David E. Driessens
David Elton ("Dusty") Driessens was born in New Haven on September 20, 1923. After serving as a combat air crewman in the Naval Patrol Bomber Squad from 1942 to 1946, he embarked on a forty-year career with the New York New Haven & Hartford Railroad.
Moving to Branford in 1956 upon his marriage to Bernice Evelyn Lawrence, in 1960 David became the archivist of the First Congregational Church and immersed himself in the history of the church and townoan undertak celebration, he wrote a history of the church chronicling its life in the twentieth century.
As a student with reading problems, David repeated the third grade because of his inability to read at that level. (He had actually memorized the stories in his primer!) No explanation was ever offered until years later when, in a chance meeting, a former teacher explained the nature of his problem to him and lifted a great weight from his mind.
Clearly, David overcame the problem, as his outstanding research and writing abilities attest. His appetite merely whetted by the four-year project of writing the history of the church, David immediately undertook the writing of a novel (a three-year endeavor) and is now well into a second one. For the past decade, his "Tales from Penelope" have appeared periodically in the Branford Review under the pseudonym Penelope Primm. Beginning as anecdotal stories of the town's history that often celebrated the ordinary citizen, since the town's 350th anniversary these columns have developed into more personal impressions of the human condition, as seen through the eyes of Penelope.
Always willing to share his stories and local lore, several years ago David began taking third and fourth grade students from Mary Tisko and Mary Murphy Schools on short historical tours of the Center Cemetery to explain how the people buried there relate to the town and to those of us who live here now. (Asa, the last Quinnipiac to live in our town and the only Native American buried in Center Cemetery, is a perennial favorite with the youngsters.) As word of these "walks" spread, interest increased; and groups from the Intermediate School were added to David's peripatetic classes. Five years ago, high school groups were added to the roster. His enthusiasm and knowledge not only impress and inspire the students but also whet their appetites for the great wealth of history of the town that we all share.
Having expanded in numbers and age groups, David's history walks have expanded in area as well. They now also include the Academy, Town Hall, and the three churches on the Green. The history of each is accompanied by one or two anecdotal stories that are appealing to all6man and woman, boy and girl. Although David claims that over the years he has enjoyed these walks more than the students have, that is undoubtedly a factor more of his modesty than of reality.
Expanding his outreach to students still farther, David has also provided classroom lectures and discussions at the high school. He is a rich and willing resource for teachers, generously lending articles, books, maps, and other primary-source materials.
Notable among David's values, as expressed in Penelope's reflections, are his deep appreciation of and positive attitude toward both Branford's young people and the education they are receiving. He cherishes the freshness and candor of the elementary school children who share their reflections on their walking tours. He applauds not only the academic and musical accomplishments of high school students but also their volunteer contributions to the community and to individuals. He has commended teachers for providing values and sensitivity and "teaching Branford's children considerably more than the three R's."
In summarizing his historical pursuits and activities since 1960, David Driessens adds, "I have enjoyed every moment of it!" And so, David, have we all.
Moving to Branford in 1956 upon his marriage to Bernice Evelyn Lawrence, in 1960 David became the archivist of the First Congregational Church and immersed himself in the history of the church and townoan undertak celebration, he wrote a history of the church chronicling its life in the twentieth century.
As a student with reading problems, David repeated the third grade because of his inability to read at that level. (He had actually memorized the stories in his primer!) No explanation was ever offered until years later when, in a chance meeting, a former teacher explained the nature of his problem to him and lifted a great weight from his mind.
Clearly, David overcame the problem, as his outstanding research and writing abilities attest. His appetite merely whetted by the four-year project of writing the history of the church, David immediately undertook the writing of a novel (a three-year endeavor) and is now well into a second one. For the past decade, his "Tales from Penelope" have appeared periodically in the Branford Review under the pseudonym Penelope Primm. Beginning as anecdotal stories of the town's history that often celebrated the ordinary citizen, since the town's 350th anniversary these columns have developed into more personal impressions of the human condition, as seen through the eyes of Penelope.
Always willing to share his stories and local lore, several years ago David began taking third and fourth grade students from Mary Tisko and Mary Murphy Schools on short historical tours of the Center Cemetery to explain how the people buried there relate to the town and to those of us who live here now. (Asa, the last Quinnipiac to live in our town and the only Native American buried in Center Cemetery, is a perennial favorite with the youngsters.) As word of these "walks" spread, interest increased; and groups from the Intermediate School were added to David's peripatetic classes. Five years ago, high school groups were added to the roster. His enthusiasm and knowledge not only impress and inspire the students but also whet their appetites for the great wealth of history of the town that we all share.
Having expanded in numbers and age groups, David's history walks have expanded in area as well. They now also include the Academy, Town Hall, and the three churches on the Green. The history of each is accompanied by one or two anecdotal stories that are appealing to all6man and woman, boy and girl. Although David claims that over the years he has enjoyed these walks more than the students have, that is undoubtedly a factor more of his modesty than of reality.
Expanding his outreach to students still farther, David has also provided classroom lectures and discussions at the high school. He is a rich and willing resource for teachers, generously lending articles, books, maps, and other primary-source materials.
Notable among David's values, as expressed in Penelope's reflections, are his deep appreciation of and positive attitude toward both Branford's young people and the education they are receiving. He cherishes the freshness and candor of the elementary school children who share their reflections on their walking tours. He applauds not only the academic and musical accomplishments of high school students but also their volunteer contributions to the community and to individuals. He has commended teachers for providing values and sensitivity and "teaching Branford's children considerably more than the three R's."
In summarizing his historical pursuits and activities since 1960, David Driessens adds, "I have enjoyed every moment of it!" And so, David, have we all.