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Newtown Celebrates Earth Day With Annual Festival

Published: May 05, 2024 08:00 AM

The 2024 Newtown Earth Day Festival took place on the front lawn of Newtown Middle School on Saturday, April 27.

The family friendly event again featured environmental organizations, local service groups, vendors, food/refreshments, live entertainment and more, entertaining and educating attendees of all ages for six hours.

While it was a sunny day with very comfortable temperatures, there was one small challenge for some: Newtown High School Band Director Aaron Ovsiew drew a laugh when he said the biggest challenge for his musicians was keeping their sheet music in place due to windy conditions.

The NHS Jazz Band’s performance was extraordinary, nevertheless. Many audience members commented on the outstanding quality of the music.

The students performed after the event was opened with remarks from First Selectman Jeff Capeci. Live music continued as guests arrived and explored the grounds, filled with local organizations and vendors.

Partial proceeds from the festival continue to be donated to Newtown Scholarship Association for a green studies scholarship.

The Newtown High School Jazz Band entertained early arrivals of the 2024 Newtown Earth Day Festival, which returned to the front lawn of Newtown Middle School on April 27. —Bee Photos, Glass

Newtown Forest Association representatives — from left Donna Vella, Trent McCann, Liliane Gentry, and Mike Dylag — promoted the state’s oldest private land trust during the Earth Day Festival. The group was also promoting NFA’s SpringFest at Holcombe Hill on May 4.

Kim Pearce holds Asher Wells, 1, while brother, Eli, 5, and sister, Savannah, 3, pose for a photograph as flowers.

Newtown First Selectman Jeff Capeci holds a dwarf sunflower he said he would be planting in his yard as part of the Earth Day celebration.

Members of the band Split Decision perform on April 27.

Earth Path Sanctuary owners Ian Appleby and Jessica Kurose of Sandy Hook were happy to display their wares while promoting “Herbalism, Homesteading, Mindfulness, and Environmental Stewardship.”

Newtown Lions Club again had multiple booths set up at the Earth Day Festival. Gordon Williams championed the long-standing Lose The Litter effort.

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There are many considerations as it relates to the development of the Castle Hill property as noted. I am supportive of the proposal and to approval process as it is sensitive to concerns being raised. The proposal provides another housing and lifestyle option for long time residents and newcomers with great accessibility to town. The developer is a long time resident with a solid reputation and the best interest of town at heart. It is not wise to make gross assumptions but I would think it would be a net positive (will attract empty nesters) to the tax base versus incremental town costs required. Net positive tax base growth supports continued investment in our great school system. Working in partnership with historical groups, bike and trails, the borough and others could actually add another great part of our amazing town.

Proposed Castle Hill Development Is Wrong For Newtown

EDITOR'S NOTE: We do not publish everything that goes into print on our website. We never have. It's a longstanding policy that our print subscribers benefit by being able to read every feature, article, press release, etc, and see every advertisement, thanks to their paid subscriptions. Many stories are posted a few days after each print edition is published but some are never shared online. The Board of Education vacancy created by a resignation on February 20, which was filled on March 19, was covered in the March 22, 2024 print edition. Sorry you missed those stories.

Unhappy With Meeting Coverage

I am on the Newtown Bike and Trail Committee and we have been promoting and maintaining this trail for years. It literally goes through the middle of 20/60 Castle Hill Rd., and was added to the register of historic places around 2003: https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/02001679 . That said, I think nearby development and trail preservation could be compatible, depending on the plan.

Its not just this meeting - its pretty much all town meetings. When was the last time you saw an article on the Bee's website regarding P&Z or BOE? Did you know that a BOE member resigned in January and a new one was appointed? These used to be featured articles on the Bee website after they went into the print edition. Unfortunately, things have changed a lot at the Bee since Mr. Voket left.

I have lived in Newtown for over 60 years and this is the first I have ever heard of the Rochambeau Trail. When I checked with the National Park Service and our state only Nationally Historic Site the official records of the Rochambeau Trail administrated by NPS does not travel through this property. If you are arguing it is "Near" the trail then where was the outrage when Big Y was built? The new development on 6 and 25 or even the Starbucks.

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Newtown Celebrates Earth Day With Annual Festival

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