June Issue: DarienMagazineCT.com

Dear Readers and Residents of Darien,

How extraordinary to be celebrating Post 53, Darien’s student-run, all-volunteer EMS service, as it turns 53 years young in this month devoted to celebrating dads! That’s because when Darien’s Bud Doble started Post in 1970, his aim was not just to educate teens in town about the dangers of drugs and drinking, but also as a way to deepen his connection with his son. Nice. All these years later, this great gift to the town continues to nurture generations of young people as it carries on what Bud built as the only student-run EMS organization in the nation. We hope you enjoy learning more about Post through the many great insights six of the group’s current members share in the article (including just what the heck “tones” are).

Speaking of gifts, be sure to check out the gift line up we’ve got for you in the pages ahead. No need to go farther than local to make the dad in your life happy this month.

In that same vein of great things, especially for young people (though there are adult classes too), we can’t wait for you to read about Dance on the DL, Freddy Muñoz and all he’s bringing to our young people in town through the breakdancing he teaches at his studio. It’s our Art Show feature this

month and it’s a fascinating look at the culture behind this dance style (set to debut in the next Summer Olympics!) and the confidence it’s giving the kids who study it.

On the flip side, we present for your reading pleasure Darien’s “first sub-division,” Prospect Avenue, and five of its grandest dames, in our House Tour column. How much they have to tell us! Thank you Marian Castell for sharing your deep wisdom and to the owners who let us showcase their homes.

Rounding out the month are a great take on P2P’s campership program, more from Linda Stephens on strength training, the truth about “fresh” food from Greens on the Go owner Alyssa Kadow and a Ukrainian Borscht recipe from Carolyn Eddie’s Darien High School intern Yuliia Skorodolnykova, who arrived in Darien from Ukraine by way of Poland last August.

Thank you to all our contributors and to the advertisers who make it possible for us to produce this magazine for Darien by Darien for you.

Please, share your thoughts with us at pam@darienmagazinect.com or carl@darienmagazinect.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @darienmagazinect.

PAMELA DEY VOSSLER CARL TRAUTMANN Editor-in-Chief Founder & Publisher

Community gardens at Cherry Lawn

COVE R STORY

When the Tones Drop

When the tones drop, they jump. And they’ve been doing it for 53 years. They are the student and adult EMTs of Post 53. Here’s their story.

COVER PHOTO BY BAMBI RIEGEL | RIEGELPICTUREWORKS.COM

980 Post Rd. #A Darien, CT 06820 (203) 655-7677 • www.crossprivateclient.com

A boutique Personal Lines Insurance Agency that focuses solely on Personal Risk Management for successful individuals.

You can schedule a complimentary call with me through my website at www.lindamstephens.com.

My virtual door is always open if you want to discuss your health concerns and goals. We believe in being proactive about your health because your health is your responsibility.

576 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT 203. 655. 6633 • www.gearygallery.com

Fine Art. Accent Picture Framing. Accent Restoration. We offer curbside pick up. Come visit our Gallery or take a tour on line.

635 Frogtown Rd, New Canaan, CT 06840 (203) 801-5608 • www.countryschool.net

New Canaan Country School focuses on translating knowledge into action. NCCS ensures that students enjoy a broad range of ageappropriate, “learning-by-doing” activities in an environment that fosters trust and risk-taking.

131 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien, CT 06820 203-655-2018 • www.hollowtreestorage.com

Hollow Tree Self Storage has the right space for you. Located on Hollow Tree Ridge Road, our fenced facility is here to provide you with the solution to your storage needs.

Inquiries:

1020 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 (203) 655-1020 • www.info@tentwentypost.com

French Quarter New Orleans meets the Oyster Bar @ Grand Central with a spacious bar and numerous seating options, Ten Twenty Post offers a diverse menu that will make for an excellent experience regardless of the occasion.

• For marketing partnerships and advertising, contact carl@darienmagazinect.com

• For editorial or content ideas and feedback, contact pam@darienmagazinect.com

Thank you to our Founding Partners for helping make Darien MagazineCT.com possible. If you need the services they provide, please visit them first.

Darien MagazineCT.com inspires, educates and expands minds through stories about Darien residents, influencers, organizations, business owners, charities and more. We uncover the gems in our midst and look at the familiar in new ways, to take you deep into the community we call home.

Darien’s prosperity is intertwined with our amazing local businesses. Did you know that:

• 70% of local dollars spent, stay local (Amex)

• Local businesses generate as much as 80% of their business within 5 miles of their location. (SBA)

• “Near Me” (within 5 miles) is a top business search category. (Google Small Business)

Thank you for supporting our local business community.

Special shout out to our local contributors this month: Linda Stephens • Courtney Haidinger of Post 53 • Marian Castell • the business owners in our Father’s Day Gift Guide • P2P • Alyssa Kadow

• Yuliia Skorodolnykova

Coming soon: DarienMagazineCT.com website launch

Please follow us on: @darienmagazinect @darienmagazinect.com

DarienMagazineCT.com

LLC is an independent, wholly owned multimedia platform and business including this publication published ten times a year, social media, and a soon to launch website.

Editor-In-Chief PAMELA DEY VOSSLER

Director of Photography BAMBI RIEGEL

Art Director KIRSTEN NAVIN

JUNE CONTRIBUTORS

Co-Founder IRENE M. TRAUTMANN

In Memoriam

Backcountry Darien

Lifting Matters: Part 2

Strength Training 101

Strength training helps build muscle, increase bone density and improve overall health and fitness, as we covered in Part 1 of Lifting Matters last month. However, with so many different types of strength training out there, it can be difficult to determine which one is best for you. Here we will explore the most popular types and help you decide which fit your goals.

