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Public Invited To Celebrate Newly Elected Officials

The community is invited to join the families and supporters of newly elected or re elected town officials at a public swearing-in ceremony and reception planned for 11 am November 30 at the Newtown Community Center.

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Early Deadlines For Thanksgiving Week Publication

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Ambulance Reports | November 7-14, 2019

Ambulance Reports | November 7-14, 2019 Calls for Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps for the period of November 7-14, 2019. The dispatchers at the Newtown Emergency Communications Center at Town Hall South, 3 Main Street, report the following calls for Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps:Thursday, November 7: 8:13 am, medical assist; 11:52 am, chest pain; 4:06 pm, breathing difficulty; 4:52 pm, breathing difficulty; 7:35 pm, motor vehicle accident (MVA) with injury; 7:46 pm, fall/accident;Friday, November 8: 6:48 am, chest pain; 4:17 pm, mental/emotional/psych; 4:47 pm, fall/accident; 6:52 am, breathing difficulty; 11:08 pm, medical assist;Saturday, November 9: 4:31 am, fall/accident; 7:42 am, chest pain; 8:27 am, fall/accident; 12:55 pm, fall/accident; 11:59 pm, breathing difficulty;Sunday, November 10: 11:40 am, trauma with injury; 11:59 am, mental/emotional/psych; 5:01 pm, MVA with injury; 5:15 pm, fall/accident; 9:01 pm, medical assist; 10:38 am, mental/emotional/psych; 2:01 pm, breathing difficulty; 2:25 pm, trauma with injury; 3:38 pm, fall/accident;Monday, November 11: 10:38 am, mental/emotional/psych; 2:01 pm, breathing difficulty; 2:25 pm, trauma with injury; 3:38 pm, fall/accident;Tuesday, November 12: 1:04 am, mental/emotional/psych; 7:53 am, breathing difficulty; 9:24 am, mental/emotional/psych; 10:08 am, breathing difficulty; 10:47 am, breathing difficulty;Wednesday, November 13: 4:38 am, fall/accident; 7:24 am, fall/accident; 11:42 am, fall/accident; 1:00 pm, fall/accident; 4:45 pm, mental/emotional/psych; 5:16 pm, seizure;Thursday, November 14: 4:47 am, fall/accident.

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Fire Reports | November 7-13, 2019

Fire Reports | November 7-13, 2019 Fire reports from Newtown, Conn. for the period of November 7-13, 2019. The dispatchers at the Newtown Emergency Communications Center at Town Hall South, 3 Main Street, report the following fire calls and the responders:Thursday, November 7: 8:13 am, medical assist, Great Ring Road, Sandy Hook responded; 10:25 am, hazardous condition, Flat Swamp Road near Poverty Hollow Road, Dodgingtown responded; 7:33 pm, alarm, 61 Elizabeth Circle, Sandy Hook responded; 7:35 pm, motor vehicle accident, intersection of South Main Street and Prospect Drive, Hook & Ladder responded.Friday, November 8: 11:33 am, wires down, near intersection of Bennetts Bridge Road and Gelding Hill Road, Sandy Hook responded; 12:06 pm, wires down, near intersection of Tunnel Road and Currituck Road, Hawleyville responded; 11:08 pm, medical assist, Pine Tree Hill Road, Botsford responded.Saturday, November 9: 5:37 pm, initial report of a structure fire which was actually a fireplace problem, 10 Carol Ann Drive, Hook & Ladder, Botsford, Hawleyville, and Sandy Hook responded.Sunday, November 10: 9:01 pm, medical assist, South Main Street, Botsford responded.Monday, November 11: 4:54 am, investigation, Button Shop Road, Botsford and Sandy Hook responded; 8:38 am, Button Shop Road, investigation, Botsford responded.Tuesday, November 12: 10:47 am, medical assist, Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook responded.Wednesday, November 13: 7:32 pm, alarm, 130 Alpine Drive, Sandy Hook responded; 11:32 pm, alarm, 46 Church Hill Road, Hook & Ladder responded.

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Finance Board Moves CIP, CIP Policy To Council

