The

DARIEN RIEN 20TIMES

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

The early years

Hersams had a solid advertising base in Darien and had gathered together a local advisory committee, excited about the prospect of a Darien NewsWhat a strange moment it was Review competitor. for me, sitting on a folding chair in I had to decide whether to leave an empty office on Corbin Drive, my job as business editor of The Hour contemplating a start-up newspaper in Norwalk. After being a reporter in my hometown, with my about-tofor five years at the Darien Review, I be employers from the New Canaan had worked as a copy editor, bureau Advertiser. Here I was, just blocks from where chief and editor for the Westchester Business Journal and the Connecticut my newspaper career had begun Business Journal. I was 54 years old. at the old Darien Review on West Avenue and I was being offered the What if the newspaper failed? But I took the job, and it was the job of editor of The Darien Times. The best decision of my career. year was 1993. Plans were to launch the newspaIt was exciting and scary. Could a per in October, just a few weeks away. new newspaper be successful in this town? Could it hold its own or be bet- We had to hire staff, make contacts, and set up the office. Before the first ter than the very substantial Darien News-Review, which had acquired the issue, we had to contact everyone who might be news sources to let Darien Review years earlier? Could I them know about our entry into the do my part to pull it off? market. Each day more press releases The Hersam family, publishers began to roll in and the phone started of the New Canaan Advertiser, were persuasive, especially Marty Hersam, the 27-year-old son who was to be See The Darien Times on page 2D publisher of this new venture. The by Linda Brooks Darien Times Editor 1993 2004

The Darien Times

The firs

t issue

of The D

arien Tim

es on O

ct. 21,

1993

The Fourth of July Push-n-Pull parade in 2009.

Laureen Vellante /Darien Times

Page one brothers today:

Appreciate their hometown, paper

then Canterbury School, a boarding day school. He then attended Trinity College in Hartford. The Darien Times has been Currently he lives in in the news reporting business Danbury where he pursues a for 20 years. And therefore variety of volunteering opporit made sense for the paper tunities, including helping canto report to twins Logan and cer patients and working at an Patrick McGowan, now 25, animal shelter. that they were on the papers Logan praised his home first front page in 1993. town to The Darien Times. The McGowan twins My mom lives in Rowayton appeared on the papers front now, but I liked it a lot. Its a page enjoying the Tokeneke beautiful town, and its cool it Pumpkin Carnival, an event that is still going strong today. is on the water, Logan said. Its got beautiful homes The pumpkin carnival was celand a lot of scenic views, and ebrated this year on Saturday, a lot of really nice and talented Oct. 5. Logan told The Darien Times people. Im lucky I was able to it was only recently he realized grow up there, he said. Logan said he has great he was on the papers front page, after he was contacted. I was five years old, its See Page One on page 2D tough to remember as a small child, he said. He said he remembers enjoying the carnival with his brother for many years growing up in Darien, as they lived near the school. Logan attended Tokeneke School for kindergarten and then Plumfield School, which later became the private Pear Tree Point School, through fifth grade. He attended Middlesex Above, Patrick, left, and Logan McGowan today, and at left, as they Middle School in Darien and appeared on the front page of the first Darien Times in 1993. by Susan Shultz Times Editor

20

About the 20th Anniversary section:

As we approached The Darien Times 20th anniversary, we pondered our history. To some, 20 years may not seem like a long time. But given what has been achieved in that 20 years, and what has changed about the publishing industry and the economy, it is something to celebrate. The Darien Times began in a town that had a long-standing, well-known neighborhood newspaper. Success in an endeavor such as newspaper publishing is tough enough, but to start from scratch against well-established competition loomed ahead as quite a challenge. And The Times began as it sought to go on, focusing on its own excellence, not concerning itself with what others were doing. The best benchmark for performance was against itself from the beginning. There was no competition, there was only providing the community of Darien the best source of community news it could put forward. And that standard of excellence earned results. This section examines the origins of that success, with former editors and staffers contributing their thoughts and feelings during the fledgeling newspaper process. It See About on page 11D

Page 2D

20

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

The Darien Times the early years

Continued from page 1D to ring. It was starting to feel like a newspaper. Finding an assistant editor was the number one priority and here we really lucked out. John Kovach, a colleague of mine from the Hour let me know he was interested. We didnt really know each other - he was in sports, I was in business - but during the interview we both began to sense that the relationship could work. Four months after the launch, we discovered a reporter Brian Gioiele, a real pro. Between the three of us, plus Richard Osborn, the sports editor, we gained confidence. My husband George threw himself into the effort as well, offering suggestions, being a sounding board and developing what he called power bases for the newspaper. Soon George became our official photographer, and would drop everything to cover spot news and events. Brooks Community Newspaper, publisher of the Darien NewsReview, was a powerful adversary. In terms of editorial personnel, the News-Review had a much larger staff and was well known in the community. The newspaper was known for its arts and entertainment coverage and had a strong advertising base with several newspapers in its chain. Our philosophy: Be visible. Since we were the new guys, we had to be seen, not only covering town meetings, but going to political gatherings, fireworks, Memorial Day ceremonies. Our reporters were there not just a photographer. Having a storefront location was a big help. We got to chat with everyone who came in with press releases. We inserted coloring contests in the newspaper, which drew in more residents and we plastered our front windows with Halloween pumpkins and Easter bunnies. To promote good community relations, we started Thursday editorial meetings at the Sugar Bowl, inviting anyone in town to join us for coffee. This often generated story ideas that we wouldnt have heard

Above, a view of Manhattans billowing smoke across Noroton Bay on Sept. 11, 2001 - Darien Times/George Brooks - and at right, Linda and George Brooks today. George Brooks / The Darien Times

about otherwise. Maybe every town has a Walter Casey, an avid letter writer who frequently went beyond the bounds of good taste, while still being a keen observer of the political scene. At the time of our start-up, the other newspaper refused to run Walters letters. We ran them, with occasional deletions, and came face to face with a lot of criticism, which culminated in a face-off between the two newspapers, promoted by the League of Women Voters. Walter,

of course, was in the front row. We stuck by our guns, based on freedom of speech. Our motto was to work hard but have fun, despite the long hours, tedious board meetings, production pressures and computer problems. Over the years we had wonderful staff, including reporter and later editor Patrick Barnard, Janet Grogan, who was far more than a copy editor, production chief Bonnie Orgovan and our real estate maven, Margaret Sedlak.

When I retired in 2004, The Darien Times had consistently won awards in the New England Press Associations annual competition. Especially memorable was our first place prize for coverage of the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001. Our reporters and photographer were there at the railroad station to interview the first commuters to emerge from New York City, some still dusted with ash.

Where are they now?

Name: Austin Amoroso Dates: General assignment reporter from April 2006 to June 2009 Now: San Francisco, Calif., digital marketing for Rovi Consumer web division SideReel.com, Thoughts: The Darien Times was the first stop in my career, and I will always cherish my time there. I am indebted to my editors and fellow reporters from whom I learned everything I know about writing and covering Austin Amoroso news. Darien will always be a special place to me with plenearly mornings at The Sugar ty of memories from the late nights at Town Hall to the Bowl, Ill never forget it.

Page one brothers today

Patrick went to Tokeneke School and then Brunswick School in Greenwich. He also attended Deerfield Academy and graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 2011. memories of reading The Darien Times. Patrick currently lives in the west I remember I wouldnt read it from village of New York City and works at cover to cover, but I would read it every Credit Suisse as an investment banker. Thursday. I always looked for the sports I moved to New York City right after section. Its a great paper, Logan said. school, he said. Like his brother Logan, Patrick, also Patrick says he gets back to Darien a featured on the first front page, only lot. recently realized they featured in the A lot of my really close friends still inaugural issue. live there. Im back all the time for Its definitely special, Patrick said. I the Turkey Bowl, Thanksgiving and cant believe it has been 20 years. Christmas, he said. He also has fond memories of the Patrick said he likes to visit his old Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival. favorite hang-outs like The Goose and We lived right in the neighborhood Ernies. and it was definitely an event we went to As for growing up in Darien, he every year. Great rides and food, Patrick loved it. said, adding he was glad to hear the Its a great place for kids. It gives you event is still being held. the right amount of shelter and protecContinued from page 1D tion for the more dangerous aspects of society but at the same time, its not too sheltered, he said. We still go roughed up in a good healthy way like a pick-up football game in the back yard. It was a regular American upbringing, he said. Like his brother, Patrick also has fond memories of reading The Darien Times. My favorite parts were the sports section and the police blotter, he said, laughing. I think the publishing industry is difficult, but Ive always read The Darien Times first and foremost. I wasnt picking up the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times, he said. You want to know whats going on in the immediate vicinity before anywhere else. Its awesome, he said. editor@darientimes.com

