Category: Activities (Page 8 of 49)

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

Hike Larsen Sanctuary, May 15, 2025

May 13, 2025 /

This Thursday, May15th, we will circumnavigate the Larsen Sanctuary in Fairfield, CT. This is an exquisite trail winding through woodlands and passing by an isolated, picturesque pond. If we are both lucky and quiet we might observe heron, wood duck and green-winged teal here. Our circular route is about 2.5 miles with gradual elevations, not much more than ten feet. So, this is the perfect opportunity for the wandering nomads of level-land to join us!

On-site parking is more than adequate. Per usual, for those wishing to carpool, we will meet at the DCA at 9:30am and sort ourselves. Remember, when parking in this lot please use the rear section to minimize potential conflict with other DCA proceedings.

Travel time is about twenty-five minutes. Post hike, we will retire to our familiar haunt, Orem’s Diner, in Wilton for a communal repast.

It is never too late to get on our distribution list; just signal your interest to Lee Morrison, whose contact information is below.

 Hike ON!

Alec Wiggin

Lee Morrison

Hike Saugatuck Trail, April 10, 2025

April 11, 2025 /

Thursday, April10th, we will traverse the northern end of the Saugatuck Trail in Weston, Connecticut, which borders the Saugatuck Reservoir. Our route is a bit rocky and a little steep in parts; so good foot gear is a must. Though our round-trip trek is only 2.4 miles, you will likely feel this one in your gluteus maximus! So, fortifying nutrition will come in handy. 

Parking on Glen Road (Route 53) at the north end of the reservoir is minimal, so car-pooling for this one is highly advisable. Per usual, we will meet at the DCA at 9:30am and sort ourselves. When parking in this lot, we have been asked by the DCA to use the rear section to minimize potential conflict with their other proceedings. 

Travel time is about thirty-five minutes. Post hike, we will retire to our familiar haunt, Orem’s Diner, in Wilton for a communal repast. 

Current Affairs May 15th at 2pm Ed Barksdale: The Rise and Fall of Nations – Where is America Now?

April 8, 2025 /

The background material, provided in advance, focuses on “the science of history,” relying on the work of the mathematical historian Peter Turchin.

Throughout recorded history, great nations have experienced repeated cycles of harmony, which coincided with a rise to greatness, and disharmony, which coincided with decline—and ultimately their demise.

Turchin’s thesis is that two primary factors drive these cycles:

1. the degree of income disparity between the upper and lower classes of each society and

2. the production—or overproduction—of “elites,” i.e., those seeking wealth and social power.

The United States is in its third period of extreme disharmony—the first was the decade before the Civil War, the second was in 1920, and the third is today.

The discussion will attempt to avoid a political debate and instead focus on the underlying factors behind our nation’s contentious and divided state.

The 1850s preceded the Civil War, and the 1920s preceded the Great Depression, so what is next for America?

Articles of interest:

Darien Discussion Group Letter

The deep historical forces that explain Trump’s win

PeterTurchin–Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/30/the-deep-historical-forces-that-explain-trumps-win

History as Science-Why do we need mathematical history? 

Hike Devil’s Den Nature Preserve, March 13, 2025

March 10, 2025 /

For our March hike on Thursday, the 13th, the hale and hearty hoofers will traverse a clockwise loop of about three miles in the Devil’s Den Nature Preserve in Weston. The elevations are modest, but the trail gets rocky in parts, so sturdy footgear is recommended.  Given the likely calorie burn, a hearty breakfast is also advised.  Following the hike, we will retire to share a meal at Orem’s Diner in South Wilton.

For those who wish to carpool, we will meet at the DCA parking lot at 9:30am. If you park your car in the lot during our hike, we have been asked by the DCA to use the rear section to minimize conflict with any of their various proceedings.

It is never too late to get on our distribution list; just signal your interest to Lee Morrison, whose contact information is below.

Book Club: Unfinished Love Story, Doris Kearns Goodwin, May 14, 2025

February 12, 2025 /

“Dick and Doris Goodwin were married for forty-two years and married to American history even longer. Dick was one of the young men of John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier, and he both named and helped design Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. Doris was a White House Fellow and worked directly for Lyndon Johnson, later assisting on his memoir. The Goodwins’ last great adventure involved opening the more than three hundred boxes of letters, diaries, documents and memorabilia Dick had saved for more than fifty years. The voyage of remembrance revived the hope that the youth of today will carry forward this love story with America”–

Hike: Saugatuck Falls Natural Area in West Redding, Feb 17, 2025

February 11, 2025 /
Hail to the Hale and Hearty Hikers!
The inclement weather predicted for this Thursday makes it prudent to postpone our hike until the following Monday, President’s Day. While a bit of an inconvenience, this postponement fortuitously makes it possible to change our venue to the Saugatuck Falls Natural Area in West Redding and make use of the John Read Middle School vacant parking lot, located directly across from the entrance. These woods are gorgeous, the path is wide, and the elevation nearly flat. So even if there is some residual snow cover, our footing should be secure. Spouses, friends and dogs on leash are welcome. While we can always eat at our reliable stand-by, Oren’s Diner, if you have a more local suggestion, do not hesitate to be in touch with Lee or myself.
Per usual, for those wishing to carpool, we will meet at the back of the DCA parking lot at 9:30 AM and sort rides.  NOTE – if you plan to park your car at the DCA, please make sure you park in the DCA’s back lot, close to the Nature Preserve.

