Have A Safe and Happy New Year 2022!
|
Students: No Midterms This Year
Over 1,000 people have signed an on-line petition to cancel midterms this month at Darien High School. They are asking the school for leniency as Covid cases surge.
Students say they are under the same amount of stress and uncertainty as they were in the early days of the pandemic — in some cases, even more, as the highly-contagious omicron variant has forced several hundred students online in an echo of spring 2020.
This is the first time that the school will hold midterm exams since January 2020. The exams were originally scheduled for Jan. 12, but school officials decided to postpone testing in a concession to student concerns and as a result of weather-related school closures last week.
The petition, on Change.org, notes that New Canaan HS has already canceled their midterm exams.
|
On Tilly's Pond
Darien's recent cold snap has allowed the locals to lace up their skates and play a little pond hockey. Hope there is more of this!
|
Darien Puts New Canaan On Ice
After losing the preseason top-seed and dropping 2 straight contests, Darien reclaim their hockey swagger with an exciting overtime win against the New Canaan Rams.
New Canaan came into the match on top of the charts and undefeated.
The game was scoreless until the 2nd period when both teams managed to score a goal and that’s how the game ended in regulation. Both teams took plenty of shots - Darien had 33 and the Rams 28- but it was the last shot at the 4:10 mark in overtime that finally gave Darien the victory.
|
Russ Wadhams
8/14/1951 - 12/24/2021
Please see Russ's updated eulogy on our Memorial page.
|
Schools Remain Open
Darien schools remain open for the beginning of 2022. Since the Christmas holidays, 176 members of the Darien school community have reported positive for COVID-19 with an infection rate sky-rocketing to 16.8%.
Darien has a vaccination rate of over 80%.
|
|
Eleven FCIAC Teams Win Fall State Championships
A total of 11 FCIAC schools were crowned state champs this fall. Darien won the LL state football title, and Blue Wave girls won the state in Class L swimming and diving.
In other events, Ridgefield boys placed first in the state open cross-country, and New Canaan won the boys Division 1 golf title and field hockey title.
|
With the help of over 100 area residents and the VFW, volunteers laid 1,575 wreaths at the Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery.
Those present shared a moment of silence, prayers and ceremonial laying of wreaths honoring the soldiers.
The volunteers were advised to read the stone and say the name of the veteran as a way of honoring and remembering.
|
Wave Win State Football Finals
The Blue Wave football team pummeled Fairfield Prep in the Class LL State Championship, winning 42-7. Darien dominated the game, allowing Prep just one first down in the first half, and only 52 yards of offense through three quarters. The only points Prep scored came in the final minute of the game.
Despite a new coach and the uncertainty of missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19, the Blue Wave finished the 2021 season 12-1. The only loss was to arch rival New Canaan, 12-7 on Thanksgiving day. The Wave avenged the loss 24-10 in the CIAC semi-finals.
Though it wasn't unanimous, Darien received 22 of the 23 first place votes for the top team in the state.
|
Change of Reunion Plans Now for DHS 1971
The Darien High Class of 1971 has made a change in their plans for their 50th reunion. Instead of holding it in 2021, the event is now slated for October 14-16, 2022!
The class website, darienhs1971.com, is worth visiting. Their feature, “Share Your Creative Expressions,” displays the artistic works from many talented classmates. Additionally, the class seeks assistance in locating some missing folks.
|
Hundreds of spectators showed up at the First Congregational Church in Darien to watch the reenactment of two historical events – the 1781 British raids on the Middlesex Meeting House and Mather Farm.
The Museum of Darien, First Congregational Church of Darien and the Mather Homestead all took part in the event, which was part of the town’s COVID-delayed bicentennial celebration of its 1820 founding.
Local residents portrayed historic figures in the event, which centered on the Rev. Moses Mather, whose great, great, great, great granddaughter, Jane Nickerson, a Darien native, was on hand to witness.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4) was there too. “As a representative in the successor of the Continental Congress. … this is a delightful reminder of where this area came from,” he said.
|
More Heartbreak for Class of 1970
Try as they may, DHS '70 can't seem to launch a 50th Reunion. Here is the latest:
"Due to the circumstances surrounding the Delta variant of Covid, we are rescheduling our 50 year reunion to the weekend of July 22-23, 2022. We are just as disappointed as you are. The health and safety of our class members and their families are our first concern.
This has been such a difficult time for so many. By next summer we hope to have the bulk of this behind us. And boy, do we look forward to celebrating with you all!
So…Save the date! July 22-24, 2022! "
|
People Finally Getting Together Again
After a long year of masks and quarantines, people are once again back together.
Benny Bruno and Mike Lopriore recently drove up to Myrtle Beach for some golf with Dick Costello and Navy friends.
As Mike said: "Great golf courses, good food, and we even had a few beverages."
Amen to that.
|
Summer Wing-Ding
Some DHS Classmates got together at a party at Patty Mazza's house this summer.
Around the table are Christy Farrington, Nancy and Steve Verses, George Farrington, Mark Tinker, Dick Costello, Patty Mazza and Dave Lynch.
Behind the camera is Kathy 'Skins" Strachan.
