The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Devil in the White City and Dead Wake delivers a fresh and compelling portrait of Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz On Winston Churchill’s first day as prime minister, Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. Poland and Czechoslovakia had already fallen, and the Dunkirk evacuation was just two weeks away. For the next twelve months, Hitler would wage a relentless bombing campaign, killing 45,000 Britons. It was up to Churchill to hold the country together and persuade President Franklin Roosevelt that Britain was a worthy ally-and willing to fight to the end. In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson shows, in cinematic detail, how Churchill taught the British people “the art of being fearless.” It is a story of political brinkmanship, but it’s also an intimate domestic drama set against the backdrop of Churchill’s prime-ministerial country home, Chequers; his wartime retreat, Ditchley, where he and his entourage go when the moon is brightest and the bombing threat is highest; and of course 10 Downing Street in London. Drawing on diaries, original archival documents, and once-secret intelligence reports-some released only recently-Larson provides a new lens on London’s darkest year through the day-to-day experience of Churchill and his family: his wife, Clementine; their youngest daughter, Mary, who chafes against her parents’ wartime protectiveness; their son, Randolph, and his beautiful, unhappy wife, Pamela; Pamela’s illicit lover, a dashing American emissary; and the cadre of close advisers who comprised Churchill’s “Secret Circle,” including his lovestruck private secretary, John Colville; newspaper baron Lord Beaverbrook; and the Rasputin-like Frederick Lindemann. The Splendid and the Vile takes readers out of today’s political dysfunction and back to a time of true leadership, when-in the face of unrelenting horror-Churchill’s eloquence, courage, and perseverance bound a country, and a family, together.
Author: Webmaster (Page 52 of 97)
“Professor” Hester will lead a discussion of last week’s viewing of “Rising Tide: Climate Change and the World’s Oceans” from the Great Decisions series published by the Foreign Policy Association.
You can view the documentary it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA1ZxzkUHNI
Accepting that Climate Change is real and as a result, sea levels are on the rise, around the world. The video and next week’s discussion focuses on what we as citizens of the United States and citizens of the World can do about it. Is a reduction in the projection of average global temperature of 2 degrees Centigrade possible by 2050? Can the United States make a meaningful contribution by itself? Can, and should, the US be the global leader in reducing the causes of climate change?
Harris is a lecturer at NCC’s Lifetime Learners program. He plans to use some of this material in a course planned for next year. Harris’s CV Hester, Harris
The meeting will be held virtually. Logon credentials will be sent separately.
“Professor” Hester will introduce the documentary “Rising Tide: Climate Change and the World’s Oceans” from the Great Decisions series published by the Foreign Policy Association.
Accepting that Climate Change is real and as a result, sea levels are on the rise, around the world. The video and next week’s discussion focuses on what we as citizens of the United States and citizens of the World can do about it. Is a reduction in the projection of average global temperature of 2 degrees Centigrade possible by 2050? Can the United States make a meaningful contribution by itself? Can, and should, the US be the global leader in reducing the causes of climate change?
This is the first of a two part presentation. The documentary that we will see in Part 1, is 26 minutes long. You can view it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA1ZxzkUHNI Next week, Harris will discuss the questions raised above and take your comments and questions. Credentials for the meeting will be sent by email.
Harris is a lecturer at NCC’s Lifetime Learners program. He plans to use some of this material in a course planned for next year. Harris’s CV Hester, Harris
Charles Salmans will speak on production of the B-24 bomber at Willow Run, MI. It is an inspiring story of American industrial might focused on defeating an existential foe.
Please watch the following film on YouTube. It was made by Ford Motor while the war was still on. I hadn’t realized that the site of this huge plant was a “model farm” that Henry Ford had created during the Depression to provide employment and teach farming skills to young men. So the first few minutes deal with that.
But then Ford was asked to build B-24 Bombers, which have 1.2 million parts compared to a few thousand that are in an automobile. Some 40,000 workers were hired to do the job, and at its peak the factory turned out a B-24 every 55 minutes.
What is striking when you see this footage is how labor intensive everything is. No robots. But they had to create all sorts of special jigs and tools to quickly manufacture the various parts. I was also thinking that, however motivated these workers were, there was a lot of room for slight variation as pieces were inserted into presses, drills were made, etc. The repetitive tasks must have been mind-numbing, also leading to error.