Weightlifting

Weightlifting, also known as resistance training, focuses on using weights to build muscle and increase strength. This type of training typically involves free weights such as dumbbells and barbells or weight machines to perform exercises such as squats, deadlifts and bench presses.

Weightlifting is a great option if you want to build muscle mass (also known as muscular hypertrophy). This type of strength training uses moderate-to-heavy weights to stimulate muscle growth efficiently. It also helps improve bone density, which is important for overall health and for reducing the risk of osteoporosis. However, weightlifting can be intimidating for beginners and may require a bit of instruction or guidance to perform correctly and safely.

Bodyweight Training

Bodyweight training uses the weight of your own body as resistance. This type of training typically involves exercises such as push-ups, pull ups, squats, planks, wall sits and lunges. Bodyweight training is a great option if your aim is to improve your overall fitness but don’t have access to weights or weight machines. It can also be done anywhere, making it a convenient option if you travel frequently or prefer to exercise at home. However, bodyweight training may not be as effective at building muscle mass as weightlifting, especially for advanced lifters.

If you want to add resistance but you’re not ready for weights or maybe you’re going away and still want to exercise, you can increase intensity with resistance bands. Look for bands that can go around your thighs. A brand like X-bands (xbandstraining.com) won’t twist while you’re doing movements such as squats, a banded deadlift (without free weights) or donkey kicks and will definitely turn up the heat and get you to feel the “burn.”

You can also use bands with handles attached that wrap around a tree or something that’s firmly planted to the ground and perform upper body movements to increase blood flow to your joints and muscles.

PHOTO COURTESY : LINDA STEPHENS

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

High intensity interval training (HIIT) involves short bursts of high intensity exercise followed by periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. This type of training typically involves exercises such as jump squats, burpees and mountain climbers. HIIT is a great option if you want to improve your cardiovascular health and burn fat quickly. It is also time-efficient as most HIIT workouts can be completed in under 30 minutes. However, HIIT may not be the best option if you are new to exercise or have certain health conditions, as it can be very intense and may increase the risk of injury.

Plyometrics

Plyometrics, also known as jump training, focuses on explosive movements such as jumping, hopping and bounding. It typically involves exercises such as box jumps, jumping lunges and jump squats. Plyometrics is a great option for athletes or individuals who want to improve their power and explosiveness in sports such as soccer, basketball, tennis and lacrosse. It is also a fun and challenging way to mix up your workout routine. However, Plyometrics can be very high impact and may not be the best

www.lindamstephens.com

option if you have joint pain or other injuries.

It’s a great idea to combine some of the options listed above to build a conditioned physique that’s also a calorie-burning machine. However, bottom line: Exercise shouldn’t be confusing. It should be fun, and something you look forward to doing every day. To learn more about what type of strength training (or combination of strength training options) is best for your body and overall goals or if you’re unsure how to proceed, talking to a professional trainer is the best way to get started. My team and I are standing by ready to help!

In good health, Linda

LINDA STEPHENS, M.S. Nutritionist, Darien Resident and Owner, Linda Stephens Fitness, LLC. My virtual door is always open if you want to discuss your health goals. You can schedule a complimentary call with me through my website at www.lindamstephens.com.

Linda Stephens Fitness offers comprehensive nutritional planning to help you achieve your personal wellness goals. We work with individuals, athletes and families. We believe in being proactive about your health because your health is your responsibility.

BY PAMELA DEY VOSSLER • PHOTOS BY BAMBI RIEGEL | RIEGELPICTUREWORKS.COM

When the tones drop, they jump. And they’ve been doing it for 53 years, responding to that piercing alarm. Because while you may not think about them, they’re almost always thinking about you …and the unthinkable—the fall, the attack, the seizure, the cut, the burn, the shock, the pain, the crisis of any sort.

They are the 80 high school students, and the 50 adult EMTs who advise, mentor and support them, who make up Darien’s sole, all-volunteer ambulance corps, Post 53, the only student-run EMS organization in the nation. Their job? Save lives.

That’s why they’ve got you top of mind during the 90 hours they spend as a candidate, the 184 hours they spend on college-level coursework and the complex state exam they must pass to prove they’ve mastered the material required for their EMT certification. They think of you during the 24-hour shifts they spend at Post 53 HQ at Zero Ledge Road and throughout the countless hours more they devote biweekly to refresher training, post-call downloads, performance evaluations, peer reviews, mentoring and weekly meetings. It’s all so when you do think of them and make that 9-1-1 call, they are ready for you …as ready as any adult EMT, perhaps even more so given the culture, values and drive that surrounds all this effort.

Post 53 has three fully-equipped state-of-the-art am-

bulances, three supervisor flycars, and a fire standby/mass casualty bus responding 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to the more than 1,600 calls it receives each year. With an operating budget of $425,000 provided nearly entirely by the community, it is recognized as one of the finest emergency ambulance services in the country.

“We have an excellent relationship with the town but we are 100% community funded so that is a huge piece for us,” said Joe Larcheveque, who spends 40 hours each week as director of Post 53, the only paid position.

Post responds in teams of four plus a driver, arriving on scene after the police who are dispatched first. An adult supervisor joins every call. A paramedic comes when a more serious situation warrants it.

Posties, as they are called, begin a carefully choreographed system of advancement in eighth grade when they apply to join.

“We get about 80 to 90 applications a year,” said Joe, a seasoned and still active paramedic.