Keep the good times and pictures coming!
|
The Noroton Heights of Darien is currently undergoing a major facelift. It is hard to believe Benny’s restaurant has been gone over 12 years. Ida Vavala’s Deli is still there, although it was recently slammed by high waters from a recent storm.
The local Stop and Shop, down the street from Bob Ierardi’s house, has been ripped down and is being crafted into a multi-use property called the Darien Commons.
Of the 14 new stores to occupy the property, the developers have announced a nail salon Glosslab, a coffee shop Gregory’s, an Italian ristorante Molto and an ice cream shop.
Additionally, there will be 120 new apartments available at this site.
|
|
|
Darien Post Road Underpass
|
|
DHS Class of 1974 Scholarship Fund
For the 23rd year, the Darien High School Class of 1974 has once again presented scholarships to graduating seniors. Eight students received $5,000 checks each toward their college education.
Raising $40,000 was a record for this class that has given over $300,000 since they began their Memorial Scholarship in 1999.
Debbie Horan Ferrer helped spearhead the effort to remember those classmates they have lost.
|
Picture from Pear Tree Beach posted on Facebook
|
Hard to Believe
Two Years since our 50th Reunion !
|
|
|
|
|
Post 50th Reunion Get-Together
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.
|
Go Team!
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
|
|
|
Mardie Porter shares her winter adventure:
Another ski adventure! Three days at the Appalachian Mountain Club Lodge “Gorman Chairback”. We left home when the temp was a freezing -14 below. We trekked eight mile to the lodge as temperatures warmed to near 17 degrees.
The second day was on snowshoe on back-country trails. Day 3 we skied back out to our cars on a glorious day, with temps above freezing!!!
Sounds like a ball!
|
Steve and Patti Craig did well in their apple orchard this fall. 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.
|
|
|
The Big 5-0
Reunion Central
|
|
|
Check Out the Photo Album page with Pictures from all 3 Nights
|
Send Us Your Pictures
From Our 50th!
|
Chris Eng Leventhal, Kate Mason Gredinger, Sue Geiger Johanson
|
Benny Bruno, Mark Tinker, Gary Gibbs
|
|
|
Folks From Hindley School
|
Sue Venarde Mahoney, Sue Geiger, Anahid
|
Thomas Lane and Edward Tyler
|
Upload by going to the Photo Album tab on left side
or send them to tapotts@darkfield.com or johndvdh@gmail.com
|
Georgianna Smith Bloom, Rick Bloom, Tom Lane
|
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
|
Dave Lynch, Barb and Jim Tully
|
Cliff Powell, Gork Boneman, Sandy McGill
|
Chris Eng Leventhal, Dennis Sullivan, Patti Shaw Craig, Dick Costello
|
Rick Weber, Chris Weber, Eric Joosten, Paul Hendrickson
|
Josie Mullen and Lauren Fair
|
Peter Johnson, Paul Dominis, Paul Buckley, Carolyn Johnson
|
Sue Geiger, Anahid Kavookjian Vrana, Ann Back Price
|
Josie Mullen and James Tully
|
|
|
|
|
Dick Costello and Rick Poccia
|
Janet Martin Fisher and Sally Armus Shutts
|
|
|
Charlie Smith, Bill Guptill, Kathy Strachan
|
Tom Lane, Stu Traver, Jay Baker, David Miller
|
Bruce Frail, Eric Joosten, Vandy Van Wagener
|
Sue Venarde Mahoney, Kathy DelleFontane Goossen, Marty Goossen, Ed Tyler
|
Gary Gibbs and Chris Bischof
|
Our Schedule of Events
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
|
Sunday
Weed Beach Paddle Pavillion
Lunch and refreshments
|
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
|
*
|
Comments from Class Members!
Mary Bass Brown: Have fun everyone! Enjoy - post pictures.....lot's of pictures!
Anna Lamberton Whelpley: So sorry to be missing this great time😫Have a blast!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Be sure to say "Hello" in the Guest Book section!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Important Contact Info
Where to send Classmate info : darienhs1969@gmail.com
Where to update your profile and see classmate's info: www.50thdarienhigh69.com
Where to post your pictures: On Facebook, join
Darien High School Class of '69 members group
Thanks, and see you soon!
|
|
|
Christy Rogers on the Camino de Santiago
|
Pete White
Thanks for the Update!
|
Joanne Schoepf Reisser
Thanks for the Update!
|
|
|
We Thank the DHS 1969 Classmates Who Served
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Lopriore and Paul Hepp get together in Jacksonville, FL.
Hey, where's the invite? It's freezing up here!
|
Vandy Van Wagener - Good to hear from you!
Thanks for the Update.
|
Anne Marie McGarry
Thanks for Your Update!
|
Deb Ridabock preps for the end of summer
|
Greetings Anahid!
Great to Hear from You
|
|
|
Hot Fun in the Summertime
The perils of missing class on senior 'Skip' Day
|
George Wehmann's Pontiac Super Chief
|
Mary Grace Joynt and Suzanne Ferree
|
|
|
|
|
Terry Cummings, Tim Maul, Cliff Powell
|
|
-
|
|
|
Tina Rollins McKay in Bali
|
|
|
|
George Farrington, Mark Tinker and Jay Baker
Photo by George Wehmann
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The names just keep on coming in!
(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)!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
