Category: Wanderers (Page 1 of 6)

Wander Brooklyn, May 21, 2026

May 10, 2026 /

Thursday, May 21, at 8:36 a.m. at Darien Metro-North Station or 8:39 a.m. at Noroton Heights Metro-North Station

On Thursday, May 21, the Wanderers will travel to Brooklyn and wander across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan.  We will take the Metro North train to Grand Central that leaves the Darien train station at 8:36 a.m. and the Noroton Heights train at 8:39 a.m. As usual, we will gather at the Information Booth on the main floor of Grand Central and proceed together by Subway to Brooklyn.

The Wanderers will wander on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade enjoying the picturesque views of lower Manhattan and New York Harbor and proceed through historic Brooklyn Heights and over the architecturally impressive Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.  The Wandering will continue past City Hall to the South Street Seaport.

We plan to have lunch at a restaurant in or near the South Street Seaport and conclude with a Wandering around the South Street Seaport and to the Wall Street or Fulton Street Subway Station before returning to Grand Central and home via the Subway and Metro-North.

Contact:  Chet Cobb or Harry Bergen

Summary:

“On May 21, thirteen fearless Wanderers traveled to Brooklyn and braved windy and rainy conditions while wandering across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan.

Notwithstanding the challenging weather, the Wanderers first enjoyed the picturesque views of lower Manhattan and New York Harbor as they wandered on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade beginning at the monument commemorating the site of George Washington’s headquarters. The Wanderers also wandered on the well-maintained streets of Brooklyn Heights admiring the well-preserved architecture and beautiful landscaping and paused at the historically significant Plymouth Church, sometimes referred to as “the Grand Central Depot” of the Underground Railroad, and viewed the statue of its founding pastor, Henry Ward Beecher.

The highlight of the day was of course the wandering over the architecturally impressive Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan. When first opened in 1883, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world spanning roughly 1.1 miles. The Wandering then took the wanderers past City Hall and down Fulton Street to the South Street Seaport.  There the happy Wanderers dried off and enjoyed a tasty seafood lunch at The Fulton by Jean-Georges with its impressive views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River before taking the Subway and Metro-North home.”

(1)  Wanderers Bill Waters, David Helgans, Letty Helgans, John King, Harry Bergen, Howard Courtemanche, Bob Hughes, Joe Spain, Albert Duryea, Mary Kay Cobb, Chet Cobb and James Hansford facing wind and rain while traversing the Brooklyn Bridge. Photo by Sam Bridges;
(2)  Wanderers Joe Spain, Albert Duryea, John King, Harry Bergen and Bill Flowers eagerly ascending the Brooklyn Bridge.  Photo by Chet Cobb;
(3)  Wanderers Albert Duryea, Joe Spain, Howard Courtemanche, Harry Bergen, Bill Flowers, Sam Bridges, Bob Hughes, Letty Helgans, Mary Kay Cobb, John King, James Hansford, Chet Cobb and David Helgans  preparing to enjoy a well-earned lunch and
4)  Wanderers Bob Hughes, Bill Flowers, John King, Harry Bergen, Albert Duryea and Sam Bridges happy after lunch. Photo by Chet Cobb

Wander to the US Naval Submarine Base. Sep 24, 2026

August 20, 2026 /

Happy Wanderers

  • Thursday, September 24th, at 9:15 a.m. at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, CT

PLEASE READ THIS EMAIL IN ITS ENTIRETY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THIS WANDERING TO THE U.S. NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE

On Thursday, September 24th, the Wanderers will drive to the U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) in Groton, CT, known as the “Home of the Submarine Force,” and enjoy a visit to the Submarine Force Museum and Historic Ship Nautilus, a Windshield Bus Tour including a brief wandering on the Upper Base and lunch on the SUBASE.  As a retired Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve, DMA member Paul Hendrickson was able to open the door to this exciting opportunity.

This visit to the SUBASE will begin at 9:15 a.m. with a self-guided tour and wandering through the Museum and onto the Nautilus.  At 10:15 a.m., a Public Affairs representative of the SUBASE will welcome us in the Museum Theater and provide an overview of the U.S. Navy, the Submarine Force and the SUBASE.  Following this presentation, a highlight of this wandering will be a bus tour of the Upper Base that will offer views of the Submarine School, galley, barracks, medical facilities, other key support structures and the Lower Base.  A Public Affairs representative of the SUBASE will be with us on this bus tour and wandering and will provide historical insights.  The tour will conclude with a brief wandering on the Upper Base followed at noon by a pizza buffet lunch at REUNIONS PUB on the SUBASE.  Lunch is expected to include assorted pizza, salad, cookies and soft drinks/water and social engagement with SUBSCOL Sailors.  Following lunch at 1:00 p.m. a bus will transport Wanderers to the parking lot adjacent to the Museum where Wanderers will have parked their cars upon arriving at the SUBASE and will drive home.   

