🥂Happy Holidays!🦃
Turkey Bowl 2025: Rams Feast on Blue Wave
In the 2025 Turkey Bowl, New Canaan ate Darien’s lunch, so to speak, as the Rams put on a clinic in a dominant 39–7 victory. The Rams scored 39 unanswered points before the Blue Wave avoided a shutout with a late fourth-quarter touchdown. The win marked New Canaan’s eighth straight Turkey Bowl triumph and extended its overall winning streak to 20 games—second-longest in state history.
Darien was able to keep the game within reach, with New Canaan getting their first score late in the first quarter, but a touchdown at the end of the first half put the Rams up 18-0. A successful drive early in the third quarter and a second TD later in the quarter put New Canaan ahead by 32. The Final score was 39-7.
The Rams (10-0) will be appearing in their 20th consecutive post-season, a run which dates back to 2005 and will probably play the Blue Wave (6-4) again, as Darien appears to be headed for an 8th seed. The quarterfinals kick off is expected to be at 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, December 2.
Norwalk HS Marching Band
Wins National Title
The Norwalk High School Marching Band struck a triumphant chord at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, capturing their third consecutive U.S. Bands National Championship in the nation’s most competitive division. The Bears outperformed programs from New Jersey, South Dakota, and Pennsylvania to secure their fourth national title in six years. Just a week earlier, the band added the Connecticut State Championship to its growing list of accolades.
The ensemble is led by Chris Rivera, who has directed the program since 2010. A proud Norwalk alum, Class of 1998, Rivera calls guiding the band to these victories a “full circle moment.” He oversees 145 student performers spanning woodwinds, brass, percussion, and color guard.
Rehearsals begin each July, and Rivera says this season stood out: “To win one championship is a phenomenal accomplishment, but to win three in a row is something that can only be accomplished by hard work, determination, and a desire to accept nothing but perfection.”
Wave 2025 Field Hockey Champs
Darien High School’s field hockey defeated rival Staples 1–0 on Saturday to claim the 2025 CIAC Class L championship. Despite Darien holding the advantage for most of the game, Staples generated its best offensive pressure in the closing minutes, earning back-to-back penalty corners. But the Wave defense held firm each time, turning away both threats to preserve the shutout and secure the program’s latest championship.
The victory continues a remarkable run for Darien, a program that didn’t rise to prominence until 2004 but has since become one of Connecticut’s most dominant. Over the last 21 seasons, the Wave have reached 15 state finals, winning or sharing 10 titles. After collecting four Class M crowns between 2004 and 2010, Darien moved to Class L in 2012 and has added six championships while finishing runner-up four times.
Saturday’s matchup marked the sixth straight time Darien and Staples have met in the state final, a rivalry that has shaped the postseason landscape for nearly a decade. The teams shared the title in 2016 after a 0–0 draw, but Staples went on to win four of the next five championship meetings. Darien’s win this year gives the Wave two of the last three.
🎓 DHS Clubs: Where Passion Meets Purpose
Darien High School is home to a vibrant array of student-led clubs, each offering a unique space for creativity, curiosity, and connection. Whether you're drawn to healthcare, geography, filmmaking, mindfulness, or even a good cup of tea, there's a place for you to belong.
🩺 HOSA: Health Occupations Students of America
The newest addition to the DHS club scene, HOSA is part of a national and international organization dedicated to empowering future healthcare professionals. With nearly 100 students already signed up, this fast-growing club is fostering the next generation of medical leaders.
🌍 Geography Club - Now in its third year, the Geography Club takes students beyond the textbook. Through engaging, student-led presentations, members explore lesser-known cultures and geographic wonders. Excitement is building as the club prepares for the Connecticut State Geography Bee at UConn this May.
🧶 Knots n’ Needles - Founded in 2023 by two seniors with a passion for yarn art, Knots n’ Needles has grown into a cozy community of 41 members. Every Friday afternoon in Room A209, students gather to sew, crochet, and knit—often while enjoying a movie and good conversation.
🎬 Filmmakers Club -The Filmmakers Club is a creative powerhouse where students write, direct, and produce original short films. Meeting weekly, the club brings stories to life and shares them with the community through its YouTube channel. As one member puts it, “It’s the only place at DHS where students can fully own the filmmaking process.”
🧘 Living in Flow- In the midst of high school stress, Living in Flow offers a breath of calm. This club explores meditation, dreamwork, and mindfulness techniques that help students quiet the mind, live in the present, and better understand the power of breath and thought.
🍵 Tea Club - Tea Club is steeped in serenity. Each week, students sample exotic teas from around the world while engaging in relaxed, meaningful conversation. It’s a simple ritual that offers a much-needed pause in the busy DHS day.
