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Debera Barnes passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2025. She was 86. Born on June 1, 1939, in Orange, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Jane Estep Van Houten and Raymond Burgess Van Houten. Debera graduated from Darien High School and Stephens College.
A 32-year-old man who had been hired by a contractor to work on outside-door repairs stole items in The Vascular Experts office on Old Kings Highway North, Darien police said. Police gave this account of what happened, including accusations not proven in court:
The man, Vasyl Hrynyshak of Avery Street in Stamford, wasn’t authorized to be in the office of the doctors’ office, but nevertheless went there after hours on Friday, Aug. 8. A video surveillance recording showed a man later identified as Hyrnyshak go in the employee entrance and later leave with a bag shaped like a laptop. An office manager told police on Monday, Aug.
Eversource is alerting customers they may have already inadvertently invited vampires into their homes and businesses. — an announcement from Eversource
Vampire power, also known as “phantom load,” “ghost energy” or “standby power,” is electricity that is consumed by some appliances and electronics even when they’re turned off. If not kept in check, it can account for up to 10 percent of a household’s energy use and cost as much as $100 a year, according to the Department of Energy. One simple way to eliminate the energy drain is by unplugging devices like gaming consoles, laptops, toasters and coffee makers when not in use. Even without a device attached, a plugged-in charger is constantly using electricity, so once a device is charged, unplugging it prevents additional energy usage.
It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Anita Collins, who entered into eternal rest on Oct. 10, at the age of 80. Anita, daughter of Dolly and Jack Neus, was a devoted mother and friend whose kindness, faith, and gentle spirit touched all who knew her. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, John Collins and his wife Sarah, and Kevin Collins and his wife Lesley. Anita was predeceased by her daughter Eileen Collins. Anita’s warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
A Darien concert review, a music workshop with the musical director of Wicked on Broadway, a trunk or treat event, and a “fireside chat” with the interim superintendent are some of the events noted in Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne’s newsletter this Friday. Also: Trunk or Treat at Darien High School, a fall festival at the Mather Homestead, a haunted house at Post 53, and a rundown of what DHS sports teams are participating in this weekend. Here’s the newsletter:
Dear Darien Community,
If you have never been to a concert at DHS, you are missing out! Last night I attended my first performance and it was amazing. It was a water-themed concert of choral music, featuring our DHS Concert Choir, Sound Waves a cappella group, our barbershop quartet “Fantastic 4,” and the DHS Tudor Singers!
In a heartfelt full-circle moment, father and son Mark and Logan McGovern will take on the 2025 New York City Marathon together on Sunday, Nov. 2, running in support of the Boomer Esiason Foundation and its fight against cystic fibrosis. — an announcement from the McGoverns, edited by Darienite.com
Mark McGovern first ran the New York City Marathon in 2015 to raise funds and awareness for the foundation after his son Logan was born with cystic fibrosis. Ten years later, 25-year-old Logan is joining his father at the starting line, marking his own first marathon and continuing the mission that began in his honor. “Running beside my dad this year feels deeply meaningful,” Logan McGovern said.
Julie Cook Chamberlin of Darien unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday morning, Oct. 21. She was 78. Julie was born on Oct. 23, 1946 in Hartford to Victor and Elizabeth Cook.
Here’s Realtor Deirdre McGovern’s report on Darien and Rowayton-area real estate from Oct. 16 to 23, 2025:
