 
We celebrated St. Valentine’s Day with friends from our former small group. We had met every second Sunday
evening during the winter months for many years to discuss a spiritual book. Now we get together just a few
times during the year for a special meal.
Connecticut, February 2023
John presented a talk on Submarines to the Darien Men’s Association. The talk covered
submarine history over the past 123 years, touching on people, places and events as well as changes
in design and mission. He highlighted the role of Connecticut’s two (yes, two)
submarine shipyards, and provided insights into the early days of the nuclear submarine program. The
talk is on youtube. If you are interested in listening click
here.
Connecticut, February 2023
Marilyn’s “Amazing Places in Israel, Jordan, Kenya and Rowayton” opened at Brendan’s 101. There are 26
photos hanging there ‘til March 15th. They are all for sale and the proceeds will help to provide
porridge for the 405 students in Rossholme Education Centre in Kiambiu, a slum in Nairobi.
Connecticut, February 2023
We walked 2.2 miles in the Harbor Point section of Stamford, CT with 17 members of the Darien Men’s Association
and three of their wives. This new development area by the Rippowam River is a very impressive complex of
apartments, offices, and restaurants.
Connecticut, February 2023
Five hundred and two young and old volunteers gathered at the
Feed My Starving Children
Mobile Packing Event in Darien. 101,088 meals were put together - enough for
272 children to have a meal every day for a year. These Manna Meals will soon be sent to
countries where children are hungry and undernourished.
Connecticut, January 2023
One hundred and four women gathered for a retreat at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien.
Seana Turner inspired everyone with her “On the Beach” presentation as she described how sand,
waves and sun relate to Christian life.
Connecticut, January 2023
A Kenyan friend arrived from land-locked Nairobi, and she couldn’t wait to get to the beach.
It has been three years since her last visit here with friends who support Nambale Magnet
School. She founded this school in Western Kenya to give back to her community after her
three years here at Yale Divinity school.
Connecticut, January 2023
We walked along the beach on Sherwood Island with members of Darien Men’s Association and
some of their spouses and a Golden Retriever. It was a beautiful day – and a bit sad too, when
we paused at the memorial and remembered people we knew who died on 9/11/01.
Connecticut, January 2023
One rather cold and blustery morning, we hiked at Todd’s Point in Greenwich, CT. We joined 15
members of the Darien Men’s Association and the wives of two of them. It was an easy trail with
a beautiful view of the New York City skyline – even on a rather grey day.
Connecticut, December 2022
Marilyn gathered for breakfast with 15 friends from the 6:15 am bible study at Noroton Presbyterian
Church. They’ve been studying the many characters of God as revealed in scripture.
Connecticut, December 2022
One crisp morning we joined the Darien Men’s Association group to tour the Montgomery-Pinetum Park
in Cos Cob, CT. We hiked around the 100-acre property in a little less than two hours. It is a
beautiful rural place, right in the middle of the town.
Connecticut, November 2022
We had a wonderful breakfast one Sunday morning with the 21 new members who joined Noroton
Presbyterian Church. It was good to be with these young people, and some of their children,
who will soon be attending NPC’s Nursery School.
Connecticut, November 2022
Our Kenyan friends from West Haven joined us for Thanksgiving Dinner. We provided the turkey,
stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, creamed corn, and pumpkin pie.
And they brought a couple of our favorite Kenyan foods - pilau and chapatis. It was a real
feast – and we thanked God for all He has given us.
Connecticut, November 2022
The Historic Rowayton-in-Miniature Train Show opened at Pinkney House after not having been there
since 2019. It is the work of our neighbor Brian Kammerer, who has put many hours into creating this
incredible piece of artwork. There is also a brand-new exhibit of Brian’s extraordinary handmade dioramas.
Connecticut, November 2022
A young friend from Kenya joined us for the PEP lunch at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, CT, and there
she met one of her sponsors from years ago. She has now almost completed her studies for a Masters in
Analytical Finance at the University of Louisville. We’ve known her since 2005 when she was in her first
year at Limuru Girls Secondary School, just outside Nairobi.
Connecticut, October 2022
One weekend Russ Brine, who oversees the St. John Bosco Education program in Kitale, Kenya, attended all the masses
at St. John Church in Darien. He met many parishioners who have been supporting 50 primary and secondary students
who are from homes in two slums.
Connecticut, October 2022
Hudson Mahare and Matt Parker of HopeCo (formerly City of Hope) in Tanzania spent a weekend in Darien with
supporters. They met with the Mission Team of Noroton Presbyterian Church, as well as with individual donors.
HopeCo has a school and a clinic, and also provides vocational training to help women start small businesses.
Connecticut, October 2022
One Sunday was Service Day at Noroton Presbyterian Church, and many members went out to do things in the community.
