Host: Jan Selkowitz
Category: Events (Page 4 of 12)
Events are unique, or annual, occurrences that provide singular opportunities for entertainment, service, or education.
Chairman: Frank DeLeo
Bell Ringing at Palmer’s for Darien Human Services
Raising funds to help needy Darienites by soliciting donations from Palmer’s shoppers at Christmas has been a long-standing DMA tradition. Due to COVID-19, we couldn’t perform this important service in 2020. Fortunately, we were able to re-start this activity this year with teams of 2 (and one team of 3) ringing a handbell and greeting shoppers on their way in and out of the store on Sunday, December 12 and Monday, December 20. We had 25 people participate, including 3 members who rang on both days as well as a wife and granddaughter who joined their respective DMA members. Thanks to all who helped and to Palmer’s for letting us use their space and leverage their shoppers.
For several reasons, our historical relationship with the Salvation Army for this activity was no longer an option. So, we partnered directly with the Darien Human Services Department (DHS) (who had been our historical benefactor and go-between with the Salvation Army), focusing on their direct funding activities related to housing, energy, food and clothing assistance. We also had brochures about DHS at our table to help publicize the breadth of services they provide. By partnering directly with DHS, we were able to ensure that the funds raised would go 100% to Darien residents.
We were blessed with good weather on both days (sunny and not too chilly). Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Darien residents/Palmer’s shoppers (and the warmth and engaging demeanor of our bell ringers – many of whom enhanced the spirit of the season by wearing Santa hats), we raised $1,350 on the 12th and $1,125 on the 20th, for a grand total of $2,475. The DHS Director was thrilled and extremely appreciative since past years’ daily donations were typically in the $400-$800 range. What a great way to re-institute one of our traditional Community Service activities. We not only made a significant contribution to our neighbors, but we also raised the bar for future holiday fund raising at Palmer’s!
The Social Events committee has arranged a visit to the processing and laboratory facilities of Copps Island Oysters by Norm Bloom at 7 Edgewater Place in Norwalk commencing 9:30 am on Friday, October 22th . The visit will include a ride on one of their oyster boats to see oysters being harvested – as long as weather permits. After the event we will go to Knot Norms seafood restaurant for lunch where you can sample oysters in a variety of dishes – raw or cooked – or try their chowder or one of their lobster dishes. The address is 10 1st Street in Norwalk.
There is a limit of ten people that Copps Island Oysters can accommodate, so we will accept reservations on a first-come basis and then maintain a reserve list. Should the trip be oversubscribed we will attempt to arrange a follow-up event, as we did in 2019. We welcome those not attending the tour to join us at Knot Norms for lunch around 11:30 am.
All those members who have been fully vaccinated are invited to join the group, and masks are required for the tour of the facility. Please contact Jan Selkowitz to reserve your place. We will need to car-pool since there is limited parking in the area and we welcome volunteers for this task: let Jan know if you can be one of the drivers. We will meet at the DCA carpark and leave around 9:00 am to drive to Norwalk.
The Social Events committee has arranged a visit to the processing and laboratory facilities of Copps Island Oysters by Norm Bloom at 7 Edgewater Place in Norwalk commencing 9:30 am on Friday, October 29nd . The visit will include a ride on one of their oyster boats to see oysters being harvested – as long as weather permits. After the event we will go to Knot Norms seafood restaurant for lunch where you can sample oysters in a variety of dishes – raw or cooked – or try their chowder or one of their lobster dishes. The address is 10 1st Street in Norwalk.
There is a limit of ten people that Copps Island Oysters can accommodate, so we will accept reservations on a first-come basis and then maintain a reserve list. Should the trip be oversubscribed we will attempt to arrange a follow-up event, as we did in 2019. We welcome those not attending the tour to join us at Knot Norms for lunch around 11:30 am.
All those members who have been fully vaccinated are invited to join the group, and masks are required for the tour of the facility. Please contact Jan Selkowitz to reserve your place. We will need to car-pool since there is limited parking in the area and we welcome volunteers for this task: let Jan know if you can be one of the drivers. We will meet at the DCA carpark and leave around 9:00 am to drive to Norwalk.
On Wednesday evening, June 16, the DMA hosted its first annual picnic/cookout in two years. The turnout was monumental – over 230 people enjoyed a beautiful evening together in the picnic grove at Weed Beach. What a wonderful personal gathering to cap off a challenging yet rewarding DMA year. The late spring weather was perfect, the food was delicious, the music was most entertaining and the company was superb.
