Month: January 2023 (Page 1 of 2)
Author and architect Phillip James Dodd takes a close look at some of the finest examples of architecture in New York City – exploring four of the buildings featured in his book An American Renaissance: Beaux-Arts Architecture in New York City. While showing public exteriors, the lecture will also focus on the lavish interiors that are associated with the opulence of the Gilded Age—often providing a glimpse inside buildings not otherwise viewable to the public. Dodd recounts the fascinating stories of some of New York’s most famous and significant architectural landmarks, as well as those that commissioned and built them.
Copies of the book will be able for purchase at the event courtesy of Diane’s Books of Greenwich.
Phillip James Dodd is a native of Manchester, England. He attended the prestigious Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture in London, before moving to America in 1996, where he gained a Masters in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame. After training with some of the most recognized residential architectural firms in the United States, Phillip started his own design firm Phillip James Dodd: Bespoke Residential Design in nearby Greenwich. His designs can be found in Manhattan, Greenwich, Palm Beach, and as far away as Bangalore, India. He is a a Fellow Emeritus at the Institute of Classical Architecture (ICAA), a elected Fellow of the INTBAU College of Traditional Practitioners (an international body for practitioners in traditional architecture under the auspices of HRH Prince of Wales), and a commissioner on The Town of Greenwich Historic District Commission. Phillip is the recipient of the 2022 Elizabeth L. & John H. Schuyler Architectural Award, and has been named one of the Top 50 Coastal Architects in the Country.
Dr. Alan Addley, Superintendent of Schools in Darien, will provide a report on the state of the public school system in our Town and the most significant issues currently being addressed by the Darien Board of Education and its staff. Alan was appointed School Superintendent in July 2019. Immediately prior to that time, he served for 11 years as superintendent of schools in Granby, Connecticut.
Alan is a Governing Board member for the national superintendents’ association (AASA) and a past president of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) and the Hartford Area Superintendents’ Association. Alan was the recipient of the 2017 UCONN NEAG School of Education Outstanding School Superintendent Award and was the 2019 CAPSS Connecticut Superintendent of the Year.
A native of Northern Ireland, Dr. Addley started his career as a mathematics teacher and professional soccer player. Alan has 37 years of administrative and teaching experience in private and public schools in the United States and Ireland. He earned his bachelor of science degree in education and mathematics from the University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland; a master of science degree in instructional management and curriculum from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, and his doctoral degree from the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut.
Mark Nunan, who has spoken to the DMA previously on Robert Moses, Fiorello La Guardia and Martin Van Buren, will discuss Daniel Patrick Moynihan as a practical theorist about the challenges of governing in the second half of the 20th Century, and as a practicing governmental professional from the mid 1950’s up until the completion of his fourth term in the U.S. Senate in January 2001.
It is one thing for academics, prophets, and philosophers to clamor for ideal government or decry evil ones (Kings; Plato; Marx), and quite another for idealistic, pragmatic, ideological, adversarial, unrealistic, unruly, opportunistic, or corrupt politicians to legislate. Bismarck rightly compared this to sausage making, advising us not to look at the process if we want to enjoy the result. Daniel Moynihan, in the Lion’s Den, might demur – after all, he wrote about it.
“Pat” Moynihan was a rarity: true scholar, passionate politician, gifted writer. His trenchant wit and knack for capturing complex ideas in memorable aphorisms set him apart. This talent, combined with close study of actual data (which his Ph.D. in sociology taught him to prize) helped him to pinpoint many anomalies of domestic and global politics, and compellingly convey the complex issues and dangers these raised.
His analyses and the solutions he proposed appeared to some “ahead of their time” and to others just too much. As a result, he was often “cancelled” by adversaries because of what he concluded the data revealed. But he persevered.
His life story is Dickensian at its nadir, which came early and fierce. And Dickensian in what followed, as he was blessed to find the resilience to recover from devastation, clamor for righteousness and succeed.
Mark will explore Moynihan’s impact by analyzing the principal themes of his thoughts on government and society, his practical bureaucratic and legislative battles and achievements, and key moments of his life and career. These range from teenage naval officer, to young aid to New York Governor Averell Harriman, to counselor to U.S. Presidents, to Harvard professor, to leading U.S. diplomat, to one of the most respected members of the U.S. Senate.