“We whittle that down to about 40,” he continued.

The 13-year-olds then take a first aid class taught by Post 53 seniors. Upon completion, they are evaluated and voted on by their peers based on academic performance, participation and interest. Approximately 20 pass into the next stage of training—candidacy, a 90-day period in which they devote nearly 100 hours to endless cleaning of the Post 53 building and getting to know the members. If all has gone well, they’re next voted into membership, as freshmen, and advance to rider training where they learn about the equipment.

“If somebody asks for a piece of equipment, riders learn what it is so they can grab it,” explained Joe. “When they finally reach the point where they can ride on their first shift, they are just as much an integral part of that crew as anybody else,” he added. →

opposite: Post 53 Executive Director Joe Larcheveque with the 2023-24 elected officers. first row from left: Lucy Calvillo, Joe, Jillian Slonieski, second row from left: Tristan Adams, Brendan Haidinger, Charlotte Volz, Kai Sparks; left: Post 53 members (from left): Oscar Barton, Kai Sparks, Tommy Branca, Rica Monaghan, Selby Molloy and Riley Cavanna

If they pass this stage, they move on to EMT training their sophomore year—a ferocious schedule of twice weekly classes from 7pm to 10pm for six months plus seven eighthour Saturday sessions.

During EMT training, riders become extras, if they’re excelling in class – which they all do. Extras assist EMTs with more clinically-based tasks such as taking blood pressure.

“At the end of the EMT course, they go for two rounds of state testing,” explained Joe of the written and practical exams they must pass.

Clear these hurdles and students receive their state C EMT certification. But no matter how well they do on the state exam, they must also have been on at least 20 calls as a rider, 20 as an extra and 20 as an C EMT before they move on. After EMT certification, members may also opt to train to become drivers once they turn 17 years old. But at every level, they progress at Post only upon receiving a thumbs up from the membership.

As EMTs, they commit to a minimum of 19 hours of primary ambulance duty per month, which does not include their off-ambulance responsibilities—fundraising, ordering supplies, managing the finances and the website, leading classes, disciplining members when necessary and everything it takes to run the place—from making sure the toilet paper is stocked and the sheets on the beds where they sleep during their shifts are changed each day, to organizing the annual Halloween Haunted House fundraiser.

…and all this is on top of school, sports and other extracurriculars. Plainly, it’s a huge commitment but they make it gladly, driven by the friendships they find there, the camaraderie of crisis situations shared, the dedication they all have to working as hard as they do, the confidence they develop through constant learning and the ability it gives them to help patients, their trust in each other and the pride in a job extraordinarily well done.

“I definitely was not aware of how much work goes into it but I feel like you’re taught that freshmen year. Then, the love for being here drives the work and makes it really

easy to want to be here and to put in the work,” said Darien High School (DHS) senior Selby Molloy, Post’s outgoing vice president of student affairs who also works at the Darien Sport Shop and is attending Vanderbilt University next year on a pre-med track.

“Post made it very clear to me that you only get out of something what you put into it,” added Tommy Branca, a senior, who was officer in charge of medical supplies (as well as captain of the hockey and soccer teams) this past year. He also works at the Darien Sport Shop and will be attending Harvard next fall.

It’s tough, sure, but the harder it is, it seems, the better they do, and perhaps not surprisingly, it is a group of young people wildly wise beyond their years.

They know they can rise to any occasion.

“When I first came in, I was super introverted,” said DHS junior Kai Sparks who was just voted in as president of Post. “But being here kind of forces you to get out of that shell …Like on the ambulance, you have to make a connection with your patient and you can’t do that if you’re not willing to be open yourself,” he continued.

“I truly was the freshman that wouldn’t speak,” said Rica Monaghan, also a senior at DHS, who will be at Villanova next fall, on a pre-med track as well. But now, “I speak my mind. I’m determined. I love how Post lets us become the person that we are truly destined to be,” she added.

“I knew that if I could save a life I could stand up for myself and not be super shy and afraid like I was as a freshman,” said DHS junior Riley Cavanna, the newly elected officer of rank advancement and performance reviews.

They learn to trust each other and work as a team.

“Post really only works well because we all work as a team,” said Selby. “Everyone’s just looking out for the best for each other. We all want to succeed together,” she continued.

…and they understand priorities.

“I think Post teaches you a lot about what you value because when you’re scheduled for these 24-hour shifts, you

left: Bud Doble (center) with two early Post 53 adult volunteers; above: The first Post 53 “ambulance”

really have to drop some things in your life, especially if you can’t find people to cover you,” said DHS sophomore Oscar Barton, a member of the DHS tennis and cross country teams who just earned his EMT certification and has had to skip practice from time to time for his Post commitment.

They are professional.

Though the volume and antics can ramp up a bit more than what Joe might like during down time at Post, “We understand too that with everything that we ask of them and everything that they do above and beyond my expectations, they’re still kids,” he said.

But when the call comes, it shifts on a dime.

“I feel like a lot of the times we get looked at like ‘Oh, they’re just kids. They can’t do this.’ In reality, when the tones drop here at Post, we go into complete business mode. Post really creates such a sense of responsibility,” added Rica of crews who also maintain strict confidentiality.

these people be really hurt and seeing their families feel terribly, it’s made me realize that a lot of the things that I thought were important aren’t really important,” said Riley.

Founded in 1970 by Darien parent Bud Doble as a way to give teens a hands-on experience with the dangers of drugs and alcohol, Post began under a first aid tent with a converted telephone repair truck as an “ambulance” and a budget of $150. One year after it started, Post 53, which operated from 6pm to midnight, responded to 100 emergency calls. By 1976, they were the town’s “official” EMS service.

