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Newtown Interfaith Council Reconvenes Face-To-Face After 26 Virtual Months

Newtown Interfaith Council Reconvenes Face-To-Face After 26 Virtual MonthsNewtown Interfaith Council (NIC) met in person recently, marking the first time in 26 months the group gathered in the same room.Newtown Interfaith Council (NIC) met in person recently, marking the first time in 26 months the group gathered in the same room. Six local leaders of faith spent nearly 90 minutes reconnecting, and planning a few new steps for the longstanding group.The May 5 meeting was at Trinity Episcopal Church, in the same room the council met in March 2020 before the world slowed down for the COVID-19 pandemic.Trinity Pastor Reverend Andrea Castner Wyatt welcomed those who joined the meeting.“I think our goal today is to regather and rekindle this group,” she said.“This is a real emerging, another point to get past the pandemic,” she added, although she was also careful to not say the pandemic was over.John Woodall, representing Baha’i Faith, referred to Thursday as a “reconstituting time.”Also present on Thursday were Deacon Michael Ronan, St Rose of Lima; Bill Donaldson, Love Has A Home Here; and later Eman Beshtawii, Al Hedaya Islamic Center; and Wesley Johnson, The Gathering Community Church. Johnson is also the coordinator for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Newtown Public Schools.Wyatt invited attendees to introduce themselves — for a few, it was their first time attending an interfaith council meeting — and respond to the question “How are you doing?”Conversation quickly turned to a Community Conversation hosted by C.H. Booth Library 10 days earlier. The second in what organizers hope will be an ongoing series, the April 25 Community Conversation was “A Discussion of Religion and Race.” Beshtawii, Ronan, Woodall, and Wyatt were on the panel, and Johnson was among the attendees that evening.Continuing the conversation from the library event, Ronan said he was “disappointed to hear that anyone in our town has any difficulty accessing leaders.” The April 25 discussion, he said, “was a bit of a wake-up call.”Beshtawii said she continues to hear from her children, and many others in the Muslim community, of “inappropriate” interactions between students, and also between students and teachers.“It keeps coming up” in discussion, she said. “It’s really bad. We can try to justify, saying ‘They’re just kids,’ but the adults — the teachers, and many of them are parents — they need to be better.”Members of the Muslim community, she said, continue to find life within the town’s public schools very challenging. She recounted one student’s recent experience, when a male student reportedly told his teacher he would be absent for a Ramadan observance.“He was still marked absent,” she said. “They don’t recognize our holidays.“The Town treats us nicely. Our interfaith community, we feel like brothers and sisters. The library is very welcoming,” she said. “Everything is beautiful in town, except the schools. And people move here for the schools, but they don’t know what it’s like.“It’s not fair for anyone to be treated differently,” she added. “When my kids go to school I want them to be happy. At this age — elementary through high school years — anything can affect them, for their lives.“I want my kids, and all kids at school, to be treated fairly. We trust the teachers and faculty, and we send our children to them in trust. Telling Newtown to be kind is just words, and at the end of the day we are all brothers and sisters.“You don’t have to love me,” Beshtawii said. “You don’t even have to like me. But you have to treat me like a human.”Donaldson wondered about the root of the racial insults and other issues that happen within schools.“Where is this coming from? It’s systemic, but what is the actual cause?” he asked.“Cultural malaise can taint a community, and we need to put a lid on that,” Donaldson added.Returning to the subject of racist and cruel remarks in schools, Woodall said he hears similar things everywhere.“I don’t know when it became OK to be like this, but it is not OK to say whatever cruel thing you’re thinking,” he said.Paraphrasing Margaret Mead, Wyatt said it would be a small group, taking small steps, to change that thought process.“Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to make change,” she said.Beshtawii said she knows there is empathy in Newtown.“I was inspired by the Black Lives Matter rally in Newtown two years ago,” she said. “There were many white people, and people of all ages, there.”‘A Community Voice’Building on what she felt she heard during the April 25 program at the library, Wyatt wondered if others felt that “the Interfaith Council should have a community voice. Is there something we can do as a group?”John Woodall suggested a public event, something that would celebrate the diversity of Newtown’s faiths.“We need to start with a sense of the sacredness of our connections to each other,” he said.General ideas were suggested, but the group will continue to discuss the idea at future meetings.Beshtawii said one of the big problems is not those who attend services and special events, but those who do not.“People who don’t attend places of worship, who don’t care about these problems, how do we reach them?” she asked.Johnson noted the tone of the meeting was “a very appropriate conversation for the faith community to be having.”Later, he also said there is space “for more conversation, for more education to take place.”Discussion included whether it would be a good idea for members of the council to begin attending Board of Education meetings, where the topic of racism and diversity, equity and inclusion have been very contentious topics in recent months.The discussion then led to crafting a mission statement for the first time in the council’s history.Phrases and ideas were shared but that also was not finalized during the May 5 meeting. Many members of the council were not in attendance, and those present wanted to make sure all members of the council — and their respective communities — were comfortable with the final statement.Public OutreachNIC also discussed holding workshops, training sessions, and public discussions.“How do we engage and have these difficult conversations? That’s what we need to figure out,” said Wyatt. NIC members would like to do something in the schools, but Johnson cautioned that with just over a month before students are dismissed for the summer, planning something before the end of the current academic year is nearly impossible. He did encourage NIC members to continue their work, however.“There are conversations taking place, in schools across the country, on subject matters that are no longer taboo. Gender identity, religion, race … that’s all being talked about,” he said. “We have a wonderful opportunity, in this community, to facilitate, to lead. We are here, and we are not going anywhere. We are connected.”Woodall was encouraged.“We’re engaging in an ongoing conversation,” he said, adding that he understood a shift in public attitude will not change quickly. “Culture change doesn’t happen with one event, or one approach. You need a multi-pronged approach over a period of time.”While the discussion and planning for public events will continue, NIC did agree last week to launch a Facebook page. Within 24 hours, Woodall had created a public page, which can be found by searching for Newtown Interfaith Council.=====Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.

Newtown Interfaith Council meeting recap Shannon Hicks Story Newtown Interfaith Council Reconvenes Face-To-Face After 26 Virtual Months Newtown Interfaith Council meeting recap_1 Featured Slider, Religion None

Sandy Hook School Student Attending National Youth Leadership Forum

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Senator Tony Hwang Speaks At CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief Senator Tony Hwang (R-28th), cited as an “environmental champion,” was among the speakers at the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) 2022 Environmental Legislative Debrief on May 6. Senator Tony Hwang (R-28th), cited as an “environmental champion,” was among the speakers at the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) 2022 Environmental Legislative Debrief on May 6.The virtual session reviewed the climate, energy, and environment bills that passed at this year’s Connecticut General Assembly.CTLCV Board Member Adam Wood said that due to his environmental leadership, the CTLCV named Hwang as an Environmental Champion on its scorecard in 2015, 2016, and 2019. Hwang was named in the CTLCV Hall of Fame in 2017 for his strong leadership on the environment.Hwang shared his perspective as a Republican senator, as well as the work he is doing for the environment.“The environment has no party affiliation,” Hwang said.He gave credit to the contemporary and longtime members of the CTLCV for their work. He said all the accomplishments that were able to be done this year are a tribute to the legacy of Julie Belaga, founder of the CTLCV, with whom he spoke on many occasions.“I hope that if I am lucky enough to be reelected again, that we will continue to strive to bring a bipartisan solution to everything we do with the environment,” Hwang said.Wood shared comments and questions from attendees, one of which inquired about what work is being done to clean up and maintain Long Island Sound.Hwang answered, “The Long Island Sound is a major environmental, as well as recreational, part of our area in Southwestern Connecticut and the rest of the state. I’m very proud to be a part of the Long Island Sound Blue Plan, which was literally seven years in the making.”He explained that the plan is now being fully implemented and data is starting to be collected about waterways that lead into the Sound. Once the data can be analyzed, then policies can be created.“Ultimately, the correlation and collaboration between federal and interstate dynamics with the shared Sound in Rhode Island and New York needs to be better coordinated. It’s a national treasure … the Sound is truly special, and we have an important role to sustain it and protect it for the future. It is something I am deeply committed to do,” Hwang said.An attendee commented how Hwang was one of the only Republicans to support Senate Bill 4 and asked, “How do we do a better or more effective job to encourage bipartisanship support for the environment?”Hwang replied, “I think if we work harder cultivating relationships and don’t go to our corners — and look we may agree to disagree, but if we see that disagreement and try to reach a compromise and collaboration, we can succeed in a true bipartisan effort.”Banner Year For EnvironmentEarlier in the meeting, CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown said it was a “banner year for the environment.”Brown said the group is a “statewide environmental nonprofit that works with our state lawmakers and dozens of advocacy organizations to protect the environment.”She explained that the program was an opportunity to hear from legislative champions who helped achieve the many wins the group agreed with.“Our state legislators really stepped up and leaned into the fight this year with resounding victories,” said Brown.Brown shared a chart with more than a dozen bills that the CTLCV felt were significant wins. The list included: SB 4: Clean Air Act — passed; SB 10: Climate Change Mitigation — passed; SB 117: Tree Removal on Properties Under Control of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) — passed in SB 238; SB 120: Use of Chlorpyrifos on Golf Courses and Neonicotinoids for Non-Agricultural Use — passed; SB 176: Shared Clean Energy Facilities — passed; SB 243: Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices — passed in budget; HB 5039: Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emission Standards — passed in SB 4; HB 5140: Hand Harvesting of Horseshoe Crabs — passed in HB 5198; HB 5143: Establish an Office of Aquatic Invasive Species — passed in budget; HB 5262: Revising Certain Absentee Ballot Eligibility Statutes — passed; HB 5285: Public School Curriculum — passed in budget; and HJ 107: Resolution Adopting the State Plan of Conservation and Development 2018-2023 — passed.“Six of the bills shown here will directly impact climate and air quality in the areas of clean electricity, clean transportation, climate smart agriculture, expanding solar energy, and finally, finally, a bill passed this year requiring the teaching of climate change in schools,” Brown said. “Four of the bills on here advanced the protection of state land, trees, and water, including the passage of the long overdue state plan of conservation and development. Two of the bills here were about wildlife, so bears and horseshoe crabs. And one bill addressed pesticides, banning chlorpyrifos.”Brown also noted the budget that was passed included investment in “clean transportation, open space and parks, smart agriculture, and much more.”During the 2022 Environmental Legislation Debrief, Senator Christine Cohen and Speaker of the House Matthew Ritter spoke about the bills they specifically worked on and what happened this session.Brown thanked the speakers who participated in the event and noted that a full list of environmental issues that were tracked will be listed on the CTLCV website. To see the list or to learn more about CTLCV, visit ctlcv.org.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.

CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief Alissa Silber Story Senator Tony Hwang Speaks At CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief Featured Slider, News None

Senator Tony Hwang Speaks At CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief

Senator Tony Hwang (R-28th), cited as an “environmental champion,” was among the speakers at the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) 2022 Environmental Legislative Debrief on May 6.

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With Rescue In Progress, DEEP Says Stay Away From Bear Cubs

With Rescue In Progress, DEEP Says Stay Away From Bear Cubs The DEEP is currently trying to capture and rehabilitate two orphaned bear cubs and is asking the public to stay out of the area while they do so.The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Deputy Director Mason Trumble is asking the public to stay out of the vicinity of two orphaned bear cubs so they can hopefully be caught in traps baited with food."The bear cubs are currently up in a tree and our wildlife biologists believe the best course of action is to set a trap," said Trumble. "We ask that folks stay out of this area to give the cubs space in order for the trap to work."Trumble said that the DEEP would keep the public updated.DEEP Wildlife Division Director Jenny Dickson said that two orphaned bear cubs will be taken in to rehabilitation because of concerns of how much public attention they've drawn during an earlier press conference May 16 in Newtown.Dickson said while the DEEP's "first priority is to let wild animals remain wild," the attention drawn to the bear cubs, who are four and a half to five months old, have put them in a "difficult situation" because the cubs could become habituated to humans, or food left out for them could attract other predators that could put the cubs in danger.The cubs were currently high in a tree, which is "what they learn to do to evade predators," and Dickson said that the cubs are "doing all the things young bears do."Prior to Trumble's update, the wildlife biologists had been waiting for the cubs to come lower in the tree so they could safely be tranquilized, before deciding to move on to the traps. "Plan A," according to Dickson, was to tranquilize the cubs; "Plan B" is to attempt to trap them."We want to make sure there is a good outcome," said Dickson. "We need to make sure all the pieces of the puzzle are in place, and do all we can for a successful outcome at the end of the day."The two bears cubs were orphaned after their mother, Bobbi the Bear, was shot by a resident on Scudder Road on May 12. The Ridgefield Police Department has issued a statement confirming that the resident was an off duty Ridgefield police officer.DEEP Senior Advisor on Outreach and Engagement James Fowler said that the shooting was still under investigation, and until the investigation was complete, it is unknown what, if any, charges may be filed. Dickson confirmed that the shooting involved free range chickens owned by the resident.Following the press conference, Laura Simon, president of the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, told The Newtown Bee that their representatives and a number of residents located the bear cubs on May 15 and attempted to get the DEEP to come out and capture the cubs. However, it was "five hours until they showed up," which caused them to "lose the opportunity" to safety tranquilize the cubs.Simon said that the cubs are too young to be on their own and "need their mother's milk and protection." She was "thrilled" that the DEEP was now onboard with rehabilitating the cubs and was "anxious to hear" where the cubs are sent following their capture.Rep Allie-Brennan InvolvedRaghib Allie-Brennan was among those assembled at the cubs' location on Sunday, May 15 and expressed frustration that at the time the organization was still unwilling to capture them.He said that the cubs climbed up a tree and "looked dehydrated and exhausted" and were "waiting for their mother."He was happy to hear that pressure he and other state representatives had been putting on DEEP had changed their position and that he would "make sure to hold them to it."Allie-Brennan said there had been an "outpouring of goodwill from residents here and across the state." He also expressed concern about the resident who shot Bobbi."It's seriously offensive that there has been no comment from DEEP or Ridgefield about this," said Allie-Brennan. "I want to make sure that it's taken seriously because it is serious."Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.

Stay Away From The Bear Cubs, Says DEEP Jim Taylor Story With Rescue In Progress, DEEP Says Stay Away From Bear Cubs Stay Away From The Bear Cubs, Says DEEP Featured Slider, News None

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Council To Have Counsel Review Charter Revisions

Council To Have Counsel Review Charter Revisions An outside counsel will review the Charter Revision Commission's proposed charter changes. The Legislative Council at its May 4 meeting recommended that an outside counsel review the Charter Revision Commission’s draft report of proposed charter revisions.“I think having another set of eyes on it is worthwhile,” said Councilman Ryan Knapp.The council voted 11 to 1 — with Councilman Tom Long opposing — to send the draft to outside counsel, if possible, otherwise to Town Counsel, for a review “limited to any inconsistencies, unintended consequences or conflicts within or with statute, and charge that the scope of the review not expand to include reconsidering actions taken or not taken by the Charter Revision Commission.”First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said that the town can either use its own town counsel, Town Attorney David Grogins, which would be mostly covered in the town’s retainer, or have an outside counsel review it at additional cost.One of the main proposed recommendations is to eliminate the Board of Finance. CRC Chairman Andy Buzzi noted that his commission’s sentiment was that the Legislative Council has the overall fiscal authority.CRC member James Gaston said that at the beginning of the process, he and others on the commission felt that the BOF should be in place. However, after lengthy discussions and meetings, they came to the agreement to propose eliminating it.Buzzi reiterated that this was not a quick easy decision — it was a very long deliberate discussion, meeting at least twice a month over the course of the last three months.Rosenthal recommended every member of the council should read and review the draft on their own and come up with their own set of questions.Buzzi said that the public hearing must be held on or before June 6. The Council will then have 15 days to get revisions back to the CRC. Although some Council members expressed concern over the time frame, the First Selectman said this timeline is set by statute.Councilman William DeRosa expressed some concern on the timeline, as some of the suggested revisions are a “big deal.”“We have a lot of stuff to get done,” said DeRosa. “This is a big change to make, and we have a lot of work to do.”The following are the CRC’s recommendations for charter revisions: To clarify that the BOE shall be exempted from such duties prescribed for town departments if such duties are inconsistent with their statutory authority; to add to the charter the purpose, membership, and terms for the Fairfield Hills Authority; to add clarifying language stating that in case of any conflict between board/commission/committee bylaws, the town charter and/or state statute prevails; to permit members of town bodies to abstain from the approval of minutes of a meeting they did not attend. The current requirement is that every member present is to vote affirmatively or negatively on each question raised except in cases of conflict of interest; to add the procedure for filling vacancies on the BOE to section 2-31; to increase the time from 45 to 90 days to fill a vacancy on appointive boards and commissions to provide appropriate flexibility in appointing new members; and to restore the council as the town’s sole fiscal authority by eliminating the BOF from the charter.Also, to add “Registrar of Vital Statistics” as a responsibility of the town clerk to align the charter with Connecticut general statutes; to add “Civilian Review Board” as a responsibility of the Board of Police Commissioners to align the charter with Connecticut general statutes; to remove the Building Appeals Board from the charter, no legislative history nor purpose nor meaning has been found to keep this board in the charter, additionally, the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning and Zoning Commission cover all aspects and purposes; to add “or a reduction in environmental impact” to the summary of general responsibilities of the Sustainable Energy Commission as a clarification; to incorporate the provisions of Newtown Ordinance 124, which governs elections of the BOE, into the charter; to clarify that the BOE has its own finance director (separate from the town); to revise language regarding the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the town to broaden the current language from a five‐year plan to a plan of at least five years with annual adjustments; and to clarify that regulations that are proposed to be adopted, amended, or repealed by the council will be referred to the BOS, BOE, or other town bodies, as their interests are affected, at least 90 days prior to approval by the council.Also, to clarify the language related to budget amendments, in the event that a budget fails at referendum, in order to make the intent and process clear; to clarify and define authorities and limits related to special appropriations versus emergency appropriations made by the council; council can authorize Special Appropriations up to a cumulative amount not to exceed $1,500,000 in one fiscal year. Amounts in excess must go to referendum; council can authorize emergency appropriations up to a cumulative amount not to exceed one mill on the most recently completed Grand List during one fiscal year. Amounts in excess must go to referendum; to authorize the BOE to request a special or emergency appropriation (currently only the BOS or the council can request); and to specify that only dollars that are derived from local sources of tax revenue will be counted as part of the caps and limits on special and emergency appropriations.Some items the CRC considered that did not become recommendations in the draft report include changes to charter language that would make the first selectman no longer an ex officio member of the Board of Education; making the Board of Education an eight-person board with a maximum of four members from one party; and changing the language of the charter to be gender neutral.Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.