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

20

Page 3D 3A

Retired police chief recalls work

Times and crimes change and stay the same
business, with the founders still actively involved today. McManus said the police have always had a good relationship with news media, even when competition came along. I never recall any bad vibes one way or another, he said. We pretty much gave you whatever you needed. We withheld very little. When McManus was a patrolman, there were no copy or fax machines. When an officer worked the midnight shift patrolling the Heights (which was considered a more quiet beat), that officer was responsible for typing up the hot sheet. This was a list of vehicles reported stolen. McManus said he would have to use four pieces of carbon paper behind a regular sheet on a typewriter and manually enter the license plates. I cant remember ever finding a car that was stolen using this method, he recalled. Gone are the days of typewriters and carbon paper, much to many police officers likely delight. Technology and communication were two things that evolved exponentially during McManuss tenure as chief. In 1993, the Internet was still in its infancy. As years went on and computers became an omnipresent fact of life, crimes also evolved. So-called cyber-crimes began to show up on police radar crimes such as email scams, computer hacking and identity theft started to take an ever-growing chunk out of the police forces time. Seeing the change, McManus sent officers to learn about these new trends through training seminars and classes. Today, police are also more connected to whats happening with the towns young people an occurrence McManus credited to current Chief Duane Lovellos efforts. One thing that hasnt changed much since his time as chief is the infamous crime that Darien is known for burglaries of unlocked cars. Its always been a problem, he said. People have just got to be aware that there are people out there looking for crimes of opportunity. The chief noted that during his time, there seemed to be more residential burglaries than today. Sometimes, the intruder would break in while people were at home. I think that was our biggest concern, residential burglaries, he said, adding that one year his department responded to 125 home break-ins. A few notable crimes happened while McManus was on the force. He was a lieutenant the 1987 for the case involving Patrick Campbell, a young man who was convicted of bludgeoning his parents to death with a hatchet and sledgehammer and setting them on fire in their backyard, reportedly because his parents wouldnt pay certain medical bills or cover the cost of a telephone call. Campbell was caught in Kent, Conn., after a chase involving police cars and an airplane found him in a stolen car with his girlfriend. The former chief said that case was by far the most gruesome he has ever seen. He also phone poll and check in with the station every half hour. If they didnt call, it would be a problem, he said. Chief Hugh McManus Back in those days, when Jr. saw a lot during his four you stopped a car, you didnt decades on the Darien Police force. As a captain, he sat in on know if it was a stolen car the twice-weekly police reports or if someone was wanted, with press, acting as conduit of McManus told The Darien Times. Today, every patrol information from the department to the public. As a chief, officer has that information instantly available to them. he presided over one of the McManus served as chief of longest manhunts in town history, which ended with Darien police from the year The Times was founded 1993 to officers traveling to Europe to arrest a fugitive who had been 2005. For years, there was only one newspaper in town, at large for nearly a decade. which went through various As a patrolman in the late name changes and ownership 1960s, McManus walked the before being bought by Hearst beat without a radio. Instead, Corporation. The Darien he and other officers would Times remains a family owned find a call box fixed on a teleby David DesRoches Times Assistant Editor was there during the manhunt for Alex Kelly, the convicted rapist who fled to Europe before his 1987 trial only to be extradited from Switzerland in 1995. Reports showed that Kellys parents financed him while he was on the lam in Europe, after state police found photos of him with his parents in Europe in 1995. Obstruction charges were never filed against his parents. That was probably the first time in the history of the department where we went out of country to bring someone back, McManus said. Kelly served 10 years of his 17-year prison sentence, being released in 2007 for good behavior. Being a good cop takes the same basic skill set it did two decades ago, McManus said, but the opportunities for police to learn and improve are much more readily available than before. I think today you have more support, he said. They are certainly more informed [and] more prepared to meet some of the challenges. McManuss father, Hugh McManus Sr., was also chief in of police in Darien, serving from 1967 to 1971. One piece of advice his dad gave him is still relevant today, he said. You want to treat people

Chief Hugh McManus Jr.

like the way youd want members of your family to be treated, he said. Its simple but important advice that I never lost track of. When asked if he could offer any advice to local media, he said its important to ask questions. You need to do your job, and you need to be enthusiastic about it, he said. McManus also noted that he is extremely proud of the Darien Police Department, and that his proudest accomplishment was helping to choose the men and women who continue to serve on the force today. Im quite pleased at what they have there, he said. ddesroches@darientimes.com

Where are they now?

Name: Tammy Wolf Dates: Assistant to the Editor, Sept. 2007 to Sept. 2010 Now: Works for MNI Targeted Media Inc., a subsidiary of U.S. magazine publisher Time Inc. as publisher operations coordinator, a part of the Client Services department and operate as a liaison between 42 magazine partners and the companys nationwide salesforce. Thoughts: Reflecting on my three years at The Darien Times, I am flooded with memories of gratifying conversations and laughter amidst hours of pagination and editing press releases. The Darien Times was my first leap into the real world after graduating from college, and it wouldnt

Tammy Wolf
have been the same without the incredibly hardworking people I met and worked with along the way. I feel honored to have had even a small part in The Darien Times 20 years of continued success because there is no local newspaper more enthusiastic and passionate toward the town and residents it serves.

The Dock Shop

HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY DARIEN TIMES

E v ery thin g You Need Fo r B a cky a r d B i r d W a tchi n g A n d S o Much Mo r e

Nautical Boutique
49 Tokeneke Rd. 203-956-5893 Darien, CT 06820 www.dockshop.com

If you are already into the hobby we can help you get more out of it!! If you have never tried it we can help get you started!!
WE also carry a wide selection of gifts for all occasions

Any Any 20 20 lb lb bag bag of of Bird Bird Seed Seed With With This This AD AD Can Not Be Be Combined Combined With With Any Any Other Other Promoon Promo on Can Not Good 31st, 2013 Good Thru Thru October September 14th, 2013 Limit Limit 1 1 Per Per Customer Customer

356 Heights Road Darien, CT 06820 203 202 2669 www.wbu.com/darien

551 N. Bedford Road Bedford Hills, NY 10507 914 241 0721 www.wbu.com/bedfordhills

Page 4D

20

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

Darien government in 1993

Board of Selectmen Henry M. Hank Sanders, first selectman Jane Branigan Joseph D. Miceli Enid J. Oresman Charlotte Suhler Town Clerk: Marilyn Van Sciver Tax Collector: Carolyn Miller. Board of Finance: Theodore Covert, chairman Craig Curtis Jr. Edward B. Kostin John R. Hamilton Peter Hovell Kristin Karpen Robert O. White Board of Education: Janis J. Rehlanender, Chairman Jennifer N. Boyd Michael A. P . Casolo Carol A. Kinzler Sallie S.E.A. Raleigh Joseph R. Warren Elizabeth Ann Fenton John A. Fixary Kevin P . Newman Planning and Zoning Commission: Franklin E. Penn, Chair Patrick Damanti A Wyman Procter Edmund F. Schmid Frederick B. Conze William K. Flanagan Jr. Darien Police Commission: Douglas Campbell J. Paul Johnson Peter Truebner Town Historian: Robert E. Fatherley Police Chief: Hugh McManus. Fire chiefs Darien Fire Department: Robert Szaanto Noroton Fire Department: Robert Buch Noroton Heights Fire Department: Mark McEwan Darien Public Schools Superintendent: Eileen Gress Assistant Superintendent: Robert K. Laber Tree Warden: Marshall Cota Planning & Zoning Director: Raymond Nurme. Judge of Probate: William H. Atkinson Registrars: Thomas R. Dunn and Donald P . Smith. Voter Profile in 1993 11,064 registered voters. 7,122 Republicans, 1,819 Democrats, 2,119 Unaffiliated. Voter profile in 2013 12,240 registered voters 5,932 Republicans, 2,265 Democrats, 4,014 Unaffiliated, 29 Other. Permits issued, 1992-93 Fiscal year. 738 For new dwellings: 23 For additions and alterations: 365 For commercial projects: 47 All others: 303 Permits: Fiscal year 2012-13: 806 New dwellings: 39 Additions and alterations: 383 Commericial projects: 65 All others: 319 Births recorded in 1993: 304 Deaths recorded: 150 Marriage licesnses recorded: 211 Births recorded in 2012: 176 Births recorded in 2013 (through Aug. 31): 110 Deaths recorded in 2012: 103 Deaths recorded in 2012 (through Aug. 31): 65 Marriage licenses recorded in 2012: 148 Marriage licenses recorded in 2013 were unavailable. 1993 grand list: $2,782,170,896, up 1 pct. from 1992. (from Oct. 1, 1993) 2012 grand list: $8,896,458,480 Tax rate in mills 1992-93: 13.10 mills 1993-4: 13.53 Tax rate in 2013: 13.17 mills

