Month: April 2026 (Page 1 of 2)

Theodore Roosevelt was a uniquely gifted figure. While he employed his abilities to rise from an unknown New York legislator to become the youngest man ever to assume the presidency in 1901, that rapid success would not have occurred without the assistance of the powerful New Englander, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Lodge helped Teddy get every job he ever had, including that of being president.

Eight years older than Roosevelt, from a prominent Massachusetts family, Lodge was one of the most calculating, combative politicians of his age. From 1884–1919, Lodge and Roosevelt encouraged one another to mine the greatness that lay within each of them. As both men climbed the ladders of power, Lodge focused on dominating the political landscape of Massachusetts while serving as the future president’s confidant and mentor. That included advising Roosevelt on political strategy while helping him obtain positions in government that would eventually lead to the White House.

Henry Cabot Lodge earned four degrees from Harvard, was a widely published historian and a powerful U.S. senator who served from 1893–1924. His close friendship with Roosevelt began in 1884 and lasted their entire lifetimes, even surviving Roosevelt’s bolt from the Republican Party in 1912.

Despite the love and respect that existed between the two men, their relationship eventually came under strain. Following Roosevelt’s ascension to what would become a muscular presidency, his desire to expand the social safety net clashed with his friend’s more conservative, partisan point of view. Those tensions finally culminated in 1912, when Lodge’s refusal to support the former president’s independent bid for a third term led to a political breakup that was repaired only by each man’s distaste for the policies of Woodrow Wilson and his Treaty of Versailles. Despite their political disagreements, Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge remained devoted friends until the Rough Rider took his final breath in 1919.

Laurence Jurdem, Ph.D., is a Visiting Assistant Professor of History at Fairfield University. He is the author of Paving the Way for Reagan: The Influence of Conservative Media on U.S. Foreign Policy and The Rough Rider and The Professor: Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge and the Friendship that Changed American History. His newest book, 41: George H.W. Bush and the End of the American Establishment, is scheduled for release in 2026. A frequent writer on American politics, Laurence’s articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the San Francisco Chronicle. He lives in Darien.

Video Presentation

Summary

Historian and Fairfield University professor Laurence Jurdem, Ph.D. discussed the extraordinary friendship between Theodore Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge, a relationship he believes helped shape modern American history. Drawing from his book The Rough Rider and the Professor, Jurdem described how Lodge served as Roosevelt’s mentor, confidant and political sponsor for more than three decades. According to Jurdem, Lodge played a critical role in helping Roosevelt secure nearly every major position he held before becoming president.

The two men shared remarkably similar backgrounds. Both grew up in affluent families, were deeply influenced by strong fathers who died when they were young, and embraced a lifelong commitment to public service, intellectual inquiry and vigorous physical activity. They admired history, loved the outdoors and believed in what Roosevelt later called “the strenuous life” — a philosophy of action, engagement and personal challenge. These shared values created a bond that was both personal and political.

A defining moment in their friendship came after the contentious Republican Convention of 1884. Both men suffered political setbacks and public criticism, yet they refused to retreat from public life. Their resilience strengthened their friendship, and Lodge worked tirelessly to bring Roosevelt back into national politics, helping launch the career that ultimately led to the White House.

Jurdem also emphasized that great friendships can endure significant disagreements. As president, Roosevelt increasingly embraced progressive reforms and a more activist federal government, while Lodge remained a traditional conservative Republican. Their political differences widened dramatically during the 1912 presidential election, when Roosevelt bolted the Republican Party and ran as the Progressive (“Bull Moose”) candidate. The resulting conflict strained their friendship and placed them on opposite sides of one of the most consequential elections in American history.

Despite these disagreements, their personal loyalty ultimately survived. Family ties, mutual respect and years of shared experiences proved stronger than political differences. Jurdem concluded that the Roosevelt-Lodge relationship illustrates the enduring power of friendship, resilience and civil engagement — qualities that remain relevant today.