“Bud was a force of nature,” said Tom Mosher, DHS Class of ’76 who was at Post 53 under Doble. “He was the one who was politicking in the town and connecting with individuals to fundraise and set up the structure.”

“I’ve never met his equivalent.” he continued. “He had a sense of humor. But in so far as the Post was concerned, he was totally serious. He wouldn’t put up with nonsense. He instilled in everyone that the harder you work at it, the more successful we’re going to be,” Tom added. “And as soon as you divert your attention, that’s when things start to fall apart. He’s the one that held you accountable. He was the one that drove you to getting things done.”

It’s a value system that remains today, with countless lives saved and generations of graduates to show for it …doctors, nurses, entrepreneurs and fighter pilots, teachers, marines and more.

“It works here because it’s been inbred into the community for so long and now it’s adored. And these kids have proven it, over and over again for 53 years, that they can do this job,” said Joe.

It’s what happens when you give kids the opportunity, create the right culture, train them, trust them, mentor them then hold them responsible.

“Honestly, I don’t think any of us would be able to do this if we didn’t have the adults that we have. They’re all so well trained and they just know what they’re doing and they’re really great,” said Selby.

They listen, without judgment.

“You never know what’s going on with someone. Someone could be having a really tough time or really bad day and you would never know. Post has kind of opened me up to that,” said Rica of what she learned from patients and her efforts to develop rapport with them, a point of pride for all Posties.

They develop perspective.

“When you go on these calls, you learn that time isn’t guaranteed. You really just want to appreciate the time that you have now and not be worried about the little ifs and maybes but just be super present,” said Kai.

“I feel like seeing all these crazy big injuries and seeing

“Post 53 runs the way it does because of the collaboration between adults and kids,” agreed Courtney Haidinger, a newer adult EMT at Post who spends a minimum of 35 hours a month there, like all of the adult volunteers, covering calls for the kids while they are in school.

“Post 53 is very purposeful and we are united in our common purpose,” said Diane Schmidt-Fellner, head of the adult advisor group who has been an adult EMT at Post 53 for 20 years.

Especially when the tones drop.

To learn more about Post 53, its incredible purpose, history and how you might support it, visit post53.org

The Giving Garden at the community-supported Post 53 with a spiral of bricks thanking donors

House Tour |

Talk of Our

written by: MARIAN CASTELL, Darien Town Historian, with PAMELA DEY VOSSLER photos by: BAMBI RIEGEL | riegelpictureworks.com

Town

Houses speak to us. They tell us about who we were and how we came to live as we do today. They chart our evolution and what they say to us varies depending on when, why and how they were built. Perhaps among the loudest voices in this particular conversation in Darien is Prospect Avenue, Darien’s very first “subdivision,” thanks to one Melville Mead, a successful 19th century insurance broker turned visionary developer.

Though barely 32 years old when he started Prospect Avenue, his earliest and most enduring project in town, it remains, undeniably, one of the most striking streets in Darien and among the best examples of how past and present reside in an elegant esprit de corps.

Because architecture is also history, a visual reflection of people’s lives, problems, values, world events and technological developments. Early styles, such as what we see in Colonial era homes, relate to efficient ways of staying warm and farming. Later styles reflect the movement away from farming to trade and commerce with rooms to support new needs—rooms for formal entertainment, rooms for music, rooms for servants and rooms to impress, to express the grandeur of the time. Adding porches was exciting for them, a manifestation of the leisure time they now had. The 19th century and its new technologies (such as the coal burning furnace—the first central heating system), along with the expansion of the British Empire stimulated a new world outlook and new, multi-faceted and imaginative styles such as Italianate, Vernacular, Second Empire, Edwardian/Neo Classical and Queen Anne. This is what we see on Prospect Avenue. Gone were the easier-to-heat boxes with the few holes for windows they allowed. Sunlight, air, space—

5 PROSPECT AVE. Second Empire

Built in 1867 by Charles G. Morehouse; the first house constructed on Prospect Ave.

Originally an Italianate design, 5 Prospect Ave. was remodeled in 1888 into a Second Empire house with a cupola, four-story tower and mansard roof. Second Empire designs were inspired by the rebuilding of Paris in the 1850s. Their distinctive mansard roofs were designed in France to provide extra living space on the top floor, while avoiding taxes which were calculated on the number of stories below the roof.

House Tour

11 PROSPECT AVE. Vernacular/Late Victorian Eclectic Built in 1867 by

Vernacular style houses often have an irregular massing of exterior details reflecting a free-form interior plan. Faced with clapboard or shingles, the most common feature is a large gable facing the street. Windows are long and narrow, sometimes with stained glass.

today.

13 PROSPECT AVE. Italianate • Built in 1868 by Charles Stuart Whitney. Inspired by Italian country villa architecture and two or three stories high, Italianate houses are most frequently boxy in shape with asymmetrical massing of wings, towers and bay windows while others are completely symmetrical, based on the Federal plan. First floor windows are tall and thin. The Italianate style revolutionized building by introducing a structural system called balloon framing which replaced the heavy posts and beams used earlier. It is still in use

Horace Whitney.