They baked brownies and cookies and took them to Post 53 for the young volunteers there, and they took soup and
plants to some people in assisted living places. There was also a Green Team that picked up trash in parking lots and
raked leaves and trimmed bushes at homes of some of the elderly church members.
Connecticut, October 2022
For the past five months, members of Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, CT has been helping two Afghan
families to settle into their new lives in the US. All the children over three years of age are in school,
and they are almost fluent in English. It has been a bit more difficult for the older ones. And it has been
difficult too for them to get jobs; however, three young men have jobs, including one who is in high school.
Connecticut, May 2022
Just a couple of days before we left for Kenya, we hiked in the Audubon woods with members of the Darien Men’s
Association – and a couple of their spouses. It is a wonderful place to watch, listen and learn about the
things of nature.
Connecticut, May 2022
The first Saturday of April seventy-two women gathered for a half day retreat at Noroton Presbyterian Church.
Three of the women, who had been wearing crosses for the past year, spoke about what God has been doing in their
lives, and then they passed their crosses on to three new women. This is a tradition which started 20 years
Connecticut, April 2022
Pastor Greg Doll spoke at the PEP (People Encouraging People) gathering about the significance of the foods
served at a Seder Meal during Passover. Matzah reminded us that the Jewish people fled in great haste from
Egypt - they didn’t wait for the bread to raise.
Connecticut, April 2022
On Easter Sunday morning, crosses covered with beautiful flowers, told us of resurrection joy. Jesus has risen –
He is risen indeed! And He is on the loose, doing great things, and bringing people back to churches where
they enjoy being together again. It was wonderful to see people dressed in their finest attire, and enjoying
refreshments outdoors, even though it was cold and windy.
Connecticut, April 2022
We enjoyed Easter Dinner with Kenyan friends who live in West Haven. They brought pilau and chapatis to go with
the ham, and sweet potatoes and creamy corn casserole that we had prepared. And for dessert, we had lemon pie
that John had baked – and chocolates and jellybeans from the Easter Bunny.
Connecticut, April 2022
On Easter Monday, we went on a strenuous hike in the Mianus River Gorge with others of the Darien Men’s Association.
It was a pretty good workout for us, and afterwards, we decided that we really are fit enough to travel to Kenya again
this summer.
Connecticut, April 2022
We met Matt Parker, not a relative, who is the new CEO of
HopeCo,
formerly City of Hope. HopeCo is located in the northwest corner of Tanzania, and it helps many children
in the area to go to school, as well as provides health care for many families in the community.
Connecticut, March 2022
Marilyn and 14 other women gathered for an “early-risers” breakfast at
Noroton Presbyterian Church.
They celebrated the completion of Jeremiah which they’ve been reading and discussing since last September. They,
and some others on Zoom, are now studying Colossians.
Connecticut, March 2022
Many of the 70 volunteers, who are helping the two Afghani families that NPC is supporting, met with the 15 members
of the families at a reception. Layla’s Falafal in North Stamford provided delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern
food, and the young mother in one of the families baked lots of wonderful bread. The five children that are in school
are doing well, and four of the men now have jobs.
Connecticut, March 2022
We hiked again with members of
Darien Men's Association
and some friends – this time in Waveny Park in New Canaan,
where the walking trail is 3.5 miles. The mansion, or “castle”, which was built in 1912, is surrounded by 300 acres
of open fields and some ponds.
Connecticut, March 2022
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Members of Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, CT are helping two Afghani families adjust to life here
in Fairfield County. Seven children have been placed in schools, and volunteer tutors from NPC are helping
them to learn English.
Connecticut, February 2022
The new NPC manse is now home for the Youth Pastor and his wife and their three little ones. It is a very modern
version of the old manse, which had lead contamination, and sadly had to be torn down.
Connecticut, February 2022 
On a brisk cold day, we hiked 2.5 miles around Greenwich Point with 14 others from the Darien Men’s
Association - and with two furry friends who had a lot of energy. The view of the New York City skyline
was fantastic!
Connecticut, February 2022
Purity, a Kenyan friend who is a banquet manager at WEE BURN Country Club in Darien, CT, had lunch with us.
We have found that inviting friends to our home and to sitting around the table and talking has been good
therapy during grey winter days .
Connecticut, February 2022 
Many families packed 94,000 nutritious MannaPack™ meals one weekend at the Feed My Starving Children packing
event in Darien. These rice, soy & veggie meals will be sent around the world and will give hope to children
who are at risk of being malnourished.
Connecticut, January 2022
Marilyn walked the 2.5 mile trail in Sherwood Island Park with friends from the Darien Men’s Association. The
highlight was seeing the memorial for all the Connecticut people who died 9/11 in the twin towers, which on a
really clear day was visible from this spot by Long Island Sound.