May 20 is an important day because it is World Bee Day, an international day to acknowledge the role of bees as pollinators in our ecosystem. Bees are critical to the global food supply. About one-third of all the food we eat would suffer dire consequences if honeybees vanished. If you really want to understand bees and their hives, you need to realize that the queen bee isn’t just a figurehead but is the genetic engine of a colony that’s key to a hive’s entire survival. A queen mates only once in her life — but that single event is anything but simple; she is more important in the bee world than any queen could ever be in our human world.

A bee colony is a superorganism. Inside a hive, tens of thousands of bees function as one living system. At the center is the queen, whose sole job is to lay eggs — up to 2,000 a day in peak season. Prominent beekeeper Bill Hesbach will discuss the mystery and beauty of bee flight, the queen’s mating flight and the process of fertilization. She mates with multiple drones (males) in midair — typically 10 to 20 — in rapid succession. Each drone dies immediately after mating, a biological sacrifice to pass on his genetics. (Humans would be arrested for trying this!)

Bill will also discuss how bees run their society with a surprising democratic structure, and the fact that the biggest challenge to bees isn’t honey production — it’s survival. Bees face pressure from parasites like the varroa mite, pesticides and habitat loss.

He is a Connecticut beekeeper with a background in engineering. He is a Certified Master Beekeeper at the Eastern Apicultural Society and a graduate of the University of Montana’s Master Beekeeping Program. He is also the president of the Connecticut Beekeepers Association, a group of beekeepers located throughout the state, and is on the board of directors of the Eastern Apicultural Society. The Connecticut Beekeepers Association is the largest organization in the state dedicated to supporting beekeepers, educating the public and promoting healthy honeybee populations across the state.

Bill teaches bee biology and various beekeeping methods at meetings and workshops hosted by regional clubs and organizations. He is an active member of the Eastern Apicultural Society and part of its Master Beekeeper certification program. He is also a regular speaker at national beekeeping seminars and the recipient of the 2019 Eastern Apiculture Society’s “Distinguished Speaker Award.”

He operates Wing Dance Apiary in Cheshire, Conn., where he manages a sideline beekeeping operation that provides raw honey and other hive products to the local community. He is a published author with articles appearing in Bee Culture — The Magazine of American Beekeeping, Bee Craft, which is Britain’s best-selling beekeeping magazine, and The American Bee Journal, the oldest English-speaking bee publication in the world.

Video Presentation

Summary

With May 20, 2026, being “World Bee Day,” members of the Darien Men’s Association were reminded that bees are far more than honey producers — they are among the most essential creatures sustaining life on Earth. The presentation by prominent Connecticut beekeeper Bill Hesbach explored the interesting biology, behavior and societal importance of honeybees with a blend of science, humor and storytelling.

Bill explained that roughly one-third of the global food supply depends on pollinators such as bees. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, cocoa and even dairy production (through pollinated grazing crops) would suffer dramatically if honeybees disappeared. The presentation described a bee colony as a “superorganism” in which tens of thousands of bees function collectively as a single living system centered around the queen bee, whose primary purpose is reproduction.

Much of the lecture focused on the extraordinary mechanics of bee flight. For decades, scientists incorrectly believed bees should not be able to fly under traditional aerodynamic theories. Modern research revealed that tiny vortices generated along rapidly moving wings create the lift that enables bees to fly, hover and even carry loads heavier than their own body weight. Honeybees can beat their wings more than 200 times per second and may log millions of wing beats during their short working lives.

Bill also described the remarkable mating behavior of queen bees, whose single mating period with numerous drones determines the genetic future of an entire colony. He explained how bees navigate using temporary mental maps, communicate food locations through the famous “waggle dance,” and organize themselves into highly specialized roles ranging from nurses and guards to undertakers.

Beyond the science, the presentation underscored growing threats to bee survival, including pesticides, parasites, habitat loss and industrial-scale pollination practices. Bill argued that responsible beekeeping is a form of animal husbandry requiring stewardship and respect for one of nature’s most vital creatures.

Stamford Health is the area’s largest independent health system, focused on providing expert, compassionate care to patients in Stamford, Darien and Lower Fairfield County. Founded in 1896, the system is anchored by the 305-bed acute care Stamford Hospital, rated #1 in Fairfield County by U.S. News & World Report, and has a growing ambulatory network including four multispecialty centers, a medical group with more than 200 physicians and advanced practice providers in 40 offices throughout Fairfield County. With approximately 4,000 employees, Stamford Health is the largest employer in the City of Stamford, has an operating budget of close to $1 billion, and contributes more than $1 billion a year to the local economy.