Finance Board Moves CIP, CIP Policy To Council The Board of Finance recently completed a nearly year-long review and refinement of a Capital Improvement plan or CIP Policy and formally presented it to the Legislative Council for its segment of the final review and approval process November 6.The Board of Finance recently completed a nearly year-long review and refinement of a Capital Improvement plan or CIP Policy and formally presented it to the Legislative Council for its segment of the final review and approval process November 6. Then, on November 12, the finance board completed its review and approved a planned five-year CIP, which will go to the council for review and approval in December.The process and approval of a final CIP by the Council is important because a number of spending authorizations in excess of $1.5 million each, that need to be bonded in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, need to be placed on the April budget referendum for taxpayer approval by Charter.Following an earlier review and acceptance of municipal capital proposals, the finance board refocused this week on several proposed projects that were submitted by the Board of Education, according to Town Finance Director Robert Tait. On November 5, the CIP, Finance and Facilities Committee of the school board recommended and received approval on capital requests extending out ten years.The current official CIP only takes the subsequent five years into account, but both the town and school district have begun building in the subsequent five years for as a means of facilitating better long-term planning.Documentation presented to the finance board on November 12 showed the inclusion of a $300,000 capital request in the 2020-21 fiscal year for engineering for ventilation and air conditioning renovations at Hawley Elementary School, with the anticipated bonding of $3,962,000 slated for FY 2021-22.That same fiscal year, the school district is planning to request an additional $750,000 in bonding to cover replacement and/or restoration of the high school stadium turf field and track, which will be in its 11th year of service.The district’s planned 2022-23 capital requests include $1,452,730 to install high efficiency gas boilers and to complete an energy-saving LED lighting conversion at Reed Intermediate School. That same year, the district is requesting a $300,000 allocation for the engineering phase for ventilation and air conditioning renovations at the Newtown Middle School.Bonding for the construction phase of that project is included in the 2023-24 fiscal year at $3,568,140. That year, the district also plans to request $997,672 for various improvements at Head O’ Meadow School that will include LED lighting conversions, new boilers, water heater, and pump replacements.The district’s 2024-25 requests involve a $1 million earmark for a generator at Hawley Elementary School, and another $1 million earmark for window modifications at Middle Gate Elementary School.The total district requests under the official CIP total $13,330,542. Each year that projects move forward, estimated project costs are escalated by six percent to account for anticipated inflation. A number of the projects may be eligible for partial or full state reimbursement, which was 36.43 percent in the current fiscal year, and are subject to change or elimination in any future fiscal cycle.Any added capital projects not meeting the minimum CIP threshold of $200,000 are approved, documented, and accounted for in the district’s operating budget and are not individually subject to taxpayer endorsement or approval by the Board of Finance and Council.Additional district projects in years six (2025-26) through ten (2029-30) are roughly estimated to total $39,821,000 — and involve capital improvements at each of the town’s seven public schools. The only newly included project on that year six-ten CIP projection is the development and installation of a $1.1 million turf practice field in the rear of the high school in the 2025-26 fiscal cycle.CIP Policy PresentedFollowing Finance Board Chairman James Gaston’s presentation of the CIP Policy to the council November 6, that document was unanimously moved to the council’s Finance & Administration Committee. Mr Gaston was joined by board colleague Ned Simpson, who was said to have done “yeoman’s work” helping to document, refine, and edit many of the fine details that were either removed or modified in the proposed new policy.Mr Gaston briefly outlined that a proposed policy was delivered to his board from the selectmen in December 2018, and it was the subject of discussion during more than a dozen meetings since.Mr Gaston immediately overlayed the selectmen’s proposal over the current approved policy and that master document served as the roadmap upon which finance officials worked to craft the finished product that was approved earlier this fall.The major enhancement to the policy came from the selectmen and is codified in section 310, Mr Gaston explained.“It’s clean, transparent, and we liked that,” Mr Gaston said, adding that section 310-2 could possibly be considered for either inclusion as proposed, modification, or removal.“We had some discussion as to whether this was a policy or regulation,” Mr Gaston told the council. “Our consensus was it was really a policy — regulations are things like ordinances. We also took out [a section referring to] the role of the Board of Finance. It’s really not the role of the Board of Finance because it’s really the role of the council to pass the final policy.”After outlining other edits and revisions, Mr Gaston said much of the technical process involved removing redundancies and other language, “to make it transparent and make it easier for the public to understand it and the process that takes place.”The finance chair said the bulk of substantive discussion occurred around whether a capital project must go to the Public Building & Site Commission (PBSC) for consultation during initial planning phases and a provision that would allow a newly elected first selectman to make changes to year one of a CIP immediately following them being seated.Following a question from Councilman Chris Smith on the top few most important points that emerged over the course of the finance board’s work on the policy, Mr Gaston replied: clarification of document language, the timeline of the CIP process, and when it must end.In regard to the PBSC, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said he would encourage the new school district facilities director to coordinate with the commission as early and often as possible during various projects’ planning stages.Another change questioned by council member Judit DeStefano involved fixing a $200,000 minimum threshold for CIP inclusion. That fixed benchmark was modified from the project meeting a number that represented a percentage of the corresponding fiscal year’s budget.Again, Mr Gaston defended the adjustment as making the policy and process more simplified, and the qualifying number consistent from year-to-year regardless of fluctuations in proposed budgets.Councilman Ryan Knapp then noted several provisions that extended documentation in the policy beyond its former scope, wondering if the language extended beyond the CIP process and into project appropriations.Mr Gaston said that issue was a matter of discussion, but his board decided to present the language as approved by his board, adding that keeping it as part of the policy would support the greatest public transparency, although there could be an argument for pulling it out as a footnote or for inclusion in the policy appendix.Specific Policy ChangesSignificant changes to the CIP Policy, specifically under section 310, are as follows:1. Definition of CIP items. Conform to “Capital Asset/Project”;2. Threshold for inclusion was changed to $200,000, recognizing that there are circumstances where an item under the threshold needs to be in the CIP, for example, to show matching funds for grant application;3. Time span of the plan approve was left at five years, However, ten years projection will be included in BOS and BOE submissions. Five years is in the charter;4. Majority BOF and LC vote for additions was left in the policy;5. Changes were made to be much more careful with additions or changes to Year One;6. A new provision was added for newly Elected First Term First Selectman Submittal that reads: In odd years, if the election of a First Selectman results in the election of a person other than the First Selectman who presented the CIP to the Board of Finance in October of that year, that new First Selectman may request changes to the first year of the CIP under review by the Board of Finance and Legislative Council;7. The process calendar was updated to reflect recent practice as follows:July/August/September:*Board of Selectmen departments prepare their CIP requests;*First Selectman presents the proposed First Selectman CIP to the Board of Selectmen;*Board of Education develops their CIP based on that board’s policy and procedure.Board of Finance second meeting in September:*Board of Education presents its proposed CIP to the Board of Finance.Board of Finance 1st meeting in October:*Board of Selectmen presents its proposed CIP to the Board of Finance.Finance Director presents the combined Town of Newtown CIP along with analysis, including a Debt Forecast Schedule.By November 30:*Board of Finance presents its recommended CIP to the Legislative Council.By January 31:*Legislative Council adopts its approved CIP;*Legislative Council determines which first year CIP projects go to referendum in April.February/March:*Bond resolutions go through the approval process for CIP projects that have been approved for referendum.8. Wording was added to discourage bundling of items into a CIP Capital Asset/Project.The Council’s Finance & Administration Committee will now perform its own review of the CIP Policy and make any suggested revisions before formally presenting it to the full council for discussion and eventual adoption.

