It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Boston Post Road Historic District gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Darien, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia,”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield”
“Excellent!”
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will continue to reach out to them first any time I have care needs. Not only was my caregiver great, but the service and care I got from Alan was above and beyond. He is so responsive, invested and attentive - feel like I’m working with a friend/family. They really care about their care recipients and make you feel like a VIP. The caregiver we were assigned was not only sweet and warm, but she wouldn’t sit still and made sure she was always doing something helpful. Couldn’t be happier with the company or caregiver, and will work with them anytime the need arises.”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back Up Care" can be a little tricky to use and sometimes difficult to get the care properly confirmed. I reached out to Alan the day before my booking and he did a tremendous job at making sure that I had appropriate care for my 5 month old and that I wouldn't have to stress. Our actual caregiver, Chyna was great. She arrived on time, was knowledgable, respectful, and friendly. We had no worries leaving our 5 month old in her care. I'd book with Always Best Care again.”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages changes and last minute needs as though our family member is his family. He is also there in person to make sure everything is going smoothly.”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide is amazing as well. Thank you ABC for providing exceptional service!!”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us with childcare and she went above and beyond caring for our son permitting us to focus at work!”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia, we burned through multiple agencies and aides. Only at the end did we find unmatched compassion and competence with Alan and his team of aides at Always Best Care. A lot of times the whole experience felt overwhelming, disjointed and end of life care system just plain broken. They were the one shining bright spot. Our family would recommend them in the highest order.”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care givers for my mom in her final months were gracious, considerate, compassionate and professional. I spoke with Alan many times telling him how thankful i was to have him and the outstanding service his company provided to my mother. My highest recommendation to Alan and his staff at Always Best Care.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on her feet again after hip surgery and to be her companion for three weeks during Covid quarantine as she moved from rehab center back to her senior living apartment. All services were provided with the highest level of kindness, compassion and dignity and we are truly grateful for the help.”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable assisted living place for my Mom. She presented an array of good choices, gave me some very good advice about things to look for when I checked them out, responded quickly and completely to every question I had, and did all of this in the hurry done urgent circumstances required. No hard sell, just good knowledgeable work.”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield County. If you know a loved one in need of care, please visit our website or call us anytime for a free no-obligation expert consultation.”
“Excellent!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Baker Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Restaurant L'Ostal or visit Bates-Scofield House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Darien, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Darien, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Darien, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
HIGH SCHOOLData SkriveDarien High School plays on the road against Staples High School at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 14.How to watch Darien vs. Staples boys lacrosseDarien and Staples will hit the field on Saturday, June 14, at 12:30 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network.The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country. Watch games...
HIGH SCHOOL
Data Skrive
Darien High School plays on the road against Staples High School at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 14.
Darien and Staples will hit the field on Saturday, June 14, at 12:30 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network.
The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country. Watch games live and on demand, all year long, on any device. Follow your favorite team and never miss a game!
Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school lacrosse streaming live, plus on-demand replays and highlights of all the action from thousands of schools across America.
Watch Staples vs. Darien on NFHS Network!
All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU, Amazon Fire, Google TV and Apple TV.
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Residents are encouraged to sign up for the new service.Richard Kaufman, Patch StaffDARIEN, CT — The Town of Darien announced on Wednesday it is switching to a new emergency alert system.Darien currently uses CodeRed for emergency alerts, which is an opt-in alert system used to notify residents with critical information in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures or other emerg...
Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff
DARIEN, CT — The Town of Darien announced on Wednesday it is switching to a new emergency alert system.
Darien currently uses CodeRed for emergency alerts, which is an opt-in alert system used to notify residents with critical information in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures or other emergencies.
Effective July 1, CodRed will no longer be available. As a result, Darien will switch to a new opt-in emergency alert system provided by Everbridge: Alerts 06820.
"All residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily sign up for Alerts 06820 to get notified about emergencies and other important community news," the Town of Darien Emergency Management said in an announcement. "This is the only official emergency alert system in town and the only way to be individually notified of local emergencies. Registrants are able to specify how to receive time-sensitive messages, such as calls to their home, cell or business phones, an email, or text messages, as well as what type of emergency alerts they would like to receive."
How to sign up
Those who do not have access to a computer or text devices, or those who would like assistance in registering their contact information may complete the registration form linked above.
Completed forms can be mailed or dropped off to the Emergency Management Department in Room 117, Darien Town Hall.
"The success of this service relies on you. Having your latest contact information is the only way to ensure that you are contacted in an emergency," Darien Emergency Management said in an announcement. "It is important to remember that this notification system is just one tool used to notify the public in the event of an emergency, and no one should rely on it exclusively for emergency information."
Residents who previously subscribed through CodeRed will need to re-register with Everbridge.
Sixteen Connecticut high school boys lacrosse teams have reached the semifinals of the CIAC’s four divisions, with the top four seeds still playing in three of the classes.The semifinal round begins with two games on Tuesday and continues with the majority of games on Wednesday. Teams are playing for a chance to advance to the championships at Fairfield University on Saturday.We will have a new Class LL champion this season after Darien defeated Fairfiedl Prep 12-5 in the quarterfinals. The other three defending champions...