Legislative Council Considers Charter Revisions Jim Taylor Story Council To Have Counsel Review Charter Revisions Charter Revision Commission Begins Approving Revisions Featured Slider, News None

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Fire Reports | May 4-10, 2022

Fire Reports | May 4-10, 2022 Fire calls and their responders in Newtown, Conn., for the period of May 4 to May 10, 2022. The dispatchers at the Newtown Emergency Communications Center, at 191 South Main Street, report the following fire calls and the responders:Wednesday, May 4: 3:25 pm, fire alarm, Main Street, Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook responded; 4:58 pm, fire alarm, Main Street, Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook responded; 7:47 pm, fire alarm, Toddy Hill Road, Botsford, Hook & Ladder, and Sandy Hook responded.Thursday, May 5: 3:41 am, smoke in building, Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, Hook & Ladder, Botsford, and Hawleyville responded; 10:49 am, service call, Main Street, Hook & Ladder covered; 10:51 am, motor vehicle accident (MVA) with injury, I-84 East between Exits 11 and 13, Sandy Hook responded.Friday, May 6: 6:31 am, MVA with injury, Main Street/Currituck Road, Hook & Ladder responded; 10:28 am, fire alarm, Nunnawauk Road, Hook & Ladder responded; 11:08 am, fire alarm, Jacklin Road, Dodgingtown and Hawleyville responded; 12:41 pm, tree/wires down, Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook responded; 3:02 pm, CO alarm, Queen Street, Hook & Ladder and Botsford responded; 5:43 pm, MVA with injury, South Main Street, Hook & Ladder responded; 6:38 pm, tree/wires down, Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook responded.Saturday, May 7: 5:12 am, MVA with injury, Main Street/Martin Street, Hook & Ladder and Hawleyville responded; 3:39 pm, medical assist, Dinglebrook Lane, Hook & Ladder responded.Monday, May 9: 12:05 pm, MVA with injury, Currituck Road/Obtuse Road, Hawleyville responded; 1:54 pm, brush fire, I-84 West Exit 9 off ramp, Hawleyville and Hook & Ladder responded; 3:13 pm, brush fire, Mt Pleasant Road, Hawleyville and Hook & Ladder responded; 3:37 pm, service call, Ridge Road, Hook & Ladder covered.Tuesday, May 10: 6:41 am, fire alarm, Hawleyville Road, Hawleyville and Hook & Ladder responded; 12:39 am, gas leak, Church Hill Road, Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook responded; 12:38 pm, outside fire, Church Hill Road, Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook responded; 3:22 pm, fire alarm, Old Farm Road, Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook responded; 3:39 pm, outside fire, Hickory Lane, Sandy Hook and Hook & Ladder responded; 4:29 pm, CO alarm, Settlers Lane, Botsford responded; 6:31 pm, medical assist, Aunt Park Lane, Botsford responded; 6:49 pm, fire alarm, Underhill Road, Sandy Hook responded; 7:08 pm, tree/wires down, Mt Pleasant/Tory Lane, Hook & Ladder responded.

Fire Reports | May 4-10, 2022 Story Fire Reports | May 4-10, 2022 Fire Reports | August 18-24, 2021 News None

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DEEP Investigating Bear Shooting, Orphaned Cubs

DEEP Investigating Bear Shooting, Orphaned Cubs The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is investigating the shooting of a bear in Newtown that has been roaming the local area with cubs.The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is actively investigating the shooting of a female bear in Newtown on May 12. The DEEP is saying it is leaving the adult bear's two surviving cubs to fend for themselves, and will be monitoring them through the weekend."The DEEP has left the surviving bear cubs in the area as it is their home range, and their familiarity with the area will increase their chance of success," said the Newtown Police Department in a statement. "We urge people not to feed the bear cubs, which will greatly reduce that likelihood. This behavior will also diminish their fear of people creating a greater danger for the bear and public safety. Newtown is working with the DEEP to monitor the bear cubs.NPD said any witnesses to the incident are requested to notify DEEP at 860-424-3011.Newtown Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal both confirmed to The Newtown Bee in interviews that the victim of the shooting is Bobbi the Bear, a local bear with a #217 ear tag that has been coming through town for four or five years and has had many cubs over the years.Rosenthal is actively working with the DEEP Wildlife Division to obtain a permit to rehabilitate the bear cubs from this incident with a wildlife specialist."I am heartbroken over the loss of the bear and the orphaning of the cubs," said Rosenthal. "While I cannot comment on an active investigation, I am working with our Animal Control Officer, Carolee Mason, and lobbying DEEP including the Commissioner to secure permission to allow the cubs to go to a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization."Rosenthal said the DEEP is "engaged and involved" in the fate of the two bear cubs and wanted to dispel rumors that DEEP is looking to euthanize the cubs. He said that DEEP is actually going to be observing the bears over the course of the weekend to determine whether they can survive on their own or whether they need to be taken in by a wildlife rehabilitation organization.Stating a preference that the cubs be taken in for rehabilitation, Rosenthal said DEEP representatives are seeking information on any sightings of the cubs so they can be observed. Rosenthal also warned the public to not feed the cubs under any circumstances, and to not go out looking for the bears."To feed them would be to almost guarantee their demise," Rosenthal said, as the cubs could become dependent on handouts and not learn to forage for themselves.He also said the reason the DEEP is concerned about taking the cubs in is that they "might not make it back out into the wild" by becoming too dependent on human assistance.Rosenthal said the story of Bobbi's shooting and the bear cubs has reached as far as the governor's office, as Gov Dan LaMont has reached out to him.Keep Animals ProtectedMason warned residents about keeping livestock on their property unprotected."It attracts local wildlife," said Mason. "Things like this are the reason wild [predatory animals] come around."Mason is the owner of five chickens herself that she said she caught "running around town." Mason said she keeps those chickens in a barn overnight to protect them."It's like a McDonald's for local wildlife," Mason said, referring to small animals left outside unprotected.Mason said the shooting was "very sad" and that homeowners should take more precautions so that they don't attract wildlife like bears."People are trying to fault wildlife for being wildlife," said Assistant Animal Control Officer Emily Whitaker.Mason said she is "very concerned" about the cubs."I think they should have been taken care of," said Mason.A Facebook page devoted to Bobbi the Bear, a local bear with a #217 ear tag that passes through Newtown, and a new page, Save Bobbi's Cubs, are seeking support for the two bear cubs.DEEP has not returned calls and e-mails sent from The Bee in an attempt to confirm other details of the case.State Rep Raghib Allie-Brennan reached out to The Bee saying he was very concerned about the incident, and that he would be monitoring the situation, adding that he hopes the cubs can be rescued and kept safe.Anyone who observes a black bear in Connecticut is encouraged to report the sighting on DEEP’s website or send an e-mail to deep.wildlife@ct.gov.Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.

