50th Reunion Plans Taking Shape
A group of 1969 graduates from the Darien High School, under the fearless leadership of Tim Potts, are working diligently to put the finishing touches on a fun filled reunion weekend. While an event or two need to be finalized, the tentative dates, barring unforeseen circumstances, are Friday, August 9 through Sunday August 11th.
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Darien boy’s hockey hit the ice in a season opener on Wednesday. The team is hoping to do better than last year’s 11-12-1 record. Unfortunately, their first opponent was last year’s Rhode Island’s state champs, the Rams of La Salle Academy. Darien lost the match, 3 – 2 in an overtime thriller at Stamford Twin Rinks.
Darien was state champs in 2016.
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Alex Ostberg, a member of the Darien High School Class of 2015, earned All-American honors for the second time by finishing 13th at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, held at the University of Wisconsin on Nov. 17.
His time for the 10,000-meter course was 29:33.
It is the second year in a row Alex has been a top 20 finisher. Ostberg is currently a senior at Stanford University.
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Courtesy NYT
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Darien Featured in New York Times Article
On December 5, the New York Times ran a highly favorable piece about the town of Darien. The town was recognized for its natural beauty, access to New York City and active social, arts and sports cultures.
They stated the town has a population of 22,000 in 14.9 mi.² with 16.5 miles of coastland. About 4,800 students attend the town’s five elementary schools, the middle school and the high school.
Darien High School serves 1,354 of the students, ranking at or near the top in the state on SAT scores and other measures of achievement. In 2017-18, the school’s average SAT scores were 601 in reading and 605 in math, compared to statewide averages of 524 and 507.
In late November, there were 206 houses and 17 condominiums on the market in Darien, with the median sale price of a home around $1.385 million.
The least expensive house currently available is a 700-square-foot cottage built in 1930, with one bedroom and one bathroom, listed for $359,000. The most expensive is the Ziegler Steinkraus waterfront estate, built in the early 1900s on 63.5 acres of a private island, with a 13,015-square-foot main house, guest cottages and an equestrian center, listed for $120 million.
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Parents Banned from Lunch at Elementary Schools in Darien, CT.
The Darien school system put their foot down- parents are no longer welcomed to join their children during school lunch. The story of the decision, and the ensuing uproar, found its way into news articles from Portland, Oregon to Saskatchewan, Canada.
Elliott Landon, Darien’s interim schools superintendent, essentially told parents that students should learn to deal without them at the table, and their presence was too disruptive. The Facebook page ‘Darien Moms’ exploded with hurt and angry comments.
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Darien Loses to Newton in State Quarterfinals
The Darien football team lost their quarterfinal game against Newtown HS. Not only was Darien a three time Class LL State champ, the team had reached the state finals the last 5 years. Additionally, the Blue Wave hadn’t lost 2 consecutive games since 2007! The undefeated Newtown Nighthawks scored the first 16 points of the game and finished by winning 26 – 15. Like the loss against New Canaan, Darien had momentum killing turnovers, coughing the ball up twice.
No. 3 Newtown (11-0) will take on another FCIAC opponent in the Class LL semifinals, as it plays at No. 2 Greenwich (11-0) at 12:30 p.m., Sunday. The Cardinals were 49-13 winners over New Britain in the quarterfinals.
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Classmates Pete Fenichell and Paul Hendrickson along with Peter's wife Desiree and Paul's son. Picture was taken in Colorado Springs, CO during the Navy - Air Force Game on Columbus Day weekend.
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Attending Dick Costello's dinner was Martha Robbins, Diana Poccia, Patti Craig and Allison Poccia, Rick and Diana Poccia's daughter.
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Association Honors Costello
The Darien Old Timers Association honored classmate Dick Costello at its 57th Annual Dinner, held Monday November 12th at Giovanni's. Costello was honored in light of his many athletic acheivements in football, basketball and baseball. As a senior, Dick held the FCIAC batting title. Many classmates and friends were in attendance, including: Steve and Patti Craig, Dave Lynch, Paul Hendrickson, George Farrington, Todd and Martha Robbins, John van den Heuvel, Ed Tyler, Steve Verses, Eric Joosten, Rick and Diana Poccia. Rick Poccia was honored by the Association in 2017.
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Be sure to join the Facebook Group
Darien High School Class of '69
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Steve and Patti Craig enjoy some company during fall apple-picking time!