Connecticut, January 2022 
Winter arrived in Rowayton at the beginning of the month – just a few hours after we arrived back home from Alberta.
And then it arrived again at the end of the month. It has been cold, but not nearly as cold as it was in Alberta
at Christmas time.
Connecticut, January 2022
One of John’s nephews died, and John and two of his daughters attended the Celebration of Life Service for him in Atlanta.
You can watch the Livestream by clicking
here .
Atlanta, January 2022
We enjoyed singing carols at the PEP (People Encouraging People) Christmas lunch at Noroton Presbyterian Church.
We were led by the Director of Music and some members of the NPC choir.
Connecticut, December 2021
We gathered with members of our former small group to say farewell to one of the long-time members. She sold her
home and has moved to Indianapolis to be near my daughter and son-in-law and grandkids.
Connecticut, December 2021 
The women who have been attending the 6:15 am in-person bible study at NPC had a wonderful Christmas breakfast.
We have been reading and discussing Jeremiah and referring to Eugene Peterson’s “Run with Horses” book.
Connecticut, December 2021
PEP, aka People Encouraging People, celebrated three important events - Thanksgiving, Veterans’ Day
and the 401st anniversary of the signing of the Mayflower Compact. Everyone enjoyed the traditional
turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy dinner - at lunch time.
Connecticut, November 2021
One beautiful fall day, we hiked 3.8 miles in Mianus River Park, along the border of Stamford and Greenwich,
with 9 members of Darien Men’s association. The leaves were still very colorful, and there were lots of huge
glacial rocks.
Connecticut, November 2021
We gave thanks to God for our many blessings, and we enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinner with Kenyan friends from West
Haven. We had not seen them since Thanksgiving in 2019. Their family is larger now – with Beniah, who was born
in August.
Connecticut, November 2021 
The Christmas/Holiday Gift Show at Rowayton Arts Center opened the day after Thanksgiving. Marilyn enjoyed volunteering
there that afternoon, and seeing friends, many of whom have purchased her photos and note cards in the past.
Connecticut, November 2021
Our not-so-small group of a year ago gathered at a member’s home for a wonderful meal to celebrate, and to give thanks
to Our God for keeping us all safe during Covid time. He is Good – and all the time He is Good, as our friends in Kenya
say often.
Connecticut, October 2021
Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien had its
Service Day
on a beautiful Sunday morning. Members planted bulbs, raked leaves,
picked up trash, and delivered soup to some elderly folks and brownies to the Emergency Medical Service
team operated by Darien High School students.
Connecticut, October 2021
Jonathan Addleton (third from right), the new Rector of Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan, visited Noroton
Presbyterian Church in Darien. He spoke of his work in “Some Far and Distant Place” – which is the name of one of his books.
Forman Christian College, where only 15% of the students are Christian, is supported by NPC.
.
Connecticut, October 2021 
We went to a Wednesday matinee at Goodspeed and saw “A Grand Night for Singing”. This was our first time at Goodspeed in two
years. And before the show, we had lunch at Griswold Inn in Essex, which has been operating there continuously since 1776. All the lamp
posts on Main Street were decorated for Halloween with characters from old movies like “The Wizard of Oz”
Connecticut, October 2021
One brisk Monday morning, we hiked four miles in Devil’s Den in Weston, CT. We had to be very careful as wet
leaves covered a lot of rocks and roots. But it was good to be doing something outdoors with some new - and some old -
friends from the Darien Men’s Association.
Connecticut, October 2021
Norton Presbyterian Church had a Fall Kick Off Celebration. It began with an impressive service on the lawn that included
a twenty-member choir and eight musicians. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed lunch, and just being with people again. It was
an especially fun time for families with little kids.
Connecticut, September 2021
Russ Brine, Founder of the St. John Bosco Education Trust, visited with members of St. John Church. It had been two years since he
was last here. He thanked the many donors who have helped 50 students in Kitale, Kenya to go to good boarding schools. Fund
raising for school fees for 2022 will start in November. You can contact marilyn@theparkerplace.org with questions.
Connecticut, September 2021
Three high school students are spearheading a Feed My Starving Children Packing Event which will take place on January 8th & 9th.
Volunteers will pack 100,000 Manna Meals for hungry children in devasted countries. For ways to donate to help with the cost of the
ingredients or to volunteer go to
give.fmsc.org/darien.
Contact jessicaschmidt967@gmail.com with any questions.
Connecticut, September 2021 
We went to Mystic, home of Mystic Pizza (remember the movie?), to join friends for lunch by the water. We have known the couple for
several years but just learned that they are from Parma, the same suburb of Cleveland where John grew up.
Connecticut, September 2021
We celebrated John’s 86th birthday with Rowayton friends outdoors on their terrace. All of us had been vaccinated,
and it was good to be together without having to wear masks and not having to keep six feet from each other.