This style is large and asymmetrical with a variety of forms, textures and colors with towers, turrets, tall chimneys, gables and porches. In their 1981 slide lecture about Prospect Ave., Fran Landon and Nancy DiJoseph described 20 Prospect Ave. as “an impressive example of the Queen Anne style that prevailed in the late 19th century,” calling out the “verandah with Chinese-style fretwork combined with pierced brackets, turned posts and a decorative skirt.” They noted also the “the diversity of windows that illustrate the variety of treatments possible in this style.”

these were what people wanted, not only as a stage for the emerging wealth of the time and America’s rising industrial power worldwide, but as a hedge against tuberculosis, the scourge of the day.

New to town by way of Manhattan in 1864, Mead and his wife fell hard for Darien and Mead wanted to do well by their new home, starting with the eightacre parcel of rolling hills, open fields and views of ships on Long Island Sound which would become Prospect Avenue. He bought the land from the Mather brothers for $3,500 in 1865. Mead named it Prospect Avenue for its vistas. (You’d be hard pressed to find even the roots of the trees that line the avenue today.) It was the year the Civil War ended and the railroad put New York within commuting reach. Trade was booming, and Mead saw what Darien was to be.

He cut a road from Mansfield Avenue three-quarters of the way to what is now Brookside Drive, divided the land into 24 building lots and put them up for sale. Absent zoning laws (which would not come to Darien until 1925), developers called the shots. Mead, intent on creating a beautiful neighborhood that would attract Darien’s “most respected citizens” stipulated that homes built had to be “substantial private residences” worth $1,000 and set back at least 20 feet from the avenue. Mead wanted the houses built within one year of purchase and refunded $250 of the purchase price upon completion of the house.

Extraordinarily, much of what was built then remains today, a wealth of architectural character. Though updated and modernized, the bones remain, the conversation continues …thanks to generations of owners who’ve kept it going.

Mead’s Prospect Ave. subdivision.

Characterized by a square or rectangular shape with a highly pitched, hipped roof with dormer windows. “Neo-classical Revival houses were built on a grander scale than the originals, with larger doorways, windows and overall house footprint. Diamond paned windows add warmth to an interior which has many inviting nooks and crannies,” according to Fran Landon and Nancy DiJoseph in their 1981 slide lecture.

EDITOR’S NOTE : To learn more about the architecture and history of Prospect Avenue, check out Darien Observed. It’s an architectural history of Darien full of great images and detail. You’ll find it for sale at the Museum of Darien, 45 Old King’s Highway

3 PROSPECT AVE. Edwardian Classicism/Neo-classical Revival • Built in 1900 by Clarence Bell; the last home built as part of

20 PROSPECT AVE. Queen Anne • Built in 1887 by Alfred Morehouse.

Dads will love these Rhone Slim Fit Commuter Pants

A bit more tailored than the Classic fit, but not too skinny. From office to golf course to a night out after, they go the distance. Get them at rhone.com

(founded by one of Darien’s own!) $138

For

Dad

Presenting a great read for dad: The Mosquito Bowl –World War II, marines, a football game on Guadalcanal between 65 guys from two regiments preparing for Okinawa (many of them top players of the time) and how they fared in the battle that followed. Get it at Barrett Bookstore, 5 Corbin Drive, 203-655-2712. $32.50

Show dad how much you care with ON Cloudsurfer running shoes. Whether he’s a seasoned runner or casual jogger, the comfort and performance of this innovative shoe will take his runs to new heights. Get it at Darien Running Company, 14 Brook Street, 203-202-7492. $149.99

If the best way to a dad’s heart is through his stomach, a premiere cut of beef is sure to do the trick. You’ll find a wide variety of highest quality beef and other meats along with all the fixings at Darien Butcher Shop, 13 Grove Street, 203-202-9664. (Pricing varies.)

Need a Father’s Day gift? Look no further than local. These great Darien businesses have you covered.

Delicious …and healthy too, oysters turn up the celebratory dial any day but especially on one devoted to dads. For the best oysters around, check out Ten Twenty Post and their changing mix of six to eight types of oysters each day—1020 Post Road, 203-655-1020 (Pricing varies.)

There’s no spot better than The Compleat Angler to spoil a fly fishing dad. From the Sage Maverick Fly Rod ($675) shown here, and the Galvan Torque Fly Reel ($510), they’ve got the goods, and the knowledgeable staff to steer you right. Find them at 319 Post Road, 203-655-9400.

Yes! Peter Millar makes swim trunks too and they are a dad must-have. The one-of-a-kind, hand-designed prints come with a seven-inch inseam, fine mesh liner and tagless construction—as comfortable as they are good looking. Find them at the Darien Sport Shop, 1127 Post Road, 203655-2575. $100

At Rudy’s Grooming Club, it’s not just a haircut, it’s an experience. Master barbers provide consultations, precision cuts and a straight razor finish around the edges, along with a scalp massage and hot towel treatment. Gift cards available at Rudy’s, 1077 Boston Post Road, 203202-9311 (Pricing varies.)

What better than a good IPA for dad on Father’s Day? Sip of Sunshine, Hazy Rays or Little Sip are just three of the many you’ll find at Learys Liquor Cabinet, 186 Heights Road, 203-655-0508. Got questions? Ask for Scott, the beer guy. (Pricing varies.)

Why not a Callaway Paradym driver for dad? …straight from the 2023 Golf Digest Hot List? …or a custom fitting, swing-lessons in a full-size hitting bay, or any manner of other golf gear? Darien’s Tri-fit Custom Golf has it all at 365 Boston Post Road, 203-202-9640. (Pricing varies.)

