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Category: Activities (Page 43 of 50)
Activities are gatherings that occur on a regular schedule, usually weekly, to enjoy a specific pastime.
Many thanks to Katie Lawrence for these photos!
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Spend an hour honoring those who served and gave their lives, and have a good time with fellow members of the DMA.
If you are able to join us, please arrive at the Goodwives shopping center by 9:30 am.
We are assembling at the far end of the parking lot near the Tengda Restaurant.
It is suggested that you wear a blue shirt and tan or khaki pants (If you don’t have them, don’t worry about it.)
There is no parking at Goodwives so you will have to park at:
- The Mechanic Street Parking Lot (adjacent to and behind the Darien Volunteer Fire Department)
- The YWCA, or,
- the First Congregational Church of Darien parking lot.
But, we recommend that you be dropped off, and have your driver park near the end of the parade. (The medical center across the Post Road from the Cemetery is a good choice).
The parade route proceeds down the Post Road for 1.25 miles. we will have cars for those who need a ride.
The parade starts at 10 AM and will be over by 11 AM.
We want to have marchers, but if you are unable to walk (march) we will hopefully, have enough room in our cars for those who can’t walk. We encourage those who can walk to do so.
Please come and represent the Darien Men’s Association in honoring the men and women who have served our nation.
Some history on Memorial Day:
Nearly 150 years ago, Memorial Day— first called Decoration Day— was set aside to decorate the graves of the men who’d recently died in battle. America was still reeling from the Civil War when Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a proclamation in 1868, according to a PBS account of his decision. “The 30th of May,” he declared, “would be an occasion to honor those who died in the conflict.”
The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
Join us at our last Member Meeting on June 3 and enjoy our own DMA Senior Songsters, a bunch of stout-hearted senior men who enjoy performing a selection of Barbershop Harmony, Broadway, and Spiritual songs.
Guests are welcome so bring your wife, significant other, or other guests with you.
This Songsters’ performance marks the end of the 2014 — 2015 program year for the DMA.
Take this opportunity to enjoy the Circle Line Landmark Cruise around Manhattan and see Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, The Battery, Brooklyn Bridge and the United Nations.
Cost: $85.00 per person
Dress: Informal
Lunch at the popular St. Andrews Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan
Join us for Hiking in the Babcock Preserve on Thursday May 14, 2015
The Babcock Preserve is a 300-acre tract of forested land in Greenwich, north of the Merritt Parkway. It is the largest park in Greenwich and comprises several hiking trails over a relatively easy terrain. It was acquired by the Town of Greenwich in 1972, partially by gift, and partially by purchase from the Babcock Family.
Wives and significant others are welcome
Meeting Place and Time
We meet on Thursday, May 14 at 10am at the Babcock Preserve entrance.
The hike should be done by 12.30 and, for those interested, will be followed by beer and lunch at a nearby restaurant.
For any questions, please call Sunil Saksena on his cell at 203 561 8601, or by email ssaksena50@aol.com
Directions
From the south-bound Merritt Parkway take Exit 31 (North St). At the top of the exit ramp make a left turn on to North St-north. About half a mile down the road on the left will be the clearly marked entrance to Babcock Preserve. There is ample parking.
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Zofnass Family Preserve
We will hike in the Zofnass Family Preserve on Thursday, April 23, 2015. This 150-acre preserve is held by the Westchester Land Trust and encompasses forests, rock outcroppings, streams, lakes, and wetlands. It is located in Pound Ridge, NY, near the Stamford border.
Our route will traverse about 3½ miles. Parking is limited, so we will gather near the homes of Scott Hutchason and Rich Sabreen at 9:45, then carpool to the preserve. Following the hike, those who wish to do so, we will continue to a local restaurant for lunch.
Wives and significant others are encouraged to join us!
Directions to meeting place:
- From the Merritt Parkway exit 34
- Proceed 3.0 miles north on Long Ridge Road
- Right 0.5 miles on Old Long Ridge Road
- Right 0.5 miles on Mill Road
- Left on Mill Spring Lane
- Proceed to end
- For GPS use 121 Mill Spring Lane, Stamford
For more Information contact Scott Hutchason, shutchason@sbcglobal.net,
203-322-5025.
Zofnass Family Preserve
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST. From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning Anthony Doerr, the beautiful, stunningly ambitious work about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. ( 25 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list)
Discussion Leader: John Podkowsky. A list of discussion questions was previously circulated.
DMA May selection: AGENT STORM by Morten Storm, Paul Cruickshank, and Tim Lister
Agent Storm is the remarkable memoir of a Danish convert-turned-extremist who managed not only to infiltrate al Qaeda’s ranks but would later become one of West’s most valued human intelligence assets in the war on terrorism. As a true spy-story, this book brings you incredibly close to what it actually takes to be an extremist and get into a terrorist group while balancing loyalty and treachery in the world of intelligence. Essential reading for everyone interested in how the war on terrorism is actually fought in the shadows.”
“Agent Storm opens a unique window onto bleak interlocking landscapes—the radicalization of European Muslims that has now been energized by the Syrian civil war, the leadership and organization of global jihad, and the twilight struggle waged by western intelligence agencies against an elusive and implacable enemy.”
Discussion Leader: John Podkowsky
Book available at the Darien Library the second week of April; Discussion date: May 13.
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This gifted and committed auditioned group, known for its talent and wide-ranging repertoire, is a crowd-pleasing favorite in the area.
Acabella was originally founded in 2001 by Kathy Knapp and Heather Raker, who both loved to sing and were looking for an opportunity to sing again as part of a group. Thus, they formed Acabella, which combines the musical term, a cappella meaning unaccompanied by musical instruments, and bella, the Italian word for beautiful. The group is currently directed by Heather Raker and Carolyn Woodberry with Caroline LaMorte as a creative director.
Acabella is presently comprised of 14 women from the Lower Fairfield County area. Membership in the group is by audition, including musical exercises and a solo performance. Members’ musical backgrounds include singing in undergraduate and graduate a cappella groups and various choirs, as well as performing in musical theater, bands, and coffeehouses.
Arranged by Alex Garnett.
