Category: Activities (Page 16 of 50)

Activities are gatherings that occur on a regular schedule, usually weekly, to enjoy a specific pastime.

SimplifyCT: Free Tax Return Preparation

January 13, 2023 /

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: January 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.:  Sherwood Island State Park

January 9, 2023 /

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

Book Club: Leadership by Henry Kissinger, Feb 8, 2023

December 23, 2022 /

“Kissinger analyses the lives of six…leaders through the distinctive strategies of statecraft, which he believes they embodied. After the Second World War, Konrad Adenauer brought defeated and morally bankrupt Germany back into the community of nations by what Kissinger calls ‘the strategy of humility.’ Charles de Gaulle set France beside the victorious Allies and renewed its historic grandeur by ‘the strategy of will.’ During the Cold War, Richard Nixon gave geostrategic advantage to the United States by ‘the strategy of equilibrium.’ After twenty-five years of conflict, Anwar Sadat brought a vision of peace to the Middle East by a ‘strategy of transcendence.’ Against the odds, Lee Kuan Yew created a powerhouse city-state, Singapore, by ‘the strategy of excellence.’ And, though Britain was known as ‘the sick man of Europe’ when Margaret Thatcher came to power, she renewed her country’s morale and international position by ‘the strategy of conviction.'” —

Current Affairs: Veteran Journalist Forrest Sawyer moderates “Ukraine and the New World Order” February 16th at DCA and Zoom at 2pm

December 21, 2022 /

Emmy award-winning International journalist Forrest Sawyer will moderate our discussion. One year ago, Russia invaded Ukraine, expecting to control the country in just days. Instead, Vladimir Putin has committed the greatest military blunder since Hitler’s defeat at Stalingrad. With NATO’s assistance, Ukraine is now on offense. Can Russia be defeated? Could the war spread, involving NATO and even nuclear weapons, or is a negotiated settlement possible? Most critically, how will the war’s end impact a world already on the brink? Join us for this important discussion 

Making Sense of Putin’s War 

Putin’s Brain and the Ukrainian Disaster. What does the Russian Leader Really Want? 

Putin’s War-The Inside story of a catastrophe

It’s Time to Prepare for Ukrainian Peace

HIKE GREENWICH POINT PARK,   7 TOD’S DRIFTWAY, GREENWICH   MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2022 10:30

November 11, 2022 /

“HIKING” GREENWICH POINT PARK

  MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2022

10:30

 

We will be walking around Greenwich Point starting at 10:30 am.  

NOTE THAT THIS START TIME IS ONE HALF HOUR LATER THAN OTHER HIKES. We will be walking about 3 miles over flat, mostly paved or packed gravel paths, which should take us about an hour and a half.

Greenwich Point is a 147 acre property owned by the Town of Greenwich which bought the property in 1945. The peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water, was the private estate of J. Kennedy Tod who purchased the property in the 1880s. Greenwich Point offers spectacular views of Manhattan and the Greenwich shoreline. It is a beautiful place to walk and only available to non-Greenwich residents (without a substantial fee) during the months of December-April. 

We will assemble in the first parking lot on the right after you pass the gatehouse. Greenwich Point can be windy and cold so layer up! Dogs on a leash are permitted and, as always, bring guests.

We will have an optional lunch at a restaurant TBD.

 

DIRECTIONS: Google Greenwich Point Park for guidance

 

Contacts: 

Dave McCollum 

Bob Plunkett

Hiking: November 14, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Montgomery-Pinetum Park COS Cob, Connecticut

November 10, 2022 /

Hiking: November 14 at 10:00 a.m. Pomerance-Montgomery Pinetum Park COS Cob, Connecticut

Dave McCollum and Bob Plunkett will lead our hike at this 100-acre property which is now owned by Greenwich but was originally the estate of Earnest Seaton and later the home of financier Maurice Wertheim. The estate house was demolished by the town after falling into disrepair, but the stone walls remain. Mr. Seaton is credited with starting a boys group called “The League of Woodcraft Indians” which evolved into the Boy Scouts. Mr. Wertheim’s daughter, Barbara Tuchman, lived on the property and wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning book “The Guns of August” there.

This hike is more of a walk in the woods as the trails are wide, relatively flat, and well maintained. It is a very scenic property with mature trees, rock outcroppings and moving water in addition to its historical features. We will hike for about two hours and then enjoy an optional lunch at Louie’s Restaurant nearby in Cos Cob. Please bring cash for lunch.

Dogs and guests are welcome.