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Sydney Eddison Releases ‘Light Of Day: Poems From a Lifetime of Looking And Listening’ Sydney Eddison has published a new book of poems. Chances are if you are reading this article in the early morning hours, local author Sydney Eddison is writing away, with her pencil and yellow legal pad, in the kitchen of her home.Mrs Eddison’s fourth book of poetry, Light of Day: Poems From a Lifetime of Looking And Listening, was released in October; as she explains, “the ink is hardly dry.”She began crafting this new collection of poems directly after her previous book, All The Luck, was published in February 2018.A marker of time, Light of Day is reflective of her life experiences while simultaneously archiving her present feelings.Mrs Eddison’s writing routine has become standard: wake up around 7:30 am, eat, then focus the next few hours to letting creativity come to her.“When I get up and finish breakfast, I don’t go and make the bed. I don’t move out of that chair, [because] it almost breaks the spell,” she said.The figurative magic is the ever-enticing desire to be open to inspiration and catch it when it graces her thoughts.During this time of the day, Mrs Eddison is mindful to overcome the daily distractions of life — phone calls, laundry, etc. She focuses her attention on being present, because, as she knows all too well, each moment is precious and fleeting.“The minute you let loose, thoughts creep in and the poem that might be hatching in there is gone,” she explained. “I have to have at least a couple hours and give it a chance. If something does come, it may be by noon. Sometimes it’s not whole yet, but I know there is a poem there.”Her habit of writing, she says, is very much in line with poet Wendell Berry’s philosophy of “Sit down. Be quiet,” which he chronicled in his poem How To Be A Poet.Mrs Eddison takes the advice to heart, and in the quiet, she listens carefully to the sounds around her, which can be anything from the hum of the refrigerator to the banging of woodpeckers in the forest.“I think the essence of poetry is the essence of life,” she said. “In order to access that, and anything else you are thinking and feeling, you need to sit down and be quiet.”She never knows when hearing a specific sound will spark the next word, the next line, and ultimately, the next poem.Mind On Time“Part of why I started to write poetry is because I’m old and time is short. Truly, I feel this very strongly… try and make every day count,” Mrs Eddison said.While everyone can relate to the passage of time, its reality resonates with her deeply at this time in her life.“One of the poems [in Light of Day] is about this: to try and stop time and hang on to it. It is so precious, and the older you get, the more precious it is. That’s why it matters. That’s the urgency. If there is a poem there, it’s the urgency to get it out there that keeps you going then,” Mrs Eddison said.To make each moment matter, she surrounds herself with creative people who motivate her and help her on her publishing journey.Once a week, Mrs Eddison visits with her good friend Peter Wooster, a local artist who makes complex, multi-layered collages. After his stroke, Mrs Eddison began lending a hand in helping assemble the images he lays out for each collage.“On Sunday, I go and I help him with collage and try to have a poem. If he can do what he does, than I ought to be able to do something,” she said. “I admire him. He is the most disciplined human being I have ever met.”Being held accountable to create a poem each week not only kept her on track, but being around him gave her inspiration.TeamworkLight of Day was self-published through Pomperaug Valley Press. Mrs Eddison is very grateful, she said, for the professionals who took part in making her book a reality.She cites Barbara Cottingham, who created the book’s cover and interior design; Kimberly Day Proctor, who candidly snapped the cover photo of her and her Jack Russell terrier, Phoebe, during a walk at Holcombe Hill; Hank Meirowitz, who photographed her author portrait for the book’s back cover; and Lorraine Anderson, who was the book’s editor, for being vital for the book coming to fruition.“I’m very fortunate for Lorraine Anderson,” Mrs Eddison emphasized.After Mrs Eddison writes and compiles all her poems for publication, Ms Anderson is in charge of putting each poem into a category then organizing the sequence and flow of the writings.“She finds the threads,” Mrs Eddison said.Light of Day is broken down into titled sections that include Seasons and Weathers, Imperfect World, Dog Days, Fabric of Life, Taking Words to Heart, and Passage of Time.Compared to previous releases, Mrs Eddison acknowledges, “This book has more variety… It really is a way of capturing time. It’s really why I do it.”Copies of Light of Day are available on amazon.com, at Queen Street Gifts in Newtown, and coming soon to Byrd’s Books in Bethel.To pick up a copy and meet Mrs Eddison in person, visit Byrd’s Books, 178 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel, on Saturday, November 30, at 1 pm, when she will be doing her first book signing for Light of Day.Sydney Eddison is currently available to participate in local author programs and book signings. For more information, e-mail sydneyeddison@gmail.com.An Excerpt From 'Light of Day' Young FriendsThere is no sure recipeFor a long, happy life,But something that really helpsIs to cultivate young friends.Take pleasure in their triumphs,Support them in their misfortunes,And reassure them by exampleThat life is worth livingAt every age and stage.I am old now and knowThis to be true.

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Sydney Eddison Releases ‘Light Of Day: Poems From a Lifetime of Looking And Listening’

Sydney Eddison has published a new book of poems.