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Recognize Anybody?
(Click to Enlarge)
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Carol Ann Augustus Summers, Bev Bonfoey and Sue Geiger Johanson share a week-end together in Warwick, RI.
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Congrats to Classmates
Ann Irvine and Dave Terry
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Announcing Plans to Marry 49 Years after Their HS Graduation!
We Send Our Very Best Wishes
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1969 Classmates and fellow DHS Baseball teamates Paul Hepp, Ken Peliksza, Dick Costello, Mike Lopriore and Ben Bruno at a recent get-together in Florida
Speaking of Who's on First- Benny was on first, Johnny Maul 2B, Costello was shortstop and Hepp played third base. Lope was in CF and Kenny played LF. Dave Lynch pitched and was team captain.
Dick Costello was 1969 All League FCIAC and tied for the batting title with a blistering .408 average. The 1969 DHS team finished 10-8 for the season.
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A final photo shoot of the Beatles, two days after their last recording session together in August 1969. Shot on the grounds of John and Yoko's 70 acre estate near Ascot, England.
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Greetings from Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins!
Mardie Porter (bottom right) and some hearty friends ski 8 miles into the Maine wilderness to the AMC Gorman Chairback Lodge for an off-the grid winter week-end. Looks like fun!
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Classmates in the News
The (Very) Reverend Mark Beckwith
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Ready to Go Back to School
with Mrs. Oberg
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DHS Classmates Craig Metzgar, Susan Dickman Klein, and Paul Buckley
having dinner recently in Fairfield
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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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The 45th Reunion
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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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45th Reunion
At the Beach
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The morning began overcast, but the sun was shining at the start of the Sunday picnic.
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Jenny, Janet, and Josie
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We missed many classmates, but those who came had a special time. A shout-out to our illustrious 45th committee, especially Steve and Patti Craig, and to Dennis Sullivan who took the majority of the pictures.
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Jo Anne Schoepf and Christy Rogers
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Baker School Alums
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45th Reunion - Saturday Night
Jenny Hosts Q and A -- Tinker Drops Trou
Under cloudy skies, the 45th Reunion Dinner-Dance kicked off at the tony Wee Burn CC at 6:30 sharp. We mostly stayed inside and drank cocktails while greeting one another in the Red Room.
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Later, after repeated requests, our group headed to the dining room for an appetizing buffet of prime rib, salmon, and side dishes. Dessert was cheese and chocolate cakes, ice cream, toppings.
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Once the tables were cleared, Jenny Bates started the evening entertainment as host of a general Q and A. Questions were asked from the audience about our class and our years in the high school.
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One question regarding the shape of a tattoo led Mark Tinker to drop his pants in front of the room to provide the answer. Dick Costello remained quiet when a question arose about a shamrock tattoo.
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It was good to have an opportunity to get back out on the dance floor. While some groaning was heard over bad hips and bum knees, a good time was had by all.
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Check Out More Pictures from Saturday Night
and Sunday at the Beach
in the Photo Albums section
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Chris Bischof,Jim Tully, Eric Joosten, Jay Baker, Lope, Benny, Dave Lynch (Next Row)
Dick Costello, Nick Augustus, Tim Potts, Steve Verses, Mark Tinker
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While many attended the 45th, many were missed. A number of folks attended for the first time or from much earlier reunions – Mary Bass, Mark Beckwith, Paul Buckley, Linda Castle, Pete Helweg, Diane Holland, Dave Jefferson, Anahid, Mike Lopriore, Tom Milek, JoAnn Schoepf, and Christy Rogers among others.
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Pretty much 75% of the attendees made Friday night and it was a chance to reconnect with classmates and to thank many on the reunion committee for all their work.
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Thank you's are certainly in order for the group responsible for putting this reunion together:
STEVE AND PATTI CRAIG
JENNY BATES
SUE DICKMAN KLINE
DENNIS SULLIVAN
JIM AND CINDY VALENTE
Outstanding job.
(If we missed anyone, please let us know)
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Greetings Anahid!
Great to Hear from You
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The Class of 1969 mourns the losses of Peter Popov, Nancy Levering Rozzelle, Mark Freeman and Joan Anderson Christopoulos. Please turn to Memorials.
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Back when smoking was cool
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A Bevy of Beauties
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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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