Category: Events (Page 2 of 12)

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 .

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

2022 Memorial Day Parade in Darien.

For those who would like to participate in the Memorial Day Parade in Darien on Monday, May 30, please plan on gathering between 9:00 am and 9:30 am at Goodwives Shopping Center. Preferred attire is khakis and a blue shirt. For detailed information on parking and other logistics, click on the following link: Memorial Day Parade Instructions 2022. Also, please be advised that several wives will be gathering near Upper Crust Bagels and Calvary Baptist Church (980 Post Road) to watch the parade if your wife or other family members would like to join them.

Social Committee is making arrangements to sponsor a special evening event at the Museum of Darien on Tuesday, May 10, when members can view the extraordinary new exhibition of Connecticut Impressionist paintings.

Contact Jan Selkowitz.

Person-to-Person Mail Carrier Food Drive. We are still looking for additional volunteers to spend 1 to 1 ½ hours after our general meeting on April 27 to staple information flyers to shopping bags in support of this effort to generate food donations for the P2P Food Pantry. There will be a sign-up sheet at this week’s general meeting (if we meet in person at the DCA) or you can reach out directly to Frank DeLeo via email (frankdeleo@hotmail.com) if you’d like to help. Easy work for a good cause. We’re looking for 10+ volunteers.

Cruise the Norwalk Islands and Green’s Ledge Lighthouse on the Norwalk Maritime Center’s “Spirit of the Sound”.    Revolutionary in design, this 64-foot all-aluminum catamaran was launched in 2015 as the first research vessel in North America with hybrid-electric propulsion. She runs virtually silently on electric power.  It has an outside main deck, upper deck and inside cabin.  (It also has a head).   The capacity is 40 people.

The boat will cruise the scenic Norwalk Islands, including Sheffield Island and Green’s Ledge Light.  It is an excellent area to view wildlife.  Long Island Sound is an important feature of our community.  DMA has had several speakers on the subject that you can review:

Tim Pettee, Saving Greens Ledge Light, April 22, 2020

Dick Delfosse: Norwalk Islands History, Secrets, Stories, Navigation, Wednesday, November 1, 2017

The War on Long Island Sound

January 25, 2017 Joe Schnierlein Norwalk Aquarium The environmental conditions of Long Island Sound

Leigh Shemitz, Ph.D., president of SoundWaters, October 31, 2018

The boat will depart at 3:45 sharp.  They must depart by then to get under a draw bridge that will not open between 4-6 for the rush hour.  Come early – there is a comfortable place to hang out.  Park at the foot of Washington Street.  (The parking system is strictly enforced and is a little tricky to deal with – another reason to come early).  The boat will return shortly after 6 when the bridge will again open for us.  Cost is $30.

Snacks and grog are allowed onboard. Bring your own.  No glass.  We plan an optional dinner afterward at local restaurant.

Fee TBD.

See Frank DeLeo or Gary Banks.

Trip report

Dates and times have been finalized for these training sessions. All sessions are at Post 53 headquarters.

• Tuesday, May 24, 7:00 PM — CPR Certification training. $60 fee.
• Thursday, May 26, 7:00 PM — CPR Heartsavers training (non-certified). No fee.
• Thursday, June 2, 7:00 PM — Trauma/Falls training. No fee.

There will be sign-up sheets available at upcoming meetings. You can also reach out to Frank DeLeo via email to reserve a spot (frankdeleo@hotmail.com). Checks made out to Post 53 are requested when you sign up. There is limited space for the sessions so it will be first come, first served. If demand exceeds availability, we will offer more sessions in the fall.

We plan to clean up the roadside and shore along Pear Tree Road and the Goodwives Meadows Land Trust property on Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 1-3.  Meet at Pear Tree Beach near the boat ramp.  Wear boots – it could be muddy.  Bring gloves.

Contact Gary Banks

DMA (Bill Cavers and Gary Banks), the Darien Coastal Commission and our First Selectman cleaned up the Goodwives River inlet on 4/23.  The area included Pear Tree Point road and coastline as well as Goodwives Meadows, a Darien Land Trust property.  The results were a haul of 350 pounds of trash!

Selleck and Dunlap Woods trail prep in advance of its May 15 Adventure Day. We are looking for volunteers to help Chris Filmer walk the trails, clip branches, pick up trash, etc. on May 13 from 11 am – 1 pm.  Please contact Frank DeLeo (frankdeleo@hotmail.com) if you’d like to help.

Guided by DMA member Chris Filmer, who has been an active member of the nonprofit group dedicated to preserving Selleck’s Woods in Darien, Frank DeLeo, Charles Salmans and others helped rake leaves and prepare a children’s play area within this large nature preserve. Within the woods is an area dedicated to the fantasy play of young children, including an “I Spy” area to spot wildlife and a make-believe challenge of bridges, “spider webs” and other obstacles.