DIRECTIONS

Google Montgomery Pinetum Park

130 Bible Street, Cos Cob, CT

CONTACTS

Dave McCollum

Bob Plunkett

Report:

A hearty group of 15 DMAers and two spouses spent a little less than two hours traversing the 100 acre property originally owned by Ernest Seton and later by Maurice Wertheim. The Town of Greenwich purchased the property in 2002 and turned it into a nature center and park. The mansion was demolished by Greenwich after it fell into disrepair and was vandalized. The original stone walls remain. We visited the home site which sits high above Cos Cob Pond hiked a combination of paved roads and rough woodland paths. It is a remarkable piece of rural land right in the heart of Cos Cob.

This was one of the largest groups of hikers we have had outside of the beach venues we visit. Thanks to all who participated!

The  only wildlife sighting was a bird which we could not identify. Slim wildlife pickings as usual!

Following the hike we enjoyed a delicious Italian lunch at Louie’s in Cos Cob.

NEXT HIKE—December 12 at Greenwich Point

Bob Plunkett

Dave McCollum

Current Affairs: Europe at a Crossroads? At DCA and via Zoom, Thursday December 15 at 2 p.m. How is Europe handling the political and economic winds?

November 5, 2022 /

Is Putin still in power and at war? What are the key trends that may determine the future of the EU and NATO? How’s the energy situation looking as winter looms?  Don Loomis will start the discussion with his perspective on Italy (based on his years of experience there) which recently had a sea change in its government. Mark Nunan will report briefly on central Europe and the countries’ historically slightly different views. Together, Don and Mark look forward to leading a lively discussion. We expect our usual congenial group of DMAers to join us, but all of you with an interest in or ties to Europe are welcome (including friends there who wish to Zoom in). Even if you are not a regular, be sure and join us. We need your valuable insights.

Don Loomis backgrounder

Russian Economic Impact Slide Deck – August 2022 v6

Oyster Boat outing on Norm Bloom’s fleet. Oct 13, 2022

October 4, 2022 /

Social Activities: Anchors Aweigh! Sign up at this Wednesday’s DMA meeting for Oyster Boat outing on October 13.  Jan Selkowitz announces that Bryan Hooper has successfully arranged another of the popular Oyster Boat trips for Thursday October 13. Thanks Bryan! Before the vessel leaves a docent will give an interesting talk about the Long Island Sound waters. The boat can take 12 DMA Members. Sign up at this week’s (Sept 21) Wednesday meeting.  For questions, contact Bryan Hooper: jbryanh@optonline.net

Investment Discussion Group, 10 a.m., October 4, 2022.

September 22, 2022 /

Please note that the October 2022 meeting of IDG will be held on the first Tuesday this month rather than the first Monday.

That’s Tuesday October 4 at the usual time, 10 a.m.  Check your email Inbox for This Week at DMA where you can find the Zoom link.

You can also contact Jim Phillips to suggest topics, or join the group and get on the IDG distribution list.

 

When McKinsey Comes to Town by Walk Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe, January 11, 2023

September 18, 2022 /

McKinsey & Company is the most prestigious consulting company in the world, earning billions of dollars in fees from major corporations and governments who turn to it to maximize their profits and enhance efficiency. McKinsey’s vaunted statement of values asserts that its role is to make the world a better place, and its reputation for excellence and discretion attracts top talent from universities around the world. But what does it actually do?

In When McKinsey Comes to Town, two prizewinning investigative journalists have written a portrait of the company sharply at odds with its public image. Often McKinsey’s advice boils down to major cost-cutting, including layoffs and maintenance reductions, to drive up short-term profits, thereby boosting a company’s stock price and the wealth of its executives who hire it, at the expense of workers and safety measures. McKinsey collects millions of dollars advising government agencies that also regulate McKinsey’s corporate clients. And the firm frequently advises competitors in the same industries, but denies that this presents any conflict of interest.

In one telling example, McKinsey advised a Chinese engineering company allied with the communist government which constructed artificial islands, now used as staging grounds for the Chinese Navy—while at the same time taking tens of millions of dollars from the Pentagon, whose chief aim is to counter Chinese aggression.

Shielded by NDAs, McKinsey has escaped public scrutiny despite its role in advising tobacco and vaping companies, purveyors of opioids, repressive governments, and oil companies. McKinsey helped insurance companies’ boost their profits by making it incredibly difficult for accident victims to get payments; worked its U.S. government contacts to let Wall Street firms evade scrutiny; enabled corruption in developing countries such as South Africa; undermined health-care programs in states across the country. And much more.

Bogdanich and Forsythe have penetrated the veil of secrecy surrounding McKinsey by conducting hundreds of interviews, obtaining tens of thousands of revelatory documents, and following rule #1 of investigative reporting: Follow the money.
When McKinsey Comes to Town is a landmark work of investigative reporting that amounts to a devastating portrait of a firm whose work has often made the world more unequal, more corrupt, and more dangerous.

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