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Filanowski, Mark

February 14, 2026 /

Mark Filanowski was born in Milford, Conn., in 1954, and he was raised there. His mother’s family arrived in Milford 400 years ago, and his father’s parents came from Eastern Europe in the late 1800s to work a farm in Milford that still operates today.

Mark graduated from University of Connecticut’s main campus in Storrs in 1976 and became a certified public accountant, working for Ernst & Young in New Haven. In 1984, he became vice president and controller of Armstrong Tire Co. in New Haven. He obtained an M.B.A. from New York University in 1989 and began a 35-year career in ocean shipping that same year, living in London and New York. His shipping experience includes private ship owner and operator and, most recently, chief executive officer (retired) of Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd., a publicly traded dry bulk shipping company with worldwide headquarters in Newport, R.I.

Mark moved to Darien in 1993 with his wife Monica McNally to set up household and raise a family, believing there is no better place than Darien. Mark and Monica led a Boy Scout troop, were Darien Boat Club members and are today active in many Town functions. They are long time members of St. Luke’s Parish and The Tokeneke Club. Their two children, Helen and Stephen, live and work in New York and Rhode Island, respectively. The family enjoys time together at home in Darien, in Bozeman, Mont., and traveling around the world.

Bowling Feb. 10, 2026

February 13, 2026 /

The highlight of this day was simply who showed up! We were delighted to see one fellow who’d been absent for six months because of a balky back, none other than the group Vice Commish, Gehr Brown. And we were equally delighted to see the return of Woody Spurgeon after a tough last six weeks recovering from pneumonia. We are happy to report that both bowled well with each improving game to game throughout the morning. We hope that we’ll see soon the return of some other members of the IL: Frank G, John K and George H.

Before we report on today’s action, we must comment on Gehr’s practice round last Friday. Without even so much as one warm-up frame, he came out of the gates with seven strikes in his first game, scoring a 221. In his second game, he started with a four-bagger, then a spare, and then six more strikes in a row, ending up with a 274. Even after crashing in game three, Gehr’s series was 652. You can see the details attached. No wonder he wanted to make his return today!

Gehr Bowl Scoresheet 2-6-26

Gehr had another good day today with a 539 (+38), including a 188 and a 192 in the second and third games. Woody finished with a 112 to end the morning right on his average. Linc started the day with his best game of the season of 151 and finished +6. George G started out hot with a 171 and finished +14. Bill improved game to game and ended up with a 188 for a 498 (+45). Thanks to a 205 high game in the third, Tom also had high series at 545.

Now let’s talk about our BoD, Ben Briggs. After starting out in split city in game one, Ben caught fire. He rolled his season high game in the second at 174 and did even better in game three. He started that game with three open frames but then had three strikes in a row and finished with a 182. His 471 series (+63) was his highest in three years. Even more importantly (), Ben filled his pockets with quarters as his team won two of the three games and he beat George like a drum in their head-to-head. Good thing Ted didn’t make it today, right Ted? And Ben even won a couple of poker hands.

Other fun highlights included two Ben Briggs spares, by George and Ed Sc, and a “Tamme” (recall that is two gutter balls in one frame) by Linc. We saw our first Yezzi in a long time by Bill, who made a strike without hitting the headpin. And we had a terrific split conversion by Ben, making a 3-6-7-10.

Okay, I’m exhausted. I need to rest up till next week.

 

Bowling Feb. 3, 2026

February 13, 2026 /

Last week’s speculation turned out to be true, as Frank D did, in fact, show up to bowl today. While he didn’t roll another 600 series, he kept alive his streak of series of 500 or better with number 13 in a row today, with a 505.

Alex was not able to match his BoD performance of last week, but he did win the BDBoD award today — Best Dressed Bowler of the Day. He showed up in a personally monogrammed bowling shirt (see photo) given to him a couple of years ago, which we hadn’t seen all season. He must have been inspired to wear it after last week.

There were some good performances today, including Ed Sc at +4, Dave at +12 and Linc at +22. Ted bounced back with a +10 and Bill with a +43. But nobody bounced back like Marty, whose 529 series was +58 — a full 183 pins better than last week! Thank goodness for the Commish, who stepped in and saved Marty from almost being assigned to the Graveyard pair for the third week in a row. You’re welcome.

Today’s BoD goes to one of our “newbies,” Ian Webb. Ian came into the morning with an average of 95 and beat that in all three games, including a 119, and finished with +43. Well done, mate. Keep it up!