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Mother Dolores Hart And Author Ree Howell Visit St Rose

Mother Dolores Hart And Author Ree Howell Visit St Rose Mother Dolores Hart and author Ree Howell visited St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church on November 9 to share stories and speak about Ms Howell’s book Loving Mother Dolores. Mother Dolores Hart and author Ree Howell visited St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church on November 9 to share stories and speak about Ms Howell’s book Loving Mother Dolores.The morning event began with Reverend Tuesday Rupp of St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Woodbury introducing Mother Dolores. Rev Rupp said she first met Mother Dolores seven years ago when she passed a “cute church.” She decided to go inside, and now she is the reverend at that church and a friend of Mother Dolores.“We never know where the paths we take are going to lead,” said Rev Rupp.Mother Dolores was a star in Hollywood films during the 1950s and early 60s, having made her movie debut with Elvis Presley in Loving You (1957), according to a release for the event. She made ten films in five years, also playing opposite Stephen Boyd, Montgomery Clift, George Hamilton, and Robert Wagner, before becoming a nun at The Abbey at Regina Laudis in Bethlehem. She has been with the monastic foundation since that time.Mother Dolores introduced the more than 150 attendees at the St Rose event to Ms Howell and shared stories from her childhood. She also offered tales from her time in Hollywood, along with wisdom she learned along the way.“You never know day-by-day that what you are going through is God’s way of preparing you for something else,” Mother Dolores reflected, after sharing that as a child she would assist at a movie theater by watching until the movie reels ran low. She watched the actors on screen and learned how they handled themselves in front of a camera, she said.Later, she took drama classes, and a teacher encouraged her to try out for a university play for the roll of a saint.“I got the part. I could not believe it,” said Mother Dolores, adding that as a freshman, it was particularly unbelievable, as parts were typically given to seniors.As an actress, Mother Dolores said she learned through meeting people in Hollywood, like Elvis Presley, to not judge people based on their reputations.When describing her first meeting with Ms Howell, Mother Dolores said their first hour of conversation “went right to the heart of this old Catholic.” Many other heart-to-hearts followed, and Ms Howell eventually presented Mother Dolores with pages that would be the book Loving Mother Dolores.Refreshments were served at the event. According to a description of the morning program, everything Mother Dolores receives for speaking engagements goes to the New Horizons Building Fund at Regina Laudis in Bethlehem. St Rose Parish member Peggy Baiad coordinated the event and greeted all as they entered.

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The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams At Flagpole Radio Cafe: ‘You Guys Are Lucky To Have This All The Time’

The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams At Flagpole Radio Cafe: ‘You Guys Are Lucky To Have This All The Time’ The jokes and music performed on the stage at Edmond Town Hall for the latest Flagpole Radio Café were mirrored by the audience’s laughter and clapping. The jokes and music performed on the stage at Edmond Town Hall for the latest Flagpole Radio Café were mirrored by the audience’s laughter and clapping.The November 9 program began with skits and the Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra performing songs before The Slambovian Circus of Dreams took the stage to perform both some of its classic and new songs.Flagpole Radio Café Producer Martin Blanco welcomed all to the event by first announcing he wanted to clear up an ugly rumor: He is not “the whistleblower.” At one point in the evening performances he did blow a whistle, however.As an opening story for the evening event, Mr Blanco lovingly shared memories about an unloved yellow fold-up bike he had as a child. It was not the typical bike children had in his neighborhood at the time, and Mr Blanco described troubles, both socially and physically when it came to folding it back up, with the bike. The audience chuckled along.“Thank you for coming,” Mr Blanco said. “Enjoy the show.”The Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra performed songs, like “Walk Away Renee” and “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman,” between skits. The vocals and rhythm filled the space, enveloping the audience. The Flagpole Radio Café musicians who performed November 9 were Jim Allyn, Francine Wheeler, Howie Bujese, Dick Neil, Cadence Carroll and Doug Wray. Mr Blanco, Barbara Gaines, Kate Katcher, and David Wheeler performed as Flagpole Repertory Players.One skit performed by the actors featured people trading collectible cards of the “many” democratic candidates for the 2020 Presidential election. Another skit left the audience with a cliffhanger: The Newtown flagpole disappeared and a psychic detective and her partner are on the case. Can the “ghosts of flagpoles past” help them find the treasured Newtown landmark?Mr Blanco announced the audience will have to attend the next Flagpole Radio Café event, scheduled for December 7, to find out.Mr Blanco also shared on Saturday that Flagpole Radio Café has a podcast, which is available on the iPhone podcast app by searching to Flagpole Radio Café.Shortly after The Slambovian Circus of Dreams began playing, the audience was clapping to the beat.According to its website (slambovia.com), the band began in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., as an art school project. Known for their electrifying live performances, the band has toured nationally and abroad, performing moody but upbeat alt-roots rock with an eclectic instrumental arsenal, including accordion, cello, mandolin, and theremin.Lead singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player Joziah Longo is joined by Sharkey McEwen on guitar and mandolin, Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, etc.), Bob Torsello (bass) and Felipe Tores (drums) to create captivating music, according to a release for the event. Speaking with The Newtown Bee just a few weeks ago, Mr Longo said he and his bandmates were looking forward to offering “nothing short of a rousing good time.”Stepping onto the stage last weekend, Mr Longo reflected, “What a show. You guys are lucky to have this all the time.”Some audience members stood in the back of Edmond Town Hall’s Theatre and swayed to the music near the entrance doors as The Slambovian Circus of Dreams performed.

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Christ The King Lutheran Church Hosts Annual Fall Fair

Christ The King Lutheran Church Hosts Annual Fall Fair Christ the King Lutheran Church offered a chance to browse many goods at its annual Fall Fair on November 9. Christ the King Lutheran Church offered a chance to browse many goods at its annual Fall Fair on November 9.Roughly half an hour after the event began, coordinator Elizabeth Lowery said many people had already stopped by the church. There were more than 50 vendors this year.“It’s going really, really well,” Ms Lowery said, between helping vendors and shoppers alike. “Early birds were waiting at the door, and it’s been busy, which is wonderful.”Comfort Dog Maggie, of Lutheran Church Charities through Christ the King Lutheran Church, greeted many near the entrance to the event. Vendors were situated throughout the church, and a handful of tables were outside.Hawleyville Volunteer Fire & Rescue engineer and Deputy Fire Marshal Jami Zapata and quartermaster Miles Ball stood near the fire company’s ladder truck, ready to show visiting children the truck.Vendors sold handmade crafts, food, tag sale items, and more.During at least part of the Fall Fair, music and entertainment was provided by brothers Elijah Lowery, who played piano, and Isaiah Morris, who danced along nearby.

