Category: Activities (Page 6 of 48)

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

Bowling Nov 11, 2025

December 24, 2025 /

We wondered at the conclusion of last week’s session whether anyone could stop Frank D’s run of BoD honors following two impressive performances. With 13 others there to give Frank some competition, chances were decent.

What made the challenge tougher was that Frank had another fine day on the lanes. His game three 222 helped him to a 568 series, again the day’s best game and series. We should also note that his excellence over the  last three weeks has brought his Last 21 average to 173 and has made him King of the Hill! But on this day, Frank’s +64 was only third best. Mike Ryan had three games over 130 for a 398, which was +65 and was Mike’s personal high series ever. Our BoD, though, was Ed Sm, who rolled three nice games, including a 197 middle game for a 557, which was +86! Bravo to all three.

Other “plus” showings were by Marty at +21, Ted at +14, Dave at +13, and the Professor at +4. Splits were converted by Woody, who left and made a rarely seen 3-7-8, and by Tom, who converted a 3-6-8-10. And no session is complete without a Ben Briggs spare (BBS), which came from George Hawes!

Let’s end today’s report by giving a shout out to our pals on the Injured List: Gehr, Frank Gallagher, Linc, and John Kam. When they all return to action, wouldn’t it be a hoot if we need to ask Nutmeg to supply us with a fourth pair of lanes!

 

Some days, we get off to a flying start, but other days not so much, and so it went for a few of us who started slowly but ended well. George G started poorly in game one, but his 184 in game two helped him to a 463 (+37). We should mention that George’s day included not one but two BBSs.  Frank D started slowly, but his 185 in game three helped him salvage a 479 series. Marty’s 182 in the third got him to a 476 series. And Tom’s 202 in the third got him to a 529 series despite a 139 in the middle game.

There were lots of splits left today. Two noteworthy conversions were a 5-10 by Ed Sm and a 4-5-7 by Bill Tamme.

The team game had Team Frank (BB, GG, E Sm, FD) and Team Tom (BT, MM, TL) split the first two, with Team Tom taking game three by just 14 pins.

With seven bowlers, we had just one poker hand, which made Marty happy twice and George happy once.

 

Bowling Nov 4, 2025

December 24, 2025 /

Tuesday, November 4

Today’s report covers the good, the bad, and the ugly for the thirteen guys who turned out.

 

Let’s start with the good. For the second week in a row, Frank D was very good! His 222 in game three helped him get to a 552 series, both of which were high for the week and earned him BoD yet again. Tom and Ed Smith also had 500 series at 520 and 512, including a 197 for Ed. Professor Ed Schechter was +46. John Bassler was +38. Dave Smith was +36. Woody Spurgeon was +20.

 

Let’s skip the bad but move on to the ugly. The team of Ben Briggs/George Gilliam/Alex/Ed Sm managed what might be a DMA record for most splits in one game by a four-man team — 13!! (see photo). Let’s just say that we haven’t seen that much red since Valentine’s Day . At least Alex had something to smile about as he won all three poker games on his lanes.

 

Split conversions included a 3-6-7-10 by Frank D, a 5-7 by Tom, a 3-10 by Mike Ryan, GG and BB. And the day was complete thanks to a BBS by Ted.

Bowling Oct 28, 2025

December 24, 2025 /

Tuesday, October 28

Another fun day at Nutmeg for 10 of us. We were hoping for more bowlers, given that we celebrated another milestone birthday…this time #80 for Alex Garnett (see photos). Happy birthday, Alex, and we look forward to #85. I should also highlight that birthday boy had a good day on the lanes with a 495 series, including converting two 3-10 splits.

We might have had more bowlers had it not been for a conflict with today’s DMA outing to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Next time, maybe the chairman of the Social Committee can take care not to schedule such an attractive event on a Tuesday (yes, you, Ted!) .

We might also have had more but for three of our group on the injured list — John Kammerman and Gehr Brown nursing shoulder and back injuries and Linc Schoff recovering from hip surgery. Best wishes to all three and hoping you’ll soon be back.

Continuing our pattern of strong performances by those who took a week off, we had Frank DeLeo earn Bowler of the Day (BoD) honors with a 564 series (+72!). This included converting a very difficult 4-5-7 split. The Commish had a 561 after  having open frames on three of his first five frames of the morning. Another 500 series came from Ed Smith with a 527. Also doing nicely was Marty Milewski with a 485.

