DERBY — For Derby native Ken Bedini, coming of age in the Age of Aquarius with his childhood friends holds such fond memories that he had to capture those free-spirited days between the pages of a book.
Bedini, a 1973 graduate of Derby High School, recently penned a memoir dubbed “The Derby Boys,” a real-life tale of an era marked by unrest, protest and change, and the strong bond between lifelong friends.
The 66-year old father of two is planning to retire next month as vice president for student affairs at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, following a 44-year career in higher education administration. He and Bev, his wife of 40 years, are looking forward to their golden years.
As he prepares to embark on the next chapter of his life, Bedini invites readers to take a trip back in time with “Derby Boys,” a tale about how growing up in the late 1960s and early 70s in small, mill town Derby shaped many lives.
The Valley Indy recently held a Q&A session with Bedini about the inspiration behind his first book, and how the proceeds will benefit his granddaughter Taylor, who has special needs.
Valley Indy: Why was it so important for you to capture these memories in a book?
Bedini: “A few years ago, feeling I was getting to the stage of life knowing I lived about 75 percent of it, I explored the concept of writing a book about it and how it would help me revisit what my life was all about. The thought of doing so, and making peace with it, knowing I did the best I could have done with my career, my friends, my family, and with who I came to be was intriguing.
Valley Indy: What’s the book about?
Bedini: “This is a memoir about a group of lifelong friends and their journey growing up together in a small, mill town, what we learned from its culture, and how we carried it into our own journeys, and of course, our journey through life together.”
Valley Indy: What kind of audience will “The Derby Boys” appeal to?
Bedini: I believe the very many Derby High School classes from the 1960s through the 1990s will relate to the book, along with many of our peers from Shelton, Seymour and Ansonia.
Valley Indy: How long did it take you to write it?
Bedini: “It was going to be a retirement project, but it became how I used my spare time created by the pandemic. It took me about a year to finish the manuscript. It’s self-published with assistance from the Association of Publishers for Special Sales.”
Valley Indy: You still hang out with these “Derby Boys” to this very day?
Bedini: “Yes, we get together many times during the year. Some of us weekly, all of us at least monthly and do so in many ways, such as a day of boating, or golfing and dinner with our spouses.”
Valley Indy: Why should people pick up a copy of “The Derby Boys?”
Bedini: “It will bring you back in time to your high school days and make you think about your journey through life in a special way.”
Anyone interested in purchasing a copy of “Derby Boys” can make a check for $19.73 payable to “Taylor’s Troopers” and send it to Taylor’s Troopers, 104 Longview Drive, Manchester, CT 06040.
Bedini can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