Connecticut, May 2021
Our small group met at the Raymond Boathouse in Pinkney Park in Rowayton, beside the Five Mile River. We finished our
study and discussion of “Galatians – Engaging God’s Word”. We had done the first five lessons on Zoom,
and then we were able to meet in person for the last lesson.
Connecticut, May 2021
Pastor Greg’s mother spent two weeks here visiting Greg & his family at Easter time. And she joined us
for lunch one Sunday. It was good to be with her for a couple of hours. We met her and her husband Frank
in 2007 when they were in Kenya on a mission trip, and we were living in a house on the grounds of the
Presbyterian University of East Africa.
Connecticut, April 2021
We joined a group arranged by the Darien Men’s Association and went to Groton. In the past, members
have usually gone into New York City and wandered in historical areas. This year because of Covid,
they explored several towns in Connecticut. Four in our group had worked in Groton many years ago,
and they reminisced about what the town was like when they lived there.
Connecticut, April 2021
John has just one sibling - a brother who is three years younger than him. He and his wife and their son
live in Berlin and we hadn’t seen them in over a year. So we met them for lunch at the Griswold Inn in
Essex, one of our favorite places along the Connecticut River. We have often had lunch at The Griswold
before going to Goodspeed for a Wednesday matinee of one of their always fabulous musicals.
Connecticut, April 2021 
And then we celebrated John’s 86th birthday with his daughter at Scena in Darien. It was our fourth time to
eat out in a restaurant after not having done that for over a year. It is good to be doing things again with
friends and family now that we, and they, are fully vaccinated.
Connecticut, April 2021
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Walking on the beach is wonderful - even in the cold, and especially when the sun is warm. We hope
that our young friends will soon be vaccinated so we can walk around Rowayton and talk without our masks.
Connecticut, March 2021
Loving and caring about our neighbors means we need to wear masks ‘til everyone is vaccinated. And, as
this banner in front of the Rowayton Methodist Church says, it’s also good to tell them about Jesus,
who is there with them in their pain when they are hurting.
Connecticut, March 2021
Thirty five women of St. John Church
in Darien gathered at the Convent of St. Birgitta in Tokenecke for a
Saturday retreat. Sr. Mary Ann Foggin of the women’s religious community of The Servants of God’s Love in
Ann Arbor, Michigan spoke of the need to Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 35).
Connecticut, March 2021 
The Darien Men's Association
has hikes each month in the spring, summer and fall. The first one was in March and
we were able to walk and talk with friends in Waveny Park in New Canaan. Everyone in the group had been vaccinated
so masks were optional.
Connecticut, March 2021
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Winter arrived one Sunday with about a foot of snow and some pretty high winds that drove it through
the screens and covered our back porch. It also created some pretty neat snow art on our garage windows.
It was cold but not nearly as cold as it was in Texas a few weeks ago.
Connecticut, February 2021
Roses are traditional Valentine gifts. The
Rowayton Gardners
however, had another very unique gift - a paper
heart embedded with a collection of flower seeds, including snapdragon, petunia, daisy, poppy, foxglove, thyme,
chamomile, maiden pinks, catchfly and beardtongue. We can’t wait to see what will bloom when spring arrives.
Connecticut, February 2021
A herd of deer have been visiting our back yard. It’s nice to watch them from our bedroom window - but it’s not
quite as exciting as being on safari in Kenya and seeing giraffes and elephants up close.
Connecticut, February 2021 
The days are longer, the air is warmer, the snow is almost gone, daffodils are coming up through the mulch, the birds
are chirping - and the cardinals, our favorite birds, are back at our feeder. Spring is almost here!!
Connecticut, February 2021
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We've seen beautiful sunsets through the trees from our kitchen and bedroom windows. They are however much more impressive
when seen from the beach. Red sky at night is a sailor’s delight, right? This saying is even mentioned in bible.
Do you know where?
Connecticut, January 2021
Last spring, John painted the woodwork and floors on our back porch. Now he’s painting walls, woodwork and doors inside our home.
Fortunately our home is on high ground so we have a dry basement which serves as a great workshop.
Connecticut, January 2021
Winter in Rowayton has been very mild. Our first snowfall was in December, a week before Christmas - and it had
all melted before New Year's Day. Now we have more snow and it’s been cold enough to freeze the Duck Pond and
lots of kids are out there skating.
Connecticut, January 2021 
For the first time in 30 years, the women of Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien did not go away for a weekend retreat.
Instead 63 of them met on Zoom. Most were from Darien and Rowayton - but some joined from as far away as Indiana, Texas,
North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Germany and Kenya. After the two hour Zoom gathering, small groups of women met
in several different locations and then enjoyed walking and talking together for a couple of hours.
Connecticut, January 2021
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