Darienite

07/12/2025

Local Realtor Deirdre McGovern's Darien & Rowayton Real Estate Report, with open houses, price changes, sales, pending sales and new listings:

https://darienite.com/darien-and-rowayton-real-estate-report-june-26-to-july-10-573232

05/27/2025

Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in America’s wars deserve something more than even the gratitude, acknowledgement and respect of living Americans, said former First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, in her keynote address at Darien’s Memorial Day ceremony.

They and our country deserve to be paid back by our being “willing in our own way to step up and protect the liberty they fought for,” she said.

https://darienite.com/protect-the-liberty-they-fought-for-full-text-of-jayme-stevensons-memorial-day-address-571814

05/27/2025

Expand Your Horizons with TOR — An Alternative to Driving to Concerts, Beaches and Other Recreation Spots

"Officials say tourism brings Connecticut $18.5 billion each year — more than what’s seen in Maine, which bills itself as “Vacationland.” [...] Whatever your destination for summer fun, think twice before enduring the traffic and maybe consider taking mass transit."

https://darienite.com/expand-your-horizons-with-tor-an-alternative-to-driving-to-concerts-beaches-and-other-recreation-569383

05/27/2025

“This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a volunteer team that will provide necessary assistance in local disaster situations that may affect our community,” said Emergency Management Director Marc McEwan. “This team will greatly bolster our capabilities to provide for a local shelter operation in widespread disaster situations.”

The Darien Emergency Management Department is seeking up to 25 residents to volunteer when an emergency shelter is required in Darien. The volunteers would provide assistance with all aspects of shelter operations. — an announcement from the Town of Darien Newsletter Volunteers for the emergency p...

05/23/2025

The third in about a week:

For the third time in a week, a written racial slur was found at Middlesex Middle School, schools Superintendent Alan Addley said Friday afternoon in an email sent to staff and families of students. Addley’s announcement didn’t say where the writing was found, what the racial slur is or even whe...

05/23/2025

Barbara White, 99, passed away a month shy of her 100th birthday. At age 95, she stepped down from her role as costume curator for the Museum of Darien. The museum named its costume collection after her. Babs White's memorial service will take place at the museum.

"'Babs White has been a guiding light of this museum,' then-board President Robert J. Pascal Jr.said in an interview in New Canaan-Darien magazine. 'She has an encyclopedic knowledge of history and an unrivaled fashion expertise.”

Barbara White passed away of natural causes at her home in New Canaan on Friday, May 16. She was 99. Born in Camden, New Jersey, on June 25, 2025, to Robert E. and Ella O’Donovan, Barbara, known to friends and family as Babs, grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, where she attended Montclair Kimberley...

05/20/2025

"The history and the architecture of Darien’s Great Island will be presented in a talk tonight, May 20, by award-winning architect George Knight at Darien Library. [...]

"The property was originally built as a summer estate by William Ziegler, a billionaire industrialist and baking powder magnate who died in 1905. The magnificent designs of many of the buildings on Great Island can be traced back to prominent and well-known architectural firms of the era."

https://darienite.com/event/the-history-of-great-island-and-its-architecture-talk-tonight-at-darien

05/20/2025

At a recent meeting between First Selectman Zagrodzky, Governor Lamont "seemed to appreciate" the town's increase affordable housing, Zagrodzky said. Lamont said that, long-term, the state needs more electricity generated by nuclear and natural gas to supplement wind and solar sources.

Zagrodzky said he not only agrees with that, but will "try to help the governor."

https://darienite.com/affordable-housing-power-supply-discussed-when-gov-met-with-first-selectman-at-new-restaurant-in-town-571275

05/08/2025

"Alicia Sillars, 64, Darien Youth Director, First Depot Director, DHS Class of ’78, Loved Gardening, Biking, Mahjong"

She passed away on Feb. 8. "With a close friend, Alicia took a 16-month trip around with world, visiting Europe, the Soviet Union, Africa, India, Australia and New Zealand. The pair lived on a $20/day budget and climbed the highest peak of each location that they could, including Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon returning, Alicia settled in Darien."

https://darienite.com/alicia-sillars-64-darien-youth-director-first-depot-director-dhs-class-of-78-loved-gardening-biking-mahjong-570266

04/30/2025

"The Darien Arts Center has appointed Wendy Mitchell as its new executive director. She brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience in administration, programming, fundraising, and grant writing.

"Mitchell previously led the Sandy Hook Arts Center for Kids — a nonprofit she co-founded with fellow Newtown High School alumni following the 2012 school shooting."

https://darienite.com/darien-arts-center-hires-wendy-mitchell-as-new-executive-director-570454

04/30/2025

Gregory Sohns, 74, passed away last October. His obituary has just been made public. He was a longtime member of the Darien RTM and also served on the town Board of Finance.

"Greg practiced as a corporate attorney for over 30 years in New York City. [...] Greg will be remembered for his love of family, generosity and consideration of everyone he met, sense of humor, devotion to learning and scholarship, his stories and use of language, and for his love of Shakespeare and J.S. Bach."

https://darienite.com/gregory-sohns-74-attorney-served-on-darien-rtm-and-board-of-finance-loved-learning-shakespeare-and-bach-570260

04/10/2025

Open houses this weekend, homes new to the market, price changes, pending sales and completed sales in local Realtor Deidre McGovern's latest Darien & Rowayton Real Estate Report:

https://darienite.com/darien-and-rowayton-real-estate-report-april-3-to-10-566517