DHS Lacrosse Team
Nobody does lacrosse like Darien High School, and Covid or no Covid, the Wave are off to a rip-roaring start. By rip-roaring, Darien dismantled Brian McMahon HS 24 – 1 in the season opener and clobbered Glastonbury 19 – 5 on Friday.
Against Glastonbury, a total of 9 players scored at least one goal. Darien was aggressive and physical on the defensive end, and used its speed for quick strikes on the offensive end.
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COVID Cont.
Darien schools are still being bedeviled by Covid-19. A total of 248 students and staff are currently in quarantine, impacting 9 different locations. At least 34 are in quarantine from the High School.
This is also the week of spring break. Due to many people traveling, Darien is planning to cancel all in person learning from April 19-23. The School Superintendent pointed out that even though the governor has removed mandates for quarantining after out-of-state travel, health officials at the local, state and federal level recommend it, and the school district wants it.
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The roller coaster school year continued unabated as both the High School and Middlesex Middle School were unable to hold classes on Monday. Nearly 700 teachers and staff recently received their 2nd COVID shot and other staff and students were under quarantines, making it impossible to open the schools. The elementary schools remained open. The Superintendent of Schools also noted the positivity rates rose significantly at the end of March.
The good news is the state believes outdoor graduations and controlled indoor proms are looking increasingly probable for the students. The increase vaccination rate and warming weather are positive signs for a more normal ending to the school year.
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The 13th annual Greenwich Boat Show is returning in 2021 as a 3-week long virtual event that will run April 5-25.
This year’s adapted show format creates an extended opportunity for boaters and dealers. During the three-week show run, boat enthusiasts will be able to go online to view current boat models and request sea-trials from 16 of the area’s leading boat dealers offering a wide range of boat brands and styles.
Boating has experienced unprecedented interest over the last year as more people discovered the value of spending time on the water. The Greenwich Boat Show will help meet the high demand for new boats and fulfill the increased desire to experience the freedom of enjoying time outdoors on the water.
Check it out - Greenwichboatshow.com
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Darien in OT Loss
Heartbreaker for the Darien boys hockey time as 4th seeded New Canaan defeated top-seed Darien in the FCIAC semi-finals by a score of 2-1. It was another hard fought game decided by an overtime goal. New Canaan defeated the Blue Wave in last year’s FCIAC championship game 4-3.
Darien played hard and had a 21-7 shot advantage in the first 2 periods and a 32-19 shot advantage overall. New Canaan’s goalie had an incredicle 31 saves.
New Canaan had lost 5 of last 7 regular season matches but defeated Ridgefield in the quarter finals to play Darien in the semi-finals.
Darien finishes the season 7-4-2.
New Canaan goes on to play Greenwich in the FCIAC finals.
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Two dozen supporters of the Darien Depot jumped into the Sound's cold water Sunday morning to support the popular teen center. The Wee Burn Beach Club played host to the first official Depot Dip.
Several local businesses pledged their support, donating funds and prize items, including Barrett Bookstore, Darien Sport Shop, Four Forks, Inner Light Wellness, Michael Josephs Catering, Spa Grace, Ten Twenty Post, and the Mayhew Family.
The Depot had struggled with raising funds over the last year. It has resorted to unique approaches to fundraising, including a first ever dog show.
The Youth Center offers a variety of events and activities throughout the year for sixth through twelfth grade students in a judgment-free and safe environment. All public, private, or homeschooled teens are invited to attend.
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Darien Girls Lose FCIAC FInal
In this COVID shortened season, Darien and New Canaan faced off three times, with New Canaan winning twice, Each game was decided by a single goal.
It seems appropriate that the two teams would meet again in the FCIAC finals and again, Darien lost by a single goal. With 1:22 remaining in overtime on Saturday, New Canaan scored the winner at the Darien Ice House.
The win gave the Rams some revenge for last year’s FCIAC final game loss to Darien, 3- 1. This was New Canaan’s eighth FCIAC championship, best in the conference, and The Blue Wave ranks second with six FCIAC titles.
