Stories

Darien's Great Island Driveway Improvements  Updated Access Hours

<p>Improvements to the main driveway at Great Island will begin Monday,&nbsp; June 16, 2025. To allow this work to proceed safely, the island will be&nbsp; closed to the public on weekdays before 4:00 PM. Weekend access&nbsp;from dawn to dusk will continue as usual throughout the project.</p><p>Access hours may shift as work progresses, and we’ll share updates if&nbsp; the schedule changes.</p><p>We appreciate your cooperation as we make Great Island safer and&nbsp;more accessible for all to enjoy in the years ahead.</p>

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The Town of Darien is transitioning to a new opt-in Emergency Alert System

<p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">Darien currently uses CodeRed for the town-wide Emergency Alert System.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 14, 47);"> This </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">has always been</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 14, 47);"> an OPT-IN alert system used to notify residents </span><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">with critical information in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures or other emergencies. Effective July 1, 2025, CodeRed will no longer be available. The Town of Darien is transitioning to a new&nbsp;</span><strong>opt-in</strong><span style="color:rgb(20, 20, 12)">&nbsp;Emergency Alert System, provided by Everbridge: </span><strong style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">Alerts 06820</strong><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">All residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for Alerts 06820 voluntarily to receive notifications about emergencies and other important community news. This is the only official emergency alert system in town and the only way to be individually notified of local emergencies. Registrants are able to specify how to receive time-sensitive messages, such as calls to their home, cell or business phones, an email, or text messages, as well as what type of emergency alerts they would like to receive.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">Ways to Sign Up:</strong></p><p><a href="https://member.everbridge.net/77860777754758/login" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Town of Darien, CT Everbridge Sign Up Page</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">Download the Everbridge App from the App Store or Google Play Store (search "Town of Darien, CT")</span></p><p><a href="https://www.darienct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5302/Alerts-06820-Registration-Form-fillable-PDF?bidId=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Everbridge Registration Form (PDF)</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">Individuals who do not have access to a computer or text devices, or those who would like assistance in registering their contact information, may complete the registration form above. Completed forms can be mailed or dropped off to the Emergency Management Department in Room 117, Darien Town Hall.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">The success of this service relies on you. Having your latest contact information is the only way to ensure that you are contacted in an emergency. It is important to remember that this notification system is just one tool used to notify the public in the event of an emergency, and no one should rely on it exclusively for emergency information.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(20, 20, 12);">Please note:&nbsp;if you previously subscribed through CodeRed, you will need to re-register with Everbridge.</span></p><p><br></p>

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Audrey Ridder of Darien named to James Madison University President's List

<p>Darien resident, Audrey Ridder, has been named to the President's List at James Madison University for the spring 2025 semester. Students who earn President's List honors must carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a GPA of 3.9 or above. Ridder is majoring in Media Arts and Design - BS.</p>

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The Darien Community Association Announces the 2025 Scholarship Recipients

<p>Celebrating our 84th year of granting scholarships, the Darien Community Association (DCA) is proud to support Darien High School (DHS) graduates and is grateful to our generous donors. The DCA provides scholarships to DHS graduates — with funding for both new and returning college students — and is one of the only DHS scholarship programs offering recipients the opportunity to reapply for all four years of college. Returning scholarship recipients will be announced this summer.</p><p>We wish all DHS graduates the very best in their future endeavors!</p><p><strong>Andrea Vasquez, University of Vermont</strong></p><p>Teddy Gray/Steuert Family Scholarship</p><p>Wave Strong Scholarship</p><p><strong>Brendan McDonnell, Vassar College</strong></p><p>P. van den Broek Scholarship</p><p><strong>Christian Knapp, Roger Williams University</strong></p><p>The Heights at Darien Scholarship</p><p>Jeff Schlachtenhaufen Scholarship</p><p><strong>Declan Schweitzer, University of Wisconsin</strong></p><p>Chris Filmer Scholarship</p><p>Darien Men's Association Scholarship</p><p><strong>Maria Kholmanskikh, Cornell University</strong></p><p>Patricia Buchanan Scholarship</p><p><strong>Matthew Bender, Lincoln Tech</strong></p><p>Palmer's Market Scholarship</p><p><strong>Ryan Bresnahan, Saint Joseph's University</strong></p><p>Pat Parlette Scholarship</p><p><strong>Saige Sinclair, Tulane University</strong></p><p>P. van den Broek Scholarship</p><p><strong>Sarah Kang, Wellesley College</strong></p><p>Thoren Family Scholarship</p><p><strong>Snahasish Datta, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute</strong></p><p>The Heights at Darien Scholarship</p><p><strong>Yenairis Frias, Holy Cross University</strong></p><p>PJ, Caroline and Phoebe Maglathlin Scholarship</p><p>For more information about the DCA Scholarship Program and to become a donor, please visit our website at&nbsp;<a href="https://dariendca.org/scholarships/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.dariendca.org/scholarships</a>. The&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(45, 25, 70);">Darien Community Association is a privately-funded nonprofit organization.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