Bumgardner, Dan

February 13, 2026 /

Daniel (Dan) Bumgardner and his wife Patti have lived in Darien since moving here from Manhattan in 1999. Their two children Kelsey (29) and Brendan (26) are proud graduates of Darien High School, where they were active in multiple sports and activities. Dan has been a volunteer coach across Darien Little League softball and baseball, youth soccer and Darien Youth Hockey Association hockey. He has volunteered for the Community Fund and has been on the board of The Country Club of Darien since 2022, for which he currently serves as president. Dan was elected to the Town of Darien’s Board of Finance in 2019 and has served as its vice chairman since 2021.

Dan worked in the banking sector for over 35 years, retiring in 2016. He managed key corporate and private equity relationships for certain banks that now constitute JPMorgan and concluded his career in a similar capacity at Wells Fargo. Dan holds a B.S. in finance from Bowling Green State University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Dan and Patti enjoy traveling, golf and racquet sports, skiing and attending Rangers hockey games with their kids. He is also a lifelong (and long-suffering) Cleveland sports fan.

Marks, Kevin

February 11, 2026 /

Kevin Marks and his wife Susan are proud to have raised their family in Darien and to have called it home for the last 36 years. Born in Evanston, Ill., and raised in Barrington, R.I., Kevin graduated from Plymouth State University in New Hampshire in 1981. He joined Eastman Kodak in New York City and enjoyed a series of progressive sales and sales leadership roles during that period. In 2002, he joined Pitney Bowes as vice president of sales and marketing. He completed his career at BlueCrest, a Pitney Bowes spinoff, as vice president of global production print and strategy. In October 2025, Kevin made the pivot from the workforce and is actively pursuing a new phase of experiences and adventures.

He is and will continue to be an active and committed competitor. A lifelong sailboat racer, he can be found on a racecourse 12 months of the year and at venues across the East Coast, as well as offshore long-distance ocean racing. A long-time member of Noroton Yacht Club, Kevin plays an active coaching role in the club’s Junior Offshore Sailing Training Program. He also leads the annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge community event.

Additionally, he has caught pickleball fever and regularly competes in tournaments at the local, state, regional and national levels. Add in regional Spartan Race and local 5K running events, Kevin is activating his “go-go” plan with speed, focus and purpose.

Vossler, Mike

February 10, 2026 /

Michael (Mike) Vossler was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., and attended grade school in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Denver, Colo., before settling in the small Lake Michigan town of St. Joseph, Mich. He and his wife Heidi moved to Darien in 2001, where they raised their two children, Hanna (now in Brooklyn) and Henry (now in Raleigh, N.C.).

Mike earned a B.A. in international relations from Michigan State University in 1986 and a master’s degree in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 1988. After working in Brussels between undergraduate and graduate school, he launched his professional career in fintech in Frankfurt, Germany. During that time, not only did the Berlin Wall fall, but Mike met his future bride Heidi (originally from Virginia), who was working at the same firm. They later moved to London to begin their married life before returning to the United States. After a year in New York City, they settled in North Stamford, where a neighbor who was a charter member of The Country Club of Darien (CCD) introduced them to the community that ultimately led them to Darien.

Mike is retiring this year after a 40-year career in the fintech industry, including 23 years at SunGard followed by several start-ups and corporate turnarounds. Serving on numerous committees and the board of CCD, he now looks forward to finally improving his golf game. In addition to skiing, hiking and travel, Mike and Heidi are avid boaters and plan to explore the Long Island Sound and beyond over the coming years.

 

Forkner, Stan

February 5, 2026 /

Stan Forkner was born in Newton, Mass, and raised in Greenwich, Conn. He graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1980, earning a degree in political science. His career started in the grain trading and soft commodities shipping businesses, which had Stan working in both San Francisco and New Orleans. The most exciting and life-changing experience came while living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he scouted out new grain trading business prospects in the South American market for a Germany-based company.

His career took a turn when he was offered an opportunity to return to the New York City area to hold various senior-level sales positions in finance, asset management, and financial technology. During this time, he earned FINRA Series 3, 7, 22 and 63 licenses as well as executive education certificates at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the New York Institute of Finance. Stan has now retired, completing his career at OSTTRA, a leading post-trade technology processing company recently acquired by private equity firm KKR.

Stan and his wife Wendy married in 1985 and in 1989, moved to Darien, where they raised a son and daughter. Their son Brad lives in Darien and works in real estate finance in New York City, while their daughter Dana lives and works in graphic design in Paris, France.

Stan likes boating, fly fishing, tennis, paddle tennis and golf. He is a member of The Country Club of Darien and the Darien Boat Club.

