Nation's Top Teams
Both Darien and New Canaan girls lacrosse teams finished the 2022 season ranked in the top five nationally.
New Canaan ranked 4th after winning a thrilling Class L final 14-13 against Darien. Darien (20-2) placed No. 5 in the final Nike/USA Lacrosse High School Girls National Top 25.
St. Paul (Md.), Victor (N.Y.) and Glenelg Country (Md.) were the top three.
The Rams won both FCIAC and state championships this year, for the first time ever. Darien had won two straight state championships in 2019 and 2021 before finishing runner-up this season.
The Blue Wave have the most state titles in Connecticut girls lacrosse history with 11.
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Darien HS Graduation
After a sometime difficult and topsy-turvy four years, Darien High School seniors reach graduation. The ceremony was held on Friday, June 17.
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CIAC Tournament Finals
In Girls Tennis, Darien went undefeated, winning the FCIAC and Class LL CIAC championships.
In Boys Tennis, Darien lost in the FCIAC semi-finals to Staples but won the Class L CIAC championships.
In Boys Volleyball, Darien went undefeated in the regular season and won both the FCIAC and CIAC championships. In all of the 26 matches they played, Darien only lost one set!
In Boys Lacrosse, Darien won the FCIAC championship and was runner-up in the Class L CIAC finals to Staples
In Girls Lacrosse, Darien lost in the FCIAC finals and CIAC finals to New Canaan.
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Heartbreak in Lacrosse Finals
Both of the Darien lacrosse teams came away disappointed in the CIAC State finals.
For the girls, it was their arch-nemesis New Canaan Rams who tripped up the Wave again, first in the FCIAC finals and then in the State’s, winning 14-13.
The Rams held off a late charge as the Blue Wave scored three straight times to turn a four-goal deficit into a one-goal nailbiter with 1:13 remaining.
It was New Canaan’s seventh state championship overall and its first since 2018. Darien had won the last two state titles and 11 titles overall.
In boys lacrosse Staples HS stunned the Blue Wave, winning the State Finals 12-3.
Darien has 14 CIAC Championships and has been the unanimous No. 1 in state polls since April. Staples scored 4 in the first quarter and lead 9-1 at halftime. The Wave only managed 14 shots all game.
Darien ends their season 20-3.
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CIAC Lacrosse Action
No. 1 seed Darien easily defeated Greenwich 15-2 In the Girls Lacrosse quarterfinals. Arch-rival New Canaan at the No. 2 seed beat South Windsor HS 18-1.
In the semi-finals, Darien faces No. 4 Wilton (15-3) and New Canaan plays No. 10 seed Ridgefield.
Both games happen at the Greenwich HS on Tuesday, June 7.
In the Boys Division, the Blue Wave crushed Westhill in the first round, 22-1. Next up are the Greenwich Cardinals in the quarterfinals.
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Volleyball may not have the pizzazz of flashier sports, but what the DHS boys volleyball team did is nothing short of amazing.
Start with the 43-match winning streak beginning in 2021. The team then had a perfect 20-0 regular season this year with 19 shutouts. Then they blew through the FCIAC playoffs with 3 shut-out matches including the Finals against Trumbull.
Now, No. 1 state-ranked Darien head to the CIAC tournament.
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DHS Class of 1970 is once again planning a 50th reunion, this time for the week-end of July 22-24. Robin Wakeman, Nina and Dave Miller are helping organize the event. Saturday evening will be at the Wee Burn CC and Sunday at the Paddle Courts at Weed Beach.
Pictured above are Nina Miller, Vic Capellupo, Rich Glica, Drew Papsun and David Miller
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Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones died April 19, 2022 from health issues at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. Please go to Memorials.
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In addition to the many construction projects happening in Darien, town leaders are considering buying a portion of Darien’s Great Island. The property, the summer estate of William Ziegler, was bought in 1905 and is connected to Darien by Rings End Bridge. It is considered the last, best piece of undeveloped property of its kind on the entire East Coast of the US.
First Selectwoman Monica McNally said she believed the acquisition would be a major asset for the town: one of the largest remaining parcels of undeveloped land in Darien that would benefit generations to come.
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Darien Projects to Move Forward
The town is moving ahead with 3 major projects that were delayed due to Covid. The Darien Commons at West Avenue and Edgerton, when finished will contain120 residential units and mixed use retail.
What's being called the Corbin District in the heart of downtown Darien, a $100 million dollar project, will add an additional 100+ apartments.
The new Noroton Heights Shopping Center, located where Stolers and Peoples bank once stood, is finally beginning to finish the demolition after much delay.
The town is also researching the effects of the projects on traffic and school enrollment.
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A Darien family, the McPhersons, recently donated nearly 4 acres of land to the Darien Land Trust and another 1 plus acre to the Mather Homestead Foundation. The family are descendants of Stephen Mather, and a McPherson was the first director of the National Park Service in 1916.
Nothing will ever be built on the land and preservationists will continue to improve its environmental value, according to the Land Trust.
Beginning in 2003, the McPherson family donated nearly 10 acres. The family turned over another 2.5 acres to the Land Trust in 2017. They also signed over the Mather Homestead to the Mather Homestead Foundation, which maintains the house and conducts public tours.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Picture from Pear Tree Beach posted on Facebook
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Hard to Believe
More than Two Years since our 50th Reunion !
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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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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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