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Snapshot: Sharon Hoyt

Snapshot: Sharon Hoyt Occupation: I’m retired. Many years ago, I was the aquatic director at the Danbury Y. Then I was the office manager for several physicians in the greater-Danbury/Ridgefield area. I also worked part-time at my family’s business. My father owned a funeral home in Danbury, so I worked there with my sister and dad. My husband was 15 years older than me and retired at 70, and he told me “You don’t have to work anymore,” so I retired at 55.Family: I have four children. My oldest son, Ray Ward, teaches college in Norwich. My next son, Ted Ward, works for the town of Ridgefield. My daughter, Betsy Morrissey, lives in Newtown and is a stay-at-home mom. My youngest daughter, Kathleen Washburn, lives in Watertown and is a teacher. Her husband teaches at the middle school here in Newtown. On July 5, 2015, I lost my husband and best friend, Nathan “Nate” Hoyt. We were fortunate to have 30 wonderful years together. I miss him every day.How long have you lived in Newtown? It will be four years in April. I had been looking forever for a condominium all on one floor with an attached garage in Danbury, but I found one here in Newtown.What do you like to do in your free time? I like sewing and knitting. I enjoy spending time with my family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I’ve been a lap swimmer for over 50 years and swim at the Newtown Community Center. Also, I’m president of my homeowner’s association — that’s a full-time job.What organizations are you part of in town? Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, but I knew sometime before that — I would fall, loose my balance, and had bad tremors in my hands and voice. I went to a doctor at Yale and she said I have Parkinson’s, wrote me a prescription, and told me she’d see me in six months. That is the way most people who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s find out. I came home, looked up things online, and talked with my local doctor. Over the course of finding out more information, I took a course at Yale sponsored by the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. At the end of the course, one of the representatives asked if I would start a support group, and I said yes, because I knew there was a need.Now I lead the Western Connecticut Parkinson Disease Support Group at the Newtown Senior Center on the first Wednesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 pm. We help each other. My hope is I can encourage more people with neuromuscular problems to come in and learn more.Do you have a favorite author? I love books by Elizabeth George and Louise Penny. They have nice mysteries.What is your favorite travel destination? Ireland. My family originated from there.What is the best part about Newtown? Hands down, the Community Center and the Senior Center. I hope people realize what a gift that is to the community.Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My husband. He was my best friend. His passing has left a hole that nothing can fill.If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I’d like to sit down with Abraham Lincoln and ask him what he thinks of the nonsense that is occurring in Washington, DC. One of his remarks was “A nation divided cannot stand.”Who is your favorite musical artist? I like Irish music and music from the ‘50s. When I was very young, Buddy Holly was my idol.What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? A very wise doctor told me one time, “Don’t worry what people think when you realize how seldom they do.”What is something you cannot live without? My family.What is your proudest accomplishment? My children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

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Sports

Big Plays Lift Nighthawk Gridders To Pull-Away Win At Barlow A close game midway through the second quarter changed quickly thanks to a clutch fourth down conversion and first-ever touchdown by Newtown defensive end James Knox. Leading just 10-7 in the second quarter, the Nighthawks converted a fourth and long, scored one play later, then went up 23-7 on a Knox strip, fumble recovery, and return for a score — his first TD at any level — sending Newtown High's football team on its way to a 44-10 triumph over host Joel Barlow on November 15.REDDING — A close game midway through the second quarter changed quickly thanks to a clutch fourth down conversion and first-ever touchdown by Newtown defensive end Jamex Knox. Leading just 10-7 in the second quarter, the Nighthawks converted a fourth and long, scored one play later, then went up 23-7 on a Knox strip, fumble recovery, and return for a score — his first TD at any level — sending Newtown High's football team on its way to a 44-10 triumph over host Joel Barlow on November 15.Newtown seized an early 7-0 lead on a Brandon Lombardo to Riley Ward 52-yard touchdown strike, and Devin O'Connell's 27-yard field goal made it 10-0 late in the opening quarter. A Barlow score pulled the hosts within three in the final minute of the opening stanza. Barlow QB Brett Hugo rushed for a touchdown.Lombardo's quarterback platoon partner in crime, Jack Street, completed a fourth and nine pass to Jack Zingaro for an 11-yard gain to the Falcon 24. On the next play, Street connected with Zingaro for a TD, making it 17-7 with 6:06 to play before the half.Knox got into the end zone after causing a turnover near midfield, staking the Hawks to a 23-7 lead with 3:35 to go before the half (the Hawks had a rare miss on the extra point). The Nighthawks were penalized for an excessive celebration after Knox spiked the ball, but what defensive end wouldn't celebrate a rare taste of glory."It was surreal. I didn't feel like I was running in for a TD when I ran it in," Knox said.Newtown led 23-7 at halftime. Knox continued his standout performances with a fumble recovery on the second half's first play from the line of scrimmage, giving NHS possession at the Falcon 44, but the Hawks were forced to punt. Barlow inched closer on a 36-yard field goal by Michael Puglio, making the score 23-10.It was all Nighthawks from that point on, although Barlow had Newtown on the verge of punting before the Hawks came through with another clutch play.Backed up at their own eight yard line and facing third and long, Newtown scored when Lombardo completed a screen pass to Connor Breslin who finished the 92-yard play for a 30-10 lead with 3:07 to go in the third quarter.A 21-yard TD pass from Street to Ward made it 37-10 with 46 seconds showing on the third quarter scoreboard clock. The touchdown was set up by Jack Mulligan's fumble recovery at the Falcon 33.Zingaro's 32-yard interception return to paydirt, on the first play of the fourth quarter, capped the scoring. Evan Prestera's late fumble recovery helped seal it.The Nighthawks had to overcome Barlow's tricky offense and did so with relative ease after some initial struggles."It's very hard to replicate their offense in practice. They run the triple option very well," Newtown Coach Bobby Pattison said.Pattison was pleased with his team's effort. Newtown looks to finish its regular season with an unbeaten mark when the Nighthawks visit Masuk of Monroe in the annual Thanksgiving Eve clash, Wednesday, November 27, at 6 pm."We take it one game at a time, one week at a time," said Knox, adding that Newtown hasn't overlooked opponents on their path to what they hope will be a deep state playoff run.