Not bad for a shoe-shine boy.
Mark Nunan holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and is a member of the DMA since 2018.
Terrie Wood will provide general reflections on her years of service in the Connecticut legislature, the early voting and other election proposals currently pending before the legislature, and her 2023 – 2024 engagement as a fellow of the Yankee Institute, an organization whose mission is to empower the people of Connecticut to forge a brighter future for themselves and their families by equipping them with the information they need to be knowledgeable, involved citizens, and by advancing policies that promote smart, limited government; fairness for taxpayers; and opportunity for all.
Terrie was a seven-term Connecticut state representative (2009-2023) representing Norwalk and Darien and was a 2022 Republican candidate for Secretary of the State: a common-sense leader with decades-long experience crafting good policy and sound governance for the public and private sectors.
An excellent listener, Terrie believes in the power of deep curiosity, that listening to the voices of the people is critical and there is far more that unites us than divides us. Trusting in a bottom-up government, she is known for bringing good people together to solve complex issues.
Ohio born but a Connecticut lifer, she is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of one. Terrie was an art history major and is passionate about photography, the ocean and breaking bread with simple, good food.
John McIntire will speak with us about his personal experiences and history with the island of Cuba. In particular, John will discuss the Cuban diaspora, U.S./Cuba politics, and his role as co-founder and chairman of the Cuba Emprende Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that sponsors the largest entrepreneur training program on the island. Since 2012, the Foundation has supported programs which have graduated 8,000+ entrepreneurs and supported 6,000+ small businesses.
Based on his long involvement in Cuban affairs, John will also share his perspectives on Cuba’s near-term and medium-term outlook. He left Cuba as a child but travelled there over 20 times between 2004-16, and was a member of the official U.S. delegations that visited the island in August of 2015 and March of 2016.
John is a member of the executive committee of the policy-oriented Cuba Study Group and chair of the Cuba Working Group of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
John had a 25-year career as an international investment banker in New York and London. He retired in 2004 as a partner of Goldman, Sachs & Co, where he spent 12 years focused on Latin America, including being Goldman’s CEO for that region. Since then, he has been an active investor in and advisor to early stage companies, primarily in Latin America.
He graduated from Princeton University (1979) with an A.B. in Economics. He and his family have lived in Darien since 1991.
Here is the Video of John’s presentation.
William Jerome Bellis (Bill), of Darien, CT, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023, at the age of 92 surrounded by his family. He bravely fought lung cancer for over a year.
Bill was born on May 12, 1930, in New York, NY to the late William Bellis and Anne Gallagher Bellis. His parents were immigrants from Liverpool, England and Donegal, Ireland respectively. Bill graduated from Blessed Sacrament High School, in New Rochelle, NY, where he played on the basketball and baseball teams. He went on to earn a BA in History from Iona College in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 training for the Korean War.
Bill married the late Norma De Rosa Bellis in 1958 in New Rochelle and later moved to Darien, CT in 1965 where they raised their family. He served on the Representative Town Meeting for three terms and as the Personnel Advisory Commissioner for the Town of Darien in the 1970s. Bill was an active member of the Darien Men’s Association and founded the Happy Wanderers who enjoyed many walking tours of NYC through the 1990s and early 2000s.
He worked for 28 years at Olin Corporation in Stamford, CT as a computer programmer and systems analyst. Bill was a dedicated mentor to many of his younger co-workers.
He enjoyed the NY Giants, golf, bowling, movies, cooking, long lunches and dinners of all cuisines, jokes, computers, and above all else – his family. Bill traveled extensively with Norma in retirement including trips to: Italy, Ireland, England, France, Greece, Egypt, China, and Israel. He also made a cameo appearance in the 2019 feature film: “The Climb.”
Bill will be remembered most by his family and friends as a good-natured, loyal, and dependable Father, Grandfather, and friend. Bill’s level-headedness, kindness, advice, humor, and generosity will always be valued.
He is survived by three children: Stephen and his wife Barbara Bellis of Shelton, CT, Sandra Bellis Graf and her fiancé Robert Moore of Rowayton, CT, Art and his wife Mary Bellis of Darien, CT; seven grandchildren: Michael and his wife Deanna Bellis, Matthew Bellis, Lindsay and her husband Joseph Druhan, Douglas and Cara Parks, Alison and Sarah Bellis; and two great-grandchildren: Clare and Grace Bellis. Bill’s older sister, Mary Bellis Keilly, passed away in 2020.
