Letter to Our Readers | photo by: BAMBI RIEGEL | riegelpictureworks.com
Shout out to Blue Wave Field Hockey and the team’s great tradition of leaving it all out on the field. Pictured here, 2025 captains and coaches (from left): Coach Zoe Shyn, Tess Hageney, Hall of Fame Varsity Coach Mo Minicus, Ella Cherenek, Assistant Varsity Coach Sherry Ramsay, Anna Duarte
Dear Readers and Residents of Darien,
WELCOME TO FALL and its renewed focus on the rhythms, routines and all that ignites us this time of year. There’s empowerment too that comes with this return to fall, a chance to recharge and forge ahead which is why we’re pleased to lead off this issue with a profile of Darien mom Tiere Hessert and all she is doing through her MamaCollective to build connection and community in support of local moms.
We’ve got some great articles focused on youth empowerment in this issue as well. There’s the New Canaan Country School Partner Profile. They are one of our founding partners and we are proud of our ongoing association with them given all they do to develop young people in grades Pre-K through 9. Find out more about their approach and all that makes them unique in the pages ahead.
Meghan Shain of Darien’s OK to Delay presents some terrifying stats about kids and smartphone usage, but she provides hope as well, detailing what we as a community can do to counter them and support our kids. Another answer? Scouting in Darien, a youth empowerment program like you wouldn’t believe and the subject of this issue’s Our Town column. Suffice it to say, there are bragging rights involved among college admissions teams when an Eagle Scout
accepts an offer to attend their school.
Linda Stephens is back with more good info in her signature voice, this time about bone health. And we’re thrilled to welcome Ring’s End Brand Ambassador for Design and Décor Natalie Landry as a contributor. In this issue, she aims her knowledge and exuberance our way with a look at what’s in and what’s out in paint. Thank you Natalie. Thank you Seán Leary of Leary’s Liquor Cabinet as well for a very informative article on how to plan your bar for any occasion. He, like Natalie and Linda, brings great energy and information to these pages. We can’t wait for you to read it all!
Most importantly, ongoing thanks to our advertisers for making the magazine possible. Without them, we would not be able to bring these stories to you. We are thrilled to welcome Ring’s End and the Darien Arts Center to this group of beloved local mainstays as advertisers in this issue.
Correction: In our listing of Darien young people serving in the military that appeared in our summer issue, we omitted Maximus Racanelli, U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of ’25. He is currently on active duty training to become a pilot. Our apologies Maximus and thank you for your service!
Pamela Dey Vossler / Editor-in-Chief
Carl Trautmann / Founder & Publisher