The Tilley Pond Regata in 2004. Darien Times/Laureen Vellante

Miceli: Times fits right in Darien

in the early 1990s since some residents didnt want people coming into town. Hank took the bull by the horns, Miceli said. He was getting the site Former town official Joe Miceli cleaned up. remembers downtown Darien looking Miceli remembers the towns top not so nice in 1993. He also recalls the board forming a building committee that calls for changes from newcomers to would lead to the reopening of Holmes make things better. Downtown was kind of shabby and School, a move made to deal with increasing enrollment. Holmes School people couldnt get together on what had been closed for several years and to do with the property and we were was being used as a daycare center. looking for ways to improve the propThe arrival of The Darien Times to the erty, said Miceli, a selectman when The Darien Times debuted. We had an influx town was a good thing, said Miceli. The town was better served by The of new, young families. They wanted Times. It filled the gaps, he said. It was places to eat, restaurants and stuff. much more local, covered sports better Miceli was a member of the towns and everything better. top board for 14 years (1991 to Miceli also thought the Times was 2005). He also served on the Board of on the right side of the issues. He Education from 1985 to 1991. gave credit to former Darien Times ediMiceli saw his hometown in a time tor Linda Brooks for helping to cover of change. While newer families came and promote some of the initiatives to in asking for more and better shopping and dining options, some longtime resi- change the town that he and others dents were skittish about major changes wanted. She was a big reason the town is the as they were used to how things had way it is now. She made things easy for always been. Miceli recalls former First us, Miceli said. Selectman Hank Sanders taking flack He still reads the paper when it for reopening the towns movie theater by Melvin Mason Times Reporter comes out every Thursday and he gives the Times credit for confronting major issues, including the Darien Schools special education crisis. The Times fits right in with the community. Theyre gutsy and they take a stand, he said. I love that. Miceli used to regularly attend the weekly morning coffee discussions hosted by the Times on Thursday mornings to talk about the paper and to hear what people were talking about. He still visits occasionally. I thought it was good to get together and talk about (the paper), he said, harkening back to discussions he and his teammates on the 1962 Darien High School football team had during the week and discussions held during political campaigns. Twenty years after its debut, Miceli sees a better town than what they had before. Downtown is better than 20 years ago, said Miceli, 67. Ive seen the town in different stages of my life. Its been great and its getting better. Theres more involvement. Before, we only had four Little League teams. Now were the biggest in the country. mmason@darientimes.com

Where are they now?

Name: Susan (Loiselle) Chaves Dates: Started working at The Darien Times in January 2001 as a reporter, moving up to associate editor in 2003. Now: She transferred to the Shelton office in October 2007, to become assistant editor of the Trumbull Times. She is now the managing editor of the Bridgeport News and Fairfield Sun (all Hersam Acorn newspapers). Thoughts: I enjoyed working for The Darien Times. It was my first job working as a reporter following college graduation. Being with a community newspaper, not only did I get the opportunity

Where are they now?

Name: Jake Kara Dates: Reporter, July 2010 to March 2011 Now: Editor, Monroe Courier, a Hersam Acorn newspaper Thoughts: I worked as a reporter for The Darien Times just after graduating from college, and it felt like an enormous responsibility informing an entire town, accurately. I learned a lot about writing and reporting from my colleagues. Most importantly I learned how satisfying it can be for all its grief to put out a newspaper, week after week. In the few months I was at The Times, I got to work on big stories, often controversial, such as town buildings that had fallen into disrepair, crime, fires, politics,

Susan Chaves
to cover a variety of topics, including government, education, business and human interest, but I was able to get to know the town and its people.

Jake Kara
and it always felt like I was part of something important. There are easier ways to not make very much money, but it was at The Times that I learned why people go into journalism.

Where are they now?

Name: Joshua Fisher Dates: Editor, October 2005 to July 2012 Now: Editor of the New Canaan Advertiser, a Hersam Acorn newspaper Thoughts: While I was honored to take over the 104-year-old New Canaan Advertiser, I still miss all the wonderful people in Darien weve covered and the many who became friends.

Where are they now?

Name: John Kovach Dates: Worked at The Darien Times from shortly before its first issue in 1993, when he was hired as the first assistant editor, until he was named editor of the New Canaan Advertiser around Labor Day of 1997. He held that position until he moved to the Shelton office to become editor of the Stratford Star in 2008. Now: In his 20th year at Hersam Acorn, editorial director and web director of Hersam Acorns Eastern papers, and editor of the Fairfield Sun. He worked on the redesign of Nutmeg Trout Unlimited Chapter 217s website, nutmegtrout.org, recently named best website in the nation by Trout Unlimited. Thoughts: When I edited The Scribe, the student paper at the University of Bridgeport, as a sophomore in 1984, one of my predecessors there said it would likely be the last time I could create a newspaper totally in my vision. When I pursued, and was offered,

Joshua Fisher

John Kovach
the assistant editor job at The Darien Times, Linda Brooks and the Hersam family afforded me another chance to help shape a new newspaper, and I will forever relish that opportunity. To have blank pages and an opportunity to become the true hub of a community is truly fulfilling the job of community news. Since my departure I strive every day to implement the lessons I learned in Darien in new communities, giving them the news coverage they need.

20th anniversary section is online

DarienTimes.com

20

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

20

Page 5D

The constant curmudgeon

Walter Casey continues stirring the pot
by David DesRoches Times Assistant Editor Like him or not, one cant help but admire Walter Caseys perseverance a quality some might prefer to call obstinacy, or perhaps other choice words that are less than flattering. I enjoy stirring the pot, Casey said, in his trademark no-frills manner of speaking. You see things that dont make sense and you do something about it. Its fun in Darien. Everyone gets upset. Caseys name is one that has appeared in The Darien Times since the papers first edition on October 21, 1993. In fact, he was the first person quoted in the papers lead story that day, which was about a topic that still resonates today space concerns at the towns elementary schools. While his targets have moved over the years (he now spends much of his time trying to bring paramedics to the Town of Darien, enraging some as he probes the towns medical response system), his methodology has changed very little, he said. Through writing letters to the editor, issuing Freedom of Information requests, and analyzing data and other documents, Caseys work has helped uncover some of the towns troubles while also creating a name for himself as a troublemaker. People disagree with me, Casey said. I really dont care. I enjoy the give and take. Ive always said I prefer intellectual violence to physical violence. Casey penned a lengthy commentary that was listed in The Times Around the Cracker Barrel section in the papers first edition. He addresses various town officials about the need to be wise with school expansion plans. The dollars we spend unnecessarily on bricks and mortar will impact adversely the things weve come to enjoy as Darien residents, Casey wrote in 1993. At that time, Casey was a member of the Representative Town Meetings Education Committee, and was fighting to reopen Holmes School after it was closed in the early 1980s in favor of grade-level schools. I did a lot of work on enrollment, Casey recalled. When The Darien Times came around, Casey said it was a much-needed voice that offered him and other residents a platform that hadnt before been readily available to them. When [first Editor] Linda Brooks came with The Darien

Darien Times/David DesRoches Above, Walter Casey today and at right, from an earlier edition of The Darien Times.

Times, it was a major change in the town, Casey said. It allowed peoples voices to be heard. It changed the equation completely. Even while people attacked Casey for his opinions, he said Brooks defended his right to have them. In her essay for this special edition, Brooks recalled how Casey shook things up. Maybe every town has a Walter Casey, an avid letter writer who frequently went beyond the bounds of good taste, while still being a keen observer of the political scene, Brooks wrote. At the time of our start-up, the other newspaper refused to run Walters letters. We ran them, with occasional deletions, and came face to face with a lot of criticism, which culminated in a face-off between the two newspapers, promoted by the League of Women Voters. Walter, of course, was in the front row. We stuck by our guns, based on freedom of speech. Over the years, Caseys rants have ranged from insightfully lucid to cantankerous to offensive to enlightening. In the late1990s, Casey took on then Superintendent Eileen Gress, determined to see her evaluation and its process. First stonewalled by the districts lawyers, Shipman & Goodwin, Casey filed a complaint with the state Freedom of Information Commission, which later decided in his favor. Through public records requests, he also uncovered an event that happened on Human Rights Day at Darien High School where two transvestites showed up for one of the workshops on gay and lesbian rights. In a letter to Casey, superintendent Gress stated that their appearance

Where are they now?