Kathleen Silard will discuss the business rationale of why an independent hospital serves its communities better than a large roll-up conglomerate chain. Stamford Health has two especially important characteristics: (1) it provides innovative and strategic partnerships to better serve its communities along with world-class organizations such as Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Center and Columbia University Irving Medical Center; and (2) it is one of the few profitable hospitals in the region.

Kathy began her career as a nurse in the pediatrics and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Albert Einstein Hospital in New York before entering the field of healthcare administration. After serving as executive vice President and chief operating officer since 2003, she was promoted to president & CEO of Stamford Health in 2018. In these leadership roles, Kathleen provided the vision and leadership which resulted in the creation of the Stamford Health system and the on-time, under-budget development of the $450 million Stamford Hospital in 2016. She currently serves on the board of directors for various healthcare organizations, including the Connecticut Governor’s Workforce Council, AdvanceCT and Greater New York Hospital Association. She is also on the executive committee of the Connecticut Hospital Association and is the recipient of several awards recognizing her dedication to local service in the community.

Video Presentation

Summary

Kathleen Silard, President & CEO of Stamford Health System, provided a wide-ranging discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing modern healthcare and the importance of maintaining an independent regional hospital system. She described Stamford Health as a mission-driven nonprofit organization deeply rooted in the communities of Stamford, Darien and lower Fairfield County.

Founded in 1896, Stamford Health has evolved from a small local hospital into a major healthcare network that includes a 305-bed flagship hospital, more than 1,000 physicians, over 40 ambulatory locations and approximately 4,100 employees. Kathy emphasized that the organization’s independence allows local leaders — not distant corporate offices or shareholders — to make decisions based on community needs. During the COVID-19 crisis, for example, Stamford Health was able to act quickly and independently to serve the needs of the region.

Throughout the presentation, Kathy stressed the importance of quality, trust, and community engagement. She linked her emphasis on quality of care and empathy for patients to the fact that she began her career as a neonatal intensive care nurse before moving into healthcare administration.

Stamford Health has earned numerous distinctions, including recognition as Fairfield County’s top hospital by U.S. News & World Report, a “Magnet” nursing designation, Leapfrog “A” safety ratings, and a five-star CMS quality ranking. She asserted that maintaining exceptional care standards is the key to competing successfully against much larger healthcare systems in the Connecticut market.

Kathy also outlined the organization’s strategic partnerships with leading institutions such as Hospital for Special Surgery, Columbia University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which allow Stamford Health to bring world-class specialty care close to local patients in Darien and surrounding communities. Looking ahead, she described plans for a new 70,000 square foot cancer center, expanded behavioral health services, upgraded rehabilitation facilities, and continued investment in advanced medical technology and outpatient care throughout the region.

If you think the war in Iran is critical to America’s national interests, think also about Taiwan. The Economist has called the Taiwan Strait “the most dangerous place on earth.” Its judgement was based not only on the intense volatility in the region — a volatility underscored by China’s increasingly assertive military posture in and around the Taiwan Strait — but also on Taiwan’s immense importance to the global economy. Taiwan has the 22^nd largest GDP in the world, manufactures 90% of cutting-edge semi-conductors, has 50% of the world’s container traffic passing through the Taiwan Straits and lies perilously close to the center of China’s powerful economy (the distance to the Chinese mainland is about the same as the distance between Darien and Hartford). The war in Iran might be a precursor to what could happen due to China’s intentions regarding Taiwan.

Mike Chinoy is an Emmy-winning American journalist who will be speaking to us live from Taipei, Taiwan, where he lives. He will address the prospects for China’s increasingly muscular efforts to take over Taiwan. He has reported on many of the most important geopolitical events in Asia since the mid-1970s, including the death of Mao Zedong, the rise of China, the Hong Kong handover and developments in Taiwan, Thailand, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, North Korea and elsewhere.