A visitation will be held on January 20th from 4:00 to 6:30PM at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. Bill will be laid to rest at a private family ceremony at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the American Cancer Society to help fund Cancer Research.
Free Tax Return Preparation for DMA Members: DMA’s Pat Gentile, Charles Hurty and Bert von Stuelpnagel are involved with SimplifyCT, a non-profit corporation founded as a no cost, full-service, organization to prepare and file federal and state taxes. This group of more than 50 volunteers, under the auspices of the IRS has, for many years,
helped its clients to prepare and file tax returns via both on-site personal counseling and virtually through a secure internet site.
A couple of years ago, Pat Gentile has spoken at a DMA Wednesday morning meeting about the mission and accomplishments of this organization. During the most recent counseling year more than 1,100 returns were prepared and filed at the Darien Library alone with total refunds exceeding $1.6 million, more than 25% of which arose from
credits such as for Child Care, Education and Earned Income.
While this tax preparation service is focused on seniors and low-to-moderate income households, there are no limitations on either income or age. The service is offered free of charge to all DMA members, their families and most of those filing a regular 1040 return. All counselors are fully IRS-Certified volunteers…They will guide you professionally through the maze of the many tax law changes and the substantial government benefits which have recently become law, and will prepare your Federal and State tax returns “soup to nuts.”
Local on-site counseling will be available at the Darien Library on Mondays (1:00 pm – 7:00 pm), and Fridays and Saturdays (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) starting January 23, 2023 and ending April 18, 2023. There are also a large number of service hours at the New Canaan, Norwalk and South Norwalk Libraries, and at other locations.
Appointments are required and can be made by calling (860) 590-8910 or registering through SimplifyCT’s web site ( https://simplifyct.org/ ). The virtual option can also be accessed by these means.
For any questions, text DMA member Bert von Stuelpnagel at (203) 550 -8535 or
bvonstuelpnagel@yahoo.com .
Hiking: Monday, January 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.: Sherwood Island State Park, Sherwood Island Connector, Westport CT
We will be walking about 3 miles through Sherwood Island State Park on mostly hard and gravel paths. Very little up and down. We will meet in the Pavilion parking lot at 10:30 AM. The Park hugs the Sound shoreline and is often quite windy. Dogs are permitted on a leash and, as always, bring anyone with you who would enjoy a one hour plus walk in a beautiful setting. We will have an optional lunch after at The Little Barn restaurant in Westport.
HISTORY
Sherwood Island State Park is the oldest state park in Connecticut dating to 1914. The island itself was first settled by Daniel Sherwood in1787 where he built a grist mill. Over the next 70 years the land was farmed by many others but around 1860 the property became known as “Sherwood’s Island”.
After the Connecticut State Park Commission was formed in 1911 the search for suitable shorefront property to buy was on. The first piece of the existing park was purchased in 1914 making this the oldest state park. The park officially opened in 1932 but not until 1950 did the Army Corps of Engineers build the jetties and extend the beaches. The Pavilion opened in 1959 and a 911 Memorial was added in 2002.
DIRECTIONS
This one is easy! Take Exit 18 off I-95 (Sherwood Island connector) and turn right towards the Sound. The road goes directly into the park. Keep straight onto the wide roundabout and take the exit marked “Pavilion Parking”. We’ll meet at the front of that lot up towards the Pavilion.
Contacts:
Recap:
Well, the third time was certainly the charm for our “hike” today at Sherwood Island! After two postponements due to rain, a baker’s dozen DMAers and guests (plus two dogs) enjoyed sunny skies and mild temperatures as we walked a little over 3 miles in an hour and a half.
The initial portion of the hike took us along the beach west before turning inland onto a loop trail through a section of forest. The trail then turns north along a field with open views of the salt marsh and finally back south towards the beach. A moving 911 Memorial sits on a point of beach facing Ground Zero where we paused to reflect and take a group photo. The remainder of the hike was eastward along the beach until we turned and headed back to the parking lot.
Following the hike, seven of us enjoyed a lunch at The Little Barn in Westport.
For our February hike we are planning a walking tour of the South End of Stamford including Kosciusko Park. Details forthcoming.
Dave McCollum