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Dave Jefferson
1951-2021
A moving tribute from his hometown paper
Click Summit Daily
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Darien High School boy’s hockey team is ranked No.1 in the FCIAC, with a conference record of 5-1-2.
On Saturday, March 13, the Wave beat New Canaan 4-1. The win inspired over-exuberant fans to spray-paint the final score “4-1” on a fence near the Ram’s high school. New Canaan cops are investigating the vandalism.
One year ago, a similar message, a “4-3” score was spray-painted on Darien High School’s sign after the Rams defeated the Blue Wave in the same rivalry.
Both teams are expected to make the postseason, starting Monday, March 22.
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The Darien High Class of 1971 is full speed ahead with this year’s 50th anniversary from graduation. The event is planned for October 15-17, with the main event on Saturday to be held at the Darien Country Club.
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.
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We report the passing of Donald ‘Doc’ Robbins on Saturday, February 27. He was 84.
Donald Robbins joined the faculty of DHS as a Social Studies teacher and became Director of Independent Studies. Doc went on to became an Assistant Principal in the fall of 1970 and Principal of Darien High in 1976.
Doc was a successful and inspiring cross-country and track coach. Between 1967-1969 Doc extend DHS’s longest dual-meet undefeated streak of Track and Field to 31 straight victories.
Robbins graduated from Allegheny College Phi Beta Kappa and was college valedictorian. He earned his “Doc” at the University of Kentucky with a Doctorate of Philosophy in History. He also attended Teacher's College, Columbia University.
He is survived by his wife Christine and daughters, Melissa and Heather.
Link to published obituary:
https://abriola.com/tribute/details/5441/Donald-Robbins/obituary.html#tribute-start
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Spicy Chicken Restaurant to Open
Darien had 17 branches of 14 differnet banks, but one of the banks is leaving to make room for a new chicken restaurant. HSBC, formerly at 151 Post Road, just up the street from Chipote and the Norwalk line, will be replaced with Birdcode Hot Chicken, a restaurant dedicated to spicy Nashville-style chicken.
The menu will consist of chicken tenders and sandwiches in five increasingly spicy levels. The firstis a no-heat “country” level, followed by mild with a “touch of heat,” medium “proceed with caution”, hot “burn baby burn” and the top-level Code Breaker, which comes with the warning: “Do you really want to do this? Eat at your own risk.”
Tenders are served with bread and pickles, and sandwiches are built on brioche buns topped with vinegar slaw, pickles and mayonnaise-based “comeback sauce.”
The Darien restaurant will focus more on takeout and outdoor seating.
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Forgetaboutit!
Interim DHS coach Mike Forget is now the head coach of the Blue Wave.
Forget (pronounced "For Jaa") was Darien’s defensive coordinator for eight years before taking over for former coach Rob Trifone. Mike has big shoes to fill, as Trifone led Darien to three state titles and four FCIAC championships in 13 years.
“It feels great and I was humbled by their decision to remove the interim tag,” Forget said. “I look forward to getting through these COVID times where we can have a real season and get back to real football.”
After Trifone stepped down in January, 2020, Darien had started a coaching hunt, but was unable to complete the interview process with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The district decided to make the football coaching job a one-year position at the time, with Forget leading the team.
Mike’s been a coach for many years - a former head coach at Ludlowe and an assistant at Westhill and Masuk. Forget joined Trifone’s Darien program as the defensive coordinator back in 2012. The Blue Wave became one of the state’s elite programs during an eight-year span, highlighted by back-to-perfect seasons when they went 12-0 in 2015 and 13-0 in 2016.
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New Restaurant
While many restaurants struggle under the weight of pandemic fears and social distancing, some see opportunity. We previously reported on the grand opening of Baja Joe’s Tex-Mex, located at 23 Tokeneke Rd. Another restaurant has recently opened in Darien. The café, Barvida, just began business last week at 879 Boston Post Rd.
The brainchild of Brennan Branca, 2013 DHS graduate and soccer player, it is 100% organic and a 100% plant-based café. Along with fresh juices, his new establishment also features acai bowls, smoothies, salad, wraps and wellness shots, among other food items.