56th Anniversary
Friday, August 15
Richie Havens
Sweetwater
Tim Hardin
Ravi Shankar
Melanie
Arlo Guthrie
Joan Baez
Saturday, August 16
Quill
Country Joe McDonald
Keef Hartley Band
Santana
Incredible Strig Band
Canned Heat
Grateful Dead
Leslie West and Mountain
Creedence Clearwater
Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band
Sly & the Family Stone
The Who
Jefferson Airplane
Sunday-Monday August 17,18
Joe Cocker and the Grease Band
Country Joe & the Fish
Ten Years After
Johnny Winter
Blood Sweat and Tears
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Sha Na Na
Jimi Hendrix
Some folks remembering Jordy Perry Kay (right) at her Memorial at the Weed Beach Hut.
Left - Josie and Lauren with Jordy's son Andrew
Eddy, Eric Joosten, Lauren Fair and Tom Tyler
Kathy Micha Frate, Paul Hendrickson, Jeff Frate
Paul Hepp 1950-2024
Classmate Paul Frederick Hepp passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
See full obiturary in the Memorials Sections.
Love to Hear From You!
Please, leave your remarks in the 'Comment' Section
Steve Craig, Heidi Gerber Wolfey, Janet Martin Fisher, Goody Bates and pooch Sammy, and Patti Shaw Craig
Survivor Party 2022
Tinker's Survivor Party - for those of us hanging in there. The red cross goes back to Maher/Crump team football days when players were injured.
Shown: Tinker, Robin and Jay Baker, Marisa, Nancy and Steve Verses, Skins, Deana and Dick Costello, Lynch, Patty Mazza Sturges, Christi and George Farrington
Do A 55th Reunion?
Lots of classmates are talking about holding a 55th reunion of the DHS Class of 1969. Probably something on the lighter-side, a casual Friday get-together and then a restaurant dinner Saturday night.
If this sounds good, you can contact classmate Jeff Myers, someone brave enough to put his name out-there.
Jeff can be reached at myerspercussion@gmail.com . Could be fun!
We know things are rough right now. So who better than some cheerleaders to keep up our spirits to finish the fight!
Front row left to right:
Anahid Kavookjian, Josie Mullen, Joni Dobson
Back row left to right:
Sue Geiger, Sharon Denunzio, Cinny Cobb, Sue Perschino, Peggy McNeil, Sue Venarde
Sandy Young, Carol Ann Augustus
1967 DHS Cheerleading Squad
From left: Janet Meyer, Lindy Allen, Mary Lou Brameier, Jenny Hunt, Nancy Brown, Byllie Hill, Lynnie Lynch, Carol Haesche, Josie Mullen.
Go Blue Wave!
Benny Bruno, Mike Lopriore, and Dick Costello set to play some golf at Myrtle Beach
Hard to Believe
Six Years since our 50th Reunion !
Georgianna Smith Bloom, Rick Bloom, Tom Lane
Sue Venarde Mahoney, Sue Geiger, Anahid
Reunion Central
Chris Eng Leventhal, Kate Mason Gredinger, Sue Geiger Johanson
Benny Bruno, Mark Tinker, Gary Gibbs
Tim and Jamila Potts
See You Again Soon!
Folks From Hindley School
Charlie Smith and Lauren Fair
Carol Ann Augustus Summers and Bev Bonfoey
Patti Shaw Craig and Mardie Porter
Mark Paddock, Dennis Sullivan, Sue Venardi Mahoney, Janet Martin Fisher, Martyn Goossen, Kathy DelleFontane Goossen, Steve Craig
Josie Mullen and Lauren Fair
Cliff Powell, Tink, Sandy McGill
Sue Venarde Mahoney, Kathy DelleFontane Goossen, Marty Goossen, Ed Tyler
Dave Lynch, Barb and Jim Tully
Chris Eng Leventhal, Dennis Sullivan, Patti Shaw Craig, Dick Costello
Rick Weber, Chris Weber, Eric Joosten, Paul Hendrickson
Peter Johnson, Paul Dominis, Paul Buckley, Carolyn Johnson
Josie Mullen and James Tully
Bill and Annie Schade
Dick Costello and Rick Poccia
Janet Martin Fisher and Sally Armus Shutts
Charlie Smith, Bill Guptill, Kathy Strachan
Anahid
Tom Lane, Stu Traver, Jay Baker, David Miller
Bruce Frail, Eric Joosten, Vandy Van Wagener
Gary Gibbs and Chris Bischof
Friday
The Goose Restaurant at 7:00 pm.