Name: Janet Grogan Dates: Proof reader/copy editor from December 1996 to April 2008. Now: Substitute teacher Thoughts: Producing a weekly newspaper is an impressive task. I enjoyed working with people who were good writers, learned something new everyday, and was proud to be a part of the effort. Despite being Janet Grogan a regular substitute teacher for the past five years, I am people who ask if I still work surprised by the number of at The Darien Times.

was not authorized, but added that they did not write to parents and the community about the experience because, at the time, the incident seemed to be an unfortunate occurrence, with negligible if any real impact on students or the life of the High School. It somewhat marred an otherwise successful day, she continued. While the incident might seem somewhat banal to many, especially 20 years later, the reaction by town officials to Caseys inquiries were similar to many officials reactions today to inquiries into the special education program. Casey said his questions were ignored by the Board of Ed, an occurrence that has also happened to parents as they sought information on special ed programs before filing a complaint with the state. In a letter to the Board of Education, John Fixary noted his displeasure with Gresss apparent refusal to answer a simple question about the event at a Board of Ed meeting. In all honesty, up until that moment, I was indifferent as to the importance of Mr. Caseys question when it was first submitted, Fixary, who was at one time a Board of Ed member, wrote in 1996. However, refusing to answer it in a public meeting gives the impression that something is being covered up and that is clearly unacceptable. Casey, who moved to Darien in 1984, worked as a mutual fund manager before retiring in 2004. Hes a certified public accountant and holds an MBA from Columbia University. Holmes School was reopened in the late 1990s, so Casey took some time off before finding his next cause Darien-based paramedics. While Darien was in the process of creating a full-time health department under then First Selectman Evonne Klein, Casey began learning about health issues, which led him to learn that Darien is one of few towns in the state that does not have its own paramedics. Ultimately well get paramedics because it makes sense, he said. When asked for any advice he could give The Darien Times as it begins its third decade in town, Casey urged the paper to remain balanced. Just keep printing both sides and take the heat, he said. That comes with the territory. If youre getting heat, youre doing your job. ddesroches@darientimes.com

Bill Clinton appeared at the Barrett Bookstore in December 2011. Darien Times/Laureen Vellante

with presenting issues, listening

forefront what the young townspeople wanted in our town and it really helped to bring about the change. Dolcetti said the Times put the issue of If anyone knows about Darien and change and development to the forefront, how its changed over the past 20 years, Dan Dolcetti is one of the best authorities while other media in town appeared to reflect the will of people who thought you can get. that there was little need for major moveDolcetti, a born and raised Darienite ment. who grew up in a white house not far That included following Dolcetti and from where Brooks Brothers stands today, former first selectman Bob Harrel as they said the town did not look much difran in a Republican primary in 1997 ferent in 1993 as it had in the 1930s. A with the contentious matter of expanding brownish photo of the Post Road from 1937 might as well be how it looked 20 years ago when The Darien Times got around to publishing its first edition, he said. Dolcetti, known to many as the Duke of Darien, uses one strong word to describe how downtown looked back then. The town was ugly, he said, pointing to a main street that had few shops and restaurants, but plenty of supermarA view of downtown circa 1993 before Brooks Brothers was built, kets, gas stations and facing Calvary Baptist Church. antique stores. During his time as an Middlesex Middle School taking center executive at Xerox, he would invite his stage. Harrel won the primary, defeating staff to take a look at the town. His new employees, Dolcetti said, were not much Bill Flanagan for the GOP nod. Dolcetti says he enjoys the weekly interested in a town with nowhere to go coffee talks, hosted by the Times on and nothing to do. Thursdays at the Sugar Bowl on the Post Theyd look at me and say Dan, are you kidding? It looks like a 1940s town, Road. The meetings are a chance for readers to talk about the recent edition of he said. His visitors would sooner go to the paper and talk to the staff reporters neighboring New Canaan because there about possible story ideas. He attended were places to go there. some of the early coffees and credits it A lot of that had to do with the with being an informal venue for people attitudes among Darienites. The older to talk about a matter with the staff. generation, he said, preferred a quieter You can sit there and listen to differtown and were not interested in fixing ent points of view. You can express your up many things that might attract visitors. Many of them, Dolcetti said, would viewpoint and the paper listens, he said. Were all free to agree or disagree with rather go shopping in New York City, the paper. Norwalk or Stamford. They were very Dolcetti credits the Times for bringing nice people. They just didnt like change, the towns important issues up for discushe said. Change was not in the cards. sion without taking any sides. They werent negative people. Its very issues oriented. Sometimes But as younger families came to town for the schools and the close community they get into trouble, but thats fine, he proximity to New York, they began want- said. Ive always seen the paper to try to ing more local amenities and places to go be non-partisan and stick to the issues and try to make the town a better town that did not require a trip out of town. Dolcetti said The Darien Times covered to live in. And Dolcetti sees a much better town the issues of growth and development as people began asking for things to change. today than it was 20 years ago with all The downtown redevelopment committee of the new shops, the development of would also promote some of its events in downtown and the quality of the schools, among other things. For the lifelong the Times. Darienite, the town is the best in the state The good thing about the paper of Connecticut. was it understood that Darien needed mmason@darientimes.com to change, he said. It brought to the by Melvin Mason Times Reporter

Lifelong resident credits paper

Darien Plate Glass, LLC

Residential and Commercial:
Darien Plate Glass is family owned and operated for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on quality service, pristine customer care and honest and fair prices.
Organization

Our services Include:

Shower Doors Custom Mirror and Glass Work Screen and Storm Repairs Windows and Doors

Owners: Ronald Phipps and Jaclyn DeLoma Open: Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm and Saturdays: 9-12:30pm

www.darienplateglassct.com darienplateglass@att.net

Located at 1096 Post Rd. (Rear, Back of Post Rd) Darien, CT 203.655.5161

Page 6A

Sports through the Times

Ryan Shannon wins the Stanley Cup at Anaheim in 2007, creating an earthquake in the rinks back home. (Photo Anaheim Ducks) All moments are immortal, as if stuck to the pages of time. Or, as when stuck to The Darien Times sports pages the past 20 years. At least we think so. A kaleidoscopic sampling of images from my 13 years at the post are revived for the pleasure of having a look back. The pleasures unavoidably limited, though, and regrets are sincere for that. The special moments and athletes absent from these commemorative pages of course could fill the Yellow Pages. You know who you are. But so did everyone else back in the day. We made sure of it. Steven Buono Sports Editor 2000-present
(Photos unless otherwise noted by Steve Buono)

20

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

From left to right: 2002 Wave baseball co-captain Kyle Lawrence, first-year assistant coach Anthony Valentine, co-captain Charles Benzyk, Greg Kelly, Jeff Scott, Brian Kelly, and head coach Peter Waters.

Katie Ceglarski tore it up with Gettysburg Bullets womens lax last decade.

Wave hockey captains mark their FCIAC Championship in 2006.

Girls lacrosse coach Lisa Lindley takes the pause that refreshes, after being ceremonially doused with water by goalie Lindsay Hancock and an unidentified cohort, following Dariens victory at the state final in 2003.

Scary Wave field hockey sparks its renaissance winning FCIACs on Halloween 2003.

Emilie Hardinge blasts away in 2003.

Blue Wave sophomore girls high jump record holder Emilie Hardinge had her best lift-off in over a year, rising to 5 feet, 4 inches to win the gold at the FCIAC Championship meet in Ridgefield on May 27, 03.

In 2004 boys lacrosses first and only coach Jeff Brameier was given a plaque honoring his 300th Blue Wave victory.

Dariens No. 32 Jack Ryan delivers a hit against Yorktown in 2003.

The Blue Wave won its third straight FCIAC title, downing rival New Canaan 9-4 on May 30, 2002.

Clark Winter (No. 5 white) goes on the offensive in the FCIAC title final.

Chris Flatley broke the school record with sharp shooting at FCIACs in boys golf.

Darien second baseman Rob Patton (left) goes high to make the play for an out in 2003.

Champion gymnast Jessica McNell competes at states in 2002. She placed seventh in the vault at the Nationals in Las Vegas.

Athletic hybrid Jessica McNell mixed varsity sports with a lacrosse goalie/gymnast career at Brown through 06.

Liz Miceli hurls her second straight shutout 3-0 against Trinity to help push Wave softball into the CIAC playoffs for the first time in three years in 2003.

Russell Foster with one of several trophies after coaching Darien High hockey to his second of its three FCIAC titles in 2006.

Jen Caruso, captain in 2005, was girls Wave hockeys first high scorer at the birth of the 2013 FCIAC title defending the programs move toward contention.

Devin Eppley, here in 2005, held down goal for girls Wave hockey and did the same spectacularly for title-winning field hockey.

A brick in Wave field hockeys dynastic wall is placed by Mo Minicus lifting the 2007 state championship plaque.

Dariens Hugh Jessiman went from Dartmouths first Ivy League Rookie of the Year to become the NHL Entry Drafts No. 12 overall pick for the Rangers in 2003.