New Listings
19 William St., Darien — $1,325,000 [PICTURED]
5 Mayflower Road, Darien — $2,995,000
311 Noroton Ave., Darien — $3,295,000
93 Mansfield Ave., Darien — $3,300,000
10 Stony Brook Road, Darien — $6,295,000
, Darien — $
, Norwalk — $
Price Changes
Address — current price / previous price
19 Anthony Lane, Darien — $2,095,000 / $1,995,000
30 Lake Drive, Darien $2,995,000 / $2,775,000
Pending Sales
7 Chestnut St., Darien — $895,000
20 Denhurst Place, Darien — $1,300,000
333 West Ave., Unit 3, Darien — $1,799,000
72 Kensett Lane, Darien — $1,999,000
26 Birch Road, Darien — $2,700,000
20 Seagate Road, Darien — $2,795,000
6 Priscilla Lane, Darien — $4,395,000
261 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien — $4,475,000
9 Flicker Lane, Norwalk — $1,300,000
111 Rowayton Ave, Unit 201, Norwalk — $3,950,000
Sold
Address — original listing price / final listing price / selling price
37 Kensett Lane, Darien — $1,925,000 $1,925,000 $2,125,000
3 Pond St., Norwalk — $1,950,000 $1,950,000 $2,250,000
4 Shagbark Road, Norwalk — $2,685,000 $2,495,000 $2,400,000
130 Highland Ave., Norwalk — $3,495,000 $3,495,000 $3,400,000
111 Rowayton Ave., Unit 302, Norwalk — $4,150,000 $4,150,000 $4,150,000
Open Houses
Address — last price listed — day, date and time
8 Forest Road, Darien — $1,595,000 — Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 to 11 a.m.
19 William St., Darien — $1,325,000 — Saturday, Oct. 25 (and Sunday), from 12 noon to 2 p.m. [PICTURED]
30 Lake Drive, Darien — $2,775,000 — Saturday, Sept. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m.
19 Anthony Lane, Darien — $1,995,000 — Saturday, Sept.
Nicholas William Cardell, of Stratford, CT, passed away on Oct. 8, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. Nick was 92 years old. He was the loving husband of Marion S. Cardell, who predeceased him on Sept. 8, 2024.
Our beloved Andrew T. Kostanecki passed away with his wife, Sheila, by his side on Aug. 31 at their home in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 91. Born in Warsaw on Jan. 25, 1934 to an American mother, Dorothy Adams Kostanecki, and a Polish father, John Telesfor Kostanecki, Andy’s early years were shaped by adversity during the difficult pre-war times in Poland and the death of his father in a plane crash.
Robert Beachem Kling died Sept. 16, 2025 at home in Darien, with his family at his side. He was 94 years old. Born Nov. 12, 1930 in New York City, he grew up in Darien, attending Darien elementary and middle schools, followed by three years at the Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut.
A 40-year-old woman stole information from another woman’s business bank account in Darien to make a payment to her own delinquent credit card account, Darien police said. Police gave this account of what happened, including accusations not proven in court:
The victim, who has the business bank account at Darien Rowayton Bank, told police on July 31 that information about her account had been used by someone making an unauthorized withdrawal from it. Police said didn’t say what specific information was used to withdraw the money or how that information was obtained. The money was transferred to an account called “Avant LLC,” and police were able to identify Melissa Allen of Endicott, New York as the person who transferred the funds (police didn’t say how much money was taken). Endicott had a credit card that had “gone into charge-off status,” the police announcement said.
Acclaimed pastry chef, author, and television personality Gesine Bullock-Prado, will return to Darien Library Wednesday evening to talk about her new cookbook, My Harvest Kitchen: 100+ Recipes to Savor the Seasons. — an announcement from Darien Library and Barrett Bookstore
Gesine (whose name is pronounced Ga-zee-na) will be in conversation with actress Samantha Smith. Step into a world of vibrant flavors, heartfelt storytelling, and seasonal delights! This innovative collection celebrates the joys of cooking with the rhythm of the seasons, blending farm-to-table philosophy with approachable recipes. With a wink and a whisk, Gesine invites readers into her delightfully imperfect world of “half-assed homesteading,” where compost may fail, but the biscuits never do.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To mark National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 19-25) and help save lives, AAA Northeast is urging young drivers to make smart decisions behind the wheel. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
In 2023, 2,810 teens ages 15 to 19 died in U.S. traffic crashes, up 7% from 2022, NHTSA data shows. Speed, alcohol impairment and distraction were all top contributors to those crashes.
Turning left from West Norwalk Road onto the Post Road (toward Norwalk) is now prohibited after the Connecticut Deprtment of Transportation installed a no-left-turn sign. “All traffic must now make a right turn on Post Road and head westbound,” Darien police announced late last week. West Norwalk Road at the intersection is flanked by TD Bank on the left and Chipotle Mexican Grill on the right. Across the Post Road (U.S. Route 1), the former site of Bertucci’s Restaurant (and, decades ago, Victoria Station restaurant) is under construction for the future Cloud 10 Smart Wash, a car wash (the website for the business is already online). “Please be cautious and follow the new signage to ensure everyone’s safety on the road!”