Sign-ups for this tour and wandering will begin in person at the DMA meeting on Wednesday, September 2.  If interested in participating in this tour and wandering, please sign up in person at the September 2 meeting and provide when you sign-up the information and payment required below.  Sign-ups by email for this tour and wandering will not be accepted until after 1:00 p.m. on September 2, at which time an email signing up for this tour and wandering with the information required below should be sent to Harry Bergen at bercom100@gmail.com.  

The size of our group has been limited by the SUBASE to 36 participants so, if interested, please sign up in person at the meeting on September 2.  Sign-ups will be accepted on a first-come basis.  Due to the anticipated popularity of this tour and wandering and the group size limitation, we unfortunately are unable to include the spouses of DMA members.  A waiting list will be established if this tour and wandering is over-subscribed.  

All visitors to the SUBASE must be U.S citizens with a real ID or U.S. passport and must be ambulatory.  When signing up for this tour and wandering, you will be required to provide your full name, social security number, date of birth, place of birth, real driver’s license number including state of issuance or U.S. passport number as such information is required to be submitted to the SUBASE on Thursday, September 3.

The cost to each Wanderer to participate in this tour and wandering including lunch is $40 and is non-refundable.  Please pay such amount in cash when signing up.  The deadline for receipt of payment is Wednesday, September 17.  

For those who want to car-pool, we will rendezvous at the DCA parking lot at 7:15 a.m. and then organize into groups for the drive to the SUBASE.  Those interested in car- pooling from Darien should plan to park their cars in the rear of the parking lot at the DCA.  We will depart from the DCA parking lot by 7:30 a.m. and arrive at the SUBASE at 9:15 a.m. as the self-guided tour and wandering will start at 9:15 a.m. in the Museum.   We will park our cars just outside the entrance to the SUBASE in the parking lot that is adjacent to the Museum.  We will gather inside the entrance to the Museum to begin our tour and wandering.    

Contact:  Chet Cobb, Harry Bergen, or Paul Hendrickson

Wander Central Park, Thursday, June 25, 2026

June 18, 2026 /

Thursday, June 25, at 8:36 a.m. at Darien Metro-North Station or 8:39 a.m. at Noroton Heights Metro-North Station

On Thursday, June 25, the Wanderers will travel to the northern end of Central Park in Manhattan. We will take the Metro North train to Grand Central that leaves the Darien train station at 8:36 a.m. and the Noroton Heights station at 8:39 a.m. As usual, we will gather at the Information Booth on the main floor of Grand Central and proceed together by subway to the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

We will wander into the northern end of Central Park and enjoy the beauty of the Conservatory Garden, Central Park’s formal garden and one of the most significant public gardens in New York City. Our Wandering will take us past the scenic Harlem Meer; the scenic overlook and canons at Fort Clinton; the acclaimed Davis Center, which opened last year; and through the North Woods, the largest woodland in Central Park, which contains unusual physical features, including the Ravine, the Loch and the Pool.

The Wanderers plan to have lunch at Sylvia’s Restaurant, 328 Malcolm X Blvd (between 126th Street and Lenox Avenue). After lunch, we will complete our Wandering by strolling to the Metro-North Railroad Station at 125th Street and returning home via Metro-North.

Contact:  Chet Cobb  or Harry Bergen

Summary:

“On Thursday, June 25th, twenty-five Wanderers were happy to experience warm and sunny weather during a wandering across the northern end of Central Park.   Entering Central Park through the ornate Vanderbilt Gate at 103rd Street and Fifth Avenue, the Wanderers were immediately  impressed by the well-landscaped beauty of the Conservatory Garden, including the Italianate Center Garden with its semicircular pagoda, the French parterre North Garden with its Untermyer Fountain and statue of the Three Dancing Maidens and the  English style South Garden with its Burnett Fountain.