Jon Zagrodzky, Darien First Selectman
“New Developments: Managing Change in Darien’s Social Fabric”
Mar. 4, 2026

February 4, 2026 /

Darien is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. With historic levels of new development underway, some residents are concerned about how the town’s character — and its hometown “feel” — may change.

Darien First Selectman and DMA member Jon E. Zagrodzky will discuss what these shifts could mean for Darien’s culture, day-to-day life, and infrastructure needs, and how the town is working to manage growth proactively. A key part of that effort is the new Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), which will set Darien’s long-term vision for the next decade. The draft POCD is expected to be finalized by April 30, followed by a public hearing in July and Planning & Zoning Commission action later that month.

Darien has more than 400 multi-family housing units newly completed, under construction or planned, representing several hundred million dollars in investment. At the same time, the town may be affected by a new state affordable housing law that became effective on January 1, 2026: House Bill 8002, An Act Concerning Housing Growth. Jon will address the potential impacts of this new law, along with Darien’s broader housing strategy.

There will be ample time for Q&A, and Jon is happy to discuss related topics such as Great Island or town debt — nothing is off limits!

Jon was elected First Selectman for the Town of Darien in November 2023 and re-elected in November 2025. His prior town positions include chairman of the Board of Finance, member of the Town and Police Pension Boards and member of the Public Works Garage and Ox Ridge School Building Committee Boards. He had also served as a member and president of the Darien Historical Society.

Until his December 2023 retirement, Jon served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Rhône Group L.L.C., a middle market private equity firm, where he was responsible for finance, operations, human resources, administration, information technology and business planning. Prior to Rhône, he was chief administrative officer and chief compliance officer at Oak Hill Capital Management and before that spent 16 years at McKinsey & Company.

Jon earned a B.A. in economics and romance languages from Washington and Lee University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a commercial pilot and owns a Piper Seneca III based in Bridgeport. Jon moved to Darien with his wife Sara and their two children, Maggie and Jack, in 2005.

Video Presentation

Summary

Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky discussed the major real estate developments currently underway in the town. While referring to this as one of the most significant changes in Darien’s history, he argued that residents should not confuse new large-scale real estate development with a loss of community identity. He acknowledged that the scale of new multifamily housing, retail development and downtown construction can feel jarring, yet he urged people to see it in longer perspective; today’s controversial projects will likely become accepted and even valued parts of Darien’s landscape.

He explained that over the last 25 years, Darien has added more than 1,000 multifamily housing units, with over 300 of them affordable, bringing multifamily housing to about 15 percent of the town’s stock. In his view, this growth has been handled thoughtfully through inclusionary zoning and local design standards, allowing new housing to fit the town’s character while giving families, seniors and empty nesters more options to remain in Darien.

Jon also addressed worries about traffic, arguing that new housing is not the main cause. Using anonymized cell phone data, the town found that traffic through Darien has risen only modestly in recent years, with much of the increase coming from Stamford shoppers and drivers diverted off I-95 by navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze. Registered vehicles in Darien, he noted, are actually slightly lower than they were a decade ago. Parking, meanwhile, is being expanded through projects such as the preservation of the Koons lot at the Darien Train Station and the large number of spaces being added in the Corbin District.

The heart of his talk focused on what he called Darien’s “social fabric.” He defined “social fabric” not as buildings, roads or parking lots, but rather as the relationships, volunteerism and civic spirit that make strangers act like neighbors. Longtime residents, volunteers and local organizations such as DMA are what truly preserve the town’s identity. Jon urged residents to strengthen that fabric by joining groups, welcoming newcomers, and doing one extra thing each year to contribute. Darien’s future, he said, will be shaped less by development itself than by whether its people remain engaged in one another’s lives.

Eric A. Byrne, Ed.D., Darien Superintendent of Schools
“How Schools Have Changed Since We Were Students”
Feb. 25, 2026

February 4, 2026 /

Dr. Eric Byrne was appointed the new superintendent of Darien’s schools in November 2025 and will discuss the changes in public school education today, with particular focus on Darien. Most senior citizens went to school in the 1950’s–1970s, a period of minimal technology, stricter discipline and more uniform curriculum. Today’s schools are far more tech-driven, individualized, regulated and influenced by AI. Key differences from 60 years ago include:

  • Technology: Chalkboards morphed into smartboards; slide rules to Chromebooks; libraries to Google and AI; today’s inescapable social media.
  • Curriculum: More emphasis today on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), coding, global history, environmental science and social-emotional learning.
  • College expectations: A high school diploma once sufficed; today’s students face stronger pressure to attend elite colleges. Some colleges seek to “engineer” their peer rankings, and some observers question why a liberal arts education is needed at all because many jobs are changing from being knowledge-based to skill-based.
  • Fiscal Challenges: There are numerous state-imposed mandates on schools today as well as transportation challenges and requirements for Special Education, that are now big budget drivers.
  • Mental Health: Schools must now grapple with the challenges of student anxiety, depression, substance-abuse and other mental health concerns.

