The Darien Historical Society’s current exhibit is called “Long May She Wave” — the chronological evolution of our Flag. It features a number of genuine historic flags, plus many more replica flags from the pre-Revolutionary War era to modern times.
The Society has invited the DMA for a free Curator’s Tour for Thursday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. It includes the major flag exhibit and two smaller exhibits (flag photos and Historic War-Time Darien Love Letters). The tour is open to members of the Darien Men’s Association and their significant others.
The “stars” of the show are the Society’s antique flags, but there is also a timeline presentation included that highlights the key historical events in Darien as the Flag evolved.
There is also have a mini-exhibit of a local man’s collection of flag art photographs. After 9-11, this became his passion and he has exhibited and traveled all over the country in search of people celebrating the red, white and blue.
In the house museum, we have in addition a collection of Revolutionary War-era love letters written to a woman who lived in Middlesex Parish.
See more info at the Society’s WEB Site: darienhistorical.org
Joe Spain
“Beautiful, The Carole King Musical,” tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music — she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.
William Frederick McClelland, Jr., a Darien resident since 1958, died on January 7, 2018, at home. He was 92.
Rocco A. Evola, a resident of Darien, CT, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018 at home in Darien. Born on June 29, 1919 in Flushing, NY, he was the son of the late Rocco Gaetano and Maria Smania Evola. He was 98.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Michelle Beltrano and Karen Goersch will lead a practical discussion on common pitfalls and current opportunities in estate and financial planning. The objective is to ensure such plans accomplish the intended goals. Michelle will talk about myths and surprises about estate planning documents. She also will explain how to start the conversation of estate planning with loved ones. Finally, she will cover the cost of settling an estate in Connecticut and what to expect from the probate process. Michelle lives in New Canaan with her family and is principal and founder of Beltrano Law, a boutique firm located in Greenwich. Her practice areas include estate planning, elder law, special needs, probate matters and estate administration. Michelle represents individuals and families who are dealing with complex matters, including Medicaid eligibility and applications, long-term care planning, will contests and trust administration. As an attorney and nurse, Michelle has unique insight into her clients’ situations and provides individualized, concierge services.
Karen Goersch will provide several tips to help ensure that clients effectively implement their estate plans and meet financial goals, such as the titling of assets, beneficiary review and gifting strategies. She also will discuss selecting which assets to deplete first, considering future estate and income tax implications. She will show how to use insurance as a tax-planning strategy to potentially eliminate the IRS as one of the biggest beneficiaries. She is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial in its Westport office and holds several professional designations, including CPA. She works with a team of professionals to develop personalized financial plans and investment solutions, helping clients simplify complex issues, often with a focus on tax minimization and efficiency. Karen moved to Rowayton a year ago after living in Darien with her husband and twins for more than 20 years.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018 
On January 25, 1917, HMS Laurentic struck two German mines off the coast of Ireland and sank. The ship was carrying 44 tons of gold bullion to the still-neutral United States via Canada in order to finance the war effort for Britain and its allies. Britain desperately needed that sunken treasure, but any salvage had to be secret since the British government dared not alert the Germans to the presence of the gold. Lieutenant Commander Guybon Damant was the most qualified officer to head the risky mission. Wild gales battered the wreck into the shape of an accordion, turning the operation into a multiyear struggle of man versus nature. As the war raged on, Damant was called off the salvage to lead a team of covert divers to investigate and search through the contents of recently sunk U-boats for ciphers, minefield schematics, and other secrets. The information they obtained, once in the hands of British intelligence, proved critical toward Allied efforts to defeat the U-boats and win the war. But Damant had become obsessed with completing his long-deferred mission. His team struggled for five more years as it became apparent that the work could only be accomplished by muscle, grit, and persistence. Using newly discovered sources, author Joseph A. Williams provides the first full-length account of the quest for the Laurentic?s gold. More than an incredible story about undersea diving adventure, The Sunken Gold is a story of human persistence, bravery, and patriotism
dnesday, February 7, 2018 
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Margaret Gaffney Benedict, Ph.D., executive director of the Matthew Gaffney Foundation, will discuss her work helping high school and university-level students who are economically disadvantaged obtain an empowering college education. Most students are the first member of their family to attend college. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Benedict’s foundation has helped more than 100 students gain acceptance to top schools on the eastern seaboard. Many receive scholarships covering 75% -100% of their education. Students pay no fee for the Gaffney services. Her talk will include stories of students who now enjoy happy and productive lives. Dr. Benedict is a professional educator, with a doctorate in 16th century English literature from Lehigh University. She has been published in multiple professional journals and has presented her work at international educational symposiums. She is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the National Association for College Admissions Counseling.