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Al Aziz Amir Preston of Darien Named to Springfield College Dean's List

<p>Springfield College has named Al Aziz Amir Preston from Darien to the dean's list for academic excellence for the 2025 spring semester.</p><p>Preston has a primary major of Rec Industries &amp; Therap Rec.</p><p>The criteria for selection to the Dean's List are as follows: The student must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded coursework for the term, exclusive of "P" grades. The student must not have any incompletes or missing grades in the designated term. The student must have a minimum semester grade average of 3.500 for the term. </p>

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Fairfield County Bank invites you to FUEL UP (financially and literally) June 4

<p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Darien Community Business Banking Event on Wednesday, June 4</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Fairfield County Bank invites local business owners and community members to its Darien Community Business Banking Event on Wednesday, June 4, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Darien Branch Office, located at 714 Post Road.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Register </strong><a href="https://campaign.documatix.com/DPS/Events/Registration?GUID=ymlpMVsBKU9rbbUZ7mgOoQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">This informational event offers the opportunity to:</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Meet local financial experts, including Lisa Bancroft, VP, Cash Management, and Paul Lutsky, VP, Commercial Lender</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Discuss ways to:</span></li><li class="ql-indent-1"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Save smarter</span></li><li class="ql-indent-1"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Spend wisely</span></li><li class="ql-indent-1"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Borrow confidently</span></li><li class="ql-indent-1"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Grow your business</span></li><li class="ql-indent-1"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Protect what matters most</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Enjoy refreshments</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Enter for a chance to win an "On The Brew" Coffee Basket</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Pick up giveaways</span></li></ul><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">To learn more, click </span><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/general-information/news-events/DarienCommunityBusinessBankingEvent.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">For questions, call 203-431-7431.</span></p><p><br></p>

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Darien Resident Benjamin Coe Completes Intensive Capstone Research Project

<p>Benjamin Coe, a member of the class of 2025 majoring in Architectural Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), recently completed a senior thesis that is required of all graduating seniors as part of the university's distinctive&nbsp;<a href="https://email.meritpages.com/ss/c/u001.2MAbPpABZpoNwpazzwdE_vU-DjKK6siPc1imAQosfEz8gH4bFpFOJnM6tUG_gdj8/4gw/00yYuuZ-SDqRegZyhcM4Kw/h0/h001.owQF7zYWSrIAjw8oyyoNl8PqzN-g7eJlslGxPFG-mIk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">project-based educational experience</a>. Benjamin's&nbsp;<a href="https://email.meritpages.com/ss/c/u001.2MAbPpABZpoNwpazzwdE_vU-DjKK6siPc1imAQosfEz_7Zg0exv-SKkGd1JUGjEeymC1cSZ1Pug9h-UKWAvF-7AERMOh1DvHLAvfC9eR_QKlJSbcXyHh1Qpxolym8AJm/4gw/00yYuuZ-SDqRegZyhcM4Kw/h1/h001.CPNfdYNcTBzVkkDBUl81DWvtjT9OJwfn86GX5bwTYcE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Major Qualifying Project&nbsp;</a>(MQP), a research-driven, professional-level project that challenges students to solve the kinds of problems they would typically encounter in their professional discipline, was titled "Hopital Source de Vie".</p><p>"It's inspiring to see the creativity and skills that our students bring to these projects, as well as the professionalism with which they present their research," says&nbsp;<a href="https://email.meritpages.com/ss/c/u001.2MAbPpABZpoNwpazzwdE_kEnCmjp2mhibfy0eRUZd4uObJxTC7XRU1c_trGHluAt/4gw/00yYuuZ-SDqRegZyhcM4Kw/h2/h001.hjW4o5KxE3X8EvTako8l5_Ciy8AUMrVaZfhspwjTFUY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Arne Gericke</a>, interim dean of undergraduate studies and director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://email.meritpages.com/ss/c/u001.2MAbPpABZpoNwpazzwdE_h20rhXFIcif174U8lglFbbiEScStE0jsY0nDtFJQPPk9VcOFqeOGiRpQBbINs7kIwRvXRmtuOJTg3POcx36PNw/4gw/00yYuuZ-SDqRegZyhcM4Kw/h3/h001.oIAPM3O81YZPMVKpD0qpuAGSL1IENBCeX4iawGHlJXw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Office of Undergraduate Research</a>. "Their experience managing a major project like this-including identifying a problem and researching all of the implications and possible solutions while also managing team dynamics over an extended period of several months-sets them up well for success not only in their first jobs after graduation but&nbsp;<a href="https://email.meritpages.com/ss/c/u001.2MAbPpABZpoNwpazzwdE_vU-DjKK6siPc1imAQosfEw-JOyYfe3q7zXHkpdZLwM31K_UYVe9s4vGtLpvpL53g3Si_rKbIgN1536DJ46VBGI/4gw/00yYuuZ-SDqRegZyhcM4Kw/h4/h001.EJw1WHQS6-N68zMoEM1WAPM9SRtoGy5JoDrrH0KkZJg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">throughout their careers</a>."</p><p><br></p>

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