NHS Football Andy Hutchison Story Big Plays Lift Nighthawk Gridders To Pull-Away Win At Barlow NHS Football_27 Featured Slider, Sports None

Big Plays Lift Nighthawk Gridders To Pull-Away Win At Barlow

A close game midway through the second quarter changed quickly thanks to a clutch fourth down conversion and first-ever touchdown by Newtown defensive end James Knox. Leading just 10-7 in the second quarter, the Nighthawks converted a fourth and long, scored one play later, then went up 23-7 on a Knox strip, fumble recovery, and return for a score — his first TD at any level — sending Newtown High's football team on its way to a 44-10 triumph over host Joel Barlow on November 15.

Sports

Field Hockey Team Edged By Norwalk Bears In State Quarters

Field Hockey Team Edged By Norwalk Bears In State Quarters Newtown High School's field hockey team gave everything it had but for the first time this season couldn't break through with a goal in a 1-0 decision against Norwalk in the Class L state tournament quarterfinals, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on November 15. Newtown High School's field hockey team gave everything it had but for the first time this season couldn't break through with a goal in a 1-0 decision against Norwalk in the Class L state tournament quarterfinals, at Blue & Gold Stadium, on November 15.The ninth-seeded Bears ended a stellar season for the top-seeded Nighthawks, who went unbeaten in the regular slate and rarely had trouble scoring goals.Adriana Alfisi scored in the first half and the goal stood up thanks to a combination of strong Norwalk defense and offense which generated 13 penalty corners, nine in the second half.Nighthawk goaltender Gigi Marino and defenders Camryn Griffin, Meghan O'Rourke, and Kelsey Pearson were among those to keep the game close throughout.The Hawks mustered some second half chances as Katie Dirga created an opportunity at the mid-point of the half, Aniko Walsh stick-handled to set up a chance with less than ten minutes to go, and Reagan Schoen centered from the right side to give Newtown a threat that was turned aside with just over two minutes to play. Shannon Kelleher's midfield interception of a Norwalk clearing attempt with about 20 seconds left gave Newtown one more chance but the Hawks were stymied again.The Bears are a deceptive ninth seed out of the tough FCIAC, losing just three times — to Class L quarterfinalists New Canaan and Staples, the winner of which the Bears will play in the semis, along with semifinalist Darien. Norwalk beat the semifinalist, Ridgefield, in overtime during the regular season.Read more about Newtown's run to the state quarterfinals in the November 22 print edition of The Bee.

NHS Field Hockey Andy Hutchison Story Field Hockey Team Edged By Norwalk Bears In State Quarters NHS Field Hockey_53 Sports None

Sports

Nighthawk Field Hockey Team Advances To State Quarters

Sports

Girls’ Soccer Team Battles Back But Falls In Penalty Kicks

Girls’ Soccer Team Battles Back But Falls In Penalty KicksAfter 100 minutes of play on a bitterly cold (20-something degree) night at Blue & Gold Stadium, the host Newtown High School and Simsbury girls’ soccer teams had to settle things in a round of penalty kicks in their Class LL state tournament opener on November 12.The No. 20 Simsbury Trojans prevailed 2-1 (5-4 in PKs) to end No. 13 Newtown’s season.Newtown answered a late first-half goal by the Trojans to force overtime when Karsen Pirone slid to kick the ball past Simsbury goalkeeper Caela Segar with 7:44 remaining.Previous to the goal, Sydney Howard got behind the defense but was denied by Segar, and Kaley Meisenheimer and Skylar Howard both worked hard to generate chances.After Pirone’s tying tally, Hannah Daly had a pair of long-range free kicks, both of which nearly resulted in net-finders.“I think we certainly had more than our share of chances and this is a result of not putting them away,” Newtown Coach Marc Kenney said.In the first of a pair of ten-minute overtime periods, Nighthawk goalkeeper Julianna Stavola made a leaping stop on a free kick.During the second OT, Stavola charged out 30-plus yards from her goal line to challenge a shot and blocked Simsbury’s bid for a go-ahead goal.In PKs, the Trojans made all of their shots and their other keeper, Madeline Brooke, made a diving stop in the first round.Newtown’s Riley Powers, Skylar Howard, Ally McCarthy, and Colleen Phaneuf all scored in the round of kicks.The Nighthawk coach liked how his team battled back and noted that it’s anybody’s game once soccer goes to penalty kicks.Although the finish was disappointing it does not take away from a season that included a second straight South-West Conference championship, this year accomplishing the feat as the SWC bracket’s fifth seed.“I’m envious of their heart, and I’m envious of their passion, and I’m envious of how hard they work,” Kenney said.