Current Affairs March 27 at 2pm at the DCA and Zoom-David Maloof “The fundamental weakness of Western Civilization is empathy.” Does historical evidence support or reject this premise?

February 5, 2025 /

In 2014, Darien resident and DMA member Dave Maloof wrote a book entitled “Christianity Matters.”

Elon Musk recently said, “The fundamental weakness of Western Civilization is empathy.”

Does historical evidence support or reject this premise?” That is largely what David’s book was about. He will give us an overview and then we can discuss the premise.

Hike Devil’s Den Nature Preserve, Feb 13, 2025

February 4, 2025 /
For our February hike on Thursday, the 13th, the hale and hearty
hikers will be traversing a clockwise loop of about three miles in
the Devil’s Den Nature Preserve in Weston. The elevations are
modest, but the trail gets rocky in parts, so sturdy footgear is
recommended. Given the likely calorie burn, a hearty breakfast is
also advised. Following the hike, we will retire to share a meal at
Orem’s Diner in South Wilton.

For those who wish to carpool, we will meet at the DCA parking
lot at 9:30am. It is never too late to get on our distribution list; just
signal your interest to Lee Morrison, whose contact information is
below.
Weather Advisory: While snowfall Is not predicted over the next
ten days, should we get an accumulation, we will choose an
alternate locale and get back to this one later in the year.Alec Wiggin
Lee Morrison

Current Affairs Thursday, February 20th at 2pm State Representative Tracy Marra will preview the State Legislative session

January 13, 2025 /

We will meet in the Lillian Gade Room and on Zoom.

Representative Marra is the ranking member on the Energy and Technology committee. She also serves on Public Health and Transportation.  Other members of our delegation have been invited as well.

Governor Lamont opened the 2025 legislative session with his State of the State address,

Preview of 2025 Legislative Session

Preview Legislative Session_20250115_0001

The 2025 Connecticut legislative session, which kicked off on January 8, is set to address several key issues:
Housing and Affordability
Lawmakers are expected to focus on addressing the state’s housing crisis. This includes:

  • Revisiting zoning reforms, such as transit-oriented development efforts and the “Work, Live, Ride” bill to encourage housing near transportation hubs
  • Addressing homelessness and housing affordability.
  • Discussing the establishment of a right to housing policy
    Energy and Environment

Environmental legislation appears to be a top priority, with several key issues:

  • Tackling high energy costs and utility rates
  • Enhancing the state’s aging electrical grid
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience
  • Potentially regulating offshore wind projectHealthcare and Public Health

Healthcare-related issues on the agenda include:

  • Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in the state.
  • Discussing potential expansion of “HUSKY for immigrants” eligibility.
  • Tackling medical costs, including a task force on high prescription price
Education and Workforce Development

Key education-related priorities include:

  • Increasing funding for public education, special education, and student resources.
  • Addressing teacher recruitment and retention
  • Improving paraeducator hiring and retention
Fiscal Policy

There will likely be debates over the state’s “fiscal guardrails”:

  • Some lawmakers want to retain or modify these fiscal controls, which have generated budget surpluses and allowed debt reduction.
  • Others argue for redirecting more funds to core services like education and healthcare

Is Lamont the key to reforming CT’s ‘fiscal guardrails’?

Dinner & Hockey Jan 18, 2025

January 8, 2025 /

Our next Social Event, following the Holiday Party, will be Saturday, January 18th.  We’ll follow our usual format:  a family style dinner starting at 4:30 pm at Ralph & Rich’s, 815 Main Street, Bridgeport where we will share a salad, three different entrees (chicken francaise, veal parm and broiled salmon), smashed potatoes, sauteed vegetables and Italian cookies and pastries for dessert—with coffee or tea.

Seating will be in a separate curtained off area and we will have our own dedicated waiter/waitress.

Throughout dinner there will be two choices of wine (one white; one red).  For those who do not drink wine, soft drinks will be available.  Mixed drinks or beer, if desired, must be paid for on your own at the bar.  Likewise, if you wish to order anything else from the menu you will be asked to pay for it separately on your own.

As in past years, we will carpool to the restaurant—which provides us with 6 hours of free parking.  However, to obtain free parking you must provide the desk with your license plate number upon entering.

The Total Mortgage Arena is a very short walk from the restaurant.  The game starts at 7:00 pm and usually ends about 9:30.  This year the Bridgeport Islanders, the top affiliate of the NHL New York Islanders, will be facing off against the Springfield Thunderbirds, the top affiliate of the NHL St. Louis Blues.  Food (if you have any room), beverages, etc. are available for purchase on your own at the Arena.

Please note: it is best for the ladies to bring a clutch to the game (if necessary) as pocketbooks will be searched for security reasons.

Cost per person is $80.  Make checks payable to “DMA”.

There will be a sign up sheet at our December 11 and 18 DMA meetings.  Or, you may reserve by contacting Gehr Brown or Tom Lom.  Attendance is limited to a maximum of 24.

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