Sixteen Connecticut high school boys lacrosse teams have reached the semifinals of the CIAC’s four divisions, with the top four seeds still playing in three of the classes.
The semifinal round begins with two games on Tuesday and continues with the majority of games on Wednesday. Teams are playing for a chance to advance to the championships at Fairfield University on Saturday.
We will have a new Class LL champion this season after Darien defeated Fairfiedl Prep 12-5 in the quarterfinals. The other three defending champions - Cheshire (Class L), Daniel Hand (Class M) and New Fairfield (Class S) are all still playing.
Here is a breakdown of the semifinal matchups with some key players and predictions.
June 10, 2025
Reporter
Dave Stewart is a sports reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group who has been covering sports in Connecticut since 1996 and serves as the GameTimeCT writer for volleyball, girls hockey, wrestling and girls lacrosse. He has won multiple New England Newspaper & Press Association and Connecticut SPJ awards for writing and photography and is a member of the FCIAC Hall of Fame.
DARIEN — The Darien boys lacrosse team had a lot of unknowns when the 2025 season began, new players stepping up into starting roles.One of those question marks was goalie George Persinger. On Saturday, he delivered a loud answer.Persinger racked up 12 saves in a shutdown performance to help lead No. 4-seeded Darien to a decisive 12-5 victory over No. 5 seed Fairfield Prep, the defending state champion, in ...
DARIEN — The Darien boys lacrosse team had a lot of unknowns when the 2025 season began, new players stepping up into starting roles.
One of those question marks was goalie George Persinger. On Saturday, he delivered a loud answer.
Persinger racked up 12 saves in a shutdown performance to help lead No. 4-seeded Darien to a decisive 12-5 victory over No. 5 seed Fairfield Prep, the defending state champion, in the Class LL quarterfinals at Darien.
The game was a rematch of last year’s Class LL final, won by the Jesuits, who also defeated the Blue Wave by one goal in this season’s opener.
While revenge was a factor, there was motivation beyond that for the Blue Wave.
“We didn’t want this to be our last game,” Darien coach Jeff Brameier said. “We lost to them the first game of the year in a game anybody could’ve won. They did a better job of finishing in that game and we were still learning the game. We had a lot of newcomers, new starters.
“Now, we know where our strengths and weaknesses are and we’ve just gotten better.”
The Blue Wave (13-8) will face No. 1-seeded New Canaan (18-2) in the semifinals on Wednesday at a date and time to be determined. The Rams have defeated Darien twice this season, 8-4 during the regular season and 7-6 in 2 OTs in the FCIAC semifinals. New Canaan defeated Notre Dame-West Haven 19-3 in the quarterfinals.
Neirher team has won a state title in recent years, with Darien's last title coming in Class L in 2019, and New Caaan's coming in 2017 in Class M.
“I can’t wait,” Darien junior Wes Scallen said of the matchup. “It’s the same kind of set-up as Fairfield Prep. We lost to them once and it was time for our revenge. We’re lucky to have second chances and we’ve just got to capitalize.”
Darien never trailed against Fairfield Prep (14-6). Ryan Thurlow and Scallen scored the game’s opening goals in the first three minutes. After Dylan McCarthy got the Jesuits on the board, the Wave scored three more for a 5-1 lead after one quarter.
The margin was still four goals at halftime, but Darien blew it open with four unanswered in the third quarter.
The loss ended the Jesuits’ bid for a repeat title. Last year, they won their first state championships since 2013.
“Sometimes in life the hardest and toughest lessons are learned in this way,” Fairfield Prep coach Graham Niemi said. “The seniors did a great job and they really battled in the second half of this year. We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well today. @e didn’t share the ball as well as we’re capable of and it shows in a big spot.
“It’s disappointing not to be back in the semis, but we’ll regroup."
Thurlow and Scallen led Darien’s offense with each putting up four goals and one assist, but it was on the defensive side of the field where the Wave dominated.
“Prep is a really good team with a lot of great players,” Persinger said. “But we’ve been practicing for these types of moments. Playing against a team like Prep, it’s hard to keep up with them (if they get a lead). So getting that first goal helped us all the way.”
Of the five goals Prep scored, only three were even-up. Defenseman Mark MacNamara guarded the Jesuits' Luke Shannehan and held him to just one assists, while Persinger and long poles Gardiner Ely and Jimmy Benedict had outstanding games.
“Some of that was George making impressive saves,” Brameier said. “But we didn;t give up too many easy shots. We know who their stars are and we had Mark on Shannehan and we kept him in check. Our other long poles did a good job and our short sticks are tough to beat.”
George Persinger, Darien: The senior goalie collected 12 saves while allowing just five goals, only three even-up, in a shutdown performance.