DEEP Investigating Bear Shooting, Orphaned Cubs Jim Taylor Story DEEP Investigating Bear Shooting, Orphaned Cubs DEEP Investigating Bear Shooting, Orphaned Cubs Featured Slider, News None

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In Case You Missed It, Here Is What Posted Over The Weekend

Catch up with stories published to newtownbee.com this past weekend here.

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LGBTQ+ Support Groups Forming To Give ‘Safe Space’ For Youth, Parents

LGBTQ+ Support Groups Forming To Give ‘Safe Space’ For Youth, Parents Newtown resident DDS Dobson-Smith is looking to offer their professional and personal insight to the local LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) community in the form of two new support groups. Newtown resident DDS Dobson-Smith is looking to offer their professional and personal insight to the local LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) community in the form of two new support groups.A LGBTQ+ Youth Support Group being formed is geared towards 12-18 years old. It is designed to be a safe and confidential peer group where members can share thoughts, feelings, resources, and support to one another. The second group is for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth, to help empower, educate, and support them.Dobson-Smith will facilitate both groups.“I moved to Newtown in January, and it is really important to me that I play a part in the community, and I think the best way I can do that is to offer my skills and my experience,” they said.Dobson-Smith is a licensed Marital & Family Therapy Associate and is a psychotherapy practitioner in Newtown.“I’ve been a psychotherapist for nearly 15 years. I was licensed in the UK before I moved to the United States eight years ago,” they said. “I’m also a professor in psychology and teach graduate students who are learning to be psychotherapists themselves. And I am a member of the queer community and spent a couple years working in California in community mental health, particularly serving the LGBTQ community.”Dobson-Smith is passionate about helping others and acknowledges that they would have appreciated these valuable resources when they were an adolescent.“I would have loved to have found people who were like me, because it can be really lonely as a member of the LGBTQ community growing up ... It can be a really challenging time from a mental and emotional health point of view,” they said.With that in mind, the youth support group focuses on being a place for the LGBTQ+ community to feel welcome and included.“I really wanted to create the group for LGBTQ youth to provide a safe space where people can build community, friendships, and can also have a place where they can be seen and understood in ways they may not be seen and understood perhaps in their family home, at school, or in their friendship groups,” Dobson-Smith said.Not only will there be time to share and discuss different topics, but depending on the day there may also be opportunities for activities, games, and art.For the separate support group that focuses on parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth, it will be geared towards guiding them on their journey of better connecting with their loved one.“In my psychotherapy practice, I often hear and work with parents whose children are experiencing coming out, exploring their gender, exploring their sexuality, and they really want to do the right thing by their children, but they don’t know how to do the right thing and are worried about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing,” they said.Dobson-Smith wants the group to be an open environment where parents and caregivers can talk to one another, as well as use them as a resource to ask questions.“For both groups, the want of each group will emerge based on the needs of the people who come,” Dobson-Smith added.Planning SessionsThe support groups have not officially started and are in the beginning stages of gathering interest. The day it meets will depend on its participants.The location, though, has been set. It will take place in person at Dobson-Smith and his husband Davis’s property in Newtown.Dobson-Smith shared, “We have a guest house that I use, and we have converted into a retreat center. This is where my psychotherapy patients come, this is where we are able to offer reiki and reflexology … people can make a cup of tea or some coffee and spend some time talking and sharing. It’s a really lovely space.”Their husband will join the group at times as a co-facilitator, who brings experience working with youth and parents as a principal at a school in California.While it is not a closed group, and individuals will continue to be welcomed in, Dobson-Smith encourages people to attend consecutive sessions to gain the full benefits of the program.They mentioned, “In terms of a fee, it will be on a donation basis. It is what people can afford and want to offer and are able to offer.”Those interested in attending either support group can e-mail dds@soulfull.com.Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.