We close with a note about the team game, which saw Frank D’s squad winning the double-or-nothing third game against Tom Lom’s Team in a runaway, again proving there is always hope!

Book Group: The Exchange: After the Firm by John Grisham, Feb 11, 2026

December 11, 2025 /
#1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham delivers high-flying international suspense in a stunning new legal thriller that marks the return of Mitch McDeere, the brilliant hero of The Firm. What became of Mitch and Abby McDeere after they exposed the crimes of Memphis law firm Bendini, Lambert & Locke and fled the country? The answer is in The Exchange, the riveting sequel to The Firm, the blockbuster thriller that launched the career of America’s favorite storyteller. It is now fifteen years later, and Mitch and Abby are living in Manhattan, where Mitch is a partner at the largest law firm in the world. When a mentor in Rome asks him for a favor that will take him far from home, Mitch finds himself at the center of a sinister plot that has worldwide implications–and once again endangers his colleagues, friends, and family. Mitch has become a master at staying one step ahead of his adversaries, but this time there’s nowhere to hide.

Current Affairs: Innovation in the Age of AI, Nov 19, 2025 NEW DATE

November 13, 2025 /
Current Affairs for November: Innovation in the Age of AI
The Current Affairs group will meet on Wednesday, November 19 at 2PM in the Lillian Gade Room at the DCA and on Zoom. NOTE THAT THIS IS A DATE CHANGE!! If you have not received the Zoom link, please contact Barry at silver.barry@gmail.com or Doug at dbernacchi@gmail.com.
We are pleased to have our friend Art Baron lead the discussion covering the dramatic acceleration of innovation to create value across industry, government and society. It will also touch on risks and governance. This is a topic we all think about, and we look forward to a lively discussion! Here are some pre-reading suggestions that Art has been kind enough to assemble:
Industry AI Investment (AI Generated) 

(File Attached)

AI Won’t Just Cut Costs, It Will Reinvent the Customer Experience
How Americans View AI and Its Impact on People and Society
$2 trillion in new revenue needed to fund AI’s scaling trend – Bain & Company’s 6th annual Global Technology Report

Current Affairs: “Order in the Court!”, Dec 18, 2025

November 5, 2025 /

We have a great one coming up for you on Thursday, December 18 at 2PM in the Lillian Gade Room at the DCA and on Zoom (link provided below).

Our topic will be: The U.S. Supreme Court and the Constitution | The Operation of the Court in a Challenging Era
Graciously presenting this most relevant of subjects will be Tom Igoe. Many of you know Tom as a singer and past DMA President, but he also is an attorney who was chairman of a national law firm. He has taken a deep dive into the workings of the Court, and we are all in for a fascinating and enlightening hour.

Tom has put together a terrific reading list for us.  See separate email.
As always, our goal is to share knowledge through informed discussion. This is not the venue for partisan debate, and we ask everyone to resist any urge to engage in political punditry. Believe me, it will be difficult enough to squeeze this topic into a single hour.

Holiday Dinner, Dec 17, 2025

October 29, 2025 /

The DMA’s annual Holiday Party will be held on Wednesday, December 17th at the Country Club of Darien starting at 5:30 PM.  The cost is unchanged from last year, $70 per person.  This price includes passed hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, two bottles of house wine (one red and one white) on each table of 10, and musical performances by Gab Kallay and the Camerata singers.

This event traditionally sells out, so to ensure your place be sure to register by the general meeting of November 19th.  Final deadline to sign up and pay is December 3rd.

DMA members who have any questions may contact Chet Cobb or Ted Helms.

Current Affairs: “Special education reform in Connecticut,” Oct 30, 2025

October 29, 2025 /

State Representative Tina Courpas will be our guest to talk about special education in Connecticut. She sponsored a reform bill on the subject, and will discuss how it passed the General Assembly with 100% bipartisan support – a rarity these days! She will discuss her education bill and influential role on the Education Committee as a minority member.