Host: Jim Phillips
About:
Stepping Stones Children’s Museum mission is to broaden and enrich the educational opportunities for children ages ten and under and enhance their understanding of the world. The museum seeks to create an environment that inspires lifelong learning and supports parents, caregivers and educators as facilitators of children’s explorations. Stepping Stones was founded in 2000. In its first 10 years of operation, the museum received two million visits. The Museum received LEED Gold status in 2011, as well as Green Advocate and Merit awards. In the past ten years the Museum has embarked upon an unique pre-K learning curriculum, “ELLI” – the Early Learning and Language Initiative. ELLI is student-directed, play based learning. By all metrics it has been a resounding success and continues to impact increasing numbers of pre-K students in Fairfield county.
How you can contribute:
The museum’s website lists several opportunities to contribute. You can donate money directly or attend one of their fund raisers. Family memberships are an important source of revenue – how about becoming a member and taking the grandchildren to the museum when they visit?
DMA Supporters:
In 2020 Jack and Rilla Neafsey serve on the Board of Directors. They are being awarded the “Stepping Up for Children Award” in recognition of their support for ELLI and the Museum.
About:
Norwalk Hospital. Established in 1893, Norwalk Hospital is a 366 bed, not-for-profit community hospital providing Fairfield and Westchester County residents convenient access to exceptional care, close to home. As a proud member of Western Connecticut Health Network, we are united by our mission to improve the health and well-being of those who live in the communities we call home. We remain the local community providers you know and trust, only better. As a teaching hospital, we are associated with Yale University School of Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, and Ross University School of Medicine.
How you can contribute:
Members of the Darien Men’s Association are among Norwalk Hospital Volunteers who provide care and comfort to patients. From patient transport and newspaper delivery to behind-the-scenes administrative support, hospital volunteers provide a vital service to our community. Norwalk Hospital welcomes community members who are interested in making a difference in the lives of patients and their families. For information please call the Norwalk Hospital Volunteer Office at 203-852-2023.
DMA Volunteers:
George Gilliam
Leader: Jim Phillips
About: Literacy Volunteers https://familycenters.org/
Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers believes that access to education is critical to becoming economically self sufficient and independent. Proficiency in reading, writing and communication is essential to further advancement both personally and professionally. 
How you can contribute:
One can support Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers through a variety of roles. Their biggest need is ESL tutors. Tutors are required to give two hours of instruction each week teaching a small group of dedicated and motivated adult English learners. Classes are held in Stamford and Greenwich during the day or evening. No experience or bilingual ability is necessary. All tutors are required to attend training which is facilitated by program staff.Another volunteer opportunity at the organization is proctoring. This opportunity is less of a time commitment than tutoring but is a huge help to the LV staff when it comes time to test the students! Proctors must attend training facilitated by program staff. There are many other ways to get involved including volunteering to help register new students during the start of fall and spring semesters or helping set up and clean up at special events. They also need assistance with data entry and general administrative duties.
DMA Volunteer:
Bill Looney
About: Friends of Selleck’s Woods
The Friends’ mission is to protect Selleck’sWoods as a nature preserve and as a place for quiet recreation where: some may find a source of personal renewal, and the young, a source of wonder and growth. The Friends are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that cares for the Woods on behalf of the Darien Parks & Recreation Commission
How you can contribute:
Monetary contributions are always welcomed and volunteers are encouraged to help and participate in any one of a number of activities detailed on the Friends’ website.
DMA Volunteers:
Chris Filmer (President)
About:
LION- LION Charter School
LION’s mission is to develop the deeper character and unique potential of each student. Using the LION process of Family-Based Character Education, Hyde will unite students, families, and teachers in helping each child achieve his or her best. Rigorous learning attitudes, leadership skills, and a social conscience lay the foundation for success in college and fulfillment in life.
How you can contribute:
LION-Bronx needs financial support to be able to provide a college preparatory program that approaches what Darien students receive. The school can often use volunteers, e.g. to read to the youngest children and to help run special programs. There is usually room on the Board of Trustees for an additional, motivated trustee.
DMA Volunteers:
Cliff van Voorhees led the team that obtained the charter for this school in 2006, then served as the school’s COO and assisted the Board of Trustees. Our late member, Wilder Baker, was an active and dedicated trustee in whose name there is a fund to support alumni in college (90+% of our graduates) with small scholarships when they have trouble buying books or covering other essential expenses. Steve Cary, who has yet to join the DMA but is known to many of us, also served as a trustee for some time, and George Hawes has also been very supportive of the school with his time and resources.