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Features

The Way We Were

The Way We Were Newtown news of 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 years ago, from the archives of The Newtown Bee.May 9, 1997Newtown Board of Education Chairman Herb Rosenthal told board members Tuesday night about a proposal from Oxford Public School administrators concerning a possible transfer of 100 Oxford students into Newtown High over a four year period, from 1998 to 2001. The Oxford students would be admitted in four successive waves, beginning with the enrollment of the first group of 25 freshmen in the fall of 1998. As the students advanced alongside their Newtown peers, they would presumably graduate from Newtown High four years later, at which time no new students would be admitted.* * * * *Several huge pine trees came crashing down onto the grounds of Dickinson Park during Tuesday afternoon’s brief, but intense thunderstorm. Fallen trees littered the Elm Drive park late this week. Workers were expected to begin disposing of the trees later this week. Trees also fell in the Head O’ Meadow/Shepard Hill Road section of town, indicating the storm took a path through that area with wind gusts estimated at 50-60 mph.* * * * *The Fairfield County Fish and Game Club sponsored its annual junior fishing derby at the club off Walker Hill Road recently. The event attracted hundreds of children, who fished the club’s impoundments along the Halfway River for the 300 trout that were stocked for the event.* * * * *Hundreds of pizza lovers crowded the middle school gym Monday evening for a Family Pizza Night to benefit the Family Life Center. The event offered “all you can eat” for just $5, with children under four eating free. More than $4,000 was raised, topping last year’s total. The money will be used to underwrite the cost of therapy, according to Judy Benson, FLC administrative director.* * * * *The Town Players theatre company of Newtown has opened their 1997 season, with the introduction of When We Are Married last weekend at the Orchard Hill Road playhouse. J.R. Priestley’s classic play is a farcical comedy that tells the story of three couples who were married on the same day, who have reunited to celebrate their silver wedding anniversaries. Pandemonium breaks out when a choirmaster makes an announcement. The cast assembled to perform this enjoyable play includes Martha Bishop, Danielle F. Douchkoff, Suzanne Kinnear, Ron Malyszka, Kristi McKeever, Rob Pawlowski, Andy Rage, and Deirdre Seeley. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings, at 8:30 pm, through May 24.May 12, 1972Newtown taxpayers overwhelmingly turned down a total recommended budget for 1972-73, including those of the Selectmen and Board of Education, of $7,306,134.72 in an all day referendum on Wednesday, May 10. The vote showed that 2,459 were against the budget and 977 for it. Of the 7,129 eligible to vote, 3,450 showed up at the polls. According to reports, there were a number of 18-year-olds voting, and 178 property owners. Of these property owners only around 30 lived out of town, and the rest were residents.* * * * *A record attendance was present Monday evening at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library for the annual meeting of the Newtown Historical Society. The meeting was conducted by Attorney Raymond Doyle, vice president, in the absence of Joseph Wupperfeld, president, who was away on vacation. Reports of officers showed the Society to have had an active year. The treasurer’s report, prepared by George Northrop, treasurer, and read in his absence by Attorney Doyle, listed the funds which had come to the Society from the estate of Mrs Henry Blackman and the estate of Henry Schnakenberg.* * * * *St John’s Church has just welcomed the Rev William D. Loring as its new Vicar. Fr Loring, who has been making his home in Scituate, Mass., is working towards an advanced degree in theology, specializing in Liturgics, the study of Public Worship, and working on a half-time basis in Sandy Hook. He expects to move into the rectory this summer, and in the meantime is spending two to three days each week at the church. Fr Loring and his wife have one child, Michael.* * * * *Mrs Barbara Dunn, Connecticut’s Commissioner of Consumer Protection, in addressing a meeting of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce last Thursday evening in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, expressed her pleasure at “coming home” to talk about her department. Many townspeople remember Mrs Dunn as Barbara Baxter, daughter of Mr and Mrs William C. Baxter, who grew up and went to school here in Newtown. She served in the State Legislature from 1967 to 1971 from East Hartford and is now filling the important post of Commissioner of Consumer Protection in state government, having been appointed by Governor Meskill.* * * * *Paul S. Smith, editor of The Bee, will be honored at a testimonial dinner Tuesday evening, May 23. Mr Smith is being recognized by the Newtown Board of Realtors, which has designated May 23, 1972, as Paul S. Smith Day, and First Selectman Frank DeLucia has issued a proclamation to that effect. Governor Thomas Meskill has sent a letter to Timothy Loughlin, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, saying that he and Mrs Meskill will be attending the dinner. Newspaper publishers from throughout New England, civic and business leaders in town, and many personal friends of the Smiths are also expected.May 9, 1947An important step forward was taken on Wednesday of last week, by the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company, Inc, when Edward E. Knapp, treasurer, received from Richard T. Staples, of James Staples and Company, Bridgeport, deed to Glover Hall. The firemen were represented by Treasurer Knapp and Joseph H.A. Symonds, member since its incorporation eight years ago and legal counsel of the fire company. The conveyance was by the First National Bank and Trust Company of Vicksburg, Miss., trustee under the will of the late Lawrence Glover Warner. The trustee was represented by Huntley Stone, member of the firm of Pullman and Comley, attorneys, of Bridgeport.* * * * *Two important town meetings were held in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall on Friday and Saturday evenings, when a request made by the Board of Selectmen for $10,000 for town road work was overwhelmingly rejected, and at the second meeting a Permanent Building committee was named for the proposed addition and alterations to Hawley School. Friday night’s meeting attracted a crowd which more than filled the Alexandria room, making it necessary for many people to stand. H.H. Cutler was named chairman. Saturday night’s meeting was called to hear and act upon the Progress Report of the Board of Education concerning the proposed addition and alterations to Hawley School, and drew an attendance of scarcely more than fifty. Judge Paul V. Cavanaugh was named chairman.* * * * *Dr and Mrs William S. Beard returned on Friday to their home on Currituck road, after spending the winter season at Tangerine, Fla. They drove 1408 miles on the return trip coming over the Skyline Drive on their way north.* * * * *The Arts and Crafts Club held a business meeting Wednesday night at Trinity Church Parish room at which they elected the following officers: Mrs William Cutler, president, and Mrs Albert Knapp, secretary-treasurer. A pleasant interval was spent in smocking and leather work, after which refreshments were served by the hostesses, Mrs William Cutler and Miss Katherine Kirby. New members are welcome, the only requirement being the ability to teach an art or a craft. Meetings are held every other Wednesday at Trinity Parish at 8 p.m.* * * * *Dr Russell H. Strasburger suffered a sprained knee and ankle earlier this week when he was kicked by a cow that he was treating. His leg is in a cast and he is confined to his home, which is no pleasure for him and considerable of a handicap in his professional duties.* * * * *Mrs A.B. Nichols of Taunton district announces the engagement of her daughter, Shirley Jeanette, to the Rev Arthur E. Berry of Georgetown, son of Mr and Mrs Frank A. Berry of Bethel. Miss Nichols is a graduate of Hawley High School and Danbury State Seniors College. At present she is a member of the staff of The Newtown Bee. Rev Mr Berry is a student minister of the Georgetown Methodist church. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University and will receive his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale University on June 18. He hopes to be ordained deacon of the Methodist Church on May 18 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and at that time expects to be reappointed to the Georgetown church to assume all pastoral responsibilities. The couple plan to be married in the late summer and will make their home in Georgetown.May 5, 1922A beautiful tablet was unveiled on Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church to the memory of the Reverend James H. Gordon. The plaque reads: In loving memory of / James Hardin George / Born in Albany Georgia 1853 Died in Newtown 1917 / Rector of Trinity Parish / From 1902 until his death / By a life of untiring devotion / he exemplified his faith and love / which is in Christ Jesus. / “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice.” / Philippians IV 4.”* * * * *Cards are out announcing the marriage on Saturday, April 29, of Miss Claire Marguerite Spring, of Leominster, Mass., to Frederick Wood [illegible] of Cleveland, O. Miss Spring was for two years principal of Newtown Community school and has many friends in town. Mr and Mrs [illegible] will be at home to their friends after September 1, at 3066 [illegible] Road, Shaker Heights Village, Cleveland, O.* * * * *Representative Newton M. Curtis, the local peach king, informs the editor his peach orchards are now in full bloom and there is every indication of a bumper peach crop, barring a sudden freeze-up or some unlooked-for accident. H.H. Taylor of Mt Pleasant also says there is a prospect of a big peach crop. A late frost, he says, might get some of the early varieties as it did last year, but the present outlook he regards as bright for a big crop.* * * * *Morris Moscovitz and Dr Jacob W. Gerger, the latter a dentist in Bridgeport, holders of the second mortgage on the Newtown Inn, have taken up the first mortgage of $11,000 held by the Newtown Savings Bank and are now sole owners of the property.* * * * *C.S. Blackman will open a lunch room in connection with the Newtown garage and will dispense confectionery, ice cream, sandwiches, coffee, etc. This will be a convenience to the traveling public.* * * * *Hon George S. Bryan, of Brookfield Center, the well known author and writer, was a caller at The Bee office, Tuesday.* * * * *Miss Jane Ruffells of West Hartford was a week-end guest of her mother, Mrs Jane C. Ruffells, of Palestine.May 14, 1897The monthly meeting of the Fairfield County Clerical Association was held in Trinity parish on Monday, May 10. The Holy Communion was celebrated by the rector, assisted by Rev W.A. Swan of Redding Ridge. The essayist was Rev H.M. Sherman, archdeacon. A bountiful luncheon was served to the clergy by the women of Trinity parish. Seventeen clergymen were present.* * * * *ST ROSE’S CHURCH: Father Daley of East Hartford, formerly a curate in this parish, has been a guest, this week, at the parochial residence. Father Smith preached at St Joseph’s church, Sixth avenue, New York, last Friday night, to a very large audience. The Very Rev D.P. O’Flynn is the pastor of this church. The theme of Father Smith’s discourse was “The devotion to the sacred heart.” Father Fox was at St Peter’s church, Danbury, on Sunday, when Bishop Tierney performed the rite of confirmation. Father Fox will drive to Derby on Sunday to be present at the cornerstone laying of a parochial school.* * * * *Mrs C.H. Northrop and son, Nelson, are the guests of Mrs Northrop’s sisters in Brooklyn.* * * * *Michael Scanlon, who is employed by L.B. Harris, was so unfortunate as to sprain an ankle, last week.* * * * *F.J. Curnick, representing C.H. White & Co, of New York, and wife, and Oliver E. Hurd, representing E.H. Gay & Co, of Boston, made a brief sojourn in town, last week, calling on Charles H. Northrop. They were registered at the Grand Hotel.Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.

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Features

By Light From The Fire: Elegy for the Unknown Soldiers Who Died in the Battle of Ridgefield, 1777

By Light From The Fire: Elegy for the Unknown Soldiers Who Died in the Battle of Ridgefield, 1777 Newtown resident Lauren Clifford recently attended a Ridgefield Historical Society seminar concerning the 1777 Battle of Ridgefield which inspired her to honor four soldiers whose remains were recently discovered. By Lauren CliffordBy light from the fire atop candles’ wicks,He wrote to his family, his name he affixedTo letters describing the battles he fought,And dreams, aspirations, and glories he sought.A husband, an uncle, a brother, a son—He might have been all of these things or just one.He knew he’d been loved, and he hoped he was missed,But if he fell victim to Fate’s callous twist,He feared that his memory would cease to exist.By light from the fire that wrecked what was leftOf storehouses loaded with rations of heft,He watched from a distance as Danbury burned,Unsettled, and anxious with cause for concern.His hands might have carried a torch or a pail,His throat might have sounded a sigh or a wail.When given his orders to stop or persist,He thought of the reasons he chose to enlist,And feared that his purpose would cease to exist.By light from the fire of camp, he stayed warm,And patched up the tears on his worn uniform.He cooked up his meal in the small bivouac,And knew at the dawn there’d be no turning back.A battle was eminent; guns would be drawn—The chess game resumed with a king and his pawns.He knew of his duty; defeat he’d resist.If life was suspended and death had him kissed,He feared that his courage would cease to exist.By light from the fire of barrels discharged,The cannons and bullets had foray enlarged.Each man that was fighting was both friend and foe,Condemning and praising the force of each blow.His oath to his country might stay unfulfilled,For war meant he might need to kill or be killed.Among all the angst in the battlefield’s midst,And whether he died by a weapon or fist,He feared that his honor would cease to exist.By light from the fire that burned in the stars,These four fallen men with heroical scars,Were quietly buried without any pompIn Ridgefield’s soft earth where their boots had once stomped.No funerals, no gravestones, no sympathies bade,No gloves given out, and no mourning rings made.They could have been British, or staunch Loyalists,Or possibly Patriot-sworn colonists,But no one had marked where they ceased to exist.By light from the fire that burns in us all,We recognize soldiers whose efforts weren’t small—Without their brave combat, or strength of resolve,Our country would never have come to evolve.These four men who died among Ridgefield’s terrain,Had sacrificed all and had not died in vain—Their memory and purpose will not be dismissed,Their courage and honor are here, we insist—Since freedoms they gave us, today, still exist.About This PoemNewtown resident Lauren Clifford recently attended a seminar concerning the 1777 Battle of Ridgefield, sponsored by Ridgefield Historical Society. The seminar also concerned the skeletal remains of four soldiers discovered under the foundation of a house that was being renovated in 2019.Having lived in Connecticut most of her life, Clifford said she found the topics fascinating, and she was inspired to write an elegy for the men as a way to pay tribute to them.Each of the first four stanzas represents what one of the soldiers might have been doing on the days leading up to the Battle of Ridgefield and also on the day itself, and that they feared specific aspects of themselves would be forgotten.The fifth stanza shows how they weren’t given proper funerals. The final stanza, she said, “emphasizes that it doesn’t matter if the fallen soldiers were British, Loyalists, or Patriots — their deaths resulted in giving us a gift that we still hold dear and value each day: freedom.”While doing research for the elegy, Clifford said, she came across an April 2003 Newtown Bee article about the Battle of Ridgefield and how some of the militia were from Newtown, “including Mary Hawley’s maternal great-grandfather William Edmond, the namesake of Edmond Town Hall.“So it is not out of the realm of possibility that one of these fallen soldiers might have been from Newtown,” she said.Clifford and her family also attended Ridgefield Historical Society’s American Revolutionary War funeral on May 1 at Olde Town Graveyard in Ridgefield.It was a symbolic funeral, Clifford noted.“The bones are still being analyzed in labs across Connecticut,” she said.There were four caskets, two draped with the British flag and two draped with the American flag “just to show an even representation. The scientists have not been able to determine which sides the soldiers fought on,” she added.“I couldn’t help but make parallels to the present-day war being fought in Ukraine — how there aren’t winners in war, how small the amount of glory is compared to the consequences, mainly the loss of life,” she said.