Background readings

    1. Glossary of School Finance Terms.  Click here. 
  • Overview of Special Education Funding in CT.  CT Office of Fiscal Analysis.  Click here.
  • Special Education Law 101.  CT Office of Legislative Research.  Click here. 
    1. Summary of 2025 Legislative Action on Special Education.  Click here.
    2. Full text of 2025 Special Education Bill.  Click here.
    3. Recent CT Mirror Article.  Click here. 

Book Club: Apple in China by Patrick McGee, Dec 10, 2025

October 8, 2025 /

“After struggling to build its products on three continents, Apple was lured by China’s seemingly inexhaustible supply of cheap labor. Soon it was sending thousands of engineers across the Pacific, training millions of workers, and spending hundreds of billions of dollars to create the world’s most sophisticated supply chain. These capabilities enabled Apple to build the 21st century’s most iconic products–in staggering volume and for enormous profit. Without explicitly intending to, Apple built an advanced electronics industry within China, only to discover that its massive investments in technology upgrades had inadvertently given Beijing a power that could be weaponized. In Apple in China, journalist Patrick McGee draws on more than two hundred interviews with former executives and engineers, supplementing their stories with unreported meetings held by Steve Jobs, emails between top executives, and internal memos regarding threats from Chinese competition. The book highlights the unknown characters who were instrumental in Apple’s ascent and who tried to forge a different path, including the Mormon missionary who established the Apple Store in China; the “Gang of Eight” executives tasked with placating Beijing; and an idealistic veteran whose hopes of improving the lives of factory workers were crushed by both Cupertino’s operational demands and Xi Jinping’s war on civil society. Apple in China is the sometimes disturbing and always revelatory story of how an outspoken, proud company that once praised “rebels” and “troublemakers”–the company that encouraged us all to “Think Different”–devolved into passively cooperating with a belligerent regime that increasingly controls its fate.” — Provided by publisher.

MoMA Oct 28,2025

October 3, 2025 /

The Social Events Committee is organizing a trip to the Museum of Modern Art on Tuesday, October 28th.  We have arranged a guided tour of the Helen Frankenthaler exhibit and MoMA’s Masterworks Collection.  Helen Frankenthaler was an important figure in the development of abstract American art who spent the last 13 years of her life living on Contentment Island in Darien. We will take Metro North into Grand Central and proceed straight to the Oyster Bar at GCT for an early lunch.   Following lunch we will proceed to the museum, walking along 5th Avenue and through Rockefeller Center.  The walk is about a mile and takes roughly 20-30 minutes.  At the museum we will have a guided tour of the Frankenthaler exhibit as well as the museum’s Masterworks Collection. After the tour, everyone is welcome to circulate through the museum and find their way home.  As an optional extracurricular activity for anyone who wants, we will stop by the Campbell Bar at Grand Central.

The plan is to catch the 10:18 train from Darien arriving at 11:23 (10:21 Noroton Heights). At the Oyster bar, you will have a choice of soup and sandwich or an entree. We should arrive at the museum at 1:30, for a one hour tour to begin at 1:50. Following the tour, freely circulate and return on your own (last off-peak train at 3:30).  For those interested, stop by the Campbell Bar between 4:30 and 5:00.  Guests are welcome.  Maximum capacity for the event is 52.

The cost for the museum and lunch is $100 per person ($78 for MoMA members). Signup during the meetings or email Ted Helms or Wim Jessup. We are already approaching capacity, so please be sure to sign up as soon as possible.  Checks should be made out to DMA.

Hike Ward Pound Ridge Oct 9, 2025

September 30, 2025 /
Into the back country for the Hale and Hardy! 

For our Thursday, October 9th trek we will traverse a three-mile trail in the southwest area of the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, N.Y. The elevations are mild, but per usual, some sections are a bit rocky—so, good foot gear is advisable. 

We will congregate inside the park near the end of Michigan Road, just before a roundabout. Michigan Road is the first right after you pass the Ranger’s entry booth. 

Besides the illustrious company of our group, this hike features an unusual artifact—the Bear Rock Petroglyph. The rock carvings of various animals on this boulder were etched by native Americans. For an account of these depictions, a detailed description is offered by a publication of the New York State Archeological Association at nysarchaeology.org. (Of note, the carvings on this boulder were cited by a featured speaker at one of our previous DMA meetings.)