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

Page 7D

Rob Trifone turned around the football program at DHS, with the Wave winning the FCIAC title in 2010.

Graham Wheeler helped the Wave win the bronze at states in 2004. Graham Maybell on the move in leading the Wave to its first FCIAC title since 98.

Caroline McGuire (crouching) begins the celebration of Tracy Ryans (on the deck), very late, gamewinning goal of the 2002 FCIAC girls lacrosse championship at Dunning Field. Schuyler Sokolow is on the right. The girls, as always then, marked their legs with blue war paint spelling K-A-R-T. It could just as well have stood for Klutch (sic) ARTists after Ryans clincher scored with just 11 seconds to go in regulation.

Puck kleptomaniac MVP goalie Katherine Macomber grabbed hold of hundreds of them in the girls Wave hockeys first ever Marika Dysenchuk raises the FCIAC Championship Waves game in 2005. in 2009.

Wave girls volleyball clinches sweep of St. Joe for 01 Class M crown: Playoff MVP Becky Fisher hugs Erin Reding.

Jessica Bolduc becomes a young All-American gymnast in 2005.

Wave boys soccer scorer Chris Gambling in 2001.

Blonde Comet Courtney Bennett, here in 2008, blazed over soccer and girls lacrosse fields, then became Dartmouth womens lacrosse captain.

David Ryan drops in for a TD at St. Joseph in 01.

Freshman hurdler Christopher Bogie shows his stuff in 03. Scott Mullin photo

Its been a perpetual congratulations line at the net, as in 2005, for Wave volleyball.

The sky was the limit for DHS Cheerleaders in 2005.

FCIAC and team MVP, Blue Wave boys lacrosse long pole defenseman Mike Abbott (left), and All-Americans Marc Albu (middle) and Tim Shaw (right), all seniors, hold up the 2004 league Eastern Division hardware won while going undefeated in the state during the regular season in 2004.

Georgie Highton in FCIAC final action in 2008: shes the programs top performer.

David Ryan broke through the checks to lead Wave boys lax to the 2002 league title with a hat trick and two assists.

Tara Schoen swam and played lacrosse Darien High divers Emily McIntyre Soccer standout Emma for the Wave before Kerry McAuliffe won (left) and Cameron Murphy went Parker on the 2001 Home- starring at Harvard the FCIAC girls cross 1-2 at the girls 2001 girls Class S coming Game intermission late last decade. meet. lineup. country meet in 01.

Darien Highs incomparable butterfly artist Torey Thelin (DHS 2002) was named Boston College swim team MVP her sophomore year in 04.

Casey Woodring helped the Bridgeport-based Connecticut Future Stars Basketball Academys Under-11 AAU team capture a Bronze Medal in the Connecticut State Tournament in Hartford recently in 2004. Point guard Woodring, a 10-year-old fourth grade student at Tokeneke School, paced his crew with 19 points and seven assists. In 2013-14 he begins a career at Providence.

Page 8D

20

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

Taking a risk
by John Kovach It was fall of 1993, and I had reached the point where I just needed a change. I had vague knowledge of the New Canaan Advertiser. Even more faint was my understanding that the family that owned the Advertiser had planned a new venture in Darien. But I learned that Linda Brooks, whom I knew in passing despite our desks being about four feet apart at the Norwalk office of The Hour (take note and tear down cubicle walls), had been There was plenty being named editor of a new newspacontested in Darien in those per. The ad for an early days. Some felt they were assistant editor being ignored, and their opinappeared again and again, and I ions were being omitted from read it each day. I was a sportsexisting forums. The Times writer at the time, but had gave them a voice. covered news, done layout, and could perform all the tasks the job required. After weeks of seeing that ad, preceded by deserved. We went to fires, months of knowing I needed a focused on the activities of the police, and covered news the change, I reached out. I went way a daily newspaper would, in for an interview. despite publishing weekly. Had I got called back nearly immediately. That was the first the Internet been more prevalent, the Times may have been time I met Marty Hersam. I ahead of its time. expected someone older than Instead, we faced challengme, then sat across a conferes, particularly on a story that ence room table from a peer still has Darien in the national just hours removed from the spotlight. birth of his first child. There was the morning There was a confidence in when, following up on a tip, this new publication. There was the rare opportunity to be the Times was the only media there for the birth of a newspa- present when law enforcement per, to conceive her, create her, officers searched the Kelly famnurture her, and watch her go ily residence, once home to then fugitive Alex Kelly. out and establish her place in Not long after, police her community. handed out a press release Yet there was fear. More under the title The arrest than one of the co-workers I left behind hoped Linda and I of Alex Kelly, detailing how had protected ourselves, fore- the Darienites flight through Europe had ended with his casting a short future for the surrender in Switzerland. new Times. That stunning news set in They were wrong. Linda and I both came from motion nearly two years of a daily newspaper background, my life spent in courtrooms, and imparted that on the blank sometimes sleeping on the steps outside the courthouse in sheet of newsprint we were Stamford. The few press seats blessed to have been given. Our sameness of approach on were made first-come, firstserved; larger news organizawhat to cover, how to ensure tions assigned interns to hold stories were balanced, and how to reach readers who felt the spaces in line. We didnt have that luxury. left behind by what existed The conviction, and subin Darien helped the Times quickly find stride. Our differ- sequent sentencing, both ences allowed a broad view of occurred on Thursdays. That weeks issue of the Times had the town where I had, briefly, already hit the streets. We started my post-college jourwould be a full seven days late nalism career. with the news. So we went Like the job I left behind, that first tenure had been cov- old-school and printed 4-page ering sports. Now I was doing special editions, a feat unheard of in the days of the World hard news. It was an adjustWide Web. ment, but so much learned After four years working to on the fields and courts of establish The Darien Times, I Fairfield County helped was asked to become editor of shaped the young Times. the New Canaan Advertiser. Linda said, more than once, that those who covered sports My first reply: What if I say no? I knew Darien, I knew wrote more active, lively stothe people, I knew the comries. Both sides were covered, munity and I knew the newsas both competitors in a contest would be. It showed even paper. Then I said yes. I applied more when we hit stride with the hiring of Brian Gioiele, also the lessons learned in Darien, and worked to make the from a sports background. Advertiser strong again. There was plenty being After 11 years there, in contested in Darien in those early days. Some felt they were 2008, I moved to the Shelton being ignored, and their opin- offices of the papers our company acquired. Two decades ions were being omitted from later, Im still applying and existing forums. The Times sharing the lessons learned gave them a voice. nurturing The Darien Times. As the Times stepped out into Darien, people with important stories that in some cases were being neglected approached. They found someone to talk with. They found a way to get their message across. As Don Hersam, publisher of the New Canaan Advertiser and The Darien Times, is fond of saying, a newspaper belongs to its readers. Hes right, and by allowing our readers to help shape the Times, she became a reflection of her community. Key parts of the community were being neglected, and we offered the attention they

Clydsdales appeared at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in 2006. Laureen Vellante / The Darien Times

The papers longest running staffer recalls the early years

by Brian Gioiele Being with one company for nearly two decades affords one the chance to see many changes. When I started at The Darien Times which happened to my very first real journalism job (meaning it actually came with full time pay) we were typing on the old fashioned Apples, printing out our copy to be proofread and, once corrected, printed out so we could cut and paste a page together for our readers. Sounds archaic in the land of Facebook and Twitter, I know. Now newspapers can be done remotely from someones home and emailed to printers. The Darien Times is online now, with Twitter offering up-to-the-minute news for all who have a computer and an Internet connection. A far cry from the days when Darien residents anxiously waited by their mailboxes each Thursday waiting for the latest edition - a chance to see what Walter Casey might be opining about in the letters page; or if a friend or neighbor might be in the police blotter; or what the latest hot topic was in the schools or within the walls of Town Hall. But what has never changed is this newspapers desire to be the benchmark for quality news reporting, editorial writing and general news in a small community with so many stories to tell. That was the dream of founder Marty Hersam. And that is the standard set by Linda Brooks, known by all for journalistic skill and endearing personality that was the guiding force for what the fledgling paper would become. It was Linda and her counterpart and my longtime friend John Kovach who saw beyond my inexperience and youthful arrogance in agreeing to hire me back in 1993, only weeks after the papers first edition hit the stands.