Battle of Ridgefield elegy by Lauren Clifford Lauren Clifford Story By Light From The FireElegy for the Unknown SoldiersWho Died in the Battle of Ridgefield, 1777 Battle of Ridgefield elegy by Lauren Clifford Features None

Features

Parade Committee Meeting Planned: Updated Location, Date & Time

Parade Committee Meeting Planned: Updated Location, Date & Time The Labor Day Parade Committee will conduct its next meeting Wednesday, May 18, and more volunteers are needed for the return of the end-of-summer celebration. Residents are reminded that The Labor Day Parade Committee is seeking volunteers for this year’s parade, returning September 5 following a two-year hiatus.Margot and Bob Hall will serve as grand marshals for the 60th offering of the end-of-summer tradition, which this year will have as its theme “Celebrating Newtown’s Hidden Gems.”Parade Participant Chair & Lineup Coordinator Melissa Kopcik says there are several different ways to be part of the Newtown Labor Day Parade.Marchers, bands, performers, vendors, et al, will all be needed come September 5. There are multiple planning and behind-the-scenes roles that also need to be filled.“We are ready to hear from participants, volunteers, and potential sponsors,” the parade official recently told The Newtown Bee. “We have a strong committee thus far, which is super exciting.”The parade committee’s next meeting is at 6 pm Wednesday, May 18, at Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street.Note this is a change of date, time, and location for the original plans, which had the committee meeting during the morning of Wednesday, May 25.Anyone who would like to learn more about or join the committee is welcome to attend. Kopcik asks that those planning to attend reach out first.“Due to space restrictions, we’d just like a heads-up,” she said.Kopcik can be reached at 203-994-6435.Anyone seeking additional information on participating and/or sponsoring the parade is encouraged to visit NewtownCTLaborDayParade.org.=====Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.

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Sports

Golf Team Keeps Winning Matches

Hawks continue their winning ways on the courses.

Sports

Nighthawk Track And Field Team Members Win And Earn Postseason Qualification

Nighthawk Track And Field Team Members Win And Earn Postseason Qualification Newtown's runners, throwers, and jumpers are gearing up for postseason.Newtown High School’s girls’ track and field team continued its unbeaten season with wins over Immaculate of Danbury, Pomperaug of Southbury, and Stratford, in a rescheduled meet on May 5 and victories over New Milford and Weston on May 9 — both at Blue & Gold Stadium.The Nighthawks have 21 team members who have qualified for the South-West Conference Championships and 15 state championship qualifiers with one regular-season meet to go. The Nighthawks go to Brookfield to take on the host Bobcats along with Joel Barlow of Redding and New Fairfield on Monday, May 16, at 4 pm.Newtown defeated Weston 83.5-66.5 and topped New Milford 113-37. Top NHS results from that meet are as follows:The 4x100 relay team of Elise Barricelli, Ella Hall, Amelia Daly, and Skyler Howard improved its season time to 50.3.The 4x800 of Ryann Heim-Sherwood, Sophia Guevara, Hannah Snayd, and Riley Powers improved its time to 9:57.1.Hurdler Jaime Adams took first place with an improved time of 16.4. Kayleigh Troy earned second in 17.5, and freshman Reese Smith took third in a state qualifying time of 17.8.Newtown swept the 100 hurdles, 100 meter dash, and 200. Howard took first overall with a personal record time of 12.7. Powers earned first in the 1600 with a season PR of 5:15.8. Barricelli was first in the 400 with a season PR of 59.6 and the 200 with a 25.6. Troy got second place in the 300 hurdles with a PR and state qualifying time of 49.9.Triple Jump saw two PR efforts from Newtown — Troy 34-0 and Adams 33-5. Adams also took first in the high jump, clearing the bar at 5 feet.Shayna Millard threw a first place, season PR, and state qualifying mark in shot-put with a throw of 31-2.25.The boys visited New Milford to take on the host Green Wave and Weston on May 10. NHS lost 87-63 to Weston and 78-65 to New Milford, but had some highlight performances. The 4x800 relay team recorded season PR time of 8:17.35. Caleb Smith qualified for the Class L State Championships in the 400 with a time of 53.0. Aidan Budge qualified for SWCs in the 1600 with a time of 4:43.27.

NHS Track Story Nighthawk Track And Field Team Members Win And Earn Postseason Qualification NHS Track_49 Featured Slider, Sports None

Sports

Nighthawk Laxmen Topple Mustangs, Battle Pomperaug Panthers

Nighthawk Laxmen Topple Mustangs, Battle Pomperaug Panthers Hawks nearly erased a six-goal deficit in a great comeback effort against the Panthers.Newtown High School’s boys’ lacrosse team toppled host Immaculate of Danbury 21-3 on May 5. Colin Breslin led the offensive charge with seven goals and an assist, and Jake Bulkley had four goals and two assists. Colby Harrell netted three goals, Andrew Swierbut and Fisher Stites both notched a goal and three assists, Chris Stowell, Jake Gonski, and J.J. Haddick each had a goal, and Michael Ihlefeld and Kyle Ruddy both had a goal and an assist. Swierbut and Stites combined for 23 faceoff wins and Jake Bulkley picked up 12 ground balls.The Nighthawks were coming off a 13-7 setback to visiting nonconference foe Glastonbury on May 4. Bulkley had two goals and three assists, Matt Jacobs had a goal and three assists, Sam Steare scored twice, Harrell and Stites had goals, and Swierbut recorded an assist. Bulkley scooped nine ground balls.Newtown suffered a hard-fought 14-11 setback to visiting Pomperaug of Southbury on May 10. The Nighthawks fell behind 7-2 at the half and trailed twice by six goals in the second half before a spirited comeback effort saw them pull to within two goals twice.Breslin scored four goals, Bulkley netted three, and Jacobs had two goals and an assist. Harrell and Stites also had goals, and Sam Steare added an assist.Bulkley scooped 11 ground balls, James Celentano had five, Colin Breslin and Stowell four, and Jacobs and Haddick three apiece.Newtown scored just 15 seconds out of the halftime break, but Pomperaug responded 15 seconds after that to reclaim the five-goal advantage. Newtown trailed by six on three occasions in the third quarter and it was 11-5 going to the fourth.Two consecutive goals by Breslin, one by Bulkley, and one by Jacobs off a nice pass from Steare made things very interesting at 11-9 with 6:47 to play, prompting a Pomperaug timeout.The Panthers answered just 13 seconds later, following a near NHS faceoff win. Less than a minute later, Pomperaug made it 13-9. Breslin got the Hawks to within 13-10 with 4:38 left. After a pair of very close Nighthawk opportunities were denied, Bulkley gave Newtown some hope, making it 13-11 with 1:06 to play.Pomperaug won the faceoff battle 17-10. Newtown came up with some key draw wins to spark the comeback effort, but it was too little, too late.“This has kind of been our Achilles heel. We dig ourselves a hole and have to try to fight out of it,” Coach Scott Bulkley said.The NHS coach added that he was proud of the team for battling back but needs to see it put together four strong quarters to have more success. Newtown fell to 4-9 overall.It was Senior Night and Mike Ihlefeld, Matt Jacobs, Colin Breslin, Markus Paltauf, Chris Stowell, Jake Bulkley, Matt Biondi, Jake Gonski, Andrew Jacobs, James Celentano, Justin Zemo, John O’Sullivan, and Isaiah Williams were honored.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.