 Per usual, if you choose to carpool, meet at the DCA lot at 9:30am, where we will sort ourselves. When parking for the day, please use the back portion of the lot.

Due to the time of year, bug/tick spray might come in handy. Travel time is about forty minutes. Post hike, for those seeking immediate sustenance, we will retire to Blind Charlie’s in nearby Pound Ridge. 

 Alec Wiggin 

Geoffrey Schneider   

Current Affairs: “American Higher Education at a Turning Point”, Sept 18, 2025 @ 2:00

September 10, 2025 /

Our first meeting will be on Thursday, September 18, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lillian Gade Room and on Zoom. The topic is tentatively titled “American Higher Education at a Turning Point”. Our guest presenter is Jeffrey Gray, who retired from Fordham University as SVP for Student Affairs.

Pre-read suggestions:

  1. “The State of Higher Education” – a report by Jeff Selingo published April, 2025 – pdf
  2. “Higher Ed Has a Bigger Problem Than Trump,” an opinion piece by E. Thomas Finan, a Boston University professor, published in The Atlantic on 9/1/25 – https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/09/trump-higher-education-trust/684068/?gift=bS7Zc5hkcIYwptsCqJS7sYuNAlGYjp7lYihZvAruTRs&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
  3. “6 Higher Education Trends to Watch for in the 2025-2026 Academic Year” from “Higher Ed Dive” August 28,2025 – 6 higher education trends to watch for in the 2025-26 academic year | Higher Ed Dive
  4. “Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics public opinion survey” July, 2025 – https://www.elon.edu/u/elon-poll/homepage/knight-commission-on-intercollegiate-athletics-public-opinion-survey/

 

Our guest presenter, Jeffrey L. Gray:

Jeffrey L. Gray served as the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs at Fordham University, until his 2023 retirement. He began his tenure at Fordham as the Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Life in September 1989, and was named Dean of Student Life in August 1990.  He was appointed the University’s senior student affairs officer in 1996.

Jeff’s career spanned 42 years in secondary and higher education, 27 of which were served in his final role as the Senior Vice President.  In that role, he provided oversight and leadership for all student affairs functions across Fordham’s multiple campuses, and his responsibilities included the leadership and supervision of approximately 15 departments, 25 senior level professional staff members, 250 professional and support staff, 350 contract employees and over 200 student employees.  He oversaw and managed operating budgets of approximately $70M+, and revenue budgets of $95M+.

His management portfolio included the Offices of the Deans of Students, the Dean of Student Services, Residential Life, the University Judicial Process, Hospitality and Dining Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, Career Services, the Offices of Student Leadership and Community Development, Intercampus Transportation, the McGinley Student Center, New Student Orientation, Disability Services, the Alcohol and Drug Education Programs, Campus Ministry and Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation.

In 34 years at Fordham, 27 of which were served in an executive leadership capacity as a member of the President’s cabinet and senior leadership team, Jeff had the opportunity to gain skills and experiences in various critical areas, including but not limited to:

  • crisis management
  • problem solving
  • student mental health issues
  • campus health, safety and welfare matters
  • COVID response
  • Athletics oversight
  • communications and media relations
  • student conduct and Title IX matters
  • ADA matters
  • diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
  • free speech and academic freedom issues
  • management of controversial student clubs
  • strategic planning
  • institutional and operational assessment initiatives
  • human resource management; staff recruitment, retention, training, development and supervision
  • finance and budgeting
  • housing occupancy and revenue management
  • fundraising

 

Jeff has served on non-profit boards, chairing three of them.  He has conducted on campus program reviews, served as a NASPA program reviewer for the national conference, and has served as a peer evaluator on multiple Middle States accreditation visiting teams.

Jeff received a bachelor of arts in psychology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, a master of science in counseling and guidance from Syracuse University and a master of science in administration from Western Connecticut State University. Before coming to Fordham, he served as the director of counseling and guidance for the McGraw Central School System from September 1981 to August 1984, Assistant to the Director of Housing at Western Connecticut State University from September 1984 to December 1987 and the Assistant Director of Residential Life at Montclair State College in New Jersey from 1987 until September 1989.

 

Linkedin:         www.linkedin.com/pub/jeffrey-l-gray/7/822/797/

 

Organizers are Barry Silver, Doug Bernacchi, and Charles Salmans.

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