From the beginning

Along with Rich Osborn heading the sports pages, we four teamed to bring credible reporting to a town desperately needing a new way to let its voice be heard. And Linda, John, Rich and I did our best to do just that. And I feel we did, in an honest, straight-forward way, leaving our opinions behind when our fingers hit the keyboard. Ill never forget my first day, when the tractor trailer overturned in front of our home turf, the first-floor office on Corbin Drive. An exciting start, and one that foreshadowed my career in the small town that was far from dull. Our pages were filled with everything from features on local artisans, in-depth investigations into town government and even court reporting anyone remember the infamous Alex Kelly case? I never heard of him until I was listening to the radio in the shower one morning when he had been caught by authorities. It would become a story that engulfed our office and Johns life for

what seemed like forever. We worked hard to gain the communitys trust, and with a longtime competitor in the News-Review entrenched in town, it was not an easy task. But the paper was more than work for us all, we became friends, a family, and that enthusiasm showed in the pieces we produced each week and how we gladly went throughout town promoting what we knew was the best paper in the area. We loved our work, and it showed. I, myself, went from reporter to sports editor to associate editor before leaving for another post within the company. Eight years ago, I returned to my first home once again, now just helping to take the new crews work and putting it on pages for all to read. While the names have changed over the years, what this newspaper has brought to Darien remains the same quality reporting from quality individuals who value the quality that is Darien.

Award-winning Times
2012 Crimes and courts reporting, third place 2011 Transportation reporting, second place Advertising supplement/specialty section, 2002 third place George A. Speers Newspaper of the year, Digital/print convergence, third place first place 2001 Editorial supplement or special section, First place: Editorial writing, second place second place Best coverage of Sept. 11th attacks Headline writing, honorable mention Self/circulation promotion 2008 2000 Digital sports presentation Website design, first place First place: Digital/print convergence Personality photo, second place First amendment reporting Special award Sports page or section Editorial bloopers 2007 New business innovation 1999 General news story, second place Legacy business innovation Headline writing, second place Spot news story, first place Digital news presentation Website design, first place News presentation 1997 Newspaper in education 2006 Editorial page, first place In-paper circulation promotion Website design, first place Digital entertainment presentation Local election coverage, first place * Information provided from the New England Color photo Newspaper and Press Association from records Classified advertising section available after 2001 2005 Sports video, first place Website design, third place Class. house Ad. Audio slideshow Advertising bloopers Special section Business and services directory Video Web special section

Where are they now?

Name: Yevgeniya Davydov Dates: Reporter, August 2012 to June 2013 Now: Search engine optimization at ReliableSite.Net Thoughts: Working at The Darien Times was truly a one-of-kind experience. Every week there were great coworkers and Dariens unique residents who graciously helped me do my job. The paper had its history before I got there, and will no doubt continue to have a place in the community for several more decades. Im proud to say that I had a small part in it.

Yevgeniya Davydov

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

20

Page 9D

20 years

Through the high school lens

by Katie Tsui Teen Times Reporter This week, The Darien Times is celebrating its 20th anniversary. For years now, the local paper has provided the community with a wide range of opinions and reports on local events. While most readers are adults, The Darien Times has played an important role in high school students lives as well. Among interviewed peers, it appears, and not without valid rationale, that the most highly concentrated type of articles that high-schoolers read about are written in the sections most applicable and pertinent to them-under the School and Athletics headings. Perhaps this is because issues regarding taxes, politics, and affordable housing are perplexing and geared towards adults who are directly impacted by the aforementioned. One student, Katie Jarrett, said I only look through certain parts because the newspaper sometimes focuses on subjects I do not always desire to read about. But every person is different, along with their preferences. While Alice Chidley, also a sophomore at Darien High School, focuses on reading articles about what is ongoing at schools, there are a few members of the student body, like Sarah LeHan, who say they normally read a little of the front page and the opinions. The Darien Times offers thorough information about the public school system and the events held, which are often important to students. Bus schedules, coverage of school assemblies, and updates on recent issues are only a handful of the types of articles published in the school section of The Darien Times. The sports section seems to be a favorite as well, portraying results of competitions on the high school level and often focusing on individual achievements in athletics. While some students at Darien High School read the Times only on occasion, the benefits of reading about different perspectives from the local paper are not lost on them. It keeps me up to date with local events, summarizes Sarishka Desai, a sophomore at Darien High School. Most students interviewed agreed wholeheartedly with this after all, something must be said for knowing the dilemmas the town faces as a community, along with the celebrations and amazing feats of individuals. I only receive two newspapers, the Advocate and The Darien Times, and I like how the latter focuses on Darien specifically, said Sarah Garijo-Garde, seconding the notion that the applicability to student life is much stronger in the Times compared with other newspapers. No matter what, the Times carries a good name, according to most students. With the town being small, many have had their time in the spotlight of recognition multiple times. There is nothing quite like the proud feeling of finding ones name, freshly printed on the top of the page, whether the opportunity was due to athletic accolades or academic achievements. I have been in The Darien Times twice. It was because of Quiz Bowl both times for last year and the year before that, said Sarishka Desai, recalling the time when the Middlesex Middle School Quiz Bowl team competed in a Washington D. C. tournament. I was in it a few times for school events during the middle school and elementary school years, Sarah GarijoGarde said as well. Similarly, Alice Chidley was featured for her synchronized swimming competitions last year. When asked about any preferences or changes people had towards the Times, one student offered advice and insight about solving the potential bias that some members of the community find in the articles written. Its a bit conservative, she describes, implying that some articles are less compatible with the opinions of liberals. Others, though, find there is very little change needed.

A child plays with bubbles in Bakers Field in 2004. Laureen Vellante / The Darien Times

Papers weekly coffee brings residents together

also hosted several U.S. and state representative and senators during election season, providing a candid and Theres something to be said about open forum for concerned citizens to a hot cup of coffee and good conver- hear candidates platforms and ask sation. And if youve ever been to the the tough questions. The coffees popularity even Sugar Bowl on Thursday mornings, its quite likely that youve seen a long enticed a reporter from another Darien media company to attend, table off to the side, full of colorful who then reported from the coffee, characters and opinions and laughs noting that it was held by a local and perhaps a few tears. media outlet. And free coffee. One of the familiar faces at the For the past 10 years, The Darien coffee is Walter Casey (who is also Times has offered anyone a cup of coffee to join the table and talk about featured in this edition under the headline The constant curmudtown issues or whatever is on their mind. Longtime resident Gene Coyle geon). I enjoy it, Casey said of the cofwas at the first coffee and has been a fee. You get different ideas. You get regular ever since. a sense of whats going on in town It was a terrific idea, Coyle said of the coffee. And the proof of that is the buzz. Its a fun time. Caseys often critical opinions of what? Its still going strong. town officials, especially of the Board The informal meeting puts no of Education, has earned him the pressure on anyone to speak, and is there to nurture community relations honor of persona non grata among between the paper and the public. As many. In fact, Casey is so comfortable at editors at the paper have come and the coffee, he invited Ron Hammer, gone, the coffee has remained, often director of Darien EMS-Post 53, to generating story tips that might not the coffee to talk about Casey conhave otherwise come to the papers cerns over the lack of Darien-based attention. paramedics. Hammer offered to meet People from all walks of life have with Casey and have The Times attended the coffee, including town moderate the discussion, but Casey officials from the major town comdeclined, preferring to meet at the missions and boards. The coffee has by David DesRoches Times Assistant Editor community coffee. Coyle said while Walter might have scared a lot of people away, at his core, hes a pussy cat. Other regular coffee visitors include Vin Burke, a former advisor for the paper when it first started and a former news executive with ABC. Cyndy Ashburne, a member of the Darien Housing Authority, also frequently visits, as does Fred Conze, former chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission, and Jayme Stevenson, first selectman. Conversations are all off the record, unless there is a politician there campaigning. The coffee has proven invaluable for the paper and its guests as both a helpful source for information and a place to forge new friendships. Coyle, who spent 50 years in journalism at Time magazine before retiring in 1993, said the coffee is an extension of the paper. Its a scintillating hour and a half, he said. I look forward to it every week. When asked if he had any advice for improving the coffee, a wily grin spread across his face. Pick up the tab for breakfast, he said with a laugh. But thats not gonna happen. ddesroches@darientimes.com

Coffee talk

Where are they now?

Name: Patrick Barnard Dates: He started at The Darien Times as a reporter in December 1996, hired by former editor Linda Brooks after learning of the opening through his sisterin-law, Kathy Morley, who previously worked as a reporter for the New Canaan Advertiser. He was promoted to associate editor in Oct. 2000. In February 2004, he took over editorship of the paper, following the retirement of Linda Brooks. Now: Since May 2013, he has been working for Zackin Publications as editor for MortgageOrb.com, the leading online news site covering the real estate finance industry, and the print and online editions of Secondary Marketing Executive magazine, covering trends and regulatory challenges in the secondary market, and Servicing Management magazine, covering the mortgage servicing industry. Thoughts: It seems like eons since that fateful day in December

Patrick Barnard
1996 that I made the decision to get out of swimming pool maintenance and take a position as a reporter at The Darien Times. For the most part, Im glad I made the decision I have found journalism to be an enriching and rewarding field. I am thrilled that, despite the major contraction of the industry resulting from the economic crisis, I have managed to remain in it ever since.