Sports

NHS Spikers Are Wrecking Crew In State Playoff Opener

NHS Spikers Are Wrecking Crew In State Playoff OpenerNewtown High School’s girls’ volleyball team pulled out a hard-fought five game victory over host Staples of Westport in the first round of the Class LL state tournament on November 11.The Nighthawks, who were coming off a 3-2 loss at New Milford in the South-West Conference tournament opener, had not won a five-set battle since game two, a match with FCIAC team Darien back in mid-September.Staples, another FCIAC squad, was the No. 14 seed and the Nighthawks are the No. 19 seed and advance for a road tilt against No. 3 Westhill of Stamford in the second round, on Thursday, November 14, at 6 pm.Newtown won the Staples match by trading wins with the Wreckers; the match scores were 25-19, 16-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-9.“It was a very even match. Both teams came out with semi-decent ball control. It was fun. It was long overdue picking up a five-game win,” Nighthawk Coach Tom Czaplinski said.Leading 10-9 in set three, the Hawks went on a 7-0 run sparked by three Natalie Horn aces, Amanda Arujo’s cross-court smash, and Sarah Nowacki’s kill.The Wreckers went on a run and pulled to within 20-17. Genevieve Murray’s block and subsequent kill, followed by Nowacki’s ace pushed the lead to five. Keyera Smith had two late-set kills, and a Staples net violation accounted for the last point.The Wreckers forced the fifth set by overcoming deficits of 21-17 and 23-20. Maggie McInerney’s upward swing hit over the net went for a well-placed shot and a point for a 22-19 lead. Newtown, after a Staples point, went up 23-20 on a Staples service error, but the Wreckers finished on a 5-0 run.Game five was tied until Nowacki’s kill made it 6-5 Newtown. Nowacki followed with two aces for a three-point edge, and a nice defensive play by Chole O’Connell led to a point and a 9-5 Newtown lead.After the teams traded points, Veronica Kroha tapped the ball over the top row and down for a point and an 11-6 NHS advantage. An ace by Lauren Belden doubled up Staples’ set point total at 12-6.The Wreckers made it 12-8 but momentum was halted when Smith and Belden came up with clutch digs to keep the ball moving, leading to a point. The Hawks followed a Staples point with a Kroha hit and Nowacki blast that got deflected out of bounds for the clinching point.Kroha logged 11 kills, Nowacki and Murray each had nine kills, and Horn had eight kills. Nowacki compiled ten digs and five of Newtown’s 23 aces. Horn was a serving machine, racking up nine aces. Belden added four aces. Horn and O’Connell each added five digs. Setters Catie Gregory and McInerney registered 21 and 18 assists, respectively.Newtown’s coach goes into the Westhill match anticipating a stiff challenge.“We have to step up with better decision making and less nerves under pressure,” he said. “Every game’s going to be tough from here on out. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Today's Events

November 19, 2019

2019 US Marine Corps Toys For Tots Collection

The following Newtown locations are participating as public drop-off locations (call for business hours), through December 15:

Allstate Insurance, 17 Church Hill Road (203-426-8080);

Berkshire Hathaway, 84 South Main Street (203-426-8426);

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street (203-426-4533);

Club 24, 266 South Main Street (Plaza South, 203-304-9654);

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 32 Church Hill Road (The Village at Lexington Gardens, Suite 106; 203-426-5679);

Dodgingtown Market & Deli, 57 Dodgingtown Road (203-270-1678);

Efficient Lighting Consultants Inc, 31 Pecks Lane (203-270-7400);

Eggs & Company, 71 South Main Street (Ricky’s Plaza, 203-491-2727);

Eversource, 20 Barnabas Road (800-286-2000);

EverWonder Children’s Museum, 31 Pecks Lane (203-364-4009);

Giglio Landscaping Service, 71 South Main Street (203-270-4585);

McKenney Mechanical, 15 Commerce Road (203-364-1000);

Murphy’s Pub, 71 South Main Street (Ricky’s Plaza, 203-270-1800);

The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road (203-426-3141);

Newtown Police Department, 3 Main Street (203-426-4255);

Newtown Hardware, 61 Church Hill Road (203-426-4076);

Newtown Savings Bank, both locations (Sand Hill Plaza, 228 South Main Street, 203-270-7402; and The Village at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Road, 203-426-2563);

NYA Sports & Fitness Center, 4 Primrose Street (203-426-0088);

Popowich Chiropractic, 71 South Main Street (203-300-4922);

Ricci’s Salon & Spa, 99 South Main Street (203-426-1611);

Tractor Supply Company, 116 South Main Street (203-270-1197); and

Verizon/Wireless Zone, 228 South Main Street (Sand Hill Plaza, 203-748-4704).

November 19, 2019 at 12:00 am

“10th Annual Newtown and Beyond Photography Exhibit"

Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street

Free

Dozens of photographs by members of Flagpole Photographers Camera Club, on view weekdays through December 27; flagpolephotographers.com.

November 19, 2019 at 08:00 am

5th Annual NCC Thanksgiving Turkey Drive for Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Newtown Congregational Church (use lower entrance, for church office), 14 West Street

12-15-pound frozen turkeys and fixings for side dishes sought for annual collection for mission that will serve 20,000 Thanksgiving meals this month, collection runs to November 21 at noon (check each day’s listings for hours), financial donations* and donations of winter clothing and coats in very good condition also being accepted; 203-426-9024.

*Checks should be written to Bridgeport Rescue Mission, with “Thanksgiving Turkey Drive” on memo line, and dropped at church office.

November 19, 2019 at 09:00 am

FAITH Food Pantry open

46 Church Hill Road (on St Rose of Lima Church campus, southeast of sanctuary)

Nondenominational* pantry available to help residents with food and toiletries (one visit per month), residents also welcome to deliver donations during this time, pantry also open Thursday evenings; 203-837-0816.

*(Its acronym stands for Food Assistance Immediate Temporary Help)

November 19, 2019 at 09:30 am

Matinee screening of "The Peanut Butter Falcon"

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street

Tickets $3, $2 senior citizens (this screening only)

Screenings of adventure-dramedy starring Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen, rated PG-13 and released in August, continue to November 20; 203-426-2475.

November 19, 2019 at 01:00 pm

CHB Board of Trustees Long-Range Committee meeting (agenda posted)

C.H. Booth Library (Gathering Room), 25 Main Street

agenda posted

November 19, 2019 at 07:00 pm

Economic Development Commission meeting (agenda posted)

Newtown Municipal Center (meeting room 3), 3 Primrose Street

agenda posted

November 19, 2019 at 07:00 pm

Screening of "The Peanut Butter Falcon"

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street

Tickets $3

Screenings of adventure-dramedy starring Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen, rated PG-13 and released in August, continue to November 20; 203-426-2475.