DAP TH

from left : ELI JOHNSTON, OLIVER CASTELLANOS, FREDDY, STELLA PAQUETTE, XANDER TIDRICK IN THE DANCE ON THE DL STUDIO, opposite : THE DANCE ON THE DL 2400 PERFORMANCE CREW

HAT! J

Breakdancing in Darien

ust open the door. You’ll feel it. There’s something extraordinary going on here. It’s Dance on the DL, the hip hop / breakdancing, confidence-building, find-yourself-and-celebrate-what-makes-youyou and support-all-who-cross-your-path-while-you’re-at-it studio brought to town eight years ago by Darien’s Doreen Godfrey and her business partner Linda Cicero.

Forget the fact that just being in the presence of this style of dance and the people who teach it ups your cool quotient exponentially. (How could it not with its popping, rocking, head spins, freezes and endless other moves pulled from street dances worldwide, its “b-boy” and “b-girl” nicknames, and “battles” at which dancers go head to head then “dap” to hug it out when they’re done?) Breaking, hip hop and the culture that governs it also builds character and community, especially in the crews of dancers that form to dance and battle together. It’s an on ramp to self-belief. And the harder you work and the more you believe in yourself, the greater the respect you earn.

“Dance on the DL is a place of encouragement, kindness, creativity and obviously fun,” said Darien resident Andrea Tidrick, whose seventh grade son Xander started at DL three years ago. “Watching Xander grow, not only in his hip hop and breakdancing skill, but in his self-confidence and ease in self-expression has been amazing,” she added.

“The way the breaking and hip hop culture works is that you’re developing yourself as a person through breaking and you’re developing who you are through the dance,” said Bridgeport native Freddy Muñoz, who recently took over as owner of Dance on the DL (DL) from Doreen and Linda. He’s also an instructor (one of the only breakdancing instructors in Fairfield County) and a member of United OutKast, the top crew in Connecticut.

“In the (hip hop) culture, when you’re battling somebody, you’re showing yourself as a person. And even if you lose, you’re gaining respect from revealing yourself and how you interpret the culture and show your passion and your artistry,” he continued.

It ties to why Doreen and Linda started the business in the first place. “Dance played such a pivotal role in our lives,” said Doreen, who

started dancing when she was three years old, spending up to 20 hours a week at it when she was growing up.

For Linda, who discovered dance in her mid-20s, “Dance changed my life. Through dance I developed greater confidence in myself and my abilities. I wanted to give that same opportunity to others,” she said.

“Our goal was to build confidence through movement. We wanted DL to be a space where all students can feel free to express themselves and feel great in their own skin,” Doreen added. “A lot of (the kids who come here) become different people on this floor. They leave everything that happens at school. Here, they just dance.”

“The beauty of dance is it allows you to express the many different sides of yourself,” continued Linda who said they chose to focus on hip hop and breaking because few other studios were doing it.

Freddy, like all the DL instructors, remains commercially active. Incredibly gifted, he signed with Clear Talent Group (CTG), a top agency eight years ago. He has danced with The New York Knicks and in the movie In the Heights. Most recently, he appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

But you’d never know it. He’s as unassuming, warm and understated as he is talented.

And as hard as it is to imagine now, Freddy was shy growing up, and bullied in middle school. He credits dance with “getting me out of my shell,” as he says.

“I’m still a very reserved person, but then dancing is like another side of me,” explained Freddy whose b-boy name is Frenzy for the extrovert he becomes when the music’s on.

He gets just how much dance can do for kids.

“Freddy doesn’t just do it to teach us a dance, and then that’s it. He focuses on the little tiny things about each person individually, like giving me tips on confidence,” said Xander.

“The teachers care about how you are doing and feeling instead of just getting a move right,” agreed Oliver Castellanos, a Darien fifth grader who has been at DL since first grade.

“Freddy is so kind and encouraging. He has an easy going persona that lets kids be comfortable expressing themselves. His skills are also amazing and inspiring,” said Oliver’s mom Elizabeth.

left : Freddy with Dance on the DL Kids Breaking League dancers: Aiden Tribelli, Harrison McCarthy and Griffin Knowles; above : Freddy Muñoz, owner, Dance on the DL and one of the only breakdancing instructors in Fairfield County

PHOTO COURTESY : DANCE ON THE DL

“I’m so grateful to have (him) teaching/mentoring our youth in the community on and off the dance floor,” said Amber Paquette who enrolled her daughter Stella, a seventh grader, at DL shortly after moving to Darien two years ago.

And at DL, there’s a place for everyone, no dance company commitment required.

The youngest students start by learning musicality and basic hip hop moves. They also learn about the five elements of hip hop culture: graffiti, deejaying, emceeing, breaking (though they don’t move on to breakdancing until they’ve shown they can handle the foundational steps of hip hop) and knowledge. “Each one, teach one” is a core mantra. Nearly as soon as any member of the hip hop community learns something, they’re teaching it to someone else.

But for kids who want more, there is a performance crew that appears at local events. There’s also a group of students who participate in the Kids Breaking League, traveling to battles in the Tri-state area as Amber’s daughter Stella does.

“With so much negativity in the world, it has been such a breath of fresh air to attend breakdancing battles where kids can safely express themselves while competing, and it always ends with a handshake and a hug. It’s beautiful to see kids from all walks of life come together to showcase their individuality in a competitive yet respectful way,” said Amber.

Located in Goodwives Shopping Center, Dance on the DL is for kids ages four through high school, and also adults. To learn more, visit danceonthedl.com

“The beauty of dance is it allows you to express the many different sides of yourself.”

