Darien Fall Sports Teams Looking Good Through September
The amazing Darien boys golf team is still red-hot after a dozen matches, pushing their record to a flawless 12-0 and leaving divots in their wake across Fairfield County. The Blue Wave medalists are carding under-pars at tough clubs as Oak Hills, Ridgefield, and Wee Burn.
Meanwhile, Darien field hockey is looking for redemption. After falling to Staples in last year’s state final, the team is off to a strong 4-0-1 start. A high-stakes rematch against the reigning champs looms this Thursday, followed by a rivalry clash with New Canaan on Friday. Expect intensity—and maybe a little revenge.
Both Blue Wave soccer squads are above the .500 mark. The boys stand at 4-3-1, grinding out results in a competitive slate, while the girls are cruising at 4-1-2, showing poise and precision. Not to be outdone, the girls volleyball team is spiking its way to a 6-2 record, with momentum building as the season heats up.
Rams and Warde Run Wild as Darien Battles in Back-to-Back XC Tests
The Blue Wave boys faced a tough stretch in late September, starting with the 13th Winding Trails Invitational in Farmington on Sept. 20. Senior Andrew Sharron led Darien with a season-best 16:15 in the 5K, but the team settled for 7th in the Large Schools division. New Canaan dominated the field, cruising to first place.
Just four days later, the Rams and Fairfield Warde doubled down on Darien’s home turf. On the 4,800m course, New Canaan’s top runner clocked a blistering 16:07, followed by a Warde trio that swept the next three spots. Darien’s best finish was placing 6th at 16:53.
On the girls’ side, Jasmine Su ran a personal best 20:24, good for 5th overall. Warde’s lead runner crossed first at 19:46, with New Canaan grabbing second and third.
Blue Wave Blanks McMahon in Homecoming Rout, 44–0
Darien gave its home crowd plenty to cheer about Friday night, steamrolling McMahon in a 44–0 shutout that showcased dominance from the opening snap. Senior quarterback Jay Franzese wasted no time, connecting for a touchdown on the second play of the game. After forcing a quick three-and-out, the Wave struck again—this time with a 30-yard burst that set up another score inside the Senators’ 10-yard line.
McMahon’s best chance came after a muffed punt gifted them field position at Darien’s 12 late in the first quarter, but the Senators couldn’t capitalize. Darien responded with a methodical drive, aided by a fourth-and-eight pass interference call, to stretch the lead to 21–0. The final minute of the first half unraveled for McMahon: a botched snap led to a safety, and the ensuing punt gave Darien just enough time to punch in another touchdown. Nine points in 68 seconds sent the Wave into halftime up 30–0.
Darien added two more scores in the second half—one late in the third quarter and another with four minutes to play—capping off a complete performance on both sides of the ball.
Back in the Summer of '69
From the archives, a gathering from high school. John Stromaglia, Barb Parker, Chris Austin, Sally Biondi, Nina Millet, Cathy Stone, Kathy Micha, Mary Wilson, Gail Gellatly, and Cliff Powell. Salud!
Celebration of Life for Sue Danver
As we remember Sue Danver and mourn her passing (please see Memorials), we have heard from former classmate Nancy Ettele, a friend and colleague of Sue's in Seattle. Nancy wrote to tell us there will be a ceremony for Susan on Sept. 7th at the Point in Odd Fellows Beach Park, 6500 79th Ave., Northeast, Olympia, WA. Details of the event, including the start time, will be passed along as soon as they are known.
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)!