NHS Boys Lacrosse Andy Hutchison Story Nighthawk Laxmen Topple Mustangs, Battle Pomperaug Panthers NHS Boys Lacrosse_87 Featured Slider, Sports None

Sports

An Immaculate Performance: All Of The Seniors Score On ‘Senior Night’

An Immaculate Performance: All Of The Seniors Score On ‘Senior Night’ Newtown's six seniors found the back of the net in a victory.It was an Immaculate game in more ways than one.Newtown High School’s girls’ lacrosse team celebrated Senior Night both prior to and during the game as all six final-year NHS student-athletes scored to help the Nighthawks roll to a 17-6 win over the Immaculate of Danbury Mustangs, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on May 5.Erin Phaneuf, Ella Hage, Meghan Tarpey, Shannon Kelleher, Izzy Butler, and Elena Sughrue all found the back of the net. Butler scored four times and added an assist, Sughrue, Phaneuf, Kelleher, and Jules Battaglia each had two goals. Summer Harrell, Brooke Bulkley, and Jenna Lagan also scored for Newtown. Bulkley had two assists.The Nighthawks went to Pomperaug of Southbury on May 10, built a lead, and hung on to win 9-8, improving to 5-1 in one-goal contests and 12-1 overall in the process. Harrell had three goals, Battaglia had two goals and two assists, Bella Gerace scored twice, Ava Mitchell and Phaneuf both had a goal, and Butler recorded two assists.Newtown hosts nonconference opponent Glastonbury on Saturday, May 14, at noon, then concludes the regular season with a visit to Notre Dame-Fairfield on Tuesday, May 17, at 5:30 pm.The Hawks have lost only to New Fairfield, a 10-9 overtime contest, and will try to get back to the South-West Conference championship game. NHS fell to Joel Barlow of Redding in last year’s pinnacle game. There are no teams unbeaten in SWC play with New Fairfield having lost to Weston 11-9 on May 10. The playoffs are scheduled to begin with SWC quarterfinal-round action on Thursday, May 19.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.

NHS Girls Lacrosse Andy Hutchison Story An Immaculate Performance: All Of The Seniors Score On ‘Senior Night’ As Girls’ Lacrosse Rolls NHS Girls Lacrosse_93 Featured Slider, Sports None

Sports

Opponent In A Pickle: Rundown, Base Running, Pitching Help Sluggers Win

Opponent In A Pickle: Rundown, Base Running, Pitching Help Sluggers Win The NHS baseball team found a variety of ways to defeat Stratford.Newtown High School’s baseball team manufactured runs with aggressive base running — eight successful steals in nine attempts — and prevented runs with stellar pitching and fielding, including a wild rundown, to earn a 3-1 victory over visiting Stratford on May 5.The Nighthawks turned a pair of double plays. There was a conventional one (second baseman Ryan Verdi to shortstop Yarema Stasyshyn to first baseman Will Burns) and a rundown that was anything but standard that led to another two outs.Starting pitcher Charlie Curtis went the distance in a six-hitter, with six strikeouts; he did not walk a batter in a crisp 93-pitch effort highlighted by 61 strikes. Curtis helped his own cause by playing a key role in a crazy 1-5-6-1-4 double play. Newtown’s pitcher fielded a comebacker and caught a base runner in a rundown between second and third. The runner was in a pickle and eventually tagged out by Curtis, who then threw to second base to nab the batter trying to take an extra base on the play in a pitcher to third to shortstop to pitcher to second DP.The Hawks trailed 1-0 in the fourth inning and posted a three-inning picket fence on the scoreboard with single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth.NHS evened the score in the fourth. Finn Geissler reached base and pinch runner Kyle Mockovak stole second, went to third in a passed ball, and scored on Sam D’Aprile’s single.The Hawks took the lead in the fifth when Matt Pietrorazio delivered a timely, two-out double to plate Hayden Conklin, who had singled, with the go-ahead run.“He has been so clutch this year,” Newtown Coach Ian Thoesen said.Newtown tacked on insurance in the sixth. Pinch hitter Kyle Turk singled and pinch runner Joe Ehrens swiped second, took third on a wild throw, and scored on a passed ball.“I told our guys we’ve got to be ready — especially the faster guys on the bench,” Thoesen said.Newtown’s speed on the bases put pressure on the Stratford defense and pitching.“That’s what we need. I’m stressing we’ve got to be aggressive and we are,” Thoesen said.Curtis did most of his work on the mound in this one, but he has also been a mainstay at shortstop when not on the hill and has been a key bat in the lineup hitting close to .500 with a trio of homers.“He has just stepped it up big-time,” Thoesen points out.Curtis was mostly dominant but managed to be effective and work out of a little bit of late-game trouble. He worked around a leadoff double in the seventh, and recorded the final two outs in 3-0 and 3-1 pitches, respectively.“He’s a battler — I don’t worry about him,” Thoesen said of the peace of mind he has when Curtis is on the mound.Curtis used his fastball, slider, and changeup to keep Stratford off-balanced in the batter’s box. Newtown’s pitcher credited his fielders for his success in this one.“Everything was good today — everything felt good, arm felt good. I had a great defense behind me,” said Curtis, noting that third baseman Evan Nikolas and Stasyshyn at short (on the final out) made nice grabs on hard-hit liners. “The whole game, defense really stepped up.”D’Aprile had two hits, and Nikolas also had a base hit. Josh Rosen and Curtis worked walks.The Nighthawks followed up this pitching gem by Curtis with another dominating mound effort in a 1-0 extra-inning win at Notre Dame-Fairfield on May 9. Burns started and threw six solid innings, striking out eight and allowing just two hits. Jake Hossler pitched three innings with six strikeouts and just one hit allowed. Nikolas walked with the bases loaded to drive in Curtis with the only run.The Nighthawks got over the .500 mark for the first time this season at 8-7 overall and carried a three-game winning streak into the middle of May.Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.

NHS Baseball Andy Hutchison Story Opponent In A Pickle: Rundown, Base Running, And Dominant Pitching Help Nighthawk Sluggers Win NHS Baseball_89 Featured Slider, Sports None

Today's Events

May 18, 2022

Paintings by Stephanie Adam and Carol Gaulin-McKenzie

Newtown Municipal Center Art Gallery, 3 Primrose Street

Oversize paintings by abstractionist painter Stephanie Adam and realistic painter Carol Gaulin-McKenzie, both of Newtown, on view to May 27, hosted by Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.

May 18, 2022 at 08:00 am

"The Power of Nature"

C.H. Booth Library (lower meeting room and hallway), 25 Main Street

Vibrant oil paintings and monoprints by Newtown artist Roberta Shea, whose work is inspired by Abstract Expressionism and Impressionism, to May 31; 203-426-4533.

May 18, 2022 at 09:30 am

50th SCAN Juried Art Show & Sale

Art & Frame, 77 Main Street

Show and sale of works in various mediums (watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, graphics, and mixed media including collage), hosted by The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, on view to May 26; SCANart.org.

and here: SCAN Spring Show & Sale Officially Open

May 18, 2022 at 10:00 am

Martial Arts Demo-Trial Class

Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street

$5 members (contact senior center for nonmember fee), registration required

Master Chris Schaefer (5th degree black belt, Shaolin Shaun Fa Kung Fu-Steve Demasco’s Shaolin Studios) will lead workshop and discussion of the benefits of martial arts including stress reduction, cardiovascular health, and neurological health; 203-270-4310.

May 18, 2022 at 12:00 pm

Newtown Bridge Club games

Edmond Town Hall (Alexandria Room), 45 Main Street

$11 ($9 club members)

Local American Contract Bridge League-affiliated club plays Open Pairs Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, newcomers welcome, all players must be vaccinated; 203-733-8525, newtownbridge.org.

May 18, 2022 at 12:30 pm

Adult Yoga Nidra

Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street

$20

Guided visual and imagery class to rest and calm the mind, no poses, led by Joy Hoffman, some props needed, reservations required; jfhoffman@aol.com.

May 18, 2022 at 01:00 pm

“The Enigma of Egypt”

Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street

Free for members ($20/once annual fee for resident nonmembers), reservations required

Newtown resident Lia Levitt will share photos and stores of her recent trip to Egypt, including a look at the great pyramids, church where Jesus lived for six months, and rich cultural traditions of Cairo, light refreshments, sponsored by Church Hill Village; 203-270-4310.

May 18, 2022 at 02:00 pm

"The Joy of Art and Yoga Nidra"

Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street

$20 per student

Children’s art and crafts including painting, photography and yoga class with artist Joy Hoffman, reservations required; jfhoffman@aol.com.