November 19, 2019 at 07:00 pm

Board of Education meeting

Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street

November 19, 2019 at 07:30 pm

Special Editions

Jini Woodies

Why The Odd Weather?

from this Senator Tony Hwangs website. "8-30g law has become an emotional issue for many communities because of the broad latitude it gives developers to build under the auspices of increasing affordable housing inventory. Developers can place dense, multi-family projects into single-family neighborhoods, or take land set aside for office buildings and make it into residential properties with set aside percentages far below median income housing. These sometimes controversial development projects often change the town’s character and disrupts neighborhoods."

Proposed Main Street Apartments Draw Fire At Borough Zoning Hearing

Looking forward to next meeting. I encourage at the next public hearing there should be a serious discussion of the 8.30g option and the realities of what Main Street and Newtown could face at this site. By not working with the potential developers what this site could face. How well the Historic District question can sustain a challenge. Is there an option to trade land at FFH and the town to take control ot 19 Main Street in a fair trade deal as well. There needs to be continued talks to come to a solution. I personally feel this is an ideal location for residence, not rentals, either condominiums and or townhouses that have some age restrictions if needed. Maybe for seniors or our aging population who may want to downsize. Hope to see more residents there who resiide outside of the Borough since this impacts the entire town and its appeal.

Just want to point out how "Nicer in Newtown" isn't taken seriously by others when the tell a government council that it would be okay to build these apartments, but not near where they live. They want to push it off on someone else. Make it someone else's problem. "Nicer in Newtown" ? ...not so much.

This is my Aunt Anna (My dad's sister) that passed away one month ago today. "After 1961, the post office changed locations and moved to South Main Street. Anna Maye became postmistress, serving for nearly 20 years until her retirement in March 1980. Mrs Maye died on October 12, 2019, at the age of 105." RIP Aunt Anna

Exploring Newtown’s Historical Places: The Former Botsford Post Office

I never met this man at ALL, but after reading his Obituary , I wish I did. After reading what a great life he had, and a Super family, and I am sure he was close to God the way he acquired lasting friends. I definitely would like to meat Kevin in the Next Life. SO, to all the members of the Fitzgerald Family ,I want to give you all my deepest and yet ( this is not to hurt ANY one of you at all.) joyful condolence of such a Good person, I am truly sorry for your loss, of a good father, good husband, good uncle. Great Grandfather. Thank you Kevin for getting to know you a little, and a lot.

Kevin Fitzgerald Sr

Sydney Eddison Releases ‘Light Of Day: Poems From a Lifetime of Looking And Listening’

Mother Dolores Hart And Author Ree Howell Visit St Rose

The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams At Flagpole Radio Cafe: ‘You Guys Are Lucky To Have This All The Time’

Big Plays Lift Nighthawk Gridders To Pull-Away Win At Barlow

Public Invited To Celebrate Newly Elected Officials

Early Deadlines For Thanksgiving Week Publication

Ambulance Reports | November 7-14, 2019

Fire Reports | November 7-13, 2019

Finance Board Moves CIP, CIP Policy To Council

Sydney Eddison Releases ‘Light Of Day: Poems From a Lifetime of Looking And Listening’

Mother Dolores Hart And Author Ree Howell Visit St Rose

The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams At Flagpole Radio Cafe: ‘You Guys Are Lucky To Have This All The Time’

Christ The King Lutheran Church Hosts Annual Fall Fair

Snapshot: Sharon Hoyt

Big Plays Lift Nighthawk Gridders To Pull-Away Win At Barlow

Field Hockey Team Edged By Norwalk Bears In State Quarters

Nighthawk Field Hockey Team Advances To State Quarters

Girls’ Soccer Team Battles Back But Falls In Penalty Kicks

NHS Spikers Are Wrecking Crew In State Playoff Opener

For Better Health October 2019

Home & Garden Fall 2019

The Newtown Bee's Back To School Guide 2019

For Better Health May 2019

Home & Garden Spring 2019

Guide To Newtown 2019

Holiday Gift Guide 2018

Home & Garden Spring 2018

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

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Sydney Eddison Releases ‘Light Of Day: Poems From a Lifetime of Looking And Listening’

Mother Dolores Hart And Author Ree Howell Visit St Rose

The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams At Flagpole Radio Cafe: ‘You Guys Are Lucky To Have This All The Time’

Big Plays Lift Nighthawk Gridders To Pull-Away Win At Barlow

Public Invited To Celebrate Newly Elected Officials

Early Deadlines For Thanksgiving Week Publication

Ambulance Reports | November 7-14, 2019

Fire Reports | November 7-13, 2019

Finance Board Moves CIP, CIP Policy To Council

Sydney Eddison Releases ‘Light Of Day: Poems From a Lifetime of Looking And Listening’

Mother Dolores Hart And Author Ree Howell Visit St Rose

The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams At Flagpole Radio Cafe: ‘You Guys Are Lucky To Have This All The Time’

Christ The King Lutheran Church Hosts Annual Fall Fair

Snapshot: Sharon Hoyt

Big Plays Lift Nighthawk Gridders To Pull-Away Win At Barlow

Field Hockey Team Edged By Norwalk Bears In State Quarters

Nighthawk Field Hockey Team Advances To State Quarters

Girls’ Soccer Team Battles Back But Falls In Penalty Kicks

NHS Spikers Are Wrecking Crew In State Playoff Opener

For Better Health October 2019

Home & Garden Fall 2019

The Newtown Bee's Back To School Guide 2019

For Better Health May 2019

Home & Garden Spring 2019

Guide To Newtown 2019

Holiday Gift Guide 2018

Home & Garden Spring 2018

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