“We source ingredients from all over the world to ensure that our menu items are the cleanest and healthiest they can possibly be,” he said, including cacao from Guatemala, mushrooms from Japan and Siberia, and organic açaí from the Amazon Rain Forest in Brazil.
“I love Darien and I really wanted to bring health and wellness back to my hometown,” Branca said. “I thought that Darien was lacking in healthy food and I really wanted to make that change.”
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Picture from Pear Tree Beach posted on Facebook
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The Pond-Weed House, the now faded and neglected home on the corner of Post Road and Hollow Tree Ridge Road, is for sale.The house was probably built around 1730 in the vicinity of the original settlement at Holly Pond. Originally an inn and tavern, it is believed George Washington may have stopped there.
The house was converted to a trade shop before finally to a private home. The most recent owner was Timothy Miller. Miller worked with The Jim Henson Company and he and his team were nominated for four Emmy awards, including two for "The Muppet Show". Miller owned the property for 33 years before passing in 2019. His estate has been working with the town and the Museum of Darien for the best options on preserving as much of the house as possible.
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Jed Sells Lawrence Funeral Home
Darien’s only funeral parlor, Lawrence Funeral Home, has been sold. As of Tuesday, the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home was officially sold to Lesko & Polke Funeral Home of Fairfield. This sale marks the end of the 127-year family ownership.
Originally located in New Canaan, the Edward B. Lawrence Undertaking Business began in 1893. In 1931, Edward B. Lawrence’s son, Edward (Ted) Lawrence moved the business to Darien. Eventually, the business was passed to Jed Lawrence’s father, Edward Green Lawrence. Jed began working in the family business in 1973.
Lawrence, a lifelong Darien resident and Darien High Class of ‘68 grad, said he is ready for a bit of a “less demanding” lifestyle as a semi-retiree. Jed remains an elder and member of Noroton Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis Club of Darien, Darien Chamber of Commerce, and the Noroton Fire Department. He also coached Darien Little League and the Darien Junior Football League. He and his wife Debbie have two adult children.
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The Blue Wave cross-country runners have a new home course.
More than 15 years ago, the Blue Wave ran home meets at Wee Burn Country Club, but were limited to Mondays when the golf course was closed to members. When the club shifted the layout of its greens, the course was virtually wiped out, and the runners had to use the road. The new course brings welcome relief.
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Hard to Believe
One Year since our 50th Reunion !
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Some Historical Photos of Darien
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Town officials at Bell gravesite
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Darien Celebrates 200 Years
It was June 12, 1820 that a gentleman named Thaddeus Bell called to order Darien’s first town meeting. Right after the American Revolution, five towns stretched across the shoreline of Fairfield County. One of the towns, Stamford, included today’s Darien, and most of New Canaan. A local religious society, or parish, Middlesex Parish was recognized officially in 1741. When parishes lost their civil standings with the new state constitution in 1818, towns were drawn along political lines and our area petitioned for incorporation.
Thaddeus Bell came from a family who first settled the town of Stamford in 1640. Thaddeus was a leader in the community and perhaps it’s best known veteran of the Revolutionary War. A man of ‘substance’, he owned a large farm in the Ox Ridge area. Under his leadership, the Connecticut Assembly approved the petition to form Darien in 1820.
The original charter listed the town’s name as Belltown, and it was Thaddeus who decided on the name Darien.
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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.
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DHS Ranked High by U.S. News
U.S. News magazine recently released a list of top high schools, and nationally Darien High School came in a very respectable #214th place. The school has a graduation rate of 97%.
Additionally, DHS is ranked tied for FIRST (!) in the nation in the ranking of Math and Reading Proficiency (determined by state administrated tests).
The high school is also ranked No. 3 in the state. Local high school Weston was ranked higher in CT but ranking slightly below the Wave were Westport (4), New Canaan (5), and Greenwich (7).
Darien’s national ranking in the important Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) category was a respectable #84.