A huge thank you to Alex Garnett for taking the lead in organizing this affair. His personal reflections are most appropriate: “I would just say that we have come a long way since the days of our wives bringing the food, the time we moved all the furniture from the DCA in a hired truck and also did our own grilling to now having Danny and his Vavala’s staff do all the heavy lifting.
The beauty of this event and our holiday party is that we have so many wonderful people who really care about one another. As we all age, we may slow down a bit but the hugs, smiles and laughter always help to brighten our lives.”
One DMA member, Mark Nunan, was so moved by the perfect weather that the bard in him was inspired to share a short celebratory poem on the occasion:
Not too hot, not too cold
Still – could have rained out
Ya – but Garnett’s got clout
Our day reigned sun, real gold
Contact Mike Heitz
This year’s Memorial Day Parade will occur on Monday, May 31. The Memorial Day Ceremony will take place immediately following the Parade at the Karl Lang monument in Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery. In case of inclement weather, the Ceremony will be moved to the Darien Library. The Parade will step-off at 10:00 am sharp and is a great opportunity to demonstrate pride in our role in the Community. Suggested attire for parading members will remain the same as in years past; namely, tan slacks, blue shirts – but not strictly enforced as all, of course, are welcomed!
The drop-off location is the Good Wives Shopping Center (drop-off time is 9:00 am; the Parade organizers will designate our assigned drop-off point with signs and guides at the Shopping Center) and the pick-up location is the Stamford Health Darien Draw Station at 1500 Post Road, a few yards across from the Darien Library.
We usually have about 6 cars in the parade, some being used for members who are more comfortable with riding the distance. Please let Mike Heitz (mheitz14@gmail.com) know if you have a car to include in the Parade and whether you will drive or wish to ride in a car or simply intend to walk the route. Lastly, we request that masks should be carried for use as required (or as deemed prudent).
Our first 2021 activity is a celebration of Earth Day. There are two sites to be cleaned up. The first is Stony Brook Park.Saturday April, 24th at 9:30 a.m.
Meet at the parking lot.
To sign up, email Mike Heitz at: mheitz14@gmail.com
Our first 2021 activity is a celebration of Earth Day. There are two sites to be cleaned up. The second is at Pear Tree Beach.
Meet at the parking lot.
Saturday April, 24th starting at 3:00 p.m. (Lower Tide)
To sign up, email Mike Heitz at: mheitz14@gmail.com
Our first 2020 activity is at Town Hall
(garage behind Town Hall)
Tuesday, October, 27th starting at 9:30 AM
(Rain date: Thursday, 29th October)
To sign up, email Mike Heitz at: mheitz14@gmail.com
Our second 2020 activity is at Selleck’s Woods
Address:1 Parklands Dr. Darien, CT 06820 (Drive past buildings on the left to the end)
Tuesday, 10, November starting at 9:00 AM.
(Rain date: Thursday, 12, November)
To sign up, email Mike Heitz at: mheitz14@gmail.com
Pour yourself a Quarantini, or other adult beverage, and join your friends for a a bit socializing and cheer. Not great, but it beats the alternative. See you there.
As you can imagine, for someone who has been wearing prison greens for years, proper civilian clothing is a must and is sorely needed. (New York, which is not atypical, gives a released inmate only $40 and a bus ticket home.) This year’s drive will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 before our regular meeting.
Just bring those gently worn items (suits, ties, shirts, pants, sweaters, coats, etc.) that’s been clogging up your closet to the DCA parking lot before our meeting on May 4. A Hudson Link van will be waiting to take it to the Hudson Link office in Ossining, where it will be Ossining office where it will change someone’s life. It will be much appreciated!
It costs $60,000/yr to incarcerate a person. The NY the recidivism rate is 43% – a stunning waste of money and lives. However, Hudson Link, through counseling, education, and help with reentry, has a recidivism rate of just 2%. Part of the help with reentry is a professional wardrobe that can help land a job and find housing.
Last year the clothing drive was a huge success. Let’s make it happen again.
Arranged by Pete Wells
Hudson Link has spoken at DMA twice:
Damian Rossney and Billy Seales,Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison,Wednesday, April 18, 2018
To find out more see: www.hudsonlink.org