May 18, 2022 at 04:30 pm

“No Write Way: an outdoor songwriting workshop and acoustic performance with Melanie Alana Glenn”

Cherry Grove Farm Preserve, Beaver Dam Road

$85, registration requested, for workshop and performance; $20 for performance only, registration also requested

Ooutdoor event with singer-songwriter Glenn, who has been creating and performing her own work for over a decade, musicians and all levels of songwriters welcome, audience/observers also welcome, workshop to run 5-7 pm, performance 8-9 pm, bonfire, BYOB welcome, outdoor lounge area, refreshments for purchase, co-hosted by Newtown Forest Association and Great Shift; trent.mccann@newtownforestassociation.org, greatshift.life/events.

May 18, 2022 at 05:00 pm

Midweek Game Night

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street

Weekly drop-in sessions for all ages, meet fellow tabletop games and try new games or play some classics, no registration needed; 203-426-4533.

May 18, 2022 at 05:00 pm

Hearts of Hope-Newtown Paint With A Purpose event

Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street

$7/heart, all supplies provided

All ages and artistic levels invited to paint palm-sized ceramic hearts with simple messages of hope; facebook.com/HeartsOfHopeOfNewtownCT.

May 18, 2022 at 06:00 pm

Newtown Labor Day Parade Committee meeting

Newtown Police Department headquarters (meeting room), 191 South Main Stree

Volunteers sought to help with annual Labor Day Parade, returning in September following two-year hiatus, contact Participant Chair & Lineup Coordinator Melissa Kopcik if interested and for space planning; 203-994-6435, NewtownCTLaborDayParade.org.

May 18, 2022 at 06:00 pm

“Carson, Goodall & Leakey: Three Women Who Excelled in Science” (virtual program)

Presentation by Toni McKeen on Rachael Carson, Jane Goodall and Mary Leakey, dedicated scientists who each left indelible marks in their respective fields with their discoveries

Hosted by C.H. Booth Library, registration required; 203-426-4533, chboothlibrary.org.

May 18, 2022 at 07:00 pm

Bike & Trails Committee meeting

Location and participation details TBA.

May 18, 2022 at 07:00 pm

Evening of Prayer and Meditation for Global Peace (hybrid event)

Love Has A Home Here (Sticks & Stones Farm), 197 Huntingtown Road and via Zoom

All invited to join interfaith minister Rev Bill Donaldson, Grandmother Nancy Andry (Native American elder) and Buddhist teacher Bruce Nichols (Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village tradition) to share an offering for peace around the world, and for the planet itself, all welcome; 203-915-0718, info@lovehasahome.org, lovehasahome.org.

May 18, 2022 at 07:00 pm

Legislative Council hybrid meeting (agenda posted)

Newtown Municipal Center (Council Chamber), 3 Primrose Street and via livestream*

*NOTE: The livestream will offer remote access to view the meeting, but public comments can not be made through that option.

agenda posted

May 18, 2022 at 07:30 pm

Special Editions

David McCauley

Sandra Cointreau To Offer SCAN Art Demonstration

In my presentation I stated my objection to the volume of traffic the WEG warehouse design assumed by BL Companies in their Traffic Study would create. I left it to the P&Z Board to review my report and decide - Exactly your stated preference on how anyone should respond to the WEG proposal. In your letter, you attack my presentation as "hyperbole & exaggeration" but you were unable to challenge a single element of my analysis in-person at the Hearing or even eight days after the Hearing in your letter above. You assert "Don't fabricate data to embellish your point". I back my claims as numbers independently verifiable using the ITE 10th Ed Trip Generation Rate Manual. In fact I reproduced the same numbers in the BL Companies Traffic Study and also numbers that BL companies disingenuously chose to not disclose using the same ITE Trip data models (600 trucks/day for the WEG Warehouse design). I don't need to “fabricate” data already available from the ITE. I thank you for your inablity to challenge my claims. It makes our case stronger. Your disgruntled response and your rants are themselves a statement of how hopelessly weak and indefensible your commentary is. You hide behind an alias because you do not want to take responsibility for your words or because people can recognize your motivations easily? Which one is it.. or is it both? Azeez Bhavnagarwala

Wharton Warehouse Hearing Continuance Provides Perspectives, Objections

Interpreting the Constitution 'as written' is the role of the Supreme Court. Finding a new 'right' by 'reading between the lines' may have doomed Roe. But we shall see.

In Support Of The Judiciary Act

I am not necessarily thrilled by this proposed development. But I will say this: the hyperbole and exaggeration being trotted out by the opponents of this plan are very off-putting. They are hurting themselves with the exaggerated trip and pollution claims. State your objection and let the Commission decide based on the criteria they are permitted to consider. Don’t fabricate data to embellish your point. The electrical engineer should not have been allowed to waste the commission’s and the public’s time with his presentation. Being learned in one discipline does not confer wisdom in unrelated areas. Hopefully the commission accords his “testimony” the weight it deserves: zero.

Outstanding management, only an increase of $6000.

Borough Residents Approve .12 Mill Increase

The property is already taxed as a commercial property. Specifically, the owners are paying $231,089.42 a year in taxes. Take a second for that to set in, 200k in taxes each year. They purchased this property before 2011 (which means they have paid ATLEAST $2.5 million in property taxes). The town specifically put sewers in that area to attract projects like this. No need for sewers for the coveted "open space" everyone wants to make it. I can't believe people are delusional enough to think that a few protests can steer what is the owner's legal right to use the property for the purpose it is zoned for. Yes, the town can make requirements for rainwater, the appearance of the building, or even when the lights are turned on and off. It can not tell a property owner they need to pay millions on taxes just to have the property stay unused. In short, here comes a truck depot.

Wow, More Tax Revenues

Senator Tony Hwang Speaks At CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief

Newtown Interfaith Council Reconvenes Face-To-Face After 26 Virtual Months

Sandy Hook School Student Attending National Youth Leadership Forum

Golf Team Keeps Winning Matches

Senator Tony Hwang Speaks At CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief

With Rescue In Progress, DEEP Says Stay Away From Bear Cubs

Council To Have Counsel Review Charter Revisions

Fire Reports | May 4-10, 2022

DEEP Investigating Bear Shooting, Orphaned Cubs

In Case You Missed It, Here Is What Posted Over The Weekend

LGBTQ+ Support Groups Forming To Give ‘Safe Space’ For Youth, Parents

The Way We Were

By Light From The Fire: Elegy for the Unknown Soldiers Who Died in the Battle of Ridgefield, 1777

Parade Committee Meeting Planned: Updated Location, Date & Time

Golf Team Keeps Winning Matches

Nighthawk Track And Field Team Members Win And Earn Postseason Qualification

Nighthawk Laxmen Topple Mustangs, Battle Pomperaug Panthers

An Immaculate Performance: All Of The Seniors Score On ‘Senior Night’

Opponent In A Pickle: Rundown, Base Running, Pitching Help Sluggers Win

Spring Home & Garden 2022

Guide To Newtown 2022

Holiday Gift Guide 2021

For Better Health - Fall 2021

Home & Garden Fall 2021

Back To School 2021

For Better Health June 2021

The Newtown Bee's Back to School 2020

The Newtown Bee's Special Edition, 12/14/12

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Senator Tony Hwang Speaks At CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief

Newtown Interfaith Council Reconvenes Face-To-Face After 26 Virtual Months

Sandy Hook School Student Attending National Youth Leadership Forum

Golf Team Keeps Winning Matches

Senator Tony Hwang Speaks At CTLCV Environmental Legislation Debrief

With Rescue In Progress, DEEP Says Stay Away From Bear Cubs

Council To Have Counsel Review Charter Revisions

Fire Reports | May 4-10, 2022

DEEP Investigating Bear Shooting, Orphaned Cubs

In Case You Missed It, Here Is What Posted Over The Weekend

LGBTQ+ Support Groups Forming To Give ‘Safe Space’ For Youth, Parents

The Way We Were

By Light From The Fire: Elegy for the Unknown Soldiers Who Died in the Battle of Ridgefield, 1777

Parade Committee Meeting Planned: Updated Location, Date & Time

Golf Team Keeps Winning Matches

Nighthawk Track And Field Team Members Win And Earn Postseason Qualification

Nighthawk Laxmen Topple Mustangs, Battle Pomperaug Panthers

An Immaculate Performance: All Of The Seniors Score On ‘Senior Night’

Opponent In A Pickle: Rundown, Base Running, Pitching Help Sluggers Win

Spring Home & Garden 2022

Guide To Newtown 2022

Holiday Gift Guide 2021

For Better Health - Fall 2021

Home & Garden Fall 2021

Back To School 2021

For Better Health June 2021

The Newtown Bee's Back to School 2020

The Newtown Bee's Special Edition, 12/14/12