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DARIEN HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS of 1962
CLASSMATE NOTES
This page is designed to be class-member driven for the benefit and enjoyment of all of our classmates. The thing that made us a "class" in the first place was a set of shared experiences early in our lives. Since then we have each travelled different paths gathering an amazing array of diverse experiences large and small. This is an opportunity to share some of those experiences - family, hobbies, vacations, career, etc. You might think of it as a "reunion" in print". If you become aware of published items on classmates we would like to share those as well.
To submit, e-mail Jeff Hilgert at bransonjrh@aol.com or write to 111 Adams Road, West Edmeston, NY 13485
SUMMER LUNCH at KNAPP'S LANDING, Stratford, CT
On June 9th more than a dozen classmates gathered for an informal lunch on the very picturesque deck of Knapp's Landing Restaurant. The banks of the Housatonic River proved to be a great location to share some food, some drinks, and most importantly, some laughs. Following are some photos taken to record the day. If you live in the area or are visiting I highly recommend you try to catch one. They are always announced both here and by e-mail several weeks before the scheduled date.
Group on the deck Lou Chippetta, Joanne Caruso Fernandez, Marilyn
Meyers Dolcetti and Dan Dolcetti
Maryann Monti St, John, Ruth Anne Ramsey, Kathy Gambling Jeff Hilgert, Gil Kellersman, Bob Condors & Hugh
Chiappetta, Louise Pastuszakand Pat Hilgert McManus
Pete Firla, Lou Chiappetta and Joanne Caruso Fernandez Bob Condors checking out Gil's hands & Hugh McManus
Louise Pastuszak McManus, Pat Hilgert and Kathy
Gambling Chiappetta
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On December 3, about 15 classmates met at the Red Barn Restaurant in Westport to enjoy a Holiday lunch and share old times and new. These are a few pictures taken at the lunch.
Red Barn Group 1 Red Barn Group 2
Red Barn Group 3 Ruth Anne Ramsey and Dan Dolcetti
Pat Hilgert, Kathy Gambling Chiappetta Joanne Caruso Fernandez, Maryanne Monti St John
and Hugh McManus and Gil Kellersman
Gil Kellersman, Dave Groder & John Eustace Dave Groder, Jeff & Pat Hilgert and Phil Dolcetti
Bob Condors, Hugh McManus, Louise Pastuszak McManus
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The folowing article by Lou Volpicelli appeared in the Darien Times September 25, 2008. Phil is, of course, our classmate and his older brother Dan married Marilyn Meyer, also a classmate.
Dolcetti brothers prosper in the heart of Darien
This is the story of Mrs. Rose Covello, grandmother of the Dolcetti brothers, Dan and Phil who were born in Darien. “We owe most of our success to her daily advice when we were kids,” said Dan when I visited the two brothers.
Mrs. Covello was one of nine children – seven boys and two girls – born to a wealthy landowner family from Calabria, Italy. When her parents died, Mrs. Covello received her inheritance in the form of land. She prospered in Italy and decided to immigrate to the U.S. to be with her sons and settled in Darien in 1926. She became her grandsons’ neighbor and chief advisor on life. Her top priority for them was to make sure they got a good education and to remember that an excellent business investment is ownership of “terra firma” – land - reminding them that there is only so much of it to go around.
The Dolcetti brothers took her advice. Dan, now 66, earned a Masters degree from St. Johns University, and his brother, Phil, 64, graduated with a business degree from the University of Dayton. Their formal education and daily advice came from their grandmother, who at the age of 103, received a citation as a premier Realtor in the State of Connecticut. She was still active in the business until she died at the age of 109. To this day the Dolcetti brothers have maintained her success in real estate.
Family is family, but how do brothers get together to form such a lasting partnership? “We have the same vision with different approaches; my forte is sales and marketing,” said Phil. “Indeed we have the same vision,” said Dan. “We also have different qualifications. Mine is management and finance. Eighteen years at Xerox in Greenwich and New York helped me a great deal.”
Darienites are well aware of the various business successes of the Dolcetti brothers. As teenagers, everyone in the recording business in New York got to know them as the wrote, produced and published early rock and roll music. With their grandmother’s advice, they attended college and soon entered the corporate world and founded Dolcetti, Inc.
A lifelong dream came to fruition when they opened he Dolcetti’ls Restaurant in the heart of downtown Darien – on the Post Road. The diners were fantastic and the amosphere charming. The master chef at the helm was Phil.