The wandering took the Wanderers past the scenic Harlem Meer, the historic overlook and canons at Fort Clinton, Nutter’s Buttery, McGowan’s Pass, the architecturally acclaimed Davis Center with its large swimming pool and through the North Woods, the largest woodland in Central Park that contains unusual physical features including the Ravine, the Loch and the Pool.  The Wanderers’ last stop in Central Park was at its oldest surviving building, the Blockhouse, built in 1814 as a lookout tower with openings for guns.

The Wanderers then exited Central Park onto 110th Street and wandered 15 blocks north on Malcolm X Boulevard to lunch.  Due to the large size of the wandering group, the Wanderers split into two groups and each Wanderer enjoyed a well-deserved lunch at either Sylvia’s Restaurant or the nearby Red Rooster Restaurant.  After lunch, the Wanderers wandered a few more blocks to the Metro-North Railroad Station at 125th Street and returned home via Metro-North.”

(1)  Wanderers standing on the stairs leading to the pagoda in the Conservatory Garden, Photo by Sam Bridges;
(2) Jack Carley, Harry Bergen and Doug Bernacchi standing behind Fort Clinton’s canon with Bill Flowers standing in line of fire, Photo by Chet Cobb;
(3) Fred and Lorry Given taking a break after wandering through the North Woods, Photo by Chet Cobb;
(4) Wanderers successfully locating and assembling at the Blockhouse, Photo by Chet Cobb; and
(5) Tom Igoe relaxing at the Blockhouse, Photo by Chet Cobb.

Wander Manresa Island, April 23, 2026

March 28, 2026 /

Thursday, April 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. at Manresa Island in Norwalk

On Thursday, April 23rd, the Wanderers will drive to Manresa Island in Norwalk and enjoy a guided tour of the interior of the former Norwalk Harbor Station power plant and a wandering on the property outside the power plant and along the waterfront.

This 125- acre property is in the process of being revitalized and transformed into what will be one of the Northeast’s most creative public parks — called Manresa Wilds — which is thanks to the generosity of Austin and Allison McChord.  The first phase of the project, including walking trails and other amenities, is expected to open next year.  This tour will include inspecting the main building’s enormous interior spaces which will be redesigned into exciting interior spaces, one of which is as large as Grand Central Station.  Details regarding the scope of the project were presented by Austin McChord at the DMA meeting on March 25rd.

The tour of the interior of the power plant will include viewing much of the plant’s huge original machinery and equipment on different levels of the plant and walking on metal stair-ways some of which are steep.  Wanderers will have the option of remaining on a lower level in the plant during part of the tour.   While half of the Wanderers will tour the interior of the power plant for 45 minutes, the other half of the Wanderers will wander, including riding on ATV’s (golf carts), for 45 minutes on the property outside the power plant and along the waterfront.  Then, the Wanderers that toured the interior of the power plant will wander on the property outside the power plant for 45 minutes and the Wanderers that wandered on the property outside the power plant will tour the interior of the power plant for 45 minutes.  Based upon the 10:30 am start time for the tour and wandering, these activities will end at approximately 12:00 noon at which time the Wanderers will drive to have lunch at the Silver Star Diner at 210 Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in participating in this tour and wandering should sign-up in advance at a DMA meeting in April.  The size of our group has been limited by Manresa to 48 participants so, if interested, please sign up as soon as possible.   Due to the anticipated popularity of this tour and wandering and the group size limitation, we unfortunately are not able to include the spouses of DMA members in this tour and wandering.  Wanderers will be required by Manresa to sign a waiver of liability form prior to visiting the property.   The waiver of liability form can be reviewed and needs to be signed electronically prior to this tour and wandering at the following email address: (https://app.hellosign.com/home/reusableLink?guid=2sMQ8vcR&in_person=1)

We will rendezvous at the DCA parking lot at 9:45 a.m. and then drive to the property as a caravan group. Those interested in car- pooling from Darien should plan to park their cars in the rear of the parking lot at the DCA.  We will depart from the DCA parking lot by 10:00 a.m.  and arrive at the power plant on Manresa Island by 10:25 a.m. as the tour and wandering will start promptly at 10:30 a.m.