Volunteer firefighters battle a house fire on Pembroke Road in December 2000. George Brooks / The Darien Times

Page 10D

20

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

Advisory board members say town needed second paper

by Melvin Mason
Times Reporter The town residents who helped shape the direction of The Darien Times 20 years ago remember a town that was interested in seeing a new newspaper, but hoping it would not be more of the same. A lot of us felt (having one paper) wasnt always fair. I think I wanted a paper that was more fair representing the town, said Diane Conologue, one of several people who served on The Darien Times local advisory board prior to the Times making its debut on Oct. 21, 1993. The committee members seem proud of what has been created in the papers two decades of existence and they hope it continues. Conologue became involved with the advisory board since she was already of the towns RTM. They wanted it to be well represented and to have people who could speak to various interests, she said. Douglas Milne, a fixture in Darien for most of his life, joined the board with his eyes on having a new paper to cover the issues, including planning for school overcrowding and improving a downtown that many newer residents were not happy with. Milne founder and co-owner of Kelly Associates real estate also had business interests in mind. He and other local real estate agents were becoming frustrated with increased advertising rates at another newspaper and they hoped an alternative would make things easier. We went to (the other paper) and said, Were buying pages and pages of ads and we asked for a break. They ignored me and continued to raise the rates, Milne said. Milne said other real estate agents also dropped advertising in other papers and decided to buy space in the new paper in town. For resident Vin Burke, himself a veteran broadcast journalist and television news producer, many residents had their concerns before the first edition of the Times hit homes and newsstands. Many in the town at the time wanted to be assured that this was not going to be just another tool of a dominant political party of the day, Burke said, or a mere bulletin board for town meetings infrequently sprinkled by notices of the RTM, Board of Education and Board of Selectmen meetings juxtaposed with weekly public notices of lawn sales. real estate listings, bankruptcies, foreclosures and once in a while fairly modest coverage of town meetings and anemic coverage of issues of real community interest. Conologue remembers being very happy to see the first edition of the Times when it was delivered to homes and dropped off at newsstands. I was thrilled that we had another voice in town and I congratulated Linda (Brooks) on putting it together, she said. Milne said he appreciated the hard work of Times founding editor Linda Brooks as the paper launched. She was terrific. She was from town and she seemed to have a general interest and she wasnt spinning anything and investigating things, Milne said. It resonated with me. The reporting efforts of the Times and it being delivered for free to all town homes helped make the Times the dominant paper in town within two years of the first printing. It was just putting out a better overall product, Milne said. I think they were doing a better job of covering things. Burke said the Times has served Darien well over the years. Darien is fortunate, very fortunate to have had a robust weekly newspaper for the last 20 years that never flinched from covering hard news, Burke said. They delivered! They would not be deterred by angry, wordy partisans and always maintained a spirit of abundant fairness. Burke said the town has benefited from the Times strong reporting and having a group of fearless editors who supported the staff when faced by partisans who might not favor the coverage. Burke included Brooks, former editor Joshua Fisher and current editor Susan Shultz for what theyve done over the years. Those editors have worked tirelessly upholding the principles of good, solid, hard-hitting journalism. For that alone, we should be grateful, he said. Conologue, no longer with the RTM, thinks back 20 years and is amazed how the time has passed. But she thinks the Times is a needed service in Darien. We have a paper that goes to everyone. I like the idea of having two papers and if they dont think one is right, they can see how an article is written in the other one. she said. Milne says the town has improved for the better over the time the Times has been publishing. He says the papers arrival and success are due to good timing and a little bit of luck. This may or may not have worked in 1982 or 2014, he said. While he does not remember seeing the first issue, Milne said hes proud to have helped contribute to its arrival and he salutes Brooks and others who helped make it what it is. Our job was to give input to the team building the paper and publishing the paper and to talk it up around town and provide input, he said. Burke said it was great to help the paper get its start and work with Hersam Acorn Newspapers on creating what he views as a community asset. It was exhilarating to work with members of the Hersam family and local business leaders like Frank Jones to jump start the newspapers presence in town. mmason@darientimes.com

Kelly Associates Real Estate

Founding advertiser paved papers way

When 27-year-old Martin Hersam made the decision to expand his familys newspaper business into Darien, he knew it would be a bit of a challenge. In a town with an established weekly newspaper, the competition to earn editorial trust was only part of it. The other challenge Hersam would face would be to lure advertisers to the new, unknown newspaper in town. Hersam had the success of a century-old newspaper his family owned in New Canaan to direct to, but it would be the weight of that first advertiser that could make all the difference. And he found it in Kelly Associates Real Estate. Hersam recently sat down with Gino Kelly and his son, Jeff, of the long-time Darien real estate firm, to talk about the papers history and how Darien has changed. I wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation, Hersam said, adding that once The Darien Times had Kelly signed on, it gave the newspaper the credibility it needed to interest other advertisers. The first ad Kelly took out in the first issue of The Darien Times was for a unique offering of three farm sites, two acres each, across from Ox Ridge Hunt Club. Together, the six acres asking price was $1,350,000. Two of the lots asking prices were $415,000 each, and the third, directly across from the club, was priced at $550,000. The Kellys pointed out that despite the ups and downs in the economy, the one consistent investment that will bring a buyer a return on his money is real estate in places like Darien. Gino Kelly said he bought his first house in 1962 in Darien for $17,000, and that same house today is worth over a million. Dariens 1993 grand list amounted $2,782,170,896, up 1 pct. from 1992. (from Oct. 1, 1993). In 2012, the towns grand list was $8,896,458,480. The rate of appreciation in the housing market is better than the stock market, Jeff Kelly said. Hersam pointed out that out of the ten real estate firms that advertised in the first issue of The Darien Times, Kelly remains one only two still in business today. The Kellys also said the real estate firm climate in town has changed, with many locally owned firms being taken over by larger corporate real estate firms. The landscape of Darien has also changed since the 1960s, Gino said, mentioning that when former residents come back to visit, they ask Where are the small houses? They say, There a lot of trees I dont remember this many trees, he said. The Kellys also talked about how the school community has changed and youth sports has changed. Gino Kelly was instrumental in many of the foundations of the towns youth sports leagues. He talked about the start of the towns youth hockey league after he visited the local rink. Jeff Kelly also talked about how when he was in school, each neighborhood elementary school had their own football teams. Jeff said families would spend the entire Saturday at their respective schools for the sporting events, 100s of Darienites, with full-service snack bars being a big crowd pleaser. Kelly Associates continues its long tradition of generously supporting local sports as well as many other charities and causes in the town. Its important for a local business to give back to the community that supports it. We feel very strongly about that. Today, much of the youth sports is divided into townwide leagues, separate from the schools. In addition to the real estate information on the first ad placed by Kelly, it also said We welcome The Darien Times to our town. Hersam reiterated the debt of gratitude he owes to Kelly Associates Real Estate for giving the, at the time, fledgling paper, the credibility it needed. Having an established, locally-owned and respected family business like Kelly Associates Real Estates endorsement really opened the door for us, he said. We cant celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Darien Times without pointing out the pivotal role the Kellys had in its start, and expressing our appreciation for that, he said. - Susan Shultz

UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN 2001 Lynn Hamlen, director of the Darien Nature Center, holds the weathervane for the new Darien Nature Center, shown in background. With her, on left, is First Selectman Robert Harrel. George Brooks / The Darien Times

Where are they now?

Name: Lynsey Santimays Dates: Reporter, June 2009 to July 2010 Now: Worth magazine, a part of SANDOW Media, senior editor of the business and entrepreneurship section Thoughts: Working at The Darien Times was one of the best experiences I could have had as a reporter and journalist. I was able to learn from my incredibly talented colleagues Tammy Wolf, Susan Shultz and Steve Buono and my editor, Josh Fisher; their Lynsey Santimays journalistic standards and practices are unmatched. And being a part of the well-respected Darien Times was incredible; covering Dariens news and happenings for the paper was always interesting, exciting and fun. I miss being in town, but still follow The Darien Times.