Mr. Chinoy is one of the most informed and sharpest thinkers in geopolitical risk between China and Taiwan. He spent 24 years serving as a foreign correspondent for CNN, including being the first bureau chief in Beijing, from where he reported live during the Tiananmen Square crisis. He also worked for CBS and NBC in Hong Kong. In addition to receiving an Emmy Award for reporting on Tiananmen Square, he received a Peabody Award, a Dupont Award, and an ACE Award, which are among the most prestigious awards in journalism. His critically acclaimed reporting during those weeks has been credited with strengthening CNN as an authoritative force in international news coverage.

He has also covered North Korea extensively, traveling there 17 times since 1989.  In 1994, he became the only journalist invited to accompany President Jimmy Carter on his historic trip to Pyongyang and was the first journalist ever to file live TV reports from North Korea.

Mr. Chinoy is a consulting editor of the Taiwan Strait Risk Report, a monthly newsletter that quantifies fast-moving geopolitical risk on the Taiwan Strait amid China’s challenge to regional stability and rapidly evolving political dynamics in the United States. He is also a nonresident scholar at the 21^st Century China Center, part of UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy. Previously, he also spent 15 years as a nonresident senior fellow at the U.S.-China Institute of the University of Southern California. From 2006-2009, he was a senior fellow at the Los Angeles-based Pacific Council on International Policy, focusing on security issues in China, North Korea and Northeast Asia.

He is the author of six books:

• China Live: People Power and the Television Revolution;
• Meltdown, the Inside Story of the North Korean Nuclear Crisis, which was hailed by the Washington Post as a “tour de force of reporting;”
• The Last POW;
• Are You With Me? Kevin Boyle and the Rise of the Human Rights Movement, described by former CBS News Anchor Dan Rather as “a terrific biography told by a world-class journalist;”
• Assignment China: An Oral History of American Journalists in the People’s Republic, described by former PBS Anchor Judy Woodruff as “riveting reading for anyone who wants to understand China or cares about how great reporters do their work” and
• the forthcoming Miss Kathi: Saving Lives in North Korea, co-authored with Kathi Zellweger and described by former CNN chief news executive Eason Jordan as “an unrivaled account of heartbreak and heroism in the world’s least understood nation, North Korea.”

He graduated cum laude from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese studies and has a Master of Science degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He lives in Taipei, Taiwan.

Arranged by David Fitzpatrick

Video Presentation

Summary

Veteran journalist Mike Chinoy delivered a sobering assessment of the growing risks surrounding Taiwan and the changing balance of power between the United States and China. Drawing on decades of reporting experience across Asia — from the death of Mao to the Tiananmen Square crisis and the rise of modern China — Chinoy argued that Taiwan now sits at the center of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical fault line. He described Taiwan not only as a thriving democracy, but also as the critical hub of the global semiconductor industry, producing more than 90% of the world’s most advanced chips through companies such as TSMC. A serious disruption in Taiwan, he warned, could trigger a global economic depression far exceeding the 2008 financial crisis.

Chinoy suggested that the greatest danger may not be a dramatic military invasion, but rather a gradual political and economic strategy by China to gain effective control over Taiwan without firing a shot. He argued that China increasingly sees an opportunity created by doubts over long-term American commitment to Taiwan, especially under President Trump’s more transactional foreign policy approach. According to Chinoy, Beijing may seek to weaken Taiwan internally through political influence, economic incentives and psychological pressure while encouraging divisions within Taiwan’s own political system.

At the same time, he stressed that China faces major internal weaknesses, including financial problems, youth unemployment and turmoil within the upper ranks of the People’s Liberation Army. For that reason, he believes a full-scale invasion remains less likely in the near term than ongoing “gray zone” pressure such as military drills, maritime inspections and political coercion.

During the discussion, Chinoy also explored Japan’s increasingly assertive role in regional security, the importance of nationalism to the Chinese Communist Party and the enduring influence of Hong Kong’s experience on Taiwanese public opinion. He concluded that the future of Taiwan may depend less on dramatic battlefield conflict than on political will, economic resilience, and whether democratic nations remain committed to deterrence and alliance systems that have preserved stability in Asia for decades.