If you don’t elect to rendezvous with the group at the DCA parking lot, you can use the Google Map address of “Manresa Island, Norwalk, CT” or set your WAZE, Google Maps or other GPS to “1 Longshore Avenue, Norwalk, CT” to get there.  If you don’t use WAZE,  Google Maps or other GPS, the easiest way to drive to Manresa Island is to take State Route 136 beginning on Tokeneke Road in  Darien and staying on Route 136 through Rowayton and South Norwalk until making a right turn onto Woodward Avenue (which becomes Longshore Avenue) and then making a right turn onto Manresa Island Avenue (don’t turn right into the “Village Creek” private association).  The entrance to Norwalk’s Manresa Island is located on the right side of Longshore Avenue where Longshore Avenue intersects Manresa Island Avenue.  After making a right turn onto Manresa Island Avenue, there is a security gate at the entrance to Manresa Island where car occupants must check in before driving down Manresa Island Avenue and parking in a parking lot adjacent to the power plant.

Contact:  Chet Cobb, Harry Bergen, Doug Bora or Robin Hogen.

Summary:

“On Thursday, April 23rd, forty-eight DMA members enjoyed a well-orchestrated tour of the well-preserved interior of the former Norwalk Harbor Station power plant and a motorized wandering on ATVs through the forested and marsh property outside the power plant and on the waterfront.
Highlights of the tour included a hands on viewing of the plant’s huge original turbines and other machinery and equipment on different levels of the plant and a steep climb on metal stairways to the roof of the plant to enjoy its magnificent views of Long Island Sound and nearby islands and coast. Alex Muniz of Manresa Wilds ably led these tours with assistance from DMA Members Doug Bora, Chet Cobb and Harry Bergen.
The wandering on Manresa Island also afforded the Wanderers the opportunity to walk along and enjoy picturesque views from the waterfront where a beach is planned and to explore on ATVs the island’s marsh and birch tree forests.  DMA members Peter Ritchey and Robin Hogen ably guided the caravan of ATVs.
Many Wanderers met for lunch at the Silver Star Diner in Norwalk following the Manresa Island tour and wandering and happily shared observations about their visit to Manresa Island before returning to Darien.”

Wander Roosevelt Island, March 26, 2026

March 20, 2026 /

Thursday, March 26th, at 8:36 a.m. at Darien Metro-North Station or 8:39 a.m. at Noroton Heights Metro-North Station

Next Thursday the Wanderers will travel to Roosevelt Island in Manhattan. We will take the Metro North train to Grand Central that leaves the Darien train station at 8:36 a.m. and the Noroton Heights train at 8:39 a.m. As usual, we will gather at the Information Booth on the main floor of Grand Central and proceed together by Subway and Tramway to Roosevelt Island.

After enjoying the overhead views of the East River and Roosevelt Island from the Tramway, we will wander three or so miles around Roosevelt Island and enjoy its unique views of New York City.    Our Wandering will take us to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park at the southern end of the island, past three modern Cornell Tech Center buildings – the Bloomberg Center, the Tata Innovation Center and the House – that have attracted students, professors and technology research to the island, and past historic structures including the Smallpox Hospital ruins, the Strecker Memorial Laboratory, the Blackwell House, and if time permits, the Octagon Tower and the Lighthouse.

The Wanderers plan to have lunch at Granny Annie’s Bar & Kitchen at 425 Main Street on Roosevelt Island.  After lunch, we will complete our Wandering and enjoy a few more vistas from Roosevelt Island before returning to Grand Central and home via the Subway and Metro-North.

Contact:  Chet Cobb  or Harry Bergen

Summary:

“On March 25, eighteen Wanderers were happy to experience comfortable and sunny weather while enjoying overhead views of the East River and Roosevelt Island from the Tramway and unique views of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx afforded by a wandering from one end of Roosevelt Island to the other.
A highlight of the wandering was a memorable visit to the well-designed Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park at the southern end of Roosevelt Island.  The well-landscaped park contains numerous open spaces culminating in a large plaza surrounded by large granite blocks and contains an impressive bust of President Roosevelt and a wall containing excerpts from Roosevelt’s famous Four Freedoms speech.
The wandering also included viewings of the Cornell Tech Center buildings with a stop in the cafe at the Bloomberg Center, viewings of historic structures such as the Smallpox Hospital ruins, the Strecker Memorial Laboratory, the Blackwell House and the Octagon Tower, a well-deserved lunch at Granny Annie’s Bar & Kitchen and a final stop at the Lighthouse on the northern end of the island before taking the Subway and Metro-North home.”
(1) photo of Chet Cobb, David Mace, Tom Igoe and Joe Spain standing in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms Park in front of the wall containing excerpts from President Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech and (2) photo of the Happy Wanderers at the Lighthouse on the northern end of Roosevelt Island.
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