museum for Children

From left: Meg Robustelli, director of marketing at Stepping Stones, and Lauren Bonefant, events manager at the museum, presented Allison Lardner, director of national events, community engagement and Courtney Nields, manager of community engagement and fundraising at Save the Children, with the check.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children presented the global humanitarian organization Save the Children’s Hurricane Maria Relief Fund with a check for $4,500 on Jan. 31 to help families in Puerto Rico who are still suffering from the storm’s aftermath.

Stepping Stones threw the epic Party for a Purpose fundraiser on Nov. 16. Supporters, local community leaders and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling enjoyed Colony Grill pizza, dancing and music by the Fiesta Boyz. Representatives from Save the Children were on hand to share information about the organization’s mission to assist people trying to rebuild their lives.

“We are dedicated to the health of all children and many families in our community have loved ones in Puerto Rico,” said Rhonda Kiest, president of Stepping Stones. “We are grateful to everyone who came out to make a difference for these kids who are in dire need.”

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