Many senior citizens feel that civic literacy and respect for institutions are declining. Schools now struggle to balance traditional civics with polarized political climates. There used to be a strong focus on U.S. history, the Constitution and traditional narratives of patriotism; but there are now more debate-based civics lessons, polarized social media forms, communications outlets and exploration of multiple perspectives on historical events.

Pertinent questions will be discussed, including which changes have strengthened education, which changes feel like losses and how Darien students experience school differently than seniors citizens did. Dr. Byrne will also discuss how should we teach young people about democracy today, and whether they know enough about American history and government.

Dr. Byrne previously served as superintendent of the Rye City Schools District from 2017 until starting in Darien. He holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration from Fordham University. He is a product of New York City public schools, beginning his career in education in New York City before transitioning to Westchester County and Fairfield County. Prior to his superintendency, Dr. Byrne served as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, elementary school principal, assistant principal and high school science teacher. He believes that schools must work to develop critical thinkers, effective communicators, collaborators, creative problem solvers, and caring individuals

Video Presentation

 

Summary of Presentation by Dr.  Eric Byrne on Feb. 25, 2026

Dr. Eric Byrne, newly appointed Superintendent of Darien Public Schools, introduced himself by reflecting on how dramatically education has evolved since the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Drawing on his own upbringing in New York City public schools and his career spanning being a teacher, a principal, and a superintendent, he framed modern education as a system navigating profound technological, societal and economic change.

Dr. Byrne described how schools once mirrored the industrial era — rows of desks, chalkboards, minimal technology and standardized expectations. Today’s classrooms are collaborative, flexible spaces equipped with laptops, interactive flat panels and AI-driven tools. Students now carry devices more powerful than any computer available a generation ago. Yet with these advancements come challenges: screen-time concerns, social media impacts and the need to regulate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

He emphasized that academic pressure has intensified, particularly in affluent communities like Darien. College admissions have become increasingly competitive due to online applications, test-optional policies and national ranking systems. Students now apply to many more schools, competing for limited seats at elite institutions. This has heightened stress and anxiety, which in turn contributes to growing mental health concerns among adolescents.

Financial pressures on school systems have also grown. Rising healthcare costs, extensive state mandates, increasing special education expenses and mental health support strain local budgets, especially in towns that receive limited state funding. Meanwhile, schools must address evolving safety realities, including active shooter drills — an unimaginable circumstance during earlier generations’ education.

Throughout the discussion, Dr. Byrne underscored the enduring mission of public education: preparing students not only for careers and college but also for citizenship in a democratic society. He affirmed the continued importance of civics, humanities and leadership development alongside STEM and career pathways.

In closing, he acknowledged uncertainty about whether the traditional “American Dream” formula — education plus hard work equals stability — feels as attainable for today’s students. Schools, he suggested, must continue adapting to ensure opportunity, resilience and thoughtful citizenship in an increasingly complex world.

 

Bowling Jan. 27, 2026

February 1, 2026 /
For the bowlers who braved the cold temperatures and snowy roads, today was a story of “the good, the bad, and the ugly”. That there were 14 of us is a testimony to what we’ve put together as a group.
Let’s start with the good. Once again, Frank D was on fire, rolling many strikes all day, having two games of 211, and ending with another 600 series that was even better than last week – 617 vs. 602. He is scheduled to return to Florida later in the week, though there is speculation he may cancel his flight reservation in order to bowl again next week Emoji. What should worry us all is that the pattern of recent times is that whenever Frank takes a break from bowling, he comes back and bowls even better than when he left – so watch out. Tom had a rough start, struggling with the oily lane conditions. In game two, he began to find a better line, and by game three, he managed the day’s high game of 214 for a 552 series. John also got off to a rough start, including six splits in game one (see photo) but finished with two strong games and his season high series of 360 (+57). Also, Dave Smith had a nice series of +16.
Next, there was Alex. Two weeks ago, he had a five-year low series of 376. Last week wasn’t much better, leaving him despondent about the state of his game. But with his usual smile and “never say die” attitude, he reeled off three consistently good games for a 518 series, which was +77. That deserves a “Yeah, baby!” and BoD honors for sure. Let’s hope the turnaround continues.
For several others who shall remain nameless, there was some below average bowling that was “bad,” but for the four guys on lanes 11/12 (the “Graveyard”?), their bowling could only be called “uggggly”! Here were four guys who each were averaging 150+, and not a single one bowled a 400 series. The good news is that across the four bowlers and 12 games they each managed to break 100 in all three games (though not without some effort, as three of the 12 games were 101 Emoji). Their bowling was so ugly that their first poker hand turned out to be a game of “four card stud” (see photo Emoji)!
What was not ugly was the great photo of these four chaps smiling like they all just won the lottery…isn’t that what our group is all about.