Summer for All When School’s Out

Ahhhhh …summer. What does the word conjure for you? Easier days, time outside—sand, water, sun? Vacations, camp and summer friends? For sure it’s a release from the pull of the rest of the year. What if, instead, it drove you down a spiral of worry over where your kids might go when school is out, let alone how you might possibly pay for it? With the P2P Campership Program, parents of hundreds of children living in low-income households in our area need worry no more. It’s an incredible program delivering summer fun and enrichment to children each year who may not otherwise have access to safe outside spaces to play. And, it’s peace of mind to parents who may not otherwise be able to keep the jobs they need to pay for food and rent.

We sat down with P2P to learn more about this great program, the brainchild of longtime Darien resident Sally Joslin who started it in 1969 as a way to connect kids from income-limited homes to swimming. Oh the places it’s gone since then, thanks to thousands of dedicated volunteers, social workers and donors, each a critical piece of the whole.

Q: Can you describe the P2P Campership Program?

P2P’s Campership program gives children in grades K through 5 from low-income families in our area access to a fun, joyful summer camp experience at no cost to the family. It is designed to give children a “traditional” camp experience. Our camps have a multi-disciplinary focus, with academics an integral part of the mix. Camps range from two-weeks to nine-weeks and also give children who might otherwise be home alone an opportunity to meet and interact with peers from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, creating stronger bonds within our community. Most camps teach swimming. Some visit museums, aquariums, zoos, amusement parks, bowling alleys, etc. In addition, P2P Camperships reduce childcare concerns for parents and make it possible for them to continue working throughout the summer to maintain the family’s income, knowing their children are safe, cared for, engaged and fed.

Q: Who is eligible for the Campership program?

Most of the children considered for Camperships live in low-income households in Stamford and are referred

Giving Back

through their schools. Typically, P2P Camperships serve approximately 15% of the total number of children who qualify for free or reduced meal programs, a primary criterion for consideration. P2P collaborates with Stamford Public Schools and receives referrals through school social workers. We also allow families to self-refer into the program if they meet the criteria for admittance.

Q: What are the benefits to the children. There are so many! They include academic enrichment, enhancing critical skills, creative expression, team-building, active thinking and socializing over the summer months as well as adult and teen (counselor) role models. The children also learn water safety at camp, form lifelong friendships and are exposed to activities such as archery, gymnastics and swimming that they might not otherwise experience. It gives campers an opportunity to broaden their view of the world and return to school in the fall having gained in knowledge and social skills rather than having lost a summer to loneliness and apathy.

Q: Is the P2P Campership Program a standalone camp? No, we partner with existing camps. Participating camps in-

clude: Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, Darien YMCA, Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Camp Simmons, Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Clubhouse, Long Ridge Camp, Roscco at Hart Summer Program, YMCA of Stamford Camp W.O.W. and City of Stamford Recreation Services summer day camps. Families select the camps that meet their needs in terms of location, transportation, meals and activities. Social workers work with parents to place children in the camp best for them. We strive to keep siblings together and match children to the same camp each year in support of the lifelong friendships they make by returning.

Q: How may children do you support each year? Our goal is to support 350 campers per summer.

Q: How much does it cost to run the Campership Program?

On average, it costs $640 to send a child to camp for the summer.

Q: How is the Campership Program funded?

P2P conducts an annual appeal and Darien residents give generously to give these kids the joy of summer camp. OPUS, an organization dedicated to supporting Person to Person through a range of initiatives, runs an annual Blooms For

left and above: Summer is better for 350 kids from low-income families, and their parents, thanks to the P2P Campership Program

Boat Day provides a safe day on the water for P2P Campership Program participants from Roscco

Campers fundraiser in Darien each spring as well. Some years we receive grants.

Q: How does the Campership Program fit in with the overall P2P mission?

P2P’s mission is to provide individuals and families with essential resources to help them overcome daily challeng-

es and put them on a path toward economic stability. Many families in our community are unable to afford camp or an enriching summer experience for their children. They are working to cover essential living expenses such as food, rent, utilities and transportation. Camperships also provide necessary support for our clients who are participating in our new Financial Opportunity Center®, a career and financial coaching service center that helps families living on low to moderate incomes build sustaining careers and achieve financial success. There are so many more people who need help and P2P is proud to be the conduit for so much care and support between communities.

To learn more about P2P, the Campership program and how you might help, visit p2phelps.org or contact Lauren Franciamore at 203-621-0686 or laurenfranciamore@p2pHelps.org

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Get Fresh

There’s fresh, then there’s fresh. Really fresh. And there’s a huge difference between the two. You can taste it. Your body knows it too.

Typical produce commercially grown by Big-Ag Organic or Conventional Farms and shipped en masse to wholesalers for restaurant chains and other food outlets or directly to supermarkets is a feel-good buy. Certainly “fresh” food is a better choice than packaged and processed foods, and who doesn’t feel great choosing a salad or smoothie over chips and fries?

Still, it’s important to understand that the big commercial outfits pick items while they’re still unripe, before their flavor and nutritional content has had the chance to fully develop. This way, the produce is able to survive thousands of miles in a truck from the farm to your local supermarket or restaurant chain. However, produce begins to lose its nutritional value after harvest, so by the time

EDITOR’S NOTE: There’s a reason why everything at Greens on the Go at 23 Tokeneke Road in Darien tastes just that much better, especially during the summer when local farming is at its peak. We asked owner Alyssa Kadow to explain why.

top: The Darien Farmer’s Market, open Wednesdays starting June 7th, from 10am to 3pm in the Darien’s Goodwives Shopping Center parking lot; left: Alyssa Kadow at on an early morning run for fresh produce at Silverman’s Farm in Easton, CT

written by: ALYSSA KADOW, Owner, Greens on the Go photo by: BAMBI RIEGEL | riegelpictureworks.com

it hits our plates, we’re missing out on a lot of potential health benefits.