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Great DHS Athletes
Anybody remember Bob Staak? Bob was a DHS graduate in 1966, a year before our class arrived. He is the all-time DHS basketball scorer with 1,166 points. And this was before the 3 point shot.
Bobby started playing basketball at the age of 5 or 6 and was always good at it.
After graduating from high school he transferred to UCONN his sophomore year. He was co-captain his junior and senior years, MVP his senior year, and at graduation was the 4th all-time leading scorer at UCONN with 1,288 points.
Bob eventually entered coaching, where he worked with a number of college teams including being the head basketball coach at William and Mary. Bob has also been in the NBA for nearly 20 years in various assistant coaching and front office positions.
There is now a movement to have Bob’s DHS No. 21 jersey retired.
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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
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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!
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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.
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The Big 5-0
Reunion Central
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Check Out the Photo Album page with Pictures from all 3 Nights
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Send Us Your Pictures
From Our 50th!
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Chris Eng Leventhal, Kate Mason Gredinger, Sue Geiger Johanson
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Benny Bruno, Mark Tinker, Gary Gibbs
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Folks From Hindley School
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Sue Venarde Mahoney, Sue Geiger, Anahid
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Thomas Lane and Edward Tyler
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Upload by going to the Photo Album tab on left side
or send them to tapotts@darkfield.com or johndvdh@gmail.com
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Georgianna Smith Bloom, Rick Bloom, Tom Lane
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Charlie Smith and Lauren Fair
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Carol Ann Augustus Summers and Bev Bonfoey
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Patti Shaw Craig and Mardie Porter
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Mark Paddock, Dennis Sullivan, Sue Venardi Mahoney, Janet Martin Fisher, Martyn Goossen, Kathy DelleFontane Goossen, Steve Craig
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Dave Lynch, Barb and Jim Tully
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Cliff Powell, Gork Boneman, Sandy McGill
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Chris Eng Leventhal, Dennis Sullivan, Patti Shaw Craig, Dick Costello
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Rick Weber, Chris Weber, Eric Joosten, Paul Hendrickson
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Josie Mullen and Lauren Fair
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Peter Johnson, Paul Dominis, Paul Buckley, Carolyn Johnson
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Sue Geiger, Anahid Kavookjian Vrana, Ann Back Price
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Josie Mullen and James Tully
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Dick Costello and Rick Poccia
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Janet Martin Fisher and Sally Armus Shutts
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Charlie Smith, Bill Guptill, Kathy Strachan
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Tom Lane, Stu Traver, Jay Baker, David Miller
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Bruce Frail, Eric Joosten, Vandy Van Wagener
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Sue Venarde Mahoney, Kathy DelleFontane Goossen, Marty Goossen, Ed Tyler
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Gary Gibbs and Chris Bischof
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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
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Sunday
Weed Beach Paddle Pavillion
Lunch and refreshments
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| 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 |
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| Benny Bruno |
Kyle Hepp |
| Kathy Strachan |
Pam Burkhardt Mele |
| Peter Scholtz |
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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!
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Be sure to say "Hello" in the Guest Book section!
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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!
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Christy Rogers on the Camino de Santiago
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Pete White
Thanks for the Update!
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Joanne Schoepf Reisser
Thanks for the Update!
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We Thank the DHS 1969 Classmates Who Served
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Mike Lopriore and Paul Hepp get together in Jacksonville, FL.
Hey, where's the invite? It's freezing up here!
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Vandy Van Wagener - Good to hear from you!
Thanks for the Update.
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Anne Marie McGarry
Thanks for Your Update!
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Deb Ridabock preps for the end of summer
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Greetings Anahid!
Great to Hear from You
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Hot Fun in the Summertime
The perils of missing class on senior 'Skip' Day
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George Wehmann's Pontiac Super Chief
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Mary Grace Joynt and Suzanne Ferree
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Terry Cummings, Tim Maul, Cliff Powell
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Tina Rollins McKay in Bali
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George Farrington, Mark Tinker and Jay Baker
Photo by George Wehmann
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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
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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)!
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