Having fulfilled their dream of being restauranteurs, the brothers decided to take on a new adventure as developers. Ching’s Table has become the worthy successor of their restaurant. Another constant teaching from their grandmother was the theory that in all businesses, location is key, as she referenced her example of Gimbel’s and Macy’s in New York. Businesses can thrive off each other’s successes. Lease or own where the people frequent. With this advice in hand, the brothers decided to invest in property in Darien.
To this day, the Dolcetti property in the heart of Darien is one of the most sought after storefronts around. With is in mind, they have decided to continue to own and not sell. They curently lease a large portion to Brooks Brothers, which is expected to open this fall. As Dan proudly said, “As my grandmother always told us, buy land and hold onto it ... there is only so much of it!” I think we can agree she was right – their property and investment continues to pay off especially when location is a factor. As with Gimbel’s and Macy’s, Brooks Brothers should thrive with success.
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Rescuers Honored for Saving Rottweiler From Harbor
By Patrick McNamee
Special Correspondent
Published February 21 2008
NORWALK - A roaming Rottweiler that paddled into the icy waters of Norwalk Harbor last month is one lucky dog, thanks to a former Darien police chief, and Norwalk police and animal control officers.
Former Darien Police Chief Hugh McManus was one of three "civilians of the month" recognized yesterday by the Norwalk Police Commission. McManus aided Norwalk animal control and police in catching the 2-year-old dog by getting into his kayak and grabbing hold of the animal after seeing the activity from his window.
He never expected to do something like that, McManus said.
"You see a lot of different things going on out on the water," McManus said. "I think in this case, though, everyone worked well together to save it."
Lt. Angela Walsh, Sgt. Peter Lapak and Officers Patrick Collins and Ronald Spagnuolo of the Norwalk Police Department were honored along with Animal Control Officers Rick Duddie and Bob Sirico.
The dog has responded to the name Bear while in their care, Duddie said. Bear was spotted on a Saturday morning roaming the Marvin Beach area. The dog was seen again the next morning. After being shot with a tranquilizer dart for the second time, the dog jumped into near-freezing water.
"I saw them looking for the dog earlier in the morning, and about an hour later I saw them looking out into the water with binoculars," McManus said. "I located the dog in the middle of the harbor and saw that he wasn't even paddling and that he wouldn't last very long."
McManus put on his dry suit, gathered his kayaking gear and went out to the water to get a precise location on the dog for the marine unit.
"The last thing that Rick told me before I went out was don't touch the dog, he'll bite you," McManus said.
When McManus got to the dog, it went under the water and did not resurface. He grabbed the Rottweiler's tail and when he tried to grab its collar, the dog took two bites at his hand.
"I was able to hold on to the dog, but did a wet-exit out of the kayak," McManus said. "My biggest concern then was if he was going to bite me in the face because we were so close."
Luckily, the dog calmed down, allowing police to complete what became a double rescue.
"I'm an animal lover and I appreciate that everyone went through these efforts for a living, breathing animal," Mayor Richard Moccia said.
Bear is still at the pound, but is far from the agitated dog everyone met that Sunday.
"He's doing good right now and he's very friendly," Duddie said. "No owner, no one registered him and obviously no one has called, but it's a very nice dog."
Copyright © 2008, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc
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Following our 45th Class Reunion a number of people asked about obtaining copies of the great music of The Green Mountain Boys and also music by The Sentinels, the outstanding doo-wop group that entertained at our Saturday night dinner dance. That got the Committee to thinking that classmates might also be interested in selections of music, literature, etc. produced by other classmates. Based on that notion we are happy to provide information on how to obtain the following items. Please note that the transactions are between you and the provider - this is just a listing service! Of course we would be happy to list other classmates' CDs, books, or other creative output.
A. The Sentinels - The primiere a capella doo-wop group that played our Saturday night dinner dance. CD of 50s & 60s music is available fron Ken Mewes, 129 Minerva Street Derby, CT 06418. Price $15 plus $1 S&H. Please make checks out to Joseph Tedesco Click here for The Sentinels sample music!
B. The Green Mountain Boys - The group in high school was Eddie Mallozzi, Pete Wolcott, Chuck DeFarkas and Tom Eslick. They dispersed after high school but Ed and Pete are still playing today with the addition of college friend, Bill Bedford. A great selection of their music is available on their CD "The Best of the Green Mountain Boys" for $10 plus $2 S&H. Contact Ed Mallozi at the following adress for copies emallozzi@aol.com.