“It’s a game that everybody always puts on their calendar regardless if it’s regular season, FCIAC or states. It’s going to be a big game for both of us for sure. Neither one of us has won states in a few years so we’re all champing at the bit to get back there and get back at it.” - Darien coach Jeff Brameier on playing New Canaan in the semis.
FAIRFIELD PREP 1 2 0 2 — 5DARIEN 5 2 4 1 — 12Fairfield Prep: Nate Estrella 3g; Griffin Rother 1g; Dylan McCarthey 1g; Luke Shannehan 1aDarien: Wes Scallen 4g, 1a; Ryan Thurlow 4g, 1a; Max McBride 1g, 1a; Ben Bilodeau 1g, 1a; Connor McNamara 1g; Chase Lane 1gSaves: FP - Matt Barry 6; D - George Persinger 12Records: Fairfield Prep 14-6; Darien 13-8
Residents spoke out against the proposal, saying it would increase traffic and pose safety concerns for the neighborhood.Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff|Updated Tue, May 20, 2025 at 11:37 am ETDARIEN, CT — An application to bring a unique food hall delivery chain to town has been withdrawn from consideration after residents spoke out against the proposal, saying it would increase traffic and pose safety concerns ...
Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff
|Updated Tue, May 20, 2025 at 11:37 am ET
DARIEN, CT — An application to bring a unique food hall delivery chain to town has been withdrawn from consideration after residents spoke out against the proposal, saying it would increase traffic and pose safety concerns for the neighborhood.
Wonder was seeking a special permit to open a location on the ground floor at 1897 Boston Post Road.
The company partners with world-renowned chefs, such as Bobby Flay, Marcus Samuelsson and Jose Andres, along with well-known restaurants like DiFara Pizza out of Brooklyn, NY, and Tejas BBQ from Dallas, Texas, among others, to create menus and dishes spanning a variety of cuisines.
Utilizing a "hub and spoke" model, food ordered from a Wonder storefront is initially prepared at an offsite, central production facility, submitted project documents noted. The food is then transported to Wonder storefronts where it's then sold to customers "following a strict process of final preparation on-site."
Wonder recently opened locations in Stamford and Fairfield, marking expansion into Connecticut.
Diners can order from the Wonder website or mobile app. The company says meals are prepared fresh and delivered in under 35 minutes on average. Third-party delivery services are not used, according to submitted project documents. Pick-up and limited dine-in options are also available.
Planning & Zoning Commission Chair Stephen Olvany announced during the commission's regularly scheduled meeting on May 13 that the Wonder application was withdrawn.
In a public hearing last month and in submitted written comments, residents railed against the proposal and urged the commission to reject the application. The April 22 P&Z meeting is available to watch on demand on Darien TV79.
Residents said the addition of Wonder would jam up an already congested Post Road, and delivery drivers would find shortcuts and clog up nearby residential streets like Garden City Road, Clock Avenue, Dickinson Road, and Fitch Avenue - areas where there are active pedestrians, children and pets.
There were also concerns about parking for the site and extended operating hours. Proposed hours were from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Additionally, residents pointed out Wonder would be the only major chain operating in the neighborhood. A website opposing the proposal was launched.
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Sheehan Murphy, a resident of Dickinson Road, told the Planning & Zoning Commission during the April 22 public hearing that Wonder was "way too commercial" for the proposed location.
"This business could be anywhere, so why this location? Why are we trying to force it and make accommodations at this location?" Murphy asked. "Families go for walks with their dogs, kids are riding bikes on Dickinson, Clock and Garden City... [The proposal is] just not congruent with the pace and lifestyle of the area. It just feels like we're trying to force it."
Project officials told the commission delivery drivers would be given messages about restricted streets, and drivers could be tracked to see what routes they take. Persistent offenders could be booted from the platform.
Murphy noted that a majority of customers use the Wonder delivery service, but a segment also uses third-party delivery services like Uber Eats, and he wondered how the those drivers unaffiliated with Wonder would be tracked.
"We don't know. I don't have an answer to that," Olvany responded
Another resident, Caitlin Olcese, wrote in submitted comments that Wonder would "disrupt the character of our neighborhood."
"I respectfully urge the committee to consider a different tenant, one that better complements the existing character of the area and aligns with zoning regulations," Olcese wrote. "Based on the guidelines, this proposed use does not seem compatible and could prove detrimental to the surrounding residential community."
Officials said the site was a good fit for Wonder, and they noted the company could cap the number of couriers and track them, provide quick turnaround for those who come to pick up orders, and have adequate parking even during peak hours.
Jason Bottcher, associate director of governance for Wonder, told the commission on April 22 that "we are in an incredible unique position to exert a lot more influence on how this site operates in comparison to any other food use that you would see at any location.
Jason Klein, attorney for the applicant, reiterated those points later in the meeting.
"Wonder's control over this site is unparalleled for other uses that could come to 1897 Boston Post Road. There's no other user who can give the neighborhood the guarantees that they're looking for that Wonder is able to guarantee," Klein said.
Ultimately, the application was pulled. Patch reached out to a representative from Wonder for comment on Monday but has not heard back as of late Tuesday morning.
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