On the other hand, produce sold at farmstands or farmer’s markets such as the one on Wednesdays at Goodwives Shopping Center starting this month, has a significantly shorter distance from farm to table, giving you a delicious, nutritious way to fill your plate with just-picked fruits and vegetables. Locally grown food explodes with flavor and comes with its nutrition benefits fully intact. Unlike produce that has traveled for days and sometimes weeks, locallygrown food is picked at peak ripeness, supplying the sweetest berries, crispest apples and juiciest tomatoes!

That’s why I start my days picking up fresh-picked cherry tomatoes from Silverman’s Farm in Easton, organic kale from Shortt’s Farm in Sandy Hook, gorgeous summer squash from Sherwood Farm, also in Easton, to name just a few of the local gold mines for fresh produce I’ve found. Not only does it give me an abundance of inspiration for new menu items, and maintain my excitement for providing our customers with beautiful, healthy food, it’s also a source of the information I need to make sure everything we serve is the best, freshest available.

Greens on the Go customers are invested in a healthy lifestyle, so it’s important as a business owner to educate myself through connection and conversation with our local farmers about growing methods, environmental factors that affect their crops, and sharing stories and information about produce. That’s how I’m able to answer any questions from our customers regarding the origins and nutritional value of our food.

What’s more, when we shop farms, farmer’s markets and food stands, we safeguard Connecticut’s incredible array of small farmers and the high quality produce they grow with the business we send their way. It also gives us the chance to engage with the real people who grow our food, building community and further strengthening our ties to each other as human beings. Additionally, we protect the character and color of our lives when we spend local, keeping our local economy and all it brings to us strong.

Plus, buying local is a great way to do our part for the environment; shorter travel time means lower carbon emissions. So, with summer and the farmer’s market season upon us, I hope you enjoy getting fresh, real fresh as much as we do at Greens on the Go!

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We specialize in seafood with at least 6 types of east & west coast oysters daily and have an amazing selection of mussel dishes & simply prepared fish. Additionally, our steaks, burgers, sandwiches, salads & bistro food provide something great for everyone.

Whether it’s for a satisfying lunch, a formal business dinner, cocktails on the outdoor patio or a full on family function, we have a great space for you and look forward to seeing you soon.

1020 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 · (203) 655-1020

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PHOTO COURTESY ALYSSA KADOW

Ukrainian Borscht

Borscht is one of the most ancient and favorite dishes in Ukraine. Each housewife cooks it differently, depending on which region of Ukraine it is prepared in. I picked up the most classic recipe for this delicious soup.

INGREDIENTS

For the Broth

6 ½ to 8 ½ cups of water

Approximately 1 pound of pork or beef on the bone (a bit more or a bit less is fine)

For the Sauté

2 small beets

1 medium carrot

3 medium onions

4 to 5 Tablespoons of vegetable oil

A pinch of citric acid, a little vinegar, or ½ lemon

2 Tablespoons of tomato paste

For the Borscht

1 ¹⁄₃ cups fresh white cabbage, shredded 4 medium potatoes, julienned or cubed salt to taste

1 to 2 dried bay leaves

Herbs to taste (optional): 1 clove of garlic, pinch of ground cloves, pinch of ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the broth: Pour cold water into a pot, add the meat, and place it over medium heat. The broth will be more flavorful if you use meat on the bone. Watch the broth closely and remove any foam before it boils. Once the liquid starts boiling, cover the pot with a lid and simmer on low heat for about an hour and a half.

2. Prepare the sauté: Wash and peel the beets, carrot and onions. Grate the beets using a coarse grater and the carrot using a medium-sized grater. Dice the onions into small cubes. Pour oil into a frying pan and heat over medium heat. Sauté the onions and carrots, stirring, for about 5 minutes. Then add the grated beets and the citric acid, vinegar or lemon juice to the mixture. This will give the borscht its authentic red color and a pleasant tang. Cook the sauté for another 5 minutes. Next, add the tomato paste, stir and leave it on the heat for another 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Assemble the borscht: Once the broth is cooked, remove the meat from it. While it cools, add the shredded cabbage to the pot. After 5 to 10 minutes, add the julienned or cubed potatoes. The order of adding the vegetables can be adjusted. If the cabbage is young, it’s better to add it after the potatoes. Alternatively, you can add them at the same time if your variety of potatoes cooks quickly. While the potatoes are cooking, separate the meat from the bones and dice it. Return the meat to the soup. Season with salt to taste.

We’re pleased to welcome guest contributor Darien High School senior YULIIA SKORODOLNYKOVA to our Darien Cooks column this month. Yuliia was born and raised in western Ukraine. She arrived in Darien with her family by way of Poland last August. She is Carolyn Eddie’s intern this spring and will be attending Bard College in New York next fall. Check out carolynsabsolutelyfabulousevents.com for more recipes and please remember to tag her on Instagram @carolynsfabfoods.

4. Add the sauté to the pot and mix. Add the bay leaf and finely chopped herbs. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes. For additional flavor, you can add some minced garlic, ground cloves or black pepper. Leave the borscht to infuse under the lid for 5 to 10 minutes.

How to serve: You can enjoy borscht immediately after cooking, but it often tastes even better the next day. Add sour cream and fresh herbs to the bowl. If you prefer it more tangy, add a slice of lemon. Serve with rye bread or sweet rolls topped with grated garlic.