C. The Blue Flames - I am sure you will remember this terrific steel drum band if you were on the Harbor Belle boat ride at the 40th Reunion. This is a group put together in 1994 by classmate Bob Wells and is composed of his wife and 2 friends. They have entertained Olympians on a Savannah, Ga., riverboat during the 1996 Olympics and play at weddings and New England fairs and festivals. All proceeds from CD sales go 2 charities, a local human services agency in Stamford and a childrens diabetes program ($250,000 so far!).
Original release - Cookin', latest release Limin' Either is available from Bob for $20 plus $2 S&H. Contact Bob at RFwells@AOL.com. Remember, Bob's proceeds go to charity!
D. Tom Eslick - Tom is clearly one of our more prolific classmates in terms of both writing and music. As noted above his music career started as a member of the Green Mountain Boys in high school. He has gone on to produce two CDs as well as a series of 4 thriller novels. For access to Tom"s music, go to www.musicmantom.com and for his books click on www.tomeslick.com. If you drop him a note at tomeslick@proctornet.com he would be happy to personalize your book for you.
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The following article was submitted by Hugh & Louise McManus
Norwalk - A leader in the community 2007
Bob Wells: Still cookin'
By Sharon Butler
Special Correspondent
November 4, 2007
"I've been lucky in my life," says Bob Wells, president of The Community Fund of Darien, explaining why he is now in the business of helping others who have not been as fortunate.
But luck was only one part of it. Talent, persistence, smarts, creativity and thought all played roles - as did a sense of fun.
"I grew up in a household where it was okay to be silly - to have ideas that were different from everyone else's," he says.
Now retired, Wells, a Leader in the Community for Stamford, had a flourishing career in advertising. Remember the wonderful Charlie Chaplin "Tramp" ads launching the first IBM PC back in 1981? That was Wells' idea - a project so secret he couldn't even tell his wife, Barbara, what he was working on (she thought it was a computerized bicycle). Also his was the Clio Award-winning environmental ad for Keep America Beautiful, with Native American actor Chief Iron Eyes Cody shedding a tear over pollution. Wells went on to become executive vice president at Young & Rubicam, then was appointed a member of the company's Partnership Board, taking him all around the world to oversee its top 300 managers.
The fact is, as Gary Burandt, a friend of Wells puts it, he's "the only guy around with both a left brain and a right brain." He's logical and analytical, but also creative and feeling, which helps account for his involvement in the community - serving not only as president of the Community Fund but also as trustee of Depauw University, his alma mater; executive committee member at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk; and board member at Family Centers.
It's the right side of his brain - the feeling side - that drives him.
"Too many are blind to the pervasive problems of people in our area living on the margins. You don't see these people at the clubs we belong to, the restaurants we eat at, the fine stores where we shop. But the problems are real. They are all around us. We just need to open our eyes," Wells says.
He laments that while Fairfield County has some of the highest average income levels in the country, it also has one of the lowest giving rates.
Not true for Wells.
As president of the Community Fund, he oversees a 55-year-old organization, formerly a branch of United Way, that will distribute $680,000 in grants this year to 28 agencies in Darien, Norwalk, and Stamford - including Family Centers, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, ElderHouse and Kids in Crisis.
Grant recipients are carefully selected. Agencies are critically evaluated and their needs assessed, accountability ensured.
Wells helped introduce the idea of the Human Services Planning Council at the Community Fund, which brings together social service professionals and town leaders to identify and fill gaps in community services. Projects just starting up include Aging in Place with Grace, helping the elderly remain in their homes by providing transportation to medical appointments and arranging for home repairs. Earlier, as head of allocations for the Community Fund, Wells established the Touch of Life program, which jumps in to help needy individuals in emergencies.
It's all serious business, but Wells indulges in a little fun, too.
In 1994, he brought home to Darien a set of large steel tenor, double-second and tenor-bass pans, which he set up in the family's sunroom (to his wife's distress). That was the start of The Blue Flames, a steel band that entertained Olympians on a Savannah, Ga., riverboat during the 1996 Olympics and plays at weddings and New England fairs and festivals. Wells inherited a musical sense from his father, who jammed with Tommy Dorsey. Wells has one of Dorsey's trombones. But his wife and two friends, Vicky and Jim Linville, whom he roped into the band, can't read a note, so he composes and arranges the songs, and writes them down in a notation he invented so his band members can follow.
As for the money they make from performances and sales of The Blue Flames' CD, titled "Cookin'," Wells has donated every penny - more than $200,000 so far - to charity.
"For me, helping others is what I need to do," Wells says.
It's how he'll spend the rest of his life, he says. With a little luck.
Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.