Bowling Jan. 20, 2026

February 1, 2026 /
What a milestone day it was today at Nutmeg! First of all, we set a record for attendance with 15 bowlers. WOW! Next, for the second week in a row we welcomed a new bowler to the group: Steve Gruppo. I’ve known Steve for years as a fellow member of The Country Club of Darien. He’s thrashed me on the paddle courts more than a few times and is an avid golfer, especially now that he’s retired. Now we hope he’ll become an avid bowler Emoji. Third we had a lot of excellent bowling, including some individual milestones.
Our Bowler of the Day had both high game and high series, and he wasn’t even supposed to be with us. When I strolled into Nutmeg, who did I see but none other than Frank DeLeo. Frank told us he’d be in Florida until late February, but he was needed up north this week, and we were glad he could be a surprise show. As is always the case with Frank, a little absence seems to help his game, and so it was in spades today. His first game looked like it was headed for a 200+ until a slight hiccup made it “only” a 197. Game two saw him get even better, as he had a 234 even with an open frame! In game three, he continued to have a few strikes but did miss a few spares. That said, he came through with a clutch 10th frame spare and nine fill to get his first-ever DMA 600 series at 602. As if high game and high series weren’t enough, his +77 was best plus of the day. Way to go Frank!!
Another milestone today was John B’s personal best game of 140, helping him to a series that was +56. Ed Smith was “Mr. Consistency” with games of 183/182/179 for 544 (+49). Ben had his sixth 400 series in his last seven outings. His 441 was +33. Of note, Ben’s Last 21 average is up to 140! On November 1, his Last 21 was 123talk about HOT. George G started out strong with a 186 and finished at +6. Ted had two strong games in the 170s for a +23. Dave had a game three 122 and ended at +12. Bill’s 181 middle game helped overcome a slow start and get him to +3. We should report that again the “new kid”, this time Steve, improved game to game during his series, finishing with a game of 153 and a three-game average of 129 (+36). He even had a Ben Briggs Spare (BBS)! Steve’s ball speed of 15 mph and his smooth delivery have us all expecting a bright future as a DMA bowler. Finally, the Commish had two more 200 games (203/215) after the two he had last week. His 591 series was only 11 behind Frank’s.
Lots of split conversions to report today. Let’s start with The Professor, who converted three 3-10 splits in one game! John, Bill and Tom also made 3-10s. Frank and Tom each made a 5-7 within 60 seconds of one another. Also, Alex also had a BBS today Emoji.
I don’t know about you readers, but I’m exhausted after writing this Emoji. That said, let’s hope we have similar excitement next week.
I also want to include a couple of health updates. One is that Linc joined us this morning for the first time since his hip surgery last fall. While he was shaking off the cobwebs of his bowling much of the session, Linc seemed none the worse for wear after three games and we are delighted to have him back! The other is to say that I spoke with Woody last evening. He reports that he is making progress in his recuperation from a bout of pneumonia at Christmastime. He sounded in great spirits (as he always does!) and looks forward to being back with us soon.

Bowling Jan. 13, 2026

February 1, 2026 /
The highlight of any day of DMA bowling is when we have a new member join us for the first time. So it was today, as Ian Webb made his first appearance. Clearly, he is an athlete who just hasn’t bowled very much. It’s nice to report that Ian saved his best game for last, giving him encouragement to have another go next week.
Some other highlights for the11 of us included a 201 game by Bill in game three, enabling his team to take that game for a win each by the three teams. Tom had two 200 games of 200 and 202. He needed a double in the 10th frame of game one not only to get the 200, but also to help his team win that one by just eight pins. Marty continued his good bowling with a second straight 531 series, leading us to believe that this is now his “new normal!” In addition to Bill, Tom and Marty having “plus” series of +40, +26, and +57, Ben was at +13 and Ted was at +28. We also had two nice split conversions: a 4-5 by Ed Sm and a rarely seen and even more rarely made 6-7-9-10 by Tom.
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