Changing with the Times

of Darien Police, kept residents up to date with DarienTimes.com and the papers email news alert system of where the A lot has changed in the world of com- moose was last spotted. Emergency offimunity journalism since The Darien Times cials had said the moose could be a danger to residents as wildlife officials chased first hit newsstands 20 years ago and it around Darien, Stamford and New this newspaper has kept pace with those Canaan. The wildlife officials proved prechanges. scient as the moose eventually stepped in From being the first news source in front of a car driven by a New Hampshire Darien to have a daily news website back woman on the Merritt Parkway in New in 2005 to the first with a Twitter feed Canaan, severely injuring her and damagin 2009, the Times today enables you to ing her vehicle. stay connected with the communitys top But most digital-first coverage was newspaper via not only our weekly print edition, but also through an e-edition, our mostly about politics, town government website, Twitter, Facebook and email news or the trains. Sports, however, became a big way to show off how the staff could alerts. provide updates from the sidelines for all The Times, which years ago mainly used its website, DarienTimes.com, to post readers rare coverage five years ago for high school sports. And it started with the election results and other big news, used to save most news for Thursdays. But back annual Turkey Bowl. DarienTimes.com also provided writin 2006, the paper started to make the move toward what is now called a digital- ten play-by-play from the sidelines of the biggest rivalry in Connecticut: Darien-New first newsroom. Canaan. One of the more memorable nonThese blog-type news bursts extended political news coverage that started online to political debates and conventions, conbefore it went in print was when a large moose was spotted in Darien on a Tuesday tentious Representative Town Meeting gatherings, Election Day and other key afternoon. The Times staff, with the help By Joshua Fisher Former Times Editor events. Initially, the live online coverage, as it was dubbed, included a reporter or editor at the event sending text messages to another reporter or editor who was at a computer to transcribe the texts for DarienTimes.com. As technology advanced and Town Hall, for example, added Wi-Fi, it started to become a bit easier and quicker for the Times to get you your news in real time. The coverage was met with praise from the many Darien political junkies-and coupled with the live coverage of TV79, the Times was able to help make sure anyone in Darien who wanted to be informed just had to log on to their computer. As other online news outfits have come into town, The Darien Times has adapted and persevered, through one of the most difficult times for newspapers and community journalism at large. But as the Times enters its third decade of covering the news and people of Darien, Conn., it remains the only newspaper still based in the town-and the only news website based in Darien. And it will continue its mission as Dariens most vital and vibrant source of up-to-the-minute information.

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013

20

Page 11D

The information gatekeepers

Library and newspaper serve symbiotic functions
by David DesRoches Times Assistant Editor Its been said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Yet its also been said that the only constant in life is change. This dualism is especially true in the business of information, as technological advancements have provided both new tools and new challenges for the gatekeepers of information public libraries and the news media. As the duties and responsibilities of both entities have evolved to meet the changing environment, their core functions remain the same to provide people with important information to help them make informed decisions. Few people know about this reality as acutely as Louise Berry, director of the Darien Library. Were all getting more global, Berry told The Darien Times, as she took time away from her hectic daily schedule for an interview. But the role of a library in democracy hasnt changed. As she sees it, the public library is there to provide a variety of points of view to enable people to find their own truth. But just because someone has a point of view, doesnt mean their book will make it onto the library shelves. You dont buy things or promote things that are blatantly untruthful, she said. I do think there needs to be some curation of that. But where to draw the line? How does the library know which dissenting opinions to include in its collection and which to exclude? Luckily this task is softened by the Internet, which allows all points of view to be displayed. Berry said the librarys role is not to judge who is right or wrong, but to enable people to determine for themselves the validity of a source of information by showing them vetting techniques. Our hope is to make people better searchers by pointing out how you can tell where its coming from

Two views of the new Darien LIbrary in 2009. Laureen Vellante / The Darien Times

and how you can determine whether theres a bias in it, she said. Were not trying to point people in one direction or another. If someone wants to come in and find out about the 9/11 conspiracy movement, we can help them find that material and we can also try to help them learn techniques on how to identify whos posting it, [and] how to look up an organization to learn if theres a bias. Berry emphasized that there should be a distinction between the libraries duties as information guides and the role of a newspaper, which contains an editorial page that offers opinions on issues. Thats what makes endorsements so powerful, she said, noting that some people rely on the paper to follow the issues closely and often choose their candidates based on a papers endorsement. But the library and the newspaper both play balancing roles as archivists of the times. The newspaper creates the information, and the library maintains those archives.

digital, especially as more and more electronic devices offer an interface that closely mimics the act of reading a physical paper. Perhaps the wisdom elucidated when the nations first large public library, the Boston Public Library, was founded could shed some light on the purpose of a library and a the Internet is replete with informa- newspaper even in the modern For the last century, libraries have kept full editions of various newspa- tion. It has to have a point of view. age. More and more material is online. If pers as public records. The Darien In 1852, the trustees of the its something thats current, it has to Boston Public Library were in the Library has physical archives of have a point of view. old Darien Review papers, and has middle of a world-wide movement Fiction writers dont have the electronically archived most of those toward free libraries and away from editions. same problem because their work is the paid subscription model. At As archives move from physical generally not a replication of inforthat time they wrote as part of their form to digital, some traditionalists mation that can be found elsewhere. vision: have lamented the danger of erasBut all writers, and libraries, have For it has been rightly judged ing history with a few quick clicks. been thrown for a loop by the grow- that... it is of paramount importance Physical copies, its been said, are ing popularity of electronic books, that the means of general informasafer from manipulation because or e-books. tion should be so diffused that the they are more dispersed and cannot Berry said that publishers dont largest possible number of persons be altered with such ease. want to sell libraries e-books should be induced to read and Berry said she understands that because it could limit their revenue. understand questions going down concern, but that she thinks the The digital information age to the very foundations of social advantages of digital archives far has also challenged newspapers. order, which are constantly presentoutweigh any potential dangers. Traditionally, the local weekly ing themselves, and which we, as a There is a lot of interest with newspaper was the only source people, are constantly required to young librarians in digital archives, of information for a town. Now, decide, and do decide, either ignoshe said. in Darien, there are four or five rantly or wisely. One of the many trends shes online blogs and news sites that Both The Darien Times and the noticed over the years is that its compete with the two traditional Darien Library are free for residents getting increasingly difficult for writ- newspapers, which also have an to enjoy, which hopefully will help ers of non-fiction to get their works online presence. all in town make wise decisions. into public libraries. While the future of paper ddesroches@darientimes.com Were not buying for informaremains unclear, Berry said she tion anymore, she said, noting that thinks eventually everything will be

Laureen Vellante Photographer 2003 to present

Its been an honor and a pleasure to work for this amazing company, Hersam Acorn, and in particular, The Darien Times for about 12 years. All the creative, unique individuals that are part of this team make the paper what it is today. It seems like yesterday when I got a call from Linda Brooks to take a few photos. I havent left since. Ive witnessed the town ebb and flow, contract and expand, support and deliver, and the coverage from the entire team is relentless and inspiring. Through my looking glass, I have experienced parades, graduations, fireworks, tributes, honors, sidewalk sales, weather catastrophes, Santas, Easter Bunnies, first days of school, plays, milestones, awards, President Clinton,

Laureen Vellante
horse races, 5ks, 10ks, and the list and memories go on. Its remarkable how year after year I am equally inspired by covering some of the same events. I thoroughly enjoy every moment at every event and I give it my all. I have met so many fascinating people along the way and I feel very fortunate to be etched into the history of Darien.

A little girl with a flag in Spring Grove Cemetery on Memorial Day in 2003. Laureen Vellante / Darien Times

About the 20th Anniversary section

ous town officials as to their reflections on the impact of the new kid in town when The Darien Times began. Others, like the chief of police at the offers a glimpse into where former staff- time, and local developers and other ers are today and their recollections of community leaders, like Darien Library director Louise Berry, also reflect on the their Darien Times experience. Our Teen Times reporter canvassed changes in Darien and the impact The the high school for her contemporaries Darien Times has had over the last 20 years. impressions of the paper almost Berry, on the verge of retiring next all of whom cant remember a Darien year, has her own time of reflection without it. We also take a look at the compari- ahead. Love him or hate him, Walter Casey son of Darien today versus. 1993, when has had a significant role in the history the paper started, and hear from variof The Darien Times and he speaks his Continued from page 1D mind in this section, as he is known to do. Members of the original advisory board weigh in on their roles, and longtime Times friend Gene Coyle talks about the role of the papers Thursday editorial coffee at the Sugar Bowl. We hope to celebrate many more years in the community going forward as we adapt to the changes and evolution of the town and the newspaper industry, and we will continue to try challenge and exceed our own standards of excellence for years to come. Most importantly, thank you to the Darien community for 20 years of continued support for The Darien Times.

Where are they now?

Name: Jaclyn Trop Dates: Reporter, 2006 Now: Covering the automotive industry for The New York Times Thoughts: Working at The Darien Times was a fun and exciting experience: It is a blessing to be able to walk from your desk to Good Food Good Things for an afternoon cupcake.

Jaclyn Trop

Page 12D

THE DARIEN TIMES, THURSDAY, OCT. 24, 2013