Cash Bar, Refreshments, Free Appetizers
Saturday
Breakfast at the Sugar Bowl
A golf outing at Ridgefield CC 11:00
Main Event at Tokeneke Club
6:00-11:00
Dinner and music at the Tokeneke Club
Weed Beach Paddle Pavillion
Lunch and refreshments
Go Wave
| Pete White | Dave Terry |
| Claudia Smith Davenport | Kathy DelleFontane Goossen |
| Dennis Gavin | Pete Johnson |
| Rick Poccia | Janet Martin Fisher |
| Mark Beckwith | Anita Conway |
| Bruce Frail | Paul Dominis |
| Patty Mazza Sturges | Sue Dickman Klein |
| Sally Armus | Christy Rodgers |
| Mardi Porter | Ed Tyler |
| Bill Guptill | Mark Blackman |
| Georgiana Smith Bloom | Kate Mason Gredinger |
| Pete Franklin | Gary Gibbs |
| Tom Lane | Billy Harper |
| Anahid Kavoojian Vrana | Dave Lynch |
| Lauren Fair | Jimmy Valente |
| Tim Potts | Casey Nickerson |
| Suzanne Nikola Baldino | John van den Heuvel |
| Jim Morrison | Chris Bischof |
| Josie Mullen | Paul Buckley |
| Johnny Maul | Skip Kennedy |
| Bev Bonfoey | Barb Thorne |
| Marni Kent Hansell | Bob Mercer |
| Bob Ierardi | Eric Joosten |
| Dennis Sullivan | Tom Milek |
| Gary Swartz | Dave Miller |
| Steve Verses | Jay Baker |
| Cliff Powell | Ann Back Price |
| Steve and Patti Craig | Anne Marie McGarry |
| Vandy Van Wagener | Bill Schade |
| George Farrington | Todd and Martha Robbins |
| Rick Weber | Jane Seyferth |
| Sue Venarde Mahoney | Mark Tinker |
| Joan Dobson Glazebrook | Paul Hendrickson |
| Sandy McGill | Ted Vanech |
| Jim Tully | Stu Traver |
| Dick Costello | Mike Lopriore |
| Charlie Smith | Chris Eng Leventhal |
| Jane Genster | John Wuerthner |
| Carol Ann Augustus Summers | Anne Irvine |
| Ken Broska | Paul Hepp |
| Dave Jefferson | Sue Geiger |
| Allison Poccia | Joanne Schoepf Reisser |
| Benny Bruno | Kyle Hepp |
| Kathy Strachan | Pam Burkhardt Mele |
| Peter Scholtz |
In Other Sports...
In girl's golf, Darien is 7-2 overall and 6-1 in conference matches. The Rams are 7-0. The individual championship will tee off at New Canaan CC on May 27 and the team championship will be held at Fairfield CC on May 29.
In boy's tennis, Darien is 11-3 in the East, behind New Cannan at 13-2. Darien girl's are 9-5, are in fourth. Both Greenwich boy's and Girl's teams are 15 -0. Tournament matches begin May 23.
Thank-you!!
Great shot of classmates Kenny Peliksza, Mike 'Lope' Lopriore, Dick Costello, and Ben Bruno in Jacksonville. Nobody mentioned any golf scores but all were sad to see former Jax resident Paul Hepp leave for Texas.
Hey You!
Laura Mandi
Choir
Vandy Van Wagener and Family
Anne Marie McGarry
Greetings Anahid!
Steve and Patti Craig squishing apples from their apple trees. One year they report harvesting over 20 bushels of apples. (Note: 1 bushel = 48 pounds). The Craigbo Cider Co. made 16 gallons of unadulterated apple cider, while also donating apples to a local farmer and food pantry.
Terry Cummings, Tim Maul, Cliff Powell
Shot of trip out west during summer of '69 when we hitchhiked to California. Mark Tinker's dad bought us the car to roam around California and back to CT. Thought I lost this. Great memories from that trip. Those were the days! -George Wehmann
(starting bottom left): Chris Garr, Ellen Johnson, Martha Whelan, Jane Hindenlang
Sue Dickman, Kathy McIntyre, Pam Burkhart Melee, Co Koppert (Young LIfe)
Bobby Grant, Kathy Fricke, Jackie Fitzpatrick, MaryLou Sivos
Heidi Gerber
Carol Augustus Summers, Anna Lamberton, Louis Belfour, Sara Schyler
Man in hat- L. (Ron) Hubbard, the kid on far right with hood is Mardie Porter's brother, Clark Porter
The guy near top row hat and glasses: Middlesex science teacher "Booger" Bates
Right Center back row: The man in the hat and woman next to him-
Mr and Mrs Hendrickson (Paul's parents)!
